FITNESS | NUTRITION | CULTURE | HEALTH | ACTIVE AGING | MIND/BODY | ECONOMICS | FAMILY
Cover Story:
The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument: Remembering the Price Others Pay for Our Freedom See Page 14
INSIDE: A Dozen Simple (and Easy) Substitutes for Better Nutrition / 20 Back-to-School Health Hacks / 28 Finding Relief from Anxiety / 50
JULY/AUGUST 2022 sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
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sghw | TWA EB LL EL NO EF SCSO N T E N T S Health and Fitness
Featured Story
JULY/AUGUST 2022 On The Cover: The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument: Remembering the Price Others Pay for Our Freedom................... 14 (photo courtesy of Brendan Dalley)
Community and Culture
Letter from the Editor................................................ 7 Mayoral Message........................................................... 8 Trailblazer Nation: Letter from the President................................. 11 Dixie Technical College: Letter from the Interim President................12 The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument: Remembering the Price Others Pay for Our Freedom ........................ 14 Caring Canines: Loving Angel Service Dogs Empower Vets and the Disabled ... 18 Come Unto Me Invites Hope and Healing................................................ 38 Always Looking Over His Shoulder............. 46 The Summer of ’77.................................................. 48 Don’t Stop. Shift!....................................................... 52 College Savings: Offer Your Employees a Benefit for the Future...................................... 58 University Graduate Anna Seaton Converts Caring Personality into Nursing Degree and Career............................ 71 Life After Your Working Years: What Is Your Financial Plan?........................ 76 Youth Diaries: A Conversation with 2022 Utah State Poetry Out Loud Champion Aeva Dye.......................................... 80
Caring Canines: Loving Angel Service Dogs Empower Vets and the Disabled.................... 18
A Dozen Simple (and Easy) Substitutes for Better Nutrition...................................... 20 Stay Cool in Summer Heat.......................... 24 Like a Broken Record..................................... 26 Back-to-School Health Hacks..................... 28 Blue-tiful Mind.................................................. 30 Vista Healthcare Introduces Comprehensive Headache, Migraine Clinic for Southern Utah Patients........... 32
Mind and Body
There Is a Pathway to Hope.................. 44 Finding Relief from Anxiety.................. 50
The Science of Breathing...................... 54 Creative Wigs and Hair Replacement... 60 A New Look at Anger Management..... 62
Relationships and Family Prevent + Perform = Sports Performance.... 34 Optimize Your Health This Summer...... 36 Is Your Doctor an MD or DO?........................ 40 Get in the Pool!.................................................. 43 Light Therapy for Dry Eye........................... 64 Armed to the Teeth.......................................... 66 Summer Wellness............................................. 68 Demystifying the Mystical: How Does Acupuncture Work?............... 72 The Non-Disc Ligament Injury Dilemma.79
Mindful Caregiving: Taking Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Someone Else................................. 22
Reestablish Your “Honeymoon” Relationship....................................... 56 Build Friendship Skills for Back-to-School Success................ 77
The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of St. George Health & Wellness Magazine, its owners, or its staff.
The way way we we talk talk about about sexual sexual violence violence matters. used to to foster foster a a culture culture of of The matters. Our Our words words can can be be used safety, respect, and before it happens. Oror to to show support for safety, and equality equality that thatstops stopssexual sexualviolence violence before it happens show support survivors, shutdown and practive to practice healthy for survivors, shutdownharmful harmfulmisconceptions, misconceptions, promote promote consent, and healthy communication with with children. Our voices matter now now moremore thanthan ever.ever. How How will you voice to communication children. Our voices matter will use you your use yours help sexual assault, assault,harassment, harassment,and andrape? rape? DOVE Center is our local resource for those help end sexual DOVE Center is our local resource for those who who experienced domestic abuse and sexual assault. can Please help. Please havehave experienced domestic abuse and sexual assault. DOVEDOVE can help. reach reach out. out.
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s ghw | MWEEELTLONUERS SS T A F F
Brendan Dalley Executive Editor
Koby Taylor, PharmD Executive Editor, Author
Diane K. Del Toro Director of Operations, Copy and Design Editor
Scott Allen, MD Author, Health and Wellness
Brigit Atkin Author, Mind and Body
Erin Del Toro, ACHE Clinical Hypnotherapist Author, Mind and Body
Matt Eschler, PhD, LMFT Author, Relationships and Family
Gini Grimsley, Director of Fitness Product, VASA Fitness Author, Health and Fitness
Tiffany Gust, MS, NBC-HWC, USA Triathlon Certified Coach Author, Health and Fitness
Lyman Hafen Author, Community and Culture
Rob Henderson, LASUDC, CTRS Author, Mind and Body
Marianne Hamilton Author, Community and Culture
Bentley Murdock Author, Wholistic Lifestyle Wellness
Mark Wade Author, Outdoor Adventure
L. Steven Wilson Author, Purposeful Living
For information on advertising or other inquiries, visit our website at www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com, email diane.sghealth@gmail.com or call us at (435) 236-2966. The publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the articles in St. George Health & Wellness Magazine. The information contained within has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this material. Appropriate professional advice should be sought before making decisions. Outside of our staff authors, articles written by providers or professionals are invited authors and represent the opinions of that particular individual, business, group or organization. If an article is a paid advertisement, we will place the word “Advertisement” or “Advertorial” to identify it as such. ©Copyright 2022.
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sghw | FWR EO LML TNHEES ESD I T O R As I’m writing this, my wife and I are sitting here at the kitchen table feeling exhausted and relieved after attending our youngest’s child’s high school graduation this morning. Honestly, we weren’t sure it was going to happen. These last two years of COVID-19 turned the educational system on its head, and I’m pretty sure my daughter spent more time out of the classroom than in the classroom. It has only been a few months since most of the mandates and restrictions were lifted. Life has finally slipped back to a state of semi-normalcy, but as my daughter reaches this milestone and in my current reminisce-and-reflect mood, it is clearer than ever to me that life goes on, regardless. We are not getting any younger. Yesterday is only good for memories and lessons learned, and tomorrow is good for hopes and dreams (which more times than not, change), but today—right now— is the most important time in our lives because it is within our control. Right now, you can make a difference in your life. Right now, you can choose to be happy or sad. Right now, you are free to improve your physical, mental, spiritual, and/or financial well-being. Right now, you can take action on what you have learned or what you have been inspired by. In his essay The Shortness of Life, the ancient philosopher Seneca wrote, “Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: It snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today… The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live immediately.” You and I can’t predict what will happen later, so the present moment is our best opportunity to spend time with that loved one, read that book, get in that workout, plant that garden, or visit that friend. So stop wasting time with past regrets or future hopes. Instead, live in the present. Do something that brings you joy or makes you and this world a better place! As Spencer W. Kimball said, “Do it. Do it right. Do it right now.”
Brendan Brendan Dalley Dalley Editor Editor
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 7
M AYO R A L M E S S A G E
We live in a desert. If you aren’t sure, step outside at 3:00 p.m. on an August day. It can be rough, but with the help of air conditioning, our gorgeous scenery, and the promise of extraordinary autumns, winters, and springs, we endure the blistering summer heat. But let’s go back to the desert part. One characteristic of a desert is a lack of rainwater. On average, St. George receives eight to ten inches of rain each year. For the first four and a half months of 2022, it’s been dry. We received a shade less than three-quarters of an inch. We are in an extreme drought phase and have been in some phase of drought for more than two decades. As we grow, our water resources become more stretched. We must do what we can—immediately—to conserve what I call our “liquid gold.” As a city, we have decided to lead out on water conservation whenever possible. Some of our efforts include: • The City of St. George, Washington County, and the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD) are joining forces to convert the three grass soccer fields at the Little Valley complex to artificial turf. This $3.1 million project will remove seven acres of grass, saving approximately seventeen million gallons of water per year. • On Sunbrook Drive, dozens of city employees have teamed up to remove grass in the medians as part of the Washington County Water Conservancy District’s Turf Blitz. All told, more than 100,000 square feet of grass is being replaced by water-wise landscaping. This will save approximately four million gallons of water annually. • The city removed all grass from around the City Commons building and has adopted a more water-wise landscape there as well. Remember, water wise doesn’t mean ugly. The possibilities for beautiful landscapes that use small amounts of water are endless! • At all four city golf courses, we have taken significant water-saving measures including planting a different type of grass that eliminates the need to overseed and requires much less water. We are working with the WCWCD and surrounding cities to find new sources of water to bolster our supply for future generations, but each of us should remember that water conservation will always be part of the solution. After all, we live in a desert.
Mayor, City of St. George 8 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
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we know summer willthat be winding we’ll be I Before am thrilled to it,announce as partdown, of aand landmark welcoming a new class of Trailblazers to campus. This year, the partnership, Dixie State University and the Greater Zion excitement for the start of a new academic year is magnified by the Convention & Tourism a strategic university’s recent transitionOffice to Utahhave Tech entered University.into Having officially marketing agreement that will result in Greater Zion assumed the new name on July 1, this year’s freshmen arereceiving the firstmore than $2 million in annual marketing exposure and ever class of Utah Tech University Trailblazers. We have been working all summer to prepare them, and when Trailblazer Stadium being renamed Greaterfor Zion Stadium. students return to campus mid-August, they will be greeted by Utah Tech eager to help themmaximizes succeed, andrevenue premier The signage, 20-year,a community $10 million agreement learning opportunities that have been a hallmark to our institution’s generated by visitors—not Washington County taxpayers—to education for more experience than a century. our and moreresidents. than 260 create a superior forSpecifically, both visitors academic programs in a wide variety of disciplines offer our students The partnership is truly a win-win-win situation for everyone; it countless personalized, hands-on learning experiences. As part promotes theTech areaeducation, nationally,our builds the community, and fuels of their Utah students prepare for rewarding economic growth by bringing more people to our gorgeous careers and meaningful lives through industry partnerships such as corner of the world. internships, clinical experiences, and co-ops. As Utah Tech University, these active learning opportunities that As part of this effort, TourismtoOffice prepare students in allthe programs enterwill theestablish workforcea visitor career centerwillatremain the stadium andofinformation at other Our key ready at the core who we are kiosks as an institution. academic isn’t to changing to fit the new name;torather, the locations mission on campus showcase visitor activities all those new name more aptly fits the educational approach we have been who attend events on the Dixie State campus. Additionally, implementing for years. Dixie State will better be able to tell prospective students All of this would not be possible without you, our community, who what an amazing backyard full of abundant recreational have supported our students for over a century. I look forward to opportunities they will have when they attend DSU. The timing of this partnership couldn’t be more perfect, as it will assist Dixie State during our transition to NCAA Division I status through opportunities to expand athletic facilities. The university plans on adding state-of-the-art press boxes and comfortable event space to the existing westside grandstands, which will help attract more athletic,
this partnership continuing as we Western Athletic Conference work together to offer our students starting this July, Dixie State mentorship opportunities, service will take and on competitors based learning, other active learning everywhere from Washington, experiences in the community. California, Arizona, As our students dive and into aNew rich college complete and with Mexico experience to Illinois, Missouri, student life will opportunities, Division Texas. This give Greater Zion I athletics, and cultural events, I access to audiences it would invite you to campus to do the otherwise unreached. same. Still leave competing under the Trailblazer identity with the bison Plus, partnering Greater mascot, our studentwith athletes are Zion is a natural fit for strong competitors and fun to Dixie cheer State University. Theart Tourism to victory. Similarly, our students excel in vision their respective Office’s to “Inspiredisciplines Greater. and shine in Greater. exhibits,Live performances, Experience Greater.” Richard “Biff” Williams and productions. See a full lineup of aligns perfectly with Dixie State’s “active learning. active President of life.” events at tickets.utahtech.edu. approach to education. Both philosophies take advantage of will the Dixie State University Our students’ time at Utah Tech University and in St. George beautiful, world-renowned we live to in by encouraging be a launching pad for theirdestination success. Prepared graduate career ready, Utahvisitors, Tech students will blazealike trails to to learn help our students, and residents by community exploring. flourish generations to come. Honoring that the past, dominating the Here atforthe University, we recognize valuable learning present, and forging the future, it is a great day to be a Trailblazer! experiences take place inside and outside of the classroom. By taking advantage of experiences available in Greater Zion, we all can grow academically, actively, and holistically. This unique, trailblazing partnership certainly will enhance our community for years to come. I can’t wait to see you at St. Georgeand Healthcommunity & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 11 upcoming games, concerts, events in Greater Zion Stadium!
information you want to focus on, nothing more, nothing less. This model allows us to cover the content in a relatively short
THE BOTTOM LINE
amount of time. Most students spend a year or less with us before being hired right into the field of their study.
ACCELERATED Our App Development program is an excellent example of Time is money, we know that, and our industry partners
this. In just one year, students have a solid foundation in iOS Accelerated know that. We focus on providing you with a quality
Time is money; which we knowhas that,resulted and our industry partners and Android applearning development, inwith students experience in a state-of-the-art facility the know that. Our students are deeply engaged in learning the
best equipment. You will begraduation deeply engaged in learning the getting recruited immediately upon making information they want to focus on, nothingand more, nothing less.
TON
Dixie Technical College
great money.
information want nothing short less. This model you allows us to to focus cover on, the nothing content more, in a relatively This model allows us tostudents cover the content relatively amount of time. Most spend a year in oraless with us short before amount of time. students a year or less with us being hired rightMost into the field ofspend their study.
AFFORDABLE before right into the field study.example of Ourbeing app hired development program is of antheir excellent
this. In justdebt. one year, students have a solid foundation in iOS Let’s talk about student You’ve probably read an article
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hnical College with nothing more
JORDAN RUSHTON uture and leave with competence
Our Development program is an excellent example of andApp Android app development. This accelerated but in-depth
about it, seen an infographic, or have close family or friends
this. In justhas oneresulted year, students havebeing a solidrecruited foundation in iOS training in students immediately
trying to pay it off. While some paths require a costly and Android app development, which has resulted in students upon graduation andcareer making great money. getting recruited immediately upon graduation and making education, and rightfully so, there are affordable alternatives
Affordable great money.
like technical education. average cost of an entire Let’s talkThe about student debt. You’ve probably read an article
Interim President of Dixie Technical College about an infographic, or have close family members program at DixieAFFORDABLE Techit,isseen $3,400. Our graduates seldom leave or friends trying to pay it off. While some career paths require a Let’sand talk almost about student debt. You’vewith probably read an article with student debt always leave a job. e you a front-row seat to watch that costly education, and rightfully so, there are affordable alternatives about it, seen an infographic, or have close family or friends Education gives you a front-row seat to watch lives change that can provide a rich and rewarding career. The average cost of By requires Jordan Rushton, Interim President, Dixie Technical College easy. It the work of faculty, trying to pay it off. While some career paths require a costly in real-time. I have the unique opportunity to watch students an entire program at Dixie Tech is $3,400. Our graduates seldom I lovelives Southern Utah. I want my children to thrive here.alternatives To education, and rightfully so,almost there are affordable Education gives you a front-row seat to watch change d students! In 2017 when the new as they come to Dixie Technical College with nothing more leave with student debt and always leave with a job. in real time. I have the unique opportunity of watching students achieve this, we need to ensure we provide opportunities to like technical education. The average cost of an entire than hope for a brighter future and leave with competence der construction, I implemented I love southern Utah. I want my children to thrive here. come to Dixie Technical College with hope for a brighter future program at Dixie Tech is $3,400. Our graduates seldom leave and confidence that can propel them into an incredible grow the workforce through quality education and training. To achieve this, we need to provide opportunities to grow the ee lines, with one and leavethe withbottom competence and confidence that will propel them with student debt and almost always leave with a job. career. How many jobs give you a front-row seat to watch that workforce through quality education and training. While at Asa front-row Interim seat President of Dixie Technical College, I look forward into an incredible career. How and many jobs give you magehappen? to remind our faculty the helm, I look forward to focusing each day on our bottom Of course, it isn’t easy. It requires the work of faculty, to watch that happen? It is an absolute privilegeto to be a part of it. focusing each daySouthern on ourUtah. line: Providing a relevant, I love I wantaffordable, my children thrive here. To line: providing abottom relevant, andtoaccelerated hands-on e and staff, whatindustry our “bottom line” is. ForIn 2017 when the new partners, and students! In 2017, when the new Dixie Tech campus was under achieve this, need towill ensure we provide opportunities to education towe those who no doubt make our community and affordable, and accelerated hands-on education to those who Dixie Tech campus was under construction, I implemented e, we provide relevant, affordable, construction, I requested a graphic that would be placed on the wall grow the workforce through quality education and training. economy thrive. a design consisting of three lines, with the bottom one will of nothree doubt our community and economy thrive. insideeducation the administrative office. The design consists lines,make technical to ensure As Interim President of Dixie Technical College, I look forward highlighted. I wanted this image to remind our faculty and with the bottom one highlighted. I want this image to remind our to focusing each day on our bottom line: Providing a relevant, t industry demand. staff andwhat whatour our“bottom “bottom line” teamofofwhy whywe wewere were there here and line” is. is. AtFor Dixie affordable, and accelerated hands-on education to those who usTech, at Dixie Tech, it’s simple, we provide relevant, affordable, our bottom line is simple: we provide relevant, affordable, and and accelerated hands-on technical education tostudent ensure success will no doubt make our community and economy thrive. accelerated hands-on technical education to ensure student success and meet industry demand. and meet industry demand.
ropel them into an incredible
en I have sat in a class and thought
Relevant this inRELEVANT my career.” Students at Dixie
can recall I sat class and and thought thought, “I I canI recall manymany timestimes whenwhen I have sat in in aa class
eep into willthe nevercontent use this inof mytheir career.”chosen Students at Dixie Tech can expect to myself, “I will never use this in my career.” Students at Dixie
to dive deep depth into the by content of their chosen field of study on We provide solely Tech canthis expect to dive deep into the content of their chosen
day one. We provide this depth by focusing solely on the relevant knowledge and hands-on training our students need to succeed in on the relevant knowledge and hands-on training our in thefocusing industry. the industry.
field ofand studyhands-on on day one.training We provide this depth by solely nowledge our students need to succeed in the industry.
12 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
DIXIE TECH
The Gold Star Families
Memorial Monument:
Remembering the Price Others Pay for Our Freedom 14 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
By David Cordero On July 21, 2020, Bronwyn Mount became a member of a club she never wanted to join. Her son Cooper, an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, was killed while on a security patrol in northeastern Syria. Instantly, she was a Gold Star mother. Besieged by grief, her spirits were temporarily buoyed by the support of thousands of area residents when her son’s remains were transported from St. George Regional Airport into downtown St. George, Utah. Despite the blistering summer heat, community members—the vast majority of whom never met Cooper—lined the streets to observe the motorcade and pay tribute to a man who died serving his country.
“I was amazed at how many people showed up,” remembered Bronwyn. “Driving through the cut from Bloomington to St. George, I saw two men standing on top of the cliff waving flags. And then it got more incredible from there as we drove up Main Street, and there were so many people who showed up to support our boy.” By their presence, the people of the greater St. George community made it clear: they support and honor those who serve in the armed forces. This was evident again on a warm, sunny morning nineteen months later as hundreds gathered to mark the arrival of a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in the heart of downtown St. George. The dedication ceremony on March 26, 2022, at Historic Town Square was not intended to erase the pain of Gold Star family members. Nothing can fill the hole in the heart of someone who has lost a loved one due to their military service. Yet the monument invites healing, providing a place to mourn and remember. Continued on Page 16
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 15
Continued from Page 15 “Consider this monument a sign of commitment and gratitude from our community to our Gold Star families,” said Mayor Michele Randall during the dedication ceremony. “It is a promise that we will always remember the price their loved ones paid and never ignore the heartbreak Gold Star families endure.” In 2020, there was only one Gold Star monument in Utah—in North Ogden. As the idea for a southern Utah monument began to take shape, Jon Pike, the previous Mayor of St. George, and Randall, a councilwoman at the time, sought the input of the person who was the driving force behind the Ogden memorial: Jennie Taylor, Gold Star widow and founder of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation. Subsequently, a committee was formed to raise funds for a monument in St. George. Donations arrived quickly from a variety of sources, including businesses, non-profit organizations, and private individuals. All told, more than $100,000 was raised, including five platinum-level donations of $10,000 from Darcy and Colleen Stewart, Doug and Gretchen Glendenning, Ed and Lori Burgess, Exchange Club of St. George Foundation, and the Stephen and Marcia Wade Family. The committee worked with representatives of the Woody Williams Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, to purchase the monument, and members of the City of St. George Parks Department reworked the landscape on the monument site. Finally, the monument was revealed to the public. Stephen Wade was among the many people who left the dedication ceremony awestruck. “I can’t tell you the feelings I had today as those people stood and gave the names of those they had lost—that ultimate sacrifice,” Wade told Community Education Television. “I was so touched. To see this committee and others rallying together to lift our community in a way that is so wonderful, I’m just thankful to be part of it.” The two-sided monument is made of polished slabs of black granite. One side bears these words: Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, A tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom. The other side tells the St. George community’s unique story on four separate panels labeled Homeland, Family, Patriot, and Sacrifice. At the center of this tribute is an empty space carved in the silhouette of a saluting service member, which represents the legacy of the many loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and is symbolic of the empty hole left in the hearts of all Gold Star family members and the loss felt by the entire southern Utah community. “My son is buried in Provo, and I can’t be there as often as I’d like,” said Jennifer Moxon, whose son served in the Army National Guard About the Author David Cordero is the Communications and Marketing Director for the City of St. George as well as chairman of the Veterans Coalition of Southern Utah. David has been a published writer for more than twenty years and always tries to do his best to convey his appreciation for our veterans.
16 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
and died in 2020. “Town Square is just down the road; I can come here (the newly dedicated monument) and feel him and think about the sacrifices he made. St. George is an amazing area where people come from all over the world. All over the nation there are Gold Star families who can come and have this be their memorial as well.” Situated west of the carousel and between the two grass lawns, the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument is a permanent place of remembrance and an example of what can happen when a community rallies together to support families of military veterans. “Cooper is buried in Parowan, and it’s not always easy to make it up there,” added Bronwyn. “But I drive past the memorial every day, and I stop often and think of him and other soldiers and families that have sacrificed so much.”
Caring Canines By Marianne Hamilton
Loving Angel Service Dogs Empower Vets and the Disabled
It’s been seven years since Cathy Powell first began training dogs to tend to the personal needs of veterans and civilians with physical and emotional challenges. Four labradoodle litters and twenty-three placements later, Cathy and her team of volunteer trainers at Loving Angel Service Dogs (LASD) continue to make a profound difference in the lives of those who have served with honor and those who need some extra help.
On almost any day in the training facility behind Powell’s home, a half dozen or so volunteers gather to run the pooches through their paces. There are the usual commands that every dog must learn: helping its final handler (i.e., the dog’s future owner) remove items of clothing, such as socks, shirts, and sweaters; retrieving dropped items, including cell phones and keys; pulling doors open via a tug (a length of cloth affixed to the handle), and performing many other tasks that the average person takes for granted. But there are also commands that are carefully tailored to the final handler’s unique limitations. Once Powell meets with a new client and assesses the specific challenges he or she faces, she customizes a training program for that client’s dog and its trainers. Full preparation for handoff to a final handler can take as long as two years.
Funded entirely by donations, Powell and her volunteers now train and gift canines to veterans dealing with physical and emotional disabilities.
“
“
Photo by Tiffany Vendela
Wayne Peterson, who—along with his wife Cindy Gilmore—has been a volunteer trainer since Powell launched her nonprofit in 2015, said the training regimen for the latest litter was the most demanding he has witnessed to date. “There was a much greater variety of skills needed for this group,” Peterson confirmed. “There is always a standard set of commands for dogs that will go to final handlers who are paraplegic and/or who suffer from PTSD. But this time, we introduced functions that were unique to this set of dogs. We are always modifying the training to make it individual based.” One of the new tasks perfected by members of the latest canine crop was recognizing when the handler was having an epileptic seizure and pushing an alarm button to alert a family member. Another dog learned to pull its owner up to his feet from a reclining position and assist him in turning over in bed. 18 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Yet another, whose final handler suffers from PTSD and is startled by loud noises or the unexpected approach of people from behind, was trained to instantly maneuver itself between the owner and those who may pose a threat. Still another dog now places its paws on the lap of its deaf owner when someone enters the room. “I’m always researching new ways to train the dogs, so I feel like we’re constantly growing,” Powell explained. “But one thing is consistent: I train the final handlers. They are not just recipients; they are trainers by the time we are through with the process.” For new volunteer Kelvin Nelson, watching the speed at which the animals absorbed their lessons has been remarkable. “I was amazed at how quickly the dogs learned all of the commands and remembered them,” Nelson said. “That’s definitely the coolest part of becoming a trainer.” Powell’s impetus to form the service dog agency grew out of her dedication to support veterans and the disabled, which in turn was prompted by her family’s long history of military service. Funded entirely
by donations, Powell and her volunteers now train and gift canines to veterans dealing with physical and emotional disabilities. LASD also provides dogs for disabled civilians at a greatly reduced rate.
Not surprisingly, one of Powell’s pooches was recently placed at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah. Serving as the official “facility dog,” Ginger visits vets in the residence daily, climbing up and laying her head on the bedridden and providing comfort to all who see her. Said Gilmore, “She brings lots of joy to those who are in a sad situation. Everyone loves Ginger. She always prompts conversation, lowers high blood pressure, and helps with the release of endorphins—all of those good things.” Powell and her team proudly share stories of how their charges have saved the lives of their final handlers, including the time when one pooch appeared unusually agitated, insistently nudging its owner while she was undergoing a dental procedure. When the handler’s blood pressure was checked, it showed a critically elevated level; the alert from her dog prompted a muchneeded timeout until the reading returned to a safer range. In another instance, a final handler, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis, slid to the ground in a grocery store. Hoss, her dog, stood in front of her, paws parked firmly in her lap, until aid was finally rendered. “Hoss knew she wasn’t capable of getting up, and he refused to leave her,” Powell recalled. “It was a wonderful example of the bonds that form between the dogs and their final handlers.”
Photo by Cathy Powell With most of the last litter placed or nearly finished with preplacement training, Powell is taking some time to rest up and make plans for the inevitable next litter. She credits her generous donors with keeping her agency afloat and her volunteers for doing work that affects many members of the community. “Our volunteers are amazing. I’m so excited to see where the future takes us,” she concluded. “I have all of these plans…but truly, everything is in God’s hands.” To make a donation to Loving Angel Service Dogs, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit http://lovingangelservicedogs.com.
About the Author Marianne L. Hamilton is a veteran journalist and marketing writer whose work appears in regional and national publications. When not race walking, hiking, or teaching water aerobics, she is the past Board Chair of Art Around the Corner and the Special Events Manager for DOCUTAH. She and her husband, Doug, are also co-administrators of the St. George Wine Club and race directors for the Huntsman World Senior Games and National Senior Games. Marianne was crowned Ms. Senior Universe 2021-2022 and is the Senior Pageants Group’s Senior Games Ambassador. She is a proud breast cancer survivor.
Above: Ginger and veteran. Photo by Cindy Gilbert. Left: Carolyn and Hoss. Photo by Cathy Powell.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 19
tiny changes
HUGE RESULTS By Bentley Murdock
The majority of people who think they should “eat better” typically are after one thing: fat loss. The only way to sustainably lose fat is to eat less LDL Cholesterol (saturated fat and hydrogenated oils). Most people are entirely unaware of the fact that animal products, dairy products, and eggs are the primary culprits of this type (the worst kind) of fat gain. This article is a quick glance at a dozen replacement items that will massively assist you in your fat-loss efforts as long as you remain present and mindful with a realistic calorie budget.
At first glance, one might point out that all of these items are “highly processed,” and honestly, that’s true. However, keep in mind that all of the items at any grocery store (save the produce section) are all, in fact, processed; they’ve been cut, mixed, blended, frozen, canned, and packaged. That being said, every meal I’ve ever made is processed, so let’s do away with that word altogether. The more important questions are these: What are the ingredients? How much saturated fat and/or refined sugar does it have? Are there artificial or synthetic ingredients? Is it genetically modified? Is there something better (even if only slightly) than whatever I usually buy? (I can tell you right now, there usually is. Food for thought.) 20 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Almond Breeze® Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk This is a great milk replacement with a nice creamy flavor that contains no unnecessary hormones, bacteria, or antibiotics. Sweeten to taste with pure maple or honey.
Daiya® Dairy-Free Cheeses One of the most problematic factors in weight loss is the presence of conventional dairy products loaded with saturated fat. Cheese is culprit number one, so try some healthful substitutes.
Miyoko’s® Cashew-Based Cheeses Cultured or fermented foods have an abundance of beneficial probiotic enzymes that promote healthy gut bacteria. These cheeses are a decadent must-have on any charcuterie board.
Zevia® and Izze® Sugar-Free Natural Juices and Sodas In the world of beverages, carbonation is no good. However, if someone is looking to stray from their current addiction to caffeinated toxic-waste, these are a drastic improvement.
Kite Hill® or Avocado-Based, Dairy-Free Butters, Cream Cheeses, Sour Cream, and Yogurts There are more companies every day that are carefully crafting phenomenal replacements for dairy products of all kinds. Kite Hill is one of our favorites.
Follow Your Heart® Dairy-Free Dressings The name says it all. This is a company dedicated to providing people with delicious dressing and topping options that truly are good for everyone’s heart, helping prevent heartclogging arterial plaque.
Bitchin’® Almond-Based Dips With a dozen different creamy and tasty flavors, these dips are a staple in our home and are as clean as they are delicious. We’re waiting for it to be sold by the gallon (seriously).
Silk® Unsweetened Vanilla Almond, Soy, and Coconut Yogurts There are many cultured or fermented, plant-based yogurts, so it’s all a matter of taste and preference. We sweeten ours with pure maple or honey.
SO Delicious® Dairy-Free Ice Cream The reason dairy products are so often the culprits of weight-gain is because their consumption goes entirely unregulated. By switching to these brands, it becomes a guilt-free game changer.
Follow Your Heart® Egg-Free and Dairy-Free Mayonnaise Condiment fats can really add up, especially if you like your sandwiches, subs, or burgers juicy. Keep it juicy minus all the saturated-fat-laiden egg yolk (pun intended).
Just® Scrambled Egg/ Omelet Replacement This phenomenal creation is crafted from protein-packed mung beans and scrambles just like eggs, minus the saturated fat. We use this one almost daily.
Field Roast® Plant-Based Hot Dogs, Brats, and Sausages Remember, many meatreplacement brands have more saturated fat than the animal meats they replace. Field Roast is one of the few clean and lean options on our finicky list. P.S. Did you know that chicken has more saturated fat than just about any other animal meat option? If you don’t believe me, do your own research. If you’re going to eat animals, stick with turkey (preferably ones you raise). For me and my house, plants are more than sufficient.
If you need help transitioning from an animal-dominant diet to a more plant-sourced eating regimen, feel free to reach out to me directly at Aloha@HealisticVitality.com. I’m happy to help in any way I can. Your longevity is more than worth our combined effort. =:o) About the Author Bentley Murdock is a wholistic family lifestyle wellness coach, certified wholistic nutritionist, disease reversal specialist, and #1 best-selling author. With over twenty years experience coaching families toward wholistic lifestyle wellness, his multi-faceted approach considers all angles of healing, from plant-sourced nutrition and desire-based recreation, to mental health, emotional harmony, and relational peace. As owners and founders of Custom Coaching and cofounders of Murdock Academy (a student-directed learning co-op), Bentley and his wife, Michelle, guide local families through every chapter and season of family life, from assisted home-birth and custom youth education to passion-directed living and disease prevention. For more information about their services or to learn more about their student-directed learning co-op, send an email to Bentley@MurdockAcademy.com.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 21
Mindful Caregiving
Taking Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Someone Else By Emily Havens, Director of Marketing, Ovation Sienna Hills
About the Author Emily Havens is the Executive Community Relations Director for Ovation Sienna Hills. Prior to developing her marketing career, Emily spent three years at The Spectrum and Daily News as a local journalist. Emily has garnered several awards from the Associated Press, Utah Press Association, and Nevada Press Association. In addition to her contributions to journalism and the digital marketing world, Emily is also a local nonprofit chapter president.
Self-care is a topic that has grown in popularity over the past several years, and it has its place in the health and wellness industry overall for people of all ages and social backgrounds. All too often, however, caregivers are left out of the conversation. Individuals who take care of an aging loved one are part of a population expected to do so much and receive so little in return. They are a large group who deserve representation, recognition, and mental health assistance. Have you ever heard the saying “Gratitude is the opposite of sadness”? Replacing feelings of despair with feelings of gratitude, in theory, is said to help counteract negative emotions. Similarly, mindfulness can be a strong remedy for frustration. The stresses of caregiving—whether it’s for a loved one with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or a physical ailment— can often happen unexpectedly. You may have started helping out “here and there” with tasks like house cleaning, laundry, running errands, or other light work. Over time, these responsibilities may have gradually increased until one day, you found yourself bearing the weight of numerous responsibilities and emotional hardships and wondering, “How did I get here?” Frustration is a normal and valid emotional response to being a caregiver. It can be easy to get irritated or annoyed. Understanding the consequences of extreme frustration, however, can help caregivers live a more balanced life and avoid outbursts that may negatively impact the quality of care given to a loved one. Being mindful about the situation and your responses—whether positive or negative—while caregiving can diminish the long-lasting effects of stress or negative thought patterns one might experience.
Remember, giving your own body and mind the care they need is one of the most important components of being a good caregiver, so here are three suggestion for taking better care of yourself: Make Time for Yourself. Just as in the workplace, taking regular breaks from caregiving is essential to your well-being. You may feel guilty about wanting or taking time out, but it is essential to incorporate socialization, rest, and fun into your schedule. Respite programs, such as those available at Ovation Sienna Hills, allow you to take breaks and time for yourself while professionals handle the everyday caregiving needs for your loved one. These are short-term stay contracts that can be all-inclusive and easy to implement. Take Care of Yourself. Caregiving can be a 24/7 job, making it difficult to find time for yourself. Still, the importance of eating well, exercising, and getting a good night’s sleep are all part of your overall wellness. When you do not take care of yourself, you’re more likely to feel increased anxiety, depression, frustration, and distress that will make it difficult to continue providing care for your loved one. Seek Outside Support. Say “yes” as often as you can when others offer to help. Share your feelings with a counselor, another family member, a support group, or another caregiver in a similar situation. Remember, you are not alone!
If you would like to talk with a representative from Ovation Sienna Hills about enhancing your life, please call (435) 429-0000, go to their website at www.ovationsiennahills.com, or visit their community on the corner of Washington Parkway and Telegraph Street at 1525 E. Ovation Place in Washington, Utah, 84780. 22 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
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About the Author
Lisa Larson is a freelance writer with a background in public relations and public speaking and a passion for sharing great stories. You might spot Lisa with her husband and three children, enjoying the downtown carousel or exploring one of the area’s hiking trails. She also enjoys reading and baking, and she is looking to rekindle her romance with running. You can find Lisa on Twitter @LisaGLarson or at www.facebook.com/larsonlisa.
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Stay Cool in Summer Heat By Lisa Larson
When it’s July in southern Utah, there is really no need to water for every twenty minutes of exercise. For adolescents, look at a thermostat or even step outside to know one thing: it’s closer to twelve to twenty ounces per twenty minutes it’s hot. of exercise.” Unless you’re a snowbird, the heat in July and August is Because children are prone to overextending themselves the price you pay to live in relative paradise the other ten in the heat, parents need to be extra cautious, providing months of the year. But there are real dangers to living in breaks in a cool environment and making sure children are the heat. Fortunately, if you pay attention to a few simple drinking enough. precautions, you can avoid any heat-related catastrophes. “Very young children may not be as physiologically “It is important for everyone to pay attention to the capable of adapting as quickly as adults are,” Sepp explained. weather alerts and extreme heat warnings and to plan outings “Parents should be particularly vigilant when it comes to and activities appropriately,” cautioned Dr. William Sepp, young infants who are not mobile. They shouldn’t be in pediatrician with Intermountain Healthcare Sunset Clinic. extreme heat for more than twenty to thirty minutes before “Choose the right time of day to go out. In southern Utah, Dr. William Sepp being in an air-conditioned area.” it is usually best to get outside first thing in the morning or Sepp listed some of the basic signs to watch for with later in the evening when the sun starts to go down.” regard to heat-related injury. They include significant fatigue, flushed or For midday activities, Sepp suggests wearing appropriate lightweight, red face, muscle cramps or spasms, headache, and nausea. light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to ensure good airflow around the “There’s generally no need for medical intervention at this point,” skin. He also said wearing a breathable hat to protect your head and face Sepp said. “Get them to a cool place. Put cool, wet clothing on them, or is important. place them into a cool bath or shower. And get some fluids on board.” And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. However, if a person is complaining of a headache and a fast pulse “The recommendations for how much water to drink depend on a and is acting confused or inappropriately, they may be experiencing a person’s size and age and what kind of physical activity they are engaged more serious heat stroke. “In this case, medical attention is needed,” Sepp in,” Sepp said. “For children, it’s anywhere from three to eight ounces of said. “Get them emergency medical care as soon as possible.”
DISCOVER YOUR HEALTHIEST SELF WITH US! No matter what your age or fitness level is, the St. George LiVe Well Center has a program to help you live the healthiest life possible. Our services focus on improving health and wellness through: • Physical Activity • Good Nutrition
• Better Sleep • Managing Stress
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Call or email to find out how we can help.
435-251-3793 | dx-wellness@imail.org
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 25
Like a
Broken RECORD
By Jay Bartlett
If you were lucky enough to live through the vinyl era of music, you will remember a sad fact. Occasionally, a record would get scratched, and when the needle would hit the scratch, it could bounce backwards, repeating part of the song. It’s where we get the phrase “sounding like a broken record” and refers to people who constantly repeat About the Author themselves. Mountain bike veteran, Thus, Broken Record MTB Challenge amateur filmmaker, and lover is an apt name for a race I recently of long rides, Jay Bartlett has participated in. You see, in mountain biking, been riding trails in Southern there are events designed to test your Utah for over thirty years. Jay has over a decade of endurance as well as your speed. Broken experience as a bike mechanic Record is run on the six-and-a-half-mile at St. George’s oldest bike shop, Redemption Trail above Kershaw-Ryan Bicycles Unlimited. State Park in Caliente, Nevada. The idea is to “spin” yourself around the racecourse as many times as you can in six hours. (There is also a three-hour version for those who don’t want to ride that long or who wish to hammer as hard as they can.)
26 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
If you’re not in the know about Caliente, it’s rapidly becoming a gem of Nevada mountain biking with close to forty-five miles of trails already completed. Being a scenic two-hour drive from St. George, a ride there can easily be done as a day trip, but once you get a taste of the trails, you’ll probably want to stay a couple of days and feed your bike greed. Broken Record is put on by the friendly folks at Rocky Road Adventures (www.rockyroadadventuresnv.com). I’ve done several of their events (both bikes and running), and they are always well-run. The people are nice and really, just glad that you’re there to have a good time. The races tend to be smaller, so there is a real sense of comradery amongst the competitors and race staff. This year, my race didn’t go quite as planned. The weekend before, I started feeling not-quite-right. By Tuesday night, I had a fever, which, luckily, went away fairly fast, but I felt ill throughout the week. In fact, Friday I was still unsure whether I could (or should) muster enough strength for even one lap. It’s very disappointing when you look forward to and train for an event only to come down with a bug. Race day dawned, and I felt a little better. Cautiously, I headed into lap one. At the end of it, I thought, “I can do one more.” Then I did one more and one more. After lap five, I bowed out. I could have kept going, but I didn’t want to end up back in a sick bed. Besides, I had already done much more than I thought I could do even the day before. And I had fun! Of course, this race attracts ultra-fast racers going for the win, but it’s also very welcoming of others—from weekend warriors to little kids riding with their parents to people who don’t fit the mold of a typical “bicycle racer” (some of whom will only make one lap). I always give the slower riders a verbal “high five” as I pass. They are running their own race against the clock or going for a personal best, and I have to say, even though I don’t know these people personally, I am proud of them when they cross the finish line! If you’re looking to challenge yourself and/or have a fun time with a bunch of cool mountain bikers, you should think about going around in circles like a broken record!
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 27
Back-to-School Health Hacks By Lori Wright, CEO, Family Healthcare
What is your best back-to-school memory? For most children and youth, returning to school is an exciting time filled with anticipation about new teachers, new classes, and new friends. After a summer break that typically includes the freedom to spend lots of time being active and staying up late or sleeping in, the process of getting back to an academic schedule can be difficult. Here are some time-tested back to school hacks for students—and parents, too!
family group to share ideas and iron out any discrepancies before school begins. This helps to ensure a happy result with fewer surprises when the big day arrives.
Organize. There are lots of great hacks for back-to-school organization. Creating an individual or family calendar, setting up a homework or after school snack station, and cleaning out desks or closets are a few ideas you might consider. The point is, make time to Communicate. An often- get yourself organized so that you overlooked tool in a successful start the school year from a position back-to-school experience is of strength rather than racing to communication between parents, catch up. guardians, children, and siblings. Prepare. Just like other major Family members each have their own events, returning to school requires ideas about how things should go. forethought and planning. When By assuming everyone has the best done in advance, things like new intentions in mind, take the time shoes, adjusted bedtimes, and to have a conversation within your stocking up on nutritious lunchbox
items will help reduce tension and anxiety. Returning to school also requires up-to-date immunizations. Get them done early to avoid the last-minute rush to the pediatrician or clinic for well-child check appointments and immunizations. Enjoy. Going back to school is an opportunity for a fresh start. We can’t change the past or predict the future, but we can focus on enjoying the present and staying positive and optimistic about the day. A great hack for staying anchored in the moment is to journal your thoughts and try to pick one thing you are thankful for. When you feel overwhelmed or “stuck,” ask yourself, “What’s one enjoyable thing I can do to move forward?” Step by step you can claim enjoyment of your back-to-school experience.
About the Author Lori Wright is the CEO of Family Healthcare. With more than twenty-five years of experience in community health, she is passionate about developing equity, where everyone is able to access high quality integrated primary health care. Family Healthcare’s mission is Making Lives Better, and as CEO, Lori’s efforts are focused on improving the overall health of patients and the communities that Family Healthcare serves. Lori serves on a variety of committees across the state and throughout Washington and Iron Counties, including the St. George Area Chamber Board of Governors, Dixie Tech Pharmacy Tech Advisory Committee, and Association of Community Health Center’s Board. She also serves as co-chair of the AUCH Health Center Control Network. She is a Certified Medical Practice Executive by the American College of Medical Practice Executives and has received a BS in Community/Public Health and a Master of Public Administration from the Marriott School of Management
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Family Healthcare’s New Riverside Clinic is Open! Now accepting new patients for medical, behavioral, and dental care Well-child and back-to-school health care checks Onsite discount pharmacy with drive-thru option Sliding scale fees for those with financial need Compassionate experienced providers First patient appointments begin July 18, 2022 Call today! 435-986-2565
All Day Open House Event Tuesday, July 12, 2022 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ribbon-cutting at 8:00 a.m. Tours, Refreshments, Coupons, Surprises All are welcome!
Growing Healthy and Strong Together We urgently need community support for the new Family Healthcare Riverside Drive Clinic There are many ways to give: • Give online at familyhc.org/donate. • Scan the QR code. • Call Jane in the Family Healthcare development department at 435-251-0866.
Donations of any amount will be put to good use for the health of our community. A $50 donation includes an inscribed brick on the pathway to health at the new clinic, while sponsorship of a treatment room includes a donor recognition plaque. Donations are tax-deductible under section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS code. Tax ID #35-2163112
2276 E. Riverside Drive / 435-986-2565 / familyhc.org Southwest Utah Community Health Center, doing business as Family Healthcare, is a registered nonprofit organization. Information concerning Family Healthcare, including financial information and charitable purposes, may be obtained without costs from Family Healthcare, 25 N. 100 E., Ste 102, St. George, Utah, 84770. Family Healthcare is committed to donor St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | May/June 2022 privacy and does not rent or sell our mailing lists.
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By Rob Henderson, LASUDC, CTRS As a dually licensed addiction counselor and recreation therapist, I have long been fascinated by the healing power of nature on the human mind. So intrigued, I’ve even built a therapy practice surrounding trekking in the backcountry, canyoneering, rock climbing, and floating the river. Most recently, however, it’s been this last activity, being on the water, that has caught my clinical attention. I’m discovering a geyser of research about the incredible interactions between bodies of water and the human mind. As a refresher, not only is water a main life source for us but it also makes up 60 percent of our
Water Ideas Local Ponds
Skyline Pond Virgin River Park Pond Cox Pond Tawa Pond Grandpa’s Pond Razor Ridge Park Pond The Boilers
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bodies, and our brains are a whopping 75 percent water. Also, don’t forget that the first nine months of life are spent submerged in water.
Water is not only a part of us and essential for survival, but apparently, it also has a wonderful effect on our psyche. Through brain imaging, research has shown that the mind prefers blue light to all other colors and that connecting with bodies of water floods our neural pathways with feel-good chemicals, increasing dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin while allowing stress hormones, like cortisol, to drift away. Furthermore, bodies of water help the brain relax, refocus, and reset,
Splash Pads
Thunder Junction St. George Splash Pad Hidden Valley Park Pine View Splash Pad Sienna Hills Park Green Springs Park Treasure Valley Park Dixie Springs Hurricane Splash Pad
Creeks, Rivers, Falls, and National Parks Toquerville Falls Red Cliffs Recreation Area (seasonal waterfall) Zion (Virgin River) Kanarra Falls Canyonlands National Park (The Confluence) Grand Canyon (Colorado River) Willow Beach (Colorado River/Emerald Cove)
dipping us into a mildly meditative state. In short, healthy connections with water trigger a response that’s literally “all in our head.”
This wave of research has also shown that humans enjoy water most when sharing the experience with those we love. This has encouraged some amazing applications of water for health and wellness. Ponds, pools, rivers, lakes, and oceans are now being used therapeutically. These therapies range from aquatic programs for wounded vets to team rowing as an additive treatment for cancer survivors. Professionals from all disciplines are now navigating to the water, both individually and as teams, to get their creativity and cohesion flowing. Even elite
athletes have found that floating calmly in water before a game turns on the “blue mind,” helping them clear their thoughts, find their zone, and perform at the highest levels. In fact, amazingly, the same year that the Golden State Warriors, the New England Patriots, and the Chicago Cubs implemented floatation therapy for their players, they all won their respective national championships. (BTW, does anyone have Quin Snyder’s cell phone number?) So what water options are available to us in this sweltering desert heat? Check out the list I have compiled for this article to find some splashing summer resources that will cool you and your blue-tiful mind.
Additional Reading Resource: Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do by Dr. Wallace J. Nichols
Lakes
Sand Hollow Quail Creek Reservoir Fire Lake Park Ivins Reservoir Tropic Reservoir Kolob Reservoir Gunlock/Gunlock Falls Baker Reservoir Ash Creek Pine Valley Reservoir Panguitch Lake (1.75 hours) Navajo Lake (1.5 hours) Aspen Mirror Lake (Duck Creek; 1.5 hours)
Lake Mead (1.5 hours) Lake Powell (2.75 hours) Lake Mohave (3 hours) Lake Havasu (4.5 hours)
Ocean Beach Getaways
(6+ Hour Drive) Santa Monica State Beach Zuma Beach Laguna Beach Venice Beach San Clemente State Beach Juniper Beach Coronado Beach Crystal Cove State Park
Water Activities Worth Considering Swimming Diving Pool games Water exercises Splash pads Boating Water skiing Wakeboarding Personal watercrafts Rafting Canoeing/Kayaking Sailing Windsurfing Paddleboarding
Paddleboard yoga Skipping stones Surfing Wading Beach bumming Skimboarding Cliff jumping Canyoneering/Slot Canyons Fishing Fly Fishing Crayfishing/Crawdadding Scuba Diving Snorkeling
About the Author Rob Henderson is dually licensed in addiction counseling and recreation/experiential therapy and is a Wilderness First Responder. In addition to therapy, he specializes in leisure and outdoor education, youth and family development, and parenting. He is most known for his ability to integrate play and a variety of adventures and backcountry pursuits into his private practice as well as with his family. Visit www. ARETherapy.com to learn more.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 31
Vista Healthcare Introduces Comprehensive Headache, Migraine Clinic for Southern Utah Patients By Alexa Morgan
Vista Healthcare is bringing worldclass neurology care to southern Utah, aiming to treat the full spectrum of headache disorders.
About the Author Alexa Morgan works as a reporter for St. George News/ STGnews.com and has more than a decade of experience in news and magazine writing. She is committed to keeping the community informed with journalism of the highest quality standard. Originally from Southern California, she now proudly makes her home beneath the big red mountain in Ivins.
Dr. Bob Niemann with Vista Healthcare Neurology is a neurologist specializing in headaches and the management of neurological conditions that facilitate or cause increasing severity of headache-like symptoms.
There are many different types of chronic headaches, Niemann said. In a general sense, doctors classify chronic headaches as headaches that affect the patient more than half of the month. Headaches are unique in that many of their signs and symptoms are hidden, leaving the individual with debilitating pain. Patients often feel isolated with little information regarding the cause and progression of the disorder.
Headaches are also difficult to treat due to variations in duration and intensity. For instance, a headache may last an hour or two or plague the patient during every waking hour of the day. Headaches may also cause disability and impairment, which can lead to depression and lack of self-confidence. “I’ve had migraines my whole life and it runs in my family, so I empathize with people who have it,” said Dr. Niemann. “People who haven’t experienced it don’t realize how disabling it can be.”
When treating headaches, Niemann considers the treatment regimen as an individual plan that is tailored to meet the needs and health history of the patient. Even if a headache doesn’t occur half of the month, he will often consider preventative medicine in his treatment plan to mitigate the severity of symptoms.
Niemann will see patients that experience headaches at least four days out of the month or once per week that are particularly debilitating. He works with each patient to develop strategies for reducing the impairment and symptoms that often accompany headaches. There is evidence that some medications can help patients with their headaches. Utilizing the clinical skill of a neurologist may help patients better navigate their needs and reduce unnecessary treatment, enabling the patient to receive an accurate diagnosis and 32 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
allowing them to get back to living symptom-free. Different therapies can be deployed to help patients with their individual needs pertaining to their headache symptoms. “We’re putting specialties that compliment each other together so we can give a more comprehensive evaluation for people’s pain problems,” Niemann explained.
Dr. Bob Niemann
Headaches can’t be treated as a onesize-fits-all type of diagnosis. Instead, Niemann looks at them as a continuum. Headaches manifest in many different ways, including the following:
• T ension headaches, which are the most common type of headache • Migraine headaches, the most common severe type of headache. • Cluster headache, characterized by bouts of frequent attacks close in duration. There are chronic cluster headaches and episodic cluster headaches. • C hronic headaches. • H eadache disorders.
Simple steps to managing headaches might start with lifestyle elements such as increasing exercise, reducing stress, improving relationships, and making dietary changes. However, should the onset be more complex and chronic, Niemann will utilize advanced testing to better provide insight into how to more effectively manage headaches. Risk factors of advanced headaches include stiff neck, fever, and changes in headache symptoms. While a bit of a visual aura and numbness or tingling are common, experiencing prolonged neurological symptoms with headaches can be unusual. These should be evaluated by a medical professional well versed in neurological disorders. Niemann has been a practicing neurologist since 1982. As the field continues to evolve while embracing new technologies and treatments, he said he believes that patient care remains of the utmost importance. He strives to communicate, listen, and respect the trust of the patient. Niemann said he enjoys partnering with his patients to help them experience more days without symptoms. It is his sincere hope to see his patients live a life without pain. To schedule an appointment with Niemann, contact Vista Healthcare Neurology at 435-619-8632.
Vista Healthcare
2891 E. Mall Drive, St. George, Utah 84790 435-215-0257 | www.vista-hc.com
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DOCTORS IN SOUTHERN UTAH
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 33
Prevent + Perform =
Sports Performance By Tiffany K. Gust. MS, CISSN, NBC-HWC
34 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
What inspires you to improve your sports performance? Why do you compete in sports? Do you enjoy pickleball, ultimate frisbee, cycling, running, competing in triathlons, or another sport?
The sports performance programs at Intermountain Healthcare’s LiVe Well Center work with athletes who are either currently dealing with injuries or those who want to prevent injuries. Our team of sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, and exercise physiologist collaborate to ensure the athlete is addressing his or her injuries, muscle imbalances, speed, agility, running gait, and overall well-being. With a customized, 360-degree approach, we help athletes chase their dreams. We asked our athletes the following questions in order to learn what makes them stronger and gives them that competitive edge. Why did you choose the sports performance program to address your injuries? “I appreciated how the exercise physiologist took a personal interest in my well-being. I always felt like they were fully invested in my progress and in making sure I was going to hit my goals. In addition, having trainers that had real-world experiences and knowledge in nutrition and hydration went beyond any of my expectations.” What injury were you dealing with and how did the program help you specifically with that injury? “I had a sprained ankle that had been bothering me for over three months. Before the program, the only thing I knew to do for it was icing the injury and running through the pain, hoping that it would get better.
What I learned in the program was that ice is only a small part of recovery; I also need to strengthen and stretch the muscles to speed up recovery and more importantly, to prevent future injuries.” What would you say to someone who is considering starting the sports performance running program? “After three months in this program, I learned more about how to prevent injury and increase my strength than I have in the last twenty years I’ve been running. I learned it is more than just stretching; this program educated me about the need for the whole body to work together from head to toe. It also helped me focus on new, improved habits that will benefit me and eliminate the ineffective ones. “ What was your “why” for engaging in the program? “Not only was I able to stretch and strengthen my body but I also was able to become more knowledgeable and mentally stronger. I truly believe this program was instrumental in getting me to the start line for my IRONMAN.”
The Prevent + Perform program includes: • One computerized gait analysis using world renowned Athletic Republic Vision. • Three consultations with a physical therapist that specializes in sports injuries. • Twelve training sessions with an exercise physiologist that focuses on mobility, stretching, endurance, speed, plyometric training, injury prevention strategies, and individualized coaching on form and gait economy.
This program is paramount for athletes and focuses on young adults and highperformance aging. We will help you reach your performance goals. If you want more of what you have worked so hard to accomplish, call us today at 435-251-2256.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 35
Optimize Your Health This By Dr. Coleen Andruss, Healthy Lifestyles Our environment controls greater than 90 percent of our wellbeing. Our bodily functions are affected by the fertilizers in our soil and the chemicals in our air that bombard us daily and cause a depletion in our key nutrients. Additionally, processed foods fill us with empty calories, creating a deficit of key vitamins and minerals in our bodies. If we could compare the resiliency of our bodies today with those of the past, we would see that our metabolic function is broken and our immune function is diminished. We now find ourselves susceptible to recurrent illnesses, fatigue, unexplained aches and pains, poor memory and concentration, irritability, anxiety, and depression. Because of the deficiencies of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals in our daily nutrition, our immune system suffers. Our mental health suffers. Our metabolic health suffers. How do we avoid some of these pitfalls? How do we improve our metabolic function and strengthen our immune systems? Her are some important actions to take: Spend time outdoors this summer. Sunlight allows us to make vitamin D, which is not only important for our bones but also is critical for our immune systems. Vitamin D helps us absorb and utilize certain minerals, like calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for metabolic function. UV rays directly activate key immune cells by increasing their cellular movement. Sunlight helps boost a chemical in the brain called serotonin, which improves mental energy and helps keep us calm, positive, and focused. Moreover, our eyes need light to help set our body’s internal clock. Early morning sunlight in particular 36 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Summer
seems to help people get to sleep at night, and good sleep patterns are essential for metabolic health. Go outdoors and enjoy the beauties of creation! Daily movement is critical for our bones, our heart, our lungs, and our mental and metabolic health. Manage stress to keep cortisol levels down. Stress produces cortisol, which suppresses immune function and increases insulin production, inhibiting fat loss. A lifestyle of high stress depletes the body of many nutrients. Hydrate fully with at least sixty-four ounces of water daily. We read a lot about the importance of hydration, but drinking plenty of water also helps flush toxins from the body. Avoid smoke and smoky environments, and minimize alcohol intake to maximize health benefits. Our nutrition needs to be as natural as possible without feeling the need to go to the extreme. We need grilled protein sources that remain clean and unembellished with sauces and creams. We need steamed or raw green vegetables that are not decorated with butter or cream. Vitamin C is critical for antibody production and protection, and this is found primarily in oranges, grapefruit, and strawberries. Vitamin A is critical for regulation of the immune system and is found in sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots, spinach, red peppers, and cabbage.
By incorporating unsalted nuts, almonds, walnuts, and seeds (sunflower and pumpkin) into your diet, you will increase levels of Vitamin E (high in antioxidants), fiber, and good fats, and this will help protect against toxins. Other important antioxidants include blueberries, cranberries, tomatoes, salmon, sardines, onion, and garlic. Zinc is an important mineral for the immune system and is found in lean animal meat, poultry, seafood, beans, and nuts. Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, and onions can be added to help reduce inflammation in our bodies and keep our resistance strong. Take prebiotics and probiotics to improve gut health. Our gut is our second brain and has numerous neurohormones that affect the immune system and our metabolic health. Avoid all sugar, including hidden sugars such as cornstarch, fructose, dextrose, maltose, and maltodextrin, as sugar reduces our ability to combat viruses and bacteria. Read the full labels and know what to look for. Keep your weight under control. Understand how food additives can trigger cravings and lower your metabolism. The high fructose corn syrup found in energy bars, energy drinks, and many other packaged junk foods affect the body’s response to blood sugar control and promote belly fat, affecting metabolic health and the cardiovascular system. Hydrolyzed protein is highly allergenic and can cause elevated blood sugars, but it also can lead to an increased desire to eat or binge. Monosodium glutamate is an example of a hydrolyzed protein and is found in energy bars and many protein supplements, such as whey protein isolates and prepackaged foods.
Artificial colors may lead to hyperactivity. Artificial colors are added by many manufacturers to make foods look more appealing. It is a marketing tool and should be avoided. Improving your health is key to improving your life, so don’t just survive. Instead, optimize your health this summer! Move into action by taking one day at a time and building on it. It won’t take long before you will have control over your health and well-being. Don’t let anything stand your way of living life to the fullest!
About the Author Dr. Coleen Andruss practiced as an internist for ten years and has specialized in weight management for twentysix years. She and her staff have personally experienced weight management issues and have a compassionate understanding of patients in the Healthy Lifestyles program. Dr. Andruss’s internal medicine background helps her to see underlying medical problems when formulating individual plans that work.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 37
One afternoon shortly after the death of my eightynine-year-old mother-in-law, I drove up the long incline to Spilsbury Mortuary and parked my car in the nearly empty parking lot. Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I slipped quietly through the front door and found a seat in the nearly empty foyer. Voices from the office echoed in the hallway. The rustle of clothing and muffled footsteps signaled the presence of someone walking nearby. A cell phone rang out from somewhere in the building. Yet around me, there was a sacred peacefulness that could not be disturbed. I was there to view the beautiful and thoughtprovoking sculpture Come Unto Christ, which embodied everything I was feeling at the time. Created by Silver Reef artist Jerry Anderson, the sculpture portrays the spiritual journey from mortality to immortality and shows an elderly woman’s body passing through the veil and changing back to her symbolic prime as she returns to the arms of Jesus Christ. In the midst of my grief, the statue brought me healing, consolation, and peace.
I was surprised to see that I was not alone in the foyer. Another mourner, traveling through St. George from Texas, was there seeking comfort. “I walked in and saw those arms outstretched, and I knew I was going to make it through,” she whispered. “I feel like He is not only hugging my daughter but also hugging me.”
Spilsbury, emphasized that Come Unto Me is the family’s gift to the community they love. Spilsbury’s father, LeGrande, purchased the mortuary eighty years ago, and since that time, the Spilsbury family has served the southern Utah community during its most tender moments. “Many times I heard (my father) say, ‘Remember Ted, serve from your heart. Each family deserves our very best effort day and night,’” he recalled. “My father...buried a newborn son, a nine-year-old daughter, Susan, as well as a son, Peter Jon. He knew and understood the heart wrenching sorrow the families he served felt. I have felt those same deep feelings. My dad’s philosophy still lives on. It is the reason we strive to offer the best service to those families we serve. It is our nature.” Spilsbury estimates that thousands of people have come through the mortuary’s doors to view the statue and to find hope in its message. He leaves the lights on at night so that people can experience the statue at any time; he and his staff sometimes find handprints on the glass doors and windows in the morning when they arrive at work. “The statue is a presence,” he said. “It touches the hearts of all who view it.” Although grieving is a highly individual experience and there is no right or wrong way to grieve, Spilsbury invites everyone to view the inspired work of art residing in the foyer of Spilsbury mortuary and hopes it will help the community and visitors to southern Utah find peace and patience in their own healing process.
Come Unto Me was commissioned by mortuary owner Ted Spilsbury in 1999. Anderson, acting on his desire to magnify his talent in a spiritual environment, took a full year to complete all three sections of the statuary and described the statue as an inspired creation. “I thought about my eighty-year-old mother and how it saddened me to see her losing her dignity to old age,” he said. “I thought about her being young and beautiful; I began to pray for God to help me create an inspiring piece of work that would be unique in concept and would express strong feelings, show sincerity in the execution of its form, and mostly have the presence to give people who would see it a feeling of hope, peace, and...a belief in the eternal life.”
ComeUntoMe Invites HOPE and HEALING
38 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
By Diane Del Toro
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 39
Is Your Doctor an MD or DO? By Alexander Seegrist, OMS III and OMM Fellow When you visit your doctor and see “DO” after his or her name, do you wonder what it means and what this type of medical training can bring to your visit?
About the Author Alexander Seegrist grew up in West Jordan and attended DSU. He graduated with a degree in Secondary Education and began a career in Southern California as a high school science teacher and sports coach. While teaching, he earned a MBA in Healthcare Management. He is one of the Pre-Doctoral Osteopathic Principles and Practices Fellows at Rocky Vista University and has happily extended his graduation by one year to be able to teach, build relationships, and make a difference in the students’ lives.
The credentials DO mean Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. These doctors are fully licensed and boardcertified physicians, just like their MD colleagues. MDs and DOs complete the same core requirements during medical school and residency. So what is the difference?
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, use a unique whole-person approach to help prevent and treat illness and injury. Accounting for approximately 11 percent of all physicians in the United States, DOs bring a patient-centered perspective to every specialty across the full spectrum of medicine. They are trained to listen and partner with their patients to help them get healthy and stay well. The DO profession is one of the fastest growing segments in health care today, with one out of every four medical school students enrolled in an osteopathic medical school. The state of Utah already has two osteopathic medical schools, with one right here in the southern Utah region.
40 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
DOs practice in all medical specialties, such as primary care, pediatrics, OBGYN, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and surgery. Moreover, DOs hold some of the most prominent positions in medicine today, including overseeing care for the president of the United States, the NASA medical team, Olympic athletes, and many who serve in the uniformed services. From their first days of medical school, DOs are trained to look beyond your symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors impact your well-being. They practice medicine according to the latest science and technology but also consider options to complement pharmaceuticals and surgery.
As part of their education, DOs receive special training in the musculoskeletal system, your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles, and bones. The treatment modality known as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) uses techniques like those you would see in a chiropractic, massage, or physical therapy office. People notice a difference in their health when they are viewed as individuals of mind, body, and spirit and when their medical needs are not only met but are complemented by this patient-centered approach to medicine that, in some situations, can replace drugs and surgery. By combining their unique knowledge and training with the latest advances in medical technology, DOs offer patients the most comprehensive care available today.
The physicians at Hillside Health are dedicated to providing each patient with the time, attention, and care they need. For more information or to make an appointment, call 435-256-8890. You can also visit their website at hillsidehealth.com.
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435-773-7790 42 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
here in Utah and the Southwest with many pain management and wellness options. Our commitment to our patients and practice remains the highest priority. We effectively treat and reverse both chronic and acute conditions through enhancing hormones, nutrition, gut health,
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Get in the
Pool! By Dr. Jeff Gale, DPT One of the greatest spots for summer fun is also a sweet place to let your body heal. Swimming pools are a fantastic place to help your body recover from an assortment of injuries.
About the Author Dr. Gale is a physical therapist at Anodyne Pain and Wellness in St. George, Utah. His focus is orthopedics, pain management, sports medicine, balance, chronic injury, and chronic pain. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gale or any of the providers at Anodyne Pain and Wellness, call 435-773-7790. For more information, visit their website at anodynepain.com.
Most everyone deals with back pain at one point or another. We don’t think about it often, but the spine constantly has pressure on it from gravity, whether we are standing, sitting, or laying down. This pressure puts a strain on discs, vertebrae, joints, and muscles that can lead to an assortment of injuries, so spending time in the pool helps your body to heal in multiple ways. First, when your body is in water up to your shoulders, 90 percent of your weight is taken off your spine. This is more relief than it gets in any position on land and creates space for your vertebrae to move and separate, takes the constant crushing pressure off of your discs, and allows joints and muscles to move and work with greater ease. Second, being in the pool creates hydrostatic pressure, which is pressure around and against your skin. This pressure causes blood to be pumped faster through your body. While this can be dangerous if your blood pressure normally is too high, it is great for healing as the blood carries oxygen across the entire body at a greater rate.
Third, the pool is a safe and effective way for people with knee injuries and pain to exercise. Being in water takes pressure off your knees and all the structures inside of it, allowing you to perform natural movements with minimal pain.
Fourth, your body has to work hard to move through water. This helps build strength and endurance in the back, knees, and just about everywhere else in your body without causing pain and swelling. When I work with people in the pool, they frequently tell me that they feel like the workout is too easy. However, two days after a pool workout, when they have had a chance to feel the full effect of the exercise on their recovery and well-being, they tell me a different story. As your blood flows faster in the pool, it makes any difficult workout seem easier. As you continue to push yourself, you will recognize that you get a great workout despite feeling like it is easy. I don’t need to tell you that summers are hot in St. George! Not only will being in the pool help you cool off and enjoy the summer but you also can use your time in the pool to heal, strengthen, and relax your body. Get in the pool! Your body and your doctor will thank you.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 43
Your pathway to HOPE, even when your brain tells you it may not be.
A Proven Non-drug Treatment
Many Benefits of NeuroStar TMS Therapy What is NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy? NeuroStar uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to target key areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression. The NeuroStar TMS treatment coil emits magnetic pulses that may have a positive effect on these areas, improving the symptoms of depression. It is not ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). While the exact cause of depression is not known, the leading scientific theory is that it is caused by an imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells. 44 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
• • • • • • • •
FDA cleared Nondrug Noninvasive No side effects of drugs Not ECT Long-lasting relief Covered by insurance Proven to work
“I am a living testament that TMS does indeed work. I would tell anyone considering the treatment to look at the part of your life and at your immediate family, friends, and career aspirations that have suffered along with you with this real condition.” - Myra
435-669-4207
www.premierpcc.com 1490 E. Foremaster Drive, Suite 340 St George, UT 84790
Treatment with NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy is easy: • Th erapy sessions are conducted in your NeuroStar doctor’s office. • You can return to normal activities right away. • You are awake during treatment. • There are no negative effects on memory or sleep. • Treatment is covered by most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare
Here’s what you can expect from a NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy session: BEFORE TREATMENT You’ll recline comfortably in the treatment chair. A small, curved magnetic coil will be positioned lightly on your head. DURING TREATMENT NeuroStar delivers focused magnetic stimulation directly to the target areas of the brain. You’ll hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your head. AFTER TREATMENT NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy: Depending on your doctor’s recommendation, each treatment takes between 19 and 37 minutes. You can resume normal activities immediately. Because there are no effects on alertness or memory, you can drive yourself to and from treatment sessions. In-office treatment with NeuroStar Advanced TMS Therapy typically takes 19 to 37 minutes and is administered 5 days a week for approximately 4 to 6 weeks. St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 45
Wade’s Walkabout
ALWAYS LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER
By Mark Wade Generous To A Fault Both horse and rider were caught off guard by surging gusts of wind followed quickly by heavy flurries of snow. The lone outlaw pulled down his hat, adjusted his collar, and tightened his gloves to fend off the moist flakes that were violently blowing against his unprotected face. Soon the snow gathered in bunches around his saddle, thoroughly soaking his clothing. His feet and hands were numb. His eyes scoured the open country for shelter, but there was none to be found. The horse he had purchased a year earlier was said to have great homing instincts, so he resignedly loosened his grip on the reins and let the Cayuse take control as he drifted into a dreamlike state. The outlaw awoke to the sensation of being pulled from his horse and hauled into a small cabin. He was suffering from a bad case of pneumonia, and the couple who found him earnestly nursed him back to health within the rough, two-room shack. During the long hours of his recovery, he observed the poor circumstances of this family, which included three small children whose parents were obviously struggling to provide for their needs. Once he had regained his strength, he determined that he would repay them for their kindness. It was nearing Christmas, so he
Parker family home in Circleville, Utah.
46 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
traveled to a nearby town where he filled a buckboard with food and other needed items for the family. His return was met with surprise and excitement. As he unloaded the supplies, he became aware of three riders who had quietly appeared over his left shoulder, one of whom was wearing a tin star. “I’ve got a warrant for a man named George Parker,” said the sheriff. “Have you seen him?” “I’ve heard that he may be camped a few miles north of here,” the desperado replied. The sheriff winked and called out as he and his deputies turned to ride away: “Well, if ’n you see Mister Parker, tell him we’re looking for ‘im. And oh, by the way, merry Christmas!” This is just one of the many Robin Hood-style stories told of Robert Leroy Parker, who had many aliases but was most famously known as the outlaw Butch Cassidy. He personally confirmed to his sister Lula the veracity of this experience.
History Born in 1866, Bob Parker left his home in Circleville, Utah, in 1884 and headed to Colorado to find work in the silver-mining boom town of Telluride. For four or five years, Bob remained in contact with his family, but he chose to stay away after he robbed a Telluride bank in 1889. According to his sister Lula, he died in 1937, and his purported death in Bolivia was a ruse that enabled him to come home and live quietly in the United States. Yet Alive In the fall of 1925, Robert (Bob) Parker drove a new black Ford touring car onto his family’s old homestead ranch on the outskirts of Circleville. His brother Mark was working alone, trying to fix a fence. As the then fifty-nine-year-old man exited his vehicle, he was not immediately recognized by Mark, who had been just eight years old when Bob left. Bob flashed his trademark Parker family grin, and soon Mark surmised who must be standing before him. They traveled together into town, where Bob greeted his eighty-one-year-old father for the first time in nearly forty years. Bob spent the next nine or ten days with some of his twelve other siblings. His mother had been dead for twenty years, and the cause of her death may have partially been attributed to her heartbreak over her son’s outlaw lifestyle. Bob admitted to his dad that life as an outlaw was no life to have, and he explained that he was constantly encouraging young men to stay on the right side of the law. He was done with always looking over his shoulder. Today Recent efforts have restored the Parker family home in Circleville. The self-guided tour through the grounds, which includes photos and interpretive displays, is now open daily to visitors.
Recently, my traveling partner Bob Grove and I found Butch’s name carved into the walls of a hidden cave. Learn more on our website at https://roadtrippinwithbobandmark.com/video/.
About the Author
Wade’s Walkabout Finding Meaning and Healing in the Outdoors For destination ideas, visit ..
www.RoadTrippinWithBobAndMark.com Also on Facebook and Instagram
Mark Wade is active in hiking, writing, photography, and videography. He works as a tourism marketing consultant, for which he has won numerous awards. He is a weekly guest on the KSL Outdoors radio show. Mark is the former Director of Tourism for southwestern Utah and has served on the board of directors for various tourism associations.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 47
By Lyman Hafen I often wonder how young people in the 2020s face the prospect of starting a family in a time of such commotion and uncertainty: the aftermath of a two-year pandemic, the cost of housing so far out of reach, the uncertainty of rising inflation, and the chaos of social and political upheaval.
Truth is, every generation faces challenges that undermine hope. My grandparents raised my parents during the Great Depression and a world war. And my parents wondered how they would ever make it on a couple of hundred dollars a month when they were newlyweds in the 1950s. My wife, Debbie, and I have always been aware that we’ve had it much better than our predecessors did, but that didn’t change the fact that we began our family in a time of extraordinary political, social, and economic instability—during the late 1970s when long lines at the gas pump were common, interest rates were 18 percent, Americans were being held hostage in foreign countries, and violent crime here at home was off the charts. We wondered if we would ever be able to own a home, how we would ever be able to make enough to sustain a family, how we could bring children into such a divisive and dangerous world. I had few prospects beyond my experience changing tires and fixing flats at OK Rubber Welders on the west end of St. George Boulevard. I took some comfort in the fact that I was proficient in all six rodeo events, but Debbie helped me realize our future could not hang on my ability to stay on the back of a bucking bronc for eight seconds or to rope and tie a calf in under ten. It really was a time of dwindling hope.
Having lived two years as a missionary in Latin America, I was well aware that our concerns here in the promised land were minimal compared to those faced in the third world, but they were still real, and it was easy for fear to upstage hope in those days. After we were married in the spring of 1977, Debbie completed her teaching degree at Southern Utah University, and I, with the help of a few life-changing mentors, completed my associates degree at Dixie College. That summer, Debbie was hired to teach fourth grade at a new elementary school in South Jordan, and I was accepted to Brigham Young University, where I had a place on the school’s rodeo team. We were headed off into the big, wide, terrifying world.
Or were we? We didn’t have a place to live in northern Utah. We had searched all summer for an apartment or student housing or any place to rent in the Provo/Orem area. We made several trips and checked every lead. Nothing. We couldn’t even find a shack or a converted workshop in someone’s backyard…those were all taken. Granted, it was a first world problem, but it sapped much of the hope from our hearts and weighed heavily on us as the day to move grew nearer. We prayed, and we followed every lead, and we prayed some more. Nothing. 48 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Then one miraculous day, just a few days before we needed to move, someone called and said there was a trailer house for sale in the Village Green Trailer Park in Orem. We were there the next day with a down payment on an old and worn ten by fifty trailer house. We took out a multiyear loan at an interest rate well above 15 percent that would cost us $120 a month in addition to our monthly park fee of $40. We lived there for two and a half years on the east bank of I-15, smack in the fallout shadow of Geneva Steel Works, which, every day, deposited a few more millimeters of rusty soot on everything we owned that wasn’t covered.
Dad washed out the bed of his cattle truck, and we loaded everything we owned into the open air racks. He drove the truck, and I followed in my turquoise-blue 1968 three-quarter-ton Ford pickup with chrome rims and a horse trailer tagging behind it with my trusted rope horse Ben onboard. Debbie brought up the rear in her zippy little rattling gray Mercury Capri. Debbie became the greatest rookie fourth grade teacher in the state that year, driving that tentative little car up around the Point of the Mountain every morning, rain or shine, ice-glazed or snow-packed. Through my rodeo connections, I got a job at Ream’s Grocery and
“
…if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
“
Henry David Thoreau
Western Wear Store in Provo, where I worked in the boot department for a few hours every day after class and then finished the day at the BYU ag station, where I kept my horse and we had rodeo practice.
It was touch and go through those years—complicated and challenging and terrifying and often hope inhibiting. But the hope we could muster pulled us through. We brought our first child, Tyler, home to that little trailer in Orem. We developed friendships and relationships that changed our lives. And somehow, miraculously, we left there with a pathway open to us, a route lined with hope that has led us to where we are today. And so I would say to any young person contemplating the daunting prospects of the future, keep pressing forward with a perfect brightness of hope burning inside. You are not the first generation to face new and seemingly impossible challenges. You won’t be the last. I can’t assure you of anything, but I can attest to what Henry David Thoreau said several generations ago: “…if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
About the Author Lyman is the author of a dozen books intent on connecting landscape and story in the American Southwest. He is executive director of the Zion National Park Forever Project, and is past president of the national Public Lands Alliance. He’s been writing and publishing for more than 35 years, with several hundred magazine articles in publications ranging from Western Horseman to Northern Lights, and was the founding editor of St. George Magazine in 1983. He’s been recognized on several occasions with literary awards from the Utah Arts Council, and won the Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. He lives in Santa Clara, Utah, with his wife Debbie, and together they have 6 children and 18 grandchildren.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 49
Finding Relief from
Anxiety By Erin Del Toro, Licensed Clinical Therapist
50 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at one time or another. Stress is a response to a threat in a situation; anxiety is a reaction to that stress. Almost 30 percent of adults and over 25 percent of teens are affected by an anxiety disorder, altering typical performance at work, at home, at school, or in social settings. An estimated 284 million people worldwide experienced an anxiety disorder in 2017, making it the most widespread mental health disorder in the world. It’s common for those who have never lived with anxiety to misunderstand or minimize the severity of its effect on others. I have worked with several clients who have said, “I didn’t see how anxiety could be a real problem for anyone until I experienced it myself. Now I get it!”
Anxiety disorders differ from general feelings of nervousness or anxiousness because they usually involve excessive fear and cause disproportionate reactions. Anxiety produces both physical and emotional symptoms, including irritable bowel syndrome,
The first approach is to locate the root of the anxiety and process and address what started the anxiety in the first place, helping the brain and body to learn that it’s okay to feel safe again.
It’s important to know that many anxieties are rooted in traumas. Individuals who have experienced childhood trauma are most likely to develop an anxiety disorder, but anxiety disorders can also come from other situations in adulthood: large and small events or a series of stressful situations that mesh together over time. Identifying experiences that may have occurred prior to the onset of the anxiety disorder may yield clues as to what uncomfortable or unwelcome events may be at the root of the anxiety. Processing and healing the cause (or causes) with a qualified therapist is ideal. The second method is to desensitize and reduce anxiety by identifying the thoughts and feelings that occur before and during anxiety-provoking situations, challenge those anxious thoughts and feelings with positive ones, then use relaxation exercises to help implement these new positive emotions into the situations that might normally be anxiety provoking. This is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and its methods are proven to work to permanently change negative emotions over time.
Almost 30 percent of adults and over 25 percent of teens are affected by an anxiety disorder, altering typical performance at work, at home, at school, or in social settings.
headaches, fibromyalgia, chronic pain and fatigue, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and dizziness.
Common anxiety disorders include panic disorder, specific phobias, separation anxiety disorder, and social anxiety. They can also mutate to or reinforce sleep disorders, eating disorders, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), body dysmorphic disorder, substance abuse, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), among others. The American Association of Depression and Anxiety cites that only 30 percent of those suffering with anxiety disorder receive effective treatment. People with anxiety disorders may try to manage their condition by avoiding triggers. Unfortunately, this type of avoidance only serves to reinforce fears and worries. Most modern types of therapy address negative thinking and avoidance to help you manage anxiety.
Beyond medication, there are two methods of treatment that are recognized to be effective, long-term solutions for anxiety disorder. They work well alone but may be most effective when combined.
In clinical hypnotherapy, we find both methods to be equally important. Hypnotherapy accesses a deeper state of consciousness, where the cycles of the brain slow down and thoughts become easier to hold, manage, and process. During hypnotherapy, the neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to change, is heightened, and the brain is primed for immediate changes to occur. Processing traumas and doing healing work during hypnotherapy is massively effective for deep mind shifts. As a clinical hypnotherapist, I work with people to locate and address the hidden feelings behind their anxieties. They are then able to process the emotions from small or large traumas in a healthier way that gives closure and also benefits their future lives. After we’ve done the work to heal, reframe, and desensitize old or stubborn traumas and while the brain is in the state of hyperplasticity, we use CBT methods to build new neural pathways. We practice experiencing scenarios that would typically evoke anxiety while feeling new, positive emotions in place of the anxiety. Research shows that the longer an anxiety sufferer takes to address their disorder, the bigger the problem will likely become. If you or a loved one is dealing with the effects of an anxiety disorder, it’s best to take action sooner rather than later. Contact a qualified clinical hypnotherapist or therapist today, and move forward in your journey of finding peace and confidence in any situation again. To overcome your anxiety disorder through hypnotherapy, please contact me for a consultation or appointment by phone or text at (435) 429-2560 or by email at erin@balancedmodernhypnotherapy.com. About the Author Erin Del Toro is an ACHE certified Clinical Hypnotherapist for Balanced Modern Hypnotherapy. She’s passionate about changing the effects of trauma, rewriting unwanted habits and behaviors, and helping others unlock the power of their true potential. Erin lives in St. George with her twin daughters and enjoys participating in the ninja warrior sport and playing in the beautiful outdoors of southern Utah.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 51
Don’t Stop.
Shift!
By Steve Wilson For more than twenty years, thousands of Americans turned to the familiar voice and face of Tom Brokaw to keep in touch with the world via the evening news. Employing a charisma and style all his own, it was through his newscasts that many people learned about the corruption of Watergate, witnessed the fall of the Berlin wall, and struggled to make sense of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.
Tom had many great accomplishments over the course of his career, and he received numerous awards and accolades, including every major award given in broadcasting. Then in 2004, Tom Brokaw stepped out of his role as the anchor for NBC Nightly News. In other words, he did what you have either done or would like to do: he retired.
It Was Never My Intent to Retire Interestingly, in a subsequent interview after he left the daily newscast, Tom didn’t use the “R” word to label his decision to exit from NBC. Instead, he said, “It was never my intent to retire when I left the nightly news but to shift gears.” Tom gave each of us a whole new perspective on this stage of life. Indeed, we can gain powerful insight by the way he chose to navigate his retirement transition by comparing it to shifting gears.
The definition of shift is a change in place, position, or direction or perhaps a combination of all three. Tom shifted from living in New York City to spending more time in Montana. He shifted position from being a nightly news anchorman to being an occasional contributor on stories of interest to him. And though not as easy to see, he shifted direction. It wasn’t that his career took him in the wrong direction; retirement simply put him in a position to choose his own direction. Tom’s ability to shift was evidenced a few years before stepping away from the news desk as he channeled his energy toward writing. He wrote on topics about which he was passionate, a decision which gave the rest of us an intimate and inspiring look at our fathers and grandfathers when his best selling book, The Greatest Generation, was published in 1998. 52 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Plan to Do Fewer Things Slower On one occasion, Tom was asked what his specific retiremet plan was. His response was simple: “I plan to do fewer things slower.” Although we might chuckle as an image comes to mind, Tom’s postbroadcast activities clearly reveal he wasn’t ready for and wasn’t talking about shuffling to the front porch rocker. In fact, since his retirement, he’s written several books, produced documentaries, and has served as a member of the board of directors of the Mayo Clinic. His intention to do fewer things slower reveals a wonderful but less obvious blessing of retirement—the opportunity to focus on one thing with undivided attention for an extended period of time and more importantly, to decide what will be the object of that focus. It’s what Viktor Fankl, in his book Man’s Search for Meaning, described as the preeminent human freedom: the “freedom to choose one’s own way.”
There’s More to Life Than Increasing Its Speed Focusing deeply without interruption rather than finding yourself chained to a multi-tasking treadmill is one of the many benefits of retirement. Having the opportunity to focus on one thing at a time is the daydream of many but is a luxury few are afforded while in the midst of a 24/7, “full-contact” career.
It is at this stage that the words of Henry David Thoreau seem particularly relevant. He said, ”There’s more to life than increasing its speed.” Remember, when the time comes to retire, don’t stop; shift. Keep moving forward, pursuing what is important to you. This is the opportunity you’ve worked for. This is your retirement!
About the Author
Shift (a verb): to change place, position, and/or direction
Steve is the former CEO of St. George Regional Medical Center, St. George, Utah. He authored next—Redefining Retirement; Lessons for Life’s Transitions with Lisa G. Larson and speaks frequently to those preparing to leave their careers. He serves on the Board of the Institute for Continued Learning. His post career “hobby” is real estate investing, and he is Associate Broker for Utah First Property Management, a company his son Bryan founded. To contact Steve go to wilson.stg@gmail.com.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 53
g n i h t a e r B THE SCIENCE OF
By Scott Allen, MD, Medical Director, Satori Health and Wellness
We all want to have well-being. Why else would we be reading this magazine? When thinking about well-being, it’s helpful to consider what we mean by the term “well.” When I was in medical school, wellness was categorized into three realms: biology, psychology, and spirituality.
The bio-psycho-spiritual model of well-being helps us focus on the activities we can do to thrive in life. We seek to alleviate physical suffering from disease and injury while optimizing our mental experience of the world. Traditionally, we’ve treated the three realms as separate and perhaps loosely connected systems. But more and more, we’re realizing that one cannot separate the mind from the body and expect to feel “well.”
In my practice as an anesthesiologist and psychedelic therapist, one therapeutic modality links biology, psychology, and spirituality: breathing. Breathing is the link between your body’s internal systems, like your heart, lungs, GI tract, and brain. When you are consciously aware of your breathing, you slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and calm your mind. To see what I mean, practice this technique of cardiac-mind coherence:
1. T ake two large breaths all the way to the top of your lungs, and then release.
2. O n the third breath, breathe in for a count of four, visualizing the air traveling from your heart to the top of your head.
3. B reathe out for a count of six, visualizing the air flowing down to your heart.
4. I n between breaths, hold in a neutral apnea for a count of seven. A neutral apnea is holding your breath at the end of exhalation without forcing the hold. Let your lungs rest in emptiness. 5. R epeat this practice of in for four, out for six, and hold for seven for two minutes.
This doesn’t have to be performed perfectly to be effective. Simply practice the conscious effort of slow, rhythmic breathing while visualizing the air flowing between your heart and your mind. Studies have shown that this technique, if performed regularly, can decrease anxiety and depression, help the symptoms of PTSD, and improve your cardiovascular health. Best of all, it’s free! No expensive doctor visit and no mood-altering medications. And you don’t need to work up a sweat (though you should still exercise regularly). Wellness doesn’t have to take a lot of time and energy. It’s mostly about being conscious and intentional in your actions. I hope this practice brings peace to your life. If you are interested in learning more advanced techniques of breathing, please reach out to us at Satori Health by calling 435-669-4403 or by visiting our website at stgeorgeketamine.com. 54 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
About the Author Dr. Scott Allen is a St. George-raised, boardcertified anesthesiologist. He has specialty training in transplant anesthesiology and currently practices with Mountain West Anesthesiology at St. George Regional Hospital. He is also the medical director of Satori Health, an integrated ketamine clinic (www.theketamineclinic.com). Dr. Allen is the current president of the Washington County Medical Association. With his deep roots in Utah, he has a special passion for improving the mental healthcare of his friends and neighbors in the community. Dr, Allen enjoys outdoor pursuits with his family and communing with nature. He’s doing his best to stay grounded in the moment!
Satori is Different.
Schedule your free consultation today theketamineclinic.com
435-669-4403 St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 55
By Matt Eschler, PhD, LMFT Why do we look at our honeymoon as a once in a lifetime experience? During my years doing premarital counseling, I have found that couples are super excited about three things; I want to share two of these with you. First, they are excited about joining together in the covenant of marriage, and second, they are just barely able to wait for the honeymoon experience! These couples view the honeymoon as a time when they can connect and get away from the stresses of the world prior to jumping into the business of creating their own futures together.
The question I ask is this: Why do so many of us only do one honeymoon? We do anniversary celebrations, family reunions, and family vacations, but we only go on one honeymoon. The word “honeymoon” originally was used to describe how the sweetness of new affection waxed and waned like the phases of the moon during a lunar cycle—usually a month in duration. Today, this unromantic definition has changed to suggest the intense affection and happiness that exists between a couple during the first few weeks or months of marriage. So why is the honeymoon phase so short-lived? I submit that many couples have incredible courtship rituals they engage in prior to marrying, but they forget to maintain these rituals of connection after the honeymoon is over. The good news is that this can be remedied! Now—this summer—is the time for you and your partner to build rituals that will reestablish your “honeymoon” relationship.
Consider the following five ideas for creating a lasting, fulfilling connection with your lover:
Set aside time to reconnect every year of marriage, not just the first year! Create a romantic escape for the two of you. Don’t bring the work phone. If you need the kids to find you, buy a cheap burner phone and only give the number to family members. Make your time together uninterrupted.
Relax together. Take time away from the hustle of your busy lives to focus on each other. Try to get away together for a week or two, but only do what your budget allows. Weekly dates, three day weekends, and yearly “honeymoons” are all things that should be a planned item in your budget. Plan these excursions together. Being together on a honeymoon is incredible, but the time spent researching, budgeting, and planning together is just as valuable.
Practice accepting each other’s influence while planning and carrying out your honeymoons. Acknowledge the differences between you and find a common shared vision of what would meet both of your needs. Plan these things together. As you practice the skill of finding common ground, you will move more happily through life together.
Remember that yielding to each other wins more ground for love than winning an argument. The peaceful martial art of Akido operates under this principle: yield to win. You don’t make love grow by countering everything your partner suggests about a subject. Negative sentiments will escalate and can turn into an angry battle that you both lose. Practice the yield-to-win model in your relationship when planning or while enjoying your honeymoons and dates. Turning toward each other, planning your escapes together, and enjoying unique experiences together are what I’m hoping will preserve the love and connection you deserve.
“Honeymoon” Reestablish Your
Relationship
About the Author Matt lives in St. George, Utah, where he and his wife, Chris, are enjoying their life with each other. Since their children have grown up and moved out to pursue their dreams, Matt and Chris travel the world. They want to visit 200 countries before they are done. Matt and Chris are active in their community and enjoy working out, training for marathons, and spending time participating in numerous activities with their adult children. Matt received a PhD in psychology. He is focused on the arena of resolving personal conflicts and improving interpersonal relationships. In addition to his doctorate degree, Matt has earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, studied criminal justice and received a category one license with Peace Officer Standards and Training, and received a degree in the Arts of Business Management. Matt is a professor at Dixie State University and hopes to be part of the positive growth of southern Utah.
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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August2022 57
College Savings: Offer Your Employees a Benefit for the Future In the throes of long, hot summer days, a line from the novel The Great Gatsby (a favorite of English teachers everywhere) comes to mind: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” The present heat undoubtedly has many of us looking forward to the fresh beginning awaiting us in autumn. Fall is also when many businesses hold open enrollment for benefits. As your employees balance back-to-school and setting themselves up for the coming months, consider offering them the additional benefit of college savings.
my529, Utah’s educational savings plan, has been helping families save for over twenty-five years, and we want to help you and your employees as you prepare for the future. No-cost benefit A my529 plan can be offered as a voluntary benefit for your employees with no cost to you. You and your employees already know that having adequate money invested for retirement is an important part of financial well-being, but having additional funds tucked away for future education expenses is just as important. With the cost of education rising every year, money you put away now can pay big dividends in the future. How funds can be used Saving with my529 offers versatility. The money invested in a my529 plan can be used to pay tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses. my529 account funds can even be applied toward the cost of registered apprenticeships. Other eligible costs include certain K-12 tuition expenses or making payments on qualified student loans (up to certain limits). Account funds are also transferrable to other family members.
Offering a my529 educational savings plan is an easy way for you to boost the financial wellness of your employees and strengthen the competitiveness of your company’s benefits package.
The money invested in a my529 plan can be used to pay tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses.
Important Legal Notice Investing is an important decision. The investments in your account may vary with market conditions and could lose value. Carefully read the Program Description in its entirety for more information and consider all investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. For a copy of the Program Description, call 800.418.2551 or visit my529.org. Investments in my529 are not insured or guaranteed by my529, the Utah Board of Higher Education, the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority Board of Directors, any other state or federal agency, or any third party. However, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance is provided for the FDIC-Insured investment option. In addition, my529 offers investment options that are partially insured for the portion of the respective investment option that includes FDIC-insured accounts as an underlying investment. The state in which you or your beneficiary pay taxes or live may offer a 529 plan that provides state tax or other benefits, such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors, not otherwise available to you by investing in my529. You should consider such benefits, if any, before investing in my529. my529 does not provide legal, financial, investment or tax advice. You should consult your own tax or legal advisor to determine the effect of federal and state tax laws on your particular situation.
58 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Benefit your employees— help them start their college savings
my529 is Utah’s official 529 educational savings plan. We have helped families invest for more than 25 years. For this open enrollment season give employees the benefit of an easy way to begin saving for education. Employer advantages • No cost and simple to implement. • Help your employees prepare for the cost of their family's future education. • Payroll contribution available. • Attract and retain talent.
We can provide everything you need to get started • Onboarding materials. • In-person and virtual presentations.
employer@my529.org | 801.321.7153
Learn more at
my529.org/employer
• Downloadable resources.
Important Legal Notice Investing is an important decision. The investments in your account may vary with market conditions and could lose value. Carefully read the Program Description in its entirety for more information and consider all investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. For a copy of the Program Description, call 800.418.2551 or visit my529.org. Investments in my529 are not insured or guaranteed by my529, the Utah Board of Higher Education, the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority Board of Directors, any other state or federal agency, or any third party. However, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance is provided for the FDIC-Insured investment option. In addition, my529 offers investment options that are partially insured for the portion of the respective investment option that includes FDIC-insured accounts as an underlying investment. The state in which you or your beneficiary pay taxes or live may offer a 529 plan that provides state tax or other benefits, such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors, not otherwise available to you by investing in my529. You should consider such benefits, if any, before investing in my529. my529 does not provide legal, financial, investment or tax advice. You should consult your own tax or legal advisor to determine the effect of federal and state tax laws on your particular situation.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August May 20222022 59
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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 61
A New Look at
Anger Management By Brigit Atkin
You may have been taught that anger is bad—something to get rid of as quickly as possible or something to bury or control. I don’t know about you, but I have felt a lot of confusion around this negative emotion at various times in my life. I have come to learn that anger is like any other emotion; it is my teacher. The question for me is this: am I willing to learn? A visual that has really helped me personally and professionally in my work with clients is the Anger Iceberg. When you see an iceberg, it appears to be sitting on top of the water. You only see the summit. What you can’t see is that most of the iceberg is hidden beneath the water.
Anger is like this. You feel the intensity of emotion or see the outburst of emotion from another person, but the contributing emotions remain hidden under the surface. So instead of anger, a person might actually feel: 62 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
• Embarrassed • Scared • Grief-stricken • Shamed • Tricked • Overwhelmed • Frustrated • Depressed • Disgusted • Distrustful • Grumpy • Stressed
• Attacked • Rejected • Helpless • Guilty • Trapped • Nervous • Anxious • Triggered by trauma • Annoyed • Exhausted • Disrespected
• Unsure • Envious • Disappointed • Lonely • Offended • Uncomfortable • Worried • Insecure • Regretful • Hurt
“May God give you… for every storm, a rainbow; for every tear, a smile; for every care, a promise; and a blessing in each trial” (from an Irish prayer) You might wonder why it is so important to identify these more specific emotions. It is simply because you want to address what you feel so you can resolve it. Remember that unresolved anger festers over time, creating illness in the body and mind. Here’s a really helpful way to guide yourself through a turbulent time of angry feelings: 1. Give yourself a space of quiet time—maybe fifteen minutes. 2. Lie down and get comfortable. 3. Ask, “What is this that I am feeling?” 4. Don’t try to answer the question. Instead, just breathe, listen, and wait.
Please don’t misunderstand. While we experience and process our feelings, we must control our outward behavior. During a heated moment, you might really want to punch someone out. But the ensuing consequences will leave you and everyone involved in a much bigger mess. The old adage really is true. Before you do or say anything in anger, take a few deep breaths and count to ten. This just might be the greatest advice of all time!
You are the student. Life is the teacher. Emotions are here to guide you on this earthly journey. Ask for instruction, and then listen, learn, take notes, talk it over with a friend. Let go of all you don’t need while holding onto the valuable lesson. Take a deep breath and be grateful for this wonderful world that is teaching you about yourself. When anger shows up, let it be a tool to help you read and respond to various situations. Let it propel you forward.
About the Author Brigit Atkin–Brigit of Brightworks helps improve the lives of others facing challenges and difficulties. She is certified in the SimplyALIGN™ method and was trained by founder Carolyn Cooper herself. For more information, visit www.brightworksbybrigit.com.
After a few moments of stillness, you are very likely to receive an impression, a thought, or maybe a memory. Don’t judge these as they come up; just observe. Be a good student by allowing the impression, thought, image, or feeling to play out. Let it teach you! You might find, for example, that a feeling of helplessness is what comes over you. That’s great, as you’ve now identified the actual feeling that is surfacing. This is the key! As you identify the actual emotion, you can now ask more questions. What was the first incident that made me feel this way? Who/what told me I was helpless? Is it true? What could I have done or what can I do differently? What will empower me? Who can I call on to help me? Can this situation help me grow? At this point it is really helpful to journal these questions and answers or call on a trusted friend/mentor to be a sounding board as you talk it through. And what if the emotion actually is anger? Great! What did it teach you? It might have taught you that you are intensely passionate about certain things in your life or that you are provoked when an injustice has occurred that needs to be made right. If this is the case, then the anger will propel you to take action—appropriate, assertive action.
What happens when you see an outburst of anger from someone else? I love this quote from Charles F. Glassman, MD. He said, “Usually, when someone is angry, all we hear are their angry words. Instead, try hearing the unspoken, ‘I am scared. I am frustrated. I am insecure. I am vulnerable. I am threatened.’” I fully believe that listening and speaking with the heart is a gift, and I believe each one of us can develop this wonderful ability. St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 63
Light Therapy for
Dry Eye About the Author
By Dr. Paul Gooch, SouthWest Vision One of the most chronically frustrating eye conditions we live with is an inflammatory disease we have erroneously called “dry eye.” Historically, it has been one of the least understood problems of the eye, generally has been treated with oversimplified therapies, and frequently has been underappreciated by physicians. After all, if your eyes are dry, why not use artificial tears to treat? Fortunately, we are finally getting a grip on the inflammatory nature of dry eye. We are beginning to understand how inflammation affects the surface of the eye and the quality of the tear film which supports it.
In April of 2021, the FDA approved a new use for an established light treatment that dermatologists and aestheticians have been using for years to improve the health and appearance of the skin. OptiLight by Lumenis received FDA approval to apply intense pulsed light (IPL) to the face, specifically around the eyes and the outside of the eyelids themselves, as a treatment for dry eye. It works by targeting inflammation, spider veins (telangiectasias), rosacea, bacteria, and hair follicle mites called Demodex that create the inflammation leading to dry eye. IPL also works by warming and loosening hardened oils in the glands behind your eye lashes that stabilize your tear film. The national data looks very good, and clinicians across the country have had remarkable success improving the signs and symptoms of inflammatory dry eye since the discovery of this novel therapy. Imagine treating your dry eyes with a photofacial that also rejuvenates skin and treats skin discoloration! Our protocol for dry eye treatment now includes four sessions with the OptiLight followed immediately by LipiFlow (FDA approved treatment for meibomian gland disease), which then gives your oil glands a chance to refill with new, fresh, healthy oils after the inflammatory inputs are reduced. Our clinical findings match the national data. Our patients are finding significant relief from the inflammatory effects of dry eye and appreciating smoother, healthier skin as a side effect, making IPL a win/win for those who suffer from red, irritated eyes. Call SouthWest Vision today to schedule an appointment for an evaluation of your dry eye and to see which of the therapy options are right for you. We can be reached at 435-673-5577, or you can visit us online at www.SouthWestVision.com. 64 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Dr. Paul Gooch grew up in Mona, Utah. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the University of Missouri–St Louis, College of Optometry. He started SouthWest Vision in January of 1998 and has grown his practice to include Dr. Ryan Robison as partner in 2006 and Dr. Eric Drake in 2013. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Utah Optometric Association (UOA). He served Utah Optometry as a UOA Trustee for eight years. He is currently an adjunct professor at Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Gooch is twice past president of the Rotary Club of Dixie Sunrise and past president of the SouthWest Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen. Dr. Gooch has been the recipient of the Young Optometrist of the Year Award and the TLC Humanitarian Award. His loves include raising a family, training mules, dabbling in politics, and flying powered parachutes.
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St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 65
Teeth
Armed to the
A new periodic article
series designed to spotlight cutting edge providers, what they do, and why it matters to your health. 66 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
By Koby Taylor, PharmD
Whether you’re new or you’re a native to St. George, you’ve noticed the growth we’re experiencing. It seems every time I take a drive around town, I see a new shopping complex, neighborhood, or grocery store going in. Along with all the new amenities, there has been a myriad of new providers with new ideas, technologies, and approaches. As an integrative pharmacist and health coach, I must say, this is an exciting time for us and our “little town.” For the last two years, I have been hosting a monthly Fusion Mastermind Group where functionally-minded practitioners gather to collaborate, share knowledge, and talk about how we can raise the bar for our patients. It’s truly a wonderful thing to see how these individuals are sought out for their expertise, not only statewide but nationwide, and they’re right here in our backyard!
#FusionIsBetterMedicine FUSION PHARMACY Santa Clara (435) 703-9680 | St. George (435) 656-2059 | www.FusionSpecialtyPharmacy.com The caveat is that as St. George grows, it becomes more and more difficult for people like you to wade through the who, what, where, and why of providers. Having been the host to this group, I have come to the stark realization that while providers typically know each other, our community at large doesn’t know who these providers are, what their expertise is, or why it should matter. My Fusion Mastermind Group is centered around building relationships, giving each of us an inside look at modalities, philosophies, and best practices. These are providers, both traditional and non-traditional (western or eastern), who listen, care, and are eager and willing to learn and discover from each other. So with that in mind, I thought I would take this opportunity to give you a glimpse inside my mastermind group and one of its members. I will also continue to use this platform to spotlight these outstanding providers from time to time, so keep an eye out. You may find the help you’re looking for within the pages of this magazine.
Let’s start here. Have you ever heard of biological dentistry? Biological dentistry is not exactly a new term nor is it a new type of dentistry. It is “new” in the way that we look at dentistry beyond just your mouth and how we can utilize it to (re)create your entire health picture. Your mouth and the rest of your body are linked! For example, if you are someone who suffers from halitosis (bad breath), you might be treating your bad breath by masking it with breath mints or mouth wash. Maybe you’ve had a bad tooth pulled, hoping it would help, but it hasn’t. You might even be thinking that it’s solely a symptom of your mouth. Don’t beat yourself up; as consumers, we all find ourselves treating symptoms because without symptoms, how else would we know something is wrong? So what if I told you there was a way to investigate your symptoms, whatever they may be, by looking at the bacteria in your mouth?
Spotlight: Bryce Eagar, DDS Bryce Eager, DDS, at Gateway Oral Health Center in St. George, Utah, is a dentist who provides all the services of care you might expect from a general dentist but with one special twist: biological dentistry.
Here’s why biological dentistry matters. Your oral health is directly linked to your internal health. Studies have shown that your oral health can be linked to heart disease, respiratory disease, Alztheimer’s disease, kidney disease, diabetes, sleep disturbances, and more. Your mouth is naturally loaded with bacteria, some are vital and aid in breaking down food and aid in digestion, while some bacteria are harmful and can proliferate and cause harm to your teeth, gums, and even your internal organs. Dr. Eager can literally study the bacteria in your mouth with a simple test by using a non-invasive, pain-free swab to collect bacteria between your teeth. Essentially, this test looks at the DNA of your oral microbiome. By looking at your oral microbiome, you can also glean what might be happening with your gut microbiome. From there, he can determine a course of action that could help you take care of the symptoms you may be having and help you utilize this valuable information to combat or manage the root cause of your condition and share it with your other providers.
Special Formulations If you should require help with balancing your oral bacteria, you are then given a personalized and proprietary compound prescription for a medicated mouth rinse. Now you may wonder why a medicated mouth rinse might be more beneficial over a tablet or pill. The answer is simply that if your oral bacteria is out of balance, a pill that you swallow will have to go through your digestive processes before reaching your mouth and may render the medication useless. The other side of the coin is that by combating the bacteria “on site.” you aren’t swallowing it into your digestive tract and allowing it to collect in the gut.
Being Your Own Advocate I hope you found this information useful, either for you or a loved one that just can’t seem to get to the root cause of their illness. With the help of the internet, you are able to research, collect your own data, and advocate for alternative approaches. Having access to Dr. Eager and his practice could help “arm you to the teeth” with information and help you integrate your other providers with your health care.
About the Author Koby Taylor, PharmD, is the owner and pharmacist of Fusion Pharmacy. Working as a retail pharmacist early in his career, Koby began to see that pharmacy patients needed to have access to available alternative medications. He realized that pharmacy in its truest form is compounding, and he wanted to be able to provide patients with customized medications. He also desired more personalized interactions with patients in order to truly help their health and wellbeing. To fulfill his passion for improving the health of patients and educating them about compounding, Koby opened the doors of Fusion Pharmacy in 2013. Today, Fusion is nationally accredited with PCAB and NABP. It is licensed in and ships to 27 states. Fusion is proud to have two locations to better serve the southern Utah community. Koby graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in molecular biology in 1995 and from the University of Utah with his Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2000.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 67
About the Author Gini Grimsley is the Director of Fitness Product for VASA Fitness where she creates cutting-edge fitness programming for VASA’s clubs across eight states.
68 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
S S E N WELL
By Gini Grimsley Summer is the season of play! From vacations to afternoons at the pool, park days to evening barbeques—when the weather warms up, people head outside to enjoy some fun in the sun. A new season means a new opportunity for improved wellness and healthy habits. Here are a few tips to keep you moving and living well!
Stay Hydrated When it heats up, your body needs to cool off. Warmer temperatures mean you’ll sweat more during normal daily activities, so you should consider increasing your water intake during warmer months. An appropriate baseline is to drink 50 percent of your bodyweight in ounces of water. If your physical activity increases in the summer or you’re spending more time outside, you’ll want to drink even more. Keep an insulated water bottle full, and always carry it with you so you can sip on water throughout the day. This will help you gauge how much water you’ve consumed. Additionally, fresh fruits and vegetables are made up of 50 to 70 percent water, so incorporating colorful produce into your diet will also help you increase your water intake and keep you hydrated. Visit Your Local Farmer’s Market Summer is the perfect time to add more fruits and veggies onto your plate! Most produce is in season during the summer, and local farmer’s markets will carry the freshest local produce around. Putting chicken or burgers on the grill? Throw zucchini, peppers, onions, mushrooms, or asparagus on the grill, too, for a delicious side with minimal clean up. Check out the other products sold at your farmer’s market, like honey, sauces, dips, and meat. These are fresh and minimally processed, meaning you’ll reap more nutrients than prepackaged items from the grocery store. If you’ve got a green thumb, you get extra points for growing your own vegetable garden. Soak Up Some Sun Vitamin D is an essential nutrient needed to support many functions in the body. Fun fact: the body converts sunlight into vitamin D using the cholesterol in your body. Vitamin D helps strengthen your immune system, improves the mood, and contributes to bone, teeth, and muscle health. Staying inside all day prevents the body from getting direct exposure to sunlight, the best and easiest way to get vitamin D. And don’t forget sunscreen. Overexposure to direct sunlight can damage your skin and cause several issues down the road. Soak up some sun, but take precautions to avoid sunburn. Exercise Daily All the work and progress you’ve made during colder months should not be lost just because the season changed. Hitting the gym has now become a part of your weekly routine. Stay disciplined and take the opportunity to switch up your routine a bit. Instead of doing cardio at the gym, try walking or jogging around your neighborhood or a local park. If you’re feeling adventurous, a hike or bike ride may be a great way to mix up your workouts and enjoy time with friends and family. Moving your body every day will help reduce stress and improve your mood while also keeping you strong and healthy. Sleep in a Cool Room Sleep is a key driver of overall health and well-being. A bedroom that is too warm can disrupt your sleep, making you feel tired the next day. As the body prepares for sleep, its temperature will drop about two degrees, making it easier to fall and stay asleep. A few tips for keeping your room cool: turn down the thermostat at night, close the blinds to reduce heat build-up during the day, take a warm bath or shower before going to bed, and open the windows to promote ventilation. As the weather heats up, keep wellness and activity at the forefront. Be flexible with your routines and take advantage of all the benefits of summer: longer days, fresh produce, and socializing with friends and family. Staying hydrated and sleeping well will give you the energy to enjoy summer to the fullest day after day. St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 69
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University Graduate Anna Seaton Converts Caring Personality into Nursing Degree and Career By Jake Harber
Embarking on a journey to a new state and culture without knowing anyone can be a daunting prospect. Many young adults take this leap every year when they go to college, and recent Dixie State University graduate Anna Seaton is no exception. Making the trek from Seattle, Washington, to St. George, Utah, wasn’t a small step, but it was one she tackled head-on.
Seaton was part of Dixie State University’s 111th graduating class, the largest for the institution to date with 2,684 degrees awarded. The class of 2022 was the last graduating class to earn degrees under the name of Dixie State University. In November of 2021, the Utah State Legislature approved an institutional name change from Dixie State University to Utah Tech University, which officially transitioned on July 1, 2022.
For Seaton, choosing a university to begin her college chapter was really about stepping out of her comfort zone and stretching herself. “I had been to St. George twice before moving here,” said Seaton. With an older brother being a prospect for the university’s football team, Seaton and her family took a trip to see the campus and explore Zion National Park. When the time came for Seaton to go to college, she knew she wanted something different that would give her a fresh start—an experience she wouldn’t get by going to a university close to her hometown. “If I stayed in Washington, I would have stayed forever because of the comfort and sense of community I already had there,” Seaton remarked.
About the Author Jake Harber is a full-time student at Utah Tech University. A smalltown Wyoming native, he moved to St. George to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and work toward a career in public relations. He enjoys the southern Utah climate and all the outdoor adventures this area has to offer.
Moving to St. George by herself, Seaton met her first friends on campus: her roommates. “It gives you an opportunity to be who you want to be and to start over. It really forces you to be social,” Seaton commented.
As a nursing major, Seaton described the work as tough, competitive, draining, and stressful. She sometimes took as many as twenty-one credits per semester. “I feel lucky,” said Seaton. “I knew I wanted to go into nursing. I kind of have that caring bone in my body. I actually wanted to be a vet for the longest time but eventually switched my mindset from animals to people.”
Seaton said she would love working in pediatrics with younger children or in hospice care with the elderly. She is looking forward to pursuing her career in San Diego, where she plans on living with her sister, finding hobbies that interest her, and working on herself, something she was far too busy to do while she was in school. “The university has a great nursing program. A bunch of people apply, and only fifty students get in,” said Seaton. “Unlike prerequisite classes, you stay with those fifty people all four semesters. I think that’s really awesome because you create a community and make friends, and you are all in the same thing together. That was my favorite part of the program.”
For more information about Utah Tech University, please visit utahtech.edu, or to learn more about the institution’s nursing program, go to health.utahtech.edu/nursing. St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 71
Demystifying the Mystical:
How Does Acupuncture Work? By Janene Borandi, DAc When I tell people I’m an acupuncturist, I get a lot of different responses. On occasion, I still get those who back away slowly and give me the hairy eyeball, as if what I’m doing is the work of some dark and mysterious force. Years ago, I even had a woman beg me not to put a spell on her child. By now, I hope you’re laughing. Thankfully, most people respond positively, as acupuncture is becoming more accessible and less mysterious. For the most part, the consensus is that acupuncture is effective. Some insurance companies cover or reimburse for it, and even Medicare 72 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
laws are changing to cover acupuncture for low back pain. However, there is still quite a bit of curiosity about how acupuncture works. It’s the question I get most often and the first learning objective I cover in my Fundamentals of East Asian Medicine course at Rocky Vista University. If you type acupuncture in the search bar at PubMed.gov, your search will return over 38,000 studies that include the keyword acupuncture. This site is one of many research databases dedicated to the publication of research from around the world and is run by the U.S. federal government. PubMed alone
shows studies on acupuncture dating back to 1827, with the lion’s share of research beginning in 1970. What this means is that those who get paid to think critically about causative factors for disease prevention and treatment are thinking very critically about this 3,000-year-old form of medicine and how it might be effective in the prevention and treatment of our modern-day ailments. So, how does sticking a bunch of tiny little needles into the skin at seemingly random places help you feel better? Well, when you cut yourself, it heals over time, right? An injury to the skin kicks off a
About the Author Dr. Borandi is a board-certified Doctor of Acupuncture (NCCAOM). She received her Master of Acupuncture from the Maryland University of Integrative Health in Laurel, Maryland, and her Doctor of Acupuncture from Pacific College of Health and Science in San Diego, California. Dr. Borandi owns and operates a private practice in Ivins, Utah, and delivers her course on the Fundamentals of East Asian Medicine to first- and second-year osteopathic medical students at Rocky Vista University (RVU) in Utah and Colorado. She serves as a panelist on the Interprofessional Education Grand Rounds and is often invited to be a guest speaker at other University-sanctioned events. Dr. Borandi worked on the Gulf War Veterans Illness and Injury study at the VA Medical Center in Washington, DC, and is currently exploring other acupuncture research opportunities to bring to her community.
series of complex processes in the body that work together to heal you. The insertion of acupuncture needles causes very tiny injuries all over the body, and through its built-in healing mechanism, your body is stimulated to launch these various healing processes. To put it simply, acupuncture (aka tiny needle injuries) causes increased blood flow, a system-wide immune response, the release of endogenous opioids (because where there is injury, there is often pain), and the activation of various neurotransmitters, which carry out various forms of communication between the brain and body.
Don’t worry if you don’t quite understand it all to the depth of a chemist or a neuroscientist. Just give yourself a pat on the back for having a body that is able to do all of these wonderful things without even thinking about it. My hope is that you will remain curious about why so many researchers are dedicating so much of their critical thinking about healing and disease prevention to the topic of acupuncture. When I first felt the effects of acupuncture as a patient, it became crucial for me to understand how it worked biochemically, and so began my journey to
help demystify this paradigm of medicine that worked so quickly and elegantly to get me back to good health. One of the joys of my profession is having long conversations with people about the biochemical and even energetic mechanisms of acupuncture, the latter of which I didn’t even address in this article. I hope this explanation helped unravel the mystery behind this very old system of medicine and opened the door to an even greater understanding and acceptance of all the beautiful possibilities acupuncture has to offer in eliminating pain and optimizing health.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 73
Dining Guide St. George
Angelica’s Mexican Grill
101 E. St. George Blvd., St. George, UT 84770 | 435-628-4399 Mexican | Vegetarian and Vegan Options | Family Friendly | $ Mon.–Sat., 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Closed Sun. Located Downtown on St. George Boulevard, Angelica’s Mexican Grill serves fresh, made from scratch authentic Mexican food. The flavor driven and nationally recognized menu provides everything and more that you would expect from a Mexican restaurant, including street tacos, Mulitas, Tortas, Sweet Carnitas, Machaca, and their famous salsa bar. Vegan and Vegetarian dishes are always available. Seating is available inside and also outside on the spacious patio. Catering & To-Go ordering available.
Magleby’s
1450 Hilton Dr., St George, UT 84770 | 435-652-9600 American / Dine-In | Catering | $$ Mon.–Sat., 11:00 a.m.–9:00p.m.; Lunch Buffet, Wed., 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Closed Wed. 2:00–4:00 p.m. and on Sunday With over thirty years of catering experience, we guarantee to make your next event magical! Everything we do we do with love, and you won’t find another catering company with as many homemade recipes or fully customized options. If you’re looking for a culinary experience creatively tailored to fit your event, we’re at your service.
Benja’s Thai and Sushi
2 W. St. George Blvd. #12, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-628-9538 Thai | Sushi | $$ Mon.–Sat., 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.–8:00p.m. Hungry for sushi? Hungry for Thai curries? Benja’s Thai and Sushi, in the heart of downtown at Ancestor Square, will satisfy your craving with fresh sushi, curries, noodles and a great beer and wine menu. Stop in with business colleagues, friends, a date or the whole family, and be sure to come hungry – in addition to curries, noodles and sushi, Benja’s salads, soups and sticky mango rice are not to be missed.
Cappeletti’s
36 E. Tabernacle, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-986-4119 Italian | Steak | Seafood | Contemporary | $$ Lunch: Tues.–Sat.,11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Dinner: 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Centrally located in historic downtown near Town Square, Cappeletti’s is a favorite for casual business lunches, friend and family gatherings, and romantic evening dining. Authentic Italian pastas like gnocchi bolognese or cannelloni will comfort and satisfy, but if you’re not in the mood for pasta, the fresh fish of the day, tender Black Angus flat iron steaks, market fresh meats, and poultry are all prepared daily and presented beautifully. In this quaint and cozy family owned and operated restaurant, plan to settle in for warm, friendly Italian cuisine with an Argentinian flair, and leave satiated in body and soul.
Pizza/Pasta Factory
Pasta Factory: 2 W. St. George Blvd. #8, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-674-3753 Pizza Factory: 2 W. St. George Blvd. #8, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-628-1234 Pizza Factory Express: 1930 W. Sunset Blvd., St. George, UT 84770 | 435-634-1234 Pizza Factory Pineview: 2376 E. Red Cliffs Dr., St. George, UT 84790 | 435-688-2656 Pizza | Pasta | Dine-In | Take-Out | Delivery | Salad Bar | $$ Mon.—Sat at 11:00 a.m. The Pasta Factory, with its year-round, climate controlled outdoor patio dining wows with custom-made pasta, soups, sandwiches and salads. The Pizza Factory offers three locations with the best and freshest salad bar in town; homemade soups, sandwiches, famous bread twists and Southern Utah’s favorite pizza combinations.
Red Fort Cuisine of India
148 S. 1470 E., St. George, UT 84790 | 435-574-4050 Indian | Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free Options | Healthy | $$ Mon.–Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; Closed Sun. Located in the shopping and dining hub just north of St. George Boulevard, Red Fort Indian Cuisine is the only authentic Indian restaurant in St. George. The flavors are unique and harmonious, and many of their menu items are vegan, vegetarian or gluten free. Stop by and experience the delicious flavors of authentic East India. The elegant and inviting atmosphere paired with their kind and friendly staff, is sure to provide for a relaxing, enjoyable dining experience.
Katering Koncepts, Inc. – Full Service Catering and Event Rentals
1495 S. Black Ridge Dr., Suite A210, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-574-0059 Menus include buffet options, breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, and gourmet lunch boxes. Call Katering Koncepts when it just has to be perfect! We will customize any menu just for your event. Serving the St. George and surrounding southern Utah areas. Katering Koncepts sets a new standard in private, corporate, and wedding events. We have a full line of rentals, including tables, chairs, linens, formal dishware, decorations, dance floors, tents, serving dishes, and many other items to help make your event a success. Call us or visit our website at www.kateringkoncepts.com for a complete list.
74 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
The Painted Pony
2 W. St. George Blvd. #22, St. George, UT 84770 | 435-634-1700 Steakhouse | Seafood | Contemporary | Healthy | $$$$ Lunch: Mon.–Sat., 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Dinner: 4:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.; Sun., 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. In the heart of Ancestor Square, the Painted Pony delights with an upscale menu, full beer and wine list, cocktails and exceptional service. Prepare for a sensory experience with complex flavors, top-notch presentation and a beautiful atmosphere. Evening ambiance complete with soft lighting, fresh flowers and patio dining. Locally sourced, organic, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available for every palate.
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L I F E A F T E R YO U R W O R K I N G Y E A R S :
What Is Your Financial Plan? By Branden DuCharme As you approach retirement, there are many different methodologies and products available to help you financially plan for life after your working years. These products can vary, but what they all seem to have in common is a smooth-talking salesman ready to sell you a product. How do you know what is right for you?
The answer is unique to your situation and starts with the questions that you are personally trying to solve. Are you concerned about cash flow? Do you want to more effectively transfer your estate to your children?
As they pursue the answers to their questions, many people come across two widely marketed and very different products: annuities and real estate. Both have characteristics that can help negate the volatility of the stock market and both can provide a stream of cash flows. An annuity is a contract with an insurance company where, in exchange for your money today, they guarantee you a series of payments in the future. Annuities can be structured in many ways. In the design of your annuity, you can decide how much risk you are willing to
take, understand what the upside potential is, and determine when you would like to start receiving your payments (otherwise referred to as cash flow). In fixed annuities, you pay an insurance company to take all the risk and market volatility from you. You will have a consistent rate of return each year, regardless of market conditions. In an indexed annuity, you usually still avoid the risk of loss but have a fluctuating rate of return based on how your selected index performs. Variable annuities fluctuate entirely with the market and have a risk of loss.
There are many different nuances and policy designs beyond that, but the main takeaway is this: you pay the insurance company a fee to take risk away from you and provide you with a stream of payments for a period—typically the rest of your life.
Now consider how real estate may fit that mold. Rather than buying a large annuity with a chunk of your retirement savings, you could potentially purchase a rental property. You would own it, and the tenants would make monthly payments to you. If the property is maintained and stays occupied, you should theoretically receive regular payments for the rest of your life or at least for the holding period of the property. A couple of potential upsides to this strategy is that your rent payments are likely to increase over time and keep up with
inflation. You would maintain or grow the capital (the property) you invested in and have something to leave to your children or loved ones. However, in a fair and balanced conversa tion, you need to consider what the drawbacks might be and whether the rest of your financial plan is equipped to deal with the downside to either of these products.
Annuities are often sold with the word “guarantee.” Although they are largely viewed as very secure, nothing in life is truly guaranteed. If the insurance company goes out of business (a real concern in 2008), your annuity contract might disappear with the company. Annuities also have a capped or low rate of return. Particularly in fixed annuities, a low rate may be crushed by the weight of high inflation, meaning you lose purchasing power year after year. Additional concerns are the high costs and fees often associated with annuities: they can substantially eat away at what you thought you were buying.
Real estate is not without its own risks. Although there is more upside potential, there are also some risks. Do you have additional funds in reserve for major capital expenditures—a new furnace, roof, or water heater for example—to maintain or rehab the property if needed? If you have a gap in tenants or late rent payments, do you have the appropriate reserves to weather the storm until your cash starts flowing again? Do you have the patience to deal with an ongoing project, property manager, or tenants? Ultimately, there is no perfect financial tool. There are always risks and rewards, pros and cons. Consider reviewing all your options with a trusted fiduciary advisor.
About the Author Branden DuCharme is an investment adviser representative with GVCM, a SEC registered investment advisory firm.
76 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
Build Friendship Skills for Back-to-School Success By Family Features
When thinking about back-to-school season, most people naturally think of academics. However, it’s just as important to focus on social and emotional skills.
Children of all ages are still learning to manage their emotions and get along with others. “Social and emotional skills are crucial to a child’s academic success, but these skills must be learned,” said Carter Peters from KinderCare’s inclusion services team. “Teachers tell us again and again that starting the school year with a grasp on social-emotional learning is just as important as knowing academic concepts. Children who are struggling to manage their emotions and transition into the classroom may not be able to focus on academics.” Consider these three skills families can teach their children before school starts to help build friendships:
Turn Transitions into Games Making a game out of stressful transitions can help both you and your child reframe your mindsets and reduce stress. Asking your child “Can you hop like a bunny while you get your school things together?” or playing a listening game like “Simon Says” can help your child develop executive function skills such as impulse control. You could also give him or her choices. For example, tell your child “You can put your shoes on yourself or I can help you,” which lets him or her feel a sense of autonomy and control when choosing the desired solution.
Take Turns One thing younger children often struggle with is the concept of sharing. Adults can forget that to young children, sharing implies giving something up. If your child struggles to share, try introducing the concept of taking turns: “It’s Mariah’s turn for the slide. When she’s done then you can go.” Help your child practice how to have conversations with playmates about taking turns. Play a “What if” Game Help school-age children build a growth mindset by problemsolving responses to common friendship issues. Ask your child “What would you do if…?” and help him or her practice responses. Thinking of responses ahead of time gives your child a rehearsed playbook to choose from in the moment. The more he or she practices these responses, the less you will see unwanted behaviors such as yelling or hitting. By giving children the autonomy to choose their own responses, you demonstrate your trust in them, which can give children a powerful sense of their own abilities to act maturely. “The need to practice impulse control and self-regulation skills will remain a challenge throughout childhood as executive function skills continue to develop into a person’s mid-20s,” Peters said. “It’s not that children don’t know better, it’s more that their brains are still learning these vital social and emotional skills.”
Building these social skills now can help your children start the school year ready to learn and grow. Find more tips to build children’s social and emotional skills at kindercare.com.
St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 77
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The Non-Disc Ligament Injury Dilemma By Spencer Andersen, DC
Without question, a car crash is one of the scariest events that a human can go through. A car crash victim’s experiences can cause an emotional tailspin that never seems to end. The potential of losing your job or your lifestyle coupled with the daily, debilitating pain from an injury becomes your constant companion. About the Author Dr. Spencer Andersen is a chiropractic physician that started serving the St. George and Washington County communities in 2002. He specializes and is board certified in neck and whiplash injuries. He has a passion for helping the injured and recently retired as a firefighter and EMT. Spencer loves spending time outdoors with his family.
There are many injuries that can occur during a car accident. However, the biggest concern by far is an injury to the spine. This is because our spine protects the one communication line our body has from the brain: our spinal cord.
The spine is a series of bones that are connected together by 220 specialized spinal ligaments. Each joint has nine of these specialized ligaments. Between each of the spinal bones is a disc. There are twenty-three discs throughout the spine, assuming that there have been no surgeries to remove one.
If the force of the crash is big enough or the risk factors that increase your chance of injury are present, damage to these ligaments can take place. So, how do you know if they have been damaged?
There are only three types of injuries that can damage the spine: fracture, disc herniation, and non-disc ligament damage. An x-ray can diagnose fractures, and an MRI can diagnose a herniated disc. But there is really only one way to determine non-disc ligament damage, and that is by performing excessive motion testing (EMT). It’s common that these types of injuries are not diagnosed because the average practitioner doesn’t know about or does not know how to perform EMTs.
EMT is used to determine the location and severity of the damage that is missed through traditional imaging methods. When this damage is missed, the patient suffers, quite literally. Ligament damage is the root cause of most chronic pain. It is the most expensive and the most problematic injury that we deal with.
Determining if you have a ligament injury is vital to determine the type of care and treatment that you need. Ligament damage is a permanent injury. Due to the lack of blood flow to damaged ligaments, natural repair does not happen. When this diagnosis is missed or overlooked, a person with this type of back injury could potentially experience a life of pain and misery.
Chronic pain becomes the victim’s number one focal point, affecting every aspect of life. Relationships, work, lifestyle, dreams, and aspirations all suffer. It becomes the companion that never goes away. However, one saving grace is that even though the injury is permanent, the effects of the injury do not have to be. A level of care—ranging from home exercises to regular care from a properly trained provider—will need to be followed for the rest of the patient’s life to mitigate the pain. Damaged ligaments need support from the specialized spinal muscles, which are attached to the spine, to prevent the degenerative avalanche that will occur. Regular exercise and strength training aren’t enough. These specialized spinal muscles need activation that takes place only through precise chiropractic adjustment, physical therapy, and Class IV laser therapy. These techniques stimulate the mechanoreceptors in the spinal muscles, reduce inflammation, and cause the body to develop microcirculation where there currently isn’t any. If you are suffering from injuries due to a crash or you want more information about non-disc ligament injury, call Whiplash Center of Utah at 435-674-7515. To schedule an initial visit, go to www.nowhiplash.com. St. George Health & Wellness Magazine | July/August 2022 79
A Conversation with 2022 Utah State Poetry Out Loud Champion Aeva Dye Poetry Out Loud (POL), a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the state arts agencies, is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials, cash prizes, and dynamic recitation competitions for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build selfconfidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. POL is highly competitive. Participants must memorize and recite three poems (one must be a pre-20th century poem) chosen from a POL anthology. They are judged on accuracy (poems must be recited verbatim), interpretation, and presentation by a panel of poets and literary scholars. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.1 million students and 68,000 teachers from 17,000 schools across the country have participated in POL. On March 9, 2022, local student Aeva Dye, now a senior at Dixie High School, was announced as the 2022 Utah State Poetry Out Loud champion, an honor she earned by advancing through the school and district competitions. Aeva excels in academics, is a member of the DHS mountain biking team,
and participates in speech and debate. She credits her experience in POL with helping her to build her self-confidence and gain a love for literature. What follows is a short interview with Aeva about her POL experience. Tell us how you got involved with Poetry Out Loud? My freshman year of high school, I had a teacher who was incredibly passionate about involvement in literature of all kinds. She pushed me to investigate POL and helped spark an enduring passion of my own. What do you like about poetry? What I love about poetry is how versatile and accessible it is as a medium of art. It allows for so many different kinds of expression and communication for so many different kinds of people. What is something you learned about yourself during the competition? This competition helped me discover that I actually love public speaking! Before POL, I had a lot of anxiety and fear associated with speaking in public, but the competition helped me learn to love this particular form of expression.
80 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
What was the most challenging part of competing in POL? Competing in POL was challenging for me because it is, at its core, a deeply personal experience. It forced me to confront some of my fears and address my self image in order to deliver the best, most impactful performance that I could. What has been your biggest takeaway from this experience? What has stuck most with me about POL is the community backing it and the way that this community has touched so many wonderful individuals through this program. I’ve been able to see first hand how poetry and the spoken word can provide an artful means of expression for anyone. What would you say to encourage someone to participate in POL? Anyone has the ability to interpret and recite poetry; it all comes from within. If you are interested in participating in the official program, visit poetryoutloud.org or contact the Utah Division of Arts and Museums.
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