Sienna List December 2016

December 2016

Community At Your Finger Tips Now Open in Missouri City

Stress Managment De-Stress the Holidays

- Page 3

Learn About Malawi’s

Explore the Pizzabilities Consider the Pastabilities

Pizza with a Purpose

- Page 11

Health Matters with Dr. Harris

- Page 13

Contents

5 9

Age-old Medical Practice Makes a Comeback with Modern Twist, Dramatically Improving Wound Care

The List

Top 10 Things todo in December with Auntie A

15 17

Health Report

The Lifestyle

5 Tips for a Healthier 2017

Money Matters

How to Save Money in the New Year

Sienna List | info@siennalist.com | Missouri City, TX 77459 | 281-201-5998

December 17th -11am until 4pm - Village of Sawmill Lake

Frost Fest - 9827 Cameron Way, Missouri City, TX 77459

Enjoy a day of winterland fun with 50,000 pounds of snow, sledding, ice skating, inflatables and more! Free Admission December 18th -1 until 4pm - Club Sienna Parking Lot

Sienna Community Farmer’s Market - 9600 Scanlan Trace, 77459

Stock up on fresh locally grown produce, pure raw local honey, free range eggs, grass-fed meats, fresh baked gooods and more!

December 18th - 1 until 5pm - Sugar Land Town Square

Santa Claus is coming to town! - 2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land, 77479

He is taking a short break from his work at the North Pole to take pictures with the families in Sugar Land! Free December 31st - 10pm until 1am - Sugar Land Town Square

New Year’s Eve on the Square - 2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land, 77479

Music, fun & fireworks! Children’s celebration 7-9pm. For more information call (281)275-2885.

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Sienna List was developed with the residents of Missouri City in mind. We offer free services for our members; a platform where members can find jobs, business recommendations, events, and more with the click of a button.

It’s easy to become a member of Sienna List:

1 - Visit www.thelist.city reate a user name and 2 - Cpassword for your login.

3 - Click the Submit button.

Creating and sharing a local event such as a garage sale, classes, or a fundraiser has never been easier! Once you login, click create an event. Then fill in the appropriate fields and your event will be live on Sienna List.

Stress Managment De-Stress the Holidays

W

e often feel over stressed during the holiday season because of our tendencies to apply additional pressure during the month of December. We want to give the perfect gifts with the perfect wrapping, the perfect holiday cards, the perfect outfit for our holiday parties, the perfect day (or days depending on which holiday you celebrate), and all of those perfects add up to a lot of stress. We have two choices: we can either identify this time of year by stress or we can choose to focus on what’s really important and enjoy our time with family and friends.

Here are our top 5 ways to de-stress your holidays this season.

1. What’s a priority? Sit down and make a list of the traditions that make you and your family feel fulfilled and that are a true priority. Maybe you really don’t look forward to your company Christmas party every year. Kindly let them know they won’t be seeing you at this year’s party. Or you don’t want to spend Christmas day driving around to each of

By Meaghan Barsamian

your family member’s houses, so don’t.

Give yourself permission to do what is truly valuable to you and your family.

2. Schedule it. I know it sounds crazy, but put these activities in your calendar as you would schedule a work meeting.

We have a tendency to overcommit ourselves, and if we block out the time on our schedule we can look at exactly what we can or cannot say yes to.

3. Online Shopping. Finish your holiday shopping online. Don’t fight the holiday traffic and wait in the long lines. Aside from shopping local, one of our favorite websites for holiday shopping is Etsy. If you are ever worried about the item or shipping timeframe, it is easy to contact the vendor to ask questions. Don’t forget about the stores that make it easy to shop online and pick up in-store (as quickly as an hour later). Or go ahead and splurge on gift wrapping and have the gift shipped directly to your out-oftown relatives.

4. Slow down. What are the holidays without the ones we love the most? Slow

down, cuddle with your family on the couch and watch a favorite movie. Grab some travel mugs of hot cocoa (with marshmallows, of course!), then jump in the car or go for a stroll around your block and admire the neighborhood Christmas lights. Or plan a night to spend quality time baking homemade cookies.

5. Plan an after the holidays party. If celebrating the holidays with your friends is important, but you are limited on time throughout December, plan an after the holidays party in January. This will show your friends you don’t want to add to their holiday stresses and lets them know they are still important to you. Trust me, they will thank you.

Don’t allow yourself to feel stressed this holiday season. Instead, focus on what is important and enjoy your time with the ones that mean the most.

From our family to yours, we are wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Joyful New Year!

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Vandana Khera, MD Internal Medicine Hindi & Punjabi

Deepshikha Sharda, DO Family Medicine Hindi

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Adrianne Scruggs, MD Internal Medicine

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Houston Methodist Primary Care Group is dedicated to providing high quality and compassionate care to the Fort Bend community. Our physicians have extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating patients with a caring, hands-on, family-oriented approach.

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December 2016

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SubmitMissouri your articles City,to: TX 77459 info@siennalist.com

Health Report

H

Age-old Medical Practice Makes a Comeback with Modern Twist, Dramatically Improving Wound Care

ouston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is the first in Fort Bend County to use an innovative biotherapy involving fly larvae to save a patient’s infected limb that otherwise would have been amputated.

Wound care specialist Nicholas Desai, D.P.M., used the BioBag®, a unique larval therapy, to clean dead tissue from a diabetic patient’s severely infected foot and quickly prepare him for a skin graft, saving him from a below-knee amputation. What would have been an 18- to 24-month ordeal — with multiple staged surgeries and significant future risks — was taken care of in a matter of days, allowing the patient to return to his daily routine quicker with full mobility.

“The BioBag actually relies on a very old practice that has been modernized in a unique way,” Desai said. “The use of larval therapy to debride, or clean, dead tissue from infected wounds dates back thousands of years. The BioBag brings it up to date by providing full containment of the fly larvae within a sealed, easy-to-apply dressing.”

BioBags contain larvae of the common green bottle fly, secured in a polyester pouch with a porous outer layer that allows direct access to the wound.

When placed on top an infected lesion, the larvae secrete enzymes that liquefy dead tissue, which they then consume — effectively cleaning the wound within a day or two. Those enzymes also speed healing by providing antibacterial protection of the area.

“Larval therapy leaves all healthy tissue intact and allows us to perform a skin graft within a couple of days of treatment,” he said. “In severe cases of infection, larval therapy will actually save the patient’s limb because more conventional therapies would not work in time.”

The first patient to receive the larval therapy at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and in Fort Bend, was treated on a Friday. By Tuesday of the following week, his infection was cleared and he was able to receive a skin graft to cover the top of his foot, preventing the need for amputation.

Since then, Desai has used this larval

Dr. Nicholas Desai

therapy numerous times at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, with 100 percent success.

The larval therapy – introduced in the U.S. in 2015 – has the potential to make a significant positive impact on health care outcomes and costs. The dramatic rise in Type 2 diabetes among Americans has led to a rapid increase in diabetes-related foot ulcers and infections — which can be difficult for patients to detect, since they often lose feeling in their extremities, and treat because diabetes can slow the ability of skin cells to rejuvenate.

“Slow-healing wounds are an incredible burden on the American health care system,” Desai said. “In 2014, the U.S. spent an estimated $10-15 billion on ulcer and wound care, with diabetic foot ulcers accounting for the largest portion of those costs. Many of those cases eventually result in amputations, which lead to future costs and significant health risks.”

Desai believes the revival of this ageold healing process can revolutionize modern wound care.

“The benefits of the larval therapy are exponential,” he said. “It improves healing, reduces the risk of further infection, prevents the need for amputation and dramatically reduces the time and expense of care. It’s a unique approach to this very serious and growing problem.”

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nicholas Desai, call 281.240.3338.

For more information about Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland or call 281.274.7500 for a physician referral.

Visit our Facebook page at fb.com/ methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.

December 2016

5

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The List

1.

Top 10 Things to do in December Make a final list of gifting and get supplies ordered to finish those gifts. ( see last minute gift ideas below)

2. Go to your local shelter and adopt a family.

Give them Christmas Eve and Day dinner and all the gifts on their list, adding in a few little extras for the littles that they won’t ask for like new socks and panties and play dough!

3. Keep fresh pine cuttings in your home: in your tablescapes, along your mantel, in your guest bathroom, and of course in the master bedroom! Your whole home at every turn will smell of the holiday season!

with Auntie A

7. While you are decorating the trees and house as you come across broken ornaments or ornaments that you no longer will use, place in a box and dispose of and take to the Goodwill.

8. Drop off boxes of cereal to “Lunches of Love” Did you know that one box of cereal will feed a hungry child from Friday end of school till Monday returning back? With the extended seasonal school break coming up we need to stock up on cereal to be ready to feed the children.

9. Go by the nursing home and take small bags of peppermint candies, and a blessing book.

You can pick up the Daily Devotionals from St. Catherine’s of Sienna Episcopal Church… just find Father Mike.

4. Get those iPhone pics into a shoot book for grandparents and make an extra to showcase the year in pics.

5. On my nightside table…. “I see Rude People” by Amy Alkon and “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee. 6. Call the vet and book the pet vacation alongside your own. Go ahead and get their shots up to date, have their teeth cleaned and all bathed so when you return home they are clean and fresh and updated for the new year!

10. Take a moment to get away with your spouse. With all the hustle and bustle its easy to forget about the adults… plan a special night out or a few days just the two of you after the Big Guy in Red pops down the chimney!

Both Christmas and New

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Auntie A’s Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season Milk baths, Linen spritzers, tiny candles, homemade breads and jams and such are always nice little surprises for your loved ones stopping in for a cup of spiced cider and a ginger cookie.

I

keep the house filled with holiday music playing softly and always something to feed anyone who should just happen to stop by!

On my piano you’ll find several I have

baskets filled with goodies that

made so that everyone gets a little something from me this season!

“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”

-The Grinch

Auntie Alisa’s Rose Glow Milk Bath You’ll need to go on Amazon and order some old fashioned glass bottles, twine and pretty papers

1 1/2 cups Powdered Milk 1/2 cup baking soda 1/2 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup epsom salts 10-20 drops of essential rose hip oil 1 handful of crushed and budded dried baby roses

Mix all together and tie a twine around the head of the bottle attaching a pretty paper and a little love note!

What I love about doing these

with roses is that it is perfect for

Valentine’s Day right around the corner and if you have anything left over you can always hold and gift to your best friends in

February!

December 2016

9

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HEALTH MATTERS WITH DR. STEVE HARRIS WHERE PAIN RELIEF COMES NATURALLY

Here’s to

40 Years!

T

by Abby Lolla

he first Chiropractor to establish an office in Sugar Land celebrated 40 years in practice on Thursday, September 22. Dr. Steve Harris opened Harris Neck & Back Center in the Randalls shopping center on Hwy 6 at Williams Trace Blvd in 1982 after practicing in Houston since 1976. Six years later he moved across Hwy 6 in the First Colony Professional Building behind McDonalds as Sugar Land Health Center where it remains today. “I love having 40 years experience,” says Dr. Harris. “When we moved here in 1982 there were mostly open fields on Highway 6 including the Frost ranch with herds of cattle and horses grazing. All the trees were small and freshly planted. I wondered then how First Colony would look when all the trees grew.”

Dr. Steve Harris has always been involved in the community, especially through his church and Rotary. Dr. Harris was asked to be the charter president of the Sugar Land Rotary club in 1985 that meets on Wednesdays at noon at Sweetwater Country Club. He was a charter member of the First Colony Church of Christ where he is a deacon of humanitarian service. In the Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Harris was a charter member of the Small Business & Professional committee. In 1997, Dr. Harris became the Rotary District 5890 Governor over 57 Rotary clubs in a nine county area including Ft. Bend and Harris counties.

Through Rotary and his church, Dr. Harris has been a co-founder or leader in projects like: Hunger Plus, Children of the Dump, breaking the cycle of poverty for whole villages, Concern for Hunger Rotary International committee, Sugar Land’s Four Corners area trash cleanup projects, Darrington maximum security prison funding for repurposing a gym into a seminary for long term inmates, a Rotary program called REACT that helped about 50 children from other countries get medical help here and converting an abandoned University campus in Santiago, Chile area into a trade school for those in poverty.

“I enjoy helping patients today more than ever. The breakthroughs in techniques and technology are producing stronger results than ever before. I’m helping herniated disc patients now that I once referred for pain management injections or surgery. For headaches that come from the upper neck, I once was able to get rid of them in 1 ½ hours after treatment. Now the headache is significantly improved or gone in minutes. It’s very gratifying to help patients like that.” When asked about retirement, Dr. Harris replied, “I can’t think of anything I would enjoy more than what I’m doing now. It doesn’t seem like work to me. I love helping people and people of all kind.”

Follow us!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sugarlandhealth Instagram: @sugarlandhealthcenter

www.sugarlandhealthcenter.com

New Patient Special Free Exam and Consultation ($125 value)* We take great pleasure in offering a professional and friendly experience at Sugar Land Health Center in Sugar Land.

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“At my 60th party (3 years ago) we had about 100 people at my house to celebrate. I was told by several that this was the most diverse group of people they had ever seen. It looked like the United Nations. I said, ‘Well, these are my friends and this is a reflection of our diverse community.’”

Sugar Land Health Center 281-980-1050 3425 Highway 6, Suite 101 (behind McDonalds near Williams Trace Blvd) Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.sugarlandhealthcenter.com December 2016

13

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The Lifestyle

E

5 Tips for a Healthier 2017 xcuses. Everyone has them. I hate hearing them. Because I know that’s what they are – excuses.

I mean….I get it. Life is busy. We all have very important “things” that must get done. And most of them needed to get done yesterday! Add to that our commitment to our family or our career - where can anyone find extra time for themselves?!

By Jamie Derouen

veggies and grains). Fill ½ of your plate with non-starchy vegetables, ¼ of your plate lean protein, ¼ of your plate complex carbohydrates. You will be amazed at how much more energy you have when you replace processed foods with whole foods.

2.

Morning, Noon or Night?

There is much to be said about

4.

Enjoy the outdoors- Take advantage of our mild Houston winters and find a group activity or take a hike. Find some trails and enjoy the benefits of nature and being outside. Most of us spend our days sitting in a car or at a desk staring at a computer. We need fresh air! In addition, research shows many health benefits to being outside which include improved mental fatigue, decreased stress, increased brain function and increased vitamin D intake.

But the truth is, you will not be able to enjoy your work, your children, your family, your money or your time if you don’t take care of yourself first.

Eating well and regular exercise gives you a greater chance of a longer, healthier and happier life All you need is 3-5 hours each week to make the changes necessary to improve your health and fitness.

Yes, sacrifices will have to be made.

But the price of not taking care of yourself is much higher and a whole lot less enjoyable. The choice is yours.

Here are 5 tips to help move your way into a healthier 2017: 1.

Nutrition 101- You can’t out exercise a bad diet. In other words, exercise alone will not make you healthy. Our busy schedules have us scurrying around looking for something quick and affordable when it comes to eating. And in that search we compromise our basic nutritional needs. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Shop the perimeter of the grocery stores and avoid packaged foods. Many of these foods are processed and not only lack nutrients, but they have additives that, in many cases, give us a negative return. Curb your sweet tooth by eating fruits instead of snacks loaded with processed sugars. Make sure you are getting lean protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates (found in fruits,

due diligence on your part you can find plenty of free sources of exercise programs on the internet.

Or for less than $100 you can also purchase a few pieces of equipment, i.e. dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine ball, etc., that will allow for a greater variety of exercises. Body weight exercises are free and are another great option.

the best time of day to exercise.

But when starting a new exercise regimen, it’s best to start with the time that works for you and your schedule. Set the same time each day so that it becomes a pillar in your schedule. We want to remove as many objections as possible when first starting.

3.

Create your own programMoney cannot be an excuse for not exercising. You’re either going to invest it in your health now, or spend it later with medical bills and medicines battling disease. In today’s connected world of social media, everyone will claim to be a professional; however, with some

5.

Try a local CrossFit gym- We have so many business owners, executives, and busy people with families who come to us because it’s a fun, efficient and effective way for them to exercise. In 60 minutes you’ll combine strength training and cardiovascular exercise, and walk out feeling great! The coach facilitated classes will help keep you accountable and increase the likelihood of sticking with a program.

So what are you waiting for? Start moving! Go. Create a habit. 180 minutes each week is less than 2% of your time. Stop making excuses and start making good choices for yourself. If you need some help, go to www.cfbty.com and sign up for a free “No-Sweat Intro”.

December 2016

15

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Accepting new pAtientS

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9201 Sienna Ranch Road, Suite 103 Missouri City, TX 77459 281-778-0060 • Fax 281-778-0184

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Money Matters

T

How to Save Money for the New Year

he last few months leading up to New Year’s Eve is the season when your bank account takes a big hit. From Halloween to Thanksgiving and Christmas, we tend to spend more money than average due to family gatherings and shopping. Starting the new year with a low balance—or worse, debt—is never a good way to begin a fresh chapter in your life.

The first day of the new year should be when you start to build financial momentum throughout the year. Start off with simple saving techniques and then exponentially increase your revenue as you get closer to December.

This way, you’ll always have a consistent flow of money that you can transfer to the forthcoming years, and beyond.

1. Seed Money Start the year off by setting aside “seed money,” or a specific amount in your savings account that should not use but only add upon. If it’ll help you, open a secondary savings account at your bank

By Michael Miraflores

exclusively for this seed money. Later, when you’ve accumulated threefold of what you initially put in, you can use it to spend on important matters such as your child’s college tuition, a retirement plan or to invest in a side business.

2. Look for Savings Opportunities Think like a hunter. You should always be on the lookout for savings opportunities. This could be anything from grocery coupons to seasonal sales at a department store. If you can get something for less without sacrificing the quality of the material or service, then go with that option. For instance, if you can get good quality furniture at a wholesaler for less, then skip the name brand chain stores. There are a lot of opportunities to save money out there; you just have to keep your eyes open.

trade in an arm and a leg just to satisfy your lust. Prioritize your wants and needs. The latter should always come first.

3. Live Within Your Means

4. Invest

Forget your illusions of grandeur and trying to keep up with the Jonses. Live within your means. If you can’t afford a luxury car you want right now, then don’t

Whether or not you’re business-minded, you should explore some investment options. There are a lot of opportunities to invest your money in. If your cousin is thinking about opening a new restaurant, lend him some investment money and ask for a percentage of the profits in return. You can also try investing in stocks and bonds. However, it’s best to talk to a financial advisor before investing. It’s a gamble, but it’s safer than gambling because you have more control on the outcome. If you invest wisely, you’ll see your money grow.

5. Strategic Saving There’s simple saving—like a piggy bank or automatically transferring 10% of your paycheck into your savings account— then there’s strategic saving. The latter is a more pro-active and methodical way of saving money. First, create a list of short-term and long-term financial goals. Once you’ve done that and have edited your lists, estimate your budget for each goal.

By breaking down your savings goals, you’ll have a hawk’s view of the big picture and a micro view of your financial status, and what you need to accomplish in the short and long run. There are a lot of tools out there, such as mobile apps and programs like Microsoft Excel, to help you optimize your savings. If you think like a business owner regarding your personal finance, you’ll be more in tune with your financial situation.

December 2016

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3311 Williamsburg Lane Missouri City, Texas 77459 281-499-8030

Is your HVAC System in need of tune up and/or Professional Recommendation?

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ARCHITECTURE LANDSCAPE POOLS

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ECRWSS

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PRSRT STD U.S POSTAGE PAID DENVER CO PERMIT NO. 5377

FINDING UNCOMMON SOLUTIONS FOR ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CANCERS. At Houston Methodist Sugar Land, we take an aggressive approach to fighting breast cancer. From accelerating highpotential research to creating unique treatments based on a tumor’s genetics, we offer more innovative options to fight breast cancer at every stage.

Our breast cancer specialists are here to help with • Mammography, using the most advanced imaging technology • Specialized programs for high-risk patients and aggressive forms of breast cancer • Surgery and the latest options for breast reconstruction • Support services including patient navigators and spiritual care • Clinical trials and innovative research focused on prevention and survivorship To schedule your mammogram, call 281.242.PINK(7465).

Visit houstonmethodist.org/fightbreastcancer to learn more about our breast cancer services, or call our breast care navigator at 281.276.8989.

16655 Southwest Frwy.

|

Sugar Land, TX 77479