MARCH 2019 | VOL. 12 — ISSUE 3
PLUS Patient pups help young readers
FOAM& FASCIA
A great combo for comfort
How to cook with ghee Green beauty trends
O REGON H EALTHY L IVING . COM
Healthy Food 4 Less Ethnic Produce Newly Expanded! From the World, to Food 4 Less, to you, we have hundreds of exotic and unusual produce items found in many cultures around the world. Food 4 Less has always carried a large selection of Hispanic produce items. But now, we have expanded to carry extensive Asian, Mediterranean, and Indian vegetable and fruit items. From Jackfruit to Durian and Thai guavas, to five varieties of bananas, we have the largest selection of ethnic fruits in Southern Oregon. Our Asian and Mediterranean vegetable section features bitter melon, long beans, Chinese eggplant, okra, lo bok, gai lan, yu choy, ong choy, taro root, lemongrass, and Persian cucumbers to name a few. If there is something you are looking for, we have the suppliers who can find what you need.
2230 Biddle Rd. • Medford www.shermsmarkets.com
Fresh Jackfruit Pulled Pork-Style Sliders
Buy these ingredients at Food 4 Less
Ingredients • 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil, as needed for coating knife • 8 Lb fresh jackfruit, this recipe will work for almost any size of jackfruit • 1 Tbsp Adams Reserve Texas Brisket Rub, plus more as needed to coat jackfruit well • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 cup white onion, thinly sliced or julienned • 1/2 cup lager beer or any beer • 1/2 cup your favorite barbecue sauce,
Instructions Before cutting into jackfruit, coat your knife with coconut oil. If jackfruit is fully ripened it won’t be as sticky. Typically most are picked before fully ripe and juice inside tends to be extremely sticky. Cut jackfruit in half, then again into quarters. Begin to pull pieces of yellow or orange flesh apart, discarding seeds and any white stringy pieces. Collect yellow meat in a bowl and set aside. An 8 to 10 lb. jackfruit will yield 2 to 4 cups of edible fruit. Season jackfruit with brisket rub and toss to coat well. Set aside and place a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and onions and stir fry until onions are translucent.
MF-00104646
2
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
plus more as needed
Add jackfruit and cook stirring constantly until it begins to soften. Approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Add beer and cook until liquid is mostly evaporated. Add barbecue sauce, turn down heat, cook until bubbly and jackfruit begins to fall apart when pressure is added and mixture thickens and slightly resembles pulled pork. Season to taste with salt and pepper as needed. Serve on a slider bun or over rice. Garnish with desired toppings like onions, cilantro, or pickles.
Table of Contents
MARCH 2019 | VOLUME 12 — ISSUE 3
FITNESS
COVER STORY
Tension or tightness? Try foam rolling!
8
FOOD
Better than butter? Ghee spreads in popularity
HEALTH
5
Staying Focused: Diagnosing macular degeneration
NATURAL
12
Begorrah! Wear Green: Natural beauty products
14
PETS
K9 Assistance: Reading buddies
16
Medford Foot & Ankle Clinic, P.C. Complete Foot & Ankle Care
Put Some Spring in Your Step! • Wound Care • Laser Technology • Trauma Surgery • Reconstruction • Diagnostic Ultrasound • Digital X-Ray • Orthotics • Heel Pain • Pediatric Foot and Ankle Care
MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHERN OREGON Jeffery D. Zimmer, DPM
Michael A. DeKorte, DPM, FACFAS
713 Golf View Drive, Medford • 541-770-1225 • www.medfordfoot.com
MF-00105264
Rick E. McClure, DPM, FACFAS
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 3
On the cover
The editor’s desk After developing shin splints, my daughter went through several sessions of physical therapy. She introduced me to foam rollers, which I had never tried. After some home experimentation, I realized some instruction would help. Try a free class to learn correct technique of these helpful tools and get rolling! Next month we are focusing on nature and the health benefits of a simple walk in the woods. Send me you favorite ways to spend time in nature at the email below.
Phil Hanson of Medford, a physical therapist with Jackson County Physical Therapy, helped demo the use of foam rollers this month. “Personally, I use foam rollers for muscle soreness and mobility four to five days a week,” he says. Hanson was joined in the photo shoot by Emily Lamore of Ashland, the marketing director for FOAM& Superior Athletic Club. FASCIA MARCH 2019 | VOL. 12 — ISSUE 3
PLUS
Patient pups help young readers
Photo by Dustin Peters
A great combo for comfort
How to cook with ghee Green beauty trends
O REGON H EALTHY L IVING . COM
crose@rosebudmedia.com
STAFF EDITOR: Cheryl P. Rose ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER & VP OF SALES: Gail Whiting
Join the list... Admire Aesthetics............................. pg. 11
Oregon Retina Center...................... pg. 15
Ashland Food Co-op........................ pg. 7
Retina Care Center........................... pg. 13
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Aaron Cooper Micah Leigh Sarah Lemon Rebecca Scott Cindy Quick Wilson
Illumined Body................................. pg. 17
Retina Care Center........................... pg. 24
Medford Food Co-op....................... pg. 6
Rosa Transformational Health........... pg. 10
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Dustin Peters
Medford Food & Ankle.................... pg. 3
Sherm’s Food 4 Less......................... pg. 2
Northridge Center............................ pg. 21
Superior Athletic Club....................... pg. 9
DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Jaren Hobson Dustin Peters John Sullivan
Oregon Healthy Living Magazine is published by the Rosebud Media Advertising Department, 111 N. Fir St., Medford, OR 97501. General information: 541.776.4422 Submissions and feedback: crose@rosebudmedia.com
....and reach your next customer with Oregon Healthy Living!
To advertise, contact Senior Marketing Consultant Laura Perkins at 541.776.4447 or lperkins@rosebudmedia.com
ROSEBUD MEDIA PROUDLY PRESENTS
the 40th
2019 Anniversary edition
Celebrating 40 years of the most entertaining and surprising stories about the Rogue Valley.
P U B L I S H I N G SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019 in the Ashland Tidings
MF-00105507
4
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
in the Mail Tribune
FOOD
Liquid
GOLD
Simmering butter transforms it into
healing ghee
B
etter than butter, ghee isn’t just delicious and nutritious. The dairyderived fat has long been regarded in India as a cure-all.
“Ghee is traditionally known as a panacea,” says Summer Waters, nutritionist, acupuncturist and guthealth specialist based at Medford’s Siskiyou Vital Medicine. A boon to people who are lactose-intolerant, ghee is also a balm for the ailing gut, says Waters. This “healing fat,” she says, is gentle on the liver and improves overall digestive function. Rich in fat-soluble vitamins, such as K2, it helps to build calcium in the bones and actually promotes fat-burning in the body, says Ron Veitel, nutrition and lifestyle coach at Siskiyou Vital Medicine in Medford. “It’s just a lot healthier than butter,” says Veitel. Nourishing the body’s beneficial bacteria, ghee boasts fatty acids that are antiviral and ward off cancer, say Veitel and Waters. India’s ancient holistic system of medicine, Ayurveda, holds that ghee promotes a
TEXT BY SARAH LEMON
clear complexion and voice, says Waters. It also has “grounding” effects. “The amount of wisdom that’s in that tradition is pretty phenomenal,” says Veitel. That Eastern knowledge has made its way westward, where ghee has been available at many mainstream grocers for about a decade, says Waters and Veitel. Aged and herb-infused ghees can be ordered from Indian and health-food companies, says Waters. And budgetconscious cooks, given a bit of patience, can prepare ghee in the home kitchen. “It’s a couple-hour process,” says Veitel. To clarify, ghee is not merely clarified butter. When butter is melted, its milk solids, containing all the lactose, separate from its fatty acids. As the butter simmers, the water evaporates, concentrating ghee’s flavor and rendering it shelf-stable at room temperature for months and months. If making ghee at home, use unsalted butter, preferably from organic, grass-fed cows for the most nutritionally sound ghee, says Waters. Pour ghee through a fine-mesh sieve and several layers of cheesecloth to ensure purity.
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 5
FOOD
HOW TO
Vegetables, potatoes and grains:
USE GHEE Deep golden, aromatic and nutty-tasting, the end result is a “nutrientdense culinary gem” that can be eaten by almost anyone who can tolerate no other form of dairy, says Waters. Ghee defies widespread notions about milk-based foods, one of the top five allergens, she says. “I’m often getting folks who are really at their wits’ end,” says Waters. “I’ve been kind of consistently amazed and impressed.”
ow
“It’s great for highheat cooking,” says Veitel. “I use it every day. I cook my eggs in it … I put it in my morning coffee.” So how does it stack up against another solid fat that’s soared in popularity? Coconut oil, says Waters, can be beneficial for many people, but it doesn’t share ghee’s nutritional powerhouse or medicinal storehouse.
• Toss into freshly popped popcorn or melt some ghee in a pot, add salt and popcorn and pop until done. • Mix with good-quality coarse sea salt, add chives and spread over pita or hot Indian roti. • Mix with nut butters such as almond, peanut, cashew and others for richly satisfying dip for apples and other fruits.
• Drizzle over freshly steamed veggies. • Brush over corn on the cob. • Stir-fry greens such as kale, collards and Swiss chard in ghee for great flavor and digestibility. • Coat root vegetables with ghee, salt and pepper; cover and roast at 425 F until tender. • Mash into hot baked potatoes or stir into hot mashed potatoes. • Toast uncooked rice, quinoa, buckwheat, couscous or millet in hot ghee for 5 minutes; add liquid and cook as directed.
Soups and entrees:
Desserts and sweets:
• Stir ghee into piping hot soup, Indian dal or bean dishes just before serving. • Drizzle over fish, lobster, scallops, crab and other seafood. • Combine minced garlic with dried or fresh herbs, salt, pepper and enough ghee to make a paste; rub into a chicken and roast until done.
• Melt chocolate; add a spoonful of ghee and enough powdered sugar to make a glaze. Use to frost cakes, quick breads or cookies. • Sauté sliced apples or pears in ghee; sprinkle on some raw sugar and cinnamon; top with ice cream or yogurt. • Mix ghee and coconut oil; sauté bananas with brown sugar; top with cream or ice cream.
Snacks and appetizers:
y breakfast a d l l a ing r e of
— AND —
The Café nd
N
Adding to ghee’s impressive profile is its utility in all manner of dishes and cooking methods. Spread, melted, drizzled or otherwise mingled with an array of foods,
ghee can replace oil or butter in just about any application. Ghee can substitute for butter in many baked goods and is considered an ideal medium for frying because its smoke point is between 375-485 F, depending on its quality.
MF-00105266
6
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
ke e e w y ever
Open Daily 7 to 9 945 S Riverside Ave (541)779-2667 medfordfood.coop
FOOD INGREDIENTS:
Breakfast: • Spread on toast, muffins and bagels — unlike cold butter, ghee spreads easily. • Stir into oatmeal or cream of wheat just before serving. • Scramble or fry eggs in ghee — they won’t brown or stick to the pan.
Outside the kitchen: • Pack it for traveling, camping, picnicking and hiking — it doesn’t need refrigeration. • Massage into skin instead of lotion or massage oil; it keeps skin and joints supple. • Use ghee in place of lip balm and cuticle cream. Source: www.summerwaters.com, with permission from Pure Indian Foods Ghee
DIRECTIONS:
TOASTED APPLE CRISP
Preheat oven to 300 F. Place the nuts and coconut flakes into a food processor bowl; pulse until finely chopped. Set aside. In a small saucepan, heat the coconut oil, coconut butter, vanilla extract and raw honey until melted. Pour over nut and coconut mixture; stir to mix. Place nut and coconut mixture on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir every 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with the sea salt. Combine the apples, lemon rind and juice, spices, coconut sugar and ghee in a mixing bowl. Make sure to thoroughly coat apples with mixture. Increase oven temperature to 350 F. Place apple mixture in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spreading out evenly. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove apple mixture from oven and add nut and coconut mixture. Carefully stir mixture a few times before returning to oven. Bake for another 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving with coconut whipped cream or regular, unsweetened whipped cream. Servings: 6-8 Recipe adapted by Summer Waters from PaleoPlan.com and “Nourishing Traditions,” by Sally Fallon.
2 cups nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews or walnuts), chopped 1/4 cup coconut flakes 1/4 cup coconut oil 2 tablespoons coconut butter 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 cup raw honey (or less) 1 teaspoon sea salt 6 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes 1 lemon rind, finely grated 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1/2 cup coconut sugar, or less if using sweeter apples such as Pink Ladies or a sweeter natural sugar such as Rapadura or Sucanat 1/2 cup ghee
Get your hands curdy and learn hands-on how easy it is to make tender, fresh mozzarella!
Learn the art of making baklava and delicious varieties from different countries paired with a variety of wines and wine cocktails.
Thursday, March 7 • 6:30PM
Saturday, March 30 • 6PM
Classes held at the Co-op Classroom • 300 N. Pioneer St., Ashland Register for classes online at www.ashlandfood.coop
MF-00104620
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 7
FITNESS
COVER STORY
Y l our a y l o W R to Relief
How to use a foam roller to ease muscle tension
I
f you’ve visited a local gym lately, you’ve probably seen people on the floor with arms, legs, shoulders, backs, glutes, hips, feet and every other imaginable body part pressed hard and straining back-and-forth against what looks like an oversized rolling pin. Chances are, you’re witnessing foam rolling: the therapeutic technique of relieving muscle strain and tightness by exerting targeted, repeated pressure against the affected area.
8
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
TEXT BY AARON COOPER PHOTOS BY DUSTIN PETERS
FITNESS
a foam roller, and use short, targeted rolling motion that goes both backand-forth and side-to-side against one small area of your body at a time. Starting from the ground up, Young teaches people to relieve tension in the feet first, because they take so much daily wear and tear. “I start by working the balls of the feet, between the knuckles of the foot, and the heel,” she says. “Next we move up to the calves, and then up from there.” Hanson says some of the most common symptoms that can be helped by foam rollers are found in the iliotibial (IT) band, the tendon that runs the length of the outer thigh, in which tightness can spread to hips and knees. “I often use foam rollers on patients to try to loosen their quads and hip flexors and reduce the pressure across their knees.” He also treats IT band symptoms by foam rolling patients’ hips, glutes, hamstrings and calves. Hanson frequently uses foam rollers in the mid-spine to improve range of motion for patients suffering back, neck and arm symptoms. He is enthusiastic about foam rolling’s ability to enable individuals to control the level of pressure applied to each area, and that it can be done in between massages and therapy sessions. “Before I discharge a patient from care, I will always find ways for them to replicate that therapy in their home, and that is usually with a foam roller.” Adds Young, “Therapists have the expertise to know how much pressure to apply to different trouble spots. They can often reach places that can’t be reached with foam rollers. But foam rollers are excellent for helping to make a therapist’s job easier, and to empower users to do it themselves.” Hanson says that while rollers come in a variety of styles and levels of firmness, “I tell patients to use whichever style feels best.”
Greatest Value in the Rogue Valley Largest Variety of Cardio & Weight Training Equipment Over 80 Free Group Exercise Classes with Membership!
SUPERIOR FITNESS 111 Alta Vista Rd Eagle Point
541-826-1901 SUPERIOR ATHLETIC CLUB 727 Cardley Ave Medford
541-779-7529
MF-00105267
Use of foam rollers has spread rapidly during the past few years. People of all walks – athletes and couch potatoes alike – are experiencing benefits of working muscle tissues with foam rollers that replicate much of what can be accomplished through massage therapy. And best of all is that almost anyone can do it alone and at home. Yet despite their growing popularity, local experts agree that to get the greatest benefit out of using foam rollers, some instruction is required. “Most people just get on the floor and roll back and forth,” says Angela Young, a sports performance trainer and assistant manager at Superior Athletic Club in Medford. “That’s not the most effective foam rolling technique.” Physical therapist Phil Hanson agrees. “Awareness of proper foam rolling among the general public is very low, but people are asking about it more,” he says. Hanson is a physical therapist at Jackson County Physical Therapy. He integrates foam rollers with other soft-tissue mobilization techniques to aid patients’ recovery from orthopedic injuries. A trainer at Superior Athletic for 10 years, Young teaches a monthly foam rolling class that’s open to both gym members and non-members. She says there’s a formal protocol to using foam rollers that’s most effective for providing relief to painful knots, or what she calls ‘sticky points,’ in muscle tissue that cause loss of flexibility. “The goal of the class is to help people relieve soreness and regain flexibility and freedom of movement.” Foam rollers, says Young, work through applying and releasing pressure directly to tight, sore areas. The cycle of applying and releasing pressure elevates blood flow, oxygen and hydration in muscles and surrounding tissue. “Where muscles feel tight, those areas become trigger points where foam rolling can push out the lactic acid by breaking it down and flushing it out of the muscle tissue,” says Young. Proper technique, she says, is to place your weight atop
SUPERIOR ATHLETIC CLUB II 2500 E. Barnett Rd Medford
541-779-7640
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 9
FITNESS
Emily Lamore, Superior Athletic Club
Technique matters Angela Young Young, a sports performance trainer and assistant manager at Superior Athletic Club in Medford, describes an example of a proper technique for the calves like this:
• Sitting on the floor with calves positioned across the foam roller and hands palm-down, push up so that your calves are supporting a portion of your body weight on the roller. • Roll back-and-forth so that the roller moves up and down the lower-third of your calves lengthwise. • After five times back-and-forth, try to hold the pressure on a trigger point in your lower calves, and do big ankle rotations (moving your feet in a circular motion) to hold pressure on a specific spot on the calf muscle while forcing that muscle tissue to move. • Repeat two more sets with this same technique for the middle- and upper-third of your calves.
Imagine the quality of your life in 30 years Join us at our free dinner seminar
Stress, Hormones & Health - seating is limited
Begin your transformation now!
We put the “FUN” in Functional Medicine! Presented by Dr. Laura Robin • 541-816-4336 • rosahealth.com MF-00105268
10
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
FITNESS
Get Rolling Want to learn how to use proper technique with a foam roller? Join a class! At Superior Athletic Club II on Barnett Road in Medford, trainer Angela Young offers an hourlong foam rolling class that instructs for half the body, and people learn enough to be able to do their other half at home or on their own. Young teaches the classes monthly and the cost is only $10 to attend. You don’t need to be a gym member to attend. Dates vary, but classes are always on a Saturday at noon. Follow Superior Athletic Club on Facebook to get the upcoming class schedule. Jackson County Physical Therapy will host a free foam rolling class at its East Medford location at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 14. Visit www.jc-pt.com for more information.
$2,400 VALUE
FREE
With a qualifying Coolsculpting Package get: • 3 month gym membership • Personal training • Microdermabrasion with chemical peel • Complete skin tightening and cellulite reduction package for one area
541-210-8806
1910 E. Barnett Road, Suite 101, Medford Admireaesthetics.com
MF-00105265
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 11
HEALTH
Slow the toll of age-related
macular degeneration
A
ge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects people over the age of 50 and results in central vision loss, according to medical professionals. Because the loss of central vision interferes with everyday activities, ophthalmologists believe it’s important for people to recognize the symptoms of AMD and learn about its two types: wet and dry. 12
The two forms of AMD Dry macular degeneration affects about 80-90 percent of people with AMD, and its cause is unknown, says Dr. Adam AufderHeide, an ophthalmologist at Retina Care Center in Medford. “Everyone starts out having the dry type of age-related macular degeneration,” he explains, adding that most people don’t know they have it until they experience vision loss. He says that an early sign of dry AMD is when small yellow deposits (called drusen) form on the retina beneath the macula, causing it to deteriorate over time. Dry AMD is the result of extensive wear and tear in the back of the eye, says Dr. Yujen Wang, an ophthalmologist with Oregon Retina Center in Medford. The dry type is the beginning stage of AMD, he explains, and once you convert into wet AMD, you will never go backward. “Even with treatment, you will still have dry AMD in addition to the wet type,” he adds.
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
TEXT BY REBECCA SCOTT
AufderHeide explains that with wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels under the retina start to grow toward the macula. “Since the blood vessels are abnormal, they break, bleed and leak fluid, which damages the macula and can result in a loss of your central vision,” he says.
Symptoms and treatment options Wang says blurry central vision is one of the first signs of AMD. “If you look at someone’s face and it seems distorted, like a funhouse mirror face, that’s a red flag,” he explains. There is no cure for dry macular degeneration, but Wang says reducing health risks (such as smoking and obesity) are considered a treatment for the early stages of the disease. “AMD also runs heavily in families, so check your history and see if you’re at a higher risk,” he says, noting that early detection can increase the effectiveness of future treatments.
HEALTH Ophthalmologists are able to catch age-related macular degeneration earlier than ever before, says AufderHeide. “When we start wet AMD treatments early, there’s less bleeding into the eye, which minimizes damage and potential vision loss,” he explains. The growth of abnormal blood vessels is the catalyst for wet AMD, he says. “If medication can prevent those vessels from forming, that could stop wet AMD from worsening,” he adds. There are three common treatments for wet AMD, says Wang, one of which is an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). “It’s an injection into the eye which inhibits the creation of new blood vessels behind the retina and may keep leakage out of the retina,” he explains. However, he notes that most current treatments last about four to six weeks before requiring another injection.
“The sooner we can treat AMD, the better: Time equals vision.” —Dr. Adam AufderHeide, Retina Care Center, Medford
Be proactive Age-related macular degeneration affects your central vision, limiting how much you can see and do, according to AufderHeide and Wang. However, AufderHeide says ongoing education about AMD has taught people to be more proactive when they experience vision changes. “The sooner we can treat AMD, the better: Time equals vision,” says AufderHeide.
New technology, research and discoveries According to Wang and AufderHeide, there have been many advances in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. They both say that while research is ongoing, there have been some recent breakthroughs. A new technology — autofluorescence — allows ophthalmologists to look at the layer underneath the retina and monitor any changes. Researchers are looking at the potential of stem cells to grow both rods and cones, and the supporting RPE cells. This treatment could improve damaged central vision. In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration approved a small, implantable telescope which magnifies images onto the retina to improve central vision damaged by AMD.
MF-00105269
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 13
NATURAL
a e B uty n e e B r loo G ms From i
ngr edi en ts to bu s
“GOING GREEN” is a
popular catchphrase for everything from food to lightbulbs to composting. It’s also rising in popularity in skin care products, according to Jill Stacey, founder and owner of Elaa Living Organic Skin Care in Ashland. “Ideally, green beauty means nontoxic and chemical-free products. It can also mean products that are made with sustainable and ecofriendly ingredients and practices,” says Stacey. “Green skin care products are safe and effective. They contain real ingredients from nature.” Stacey points out that the skin is the largest organ of the body and is the primary means by which we absorb toxic chemicals. “If there are chemicals in your skin care, they are entering your body and not only causing long-term damage to your skin, but may also cause cancer, hormonal imbalances and a host of other health issues. More than onethird of all personal care products contain at least one ingredient linked to cancer,” she says. “Choosing green beauty products is choosing your health and the health of the planet. If there is a downside, it would be a shorter shelf-life because natural
14
ine
ss p
rac t
preservatives are used, but surely your health and well-being are worth a shorter shelf-life.” Michele Zagorski, founder and owner of Zagorska Oasis Spa and Salt Cave in Ashland, echoes that principle. “There is no ‘green’ certification, but ‘green’ generally means a high proportion of organic and/ or natural ingredients. They are not contaminated with toxins or hormone disrupters. Green skin care is safer, healthier and superior,” she says. “Because there is a growing demand for these products, it is important for consumers to read labels and understand the ingredients list. I trust smaller companies and especially handmade products. I feel there is a higher level of integrity when your name is on the label.” When evaluating a skin care product, Zagorski says to make sure it contains no water.
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
ice s,
natu ral ch oices e
xpand
TEXT BY MICAH LEIGH “Water is usually the first ingredient listed and can make up to 80 percent of the formulation. When you see water listed first, it is a lost opportunity to use a powerful active ingredient or botanical, such as organic aloe vera juice or an herbal extract. The company may be choosing cost over effectiveness,” she says. Zagorski also recommends assessing the price and packaging. “Organic and Ecocert certified ingredients cost more, period,” she says. “It is not possible to produce a superior quality, effective product with high levels of active ingredients at the same cost of lesser quality products. Look for airless containers. This is a costly type of packaging that prevents contamination while keeping products fresh. When I see this, I know the company really cares about their products and their customers. This is a case of truly getting what you pay for.” Other factors she suggests for consideration are organic and Ecocert certified products, use of essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances, and how the company gives back to the community and the world.
NATURAL
WHAT’S THE LATEST TREND IN SKINCARE? Jill Stacey, founder and owner of Elaa Living Organic Skin Care in Ashland, says the most trending products out there are tools like skin rollers and Gua Sha (an ancient Chinese healing technique that involves scraping the skin to improve circulation) made from crystals and stone. “They help to firm and tone the skin while draining lymph nodes,” she says. “I’m also seeing more products using beautiful blue essential oils that contain azulene, such as blue chamomile, blue cypress or blue tansy. Other trending ingredients are CBD oil, activated charcoal, probiotics and Himalayan salt.” Michele Zagorski, founder and owner of Zagorska Oasis Spa and Salt Cave, says CBD oil (a form of hemp oil rich in cannabidiol) is the future of the skincare industry. “There is good reason for this,” she says, citing recent studies on the
effectiveness of CBD applied topically for inflammatory issues such as eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and acne. “The results have been amazing! Not only is CBD capable of calming all kinds of inflammation, it’s also a more powerful antioxidant than vitamins A, C or E which have been used extensively in skincare for their anti-aging benefits.” The skin has cannabinoid receptors, which makes this a “match made in heaven,” according to Zagorski. “And CBD has no psychoactive components, so it won’t make you high,” she says. “Ours comes from hemp plants that we grow organically on our farm. I like to call my skincare ‘farm to face!’”
MF-00105270
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 15
PETS
16
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
Ten-year-old Danielle Harris of Grants Pass shares a moment with K9 buddy Joey at Josephine County Library.
TEXT BY CINDY QUICK WILSON
PHOTOS BY DUSTIN PETERS
Therapy Dogs
Lend a Furry Ear K9 Reading Buddy program provides a benevolent audience for young readers
S
ix-year-old Joey waits patiently in the children’s area of the Josephine County Library. Mature for his age, he lounges quietly on his special blanket, waiting for other familiar faces in the reading group to arrive. Surprisingly well-mannered for his age, his only reaction is an enthusiastic tail thump as he is joined by friends Winston, Miley, Trista, Zeke and Pismo, a group of specially-trained and dedicated therapy dogs who make the weekly K9 Reading Buddy program such a heartwarming success.
Love Yourself! Your skin’s appearance is the direct result of your health. Get simple and effective health tips in combination with detoxifying treatments and lasting health benefits. You can now melt cellulite away while firming and toning skin with advanced ultrasound and radio frequency technology!
Your solution to unsightly cellulite 10% off your cellulite package! Call now 541-690-5476!
608 Medford Center • Medford • illuminedbody.com MF-00105369
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 17
PETS
Elijah Chambalbide of Grants Pass, 8, pauses the story to pet Joey.
The goal of the program is to provide a welcoming environment for young readers to gain confidence by reading out loud. Here and across the nation, dogs are lending their ears and their calm, reassuring companionship as thousands of children practice their reading skills while feeling no pressure, no embarrassment and no judgment. The group meets Tuesday afternoons from 3-4 p.m. in the children’s area of the Josephine County Library in Grants Pass. “This program is very well-loved,” says Susan Davis, youth services librarian. “It’s one of our highest attended programs on a regular basis. For example, for our Tuesday afternoon sessions in the month of October, we had 99 kids and 59 adults. Even in the summertime, we still have the highest totals of participants out of all the programs we offer. I don’t know of any other libraries in our area that offer this unique opportunity.”
18
A decade of budding readers
“The K9 Reading Buddy program is very well-loved and one of our highest attended programs.” — Susan Davis, Josephine County Library, Grants Pass
A small group of volunteers started the K9 Reading Buddy program in October 2009. “This year will be our 10th year,” explains retired teacher Iris Hurwitz, founder of the group. “I always wanted to combine my love for teaching with my love for dogs. I knew that these kinds of programs were being done elsewhere, so I decided I wanted to do it. At that time, I had a wonderful Labrador who was as mellow as could be, and then some others who had therapy dogs decided to join us.” The program is aimed at elementary school-age children, Hurwitz says, “But we also have parents who bring in special-needs kids and adults, and they just love having the dogs near them. One lady brought in her 15-year-old autistic son and it was amazing to see him choose a book and sit down next to Joey with a big smile on his face. I loved seeing that.”
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
Gather ‘round fur friends
Comfortably arranged in the children’s area, blankets and chairs are spread in a circle, inviting youngsters to cozy up to one of six large and friendly canines whose calm and welcoming demeanors invite a pat on the head, a gentle hug and a friendly ear for “Marley the Christmas Dog” or “Charlotte’s Web” and other children’s favorites. Says Hurwitz, “One little trick I do with Joey is that sometimes the kids will bring me a couple of books and ask me which one they should read. I always say, ‘Well, let’s ask Joey,’ and he will almost always touch his nose to one or the other of the books. The kids get a big kick out of that.” Joey is a large and gentle black Labrador with the temperament of a giant teddy bear. Other members of the K9 professional listeners team include other black and yellow Labs, a white standard poodle and a Labradoodle. All are certified therapy dogs.
PETS
FACILITY DOGS GO TO WORK Our canine friends have come to the forefront in recent years in a variety of therapeutic roles. We are familiar with service dogs, therapy dogs and emotional support dogs. But a local agency in Central Point, Dogs for Better Lives (DBL), formerly Dogs for the Deaf, is now exploring the wide-ranging uses for trained “facility dogs.” “A facility dog is different from a therapy dog,” explains John Drach, training director for DBL. “With a therapy dog, the owner takes the dog to places where they are invited, and people can interact with the dog if they want to. But a facility dog is with one person and goes with them to their place of employment, such as a school, a doctor’s or therapist’s office.” In a school setting, Drach says, the teacher has the dog and it goes into the classroom to help teach students who have some form of special needs or
ARE YOU
disabilities. “The dogs can be used in a multitude of ways to facilitate different learning situations, for instance, positive reinforcement. Say, if the child reads well, they get to spend time with the dog. Or the teacher might use Spot in a math lesson by saying Spot has four claws on his front foot and four on his back foot; how many claws does Spot have? For children who struggle with dexterity, they can practice putting Spot’s harness on or clipping the leash or buckling the collar. So depending on the needs of the children, there are many different ways the handler can be creative in using the dog as a learning tool.” Drach says DBL has placed some facility dogs here in the Rogue Valley and some in Washington State. “Now we’re evaluating how the dogs are assisting in these settings and defining what our criteria will be for placing dogs in the future. We are looking forward to expanding the program to help more special-needs children.”
LI ST EN I N G ? HAPPINESS IN PROGRESS Join host Danielle Craig as she explores how to find joy in the everyday, and tips for self-improvement through inspirational guests and motivating messages.
FOR M O RE PODCAST S, PL E ASE VISIT
PODCASTS
www.mailtribune.com/podcasts
MF-00104618
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 19
PETS continued from page 18 As the children drift in and out of the room, some approach shyly and some with confident familiarity as they sit cross-legged on the floor and begin to read. Handlers participate only if the child asks a question or needs help with difficult words. “If the child stops and looks at us,” Hurwitz says, “we will help them with words, but we leave that up to them. I find that if the child is very remedial with the reading, we encourage them to tell us about the pictures. We praise and
encourage them and always keep it a positive experience.” Other youngsters seem less inclined toward reading but are drawn like magnets to the dogs. In this case, the handlers warmly engage them with questions about pictures in the books or answer questions about the dogs. For those who read, handlers often give bookmarks with pictures of their dogs as an added incentive. After 10 years with the program, Hurwitz has a unique perspective on some of the families whose children started the program as toddlers. “I have
Miley the poodle appears to be a Dr. Seuss fan, following closely as Danielle Harris of Grants Pass reads.
certainly seen it improve the children’s confidence. We had one little girl, I think she was 5, who was very fearful of dogs. Initially, she would hang back, but over time she could see that the dogs were quiet and calm. Week after week, she’d get closer and eventually she started reading to them. Another lady brought her son who was not reading at all. After a while, she told us his reading had improved dramatically after coming to read to the dogs.”
“This is such a great way for children to have a good experience with reading and with being around animals.” — Susan Davis, Josephine County Library, Grants Pass
20
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
PETS Credentialed listeners Hurwitz and the other volunteer handlers in the K9 Reading Buddy program belong to a therapy dog association called Alliance for Therapy Dogs, an international registry of certified therapy dog teams. They provide testing, certification, registration and support for members who volunteer with their dogs in animal-assisted activities. “We train our dogs according to strict guidelines,” says Hurwitz, “and there is a local representative who tests the dogs. Then they have to go to three visitations which can be in a school, a hospital or a nursing home, and the tester observes their behavior as part of the qualification process. Once those tests are successfully completed, then the dog becomes certified.”
Our family caring for your family...
Assisted Living:
Happy readers make better students Experts agree there is often a direct correlation between reading skills and positive attitudes about school and good academic performance. This underlines the importance of a recent study conducted by the Tufts University's Institute for Human-Animal Interaction, which determined that second-grade students who read out loud to therapy dogs “showed a marked improvement in their attitudes about reading.” Davis says, “I think this is such a great way for children to have a good experience with reading and with being around animals. It boosts their confidence because they are reading to someone who doesn’t judge them. It’s also a great opportunity for kids who don’t get to be around animals because this teaches them how to approach them and how to treat them with respect. It’s a very emotionally positive experience for the kids.”
A tradition of quality care with uncompromising service by a highly trained staff for generations.
Adult Day Care Engaging activities, live entertainment, field trips, two amazing meals with snacks and a caring well-trained staff with access to a licensed nurse.
Senior Foster Home One to one care in an intimate setting, delicious home cooked meals, fun activities and caring staff around the clock.
The K9 Reading Buddies team, left to right: Winston, Trista, Joey, Zeke, Pismo and Miley. These trained therapy dogs turn out on Tuesdays at the library in Grants Pass.
(541)535-5497 www.northridgecenter.com 3737 South Pacific Highway Medford, Oregon 97501
MF-00105355
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 21
APR MAR events calendar FEB 11 JAN DEC NOV 16 OCT 16 SEP 17 AUG JUL JUN MAY TH
Ongoing
ROGUE VALLEY GROWERS & CRAFTERS MARKET 8:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M. HAWTHORNE PARK, MEDFORD CONTACT INFO: www.rvgrowersmarket.com The open-air market season begins March 7 and continues through the fall. Vendors offer local and regional fruits, veggies, meat, cheese, artisan foods and crafts. The Ashland location at the National Guard Armory, 1420 E Main St., begins March 5.
HUNT TO HOME, PART 1 9 A.M.- 2 P.M. OREGON STATE EXTENSION, 569 HANLEY ROAD, CENTRAL POINT CONTACT INFO: 541.776.7371 A two-part class to learn safe handling of game meat, including deer, elk, boar, cougar and bear. Instructors Tim Owings and Joe Powell discuss techniques for aging, cooling, field dressing and hanging. Class fee is $20 for one day, $35 for both Hunt to Home classes. In Part 2 on March 23, learn how to butcher, cut and wrap your own meat as well as safely preserve it by pressure canning or making jerky.
TH
T’AI CHI FOR THE FIT 5:30-6:30 PM AMERICAN KARATE ACADEMY, 644 TOLMAN CREEK RD, ASHLAND CONTACT INFO: 541.821.6623 This class is for active adults who want to build balance, strength, coordination and flexibility while improving ability to manage stress. Participants will also learn and practice Taoist breathing, mindfulness and self-compassion. Class runs Mondays throughout March, $10 per class.
TH & TH
OREGON CHEESE FESTIVAL 11 A.M. ROGUE CREAMERY, 311 NORTH FRONT ST., CENTRAL POINT CONTACT INFO: www.oregoncheeseguild.org The 15th annual festival offers samples of artisan cheeses from Oregon and beyond. Events include guest speakers, live animals, over 100 vendors showcasing cheese, beer, wine and cider. Ticket fees apply for adults, but children under 12 are admitted for free.
GET LISTED!
DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO PROMOTE ON OUR EVENTS CALENDAR?
Simply email crose@rosebudmedia.com and include the following information: Event title, date, time, location, contact information and a brief description including any required fees. Please note: Event information must be received at least 60 days in advance to be considered for publication in Oregon Healthy Living.
22
Oregon Healthy Living • March 10, 2019
16TH SHAMROCK RUN 2019 9-11 A.M. CRATER HIGH SCHOOL, 655 N. 3RD ST., CENTRAL POINT CONTACT INFO: runsignup.com/Race/OR/CentralPoint/ SORShamrockRun The event begins with a free Leprechaun Lap for kids. The 5K run/ walk begins at 9 a.m., starting on the high school track and leading out to the Bear Creek Greenway. Participation fees vary.
23RD
21ST
ACCESS SENIOR FAIR 9 A.M.–4 P.M. MEDFORD ARMORY, 1701 S PACIFIC HWY., MEDFORD CONTACT INFO: www.accesshelps.org/event/senior-fair-2019 Sponsored by Medical Eye Center, the ACCESS Senior Fair is the largest one-day event for seniors (and preseniors) in the Rogue Valley, drawing more than 4,000 attendees each year. This year there will be more than 80 vendor booths, ranging in topics from healthcare to senior living facilities, as well as social service agencies, professional services, local hospitals and art organizations. Entry fee is a suggested donation of $1 or one can of non-perishable food to feed the hungry.
19
TH
GROWING BERRIES 5:45-7:15 P.M. NORTH MOUNTAIN PARK NATURE CENTER, 620 N MOUNTAIN AVE., ASHLAND CONTACT: 541.488.6606
For gardeners looking for tips to growing a successful berry crop, instructor Joel Heller will be sharing some secrets about soil preparation, feeding and optimal water cycles for berry species. Class fee $20.
30TH
25TH PACK FOR A WILDERNESS BACKCOUNTRY TRIP 11 a.m.-1 p.m. COYOTE TRAILS NATURE CENTER, 2931 S. PACIFIC HWY., MEDFORD CONTACT INFO: coyotetrails.org Learn the essential items every person should carry, whether for a short, oneday hike or a deep wilderness trek. Class fee $25. Limited registration.
ENHANCING BONE HEALTH 6-8 P.M. ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP CLASSROOM, 300 PIONEER ST., ASHLAND A free lecture led by naturopathic physician Dr. Susan Saccomanno about maintaining bone-growth potential, enhancing digestion, and optimizing alkalinity to keep calcium in the bones.
BULLY BUSTER 9-9:45 A.M. SANTOS COMMUNITY CENTER, 701 N. COLUMBUS AVE., MEDFORD CONTACT INFO: PLAYMEDFORD.COM, 541.774.2400 A class at Medford Parks and Recreation for kids ages 5-15 to build self-confidence and non-violent self-defense techniques for dealing with school bullies. Class costs $6 for Medford residents, $12 for nonresidents.
March 10, 2019 • Oregon Healthy Living 23