WELL OF YOUTH: THAT SANDWICH CAN MAKE YOU SICK! PREVENTING FOOD-BORNE ILLNESS
THE TWO-TONED FACE: SOLVING THE MYSTERY
KIDS’ P ULLO SECTIO UT N PAGE 3 3
Why you should protect your skin from the sun this summer Plus! First-aid advice from burn specialist Rabbi Shia Weinstock, EMT
POST-POOL HUNGER PANGS
Nutritionist Shani Taub: Advance preparation is key
FUEL SOURCES
6 Foods That Will Boost Your Weight Loss and Improve Your Workouts
MUST SUMMER EQUAL BRAIN DRAIN?
GOOD FOOD INSIDE
Tips to maintaining your child’s cognitive development while school is out
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From the Editor Dear Readers, Last month, en route to a family simchah in New York, my husband and I were fortunate to visit the Swiss Alps, one of the world’s most exquisite places. From 9,748 feet above sea level at the summit of the Schilthorn - Piz Gloria mountain, we we stood mesmerized as we absorbed the greatness of our Creator. When I dared to glance downward, I got a breathtaking aerial view of the towering Alps and also of the tiny cottages with their colorful rooftops dotting the village of Murren. How utterly small I felt! But as we climbed the mountains, invigorated with the spirit that nature magically brings to the fore, I realized how much energy lies dormant in the human body. One mountain was so enormously steep that I wondered if we’d ever make it to the top. Taking in the spectacular views around us, we continued to climb as the sun beat down on our backs. (If only I had read this issue’s feature first; before long my cheeks were burning!) Every now and then, we were relieved to hear the welcome sound of rushing water, anticipating the hydration that the crystal clear liquid would provide. As the ice-cold water slid down my throat, I was overawed at how this seemingly basic substance was all we needed to keep moving. When my husband and I finally made it to the summit (an achievement for which credit to my gym instructor is due), I took one look at the path we’d scaled and wondered at the physical abilities I hadn’t known I possessed. Only by pushing ourselves do we discover what we can truly achieve. At the information desk in Wengen, we picked up a brochure listing the local tours. When I skimmed through the options, one hike piqued my interest: Healing in Nature. According to the description, the tour guide, a natural healing guru, pinpoints various herbs found in the mountains along the trek and educates the hikers about their uses. Regrettably, our tight schedule could not accommodate this tour, however, the topic intrigued me so much that I did my own research later. In a nutshell, I learned that in addition to the vast array of vitamins, minerals, and healthful foods, Hashem filled His world with a variety of herbs that have healing powers. I hope to share my astounding findings in a future article but, for starters, this issue’s feature on the dangers of sun exposure offers you a glimpse of nature’s healing potential. In his informative interview with The Wellspring, renowned burn and wound specialist Rabbi Shia Weinstock, EMT, discusses some natural first-aid tips on treating a sunburn. As a leading expert in the field of herbal medicine, he’s discovered just how powerfully healing nature can be, as his growing collection of before and after pictures attests. What a wonderful world we live in! Wherever we turn, we find not only the beauty of nature but also its magical healing capacity. If we open our eyes to the power of Hashem’s creation, the wealth of goodness it contains will astound us. All we need do is tap into it and give it a chance to prove what it can do.
Shiffy Friedman
shiffy@wellspringmagazine.com
WELL-PUT!
Would you believe that the healthy fat in peanut butter can actually help you drop pounds? Check out fitness coach Esther Fried’s article on page 28 to learn about six foods that will boost your weight loss and improve your workouts.
Editor In Chief Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC Nutritional Advisory Board Jack Friedman, PhD Moshe Weinberger Fitness Advisory Board LR Wilen, PFC Syma Kranz, PFC Managing Editor Esty Cinner Feature Editors Rochel Gordon Liba Solomon, CNWC Copy Editor Gila Zemmel Food Editor Levia Joseph Creative Directors Miriam Bluming Rivky Schwartz Art Director Chavy Lefkowitz Digital Marketing Goldi Feldman Simcha Nunez Write To Us: 694 Myrtle Ave. Suite 389 Brooklyn, NY 11205 info@wellspringmagazine.com www.wellspringmagazine.com The Wellspring Magazine is published monthly by MaxiHealth Research LLC. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or in any form without prior written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to edit all articles for clarity, space and editorial sensitivities. The Wellspring Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content or kashrus of advertisements in the publication, nor for the content of books that are referred to or excerpted herein. The contents of The Wellspring Magazine, such as text, graphics and other material (content) are intended for educational purposed only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding your medical condition.
MAZEL TOV TO CHAVY LEFKOWITZ UPON HER WEDDING Production: www.mediaotg.com
Contents
JULY2016
WELL INFORMED 15
WELLNESS PLATFORM By Rabbi Hirsch Meisels
17
COLUMN! WELL ACQUAINTED By Joe Pira, NYS Licensed Optician
19
TORAH WELLSPRING By Rabbi Ezra Friedman
20
HEALTH TIDBITS IN THE NEWS By Liba Solomon, CNWC
24
FIGURES By Miriam Katz
65
WELCOME TO THE LAB By Judy Appel
NEW
“DOES DAIRY COOKING EQUAL ONLY A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF PASTA AND OTHER HIGH-CALORIC CARB FARE? NOT AT ALL.” - LEVIA JOSEPH, SEASONED
30
FAREWELL 69
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
69 8 The Wellspring | July 2016
PAGE 53
LIVING WELL 26
ASK THE NUTRITIONIST Post-Pool Hunger Pangs By Shani Taub, CDC
28
IN GOOD SHAPE Fuel Sources By Esther Fried, PFC
30
COVER FEATURE Sun Exposure By Rochel Gordon
48
HEALTHY HOME HABITS Preventing Brain Drain By Batsheva Fine
50
MONTHLY DOSE Advice for Hydration By Dina Mendlowitz
WELL OF YOUTH 33
TEENS’ SECTION By Raizy Kleinman
39
CHILDREN’S SECTION By Dina
33 EAT WELL
53
66
INKWELL 68
DIARY Finally a Joyful Summer As told to Yitty Davidson
53
SEASONED Summer Classics By Levia Joseph
60
NUTRITION FACTS IN A SHELL In Season: Watermelon By Devorah Isaacson
WELLBEING 64
CLEAN SLATE By Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC
62
HEALTH PERSONALITY Devorah Lustig, CPT By Miri Davis
66
ME-TIME Pottery By Batsheva Fine
60
“THE POTATO HAS A NATURAL POWER TO DRAW OUT THE HEAT OF A BURN IN THE SAME WAY IT PULLS OUT SALT FROM FOOD.” - RABBI SHIA WEINSTOCK, EMT
PAGE 46
July 2016 | The Wellspring 9
Springboard
Letters to the Editor
An Aha Moment Now I know why I feel the way I do [Issue #5: Lyme in the Limelight] Dear Editor: Your magazine this month was great and informative. I was diagnosed many years ago with Lyme disease and have never quite gotten over it. Your magazine opened my eyes that it’s probably the lingering symptoms that are making me feel this way and not that I’m simply lazy or exhausted. I look forward to getting in touch with the women you featured to get more information regarding my condition. Thank you! M. E.
Proceed with Caution When providing health information [Issue #5: Springboard] Dear Editor: Your exciting magazine came in my vitamin order and it was a great bonus! Your hard work really shows. I feel it’s important to comment on an exchange that took place in your recent issue regarding raw milk. In the Shavuos edition, as part of an article on the benefits of milk, the writer cited some interesting studies in which milk proved to be a 10 The Wellspring | July 2016
most beneficial staple of the diet. The most significant detail of those studies, which the writer totally ignored, was the fact that the milk was RAW. When a smart reader (R. Thaler) picked up on the significance and asked about it, Rochel Gordon replied that raw milk is dangerous, quoting the CDC. This fallacious way of thinking is responsible for much of our health decline, especially in view of the fact that the medical community pushes milk and dairy products on all children and women, when it is totally indigestible to most of us, precisely due to the fact that the milk has been pasteurized and all live enzymes destroyed! Basic logic suggests that it is impossible to selectively destroy only bad bacteria in any process, while leaving the good parts intact. Just like antibiotics destroy the healthy gut flora along with the targeted organisms, so too pasteurization destroys the living and healthy parts of the milk along with any unhealthy bacteria that may be present. The result is a completely devitalized liquid that most people today cannot digest and utilize, resulting in untold digestive and immune system problems. I am not suggesting that raw milk is perfect, although a statistic of 1500 people becoming sick of raw milk in 13 years must be kept in perspective when considering the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic diseases such as asthma, eczema and more, due to dairy products. It would have been much more beneficial for everyone if the CDC/FDA would monitor and test raw milk for safety to enable people to benefit from a live, vitalizing, nourishing food, as opposed to requiring pasteurization. Just think for a moment: do you think a baby would thrive on pasteurized mother’s milk? Of course not! Although the nutrition label may still look the same, with the same amount of protein or fats, etc., the quality of the nutrients is not to compare! It was especially disturbing to see how people who research health topics are so easily confused, disregarding vital points such as the word RAW in the studies, and then relying
on blanket statements from agencies such as the CDC or FDA, whose regulations require your company to state on every single bottle of your supplements that it is not intended to prevent or cure any disease! So next time, please pay more attention to detail and keep an open mind before passing on “health” information. Sincerely yours, Chaya P.
One Calmer Mother Disclosure is Best [Issue #5: Cup of Tea] Dear Editor: I’m one of those mothers the camp nurses all addressed in their interviews with The Wellspring. Our twelve-yearold daughter has asthma that is very much under control. She barely has attacks, baruch Hashem, and when she does she knows exactly what needs to be done. So, before I sent her off to camp this week, I was deliberating whether or not to call up her nurse. In the back of my mind, I knew that this would be the right thingto do, but on the other hand, I really wanted her to be “just another normal kid.” Unfortunately, the society we live in does stigmatize any kind of illness so it’s easy to say “just be open about it,” but not that easy to actually fulfill. After I read the article, I decided that telling the nurse was undoubtedly the way to go. I took the courage to call the nurse then and there. She listened warmly to what I had to say and reassured me that my daughter is in good hands. I must thank you for giving me the sense of calm I would’ve never had had I kept it a secret. And thank you from my daughter as well. With much appreciation, F.T. Brooklyn
staff members work on a voluntary basis, I was awed. The dedication they showed at all times is what kept me going as the symptoms slowly and finally diminished.
Typographical Error [Issue #4: Torah Wellspring] Dear Editor: In the May issue, the “Torah Wellspring” article by Rabbi Ezra Friedman opens with a quote from Yoreh De’ah 216. It appears to be an error. That siman covers Hilchos Niddah. Would you be able to confirm with Rabbi Friedman whether I am mistaken? Thank you very much. Hatzlachah, E. Becker The quoted verse is on page 116.We apologize for the typographical error.
Hats off to Yesh Tickvah [Issue #5: Lyme in the Limelight] Dear Editor: Your readers might like to know how Yesh Tickvah operates. I will give you a view of the patient’s side of the story. When I first experienced the symptoms of Lyme disease, similar to what the writer described in Shoshana’s and Chumie’s stories, I didn’t know how I would carry on living. Every doctor I went to had a different diagnosis, and I just felt sicker and sicker. The worst part of all was that everyone told me to just “get over it.” They did not understand how painful it was for me to feel locked in to my own body, unable to gather the strength to take care of my four children and my other duties. When I originally reached out to Yesh Tickvah upon the urging of a friend, I was quite skeptical. How would they be able to help me out? In the end, they not only guided me toward the right specialists and for the testing I needed, but they were also a support in every way. I don’t know where I would be today without their help. When I read in the article that all
May these esteemed women see much hatzlachah in everything they do. A fellow survivor
Quotable Quote Still on my fridge! [Issue #1: Fare Well] Dear Editor: Although your first issue appeared many months ago, I remember it every morning. Its publication coincided with the time that I started a serious weight loss plan and the “Fare Well” quote on the last page was just what I needed to hear. With over 100 pounds to lose, I knew I was in for a long haul, so it was important for me to see the words, “There’s no one giant step that does it.” Baruch Hashem, I’m happy to report that I’ve already lost 40 whole pounds, but I totally agree that it’s a slow process. I clipped the quote and even brought it along with me to hang on my summer home fridge. Wishing you continued success, Tzippy L. Brooklyn, NY
Toxic Friendships Are as Bad as they Sound [Issue #5: Teen Talk] Dear Editor: When my daughter came to show me the interview Miri Davis conducted on toxic friendships, she had a twinkle in her eye. As a survivor, she knows just how destructive these relationships can be. If Hashem wouldn’t have
granted us the seichel to pull her out of a toxic friendship, I truly believe that she would never be the same person. Her “friend” had such a manipulative grip over her that she was afraid to even breathe without her permission. And this all happened in a heimish, solid school under the eyes of their teachers and classmates. Parents, if you suspect that your daughter spends too much time with a friend, even a nice, sweet-looking kid, step in. It’s murderous for a child to pull out on her own. And even if she says that everything is okay, don’t give up until you’re sure. It never hurts to consult with a professional to make sure that your child is out of danger. The emotional and psychological repercussions are huge. Wishing everyone a safe and uneventful summer, Rivka G. Lakewood, NJ
Good, Gooey, and Gluten Free A reader shares a recipe [Issue #4: Potato Starch All Year] Dear Editor: As someone who leads a gluten-free lifestyle, I appreciated the awareness your Pesach feature brought on gluten-free living. (I just got your excellent magazine from my friend!) Because my kids are also gluten-intolerant, I have a great recipe that we always use in our house that I’d like to share with the other readers in our boat. These peanut butter cookies are deliciously chewy and easy to make. The recipe yields about 12 cookies so just double or triple as needed: 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup packed brown sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional). Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. Beat everything together in an electric mixer and drop mixture in spoonfuls on the baking sheet. Bake for about eight minutes. Enjoy! Rochela T. July 2016 | The Wellspring 11
Springboard
Letters to the Editor
Raising Sensitivity On gluten insensitivity [Issue #3: Potato Starch All Year] Dear Editor: In the Pesach issue, you featured an account on gluten free living. I hope that the article gave readers an understanding of how real the issue is. As someone who is sensitive to gluten for many years, people often ask me, “You’re sure you can’t eat this?” Yes. I am sure. The symptoms are extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant, so please don’t doubt other people’s food choices if they tell you they can’t eat something that seems so harmless to you. Thanks, F. C.
people. I would like to add that gardening is indeed a very therapeutic idea for me-time. Especially now, in the summer, women should take on this hobby as a chance to not only create something beautiful and pleasing to the eye but also soothing to the soul and spirit. I often suggest this to women and they come back to tell me that when they have a tense moment, they sit down near their plants and revel in the calm that nature exudes. Wishing you much continued success, Rivka D., Flatbush
myself, “Whom am I kidding here?” Does Hashem want me to stuff myself with cheese cake, to feel lethargic and out of control, in order to feel simchas yom tov? I was suddenly filled with a strong conviction to stop this pattern once and for all. For the first time in my life, I, someone who admittedly likes food and is thus slightly overweight, ate one sliver of cheesecake and then said, “That’s it.” I can’t thank you enough for the empowerment I experienced. It gave me a great feeling of self-confidence and an ability to enjoy the yom tov in a new, exhilarating way. I look forward to reading more on this important topic and on other health issues.
A Healthier, Happier Shavuos Thanks to a new awareness [Issue #5: Clean Slate]
Mrs. F. K.
Dear Editor:
Me-Time is Crucial A life coach chimes in [Me-Time] Dear Editor: As a life coach who counsels women of all ages, I would like to commend you for your monthly Me-Time column. I find that today, many young women are thankfully more focused on their health and the health of their family, but they do tend to neglect their emotional and mental selves. Today’s young women juggle many balls, leaving little or no time for the all-important me-time. By devoting a column especially for this, and by offering excellent suggestions that are both invigorating and relaxing, you are opening the eyes of your readers to take better care of their emotional selves in order to be healthier, happier
As a busy mechaneches, baruch Hashem, I don’t have much time to read magazines. However, I’m so glad that I came across your magazine at my local doctor’s office! I would like to tell you how your health-oriented magazine actually provided me with not only a healthier, but also a more spiritual Shavuos. First of all, I was so delighted to see a column that highlights how the Torah encourages prioritizing health. It helped put things into perspective for me, a busy mother who should really spend more time and effort focusing on my and my children’s health. But what I mostly benefited from was the Clean Slate column on emotional eating. Right before yom tov, we teachers had a conversation in the teacher’s room about the different delicacies we would be preparing “lichvod yom tov,” but when Shavuos came around, after I had read that highly enlightening article, I asked
Choking is No Joke Encouraging awareness precautions [Issue #4: Editor’s Letter]
safety
Dear Editor: I was highly impressed by the candid account of your baby’s choking episode and how you learned the hard way how harmful popcorn can be for a toddler. As a registered nurse in an emergency pediatric department, I feel that the community would benefit from more awareness in safety precautions. I would like to suggest that other mothers and caretakers share their incidents regarding how negligence in certain safety practices led to fearsome consequences. Perhaps this will help prevent heartache and unfortunate incidents that do not always end as well as yours did.
invites readers to submit letters and comments via regular mail or email to info@ wellspringmagazine.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. We reserve the right to edit all submissions and will withhold your name upon request. We will honor requests for anonymity, but we cannot consider letters that arrive without contact information. 12 The Wellspring | July 2016
in
Debra Lightman, R.N.
The next issue of The Wellspring will appear iy”H on August 17th.
Well Informed
Wellness Platform By Rabbi Hirsch Meisels
VITAMIN A: MORE THAN SKIN-DEEP RESULTS
V
Vitamin A plays a vital role in skin health. It appears that Hashem was the One to create a method of dermatological healing, not the pharmaceutical industry. When it comes to acne, people spend thousands of dollars to get rid of the blemishes on their skin. If acne sufferers would take a single blood test, I vouch that they would find that they’re deficient in the highly crucial vitamin A. (Even if the result is in the normal range, it will still lean toward the lower numbers.) Today’s doctors like to cure acne by prescribing meds. But alternative medicine practitioners will turn to vitamin A for a solution, prescribing between 200,000 and 500,000 IU daily for three to four months. This is a high dosage, and can only be administered under the guidance of a doctor. However, the alternative medicine practitioners posit that the potential harm these large doses might generate in the body is only an iota of the damage that acne medications can cause. Alternative medicine practitioners also prescribe vitamin E, zinc, pantothenic acid, and GLA to ensure optimal skin health. Now that we’re on the topic of acne, allow me to digress. It’s important to note that those suffering from acne must fight the main enemy: an excess of sugar in the body. They must reduce their carbohydrate intake, as well as their consumption of all vegetable oils, such as soybean, cottonseed, and corn oil, which are the main ingredients in mayonnaise and in many processed foods. Psoriasis, as well, heals beautifully from a regimen of vitamin A and D. Busting the Myth As per the request of several readers, I would like to provide some clarity regarding the controversy surrounding vitamin A. Several years
ago, I held the belief that cod liver oil contains too much vitamin A—a belief that has led many people to stay away from this potent source of nutrition. Since then, I’ve invested hours, days, and weeks to delve further into this subject, and I hope that I’ve finally come to a solid conclusion. Those among us in the middle age bracket may still remember how their mothers used to feed them as children with spoonsful of cod liver oil every day. Its odor wasn’t particularly desir-
It appears that Hashem was the One to create a method of dermatological healing, not the pharmaceutical industry. able, but it didn’t harm anyone. What suddenly happened that this oil became considered a harmful substance? Let’s understand what cod liver oil is. Produced from the liver of a fish called cod, this oil contains large amounts of omega-3, the super-healthy oil that’s familiar to many of us as a miracle nutrient nowadays. Cod liver oil also contains a considerable amount of vitamin D, as well as vitamin A, over which the commotion occurred. I must admit that I believed the opinion of a certain doctor who publicized that vitamin A is harmful, trusting him blindly because his record was reputable. However, once I decided to do my own research, I realized that
his claim that vitamin A is detrimental to the body, since it interferes with the absorption of vitamin D in the cells, is not only untrue, but to the contrary— vitamin A actually works hand in hand with vitamin D, preventing toxicity in the body. The fact that Hashem orchestrated that vitamin D and vitamin A are often found together in a certain food, such as in liver or eggs, is a sign that these two vitamins are meant to operate as a team. The official government guidelines regarding the recommended dosage of vitamin A is 3000 IU for adult men and 2300 IU for women, amounts that make toxicity nearly impossible. How much vitamin A must a person consume in order to reach a toxic level? Let’s look at a study that was published in 2003 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, in which the researchers observed 250 people who had vitamin A toxicity. According to their conclusions, an adult is able to consume 40,000 IU and a child 4,000 IU before suffering any detrimental side effects. And if a person consumes vitamin A from a food source, such as cod liver oil, he is able to handle a lot more than that. We’re talking about very large numbers here! In other words, when a person takes a multivitamin, his vitamin A level will be way below even a risk of toxicity. In this column, Rabbi Hirsch Meisels, a renowned expert on healthy living, delivers vital health information culled from his years of experience as the founder and director of FWD, Friends With Diabetes. The information was originally transcribed from his lectures on his hotline, Kol Beri’im.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 15
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Well Informed
Well Acquainted By Joe Pira, NYS licensed optician
THE EXPERT’S VOICE TO INFORM YOUR CHOICE PROMOTING HEALTH, ONE ORGAN AT A TIME: A CLOSER LOOK AT YOUR EYESIGHT THERE’S GLASS IN MY EYE! THE ADVENT OF POLYCARBONATE LENSES The human brain combines the fireworks of neurons for all senses into a meaningful whole. Of the five senses, the most important one, by far, is eyesight. We perceive up to 80% of all impressions by means of our sight. And if other senses such as taste or smell stop working, it’s the eyes that best protect us from danger. However, it is ironic to note that for many, obtaining eyewear has become a dollar issue. Eyewear consumers often blindly choose a pair of glasses that suits their budget or style, entirely overlooking the primary purpose of their eyewear. They simply go to the doctor, get their prescription, and work within their budget to determine which pair of glasses to buy. Based on my extensive knowledge in the field, I explain which option I think would be best for their eyesight. The final decision, of course, is in the hands of the patient. I don’t believe that people knowingly make a decision to negatively affect their eyesight. But I do believe that they are in the dark regarding the positive results of an informed choice and, understandably, the negative consequences of a blind one. In this column, I will attempt to shed light on an aspect of your health that will richly enhance the quality of your life and the life of your loved ones. With my 30 years of experience in the field, I have seen too many people experience decreased vision as a result of an uninformed choice. I would like to reverse this trend. Let’s start some history. Back in the early 1980s, plastic lenses were first introduced to the eye care industry.
Those were the days when people still wore glass lenses (hence the name “glasses”) for better vision. Somewhat lighter and safer than glass, plastic provided a slight upgrade in lenses. However, eyewear safety was still of major concern to eyeglass wearers. People, especially kids, who engaged in sports or even regular play, might suddenly find themselves with a chip of glass or plastic in their most delicate organ, resulting in the loss of vision.
This significant drawback spurred the eyewear industry to further its research, which engendered the next major development. In the late ’80s, there was a big to-do with the advent of polycarbonate lenses. When first introduced to consumers, they understandably became the lens of choice. From the opticians’ standpoint and in contrast to plastic lenses, they are scratch resistant, shatter-proof, and lightweight. In fact, CDs and DVDs are often manufactured from the same material because of its prominent scratch resistant characteristic. Polycarbonate lenses are also thinner and block out UV rays. This choice almost sounds like the perfect combo to improve vision and quality of life for its user, but it has one
impactful drawback, which spurred the eyewear research industry to continue its quest for the ideal solution: Polycarbonate lenses are slightly distorted. This means that if you put a polycarbonate lens under a polariscope (see photo), you will clearly see stress in its lines, resulting in less than optimal eyesight for its user. These lenses definitely helped their users to a point, but the lenses had spots on them that didn’t allow for perfect vision. For instance, if a person with a lazy eye wore a pair of these lenses and he found that his eye fell to the direction of his nose, it might have been that he was looking through a distorted spot on the lens, diminishing his vision. Also, polycarbonate is not the ideal solution for a patient with higher stigmatism, because his eye is more sensitive to the distortion of the polycarbonate lens. Of course, in the days when only glass, plastic, and polycarbonate lenses were options, polycarbonate was still the least of the three evils, but it was far from perfect. Finally, in the ’90s, as the demand for better eyewear increased and research in this highly important field progressed, the labs emerged with distortion-free lenses. In the next installment, I will discuss their benefits and drawbacks. Currently practicing at the Lens Center in Brooklyn, NY, Joe Pira is a NYS ABO, NCLO, and FNAO certified licensed optician. In this column, he shares his knowledge culled from over three decades of experience in the eyewear field.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 17
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Well Informed
Torah Wellspring By Rabbi Ezra Friedman
TAKE NO RISKS
OUR SAGES PROHIBIT ACTIVITIES THAT PRESENT EVEN THE PROBABILITY OF PHYSICAL HARM A FASCINATING p’sak cited in the sefer Asei Lecha Rav (6:58) offers insight to the extent to which we must avoid performing a deed that leads to physical harm. A young man posed the following question to the mechaber, Rav Chaim Dovid Halevi: My father asked me to buy cigarettes for him. Since I know that smoking is hazardous to his health, am I required to buy them anyway to fulfill the command to honor my father? The author’s answer is illuminating. Normally, halachah requires one to fulfill a parent’s request to serve him (Kiddushin 31b). However, halachah forbids assisting another to sin (Vayikra 19:14), as it says in the Torah: Velifnei iver lo sitein michshol – Do not put a stumbling block before a blind man. For this reason, states the mechaber, the son is forbidden to buy the cigarettes, because by doing so he is transgressing a Rabbinical prohibition, by helping a fellow Jew commit a sin. Furthermore, the author expounds, the son should politely and gently explain to his father (in accordance with Shulchan Orech Yoreh De’ah 240:11) that smoking is hazardous to his health and that the Torah obligates us to preserve our health. We have established in previous articles in this column, and from this p’sak, the Torah’s tremendous concern regarding the wellbeing of every Jew, to the extent that a Jew must transgress a commandment in the Torah in order to protect himself or others from physical harm. In this installment, we will take the Torah’s perspective one step further by examining the words of our Sages, who commanded us to stay away not only from circumstances that lead directly to physical harm but also from those that present even a probability of danger. The Gemara (Shabbos 66b) lists segulos and lachashos (things a person should murmur as a cure) in the case of illness. On this topic, Abaye cites several ideas he attributes to his mother. He suggests that when a person contracts a fever, he should find an ant that’s dragging something on its back, place it in a copper pipe, and say to it, “That which you’re carrying should become mine, and that which I’m carrying [the fever] should become yours.” Commenting on this suggestion, Rav Acha asks Rav Ashi, “How could Abaye suggest this? What if someone already transferred his fever to this very roach and by requesting
that the roach’s burden be transferred to him, he’s only compounding his own illness?” Thus, Rav Acha suggests that the sick person offer a slightly different proposal to the ant: “That which I’m carrying and that which you’re carrying should be yours.” Let’s think about this mind-boggling notation of Rav Acha. Statistically, how many roaches exist in the world? According to the Collection of Animal Facts (Joan, 1983), scientists estimate that there are one quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000) ants living on the earth at any given time. How many people are sick with a fever? And how many people will follow the advice of Abaye? So what are the chances that the precise ant one patient uses for this practice has already contracted a fever from another patient? Is it fair to say close to nothing? I think we would all agree to this one. Still, our Sages express concern over that extremely minimal, almost impossible chance. Even when it came to the minutest chance of danger, they took the steps to stay away by variating the choice of words expressed to the ant. The sefer Ish Ha’emes (p. 231) relates that the Stropkover Rav was always stringent to sit in the back seat of the car. When he was asked to explain why, he answered that if according to the law seatbelt usage is only required in the front row, that must be where the passenger faces the greatest risk of danger. From the word venishmartem, he expounded, we learn that we must do everything it takes to stay as far as possible from even the slightest likelihood of harm. If our Sages, and, by virtue, the Torah, are so extremely concerned about even a probability of physical danger, how careful we must be regarding the choices we make, especially concerning matters that are directly detrimental to our health. For instance, the hazards of excessive sugar consumption are immense, leading to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. So too, chemical-laden foods can have a devastating toll on our health, rendering their consumption a direct risk for diminished health. Reckless driving is another example of an activity that is directly related to our physical state. If the Torah takes such intricate measures to ensure our wellbeing, how careful we must be to avoid making choices that are overtly detrimental to our health.
If I know that smoking is hazardous to his health, am I required to buy the cigarettes anyway to fulfill the commandment of honoring my father?
July 2016 | The Wellspring 19
Well Informed
Health Tidbits in the News By Liba Solomon, CNWC
ANOTHER REASON TO SHED THOSE POUNDS A new study reveals that your weight may predict your sleep quality Are you wondering why you’re sleeping enough but not feeling rested? A new study might give you a clue. An individual’s body composition and caloric intake can influence time spent in specific sleep stages, according to the University of Pennsylvania research. In the study, 36 healthy adults experienced two consecutive nights of 10 hours in bed per night at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Polysomnography, which records physiological changes that occur during sleep, was recorded on the second night. Body composition and resting energy expenditure were assessed on the morning following the first night of sleep. The Penn team found that overweight adults exhibited a higher percentage of time spent in the rapid-eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, when dreams typically occur and characterized by faster heart rate and breathing and less restorative sleep than in non-REM stages, than normal-weight adults. “In a culture of increasing pressure to sacrifice sleep to maintain productivity, this research adds to the body of knowledge on how lifestyle behaviors may influence the quality of our sleep,” said lead author Andrea M. Spaeth. Subjects within the normal BMI range experienced larger chunks of restorative sleep, which in turn provided them with more energy to function better the next day. That gives you another reason to shed those extra pounds!
FILL WITHOUT THE DRILL A novel cavity-filling method that will make the dentist’s visit a breeze Nobody looks forward to having a cavity drilled and filled dentist, but now there’s an alternative: an antimicrobial liquid that can be brushed on cavities to stop tooth decay — painlessly. The liquid is called silver diamine fluoride, or S.D.F. It’s been used for decades in Japan, but it’s been available in the United States, under the brand name Advantage Arrest, for just about a year. The Food and Drug Administration cleared silver diamine fluoride for use as a tooth desensitizer for adults over the age of 21. But studies show it can halt the progression of cavities and prevent them, and dentists are increasingly using it for those purposes. “The upside, the great one, is that you don’t need to drill and you don’t need an injection,” said Dr. Margherita Fontana, a professor of cariology at the University of Michigan. Silver diamine fluoride is already used in hundreds of dental offices. Medicaid patients in Oregon are receiving the treatment, and at least 18 dental schools have started teaching the next generation of pediatric dentists how to use it. Dr. Richard Niederman, the chairman of the epidemiology and health promotion department at the New York University College of Dentistry, said, “Being able to paint it on in 30 seconds with no noise, no drilling, is better, faster, and cheaper. I would encourage parents to ask for it,” he added, “it’s less trauma for the kid.” If you’ve ever taken a child to the dentist, you’ll surely be excited about this new development in the field. Now you know what to ask for the next time you go! by
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a
Fill up on Folate Childhood obesity linked to mother’s folic acid deficiency Proper maternal folate levels during pregnancy may protect children from a future risk of obesity, especially those born to obese mothers, according to a study led by researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health. “Maternal nutrition during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on child health, as well as the health of a mother after pregnancy,” said the study’s principal investigator, Xiaobin Wang, M.D., M.P.H., Sc.D., from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. “Our results suggest that adequate maternal folate may mitigate the effect of a mother’s obesity on her child’s health.” In their study, which was published in JAMA Pediatrics, the researchers investigated the health outcomes of mothers and children (ranging from 2- to 9-years-old) in the Boston Birth Cohort, a predominately lowincome, minority population with a high prevalence of maternal and child obesity. The study team analyzed health records from more than 1,500 mother-child pairs, including information that was collected before, during and after pregnancy. To gauge a mother’s folate level during pregnancy, the researchers measured folate from stored plasma samples that were collected two to three days after delivery. The lowest levels of folate correlated with the highest risk of child obesity. Obese mothers in the study tended to have lower folate levels than normal weight mothers. However, when the researchers examined obese mothers only, they found that children of obese mothers with adequate folate levels (at least 20 nm/L) had a 43 percent lower risk of obesity compared to children of obese mothers with lower folate (less than 20 nm/L). “Folate is well-known for preventing brain and spinal cord defects in a developing fetus, but its effects on metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and obesity, is less understood,” says Cuilin Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., NICHD senior investigator and a study co-author. “This study uncovers what may be an additional benefit of folate and identifies a possible strategy for reducing childhood obesity.” Folic acid has long been known as a crucial nutrient for expectant mothers and women in the childbearing years. All women of childbearing age should consume a minimum of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid a day and pregnant women should consume 800 mcg. Folic acid can help reduce the risk of certain birth defects (spina bifida and anencephaly). A study in Public Health Nutrition reveals that high doses of supplementary folic acid in early pregnancy may be associated with enhanced vocabulary development, communicational skills and verbal comprehension at 18 months of age. By ingesting one capsule of Maxi Folic Acid™ daily, expectant mothers provide their bodies with 800 mcg of this allimportant nutrient. However, as many as 50% of women have a genetic variant known as MTHFR, which is known to interfere with the body’s ability to process standard folic acid. For this reason, the research team at Maxi Health created Methyl Folate Lozenges™. This product contains methyl folate, the biologically active form of folic acid. Unlike regular folic acid, it is metabolized even in the presence of MTHFR mutation. With this product, every woman has the opportunity to provide her body with the crucial folic acid necessary for her and her child’s health.
BREAKING RESEARCH ON THE NEUROSCIENCE OF BULLYING Why do some kids find it rewarding? For bullied kids and their parents, summertime is not all the joy it is meant to be. Indeed, bullying has the potential to significantly reduce the victim’s quality of life. So what motivates some people to engage in this destructive behavior? New research reveals that aggressive behavior is associated with an inappropriate activation of the brain’s reward system. A recent study, conducted at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, investigated the neural correlates of bullying-type behavior in mice. The research, published in Nature and headed up by Scott Russo, Ph.D., associate professor of Neuroscience, took a new approach to areas of the brain known to be involved in aggressive behavior: the basal forebrain and the lateral habenula circuit. When observing the parts of the brain that were activated in aggressive mice, the researchers found that bullying behavior activates a primary brain reward circuit that makes it pleasurable to a subset of individuals. When they subsequently manipulated activity in this circuit, they altered the activity of brain cells which ultimately obliterated the aggressive behavior. This research provides insight on the brain mechanism of aggressive behavior, which will aide the researchers in developing an intervention for extreme cases. July 2016 | The Wellspring 21
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
OUNCE OF WELL
Well Informed
Health Tidbits in the News By Liba Solomon, CNWC
LET HER BITE HER NAILS AND SUCK HER THUMB Research reveals the allergy-decreasing benefits of these habits Babies suck on their fingers weeks before birth, but the sight of an older child with her fingers constantly in her mouth, sucking her thumb or biting her nails, can unnerve parents, bringing up fears about everything from social stigma to germs. In a recent study published in Pediatrics, researchers drew evidence from an ongoing study of New Zealand children to show that those whose parents described as thumb-suckers and nail-biters were less likely to test positively for allergies later in life. 1,037 children born in 1972-73 in Dunedin, a coastal city in New Zealand, were assessed and tested as they grew up, with the most recent assessment done at age 38. In the study, parents were asked about the nail-biting and thumb-sucking habits of their children at age 5, 7, 9 and 11. Skin testing for allergic sensitization to a range of common allergens including dust mites, grass, cats, dogs, horses, and common molds was done when the members of the test were 13 years old, and then later when they were 32. The study found that those who frequently sucked a thumb or bit their nails were significantly less likely to test positively for allergies both at 13 and again at 32. Those who had both habits as children were even less likely to test positively than those with only one of the habits. So perhaps the results of this study will help parents out there keep calm when they find their kid sucking intensely on her thumb at her ninth birthday party…
GOLDEN PAGE B for the Brain Why vitamin B12 is crucial for the aging population Older people in long-term care facilities may have a greater risk for B-12 deficiency, with that risk increasing with their residencies, according to a recent Canadian study. The vitamin is particularly important for seniors as studies suggest that it may help slow cognitive decline. For example, an observational study from researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University suggests that being mildly vitamin B12 deficient could be an indication that some older adults are at a greater risk for accelerated cognitive decline. Untreated B-12 deficiency can also eventually lead to anemia and neurologic complications such as unsteady gait and paralysis. Low levels of the vitamin have been be associated with depression, increased confusion, lethargy and even osteoporosis according to a release about the study from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. “In spending time in longterm care homes, you often see depression and loneliness. This is why we need to do everything in our power to enhance quality of life and quality of care in this setting,” says Kaylen Pfisterer, lead author of the research and assistant research coordinator at the RIA. “Screening for B-12 deficiency is a first step to targeting B-12 treatment to those who may benefit most.” A primary determinant of the body’s ability to absorb B-12 is a compound known as intrinsic factor, which is secreted by the cells lining the stomach. Intrinsic factor is crucial for absorption of cobalamin from the small intestine. The compound is produced in lesser amounts as the body ages, which accounts at least partially for the disproportionately larger incidence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in elderly people—nearly onethird of people over the age of 60 cannot extract the vitamin B-12 they need from the foods they eat. In order to maintain optimal levels of B-12 in the body during the golden years, men and women in this age bracket should consider taking Maxi B-12 Lozenges™, which are B-12 vitamins combined with folate and biotin. The best way to take them is just let them dissolve in your mouth. You will love the natural strawberry taste and get the powerful benefits in 800 mcg in these three ingredients. In addition to maintaining cognitive health, as the above study suggests, vitamin B12 also helps increase energy levels, and contributes to the relief of asthma, depression, and low blood pressure. Biotin helps maintain healthy hair and skin and also supports protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Vitamins B-12, biotin, and folic acid work together to control blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine, of which high levels are associated with heart disease.
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No Health Benefit to Replacing Fat with Carbs Low-fat diets that are high in carbohydrates are unlikely to improve your health, a new study in JAMA Internal Medicine shows. Researchers studied the eating habits and health-related behaviors of 126,233 men and women, who completed health questionnaires every two to four years for up to 32 years. Results found that replacing 5 percent of daily calories from saturated fats (mainly animal fat) with foods high in monounsaturated fat, such as olive oil and avocados, was associated with a 27 percent reduction in total mortality and reduced death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease. A similar switch from saturated fat to polyunsaturated fats, such as the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids found in fish and walnuts, was associated with a 13 percent reduction in total mortality and a 29 percent reduction in death from neurodegenerative diseases. But replacing saturated fats with carbohydrates, such as sugars and refined grains, did not confer any health benefits. “Not all fats are created equal,” says senior author, Dr. Frank B. Hu, a professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “We should eat more good ones from fish and avocados, instead of animal fats. And second, the low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet is not beneficial for improving health and longevity.”
MISCONCEPTION: Baby teeth don’t matter because they are going to fall out anyway.
THE TRUTH:
Neglecting baby teeth can set a child up for lifelong dental trouble. Nearly a quarter of all children between the ages of two and five have cavities, a study at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. But won’t those teeth fall out anyway? It may be tempting to skip brushing if a toddler puts up a fuss, or allow a picky eater to snack nonstop on their favorite carbohydrates — a recipe for cavities. But once the damage is done, it’s not so easy to just pull the teeth out and wait for the permanent lineup. Preschoolers who have cavities in their baby teeth are three times as likely as other preschool children to develop cavities in their permanent teeth, according to an often-quoted study published in the Journal of Dental Research in 2002. A 5-year-old’s oral health can even predict greater decay and disease at 26, especially for poor children, another study found. As well as brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, one way to reduce the risk of cavities may be to limit snacks and juice boxes to a 15-minute period so a child’s teeth are not constantly taking an acidic bath. Another is to make sure an adult does the brushing until the child has the dexterity to do it well, which some dentists say is roughly when they can tie their own shoes.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
OPT FOR THE OIL
Well Informed
Figures By Miriam Katz
SUNBURN STATS NUMBERS ON THE SUN’S EFFECT ON YOUR SKIN
15
The amount of minutes in which sunburn can occur on a mild January day
10,130
the estimate of projected melanoma deaths in 2016
The Wellspring | July 2016 24
1
person dies of melanoma every hour
The incidence of
of skin aging is caused by the sun
24%
90%
less skin aging in people who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher
5
sunburns doubles a person’s risk for melanoma
20
states reported a significant increase in sunburn prevalence among whites in 2004, compared with 1999
18
years, the mean age of patients hospitalized for sunburns
6
3.8
1/3
of the U.S. adult population has at least one sunburn every year.
skin types related to sunburning, according to the Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification, ranging from always burns (pale white skin) to never burns (deeply pigmented dark brown or black skin)
days, the mean length of stay in the hospital for patients with severe sunburns in England
July 2016 | The Wellspring  25
Living Well
Ask the Nutritionist By Shani Taub, CDC
Post-Pool Hunger Pangs What can I do about them?
Q
The summer is my favorite time of year in terms of weight loss. I love doing laps every morning and then going for a jog in the evening, and I do well with light foods in the heat. However, I have one issue that comes up very often. When I return from the pool, I’m always famished. It’s so hard for me to start cutting up a salad when I’m in that state. What can I do to ensure that I remain committed to a healthy plan when I just want to grab whatever I see? I would love to hear your take on this. Loves the pool but not its effects
Shani answers:
Shani Answers:
A
I definitely agree with you that the summertime can serve as a great incentive for weight loss and maintenance. Besides for giving us the opportunity to spend time outdoors, we also come to the realization that we can’t cover up any longer and that we must take the necessary steps to ensure that we feel comfortable with our appearance. However, I do understand that coming home from the pool famished may serve as an impediment to your weight loss. When you’re hungry, you tend to grab the first food you see, which is probably not a carrot stick. Plus, in your state of hunger, it’s hard for you to think logically and smartly. So
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the first thing I recommend is that before you go to the pool, have your meal prepared. The key to success is preparation. I tell this to my clients over and over again. One client once gave me a good line that sums up this phenomenon: If you fail to plan you plan to fail. Whenever you go out, make sure you eat your allotted meal beforehand. It’s so important to take the time beforehand in order to prevent disappointment. As soon as you’re done with breakfast, prepare your lunch so you’ll know it’s ready when you return home. And when you sit down to eat, don’t judge your level of hunger or satiety immediately after you finish eating. Give your body 20 minutes to digest the food, and then reevaluate. At that point, if you’re eating right, you
As soon as you’re done with breakfast, prepare your lunch so you’ll know it’s ready when you return home.
WATER AND WEIGHT: DON’T FALL PREY TO AFTER-SWIM HUNGER
LONG SHABBOS AFTERNOONS: NO EXCUSES
Research has found that there is a correlation between spending time in water and appetite levels. Although they haven’t come to a certain conclusion, they suspect that it may be because the cooler temperature of the water causes the body to lose heat, thus constricting the blood vessels in the skin. This prevents the release of appetite-suppressing hormones. One study conducted by Dr. Rudy Dressendorfer found that people who exercised in colder water consumed 44 percent more calories following their workout than those who expended the same amount of energy in warmer water. To help your body warm up, Dressendorfer suggests taking a 15-minute brisk walk immediately after you get out of the pool, which will generate the release of the appetite-suppressing hormones.
I would like to address an issue that comes up often in summertime: how to stick to a healthy plan during long Shabbos afternoons. This past Shabbos, the sun was my friend. I sat outside with a tall glass of water and just enjoyed the pleasant weather. These long afternoons are a great opportunity to connect with family and friends, to enjoy a good book, or to take a calm stroll. When we don’t focus on food, we really get to enjoy the true beauties in life. Many people find the long summer Shabbosim challenging in terms of weight loss because they have so much time on their hands and, often, junky food around. But I tell my clients to look at Shabbos as the same 12-hour day we have every day. The difference is that we don’t have the usual structure, which keeps us busy and turns the focus away from food. Perceived hunger often comes as a result of boredom. The mistake people make on Shabbos is that they turn to food as a form of entertainment. That should never be its purpose. Find other ways to entertain yourself. And for a healthy snack, prepare fruit-juice ices in cups. They will take you time to eat and enjoy!
should feel full. If you’re still hungry, drink a glass of water. Another great idea, especially if it’s not mealtime when you return home from the pool is to make an iced coffee. Here’s a delicious recipe I and my clients enjoy every summer: Blend a flavored coffee packet, a bit of stevia, ice cubes, and a bit of milk or almond milk (which contains only 30 calories per full cup). This makes a very refreshing drink that you can sip slowly to regain your energy and feel full. It’s important to point out that spending time in water could create hunger (see sidebar). Still, this should not be a reason for you to eat more. Yes, you should definitely drink more water to prevent dehydration, but if you wait 20 minutes after your meal, you’ll realize that you feel full and energized. Don’t make up the calories you burned! Please send your questions to the nutritionist to nutrition@wellspringmagazine.com. Shani Taub, CDC, has been practicing as a certified nutritionist in Lakewood for almost a decade, meeting with clients in person and on the phone. She also owns the highly popular Shani Taub food line, which carries healthy, approved, premeasured foods and delicacies sold at supermarkets and restaurants.
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Living Well
In Good Shape By Esther Fried, PFC
Fuel Sources 6 Foods That Boost Weight Loss and Improve Your Workout Food on the fitness page? Oh, yes! You surely know that healthy food choices and your workouts go hand in hand. One doesn’t reap ideal results without the other. But then there are foods that take it a step further: they promote weight loss and make your workout better at the same time. By providing you with intense energy and muscle power, their nutritious content will push you to give it all you’ve got.
Water Is it really any surprise that water tops this list? Water is absolutely the most important ingredient for both weight loss and excellent workouts. Our bodies are comprised of 60 percent water, which is crucial for everything, from how your muscles work to your metabolism rate. Even mild dehydration can slow it down. When you’re dehydrated, your body sends the water that would be used in keeping your metabolism chugging smoothly to more important locations like your brain, which becomes sluggish. And if you hit the gym without proper hydration, your workout will suffer. You’ll probably start to feel lightheaded, and fatigue will set in faster. Aim for 8 to 10 glasses a day—or 10 to 12 if you’re working out for 45 minutes three times a week—to make up for what you lose in sweat.
Greek Yogurt Greek yogurt is very high in protein, and lower in sugar and sodium than traditional yogurt. The high protein keeps you fuller for longer, which will help you make it to your next meal without snacking or getting so ravenous you go overboard. It’s a great post-workout snack. All protein helps build and repair muscles, but dairy protein does this more efficiently than any other. Aim for two percent or whole Greek yogurt to avoid additives used by companies to dress up low-fat versions, and go for plain. You can add some fruit or pure vanilla extract for flavor.
Nut Butter Protein is not the only nutrient at play here: the unsaturated fat found in nut butter can actually help you drop pounds. Beyond keeping you satisfied so you don’t give into cravings, nut butter can help you absorb more nutrients from the food you eat, helping your body become the well-oiled machine it should be. The key is to have a source of healthy fat with some carbs so your body can break the nutrients down quickly. Just having a tablespoon of nut butter won’t be enough to give your body what it needs to excel. Try mixing two tablespoons with quick-cooking oats for a great breakfast!
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Eggs Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a snack, eggs should be one of your go-tos. Their high protein count helps you feel fuller. Plus, they’re high in choline, an anti-inflammatory nutrient that helps keep your muscles in working order and can improve gym performance. Even better, foods with anti-inflammatory properties can help cut down on weight gain, by keeping your metabolism regular and fending off potential metabolic diseases.
Green Leafy Vegetables These are incredibly high in fiber. A little of these vegetables goes a long way. Because they’re bulky and fill up your stomach, you’re less likely to overeat. To use these weight-loss weapons for a more effective gym session, bust out the blender. These veggies are great in a smoothie eaten pre- or post-workout because they’re packed with vitamins, and they also don’t lose the fiber that’s usually pressed out when making juice.
Whole Grains Our bodies are fueled by carbohydrates, but not all grains are created equal. Look for whole grains instead of refined ones. Whole grains give you B vitamins, fiber, and protein. White grains give you none of these. The protein and fiber make you feel full, and B vitamins are key in boosting energy, and have antiinflammatory properties as well. Try a piece of whole-wheat toast or wholegrain rice cake with nut butter as a great pre-workout snack. Our bodies break down carbs really quickly, so this pairing provides a great jolt of energy, ensuring you’ll get the most of your workout.
When you choose one of these foods as your pre- or post-workout meals, you’ll fill up on energy and boost your muscle power—increasing your results and reducing the breathlessness that can make exercise the pain it shouldn’t be.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 29
Living Well
  The Wellspring | July 2016 30
Cover Feature By Rochel Gordon
Solving the Mystery of the Two-Toned Face Why you should protect your skin from UV rays You know the script. It starts out as a sunny day at the pool and ends up as a torturous evening at the mirror. What sun exposure can do! Sunburns can be caused in as little as fifteen minutes, but the painful and burning sensations can continue for hours. Plus, their repercussions can last for decades.
P
ossibly the most compelling argument for wearing sunscreen is the two-toned face of a man named Bill McElligott. What makes his face so glaringly unique is that the skin on one side is completely different from the skin on the other, and not only in color. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, this 69-year-old truck driver suffers from unilateral dermatoheliosis. How did it happen that the two halves of this Chicago native’s face don’t match up? During the 28 years that McElligott spent driving on his job, the doctors gathered, ultraviolet A (UVA) rays transmitted through the window of his delivery truck severely damaged the skin on the left side of his face. While this side of his face is deeply lined, pitted, and sagging, the right-hand side, shaded by the cab as McElligott delivered milk around Chicago, is the taut, unblemished face of an apparently much younger man. And he drove around with a closed window! Interestingly enough, McElligott didn’t notice the developing asymmetry for about 15 years and only sought treatment when his grandchildren asked him about the “bumps” on his face. The difference between the two sides of McElligott’s face is so pronounced that even medical experts were shocked. The dermatology expert who treated him, Dr. Jennifer Gordon, said, “We’re used to seeing photo damage by the sun. We see photo aging every day, but I was taken aback when I saw how one-sided this was.”
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Living Well
Cover Feature
Hazardous Rays McElligott’s tale serves as crystal-clear evidence of the repercussions of sun exposure—even through a window. As glowingly tempting as a suntan can be, the downsides of sitting under the sun eclipse the benefits by far. The most immediate effect of ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the ubiquitous sunburn. A sunburn develops when the UV exposure is greater than the level of protection offered by the skin’s melanin. The lighter your skin is, the less melanin it has to absorb UV and protect itself. Hence, the quicker you will burn. Excessive sun exposure causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. We often associate a glowing complexion with good health, but skin color obtained from being in the sun actually accelerates the effects of aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer. Sun exposure causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers break down, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. The skin also bruis-
es and tears more easily, taking longer to heal. So while damage to the skin caused by the sun may not be apparent when you’re young, it will definitely show later in life. The sun’s rays may not only
The difference between the two sides of McElligott’s face is so pronounced that even medical experts were shocked. generate negative cosmetic consequences. Excessive UV radiation also damages the genetic material in the skin cells. The build-up of this damage can cause cells to start growing out of control, which can lead to skin cancer. In addition to damaging the skin, sunlight is the primary source of UV radiation that can damage the eye. Results from dozens of studies suggest that spending long hours in the sun without eye
protection increases the chances of developing eye diseases. The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that even low amounts of sunlight can increase the risk of developing eye disorders. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has cautioned that excess exposure to UV radiation may increase the incidence of cataracts, a form of eye damage that causes the loss of transparency in the lens, clouding vision. Everyone is at risk for developing cataracts. Another potential effect of UV radiation is a “burning” of the eye surface, called “snow blindness” or photokeratitis. The effects usually disappear within a couple of days, but may lead to further complications later in life. Is a Tan Safe? Many people follow the misconception that if their skin only tans and doesn’t burn, the sun hasn’t caused any damage to their skin. However, research studies have proven otherwise. The body produces melanin, a pigmentation chemical, in order to protect the deeper layers of skin from damage. When the outer layers of skin get damaged by the sun’s rays, the body produces more melanin to replenish the supply. The increase in melanin causes the skin to darken. In other words, although the skin may appear darker brown, and more resilient to UV rays, its top layers have been damaged in the same way that a fairskinned person’s skin has. Any unprotected exposure to the sun is hazardous. Even if the glow of a summer tan is enticing, know that it comes at the expense of healthy skin that is meant to keep you strong and protected. continued on page 39
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ut o l l u P n! o i t c e this s Dear Teens,
OF Y UTH THE HEALTH MAGAZINE FOR YOUNGSTERS
From August 1st until September 3rd 2015, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce, a wholesale company in California, distributed a large stock of cucumbers they’d imported from Mexico. Little did they know what havoc they would wreak by selling this seemingly basic food staple. Unbeknownst to them, the cucumbers carried a bacteria known as salmonella, which causes severe food poisoning. This outbreak affected 838 people in 38 states and resulted in 165 hospitalizations and four deaths, making it the largest food-borne illness outbreak in the U.S. in recent years. What a little cucumber can do, right? Food does not have to look moldy or decayed to cause harm. Indeed, bacteria and germs hide too well, which is why we must do our utmost to prevent them from growing in the first place. Read this issue’s feature “Eat and Enjoy” to learn more about how to prevent food-borne illness this summer. Now you’ll know how to prep your food for your upcoming picnic or barbecue! Here’s to a healthy, fun summer,
Raizy
KIDS
TEENS
33 Just Wonderi ng
joy
28 Feature: Eat and En
30 Teen Talk: Ahuva’s Pool Safe
34 Body Language
32 Seria l Diary: E
ty
ntry #6
ISSUE 6 JULY 2016 TAMMUZ 5776
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Activities
37 Science Experiment Brought to you by:
Well of Youth
Teen Feature By Raizy Kleinman
EAT AND ENJOY UNDERSTANDING FOOD-BORNE ILLNESS HOW THE FOOD YOU EAT CAN MAKE YOU SICK No matter where you’re spending your summer this year (unless you’re reading this in the southern hemisphere!) the heat of the season is surely chasing after you. Summer’s heat surely makes the swimming pool an inviting place to spend the day, and it’s fun to run out in the morning without having to bundle up. Although the season’s plus list is excitingly long, it’s time to talk about one drawback that peaks in summer: food-borne illness.
Beat the Heat Why do food-borne illnesses increase during the summer? The answer is twofold. First, there are the natural causes. Bacteria are present throughout the environment in soil, air, water, and in the bodies of people and animals. These microorganisms grow faster in the warm summer months. Most food-borne bacteria grow fastest at temperatures from 90 to 110 °F. Bacteria also need moisture to flourish, and summer weather is often hot and humid. Given the right circumstances, harmful bacteria can quickly multiply on food to large numbers. When this happens, someone eating the food can get sick. Second, we increase our outside activities in summertime. You’re surely enjoying some of your meals at picnics, barbecues, and on camping trips as opposed to the cozy kitchen table. In outdoor places, the safety controls that a kitchen provides — thermostat-controlled cooking, refrigeration, and washing facilities — are usually not available. Fortunately, most of us seldom get sick from contaminated food, because we have a healthy immune system that protects us not only from harmful bacteria on food but from other harmful organisms in the environment. At the same time, the FSIS, other government agencies, and food producers go to great
lengths to keep food safe. And, of course, you can protect yourself at home by using proper refrigeration and ensuring the thorough cooking of perishable food. All in all, it doesn’t happen that often that bacterium in food makes people sick. However, when it does happen, the results can range from unpleasant to fatal.
What you should know about food-borne illness Food-borne illness, also known as food poisoning, can be caused by a variety of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Harmful toxins or chemicals present in food may also cause food-borne illness. Because most of the foods we eat originate from live sources, such as meat and vegetables, it’s only normal that they contain some bacteria. The problem starts when the amount gets out of hand and the immune system can no longer fight it. Different causes of food poisoning cause different symptoms, so there is no one syndrome of food-borne illness. However, common symptoms include abdominal cramping, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, fatigue, and body aches. Generally, after contaminated food is consumed there is a delay before the symptoms start, called the “incubation period.” The incubation period of a food-borne illness can
range from less than an hour (which is rare) to days or weeks, and depends on the organism causing the illness and the amount of food ingested. This means that the food last consumed before symptoms start may not be the source of the illness. You may be wondering what was wrong with your toast at breakfast, but it was really last night’s steak that caused the trouble. What are the main pathogens that lead to illness? While most food-borne illness cases go unreported to health departments and are thus of unknown origin, the CDC estimates that 9.4 million of illnesses are caused by 31 known food-borne pathogens. Of these illnesses, 90% are caused by seven pathogens: Salmonella, norovirus, Campylobacter, Toxoplasma, E. coli, Listeria, and Clostridium perfringens. While bacterial and viral infections often share the same symptoms, they are caused by different types of pathogens. A bacterium is a single-celled organism that causes illness when ingested. Unlike viruses, bacteria can grow on the food they contaminate. Most food-borne illnesses are caused by bacteria. On the other hand, a virus is non-living, and is usually spread from person to person. While some antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial infections, they are ineffective against viral ones.
How can you restore your digestive health if you’ve experienced food-borne illness? Because the body loses many important nutrients and healthy bacteria to diarrhea and vomiting, it’s important to refill on water as well as nutrition. Maxi Pro Active 20™is a high quality probiotic supplement that controls diarrhea and replenishes healthy flora that the body needs.
The Wellspring | July 2016 34
STAY AWAY EIGHT FOODS MOST LIKELY TO MAKE YOU SICK No one wants to toss a salad with E. coli or serve chicken with a side of Salmonella. But every year, about 9 million Americans fall sick from these and other sources of food-borne illness. The FDA recently partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Agriculture to study the sources of outbreaks over the past five years. Some contaminated foods might sound surprising, like tomatoes and cantaloupes. But the foods or ingredients you think of as clean are often the ones that have caused outbreaks, says Robert Brackett, PhD, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Health at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
BEEF Beef products took the blame for about half the CDC’s reported cases of E. coli, an illness that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes even kidney failure and death. If you’re having a barbecue, keep an eye on those steaks! Don’t eat them if they look raw to you and make sure they go straight from the fridge or a cool place to the grill.
CHICKEN One in 10 people sickened by Salmonella got it from poultry. This bacterial illness can cause fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and headache. Are you having chicken salad at your next picnic? Keep this in mind: It’s usually the poultry—not the mayonnaise—that spoils in bad chicken salad. If you’re taking it along to a picnic, keep it in a cooler until you’re ready to eat.
FISH In addition to germs like Salmonella and Campylobacter that can also affect other meats, some fish pose an added risk of contamination with Vibrios, bacteria that occur naturally in ocean waters. Cooking fish to a temperature of 145° banishes all those bugs. If you like your tuna rare or plan to make your own sushi, know that you’re taking a risk.
HARD-SKINNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Even if you don’t eat the rind or skin of a fruit, take precautions. In 2011, cantaloupes caused a giant outbreak of Listeria. Mild to serious symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. Bacteria can easily hide in the nooks and crannies of the rind, then cling to your knife or cutting board and infect the inside of the fruit after peeling.Wash all tough fruits and vegetables with water and a soft vegetable brush. For extra safety, peel the produce first, then flip over the cutting board and wash the knife before slicing the flesh.
LEAFY GREENS Along with other vegetables grown in rows, greens caused more than one third of E. coli sicknesses in the past half-decade. Rinse spinach, arugula, and other greens and dry them thoroughly in a salad spinner. (And wash the salad spinner well between each use to prevent mold growth.)
EGGS Remember how your mother wouldn’t let you eat raw cookie dough as a kid? Don’t do it in camp either! Here’s the reason: Eggs cause 12% of all Salmonella cases. Steer clear of uncooked egg yolks. If you like your yolks runny, or you want to use raw eggs in ice cream, consider using pasteurized eggs, which are heat-treated to kill bacteria.
SOFT-SKINNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Seeded vegetables like tomatoes accounted for nearly one in five cases of Salmonella, according to the report.To protect yourself, inspect the entire package of produce before using. If a single item has visible mold, toss the entire pack. The same conditions that allow mold growth could allow pathogens that cause food-borne illness to thrive as well.
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Like to pile up American cheese in your bunkhouse for late-night cheese toasts? Milk and other dairy products took the blame for three quarters of Campylobacter infections—which can lay you up for a week with stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever—and 31 percent of Listeria cases analyzed.Though these bacteria are normally killed during pasteurization, they linger in raw milk and some soft cheeses. Reduce your risk by keeping dairy foods refrigerated. The “danger zone” of bacterial growth occurs between 40° and 140°. Check that the fridge you’re using is cold enough, and put leftovers away within two hours, or sooner if they’re outdoors on a hot day.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 35
Well of Youth
Teen Feature
PLAY IT SAFE HOW CAN YOU PREVENT FOOD-BORNE ILLNESS WHEN YOU’RE THE ONE PUTTERING IN THE KITCHEN OR AT THE GRILL? CLEAN: WASH HANDS AND SURFACES OFTEN. Unwashed hands are a prime cause of food-borne illness. • Wash your hands with warm, soapy water before handling food and after using the bathroom. • If you’re doing a picnic away from home, find out if there’s a source of potable (safe drinking) water. If not, bring water for preparation and cleaning. Or pack clean, wet, disposable washcloths or baby wipes and paper towels for cleaning hands and surfaces.
SEPARATE: DON’T CROSS-CONTAMINATE. Cross-contamination happens when contaminated food comes into contact with non-contaminated food, allowing the bacteria or germs to spread. It is a prime cause for food-borne illness during the preparation, grilling, and serving process. • When packing the cooler chest for an outing, wrap raw meats securely. Prevent the juices of raw meat from coming into contact with ready-to-eat food. • Wash plates, utensils, and cutting boards that held the raw meat or chicken before using again for cooked food.
CHILL: REFRIGERATE PROMPTLY. Holding food at an unsafe temperature is another prime cause of food-borne illness. Keep cold food cold! • Cold refrigerated perishable food like luncheon meats, cooked meats, chicken, and potato or pasta salads should be kept in an insulated cooler packed with several inches of ice, ice packs, or containers of frozen water. • Consider packing canned beverages in one cooler and perishable food in another cooler, because the beverage cooler will probably be opened frequently. • Keep the cooler in the coolest part of the car and place in the shade or shelter, out of the sun, whenever possible. • Preserve the cold temperature of the cooler by replenishing the ice as soon as it starts melting. • If a cooler chest is not an option, consider taking fruits, vegetables, hard cheeses, canned or dried meats, dried cereal, bread, peanut butter, crackers, and a bottle of refreshing beverage.
If you have any doubts, throw it out.
48
million
AT LEAST
Leftovers? • Food left out of refrigeration for more than two hours may not be safe to eat. Above 90 °F, food should not be left out over one hour. Play it safe; put leftover perishables back on ice once you finish eating so they do not spoil or become unsafe to eat.
food-borne illness cases occur in the United States every year
The Wellspring | July 2016 36
128,000
Americans are hospitalized for food-borne illness
3,000
Americans die after eating contaminated food
Well of Youth
Teen Talk By Miri Davis
Tips from a Teen Lifeguard: NTH:
THIS MO
Meet: Ahuva W. Age: 17 Location: Edison, NJ Favorite exercise: Zumba Favorite junk food: marzipan Favorite healthy food: hearts of palm
Miri: You’re seventeen and already involved in the lifesaving field. That’s impressive! When did you get certified? Ahuva: I took a lifeguarding course at the summer camp I was in last year. Actually, the American Red Cross certifies people from 15 years old to become lifeguards, so I’m not from the youngest in the field! Miri: What motivated you to train as a lifeguard? Ahuva: When I was ten years old, our family was swimming in my aunt’s pool. While we were having fun in the deep water, my cousin almost drowned in the shallow. And this was not in a big pool at all! When I saw how close we were to a tragedy, I knew then and there that I wanted to be available and trained to save a life. Miri: Impressive! How did you go about receiving your certification? Ahuva: The camp I went to offered a course, which was given every morning for about six weeks. I had to have a full physical check at my doctor before I signed up, to confirm that I was physically capable for the job. After all, a lifeguard has to be ready for anything, including swimming for long stretches to reach a victim and then carry the victim back to safety.
Miri: How far must you be able to swim to qualify? Ahuva: The American Lifeguard Association requires you to swim continuously for 300 meters (984 feet) in under 10 minutes. Miri: Does it make a difference what kind of stroke you use? Ahuva: The main point was to get there, but I did have to show that I can use several strokes, like the front crawl and the freestyle crawl. I also had to prove that I can pull weight in the water by diving into the deep section of the pool and retrieving a 10-pound weight. Miri: That’s a lot of work. Now that you’ve finally made it, what safety tips can you give your fellow teen readers? Ahuva: I know I may sound arrogant, but even if I’m only a little bit older than you, or even younger than you, I’m there for a reason. It’s hard to keep the pool area safe if nobody is following the rules, and it doesn’t feel good to tattle on a campmate to the head lifeguard. Never run in the pool area and stop whatever you’re doing when you hear the whistle. Miri: What happens if a teen thinks that something is amiss in the pool? What should she do? Ahuva: We try really hard to supervise the pool as much as possible, scanning from front to back, left to right and zigzag. But even the best lifeguards can miss something while watching the pool, so if you see someone in distress, alert the lifeguard as quickly as possible. Most camps are very into the buddy system for a reason. Make sure to always know where your buddy is. If you can’t find her, check the water first. Miri: Did you ever put the lifesaving skills you learned to use? Ahuva: Baruch Hashem, I haven’t, and I hope not to ever use them, but it makes me feel good to know that I have what it takes to save a life. To be interviewed for this column about your lifestyle patterns and to hear from an expert on how you can maximize your adolescence in order to develop into a healthy adult, please e-mail us at info@wellspringmagazine.com.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 37
Well of Youth
Serial Diary By Sheva Berger
Dear Diary, July 5, 2007 Wow! I didn’t write to you in a few months. I think that because I started feeling so good I’m spending more time with my friends, so I don’t have time to write. Let me tell you how the last few months have been. I’ve been taking insulin for a few weeks already and I must say that I really see a difference in the way I feel. I have much more energy and I’m more excited to play with my friends. So this was what my body was missing all this time! How does my system get the insulin that a healthy person produces on his own? Like I told you in my last entry, I first check my sugar level to see if I need more insulin. If the number is higher than 150, which means that I have too much sugar in my blood, I know it’s time to give myself the insulin. The way it gets into my body is through an injection. When I first heard the word “injection,” I got scared just from imagining what this would be like, but my mother did something very smart to show me that it’s no big deal. Now I see that, like always, she was right that it wouldn’t hurt. My mother took an orange out of the refrigerator and sat me down at the kitchen near her. In her other hand, she held a needle. “Look, Sheva,” she said to me, “look what happens when I prick the orange.” I watched as the needle slid in gently. That was it! Then, my mother removed the needle and had me prick the orange myself. It felt like a fun adventure to me! I realized that that a person’s skin is really soft and that when you inject in the right place, there’s just a little sting and you’re all done. Every time I need insulin, I draw the amount I need from a small bottle into the syringe and squeeze it slowly into my arm. I have a special inserter that helps me
A Different Kind of Sweet: Living with Juvenile Diabetes insert the needle, but I think I will stop using it in a few days because I feel so experienced already. For the first few days, my mother did it for me most of the time and I tried once or twice a day. But when I started feeling like myself, I wanted to go back to school so badly! That’s when I took the courage and started to inject the insulin all on my own. After I did it for a few days, my mother saw that I was ready to return to school. I always take insulin before I eat to make sure that my body will be able to take care of the sugar I absorb from the food I eat. Also, if I feel dizzy or not myself I first check my sugar level and if it’s too high I give myself an injection. It makes me feel better in no time at all! Exercise also helps lower the numbers, so if I see they are high, I could also go for a walk. Once I take the insulin shot, I know that for the next two to three hours my body is doing okay. I put away the meter and the shot and I enjoy myself the way I used to with my friends. Only sometimes, if I feel symptoms like dizziness or shaking, do I take the meter back out to check my numbers. Thank you, Hashem, for these inventions! I wonder what people with diabetes did in the olden days. It scares me to think about it. Now that I’m already feeling like the old me, I almost forget that I have diabetes. Because the sugar levels depend a lot on what I eat, I’ve also learned how to measure my food portions so I can eat what I like and still feel great. I’ll tell you all about my visit to the nutritionist in my next entry! Love you, Sheva
In this column, Sheva Berger, today a mother of two, tells about her life with juvenile diabetes. to be continued
The Wellspring | July 2016 38
Dear Kids, Here’s a brain teaser for you: Mary’s father has four children; three are named Nana, Nene, and Nini. What is the fourth child’s name? As you read this question, one organ in your body—your brain, got hard at work as you tried to figure out the answer. Thanks to your brain, you can do a lot more than answer this brain teaser, since it’s in charge of all the other organs in your body. Check out this issue’s feature on the brain to discover just how much it does despite its tiny size. Oh, and by the way, the answer to the riddle is Mary! A healthy summer to you all, Dina
Shmuly, age 10, asks: The one thing I don’t like about summer is that I sweat much more than usual. Especially when I play the sport I love, volleyball, I become all red and sweaty in my face. Can you please explain why we sweat when we’re hot?
JUST WONDERING
Sweat may not make you feel very comfortable, especially when it gets in your eyes, but it’s thanks to sweating that you don’t get overheated. As you will read in this issue’s feature, there’s a part in your brain that’s in charge of regulating your body’s temperature, called the hypothalamus. When you get hotter than 98.6ºF, the temperature at which your body works best, such as when you’re playing volleyball on a hot day, the hypothalamus sends a message to your body, telling it to sweat. Then special glands in your skin called sweat glands start making sweat. It is made almost completely of water, containing tiny amounts of ammonia and urea, as well as salts and sugar. (Ammonia and urea are left over when your body breaks down protein.) The sweat leaves your skin through tiny holes called pores, and when it hits the air, the air makes it evaporate (this means it turns from a liquid to a vapor). As the sweat evaporates off your skin, you cool down. So although you might not love to sweat, remember that it is a great cooling system. But, if you’re sweating a lot on a hot day or after playing hard, you could be losing too much water through your skin. Then you need to put liquid back in your body by drinking plenty of water so you won’t get dehydrated. Have a health or science question you’ve been wondering about? Send it in to us to get an enlightening answer. July 2016 | The Wellspring 39
Well of Youth
Body Language By Dina
Let's Explore Your... BRAIN YOUR BODY’S BOSS: Every month, we explore a different body part in this fun column. You
get to learn how different organs operate and how they help you lead a high-quality, healthy life. Did you realize that every single part of your body relies on one central organ in order to function? Yes, and that special organ is your brain. In fact, the brain is your body’s boss. It runs the show and controls just about everything you do, even when you’re asleep. And it’s not even that big! Let’s learn more about this vital organ and its three main parts.
CEREBRUM: THE BIG PLAYER The biggest part of the brain is the cerebrum. It makes up 85% of the brain’s weight, and it’s easy to see why. The cerebrum is the thinking part of the brain and it controls your voluntary muscles—the ones that move when you want them to. So you can’t dance or kick a ball without your cerebrum. When you’re thinking hard, you’re using your cerebrum. You need it to solve math problems, figure out a new game, and draw a picture. Your memory lives in the cerebrum, both short-term memory (what you ate for dinner last night) and long-term memory (the name of that roller-coaster you rode on two sum-
mers ago). The cerebrum also helps you reason, like when you figure out that you’d better do your homework now, because otherwise your mother won’t let you go out to play later. The cerebrum has two halves, with one on either side of the head. Scientists think that the right half helps you think about abstract things like music, colors, and shapes. The left half is said to be more analytical, helping you with math, logic, and speech. Scientists do know for sure that the right half of the cerebrum controls the left side of your body, and the left half controls the right side.
CEREBELLUM: KEEPING YOU BALANCED! Next up is the cerebellum, which is at the back of the brain, below the cerebrum. At only one eighth of its size, the cerebellum is a lot smaller than the cerebrum. But it’s a very important part of the brain, controlling balance, movement, and coordination (how your muscles work together).
Because of your cerebellum, you can stand upright, keep your balance, and move around. Think about a surfer riding the waves on his board. What does he need most to stay balanced? The best surfboard? Nope—he needs his cerebellum!
BRAIN STEM: TAKE A DEEP BREATH Another brain part that’s small but mighty is the brain stem. It sits beneath the cerebrum and in front of the cerebellum, and connects the rest of the brain to the spinal cord, which runs down your neck and back. The brain stem is in charge of all the functions your body needs to stay alive, like breathing air, digesting food, and circulating blood. Part of the brain stem’s job is to control your involuntary muscles—the ones that work automatically, without you even thinking about it. There are involuntary muscles in the heart and stomach, and it’s the brain stem that tells your heart
MORE ACTIVITY GOING ON THERE!
to pump more blood when you’re biking, or your stomach to start digesting your lunch. The brain stem also sorts through the millions of messages sent back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. Whew! It’s a big job being the brain’s secretary!
The brain also houses your pituitary gland, which controls your growth. You have this gland to thank if you’re happy to be the tallest in your class! And another important part of the brain is the hypothalamus, which controls your body’s temperature. If your body gets too hot, like during a fun game of volleyball, the hypothalamus tells your body to sweat, which cools it down. And if you’re too cold, like when you just got out of the pool, the hypothalamus gets you shivering. Both of those reactions help your body return to the temperature of about 98.6° Fahrenheit.
The Wellspring | July 2016 40
10 Things to Think About:
1
The human brain is over three times as big as the brain of other mammals that are of similar body size. That’s big!
The brain of an adult human weighs around 3 pounds (1.5 kg). That’s less than one bag of sugar! Although it makes up just 2% of the body’s weight, it uses around 20% of its energy. In fact, when you’re awake, your brain produces enough electricity to power a small light bulb!
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6
2
Did you know that your brain keeps really safe? It always wears a helmet! Your brain is protected by the skull (cranium), a protective casing made up of 22 bones that are joined together.
4
Your brain contains about 100 billion of nerve cells that send and receive information around the body. 60% of it is fat!
If you get migraine headaches, you’re not alone. About one out of every 20 kids, or about 8 million children in the United States, gets migraines. Before age 10, an equal number of boys and girls get migraines. But after age 12, migraines affect girls three times more often than boys.
Do you know what the best foods for your developing brain are? Nutritionists and doctors recommend eating eggs, Greek yogurt, green vegetables like spinach, fish, nuts, oatmeal, and apples and plums. Research shows that compounds in cinnamon help protect brain cells, so sprinkle it on your apples or oatmeal and enjoy making your brain stronger!
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Your brain is protected inside your skull, but could still be damaged if your head is hit or bumps into something hard. So always wear a helmet if you are riding a bike, scooter, or skate board. Always wear a helmet for sports where you could be hit or fall, such as baseball or horse-riding. And never dive into water unless you know how deep it is. (Your brain should let you know that this is not a smart thing to do!)
You’ve probably bumped your head before. Ouch! But some head bumps are worse than others. A serious hit to the head can hurt your brain and temporarily change the way your brain works. If that happens, the brain injury is called a concussion. The bone of your skull protects your brain. Fluids, such as spinal fluid, also cushion the brain. But if someone’s head gets hit hard enough, the brain can shift inside the skull and knock against its bony surface.
5
8 Your brain keeps on growing until you are about 20 years old. By then the brain has made lots of links which it no longer needs, so it is able to shed any unwanted connections and still have billions of brain cells left to cope with whatever you may want to do.
10
Messages can fly from the nerves in your body to your brain at more than 150 miles per hour. That’s fast!
July 2016 | The Wellspring 41
Well of Youth
Children‘s Activities By Chavy
These children are full of energy and ready to take on the world after taking a dose of Liquid B Complex. Color in this picture and put summer into the scene!
For a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at Toys 4 U, write your name on your completed colored activity and send it in to: Maxi Health Win 694 Myrtle Ave, Suite 389 Brooklyn, NY 11205
The Wellspring | July 2016 42
Win $
Last Month’s Winners: Family Sufrin, Crown Heights Machly Itzkowitz, Monroe
25
Where do you use your brain most? If you answered at school, you got the right answer. But that doesn’t mean you can’t sharpen your brain at home, even during summer vacation! Try this interesting science experiment, especially on a rainy day when you’re stuck inside the bungalow, to have a fun time learning how rain is formed.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • glass jar • paper plate • ice cubes • hot water
WHAT YOU’LL DO: • Have an adult boil water in a tea kettle and then add 2-3 inches to the glass jar. • Making sure not to touch the hot jar, place the paper plate on top of it, like a cover. • Let the plate sit there for a few minutes. • Next, fill the plate with ice cubes and watch what happens to the jar!
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The plate seals the warm air in the jar. Once the ice is added to the plate, the cold temperature causes the moisture in the jar to condense and form water droplets. This is the same thing that happens in the atmosphere as warm, moist air rises and meets colder temperatures higher up. Water vapor condenses and forms precipitation that falls to Earth as rain, sleet, hail, or snow. Note: This experiment should only be performed under the supervision of an adult because the water in the jar must be very hot.
WHERE YOUR HAPPINESS HAPPENS
With all the other things it does, is it any surprise that the brain runs your emotions? Maybe you got the exact toy you wanted for your birthday and you were really happy. Or your friend is sick and you feel sad. Or your little brother messed up your room, so you’re really angry! Where do those feelings come from? Your brain, of course. Your brain has a little bunch of cells on each side called the amygdala. The word amygdala is Latin for almond, and that’s what this area looks like. Scientists believe that the amygdala is responsible for emotion. It’s normal to feel all different kinds of emotions, good and bad. Sometimes you might feel a little sad, and other times you might feel scared, or silly, or glad. This all starts out in your very trusty brain.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 43
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
Science Experiment By Leah Brach
Beat the fatigue and feel extraordinarily energized It can be very frustrating to experience fatigue during the day. You do not want to feel tired when you are running to an important meeting, studying for a test, or caring for your children. Green Vitality™ and Max Energee™ can give you that energy boost you so need! Instead of downing cup after cup of coffee, or heading to the sugar cabinet, these supplements will do the trick.
maxihealth.com 800.544.MAXI info@maxihealth.com
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
Bounce through your day!
continued from page 26
SUN SENSE
Four Tips for Sunburn Prevention While the memory of your sunburn is still painfully fresh, brush up on your sun sense with these tips. Wear protective clothing. Hats, tightly woven fabrics, and light-colored clothes help keep the sun off your skin.
Take extra care between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (11 a.m. and 4p.m., daylight saving time), when the sun is at its strongest.
Pick a sunscreen with an SPF between 15 and 30. Sunscreens with SPF 15 protect against 94% of the sun’s harmful rays, and those with SPF 30 protect against 97%. Also look for the ingredients zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or Avobenzone in your sunscreen. These block both ultraviolet A and B rays.
Apply a sunscreen about 30 minutes before going outside, even if it’s overcast. (Harmful rays can penetrate cloud cover.) Don’t forget to protect your lips, hands, ears, and the back of your neck. Reapply as necessary after swimming or perspiring heavily.
BANISH THE BURN
Guilty of getting too much sun this summer? What happens if you’ve already got burned? No need to suffer through the pain. Soothe the burn, ease the sting, and restore your skin to its calmer, smoother state with these five expert-approved remedies for recovering from sun exposure. In addition, make sure to see your dermatologist for yearly skin checks— especially if you consider yourself a sun worshipper.
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TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION
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GET DOUBLE THE MOISTURE
After exposure to the sun, moisturizing Apply a cooling after-sun product with antiyour damaged skin is essential. To hydrate, inflammatory botanical ingredients like aloe, yucca, follow a two-fold approach: Eat lots of watermelon and cucumber, or green tea. This will reduce the redness drink water to cool and hydrate from the inside; apply and help prevent peeling. Avoid applying on blistered mashed, chilled cucumbers, apples or raw potato slices to or broken skin. Cold baths and cold compresses the skin to extract heat and hydrate the skin from the outside. will also help reduce the heat and pain.
3
LET MOTHER NATURE SOOTHE YOU
4
REPAIR WITH VITAMINS
The best (and cheapest!) natural remedies are often found in After the burn has faded, your kitchen. As your sunburn begins to heal, it can get itchy. damage can remain. Use products with To soothe the irritation, make an oatmeal and milk mask. Blend vitamin C to revive your skin. They help together equal parts of the two ingredients in a blender, adding reduce signs of aging, such as the spots often more milk or oatmeal as needed to get the consistency of caused by sun damage. a thick paste. Apply the mixture to your skin, leave for 10 minutes, and then rinse off with tepid water.
5
KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF
If skin begins to peel or flake, “let your skin run its own course to shed the dead layers and heal the wound,” says Rabbi Shia Weinstock, EMT. That means no picking, exfoliating, or scrubbing! And definitely stay away from scrubs with a gritty texture (ouch!) and products with strong exfoliating acids.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 45
Living Well
Cover Feature
An Inside View:
Q&A with Rabbi Shia Weinstock, EMT EXPERT ON NATURAL BURN AND WOUND CARE WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO ENTER THE FIELD OF NATURAL BURN AND WOUND CARE? I’ve been treating wounds for about ten years. At one point, I started to study Chinese herbs and to experiment with various oils. Time and again, I was amazed at the koach of the briah. I couldn’t believe how a few herbs can do wonders. This awareness was what eventually motivated me to come up with my own formula for hard-to-heal wounds. Maximizing on the healing anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory power of various herbs and vitamins, I’ve created an oil, a cream, and a powder that work wonders in healing even very deep burns and wounds. WHAT KIND OF SUNBURNS NEED TREATMENT? People must first understand the difference between burns. A first-degree sunburn is superficial, only affecting the skin’s outermost layer, and is thus easiest to heal at home without serious intervention. It’s perfectly normal for the burn area to swell up, because layers of fluid in the body are in turmoil as a result of the trauma. People have a misconception that if a burn doesn’t hurt, it’s not deep. On the contrary, sometimes the opposite is true. When a burn penetrates deeply, it kills the nerves. I see it as a good sign when a burn starts hurting. Sometimes, when the burn victim’s pain is so intense that he can’t walk, I would advise him to see a doctor, because even in cases of firstdegree burns damage may occur to the nerves immediately under the skin.
The potato has a natural power to draw out the heat of a burn in the same way it pulls out salt from food.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A NORMAL HEALING PROCESS? It takes a serious first-degree sunburn one week to ten days to heal completely. When the dead tissue sheds, people think the burn got worse. The scaling skin is actually a normal part of the healing process. At that last phase with all burns, just moisturize the skin until the new smooth layer underneath appears. HOW WOULD YOU CLASSIFY SECOND-DEGREE SUNBURNS? The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin that is visible to the eye. Next is the dermis, and then the subcutaneous layer. A second-degree burn is anything that breaks the
The Wellspring | July 2016 46
epidermis, such as blisters or cracked skin, exposing the dermis. It’s obviously a lot more painful than a first-degree burn. Much of the pain of a second-degree burn happens as a result of a buildup of fluid under the skin. As soon as the blister is popped but not removed, the pressure and pain are relieved. The conventional way is to peel off the skin, which is immensely painful. We let the body do the repairs when it’s ready for it. Blisters sometimes appear only the next day, which is why I usually change the first dressing after 24 hours, and then leave the next one on for 48 hours. A seconddegree burn takes between two to three weeks to heal. DO YOU DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE BURN ON YOUR OWN? I always recommend every patient I see to consult with a doctor as well. Although I have extensive experience in the field, I am not a licensed medical practitioner. One case comes to mind that highlights the importance of seeing a doctor in conjunction to my work. An elderly woman came to me with what looked like a second-degree sunburn. She told me that she uses hot stones for her back pain and she fell asleep while they were on her. I immediately discerned that her case required a doctor’s intervention. After I applied one dressing and then a second dressing and nothing changed, I started to doubt whether or not she was suffering from a burn. In the end, because she was seeing a doctor, who was also flummoxed at her case, he sent her for further testing that revealed her true condition. She was suffering from an interesting condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia, which occurs when the same virus that exhibits as shingles and chickenpox reawakens in the body and presents itself as a burn. Once we knew what it was, we saw she indeed had all the symptoms. She didn’t need any of my dressings to heal! Since that incident, I am especially cautious to point out that every patient must go to a doctor. HOW DOES YOUR TREATMENT DIFFER FROM THE CONVENTIONAL METHOD? First of all, in conventional medical treatment, the doctors
peel off the burnt skin. Of course, the wound doesn’t heal nicely, so they subsequently recommend skin grafting.We do exactly the opposite. When we do the work, we keep the dead skin nice and clean.We let the body do its job. It has its own wondrous apparatus in order to regenerate everything that must be fixed. Just give it the nutrients it needs and it will take care of itself. That’s our belief. SO WHAT’S THE NATURAL FIRST AID ALTERNATIVE FOR TREATING SUNBURNS? It’s perfectly normal for a person to develop a fever after he gets burned. After all, the skin is the biggest organ in the body, and it is waging a war. Part of conventional protocol is to cover the victim with blankets to keep his body temperature intact. First aid for burns is to wash a potato, peel it, wash it again, and then grate it. Cover the entire burnt area in order to relieve it. The potato has a natural power to draw out the heat of a burn in the same way it pulls out salt from food. The controversial part regarding this treatment is that the potato is placed on an open wound, but we believe that if it’s washed well it’s entirely sterile and extremely relieving. Another old-fashioned but nofail remedy is to crack a raw egg and slather it on the burnt area. This works especially well for the face, where it’s not simple to apply grated potatoes. As soon as the egg dries up on the face, apply another one. The logic behind this treatment is that it provides the body something to cook on the surface so that the heat doesn’t penetrate deeper. One word of caution, though: Never use both at the same time! If you applied raw eggs, do not put grated potatoes on top of that. A patient once came to see me after applying one of top of the other and she ended up with a cooked potato kugel on her body, which was extremely painful to clean off. She applied both because she took advice from two different sources. One neighbor said eggs and another well-meaning friend said potatoes, so she ended up with a fresh kugel stuck to the open skin. That’s a good reason to have a professional do the treatment properly. A responsible practitioner will follow up and change the dressings as needed.
Recently, a couple had to cut their vacation to Mexico short after they both got badly burned by the blazing sun there. They could barely walk when they came to me, saying that in Mexico they tried aloe vera. Especially in a case like this, when treatment isn’t readily available, it’s good to know that raw eggs help. HOW DID YOU TREAT THEIR SUNBURN WOUNDS? I applied the natural oil, cream, and powder that I use in my treatments. In contrast to the conventional treatment that aims to keep the burn dry, I then cover the burn with gauze and plastic because I always keep it moist. When a burn is dry and the bandage is then removed, more skin is unnecessarily peeled off. CAN NATURAL CREAMS BE APPLIED AT HOME? Even if a person can buy the cream and apply it himself, I urge all burn victims to go to a professional. I tell all my patients to come back until I see that the skin is completely sealed. I also send them to a doctor to ensure that everything is under control. Only once the skin is sealed do I tell the parents or patient to continue applying it until all signs of the burn are gone. Never treat a serious burn yourself. A professional knows how to clean it properly and to keep the area sterile. Sometimes, the dressing has to be tightened, because the skin doesn’t always know when to stop growing and you want to heal without scars. Also, people who don’t do this work every day are understandably afraid or repulsed to do it. WHY DO MOST PRACTITIONERS STILL FOLLOW THE CONVENTIONAL METHODS OF TREATING BURNS? Most doctors simply don’t know any better than what they were medically trained to do. Slowly but surely, I’m gathering a following of doctors who are becoming aware of the efficacy of the natural products I’ve produced and are thus giving me a fighting chance. As I work to gradually spread awareness, I’ve gathered hundreds, if not thousands, of before and after pictures of all kinds of burns and wounds that healed beautifully with minimal or no scarring. My goal is to create an awareness regarding the natural healing power in herbs. All we need is the healing powers Hashem invested in nature to cure the deepest, most painful burns and wounds. When conventional doctors witness these healing powers, they are awed by Hashem’s Creation.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 47
Living Well
Healthy Home Habits By Batsheva Fine
Tried and True Preventing Brain Drain:
Boosting our kids’ cognitive development while school is out Over the summer, I literally see my daughters’ brains get rusty. They don’t have much patience to sit through their summer homework booklets, but I’m anxious about the repercussions when September will roll around. What are some ideas of how I can keep their cognitive abilities up to par as they frolic in the sun and go through freeze pop after freeze pop?
Chava R., Monroe, mother of six:
In our community, most of us send our kids to the same school and most people stay home for the summer, so this idea may not work for everyone. However, you may be able to adjust it according to your circumstances. Two years ago, several mothers on my block came up with the idea to set up a round robin system. Every Monday during summer vacation, six kids from the same age group gather in a different neighbor’s house. They all bring their summer homework booklets along, and the woman in charge that day comes up with a motivation to get the kids to do several pages. Because the kids have the same booklet, they enjoy working together to review the material they learned during the year. The competition is also a great motivating factor, so even if your child works with only one friend, they can still move along nicely.
Shuli, Far Rockaway, mother of four: This is exactly the issue I have every summer! It bothers me so much to know that my kids are not using their developing brains for two months’ straight, especially since I grew up in Europe, where summer vacation was so much shorter. I try new ideas every year to minimize the negative consequences of this too-long break. This year, I stocked up on a variety of activity books from the local toy store. I picked out books that focus on various cognitive strengths, such as simple mathematics, riddles, and fun facts. I plan on doing them with the kids after they have their snacks when they come home from day camp. I can’t yet tell you how successfully this plan will pan out, but at least I know I’m trying! Rechy, Lakewood, mother of five: I find that kids love learning, no matter the time of year. Their developing brains are thirsty for knowledge, and they soak up new information like sponges. However, the question is how to facilitate learning. As a teacher, I’m quite familiar with the importance of good motivations, which I transfer to my mothering techniques. So much of what happens during the day can be turned into a teachable moment if we only concentrate a bit more. For example, if your child learned how to count in school this year, have her count the cookies you put into her snack bag, or the beans you’re putting in the cholent pot. If your child learned the times table, find ways to test her on that. Today’s kids’ magazines are also excellent channels for maintaining literacy skills in older children. I feel that if you’re aware of what your child learned this past year and you make it your business to find opportunities to test them in a fun way, they will do just fine—even without completing their booklets. The Wellspring | July 2016 48
Toby, Boro Park, mother of three: I don’t think the kids have to actually review what they learned in school to maintain their cognitive abilities. It’s all about using the brain. I’m always on the lookout for brain-boosting educational games, amassing a nice collection for summertime. I find many inexpensive ones online or in random stores, but even today’s Jewish toy market is flooded with cognition-oriented games. When the kids are in a relaxed mood, and especially on rainy days, I unveil my exciting finds and have them get busy with these activities. Yocheved, Monsey, mother of six: I try as much as I can not to make the learning into a pressure. Once the kids enjoy it, they have no problem making it happen. For this reason, at the beginning of every week, I ask every child to choose one time slot during that week when she wants to sit down to do some work with me. When they feel that they’re given a choice, they’re much more willing and excited to participate. During that time, depending on the age of the child, I review the teacher’s material or come up with my own activity related to what the child learned that year. Of course, this only works if you’re involved in the child’s studies throughout the year, which I feel is crucial for the child’s development and self-esteem. Next up: I’m a young mother who can benefit from advice from those who’ve been there and done that. My oldest child has recently started the teething stage and I don’t know how to handle what looks like his intense pain. I would love to get advice on how to soothe him when he’s in agony. Please submit your tips to info@wellspringmagazine.com. Is there a healthy habit you’d love to enforce in your home? Let us know what it is and we’ll do our work to get the conversation rolling in your favor!
Smart Solution Maxi Health Joins the Conversation Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) with Omega-3 fish oil are the foundation of a child’s healthy brain. Purdue University researchers have found that boys with low blood levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids have a greater tendency to develop behavioral, learning, and health problems consistent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD. The Journal of Child Neurology (2012) cites a fascinating study on the efficacy of essential fatty acids on the brain’s development. Children aged 6-12 with ADHD being treated with methylphenidate and standard behavior therapy for more than 6 months, whose parents reported no improvement in their behavior and academic learning, were randomly assigned to receive supplementation with a combined omega-3 and omega-6 preparation or a placebo. The outcome was measured at 3 and 6 months after treatment, using a self-assessment checklist completed by the parents. Statistically significant improvement was found in the treatment group compared with the placebo group concerning restlessness, aggressiveness, completing work, and academic performance. These vital supplements are not only effective for children with ADHD; they work wonders on a healthy brain, as well. In order to ensure that your child’s brain is developing properly, provide him with a daily dose of these brain-boosting supplements.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 49
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
Blimy, This is what worked in our Boro Park, home for the past three summers. mother of five: At the start of the summer, we all sit down at the table to draw a large chart with four columns (for the kids who are old enough to participate). I place a photo next to the name of each child to make the contest more exciting, and they each get to decorate their column. I make sure to keep their workbooks from school as well as the summer booklets their teachers send home, and every weeknight, as part of the bedtime routine, I set a timer for fifteen minutes. During this time, every child is engaged in the material she learned during the past year, and I alternate between helping them out and testing their knowledge. The competition works great when I start pasting stickers in the columns. At the end of each half of the summer break, we go to the toy store to choose prizes according to how many stickers each child earned.
Living Well
Monthly Dose By Dina Mendlowitz
LET THE SUN BE ALL FUN Warding off Dehydration—Even on Fast Days The brilliant sunshine is summer’s gift to us, but it comes with a price tag. Often, spending time in the sun leaves us feeling parched and exhausted. Especially on summer fast days, the dryness can get intensely overpowering, depleting us of all energy and even the ability to think. Together with the rays of the sun, however, Hashem granted us natural tools to ward off dehydration and maintain a constant flow of energy despite the heat. Of course, the most basic solution of all is simply clear water, the all-important liquid that cleanses the body and restores the hydration necessary for optimal functioning. But what happens on a fast day, or when the dryness is intense, such as when a person is on a strong medication regimen. Enter Maxi Green Supreme™, a vital supplement that restores hydration and energy in the body, which is especially important in summertime and before a fast.
MAXI GREEN SUPREME™
The main ingredient in the Maxi Green Supreme™ powder is barley grass, which is organically grown without herbicides or pesticides in rich soil. The barley grasses used in all Maxi Health green energy products are planted in the fall and grown through the winter, the nutritionally superior season because these grasses grow slowly and develop naturally in an ideal climate. According to physician Dr.
Cathy Wong, barley grass promotes detoxification in the body and offers a wide range of health benefits. Barley grass, the leaf of the barley plant, contains chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Research on barley grass has proven that it helps fight various illness such as fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder that is characterized by musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. A 2001 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine indicates
that a vegetarian diet consisting of fruit, salads, carrot juice, tubers, grain products, nuts, seeds, and a dehydrated barley grass juice product may benefit people with fibromyalgia. Analyzing data on the 26 participants who followed the diet for two months, scientists found that the diet helped relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, reduce pain, and improve flexibility. In a more recent study, which was published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, researchers
Keep Your Cool More hydration tips for hot summer days Eat colorful and water-rich foods, specifically a variety of fruits and vegetables, to add a boost of hydration. Stay away from foods that are high in sugar. When you consume sugar, the kidneys produce urine to eliminate it, which may lead to dehydration. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing in light colors. Sweat-wicking fabrics will be the most comfortable. Try wearing clothes made from natural fibers, such as cotton, versus those made from synthetic fibers like polyester. How much water should you drink? The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends drinking: • 16-20 ounces of water two hours before moderate-intensity summer exercise, • 8-12 ounces 10-15 minutes before going out in the heat • 3-8 ounces every 15-20 minutes during an activity when active for less than 60 minutes
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found that following a diet that includes barley grass may help reduce cholesterol levels. For the study, 28 subjects completed a fruit-and-vegetable-rich nutritional program that involved several supplements made with barley grass powder. By the end of the 21day program, participants showed significant reductions in total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Large amounts of vitamins and minerals are found in green barley leaves. These include potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, beta carotene, B1, B2, B6, C, folic acid, and pantothenic acid. Barley grass is said to have 30 times more vitamin B1 and 11 times the amount of calcium than there is in cow’s milk, 6.5 times as much carotene and nearly 5 times the iron content of spinach, close to seven times the vitamin C in oranges, four times the vitamin B1 in whole wheat
flour, and 80 micrograms of vitamin B12 per 100 grams of dried barley plant juice. In addition to a host of vitamins and minerals, barley grass contains a significant amount of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Proteins are the major constituent of every cell and body fluid (except urine and bile) and are thus necessary for the continual cell building, regeneration, and energy production that we need for life. An added benefit of the barley grass leaf proteins is that they are polypeptides; smaller proteins that can be directly absorbed by the blood, where they promote cell metabolism and neutralize substances that are bad for your health. Barley grass contains 18 amino acids (including the 8 essential amino acids) most of which we must get from our diets because the body cannot produce them by itself. Because barley grass contains
a rich array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and chlorophyll, it provides the body with the necessary nutrition for proper hydration and increased energy levels. Indeed, those who’ve added a cup of barley grass juice to their daily diets attest to the incredible energy boost the juice provides. Those who previously experienced dryness in their mouth or throat due to medications or fasting report that they no longer have those uncomfortable symptoms thanks to the hydrating barley grass. Starting approximately 1-2 weeks before a fast, take Maxi Green Supreme (powder form) or Maxi Green Concentrate (capsule form) every day. By the time the fast day comes around, your body will be hydrated from the core, giving you the opportunity to focus on what’s important with a clear mind and ample energy.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
For the study, 28 subjects completed a fruit-andvegetable-rich nutritional program that involved several supplements made with barley grass powder.
Summer Classics Dear cooks, With the Nine Days coming up, dairy cooking is on our minds. Because it is a time of mourning, providing gourmet dishes is not the focus. Nutrition, however, is not something we Jewish women ever take lightly because we care about our families too much. Throughout the year, we turn to chicken and meat as the usual source of dinner protein, alternating between chicken bottoms, cutlets, and the various cuts of meat on the market. But does dairy cooking equal only a constant supply of pasta and other high-caloric carb fare? Not at all. We want to retain our energy and continue performing at optimal levels even during the heat of the summer and, for that, protein is the way to go. In this issue's Seasoned, I offer some excellent ideas for proteinpacked tasty dairy dishes, incorporating vegetables and unprocessed carbs like sweet potatoes. The plus with these light recipes is that they work great for summer lunch on the deck as well! Happy cooking,
-Levia
IN SEASON: PACK IN THE NUTRIENTS AND PUNCH IN WATERMELON PIZZA
ISSUE 6 JULY 2016 TAMMUZ 5776
Eat Well
Recipes By Levia Joseph Styling & Photography By Malky Levine
Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Steak with Watercress Salad This is the real fish deal! Toss some sweet potato cubes into the salad to make it your go-to gourmet balanced meal. Steak 1 1/4 lb fresh tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick 3 Tbsp organic shoyu sauce (soy) 3 Tbsp original wasabi paste 3/4 cup white sesame seeds 3/4 cup black sesame seeds 1 Tbsp olive oil sea salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salad watercress (or arugula) Chinese sprouts 1 small white radish 3 scallions
Dressing 1 garlic clove 1 tsp ginger, grated 1 Tbsp organic shoyu (soy) juice of half a lime 1 Tbsp honey 2 Tbsp sesame oil
Pat the tuna steaks dry. Pour the soy sauce into a wide, shallow dish. Dip the tuna fillets into the soy sauce and coat thoroughly. Using a pastry brush, brush over some wasabi paste so that it covers the fillets. Combine the black and white sesame seeds in a flat dish. Add salt and pepper and roll the tuna fillets through the seeds to coat them evenly. To prepare the salad, combine leaves and sprouts in a bowl. Peel the radish, and using a julienne peeler, make thin strips. Finely slice the scallions on the diagonal and add to the bowl. Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl and use two thirds to dress the salad. Heat a wide frying pan with olive oil until hot. (You should be able to feel the heat rising from the pan.) Sear the tuna steaks for approximately 45 seconds on each side. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Slice the steaks into 1/4-inch thick slices. Divide the salad amongst the plates in four neat piles. Arrange the tuna slices on top and spoon over a bit of additional dressing.
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Eat Well
Recipes
Summer Tomato Salad with Farmer Cheese and Fresh Herbs
What better way to experience summer than with an herb-laden fresh salad? Enjoy it with Shufra Crispbread for a balanced meal. 1 lb. cherry tomatoes (use different colors for presentation) 2 shallots, sliced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 1/4 cup olive oil salt and pepper to taste
2 oz farmer cheese 2 scallions 2 tsp chopped fresh herbs (use basil, Italian oregano, Greek oregano, thyme, basil, or other fresh herbs of your choice)
Slice the cherry tomatoes in half. In a bowl, add the tomatoes, shallots, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to mix and let marinate for an hour. Chop herbs and set aside. Arrange the tomato mixture on a serving dish. Crumble the farmer cheese over it, then top with fresh herbs.
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Eat Well
Recipes
Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are so delicious even plain, and it helps to know how nutritious they are. With this variation, you’ll rev up the flavor and the protein.
2 medium or large sweet potatoes 1½ Tbsp butter 1 shallot, minced 1 bag fresh baby spinach 1/2 cup sour cream 2 oz. cream cheese 1/8-1/4 cup milk 3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese salt and pepper, to taste oil, for coating Bake sweet potatoes at 400˚F for an hour, or until tender, cut in half and let cool for 5-10 minutes. While sweet potatoes are cooling, sauté the shallots with butter over medium heat until translucent. Add fresh spinach and heat for 2-3 minutes, until spinach has cooked down. Set aside. Scrape the sweet potato out of the peel, leaving a thin layer inside with the skin so that it can stand up on its own. Mash the sweet potato with the cream cheese and sour cream. Add milk until you reach a smooth consistency. Stir in spinach and plenty of salt and pepper. Coat potato skins with a drizzle of oil and bake for about 5 minutes to get a crispier outside. Remove from oven and fill each skin with sweet potato mixture. (If you end up with extra filling, warm it up as a delicious side dish.) Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake again for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the filling is heated through.
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Eat Well
Nutrition Facts in a Shell By Devorah Isaacson
Here’s the place to check out nutrition labels for the nutrition-laden produce that come in their natural peels-- just so you know what wholesome goodness you’re feeding your family and yourself!
This Month:
Watermelon
Wish to quench your thirst while boosting your body with anti-oxidant lycopene and vitamin A? Watermelon has everything you need to beat the scorching summer heat. Originally grown in countries in the south of Africa, from where they spread to tropical regions, wonderfully delicious and juicy melons are a great source of water and electrolytes that help tame tropical summer temperatures. Botanically, watermelon belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae, in the genus of citrullus, as do cantaloupe, squash, and pumpkin, which all run as vines on the ground’s surface. Watermelon is widely grown in many tropical countries, and is a major commercial fruit crop.
Principle
Nutrition Value
Percentage of RDA
Energy
30 Kcal
1.5%
Carbohydrates
7.6 g
6%
Protein
0.6 g
1%
Total Fat
0.15 g
0.5%
Cholesterol
0 mg
0%
Dietary Fiber
0.4 g
1%
Folates
3 µg
1%
Niacin
0.178 mg
1%
Pantothenic Acid
0.221 mg
4.5%
Pyridoxine
0.045 mg
3.5%
Thiamin
0.033 mg
3%
Vitamin A
569 IU
19%
Vitamin C
8.1 mg
13.5%
Vitamin E
0.05 mg
0.5%
Sodium
1 mg
0%
Potassium
112 mg
2.5%
Calcium
7 mg
0.7%
Copper
42 µg
4.5%
Iron
0.24 mg
3%
Magnesium
10 mg
2.5%
Manganese
0.038 mg
1.5%
Zinc
0.10 mg
1%
Carotene-B
303 µg
--
Carotene-A
78 µg
--
Crypto-xanthin-B
8 µg
--
Lutein- Zeaxanthin
4532 µg
--
Vitamins
Electrolytes
Minerals
Phyto-nutrients
Although watermelons can be grown in all seasons in tropical environments, they are at their best during the summer months. When shopping for that perfect melon, try to buy from the organically-grown selection, since these are richer in taste and nutrients. Oftentimes, it is difficult to judge ripeness and taste without checking a wedge of the melon. Look for a watermelon that is heavy for its size, featuring a rind that is relatively smooth, neither overly shiny nor overly dull, without any cuts or bruises on its surface that might have occurred during transportation. Once at home, place the fruit in a cool, well-ventilated place.The cut sections, however, should be kept inside the refrigerator. Once a watermelon has been cut, try to use it within two to three days. As time passes, the chill from the refrigerator will start to break down the flesh’s texture and flavor—so it’s best to try recipes that call for firm pieces of melon (like salads or grilled melon wedges) right away.
Once a watermelon has been cut, try to use it within two to three days. As time passes, the chill from the refrigerator will start to break down the flesh’s texture and flavor—so it’s best to try recipes that call for firm pieces of melon (like salads or grilled melon wedges) right away.
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• Rich in electrolytes and water content, melons are nature’s gift to quench tropical summer thirst. At just 30 calories per 100 gram, watermelons are delightfully low in calories and carry minimal fats. Nonetheless, they are rich in numerous health-promoting phytonutrients and anti-oxidants essential for optimum health. • Watermelon is an excellent source of Vitamin A, which is a powerful natural anti-oxidant. 100 grams of fresh fruit provides 569 mg or 19% of the daily-required levels of this vitamin, which is essential for vision and immunity. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy skin. • This juicy fruit is also rich in anti-oxidant flavonoids like lycopene, beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin, which have been found to offer protection against colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Phytochemicals present in watermelon, like lycopene and carotenoids, have the ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen-free radicals. • Watermelon is also a good source of potassium, an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control the heart rate and blood pressure. It may thus offer protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases. • As an added benefit, watermelon contains a good amount of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B1), vitamin C, and manganese. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen-free radicals.
In Your Plate!
The watermelon’s size may be intimidating, but there is so much you can do even with an oversized whole one! This summertime staple is good for so much more than the gorgeous slice. Fresh watermelon can be sliced, cubed, or scooped into balls for a refreshing, anytime treat. No sweeteners necessary! Refresh yourself with a melon salad. Toss with crumbled feta cheese, sliced cucumbers, chopped peanuts, and shredded mint. Drizzle with vinegar and lime juice. Are you daring in the kitchen or at the grill? Brush watermelon wedges with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place over a hot grill for about 1.5 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear. Serve topped with a drizzle of lime juice and honey. Roast the seeds to enjoy a unique snack—the Asian way. Even the rind can be used to create a fruit basket or keg. Scoop out the flesh, slice it up, and toss with berries, grapes, and pineapple. Fun in the Kitchen: Watermelon Pizza Here’s the perfect pool-time treat that allows for creativity and fun for all ages. Your chance to have the pizza and eat it too! First, slice a watermelon into roughly 1-inch-thick round slabs. Then slice the slabs into 6 to 8 triangular wedges, like a pizza. Mix and match as many toppings as you’d like for a treat that’s sure to please! Try mint, berries, sliced grapes, sliced banana, shredded coconut, raisins, thinly sliced peaches, plums, or pears. For an added summer pop, top your watermelon pizza with frozen fruit.
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Wellbeing
Health Personality By Miri Davis
A CUP OF TEA WITH... DEVORAH LUSTIG, CPT
OCCUPATION: Phlebotomist, Medical Assistant LOCATION OF PRACTICE: West Hartford, Connecticut in winter, ODA Primary Health Care facility (Monticello, New York) in summer PASSION: To make sure that every patient is being heard SHE WISHES YOU WOULD KNOW THAT: Nobody can take better care of your child than you
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? As a phlebotomist, I draw the blood for testing. During the year, I work in a traveling lab, making home visits to the elderly population to keep tabs on their health and wellness. In the summertime, because I work in an urgent care center, I do a lot more than drawing blood. As a medical assistant, my work revolves around making sure the patients’ needs are tended to. I also assist the doctor in procedures and make sure that matters are under control.
WHO VISITS THE CLINIC? The majority of patients we see in the Catskills are patients that use the Brooklyn facilities all year. We also see new patients who are vacationing in the area, as well as campers from local camps. Even if a camp has a nurse on the premises, there are times when a doctor must be seen.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON ISSUES YOU SEE IN THE OFFICE? Strep throat, MRSA, patients who need stitches, and patients with tick bites.
HOW DO THE DOCTORS DETECT LYME DISEASE? One clear sign is the bull’s eye rash, but there are other symptoms similar to those that accompany the flu. Usually we’ll test for Lyme disease if a patient is exhibiting these signs, and if they bring in a tick, we’ll test for it as well. Sometimes we send the tick to a lab, and we’ll wait to hear if it was infected or not. In some cases when the doctor knows The Wellspring | July 2016 62
right away, he starts the patient on antibiotics immediately. The longer you wait with Lyme disease, the more profound its effects can be.
ARE THERE SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES THAT EXACERBATE TICK DEVELOPMENT? It does depend on the previous winter. For example, we saw a lot of ticks last summer because the snow last winter was very heavy. This provided the ticks with very warm cover in the ground underneath the snow, so they multiplied extensively. Location also plays a role. The reason tick-borne illness is called Lyme disease is because it was first discovered in Lyme, Connecticut. I live in Connecticut all year round, so I know to check myself every night.
WHICH AREAS ARE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO TICKS? Ticks usually latch on to warm areas, like between the toes and behind the ears. If you’re returning from a hike in the woods, wash your hair. Camp counselors should be told to check younger kids. Wash your camping bag and dry it in a hot dryer to kill any ticks that may be lurking there. An infection doesn’t happen if a tick is on the body for less than 72 hours, so if you spot it soon after you come in from spending time outdoors, you don’t even have to check it. Simply remove it.
HOW SHOULD A TICK BE REMOVED? Always use a tweezer. I remember treating a child who
came in to the office one day. The mother reported that her child had a fever for several days. When we asked her if she’d observed anything unusual on the child’s body, she said, “Oh yeah. A few days ago he was playing in a wading pool. I noticed something black on his leg and I scraped it off.” Never ever scrape off a tick. If even a tiny part stays inside the flesh, it can affect the child’s health. Most parents are very cautious. Once you remove the tick, immediately put it in a container with alcohol to kill it, that’s how we send it to the lab. If you don’t feel comfortable taking it out, an urgent care center will do the job. Remember that it’s always better to do this as soon as possible, because you can’t know when you got it.
AS A CONNECTICUT RESIDENT, HAVE YOU EVER FOUND A TICK ON YOURSELF? I never found one on me, but I did find one in my bed. A tick is usually a small black bug with legs that suction themselves to the skin.. If you blow it, it won’t budge. The largest tick I’ve ever seen was on a young man who came into the office. It was literally the size of a penny! The doctor had a hard time removing it because it was embedded in the skin. The patient didn’t even know how long it had been there because it was on the back of his arm. In the end, it wasn’t infected. Only infected ticks wreak havoc in the body, which is why we send the tick to a lab to verify if it’s infected or not.
WHICH OTHER CONDITIONS ARE MORE PREVALENT IN THE SUMMER THAN DURING THE YEAR?
area to extract it all. Especially for parents who prefer not to give their children antibiotics, early detection is key. The infected pimple can be drained when it is red, swollen and are around the pimple begins to hard. The doctor will then squeeze all the pus until they squeeze out blood. Then we pack the wound and send out the pus to culture. Only if the infection hasn’t yet spread can the doctor simply squeeze out the pus. Our office closes at 6:30 p.m., so at 6:29 we are usually bombarded with lots of patients. Of course the staff wants to leave as it’s the end of a long day, but I try to listen to the patients’ needs. I remember when a 13-yearold girl came hobbling toward the office, leaning on her sister and father. I decided to just let her in. In the end, she had a huge MRSA pimple on her leg. I was so happy that I was able to relieve her from pain.
Lifeguards are there to keep the pool safe, but no one will do the job better than the child’s mother.
MRSA is a big one because in the summer people live in close proximity to one another, and the bacterial infection is easily contracted in the pool, slides and toys.
CAN MRSA BE PREVENTED? Frequently washing your hands with soap can help prevent it, because it’s a bacterial infection.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF MRSA? It can manifest itself as a red rash that grows rapidly. Whenever you see a rash, draw a line around it to monitor its growth. Two years ago, I remember seeing a sevenyear-old boy whose infection spread into his bloodstream and joints. He was so weak that he couldn’t walk into the office. His mother wheeled him in with a stroller on an Erev Shabbos. The doctors sent him straight to Columbia Hospital to receive IV antibiotics to fight the infection. Sometimes, MRSA presents as a pimple, in which case the doctor will swab it and send it to the lab. Sometimes, there’s so much pus in there that we have to numb the
HOW WOULD YOU RECOMMEND KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN SUMMER?
Apply sunblock every day, even on cloudy days, to prevent sunburns. Don’t forget to drink and give your children water even before you’re feeling thirsty. And wear suitable shoes for walking. Pool safety is a big one. Unfortunately, there are patients who suffer permanent brain damage because of drowning. Always know where your child is and make sure the pool is locked and secured. My husband, who’s a lifeguard, had a two-year-old stroll into the pool area one day. He made his way there all on his own. Even if you’re in the pool area, don’t think that someone else is watching your kid. Lifeguards are there to keep the pool safe, but no one will do the job better than the child’s mother. Teach your child the basics of swimming, even from as young as two years old. Remember that hand tubes are not lifejackets, and even life jackets are not foolproof. Someone could jump into the pool and inadvertently knock your child’s head. Always be on the alert. Drowning is one of the 10 leading causes of death for children and young people across the world, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report. The global survey suggests that drowning claims more than 372,000 lives each year, with children under five most at risk. WHO officials say it is a hidden childhood killer, leading to more deaths among under-15s than tuberculosis or measles in 2012.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 63
Wellbeing
Clean Slate By Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC
Back to the Source How the pattern of emotional eating evolves If you find that you relate to the patterns of emotional eating that we’ve touched upon in this column, you may wonder how it all started. Does it mean that you’ve resorted to food because your problems are so intense, or that something went wrong in your genetic coding? Not at all. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that emotional eating is indeed the norm for every single human being—at birth. What makes a baby stop crying when his mother feeds him? It’s the food that soothes. The baby equates the mother’s milk with survival, love, and calm. In our most primal stage, in infancy, we develop what psychoanalysts call the oral reflex, which means that we use our mouth to suck or chew as a means of pleasure. If a child doesn’t get mother’s milk or a bottle, he’ll settle for a pacifier, which provides no warmth, taste, or nutrition, because it provides the primal experience of sucking that soothes and provides comfort. As the infant develops, he will continue to naturally seek comfort from the mother’s soothing presence, particularly through his oral reflexes. Later in life, food can easily become the substitute pathway back to that comforting state of mind. Because we establish an association between food and comfort in our infancy, it’s only natural that the relationship remains to some extent. But when can it go awry? As you grow up, a crucial part of development is Self-Talk
“Am I a cow or a human?” I know this self-talk suggestion sounds off-putting, but I take the liberty to share it. I’ve had the great privilege of spending quality time in the exalted company of Mrs. Tammy Karmel, a young woman who was stricken with ALS and has risen to the challenge with utmost emunah and joy. When she still had the ability to speak, we once had a conversation regarding weight loss and the importance of choosing our foods wisely. When I told Tammy that I was on a plan for healthy living, she said, “I’m so proud of you. You’re choosing to be a human, not a cow.” Every time you control an urge to eat something that isn’t good for you, you move one step further away from the cow’s conduct, she explained. As long as the cow sees grass, he’ll munch on it just because it’s there. A human, on the other hand, is a thinking, reasoning being. Is this good for my body? Will the benefit go beyond a split-second pleasure on my tongue? When (you think) the ice cream bar is calling your name, remember that as a human, you have the capacity to make that decision: Am I a cow or a human?
The Wellspring | July 2016 64
to learn to regulate your own moods and handle stressful situations away from your mother or caregiver, without the immediacy of her food or love. In your youth, if you fell and scraped your knee, all you needed was your mother’s kiss and you were off to the playground again. As you matured into adulthood, you had to learn to develop the mental skills to handle your interior life as an independent being. It’s simply part of the growing-up process. If, however, you still use food as an artificial quick switch to stop feeling bad and start feeling good, you’ve not yet completed this essential task of human development. Even if you don’t have the best relationship with your mother today, your inner child is still craving for her comfort. You haven’t yet let go. When I asked a young adult client to trace her memories back to the time when she started overeating, she remembered it was after her best friend left her school in the seventh grade. To replace the comfort and the attention she was desperately lacking as a result, she started filling her backpack with a stash of snacks from the pantry and would then make a stop at the grocery to buy some more goodies. Not every person can retrace the time overeating started to fill a void. The gist of the concept is that if you overeat when you feel distress in order to change your state of mind, then food has become your substitute for the mother-child bliss you enjoyed as an infant. In the next installment, we will discuss why it’s so hard to stop the pattern of emotional eating. In this column on emotional eating, Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC, discusses the journey toward a healthy relationship with food from a Torah-based, psychological, and personal perspective.
Well Informed
Vitamin Production Process By Judy Appel
WELCOME TO THE LAB!
4
The Vitamin Production Process: A sneak peek inside Step four: Encapsulation Nutritional supplements are generally available in capsule or tablet form. How are capsules formed? If the lot in the mixer has been approved, workers tote the mixture that was designated for capsule production to the encapsulating machine and dump it in a hopper. At the beginning of producing a batch, the lab employees will test-run the encapsulating machine and check that the capsules have the proper and consistent weight. The lab employees also check the capsules visually to see if they seem to be splitting or dimpling. If the test batches run correctly, the entire batch is then run. The vitamin mixture flows through one hopper, and a second hopper holds whole gelatin capsules, which are broken into halves. The bottom halves of the capsule falls through a funnel into a rotating dosing dish, where a machine measures a precise amount of the powdered vitamin mixture into each open capsule half. Tamping pins push the powder down. Then the top halves of the capsules are pushed down onto the filled bottoms. Once this part of the process is done, every single capsule is filled with the identical amount of vitamins and/or minerals.
Coming up in the next issue: Tablet Compression When it comes to the vitamin selection, there’s reason for the consumer to be wary. After all, not all vitamins are created equal. The process is complex and necessitates supreme quality control in order to give the consumer the results they anticipate. Maxi Health Research prides itself in providing that—and more, in every single bottle that wears its label. July 2016 | The Wellspring  65
Wellbeing
Me-Time By Batsheva Fine
PROGRAM THIS MONTH: POTTERY Play with Clay Now that the summer’s upon us, the excuses for not engaging in me-time are hopefully dwindling. What better time to give yourself the space you deserve to connect with your inner self and enjoy your own company? Pottery is one great way to provide yourself with a pleasurable outlet—plus a souvenir. According to research done by David Henley, pottery helps an individual develop thinking patterns, expand creativity, develop patience, and even establish greater emotional stability. In his book Clayworks in Art Therapy, (2002), Henley writes that clay is universally recognized as a medium of creative expression (not only for kids!) and that it also has great potential for therapeutic application. It almost seems like an affordable alternative to therapy! While professional pottery is done with a potter’s wheel, making pottery by hand also provides many benefits, says experienced pottery therapist Shoshana Shamberg, OT. Plus, she says, it’s easy to complete a project and then take it to a potter for a final spin for that finishing touch.
Making the Most of your Dough The therapeutic results you achieve from making pottery can also be attained when working with other kind of dough. When you knead and roll with your hands, the sensory activity provides stimulation to the brain, as well as a calming effect. Performing such activities in a calm environment can benefit you immensely.
The Wellspring | July 2016 66
Get to Work! Beginners’ Project: Clay Coasters Purchase a piece of clay at a craft store (such as Michael’s), as well as a rolling pin, two large rulers, and a five-inch round bowl. Tip: Lay a piece of canvas or newspaper down under the clay to prevent it from sticking to the table.
1 2
Roll out a slab of clay wider than the rim of the five-inch bowl. Use the rulers as guides on either side of the clay to ensure that 1” thickness is achieved on all sides. One inch on each side makes the perfect thickness of clay for a coaster.
Next, find an interesting leaf or flower and place it in the center of the clay. Roll the leaf gently into the surface of the clay and then carefully remove it. It should leave a shallow imprint in the clay. You can use all kinds of leaves, textured cloth, lace, or stamps to imprint a design. You can even carve a design into the surface using a clay needle or wooden clay knife.
3 4
Then, place the bowl upside down on the clay with the leaf pattern centered underneath it. Use a clay needle to cut around the edges of the bowl. Remove the bowl and pull away the excess clay. There’s your coaster.
5
Let it dry enough to handle. Smooth any sharp edges. Sign the bottom and repeat until you have a set of four coasters.
Tip: It’s very important to dry the top and bottom of the coaster evenly. Otherwise it will curl and buckle. The best way to do this is to sandwich your coasters between two sheets of drywall (you can get small 2x2 sheets at home improvement stores). You can also dry them on a wire baking rack, but this won’t provide the same excellent results as the drywall method.
Pottery Putter To take pottery to the next level and create jugs, mugs, and other wares, purchase an inexpensive pottery kit at your local craft store. Follow the instructions to form your desired piece and locate a potter’s wheel in your neighborhood for the final finishing touch. You don’t have to own a potter’s wheel to enjoy this excellent activity.
July 2016 | The Wellspring 67
Inkwell
Diary as told to Yitty Davidson
Recounting the Miracle, One Year Later How Maxi Omega 3 Mood Formula™ gave me a happy summer
Last Summer, I was looking forward to
a true vacation. After working hard as a school secretary all year long, I decided to treat myself to two months in the mountains. My daily life is quite stressful, so my husband and I figured that I could use the respite and that it would benefit the children as well. One of the stops I made as I ran my last-minute errands was the health food store. I had to restock on the basics, like multivitamins and iron, which I take on a steady basis. While I was strolling through the aisles, my eye caught a product I hadn’t noticed before: Maxi Omega 3 Mood Formula™. I knew that if I truly wanted to enjoy my summer and give my kids the attention and fun they deserved, I would benefit from such a product. Vacation is not only about the location, after all. It’s probably more about the state of mind, especially the mother’s. Because I’m generally an anxious person, I wished there would be a way to ensure we would truly benefit from this break. I brought the bottle to the counter and asked the nutritionist about its contents. I was skeptical about attributing a mood lift to a dose of fish oil. She kindly explained that omega-3 fatty acids support neurotransmitter functions as well as decrease inflammatory processes in the brain. She also informed me that the
supplement contains inositol, a member of the B complex family, which is found in the brain’s serotonin receptors. This chemical, in addition to St. John’s Wort, also contained in the supplement, helps calm a person and promotes quality sleep. As she spoke, I became excited to try the formula. She also added that the product contains L-theanine, which is known to provide a calming, moodenhancing effect. I didn’t know then that my decision to invest in Maxi Omega 3 Mood Formula™ would truly transform our summer experience. After all, we were also enjoying the fresh country air and the pleasant change of pace, so how would I know that it was the supplement that decreased my anxiety level and lifted my mood? I got my answer when my supply used up and the health food store was too far away. When, after several says, I realized that I was feeling tense and spent, I remembered that I hadn’t taken the supplement in a while. That’s when I realized how Hashem had orchestrated our truly peaceful summer—by providing me with Maxi Omega 3 Mood Formula™, which has since then given me my most beautiful, fulfilling school year, as well. Armed with this little bottle, I’m looking forward to spending another tranquil summer with my family and friends!
Vacation is not only about the location, after all. It’s probably more about the state of mind, especially the mother’s.
How has your health and wellbeing improved thanks to Maxi Health? To receive a free bottle of the supplement that changed your life, send a summary of your story to info@wellspringmagazine.com. We reserve the right to end this promotion at any time, without notice.
The Wellspring | July 2016 68
What makes you weaker today
makes you stronger tomorrow.
July 2016 | The Wellspring  69
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WELL OF YOUTH NO CLOWNING AROUND: CAN FACE PAINT HARM YOUR SKIN?
WELL OF YOUTH: TEENS, WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE YOUR PILLOW OVER THE TELEPHONE
A LIFE OF NO FOOD
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE ALLERGIC TO EVERYTHING
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SUGAR IS GOOD FOR YOU NOT A PURIM SPOOF!
KIDS’ PULL OUT SECTION PAGE 27
TIME TO GET MOVING
SICK AND TIRED OF KLEENEX?
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD HIT THE GYM TODAY
FINALLY, A CURE FOR THE COMMON COLD
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON HOW TO MAKE PESACH STRESS FREE
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
DR. MIRIAM ADAHAN
GOOD FOOD INSIDE
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LYME IN THE LIMELIGHT
THE DAIRY DEBATE CUP OF TEA WITH DR. MELISSA KLEIN
CUP OF TEA WITH CHANY GEWIRTZ, RN
“I treat the root of the ailment, not its symptoms.” KIDS’ PULLO SECTION UT PAGE 27
BUT IT’S STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE! Bedtime in Summertime: Making it happen
THE TWO-TONED FACE: SOLVING THE MYSTERY
How Chumy Klughaupt of Yesh Tickvah helps Lyme disease patients navigate their way to health
Churning out the truth on cow’s milk
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AND OTHER CAMP NURSES
Nutritionist Shani Taub: Advance preparation is key
ME-TIME: NEVER TOO OLD FOR REAL FUN
6 ways to maximize your fitness moves
How to prevent injury during exercise
Pottery as a therapeutic outlet
PACK IT IN!
MUST SUMMER EQUAL BRAIN DRAIN?
Kid-friendly dinner ideas from fellow moms to keep your brood satisfied and strong this summer
ISSUE 4 MAY 2016 IYAR 5776
KIDS’ PULLO SECTION UT PAGE 27
Why you should protect your skin from the sun this summer Plus! First-aid advice from burn specialist Joshua Weinstock
POST-POOL HUNGER PANGS?
Everything you should know regarding your child’s health & safety at camp
WORK SMARTER, NOT LONGER
JUST THE GAINNOT THE PAIN
WELL OF YOUTH: THAT SANDWICH CAN MAKE YOU SICK! PREVENTING FOOD-BORNE ILLNESS
Tips to maintaining your child’s cognitive development while school is out
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Summer is personified by serenity and calmness. For those unable to achieve relaxation themselves Relax to the MaxTM and Yummie CalmTM are the perfect remedies. Comprised of a combination of Inositol, Taurine, Vitamin C and L-Theanine, these supplements work within 30 minutes of consumption to help ease stress, reduce anxiety and improve concentration. You can achieve optimum levels of relaxation this summer, and feel your best at all times!
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
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