Wellspring issue #9 by The Wellspring

WEALTH OF HEALTH MEET THE CREATOR OF NATURALIFE™ CREAMS

GIVE ME YOUR STING AND YOUR HONEY Apitherapy: How bee venom has the potential to heal Renowned author Sarah Shapiro’s intriguing experience

HEALTH PROFILE

NEW COLUMN!

Get acquainted with Baila’s health and wellness lifestyle Plus! Advice and comments from nutritionist Tanya Rosen

FROM THE GROUND UP Psychologist Dr. Rosenshein on how to speak to children about cancer and illness

CUP OF TEA

ETROG MAN

GOOD FOOD INSIDE

The esrog contains a slew of nutrients that are good for you

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Editor In Chief Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC Nutritional Advisory Board Jack Friedman, PhD • Moshe Weinberger Shani Taub, CDC • Tanya Rosen, MS CAI CPT Fitness Advisory Board LR Wilen, PFC • Syma Kranz, PFC Esther Fried, PFC Managing Editor Esty Cinner Feature Editors Rochel Gordon • Liba Solomon, CNWC Copy Editor Gila Zemmel • Faige Badian Food Editor Levia Joseph Creative Directors Miriam Bluming • Rivky Schwartz Art Director Chavy Lefkowitz Digital Marketing Goldi Feldman • Simcha Nunez Store Distribution Motty Srugo 718-496-1364 Write To Us: 694 Myrtle Ave. Suite 389 Brooklyn, NY 11205 info@wellspringmagazine.com www.wellspringmagazine.com The Wellspring Magazine is published monthly by Maxi-Health 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.

Find The Wellspring as a monthly insert in Ami Magazine or at your local pharmacy or health food store. For the PDF version and for back issues, visit www.wellspringmagazine.com. Production: www.mediaotg.com

From the Editor

Dear Readers, It looked like the perfect setting for the summer barbecue we had envisioned. Nestled in the picturesque hills of Meron, my husband found a spot that beckoned. Several picnic tables lined the luscious grounds and the colorful playground nearby made my children’s eyes sparkle. We parked the car and got out in the empty parking lot, unloading the car of its barbecue-related contents. We carried the heavy bags containing meat, chicken, lots of canned sides and utensils, as well as our trusty disposable grill to the seemingly perfect site. The marshmallows and chocolate chips were waiting patiently for dessert time—which never came. Five minutes into our exciting adventure, grilling on the rolling hills of nothingness to the music emanating from a portable speaker, our fun outing turned into a disaster. Apparently my husband stepped on a beehive, and suddenly swarms of bees emerged, circling him with a vengeance that did not dissipate. Tens of bees threatened to sting as he ran, terrorized, pulling along the two kids at his side. I grabbed the baby, abandoning our fare and wares, and followed suit. All the way to the parking lot we ran, a flock of bees in tow. When we finally made it safely into the car (I sneaked back to get our stuff!), we were left with a disconcerted, stung-up father, a frightened family, and lots and lots of raw meats. Later, when I reminisced with the children about our bein hazmanim experience, my daughter said to me, “Remember the bee park?” That’s the name we now have for the nature reserve that had looked so inviting at first. I was surprised that although the incident was fraught with fear, she still remembered it fondly. Perhaps it was a growing experience for her, one that gave her three-year-old eyes a glimpse of the fragility of her invincible father. A bee sting can be profoundly painful. In fact, many people experience not only the usual accompanying pain, but also a more acute reaction, as a result of bee venom allergy. Sarah Shapiro, renowned writer and author, and an avowed proponent of apitherapy, does not deny that bee sting therapy is accompanied by pain. In this issue’s cover feature, she shares the fascinating tale of how her neglected strep and other health conditions miraculously disappeared as a result of the bee stings she subjected herself to. But what about the pain, I inquired during our interview.Why would someone intentionally undergo the uncomfortable process? I found Sarah's answer enlightening. “Even the pain is part of the cure,” she says. “That’s true in life too.” How powerful! Pain has an exceptional capacity to bring us to a place of healing, a place of wholeness. “Min hameitzar karasi kah,” we sing in Hallel on Succos. From the depths of my pain, I call out to Hashem. It’s not only that we reach out to Him because we’re in pain. The pain creates a closeness that leads to the call. Although pain can show up at all stages in life, as parents, we naturally try to shield our young ones even from the inevitable. When illness strikes, chas veshalom, parents are afraid to shatter a child’s perception of the world as a safe and happy place. Achieving a balance of reality and serenity may seem impossible. For this reason, we’re honored to bring you a must-read piece by Dr. Joel Rosenshein, a renowned psychologist, on how to speak to children about illness. Now that we’ve entered a new year, we sincerely look forward to a clean bill of health. We want to serve Hashem from a place of gratitude, of happiness. But when we are subjected to pain, to challenges that tear at our hearts, Sarah’s words can serve as a powerful shift of perspective. Even the “bee park” can be remembered fondly if it is transformed into a growing experience.

May the joys of Yom Tov last all year long for you and your loved ones,

Shiffy Friedman

shiffy@wellspringmagazine.com

WELL-PUT!

“Esrog juice serves as the ideal mood-lifter,” says the Etrog Man, Uzi-Eli Hezi. In his tiny shop in the shuk, he dispenses juices that have improved the quality of life for thousands. Read more about the benefits of esrog juice on page 62.

Contents

T ISHREI 5777

OCTOBER2016

WELL INFORMED 13

WELLNESS PLATFORM By Rabbi Hirsch Meisels

WELL ACQUAINTED By Joe Pira, NYS Licensed Optician

TORAH WELLSPRING By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

HEALTH TIDBITS IN THE NEWS By Liba Solomon, CNWC

FIGURES By Miriam Katz

WEALTH OF HEALTH Conference with Naturalife™ By Sarah Weinberger

NATURALLY WELL By Mindy Lewis

WELCOME TO THE LAB By Judy Appel

NEW COLUMN!

“I DIDN’T WANT TO TAKE THE CHEMO, SO I KNEW I HAD NO CHOICE.” - SARAH SHAPIRO

PAGE 13

LIVING WELL 30

ASK THE NUTRITIONIST Clarity on Sugar Alternatives By Shani Taub, CDC

IN GOOD SHAPE Core Fitness By Syma Kranz, PFC

COVER FEATURE The Buzz on Apitherapy By Shiffy Friedman

HEALTH PROFILE Tanya Rosen's Tips By Esther Steinmetz

HEALTHY HOME HABITS Bed-Wetting By Batsheva Fine

MONTHLY DOSE Solid Ground By Dina Mendlowitz

FAREWELL 71

8 The Wellspring | October 2016

NEW COLUMN!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

With apologies to teens, children, and their parents, the Well of Youth section has been terminated due to space constraints.

GET READY FOR THE “I FEEL LIKE I’M IN A RESTAURANT” COMMENTS— ALL IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF YOUR COZY, HOMEY SUKKAH.

- LEVIA JOSEPH, SEASONED

PAGE 53

EAT WELL

WELLBEING 61

CLEAN SLATE By Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC

HEALTH PERSONALITY The Esrog Man By Miri Davis

FROM THE GROUND UP When Cancer Strikes By Dr. Joel Rosenshein, PhD

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS Trauma with a Little 't' By Esther Moskovitz, LCSW

ME-TIME Doing Nothing By Batsheva Fine

SEASONED A Serving of Heart By Levia Joseph

NUTRITION FACTS IN A SHELL In Season: Beets By Devorah Isaacson

INKWELL

I WASH MY NINE-YEAR-OLD’S LINEN ALL TOO OFTEN. HOW CAN I BRING AN END TO THE BEDWETTING ORDEAL? - AN EXASPERATED MOTHER

PAGE 70

DIARY Ear Infections Gitty M.

50 October 2016 | The Wellspring 9

Springboard

Letters

A Dr. Schindler Fan She’s at my side [Issue #8: Cup of Tea]

talk about. My daughter suffered until 8th grade. She was unable to read, barely able to write, and her spelling was basically nonexistent. Baruch Hashem, she is now cured of dyslexia, something we thought would never happen. She went through the Neurolinks program, where each issue was broken down and specifically targeted, from seeing letters backwards to word retrieval. Neurolinks helped her build the skills she was missing, and then develop them to the point that she is now at the same level as her class. Thank you for the article. It was so informative that I hope other parents out there will find the courage to help their children as I did.

Dear Editor: Thank you so much for profiling Rachael Schindler. I am currently a client of hers and have lots of weight to lose. So far, I’ve lost 25 pounds with her. I have tried practically every program out there (no surgery) and have never been as successful as I have been with her. Right now, I’m going through a difficult time with the program, but she is standing at my side and we will get through this! That being said, I would love to see recipes without sugar. There are substitutes such as honey, etc. Please try to incorporate these types of recipes in the magazine. Thank you so much for an enjoyable read. L. Fisher

How I Helped My Daughter’s Dyslexia A mother’s suggestion [Issue #8: From Despair to Hope] Dear Editor: As the mother of a teenage daughter who suffered from dyslexia for years, I was thrilled to see your article on dyslexia. Dyslexia is a problem for many children in our community, but something that people are reluctant to 10 The Wellspring | October 2016

All the best, Esty L. Lakewood

Impressed by Dr. Green The need for advocacy on behalf of dyslexic children [Issue #8: From Despair to Hope] Dear Editor: I was highly impressed by Dr. Rinat Green’s work. In her interview, she mentions the crucial steps she took to advocate on behalf of children with dyslexia. As a grade-school teacher and school counselor for over a decade, I have seen far too many cases of dyslexia having gone undetected or neglected until the child was too old for effective intervention. At that point, it not only affects their academic achievement but also, and perhaps even more so, their self-esteem and social health. I would love to see more detection measures taken in preschool, as she suggests. This will help hundreds of children in our community lead a more fulfilled, happy life. Z. Margareten

Shani’s Superfood Muffin Equivalence Question [Issue #8: Seasoned] Dear Editor: I love your magazine! I would like to make Shani’s superfood muffin using xylitol instead of stevia. Would you be able to tell me the equivalence? Also, it lists cinnamon on the same line as cocoa. Does that mean that I can use either one or should I use both? Chumi Shani Taub, CDC, responds: Every Stevia packet is equivalent to 2 tsp of xylitol. And yes, you can make your muffins either cinnamon- or chocolate-flavored. Use one or the other. Enjoy!

How I Drink My Water And more health findings [Issue #7: Water Woes] Dear Editor: I have a hard time drinking plain water as well, but if I add a pinch (or 2 or 3) of sea salt it’s amazing how much goes down! Also, drinking 2 cups(!) with meals is not such a good idea according to the Rambam and many nutritionists since it dilutes the stomach juices, which are necessary for digestion. Also, the new wisdom today is that many people need more (good) fat to lose weight although it seems counterintuitive. All people need enough fat for their type and everyone needs essential fatty acids. Coconut oil/butter seems to help many people lose weight — a tablespoon a day, according to Kevin Trudeau in his fascinating book, Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You To Know About. He has a chapter on why people are fat and another on how to lose weight. Among the things he recommends are “eat nothing that says fat-free on the label” and “eat nothing that says sugar-free on the label.” Even if we can only follow and adopt a

fraction of his recommendations, it is worth reading. He also mentions that fat people are toxic and need to do all kinds of cleanses: bowel, liver, candida, thyroid etc. May Hashem guide us to good health b'ruach v'nefesh. RD

Did You Enter My Head? A reader’s experience with disassociation [Issue #8: Emotional Wellness]

When I’m on a date with my husband, for example, we might be having a nice conversation but in my head I’m gauging if this is making us a happy couple and from there my mind wanders to all the dishes I left in the sink. I can go on and on with examples of how I am never truly in the moment, but that’s not the point. I just want to express my gratitude to Esther for helping me make this connection in my brain and to express my excitement about the upcoming articles. Tizki l’mitzvos, Name withheld

Dear Editor: I thoroughly enjoyed Esther Moskowitz’s first article, although it hit me hard. I have never been to a therapist in my life because I truly thought that what I am experiencing is normal. I did know that my mother is kind of self-centered, and that I am always anxious to impress her (even at 35!), but it didn’t dawn on me that what I’m feeling is a result of my not-so-smooth childhood. Ever since I remember myself, I’ve always felt a deep need to make my parents happy. I know that this is how all kids are, but to me it was an obsession—not so much because I wanted to bring them joy, but because I knew they did not want to see any less. I was born after my mother experienced two miscarriages, so perhaps that’s why I’ve always too many shoes to fill. My parents were never abusive, but I always felt that their love to me was conditional. Whatever the reason was, I was never able to just be myself. As Mrs. Moskowitz so clearly explains, I had to live in my head at a time when I should have just been me. For this reason, I am not truly in touch with my emotions even today. I cry when I need to cry and laugh when I need to laugh, but I don’t feel like I’m truly in the moment.

The Mind-Body Relationship Cannot be undermined [Issue #8: Emotional Wellness] Dear Editor: I commend The Wellspring for bringing to the fore not only an awareness for physical health, but also an appreciation for emotional health. By covering this all-important topic, you are truly an all-around magazine. As a licensed mental health counselor, I’ve seen countless cases of adolescents and women whose physical health suffered terribly as a result of their emotional anguish. Depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem play a tremendous role in not only the food choices and exercise ability of the patient, but also in the energy levels and ability to lead a productive life. I look forward to reading the enlightening columns on the topic and giving them to my clients. Much continued success, D. Hoffman, LMHC Brooklyn, NY

Crucial Reminder Regarding Lyme disease [Issue #5: Lyme in the Limelight] Dear Editor: Thank you so much for your informative article about Lyme disease in the June issue. It was truly an eye opener. I would like to ask you how to go about Lyme testing and treatment. Throughout the summer, I removed ticks from a few of my children. I am starting to notice some unusual symptoms on some of them, such as anxiety, crankiness, and constant complaints about aches and pains, as well as headaches. I was wondering if these symptoms can be Lyme or tick related. A grateful reader Chumy Klughaupt, Director of Yesh Tickvah replies: Yes, dear reader, this is the crucial time to diagnose Lyme disease. The earlier you catch it, the better the prognosis can be. If you do a standard western blot you may get a positive result but a negative result does NOT rule out Lyme disease. Also, many ticks carry different germs called co-infections that very few doctors are aware that they should be tested for. If your child has a Lyme diagnosis and was treated with a 21–28 day regiment of antibiotics, make sure that you are on the lookout that he is completely symptom free when he is done with the medication. Some patients can stay with lingering symptoms such as neurological symptoms (difficulty focusing , concentrating , relaxing, etc.), migrating joint or muscle pains, headaches, anxiety, tingling, numbness, etc. that can be addressed and properly treated by ILADS doctors. For more information, contact ilads.org, or Yesh Tickvah at 347-389-5963. May we all merit a healthy, sweet new year, Chumy Klughaupt,Yesh Tickvah

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.

The next issue of The Wellspring will appear iy”H on November 16th.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 11

Well Informed

Wellness Platform By Rabbi Hirsch Meisels

VITAMIN A: MORE THAN SKIN-DEEP RESULTS In this series about vitamins, we will explore the various research-based benefits that each specific vitamin provides the human body.

WHAT ARE ANTIOXIDANTS? (PART II) CHEMISTRY 101: HOW FREE RADICALS DAMAGE THE BODY

Because oxygen has the potential to cause harm, as we described in our last issue in the example of the avocado going brown when exposed to oxygen for even a short while, Hakadosh Baruch Hu has armed our bodies with a natural protection against such damage. A brief explanation of basic chemistry will help us understand how our body is programmed to ward off free radicals. Every physical substance can be fragmented into smaller units. A table, for instance, can be taken apart into its components of four legs and a base. In chemistry, however, matter can be broken down into infinitely smaller and smaller parts. Even the smallest molecule can be further dissected into individual atoms, which are what we call the smallest physical substances in this world. Fear not, dear reader. We are not here to teach the how-tos of creating an atom bomb. These basics of chemistry will simply help you understand how antioxidants operate in the body. The electrons surrounding each atom emit electrical currents, and they orbit the electron in the same way that the moon and stars orbit the sun. Electrons usually operate in pairs, so if one of the two is out of order the atom does not receive its full strength, much like a person cannot function properly with only one leg. In some cases, an atom is surrounded by only one electron. This generally occurs when one electron “loses its way” and somehow manages to form a bond with another atom. When this is the case, the “one-legged” atom is not stable. Because it prefers not to be in this precarious state, it performs an interesting process. Let’s give an

example to illustrate. What happens when you’re sitting at a simchah and you were just served a steaming plate of soup but there are no spoons in sight? I won’t say that you should do this, but if someone’s neighbor had just walked away, what might a hungry guest do? He might very well stretch his hand out, very deftly, and quickly grab his neighbor’s spoon. The neighbor soon returns to his seat to find that he has no spoon for his soup. So the game continues, with every guest at the table committing the same act to his neighbor, all for a spoon. Now you understand why they used to serve us at round tables? It seems that the one to lose out is the last person in the sequence. But essentially everyone loses. In fact, the last guest is the winner, because at least he isn’t guilty of theft. A kind observer may even run to the kitchen to fetch a clean spoon especially for him, and all’s well that ends well. When an atom has only one electron, it is called a free radical. Because the free radical desperately seeks another electron in order to stabilize itself, it will play the very same spoon-pilfering game, grabbing an electron from another atom and thus turning that atom into a free radical. Researchers reveal that this chase can affect up to 24 atoms, which all end up damaged. When so many cells incur damage, the body’s health is at risk. For instance, if these cells are in the eye, the person’s eyesight might be detrimentally affected. If this chase takes place in the mind, it may cause Alzheimer’s. How does the chain reaction finally come to a halt? Here’s where the wondrous anti-oxidant comes into play. It is the kind observer, the sacrificial cell that

gives up one electron to the last atom in the chain in order to stabilize the electrical charge. Or, it will remove the single electron in the last atom, which will also result in stabilization. At last, no more damage will be sustained in the organ. Now, the anti-oxidant is the one to remain crippled. However, it has the ability to hide one electron in order to stabilize itself. Later, a second partner in the anti-oxidant family may join the scene and remove the extra electron that’s causing the trouble. In this way, the anti-oxidant can help save the body from more free radical chaos. In summary, when the antioxidant gives up an electron, it has an odd number of electrons. Once the odd one is removed, it contains an even amount. You may be surprised to learn that your body does not merely experience one or two free radical attacks every day. With every breath you take, you inhale masses of free radicals. Researchers reveal that just through breathing, every cell in the body is exposed to approximately 10,000 free radicals. That’s some number! So you can see how anti-oxidants have a crucial role to play in maintaining good health. In the next article, we will discuss how we can prevent the damage caused by free radicals. 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.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 13

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 BID FAREWELL TO BIFOCALS WHY PROGRESSIVE LENSES MAY BE YOUR BEST CHOICE Forty is the new twenty, no doubt. It is a time in life when most people are highly productive, energetic, and youthful in spirit. However, the majority of men and women who enter the fifth decade find that in addition to the list of accomplishments they’ve pulled off in their adulthood, and the children and grandchildren who’ve blessedly entered their world, they have another addition in their lives—reading glasses. As they enter middle-age, it becomes more difficult to read fine print even with their regular glasses or lenses. Because the eye’s strength weakens slightly over time, the use of a vision aide is necessary in order for the person hitting middleage to fully enjoy reading. If you have worn glasses or contact lenses your entire life and then find out at 38 that you need reading glasses, the doctor will prescribe bifocal lenses, which will provide you with simultaneous better vision for both far and near. However, the reason why you, and many people, may resist wearing bifocal glasses is not that you think that you don’t need them. Instead, you simply do not want to appear older. And you are right; just because you’re maturing does not mean that you have to look old. Thankfully, the field of eyewear research has in recent years come up with an excellent alternative. With the advent of progressive lenses, no one will know whether you’re wearing these glasses just for fashion, or because you prefer to have an easier time reading fine print. It’s the secret that stays between you and your optician. But in addition to the age-defying

cosmetic benefit that progressive lenses provide over bifocals, they also offer other remarkable advantages that are probably more beneficial than the aesthetic plus. It is important to note, however, that these benefits can only be fully enjoyed when the user purchases the lenses based on the measurements he received from a competent professional because even a slight disparity in measurement will not provide optimal benefit. For starters,

progressive lenses provide a more natural correction of presbyopia, the medical term for farsightedness, caused by loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye, which occurs typically in middle and old age. When you wear bifocal lenses, you can either focus through the lens that allows you to see from a distance or the one that gives you the ability to read smoothly. In other words, the two distinct abilities are not only marked with an unaesthetic line, but they are also partitioned in a way that you must choose between the two. Plus, anything in the intermediate zone, such as reading a computer screen, falls between the cracks and has no place for optimal vision in the window that you’re peering out from all day.

Instead of having just two powers, progressive lenses are true “multifocal” lenses that provide a seamless progression of many lens powers for all viewing distances. When you wear progressive lenses, you can look up to see clearly across the room and in the distance. You can also look ahead to view your computer in the intermediate zone and drop your gaze downward to read or sew or do any fine work comfortably through the near zone of the lenses. Progressive lenses are linefree multifocals that provide a seamless progression of added magnifying power for intermediate and near vision. Unlike the “image jump” you experience when looking through bifocal lenses as your eyes move past the sharplydefined boundary between the distance-viewing and nearviewing parts of the lens, the transition between lens powers in progressive lenses is smooth and seamless. This allows you to change focus from distant to near and then back again. Although the progressive lens is an excellent tool for vision, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. In the next installment, we will discuss the different kinds of progressive lenses that are uniquely created to address specific vision issues. 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.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 15

Well Informed

Torah Wellspring By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

YOUR HEALTH COMES FIRST

ANECDOTES FROM OUR GEDOLIM ON THE YAMIM NORAIM OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, we’ve invested a lot in our avodas Hashem in our quest to be granted a sweet, beautiful year. Whether or not you fasted on Yom Kippur, may you merit to the blessings that teshuva engenders. To most of us, fasting on Yom Kippur is a given. It would not dawn on a Torah-true Jew to take a morsel of food into his mouth on this sacred day. We are particularly stringent to fast on this day because it is a mitzvas asei. Furthermore, one who transgresses this particular commandment, G-d forbid, is deserving of kareis, rachmana litzlan. Even Jews who don’t observe any other mitzvah but still have a spark of Yiddishkeit fast on Yom Kippur. This is one of the foundations of Yiddishkeit. However, despite the gravity of fasting on Yom Kippur, the gedolim have always held a strong stance against those who fast and thereby endanger their physical wellbeing. When Rav Chaim Soloveitchik was the Rav in Brisk, he would send around messengers on erev Yom Kippur to all the ill of the city to caution them against committing this grave deed. One year, a sickly man who received this warning told the messenger that he could not bring himself to heed Rav Chaim’s order. Incredibly, when the messenger reported back to the Rav, the Rav picked himself up and walked over to the sick man’s home. “Who asked you to fast?” the Rav asked the patient. “Hashem commanded me to do so,” he answered. “Hashem commanded you to eat this yom kippur,” countered the Rav. The Rav’s son continued this practice, sending messengers to all patients in Bikur Cholim Hospital in Eretz Yisrael with the same warning. The messengers

would trek from ward to ward, locating the ill and transmitting the ruling to all who needed to hear it. It is interesting to note that generally, the Brisker Rav was very reluctant to issue a psak due to his extreme meticulousness in halacha. The only ruling that he issued, and with utmost confidence, was regarding this matter. “This is my father’s ruling,” he would explain, “and that is why I am so adamant to enforce it.”

The wait seemed endless as the clock ticked closer to sunset and the Gaon did not show up. On Yom Kippur of 5721 (1960), an interesting story transpired in the shul of the Steipler Gaon, Rav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievski zt”l, in Bnei Brak. The hushed crowd was gathered in the shul, awaiting the arrival of the Gaon so they could start Kol Nidrei. The wait seemed endless as the clock ticked closer to sunset and the Gaon did not show up. A mere moment before the shkia, the Steipler finally ran into the shul, breathless. He walked over to someone, handed him something, and then made his way to the amud. Later, the crowd learned that the reason behind the mystery was quite simple. A man had approached the Steipler after the seudas hamafsekes and confided in

him that he had a pounding headache but he did not want to break his fast. The Steipler asked the young man to come to consult a dayan, who ruled that the man should take a Tylenol. The man felt uncomfortable to do so and made his way to shul. When the Steipler came to shul a few minutes later, he approached the man and asked him if he’d taken a pain reliever. When the man answered that he hadn’t, saying that he’d lost the tablet, the Steipler immediately ran home to bring one. Until he didn’t find a Tylenol, hand it to the Jew, and make sure that he took it, the Gaon did not want to start Kol Nidrei. One Yom Kippur after Shacharis, the Chazon Ish announced that the shofar would be blown immediately instead of after the break and the usual recital of Lamnatzeich. Of course, the crowd was curious about the strange incident. Later, however, the Chazon Ish clarified that during Shacharis he overheard a conversation between a father and his young son. “Why don’t you go home and eat something?” the child asked his father. “Your heart is so weak. I’m afraid you’ll fall apart.” The father got angry at his son and said, “My son, I’ve never in my life eaten before the tekios. Why are you making me do this? I will not eat before the tekios.” “When I heard this,” related the Chazon Ish, “I was afraid that this man’s unnecessary stringency would jeopardize his health. So I did whatever I could to start the tekios as soon as possible, disregarding the usual order.” All for the health of one Jew. There is no prohibition in the Torah, including eating on Yom Kippur, that stands above guarding one’s health. October 2016 | The Wellspring 17

Well Informed

Health Tidbits in the News By Liba Solomon, CNWC

MAKE IT A CALM YOM TOV Stress erases the benefits of consuming healthy fats Having the family around for so many meals in such a brief timespan can get hectic, but here’s another reason why it’s not worth stressing over it. According to a study published in Molecular Psychiatry, stress eradicates the positive effects of healthy fats. In other words, you can be super careful with your food choices, consuming only good fat sources like a limited amount of nuts or fatty fish, but when stress kicks in, it wreaks havoc in the way the body processes this fat. If you’re wondering which fats fall into the healthy category, here’s the rule of thumb from the AHA (American Heart Association). Bad fats tend to be solid at room temperature, such as a stick of margarine, while good fats tend to be liquid at room temperature, such as vegetable oils. But what happens when you’re ingesting good fats under stress? Dr. Kiecolt-Glaser conducted a study monitoring the food intake, cholesterol levels, and stress levels in nearly 60 women. She found that a woman who ate a good fat as part of her breakfast gained its benefits only if she was relaxed. If her stress levels were raised, the healthy choice triggered the same unhealthy results as in her counterparts who ingested a meal containing a bad fat. So yes, continue choosing oil over margarine, but keep your stress levels down for optimal results.

NOT ALWAYS THE SOLUTION Antibiotics in early life can raise your child’s risk for developing a food allergy Infection in the first year of life can be dangerous for an infant, and antibiotic treatment is often the first line of treatment. But this may have a downside. New research from the University of South Carolina finds that early antibiotic exposure can raise a child’s risk of developing food allergies. While the study did not investigate the reasons behind this association, the researchers say it is likely due to changes in gut microbiota as a result of the antibiotic treatment. Lead author Dr. Bryan Love, of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences at the South Carolina College of Pharmacy, and colleagues reported their results in Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology. The team looked at the number of antibiotic prescriptions that were filled in the first year of life. A total of 9,324 antibiotic prescriptions were dispensed, the most common being penicillin, cephalosporin, macrolide, and sulfonamide antibiotics. Overall, the results of their analysis revealed that children who were prescribed antibiotics by 12 months of age were 1.21 times more likely to be diagnosed with a food allergy, compared with children who received no antibiotic prescriptions in the first year of life. Furthermore, the risk of food allergy diagnosis increased with the number of antibiotic prescriptions a child received. A child who received three antibiotic prescriptions was 1.31 times more likely to have a food allergy, four prescriptions were linked to a 1.43 times greater risk, and five or more increased food allergy risk by 1.64 times. Cephalosporin and sulfonamide antibiotics were found to have the strongest association with food allergy diagnosis, the researchers reported. Definitely something to consider before you start your child on his next dose.

18 The Wellspring | October 2016

CAN YOUR CITY MAKE YOU HEALTHY? According to a new project, the answer is “Yes!” It’s an interesting new phenomenon that’s taking the U.S. by storm. This time, it’s not about better pizza or heavier steaks. It’s about creating health-oriented communities, one community at a time. With nearly two-thirds of Americans overweight or obese and only 7% of Americans thriving across all five elements of well-being, Beach Cities, California, and 15 Iowa communities are leading a movement to improve community health by becoming certified as Blue Zones Communities®. This project is a growing nationwide well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier—community by community— through permanent changes to environment, policy, and social networks. Founded by National Geographic Fellow and best-selling author Dan Buettner and leveraging public and private partnerships, Blue Zones Project draws upon more than 200 evidence-based practices to help restaurants, schools, and worksites make sustainable changes that encourage healthier choices. According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index®, since implementing Blue Zones Project in 2010, in Beach Cities, the number of overweight citizens dropped nine points to 50.8%, while the national rate rose four points to 63.7% in 2015. The number of obese residents came in at less than half the national average, at 12.1% compared with 28.1% nationally. Smoking declined more than 17%, bringing the percentage of smokers in the Beach Cities to 8.9%, compared with 18.8% nationally. And daily significant stress dropped 7.5%. Wouldn’t you love your community to implement these changes too? Let’s start in the home!

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE COZY LATE-NIGHT MEALS IN THE SUKKAH? Research on eating dinner earlier With late night meals coming up ahead, perhaps one should consider the latest research on eating dinner later in the evening. According to a new study released at the world’s largest heart conference, eating a major meal within two hours of bedtime can have negative consequences. Blood pressure usually drops by at least 10% when a person goes to sleep, allowing the body to rest. But in a study released at the European Society of Cardiology in Rome this did not happen in the vast majority of those who dined later in the evening, thus increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke—a particularly dangerous recipe for those already battling hypertension. The study followed 721 men and women with high blood pressure. It looked at the type of food eaten, amount of salt added, whether or not the subjects usually ate breakfast, and what time they had dinner. Among those four factors, dinnertime was found to have the greatest impact on blood pressure. Surprisingly, it caused a greater increase in blood pressure overnight than a meal with a high level of salt. So if you have no other option than to eat a late meal, it may be a good idea to take a long walk or read a 500-page book after you’re done.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 19

Well Informed

Health Tidbits in the News By Liba Solomon, CNWC

GOLDEN PAGE

A Produce Store plus More In the golden years, it is crucial for both men and women to maintain optimal energy levels. Numerous scientific studies document that people who eat the most fruits and vegetables have a lower incidence of health problems. However, few people consistently eat enough plant food to provide vital phyto-protection against common age-related decline. This does not mean, though, that any multivitamin takes its place. Studies such as one published in Stroke in 2004 reveal that many commercial multivitamins do not contain all of the vital plant components needed to maintain good health. How is Maxi Longevity™ different? This unique, balanced supplement is vastly superior to other multivitamins on the market today, partly because it provides a remarkably broad array of fruit and vegetable extracts. Packed into this blend are extracts of fruits ranging from bilberry to palmetto (another berry) to pomegranate, all with known health benefits to throughout the body. The supplement also contains an extensive list of water- and fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that target antioxidant protection, bone support, joint support, eye support, mood and memory support, and all-around better health. In one cap, there is significant amounts of vitamin A, C, D3, and E, as well as the B vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. Rounding out the superiority of Maxi Longevity™ is its abundance of minerals like calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, chromium, copper, and potassium. Biotin, another ingredient, is not only needed to maintain healthy bone density but may also promote healthy prostate cell function. Choline and inositol help maintain high levels of acetylcholine in the brain to support cognitive function and memory. Maxi Longevity For Her™ also contains Cran-Max®, which provides urinary tract support, as well. Scientists have identified multiple mechanisms by which green tea extract helps protect against high levels of cholesterol, neural degradation, and a host of other age-related changes. For this reason, Maxi Longevity™ contains a significant amount of this nutritional asset, as well. Another vital ingredient in this superior mix created with the aging in mind is lutein, a nutrient found in spinach and greens that has shown to help maintain eye macula pigment structure, benefits that have also been attributed to bilberry. Bilberry extract has anti-oxidative properties that are highly neuro-protective. Maxi Longevity™ provides not only the abundant benefits of fruits and vegetables, but also a vast array of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that energize and strengthen every system in the body and help prevent age-related decline.

The Wellspring | October 2016 20

Thinner people have a high metabolism.

THE TRUTH: While body size does play a role, body composition has a far greater effect on metabolism.

Everyone has a thin friend who appears to eat whatever she wants with seemingly no consequence. Surely she has a faster metabolism than you, right? Not so fast. Metabolism does have quite a bit to do with body size, but not in the way many people think. According to Dr.Yoni Freedhoff, Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa, “Skinny individuals almost invariably have slower resting metabolisms; there is literally less of them to burn while at rest.” In fact, larger individuals usually have a higher metabolism (that is they burn more calories at rest) than their thinner counterparts. But don’t rejoice just yet. It’s not just any additional weight that boosts metabolism. Muscle, in particular, has a huge effect on the amount of overall calories a person burns throughout the day. Comparing two individuals of similar weight, the person with the larger amount of muscle will generally have the faster metabolism. This is just one of the reasons it’s important to pair any weight loss program with a proper strength training plan. Research has found the extra muscle can help accelerate weight loss much faster than a diet-only plan.

YOU CAN’T BUY THAT! Restrictions on food stamp purchases can improve diet Food stamps (SNAP) can be of great benefit to people who cannot afford to purchase food staples, but what happens when the funds are used toward obtaining unhealthy products? Over the years, many calls have been made for the food stamp program to promote more healthful diets. Many states have requested waivers allowing for restrictions on what benefits can buy, but further restrictions have been rejected by the Department of Agriculture, which administers this welfare program, When New York City tried to limit soft drink sales, it also asked the U.S.D.A. for permission to restrict the ability to purchase sugary beverages with food stamps as part of a two-year experiment, but was denied. Advocates for the beneficiaries claim that this could make them feel restricted and stigmatized. In order to establish whether or not these changes should be instituted, a new study will be conducted. This will be the first experiment to look at whether restricting certain foods on SNAP might lead to better health. If the changes are put into effect, food stamps will become more similar to WIC than the debit card it is today.

October 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.

MISCONCEPTION:

Well Informed

Figures By Miriam Katz

SWEET STUFF

pounds

the average amount of honey produced per colony

178

million

65.1

DATA ON HONEY

19%

pounds of honey produced in the U.S. in 2014

more than in 2013

2.74

million

bee colonies produced honey in the U.S. in 2014

320,000 55,000 the number of honey producing colonies in California

the number of honey producing colonies in NY

11,000

the number of honey producing colonies in NJ â&#x20AC;&#x201A; The Wellspring | October 2016 22

18%

20,0002% 80,000

of honey is vitamins, minerals, pollen, and protein

female worker bees in every honey bee colony

of honey is water

$2.12 80%

of honey is natural sugar

calories per tablespoon of honey

vitamins contained in honey in significant amounts

average price per pound of honey in NY

minerals contained in honey in significant amounts

October 2016 | The Wellspringâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 23

Well Informed

Wealth of Health By Sarah Weinberger

CONFERENCE WITH: COMPANY NAME: Naturalife™ BUSINESS OWNER: Rivka M. Steissel PRODUCT: A line of five natural topical creams that cure eczema & psoriasis, burns & wounds, remove warts, remove fungus from nails and skin, and a luxurious hand cream

SINCE: 2001 LOCATION: Brooklyn MOTTO: Live your life the natural way

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD OF PRODUCING AND SELLING NATURAL CREAMS? My husband has always had a strong appreciation for natural healing. For as long as I can remember, he’s been studying herbs and alternative healing. When we were newly married, our outings would be to the East Side of Manhattan, where we would visit Pete’s Spice and purchase a little of everything. My husband has always like to do things the natural way. One summer, about 15 years ago, when one of our children developed a wart on her arm, he got to work concocting a natural solution. Incredibly, after applying his cream her wart was gone within two weeks. At that time, I was in the country—the place where you get to share and hear information on every topic under the sun. The topic of one conversation had me perk up. My friend confided in us that her daughter had a wart the size of a quarter on her hand and she was embarrassed to go back to school. When I told her about the cream I used for my daughter, she asked me if I would be able to give her some.

WERE YOU THINKING IN THE DIRECTION OF BUSINESS AT THAT POINT? Not at all. We’re people who like to do favors for others. We thought that if we can help her and her daughter, why shouldn’t we? The next weekend, my husband brought along a bottle of cream with him. After the summer, when my friend came to my door to pick up more cream for a friend, she brought me $15. I refused to take the money from her, but she told me that if I wouldn’t take it, she would feel bad. I took the money to make her feel good. The next week, the phone calls started The Wellspring | October 2016 24

pouring in. The request for the miraculous cream was overwhelming.

WHAT WAS THE NEXT STEP IN DEVELOPING YOUR HUSBAND’S UNIQUE PRODUCT INTO A BUSINESS? When we realized that we actually had a product that was highly potent and in demand, we placed a little classified in the local paper. My husband went to the pharmacy to purchase professional looking medication bottles, but it took us a while to actually launch a professional business. For the next few years, whenever I would receive a phone call with a request for the cream, I would jot down the name and number of the caller. At the end of the week, usually on Friday, we would put the bottles into little bags and go from house to house, distributing our wares. We had customers in Williamsburg, Boro Park, Flatbush, Monroe, Monsey, Lakewood, and every other frum community. We mailed the cream to locations that weren’t just a drive away.

HOW MUCH DID YOU CHARGE FOR THE CREAMS? The starting price was $30. We got $30 from this one and $30 from that one on every Friday trip. It was an experience. Today, baruch Hashem, the stores call me to order dozens at a time. We don’t sell out of the house anymore.

DO PEOPLE STILL CALL YOU? THEY PROBABLY SEE YOU AS AN EXPERT IN THE FIELD. I get phone calls all the time—every single day. People want to know where we were all these years that they didn’t know of our existence. I have plenty of saved “Thank You” cards. When someone calls me for a reference, though, I tell them I don’t have any. I don’t disclose my customers’ infor-

mation. I tell the caller to go into any health food store and ask how many Naturalife bottles they sell.

WHEN DID YOUR BUSINESS EXPAND TO INCLUDE OTHER CREAMS IN ADDITION TO THE FIRST WART REMOVAL OINTMENT? Once my husband realized how miraculous the natural concoction turned out to be with warts, he started to experiment with an antifungal cream. People would ask me if we produce anything for fungal nails and we wanted to find a way to help them get rid of them, naturally. We also knew that unfortunately, many people in the community have fungal nails. Using his knowledge of natural medicine, my husband created a cream that worked.

DO YOU TEST YOUR CREAMS BEFORE PUTTING THEM ON THE MARKET? Of course! Just because it worked for my child is not enough for us. Before we market any cream, we put it to trial through tens of people. Twelve years ago, a woman called me up. She sounded exasperated and asked why we weren’t making creams for eczema. She told me that if we ever tried to create a cream for her condition, she would be the first one to try it. She gave me her name and number and I kept it. When my husband came up with a potent mixture, I gave her a call. She came to pick up the cream that very day. A while later, she called to say that her eczema had vanished.

THE RESPONSE TO YOUR CREAMS IS APPARENTLY VERY POSITIVE. WHAT ARE SOME OTHER CALLS YOU GET FROM CONSUMERS?

exhibit in one way, in many people we see an outbreak of warts called molluscan. Some doctors advise their patients not to intervene in the wart removal process because as soon as the virus leaves the body, the wart decays. Although this may be true, the process can take many, many years. Once one member in the family has a wart, make sure that no towels are shared, in order to avoid the rapid spread of the virus.

HOW ARE NATURALIFE’S CREAMS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER PURPORTEDLY NATURAL CREAMS ON THE MARKET? There’s a Chinese cream being sold in health food stores that does not have one word of English on the bottle. I would say that it’s mainly cortisone with a bit of something else. We don’t want to use cortisone on a steady basis. If you read the labels of so-called natural products carefully, you will see that many of them are full of junk. Naturalife creams, on the other hand, are all natural with absolutely no cortisone. Because of their entirely harmless content, all Naturalife creams are safe for use on children. The appearance of the creams has made great strides since its early days. In the beginning, the cream looked homemade. Later, we developed a method to turn it a more appealing white. People would call me and ask, “Is it still as good?” We reassured them that it’s all the same, only looking better. The packaging has also been updated to reflect the more professional standard that we’ve achieved.

At the end of the week, usually on Friday, we would put the bottles into little bags and go from house to house, distributing our wares.

With regards to the wart creams, I always get the same questions. People want to know how long it will take for the wart to fall off. It takes anywhere between a few days and two to three weeks, on average, to see results. Another question that many people have is, “I have so many warts. How will one small bottle cover all of them?” I always advise users to treat the “mother wart” and the rest will fall off on their own. Callers also want to know if a larger wart is harder to remove than a smaller one, and the answer is no. It also doesn’t depend on how long the wart was present. In fact, I remember one consumer who had lots of warts for 11 years, and she thought she’d never get rid of them. As soon as she started using the cream, they all came off pretty quickly.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE CAUSE OF WART DEVELOPMENT? Many people suffer from warts. These benign growths on the skin are caused by a virus. While some people’s viruses

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS EVOLVED INTO A CAREER OF ADVISING AND HELPING PEOPLE WITH HEALTH-RELATED MATTERS?

The wealth of information I have today about the conditions we treat is a result of research and the many conversations I’ve had with countless consumers over the past 15 years. I’ve learned so much from them. In our discussions, I don’t only provide information regarding the content and usage of the creams. I also end up offering support when needed. I advise certain lifestyle changes and vitamins for specific conditions. Everything is done very discreetly. I will only take a person’s name and number if she requests follow-up.

HAS ANYONE EVER CALLED TO COMPLAIN OR REQUEST A REFUND? HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT? It hardly happens. I once sold a cream to a friend and she stopped me at a simcha shortly afterward, admitting that she hadn’t seen results. A few days later, she called to tell me that her doctor examined the growth and said that it was a mole. I also get calls about the redness that the eczema cream may cause, but it is only a part of the healing process. October 2016 | The Wellspring 25

Well Informed

Wealth of Health By Sarah Weinberger

With today’s new and updated labels, however, most consumers read the directions and know what to expect.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BURN & WOUND CREAM UNIQUE? Baruch Hashem, it is a very successful first-aid cream that works wonders for sunburns and other household burns. Every year, after the summer, I receive countless thank you calls from people who tell me how it had saved them. A friend of mine has a tendency to get cellulitis, to the extent that she has landed in the hospital to be treated with an intravenous dose several times. I met her on the day she was supposed to head up to the country and inquired about her long face. She told me that she was coming from the doctor, who told her that she might have to go to the hospital again. In an effort to help her out, I gave her my burn & wound cream. A few days later, she called to tell me that she never had such a swift healing process. Since then, she always makes sure to have the cream handy. It is also highly effective for diaper rashes.

IS THE HAND CREAM ONLY A WINTER ITEM? Absolutely not. I use it as a moisturizer all year round as it is much cheaper and more effective, and I can use it guiltfree knowing that it is truly all natural. But with winter approaching, it’s a good idea to stock up on it because it literally saves chapped hands. Every child in our house keeps one on the nightstand near his bed for daily use. My son took some to yeshiva for his chavrusah because he couldn’t bear to see his bloody hands. Like our other creams, its a baruch Hashem a great success.

remove the burden from my shoulders.

WHAT ARE THE PLUSES OF RUNNING A HEALTH-RELATED BUSINESS? I’m very grateful to Hashem that I’m able to make a difference in this important field. A woman once told me that her insurance requires a $50 copay per visit to the dermatologist. She made numerous visits to remove some stubborn warts, shelling out $50 each time. At that time, our creams were sold for $30. With the purchase of one bottle, all her warts disappeared. It feels good to know that we can be instrumental in enhancing others’ quality of life and health. Another great plus of having a health business is that I’m more aware of what I’m eating and bringing into the house. We have a greater appreciation for Hashem’s natural foods and I’m also more aware of allergies. I’m not a health nut and my kids don’t only eat greens, but we have definitely developed a greater appreciation for taking the right steps toward improved health and wellness.

ARE THERE ANY DOWNSIDES? It would be nice if people realized that they cannot call at any given time, such as erev Shabbos or at 3 AM. We’re currently working on a new packaging with clearer instructions to eliminate more phone calls. But mostly, we can’t complain. It is a pleasure to deal with all of our customers and to make a positive difference in their lives. Naturalife creams are available at your local pharmacy. For wholesale inquiries, please call 347-668-0070.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE IN BUSINESS WITH A SPOUSE? Although my husband is very involved in the initial development and research stages of every cream, he owns his own business, so he is not very involved in the day-to-day duties that running Naturalife necessitates, such as placing ads and dealing with suppliers. I try my utmost to help him out as much as possible. We love the teamwork.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE STRESS THAT RUNNING A BUSINESS AND A FAMILY ENGENDERS? We manage, baruch Hashem. My kids actually watched our business grow from stage to stage so they’re very enthusiastic about it. Because they take pride in the development, they deal well with the mess that the processing and packaging entails. Of course, they are always willing to lend a hand so that helps This column features a profile of a business owner who manufactures or distributes a service or product that promotes health and wellness. To be interviewed, please contact The Wellspring. The Wellspring does not endorse any product featured in this column. The Wellspring | October 2016 26

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Naturally Well By Mindy Lewis

Armed for Winter Immune defense at its best

With winter around the corner, there is no better time to boost your immune system. When you face the storm armed, your chances for victory are that much greater. Here’s why Glutamax™ is what you want to have in your arsenal.

Glutamax™ contains a combination of nature’s own powerful detoxifying sulfur compounds. Sulfur is a mineral that makes up 0.25% of human body weight and occurs widely in nature, being present in every cell of both animals and plants.

Glutamax™ contains the key antioxidant glutathione, an amino acid that most people don’t get in adequate amounts from their diet. This wondrous supplement also contains a large quantity of Vitamin C, odor controlled garlic powder, taurine, NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine), and Earthrise® Spirulina.

According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2006, a sufficient metabolic supply of sulfur amino acids is necessary for the synthesis of the myriad of proteins and peptides involved in the normal functioning of the immune system. Without doubt, researcher Dr. Robert Grimble concludes in the study, sulfur amino acids play an important role in maintaining and supporting immune function. Their actions also play a pivotal role in the effectiveness of antioxidant defense. Antioxidants not only suppress inflammatory components created by the response to infection and trauma, but enhance components related to cell-mediated immunity.

Glutathione is composed of the amino acids l-cysteine, l-glutamic acid, and glycine. It is a potent antioxidant and works in the liver to protect the body from harmful substances. It also functions as a precursor to glutathione peroxidase, a key antioxidant enzyme, which protects against lipid peroxidation (fats turning rancid). A study published in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (2015) reveals that glutathione is used by cells to protect against free radicals and damage from foreign compounds.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) Researchers have long known that N-acetyl-L-cysteine, an antioxidant compound, supports bronchial and respiratory health. At the core of its power is its ability to support healthy cellular levels of glutathione. But now a wave of new research is showing its powerful benefits on overall health. More than 30 placebo-controlled studies on cellular glutathione, such as one published in Immunology in 2001, have shown that N-acetyl-L-cysteine can affect energy production, well-being, and quality of life. Today, N-acetyl-L-cysteine is prized as a highly bioavailable nutrient that supports your immune system, helps protect neurons during times of oxidative stress, and enhances liver function. It is quickly and readily absorbed into the body and aids in protecting cells. Earthrise® Spirulina is a pure, high quality food additive. It is rich in protein (65%) and an excellent source of essential amino acids, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), vitamin B12, vitamin C, chlorophyll, iron, RNA, DNA, and trace minerals. Because Spirulina can be contaminated with heavy metals, only Earthrise® Spirulina, known for its high quality, is used in the making of Glutamax™.

The Wellspring | October 2016 28

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

Well Informed

Deliciously Crispy sliced thinner for a crispier chip Nutritious and Healthy flavors from quinoa to chia, flowing with nutrients Always Tasty perfect complement to salsa, hummus, and more

Living Well

Ask the Nutritionist By Shani Taub, CDC

SweetClarity Talk on sugar alternatives

Over the past few years, my family has become more health conscious and we’re all watching our weight. As we made the changes, we started using Splenda instead of sugar. We got used to the taste and have been enjoying it in our coffees, when cooking, and in the products we buy. It even serves as a substitute in the kids’ bottles! Lately, however, I’ve been hearing about how unhealthy it is and that although it may contain fewer calories than sugar, it is full of chemicals. Is it true that Splenda is so unhealthy? And if so, should we return to using sugar? Rivky Leitner

Shani answers:

I commend you and your family for taking the necessary steps to better health. You’ve made a smart choice of limiting your sugar intake. Added sugar is indeed detrimental to your health and you should continue staying away from it. In addition to being associated with diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and hyperactive behavior, studies have shown that sugar has a direct link to tooth decay. Also, when you consume too many foods with high sugar content, you end up getting too many calories from non-nutritious sources. Plus, many such foods are also high in fat. However, certain foods call for added sweeteners. What if you don’t like to drink your coffee in its bitter state? Thankfully, there are alternatives to sugar on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Splenda, in particular, is not an advised choice. Splenda, which is sucralose, is billed as

The Wellspring | October 2016 30

the sweetener that is “made from sugar so it tastes like sugar.” Although taste is purely subjective (many people find that it has an unpleasant aftertaste), Splenda is a derivative of sugar. Here’s a brief chemistry lesson. Splenda is a product of a multi-step process that selectively substitutes three atoms of chlorine for three hydroxyl groups on the sugar molecule, resulting in a sweetener 600 times sweeter than regular sugar. Although Splenda is calorie-free, many studies conducted over the years have downgraded its status from “safe” to “use with caution.” For instance, a study conducted in Italy on animals linked sucralose to a higher risk of developing leukemia. Splenda has also been linked to negative effects on gut health and sugar levels in the blood. Because Splenda is a highly controversial sweetener, I highly recommend another alternative: Stevia. There is no need for you to return to regular sugar usage because it’s an excellent, healthy substitute. Stevia is a plant that be-

longs to the daisy family and has long been used in South America and Asia as a tabletop sweetener and in many foods. The main ingredient in stevia is stevioside, which is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and is virtually calorie free. The FDA approved stevia in 2008 and no negative research has yet emerged against it. You will be surprised by how good stevia tastes. I use it in all my cooking (the Wholesome packets) and my clients have been happily using it as well. I also find that stevia does not lead to cravings, which is a great plus over sugar. If you are interested in weight loss, I advise complete abstinence from added sugar, so use stevia only as your source for artificial sweetening. Once you’re in maintenance mode, however, everything is okay in moderation—even foods that are not 100% healthy, like GETTING THE STICKY STUFF STRAIGHT Splenda. But on a daily basis it’s best to stick to stevia for healthy It all started in 1879—the year that a substance called saccharin was and tasty sweetening. first discovered and found to sweeten foods without adding calories. Since that time, the sale of artificial sweeteners has soared. These are the most HOW IT ALL STARTED common artificial sweeteners approved for use in the United States today: Acesulfame-K (Sunnett/Sweet One) 200 times sweeter than sugar Splenda was discovered in 1976, Aspartame (Equal/NutraSweet) 200 times sweeter than sugar when a scientist at a British college Neotame 8,000 times sweeter than sugar misheard instructions about testing Saccharin (Sweet N’ Low) 450 times sweeter than sugar a substance. Instead, he tasted it, Stevia (Truvia/PureVia) 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar realizing that it was very sweet. Sucralose (Splenda) 600 times sweeter than sugar

TO A HAPPY, HEALTHY SUCCOS Yom tov is a great opportunity to spend quality time with family—but it doesn’t have to center around food. Remember, the more in control you are over your food intake, the greater joy you will ultimately experience. Here are some tips that will give you true simchas yom tov: • The key to success is preparation. If you’re hosting, plan what you will be eating before the meal starts. If you’re a guest, make your choices before you start eating and come prepared with the healthy foods you know the host won’t provide. You can bring your salad as a “gift.” • Remember that when others are eating and you aren’t (after you’ve had your healthy meal), you’re giving yourself something better instead. The best taste is the taste of being happy—not overstuffed or overweight. Food is only good when you treat it right. • Buffet-style serving is one of the worst impediments to weight loss. If you find yourself at a meal that is served this way, plate your food right away, the way you would when you prepare your meal in your own kitchen. And even if the food is abundant, forget the refills. • I recommend starting every meal with one bowl of carb-free vegetable soup. Soup is very filling and gives you a healthy start. Also, if you’re eating in a cold succah, it’ll warm you up and give you a chance to enjoy the meal. • Don’t deprive yourself of the basic yom tov foods. I recommend making 1.5-ounce challah rolls in cupcake pans to keep your challah intake in check. • Never sit down to a meal in a loose robe. Your belt will give you a great reminder of what’s important to you. It’s not only your waistline at stake; it’s your overall health. • Remember that self-control is in our blood. We know how to do it right!

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.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 31

Living Well

In Good Shape By Syma Kranz, PFC

Core Fitness The Four Moves Your Body Really Needs It’s always a great idea to maintain a routine fitness regimen. Hitting the gym four times a week is a great goal to set at the beginning of the new year, but what happens when you just can’t make it? Personally, I believe that if a task is important enough for you, you will find the time. Waking up half an hour earlier or rearranging your schedule to accommodate the gym is always an option. But, life happens. What if you’re home with a child who isn’t feeling well? Or away for Yom Tov? If you’re short on time and are determined not to drop your fitness routine, here’s a little secret for you. These are the four main fitness moves that your body really needs. You can do these anytime, anywhere, no matter which fitness level you’re at. You don’t need any sophisticated equipment or even a set of weights for these—just your body, a pair of sneakers, and your determination to sweat it out! Why these four moves? There are obviously many other great moves that I incorporate in my classes and recommend for ultimate fitness and good health. However, these four moves are essentially the core because they hit all four major muscle groups in the most effective way. Instead of wasting time by isolating one muscle group at a time, when you do these moves, you’re working several of them simultaneously, upping the resistance and the results. For optimal results, do 8–15 reps of each move in your first set, and then repeat for a second or third round.

Core Move #1: Chair Dips Target Area: Triceps and core Position: Sit on the edge of a sturdy, stable chair with your legs together, knees bent, and feet flat on the floor a few inches in front of the chair. Place your hands six inches apart, and firmly grip the edge of the chair. Slide your bottom just off the front of the chair so that your upper body is able to move up and down freely. As always, keep your abdomen tight and your head centered between your shoulders. Move: Now that you’ve got the position right, here’s the move: Bend your elbows and lower your body in a straight line. When your upper arms are parallel to the floor, push yourself back up. Make sure not to lock your elbows. Tone it down: If this move feels much too hard for you, you can keep your feet close to the chair and keep the dip slow, controlled, and shallow. Rev it up: The farther away you place your feet and the deeper you dip down, the harder the move will be. If you’re really in for a challenge, straighten your legs completely, place your heels on the floor. That’s called working your muscle! Core Move #2: Squats Target Area: Glutes, hamstrings, and quads (lower body) Position: Stand with your feet parallel and hip-width apart. Move: Bend your knees and lower your body into a squat position, as if you’re sitting back on an imaginary chair, keeping the knees behind the toes. When your knees are at 90 degrees, stop. Slowly press through your heels and squeeze your gluteus as you return to a standing position. Tone it down: Don’t bend as deeply into the move. Rev it up: You can add weights with bicep curls as you go down, or do a single-legged squat. To get your heart rate up, you can add a jump every time you come up. The Wellspring | October 2016 32

Core Move #3: Push-ups Target Area: Chest, shoulders, triceps, back, hips, and abs (almost everything!) Position: In my experience, I’ve found that the push-up position is the hardest to master. Many women who join my classes have a hard time getting it right at first but with practice and clear instruction, they get it. Position is key for this one so follow carefully. Come down to the floor and place your hands directly beneath your shoulders, pushing your body off the ground. Make sure that your body is in a straight line. Move: Bend your elbows out to the side and lower your body as close as you can to the floor. Keep your abs tight throughout and your body in line. Don’t let your back or bottom sag as you move. Hold your weight down for one second, and then push back up. Tone it down: If you’re starting out, do this move on your knees. Keep the movement shallow and controlled. Rev it up: Ready for this one? Try lifting one leg off the floor as you do each push-up.

Core Move #4: Plank Target Area: Abs, back, chest, forearms, and shoulders (upper body) Position: I saved my favorite move for last. This pose works wonders for getting rid of notorious tummy flab. To come into plank pose, hold a push-up position and keep your weight on the balls of your feet and hands. Your wrists should be directly below your shoulders, your arms should be straight, and your body should be in a straight line from head to heels. Move: Hold the pose for as long as you can, aiming for one whole minute. That’s considered one rep. It’s an effective one! Tone it down: Instead of being on your hands, lower yourself to your forearms. This will give you more support and less resistance. Rev it up: Wow! This is tough. Raise one leg off the floor and hold for 30 seconds. Switch legs and hold for another 30 seconds to complete one rep.

And you’re done! With the rush of energy that exercise provides, you can now tackle the tasks that this hectic season brings.

Syma Kranz, PFC, is a certified aerobics, Pilates, and Barre instructor, as well as the fitness director at Fusion Fitness in Lakewood, New Jersey. What started out as a small exercise class in her home catapulted into a popular gym that prides itself with tzanua, professional instructors and an appropriate atmosphere with lyric-free music and proper attire. Syma specializes in training women to integrate fitness into their busy lives, paying special attention to proper form and alignment and specializing in core and pelvic floor strengthening.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 33

Living Well

â&#x20AC;&#x201A; The Wellspring | October 2016 34

Cover Feature By Shiffy Friedman

An Apothecary for Human Beingsin the Honeybee Give me your honey and your sting The buzz on apitherapy For most Jews around the world, this is the time of year that the bee’s contribution to the world is most appreciated. Yes to the honey, we say, but no to the sting. Even the bee’s harmless buzz makes most of us cower in fear, running for cover to avoid the ominous sting. However, in recent years, more and more people have been embracing apitherapy, or bee therapy, as an actual means of healing.

nternationally acclaimed author and writer Sarah Shapiro of Jerusalem is no stranger to the bee sting. In her case, though, she voluntarily chooses to be subjected to the pain—for good reason. This is her story. “When I was a young mother,” Sarah recalls in her distinctly calm voice, “I used get strep very frequently. I often took antibiotics to get rid of the problem. Over time, I came to recognize the symptoms. Because the later stages were debilitating, I was very careful whenever I had swollen glands or a sore throat to check for strep immediately.” One time, when Sarah was in her 40s, she experienced the uncomfortable symptoms and went for the usual throat culture. “Unbeknownst to me at the time, I got a false negative, so I took vitamin C and other homeopathic remedies, which my mother had taught me to do. To my surprise, it didn’t work. When I thought that I finally got over what I had thought was a cold, I suddenly started feeling aches and pains all over my body. One night,” Sarah recalls, “I woke up in a crippled state. I was terrified.” Sarah clearly remembers calling the doctor the next morning. “He told me when to come in and I told him, ‘I can’t move!’ He was kind enough to make a house call. After he examined me, he said to me, ‘I’m sorry, but you have arthritis.’ I cried, ‘But I’m so young!’ He told me, ‘It happens.’ I will never forget what he told me next.” “You can take up to 15 aspirins a day,” the doctor advised Sarah. Fifteen! “Of course, I didn’t want to take so many. In fact, I didn’t want to take even one.” That doctor’s visit left Sarah feeling despondent and at a loss. Next, she trudged to the acupuncturist. “It was such a low moment in my life,” recalls Sarah candidly of the incident that transpired over a decade ago. “When I got out of the taxi, I couldn’t step up onto the curb. I couldn’t press the keys on a computer! When the doctor looked at the results of my blood test, which he’d sent me to do before the visit, he immediately saw

October 2016 | The Wellspring 35

Living Well

Cover Feature

that I had a very high strep antibody count. At that point, it was too late to take antibiotics. The only thing he could tell me was that I would feel better in around nine months’ time, that the symptoms would gradually subside somewhat.” After nine long months of a slow recovery, Sarah still did not feel entirely well. “One day,” she recalls of the fateful day in her life that would prove to be the beginning of her salvation, “I was shopping in the produce store. As I reached for a pear, I was stung by a bee. For some reason, it made me feel better. I couldn’t understand what had happened.” Although Sarah experienced a moment of recovery that she could not explain at that time, she didn’t make much of it—just yet. Her tale continues. “Around ten years later, in July of 2012, when I was already in my 50s, the same story repeated itself. I was still very vulnerable to strep and once again I got a false negative, so I didn’t take antibiotics. This time, I got much sicker.” At the hospital, the head of rheumatology was visibly alarmed when he saw the results of Sarah’s blood test. “Do you realize that your ESR [indication of inflammation in body] is nine times the normal range?” he asked a weak Sarah, incredulous. The doctor advised Sarah to start taking PLACO immediately. “It turned out that the medication he prescribed is a mild chemotherapy that suppress the immune system reaction. Of course, I didn’t want to do it. I’ve been trained by my father and my mother, both in their distinctly unique way, that the body knows best and that we have to work with the body instead of trying to suppress it.” Sarah’s mother raised her with homeopathic medicine and her father had written a book about taking vitamin C. Because both were opposed to taking drugs, Sarah’s resistance was literally in her blood. “I kept The Wellspring | October 2016 36

the prescription as a momentum,” laughs Sarah. “Although the doctor told me not to worry because it’s a very mild dose, I didn’t want to go in that direction. He also told me that I would have to take a mild dose of antibiotics every morning for the rest of my life!” Sarah left the hospital feeling lost and confused. “I just took a stab in the dark,” she recalls of the life-al-

It turned out that the medication he prescribed is a mild form of chemotherapy that suppresses the immune system reaction. tering circumstances that unfolded next. “I phoned my dear friend Rachel Greenblatt and asked her if she could find me someone who treats patients with bee venom. I don’t know why I suddenly remembered clearly how much better I’d felt when I was stung ten years earlier. It was all from G-d.” Sure enough, Rachel found just what Sarah had been desperate for— an apitherapist in Gadera by the name of Eyal Ravid. Later, Sarah would learn that apitherapy was indeed a “thing.” Although bee therapy has been used for centuries as a means of healing, the more modern study of

apitherapy, specifically bee venom, was initiated through the efforts of Austrian physician Philip Terc in his published results Report about a Peculiar Connection between the Bee Stings and Rheumatism in 1888. Bodog Beck of Budapest and later New York followed Terc and brought apitherapy to the United States. More recently, popularity has been credited to Charles Mraz, a beekeeper from Vermont, who knew Beck and spread the word about apitherapy’s effectiveness. These researchers and beekeepers have discovered that bee venom stimulates the adrenal glands to produce natural cortisol, a hormone that has anti-inflammatory properties. Cortisone is a drug that mimics the effect of endogenous cortisol, but in this artificial form, it has damaging side-effects on the body. The collective results of many studies validates that bee venom stimulates the immune system through the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer, and immune agents, including B cells and interferon. “The first time I went to Eyal Ravid,” Sarah remembers vividly, “he took my blood pressure and he performed an allergy test. I couldn’t believe his expression when he looked at my blood work. ‘Are you dead or are you alive?’ he asked. ‘Are you in a lot of pain?’ I simply started to cry. ‘Why do you ask?’ I wondered aloud. ‘Your inflammation is so high,’ he answered. ‘You’re sure you don’t want to go back to the hospital? If I were your doctor, I would not have let you out of my sight. I want you to know that this is the harder way but I believe that it’s the right way.’ “I didn’t want to take the chemo, so I knew I had no choice,” says Sarah of her decision to take the apitherapy avenue. After Sarah gave her consent to start the treatment, Ravid took his “cute little wooden box” that contained the honeybees that he’d raised on his own farm with their hive. After removing one bee,

IS BEE VENOM SAFE? Although the idea of apitherapy may sound strange, bee venom is one of the safest healing agents. In theory, a lethal dose for an adult weighing 166 pounds would be 1,425 stings and for a child of 66 pounds, 570 stings. Seven people have survived after receiving over one thousand stings. Anaphylactic (severe allergic) reactions are very rare. Although no validating statistics are known, the potential risk is about 1 in 150,000. US statistics estimate that one anaphylactic reaction happens in more than 800,000 treatment sessions. However, as a precaution, apitherapists generally have an EpiPen® or Benadryl on hand. Most reactions to bee venom are mild to moderate, lasting only several minutes to several days and are at worst only uncomfortable and/or irritating. he delicately pulled at its stinger with a pair of tweezers and applied the stinger against the meridian points on Sarah’s skin that corresponded with her affected organ. “I felt a proper sting,” Sarah recalls. “But there was no itching. And over time, I haven’t been experiencing much swelling either.” Sarah was pleasantly surprised at the positive results she soon observed. “The doctor at the hospital had told me that even with the treatment I would have to be patient, that it would take around nine weeks for me to see a difference. Incredibly, once I started apitherapy, the inflammation went down by half after ten days.” According to Sarah, there’s a miraculous little bottle of venom in every honeybee. “It’s an apothecary for human beings,” Sarah aptly describes the wonder. “Especially for people who suffer from autoimmune diseases.” At the start of the treatment regimen, Ravid cautioned Sarah that she would not be able to play around with it. She would have to do the treatment with the same consistence as she’d follow an antibiotic prescription, showing up four times a week at the beginning stage to receive the bee stings. “It was a lot back then,” Sarah recalls, “going four times a week and getting stung at various points that correspond to inner organs. But after a short while, I started feeling so much better that it was all worth it. I’ve been going back to him ever

since for the past four years,” says Sarah. Sarah is eternally grateful to her father and mother for inculcating in her the faith in the way the human body works. “I remember that when I was a little girl my mother used to say that it’s not right that doctors should take out a child’s tonsils. If they’re there, they’re meant to be there for a reason. Today, more research is showing that when the tonsils are removed, a bulwark against bacteria is removed from the body.” Interestingly enough, Sarah has found that apitherapy has side effects—but only positive ones. “When you take antibiotics,” she explains, “you expect negative side effects. With bee venom, the side effects are only positive.” She offers an example from her own experience. “A few years ago, I had terrible heartburn. After the doctor performed an ultrasound exam, he said that I have incipient gallstones, which means that the cholesterol clumps were only starting to develop in my bladder. At my next visit to the apitherapist, I asked him if could do sanything about it. “Ravid told me that he can’t promise anything but that he would do his best to help. At the point underneath both knees, he explained, lie the meridian points of the body that correspond to the gallbladder. At that

session, he gave me two stings on each leg. Nothing happened. I didn’t see any change in my heartburn levels,” Sarah admits. “During the week, I started feeling a bit better and after a second round of treatment, I felt much better. After the third treatment, when I went back for another ultrasound, the nurse was annoyed at me for coming in for nothing!” Sarah’s excitement about the potency of apitherapy is evident in the way she shares the details of her saga. “I’m so happy to share this information,” she gushes. “About five months ago, the apitherapist told me that I’ve gotten over one thousand stings. He keeps a careful record of every single one. He himself is amazed at how the system truly works.” A thoroughly spiritual person, Sarah appreciates that the apitherapist offers a short tefillah before he applies the sting. May this be a refuah sheleimah for… “It’s a wonderful experience,” says Sarah. “I know someone who has Crohn’s disease and came to the therapist for treatment. He stopped getting his episodes of Crohn’s shortly afterward. The venom adjusts the immune system. G-d is very clever. And even the pain of the sting is part of the cure. That’s true in life too.”

October 2016 | The Wellspring 37

Living Well

Cover Feature

An Inside View: Q&A With Apitherapist Dr. Esther Apter DR. ESTHER APTER IS A EUROPEAN-LICENSED SPECIALIST IN PHARMACOGNOSY AND HERBAL PHARMACOLOGY. SHE IS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AAMA). SHE DIAGNOSES MEDICALLY AND HEALS A WIDE RANGE OF ILLNESSES WITH ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS IN HER PRIVATE OFFICE LOCATED IN ROCKLAND COUNTY. SHE SPECIALIZES IN HIRUDO THERAPY FOR INFERTILITY, PREGNANCY LOSS, AND HEMATOLOGY COMPLICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY. LICENSED BY THE AMERICAN APITHERAPY SOCIETY (AAS), SHE TREATS ARTHRITIS AND MS WITH BEE VENOM THERAPY (BVT). HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD OF APITHERAPY? It all began about twenty years ago with the Chanukah gelt my children had amassed after a full week of parties and fun. They presented me with their humble sum and pleaded to be allowed to buy “something for the backyard.” I assumed that they wanted to add a new fruit or berry tree to our growing collection, but what they asked for totally blew my mind away. They were hoping to buy a beehive—full of fuzzy, buzzy, stinging, nectar-sucking bees! WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT OUTLANDISH REQUEST? I will admit that I was startled, yet I couldn’t help smiling inwardly. I was oh so proud that my children reflected my fascination of nature! Even if I wasn’t an iota as confident as my little self-proclaimed beekeepers, I warmed up to the idea quicker than usual. Starting small, I ordered one hive, protective gear, and the basic gadgets needed for backyard beekeeping. WEREN’T YOU AFRAID TO TAKE THE RISK OF HAVING HARMFUL CREATURES IN YOUR VICINITY? Honeybees are not at all the same as the usual backyard buzzers. The common wasps most people are familiar with are neon yellow, unlike the auburn honey bee, and do not produce edible honey. Interestingly enough, they are not even considered part of the bee family. Very soon, 40,000 bees were bred from the one queen bee we’d started off with. Our backyard was literally abuzz with activity as we watched our bees suck the nectar of the various flowers my children had planted.Then came the honey harvest. With a special machine, we extracted the honey from the wooden frames wrapped in wax. We filled more ten-gallon buckets than one can consume in three years on a honey-only diet! WHEN DID YOU START UTILIZING THE COLONY FOR HEALING? When my children started leaving for yeshiva, I suddenly found myself the sole caretaker of four beehives. As a specialist in natural healing, I always knew that bees have wondrous healing capabilities, yet I never gave it much thought.After considering my options, I chose to attend an apitherapy course at the Maryville College in Tennessee. In 1999, I successfully completed both levels of the course and became a member of the American Apitherapy Society. Since then, I’ve

The Wellspring | October 2016 38

applied my knowledge to heal many Yidden through bee stings. CAN YOU SHARE AN INCIDENT IN WHICH A PATIENT WAS HEALED AS A RESULT OF APITHERAPY? Throughout my practice, I’ve encountered countless miraculous healing journeys that my patients have experienced. One that comes to mind is that of a therapist, a young mother of one child, who suffered intensely from rheumatic arthritis since adolescence. The disease wreaked havoc at every joint in her body, to the extent that she couldn’t even walk the two blocks from her house to her in-laws on Shabbos afternoon— while pushing a stroller. During the summer, whenever she would find the time, she came to my office for an apitherapy session. The exact words she said to me were, “The arthritis hurts more than the multiple bee stings.” She felt that the bee stings in the summer saved her from pain in the winter. For two summers, this young woman was my patient. The third summer, she did not return. When we got in touch later, she informed me that her arthritis was completely gone and so she had no reason to return. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL TREATMENT PROCESS? I grasp the bee by its thorax with a large set of tweezers and place the tip of the abdomen against my patient’s skin, waiting for the stinger to come out. The sting gland of a honey bee is a very complex mechanism that actually functions after it has left the bee’s body.This allows for the sting to bury itself into the skin.Two sliding shafts in the gland pump the venom into the wound. The longer the sting is left in the skin, the more venom will be discharged, for up to five minutes after the bee has stung. DOES APITHERAPY WORK FOR EVERYONE? Although it is an excellent healing method for many, apitherapy does not work for everyone. If a person is allergic to bee stings, she will obviously not benefit from this form of healing. HOW CAN IT BE THAT A PAINFUL STING THAT IS GENERALLY THE CAUSE OF AGGRAVATION HOLDS THE POWER TO CURE? BVT cannot be understood in the same way as medicines. BVT produces its therapeutic effect not by suppressing the immune system but by stimulating it, completely contrary to the effects of many drugs. My experience with the honey bee has given me rare insight. For one, it has shown me that we have a lot to learn from Hashem’s fascinating creatures.

HOW DOES BEE VENOM WORK? Bee venom is produced in a special sac in the worker bee. Its function is to protect the colony from predators. The queen bee produces bee venom also, but uses it mostly to kill her growing competitors. Bee venom is very unique in its composition and is very different from that of other insects, so anyone who has an allergy to wasps, yellow jackets or other insects may not be allergic to bee venom. Bee venom has multiple known effects on the body. It improves blood circulation, increases physical strength and well being, stimulates the pituitary-cortical system, reduces pain and inflammation, has anti-oxidant effects, activates the immune system, and helps convert chronic conditions to acute thus facilitating the healing of chronic inflammatory conditions.

THE LIFE OF A BEE The life of a bee is mysterious and fascinating. A colony (bee family) functions like a single organism. Each bee in the family is like a cell that has its own distinct function that changes as the bee matures. It is not the individual bee but the colony that matters most. The queen bee and the worker bee essentially have the same makeup; the differentiation occurs from nutrition. The queen bee is fed royal jelly (honey bee milk) during all 16 days of maturation and later during her period of laying eggs. On the other hand, the worker bee is fed royal jelly 3 days out of the 21 days required for her maturation. The queen bee works tirelessly, laying over 2,000 eggs every day. She is constantly surrounded by young worker bees that feed her royal jelly. Her main role is to lay eggs and guide and direct the functions of the colony. Her presence and energy are essential for the well-being of the whole family. If she is removed, disaster strikes in the family: worker bees stop collecting honey and discontinue defending or cleaning the hive. They become absorbed in raising another queen. Thanks to her special diet consisting primarily of royal jelly, the queen bee is three times bigger than the worker bee and lives for up to 6 years, which is 70-80 times longer than the lifespan of the “summer worker.” Worker bees are all sisters and they live for about 45 days. While in the comb, they’re fed royal jelly for 3 days and then a mixture of honey and pollen mixed with special bee enzymes, called beebread. They are very altruistic, fully devoted to the needs of the colony. Their function is structured according to their age. Initially they are responsible for cleaning the hive, taking care of their maturing sisters or serving the queen by feeding her royal jelly. Later, they guard the hive and then collect pollen and nectar. Bees have an incredible sense of space. They can find their own hive from a distance of several miles. A MEDICINE CHEST IN YOUR PANTRY 5 INTERESTING USES FOR HONEY Lest you start to think bees are only beneficial for their stings (!), here are some age-old health benefits of their honey. Lose weight Put it on your lips Honey is a wonder Did you know that food, and as it turns out, making your own lip balm you can even make it part is as easy as tracking down of your weight loss plan. Honey some almond oil, beeswax, and is an excellent substitute for honey? Makes you feel a little guilty Give yourself a facial sugar that also helps speed about that $10 version you Honey is a natural up the metabolism. Just picked up at the health food humectant with antimicrobial remember: all things in store yesterday, doesn’t properties, which means your skin moderation. it? will be happy when you give it some sweet honey love. It’s also an excellent Go the extra exfoliant. Try a basic honey wash by Clean your cuts mile mixing a dollop of honey and two and scrapes Forget energy bars. tablespoons of warm water and Honey can actually be Just pop a tablespoon massaging the mixture into used as an antiseptic, like of honey before your next your skin. a natural Neosporin. Because workout. Seriously, it of its many antimicrobial has been proven to properties, it can be used boost athletic to treat wounds and performance. even burns. October 2016 | The Wellspring 39

ISSUE 9 OCTOBER 2016 TISHREI 5777

When Memories Are Made EAT THAT BEET: TRY BEET CHUMMUS FOR A NUTRITIOUS TASTY DIP

A Serving of Heart Dear cooks, Succos! The mere word conjures up memories of my family huddled around the table enjoying a cozy, happy meal. My mother usually kept her menu traditional, serving a bowl of hearty chicken soup followed by brisket and mashed potatoes at almost every meal. Although her food was always unsurprisingly delicious, I think it was more than the actual fare that lifted our spirits and had us clamoring for more. It was the love we tasted in every bite. For days before yom tov, we would see her standing over the pots, stirring, tasting, sprinkling the seasoning, and tasting again. The investment of heart and soul was undoubtedly the ingredient that appealed not only to our stomachs but also our hearts. Children crave to experience their parents’ love through every one of the five senses. They need a hug, a kiss, eye contact, and to hear kind, gentle words. And they also need to taste love. When you prepare dishes like the ones featured in this issue’s Seasoned, your effort and desire to provide them with a hearty, nutritious meal will tempt their hearts. May this yom tov be an all-around bonding experience! Wishing you a wonderful yom tov,

-Levia

nd mains a f o t s o h y if up on a last, especiall a d e k c o t ’s left for bably s s. Here You pro es are usually es or deli roll ling full s. Sid you fee to knish dessert to pota hat will leave in ’t n e you ar etable side t eg quick v . ter. py it of wa ew b a a d n and h p uille ay oil a for another f Ratato onions in spr é nd saut -4 Sauté 3 of zucchini a ces tevia. Add sli ket of S , until the c a p a s . d minutes mato sauce an wenty minute t o t t u d o d A ab ok for Let co oft. i is s zucchin B, CDC

SHANI

TAU

Here’s a candid conf ession: As much as I try to stick to a he all year long, includ althy plan ing on yom tov, I still like to serve my not-so-healthy food guests the s that they like. In or der to make it wor us and save on prep k for both of time, when I prepar e the meats, I first for many hours, tig bake them htly covered, with lots of onions, a bit water, and spices. of oil and Then, I remove seve ral slices and trans another pan for my fer them to self and the guests who prefer simple ticated. Only then over sophisdo I add the sauces , brown sugar, etc. to the rest.

SHIFFY FRIEDMAN

, CNWC October 2016 | The Wellspring 43

Eat Topic Well

Specific By By Levia Author Recipes Joseph Styling & Photography By Malky Levine

Pretzel Crusted Drumsticks

Had enough of the meat? The good part about drumsticks is that they’re so versatile. They can be a simple way out or something spectacular, like they are in this dish. 4 chicken drumsticks 1 egg 1 cup whole-wheat flour

1 cup whole-wheat pretzels, crushed 1 Tbsp honey 1 Tbsp mustard

Remove skins from the chicken. Cut away the extras around the bone. Combine egg, honey, and mustard. Coat chicken with flour, then dip into egg mixture, and roll in crushed pretzels. Bake uncovered (try to keep the drumsticks standing upward, or leaning against the wall of the pan) on 375˚F for 40 minutes. Yield: 4 drumsticks

The Wellspring | October 2016 44

Fillet Mignon with Red Wine Gravy

This sophisticated dish is saturated with flavor. Get ready for the “I feel like I’m in a restaurant” comments—all in the environment of your cozy, homey sukkah. What more can your family and guests ask for? Meat 2 fillet mignon steaks, sliced 2 inches thick 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 rosemary sprigs 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced salt freshly ground black pepper Preheat oven to 350˚F. Rub fillets with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Brush with minced garlic and let meat sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Heat skillet for 4-5 minutes, until it’s smoking. Add olive oil. Place the steaks and rosemary sprigs in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, then bake for 10 minutes. Red Wine Gravy 8-10 oz. ground meat 1 Tbsp oil 1 cup red wine (semi-sweet or any high-quality cooking wine) 2 cups chicken soup 2 shallots, sliced Add oil to a skillet. Sauté ground meat with sliced shallots on medium-high flame until browned. Add wine and wait until it evaporates. Lower the flame and add chicken soup. Simmer for 45 minutes. Put the mixture through a strainer and serve with the steaks. Sophisticated Potato Slice 1 sweet potato salt and pepper to taste 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 cup chicken soup juice of 2 oranges Peel the sweet potato and cut into 2-inch thick slices. Heat olive oil in cast iron skillet. Place the potato slices in skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fry the potatoes until golden brown and then flip them over. Once both sides are browned, add chicken soup and orange juice. Place the skillet in the oven. Bake on 350˚F for 45 minutes to one hour. (Note: If your skillet is not ovenproof, transfer it to a disposable pan before placing in the oven.)

Serving suggestion: serve the steak on a slice of sweet potato.

Late.

But worth the wait.

Eat Well

Recipes

Rosemary Lamb Kebabs with Balsamic Dipping Sauce

The first time I tasted lamb, it happened “by accident.” I always shied away from this choice of meat “just because,” until it made its way into my plate when I ordered a steak at a restaurant and, unbeknownst to me, some lamb chops accompanied it. I was in for a pleasant surprise! For many home cooks, lamb is a daring culinary territory. Take the plunge and try this show-stopping dish. It is sure to become a winner in your home! 3 lamb chops, bones removed 8-10 rosemary sprigs 3 small squash cherry tomatoes 2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar handful of fresh rosemary 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tsp cumin salt and pepper, to taste

Cut lamb into small chunks and place in a sealable bag. Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a handful of rosemary, and garlic. Pour the mixture over the meat and let it marinate for 1 hour. Slice the squash in vertically to get long thin slices, approximately 1/8 of an inch. Stick the cherry tomatoes on a toothpick. Stick each lamb chunk on a toothpick. Spray an aluminum pan with oil. Add the squash slices, cherry tomato toothpicks, and lamb toothpicks. Sprinkle everything with salt and pepper. Place pan in the oven. After 15 minutes, remove the squash and tomatoes. If the tomatoes are already soft, remove them from the toothpicks. Turn the lamb chunks over to the other side, sprinkle with cumin, and put them back in the oven for another 10 minutes. To create the kebabs, remove the bottom leaves of the rosemary sprig. Add a tomato to the skewer, a slice of squash, and add the lamb last.

Dipping Sauce 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp silan (date honey) 1 Tbsp chili tahini paste (optional) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 lemon, squeezed Combine all ingredients. October 2016 | The Wellspring 47

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEET THE UNHEALTHY!

Beets. The king of superfoods. Cleanse your body. Reduce stress. At 60 calories a cup, this marvel of a food is packed with fiber. Studies have shown cancer-preventing nutrients and antioxidants. Infused with a chocolate-like effect to calm and ease the mind, beets are the premier leader of the food pyramid. Live again. Thank us later.

YOUR HEALTH. YOUR TASTE. Find our bags of ready-to-eat beets in your local supermarket.

Eat Well

Recipes

October 2016 | The Wellspringâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 49

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:

Beets

Lately, the beet has made an appearance in many recipes and restaurant dishes—for good reason. This root vegetable is highly nutritious and an excellent booster of cardiovascular health. Certain unique pigment antioxidants in the root as well as in its top-greens have been found to offer protection against coronary artery disease and stroke, lower cholesterol levels, and have anti-aging effects. Botanically, the beet belongs to the Amarathaceae family, in the beta genus. It is a rather starchy vegetable, but it is very low in calories and contains zero cholesterol and a small amount of fat. Its nutrition benefits come particularly from the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and unique anti-oxidants it contains.

Principle

Nutrition Value

Percentage of RDA

Energy

43 Cal

Carbohydrates

9.56 g

Protein

1.61 g

Total Fat

0.17 g

0.5%

Cholesterol

0 mg

Dietary Fiber

2.80 g

Folates

109 µg

27%

Niacin

0.334 mg

Pantothenic Acid

0.155 mg

Pyridoxine

0.067 mg

Riboflavin

0.057 mg

Thiamin

0.031 mg

2.5%

Vitamin A

33 IU

Vitamin C

4.9 mg

Vitamin E

0.04 mg

0.5%

Vitamin K

0.2 µg

Sodium

78 mg

Potassium

325 mg

Calcium

16 mg

1.5%

Copper

0.075 mg

Iron

0.80 mg

10%

Magnesium

23 mg

Manganese

0.329 mg

14%

Zinc

0.35 mg

Carotene-B

20 µg

Betaine

128.7 mg

Lutein-zeaxanthin

0 µg

Vitamins

Electrolytes

Minerals

Phyto-nutrients

The Wellspring | October 2016 50

The root of the beet is a rich source of glycine and betaine, two chemical compounds that are crucial for healthy blood. Beets are also an excellent source of folates, a highly important nutrient, particularly for women in the childbearing years. In addition, the root is a rich source of B-complex vitamins such as niacin (B-3), pantothenic acid (B-5), pyridoxine (B6) and minerals such as iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium, and the top greens are an excellent source of vitamin A. The vitamins can boost the immune system, the nervous system, and even give your skin a healthy glow!

In Your Plate!

Ready for some hands-on activity? Get your gloves on for this one! You can use garden beets to create a variety of delicacies: •The root may be eaten raw in salads. Shred beets, carrots, radish, and cabbage for a unique, fall-inspired dish. •Cut a beet into small cubes or peel with a julienne peeler and steam or sauté. Makes a great side dish or salad topping. •Juice the beets for a highly nutritious energizing drink. •How about some old-style borscht to satisfy traditional palates?

Fun in the Kitchen: Roasted Beets n’ Sweets Looking for a nutritious, easy yom tov side? This is a great autumn or winter dish, especially if you go for the combo of sweet and salty. Peel and cut 6 beets and 3 sweet potatoes into chunks. Spray generously with olive oil and toss with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Drizzle honey over the vegetables for added sweetness. Bake the beets for 15 minutes in a preheated oven and then add the sweet potatoes for another 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

Want the benefits of the beet without the mess? Try Gefen’s ready to eat organic beets. Delicious and crunchy, they make a great addition to a salad or soup, or can be eaten alone as a nutritious snack.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 51

PROMOTION

IN THE KNOW Haven’t Tried One Yet? Yogurt in a bar—can you think of anything more genius than that? With a protein content that tops the chart, it’s hard to find a more fun nutritious breakfast on the market. Made of the healthiest and creamiest yogurt on the market, Greek yogurt, this bar has one caveat: it can get addictive. Mehadrin's combination of handy yogurt and always-appreciated chocolate appeals to taste buds of every age and stage.

A Helping Of Tehina Always Welcome In the mood of the world’s best-tasting Tehina, but the shuk is too far away? Thanks to Open Sesame, the freshest, most natural tahini, made with only natural ingredients that are good for your taste buds and body, you can now have your favorite dip at your table. Chock-full of protein, Open Sesame’s tehina tastes great as an addition to a health salad, as a spread on rice cakes, or for quick and easy veggie dip.

Getting A Sonogram Was Never This Convenient When you’re in need of medical tests but unable to leave your home, your health and wellbeing does not have to suffer. Medical Diagnostic Associated is the service you’ve been waiting for all these years. Be it a sonogram, x-ray, echocardiogram, or even a home sleep study, the competent team will be at your doorstep, performing the test in a most proficient, professional manner—all in the comfort and privacy of your home. Just call 877-556-1111 and they’ll be right over.

Welcome Buckweat Cakes To Your Pantry You’ve heard of rice cakes, chomped on corn cakes, and now… there’s buckwheat cakes. A welcome addition to Landau’s wide array of healthy foods, these cakes offer a unique taste and texture. More easily digestible than rice or corn, and less likely to trigger allergic reactions, buckwheat makes a great breakfast or lunch choice. Pair it with your favorite salad and a serving of protein and you have a fabulous, well-balanced meal right then and there.

Closer To You Ezra Medical Center, renowned for its impeccable care and excellent service, has recently opened its doors at another prime location. Services at the new and beautiful center at 1260 60th Street include pediatrics, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, dermatology, internal medicine, and even women’s health and behavioral health. Ezra’s finest specialists in every field are renowned for providing care with the patient in mind.

Uno: The Grab and Go Bar That’s A Sure Winner Today’s lifestyle calls for quick and easy. We like quick-and-easy dinners, quick-and-easy shopping options, and of course, who doesn’t go for a quick-and-easy snack? Make that healthy and you get Uno. Available in 5 delicious flavors like choco zoom and tropic twist, these bars are packed with nutrition and flavor. Grab one today! October 2016 | The Wellspring 53

Living Well

Health Profile By Esther Steinmetz

In this fun column, The Wellspring readers will become acquainted with a fellow reader’s health profile, getting a glimpse into the role that health and wellness play in her everyday life and the tidbits of advice that popular nutritionist and personal trainer Tanya Rosen offers for improved quality of life. Age: 32

BAILA R.

Weight: 138 lbs. Height: 5’5”

You’re in the healthy BMI range, but the optimal weight would be 123–132 pounds.

Married Kids: 4; 3 girls, 1 boy Occupation: I work part-time as an ABA therapist. Tending to the needs of my family fills up all the other time in my day! Favorite health food: Strawberry smoothie with milk The only way this would pass my healthy smoothie standards would be if it had 1 cup of unsweetened strawberries, a cup of either skim milk or almond milk, a zero-calorie healthier sweetener like Truvia or stevia, and ice. That's it. No sugar or ice cream there. Favorite junk food: Man chocolate wafers Favorite exercise: Cardio (when I have time) Favorite nutritious recipe: When I was watching my weight for a few days at one point, I made this delicious dish that has become a staple in our house. Honey may not be 100% healthy, but it’s probably better than the other stuff I would use otherwise, like soy sauce or teriyaki. Honey Mustard Chicken 6 chicken cutlets salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 cup honey 1/2 cup mustard paprika, basil, and parsley to taste Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle cutlets with salt and pepper. Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour half the mixture over chicken, brushing to cover. Bake for 30 minutes. Turn slices over and brush with remaining half of mixture. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until coating is golden. You mention that you only watched your weight for a few days. Why is this happening? Perhaps you are doing things that are not sustainable. If you’re on a balanced plan, you should be able to stick to it. My usual wake-up time: My alarm clock rings for the first time at 7, but I usually snooze until 7:20. I wish I would use those first 20 minutes to start off on a more productive note, but I’m lazy like that.

The Wellspring | October 2016 54

Twenty minutes does not sound like a whole lot of time, but it is a huge chunk at that hour when the house is quiet and no one is in your way. My mind is racing with all the things you can do: 1. Have a calm breakfast… ALONE! 2. Prepare that bigger lunch I recommend below. 3. Exercise. 4. Daven peacefully (and ask for a successful diet day). My biggest meal on a usual day: For sure supper. Breakfast is usually something to-go and for lunch I try to have a salad during my work break. Supper ends up being my only proper, sit-down meal. I end up enjoying it with my kids at around five and then again with my husband at around eight. When I want to be good, I split up the meal between the two timings, eating the soup first and later the main. You mention that you barely get to eat a substantial breakfast or lunch and then get very hungry in the evening. How about trying to reform one out of two of those meals? I’m not suggesting both because I believe in gradual change. Think about which one makes more sense for you time-wise and on a practical level, and make it a bigger meal so that you're less hungry later on. The soups I usually make: Butternut squash soup is a real winner in our house. I also alternate between broccoli, cauliflower, and tomato soup. It’s great that you make soup often and that your family enjoys it. Keep in mind, though, that butternut squash is a starchy vegetable so count 1–2 bowls as your starch. Also avoid putting in extras such as flour, margarine, or butter. My weight loss saga: I haven’t met the woman who hasn’t tried to lose weight. I’m actually from the lucky ones because I was rail thin as a teen. Even in my early 20s I was still very much in control. After the birth of my third child the extra pounds started bothering me, and they’re niggling at the back of my mind since. Greatest weight loss challenge: I love to cook and bake. Cooking is not such a problem, although I’m always tasting the food, but baking really is. I’ve never understood how people make mouthwatering baked goods and don’t even take one lick in the process. The extent I’ve gone to implement a healthy lifestyle in my home: This is embarrassing. Our pantry is not Wellspring friendly, to say the least. But I can’t imagine my kids eating whole-wheat sandwiches or quinoa for supper. They’re kids. I don’t know how old your kids are, but if you start them off on a healthy path when they’re young, they will be perfectly okay with eating whole wheat. The same goes for other healthy alternatives instead of sugary drinks and foods. Tanya Rosen, M.S CAI CPT is a nutritionist, personal trainer, and owner of Nutrition by Tanya with locations in Flatbush, Boro Park, Williamsburg, Monsey, and Lakewood. Tanya is the creator of the TAP (Tanya approved products) line available on her website, in her offices, and select supermarkets, offering all-natural, low-calorie, delicious snacks and food. She is also the creator of the Shape Fitness Kosher Workout DVDs for ladies and for teens, available in all Judaica stores. Tanya can be reached through The Wellspring.

To be interviewed for this column (anonymously) please send your contact information to info@wellspringmagazine.com.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 55

Living Well

Healthy Home Habits By Batsheva Fine

Tried and True

Bed-Wetting: Can I Bring an End to This?

My nine-year-old son is a great kid. He brings us much joy every day with his happy disposition and great work at school. However, I am deeply concerned about what happens almost every night—he is a bed-wetter. I wash his linen all too often. When he was younger, he would wear a pull-up every night but I obviously can’t make him do that anymore. On more mornings than I can count, I enter his room to find a soaked sheet. I know he’s uncomfortable about it, but I don’t know if or how to address this problem. Is there a way for me to bring an end to it or do I just have to let it play out on its own? Henny Seagate mother of five:

I agree that having an older child wet his bed is exasperating. Two of my children who are now teens went through the same ordeal. What worked best for us was a bed alarm. It costs somewhere in the range of $100 and can be purchased online. Ours has an audible tone and a vibrating sensor. The alarm works in a very interesting way. It may sound complicated, but it is well worth the process. The child wears a very sensitive wetness sensor in his underwear that is connected to an alarm. As soon as the sensor detects the slightest moisture, the alarm goes off, waking the child. Of course, by now it’s too late to keep the bed dry but what the alarm does is that it gradually trains the brain to wake up earlier and earlier. It sort of introduces the concept of waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. One of my sons did not even hear the alarm so I slept in his room for several nights to wake him when it rang. It took about a week, but in the end he got the hang of waking up when needed. Talia Highland Park mother of three: Did you talk to your son’s pediatrician about the issue? In my daughter’s case, the underlying issue was that her bladder had not yet matured. Once that issue was taken care of, the bed-wetting problem disappeared. Many parents don’t know that certain foods, like artificial flavorings, citrus juices, and sweeteners irritate the bladder, making it hard to be controlled. Ruchy Williamsburg mother of nine: My children know that unless they’re very thirsty, they cannot drink after supper. I encourage them to fill up on fluids in the morning and as soon as they get home from school, to avoid the need to increase their fluid intake close to bedtime. I also wake up the ones who are prone to wet their beds before I go to bed.

Kaila Rochel Monsey mother of six: I’ve learned to just let it roll on its own. Three of my kids wetted their beds until the age of 10, and I was highly anxious about it. I think I was more concerned for them than they were for themselves. Of course, it is not pleasant. However, despite all of my efforts nothing changed until they simply matured out of the problem.

The Wellspring | October 2016 56

You should definitely address the issue with your child. Sweeping it “under the blanket” only leads to unpleasant results. Your child should be reassured that it is not his fault and that you empathize with him. When my oldest child wet his bed, I would sometimes get frustrated and angry at him for doing so. I later learned how deflated it made him feel. No child likes the results of bed-wetting and the mother’s disappointment only exacerbates the problem. A psychologist I discussed this issue with told me to tell my child, “When you sleep, your brain can’t control your bladder. It’s not something you do on purpose or because you’re babyish. Eventually, as you get older, you won’t wet your bed anymore.” Dr. Howard Bennett author of Waking Up Dry: Nocturnal enuresis, the medical term for bed-wetting, is more rampant than you think. While many children are able to hold their urine all night by age 5, up to one in eight first- and second-graders still deal with this embarrassing situation. The percentage drops steadily as children get older, but one in twenty 10-year-olds still wets at night and an unfortunate 1 to 2 percent struggle with the problem until the age of 15. For most children, the problem is neurological. The child’s brain is not sending signals to his bladder to hold his urine while sleeping. It reflexively empties while the child is asleep, just as it did when he was a baby. Genetics play a role, too. About three out of four children who suffer have a sibling, parent, aunt, uncle, or cousin who also wet his bed during childhood. Occasionally, if a child suddenly starts to wet his bed, it can be psychological, triggered by upheaval like a move, a new baby, or family issues. Because the matter is not in the child’s control, the child should not be given any subliminal messages to suggest that.

Smart Solution Maxi Health Joins the Conversation When bed-wetting is a result of a weak bladder, strengthening the bladder may be all it takes to solve the bed-wetting issue. Maxi Health Research had mothers like you in mind when it produced the two high-quality supplements Premium EFA™ and Zinc 6™. Premium EFA™ is a premium blend of healthy oils with vitamin E. This unique supplement combines high quality essential fatty acids from olive, sunflower, sesame, evening primrose, and borage oil, which provide a rich source for linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and oleic acid (OA). This superior blend also plays a prominent role in strengthening the bladder. Zinc 6™ provides a combination of both zinc and vitamin b6 in one vegetarian capsule, which offer a host of health benefits such as wound repair, protein synthesis, immunity boost, as well as many other benefits including strengthening the bladder. When the organ involved in the issue is given the nutrients it needs to mature and develop, the child will hopefully experience dry nights every night.

Next up: One of my children has an allergy to eggs. Should I stop serving eggs to the entire family? How do I manage her menu options without making her feel deprived? 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! October 2016 | The Wellspring 57

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

Leah Lakewood mother of eight:

Living Well

Monthly Dose By Dina Mendlowitz

SOLID GROUND

PROVIDING YOUR CHILD WITH A HEALTHY FOUNDATION As the new year unfolds, parents everywhere are thinking not only about their own coming year, but also of their children’s. When we pray for a sweet year, we envision a year without illness or injury—a year of good health. Especially for children, a strong body goes a long way in preventing and fighting illness. Here are some excellent ways to help boost your child’s vital systems this year. IMMUNE SUPPORT™

Immune Support™ is a unique product formulated with your family in mind, providing you with all the health benefits of the most sought after ingredients. This wondrous supplement contains the herbal remedy Echinacea, which has been used for centuries as an excellent healing nutrient. According to a 2012 article in Alternative Medicine Review, Echinacea is a wide-spectrum immunomodulator that modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses, helping support immune system health. The supplement also contains garlic and olive leaf extract, which which have traditionally played a powerful role in healing. Garlic, as has been discussed many times, contains numerous healing properties. Garlic is reported to stimulate immunity, including macrophage activity, natural killer cells, and LAK cells. As reported in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, it has also been shown to increase the production of IL-10 and to decrease the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1alpha, IL-2, IL-6, and T-cell interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Clinical studies, such as in the Journal of Ethnopharmocology show that as much as 5–10 grams of garlic extract is effective in enhancing human immune responses. With the addition of oregano leaf and elderberry fruit, this supplement is one great choice to support your The Wellspring | October 2016 58

child's immune system. Immune Support™ combines nature’s most potent immune-boosting nutrients—all in one unique supplement! To make its consumption most palatable for children, the supplement has an orange flavor and is sold in liquid form.

KIDDIE BOOST™

The highly popular Kiddie Boost™ is yet another one of Maxi Health’s unique products formulated with children in mind. It combines the health benefits of non-acidic vitamin C, L-Glutathione, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, and Lactobacillus sporogenes into one great product. Kiddie Boost™ contains a buffered non-acidic form of vitamin C with mineral ascorbates, which makes it a great choice for children with sensitive stomachs. Glutathione is an important antioxidant and amino acid that defends the cells against free radicals. The addition of the amino acid N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) helps the body digest and utilize the benefits of glutathione. Lactobacillus sporogenes, yet another potent ingredient in Kiddie Boost™, is a probiotic that helps support a balanced intestinal environment and growth of the friendly bacteria in the digestive tract. It needs no special handling, survives stomach acid and produces lactic acid in the intestines. Thanks to these ingredients, this supplement is perfect for children sensi-

tive to lactic acid. Available in powder form, Kiddie Boost™ is administered by adding a scoop to juice or apple sauce once or twice daily before meals—the perfect way to start a nutritious breakfast or dinner.

YUMMIE C!™

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a white, crystalline, water-soluble substance found in citrus fruits that provides the body with a host of health benefits. But how many oranges can your child eat? In Yummie C!™, he gets the real deal—250 mg in one tablet. As an antioxidant, vitamin C scavenges free radicals in the body and protects tissues from oxidative stress. Vitamin C also promotes the absorption of iron, while preventing its oxidation. It is also a vital cofactor to the formation of collagen, the connective tissue that supports arterial walls, skin, bones, and teeth. A major immune-supporting activity of vitamin C is boosting glutathione levels in human lymphocytes, cells that make up about 25% of all white cells in the blood. By upping the vitamin C levels in your child’s body, you’re strengthening the fighter cells in the blood and vital organs. Your partners at Maxi Health Research® know what your child needs and do their utmost to combine vital nutrients to create the most effective supplements. In order to maximize your child’s immune strength, Yum-

CHEWABLE ORALDOPHILUS™, MAXI 5-M™, MAXI ACTIVE PRO 10™

When a child takes a regimen of antibiotics or experiences a bout of diarrhea, which is an often occurrence in infancy and childhood, the gut gets depleted from its healthy flora. A child’s healthy bacteria is also diminished when he consumes overly processed or artificial foods or is not getting enough active cultures from food. In order to replenish the healthy bacteria that is vital for good health, a daily dose of Chewable Oraldophilus™ is the way to go. These chewable tropical flavored tablets don’t only contain acidophilus and bifidum, which are probiotics that provide over 1 billion culture-forming units and combat against candida and yeast infections. Probiotics are live organisms (which need to be abundant) in the small intestines. They support assimilation of nutrients and infection prevention. As they become depleted, they not only cease their digestive/food assimilation function but also fail to act as a barrier. This can result in toxins passing between cellular connective junctions, into the blood stream. As is Maxi Health Research®’s specialty, this product too is a unique combination created with your child’s gut health in mind. In addition to the live cultures (such as what your child receives from yogurt but in much greater quantities), Chewable Oraldophilus™ contains biotin, apple pectin, and slippery elm

bark powder. Biotin, which is also known as vitamin H, helps the body convert food into energy. Especially after an illness or diarrhea, this vitamin, whose root originates from the ancient Greek word “biotos,” which means sustenance, boosts the energy level in the body. Apple pectin, a fiber found in fruits that is used to make medicine, is another excellent nutrient to boost digestive health that promotes normal elimination and cleanses the intestinal tract of impurities and slippery elm bark is a highly effective digestive aid that supports protection against stomach acid and other irritants. The same highly effective ingredients make up Maxi 5M™, a unique probiotic formula in powder form. Restoring health bacteria helps protect against suffering from yeast, histamines, fungus, and other internal pathogens. It also aids the digestion of carbohydrates and dairy, and provides support for food sensitivities. To get the pure benefits of 15 different probiotic strains, Maxi Active Pro 10™ is the ideal source. Available in powder form or chewable vanilla or fruit punch tablets, this supplement is brimming with the healthy bacteria that a lacking digestive tract desperately needs.

MULTIYUMS!™

This unique combination of vitamins and minerals was created to provide your child with overall healthy nutrition every day. A child’s developing body requires significant amounts of vitamins and minerals in order to develop into a healthy, strong adult. The nutrients your child receives from her food don’t only affect her physical health, but they play a role in her cognitive function, as well. However, even if your children do eat properly balanced

meals, they may still be lacking some vital nutrients that food can’t possibly provide. The results of a study published in Pediatrics International in April 2015 indicate that when children’s diets are supplemented with vitamins and zinc, their weight and height show significant changes. The researchers divided a randomized population of seventy 4- to 13-year-old schoolchildren in Thailand into a treatment group, which received a daily dose of zinc and multivitamins for six months, and a placebo group. The children in the treatment group showed significant signs of physical growth and cognitive development. When you give your child one tablet of MultiYums!™ daily, you’re ensuring that no matter what the child does or doesn’t eat, his body benefits from over 30 crucial nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin E, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, barley grass, broccoli powder, and so much more. Available in assorted flavors like cherry and strawberry, MultiYums!™ are sure to make both you and your children happy and healthy. Children at work Vitamin and mineral supplementation are a great start toward building up your child’s immune system. However, you can take other steps to help him develop a strong core health. Here are some ways to enhance the immune system’s functioning: *Make sure your child gets adequate sleep and exercise, which enhance delivery of oxygen and nutrition to cells for increased immunity and stamina. * Provide the child with a diet that is high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables that work with vitamins and supplements to ensure health and fight disease. *Planned relaxation and downtime during the day helps promote wellness by combating immune-robbing stress. This is especially important for teens and uptight children.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 59

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not ibntended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

mie C!™ contains impressive doses of pantothenic acid (B5), zinc, and citrus bioflavonoids. To ensure that your child receives his required dose of vitamin C daily, Yummie C!™ is the way to go. Thanks to the choice of child-friendly flavors like natural cherry, bubble gum and grape, you’ll enable the vital ingredients contained in this supplement to get to work in your child’s body without a struggle.

Well Informed

Vitamin Production Process By Judy Appel

WELCOME TO THE LAB!

The Vitamin Production Process: A sneak peek inside Step Seven: Packaging

The last step of the extensive vitamin production process is, of course, packaging. Even this simple procedure involves several steps. In the packaging area, the vitamins pass through a row of machines. After the vitamins are dumped in the hopper of the first machine, they do not come into human contact. The worker sets the machine to count out the required number of capsules or tablets per bottle, and the rest is done automatically. The capsules or tablets fall into a bottle, which is passed to the next machine to be sealed, capped, labelled, and shrink-wrapped. The full bottles are then set in boxes and are ready for distribution.

Quality Control Because Maxi-Health® wants to ensure that every single capsule and tablet contains precisely what the bottle proclaims, quality checks are made throughout the many stages of the production. All the ingredients of a vitamin tablet or capsule are checked for identity and potency before they are used. Often this is tested both by the distributor of the raw vitamin as well as by the manufacturer. The mixed vitamin powder is checked before it is tableted or encapsulated, and the finished product is also thoroughly inspected. Vitamin ingredients must be proven safe by lab tests before they can be made available to consumers.

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. The Wellspring | October 2016 60

Wellbeing

Clean Slate By Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC

It’s More Than The Tantalizing Dessert The pluses and pitfalls of Yom Tov Yom tov is a beautiful time. It is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with family and to relish in the peace of mind that a break from routine allows. However, for many individuals, the baggage that comes along with extended family time may turn what should be a joyous experience into a stressful affair. For an individual to whom yom tov turns into a chain of bingeing events, the trigger is most probably more than the mere sight of a tantalizing dessert. As we’ve discussed in previous issues, certain people, places, or events may trigger the feeling of powerlessness within. You were perfectly satisfied before this element came into your life and suddenly you feel hungry. What happened to turn it into a trigger? As human beings, we like to measure things. If you have a child, you know that a broken cookie is not the same as a whole one. The distinction in size makes all the difference. If you give children the opportunity to choose a prize, the first child is bound to pick the largest one. From our youth, we are accustomed to sizing up people and things in order to make an assessment about them. You, too, have been measured and judged in your youth. Were you a good enough student for your parents and teachers? Did you live up to the expectations of your caregivers? Were you smart enough, kind enough, pretty enough? Of course, you fell short in some categories. We all do. But the unfortunate outcome of the measurement system is that you learned to judge yourself as others judge you. When you see someone who scores higher in a certain attribute than you do, you are bound to think, at least momentarily, that you aren’t good enough. You don’t measure up. What you may not realize at that moment, though, is that your judgment is askew. While your sister or friend or neighbor may seem to earn more points in this particular aspect, you are unfairly comparing one of your weak points against her strong one. A determining factor in this thought process is your dependence on others for approval. If your maturation process was healthy, you should have developed a solid sense of who you are independent of how others view you. Of course, this does not mean that you should be immune to what others say or do. Sensitivity is necessary in order to connect with and nurture others. But, a strong sense of self is what makes you less susceptible to feeling awful and launch into a feeding frenzy when someone makes a comment about how you look, what you’re wearing, or how you parent your children.

The yetzer hara very well recognizes the profound influence that inadequacy has on a human being. For this reason, we ask Hashem, “Vehaseir satan milfaneiunu umei’chareinu—Remove the evil inclination from before us and behind us.” Before we commit a deed, he stands at our side and says, “You anyway don’t have the power to control yourself.” And after we’ve done it, he’s there once again: “You fell through again. I told you so. Now it won’t hurt if you do it one more time.” If you’re an emotional eater, every time you determine that you aren’t good enough, you become hungry. Remember, it’s not physical hunger that you’re experiencing; it’s your imaginary stomach calling out to you. But to your body, the source of the hunger does not make any difference. Feeling inadequate is just as powerful a hunger stimulant as low blood sugar or a day without eating. Other emotions, even excitement, can also trigger this hunger, but insecurity ranks highest on the list. When a critical grandmother /mother/sister-in-law comments on your parenting skills, you may think you’re craving a slice of the bundt cake that’s been sitting on the table all day long. But the real reason you’re eating it now is because your sense of self-esteem has been wounded and in your vulnerability you’ve lost all sense of control. When the sense of self is more solid and developed, you will find the strength to not only move past a negative comment, but also the cake that lies before you. The more you delve into the concept of emotional eating by recognizing your triggers and observing how they play out in your life, you may discover that the single biggest problem that stands between you and a thin, healthy body has to do with a harsh view of yourself. The measurement of your interior self has a lot more to do with the measurement of your waist than you might realize. If you think about it, you will realize that it’s all a cycle. When you feel good about yourself, you find the strength within to control your intake. And when you find the strength to control your intake, you feel good about yourself. Don’t let an emotion-based decision snatch your simchas yom tov away from you. This Succos, may you merit to fulfill vesamachta bechagecha in its entirety.

Feeling inadequate is just as powerful a hunger stimulant as low blood sugar or a day without 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. October 2016 | The Wellspring 61

Wellbeing

Health Personality By Miri Davis

A CUP OF TEA WITH... UZI ELI HEZI

OCCUPATION: Healer using esrog and other natural juices LOCATION OF PRACTICE: Machane Yehuda shuk, Jerusalem YEARS IN PRACTICE: 15 PASSION: Showing people how the secrets to healing are in nature

USING THE ESROG FOR HEALING IS A UNIQUE FIELD. HOW DID YOU GET INTO IT? I was born in Yemen seventy years ago to a family of pious natural healers and I learned the secrets from my father. Our health principles are based on the teachings of the Rambam, who says that the esrog can cure over seventy ailments. I was raised to appreciate nature, drinking milk from the cow that lived on our farm. Today, my family owns and operates a 10-acre esrog field near Be'er Sheva, the products of which are primarily used for medicinal purposes.

WHAT AILMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE ESROG JUICE WORKS BEST FOR? The list is long. It works wonders to cure morning sickness, as well as as an antidote to snake and scorpion bites. It also helps lower blood pressure, with infertility issues, and to heal burns. It’s a great mood-lifter, too.

HOW MANY CUPS OF ESROG JUICE DO YOU DISPENSE DAILY? Hundreds. Because of my unique profession that has helped thousands, I’ve been nicknamed, "The Etrog Man."

ARE DRINKS THE ONLY WAY PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM THE ESROG? We’ve also developed sprays, creams, shampoos and soaps made of esrog, which are known to heal and nurture. The cream is especially good for the skin. We use a special variety of Yemenite esrogim, which are much bigger than the small yellow ones that most people use of Succos. The ones we use from our farm have a green outer skin and a spongy white rind. There isn’t much juice there. The Wellspring | October 2016 62

WHAT ARE SOME SUCCESS STORIES YOU’VE WITNESSED IN THE FIELD? What are some success stories you’ve witnessed in the field? I once started collecting the stories, but then there were too many so I gave up. A woman who was trying for a child for many years once came in here. She asked if I have something for her and I suggested she drink the esrog beverage every day. It has a calming effect on the body and I thought it might help. Often, the stress of infertility amplifies the problem. Incredibly, she was back here several months later, to let me know she was expecting a child.

AS THE “ETROG MAN” IN TOWN, DO YOU MAKE SURE TO DRINK YOUR OWN CUP OF ESROG JUICE DAILY? What a question! The esrogim keep me healthy and happy, thank G-d. I haven’t seen a doctor in 15 years. I pay health insurance just as a security! My clients, whom I call my patients, can say the same about themselves. When they come to my stall, I provide them with the natural medicine that their body needs. From my mother’s experiences as an herbalist and my father’s as a spiritual leader, I’ve absorbed the secrets of natural healing. And I’ve studied the Rambam’s texts in depth, as well. In this little stall, I can unite what they taught me and use my expertise to heal others.

SARI’S STORY

round of antibiotics? I hope not.” The pediatrician had trouble answering that question. After all, it did look like a bad case of strep to him. All other signs of illness ruled-out, he was in a quandary. “Let me see what I can do to help the situation,” Gila offered. Perhaps one of her natural remedies would help. For months, Gila remembers, Sari was in and out of school, on some days lying lethargically in bed and on others just sitting on the window sill, staring out into the busy streets. One morning in late January, when Sari was feeling well enough to attend kindergarten, Gila carved out some time from her busy schedule to do her shopping in the Machane Yehuda shuk. She filled her cart with sheets of halvah, bags of za’atar, and of course, lots and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. As she wormed her way through the market, Gila spotted a tiny booth that sold freshly-squeezed fruit drinks. It was a crisp morning, and a good, wholesome drink beckoned. Gila

To Gila, it was all a mystery. She felt like she was chasing thin air, trying desperately to seize the elusive solution— something, anything—but nothing that came into her grasp did the trick. In January 2006, four-year-old Sari had been suffering for months, her absences from kindergarten growing into a hapless mountain of boredom and agitation. Since September, she had been complaining of throat-ache and fatigue, ordinary symptoms that didn’t excessively alarm Gila. When she took Sari to the local pediatrician, he diagnosed it as a classic case of strep and prescribed the usual dosage of antibiotics. After several days of diligently taking the medication, Sari returned to school, excited to catch up on her learning and burgeoning friendships. However, by the time she finished the prescribed amount of antibiotics, the symptoms returned. When Gila took her back to the doctor, he reassured her that this recurrence was normal, and that sometimes two rounds of antibiotics Upon my visit to his shop, Uzi welcomes me in his usual congenial are necessary to uproot a bad case of strep. manner. He displays a beautiful rainbow of color on the counter: four Relieved that Sari’s case was run-of-thesmall cups filled with red, yellow, green, and white beverages. "Do you mill, Gila gladly accepted the diagnosis and want to taste these?" he asks me. started her on a second round of medica"What type of juices are they?" tion. However, when Sari’s symptoms reUzi points to each one and tells me of its contents and qualities. The turned with a vengeance after the medicine green, of course, is made of esrog, his specialty. Interestingly, the white was finished, an alarm went off in Gila’s drink, which consists of almonds, dates, and some other ingredients, is head. Perhaps her daughter was suffering wildly popular and known as "The Rambam's Drink." from something more than a routine case "In his Sefer Hamada, in hilchos de'os, the Rambam says that almonds of strep. Apprehensively, she returned to and dates are extremely beneficial to the human body, so we offer this the doctor. drink here." “Sari is listless again,” she said. “Now, will The sweet taste of each drink refreshes me. you give her Across the back wall of the shop hang several photos depicting Uzi's a third rich lineage. "The healing secrets have been passed down from generation to generation," he shares. As we talk, customers come and go, and I watch in amazement how Uzi caters to each one's needs with heart. He remembers what every client needs and inquires about his wellbeing. A yeshiva bochur in chassidic garb walks in. "Uzi, I'm having an upset stomach again." Uzi knows what works for him and prepares the special drink. "I always feel much better after I come here," the bochur says. Another customer steps into the shop. "Uzi, can I please have another bottle of esrog juice?" she asks. I ask the middle-aged American for what purpose she uses the beverage. "As a believer in natural healing, I feel that a daily cup of this drink makes me feel better and happier. It lifts my mood."

October 2016 | The Wellspring 63

appreciated the idea of sitting down for a few moments of refreshing peace, so she made her way into the narrow shop. “I’ll take passion fruit, mango, and kiwi,” Gila requested. “Do you want me to add some esrog to your beverage?” the man behind the counter asked. “Esrog?” Gila wondered aloud. “Why?” “Because it tastes good and it’ll put you in a great mood.” Not one to shy away from experimenting with the new, Gila said, “Yes, yes, then. Squeeze in some esrog for me.” While Gila enjoyed her drink in an oasis of serenity amidst the hubbub of the marketplace, her thoughts turned to Sari, of course. She wondered how she was doing in school, and if she was managing at all. How she wished she could help her little girl, to find the cure to her relentless ails. When she finished her drink, Gila turned to thank the man behind the counter and readied herself to leave the shop. “So did you like the taste of the esrog in your drink?” he asked. “I didn’t really taste much of it, but I’ll be glad to feel its results,” Gila answered. “Oh, don’t worry, the esrog will never disappoint you. It is the natural healer of so many ails. It is a natural antibiotic that has helped thousands over the centuries,” the vendor

confidently asserted. Could this be? Gila wondered. Could this be the key to my mystery? “You know,” she said, her eyes sparkling, “I have a daughter who’s been suffering from strep and flu-like symptoms for the past few months. Do you think esrog can heal her? I’ve been searching high and low for a cure.” “Definitely. No question about it. It has helped so many others. Why would your daughter be any different?” For a moment, Gila reveled in the sweet pleasure of discovery, after having toiled for months to find a solution to her daughter’s problem. But then, pragmatics kicked in and she told herself to keep her cool until the results were visible to her own eyes. “It doesn’t hurt to try,” Gila mumbled. “Sure doesn’t,” the man agreed. He opened the glass door of a refrigerator filled with sprays and creams of all sizes. “Here,” he said, holding out a tall, narrow spray bottle. “Spray this esrog solution into your daughter’s mouth every morning. And let me know when you see results. Take my word, before you know it, she’ll be a changed person.” Six days later, Sari emerged from her shell. Today, ten years later, at fourteen, she hasn’t felt those strep-like symptoms again. Gila’s discovery is no news. In ancient and medieval times, different from other citrus species like the orange or lemon, the citron was used mainly for medicinal purposes: to combat seasickness, pulmonary illnesses, intestinal ailments, and other disorders. The essential oil of the outermost, pigmented layer of rind, the flavedo, was regarded as an antibiotic. Interestingly, citron juice with wine was considered an effective antidote to poison. “We’re not the first generation to make use of this wonderful, healing gift from G-d,” Gila shares. “Why shouldn’t we enjoy the benefits of this natural medicine and lead happier, healthier lives?” The healing lineage Hezi takes pride in graces the walls of his shop

While Gila enjoyed her drink in an oasis of serenity amidst the hubbub of the marketplace, her thoughts turned to Sari, of course.

The Wellspring | October 2016 64

Wellbeing

From the Ground Up By Dr. Joel Rosenshein, PhD

When Cancer Strikes What children should know In this vital series, the renowned Dr. Rosenshein will discuss how to transmit vital coping skills to children who are touched by serious illness. As parents, we wish to provide our children with an idyllic childhood. Our deepest desire is to shield them from harm—to let them develop in a stable, happy environment that is not tainted by the uncertainty, heartache, and chaos that illness unleashes. However, we are not in control of the circumstances Hashem places on our plate. The only control we do have is on the response— how we will manage the trying situation and what coping skills we will transmit to our precious children for the present circumstance and the future. As a psychologist and consultant at RCCS (Rofeh Cholim Cancer society), an esteemed organization that stands at the side of cancer patients and their families, I am unfortunately privy to the havoc illness wreaks in families and communities. I am also, however, aware of the positive results that are generated when the ordeal is handled properly. Effectively dealing with the situation plays not only a large role in the emotional wellness of those affected by illness, but it plays a prominent role in the physical recovery process, as well. So where does the effective management come into play? It starts out as soon as the adults receive the frightening diagnosis, G-d forbid. Actually, it starts out even earlier. The first foundation in transmitting vital coping skills is to actually practice them throughout life. In my extensive practice in the field, I’ve observed that adults who lead

lives of emunah and exercise their resilience even when seemingly small challenges crop up in life are significantly better armed to face the ominous challenge of a cancer diagnosis. Only if they truly believe that everything that Hashem does is for the good (emunah does not mean believing that the patient will make a full recovery), can they transmit this crucial belief

to their children. Another vital tool that parents must bring to the table even before the diagnosis is given is positivity. A positive attitude does wonders to even the bleakest circumstance. When parents look to the future with shining eyes, with a belief that they will do their best to make the best of what they were given, they are filled with strength to carry on. Children who grow up in a positive environment acquire this coping skill by osmosis. Emunah and positivity are a great start, but they may not be enough in

providing children the strength in managing the diagnosis. Whether a sibling, parent, close friend, or relative was diagnosed, the child must know that every one of his questions will be welcomed and answered. Shielding the child from the truth in an effort to shield him from pain is an erroneous decision. Unfortunately, the life of a child who is close to a cancer patient will change. He will be subjected to the uncertainty, the pain, the chaos that the C-word brings about. There is no way for him to be shielded from the new, unpleasant reality. This does not mean that a child should live in tension. On the contrary, if a child knows that his parents are always available for open discussion, that all of the questions fluttering around in his developing brain will be taken seriously, he will live in a place of comfort despite the difficult circumstances. “Is the illness contagious?” “What does cancer mean?” “How did Shaya get sick?” “Will he die?” “Will I be able to visit?” These are heavy questions that must be properly addressed. Why should a child, in what should be his most carefree years, be wracked with the worry and fear surrounding a veiled secret? Children are way smarter than we think and they will pick up on the details anyway. When they learn the truth on their own, the consequences are all the more painful, coupled by the pain that they were not informed.

Dr. Joel Rosenshein, PhD, is the founder of Ptach worldwide and has been in private practice for children, couples, and families since 1962. He was the citywide director for the NYC Board of Education for special education evaluation for two decades. Today, Dr. Rosenshein is a consultant for RCCS, Torah Umesorah, Ptach, and several other organizations, and a board member at Agudas Yisrael. The Wellspring welcomes educators, therapists, and childhood intervention specialists to contribute to this column. Please send a bio of your work to info@wellspringmagazine.com

October 2016 | The Wellspring 65

Wellbeing

Emotional Wellness By Esther Moskovitz, LCSW

suppression, repression, and why we do it Trauma with a little ‘t’ Trauma is a buzzword today. Even kids are using it. “Wow, that class was sooo boring. It was traumatizing!” Here’s the news: Boredom is not traumatic. It’s boring. Feelings are not traumatic. Lack of feeling, however, may be. Sometimes, something happens to us or around us that is so hard to deal with that our brains choose not to. We don’t process the situation properly, and we don’t have the feelings that are appropriate to the situation. In such a case, we get emotionally flooded and just switch off. This internal psychological safety valve, which is called a ‘trauma reaction,’ works for the moment. It does keep us from being overwhelmed and flooded with emotions, but in the long run it creates havoc. Unless the switch gets turned back on later when we are able to experience the emotions safely and go through the appropriate feelings and reactions in a sane, safe way, this survival mechanism will backfire. Relational trauma, another kind of trauma that does not get a lot of press, develops slowly over long periods of time through our primary relationships. To suffer from relational trauma, we don’t have to have gone through a cataclysmic event. Often, relational trauma is never even noticed. In the therapy world it is called little ‘t’ trauma. Leading trauma therapist Pia Mellody expertly explains how trauma can affect a person in three ways. The first is that a suffering child goes for help to the adults in her life. Usually, that’s enough. The adult helps the child feel her feelings, feel comforted, nurtured and whole, and the child can go on, maybe even a little wiser about life. However, if and when the adult is unable to help the child with that pain, for whatever reason, the child then

goes into one of the other two possible directions: suppression or repression. In suppression, a child literally decides that she is not feeling anything. She does such a good job at suppressing the feelings that something is wrong that she does not even realize that the feelings exist at all. A young woman came into my office with feelings of low self-worth and anxiety that she couldn’t understand. She had only the most glowing things to say about her childhood. “I was raised in a wonderful family, surrounded by people who love to do for the community. They they love to look right, are exceedingly capable, and have wonderful temperaments. Thanks to their aesthetic eye, my mother and sisters know how to make the home look ‘just so’ and they enjoy the process.” While recently away from home for a year in seminary, this young woman developed an insight that made her aware that she has a very different nature. Unlike her family, she is poetic and intuitive. She notices the nuances of feelings that they don’t. But she was still completely baffled and pained about her low self-worth. When questioned about her mother’s reaction to her sensitive nature, the client drew a blank. She had no feelings, recollections, or even insights about it. It’s as if it wasn’t there. This girl was suppressing her story. But the real truth was that there was pain and loneliness. She had no place to express her poetic nature. That’s a lot for a child to handle on her own! And it takes a lot of psychic energy to suppress all that. So after years and years of all that suppression, the energy began to leak out in dysfunctional ways, for her, in the form of low self-worth and anxiety. The second direction a child can go in is repression. When questioned later

in life about painful situations, an adult who repressed her feelings will act as if the pain is not as strong as it really is. To the therapist’s question regarding her mother’s feelings about her sensitive poetic nature, that same girl might say, “She had no real patience for it, but it didn’t really bother me at all.” She is repressing her truth, pretending that things are not as meaningful to her as they really are. This is not uncommon with a child who is very different than the rest of her family and no one in the family wants to recognize it. She doesn’t want to ‘rock the boat’ and create problems, so she doesn’t allow herself to ‘know what she knows’ or ‘feel what she feels.’ And just like in suppression, after a lifetime of repression—of believing that she didn’t really feel anything, there is an emotional consequence. The healing process is essentially a process of knowing what we know and feeling what we feel – allowing the feelings to emerge and still come out feeling worthy and whole. Finding the courage to look past the suppression, finding the strength to break past the repression, and allowing yourself to feel the feelings that have been locked up for years is hard. For a while, it may bring on feelings of sadness, and grief among other appropriate emotions. (If you find yourself stuck in anger, that’s a sign that you’re not getting to the underlying feelings.) But the irony is that once you “go there,” once you break past the frightening barriers and into your truth, what awaits you on the other side is a feeling of grounded-ness, peace, self-respect, and an inner freedom that allows you to truly feel the love you have for the people in your life – however perfect or imperfect they may be.

Esther Moskovitz, LCSW, specializes in challenges faced by adults raised by narcissistic or emotionally undeveloped parents using EMDR and the work of Pia Mellody. Her practice is in Monsey, NY and she has an active telephone practice, as well.

The Wellspring | October 2016 66

CMY

Wellbeing

Me-Time By Batsheva Fine

PROGRAM THIS MONTH: DOING NOTHING lisstt:: o d To hiinngg t o N []

In the past few issues, we’ve explored a host of ways that you can entertain yourself during me-time. It’s surely fun to engage in a pottery activity, to keep a journal, or to take a swim, but have you ever considered doing nothing? In the rat race of life we’re engaged in, your answer to this question may very well be “no.” If it is, know that you’re part of the majority. Especially during a hectic season, such as during the yamim tovim, how many people carve out time to just be? It’s all about getting lists done, shopping, more shopping, then cooking, and more cooking. Even entertaining is work. Sure, there is joy to that too, but every woman can benefit greatly from doing simply nothing.

But I’m Too Productive For That! We live in a very result-oriented culture. When we hear of a new concept, our first question is, “What’s in it for me?” So what are the benefits of taking time despite your hectic schedule to simply klutz? Won’t that make you less of an achiever? Here’s the secret, dear reader: It will not. To do nothing does not mean that you are nothing. It means that you are simply putting yourself more in touch with your inner world. It allows you to come closer to your consciousness, to become more self-aware. And doing nothing is not the same as being bored. It’s a conscious choice to designate time from your busy, fulfilling life to give yourself genuine downtime. It is important to clarify that beneficial downtime is not the same as downtime spent “having fun.” To some

extent, today’s society has lost clarity on what is truly advantageous for a person. Engaging in any kind of escape, be it shopping, eating, or surfing, may be fun, but it may be the result of a person’s desire to quiet the mind. Neuroscientists have found that when a person always busies herself with something, they diminish their quality of life. When a person does not carve out time to create empty space in the brain for new ideas to arise or space in the heart for new feelings to surface, the areas most essential to leading a productive, creative, and vibrant life may be negatively impacted, or, in the best case, brought to a standstill. When we empty our minds, we are not wasting time. You don’t have to become a monk or sit in isolation for months in order to

reap the benefits of doing nothing. All you need do is silence your mind for all of five or ten minutes a day, minus the scrolling or reading or whatever else you’re accustomed to doing in your downtime. Instead of grabbing the book or phone when things have quieted down, focus inward. It’s all about your interior world. When you engage in constructive downtime, the focus cannot be, “What am I accomplishing now?” You must enter a relaxed state of mind that allows you to truly appreciate the place you’re in without thoughts of your to-do list or goals niggling in the background. You must be entirely present, thinking about yourself, how you’re feeling, and loosen up as much as possible. It’s okay if you even feel that you’re dozing off!

Health Benefits of Doing Nothing When you engage in multiple activities simultaneously, as most Jewish women do, you stimulate the nervous system to the point of exhaustion. It is no news that an overexerted nervous system is not beneficial to a person’s health. For optimal health and healing, your nervous system must be capable of expending its energy on the organs that need it most. If the system cannot provide that, achieving homeostasis in the body can be problematic. When you regularly carve out time to do nothing and drop into a conscious state of being, you may benefit from a reduced heart rate, better digestion, mood improvement, and, of course, a boost in emotional wellbeing. Mental downtime also replenishes glucose and oxygen levels in the brain, allowing it to process information and emotions, which leaves you feeling more rested and clear-headed.

The Wellspring | October 2016 68

Finding time for yourself We know. Life is oh so hectic. But finding the ten-minute increments of downtime in your day may not be as hard as you think, especially if it’s important to you.

Good morning, sunshine

What’s the first thing you do after you say Modeh Ani in the morning? Do you immediately jump out of bed and into the whirlwind? How about setting your alarm for ten minutes earlier and simply doing nothing? It is one of the most powerful things you can do, and it helps you enter the day in a more present state. Because no new stimuli have yet bombarded your brain, you may find this time very beneficial.

At your desk

Even in a busy workday, you can find ten minutes to do nothing. You may be hailed as lazy or unproductive, but according to the Energy Project, that’s not the truth. The vice president of this consulting firm that specializes in engagement and productivity among workers says that the longer people work without taking breaks to rest and replenish their minds, the worse they feel and less engaged they become. The results of this firm’s research reveal that employees who took five to ten minute breaks from work displayed a 50% increase in their ability to think clearly and creatively, thus rendering their work far more productive.

In the middle of nowhere

Many people (including myself) will admit that they come up with the best ideas in the shower. It’s not about the running water. It’s about the time alone. While you’re executing your daily chores like laundry or the dishes, you may feel that you’re doing nothing, but you indeed are. Rather than turning up the music or calling someone to escape the quietness of the moment, allow yourself to fall into the doing nothing mode. Rather than resisting the feeling of doing nothing, make a conscious decision to embrace it and enjoy the ride your mind is taking you on.

When you’re winding down

For most people, hitting the pillow at night results in immediate slumber. However, if you are one of those who either find it hard to drift off or you’re lucky enough to get to bed at a time when you can still cherish the piece and quiet in an awake state, take the opportunity to just do nothing. Simply lie in your bed and allow your brain to take you where it does. Even ten minutes of brain relaxation will provide you with a deeper, richer sleep.

October 2016 | The Wellspring 69

Diary By Gitty M.

When the Pulling Finally Came to an End how I didn’t know what would be with my child. I was Oh, the ear infections! I could write a book about her getting nervous that the recurrent ear infections would

the number of ear infections our little Dovy has already had in his life—and he’s barely three. The problem is we wouldn’t sell any copies, because who wants to read about one ear infection that led right into the next? It was no fun and the plot was all too boring and predictable. Of course when we stopped the antibiotics, another infection would follow. That’s just how it was supposed to be, wasn’t it? The first time Dovy was pulling his ears, he was a few months old, and I was still a brand new mother. “Teething,” said Sister #1. “Tired,” said Sister #2. “Just an earache,” said the third. And my husband wondered aloud whether I made sure not to get water in his ears when I bathed him. Well, it was none of the above. When the pulling didn’t come to an end, and even after a good night’s sleep and my most ridiculously-careful bathing procedures, we took a trip to the doctor. Turned out, little Dovy had his first ever ear infection—the first of many, many more. “Not every ear infection needs to be treated with antibiotics,” my mother told me. If the ear infection is caused by a virus, she explained, we simply have to wait it out until the virus takes its course, just like we would with a cold. Okay. So we waited. Not so nicely, actually, because Dovy was in terrible pain. Tylenol made nice money from us in those few weeks. And then we graduated to antibiotics. On day two of Dovy’s treatment, I was afraid to take the deep sigh of relief just yet. He was sleeping through his nap for a change and even showing signs of an appetite, but I was so anxious about his uneasy state that I was afraid to rejoice. For the next two weeks, Dovy returned to his old self. He started smiling, playing with his toys, and even babbling happily. I was breathing more easily—until I was woken up from a deep sleep one night. Dovy was standing in his crib, shrieking in agony. He wasn’t pulling his ears this time, but when I tried to gently lie him down, he forced himself up. This, I had learned, was another sign of pain in the ear. When I held Dovy close to my skin, trying to soothe him, I detected a foul smell coming from his ears. Even in my half-sleepy state, I knew the diagnosis. So it went for over a year. After the antibiotics kicked in, Dovy returned to his normal self. But then, after a few days, I would literally smell trouble again. During lunch break one day, I shared my plight with a workmate. Exasperated, I told

take a toll on his hearing. “You should try Kyolic,” she told me in all confidence. “I should try what?” “You know that garlic is great for healing, right.” I vaguely remembered something about garlic’s healing properties, so I nodded my head. “When garlic is aged well and the odor is partially removed, the extract makes for an ideal natural alternative remedy, especially for infections like your Dovy seems to be having.” “Seriously?” In my house, garlic was for tomato dip and cauliflower soup. “Maxi Health has the only kosher Kyolic on the market. It doesn’t hurt to try it, right?” “But what’s Kyolic?” “Oh, that’s the company that grows the garlic bulbs organically in uncontaminated soil. It’s renowned in the country for the safe measures it takes to produce the most potent, healthy garlic around.” Honestly, I was confused about the connection between growing a plant and using it for healing. But somehow, I found myself requesting Kyolic liquid at the health food store on my way home from work. The nutritionist in the store also advised me to purchase Panto C Powder™, which she said works great with Liquid Kyolic™ to combat ear infections. Because it only smelled faintly of garlic, I didn’t have a hard time getting the Liquid Kyolic™ down Dovy’s throat. I continued giving him eight liquid drops plus the powder before he went to the babysitter and when he came home, for the next few days. By Shabbos, about five days later, the old Dovy started reemerging. Of course, I was still not convinced. Antibiotics had also done the job for a few days. I was curious about what would happen next. Contrary to administering antibiotics, however, I knew that it wouldn’t cause my child any harm to continue giving him the Kyolic drops and the vitamin C powder daily. After all, garlic is known to be an all-around health-boosting herb. It is now a few months later, and I haven’t been woken by Dovy once. With a new baby in the house, I am able to focus more on tending to the baby’s needs at night because Dovy is safely tucked under his blanket, sound asleep. Only recently did it hit me how much calmer I have become, as well. Thanks to Liquid Kyolic™ and Panto C Powder™ Dovy’s ear infection saga has baruch Hashem finally come to an end.

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 50-100 word description of your story to info@wellspringmagazine.com. We reserve the right to end this promotion at any time, without notice.

The Wellspring | October 2016 70

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