Thrive's November 2018 Issue by Thrive Magazine

November 2018

HEADQUARTERS

DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

first person

with Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso

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Rehabilitation Hospital

of Jennings

DIAgNOSeS THAT we TReAT

• Brain Injury

• Hip Fractures

• Strokes

• Osteoarthritis/DJD

• Amputations

• Neurological Disorders

• Burns

• Spinal Cord Injury

• Major Multiple Trauma

• Congenital Deformities

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Systemic Vasculidities

• Joint Replacements

Others who can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation are postoperative patients, accident victims and cancer patients. 24 Hour Nursing Care • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy • Nutritional Counseling and Monitoring Case Management Call for a free assessment today. One Hospital Drive, Ste. 101 • Jennings, LA 70546 • Phone: (337) 821-5353 • Fax: (337) 821-5355 or 5366 jenningsrehab@yahoo.com • www.jenningsrehab.com 2

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

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Contents In This Issue Style & Beauty

6 How to Grow Out Your Beard 8 Everything You Want to Know About Hair Extensions 10 Dress Your Size & Shape

Places & Faces

11 – 24 Cover Story: Salute to First Responders 25 Holiday Dance Extravaganzas

Regular Features

28 Who’s News 35 By the Numbers: Junior League 36 Business Buzz 58 Happenings 74 Solutions for Life! 75 McNeese Corral

Money & Career

30 The Skill Set of the Future 32 Fiscal Fitness 34 Combating Phantom Power

Wining & Dining

37 – 46 Special Feature: Thanksgiving Headquarters

Home & Family

47 – 49 Special Section: Caregiver’s Guide 56 National Adoption Awareness Month 57 Preserve Your Family Memories

Mind & Body

59 – 71 Special Section: Diabetes Awareness Month 72 Don’t Take a Holiday from Fitness

30 Managing Editor

Angie Kay Dilmore

Editors and Publishers Kristy Como Armand Christine Fisher

@thriveswla | thriveswla.com

Creative Director

Barbara VanGossen

Design and Layout

Mandy Gilmore

Business Manager

Katie McDaniel Stevenson

Advertising Sales katie@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099 Submissions edit@thriveswla.com

Thrive is designed for people focused on living a happy, healthy life, one that is balanced, full of energy and contentment. Thrive readers want to make the most of every day and to be successful in all areas of their lives – family, health, home and career. Submitted articles and photos are welcome. Thrive assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not guarantee any submissions.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

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Style & Beauty

HOW TO GROW OUT YOUR BEARD Without Looking Like Bigfoot by Emily Alford

This month celebrates “No-Shave November,” an annual event where guys around the world grow out their facial hair to raise awareness for men’s issues such as prostate cancer and suicide prevention. You may also know the concept as “Movember” – a mashup of a slang term for mustache and the word November. If you’d like to participate this year, here’s some expert advice for growing out facial hair while still looking debonair.

RESIST THE ITCH! Growing out a beard can be a scratchy process, according to Emily M., a barber at 1740 Barbier, L’Auberge Casino Resort. “The initial struggle most men face in growing out a beard is resisting the itch.” To avoid a clawed-up face, she recommends stepping up skincare by washing the face (and beard) with a gentle facial cleanser and finishing with a moisturizer. Exfoliating two to three times a week can also help curb the itch factor, and beard oil and balm are a must for locking in moisture.

DON’T SHAVE. DO TRIM. Movember is about growing facial hair, not the dreaded neckbeard. To avoid looking totally unkempt while you grow, Emily M. suggests investing in a good beard trimmer. “Once your beard really starts growing, your facial hair will grow at different paces, so trimming it will be essential.” You can also use the trimmer to blend the hair on the neck into the rest of the beard by using a guard half the length of your usual beard trimming setting to trim the first inch of the beard neckline at a slightly lower length that fades into the longer, fuller beard to get the sophisticated, Sean Connery beard of your dreams.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

BRUSH UP Investing in a good set of beard grooming tools is also important. “Brush your beard daily with a quality comb or beard brush in the direction you want it to go” Emily M. says. Brushing the hairs against the grain will make them stand out, which will make your beard easier to trim.

KEEP IT TRIM Whether you’re growing a full beard or just a mustache, you’re also going to need a good pair of mustache scissors. To keep your top lip clean, you’re probably going to need to trim a mustache twice as often as you trim your beard. And remember, mustaches require constant attention. Make sure you glance in the bathroom mirror after meals and beers to make sure there are no leftovers hiding behind. For many men, “Movember” is a fun way to try out a new look for a good cause. To learn more about how to get involved, visit movember.com or no-shave.org.

Welcoming our newest members! Kyle Fontenot & Johnnie LaFleur Joining Susie Rideau & Florence Shearman

1115 Hodges Street, Lake Street • (337) 433-0931

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Style & Beauty

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About

Hair Extensions

by Emily Alford

There are lots of reasons to consider hair extensions. Maybe you’re trying to avoid that awkward stage of growing out a pixie cut, or maybe you just want an extra special look for a big event. Whatever your reason, there are plenty of options out there for those who want (temporarily) longer hair.

What are hair extensions?

Hair extensions are natural or synthetic hair used to add volume and/or length to one’s hair. While extensions made from real human hair are more expensive than synthetic, they also hold up better to heat styling and are less likely to get tangled. However, synthetic extensions can look great for those who simply want a different look for a special occasion. The most important thing to remember when getting extensions, according Lensi White, master stylist, barber, and educator for Signatures Salon in Lake Charles, is to make sure you choose an experienced stylist who understands what will look best and most natural on you. “The key to natural looking extensions is having a stylist who really understands the proper techniques of cutting extensions tailored to the client, which allows them to lay as natural hair would,” White says. “It definitely takes a skill and a well-trained eye that comes with experience.” But with so many extension options available, it can be hard to even know where to begin! Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of hair extensions.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Clip-in

Clip-in hair extensions are sections of hair attached to clips that that can be blended into real hair. They can be applied in minutes and are perfect for someone just looking to add a bit of length for a formal event. Hairstylists can generally work with you to find the right color and style. However, clip-in extensions aren’t really made to be worn for longer than a day, though they can be reused.

Tape-in

A professional can generally apply tape-in extensions pretty quickly, since they’re sold in sections and attach to the hair pretty easily. Each section has a polyurethane strip (the tape), and two sections are sandwiched together over a section of your own hair hair, adhering to one another to add volume and length. Tape-in extensions take an hour or so to apply and last about a month. And while most types of extensions work best on hair that’s shoulder length, according to White, tape-in extensions are ideal for those with shorter hair. “For most extensions, the hair needs to be nearly to the shoulders, but if you’re doing tape-in extensions, it can totally be shorter,” White says. “But again, it will take a well-trained stylist to blend them in!”

Weaving

Weaving requires hair to be braided in a tight, horizontal cornrow. Then, sections of natural or synthetic hair are tightly sewn to the braid with a needle and thread. Woven extensions can last anywhere from two to four months and look incredibly natural when applied correctly. However, they do require extensive upkeep and maintenance to avoid bacteria build up and are sometimes a bit painful. They also must be removed by a professional.

Hot fusion

This technique is best left to highly trained professionals because it involves bonding silicone-lined hair extensions to hair roots with a special heating tool. The process can take anywhere from six to eight hours, but the results last for up to six months. Plus, the results are incredibly natural looking—like your hair grew overnight! If you’re considering extensions, make an appointment with a trained stylist. If your regular hair stylist doesn’t do them, ask for recommendations. A stylist can evaluate your hair and expectations to find the type of extensions that fit your needs and your budget. Long, lovely locks are totally possible without months of waiting!

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Style & Beauty

Dress Your

Size & Shape Wearing a great outfit is sometimes all it takes to have a great day. But as most of us aren’t shaped like department store mannequins, one person’s awesome ensemble could be another person’s irritatingly clingy or oddly baggy fashion nightmare. Choosing your favorite features and accentuating them accordingly is the key to feeling comfortable, looking great, and developing a sophisticated personal style. Here are the ways that highlighting different areas of your body can help put your best features forward.

Accentuate your waist Who it works for: Those with waists

noticeably smaller than bust and hips, commonly called the “hourglass” shape or those without much difference between hip width and waist width.

Pieces to try: Whether you have a

smaller waist and wider hips or are looking to create the illusion of a more defined waistline, pieces that cinch at the waist will fit like a dream. Look for wider legged pants that are belted at the waist, wrap dresses, and tops that sit just at your natural waistline. If you feel daring, look for dresses with waist cutouts for an on-trend and flattering outfit.

Accentuate your legs

Who it works for: Just about everyone!

Especially if you’ve got a slim lower half but carry weight around your tummy. Showing off your gams will elongate your body.

Pieces to try: Mini skirts were made for

you! And in the chilly winter months, short skirts look great with fleece lined leggings and tall boots. You can even pair your skirts with long, flowy jackets to further elongate

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

your body and give you the effortless, boho-chic look of an Instagram influencer. According to Catina Coats, owner of Catina Couture in Lake Charles, a skater dress is also a flattering, easy way to show a little leg. “I love a great skater dress because it flares out from the waist and creates a flattering and feminine shape whether your body type is curvy or straight,” Coats says.

Accentuate your shoulders

Who it works for: Sometimes we forget

how flattering showing a little shoulder can be! If you’re narrow on top and curvy on the bottom, accentuating your top half is a great way to balance your look.

Pieces to try: If you’re narrow on top,

don’t hide those pretty shoulders and collar bones! Look for classic, elegant boat neck or V-neck tops. Choosing shirts with embellishments will also call attention to your upper body.

by Emily Alford

Don’t be afraid to experiment!

All too often, we decide styles aren’t right for us without ever attempting to try the style tailored to our unique body shapes. For example, Coats says one style that’s generally flattering for everyone but often overlooked is the jumpsuit. “Believe it or not, jumpsuits can look great on just about everyone if you buy one that fits your torso,” Coats says. “The problem is, most boutiques will choose jumpsuits randomly by style and print never considering different body types. We shop for specific body types, for instance women with longer legs and torsos as well as women with shorter legs and torsos Finding a fit that doesn’t sag or add bulk is also important. “The best fit for most women is a tailored jumpsuit without elasticated or gathered waist seams, since these can add bulk to your midsection, front and back, and make an otherwise flattering silhouette look dumpy.” When it comes to clothing, feeling good is just as important as looking good. And chances are, if an outfit makes you feel incredible, you probably look great!

gue of Lake Charles a e L r o i un The J presents its annual

Holiday Market November 15-17 | Lake Charles Civic Center We invite you to eat, sip, shop and be merry! This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market hosts 80+ vendors from all over the United States. Booths feature items for everyone, including apparel, accessories, specialty foods, and seasonal and year-round home decorative items.

GENERAL ADMISSION

Fri., November 16 | 9am-8pm Sat., November 17 | 9am-5pm $10 | Children under 8 get in free | No stroller fee

SPECIAL EVENTS

Tickets must be purchased in advance

Preview Party

Sip & Shop

Thurs., November 15 | 7-10pm | $40

Fri., November 16 | 5-8pm | $25

Champagne Brunch (Sustainers only)

Santa & Friends

Fri., November 16 | 10am-Noon | $19.33

Sat., November 17, 9am & 11am | $20 Children under 2 get in free if not in a stroller

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit our website or give us a call at (337) 436-4025.

jllc.net |

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Places & Faces

SALUTE TO

FIRST

RESPONDERS

Thrive Magazine for Better Living â&#x20AC;¢ November 2018

Places & Faces

his month, we honor our Southwest Louisiana First Responders. These are the people who strive to protect our communities, keep us safe, and come to our rescue in times of need. In our day-to-day lives, we don’t often think about the people who put their lives on the line in the name of service to their communities. Read these stories and join Thrive magazine in saying THANK YOU for always being there when we need you!

Lakeside Bank proudly offers The American account to all law enforcement officers, fire fighters, active duty military, members of the National Guard & Reserve, military veterans and their family members.

The sacrifice of those who work to serve and protect our communities and our country is immeasurable. We at Lakeside thank you for your courage and willingness to put others first. The American account is our humble way of recognizing and honoring your dedicated service.

Lakeside stands united with those who serve. Call or stop by any of our locations to learn more about The American account. The American account gives you the freedom to do your banking any time and anywhere duty calls, and includes: • Free checking • Free online banking, mobile banking and estatements • Free bill pay • Just $50 to open • No minimum balance and no monthly fees • Free first order of The American checks • Free debit card – with no-fee access to any ATM in the country

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Places & Faces | FIRST RESPONDERS

first person with Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso by Kristy Como Armand

He’s spent over half of his life working in law enforcement and has no intention of changing course. In his own words, “There’s still a lot I want to accomplish.” Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso is serving his fourth term and has run unopposed in the last three elections. From an entry level position at the parish jail, Mancuso carved an impressive career path that included several years serving as Ward 3 City Marshall before he ran for Sheriff – and won. As Sheriff, he is responsible for 900 employees and supervises all the additional services under that department, including the regional crime lab, five-parish Training Academy, tax collection and the parish jail. A graduate of McNeese State University, Mancuso has an extensive list of advanced training programs, including graduation from the FBI National Academy and the National Sheriff’s Institute, among others. He has held many state-wide and national appointments for law enforcement organizations. In his tenure as Sheriff he has brought the office into the 21st century by obtaining state-of-theart equipment, technology and law enforcement resources. He is credited with bringing the law enforcement community in Southwest Louisiana together to show a spirit of cooperation often held up as a model to follow in other parts of the country. An avid outdoorsman, Mancuso loves hunting and fishing. He is married to the former Mickey Pruden and they are the parents of three adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren. Thrive recently visited with Sheriff Mancuso about his career and plans for the future.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

What was your childhood like growing up in Lake Charles? Perfect. It really was. I wish everybody could have the upbringing that I had, with a mother and father who loved us; took care of us. They were not wealthy, but we weren’t poor. They worked hard to provide for us and we had a great life. I still live on the same property where I grew up. My parents gave me and my brother and sister a lot to build a house on, so we all live next to each other on the same road. We’re a tight-knit bunch. My mother is still alive and I live right behind her, so I get to see her often and help take care of her.

Did you always know that you wanted to go into law enforcement? No, not at all. I wanted to be an architect. I took drafting in high school and would draw up house plans all the time. I

took a job at the Sheriff’s Office when I was 20 years old, in the jail, while I was at McNeese and my life changed. I knew this was where I belonged. I switched my major to criminal justice and this became my whole life. I love it. I grew up here – it’s my home. The people here are like my family. I can’t image being anywhere else or doing anything else.

Describe your career path in law enforcement. I started in February of 1984 as a corrections officer at the jail. I moved into patrol and then around 1986, I was assigned to the youth division and also put over the Crime Stoppers program. I did that for the next 10 or 11 years. This gave me an opportunity to get a true overview of the department. I got to work with detectives in solving crimes with Crime Stoppers; working on a lot of unsolved and/ or tough cases. Then in 1996, I ran

for City Marshal and won. I held that office until I ran for Sheriff in 2003. I took office in 2004 and I’ve been here ever since. It’s been a great career. I feel like I do a good job and I feel like the people think I’m doing a good job. I’m just past the middle of my 4th term. I have no political aspirations other than being Sheriff. But you know, it’s not my job – the position belongs to the people and they have to elect me, so as long as they’ll have me, I’ll be here working hard for them as their Sheriff.

What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment as Sheriff? I look at all the things we’ve done and I feel our really big accomplishment is bringing the department into the digital world. When I took office in 2004, we were sorely lacking in technology. We still did handwritten reports and sent them to a typist. We didn’t have cameras or computers in the cars. Everything moved slowly – usually waiting on the report to get typed. We were behind the times. We’ve invested a lot in improving the infrastructure of our Sheriff’s Office, and everything is integrated now. We can match up with any other department in the country. We have the latest technology and that’s what it takes today to solve crime. If you don’t keep up with that and continue to stay abreast of developments as you grow, then you’re going to fall behind. It changes every single day and we’re constantly learning and evolving from a technological standpoint.

What’s your greatest challenge? Drugs. The influence of drugs and alcohol abuse are an ongoing battle for us. I’m sure most law enforcement professionals would

agree. Illegal substances fuel our crime. Most of our domestic violence issues are drug and/ or alcohol related. Most of our criminal activity such as thefts and violent crime have some degree of drug involvement. We continually try new things and new approaches, and work hard to combat it, but it’s remains one of our toughest challenges.

Describe a time when you were most proud of your staff and the work you all do. I’m proud of them all the time, but I think during and after Hurricane Rita and the level of performance they gave this community will always stand out as a really proud period of time for me. Keep in mind, we did not have the type of technology we have now to deal with large-scale disaster – it was just a year into our first term. We didn’t have the equipment we have today, but they did an incredible job keeping order and managing the evacuation, all at a time when their homes and families were also at risk. This makes the point that even with the technology we’ve added, the key component of our performance is the human element. Technology helps us perform our jobs, but you still must have the drive, the knowledge and the dedication to serve to help you do the tough tasks, such as dealing with a major catastrophic event such as Rita. That same performance level was evident during the subsequent flooding of Gustav and Ike, and even more recently, last year, in the Vinton and Starks area when Harvey caused flooding. I think every time we have one of those events, it makes me so very proud of the men and women who work here and the true dedication they have to this department and the community we serve.

Your son also works in law enforcement. How do you feel about that? I’m proud of him. I’m proud of all my kids. I think that’s one of Mickey and my greatest accomplishments personally – our children – who are all grown up and happily married, raising families of their own. I’m proud of Trey for choosing a law enforcement career, but as a father, of course I worry about him. It’s just a different time and it scares me, but I know he’s been trained and I know his character; he’s going to do his job and do it right and he’s going to do everything with his training to protect himself.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? You know, I have a saying on my desk that is something one of my former supervisors told me. I honestly don’t remember who said it to me, but it stuck with me, and it’s probably the best advice I have ever received: ‘There’s no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.’ I’ve found this to hold true throughout my career. As much as I love this department and being Sheriff, I know that if it weren’t for the men and women who work here I would not be who or what I am today. They’re the ones who go out there every day and do the tough, dangerous work. I’m typically back here at the office, providing direction. That’s a big part of my job -- to give them the tools and resources they need to do their job well. Of course, I have to answer to the public, so I get singled out for praise or criticism, but the people who work here are unbelievable and deserve all the credit for our success. That’s something I never forget.

Is there anything about the Sheriff’s Office you wish people knew or understood better? I wish they understood how much these men and women truly care about their community and about each other. Law enforcement today is under so much scrutiny and pressure compared to when I started out. That adds to the already high stress of the job. We’ve worked hard to earn the public’s trust and I think we have that here in Calcasieu Parish, but that’s not always true across the country. Our philosophy is that we treat people like they’re family. We feel like if that’s the way our atmosphere is -- internally and to the public – we may make mistakes, but we’re always going to try to do the right thing. I believe that shows in how we conduct our business every day. I appreciate that our community does stand behind us. I’m very thankful to live and work here because we really do live in a good, safe community. It’s not perfect, and we’re not without problems, but we can handle our problems and we work through them together.

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Places & Faces | FIRST RESPONDERS

WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A

POLICE OFFICER by byAndrea John O’Donnell Mongler

Children often dream of becoming a police officer. The allure of fighting crime and serving their community is an enticing proposition. People are intrigued by the idea of policing because it’s one of the most challenging and unpredictable yet rewarding jobs one could hold. The Lake Charles Police Department (LCPD) currently employs 186 people; 156 are police officers. Don Dixon has been chief of the LCPD for the past 17 years. Prior to that, he served in the FBI for 30 years. He says the duties of a police officer require a multitude of responsibilities. Public and traffic safety, investigations, warrants, affidavits, court hearings . . . the list is long. “Every day I come to work I am amazed by the dedication, professionalism and sacrifice made by these wonderful men and women,” he says. Dixon will retire as of January 15, 2019. Being a police officer offers the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of the people in their community every day. But what does it take to actually become a police officer? Most police academies are modeled on military training programs that instill a high regard for physical condition and performance, but also support formal training to introduce recruits to basic legal concepts and police procedures. The training to become an officer with the Lake Charles Police Department is no different.

The first Lake Charles police officer was sworn in eight days after the city was incorporated in 1868. Pat Fitzgerald was the town blacksmith and a Civil War veteran. His military experience and strength made him well suited to deal with crime and unsavory situations. In modern times, the qualifications to become an officer have changed some. To even be considered a candidate for the police academy, applicants must be a Citizen of the United States, at least 21 years of age, possess a high school diploma and a valid driver’s license, pass a written Civil Service Examination, and pass a rigorous physical agility test. The physical agility test includes timed fitness challenges like sit-ups, push-ups, a one-and-ahalf-mile run, obstacle course, and sprints. After achieving those minimum benchmarks, prospective police officers then move to more advanced tests that include polygraph examinations, oral and psychological examinations, a physical exam, and a drug screen. A lengthy background investigation is also part of the process and may take several weeks to complete. The background check confirms the applicant meets the basic criteria and officer qualifications but also looks into their criminal, educational, driving, personal, and employment history. Detectives in charge of the background check confirm recruits are of

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

good moral quality by interviewing former classmates, teachers, family members, and work colleagues. Once all of that is completed, applicants then join the Police Training Academy where for 11 weeks, they learn all the basic skills needed for a successful start to a career as a Lake Charles Police Officer – patrolling, firearms, crime scene investigation, interrogation techniques, CPR and first aid, legal procedures, and courtroom etiquette. With such a rigorous process, how many recruits achieve the goal of officer? Dixon says there were 75 applicants in the last recruitment class. Of those 75, ultimately 16 were hired. After graduation, the newly-badged officers begin their service protecting the people and property of their community. While the job can be perilous, the thorough training and recruitment process leaves new cops well prepared for the responsibilities and dangers they will face in the line of duty.

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Places & Faces | FIRST RESPONDERS

FIREHOUSE

FAMILIES by Andrea Mongler

With wide-ranging roles and responsibilities, fire crews work together, play together and respond to emergencies as a team The term “firefighter” may be accurate, but it isn’t exactly comprehensive. It’s true, of course, that firefighters fight fires, but that’s just a small part of what they do. As Keith Murray, fire chief of the Lake Charles Fire Department (LCFD), puts it, “We’re a jack of all trades and a master of none.” Firefighters undergo training in a variety of subjects, including CPR, emergency medical response, vehicle extrication, and hazmat (short for “hazardous materials”). The result is that they can — and do — respond to a wide range of calls. “If you fall in a hole; are stuck on top of something; crash in a car or rig or tractor; or if it’s a hazmat situation, we respond,” Murray says. “We have responded to the port and to calls on ships and on grain silos. If it’s not a job for law enforcement, it’s our job.” He says his department has been doing an increasing number of vehicle extrications. He attributes this to growth and development in the region, which has led to more vehicles on the roads and — in turn — more accidents. The LCFD is the largest fire department in Calcasieu Parish and has 10 stations — eight in the city of Lake Charles and two in the parish. But it is just one of 11 fire

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

departments in the parish. Municipalities such as Sulphur and Westlake have their own smaller departments, and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury oversees several fire protection districts for designated areas. The fire stations are often referred to as firehouses — and for good reason. Firefighters are there for long stretches of time — 24-hour shifts at LCFD firehouses — and they have the same chores and responsibilities as most people do at home. “We are family here for 24 hours,” says Jamison Welch, captain of the Ladder 6 truck at the LCFD’s Station 6. “I spend just about as much time with them as with my actual family!” As captain, Welch is the senior member of his truck’s three-person crew. As on other trucks, his crew also includes a driver and a hoseman. When they’re on duty, the members of any three-person crew are together, ready to respond to a call at a moment’s notice. A crew’s day usually begins with chores. The hoseman does a lot of cleaning – basically, the jobs you’d expect the new guy to have. Daniel Brown, the hoseman on Ladder 6, says the new-guy role isn’t so bad,

though there may be some pranks involved. “Mostly it’s to teach you lessons,” he says. The driver checks the truck and the tools on board to make sure everything is in good working order. The captain has paperwork to do and phone calls to make and receive. And then the crew’s day proceeds like any family’s might. “We cook, we clean, we hang out,” Welch says. “We work out here, we wash clothes here, we watch football games. We do everything here.” The cooking is worth noting, as firefighters have a reputation for being great cooks. Welch calls his crew’s driver, Ronnie Semien, one of the best cooks he’s ever worked with. Semien credits his skills in the kitchen to his travels. But whether they’re cooking or cleaning or sleeping, a fire crew is ready to respond to the next emergency, whenever it may be. And they are constantly learning — striving to know more and be better at their jobs. “We never think twice that we understand everything there is to know because we don’t,” Murray says. “But we are training all year long and learning something new all the time.”

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

FIREFIGHTER APPRECIATION

Ladder 6 Crew Brown Welch and Semien

The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation Firefighter’s Fund at the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana wants to thank nearly 500 local firefighters at all 14 stations in Calcasieu Parish for their service with onsite BBQ. Each station’s fulltime and volunteer firefighters and administrative personnel will receive a meal provided by Paul’s Rib Shack. “We know our firefighters have skills, training, dedication and effectiveness among the best in the country,” said Edwin Kidd Hunter, Program Officer with the Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation. “They deserve our admiration and support. The Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana’s fund to recognize our firefighters gives everyone a chance to let these first responders know they are appreciated.” “This fund is one example of the many ways that people are enriching Southwest Louisiana through the Community Foundation. With nearly 100 different charitable funds, we have donors who are supporting causes they care about,

including scholarships for workforce development, public parks transformation and enhancing the area’s bike culture,” said Sara Judson, CEO of the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. “We work with people, businesses and organizations to make their giving effective, efficient and enduring.” The menu includes a variety of specialty meats and side items: brisket, ribs, turkey, sausage, smoked beans, mac-n-cheese and slaw. Meals will be cooked onsite at each location over the next few months. About the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana The Community Foundation promotes and facilitates giving in Southwest Louisiana. It accepts gifts of any size and empowers individuals, families, companies, nonprofits and communities to respond to needs and opportunities that matter. Since starting up in 2008, the donors of the Community Foundation have granted over $12 million dollars to nonprofits and facilitated a variety of civic initiatives.

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Places & Faces | FIRST RESPONDERS

ASSESS TREAT TRANSPORT REPEAT THE DAY-TO-DAY JOB OF A MEDIC by Andrea Mongler What would you do if you witnessed a serious car crash? Or watched someone struggling to breathe? Or saw a person who seemed to be having a heart attack? Regardless of what you know — or don’t know — about first aid skills or CPR or remaining calm during an emergency, there’s probably one thing you do know: Call 911 and request an ambulance. When that ambulance arrives, the medics on board will do what they’ve been trained to do: Quickly assess the situation, do what they can to help the patient, and — if needed — get that patient to a hospital. “We respond to people who are having the worst day of their life,” says Heather Savoy, a paramedic field supervisor at Acadian Ambulance Service. “It might not always seem that way to us, but it is still significant to them. Our job is to be there for them and to help them.”

Lafayette-based Acadian is the sole provider of ambulance response for Calcasieu Parish. Its coverage area extends across southern Louisiana into Texas to the west and Mississippi to the east. John DuBose, an operations manager at Acadian, says the company transports about 100 patients per day in Calcasieu Parish. Three-fourths of those calls are emergencies, and the rest are for non-emergency bedbound patients who need to be transported — perhaps to a doctor’s appointment or to a nursing home after being discharged from the hospital. As DuBose says, medics “see it all,” including car crashes, shootings, heart attacks, strokes and, recently, an increase in opioid overdoses. In the Lake Charles area, medics typically work 12-hour shifts and are assigned to a roadside post, meaning they sit in an ambulance on the side of the road and wait

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Places & Faces to be called to an emergency. Dispatchers working out of Lafayette not only send ambulances to nearby emergencies but also strategically place them throughout the region. It works this way: If one ambulance is sent to respond to a call, others will be moved to different locations so that they are more evenly distributed throughout the area, increasing the chance that when the next call comes in, there will be an ambulance close by. Savoy, who works the 6 a.m.to-6 p.m. shift, starts her day in South Lake Charles but says, “I can end up anywhere from Vinton to DeQuincy, Deridder and Jennings. We can go anywhere that Acadian Ambulance covers.” Whenever an ambulance responds to an emergency, there are two medics on board: a paramedic, like Savoy, and an EMT, short for emergency medical technician. Though they both fall under the more general term “medic,” there’s a difference and it comes down to training. An EMT is trained in skills including CPR, giving patients oxygen, and administering glucose to people with diabetes. Paramedics have undergone more training and have more advanced skills; they can start IVs, administer medications, and intubate patients, for example. Once a patient is loaded into the ambulance, one crew member drives to the hospital while the other continues to treat the patient. As Savoy says, the ambulance is “a mini rolling ER.” Which crew member treats the patient and which drives depends on the severity of the situation and what level of care the patient needs. The medic provides that care until the patient is taken into the hospital and the emergency department team takes over. Then, as suddenly as the ambulance crew’s role began, it’s over. “You have to be able to handle chaotic situations,” Savoy says. “Your adrenaline goes through the roof, and a little while later you’re sitting on the side of the road again.” Then they wait for the next call — and do it all over again.

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Places & Faces | FIRST RESPONDERS

OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE by Angie Kay Dilmore

Of all the first responder departments, the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) is likely the least understood by the public. They are most visible during a disaster such as a hurricane, but what exactly do they do on an average day? A primary role of OHSEP, under the umbrella of the Police Jury, is to be a liaison between various public safety organizations, to respond to an event, and coordinate activity. “Our main goal is to plan and coordinate multi-response agencies into one cohesive group in response to a disaster, whether it be a technological event – transportation-related or a fixed facility; a terrorist event; or a natural disaster,” says director Dick Gremillion. The heart of their offices at 901 Lakeshore Drive is the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). During a crisis, this is where the action happens. Representatives from hospitals, transportation, Louisiana national guard, Cajun Navy, fire marshal’s office, and law enforcement convene for briefings and to work together in one room for a common goal – public safety. “The EOC is where we and other public safety agencies come together so we have a unified place to work to coordinate the response to different events,” says Norman Bourdeaux, OHSEP assistant director. When not in use to coordinate disaster planning, the room is frequently in use for disaster training exercises.

Even if the disaster is not local, OHSEP is still involved and hard at work. They assist other agencies to send rescue and utility teams to affected areas. They help set up evacuation centers. During Hurricane Harvey, 5000 displaced people sought shelter in Lake Charles. Though hurricane season is certainly a busy time of year for OHSEP, they remain active year around, 24/7. Their scope of responsibility covers a surprisingly wide range of duties. “Most of the time, unless we are in the middle of a disaster, we are working in the background, making sure everything is operating smoothly so that whenever something major does happen, we have those open communications, we know who to talk to, what their capabilities are. That’s what we do on a day-to-day basis,” says Gremillion. “With a major interstate running through here, we have approximately 10,000 hazardous material shipments pass through the area a day, not including the two major railways, a port, and all the industries in the area,” says Gremillion. “Anything can happen just about any time.” Cyber-security is a concern for OHSEP. Power and electrical companies can be particularly targeted. OHSEP offers cyber-security training to public and private partners. They bring awareness to the community and serve as a bridge between local and federal agencies. “It’s been there the past several years, but recently has risen to the top of

Allergies are increasing in prevalence, especially among youth. So much so, that many people are discouraged from participating in sports because they can’t seem to get their breathing to cooperate and write it off as being too difficult. Robby, Glenn, & Govenor

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

At work in the EOC.

people’s awareness,” says Bourdeaux. OHSEP maintains the early-warning shelter-in-place sirens system throughout the parish, and a telephone system that delivers emergency text messages. Gremillion is also responsible for the Calcasieu Emergency Response Training Center in Moss Bluff, which primarily provides fire and hazardous materials training for firefighters and industries. Gremillion says OHSEP prioritizes training and drills, “because we have to get it right.” OSHEP is closely tied to the police and fire departments, as well as industrial safety departments. Gremillion stresses that no one person is responsible for decision-making in the event of an emergency. It is always a team effort. The Executive Policy Group consists of the Police Jury president, the sheriff, the six parish mayors, the parish administrator, Gremillion, and anyone else who could assist in the decision-making process during emergency or disaster situations, such as school closings and evacuations. Public outreach and education are also important roles for OHSEP, says Gremillion. “If people want to hear about topics such as shelter in place, hurricane preparedness, active shooter situations, we are happy to speak to industrial groups, schools, civic organizations, even the gaming industry.” For more information, please visit cppj.net/services/emergency-preparedness

RATE DISCOUNT Loan Special on ATV and Utility Vehicles Thru November 30, 2018

Sulphur  Westlake  Lake Charles 337-533-1808  www.access.coop Federally Insured by NCUA

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Places & Faces | FIRST RESPONDERS

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

911!

Not everyone knows how to do CPR, monitor heart rate, or apply a tourniquet. But most people know the first thing to do when faced with an emergency. Call 911! But who are those operators on the other end of the 911 line? Richard McGuire, executive director of the Calcasieu Parish Communications District, heads a group of 25 “telecommunicators.” They take in 911 calls and dispatch the appropriate emergency personnel, whether police, fire department, EMS, or a combination. He calls his crew the ‘first first responders.’ “We are the first people the public speak to in an emergency situation. We ensure the caller receives the type of help they need for their given emergency. While we may not be physically on site with them, we feel as though we are there with them every step of the way.”

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

by Angie Kay Dilmore

It takes a particular type of person to be an effective 911 operator. They need to be calm under pressure. They need to be patient with a caller and be able to calm a caller down if they are too upset to give appropriate information to the 911 operator. McGuire says one of the most critical characteristics of a 911 operator is the ability to multitask. “They need to be able to take in a whole lot of information from the caller and get it down to a succinct narrative that we can pass on to first responders and other agencies.” 911 operators are trained in techniques on how to gain control of a call and to guide the caller into providing the needed information in the most timely way possible. McGuire says, “We do our own in-house training based on the Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) telecommunicators standards and we send them to several other training classes.”

McGuire says his Calcasieu Parish center receives 800-1600 calls a day, with five to six operators per shift. Most of the calls are appropriate, but 10-15 percent of the daily calls are inadvertent calls, for example butt dials or maybe a child testing the system to see if it truly works. He adds that these accidental calls require a lot of time and resources. If someone dials 911 and hangs up before the operator can verify the call is not indeed an emergency, the operator must respond to that call and send an officer to investigate the call. So, McGuire urges the public, if they accidently call 911, to please stay on the line and complete the call. But if you DO have an emergency, don’t hesitate to call. 911 is there for you. McGuire adds, “If it is an emergency to you, then it is worth dialing 911.” For more information, visit calcasieu911.com.

Area Ballet Companies Present

Holiday Dance Extravaganzas by Angie Kay Dilmore

The holidays can be a busy season but be sure to make time for Christmas entertainment! Two local ballet companies have been diligently rehearsing in their studios to bring you high-quality classic Christmas stories told through the art of dance. Tickets for both performances can be purchased at the Civic Center box office or through their websites.

Photo by Jeff Henry

Lake Area Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker The Nutcracker Ballet was first performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 17, 1892. Several variations of this original ballet have been staged over the decades, including Balanchine’s version for the New York City Ballet in 1958. Lake Area Ballet Theatre (LABT) will present this iconic production in the Rosa Hart Theatre, November 15 - 17. Colleen Cannon Benoit, LABT’s artistic director, says their mission is to provide a full-length ballet every fall, as well as a spring performance. The Nutcracker was last performed by LABT two years ago, but now they will make the show an annual event. “We decided because Nutcracker is such a traditional ballet, and the public embraces that ballet, we’ll do it every year,” says Benoit. “I believe our community is growing enough to support an annual Nutcracker production.”

Follow lovely Clara and her Nutcracker as they battle the menacing mice. When the Nutcracker slays the Mouse King, an ancient spell is broken and the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. Watch in wonder as Clara and the Nutcracker Prince meet the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy. Snowflakes, led by the Snow Queen, entice them to the land of Sweets, where darling young dancers portray children from around the world. The LABT production will feature a cast of over 150 local dancers, as well as returning guest artist Ramon Gaitan, who performs the role of Cavalier. Benoit strives to maintain the tradition of The Nutcracker in the style of Ida Clark, who established the Lake Charles Ballet Society for Ballet Joyeux, but enjoys adding a few interesting twists. “The majority of the costuming and choreography is traditional, however, in the past few years, I’ve added some special elements to highlight the tradition,” she says. “This year, I added another pas de deux with guest artist Troy Gabel, who recently graduated from Lamar. We’ve added more children to some of the Act II variations.” Benoit has also added a fun aspect to the opening Parlor scene in the first act. “We’ve invited eight adults – four men and four women – from the community to take part in the Nutcracker. Some have a background in dance, some do not, and some will be on stage for the first time.” Benoit encourages the community to jump start their holiday season by coming out and enjoying The Nutcracker. The sets, the costumes . . . when the curtain opens, the colors are vivid. It’s a treat for your eyes! School performances are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 15-16. Performances will take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 pm. lakeareaballettheatre.com.

Photo by Jeff Henry

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Places & Faces

LCCB’s Rudolph Brightens the Rosa Hart Theatre for their 50th Anniversary

Photo by Romero and Romero Photography

Photo by Romero and Romero Photography 26

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

The Lake Charles Civic Ballet (LCCB) performs original productions and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is no exception. The company has been thrilling audiences with this Christmas classic every few years since 1968. “It’s been 50 years since this all began with my mother, Lady Leah Lafargue, along with Debi Buras White (former costume designer and long-time associate director), and John Singleton (former technical director),” says LCCB artistic director Lady Holly Hathaway Kaough. “We’ve kept Rudolph true to its classic foundations; however, it has grown and evolved over the past 50 years. Our original version was shorter and some of the music was different.” The elaborate sets and lavish colorful costumes make the stage pop, but it’s the talented dancers who entertain, amuse, and bring the show to life. The opening scene pays homage to the true nature of the Christmas season with a beautiful dance of Mary with the Christ child in the manger. Then Santa and Mrs. Claus guide the elves through a frolicking scene at the North Pole. Humor is paramount, as these young performers enthusiastically dance across the stage with wrapped presents and a myriad of toys. The elves take Santa’s list across the globe and discover international dancers veiled in gauzy shadows behind a screen. We meet Rudolph when Santa checks to see if the reindeer are ready for their annual journey. Rudolph tries to make friends, but the other reindeer shove and snub him and his blinking bright red nose. Despondent, the little reindeer runs away into the forest. On Christmas Eve, snow and fog threaten Santa’s trek around the world. Enter the exquisite Snow Queen, shimmering in a sparkling blue tutu and accompanied by a flurry of graceful snowflakes. Back at the reindeer stable, Santa realizes Rudolph’s shiny nose can save Christmas. Through the magic

of theatrics, the audience sees only the beacon and imagines Santa and his sleigh passing through the rows of theatre seats, up into the balcony, and back towards the stage for the grand finale. “We are 50 years old but we’re still creating new,” says Kaough. We have not lost sight of our mission, which has been to be a place of creativity. It is important to motivate and ignite the passions of this next generation of artists in the Lake Area.” Performances take place December 8, 2018, 11:00 a.m. matinee and the Gala at 6:00 p.m. in the Rosa Hart Theatre. School performances take place on Dec. 6-7. www.lakecharlescivicballet.com.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS VILLAGE Sunday, Dec. 9 | 4-7pm Central School Arts & Humanities Center (South Grounds)

$40 Adults, $10 Children

Carolers, food and drinks | Tickets: LCsymphony.com

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

DECEMBER 6 & 7, 2018

School Performances - 9:30am

For school group reservations and information, call 337.842.3242 or lakecharlescivicballet.com.

DECEMBER 8, 2018

Public Performances - 11am & 6pm Rosa Hart Theatre, Lake Charles Civic Center

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Places & Faces

Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana...

Who’s News? You tell us! Send press releases to edit@thriveswla.com

Dr. Barootes Receives Mentor Award Bryan Barootes, MD, was recently awarded the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine (CASEM) Educator/Mentor Dr. Bryan Barootes Award at the 2018 CASEM Annual Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. CASEM is the multi-specialty Sport Medicine authority in Canada. Dr. Barootes has been involved in providing sports medicine care in Southwest Louisiana since his arrival in 2000 as a faculty member of the Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Residency Program at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. He is a team physician at McNeese State University and provides care at the high school level. He has been involved in the education of medical students, residents, athletic trainers, physical therapists and coaches. Dr. Barootes is currently the Chief Examiner for the CASEM Diploma Exam in Sport Medicine, a multi-specialty exam recognizing Sport Medicine expertise in Canada.

Emily Porche Appointed as Arts Council Board President The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of SWLA appointed Emily J. Porche of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury as its Emily Porche 2018-2019 Board President during its annual board meeting. Porche has served on the Arts and Humanities board for four years and previously held the positions of Vice President and 2nd Vice President. A graduate of McNeese State University, SWLA Chamber Leadership

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Program and International Association of Venue Manager’s Venue Management School, she is the Event Manager at Burton Coliseum Complex. Porche has previously served on the Fusion Five board and has been an active volunteer within our community. The board also approved a new slate of Executive Committee members, including Morgan Turpin of SWLA Economic Development Alliance as First Vice President, Devan Corbello of Corbello’s Menswear as Second Vice President, James Guillbeaux Jr. as Treasurer and Amy Nyberg of CSE Federal Credit Union as Secretary. Ten new board members were approved, including Melissa Lewis of NAI Latter & Blum Commercial Real Estate, Marketing & Support, Mary Williams of Changing Spaces, Krickett Racca of Crying Eagle Brewing Co., Erik Jessen of SOWELA, Athena Geiger of Family & Youth Counseling Agency, Michael Buckles of McNeese State University, Jana Crain of Scofield, Gerard, Pohorelsky, Gallaugher and Landry, Meagan Green of Lake Charles College Prep, Ellen Anthony of Associated Louisiana Artists and Greg Bass of Golden Nugget Casino Hotel. The Arts Council is an umbrella organization for Southwest Louisiana’s arts and cultural groups and initiatives and coordinates annual events and fundraisers for the arts. For details, call (337) 439-2787 or visit www.artscouncilswla.org.

Dennis Scott Appointed to National EPA Subcommittee District 6 Calcasieu Parish Police Juror Dennis Scott has been appointed to the Environmental Protection Dennis Scott Agency’s Small Community Advisory Subcommittee. Scott is one of 17 members selected nationwide to help the EPA develop

partnerships with small communities to address environmental and public health issues. New members were selected based on their leadership experience, proven record of service and involvement in community, state and federal environmental protection services. Scott, who is serving his third term as Police Juror, is also the chairman of the Parish-wide Drainage Liaison Committee. He also serves on several Police Jury committees, including Public Works, Ways and Means, Insurance and Solid Waste and Litter Abatement. Scott said he’s honored to have been selected to serve on the subcommittee during such an important time for Calcasieu Parish and for Southwest Louisiana.

First Federal Bank Welcomes Will Henning to Business Banking Team First Federal Bank of Louisiana is pleased to announce that Will Henning has joined its business Will Henning banking services as Vice President and Business Banking Specialist for the bank’s Southwest Louisiana region. “Will brings experience and enthusiasm to the First Federal Bank family, and we are eager to see how he extends our business banking reach,” shares Charles V. Timpa, President and CEO of First Federal Bank. Will received his bachelor’s degree in finance from McNeese State University, and he comes to First Federal Bank with almost 10 years in the business banking industry. Will and his wife, Stephanie Shaddock Henning, have one son with another on the way.

Family Medicine Specialist Robert Van Gossen, MD Joins Memorial Medical Group Memorial Medical Group welcomes Robert Van Gossen, MD, a boardcertified family Robert Van Gossen medicine specialist to its staff. Dr. Van Gossen joins fellow family medicine specialists Carl Nabours, MD and Joshua Whatley, MD at their clinic located in the Memorial medical office building on Nelson Road. Dr. Van Gossen has a degree in biology and a degree in nursing from McNeese State University. He received his medical degree from St. Martinus University in Willemstad, Curacao. His post-graduate training includes a family medicine residency at Rapides Regional Hospital in Alexandria, through the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He served as Interim Chief Resident his final year. Dr. Van Gossen is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is accepting new patients at his office located at 4345 Nelson Road, Suite 101 in Lake Charles. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 337.480.7999 or go to www.lcmmg.com.

CSE Announces Jennifer Erickson as New Chief Lending Officer Jennifer Erickson has been chosen as the new Chief Lending Officer at CSE Federal Credit Union. Erickson comes Jennifer Erickson to CSE with over 16 years of experience in lending, branch management and member services. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Foreign Language and Public Affairs from the University of Central Florida, and recently completed the Louisiana Banker’s Association’s Leadership Program.

“We want to welcome Jennifer to CSE as our new Chief Lending Officer and an important member of our senior management team.” said Clark Yelverton, President and CEO. “We are very fortunate to have Jennifer’s expertise in all aspects of lending, her motivation and her passion for collaboration and communication. She will no doubt have a positive impact on continuing CSE’s tremendous success in providing quality loan products and services to our 30,000 plus members.” CSE is the largest credit union headquartered in Southwest Louisiana with assets over $300 million. If you would like more information about CSE, please contact Colleen Desselle, Director of Marketing & Business Development, at 337.562.3130 or email cdesselle@csefcu.org. CSE is insured by NCUA. Membership and Eligibility required.

Mele Appointed Consumer Credit Policy Manager Sharon Mele, has been promoted to Consumer Credit Policy Manager after 17-years with Louisiana’s Community Bank. Sharon Mele In this role Mele’s responsibilities include the development and implementation of credit and lending policies and working with the compliance team on fair lending practices. Mele has more than 29-years of lending experience and previously served as VicePresident/Office Manager at the Sulphur and Kirby St. branches. “Sharon is one of our most versatile employees,” said President & CEO Boyd R. Boudreaux. “She has done an excellent job serving on what we call our ‘float staff,’ supporting Commercial Lenders, Commercial Loan Associates, Consumer Lenders and Consumer Loan Associates, and the Mortgage Lending staff,” Boudreaux added. Mele also created and implemented JD Bank’s first mentoring program and training for new lenders and loan associates. Raised in Lake Charles, Mele is a graduate of LaGrange High School. She’s completed many of the American Banking Association’s continuing education courses for commercial and consumer lending.

Veteran Community Banker Appointed Chief Human Resources Officer Sara Huval, a 30-year Acadiana Banker, has joined JD Bank as Chief Human Resources Officer. Sara Huval A Breaux Bridge native, Huval was hired by JD Bank first as a consultant on human resources matters, then as a full-time employee earlier this year. “We were very fortunate to find an employee with Sara’s talent and experience in both banking and human resources to join the JD Bank family,” said President & CEO Boyd R. Boudreaux. “Her duties will include recruiting, benefits management, employee relations and all other aspects of HR.” Before her appointment, Huval worked at two Acadiana banks over a career that spans three-decades, serving more than 20 years in human resources. Huval has a bachelor’s degree in Personnel Management from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Craven Qualified 2018 Chairman’s Council for New York Life Insurance Co. Chris Craven has qualified for the 2018 Chairman’s Council in Scottsdale, AZ for New York Life Chris Craven Insurance. He began in 1993 and has qualified for 25 consecutive councils based on sales performance. He is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table and has received numerous awards. He has also qualified in the Top 2% in the nation out of 12,500 licensed New York Life Agents.

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Money & Career

The Skill Set of the Future:

Seven Essential Habits to Own and Hone for Greater Success In today’s competitive business climate, you’ve got to work harder than ever to stay relevant in any industry. You need to perform at a higher level than ever before, achieve better results, quickly recover from missteps, and garner the confidence to thrive in times of uncertainty. In other words, you need a modern-day skill set that gives you an edge over your competitors and helps you efficiently reach your goals. You’ve got to give your peak performance 100 percent of the time while upholding your values and building trust with your clients and associates, says Paul G. Krasnow, author of The Success Code: A Guide for Achieving Your Personal Best in Business and Life. “It’s no longer enough to just show up and put

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

in your time at the office. Employers today expect more from you . . . and so do clients.” Krasnow is no stranger to adversity and loss. Following early success in the clothing industry, he experienced a financially-devastating bankruptcy that forced him to rebuild his life from scratch. He joined Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, where he created an impressive financial portfolio and won multiple “Top Agent” awards. In The Success Code, Krasnow lays out a formula that took him to the top of his industry. Whether you’re starting out in your career, looking for a better job, or already dominating in your industry, these habits will help you excel and surpass your own expectations.

Fine-tune your focus.

Today’s employees have greater responsibility and less time to complete their work. This forces them to multitask, yet most people are terrible at multitasking. Plus, they are constantly interrupted by email, smartphones, and social media. Krasnow says success often comes down to your ability to tune out all of this “noise” and get focused. Get rid of distractions and temptations until your work is finished. Turn off media, remove clutter from your desk, and limit office chitchat when you have a task to complete. This creates an environment that best allows you to serve your clients and get your work done.

Engage with your clients.

Building and nurturing solid client relationships is the cornerstone of any successful business. To foster engagement, commit to a personal code of integrity to assure clients you will work hard for them

and they are in good hands. Strive to be honest and authentic with your clients and your associates. People will always be able to tell if you’re being friendly just to make a sale or establish a connection.

Work smarter, not harder. Do an audit of how you currently spend your work time. Take a moment to identify your most important recurring tasks, determine how long they take, and identify tasks that could be completed more quickly. Then learn to prioritize your daily goals. Create a to-do list and divide your tasks into three categories: critical, high-priority, and low-priority. Tackle each task in order of priority.

Become a whole person.

Live a balanced, rich life in all areas of your existence. No matter how much fulfillment you get from your career, you still need to expand your life and enjoy all it has to offer. Make time to be present with your spouse, your kids, and your network of friends. Foster a few hobbies. Consider volunteer work. Explore your spirituality. “No matter where you are in your career right now, you will benefit from adopting habits that lead to a successful life and career,” concludes Krasnow. “You really can unlock your potential and be as great as you dare to be. Stop waiting and start becoming the best you yet.”

Hone an ideal image.

Your appearance should reflect the quality of your services. Think of your health, wellness, and wardrobe as an investment in your success.

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Money & Career

Fiscal Fitness: Get Financially Healthy!

We walk, jog, hit the gym and eat right for the sake of our physical fitness. But what about our fiscal fitness? We can sock away money, manage our finances and stick to a budget in the same healthy spirit of self-improvement. That’s where a credit union comes in, according to Ronaldo Hardy, MSHRLD, CUDE, CUERME, the president and CEO of Southwest Louisiana Credit Union. “The credit union is a great way to manage your money,” Hardy says. “As a not-for-profit organization, we can offer low loan rates and strong earnings on savings.”

BUILD YOUR SAVINGS

Hardy offers some pathways for people to save money and manage their finances, and explains how it works: Find ways to save! Even if you start small, a specific account will encourage you to set aside some money and form the healthy habit of doing it regularly. Credit unions are not-forprofit cooperatives. They return profits to their members in the form of higher dividends on savings, lower rates on loans, and lower-priced products and services. That means the savings go to you. Membership means ownership. When you join a credit union, you actually become a part-owner. Each credit union member has equal ownership and one vote — regardless of how much money a member has on deposit. A credit union is governed by a board of directors, elected by and from the credit union’s membership. Board members serve on a strictly volunteer basis.

BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE

There’s no magic solution to raising your credit score overnight. However, there are some things you can do right now to boost your credit score and, just as important, your overall financial footing, Hardy says. Want to boost your score, especially if it’s due to a lack of credit? Check it out: Fix errors on your credit reports. One in four credit reports contains 32

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

small errors, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Errors might include false information attributed to you because of identity theft, a simple mix-up, or accounts that don’t belong to you. Pay off credit cards every month. If you pay off your debts, you’ll see your score go up. If you’re struggling to cover your existing debt, create a debt management plan. Stay away from your credit limits. Paying down the debt will improve your creditworthiness, and help your “credit utilization” — the amount of debt you have relative to your credit card limits. When you’re nearly maxed out, it’s bad for your score. Set up automatic payments. Your credit score takes a hit with every late payment. That’s because payment history comprises 35 percent of your score. If you struggle to remember when money is due, set up automatic payments. It’s an easy way to stay on time and maybe turn your score around relatively quickly.

MONITOR YOUR CREDIT

Knowing how to get your credit reports and credit scores can be confusing, especially with so many different options out there. There are a few key things to remember, according to Hardy. Request the free, annual credit reports you are entitled to by federal law at annualcreditreport. com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. If you have exhausted your free credit reports, access reports directly from the credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – for a fee. To reach their website, tack on “.com” to the end of their company name. Financial institutions often use separate FICO scores from three credit bureaus. These companies have developed their own scoring models to compete with FICO. You have the option of purchasing these at their websites. However, the most common credit scores used by lenders are the FICO scores that were developed by the company of the same name. You can access your FICO score for a fee at myfico.com.

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Money & Career

Combating Phantom Power Simple Steps can Help Customers Save by Warding off Energy Waste Phantom power, also known as standby power, vampire power, or phantom load, is the energy used by certain plugged-in appliances and electronic devices, even when they are in standby mode or turned off. The most common culprits include household favorites such as electronics with remote controls, built-in clocks or timers, and instant-on features such as televisions, computers, printers, video game consoles, and DVD players. While it might seem like a trivial amount, wasted energy can add up over time and show up on your monthly utility bills. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as much as 10 percent of residential electricity use goes toward powering appliances in standby power mode. “We want to help our customers control their energy usage by providing tips to keep household phantoms from catching them off guard,” said Melonie Stewart, vice president of distribution operations for Entergy in Louisiana. “There are several ways to control phantom power, some of which may seem like a small savings at first, but when added up over time can be significant.”

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

A few simple steps can help you ward off the energy-wasting horde and save on your energy bill: • Purchase an advanced power strip and plug appliances into it. • Unplug small transformers (battery chargers and power adapters) when products are fully charged or not in use. • Check the label. If purchasing an Energy Star-labeled product, choose the model that uses the least amount of standby power. If the amount isn’t listed on the label, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star website to find information about specific products. For more information on energy conservation and a variety of moneysaving tips, visit: entergylouisiana.com/ savemoney.

By the Numbers

2017-2018

Foster care children received toiletry bags

Years serving Southwest Louisiana

$4,000

3,424

Children in CPSB read to for National Read for the Record Day

Reader Feeders filled with free childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books

in scholarships awarded to 8 area high school seniors

$17,142 Grants awarded to 15 teachers

3,471

500

students impacted by grants

Snack Sacks donated to local elementary school students

5,279

Annual Fundraisers: Mistletoe & Moss, Spring Gala, Truck Fest

$4,500

in Angel Tree gifts donated by members and delivered to Harbour House Transitional Living Program & CASA program kids

Volunteer hours in 2017

$130,000 in volunteer hours served

600 Members

1019 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles | 337-436-4025 | jllc.net

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Money & Career

CITGO Safeguards Future with Proactive Worst Case Drill The CITGO Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex recently conducted a Worst Case Drill to prepare and train employees, as well as partner and coordinate with local, state and federal agencies in response to possible worst case situations. CITGO executes this drill as part of an ongoing commitment to emphasize the critical importance of safety in its daily operations and culture. Jerry Dunn, CITGO Vice President and General Manager, Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex, said the Worst Case Drill creates an environment for CITGO to practice how to handle reallife, tough situations. “Safety at CITGO is paramount. We can’t thank our local agencies enough for their support during the drill, as well as their commitment to helping us provide the safest operations for our employees and the community.” CITGO partnered with agencies including the United States Coast 36

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Guard, Louisiana State Police, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and more. Commander Dan Cost, U.S. Coast Guard said the Coast Guard greatly appreciates the opportunity to partner with CITGO during its Worst Case Drill. “These training evolutions are invaluable for bolstering incident response coordination, thereby enhancing our ability to safeguard the community, protect the environment and restore maritime commerce if there were to be an actual incident,” he said. Waxing the City Wins National Awards The Lake Charles Waxing The City, a locally owned wax-only studio that is part of a larger, nationwide franchise system, was recently honored with the company’s Rookie of the Year and Top Retailer awards. Opened in February 2018, local owners Cindy and Claiborne Self have become some of the most successful

franchisees in a 100-unit franchise system. Cindy attributes their success to community involvement. The studio supported local bridal shows, held community Wine & Wax and Customer Appreciation nights, hosted giveaways and special deals on social media, highlighted products of the month, and more. Cindy also praises her highly trained staff of estheticians. She sent many of them to Minneapolis (Waxing The City’s national headquarters) for training and ensured each one was up to date on the newest and best waxing trends and pre- and post-wax products. Visit Waxing The City at 4740 Nelson Rd., or book an appointment, (337) 508-2222. Dermatology Associates receives honor for value provided to patients Dermatology Associates was named a better performer for the third year in a row by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) due to the value provided to patients when compared with similar medical group practices nationwide. “We aim for excellence in all areas and it’s an honor to be recognized for the significance our services make in the lives of our patients,” says Lisa Conner, FACMPE, administrator with Dermatology Associates. The MGMA report, a benchmarking standard among medical groups for more than a decade, was produced using data from respondents to the

MGMA 2018 survey as well as data from a questionnaire that assessed management behaviors, practices, and procedures of better performers. Dermatology Associates of Southwest Louisiana is located at 2000 Tybee Lane in Lake Charles. Its medical staff is made up of Dr. Michael Cormier, Dr. Brian Ford, Dr. Kevin Guidry, Dr. Lee Miller and Dr. Kerri Davis-Fontenot as well as Nurse Practitioners Jamie Burks and Laina Bryant. For more information, visit dermswla.com or call (337) 433-7272

Big Brothers Big Sisters Launches New Branding To emphasize the urgency of their mission and meet the need of their essential work in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana unveiled a new brand positioning and modernized look with the goal of recruiting more diverse volunteers. Months of national research, including focus groups with potential Bigs, as well as current Bigs, Littles, donors, staff, and leadership showed that the previous brand was not effectively connecting with younger, prospective mentors or conveying the urgent mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters. This new look reflects Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA’s new brand positioning of the urgent need for the adults in the community to step up to defend the potential of every child.

Calcasieu Soccer Club Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Corcoran Family Law

Animal Services and Adoption Center Receives National Award

The Calcasieu Soccer Club announces a three-year partnership with Corcoran Family Law. The agreement is for $7,500 for the first year and $10,000 per year for the second and third year and will assist in supporting the Club’s youth recreation program that facilitates opportunities for 1,000 local children to play soccer each fall and spring. Calcasieu Soccer Club provides and promotes soccer programs to people of all ages in Southwest Louisiana. Through recreational and competitive soccer programming, the organization’s mission is to provide quality instruction to youth players, maximizing their enjoyment of the game and encouraging all members to create ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, respect and a lifetime of involvement in sports and physical activity.

Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and Adoption Center received the 2018 National Animal Care and Control Association’s Outstanding Animal Control Agency Award at NACA’s annual conference in Denver, CO last month. Animal Services received the award because of its “effective training programs for personnel, outstanding/ innovative public education programs and active community involvement.” Jolene Constance, Department of Public Works Finance Manager, who submitted the nomination letter, said “Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and Adoption Center is truly deserving; they were Hurricane Harvey heroes, continued the phenomenal drivethru rabies clinics, established a horse rescue program, transported animals nationally and hired a full-time veterinarian. They found the path of going from good to great.”

To learn more, call (337) 474-6131 or visit www.cscsoccerclub.org.

RELAX

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Corporate events | Fundraisers Seminars | Group Meetings Trade Shows | Much More!

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Wining & Dining

HEADQUARTERS

Thrive Magazine for Better Living â&#x20AC;¢ November 2018

SERVING UP FINGER-LICKING FOOD FOR THREE DECADES

& SPORTS BAR DARRELL’S TO-GO Our new to-go kitchen next door allows us to seat and serve our indoor customers much quicker!

As November officially ushers in the Holiday Season, we invite you to sit and relax and peruse this issue of Thrive. In this special Thanksgiving section, we offer hostess tips to make your Turkey Day less stressful and more enjoyable, suggestions for fun holiday table decorating, and a few new recipes to try. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!

JOIN US FOR GAME DAY Since 1985, we’ve been satisfying the appetites of Louisiana folks with po-boys, chips and libations. Let Darrell’s put a smile on your face and give you delicious food you’ll love. We pride ourselves on serving enticing po-boys that include surf and turf, Darrell’s Special and BBQ. At Darrell’s, we make all of our gravy, BBQ sauce, jalapeno mayonnaise and butter sauce in-house daily because we believe in giving you the best.

We’re now available on Waitr! 119 West College Street, Lake Charles (337) 474-3651 | darrellspoboys.com Monday – Thursday: 11am–10pm Friday & Saturday: 11am-11pm Closed Sunday | Happy Hour 4–7pm

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Make

Honey-B Ham

Your Holiday Tradition The cooler weather is finally here! That means the holidays will soon be upon us, and we will be gathering with friends and family, making new memories to cherish in the years to come. Wouldn’t you rather spend more time with your loved ones instead of being stuck in the kitchen? Honey-B-Ham can make that happen. Pick up a delicious pre-planned meal—including dessert—and you’ll get so much more out of your holiday season! Honey-B Ham has been a Lake Charles institution since 1996, serving up thousands of hams and turkeys between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, which is their busiest time of year! “Along with families, we also cater to local business owners, who give them as gifts to clients and employees,” says franchise owner Joe Heinen. Their honey-glazed ham is the top-seller. Hickory smoked, spiral sliced and baked with a thick, rich honey and spice glaze, it comes ready for the table. Just keep refrigerated until two to three hours before serving. You don’t even have to light your oven, as it tastes better served

at room temperature rather than heated. If you have leftovers, they can remain in the fridge for five to seven days or be frozen for up to 45 days. If you would prefer something else for your holiday meal, Honey-B Ham offers smoked or Cajun whole turkeys and spiral sliced, honey-glazed turkey breast. Try their brisket, which is slow-cooked for 16 hours. You can also get sandwich, meat and cheese trays. Side dishes include sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, cheese broccoli rice and green bean casserole. For tempting desserts, there are pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies, along with delicious homemade fudge. Honey-B Ham also offers catering services, specializing in business catering that provides meals for parties, company lunches, conferences, and crawfish boils. You can choose from the traditional main courses and sides, or opt for the popular deli, meat and cheese trays. Don’t forget them on Super Bowl Sunday, or during Mardi Gras for your balls! No need to spend all that time preparing food when HoneyB-Ham takes care of everything!

506 E Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles • (337) 477-8335 40

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Of course, Honey-B Ham is also a restaurant offering lunch daily. Along with brisket, sausage, they offer boudin, boudin balls, deli sandwiches, soups, and salads. Gumbo is on the menu every Friday, so when the colder weather has you craving a gumbo on your lunch hour swing by and grab a bowl to dine-in or drive-thru and bring it back to the office. Why not make your coworkers mouths water from your lunch aroma while you savor the taste, or you could just bring them a bowl as well … or at least your boss? Another season that will soon be upon us is crawfish season,

and Honey-B Ham is the place to go for these spicy crustaceans! Stop by and take a sack home, either live or boiled and don’t forget that they cater crawfish boils. Check their FB page as the season nears or give them a call to find out when they will be available. You will come back for more! Honey-B Ham is located at 506 E Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles. Hours 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday – Sunday (though the end the of year). To place an order, call (337) 477-8335. For more information, see their website, honeybham.net or find them on Facebook.

honeybham.net

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Wining & Dining | Thanksgiving Headquarters

TIPS TO MAKE

Thanksgiving AS EASY AS (PUMPKIN) PIE

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

When you think of Thanksgiving, you may have memories of family gathered around a well-appointed table, smiling, laughing, and enjoying all varieties of holiday fare come to mind. If you’re the host of the day, however, you may have memories of frantic preparation like dusting the baseboards in every room of the house, making sure clean sheets are on all the guest beds, preparing a show-stopping breakfast, along with every aspect of the main event— the Thanksgiving Day feast, including Uncle Jim’s favorite mile-high banana-meringue pie and all the other Pinterest-inspired delicacies you can’t resist . . . mixed in with a panic attack or two. Take some deep breaths and remember that early preparation can make the day go smoothly while still ensuring that everyone is pleased and impressed when dinner is served.

Deep Clean in Advance. A few weeks before the big day, do a deep clean of your communal areas like the kitchen, living areas, and bathrooms. If you’re hosting out of town visitors, this is also a great time to clean the guest rooms. If not, keep those rooms behind closed doors. 42

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Doing a deep clean in advance will ensure that several days before Thanksgiving day, all you will need to do is change bed sheets and tend to some minor tidying and cleaning.

two items a week for a month in advance, Thanksgiving Day will be as easy as that second serving of sweet potatoes!

Freeze a Turkey.

If you’re entertaining out of town guests or a large family, the last thing you want to do is make a huge mess in the kitchen before you start preparing the big meal. A week or two before the feast, prepare some makeahead breakfast enchiladas or a cheesy sausage and croissant casserole. Thaw it out the night before and pop it into the oven in the morning. Your guests will be impressed.

Get a turkey three to four weeks in advance of the big day and throw it in the freezer. This allows you to beat the crunch-time crowds vying for the best bird. Just remember that a completely frozen turkey needs a day to thaw for every four pounds it weighs. If you plan on ordering meat for Thanksgiving, place your order weeks in advance and set a reminder to pick it up.

Make Side Dishes and Desserts Ahead of Time. The fat in the delicious cream and butter in mashed potatoes protects the potatoes in the freezer, so this, along with other dishes like cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and pumpkin pie can all be made ahead and frozen. Even the turkey gravy can be made in advance, and turkey drippings can be added to it after the turkey is cooked and the gravy begins heating. If you make

Think About Breakfast.

Clean Out the Refrigerator. Two to three days prior to Turkey Day, clean out your refrigerator to make room for all the mouth-watering leftovers. This is also a good time to stock up on food-storage containers.

Set the Table. The night before Thanksgiving, set the table with centerpieces, cutlery, and the dishware you plan on using. This will be one less thing on your Thanksgiving Day to-do list so you can spend more time enjoying family and friends.

FALL TABLESCAPES &

Entertaining by Stefanie Powers

Fall is and always will be about going “all natural” when it comes to design and decorating. Leaves turn beautiful amber, orange, and red hues; fall fruits and vegetables are harvested; and pumpkin spice everything fills the air. Few can resist bringing these elements into their home. Room Service, a new, local home decor and design store, has some fresh ideas when it comes to decorating your autumn table – something that many look forward to after an especially long, hot summer. Delicate greens and florals make way for rich autumnal colors and textures. It’s time to enjoy nature’s bounty before winter sets in – and there’s no better way to do this than by showcasing its beauty on your holiday table!

Fall Foliage Consider turning a new leaf . . . literally, and use these beloved accents in unexpected ways. Fall foliage takes a front seat color-wise, while pumpkins and gourds follow in the neutral white decorating trend. Try using beautiful fall leaves as part of the place setting. Incorporate Louisiana’s state flower, the magnolia, to add some southern charm. Use a magnolia leaf as the place card for your guests.

Tradition Alternatives For a change of pace to the traditional Thanksgiving feast, consider hosting a sensory-laden brunch or tea party! As the scent of pumpkin spice is on everyone’s nose, carry that flavor profile to the tip of their tongues. A boozy pumpkin spice tea is a fun alternative to the mimosa. Wrap a pumpkin tea bag around a cinnamon stick. Use a lemon for a place card and set your table with your favorite bottle of whiskey or rum. This makes for a wonderfully interactive place setting as your guests swirl the tea bag around with their cinnamon stick, infusing those fall flavors into their cup. By slicing their “place cards” they can infuse a bit of lemon into their tea. Add whiskey or rum to taste. The lushness of the season lends itself to extravagant decorating, so don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops when creating your tablescapes. Happy autumn! Room Service, 131 W. 11th St., Lake Charles, Open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. m.me/ roomservicelc, (337) 274-4755.

Pomegranates and other Fall Produce Don’t take the pomegranate for granted. While pumpkins and gourds scream fall, the pomegranate can add an unexpected sophistication and rich ruby color to your holiday table. Apples and purple grapes are equally appealing as decorative accents.

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Wining & Dining | Thanksgiving Headquarters

TRY SOMETHING A BIT

Un-Traditional

THIS THANKSGIVING

Are you tired of the same old Thanksgiving menu year after year? Why not mix it up this year with a couple new recipes!

SHRIMP AND GRITS DRESSING 1 pound peeled, medium-size raw shrimp 3 cups chicken broth 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper 1 cup uncooked regular grits 1/2 cup butter 3 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 cup fine, dry breadcrumbs 1 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Devein shrimp, if desired. Bring broth and next two ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in grits and return to a boil; reduce heat to low and stir in butter. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat. Stir together eggs and next four ingredients in a large bowl. Gradually stir about one-fourth of hot grits mixture into egg mixture; add egg mixture to remaining hot grits mixture, stirring constantly. Stir in shrimp until well blended. Pour grits mixture into a lightly greased 11-x 7-inch baking dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes to 1 hour or until mixture is set. Let stand 10 minutes.

Try Community Coffee Company’s new Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Pie blend. Made with 100% select Arabica coffee beans, Community® Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Pie offers a sweet, lightly spiced blend featuring hints of pumpkin spice and pecan pie. With a smooth and satisfying finish, this autumn-inspired blend is perfect to pair with your Thanksgiving Day desserts. Lula Restaurant-Distillery

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON YOUR BEVERAGE MENU . . .

Lula Restaurant-Distillery

EASY NO -BAKE CINNAMON APPLE COBBLER This dessert is rich in fiber and has anti-inflammatory properties. It has no added sugar and is very light – yet feels rich. Courtesy of Celebrity Chef Alina Z. For the crumble: 1 cup almonds 1 cup walnuts 2/3 cups medjool dates, pits removed 1/4 teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon vanilla powder For topping: Shredded coconut Cinnamon powder Dried currants Combine the crust ingredients and place in a food processor with an S-Blade. Process for about 40 seconds to a minute to make crumbles. For the filling: 3 golden delicious or Fuji apples peeled or cored, cut in 6 wedges 3 medjool dates 1 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder 1 teaspoon flax seed, ground fine ½ teaspoon sea salt Place 1 and a half apples and the rest of ingredients in the food processor with an S-blade and blend until you get a thick apple sauce consistency. Transfer to a bowl. Change blades in the food processor to a thin slicing blade. Feed the rest of the apples through it to make thin slices. Combine the filling ingredients together and place in individual serving bowls. Sprinkle the crumble on top. Accessorize with shredded coconut, dried currants and cinnamon.

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Wining & Dining | Thanksgiving Headquarters

WAITR “SHARE THANKSGIVING”

Food Drive Food Delivery Service to help Feed the Area’s Less Fortunate

Waitr, the popular app that lets you order food from local restaurants and delivers it directly to you, is helping feed local families in need this Thanksgiving. Through November 15, anyone using Waitr can make a donation that will go toward buying meals for the less fortunate during the Thanksgiving holiday. The food drive, called “Share Thanksgiving”, allows people to click on a “Donate a Meal” button after they order from Waitr, then choose a dollar amount ranging from $2 to $10. Donations can also be made online through the Waitr website. Waitr and its participating restaurant partners will match a portion of the money received. Using these donations, Waitr will deliver free hot meals prepared by local restaurants to hungry families in the Lake Charles area during Thanksgiving week. “We fed more than a thousand families last year during our first Share Thanksgiving program. This year, it’s our goal to double that number,” said Chris Meaux, CEO and Founder of Waitr. “If anyone knows a family in need who would appreciate a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings, we invite you to visit waitrapp.com and let us know. Help us make this Thanksgiving a memorable one for someone in your area.” The company will deliver the meals Thanksgiving week in the communities served by Waitr. Since its launch in 2015, Waitr has expanded to more than 230 cities across the South. It currently has more than 6,200 restaurant partners and well over a million users. “Waitr has been extremely well-received in the communities we serve,” Meaux said. “It means the world to us that we’re able to give back and deliver hot Thanksgiving meals to those who can use a little help during the holiday.” www.waitrapp.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Home & Family

Caregiverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide The number of people who care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aging family member is astounding: more than 65 million, or almost 30 percent of the U.S. population. They spend an average of 20 hours per week caring for their loved one, which can include: buying groceries, running errands, managing medication, going to the doctor, bathing, feeding, and grooming their loved ones, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving in collaboration with the American Association of Retired Persons. The Alliance also reported the value of the services that family caregivers provide for free to older adults is estimated to be $375 billion a year. In this special section on caregiving, we address the needs of those who care for family members or friends.

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Home & Family | Caregivers Guide

Caring for the Caregiver by Christine Fisher

Caregiving, no matter how noble the intention, can be stressful. “It often falls on one person to manage the needs of an older adult; this could range from their daily meals to providing emotional support. There are times when it is physically and emotionally draining,” said Pamela Bruney, director of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s Home Health Agency. Caregivers may need to take a little of their own advice. As they care for their loved ones, it’s easy to lose a sense of themselves in the process. “They’re busy making sure things are just right for their loved one and they forget to check in with themselves,” said Bruney. “Home health care can ease the burden when it comes to medication management, teachings, and disease management processes. In addition to a tailored plan of care, physical, speech and occupational therapy services are available to assist with returning patients to the activities of daily living. It gives the caregiver a little respite. For those without home health services to rely on, caregivers should be aware of the potential problems that often occur in the process of caregiving.” Caregiving can often be rewarding for the caregiver, as they selflessly work to make life better for one they love, but it can also be a time of high stress. While many factors contribute to this, the amount of energy the caregiver puts into maintaining his or her own health plays a significant role.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

“Many caregivers end up being stressed out, frustrated, and dealing with their own health issues,” Bruney said. “Stress is often a result of continuous caregiving when there aren’t boundaries set in place.” Stress symptoms can be varied, depending on the person. Common signs of chronic stress include: • Anger • Body aches • Recurring colds and flu • Trouble sleeping • Fatigue and exhaustion • Over-reacting • Frequent headaches If the stress is not dealt with, it can lead to more serious health problems, such as heart disease or depression. A sense of sadness and burden is also frequently cited among caregivers. “Caregiving can be consuming. It can take every minute you have, but we all need a respite. Caregivers need to take time off and know their loved one is in good hands, whether it’s another family member, a friend, a home health agency, or someone in their church. You have to take time for yourself so you can enjoy your life and have something left to give back to your loved one,” Bruney said. It’s important to relax, enjoy time with friends, and ask for additional help so that one person isn’t shouldering the burden alone.

Here are tips to help caregivers: • Stay as organized as possible, from medications to doctors’ appointments. Writing everything down on a calendar or a notebook will help you stay on schedule and hopefully avoid a stress-inducing crisis. • Ask for help, more than once. People are often willing to help, but they don’t know what to do and they don’t want to create more work for you. Caregiving can be done in many different ways: cooking several meals, chauffeuring to the hairdresser, managing finances, etc. Let interested parties know how they might help. • Do something you enjoy. Whether it’s a long walk, getting a massage, reading a book or getting coffee with a friend, schedule time for yourself every week, if possible. It will give you something to look forward to. • Attitude is everything. Approaching your caregiving tasks with the right attitude can make a significant difference. If you’re low on energy, you’ll be more easily frustrated, which can lead to stress. The main thing is to remember that caregivers also require care. If you are providing consistent care for a loved one, remember to take time for yourself. It’ll help you maintain your mental and physical health as well as providing the best care possible for your loved one.

Support for Caregivers The Calcasieu Parish Council on Aging provides monthly Caregiver Support Groups. The meetings take place in three different locations throughout the Parish and are open to anyone who cares for a sick or elderly loved one. Annette Tritico has facilitated the Caregivers Support Group for over three years. She’s a nurse with 34 years of experience in mental health care. “We offer caregivers support, education, and resources,” she says. “Most caregivers in the group have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, but the group is open to anyone caring for someone

with any chronic illness.” Participants learn about the disease process and ways to cope with the progressive stages of dementia. Caregiving can become quite isolating. Participation in the group provides some much-needed socialization. Group members come to the realization that they are not alone. They hear from others in the group that what they are feeling and experiencing is normal. They share ideas and solutions. Another aspect of group participation is learning the importance of selfcare; for example, stress management, grief processing, and taking time for themselves.

Tritico says meetings last only an hour “because caregivers are busy people.” For more information or to register, call 337-4742583, calcoa.org.

Monthly meetings, times, and locations: St. Theodore Catholic Church 785 Sam Houston Jones Parkway 2nd Mondays at noon The Verandah at Graywood 5851 Graymarket Dr. 3rd Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. Brookdale Senior Living 2420 Country Club Rd. 4th Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.

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Home & Family | Caregivers Guide

Senior Care Options

The Growing Trend to Remain at Home by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

Deciding on care for an aging loved one or a family member with special needs can be equal parts frustrating and terrifying. How do you know you’re making the right choices? Should you put your loved one in an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or a memory care center? Should hospice be involved? Over the past decade or so, there has been an growing trend to care for the elderly at home. According to the 2010 Census, only 3.1 percent of seniors were nursing home residents. To meet this trend, there are an increasing number of businesses to assist in care for the elderly who choose to stay at home. These businesses provide different levels of care to meet a variety of needs, from simple duties such as companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, and light housekeeping, to more personal care tasks like bathing, dressing, transferring, ambulation, incontinence care, and transportation. “All of our services are designed to help someone stay home and stay independent,” says George Cestia, owner of Home Instead Senior Care, Lake Charles. Businesses such as Home Instead also offer services to family members who care for their loved one at home. They can provide respite care to give caretakers a muchneeded break. Home Instead offers services for as few as four hours

a day, one day a week, and up to twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They also offer education to family members on diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. When asked about clients’ biggest fears regarding care options, Cestia says, “Most clients we talk to want to stay in their own home, and their biggest fear is having to leave it. They are often relieved that there is an option to help them stay in the home they love. However, many folks choose to live in assisted living homes and nursing homes. Southwest Louisiana has many great facilities for these options. We have great relationships with these facilities and can provide care in them as well.” Home Instead Senior Care also provides care in hospitals. If you have concerns and difficult decisions to make about the care of your loved one, a good way to answer your questions and combat your fears is to arm yourself with information about all the different care options in your area. Visit the sites. Talk to the directors and ask questions. Ask for input from friends who have family members in various care settings. Consider the feasibility of keeping your loved one at home. And if appropriate, do include the care receiver in the decision-making process. For more information on in-home care options, call Home Instead, 337-4800023, 622 E College St, Lake Charles.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Pet Therapy

Just What the Doctor Ordered Studies show that interacting with pets can be a stress reliever. Using pets to help comfort and heal the sick began as early as the middle ages. Since the 1980’s, pet therapy has flourished and become more structured. Dozens of therapy dog groups across the country provide educational material to volunteers, screening for both volunteers and dogs, and liability insurance for when the dog and handler volunteer in a therapy setting. Lake Charles is home to Dr. Dogs Pet Therapy. Started in 2007 with one golden retriever mix, the group now has approximately 40 dogs that visit residents

by Angie Kay Dilmore

in retirement and nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and community events. Callie East has been a registered hospice nurse for 22 years and a certified hospice and palliative care nurse since 2002. She says it has been a privilege to use pet therapy to help her patients. Years ago, she took a baby goat along on visits. Now, through the Dr. Dogs group, she and her goldendoodle Brody visit patients in nursing homes, private homes upon request, and other locations a few times each month. She says pet interaction can decrease heart rate and blood pressure, and boost levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible

for wellbeing and happiness. “Alzheimer’s and dementia patients particularly benefit from pet therapy,” she adds. “The physical touch can trigger positive memories. Even if they do not recall the visit later on, they’ll remember the happy feelings.” East and others have discovered that pet therapy not only benefits the patients, but their caregivers, as well. “Pet therapy reduces the psychological stress experienced by a caregiver and helps reduce the feelings of isolation and depression,” she says. For more information on local pet therapy, see drdogspetherapy.com.

WHO DO YOU HAVE? In the end, it’s not what you have that matters.... it’s WHO you have. At Amedisys Hospice we understand the challenges of caring for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To help, we have developed an End-Stage Dementia Specialty Program, equipped to address and manage the symptoms of end-stage dementia while improving quality of life.

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Callie East, caregiver Sue Miller, and Brody

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Financial Considerations When Caring for a Loved One by Andrea Mongler

When an elderly loved one — often a spouse or parent — needs full-time care, it can be both emotionally and physically draining for the caregiver. In addition, family caregiving has a financial impact, and for some caregivers, it’s a big one. According to a 2015 report from the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute, one in five caregivers of adult patients experiences financial strain. Those who live more than an hour away from their care recipient report even higher levels of financial strain, which could be due in part to the fact that 41 percent of them pay

for caregiving help. In addition, many caregivers are still in the workforce, and about 60 percent of them report having to make changes to their work situation, such as reducing their hours or taking a leave of absence because of their caregiving responsibilities. Though no one can know for sure whether they will be a caregiver — or need one — someday, it’s smart to prepare for the possibility. As New York Life agent Chris Craven puts it, “You never know what you will be dealt.” For anyone who can afford it, Craven recommends considering long-term-care insurance, which

— depending on the policy — can help pay for services that range from assistance with daily living activities such as dressing and eating to skilled care provided by nurses or therapists. The costs of longterm-care policies vary widely. “Premiums can start as low as 50 or 60 bucks a month for a basic minimum policy,” Craven says. “If you have all the bells and whistles, you may be paying $1,000 a month.” He recommends viewing long-term-care insurance as a supplement to whatever other funds you’ll be able to draw from, such as retirement plans or Social Security. While your own long-termcare insurance is designed to cover the costs of care you may need someday, what are your options if you’re facing financial hardship as a caregiver to someone else? Here are a few ideas to consider: Have open, honest conversations about money with your family, including the caregiver recipient if he or she is

reasonably able to participate. Talk about what expenses you’re facing and how to pay for them. • Check out the services provided by community organizations. Some offer low-cost or free services including respite care, support groups, transportation, and meal delivery. Check out communityresourcefinder.org to search for local options. • If you are providing most of the care, look into the possibility of asking your family to pay you as an independent contractor. • Create a budget to help you track spending and determine where to make adjustments. Without a doubt, being a family caregiver or a caregiving recipient can be challenging, but it is possible to ease the financial burden. If you haven’t begun making caregiving plans for yourself and your loved ones, the sooner the better. For more information, contact Chris Craven, New York Life Insurance, 3105 Lake St, Lake Charles, 337-475-6226.

Here’s to a long-life. And the money to fund it. Thanks to modern medicine, we’re living longer—maybe even a lot longer. We’re also more likely to rack up long-term care expenses. Products like long-term care insurance and annuities are designed to help with extended care costs.

• Investments* • 401K Rollovers • Life Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance

* Registered Representative offering securties through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SPIC). A Licensed Insurance Agency. A New York Life Company.

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Light it upIT’S GLOW TIME!

Alzheimer’s Myths You can’t believe everything you hear or read, right? Like so many things, there are myths swirling around the mystery of Alzheimer’s disease that doctors and scientists say are simply not true. For example:

Myth 1: Memory loss is a natural part of aging.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Reality: As people age, it’s normal to have occasional memory problems, such as forgetting the name of a person you’ve recently met. However, Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss. It’s a disease that causes brain cells to malfunction and ultimately die. When this happens, an individual may forget the name of a longtime friend or what roads to take to return to a home they’ve lived in for decades.

Myth 2: Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal. Reality: Alzheimer’s disease

has no survivors. It destroys brain cells and causes memory changes, erratic behaviors, and loss of body functions. It slowly and painfully takes away a person’s identity, ability to

connect with others, think, eat, talk, walk, and ultimately, survive.

Myth 3: Only older people can get Alzheimer’s. Reality: Alzheimer’s can strike

people in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. This is called younger-onset Alzheimer’s (also referred to as early onset). It is estimated that there are more than five million people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. This includes the over five million people age 65 and older and 200,000 people younger than age 65 with youngeronset Alzheimer’s disease.

Myth 4: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Reality: During the 1960s and

1970s, aluminum emerged as a possible suspect in Alzheimer’s. This suspicion led to concern about exposure to aluminum through everyday sources such as pots and pans, beverage cans, antacids, and antiperspirants. Since then, studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s.

Myth 5: Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Reality: A theory linking flu shots to

a greatly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease has been proposed by a U.S. doctor whose license was suspended by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. Several mainstream studies link flu shots and other vaccinations to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and overall better health.

(mixture) that typically contains about 50 percent mercury, 35 percent silver and 15 percent tin. Mercury is a heavy metal that, in certain forms, is known to be toxic to the brain and other organs. Various studies offer compelling evidence that dental amalgam is not a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

Myth 7: There are treatments available to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Reality: Currrently, there is no

Myth 6: Silver dental fillings increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Reality: According to the best

available scientific evidence, there is no relationship between silver dental fillings and Alzheimer’s. The concern that there could be a link arose because “silver” fillings are made of an amalgam

treatment to cure, delay, or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. FDA-approved drugs temporarily slow worsening of symptoms for about six to 12 months, on average, for about half of the individuals who take them. Source: Alzheimer’s Association

Breathe Easier, Sleep Better Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Services Available

We’re pleased to welcome Ravali Tarigopula (Tari), MD, pulmonary and critical care physician, to the medical staff of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Dr. Tari offers pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine treatment options for:

• Asthma and COPD • Lung Cancer and Lung Nodules • Bronchiectasis • Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis • Pulmonary Fibrosis & other Interstitial Lung Diseases

Ravali Tarigopula (Tari), MD

pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine

• Sleep Apnea • Insomnia and other Sleep Disorders • Chronic Cough • Pneumonia

A graduate of Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College in Gulbarga, India, Dr. Tari completed her Internal Medicine residency at Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey, Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey, and Sleep Medicine fellowship at Hahnemann University Hospital in Pennsylvania. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. Dr. Tari has relocated to the area from Alabama with her husband and two children who enjoy traveling and cooking together. Immediate appointments are available. Please call our office to schedule.

(337) 313-1621 920 First Avenue, Sulphur

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November is National Adoption Awareness Month A Local Couple Shares their Journey

According to Louisiana Children and Family Services, 797 children in the state were adopted in 2017; 85 of those in Calcasieu Parish. November is National Adoption Awareness Month – a perfect time to share one local couple’s adoption story. There are different roads to adoption. Hillary and Dr. Tyson Green chose the foster-to-adopt route. Within less than a week of becoming certified to foster in October 2016, the Greens answered the placement call when their caseworker informed them a baby girl needed a home. With three older brothers already in place, Katherine Ann, affectionately known as Kiki, was immediately loved and welcomed into the family. Though they didn’t have to wait long for that call, Hillary describes those days as nerve-wracking. “When you foster, you have no idea what situation a child will be coming from, and you can only pray that you will have the tools to help that child. The idea of falling in love with a child only to have them possibly go back to the birth family is something I would imagine worries every foster family the most.” Kiki was born prematurely and spent three months in a neonatal

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

ICU. The Greens met Kiki just prior to her discharge from the hospital. For Tyson, it was love at first sight. Due to Kiki’s health issues, Hillary admits she had concerns. “I was scared to hold her, scared to feed her, and scared to be alone with her for fear she would stop breathing.” With her husband’s encouragement, Hillary faced her fear and pushed it aside. “I knew Kiki needed me.” In February of this year, Kiki was officially adopted into the Green family. As Hillary can attest, fostering and adoption certainly has its challenges. She says learning to do what is best for Kiki has been the hardest thing she’s ever done. But she also claims that as one of her greatest achievements. “I learned to open my mind and my heart to Kiki’s birth mother. It would have been so easy to hold resentment and judgment toward her, but with a lot of prayer, I was able to truly listen and understand her situation. As a result, I gained her trust and respect which is something for which I will always be thankful. There is not a day that goes by I don’t think about her and silently thank her for giving me one of my greatest joys in life.”

Advice for Adoptive Parents

“Surround yourself with a support system and make sure you have someone who can be your rock. Trust me . . . you will need him or her more than you can imagine. And don’t be afraid to turn everything over to God. On the day before we brought Kiki home, we met two of our closest friends for lunch. Discussing the situation and the fear involved, we said, ‘God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle.’ Then one friend said to us the words that became my constant mantra: ‘No, God doesn’t give you anything HE can’t handle.’ Those few simple words affected me so deeply throughout our foster-toadopt journey and beyond.”

- Hillary Green

Preserve Your Family Memories

A Convenient New Address from the Family you Know and Trust.

by Olivia Savoie

Today, we primarily have only historical records of politicians, famous artists or musicians, or those who otherwise stood out from a crowd. But what about everyone else? What about the unsung heroes who contributed to families, businesses, and communities? If one doesn’t purposefully document his or her story, it’s eventually lost forever. How much of your own family history is recorded? Do you know where your grandmother spent her childhood days playing or where your grandfather traveled during the war? Do you know what attracted your parents to each other? If you don’t know the meaningful details of your loved ones’ lives, chances are, fifty years from now, no one will remember those stories. The solution? Document your family’s history. The holidays are a perfect time to do this, as families come together for gatherings. Invite your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives to share their memories. Ask them direct questions about their life stories and preserve their answers. Here’s how: 1. Turn on your phone’s video camera and shoot the storytelling live. 2. Use your phone’s recording app and record verbal stories. 3. Use pen and paper to write stories as you hear them. 4. Type up responses on your computer and print them for the whole family to cherish. Now you know how to document family stories. But how do you actually unearth those stories? Try using the list of prompts below to build a framework of your loved one’s life. Remind them how crucial it is that they share their sentimental memories, since their memories are worthy of preservation and capable of inspiring the family in the future.

• What’s your full name and date of birth? • Were you named after anyone? • What home, neighborhood, and town were you raised in? Describe each. • What are your parents and grandparents’ names and years of birth? • What did your parents each do for a living? • What are your siblings’ names and years of birth? • What did you and your siblings or close friends like to do together as children? Describe favorite toys, activities, and outings. • Where did you go to school? How did you get to and from school? What kind of student were you? • What were your teenage years like? Describe jobs, activities, school, friendships, and dating. • How did you meet your spouse? What kind of dates did you go on? • When and where were you married? • What are your children’s names and years of birth? • What were your jobs and what was your ultimate career? • What home, neighborhood, and town did you raise your family in? • What are your greatest accomplishments? • What are the most memorable places you have traveled to? The above list is merely a starting point. You can come up with dozens of more prompts to help get your family’s history shared and saved. Now is the best time to save your family’s stories of yesterday for your family of tomorrow. For more information or if you’d like help preserving your family’s stories, contact Olivia Savoie, Raconteur Story Writing Services, raconteurwriting.com.

Zeb Johnson and the staff of the Johnson Family of Funeral Homes have been serving the needs of families in Southwest Louisiana for over 40 years. They are proud to begin the next chapter with the opening of their newest funeral home in Moss Bluff. This facility provides a convenient location for Johnson to serve the community of Moss Bluff and surrounding areas. The newly-constructed funeral home located at 2171 North Hwy 171 encompasses 8,000 square feet, including: • Chapel with ample seating • Private arrangement room • Casket and urn gallery

• Kitchen • Family gathering area

Johnson Funeral Home – Moss Bluff offers the same comprehensive range of high quality, compassionate services Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles is known for, provided by a well-trained team of local professionals who bring together over 50 years of combined experience in their field.

Rachel Broussard Rogers Funeral Director Sam Houston, Class of 2000

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Brandie Trull Kimbro Funeral Director Sam Houston, Class of 1998

Stephen Pousson Manager/Funeral Director Sam Houston, Class of 2001

MOSS BLUFF | 2171 North Hwy 171 (337) 426-8006 thriveswla.com

HAPPENINGS MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Charles. Performances will be Friday, November 9, 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 10, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and Sunday, November 11, 3:00 pm. Tickets available for purchase at the door for $15.00 or online, $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for children and seniors at www.cytlakecharles.org.

Bayou Renegade Rally a Ride through No Man’s Land

Volunteers of America Offers Parenting Classes

Bayou Renegade Rally is a new event for Veteran’s Day weekend and kicks off the No Man’s Land Bicentennial Celebration, which begins this fall and ends in 2021. With approximately 250-500 motorcyclists participating, the rally spans multiple dates and includes a progressive poker run from Shreveport to Lake Charles, Nov. 9-13. Riders will be in the Lake Charles area Sunday, Nov. 11 - Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Volunteers of America holds monthly parenting classes on the first Thursdays of each month in Southwest Louisiana. Upcoming classes will be held in Lake Charles, Cameron, Deridder and Oberlin. The classes are FREE to any family with either a child or adult receiving service through Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority. All other participants must pay $15.00 for the cost of the class materials.

For more information, visit www.BayouRenegadeRally. com or contact the Lake Charles/ Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau at 337-4369588 or 800-456-SWLA. “Eat to Live” cooking demonstration is planned for upcoming breast cancer support group A healthy cooking demonstration, “Eat to Live” is planned for the upcoming meeting of Pink Crusade breast cancer support group hosted by West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Fran Landry, LDN, RD, will demonstrate healthy dishes and discuss tips for eating nutritiously. Pink Crusade will meet on Thursday, November 8 at 6 p.m. in the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital cafeteria conference room. The meeting is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. For more information, call (337) 528-7320. 58

To sign up for classes or for a schedule, call Volunteers of America at (337) 497-0034. Arts Council now accepting vendor applications for Holiday Art Market 2018 Artisan/vendor applications are now being accepted for the Arts Council’s annual Holiday Art Market, scheduled for December 7-9. Holiday Art Market is presented annually by the City of Lake Charles and the Arts Council of SWLA. For vendor applications or more details on the event, visit www. artscouncilswla.org or contact the Arts Council at (337) 439-2787. Youth Theatre Group to Stage Mary Poppins, Jr. Christian Youth Theatre Lake Charles will present Mary Poppins Jr. at the LaGrange High School Auditorium, 3420 Louisiana Avenue in Lake

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Lake Area Ballet Theatre Presents Nutcracker LABT will present the full-length Nutcracker in the Rosa Hart Theatre on November 15 - 17. School performances will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday. Evening performances will take place on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 pm. Tickets for Nutcracker will be available soon through the Lake Charles Civic Center Box Office. Additional information about the company, as well as sponsorship opportunities can be found on www.lakeareaballettheatre.com or the Lake Area Ballet Theatre Facebook page. Nominations Sought for Mayor’s Arts Awards The Arts Council of SWLA and the City of Lake Charles are currently accepting nominations from the public for persons to be honored at the 2018 Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony which is scheduled for Wednesday, November 28 at 6 p.m. in the Benjamin W. Mount Auditorium at Central School. The Mayor’s Arts Awards honors those working in the arts by recognizing the contributions of Southwest Louisiana’s creative workers, patrons, and artists to the region’s culture. Those who wish to nominate an organization, individual, or group can download a nomination form at artscouncilswla.org. Nominations must be received by the Arts

Council office no later than Friday, November 9th, 2018. For more information about this year’s Mayor’s Arts Awards, call the Arts Council at 439-2787 or visit artscouncilswla.org Shots for Tots November Dates Announced West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will offer Shots for Tots on several dates in November. On Saturday, November 3, the clinic will be held in Sulphur and Vinton. The Sulphur clinic will be at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital near the Cypress Street entrance from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Walk-ins are welcome, sign-in ends at 11:30 a.m. The Vinton clinic will be at the Vinton Medical Clinic from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. by appointment only. Call (337) 527-4361 to schedule. On Thursday, November 8, the clinic will be held in Moss Bluff at Dynamic Dimensions East from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, sign-in ends at 6:30 p.m. Shots for Tots offers immunizations for children six weeks of age through 18 years of age who are uninsured, underinsured, or have Medicaid, or are American Indian/Alaskan native. The cost is $10 per person. West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Hosts October Class for Delivery and Breastfeeding West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will host a class on Tuesday, November 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on preparing for delivery and breastfeeding. The cost is $10 per participant and will be held in the North Conference Room at the Cypress Street entrance. Class space is limited and pre-registration is required. A childbirth educator as well as a certified lactation counselor will lead the discussion and will be available for one-on-one questions. To register, call (337) 527-4361.

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Mind & Body

DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

Thrive Magazine for Better Living â&#x20AC;¢ November 2018

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40% of Americans live with diabetes or prediabetes. Louisiana ranks 4th in the nation for percentage of adults (13.6%) with diabetes. The good news is that, generally, especially with type II diabetes, these

startling statistics can be changed through education and lifestyle changes, specifically diet, exercise, and weight loss. For those who already have the disease, they can learn and make changes that will improve their quality of life. And that is what this special section is all about. Read on . . .

MEDICARE PATIENTS WELCOME WELL, WELL, Initial Medicare

WELL.

It’s Time to Make Some Medicare Decisions It’s easy to get confused about your Medicare benefits and options, whether you are new to the program or an established patient. You may not even realize that Medicare offers a variety of wellness benefits that many participants never access. Dr. Steve Springer and his staff have developed a comprehensive preventionfocused program to help you get the most from your Medicare wellness benefits in order to live a healthier life. This program will identify risk factors and provide a personalized wellness program. Best of all, it’s all part of your Medicare benefits. Call us today to learn more, and to schedule your Medicare Wellness appointment.

Wellness Exam will Assess:

medical history & medication review status of preventive screenings health status immunizations depression memory issues fall risk high blood pressure & obesity and more We can also help you choose the appropriate Medicare plan and/or supplement.

Family Medicine Family Family Medicine Family Medicine Medicine Dr. Springer Dr.Steve Steve Springer Dr. Steve Springer Dr. Steve Springer

(337) 436-1370 | 601 Dr. Michael DeBakey Dr., Lake Charles

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Mind & Body

THE MANY MANIFESTATIONS OF DIABETES by Keaghan P. Wier

What’s the first thing you think of when you think of diabetes? For most people, high blood sugar levels and insulin come to mind. However, diabetes can have a much wider impact. Like many long-term health issues, diabetes can affect all aspects of a person’s physical and mental wellbeing, with far-reaching consequences to many bodily systems and functions, especially if left untreated.

Type 1 Versus Type 2 Diabetes Before diving into a discussion of the different manifestations of diabetes, it’s key to understand the difference between the two major types of diabetes. Type 1, also known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, is an immune system

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

disorder – the body attacks the insulinproducing cells in the pancreas. This leaves the person dependent on insulin medication. Type 2 is typically a result of poor nutrition, lifestyle, or exercise habits. Also called insulin resistance, this type results from the pancreas ceasing to use insulin effectively. Sometimes, it leads to a need for insulin medication, if the person is unable to manage it through dietary or lifestyle changes.

fatigue, and excessive urination. If left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal. High blood sugar levels and extra ketone bodies in a urine sample can confirm this diagnosis and aid in early treatment. Those with undiagnosed or untreated Type 2 diabetes may also struggle with diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome, which involves high blood sugar levels but no ketone bodies. This can lead to dehydration and loss of consciousness.

Endocrine System

Kidney Damage

The inability to produce or process insulin can lead to the buildup of toxic chemicals in the body, which can result in diabetic ketoacidosis. This serious complication includes symptoms like extreme thirst,

The presence of proteins in a urine sample can result in an early diagnosis of diabetes-related kidney disease, called diabetic nephropathy. This occurs because the kidneys aren’t sufficiently

filtering waste from the blood. Doctors can evaluate and monitor kidney function to prevent lasting damage.

Circulatory System & Nerve Damage High glucose levels can have a significant impact on blood vessels, both large and small. Hardening of the arteries and the development of blockages can decrease blood flow to the brain and heart, raising the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Diabetes also raises the risk of high blood pressure, putting further strain on the heart. Those with diabetes should also monitor their cholesterol levels and avoid smoking. Because of the restricted blood flow, some with diabetes eventually develop neuropathy – decreased sensation – in their hands and feet. It’s crucial to regularly check hands and feet for injuries, especially in the presence of significant neuropathy. Another instance of nerve damage from diabetes comes in the form of

delayed stomach emptying and overall slowing of the digestive system. This can lead to bloating and constipation. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where the blood vessels at the back of the retina become swollen and leak, leading to possible damage to vision. However, it is treatable, especially when caught early – so it’s important to see an eye doctor regularly.

Impact on Skin Because of nerve damage and poor circulation that can come with diabetes, many people struggle with dry skin and slower healing of cuts and burns. The skin may also be more prone to infections. All these are treatable, and once the blood sugar is under control, most issues will self-correct.

Mental & Social Impacts In most case, diabetes is relatively straightforward in its treatment and maintenance. However, it requires

self-regulation, lifestyle changes, and awareness of diet and medication timing. Though it may not ultimately be as isolating as some other health issues, that doesn’t make it easy. People with diabetes are at higher risk of depression. Supportive friends and family can play a big role in how well they care for themselves. This is especially true of those with Type 2 diabetes; in addition to the lifestyle adjustments required, they often face stigma based on weight and diet. If a loved one has diabetes, make an extra effort to be supportive of them and not dismiss their frustrations or stress over their health. Listen to their worries about potential complications, and encourage them to seek out professional advice if they are concerned over a new symptom. All in all, it is important to remember that most of these long-term effects only impact those with unmanaged diabetes. Seeking care and following the regimen put together by your doctor will help keep you healthy and happy.

There’s strength in our numbers. We’re proud to be the region’s largest, independent musculoskeletal group. Our experienced specialists work together to provide our patients with the type of care they expect and deserve—personalized, attentive, respectful, and of the highest quality. And when it comes to technology, we’re bringing the latest advances to Southwest Louisiana so you won’t have to leave home to get the care you need. Our team of doctors includes these specialties: orthopaedic surgery physical medicine and rehabilitation foot and ankle care/surgery primary care sports medicine

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Mind & Body

Take Steps to Prevent

FOOT PROBLEMS from Diabetes Foot problems are a well-known risk associated with diabetes and the reality of the risks are quite serious. Diabetes is the number one cause of lower limb amputations in the United States, with over half of amputations performed caused by the disease. The disease can cause reduced blood flow to the feet, depriving them of oxygen and nutrients. This makes it more difficult for blisters, sores, and cuts to heal. Diabetic nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness in your feet. “When you can’t feel cuts and blisters, you’re more likely to get sores and infections,” explains Dr. Tyson Green, foot and ankle specialist with the Center for Orthopaedics and medical director of CHRISTUS Wound Center. “If you don’t notice or treat these sores, they can become deeply infected. This is what typically leads lead to amputation. Unfortunately, having a toe,

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

by Kristy Como Armand

foot, or lower leg surgically removed is 10 times more likely in people with diabetes.” As frightening as this sounds, Dr. Green stresses that serious foot problems are not an inevitable part of having diabetes. “At least half of the amputations related to diabetes each year could be prevented through proper care of the feet – and that’s a conservative estimate. The key is learning about the risks for foot problems and making sure you do everything you need to do to prevent these potential complications.” Dr. Green offers the following tips for putting your feet first:

Check feet daily. Look at your feet every day to check for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or other problems. This is even more important if you have nerve damage or poor blood flow. Be sure you check

between all of your toes because blisters and infections can start there, and if you have diabetic neuropathy, you may not feel them until they’ve become irritated or infected.

Wash with warm water. Wash your feet briefly each day with warm water. Make sure the water is not too hot by testing the temperature with your elbow. Do not soak your feet, and dry your feet well, especially between your toes.

Make sure your shoes fit well. If you have diabetes, good shoes are an investment worth making. Even the slightest tightness or rubbing in the wrong place can cause a blister that could turn into a sore that won’t heal. Shop for shoes at the end of the day when your feet are bigger, and before buying or putting on shoes, check inside for rough edges

or other irregularities that could hurt your feet. Also, when you get new shoes, break them in gradually by wearing them for short periods of time – an hour or two a day to make sure they don’t cause any problems.

No bare feet. Always wear shoes or slippers, and always wear socks with your shoes. Direct contact with leather, plastics, and manmade shoe materials can irritate your skin and quickly bring on blisters. And although you might prefer the look of hose or thin socks, these don’t give your toes or heels enough protection.

toenails trimmed and filed smooth to avoid ingrown toenails. It is best to cut them to the shape of the toe and not too short, and then to file the edges with an emery board.

Fix problems. If you have bunions (the big toe slants sharply in toward your other toes, with a big bump on the knuckle of your big toe), corns (spots of thick, rough skin on the toes), or conditions that make it difficult for shoes to fit properly, which can lead to blisters and other problems.

Practice foot maintenance.

Dr. Green says the underlying message of all these recommendations is to be extra vigilant about your feet if you have diabetes. “It’s also important to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns, regardless of how minor it may seem. Tell them about any changes in sensation in your toes, feet, or legs. It’s far better to be overly cautious than to ignore a symptom that could be a sign of a serious problem. Your feet are your foundation for mobility and independence, and your doctor can only help you keep them healthy if you keep him or her informed.”

File corns and calluses gently with an emery board or pumice stone after your bath or shower, when skin is softer. Keep your

For more information about diabetes and foot care, call Dr. Green at the Center for Orthopaedics, (337) 721-7236 or visit centerforortho.com.

Stay soft - but dry. High glucose levels can cause dry and cracked skin – this means double trouble for the feet. It makes it easier for bacteria to get under the skin, and harder for infections to heal. Use a small amount of skin lotion daily, but be sure to rub it in well. You want your feet to be dry, not damp or sticky, and you don’t want to get lotion in between your toes.”

DR. TYSON GREEN

CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital

CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital offers Diabetes Education classes with a referral of a physician. Participants learn about diet management, blood sugar target levels, how to control blood sugar, diabetes medications, short and long-term effects of diabetes, and more. Located at 4200 Nelson Road. For more information, call Keidra Clark at 337-475-4075 or email keidra.clark@christushealth.org.

Beauregard Memorial Hospital

The Diabetes Nutrition Education Class meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. A diabetes-friendly lunch is provided along with informational handouts. The class is presented by Missy Hennigan, RDN, LDN. For more information, call (337) 462-7418.

Receives “Master” Wound Care Designation Dr. Tyson Green, foot and ankle specialist with Imperial Health Center for Orthopaedics, has been awarded the Master in Wound Care Certification from the American Professional Wound Care Association (APWCA). This certification is awarded once a year to recognize key opinion leaders who have impacted wound care through education, research and advocacy. Honorees are selected by an appointed APWCA committee and then approved by the Board of Directors. Dr. Green is board certified in foot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and serves as the Medical Director of the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Wound Center and Program Director for the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Podiatric Medicine and Surgical Residency Program. He was recently elected President of the Louisiana Podiatric Medical Association (LPMA) and serves as the LPMA Delegate to the House of Delegates. Dr. Green is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association, the American Diabetes Association and the American

DIABETES SUPPORT GROUPS

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Don’t underestimate the importance of education and peer support when living with diabetes. Support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., in Memorial’s Diabetes Education Office. The office is located at 2804 Second Avenue. For more information, call (337) 494-6425.

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. The American Professional Wound Care Association® (APWCA) is a nonprofit medical association recognized as a worldwide leader in clinician advocacy and education for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic wounds. This association provides an informational and educational forum for healthcare providers, while promoting excellence in wound healing and patient advocacy.

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will host a free seminar on diabetes on Tuesday, November 13 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Center, 545 Cypress Street in Sulphur. “Living Well with Diabetes” will feature guest speakers Kevin Schlamp, MD, family medicine physician and Daniel T. Hall IV, DPM, Foot and Ankle Specialist. Lunch will be provided but seating is limited. The seminar is open to the public. Register by calling (337) 527-4282.

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Mind & Body

DIABETIC? GET YOUR FLU SHOT

That Goes for your Family, Too! by Kristy Como Armand

The flu is a miserable condition for anyone, but for people with diabetes, it has the potential for far more serious complications. “Having the flu can increase your blood glucose level, and it may keep you from eating regularly, which also affects your blood sugar. Because your immune system is typically weaker, you may also have more severe flu symptoms,” says Dr. Jason Burklow, MD, family medicine specialist with Imperial Health. “Having a chronic condition like diabetes also puts you at higher risk for developing a secondary illness, such as pneumonia, that can be triggered by the flu.” The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all diabetics get a seasonal flu shot, preferably during October or November to protect against the peak of flu season, which typically hits in January and February. “Even after that time, you should still get one,” stresses Dr. Burklow. Although flu shots do not provide 100 percent protection, they do make it much less likely that you will get the flu for a period of about six months – the typical length of flu season. For extra safety, Dr. Burklow recommends those who live with a diabetic also get a flu shot, to decrease the risk of direct exposure. “The flu virus is transmitted by contact, so avoid being near people you know are sick whenever possible. Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away. Try not to touch your nose, eyes, or mouth to reduce the spread of germs, and keep hand sanitizer with you to use frequently throughout the day,” Dr. Burklow says. “If you know a flu outbreak is taking place

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

in your community, try to avoid crowded areas to reduce your risk of exposure.” If, in spite of all your precautions, you are diagnosed with the flu, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of complications. It’s important to check your blood glucose more frequently – several times a day – during the course of the illness. “When you have the flu, you’re feeling tired and awful and may not be aware of your blood sugar soaring high or dipping low. The flu may mask diabetesrelated symptoms that you would normally notice right away,” warns Dr. Burklow. Even if you feel sick and aren’t eating as much as usual, Dr. Burklow says you must continue to take your glucose-lowering medications. “Blood glucose may rise even without food during an illness because of hormone imbalances. Not taking enough insulin during an illness is a common cause of diabetic ketoacidosis.” He says you should also be aware that over-the-counter medicines may contain ingredients that can affect blood glucose levels, such as sugar, pseudoephedrine and alcohol, all of which can wreak havoc with glucose levels. Loss of appetite or vomiting can make staying nourished an added challenge when fighting the flu. If your stomach is upset, Dr. Burklow advises trying to consume soft foods or drinks that contain similar carbohydrate levels to your normal diet. “If you are not able to do this, talk to your doctor about adjusting your diabetes medication. A big change in your food intake can affect the amount of medication that you need. Taking too much or too little can send blood sugar levels spiking too high or too low.”

Dr. Burklow says it’s important to say hydrated to fight the illness and prevent complications. “Drink plenty of calorie-free liquids, like water, and try sports drinks to help replace the carbs you are missing or losing. This may help prevent hypoglycemia.” You should call your doctor if: • You aren’t feeling better after a few days. • Vomiting or diarrhea lasts for more than six hours. • Your blood glucose levels remain consistently above 250 mg/dl. • You have signs of very high blood glucose like dry mouth, fruity breath odor, or disorientation. • Abdominal or chest pain is severe. • Breathing becomes difficult.

Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program If you’ve been told you are at risk for diabetes or have been diagnosed with diabetes and need help with improving your diet, we can help. Join us for one of our seminars on Tuesday evenings at 5:45. 1722 Westwood St. Call Brandi at 526-7376 for more information.

For more information about diabetes and the flu, call Dr. Burklow’s office at (337) 474-7290 for an appointment. 1722 Westwood Street • Lake Charles, LA 70601 P (337) 491-7072 • F (337) 491-7076

breauxmedicalweightloss.com

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Mind & Body

HELPING KIDS MANAGE DIABETES by Christine Fisher

Over 200,000 children and teens in the United States have diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health. While this life-long, chronic disease has no cure, by getting an early diagnosis and following a healthy exercise and nutrition plan, these individuals can live a long, healthy life. “Diabetes is a serious condition and must be treated; but a diagnosis of diabetes today is not as negative as it used to be. Today, children with diabetes have more options for blood glucose testing and insulin administration than ever before and new developments and management techniques are becoming available,” says Dr. Sarah Hickey-White, pediatrician with The Pediatric Center of Southwest Louisiana and medical staff member of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Each year, more than 13,000 young people in the United States are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Also called juvenile diabetes, it occurs when the body stops producing insulin, which helps the body regulate the amount of glucose in the blood, or blood sugar. “Insulin is a hormone that helps convert sugar, starch, and other food into energy. Diabetes prevents the body from making or using insulin. As a result, individuals with diabetes have high blood sugar levels, which prevent the body’s cells from obtaining the energy needed to function properly,” Dr. Hickey-White says. “If blood glucose levels are too high, your body could sustain serious damage, which can lead to amputations, blindness, and kidney and heart damage.”

As obesity rates in children continue to soar, type 2 diabetes, a disease that historically was seen primarily in adults over age 35, is becoming more common in young people. “The key reason for the rise in type 2 diabetes in children is the increasing number of children who are significantly overweight,” says Dr. HickeyWhite. Childhood obesity rates have more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “The bottom line is that today’s children engage in less activity and have access to more calories than children in past decades. The result is more overweight children and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes,” she explains.

The following are symptoms of diabetes in children: • Thirst and increased urination • Constant hunger and weight loss (especially unplanned weight loss even when a person is eating a lot) • Blurred vision • Feeling tired all the time • The appearance of dark, thick, or velvety skin around the neck, armpits, or other folded skin surfaces (this is called acanthosis nigricans, and in type 2 diabetes, it may be the first physical sign of insulin resistance). Dr. Hickey-White says children with diabetes require constant attention to eating habits, exercise, and monitoring of blood glucose levels. “Glucose control is the single most critical factor in assuring your child’s health and in preventing complications. Very young children often cannot recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar, which is why frequent blood glucose monitoring is especially important for them.” Children with diabetes are not as restricted in what they can eat as they used to be in the past. “Eating at the same time every day helps to keep blood glucose levels steady. Depending on the insulin regimen, snacking between meals may be important. Children with diabetes can have sweet foods occasionally, so long as insulin doses are adjusted if needed,” she says. Exercise is also a must to help lower blood sugar, so regular activity is an important part of treatment for children with diabetes. “There is no reason for them to sit on the sidelines during gym class or to avoid joining teams,” Dr. Hickey-White says. Through diligent efforts from the child and the parents, along with guidance from a skilled pediatrician, a child with diabetes can have a full, rewarding life. For more information, call The Pediatric Center at 337-477-0935. Located at 2800 Country Club Rd, Lake Charles

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Mind & Body

THE DIABETIC DIET Good Nutrition Plays a Primary Role in Diabetes Management

Type II diabetes is quickly becoming an epidemic. Physicians are seeing adultonset diabetes in patients as young as their early teens. Dr. Anatole Karpovs, a pediatrician and a certified culinary medical specialist, says, “The sad reality is most diabetes cases are preventable. We would much rather prevent the disease than have to treat it and put teens on potentially toxic medications for the rest of their lives.” Establishing healthy eating habits from a young age is the key to disease prevention. When parents encourage whole plant foods and whole grains, their

children have a much lower risk of developing diseases such as diabetes. “Parents need to make regular consumption of fruits and vegetables a normal thing if they want to avoid chronic diseases such as diabetes.” Dr. Karpovs recommends the “Healthy Eating Plate” guidelines developed by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The guide can be viewed for free at hsph.harvard.edu/ nutritionsource. “It is a simple way to visualize what constitutes a healthy meal for both adults and children,” says Dr. Karpovs. “I like it because the website is free and easy to understand, and is

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

based on real science. They are not trying to sell you something.” Dietary changes are the cornerstone to stopping diabetes. “We used to believe that type II diabetes was a death sentence. We are now learning that patients can halt the progress of the disease and even reverse it in some cases.” “For a diabetic, blood sugar control is critical,” explains Dr. Karpovs. “That is best achieved by eating foods containing fiber and starchy carbohydrates. These foods usually have a low glycemic index.” Glycemic index is a measure of how rapidly a certain food raises blood sugars.

The glycemic index can help give diabetics an idea of which types of foods to limit on their plates. Extra care should be taken when consuming packaged foods. Manufacturers commonly add sugars and salt to increase sales. A diabetic must be savvy about reading labels and ingredient lists to make sure they aren’t eating something that will worsen their condition. The nutrition label will list sugars and “added sugars”. Avoid foods with large amounts of added sugars as this will quickly raise blood sugars. For breads, look for brands with the whole grain stamp printed on the label.

“Don’t believe anything on the front of the package,” warns Dr. Karpovs. “Manufacturers can put almost any claim they want on the front. The first place I look when shopping is the nutrition facts label.” Dr. Karpovs says that sugars aren’t the only food item that can affect diabetics. “Some recent evidence shows that diets high in animal fats can increase insulin resistance. This may be why some patients have been able to reverse type II diabetes completely by following a plant-based, whole food diet and exercising regularly.” While a plant-based diet may seem unrealistic to some people, it may be the best way to control and reverse diabetes if medications don’t work or the side effects are too

harsh. Dr. Karpovs practices a plant-based diet and has felt tremendous health and energy benefits including improved cholesterol and weight loss. “When I made the switch, I worried I wouldn’t find anything I liked. The opposite was true. I ended up eating a larger variety of foods and I found my tastes and preferences changed.” Diabetes does not have to be a death sentence. Medications can help improve glucose control and with proper diet and exercise, many type II diabetics can overcome their disease and feel better. Dr. Karpovs believes it’s better to see diet as a lifestyle change. “Look at it as a way to treat yourself and not as depriving yourself. Life is too short to feel sick all the time.”

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Mind & Body

Don’t Take a Holiday from

Fitness by Christine Fisher

For most of us, it’s hard enough to include exercise into a normal schedule. But when shopping, parties, decorating, and extra cooking and baking projects are added in, it can seem almost impossible. Almost. “The best secret for a great holiday is moderation,” explains Megan Majors, MS Exercise Physiology, manager of Dynamic Dimensions in Moss Bluff. “Doing things in moderation means you can enjoy the holiday season, and not lose sight of your fitness goals.” It’s tempting to abandon fitness goals during the holidays with a promise of getting back on the wagon in January. “There’s no reason to completely ignore a healthy lifestyle this time of year,” says Majors. “Work in activity throughout the day to supplement your exercise if you can’t make it to the gym that day.” For example:

As you’re incorporating movement into your day, keep in mind the different types of options. Try to incorporate these whenever you can:

• Park your car away from the store and walk briskly to the door. • Take a walk around your neighborhood before or after work. • Take the stairs instead of the elevator every time you have the choice. • Lower your expectations. Sometimes giving yourself permission to decrease the number of times you exercise per week from five to three, for example, provides you with a sense of control and eliminates the temptation to give it up completely. Some is better than none. • Don’t forget the weekends. “We are fortunate to have mild winters here,” Major says. “Take advantage of nice days and ride a bike or play outside with your kids.” It all adds up to additional movement throughout the day, which means additional calories burned.

Strength training includes using weights, doing lunges or push-ups, or using an exercise ball. Incorporate leg lifts or lunges anytime during the day. Do a set of 10 while you blow dry your hair. Do squats during commercials while watching TV. “It all comes down to finding opportunities and taking advantage of them,” Majors adds.

Interval training is extremely timeefficient because your workout can be complete after 25 – 30 minutes. You work out at a high speed for a couple of minutes, and then slow down to recover for a couple more minutes. This up-and-down interval workout is great for your heart but should only be done a maximum of three times a week. “Many treadmills and stair machines have an interval program built in. If you’re exercising at home, you can do it on your own by doing aerobictype movements like jumping jacks or jump rope for the high-intensity portion, and then march in place or do heel taps for the lower intensity level,” Majors said.

Flexibility is a great stress-reliever during the holidays. “Yoga is a great way to help relieve stress, improve strength, and increase mobility. We offer Group Centergy and Silver Sneakers Yoga classes at Dynamic Dimensions,” Majors said. Mental attitude is a major factor when trying to fit exercise into a holiday schedule. It’s tempting to put exercising on hold until January, but Majors advises thinking of the extra pounds you’ll have to lose if you over-indulge this season.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Email or Text Notification when your RX is ready!

Need more motivation to get up and move? Consider these facts: • Exercise reduces tension and anxiety; two emotions prevalent during the stressful holiday season. Studies show that an improved mood and enhanced relaxation occurs for 90 to 120 minutes after a workout. • Improved self-esteem. When you work out, you’ll eliminate guilt and feel better about yourself. • Physically active people have a lower risk of heart disease and depression. • When exercise is a regular part of your schedule, you can eat foods you love, again

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In January, you’ll be glad you stuck with your routine. Consider your fitness routine a gift of good health to yourself. And, by continuing to exercise regularly, you can afford to indulge a little – guilt free! For more information on fitness techniques, please call Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur at (337) 527-5459 or in Moss Bluff at (337) 855-7587.

601 S. Pine Street • DeRidder, LA 70634 • (337) 463-7442 www.thriftyway.com • thriftyway2@thriftyway.com

IndustryInsider

Straight Answers to Your Questions on Industry and the Environment

When I pass by local industries, sometimes I see what looks like plumes of smoke coming from the towers. What causes that?

The plumes are water vapor, not smoke.

What you see is actually water vapor. A significant amount of heat and water are required in the industrial process. Cooling towers are used to cool the hot water that is generated when heat is removed from the process. Industry reuses the water as much as possible, and then cools it before returning it to local waterways. Temperature, humidity and wind all affect the visibility of the water vapor and how quickly it’s absorbed into the air. You may notice it more on a cool, humid evening when there is very little wind. The fact that it’s more visible at some times than others is a result of weather changes, not changes within the industrial process. These cooling towers are an environmentally friendly way to keep local industry working.

Wayne Smith

health, safety and environmental manager

Visit www.laia.com to learn more and submit your question about local industry and the environment.

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Solutions for Life

from Solutions Counseling & EAP by Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP

An Attitude of Gratitude What if we woke up tomorrow and had only the things for which we were grateful today? I saw the quote above on social media recently. It immediately made me start thinking – am I grateful for all that I have right now? Do I appreciate my life enough? This time of year, I feel like everyone is gearing up for the marathon of the holidays. It’s about to get crazy for many of you – shopping, wrapping, baking, partying. I’m exhausted just thinking about it! I wonder if, before the insanity ensues, you would be willing to pause and spend some time with me thinking about being more grateful? It is the Thanksgiving season, after all. The definition of gratitude is being thankful and ready to show appreciation. I talk a lot with clients about bringing this into their relationships. Therapy is all about change, and change is hard. When someone puts forth effort and makes changes, it is really important that the change is noticed and appreciated. Otherwise, it goes away. The same thing happens to all of us. When we don’t appreciate what we have, who we have in our lives, and the talents we’ve been given, those things will go away. I tell people all the time whatever you pay attention to, is what you get more of. So, how do you work out your gratitude muscle? Here are some suggestions.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • November 2018

Start a gratitude journal. Go buy yourself a journal specifically for the purpose of recording the good things you notice daily. Every evening, write five things for which you are grateful, big or small. Did you see a rainbow/butterfly/ favorite bird today? Did you get to talk to a good friend? Were you productive at work? Did you eat the best-tasting piece of fruit? Did you make it through your day without major traffic? As you can see, even the smallest things count and can be recorded in your journal. The whole point is to train yourself to look for the good things that already exist in your life. Live in the moment. I’ve written about mindfulness before. Your ability to truly be present in whatever you are doing increases your ability to absorb and appreciate that activity. No more mindless meals where you wolf down your food – savor each bite. No more looking at your phone while you tell yourself you are playing with your children – they get your full attention and you get to appreciate the miracles they are. Even things you don’t particularly like to do deserve your full attention. That way, you’ll do a good job and at least you get to feel positive about that!

Stop comparing yourself with others. There will always be people who have more than you, and always people who have less. When you are grateful for what you have, you don’t worry as much about what you don’t have and what others have that you would like. Hey, I don’t drive the nicest car on the planet. But there are cars a whole lot worse than mine. And there are a whole lot of people who don’t even have cars. Or houses. Or electricity. We could be so much worse off, my friends. Watch your mouth. What are your conversations like? Are you critical of others? Are you critical of yourself? Does the tape that is playing in your mind all the time (that’s right, we all have the tape – you are not alone) contain affirming, positive thoughts? Or are you telling yourself negative things that do nothing but make you feel bad, and lessen the likelihood of you being happy and successful? Be careful what your conversations consist of. Words affect mood. Mood affects attitude. Attitude sets the tone for your life. This time around on the holiday merry –go-round, I hope you will add some time for gratitude to your day. Even the holiday merry-goround is something to be grateful for. I am grateful for all of you – the people who take the time to read my articles, and the people who tell me they enjoy them. I appreciate you!

Dr. Tari Dilks, professor of nursing at McNeese State University, has been elected presidentelect of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Board of Directors. Dilks will begin her term at the APNA 32nd Annual Conference Oct. 24-27 in Columbus, Ohio. Dilks is co-coordinator of McNeese’s Master of Science in Nursing programs and director of the psychiatric/ mental health track for the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing partnership involving McNeese, Nicholls State University, Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “Dr. Tari Dilks exemplifies the commitment and dedication it takes to succeed in the nursing profession,” said Dr. Peggy Wolfe, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “She is a true leader in her field of psychiatric and mental health nursing and we are proud of our colleague.” With a career spanning more than 40 years, she has practiced nursing at every level. Previously serving as president of APNA Louisiana Chapter among other leadership roles, she consistently advocates for awareness of psychiatric-mental health issues. She currently chairs the APNA Practice Council and was the 2017 recipient of the APNA Award for Excellence in Education. “Health care delivery must include the recognition of psychiatric-mental health (PMH) in total health promotion and prevention,” says Dilks. “APNA’s membership brings a richness of expertise in evidencebased models in practice, research, administration, therapy, education and collaboration in multiple environments and I teach about them every day.” Dilks obtained her doctorate in nurse practitioner/family psychology from the University of Tennessee, her Master of Science Dr. Tari Dilks

in Nursing degree and her Master of Arts degree in psychology both from McNeese and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from West Texas State University. She is a family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and a licensed professional counselor in Louisiana. She has also been recognized for her leadership by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners with the Louisiana Award for Nurse Practitioner Excellence and her induction into the academy as a Fellow. Radiologic Sciences Grads Pass Certification Exam The 2018 McNeese State University radiologic sciences graduates had a 100 percent passage rate on the national certification examination in radiography administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology. Since the radiologic sciences program’s inception in 1978, McNeese students have held a 98.4 percent first-time passage rate on the national certification exam, according to Greg Bradley, radiologic sciences program director and head of the department of radiologic and medical laboratory sciences. McNeese’s Bachelor of Science degree in radiologic sciences is one of only four baccalaureate degree programs offered in Louisiana, and in March, the program was nationally reaccredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology for the maximum length of eight years following a comprehensive review of the degree program offered through the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

College of Engineering and Computer Science Ambassadors Ten students from the College of Engineering and Computer Science at McNeese State University have been selected as Ambassadors, a new student organization established to assist the college with its recruiting efforts. Among the responsibilities for the team of juniors and seniors are conducting tours, participating in local and regional science fairs, helping with Engineering Week activities and supporting teachers of the CITGO Innovation Academy at E.K. Key Elementary School in Sulphur and other science, technology, engineering and math related events. The students are: Kylie Flesch, Lake Charles, chemical engineering; Kristen Lemaire, Lake Charles, mechanical engineering; Sarah Lyons, Hackberry, civil engineering and construction management; Alexis Durio, Sulphur, chemical engineering; Kianna Bias, Lake Charles, computer science; Everett Miller, Haughton, electrical engineering; Hans Alex Funk, Sulphur, mechanical engineering; Patrick Green, St. Louis, Missouri, chemical engineering; Wendy Tyrgrett, Lake Charles, computer science; and Brandon Fontenot, Lake Charles, mechanical engineering.

McNeese’s radiologic sciences program has been accredited by JRCERT since 1979. To learn more about the program, call 337-475-5653. Paul Rainwater, a 1985 graduate of McNeese State University, has given $10,000 in honor of his parents, Jerald and Leila Rainwater, to the McNeese Foundation to fund student scholarships.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living â&#x20AC;˘ November 2018