Thrive Oklahoma Magazine May-June 2013

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Thrive Oklahoma

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For Health & Well Being

Volume 4 - Issue 3 May/ June 2013

Publisher / CEO Angela C. Slovak, Ph.D. Creative Director Barbara Kardokus Creative Design Staff Kristen McEuen Editorial Manager Jan Collymore Staff Writer Lindsay Welchel

VISIT

www.thriveok.com

Contributing Authors Paul Fairchild

to view the digital issues of Thrive also friend us on facebook!

Gregory Farnell, Ph.D. Jacilyn Olson, Ph.D. TJ Bankston, CPT

www.facebook.com/okchealthandwellnessgroup

Robin Fernandez Erik Dalton, Ph.D. Mary Schrick, Ph.D. ND

Lynda Halley

Subscribe today online at www.thriveok.com

Amanda Godlove Erwin, HSHA, MBA

Only $18.00 a year to your door

Jessica Sanchez Ryan Baker

Bryant Welbourne

On the Cover.... Hank and Susan Binkowski are the proud owners of Uptown Grocery Co. in Edmond at Kelly and Covell. This couple exudes family values and their mission is, “To inspire and support healthy communities as Oklahoma’s leading grocery provider of fresh, diverse, unique and economical food products.” The Binkowski cover photo was taken in the produce section at Uptown which shares center stage with an amazing full service bakery, stout natural vitamin department, huge floral, Sushi at the Grille and many more great services.

Anita Kelley Katherine Hawk Thomas White, Ph.D. Steven Buck Photo Support Executive Chef Robin L. Obert Georgia Reed

For advertising info call

Thrive Staff

Thrive Magazine at 405.210.8205 or e-mail thriveokinfo@gmail.com TM

Copyright © 2013 by Thrive Oklahoma, Health and Well Being and Green Apple Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without the expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Thrive Oklahoma Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements, in that the views expressed therein may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any magazine employee or contributor. Content in this publication should not replace the advice or your physician. This publication and all its contents are copyrighted.

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From the Publisher’s Desk Howdy and welcome back to Thrive Oklahoma! Our community work this year has already brought so many wonderful rewards. We appreciate our leaders, including those in industry here in Oklahoma City. We will continue to align ourselves with like minded partners who believe in educating others that wellness is not one-size fits all.

We at ThriveOK have shifted gears and you may notice a slight change in our banner on the cover. We have made the shift toward Health and Well Being. Wellness was such a general term and is becoming over used in today’s wellness-minded society. Well being relates to not just diet and exercise but your mental and financial well being too. Find all of that and more right here.

We want our ever expanding readership to know that we are bringing them the very best information from a variety of expert sources for their well being.

Families are planning summer vacations and activities for the kids. We hope that our section on educational destinations gives you some ideas and also helps our private and non-profit friends at the museums have a banner year with attendance. My kids absolutely loved their visit to the Perot Museum of Natural Life Science (details on page 16). My kids and I actually toured all the museums featured here in this issue and have found that the people involved in the day to day functions are the ones

that will make your visit extraordinary. Go – ask questions – explore! Discount coupon to Sam Noble Museum on page 18.

ThriveOK supports many non-profit organizations with in- kind donations of ad space and publicity at our health expos. We have also helped numerous start up companies associate their brand with Oklahoma’s best readership. Watch for more on building your business from Oklahoma’s best advisors.

In this issue Anita Kelley shares her wisdom as a business consultant on branding – the do’s and don’ts of this critical process (see page 43). We also take a moment to appreciate Oklahoma’s food revolution. Slowly, quietly Oklahomans are making the food shift to healthy, sustainable, locally sourced food choices. Choose a 100% Oklahoma grown food source (see pages 10-11, 16 and 24).

We hope you enjoy this issue of ThriveOK and that it helps you on a personal level to strike change in your life for the better and improve your well being!

Have fun,

Publisher, Thrive Oklahoma Magazine

Thrive Oklahoma

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34 34

9 16 45 Features

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14 Local Sourcing For Your Food 16-19 Education Destinations: Try A Museum 24 Hank and Susan Binkowski

A part of Oklahoma’s Food Revolution

by Paul Fairchild

Community Corner

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9 10 12

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28

Be A Green Shopper 100% Oklahoma Farmers’ Markets Let’s Clear the Air

by Ryan Baker Pack Some Fresh in Your Food

by Paul Fairchild Stars & Stripes River Festival

by Bryant Welbourne

28 22 18

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40

32 40

Education Destinations

Mind / Body

16 Perot Museum by Lindsay Whelchel

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36

40 Mushroom Pizza!

Spring Into Color

by TJ Bankston

by Robin Fernandez Teens Drinking – 43 Ribs N Slaw Not A Rite of Passage

by Executive Chef

by Steven Buck

Robin L. Obert

34

Fitness: What’s your Motivation

by Gregory Farnell, Ph.D. and Jacilyn Olson, Ph.D.

18 Wondertorium by Lynda Halley 19 Oklahoma Science Museum 42 What’s In Your Travel Bag?

Recipes

Living Well 20

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Free Wheelin’ Across Oklahoma

by Jessica Sanchez Grandma’s Good Advice: Eat Your Veggies

by Amanda Godlove Erwin, HSHA, MBA

30 Fitness 4 Men

by TJ Bankston, ACSM-CPT 32 Golf & Low Back Pain

by Erik Dalton, Ph.D.

40 Arthritis: Take 2

by Mary Schrick, Ph.D., ND

43

43 Make Your Business Stand

Out From the Crowd

by Steven Buck 45 38 The Heart of Diabetes Care

by Thomas White, Ph.D.

Make Your Business Stand Out from the Crowd

by Anita Kelley How Does Conserving Nature In Oklahoma Benefit You?

by Katherine Hawk Thrive Oklahoma

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Believe it or not, your shopping habits have an impact on the earth. Here are 4 simple tips to keep in mind when you set out to re-stock your cupboards.

1. Plan To Shop Smarter

By making a meal plan you’ll have a better idea of what foods to buy. Having a plan for the week’s meals will prevent wasteful spending and protect you and your family from resorting to less healthy, more not-so-Earth-friendly food choices. Look for recipes that inspire you. Turn to page 40 in this issue.

By making just one shopping trip each week, you’ll save precious time and cut down on gas consumption in your vehicle.

With only one grocery shopping trip made each week, many people find that they don’t impulse buy and that saves on packaging, food waste and those extra calories at the same time.

2. Beware of Packaging Most foods are required to be packaged in some way. Look for packaging that’s REusable, REcyclable and can be REsealed.

The challenge can even be to find packaging made from REcycled materials. By avoiding unnecessary bulk in product packaging there can be a huge REduction in landfill waste and CO2 emissions.

3. Be Choosy When Shopping Buy only the products you think you’ll really use and try to consume all the food in the refrigerator or pantry before buying more. You’ll be eating fresher foods (watch for born on dates in the pantry) and unclutter the cupboards all in one step.

4. BYOB Yes, bring you own bags when you go shopping. Just say “No” to paper or plastic when asked in the check out line. When you say “No” you are saying, “Yes” to keeping trees in the ground, bags out of our landfills and chemicals out of the environment.

Remember to wash your cloth REusable shopping bags after every 10 uses. Wash them in the machine at home just like you would your clothes. The non-washable totes can be wiped down with a disposable bleach cleaning cloth. This way your fresh veggies won’t pick up any germs from the meat or dairy you may have purchased last week.

Did you know that if we all used our own reusable shopping bag just ONCE a week, we’d keep 16 BILLION bags out of landfills?

Simple changes can make a super-big impact.

Choose food ingredients that have more than just one purpose.

Meal plans that are built around versatile products can be used in two or three different recipes. This will eliminate the need to throw out old ingredients.

Look for the USDA Organic seal on your products. Organic means no synthetic toxic pesticides, irradiation or GMOs were used in making the products. This type of purchase keeps toxic chemicals out of the Earth and out of our food supply.

If an ingredient has a long complicated name that you can’t pronounce, then don’t bring it to your house. Look for REal ingredients on the label. Food should be as close to its natural state as possible - your body will thank you for that.

Inspired by Earthbound Farm Organics visit them at http://www. ebfarm.com/greenerguide/ Thrive Oklahoma

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ere’s where to start your search for local seasonal produce. These Oklahoma markets may only be open part of the year (except for the OSU-OKC location) and this is in no way is an exhaustive list of area farmer’s markets, but a fun way to get start on some farm fresh food for your table.

These offer 100% Oklahoman Grown Produce!

Ada Farmers’ Market at 12th and Townsend, Ada, OK 74820. Open Wed & Sat: 6am-2pm April-November Altus Farmers’ Market at Altus Plaza Shopping Center, Altus, OK 73521. Open Tue & Fri: 4:00pm 8:30pm May-October Ardmore Market Place on Broadway offers fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants, nuts, baked goods, soaps and lotions in a covered and enclosed facility. Located at 106 East Broadway, Ardmore, OK 73401. Open Wed & Sat: 7:30am-12:00pm April-December Bartlesville Farmers’ Market is in its 6th year. Located at Frank Phillips Blvd and Keeler, Bartlesville, OK 74006.

Open Sat. 8:00am-11:30 am May-October. For specifics call Steve Forsythe 918.914.3791 Broken Arrow Farmers’ Market at 418 S Main St. Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Into its 5th year and already ranked in the top 15 markets for the State. Find a wide range of locally grown produce, fruit, free range poultry, beef, bison, cheeses, wine and pastries. Shop rain or shine under two covered pavilions. Open Sat: 8:00am-12:00pm April–September.

Chickasha Farmers’ Market at the SW Corner of 7th & Chickasha Ave. Chickasha, OK 73018. Vegetables now in season are zucchini, yellow squash, beets, turnips, green beans, potatoes, cucumbers and onions. Shoppers will also find honey and jellies. Tomatoes available soon. Open Tues & Sat: 7am-12pm May-October 10

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Eastern Oklahoma County Farmers’ Market at the Choctaw Creek Park located at 2001 N Harper, Choctaw, OK 73020. Offering veggies, fruits, home made soaps, honey, eggs and some home made crafts. Open Sat: 8:00am-12:00pm June-October Downtown Cushing Farmers’ Market at 1130 E. Main Cushing, OK 74023. This open air market has produce, salad greens, herbs, honey, farm fresh eggs, meat items, cut flowers and soon watermelons, peaches.

Open Thurs: 1:00pm-6:00pm June-October Edmond Farmers’ Market at 2nd & Broadway, Edmond, OK 73003. Open Sat & Wed: 8:00am-1:00pm June-August Mid Del Farmers’ Market at 200 N. Midwest Blvd. Midwest City, OK 73110. Open Sat: 9:00 am-12:00 pm June 1-October.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/MidDelFarmersMarket * Moore Farmers’ Market • Downtown Moore 301 S Howard, Moore, OK 73160 open air at the community center next to the library. Open Thurs: 4:00pm-7:30pm and Sat: 8:00am-11:00pm May-September * Some out of state produce Mustang Kiwanis Farmers’ Market at 470 W Hwy 152 Mustang, OK 73064. Meet the farmers, gardeners, crafters and fundraising organizations in an open air venue.

Open Sat: 8:00-11:00am & Wed: 5-7pm May-August

Norman Farmers’ Market at Cleveland County Fairgrounds, located at 615 E Robinson, Norman, OK 73107. Established in 1980. Early season items include asparagus, hothouse tomatoes, greens, lettuce, radishes, spinach, herb and vegetable plants and flower bedding plants. Accept SANP and WIC, Chickasaw vouchers and Sr. Nutrition cards. Call the fairgrounds for more info. Open Sat & Wed: 8am-12pm April– October Oklahoma Food Co-op Farmers’ Market at 311 South Klein, Oklahoma City, OK 73010 Open Sat: 9am-2pm Seasonal OSU/OKC Indoor/Outdoor Year Round Farmers’ Market at 400 N Portland (under the Horticulture pavilion), Oklahoma City, OK 73107. Open Sat: 8:00am-1:00pm April-October.

Winter Sat: 10:00am-1:00pm October-April Oklahoma State Dept. of Heath Wellness Farmers’ Market at 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117.

Open Thur: 11:00am-1:00pm May-September Okmulgee Farmers’ Market at 100 W. 6th and Morton, Okmulgee, OK 74447. Open air in downtown. Open Tue & Fri: 8:00am-1:00pm May-October

Weatherford Farmer’s Market at the Old Fire Station, Weatherford, OK 73096. Open Tues: 4:00pm-7:00pm or Sat: 8:00am-12:00pm June-October Tulsa Markets Brookside Farmers’ Market at 41st & Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74159. Open Wed: 8:00am-12:00 pm MayOctober Cherry Street Farmers’ Market at 15th & Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74120. Open Sat: 7:00am-11:00am April-October Downtown Tulsa Farmers’ Market at 3rd & Boston on William’s Green, Tulsa, OK 74103. Open Tues: 10:00am-2pm.

Year Round January and February dependent on weather.

Pearl Farmers’ Market at 610 S. Peoria (6th & Peoria Centennial Park), Tulsa, OK 74103. Open Thurs: 4:00pm7:00 pm April-September Visit online for more details http:// pearlfarmersmarket.org/ West Side Farmers’ Market at 25th & Southwest Boulevard, Tulsa, OK 74157. Open Thur: 2pm-7pm May-October For more information visit Redforkmainstreet.org

Seminole County Farmers’ Market at 910 W. Wrangler Blvd, Seminole, OK 74884 (outside city limits) Open Tues & Sat: 8am-12pm June-October Pottawatomie County Farmers Co-op Market at Hwy 177 & Hardesty Rd. Shawnee (outside city limits) OK 74855.

Open Wed & Sat: 8:00am-2:00pm April-October Stillwater Farmers’ Market is at 309 N Main, Stillwater, OK 74074. Providing local fruits and vegetables, choice beef, lamb, farm fresh eggs, hand-crafted breads and jellies, garden fresh flowers, fresh-cut herbs, authentic Santa Fe Style Mexican cuisine, and a variety of seasonal plants. Open Summer Wed & Sat: 8am-1pm April - October. Winter Sat: 10am-1pm November - March OSU Stillwater Farmers’ Market at the Student Union Plaza, Stillwater, OK 74078. Open Thu: 9:00am-1:00pm August-October Tahlequah Farmers’ Market at Muskogee Ave. between Morgan & Spring St. Norris Park, Tahlequah, OK 74464.

Open Sat: 8am-12pm April-October Wagoner Farmers Market • 4569 & Highway 51, Wagoner, OK 74467.Open Sat: 8am-1pm May-September Thrive Oklahoma

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Nowadays, many of us scrutinize the food we eat. We scan nutrition labels for certain ingredients, tabulate our caloric intake and try to identify exactly what it is we’re putting in our bodies. You likely eat three to six meals a day, but consider this: the average adult takes anywhere from 17,000 to 23,000 breaths a day. How much do you know about the ingredients of your air?

One ingredient to consider in Central Oklahoma is ozone.

You’ve likely heard of ozone as part of an atmospheric layer that shields the Earth from much of the sun’s ultraviolet light.

On hot, windless days, certain emissions chemically react to sunlight and form ozone at ground-level, also called smog. At ground-level, ozone is a health risk particularly to children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.

Ozone exposure can reduce lung function and decrease the body’s ability to fight infection.

Based on the 2010 Census, nearly one in 10 Oklahoma County residents age 18 and under suffer from pediatric asthma. More than 82,000 adults in Oklahoma County suffer from adult asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema. These populations, along with the more than 86,000 Oklahoma County residents 65 or older, represent those most vulnerable to poor air quality, but they aren’t the only ones impacted.

A 2012 study in the American Heart Association’s Circulation found ozone can contribute to vascular inflammation, putting persons with diabetes or heart disease at a heightened risk of heart attack, stroke or even death. This is especially relevant to the more than 300,000 adults in Oklahoma diagnosed with diabetes, reported by the Oklahoma State Health Department.

Oklahoma has the second highest rate of death due to heart disease in the United States and the fifth highest rate of death due to stroke.

So what can you do? Oklahoma City has the third greatest land mass of all U.S. cities, which means we spend a lot of time in our cars. Because more than 60 percent of the emissions that form ground-level ozone come from cars and trucks, one easy change to your daily behavior can decrease your ozone-forming emissions:

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by Ryan Baker Rideshare:

GetAroundOK.com allows you to safely connect to neighbors or co-workers to share a ride. Fewer cars mean fewer emissions.

Avoid idling:

Sitting on congested streets and highways gives your car more time to release emissions. Visit OKTraffic.org or NewsOK.com/Traffic to map swift routes and cut down on travel time.

Bike or walk:

Take advantage of the sidewalks or the more than 200 miles of bike routes throughout Oklahoma City to exercise and get where you need to go with zero emissions.

Telecommute:

Some employers encourage working from home; for those that don’t, try scheduling conference calls rather than cross-town trips for face-to-face meetings.

Refuel at night:

Gassing up your car or truck at night keeps escaping vapors from reacting to sunlight and forming more smog.

Take transit:

Get on the bus and off the road. Citylink Edmond offers free fares year-round, Norman’s CART offers free fare on Ozone Alert Days and OKC’s METRO Transit offers free fare on the third Friday of each summer month.

Blow off that yard work:

Wait until dusk before running your gas-powered lawnmower, leaf blower or trimmer, and avoid running them on Ozone Alert Days.

Visit BetterTogetherOK.com to learn more about air quality, find additional resources and get more tips on how you can do your part to improve the quality of air and life in Central Oklahoma.

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by Paul Fairchild American fitness culture is packed with diets. The South Beach Diet. The Zone Diet. The Paleo Diet. By the numbers, America is getting fatter, but a significant number of people care about the food they put in their bodies. And some of those consumers are looking at a new diet angle. They’re not just concerned about what food they eat. They’re concerned about where their food comes from. The enthusiasm is sparking new interest in an old concept -- local food sourcing.

Consumers are demanding it, and Oklahoma farmers and restaurants are stepping up to meet the demand.

It’s no secret that small farms and ranchers are disappearing from the nation’s agricultural landscape. They can’t compete with large, corporate farms in the one area that used to matter most to consumers: cost. But small farms easily beat corporate farms in other arenas. Their products are fresher, more nutritious and taste better.

A growing number of health-conscious Americans are worrying less about price and more about simple, uncomplicated, good food. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that local food sales are approaching a $5 billion market with roughly five percent of American farms participating in local food sourcing programs.

There is no clear definition of “local” when it comes to local food sourcing, but the general understanding of grocery stores, farmers’ markets and restaurants is that “local” food is food that travels no farther than 150 miles from the farm to the table. Larger buyers can stretch that distance to 300 miles without sacrificing quality. Numbers aside, the spirit of the concept is simple. Consumers, chefs and restaurants want to point to their ingredients and say, “That food came from here.”

Jennifer Webster, owner of Edmond’s Providence Farms, sells only to individuals. In the future, her small farm will source local cafes and restaurants. But right now demand for her produce is so high that individual clients are all she can handle. “I want people to know about us because I’m passionate about food. But at the same time I hate telling people no.

I don’t advertise,” she says. “I don’t push our farm because I don’t have to. I have so many individuals coming to me that there’s no point in promoting my farm. I’d be overwhelmed if I did.” Providence Farms offers cage-free chickens, eggs and produce. When they’re not sold out.

Oklahomans spend nearly $8 billion on food each year, about half of it on groceries and the other half eating out. Even 14

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a tiny piece of Oklahoma’s $8 billion pie could support the expansion of small farms and the growth of a vigorous local sourcing market. Oklahoma City leads the state in terms of the availability and diversity of locally sourced foods. The OKC Metro area accounts for $3 billion in food sales each year. A small slice of the $3 billion pie keeps farmers like Webster prosperous and invites new players into the market.

Dr. Ellen Peffley, a Professor Emeritus of Horticulture at Texas Tech knows her way around a garden -- and the economy it participates in. Peffley predicts the expansion of local food markets, which doesn’t end with fatter wallets for small farmers. “Local food sourcing is important on a number of levels.

First, our nation is shifting from an agricultural base to a consumer base where we buy products from overseas and just consume things. What the local food movement is doing is making people aware of where their food comes from and who grows it.

At the local level there’s a keen interest in health among consumers. It’s a socioeconomic issue but for those people that are interested in local foods, you can’t divorce from that their interest in healthier food,” says Peffley. Like many agricultural experts, she knows that fresher food travels the shortest distance between the garden and the dining table is also the healthiest food.

Russ Johnson, co-owner of Oklahoma City’s Ludivine, describes the restaurant’s mission simply: serve the freshest, most unique meals possible. He and his partner, Jonathan Stranger, are end consumers of locally sourced food. Before coming to Oklahoma City, they kicked around the country working in different restaurants, picking up cooking methods, practices, and even some tricks. They saw some kitchens using locally sourced ingredients. They also saw those kitchens serving up the best meals.

Johnson and Stranger came to Oklahoma City with the idea of filling a niche. When they opened Ludivine, there weren’t any

scratch kitchens in the city using local ingredients. Most restaurants were national chains that served the same stuff cooked dozens of different ways. They wanted something different and part of that difference demanded the freshest possible ingredients.

“We depend on local food for reaching our goal of being the premier foodie destination in Oklahoma City, if not the state,” says Johnson. “If you really love food and you care about how it’s prepare and where it comes from, we’re your spot.

We want to be a place that other chefs go to for different, unique food.

Local ingredients are a big part of what we do.” Diners like it. The midtown restaurant is booked solid most nights of the week.

Existing local food markets need more support to drive down the cost of goods. Currently, for every dollar that a customer pays for local food, a farmer sees 19 cents. One study suggests that a local market growth to 5 percent of the state’s food spending would increase small farmers’ profits to 30 cents on the dollar. If consumers are buying, grocery stores are stocking and restaurants are serving, local food sourcing markets will grow. But markets need adequate infrastructure to grow. The infrastructure -- the things needed to keep local food as fresh as possible on its journey from farm to table -- hasn’t caught up with the enlarging markets.

Continued on page 46 Thrive Oklahoma

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By Lindsay Whelchel As a young boy, Tony Fiorillo lived near a natural history museum.

Every chance he could, he would beg someone to drive him down to the museum so he could look at dinosaurs. Walking through the halls of such immense relics impacted his childhood imagination.

The entire family wil be amazed at the dinosaur skeletons that fill the halls at the Perot Museum.

A true showcase of Life Now & Then.

Today, Fiorillo walks the dinosaur filled halls at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, and he smiles. The contents of the exhibits have special meaning now, because when Fiorillo looks at the different skeletons, he remembers the day he and his team dug them from the ancient ground.

It would seem those early museum visits paid off.

And it is this idea of impacting young minds for an entire lifetime that makes the goals of the Perot Museum that much more important.

“It is enormously satisfying to see the public response to this museum, and I do wonder as I look through the masses of humanity that populate our halls on any given day, what part of that have we inspired to be the next generation of scientists,” Fiorillo, curator of earth sciences, says.

To accomplish this goal of inspiration, the Perot Museum, which opened last year on December 1, has a vast array of exhibits and educational programs.

Realizing the new Perot Museum from the original Museum of Nature and Science, came from both a high-profile donor, and community fundraising, effort to raise $185 million to build the expansive new facility next to the Dallas arts district in Victory Park.

The modern, multi-level result is an intricate exploration into all things knowledge. Be it a look at the human body, extreme weather, or outer space, the exhibits are designed to teach- but in a fun way.

For Fiorillo‘s part, his work as a vertebrate paleontologist has played an active role in what fossils the museum has to offer. His discoveries can be found throughout the floors but especially in the Life Then and Now Hall. Here, visitors can see many prehistoric creatures and even a species discovered by Fiorillo’s team, named applicably, the Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum, in honor of museum donor, the Perot family.

Fiorillo says that the museum’s educational efforts are integral to the learning process for students.

“I think schools and universities provide a lot of great information, but the bottom line is, you can see a picture of an 85-foot-long dinosaur in a book and think ‘yeah that’s cool,’ but we provide the opportunity for you to actually stand near one and look at it and have your mouth fall open,” he says.

16Thrive Thrive Oklahoma 10 Oklahoma

This sentiment is echoed by Steve Hinkley, vice president of programs at the museum. Education was key in deciding on things to offer at the museum.

“For our museum’s mission to inspire minds through nature and science, it’s great to capture those minds when they’re young and hopefully continue them on a path of lifelong learning, exploration and curiosity,” Hinkley says, but he quickly adds that their mission extended beyond children to reach all ages. “We recognized we were sort of missing out on some of the older or more mature learners, and so when we went into the exhibit design we really took a very pragmatic approach to targeting audiences that would not only be in that young children group but also continue to attract visitors through their middle school, high school, college and certainly beyond that, and that was a really big challenge.” In response, the programs were designed to appeal to a wide variety of people.

“We very carefully crafted the language in our exhibits so it wouldn’t talk down to the adults, but it wouldn’t be so far out of reach for the young audiences,” Hinkley says.

Another key to conveying the message was in a hands-on approach to learning.“We figured that everybody loves to do things and to be physically active in their learning experiences, so we really invested in that,” Hinkley says.

Continued on page 35

From outer space to the inner body and the wonders of weather, this amazing museum has hands on activies that both entertain and educate.

Above left: Sit at the controls of a Mars land rover and explore the planets of our solar system.

Middle: Perform real scientific experiments.

Bottom: Interact with a tornado.

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by Lynda Halley One of Oklahoma’s newest children’s interactive attractions is the WONDERtorium in Stillwater. This 10,000 square foot museum is where lasting experiences are made and children engage in creative, inquiry-based play.

With 14 interactive, hands-on exhibits, the WONDERtorium appeals to children from birth to twelve years.

Children can enjoy pure active play splashing in the Water Works exhibit or climbing a wall, sliding down a tree slide and crawling through a fallen log in Forest Playground. The Little WONDERs room offers a play area for children under two years and their grown-ups.

Oklahoma WONDERtorium Executive Director Ruth Cavins said “Children’s play is important to healthy brain development

because it allows them to use their imaginations, solve problems and interact and cooperate with others. Our exhibits are designed to allow children to create and explore a world they can master, discovering self-confidence and the benefits of sharing and negotiating.”

In the My Medical Center children engage in dramatic play by dressing up and pretending to be a patient or medical staff. Patients check in with paperwork and can be taken to the doctor’s office where they are measured, weighed and tested for good vision.

There’s a pretend surgery and recovery area, a human torso with removable organs, as well as a new neonatal unit and ambulance.

Construction play is another popular exhibit and features special wooden unit blocks where children practice through play a variety of cognitive skills like hand-eye coordination, spatial perception and problem solving. The second block exhibit is called Big Blue Blocks. Large, blue foam blocks allow children to play on an architectural scale with 15 different shapes – big enough to build castles, cars, and mazes.

The Oklahoma WONDERtorium is located at 308 W. Franklin Lane in Stillwater (just north of the Stillwater High School Football Stadium).

Admission is $7 per person with children under 12 months admitted free. Hours of operation are Tuesday t hrough Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Telephone: (405) 533-3333. The Oklahoma WONDERtorium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more details about the museum, its programs and events, please visit http://www.okwondertorium.org.

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by Jessica Sanchez This year marks the 35th year for Freewheel.

During the ride, company CEO’s will be alongside salespeople, church pastors and medical doctors who’ll form lasting friendships and camaraderie. Some say it’s a recipe for fun, adventure, folks and fixin’s that you’ll remember for years to come. “I see friends on Freewheel whom I don’t see any other time of year, so I hate to miss it,” said reverend Amy Venable a senior pastor at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Norman and avid free wheeler.

Along the way there are dozens of small towns that roll out the red carpet for these free wheelin’ friends that ride across the entire state in eight days. Folks along the route share their communities with the droves of passing bikers. They offer food, entertainment, overnight accommodations, local tips, and a backdrop to build life long friendships.

Amy Downs is a busy career woman in Oklahoma City and bears the title of Chief Operations Officer. Downs maintains a 200 pound weight loss with rides like these.

“Like most women I know, I wear many hats and juggle numerous responsibilities. I’m a single mom, volunteer as a trustee for the Oklahoma National Memorial, and serve as president of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society.”

For one week starting on June eighth, hundreds of bike enthusiasts will ride across our great state – for the fun of it – for the fitness – for the challenge. Oklahoma Freewheel is Oklahoma’s premier bicycle touring event. Bicyclists will roll up to the start on the Texas-Oklahoma state line for the weeklong trek north to the Kansas – Oklahoma border.

Sharon White celebrates at the finish line Sharon White has a career in retail sales, “I logged around 500 miles on my bicycle that I have nicknamed the hammer; not once utilizing a vehicle for transportation. I enjoy the view of our great state from a perspective you can’t see from the interstate highways. I camped in tents in small host towns.”

“Five years ago I was 125 lbs heavier, exercised very little, smoked and was headed for a heart attack. From flat tires and riding in the rain to beautiful scenery and great conversation I enjoyed every minute of the experience and can’t wait to do it again,” says White.

“In some ways I enjoy training for Oklahoma Freewheel almost as much as the event itself,” says Downs. Each week in the months leading up to Freewheel there are group rides which help to condition riders by steadily increasing their mileage in order to be prepared for the trek across Oklahoma.

Downs equates this ride to summer camp. “Riding my bike across the state of Oklahoma is an adventure where I am not a mom or boss but instead just a kid out having fun on my bike.

The only responsibility I have is just to pedal myself from one town to the next and if it takes me all day to do it, then so be it. I have no deadlines.”

Most riders admit they get to see small town Oklahoma in a way that’s not achievable by car. The course takes riders from Idabel to Antlers to Talihina to Warner then up to Tahlequah.

The leg to Pryor Oklahoma is about 100 miles in one day, then it’s up to Miami and to then to the finish line along the Kansas border.

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Reverend Amy Venable with her Free Wheel friends This year will be Reverend Amy Venable’s ninth Freewheel ride. “ I did my first [ride] when I was twenty-seven, equipped with absolutely zero confidence that I would make it from the starting line in Comanche to the finish line in Caldwell, Kansas.”

“People seem to think it’s a novelty that I, a professional clergyperson, would have cycling as a hobby, as if I am generally expected to be sitting in a confessional or kneeling on

something needle-pointed most of the time,” says reverend Venable.

“Clergy of all stripes in Oklahoma suffer with high percentages of obesity, hypertension, heart disease and depression, so it’s people like me and my colleagues who need to be out there riding to fight those statistics. Reverend Venable believes, “It’s terrific exercise, easy on aging joints and a great way to make connections with all kinds of interesting people who live right here in my state. Plus, I’ve read before that to be an interesting preacher, it really helps to have an interesting life.” Venable adds, “Go out and do something fun and productive, for Pete’s sake!”

Amy Downs at the Oklahoma border as she starts the 500 mile trip

Dr. Lori Hansen, an accomplished local plastic surgeon recalls her motivation for Freewheel, “I love Freewheel because it is an accomplishment.”

Hansen recalls, “Nothing is better at the end of the day than saying I just biked 72 miles, then slapping my self on the back. I also love it because every mile I grow in appreciation for the beauty of our state and the wonderful people. I grew up outside a town of 400 on a wheat farm, so I really, really enjoy the crops, the wildflowers, the cows and horses.”

Free Wheel allows Hansen the time she needs to listen to music, pray, and work out the issues in her life while taking a week-ling break from her busy medical practice. “I solve so much in my head on Freewheel. I live in the moment at least for that one week [and] at the end, I am in great shape.”

Dr. Lori Hansen

Stacy McKinney takes a quick break to pose for a picture.

Stacy McKinney is a school psychologist at Guthrie Public Schools and enjoys Freewheel for several reasons; “The joy, the people, and the sights.”

“There is complete freedom knowing your goal for the day is eat, ride, and sleep; and to have the chance to do this for a week is an incredible experience. The [other] reason to ride Freewheel is the range of people you meet.”

This is a cultural event that includes people from a variety of states and countries. There is nothing else like seeing Oklahoma on a bike. It gives a person time to process, smell, and enjoy little treasures this state has to offer. Join the ride and live like nothing else matters.

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by Amanda Godlove Erwin, MSHA, MBA, Certified Health Coach Unless you live under a rock, or possibly a slab of meat, you’ve been hearing about the benefits of replacing some animal protein with more plant-based options. Of course, there are all sorts of titles for this, such as vegans - those who eat or use no animal products; vegetarians – those who do not eat meat; lacto-ovo vegetarians – those who eat no meat, but do eat eggs and dairy; pescatarians – those who eat fish, but no meat and so on.

You don’t have to assume one of these labels to make a positive change in your health by replacing a few animal protein meals a week with more plant-centered meals.

The grocery store provides you with many options this time of year as well. Some good advice is to try to eat a rainbow of colors every day. Each color provides you with benefits of its own.

Red fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes, watermelons, papayas and grapefruits contain lycopene. This important nutrient helps protect against cancer, heart disease and macular degeneration. Since the body can’t produce it, lycopene must come from the diet.

Orange and Yellow produce provides your body with carotenoids, specifically beta-carotene. These are found in carrots, pumpkins, yellow squash, and apricots.

Beta-carotene promotes healthy eyesight, strengthens the mucous membranes and lessens your risk of cancer and heart disease.

Green vegetables, especially leafy greens, are best known for providing chlorophyll.

Broccoli, green cabbage, spinach, kale and arugula are just a few examples. Get to know this section of green leafy options and find some you like. These nutritional powerhouses contain lutein, fiber, vitamins A through K, and then some. All of these nutrients aid in a healthy digestive system, cancer-prevention, diabetes prevention, healthy eyesight and much more.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables like blueberries, pomegranates, red onions and grapes contain antioxidants called, anthocyanins. These super antioxidants are valuable in fighting free radicals, and they offer anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-viral properties as well.

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With all those labels, you might miss the message that eating more vegetables has been proven to reduce heart disease, lower cancer risk, decrease cholesterol, lessen inflammation, boost your immunity and aid in weight reduction. Vegetables contain phytochemicals, minerals and nutrients not found in meat and grains.

When you start looking at what foods will provide you with more of the nutrients your body needs, ounce for ounce, vegetables rule the day.

Summertime provides the prime season for access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Locally, we are able to find an abundance of fresh vegetables. Check out your local Farmers’ Market or join the Oklahoma Food Coop to pick up your own individualized order once a month. Local produce contains even more of the disease-fighting, immunity-boosting phytochemicals found in produce because it doesn’t take as long to travel from the farm to your table.

And don’t forget the white vegetables, like onions, garlic, turnips, mushrooms and daikon radishes. These colorless gems offer a host of beneficial antioxidants and immune boosting properties. They also are excellent sources of vitamin C, minerals and fiber.

So, why not see how it goes… try replacing some animalbased meals with vegetables of many colors for two weeks. You may find that you feel more satisfied, energetic, and you’ll be improving your long-term health along the way.

Amanda Godlove Erwin, MSHA, MBA, Certified Health Coach is contributing on behalf of Eat Green Health, LLC. From daily nutrition needs to the management of ongoing health conditions, our health coaching program is designed to help you meet your health goals. During the sixmonth program, participants receive one-onone or group coaching twice a month in addition to educational materials, periodic email updates and invitations to special health events. Special corporate rates are also available.

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Floral Department

Natural Vitamins

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n 2012, Hank and Susan Binkowski spotted an unfilled niche in Oklahoma City’s grocery. They watched carefully as metro area consumer demand for healthy food escalated. Then, at great financial risk, they stepped up and filled the niche, building a new, unique grocery store in Edmond at the corner of Kelley and Covell. Their store, Uptown Grocery, offers food and other products aimed at meeting the demand for healthier, more nutritional options that most grocery stores ignore. Here are ten simple reasons why Uptown Grocery can make consumers healthy and promote their wellness.

Even the market’s architecture conveys the importance of the Binkowski’s commitment to health and wellness. A throwback to simpler days, the days when consumers knew their suppliers — milkmen and farmers, for instance — and had a deeper connection to the food they ate, the building was inspired by the architecture of New York City’s warehouse district. The flow of the store, from the 60-foot long cheese island, to the full service meat department was designed personally by Hank. It’s inviting, welcoming and promotes an ease of shopping not found in most large grocery stores.

Uptown Grocery’s employees are at the heart of the shopping experience it offers. Without the best employees, from the stockers up to the managers, “We could have a good idea, but what is required daily are the hands and feet of the staff to bring it to reality. We’re constantly humbled by phone calls, letters and emails from our customers telling us about the positive impact our employees have on them. It’s what we prayed for — a community developed within the four walls of our store. That’s what ‘being local’ means to us,” says Hank Binkowski.

Uptown Grocery sets itself apart with its strong — and easily noticed — commitment to offering healthy foods to its shoppers. It stocks the widest selection of organic produce in Edmond grocery stores. They’re easy to find in the store.

Even easier, shoppers can take advantage of the store’s regular tours that introduce folks to nutritious eating and cooking practices.

The market also distinguishes itself with the convenient takeaway services offered by its full service bakery and deli.

The deli, called the Gourmet Grille, serves up ready-made meals that meet the market’s high standards for healthy and nutritious foods. Sushi? Salads? The best of the best are found at The Gourmet Grille — at affordable prices.

Great service. The healthiest food selections. The widest variety. It’s no wonder that Uptown Grocery filled a niche.

It’s popularity with Edmond shoppers proves that.

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by Robin Fernandez, Leadership Coach Spring is a great time to learn more about the world of colors and how they affect our mood and support our needs. Do you want to feel more creative and ambitious? Use Orange! Red can restore your passion to live, or transform anger into reclaiming your freedom. How differently would you experience a hospital visit if, instead of gray or dingy off-white, the room was a beautiful green – evoking calm, peace, harmony, nature. he world of color is incredibly displayed in the uni verse around us – in brilliant array for human beings, birds, plants, and flowers. The ever changing sky, soil, rocks around us and throughout every aspect of the cosmos.

Colors are also associated with different emotions, organs of the body, psychological states, and in the energy centers of the body called chakras.

Dr. Barbara Brennan, formerly a NASA physicist used her unique gifts of spiritual vision and healing to create the Barbara Brennan School of Healing. She created an energy healing technique referred to as, full spectrum healing. Full spectrum healing works on the seven layers of the human energy field.

The meaning and importance of colors vary greatly in different cultures. Red in western culture has high visibility and signifies energy, danger, love, passion, anger, courage; in Eastern cultures red portrays prosperity, good luck, vitality, happiness, is worn by brides, and red in other cultures represents everything from success to sacrifice to sin.

In feng shui, each color is an expression of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood – the five feng shui elements.

The five elements are used in specific areas of your home or space according to the feng shui energy map called a Bagua. Select feng shui colors

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according to the energy you need and include them in the space in art, wall color, or décor.

At any age, we are mesmerized by a gorgeous sunset, orange moon, a bouquet of colorful flowers, and who hasn’t been captivated by the soothing effect of a rainbow. The vast array of nature bursts into color even when unable to witness it in ordinary life, such as under the ocean, nebulas in outer space, and in the incredible world of birds and flowers throughout the globe.

But what does this pallet of color mean to us - how can we utilize its power to support, prosper, and purposefully influence our daily life.

In the book “Color, Environment, & Human Response,” author Frank H. Mahnke explains that “Color is essential to life. Color is part of life-giving and life-sustaining processes that have

had their influence since the beginning of time and color has therefore been an influence on man biologically and psychologically.” He depicts a “Color Experience Pyramid” and explains, “Color, which is created by light, is therefore a form of energy, and this energy affects body function just as it influences mind and emotion.” is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. is the color of sunshine. It’s associated with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy.

Color interpretations are from Color Wheel Pro

is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green has strong emotional correspondence with safety. is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic. is associated with light, goodness, innocence, purity, and virginity. It is considered to be the color of perfection. is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery.”

From distinguishing ripe fruit from unripe, to the color displays in animals and birds during mating rituals, color provides us with conscious and unconscious information, both individual and collective, that provide cues not only for survival, but for enjoyment and fulfillment in our existence on this planet.

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by Bryant Welbourne Corporate rowing in the Boathouse District has quickly become one of the most talked about competitive activities around the city. “Rowing has definitely changed me as a person,” said Jenn Loffland, member of the Whole Foods Market rowing team. “I went from being a non-athlete to an athlete and being able to row with co-workers has actually made all of us a more cohesive unit at work.”

More than 60 corporate rowing crews and dragon boat teams will take to the Oklahoma River at the 2nd annual Stars & Stripes River Festival on Saturday, June 29 to compete for medals and office bragging rights.

Admission is free for the event held in RIVERSPORT Adventures will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offer the Boathouse District at S.E. 6th St. and numerous fun activities for the entire family. Take on six levels of challenges Lincoln Boulevard. on the 80-foot SandRidge Sky Trail, the world’s tallest adventure course, or The Fourth of July style celebration of soar through the air on the Air Express Zip. Kids will enjoy the Youth Zone water sports and family fun provides an featuring the Sky Tykes, Cloud Bounce, Kids Zip, and much more. Other enthusiastic audience for all who will comRIVERSPORT experiences available include kayaking, stand up paddle pete. “It’s amazing,” said Loffland. “It’s boarding, and indoor rock climbing. like being in your own Olympic stadium and it takes rowing to the next level.”

Other on-the-water competitions will include masters racing and Paddle for the Cure, a friendly dragon boat competition benefiting Susan G. Komen of Central and Western Oklahoma.

The festival will include activities for the entire family to enjoy. Children will be able to enjoy face painting, games, and much more in the kid’s area. The Olympic Experience will provide interactive demonstrations of various Olympic sports such as rowing, kayaking, running, and more.

Festival goers can also participate in a unique fundraiser benefiting local youth during the festival. A rubber duck race will be held at 4 p.m. with all of the proceeds going to the OKC Boathouse Foundation to purchase new rowing and canoe/kayak equipment. Rubber ducks can be purchased for $3 per duck or $5 for two ducks.

The RIVERSPORT Challenge will be kayak-run duathlon for those looking to test their endurance. Participants will start by paddling on the Oklahoma River, head for the dock, then hit the trails alongside the river. For more information on the competition and to register, visit oklahomariverevents.org. The race will begin at 7 a.m. and will conclude around 10 a.m.

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The festival will include activities for the entire family to enjoy, including the famous rubber duckie race.

Other activities going on throughout the day include great live music and exhibitors from around Oklahoma City. OKC’s top food trucks will be on site to provide the family with a widevariety of options for their taste buds. The day will conclude with a dedication of the new stadium lights along the Oklahoma River and an extravagant fireworks show.

Passes can be purchased at riversportokc.org or on the first floor of the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower. RIVERSPORT Adventures are open weekends through Memorial Day and daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

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by TJ Bankston, ACSM-CPT Most guys over 40 can actually reverse the ensuing loss of muscle mass that accompanies aging and it may not take as much time out of your day as you might think. Most men today are juggling a 40+ hour work week with a family life.

So, finding the most effective, time efficient whole body workouts are your best bet.

Choose from high-quality exercises that hit themajor muscle groups at the same time. By building a training program around these types of exercises you can strengthen your body in the least amount of time. These types of exercises will result in maximal energy expenditure and a more favorable hormonal response, which translates into building more muscle, being stronger and burning more fat even at rest.

Cardiovascular exercise can be used to rev-up the fat burning potential:

Frequency: A minimum of 5 days a week of moderate

intensity, or 3 days a week of vigorous cardio activity. You can use combinations of moderate and vigorous exercise 3-5 days a week.

Intensity: On a scale of 0-10 of physical exertion, 5-6 for moderate intensity and 7-8 for vigorous.

Time: For moderate intensity try to accumulate 30 minutes a day progressing to 60 minutes a day, in 10 minute segments to reach a total of 150 minutes to 300 minutes per week. For vigorous intensity shoot for 20 to 30 minutes a day for a total of 75 to100 minutes per week.

Type: Choose low-impact cardio activities that do not

impose excessive orthopedic stress. Walking is a good example. Aquatic exercises and stationary cycling may be advantageous for those with limited weight bearing tolerance.

Table 1

Muscle Strengthening:

Frequency: each major muscle group trained at least 2-3 days a week on non consecutive days.

Intensity: Moderate 5-6, or vigorous 7-8 on a scale of 0-10. (See Table 1)

Type: Use a progressive weight bearing program or weight bearing calisthenics, 8-10 exercises involving all the major muscle groups 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions.

Tip: Training can be done using upper/lower body split rou-

tines. An example of this would be: Lower body Monday and Thursday Upper body Tuesday and Friday.

Another option can be Total Body workouts 3 days a week on a Monday / Wednesday / Friday schedule.

Top 10 Exercises for Men

1 Standing cable push/pulls 2 Dead lift 3 Squats 4 Bench press 5 Split Squats 6 Lounges 7 Upright rowing 8 Push Ups 9 Cross-body punches 10 Chin Ups T.J. Bankston is a certified personal trainer and nutrition counselor. Bankston has a degree in kinesiology and can be found helping others at X-treme Fitness and Nautilus Sport and Fitness in Durant. “I am passionate about healthy living.� For more information call 580.380.5855 or e-mail tjbankston04@yahoo.com

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Try a Healthy Mushroom Pizza for Dinner

by TJ Bankston, ACSM-CPT Ingredients: 4 tomatoes 4 large portobello mushrooms 4 cloves of garlic 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice 1 leek fresh basil parmigiano reggiano cheese fresh parsley olive oil salt

Directions: Saute chopped leeks, garlic, and tomatoes until tomatoes are soft. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to pan, with fresh basil. Stir to combine.

On a baking sheet spray mushroom caps with cooking spray. Top with the tomato mixture. Option to add a little freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Bake @ 400 degrees for 12 minutes.

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by Erik Dalton, Ph.D. Because the golf swing involves an array of complex unilateral body movements, at some point virtually every golfer will experience an acute injury or chronic back pain.

Here are some recent statistics: • 53% of male and 45% of female golfers suffer low back pain.

• As many as 30% of professional golfers are playing injured.

• 33% of golfers are over the age of 50.

• Playing golf and another sport increases chance of injury by 40 percent.

Researchers conclude that a majority of injuries affecting male golfers originate in the low back and are related to improper swing mechanics and/or the repetitive nature of the swing. (Figure 1).

Amateurs are typically injured due to improper swing mechanics whereas professionals suffer overuse injuries as they obsessively perform repeated strokes. When a high velocity rotational force couples with trunk sidebending (the crunch factor), the golfer’s spine and surrounding vertebral tissues take a beating. It’s no wonder low back pain is the most common myoskeletal complaint among golfers Originally published in Dynamic Body Textbook

A Golfer’s Swing To hit the ball a great distance, the body must have the ability to rotate into and maintain a wide arc throughout the swing. Manual therapy techniques that increase range of hip turn allow a decrease in the amount of shoulder turn, thus reducing the amount of trunk flexion and sidebending during the downswing. (Figure 2).

Fortunately, there are usually only a couple of things that lead to a golfer’s back pain: 1. muscle imbalances 2. joint dysfunction Many of our ‘weekend warrior’ golfers sit at their job for hours on end in a flexed position. Day-by-day the hip flexors tighten and shorten causing reciprocal inhibition which neurologically inhibits the hip during the golf swing.

When golfers present with excessive lumbar curve, a flabby protruding abdomen and a flat butt, it’s obvious the first order of business is to restore length to the hip flexors and lumbar spine.

We proudly serve victims of family violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking regardless of race, gender, age, sexuality or economic status.

Office 405-275-3176 State Hotline 800-522-SAFE 32

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Oddly, some golfers intentionally stick their butts out because some golf pro told them they could generate more power on the downswing. The truth is, once they arch their back and stick their butt out at set up, they lose the ability to ‘hinge’ from the hips and are no longer able to keep the spine in a neutral stable posture. Core stability is lost and the joints are subjected to undue strain and possible intervertebral disc damage.

Humans rarely move one muscle at a time along a single plane. Modern science tells us that the brain does not recognize individual muscle activities because it doesn’t need to. Instead, the brain looks at movement patterns and creates coordination between all the muscles needed. Since the primary function of synovial joints is to transmit stress when stabilized by muscle contraction, without this foundation, muscles and enveloping fascia are unable to achieve maximum leverage to move the body through a smooth golf swing.

The greater control the golfer has over new and diverse movement patterns, the better he or she can perform with less chance of injury.

Once the revitalized and functionally balanced neuromuscular system allows muscles and joints to work at optimal levels of motor unit recruitment and synchronization, the rate of force produced and maximal acceleration improves… and so does the golf swing!

Erik Dalton is the creator of Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques® and founder of the Freedom From Pain Institute©. Dalton teaches massage, sports , functional movement, and pain management therapists worldwide and offers top-selling home-study courses and “Certified Myoskeletal Therapist” certification on his website at

www.erikdalton.com

Figure 2 Tiger Woods’ Swing

Oklahoma has 241 golf courses and several of these are considered top 20 in America according to Golf Magazine

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by Greg Farnell, Ph.D. and Jacilyn Olson, Ph.D. Like so many Americans today, it’s likely that you have a personal interest in exercise yet may have difficulties sticking with your routine.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! About half of all individuals who begin an exercise program will quit within the first 6 months. So why is an exercise program so difficult to maintain over time - it may not matter enough to you.

When something matters to you and only you, it becomes intrinsic.

The reasons you’re exercising needs to be more important to you than to anyone else. For example, maybe your doctor told you that you need to start exercising to lower your blood pressure. Perhaps you feel you need to lose weight to appease your significant other or for your upcoming wedding; or maybe to win a prize for a fitness contest.

These are all examples of extrinsic motivators.

Although these are all common reasons a person chooses to exercise, these may only work for the short-term. Extrinsic motivators are unlikely to lead to a long-term change. You need to determine and define why you’re choosing to exercise. This decision cannot be based on why someone else feels you should be exercising.

Of course, controlling your blood pressure is an important goal for your doctor, however if controlling your blood pressure is not important to you, a long-term change such as maintaining an exercise program is unlikely to occur.

This leads to the next related point of maintaining an exercise program – your level of “autonomous motivation”. For the psychology-minded, this concept draws upon the Self-Determination Theory and a person’s ability to have a greater internal locus of causality. Simply stated, this refers to how much volition or choice you have with your own exercise program. You should never feel pressure that you have to exercise.

You should be exercising because you truly want to be and are doing so completely by your own choice. You also need to truly value the experience, importance and benefits of your exercise program. When you’re able to do this you have found your own level of intrinsic motivation and are much more likely to maintain your exercise program long term.

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This concept may also be applied to any other health behavior like avoiding alcohol and tobacco or maintaining a healthy nutrition plan. So the magic question, “How do I increase my level of intrinsic and autonomous motivation?”

Identify activities you enjoy that also meet your exercise goals—instead of catching up with a friend on the phone or over lunch, meet at a park for a brisk walk.

Everyone is going to have their own unique level of enjoyment and personal meaning for exercising.

The more you’re able to identify these personal meanings, the more selfmotivators and perceived autonomy you’ll be able to find. Ultimately it’s up to you to know what you’ll find motivating and to identify activities that promote your own genuine interest. What matters the most is that these reasons are your own, not someone else’s!

1. Begin by setting a clear goal and vision for yourself as to why exercise is important to you.

2. Have fun with your exercise – think beyond staring out of the window while walking on the treadmill, or just pushing yourself to ride the elliptical trainer for 45 minutes.

3. Try taking a dance class.

4. Choose to exercise outdoors and enjoy the inherent beauty of nature, or plan a scavenger hunt with your children.

Greg Farnell and Jacilyn Olson are both faculty members in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Perot Museum

Continued from page 17

The experiences allow visitors to do and create in the name of learning. This might mean doing lab experiments or trying to outrun a T. Rex. Rebekah Meaders sees this effort working firsthand. Meaders, who studied anthropology and whose passion is paleontology, is a presenter in the Life Then and Now Hall. She aids visitors’ learning experiences about dinosaurs.

“It’s interactive. It’s not just going to an old-school type of museum where you just look at things, you get to touch things, you get to learn by playing, which I think is the best way you can possibly learn,” she says and adds, “you have fun to the point where you don’t ever realize you’re learning.”

The benefit of targeting all ages is also something Meaders sees in her daily interactions. “As much as we say it’s good for kids, I absolutely love the parents’ reaction the best. Kids kind of expect to come into that hall and see something wonderful, the adults just have this dumbfounded look on their face,” Meaders says with a laugh.

predicted in the short amount of time the museum has been open. And for those who don’t live in Dallas, Hinkley cites the museum’s tourist friendly location as adding to its appeal as a weekend destination.

“There’s a huge amount to do here. You can come here, park your car and never get back in it for a weekend. There are great places to eat, things to do, wonderful things to see,” he says.

So get ready to explore. A short drive south, the Perot Museum awaits.

Just watch out for that Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum.

The feedback over the programs and exhibits has been positive, Hinkley explains. Membership has doubled what was

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Some people may view underage drinking as a rite of passage, but the consequences are harmful and have significant negative effects on our youth and the community at large.

Even though underage drinking is, illegal, it’s also big business.

A study conducted in 2009 by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation documented that underage drinkers consumed 20.4 percent of all alcohol sold in Oklahoma, totaling an estimated $250 million in sales.

And Oklahomans start young. The average age of first-time use of alcohol in Oklahoma is 13 years old. What’s more frightening is people who use addictive substances before age 18 are six times more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who wait until age 21 or older. It’s not surprising that 85 percent of those who seek substance abuse treatment services from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services began drinking before they turned 18.

In 2012, 70 percent of Oklahoma high school seniors reported they had consumed alcohol at some point in their lifetime, and 40 percent were regular drinkers.

A survey of high school seniors reported: • 22 % say they binge drink • 17 % have driven when drinking • 27 % have ridden with someone who had been drinking These unacceptable statistics are why we must continue to draw attention to illegal sales and consumption of alcohol and hold accountable those who willingly break the law.

Progress is being made. Since 2003, youth alcohol consumption in Oklahoma has decreased in several areas including, current consumption, binge drinking, lifetime consumption, drinking and riding, and drinking and driving.

This is a tremendous improvement and is directly tied to the coordinated prevention efforts being undertaken throughout the state, including underage drinking enforcement initiatives funded by ODMHSAS and carried out by community partners such as the Regional Prevention Coordinator network.

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by Steven Buck Whether one is looking at waiting lists for treatment services, families impacted by addiction, criminal behavior, or any other number of negative consequences tied to alcohol abuse, it is clear that underage drinking remains a problem. Oklahoma consistently ranks above the national average in alcohol-related mortality and crimes related to alcohol use.

Laws to enforce the prevention of underage drinking are designed to keep our young people safe. The work that has happened over the past few years related to Oklahoma’s Social Host Law, school-based resources such as “Alcohol Edu,” a program provided in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and efforts to involve primary care physicians in screening for alcohol abuse are just a few of the ways we are making progress.

We are seeing an outpouring of support for prevention efforts, including enforcement activities, as more and more people become aware that this is a problem that requires attention. We know it is much more effective and less expensive to intervene early or prevent a problem altogether than it is to address a problem when it has reached the crisis stage.

ODMHSAS support of underage drinking law enforcement – such as the State Social Host Law (Cody’s Law) and efforts to develop community-based prevention resources – will pay significant dividends down the road.

Prevention efforts will save lives and avert the impact of negative consequences that go hand-in-hand with underage drinking.

These include impaired brain development; traffic crashes; high-risk sex; property crime; suicide or homicide; injury; death due to drowning or other accidents; overdosing; and youth violence.

Negative Press

A tremendous amount

of money is spent on alcohol advertising, and exposure to that advertising does affect young people’s perception about alcohol.

Whether it’s radio, television, sporting events, point-of-purchase displays in stores, special packaging, neon signs, table tents at family restaurants, our children are inundated with these images nearly every day.

For more information about underage drinking programs, visit the department’s website at http://ok.gov/odmhsas/.

Steven Buck serves ODMHSAS as deputy commissioner for communications and prevention. He directs ODMHSAS’s prevention and provider certification initiatives. He also oversees both internal and external communications and is the agency’s lead on state legislative relations. Buck has advocacy experience in multiple state legislatures and has been involved in numerous campaigns and policy initiatives.

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by Thomas White, Ph.D. Whether you know it or not, you or someone you know are probably affected by diabetes. Especially if you live in the state of Oklahoma, where 39% of the population either is diagnosed with diabetes, has it but doesn’t know it, or has some form of pre-diabetes. The statistics are shocking, particularly when you factor in the economic costs. The State Department of Health estimates that it cost the state $3.28 billion in 2007 alone.

and empowerment. To combine an intricate understanding of the mechanisms of the disease with advanced clinical knowledge of how to treat it requires a very special set of programs, clinics, and people.

Dr. Kenneth Copeland, director of Oklahoma City pediatric programs, co-chairs one of the largest studies funded by the National Institutes of Health focused on treating young children affected by type 2 diabetes. The results The Harold Hamm Diabetes Center is workof the Treatment Options for Diabetes in Adoing to combat this growing epidemic through lescents and Youth Study, also known as the a unique combination of medical research, TODAY Study, were published patient clinics, and prevention programs that in the New England Journal boasts a history unparalleled by any of Medicine and served other academic diabetes center. as the foundation for the new treatment guidelines Located at the nerve center of advanced by the American Oklahoma’s impressive medical Academy of Pediatrics. community, the center is nearing “We’re thrilled to make the $100 million dollar plateau such groundbreaking in extramural grant funding and scientific progress here at houses adult and pediatric clinthe Harold Hamm Diabeics that offer care for type 1, type tes Center, but we even 2, and gestational diabetes. The more excited that it helps center’s numerous prevention our patients and children programs educate Oklahomans on around the world manage the risks of developing diabetes and the Dr. James Lane, director of adult clinical protheir diabetes better,” said grams, runs a unique transition program that ill-effects of the diseases complications.

Copeland. ensures young patients with diabetes do not lose Needless to say, the Harold Hamm Diaquality of care as they graduate from pediatric betes Center is a world-class The center’s clinical trito adult care. center of excellence. als program facilitates the translation of novel Yet, despite the many accolades, the research to advanced treatment options. “We offer medical center continues to improve upon what it does best, dramaticare not readily available to the general public for the treatcally improving patient care by bringing advanced medical ment of diabetes to insured and uninsured patients alike,” research to a clinical setting and beyond. said Lacey Bixler, clinical research coordinator. “It’s just The marriage between laboratory research and a patient’s one of many advantages of combining academic research bedside can be a difficult one, but it’s often successful or with patient care.” The clinical trials program screens unsuccessful depending on the people involved. At Harold individuals for current and future investigator- initiated and Hamm Diabetes Center, healthcare professionals go beyond industry-sponsored trials that frequently offer free medical the standards of care to ensure patients not only receive the care and compensation for a person’s participation in the trial. latest treatment, they do so in a way that gives patients hope

The patient-centered focus displayed by the many scientificminded professionals at the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center make it a place where the needs of a patient are met and where those needs influence how diabetes is researched, treated, and prevented.

Central to the health of Oklahoma, it is a place where diabetes care impacts people around the globe.

Lacey Bixler, clinical research coordinator, consults with patients as they participate in the clinical trials program.

For More Information on the center, visit the HHDC website at haroldhamm.org or call (405)271-7000.

To register for a clinical trial, visit haroldhamm.org/clinical-trials.

Harold Hamm Diabetes Center 1900 N. Lincoln Blvd., Ste. 1900 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (405)271-7000, ext. 43058 thomas-white@ouhsc.edu

by Mary Schrick, Ph.D., ND If you have arthritis, what can be done for the pain? In the last issue of ThriveOK, we discussed types of arthritis and natural supplemental remedies for the pain, this time we will look at what technology has to offer. The best is without a doubt—cold laser treatment. Cold laser therapy, also called low level laser therapy, has been used to treat a variety of health conditions and arthritis is certainly one of them. Cold laser has the ability to address pain and inflammation which certainly describes arthritis. In fact, they all have this in common— joint swelling, stiffness and pain.

Cold laser therapies use low intensity light so there’s no danger of harming tissues.

Cold laser light wavelengths interact with tissue to stimulate the targeted cell area and dramatically accelerate the healing process.

Cold lasers are both safe and painless.

Most cold lasers in use today use a combination of light emitting diodes and infrared emitting diodes.

Cold laser therapy is based on the process of light absorption into your cells.

This is also known as photobiomodulation. Cold laser, photobiomodulation has been shown in experimental settings to stimulate cell growth and metabolism and improve cellular regeneration. Cold laser therapy reduces the inflammatory response through the reduction of edema, fibrous tissue formation, lowering substance P levels, decreased levels of bradykinin, histamine, and acetylcholine. Cold laser therapy can stimulate the production of nitric oxide for increase blood flow and stimulate the production of endorphins. These effects are considered to be what reduces pain.

Cold laser therapy has been used as an alternative pain relief method for over four decades by physicians worldwide. There have been more than 2,500 international clinical studies on cold laser therapy since 1967, which have proven this type of laser therapy to be effective for pain relief. This is particularly relevant for arthritis patients, since the arthritic inflammation is painful, and tends to worsen over time or become chronic.

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Laser treatments were found to be beneficial in a number of animal models and they’re still being studied as a possible tool for cartilage regeneration. Cold laser along with supplementation and prolo therapy (Philipose, AJ. 2011.Thrive OK.Vol 2:3) will stimulate the production of cartilage. Studies conducted by medical researchers for the Journal of Rheumatology found that cold laser therapy is an effective treatment for short-term pain relief and morning stiffness common with rheumatoid arthritis.

Most devices are hand-held and emit nonthermal or “cold” photons of light that penetrate the skin layers into the target area. Once the laser beam reaches its destination, it is absorbed by cellular proteins that interact with the light. This light interaction transforms into energy.

The laser beam is aimed at the treatment area for 30 seconds up to several minutes, depending on the severity and size of the injured tissue. As the cells absorb laser light, they respond to the energy by healing the damaged tissue, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.

A Webber laser is a large cold laser that utilizes fiber optics and can cover 10 targets at one time.

This is the most powerful of the cold lasers. A Weber laser can be used topically, inserted into the joint, or with the use a disposable catheter, used in an IV. This technology was developed in Germany and there are only three of these units in the United States.

The technology of cold laser therapy uses such lowintensity laser beams that there is no risk for complications or side effects. The procedure is painless and has no downtime. Patients can return to their normal daily activities immediately after a treatment session. It is often recommend that patients undergo eight treatment sessions in order to experience full effectiveness. Patients may undergo cold laser therapy two to four times each week.

The umbrella term arthritis can often include bursitis, tendonitis, neck and low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, which can all benefit from cold laser therapy. Anyone with arthritis should check into a safe alternative that carries no side effects and also promotes tissue healing when researching their health options.

by Executive Chef Robin L. Obert

Adam’s Smoked Baby Back Rub

2 T Cole’s mustard 1/4 C onion powder 1 T ginger 1 T granulated garlic 1 t clove powder 1/4 C pepper Combine all ingredients, rub desired amount on to ribs, smoke (or bake) at 225 for 4-6 hours until done.

Chipotle glaze 1 C Red wine 1 clove Crushed garlic 1/4 C Agave nectar 1 Chipotle pepper in adobo 1 T Adobo sauce Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan, reduce down to a syrup consistency. Then strain and drizzle over ribs Directions: Rub seasoning into ribs. Smoke ribs 4-6 hours until tender.

Coat with glaze 30 min prior to removing from the smoker and coat once more when removed from smoker.

Cilantro Cole Slaw

20 Oz Light green cabbage (finely shredded) 3/4 CCilantro leaves 2/3 C red onion 1C Hellman’s Mayonnaise 2 T Sugar 2 T Apple cider vinegar Salt & pepper TT Directions: Combine cabbage, red onion & cilantro. Make dressing by combining mayonnaise, sugar & apple cider vinegar. Pour dressing over cabbage mixture (just prior to service) and combine. Combine slowly to adjust moisture to desired level. Serve immediately.

Cucumber-infused Water

2 quarts of water 1 (large) cucumber Cut cucumber in to several thinly sliced discs and infuse in to 2 quarts of water for a minimum of two hours.

Chill and enjoy!

Executive Chef Robin L. Obert recently presented at the OSU Wine Forum.

The theme for the event this year was Of Wine, Women and the West.

“I wanted to share a few of the recipes that were incredibly well received.”

Inspirational pairings for the En Route Pinot Noir immediately made Chef Robin consider lightly smoked baby back ribs with a chipotle glaze accompanied with a cilantro cole slaw.

The beverage selected here is a cool cleansing cucumber infused water. Perfect for spring gatherings on the back porch.

These recipes are “user friendly” and packed with flavor and my personality!

I hope that you embrace and enjoy these dishes.

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Tips from Kris Carr All too often when we are packing up the family for a vacation or even if we’re going on a week long business trip, there are certain essentials you can take to ensure you look and feel your best while away from home.

1. Trail Mix.

Make your own trail mix to keep you going while you’re on the go! A healthy snack can do wonders for you in a pinch and it keeps you from having to buy whatever is convenient at the time. Kris recommends Brazil nuts, walnuts or cashews mixed with dried Gogi berries and cacao.

You can even add some shredded coconut.

2. Powdered Greens.

1 scoop in a glass of juice or purified water mixed well in the morning will ensure that you get all your super food greens everyday while you’re traveling. This will help you fell energetic and balanced if restaurants and fast food are on the agenda. Spirulina is high in protein and contains 10 of the 12 non-essential amino acids.

Wheat grass provides chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, essential vitamins, and enzymes, which will help you feel more energetic.

3. Supplements.

Pre-pack your daily vitamin and mineral supplements in small re-sealable bags. Maintaining good nutrition while traveling can be a challenge, so don’t leave home without your supplements The Rome dually travel bag has slots that will keep everything organized.

4. L-Lysine. Be sure to pack this essential amino acid when ever you plan a trip. It will help your body stay strong at the cellular level. The L-form of Lysine is important for the formation of collagen in bones, cartilage, tendons and skin.

Some studies show that it may help with cold sore break outs due to stress when traveling.

5. Magnesium. Avoid constipation when traveling by

taking along some magnesium capsules. Look for the citrate form for better absorption. 250-500 mg after dinner and before bed will allow you to feel great in the morning. Magnesium also helps tired muscles relax.

6. Essential Oils. These work when diluted and rubbed

directly on the skin or poured into warm water for aroma therapy. The distinctive scent, or essence, of a plant-based oil has wonderful effects on the senses and the psyche. Lavender 42

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has a calming effect and peppermint to help wake you up. If an anti-microbial effect is needed (like at a public restroom) take some Thieves® made by Young Living Oils. The clove and rosemary proprietary blend mixed in a spray bottle can decontaminate dirty spaces!

7. Sleep Mask. Your brain requires complete darkness for

a more restful slumber. During a normal sleep cycle the pineal gland in your brain releases melatonin, which helps you feel sleepy and stay asleep. Using a sleep mask will help keep the light away from the light sensitive pineal gland. Sleeping in a cool room between 60-65 degrees also helps with sleep signals from the brain.

8. White Noise. Strange noises

can disrupt sleeping patterns while away on travel, not to mention sleeping in a strange bed. Take along some soft foam ear plugs or a white noise machine that plugs in on the night stand.

Kris Carr is the author of the New York Times best-seller, “Crazy Sexy Diet,” and founder of KrisCarr.com, an award-winning wellness site with weekly articles about plant-based living, health, happiness, spirituality, compassion and much more! Kris had a wake up call – a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, with no cure and no treatment, which ignited a personal revolution and taught me how to take responsibility for my well-being at the deepest level imaginable.

Kris takes the time to show you how to step into your destiny and become the CEO of your own health. Radiance is your natural state. You can banish the blocks that hold you back with a plantpowered diet and Crazy Sexy lifestyle!

For more visit kriscarr.com

by Anita Kelley Have you ever noticed that with every different athletic event, the athletes wear a very different uniform? We can readily distinguish a football player from a dancer and a swimmer from a tennis player. Each athlete has a distinctive look compared to participants in other sports.

With 69 new products or services being introduced into the marketplace every day, your business needs to have a distinctive look to “stand out from the crowd.” In marketing terms this distinction is called a brand.

According to the American Marketing Association, a brand is a “name, term, sign, symbol or design or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of a seller and to differentiate them from other sellers.” Still needing ideas about branding? Let’s look at some of the “big dogs” . . .

Delight your customer…

Live up to your promises… Stay consistent…

Foster connections Branding examples from the “big dogs” tell us that a successful brand impacts every aspect of a business. Here are some aspects of your business that are impacted by branding that you may or may not have thought about: •

Your customer service is part of your brand. Do you add value? Is your service memorable or is your service what clients complain about when they think of your business?

Are you easy to work with or do your customers dread doing business with you?

Coco Cola:

•

Fed Ex:

Your marketing material should have a consistent look that gives a clear branding message. How are you different than other businesses in your area? Your logo, sign, brochures, business cards, advertising, nametags, stationery, etc. should have a clear brand.

•

Your reputation is an often overlooked contributor to your brand. Is your reputation one of integrity and honesty or do your customers think that you cut corners? Are you difficult to reach or do you return all phone calls and emails?

•

Your packaging or the manner in which you present yourself as a business owner also is part of your brand. Are you interesting, professionally-dressed, knowledgeable and confident or are you pushy, aggressive and sloppy? Business owners who have switched from wearing a t-shirt to a polo shirt with a name and logo printed on it have seen business quickly increase. With more people seeing you as a professional, you may be able to increase prices.

Delight your customer. Since its inception, Coca Cola has promised to delight consumers. Everything they do from Facebook to custom vending machines pushes their brand and emphasizes selling happiness.

Live up to your promises. With efficiency in operations and the focus on delivering what they promise, FedEx has built a very loyal customer base while recognizing that it’s not just about the logistics of moving packages.

They realize that they may be moving people’s livelihoods or life- long treasures.

Ford:

Stay consistent. Ford has maintained the most consistent brand, product and execution of any other automobile manufacturer. Their strategy of developing a unique and compelling value for their brand and then repeating it over and over has ensured that the Ford name is well known by many generations.

Starbucks:

Foster connections. When Starbucks suffered a slump a few years ago, they perked up their brand by getting back to their original promise of bringing people together. Everything Starbucks does is centered on creating an atmosphere where people are sharing and business is happening through connections.

Taking time to reflect on your brand and the message that you are sending to an information-cluttered world could change the course of your business. Suit up….get out there in the game….

You can do it with determination and a strong brand! And remember . . .

What is your message? What makes you unique?

What is your brand?

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by Katherine Hawk While you and I are busy with our daily schedules, others are working in remote parts of the state to protect nature. But exactly how do their rural conservation efforts benefit you and me here in town?

1. Help ensure a clean and plentiful water supply for our consumption.

As the world’s forests and grasslands are degraded or removed, the threats to our water supplies grow. The roots of trees and other vegetation hold soil in place, prevent erosion, filter water and slow water down, helping keep flow levels steady and sending more water into underground supplies.

Without this protective system, lakes and rivers are exposed to soil run-off, chemicals and other debris carried across the land by rain and snowmelt. When sediment and pollution wash into our waterways, we are forced to pay higher costs for water treatment. So the next time you drink a glass of water or refill Fido’s water bowl, think of how conserving land helps protect our water.

2. Reduce the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires in our community. Fire has

naturally shaped the landscapes of Oklahoma for thousands of years. However, without fire; brush, leaf litter and invasive plants and trees build up to problem levels becoming great fuel for wildfires and causing them to become catastrophic. The Nature Conservancy works to maintain fire’s role where it benefits people and nature.

Through the use of controlled fires, the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires is greatly reduced.

3. Provide us with peace of mind knowing our natural heritage is still alive and will be for generations to come. Next to Texas and California (they have coasts),

Oklahoma is the most ecologically diverse state – from black bears to mountain sheep, shortgrass prairie to forested mountain habitat – The Nature Conservancy is protecting Oklahoma’s last great places for generations to come.

4. Give us a place to which we can escape. Nature is

one of the least expensive forms of therapy. When you need

a quiet place to which you can escape, The Nature Conservancy’s preserves are just the ticket! You can seek peace and tranquility on the hiking trails at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve. Visit nature.org/oklahoma to learn more.

5. Help protect our health.

By maintaining healthy ecosystems, The Nature Conservancy is able to identify abnormal behavior in nature and investigate indicators of poor ecological health. Take allergies for instance. Did you know that the eastern redcedar is one of the main contributors of tree pollen in Oklahoma? Why is this? Go back to item #2. Due to the suppression of fire by humans, the Oklahoma native eastern redcedar has taken over our landscape in areas to which it is not native. The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to eradicate invasive species such as the eastern redcedar help reduce the amount of tree pollen to which thousands of Oklahomans are allergic – including me!

6. Protect THE ONE thing we ALL have in common: nature.

You and I are a part of the natural ecological system. When someone says “nature”, do you think of yourself? We play a critical role in the health of our ecosystem and our daily actions affect its health. The Nature Conservancy helps us do our part to protect nature – our roots, where we came from.

So that’s some of the ways conservation efforts in our great state benefit you and me on a daily basis. The next time you sneeze, take a shower, see smoke in the air, watch a bird fly over, or need to escape the concrete jungle… think of The Nature Conservancy and know we are protecting the land and waters on which all life depends.

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Pack Some Fresh In Your Food Continued from page 15 Logistics are nothing short of a headache for restaurants and the small farmers that provide local, fresh ingredients. Guaranteeing freshness means no refrigerators. No preservatives.

Nothing artificial that makes long road trips for the food possible. In order for diners to reap the epicurean and nutritional benefits of locally provided ingredients, the food must go straight from the ground to the kitchen. But for small farmers and unique restaurants, there’s no infrastructure in place to provide consistent deliveries or regular quantities. Restaurant menus are subject to change daily depending on which ingredients come in and which don’t.

Like other restaurant owners, Johnson names that as the biggest problem with using locally sourced food. “We can’t just sit in our restaurant and pick up the phone and call Cisco and just wait for all of our food to come in on a truck on Tuesday at the same time,” he says. “While it’s part of the fun, getting ingredients locally presents more of a challenge than the conventional route. We’re constantly on the phone with farmers, driving out to different farms, picking things up, or coordinating deliveries. It’s tough. But right now that’s the nature of sourcing locally.”

One larger restaurant chain, Chipotle, stands out from its competitors with its commitment to serving locally sourced

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food. It succeeds. But it also has national muscle, funds to invest and a huge staff to throw at the problem of logistics.

In 2008, Chipotle started reaching out to small farmers, growing its own infrastructure from the ground up. But even their efforts have limitations. “We’re now working with more than 60 local growers and we’re serving more than 10 million pounds of local produce. We’ve done a pretty good job growing this program organically but, unfortunately, the infrastructure doesn’t exist to just one day decide we’re going to serve all local produce. It just can’t happen. The infrastructure isn’t there,” says Danielle Winslow, Marketing Consultant for Chipotle.

All of the participants in local food markets share the same goal -- get the food out of the ground and onto the table as quickly and conveniently as possible. Consumers want it.

Where consumers go, markets follow. And when markets grow, suppliers get clever. Barriers to the growth of local food markets will fall, and when they do, more and more consumers will enjoy more of the freshest, most nutritious and tastiest food available -- exactly the way they were meant to be eaten.

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