Thrive Oklahoma Magazine - July, August 2013 by Green Apple Publishing Co., LLC

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For Health & Well Being

Volume 4 - Issue 4 July / August 2013

Publisher / CEO Angela C. Slovak, Ph.D. Creative Director Barbara Kardokus Creative Design Staff Kristen McEuen Editorial Manager Jan Collymore Staff Writer Paul Fairchild Lindsay Welchel Contributing Authors Murali Krishna, MD Jennifer Sweeton, Ph.D. Executive Chef Robin Orbert Bailey Minihan Jeremy Minihan Katherine Hawk

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Anita Kelley Kris Carr Jessica Sanchez Angie Shepardson, DC Amanda Godlove Erwin, MSHA, MBA Whitney Kemp Sydney T. Sevier, MA Dr. Robert E. Cooper Bryant Welbourne Photo Support Thomas Shahan Shannon Elaines Photography Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma

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On the Cover.... Governor Mary Fallin opens up her home at the mansion to Thrive Oklahoma magazine. She shares a more personal side on staying healthy, managing a stressful career plus a few fun summer recipes with her Executive Chef, Robin Obert. Thank you to Shannon Elaines Photography for capturing Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Governor and Bernie the rescue dog on a shady portion of the 14.2 acres that encompasses the mansion.

Georgia Reed

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Pamela McIntire Executive Chef Robin L. Obert Sarah Horton Green Apple Publishing staff members

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Copyright ÂŠ 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.

From the Publisher’s Desk

Starting Over How do you move on from a terrible tragedy that - yes, many people may say, “You should’ve seen this coming.” Still others wonder, “Why would anyone choose to live in Oklahoma?” Oklahomans are no stranger to tragedy. Oklahomans have historically had it hard out here with the Dust Bowl, the Murah building bombing, and several large devastating tornadoes that have ripped through communities. Thank you to our state’s governor who acted quickly and decisively to get the federal funding we need to lend relief for victims and funds for repair.

photo by Shannon Elaines Photography

It just doesn’t seem fair or even mathematically probable that one city can be the target of tragedy so many times in recent history. So, when I had the opportunity to help some friends that have known my family for years, sift through the rubble that once was their home in Moore, Oklahoma – I was ready to jump right in, but I was worried about what to expect when I got there. When I arrived to their neighborhood after being checked through by the local Sheriff’s deputies, I was in such disbelief of what was left. Their house was literally a pile of rubble. From that rubble I could see what was left of Briarwood Elementary school. It was easy to get lost. My husband and I immediately rolled up our sleeves and asked if there was anything still missing that we should look for. It’s always the small stuff. Entire wall frames fell down as their roof was torn off. Bricks, mortar, wood beams and nails sticking out of almost everything. Broken glass, insulation and wires were intertwined with what was left in the structure. We never did find their two refrigerators. However, our friends and former homeowners were looking for a set of keys that were hanging on a hook in the garage along with their 2007 Chevy Tahoe when the tornado hit. As my husband and I began sorting through what was left of a brick exterior wall we noticed baby clothes and blankets that were obviously from someone else’s home. These items were tangled in a wire fence that had insulation and electrical wires wrapped around. Believe it or not, we eventually found three sets of keys in that garage area! I want to say thank you to the blessed volunteers that took diligent care of us that day. When my husband cut his hand, they helped us stop the bleeding and gave us gloves. They must have asked us at least eight different times if we needed anything to drink and they brought us lots of food – some of it was home cooked. The savory flavors of healthy home cooked meals are just a few pages away in this month’s issue of Thrive. Executive chef to Governor Fallin, Robin L. Obert, shares her culinary expertise with the super food quinoa and one that will have kids eating their summer veggies (page 42). You can get moving with Jeremy Minihan at 4-Star fitness on May Ave, which is conveniently located across from Ted’s Escondido - the newest location to find a free copy of Thrive Oklahoma! I am still so moved by the support we received while helping our friends during their time of need after the massive Moore tornado. Oklahomans are amazing people in the face of tragedy. Stay strong, Publisher, Thrive Oklahoma Magazine

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34 30 Features 20 24 28

Art Meets Science by Paul Fairchild A Healthy Perspective with Governor Fallin by Paul Fairchild When Disaster Strikes by Paul Fairchild

Community Corner

10 12 18

This Land: The Silo Art Project with local artist Rick Sinnett by Lindsay Whelchel The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tallest Adventure Course by Bryant Welbourne A Streetcar Named Convenience by Paul Fairchild

Mind / Body Connection

20 6

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30 32

5 Ways the Media Helps Heal by Jennifer Sweeton, Ph.D. Tornado Recovery: 10 Ways to Help Kids Rebuild Emotionally by Murali Krishna, MD

14 10

18 22

Recipes 14 Firery Crock Pot Chipotle Chicken 43 Black Quinoa Salad with by Bailey Minihan Lime Vinaigrette 42 Homemade Veggie Pizza by Executive Chef by Executive Chef Robin L. Obert Robin L. Obert

Living Well 36 16 UV Alert: Protect Your Eyes In the Sun by Dr. Robert E. Cooper 37 22 8 Components of Healthy Schools by Sydney T. Sevier, MA 40 34 Look Alike Product Safety by Whitney Kemp 14 Size & Shape Fitness by Jeremy Minihan

44 10 Tips for Green Eats Take A Fresh Look At On the Cheap Labels by Amanda Godlove Erwin, with Kris Carr MSHA 45 A Healthy Lifestyle for Kids Need Their Sleep Grandpa and Grandma by Angie Shepardson, DC by Anita Kelley Cheyenne Outdoor Exploratorium by Jessica Sanchez

46 Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s In Your Nature by Katherine Hawk

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by Lindsay Whelchel In days gone by, a farmer would’ve worked to till a living under the hot Oklahoma sun. The grain produced would’ve left his farm and ended up in the towering silos in downtown Oklahoma City, a storage unit for the hard work and dedication done at the farmer’s hands. It’s been a long time since those silos have housed any grain. Now, they will house another kind of handiwork, that of local artist Rick Sinnett. One thing hasn’t changed though, there are equal parts hard work and dedication with this particular labor too. The Silo Art Project features the painting titled “This Land” and highlights well-known Oklahoma elements like the bison, wheat and the Scissortail Flycatcher, painted onto the side of the downtown silo, now home to Rocktown Climbing Gym. The giant mural, which will be completed this summer, is not just an ode to Oklahoma with a colorful twist, it’s a true community effort to celebrate art in perhaps the boldest way possible. “We have some great supporters of the project,” says Sinnett, who took on the task of painting the mural prior to having funding with the hope that things would fall into place to make it happen. And indeed it has. Help has come from all over the community. A local paint supply company, H-I-S Paint, is giving all of the paint needed. A printing company, S&S Promotions, is supplying the stencil needed to apply the artwork. For the additional funds needed, Sinnett turned to the online fundraising site called Kickstarter. There, the response surpassed Sinnett’s fundraising goal when a local nonprofit organization, Downtown OKC, kicked in over half of the sum needed. “When we saw the opportunity to be able to contribute in a big way to making this happen,” says Downtown OKC CEO, Jane Jenkins. “It really struck us as something that would be a win-win

DOKC Staff: Jill DeLozier, Thomas Surratt, A.J. Kirkpatrick, Artist Rick Sinnett, Jane Jenkins, Gentry McKeown, Brandi Morrow, Elizabeth Newton, Cameron Brewer.

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for everyone. It’s good for downtown, it’s good for people that are going to be traveling Interstate 40 and will be able to see this great representation of an Oklahoma artist in a really big way. Anything that we can do to support local art and local artists is a good thing,” she says. Sinnett echoes the importance of the mural’s impact to the state. “I think people take pride when they watch the process. As these murals are painted they take time, so the locals especially will be able to see this thing on a daily basis,” he says and adds, “As they watch the process they become part of it in a way. They take ownership in it. When it’s finished it becomes theirs. It’s no longer mine, and they take great pride in feeling like they’ve been part of something. I think that’s a healthy thing. They just feel better about the community, and if they feel better about the community, then the community is going to be better.” Sinnett, now 41, has strong ties to the state he is celebrating in his work. Growing up in Oklahoma, Sinnett credits childhood art teachers and local artists with giving him the drive to become an artist himself. “I was first inspired to pursue art as a career while I was in middle school and my art teacher brought in a guest artist which was Bert Seabourn, a local artist. Watching him paint for a couple of days, I knew at that point that I wanted to be an artist. I just started unknowingly pursuing that path at that time and have been fortunate to be able to stick on that path of creativity,” he says. A craft teacher in high school helped Sinnett define his style using positive and negative space. The rest of his inspiration comes, paradoxically, from structure in the wild. “I’ve just always loved observing symmetry in nature, birds or leaves, or insects, the sun or whatever it was, it’s like candy to my eye,” Sinnett laughs. This project has been over a year in the making. From sorting out kinks in software design for the stencil, to dealing with Oklahoma’s crazy weather, the process has been a journey, Sinnett says. “There have been all kinds of challenges which is a beautiful thing to me, it gives every situation flavor, but there’s always something,” he says, though Sinnett is quick to add that things have always come through. A majority of Sinnett’s work has been in the field of screen printing but with a healthy dose of projects like statewide murals, “I’ve learned that it always works out. If you’re passionate and determined to persevere, it’s hard to deny that passion, and things just work out.” The mural is expected to be done by the end of July and Sinnett has a simple goal with “This Land.” “I want to make people smile. If it does that then cool, anything else is icing on the cake.” And it’s sure to be one colorful and giant piece of cake at that. Thrive Oklahoma

by Bryant Welbourne Thrilling. Hearting-pounding. Screaming-fun. These are just a few words that describe the newest adventure attractions in the Boathouse District, which debuted the SandRidge Sky Trail This is the world’s tallest adventure course. The thrills have gotten even bigger, with the addition of the Rumble Drop, an 80-foot free-fall experience, and the new Sky Slide, the tallest dry slide in America. Free Falling Named after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s bold mascot Rumble the Bison, the Rumble Drop attraction’s namesake was the first to take the daring leap from the top. The 80-foot free fall uses innovative technology that allows for an experience similar to skydiving or base-jumping, with a gentle landing as the flywheel mechanism slows the participant’s descent. “It’s a very anxious and weird feeling when you’re at the top and see everyone below looking up at you, but that’s where the thrill begins,” said 32-year-old Sean Featherstone, who was one of the first to try the attraction. “The staff does a great job in making you feel comfortable and making sure you’re secure before you step off the edge of the platform. The descent is exhilarating.” Once at the top of the SandRidge Sky Trail, guests are hooked into the Rumble Drop harness before their Sky Trail safety harness is removed. A series of checkpoints ensures the harness is secure, and the gate to the jumping platform opens. Guests are then given final instructions and the countdown begins. The adventure guide counts down from three and then you just step off,” said Featherstone. “You are definitely able to experience the brief moment of free fall before the safety harness starts to slow your descent to the landing pad.” The Slide of a Lifetime The Sky Slide 72-foot spiral tube is the tallest dry slide in the country. From the top of the Sky Slide, guests sit down in a sack with a handle that will protect their legs and maximize speed. Thrilling screams are echoed throughout the slide and can be heard across the Sky Trail as adventure-seekers travel up to 22 miles per hour. Featherstone recommends trying both experiences, even if you’re not the thrill-seeking type. “It’s a great way to have fun and get over a fear of heights because you’re always connected to the Sky Trail. It’s extremely safe and you feel comfortable the entire time. There were several kids waiting in line with me to do the Rumble Drop and I think I might have been more anxious than any of them! It’s a wonderful, empowering experience to have and the best part is you can do it right in the heart of the city.” 12

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RIVERSPORT Adventures are open daily through Labor Day in the Boathouse District. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Day and season passes are available. For more information and to purchase your pass, visit riversportokc.org. Thrive Oklahoma

by Bailey Minihan Cooker time: 4 Hours • 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts trimmed • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1-teaspoon chipotle Chile seasoning • 1-teaspoon crushed red pepper • 1-teaspoon cumin • 1-teaspoon Jalapeño seasoning (optional) • 1 can ROTEL® • 1 cup sliced red bell pepper • 1 cup sliced green bell pepper • 1 large white onion sliced • 1 jar of your favorite all natural Salsa (16oz) In large Crockpot add: whole chicken breasts, all spices, and the can of ROTEL®.Cook for three and a half hours on high, stirring occasionally. Add remaining ingredients, cook on low for 30 additional minutes. Serve over one serving brown rice and/or black beans. Add additional salsa, cilantro, and fresh squeezed lime to taste.

Did you know exercising only accounts for 10-20% of the calories burned each day? And did you know that if you don’t eat enough food during the day it will cause your metabolism to slow down. The term metabolism relates more to the BMR (basil metabolic rate) calculation. Therefore, the leaner you are, the higher your BMR and that means more muscle and less total fat.

Average BMR for men: 1662 Average BMR for women: 1493 The numbers show that women are going to have to work a little harder to keep the BMR elevated. The only way to gain weight is to take in more calories than you burn. Weight training does not cause women to gain weight. Often times when a woman begins weight training it can result in increase in appetite. As long as the caloric intake is less than what is burned each day, she will continue to loose weight. Eating a low fat diet that consists of natural, unprocessed foods every 2.5-3.5 hours throughout the day will also help. It doesn’t matter if you only train with weights, only do cardio or do both. If you’re taking in more calories than you are burning you’re going to gain weight. For the woman who wants to tone up and loose body fat it’s best to use a combination of weight training and cardio in the same workout. This yields the best results. The goal here is to get an anaerobic and aerobic workout at the same time. Research shows that when working the muscles and cardiovascular systems simultaneously, you’ll not only burn more calories during your workout but also for 30 minutes after your training session. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research published a study where subjects performed six resistance exercises consisting of three sets of 10 repetitions with a 60 second interval rest followed by 20 minutes of cycling with two minutes low intensity and one minute high intensity before, during and after resistance training. The results clearly show that doing cardio during a weight training session yields the highest post-exercise metabolic impact. This means that even after the exercise session is completed, your metabolism will stay elevated.

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Three keys to increasing your BMR: 1. Eat healthy, low fat meals every 2.5-3.5 hours throughout the day while still maintaining a caloric deficit. 2. Increase your lean body mass by incorporating weight training into your weekly exercise regiment 3. Include cardiovascular exercise as a staple not only to keep your heart healthy but also to keep your body fat down. Strength training has also been shown to increase bone density and even prevent osteoporosis. As we get older, our bones can begin to weaken as they lose essential minerals. By stressing the bones during weight training, you can significantly decrease the amount of bone loss during the aging process .

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by Dr. Robert E. Cooper

Ultraviolet Spectrum

Everyone knows without protection the sun’s rays can damage your skin and lead to a sun burn, premature wrinkles and even skin cancer. It can also damage your eyes. Recent studies indicate that long term exposure to UV rays may lead to macular degeneration and other serious conditions that over time will impair vision. (Fig. 1) Sunshine is vital to life – our entire existence depends on it. However, Wavelength - Nanometers Figure 1: Diagram showing ultraviolet portion of solar spectrum. besides UV rays, the research has shown that high-energy visible (HEV) Courtesy of Colorado State University UV-B Monitoring and Research Program which is funded by the USDA light, which is harmful blue light in the visible range, has been linked to eye problems as well. Blue light waves can damage the retina and lead to macular degeneration. The macula is located in the center of the retina. (Fig 2) Macular degeneration is a condition where the macula located on the retina is progressively damaged by the formation of abnormal new vessels. (Fig 3) It’s well established that retinal disease is a cumulative process, and chronic light damage may be one of the factors contributing to the development of age-related macular degeneraFigure 2: Healthy eye structure showing Macula tion (AMD).1 The macula lies in a tiny (6 mm) region along the central axis of vision. The life span of humans continues to increase as a function of improved nutrition and increased awareness of environmental factors. AMD is a condition of advanced degeneration that leads to progressive blindness in over 35% of persons over the age of 75.2

Eye Protection Tips: • Wear Sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun’s harmful UV and HEV rays. Look for sunglasses that block 100% UV rays. They’ll absorb most HEV rays too. Be sure to choose frames with a close-fitting wraparound style. The amount of UV protection sunglasses provide is unrelated to the color and how dark the lenses are. An optician can help to verify if a particular type of lens provides 100 % UV protection. • Limit your time in the sun especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. • Wear a protective hat, even while in the shade. UV and HEV can still reach the eyes.

Figure 3: Macular Degeneration References: 1. Andley UP, Chylack Jr LT. Recent Studies on Photodamage to the Eye with Special Reference to Clinical and Therapeutic Procedures. 1990. Photodermatology Photoimmunology and Photomedicine 7:98-105. 2. Bok, D. 2002. New insights and new approaches toward the study of age-related macular degeneration. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. Nov 12;99 (23):14619-21.

Dr. Robert E. Cooper

Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Board Certified

405.946.4398 Dr. Cooper Eye Care - 3330 NW 56th Street Oklahoma City opposite Baptist Hospital at Northwest Medical Center 16

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Co-owners of barre3 Midtown Andrea Mason and Lindsay Parks

801 N. Hudson Ave. OKC • 405.702.4333

other studios located at: 5800 N. Classen Blvd. OKC • 405.463.3343

1189 E. 15th Street, Ste. 124 Edmond • 405.513.6393

In 2010, Andrea Mason opened her first barre3 studio near her alma mater, Oklahoma State University. “I wanted to provide this community with something that I personally fell in love with in Portland, and also bring a part of Portland with me to OKC.” Three years later, Andrea is teaming up with Lindsay Parks to open a third studio location in the Oklahoma City area, barre3 Midtown. Andrea and Lindsay are amazing instructors, and their passion for barre3 and for the Oklahoma City community is contagious. I partnered with Andrea to open barre3 Midtown because “I wanted to support her in her vision to impact the health and wellness of people in Oklahoma. When barre3 OKC opened in 2010, Andrea and barre3 changed my life in countless ways.” I also LOVE the thriving Midtown community. It’s within walking distance of huge office buildings and minutes from OKC’s botanical garden. Thrive Oklahoma

by Paul Fairchild Streetcars are an important wrinkle in Oklahoma City’s textured transportation history. In 1903, thirteen years after the founding of Oklahoma City and four years before Oklahoma’s incorporation as a state, the Metropolitan Railway Company rolled out its first of several electric streetcars. They served for decades with the primary purpose of making Oklahoma City’s industrial areas accessible to workers on the outskirts of a quickly growing city. It was entirely funded by founding fathers Anton Classen and John Shartel. Over time, it operated with slim profit margins and sometimes at a loss, but its operation allowed the city’s real estate moguls to control the direction of the city’s expansion and growth and they personally garnered big profits from land sales. Land speculation aside, however, the streetcars worked, providing a crucial component of the city’s rapidly growing economy. The City Council is reaching back in time for inspiration - and combining the success of previous streetcar lines with forwardthinking urban planning. In the near future, contingent upon the health of the Oklahoma

City’s popular MAPS 3 plan, the city will begin construction of a new streetcar project. Like it’s predecessors, this project is all about the economy. Serving Bricktown and the downtown area, it will make Oklahoma City’s entertainment district more accessible to downtown workers and reduce city traffic at the same time. Known as the Oklahoma Spirit Trolleys, the first nine replicas of long gone trolleys will be administered by the Central Oklahoma Parking and Transportation Authority. “The modern streetcar system is part of the Fixed Guideway Study,” says Mayor Mick Cornett. “It identified potential transit solutions to enhance

A streetcar of similar style to the Oklahoma City’s Fixed Guideway Study

transportation options between Oklahoma City’s growing districts, spur economic growth and improve air quality.” The current budget for the project covers six to eight miles of track. While the final route is still undetermined, the specific destinations include Bricktown, Deep Deuce, Midtown, the Central Business District, Chesapeake Arena and the forthcoming Downtown Park. Historically, MAPS projects have a substantial economic impact on surrounding areas. The private sector tends to invest in areas around the added improvements and amenities. Oklahoma City’s past contains countless examples of this with the addition of new transportation systems - roads, waterways and rail lines. The trend isn’t unique to Oklahoma City. Nationally, it’s been seen in countless other communities, as well. The city anticipates that businesses will move quickly to take advantage of the enhanced mobility of those who live or work in the downtown area. The streetcars will run often, varying from eight to twelve minutes between easily found stops. It’s hoped that the lines will entirely reduce the need for many residents living around the stops to own a cars. In addition to the above, the city council is studying additional benefits of the streetcar system. “Streetcars can act as a catalyst for new development, stimulate the addition of new and higher-quality retail offerings, and diversify transportation options. The permanence of the rail line increases property values along the route, while helping to activate street life, says Dustin Akers, Project Manager at The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, “It will provide connectivity between our downtown districts that will support growth of the greater downtown.” Sometimes the best inspiration grows out of history. The City Council’s resolve to bring streetcars back suggests the past is coming quickly. With the implementation of this project, Oklahoma City residents can look forward to a boost in the city’s economy, less traffic in the city, more mobility - and the sheer fun of riding a streetcar from here... to there. Thrive Oklahoma

by Paul Fairchild Tom Shahan likes to make a big deal about little things. A master of an art form called macro photography, he has turned his talent toward an almost compulsive study of arthropods - primarily spiders - native to Oklahoma. Norman’s Sam Noble museum is hosting “Beautiful Beasts: The Unseen life of Oklahoma Spiders and Insects,” an exhibit showcasing some of Shahan’s best work. It’s a virtual safari through the captivating land of the small - a land found in every Oklahoman’s backyard.

Shahan works with some unique characters and uses a lot of patience. (can you see the insect he is photographing?)

“The exhibit is important for Shahan, it being one of his first major exhibits. It’s important for the museum, which has launched a series of invertebrate exhibits. It’s important for the public, which has been introduced to the beauty of spiders and other creatures that are often too small to appreciate,” says Michael Mares, the museum’s director. Macro photography is easy to understand but extremely difficult to implement. It’s the art of capturing images of incredibly small subjects with close-up photography of such high resolution that the shots can be expanded thousands of times over. “Macro photography allowed me to see and share what isn’t visible to the naked eye,” Shahan says, “These little spiders and flies are often really beautiful. I feel a drive to do my best to share my fascination with others.” As a researcher for the Oregon Department of Agriculture, he’s carried his passion into the lab, where he photographs and catalogs arthropods. Shahan’s work gives viewers an opportunity to see the beauty of small creatures. It gives scientists a foundation for studying them. All arthropods share certain characteristics: exoskeletons, segmented bodies and jointed appendages. But, of course, no arthropod is the same as the next. Shahan’s macro photographs lay out a path for the investigation of each creature’s unique, unshared qualities.

All images courtesy of Thomas Shahan and the Sam Noble Museum

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A male Phidippus mystaceus

Arthropods account for over 80 percent of earth’s animals. Their lives are complex and diverse, often beautiful. Shahan hopes to combat common perceptions and misunderstandings of spiders with his exhibit. His obsession has been with him since his high school days in Tulsa. “I started noticing little spiders in my backyard the seemed to interact with me on a level I didn’t think possible. In a way, they showed personality. They’ve haunted my dreams ever since. I can’t find enough of them. Knowing there are species still left on earth yet to be seen or described is endlessly alluring,” he says. Shahan jokingly admits that most of his shots are totally worthless. It takes many tries to get one good shot. He credits his success to a familiarity with his subjects’ behaviors. He’s partial to a killer camera flash, as well. “Visitors are loving this exhibit,” says Mares, “Some simply don’t like spiders, but they find the beauty of the animals irresistible.” The exhibit is open through September 8. For more information, visit the museum’s web site at www.snomnh.ou.edu.

Shahan gives a gallery talk to a small group at the Sam Noble museum in Norman

You could find any of these creatures in your own back yard or garden shed... right here in Oklahoma

A Tabanus lineola © Thomas Shahan

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by Sydney T. Sevier, MA

As schools continue to emphasize the importance of standardized test scores and increased attendance, the health of our schools often gets placed on the backburner. The health of our schools, however, does not have to wait for test scores to improve. Schools can provide a positive and effective learning institution for our children while promoting healthy behaviors for both students and teachers. In short, our schools can be healthy schools.

What is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;healthy schoolâ&#x20AC;?? A healthy school is much more than reducing sick days. It is a school that involves the family and community; gets the students more active throughout the day while providing nutritious lunch choices; offers immunizations and wellness programs for the staff and faculty; teaches students about the short and long term benefits of health and wellness; emphasizes the importance for school connectedness; and never ignores the need for mental health and social services. As health trends continue to decline across the nation, what better place to start reversing these trends. Schools are in a unique position to influence and improve the health of our youth. Ninety five percent of young people spend, on average six hours a day in school. This translates into thirteen critical years of their physical, social, psychological, and intellectual development.1 While test scores will remain a top priority for schools across the nation, there is no reason to believe that an emphasis on health will in any way lower a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scholastic performance. In fact, the results will be quite the opposite. The academic success of youth is strongly linked with their health. Science has shown that healthier students have a greater ability to concentrate, lower absenteeism, better 22

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productivity, fewer discipline problems, higher test scores, and better classroom participation.2

1. Family and Community Involvement

• Assist in planning health related events for the school and community Connected schools are also healthy schools. Studies show that when students feel connected to their school, peers, and • Build partnerships among education, health, and other teachers, they are less likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alco- community partners. hol, have sexual intercourse, carry weapons, participate in 2. Health Education violent or dangerous activities, experience emotional prob- • Aid in incorporating health education into the classroom lems or suicidal thoughts, or suffer from eating disorders.3 • Distribute health information to schools

3. Health Services

• Connect the school and community to local health services • Arrange for health services to be provided in the school

4. Healthy and Safe School Environment

• Participate in health and safety committees • Facilitate school health assessments and action planning

5. Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services

• Connect schools and communities to mental health resources • Provide professional development in behavioral health and classroom management.

6. Nutrition Services

• Promote healthy food and beverage choices • Assist in incorporating nutrition education in the classroom

Knowing that a healthy school improves the lives of students so drastically is only the first step. Creating and main- 7. Physical Education taining a healthy school is the next and most important stage • Establish physical activity programs • Coordinate professional development in physical education in the process. Fortunately, for the schools in Oklahoma County, there is help waiting in the wings. The Oklahoma City-County Health Department houses a free program called Health at School that is available to all schools in Oklahoma County. Health at School is a multidisciplinary team made up of health promotion specialists, registered nurses, and licensed clinical social workers. The Health at School program utilizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coordinated School Health Model to assist schools in creating and maintaining a healthier school environment. The Coordinated School Health Model is made up of eight inter-related components that work together to increase health.

8. Health Promotion for Staff

• Develop of staff wellness programs • Advocate for staff health and wellness By focusing on these eight integrated components of school health, the Health at School program can help improve the overall health of the students, staff, teachers, family, and surrounding community. Making the health of a school a priority makes reaching other goals a true possibility. Remember, a healthy school is a smarter and happier school. References: 1. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health. “Healthy Youth! Coordinated School Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 7 December 2010. Web. 23 May 2011. 2. Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition. “Healthy Oklahoma Schools Manual.” Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. May 2011. Web. 10 June 2011.

Sydney T. Sevier, MA Health Promotion Specialist

3. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health. “Fostering School Connectedness.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 2009. Web. 23 May 2011

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by Paul Fairchild Oklahoma has a lot to be proud of, but the general health and wellness of Oklahomans is not one of them. Before Governor Mary Fallin took office, the state ranked 48th in overall health indicators in the nation. In her first day in the big chair, she was already thinking about improving that number. Due in part to her efforts, the state now clocks in at 43. But she’ll be the first to tell any Oklahoman that 43 is not enough. Oklahoma can do better. If that number isn’t raised significantly over the next few years, it won’t be from a lack of effort on her part - or of the legislators she works with. They know health and wellness matters. And they’re putting serious wheels in motion to bring them front and center. As good leaders do, Governor Fallin doesn’t just talk the talk. She walks the walk - literally - as well. She does it every year at the Governor’s Walk for Wellness. Last May she laced up her sneakers and, along with cabinet secretaries, state agency leaders, state employees and private business leaders, walked the Capitol complex to raise awareness about worksite wellness programs. “Although our state has made gains in improving our overall health, there is more that we can do,” says Fallin, “Participating in physical activity daily is an important first step,” Fallin said. “I challenged leaders at state agencies as well as members of the business community to keep pace with me as we walk the Capitol grounds. The ‘Walk for Wellness” is a great event that demonstrates an easy solution to employee fitness that other Oklahoma employers can replicate.” She’s equally adamant about making health and wellness a priority in her own life. “My husband, Wade, and I enjoy walks around the Capitol complex and the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion,” she says, “I also regularly use the new gym at the Capitol, a brand new facility that provides

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state employees with a convenient way to exercise. Personally, a good workout is whatever gets my heart rate up and allows me to work off some stress!” Healthy living improves everybody’s quality of life. But it also impacts the state’s economy. Unhealthy Oklahomans mean increased health care costs, expenses partially covered by the state. All Oklahomans share that expense, with tax dollars covering medical care that could be avoided with an Oklahoman commitment to healthy living. High rates of obesity and smoking related illnesses cost the state billions of dollars annually. In the private sector, employers see lost productivity when employees call in sick more often and take extended leaves of absence to battle long-term illnesses that could have been avoided with less smoking, better diets, more exercise and an array of other healthy living choices. Governor Fallin makes sure that visitors to the Governor’s Mansion eat well. She tasks Head Chef Robin Obert with working the culinary magic that makes for healthy, delicious meals. “The Governor eats a very light and healthy diet. She requests lots of veggies and only very lean proteins. The menus that I write are in keeping with a low fat, low sodium diet that is packed with vegetables,” says Obert. More than one out of four Oklahomans are obese. Three quarters of Oklahomans aren’t eating enough fruits or vegetables, opting instead for diets packed with artificially sweetened foods and beverages. Oklahoma regularly pops up as one of the ten most obese states in studies conducted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Oklahoma isn’t just a state that eats poorly - it’s a state that Continued on page 26

Governor Fallin eats a healthy lunch at the mansion in the casual dining room, which features a unique hard wood table repurposed from a barn door in France. The repurposed table is supported by rod iron legs and was part of the remodel carried out by Vicky Hicks. The governor enjoys a healthy vegetable soup with ingredients from the garden - served on Wedgwood Strawberry and Vine everyday china. The Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mansion was completed in 1928. This 14,000 sq ft Mansion displays Carthage limestone on its exterior in order to complement the Oklahoma State Capitol, which can be seen just to the west from the Mansionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front porch. Photos by Shannon Elaines Photography Thrive Oklahoma

doesn’t know how to eat well. Health and wellness education programs are practically nonexistent in the state. Oklahoman school districts are aiming to fill that gap with nutrition education aimed at students.

level of awareness, the Oklahoma State Department of Health counts 6,000 smoking-related deaths each year. That number is higher than the number of deaths caused by alcohol, auto accidents, AIDS, suicides, murders and illegal drugs - combined. Unsurprisingly, Fallin lists tobacco as Oklahoma’s number one killer. Smoking in Oklahoma costs Oklahomans more than $2 billion in health care costs and lost workforce productivity each year. She’s putting this issue directly into the hands of Oklahomans with an initiative petition to put tobacco regulations in place to reduce secondhand smoke statewide. “Our goal is to give Oklahomans a chance to vote on whether or not they want to breathe smoke free air when they are in public,” she says. Gov. Mary Fallin led hundreds of state workers on a “Walk for Wellness” around the state Capitol in order to help develop healthy habits at work. Oklahoma State Dept. of Health Commissioner, Terry L. Cline, Ph.D. (left) leads the pack during the Shape Your Future wellness walk. The goal of the event is to promote fitness and exercise among state’s residents.

Oklahoma’s children are particularly at risk for obesity. Poor diets combined with a marked lack of physical activity makes for a lot of obese kids with a high likelihood of developing illnesses ranging from heart problems to diabetes. Like their parents, one third of Oklahoma children fall into this category. Too many Oklahomans think that eating healthy means giving up tasty meals. Obert is ready to prove them wrong. Visitors regularly enjoy her quinoa salad with black beans, garbanzo beans, green onions, carrot ribbons and other vegetables, drizzled with a citrus vinaigrette. It’s perfect for a hot Oklahoma summer day, she says. Sometimes simple steps send big messages. Legislators will have to make a hike to get their nicotine fixes between hearings. Governor Fallin has closed the smoking room in the state Capitol’s basement - and added a gym. Leading by example, Fallin is responding to Oklahoman’s opinions about smoking. Sixty-eight percent of Oklahoma voters feel that their right to smoke-free air trumps the rights of smokers. Eighteen percent of voters claim they are more likely to take a night out on the town if restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues were completely smoke-free. Despite this 26

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Fallin has also worked with legislators to turn some of the state’s most forward thinking health initiatives into law. She put her John Hancock on Senate Bill 501, a measure that makes it illegal to smoke on state-owned or leased property and gives municipalities and counties the freedom to craft and implement their own local smoking policies. While experts agree that diet is the most important component of healthy living, exercise is certainly a close second. Oklahomans perform much better in this category, with almost half of the state’s adult residents getting 150 to 300 minutes a week of aerobic exercise. Of those, many regularly engage in more vigorous exercise. But almost a third of Oklahomans aren’t exercising at all. Outside of the mansion, Fallin and other legislators are putting together creative solutions to increase opportunities for Oklahomans to get off the couch and get some much needed exercise. Schools with playgrounds, sports facilities, gyms and other amenities, are an excellent public resource for physical activity. At the average high school, Oklahomans can run laps, shoot hops, throw the football, play a softball game - the list goes on and on. The hands of school officials, however, are tied when it comes to making school grounds available to the public after hours. The culprit? Liability.

Chef Robin Obert prepares fresh fruits and veggies from the garden for healthy meals prepared daily at the Governor’s Mansion. Governor Fallin makes good use of the basement space at the mansion by adding a treadmill, stair climbing machine and a vibracise platform for convenient workouts while at home.

Governor Fallin sponsored efforts to author laws that clarify school districts’ liability issues and protect them from liability if they’re willing to make schools available to the public after hours. Anybody that exercises regularly will get injured - sometime, somehow, somewhere. Common sense says schools shouldn’t be responsible for those injuries, especially when the tradeoff for public health is so valuable. The legislation also gives every school a better chance at becoming a Certified Healthy School and receiving Certified Healthy School Rewards. SB 1882, with the governor’s blessing and the force of law, limits the liability of school districts that open their doors and facilities for groups or individuals engaging in sports and other physical activities. Oklahoma may be far down on the list of healthiest states, but Governor Fallin and legislators are charging hard to change that. Ditch that cigarette in favor of better eating and a more physical lifestyle. Put down the potato chips and hit the gyms at worksites around the state. Save some tax dollars and improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans. Do the math - in the corridors of Oklahoma power and on the scale in the bathroom. Thrive Oklahoma

INTEGRIS doctors rush to assess and treat the incoming wounded.

Oklahomans pray and hope that disasters won’t strike. But they do. When it comes to disaster planning, good hospitals work with maybes and always plan for worst case scenarios. On April 24, 36 INTEGRIS hospitals and health care facilities participated in a full scale exercise simulating a response to mass shootings in Oklahoma City’s entertainment district. “This drill was intended to test all medical staff and administration to see how they’d react in a real-life situation where lives are at risk and minutes count,” said James DeHaven, INTEGRIS’s Disaster Response and Recovery Specialist. “With mass shootings in public places becoming a frightening reality in today’s world, it’s one of those things we pray never happens. But we have to prepare for it in case it does.” INTEGRIS drills cover scenarios including everything from mass shootings to tornados and plane crashes to biological contamination. The April 24 exercise is known formally as “Multiple Mayhem.” It was coordinated by the Regional Medical Response System and the Regional Medical Planning Group (RMPG) for Oklahoma Homeland Security. “We treated approximately 81 patients after the Oklahoma City bombing and roughly 60 patients following the May 3 tornado,” says Brooke Cayot, Media Relations Leader at INTEGRIS. Practice makes perfect. The drills include actors playing the parts of patients sent to the emergency room and presented to staff. The staff works to maximize the quality of care for the patients while operating with maximum efficiency. Even staff 28 Thrive Oklahoma

The 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building. The May 1999 tornados. This spring’s storms and tornados. When disaster strikes, hospitals are called upon to step up and step out to deliver the best possible care at the highest level of efficiency for victims. INTEGRIS hospitals don’t wait for real-life tragedies to hone their disaster response abilities. They relentlessly train for scenarios that involve a large influx of patients. When the real things hit, mistakes are not an option. members not in primary contact with the injured are called to duty. For instance, the Human Resources department throws it into to gear to provide childcare for the doctors that are called in and pulling together cafeteria staff to serve food around the clock for staff and patients. The department also quickly establishes a central command center that coordinates all of the hospital departments, establishes a clear chain of command, and facilitates communication between all of the hospital’s units. The command center provides constant status updates, leaving nobody in the dark. A key member of the hospital’s disaster planning team is Dr. David Hogan, a disaster medicine specialist. In the event of a disaster, he calls on his medical training as an Army Major out of Fort Hood. He acts as the attending doctor, consults with residents, coordinates nursing and primary support staff and leans on his veteran experience to help every staff member cope with an intensely stressful situation. A large part of his job boils down to a simple directive: keep everybody focused. “Stay on task with your patient,” he tells staff, “Focus and block out distractions.” Performance isn’t scored per se, but it is carefully measured. “We look at tasks associated with the six critical areas of disaster management. We watch the management of those tasks during the event and later determine opportunities for improvement,” says Jim Trimberger, INTEGRIS’s System Director for Environmental Health and Safety. The six key areas

by Paul Fairchild are communications; resource, assets and medical supplies distribution; safety and security; staff responsibilities; infrastructure and utilities; and clinical support activities. All accredited hospitals must conduct at least one of these drills per year. Oklahoma’s hospitals have been conducting them for years. Each simulation is different, but all share one quality: they prepare hospital staffs for an overload of emergency patients. Ultimately, each drill is a slice of a larger pie known as an “all hazards approach” to managing a large number of patients at one time regardless of the type of event. “When we drill an event like a mass shooting there are things like building security, crime evidence collection/preservation and gun shot wounds management. These aren’t prevalent in an event such as a tornado, but the process of managing a large influx of patients in a short time frame remains relatively the same,” says Trimberger, “The only real difference is the types of injuries handled by a facility. Regardless of the event, all hospitals must have a coordinated process to manage patient triage, tracking treatment, transport and disposition.” No detail is overlooked. High stress situations take a toll on doctors and staff, and the hospitals mobilize to take care of their needs, as well. During disaster events, the hospitals set up locations where staff can briefly get away from the event, get a meal and take a break. Debriefing sessions conducted during and after disasters are important for trauma relief and many hospitals use pastoral care services and mental health counselors, as well. It’s entirely possible that hospitals can be hit by disasters. The drills build a resilience that allows emergency staff to respond appropriately even in the event of the loss of a hospital. The hospitals are self-sustaining and riddled with redundant utility systems that keep them operating if they take small amounts of damage. During the May 20 tornado, the Moore Medical Center took a massive hit and the facility had to be evacuated. No time was lost stabilizing and transporting its patients to other healthcare facilities in the region. Getting patients to other facilities wasn’t the only mission. To the best degree possible, hospital staffs maintain the all-important continuity of care during the evacuation and transportation of patients.

The central command center is sequestered away from triage. INTEGRIS’s System Director, Jim Trimberger holds up the “Multiple Mayhem” Medical System Exercise Master Scenario Event radio to inform all department directors of the latest situation.

The triage staging area begins outside the INTEGRIS emergency room doors. Police check the incoming wounded for ID, contraband and weapons prior to entry to the hospital areas.

hospitals responded very well to the recent tornado events,” he says, “I saw responses to the 1995 bombing, the May 1999 tornados and now the May 2013 tornados. In all scenarios it’s clear that when disasters happen, Oklahomans step up. It makes me proud to be a part of it.”

Trimberger is proud of his hospitals’ performances, not just in drills, but in actual disasters, as well. “Overall, the Thrive Oklahoma

by Jennifer Sweeton, Ph.D. n May 20th, 2013, just one month after the 18th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, Oklahomans suffered an indescribable tragedy when an EF5 tornado ripped though Moore and surrounding areas. But the devastation did not stop there; a second EF5 scraped through El Reno on May 31st, and was recorded as the widest tornado on record. Given the ongoing threat of natural disasters, terrorism, and other tragedies, understanding the media’s potential influence on mental health is critical. The unquestionable influence the media possesses has made it a target of scrutiny, and the criticism is not unfounded; research shows that a high level of media exposure in the aftermath of tragic events is linked to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms1, even if an individual did not directly experience the event2 and has no history of PTSD3. Furthermore, repeated exposure to coverage of tragic events can lead us to overestimate the threat of similar events happening in the future4. This in turn produces fear and helplessness. However, the media may also promote resilience and recovery. Reflecting on the local media’s response to the recent tornados, there are at least five ways the media has empowered Oklahomans to begin the process of healing. Specifically, our media has helped us to:

1. Build a Sense of Control and Safety: During and after

the tornados, Oklahomans were shown countless maps of dangerous areas, and were continuously updated on the tornados’ whereabouts. In addition, news stations repeatedly encouraged viewers to take cover. Such information helps us to feel less threatened, fearful, and helpless, and it builds a sense of control. Although we are helpless to stop the tornados, we can track them, and we can design and execute a safety plan. The ability to effectively respond to a terrifying situation is important, as it may help to protect us from developing severe post-trauma reactions5. Conversely, feeling helpless in the face of danger is linked to the later development of PTSD6.

2. Increase Connectedness with Others: After the torna-

dos, the media facilitated social connectedness by informing us of websites dedicated to locating and helping victims, and by disclosing the names of displaced children. In addition, victims’ personal stories of loss, recovery, and hope were shared. Although such personalization is distressing, it promotes compassion toward victims and motivates us to help others. This compassion strengthens social connectedness, which is a key component of trauma recovery. In fact, strong social support is one of the largest protective factors against PTSD5,7, while low social support is correlated with more PTSD symptoms6,8.

References 1. Collimore, K. C., McCabe, R. E., Carleton, R. N. and Asmundson, G. J. 2008. Media exposure and dimensions of anxiety sensitivity: differential associations with PTSD symptom clusters. J Anxiety Disorder 22(6): 1021-8. 2. Torabi, M. R. and Seo, D. C. 2004. National study of behavioral and life changes since September 11. Health Edu Behav 31: 179–192. 3. Ahern, J., Galea, S., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, D., Bucuvalas, M., Gold, J. and Vlahov, D. 2002. Television images and psychological symptoms after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Psychiatry 65: 289–300. 4. Breckenridge, J. N., Zimbardo, P. G. and Sweeton, J. L. 2010. After years of media coverage, can one more video report trigger heuristic judgments? A national study of American terrorism risk perceptions. Behavioral Sci Terrorism Polit Aggression 2(3): 163-78. 5. Charney, D. S. 2004. Psychobiological mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability: implications for successful adaptation to extreme stress. Am J Psych 161(2): 195-216. 6. Brewin, C. R., Andrews, B. and Valentine, J. D. 2000. Meta-analysis of risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder in trauma-exposed adults. J Cons Clin Psyc 68(5): 748-66. 7. Stevens, G. J., Dunsmore, J. C., Agho, K. E., Taylor, M. R., Jones, A. L., van Ritten, J. J. and Raphael, B. 2013. Long-term health and wellbeing of people affected by the 2002 Bali bombing. Medical Journal of Australia 198(5): 273-7. 8. Institute of Medicine. 2008. Gulf War and Health:Volume 6. Physiologic, Psychologic, and Psychosocial Effects of Deployment-Related Stress. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press. 9. Kahana, B., Harel, Z., & Kahana, E. 1988. Predictors of psychological well-being among survivors of the Holocaust. In J. Wilson, Z. Harel and B. Kahana Eds. Human adaptation to extreme stress: From the Holocaust to Vietnam pp. 171–192. New York: Plenum. 10. Kishon-Barash, R., Midlarsky, E., & Johnson, D. R. 1999. Altruism and the Vietnam War Veteran: The relationship of helping to symptomatology. J Traumatic Stress 12: 655–662.

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3. Give Help: One way to offer support is to aid victims in

rebuilding their lives. The mediaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedication to this is clear; television stations frequently relayed information about how viewers could volunteer their time, money, and supplies. These actions are immensely helpful to disaster victims, who first and foremost want their basic needs met. After a disaster, post-trauma reactions tend to be more severe when victims suffer the loss of a home, missing family members or pets, a lack of food, or other necessities6. We can help mitigate posttraumatic stress by providing victims with basic resources.

4. Get Help: Just as it is good to give help, it is also good to

get help. Our local media encouraged self-care and proactive coping in the aftermath of the tornados by sharing information about where to seek shelter and how to find volunteer stations offering a variety of services, including medical and mental health assistance. Providing this information facilitates recovery; research has shown that our ability to identify and implement coping strategies after a trauma is associated with lower PTSD symptoms5.

5. Keep Hope, Give Gratitude: In addition to focusing on the widespread devastation, the media also directed viewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attention to uplifting stories of survival, heroic actions, unlikely reunions with family members or pets, and the

Continued on page 39

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by Murali Krishna, M.D. This spring thousands of Oklahoma children witnessed graphic television images illustrating the wrath of a tornado. The powerful, angry, swirling winds paused for nothing, not even elementary schools. Oklahoma’s children saw kids just like themselves on television who were trapped, scared, and separated from their family. Those images leave an imprint on the brain. Some young minds will have anxiety about returning to school. Children may not even know the root of their fears and can’t explain why they just don’t feel safe. With brains not fully developed, emotions and fears that accompany going back to school simply cannot be processed. Here are 10 things parents and caregivers can do to help children deal with tornado fears, or any trauma.

1. Control yourself to the best of your ability. How chil-

dren respond is determined in large part by how we respond. As much as possible, speak in a calm reassuring voice about what happened in brief, simple words.

2. Limit exposure. Watching lengthy tornado coverage on

television increases our own sense of helplessness. Children cannot differentiate between what has already happened and what is happening now. When they view it over and over and over they experience repeat affects. Get your news from the newspaper or online but don’t become preoccupied by watching it all the time when children are present.

3. Assure them of their safety. Kids look for safety, fam-

ily bonds, and personal connections around them so they can grow through the trauma. Send the clear message that you are there to protect them; you are looking after their safety. Empower them with an action plan for what your family will do in an emergency. Let them know their safety is your top, number one priority. There is nothing else more important to you. Convey, “I am here, Mom is here, Dad is here, whatever happens we will protect you and deal with it together.”

4. Re-establish a regular routine. Routine brings a sense

of constancy and stability to the uncertain world. Children perform much better when they know what to expect. This applies to sleeping and eating routines as well as activities.

5. Pay attention to sleep. Sleep is healing for the body. A lack of sleep will reduce kids immune systems, cause an increase in blood sugar, and send eating patterns out of whack. This can result in cravings for carbohydrates and a reduction

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

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of energy. Some children who are having difficulty expressing their feelings and emotions experience headaches and stomachaches at bed time. Implementing the other nine points will help with this.

6. Allow kids to communicate with you. Kids need a safe

place to vent emotions. Listen to them. If they can’t find the words to express their feelings, ask them to draw pictures. Then guide them toward acceptance of things that have happened. You can’t deny a terrible disaster has occurred, but children need to accept the fact that sometimes bad things happen. Families will grow stronger and closer together by facing traumatic events hand-in-hand.

toxic impact of these memories. Reinterpret, reintegrate, and be in harmony with what happened - kids are very resilient and adaptive. Dr. Krishna, author of VIBRANT To Heal and Be Whole, is co-founder and president of the James L. Hall, Jr. Center for Mind, Body and Spirit, president and chief operating officer of INTEGRIS Mental Health, president of the Oklahoma State Board of Health, founding president of Health Alliance for the Uninsured, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma HSC, an active member of several associations, and serves as a board member for multiple health and wellness organizations.

7. Get involved. Allow your kids to participate in some kind

Visit DrKrishna.com.

8. Utilize calming techniques. Children learn simple calm-

Proceeds from the sale of VIBRANT will endow the Dr. R. Murali Krishna Family Eliminate the Stigma Award.

of a project to help other people. They can go with you to give some food, donate some clothing, or offer a helping hand to someone. Allowing them to be a part of the process gives them a sense of power and control over events that seem to be unstable.

ing techniques very quickly. Calming activities neutralize stress like taking an antacid for acid. The benefits are normalcy and a sense of control. Try prayer, relaxation, or one of the simplest is deep breathing. Take in a deep breath through your nose that fills your lungs to the bottom, hold for one second, then release the breath through your nose slowly. This works for any type of anxiety.

The co-author of VIBRANT To Heal and Be Whole, Kelly Dyer Fry is editor of The Oklahoman and vice president of news for OPUBCO Communications Group.

9. Participate in activities with your kids. Bring back

play, humor, laughter, and creativity. Do things that are fun like flying a kite, playing tag, making a craft, or dancing to music. One of the best things to do with children is eating together without television or iPads. The personal, live, human interaction is very important for anyone, especially children. They will talk about things more easily when you are together and focused on each other without outside distractions.

10. Incorporate the tragedy into life. Kids will learn,

sometimes things happen that are bad, but I have a mother and father who love me. They won’t let me be in danger. They won’t let me be in pain and I’m going to be okay. The parent is the filter through which children will interpret tragic events and the example of how to incorporate it into their life. Don’t be surprised if you and your child are affected long after the event is over, especially next spring. It is normal. The memory is always going to be there, but we can reduce the Thrive Oklahoma

by Whitney Kemp, Education Coordinator for the Oklahoma Poison Control Center Each year more than two million poisonings are reported nationwide; more than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home. In 2012 the Oklahoma Center received nearly 48,000 calls, with over 50 percent of the calls related to children younger than five years of age. Since accidents, medication errors, and inquisitive toddlers are a fact of life, the Center maintains constant outreach and education efforts to help minimize the number of childhood, adult, and occupational poisonings as well as provide emergency treatment advice. Poison prevention education is a key component of the Center’s mission.

How do kids get into poison? Often our little ones get poisoned when they are exposed to look-a-like products. Look-a-like products are medicines, household cleaners and other products that look similar to food products like candy, drinks and other things that are good to eat. Examples include Pine Sol and apple juice, blue Gatorade and Windex, lamp oil and water, and oven cleaning spray and non-stick spray. It is important to be aware of this problem and store food products and non-food products in two different places around the home. 1. Look-a-like products can be confusing to adults and even more so to children who cannot read labels. It is also important to keep all products in the original, labeled container. 2. Children and adults frequently get exposed to potentially dangerous substances when container transfers occur. An example of this is keeping bleach in a cup or gasoline in a soda bottle. . Many callers assume that when they call the Poison Center they are going to be told to immediately go to the emergency room or to their doctor’s office. In fact, 8 out of every 10 calls are handled over the phone. If the poisoning can safely be managed at home, the Poison Specialist will instruct the caller 34

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on in-home treatments to remedy the situation. The Poison Center will also provide a follow-up call when necessary. Calls to the Oklahoma Poison Control Center don’t necessarily have to be regarding a poisoning emergency. The Center can provide immediate, free and expert treatment advice when an actual or suspected exposure to poisonous, hazardous or toxic substances occurs. Specialists also answer questions about safe medication use, drug interactions and provide information on poisonous plants, bug bites, stings or snake bites, chemical exposure to the skin, drugs of abuse, tobacco and alcohol. The Oklahoma Poison Control Center, a program of the University Of Oklahoma College Of Pharmacy at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, is one of 57 accredited regional poison control centers in the United States. A toll free number (1-800-222-1222) can be dialed from anywhere in the state and the caller will immediately be connected with a trained specialist who is ready to assist with a poisoning emergency or medication information question. These services are provided at no cost to the caller. The center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by specially trained and certified pharmacists and nurses. Dr. William Banner, a nationally-recognized physician who specializes in medical toxicology and pediatric intensive care, serves as the Center’s medical director. The Poison Control Center help line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at no cost to the caller at 800.222.1222 or visit www.oklahomapoison.org and on Facebook at Oklahoma Poison Control Center. To order educational materials or arrange for a poison prevention presentation, please contact Whitney Kemp at (405) 271-5062.

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by Amanda Godlove Erwin, MSHA, MBA, Certified Health Coach We are a society of packaged foods and convenience item consumers, so a few helpful tips on deciphering food labels is required in order to navigate. The “Nutrition Facts” printed on labels can be helpful and they’re required by the Food and Drug Administration for most packaged foods and beverages. Nutrition Facts are especially helpful for individuals who need to watch their sodium intake, cholesterol, or sugars for specific conditions like high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Everyone should be aware of these three in particular. Labels also give consumers an idea of the beneficial nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, calcium and iron. Sometimes these nutrients are naturally occurring in the foods or the foods may be fortified. Reading the food labels will help you find food choices that’re low in sodium, cholesterol and sugar but high in fiber, protein and vitamins.

Useful tip: Ingredients that seem hard to pronounce should rise a red flag – put it back on the shelf. High fructose corn syrup is an ingredient commonly found in processed foods. This compound will disturb our body’s ability to determine satiety. This means that our brain doesn’t recognize that we’re full. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), has been shown to cause headaches, heart palpitations and many other symptoms. It also hides behind numerous less-menacing sounding names like, yeast extract, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and calcium caseinate. A complete list of culprits can be found at www.naturalnews.com A colorful array is good in many things like, flowers, rainbows and art, but not in food. If there’s a snack cake colored blue and red for the Fourth of July, think twice before eating it or feeding it to your children. Artificial food colors like Red #40 or Yellow #5 and others, are made from petroleum products and can lead to hyperactivity in children, cancer and allergic reactions. Many countries have banned these chemical food colorings altogether.

Foods in their natural form, unaltered by man are best. But, when choosing packaged foods, check the nutrition labels and the ingredient list for the following items and you’ll be on your way to a healthier you. The first step in making healthy food choices is to eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, lean meats and whole grains. And here are a few tips on how to use food labels for maximum health benefits. Whole foods are typically sold without labels because they are not packaged in the same way as processed foods. Through various Apps like those found at www.MyFitnessPal.com and www.CalorieCount.com, you can find information that makes comparing food choices easier. Useful tip: Food in its natural state will provide better nutrition. So it follows, eating an orange would be preferable to drinking store-bought orange juice. Processed foods are generally required to show a List of Ingredients. The healthy rule of thumb is the shorter the list, the better. When there are a number of other additives lurking in a long list of ingredients, it should indicate that the food is of poor quality. 36

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Useful tip: Educate yourself about the risks before eating it.

For more information go to http://www.cspinet.org/ 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 six-month program, participants receive one-on-one 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. www.eatgreenhealth.com or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eatgreenhealth.

by Angie Shepardson, D.C. For many kids summer has brought on irregular sleep schedules and the last thing kids need during school is lack of sleep. Sleep is a key ingredient to how we think and feel each day. Sleep is just as important to our physical and mental health as diet and exercise.

slows down and you are easily wakened. Stages 3 and 4 are known as Deep Sleep. During these stages the body repairs itself and gets ready for the coming day. REM sleep indicates Rapid Eye Movement. This stage plays a key role in learning and memory. REM sleep renews the mind.

Sleep allows our bodies to rest, recuperate and wake up feeling ready to tackle the day. When we sleep it doesn’t look like much is going on except for restful slumber but in reality while you sleep your brain stays very busy, overseeing a large variety of biological maintenance tasks that keep you running in tip top condition.

In order for kids to have optimal concentration they need to be well rested. According to Mary A. Carskadon, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and human behavior and expert at the Sleep for Science Research Lab at Brown University, “Evidence abounds to indicate that sleeping well with 81/2 plus hours with a regular schedule-supports learning, psychological well-being and physical health. Good sleep makes paying attention and concentrating in school easier, improves the ability to recall and retain information, and the sleep that occurs after effective learning helps to consolidate and even augment the daytime learning.” Continued on page 38

Each stage of sleep is important and we must spend enough time in each of the different stages but deep sleep and REM are the healing and rejuvenating stages. Sleep consists of a series of five distinct cycles or stages that restore and refresh your body and mind. Stages 1 and 2 are lighter stages of sleep in which the eyes move slowly, muscle activity

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Kids Need Their Sleep

Continued from page 37

Here’s why good sleep is important to kids: • It gives their body a break – cells are rejuvenating, muscles rebuild and the body restores itself. This means more energy and better coordination. • Allows their brains to “de-clutter” - the brain sorts, stores and files information, memories and the day’s experiences during sleep. • It helps regulate emotions – less sleep creates the potential for being irritable or easily aggravated. • Sleep helps with growth – Studies show a connection between sleep and the release of growth hormones. • It boosts the immune system – lack of sleep raises the risk of becoming ill due to the weakening of the immune system. •

It protects their mental health – recent studies have shown a link between persistent sleep difficulties in childhood and mental health problems like depression and anxiety disorders.

• It lets them learn – when sleepiness occurs you have less ability to focus, your memory is foggy. While there’s many reasons to get adequate sleep, the question follows, how do we get better sleep? #1 The correct mattress and pillow for a kid should always help them maintain a neutral spine. Their entire body mass

should be equally distributed thru the materials of the mattress without any sagging or swaying. #2 Room environment. The bedroom should be kept cool, quiet and dark. Adding a white noise machine can cut out background noises making it easier to fall asleep. #3 Turn off electronics. The blue light emitted from computers, smart phones, and tablets hurts the natural sleep processes. Make a commitment to turn off all electronics at least one hour before bed. #4 Exercising raises the body’s temperature above normal. Exercising a few hours before bed, after school between 3p.m. and 6p.m. will allow it to start dropping just as kids are getting ready to go to sleep. #5 Diet: Don’t allow kids to have food or drinks high in caffeine or sugar after dinner. I hope these sleep tips help you get your child on the right path to better sleep and a successful school year. Sleep well. Angie Shepardson, D.C

5 Ways the Media Helps Heal Continued from page 31 generosity of fellow citizens. These amazing stories spark hope and gratitude, and they inspire altruism. Altruistic intention, in turn, promotes well-being9 and is correlated with lowered PTSD symptoms10. In many ways, our media is helping us to reduce post trauma stress and build resiliency. How can we, as media consumers, reap the benefits of media exposure without also suffering the costs? First, limit your exposure to repeated images of the disaster. News stations tend to repeatedly replay distressing pieces of footage. When this happens, it is good to disengage for a while, especially if you begin to experience strong negative emotions. Second, reference the protective factors discussed above, and intentionally look for those elements in media coverage. Watch for ways you can battle helplessness and take meaningful action to help yourself and others. Focus on what you can do, not on what you cannot do. Reach out to others and process the tragedy. Connect with personal stories of inspiration and hope, and be proud of our local heroes. Hug your loved ones a bit tighter, and give thanks a bit longer. Finally, remember that our collective past as Oklahomans â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not only our shared tragedies, but also our legacy of strength and resilience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has prepared us to overcome adversity and thrive! Dr. Jennifer Sweeton is currently a clinical psychology fellow in Combat Stress Recovery at the Oklahoma City VAMC. She received her doctorate from the Stanford University-PGSP Consortium, and prior to this completed a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in personality psychology from Stanford University. Dr. Sweeton has a strong interest in the use of mindfulness approaches, both in psychotherapy and in everyday life, for the purpose of improved emotional and physical wellness. She is the creator of the Mind Training Skills Course, a manualized mindfulness-based anxiety management course for veterans suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In addition, Dr. Sweeton serves as the founder and director of a non-profit corporation, Workings of Well-Being, which is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations develop practical, evidence-informed skills that promote and enhance life-satisfaction and happiness.

by Jessica Sanchez

Cheyenne Middle School teachers Sharron Wolf (L) and Jeannine Macrory (R) and students

As a new school year rapidly approaches, educators, parents and community leaders should take heed to the above quote and focus on why they are in the classroom and concentrate on the final outcomes desired. With Common Core, Next Generation in Science, state testing, teacher evaluations, testing, testing and was testing mentioned-it is more important than ever to remember the reason for teaching – It’s to make a difference in a child’s life.

Cheyenne Middle School in Edmond is home to two hard working educators, Sharron Wolf and Jeannine Macrory, who saw a need, developed a plan and worked to create a place where groups of children can design projects that are challenging, in a natural setting and culminate in community service. The Cheyenne Outdoor Exploratorium provides a unique classroom setting where children can imagine, do research and design, explore and create large projects that can be applied elsewhere in the community. In other words, life skills. As teachers and parents, how often have we heard the words, “Why are we doing this?” or “What does it matter - How will I use this?” Today’s students need stimulus to learn. Everything is now at their finger tips and ready to go. Education needs to progress with the kids and provide relevant learning opportunities, where kids can see the reason behind the lesson. Cheyenne’s Exploratorium provides the backdrop where a rich and relevant learning experience can and does take place. The Exploratorium became reality because of a specific need and two dedicated teachers who could route out grants and parent support. First and foremost when attempting a project like this – get the principal behind it. Then the parents can get involved to help their children and the school become an educationally rich environment. Wolf and Macrory wrote countless emails to parents asking for help, wrote letters to business leaders asking for donations, drove around town stopping in at local businesses asking for advice on large scale projects and financial support. “We got very creative. Rocks were sold, Plant-A-Plant days were organized and parents were persuaded to help,” says Wolf. Plans were set in motion and a rendering of the project was created for visualization of the final garden design. 40

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The plans were drawn up by a college student from OSU as part of her course work in Landscape Architecture; the raised beds were installed as an Eagle Scout project and McGuire Plumbing put in the alluvial stream and water feature on the cheap. Creating the Exploratorium has expanded the curriculum at Cheyenne Middle School and enriched it beyond test scores. The ongoing outdoor research is a way for the students to apply what they’ve learned to other classes. In line with Common Core, the children have to think beyond the text book, beyond the handout, beyond the just tell me what will be on the test mindset and create their own investigation based on research, data collection and viability. Wolf and Macrory were simply the catalyst for this outdoor project. In order to implement this at your school, it will take help from many different groups. Here’s what Wolf and Macrory learned along the way: 1. Get the principal’s blessing - without that the project can’t go forward. 2. Be prepared to present the project vision to the decision makers in your district. It may be the financial director, curriculum specialist, or the superintendent. These authority figures will want to know where the money is coming from, how the project is relevant to the current curriculum and who will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance. 3. Become friendly with your school support staff and maintenance. These people include the electricians, plumbers, carpenters and grounds keepers. Smiles and cookies can get a lot done! 4. Never forget the importance of the students and their parents, grandparents or caregivers. The Exploratorium is theirs, they will take ownership if the opportunity is provided, so let them help. The vision that was glimpsed three years ago has now turned into an active learning space where students are asking why and designing ways to answer their questions. It has been a journey for Wolf and Macrory - full of starts and stops. Ask them if it has

Cheyenne Middle School outdoor exploratorium - an ongoing project in Edmond

been worth the effort and their smiles give the answer better than words. “Children need the opportunity to take flight. They need to be part of the process of learning not just have information fed to them. When young people, are given the task of solving a problem relevant to them in a manner that is interesting, that’s when the learning will take place,” say Wolf and Macrory. The more import lesson is that the knowledge gained will stay with these children for a lifetime. This school year, Wolf and Macrory recommend that teachers get out of their comfort zone and think outside of the classroom’s four walls. If children are given the opportunity they will make things happen - they will achieve great things. “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn,” says Ignacio “Nacho” Estrada. Be brave and teach children the way they learn - you will love the results. Thrive Oklahoma

It’s sometimes difficult convincing our children to eat their vegetables. So here’s an easy way to incorporate veggies into a fun lunch or dinner. I find that involving children in the cooking process makes them much more likely to eat food that they might not otherwise try. If you really want to get your children involved try planting a pizza garden! Tomatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, basil, all of these ingredients are easily grown in our Oklahoma climate. Get the children involved in the planting, care and harvest of these veggies - you might be surprised at how quickly they’ll change their eating habits.

Once this is completely combined, begin kneading the mixture until smooth. Roll into a ball and cover with a small amount of the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for at least an hour. Once the dough has doubled in size, begin rolling out your pizza dough to the desired thickness and brush the dough with a small amount of oil, Pizza Sauce 2 Pounds Fresh tomatoes 2 cloves Garlic (minced) 1/4 C Onion (small dice)

Pizza Dough

1/4 C Celery (thinly sliced)

Warm water (not hot) 1/2 Cup

1/4 C Carrot (grated)

1/2 tsp Sugar 1 1/2 tsp Yeast (active dry) 1/2 tsp Salt 1 1/2 C Flour 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil Directions Add the yeast to the water and sugar, stir and let sit for at least 15 minutes. This would be an excellent opportunity for a science lesson with the kids. You’ll begin to see lots of bubbles and a good yeasty aroma – this means your wet ingredients are ready. Combine the flour and salt, pour out on to a flat surface, create a small well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour the liquid in to the crater and slowly (with a fork) begin adding the dry mixture a little bit at a time.

1/4 C Broccoli (cut in to small pieces) 6 Basil leaves (medium without stems and chopped) Directions Cut small x’s on the bottom of the tomatoes, drop one at a time in to boiling water, cook for approximately 10-15 seconds until cut skin begins to pull away. Remove and immediately drop in to a bowl of iced water. Peel tomatoes and discard the skin. Squeeze the tomatoes over a bowl with a strainer to separate the seeds from the liquid and the tomato. Put the liquid aside and hold. Sauté the onion, celery, carrots and broccoli in the olive oil until soft. Add the minced garlic at the end of the cooking process. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If the sauce appears to be too thick add in a bit of the tomato liquid to the mixture. Add pizza sauce and top with desired ingredients. Use fresh sliced tomatoes, basil, mozzarella cheese, bell pepper rings, mushrooms, black olives... Let your imagination run wild!

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Cooking with Quinoa can be tasty and very healthy! Quinoa is technically a seed (of a dark leafy plant like Swiss Chard) but is often considered a grain because of its taste and texture. Either way, it’s packed with nutrients and a super healthy addition to any diet. Quinoa is packed with protein. It’s the only “grain” that’s considered a complete protein, which is especially great for vegetarians. For every 100 grams of quinoa, you’ll get 14 grams of protein. Salad Ingredients 1/4 C Black quinoa - cooked to package recommendation 2 Tbs Black beans 2 Tbs Chick peas 6 Grape tomatoes 1 Tbs Cilantro leaves 1 Tbs Feta cheese 7 Carrot ribbons 1 Tbs Cucumber (small dice) Lime Vinaigrette Ingredients 2 Tbs rice wine vinegar 2 tsp Lime juice 1/4 Cup Olive oil

Directions Cook quinoa as recommended on the package, cool and place on plate. Top salad in a pleasing manner with the remaining ingredients. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients and drizzle over salad. Feel free to adjust these ingredients to fit your taste. The creator of these wonderful healthy dishes is Oklahoma’s own Executive Chef Robin L. Obert. In 2011 Chef Obert was appointed Executive Chef to Governor Mary Fallin. Soon following, Governor Fallin presented Chef Obert with an accommodation to acknowledge Obert’s furthering education and culinary expertise. Chef Obert is incredibly passionate about being involved in the hospitality industry. Obert graduated from Platt College’s school of Culinary Arts with the honor of Student of the Year. Obert was an instrumental part of getting Café Broccato started at the Platt College in Moore. Chef Obert also earned her degree in Culinary Management from Le Cordon Bleu. Even today, Chef Obert continues to push forward in her education on nutrition and healthy meals for Oklahoma youth and their families.

1/2 tsp Granulated garlic 1 tsp Granulated onion

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When food expenses start creeping up, it may be because of poor meal planning, too much take-out and not enough cooking in the kitchen. Here are ten ways to make a plant-based diet work for your wallet when you’re on a budget. Real food is pricier than processed packaged food made in some factory. So, do your best to invest in yourself today; your future depends on it. Make small upgrades that have a massive impact on our health.

Budget and meal plan. First step, set a comfort-

able budget. Then, examine your fridge and pantry. I bet you’ve got a lot of goodies in there. Next, map out your menu with my easy meal plan. Don’t skip this step, hot shot.

Buy bulk. While navigating the grocery store head

may not have been on your meal plan, but you can cut them up, freeze ‘em and pop them in your smoothies or soft serve later.

Grow your own greens. It’s exponentially more eco-

nomical to grow your own food. A two-dollar packet of mixed lettuce seeds will support your salad building endeavors for months.

straight to the bulk bins and stock up! As your bulk food staples grow, you’ll have shorter shopping lists and an arsenal of Cut back on restaurants. Make your kitchen the new inspiration for your home-cooked meals. Added bonus: Display hot spot. Fabu cookbooks, romantic dinners at home, your beautiful beans, grains and spices in mason jars throughout potlucks, picnics and rowdy get-togethers all make dinner a your kitchen. Home-decor, Crazy Sexy style! family affair. Shop local. Visit your local Farmers’ markets or ComMake your food last. Get creative with leftovers. munity Supported Agriculture (CSA). These are great Wash and store your produce in reusable plastice bags places to buy organic foods on the cheap. In-season produce is And when your produce looks like it’s about to go south, resusalmost always going to cost less, so try to be flexible and cook citate it in a delicious stew. with the harvest. Visit http://www.localharvest.org/organicfarms/ for Oklahoma sources Try juicing. Buying a new juicer or blender may not be in your budget, so buy used. eBay — even your friends Learn the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen. If you and family might have an affordable, gently used model. In the can’t afford 100% organic, don’t sweat it. Check out the meantime, you can still juice with any old blender and strainer Environmental Working Group’s lists to determine your priori(cheesecloth or nut milk bags work great!). ties for organic purchases. Visit them at http://www.ewg.org/ foodnews/

Stock up during sales. Dry staples like grains and

beans that aren’t going to go bad in your pantry are perfect stock-up items. Even if you arrive at the supermarket and there’s a phat sale on organic bananas, snag those babies! They 44

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Tighten your belt. Invest in your own company -

You are the CEO of your health after all. Don’t let transforming your plate be intimidating or cost prohibitive. As always, you don’t need to upgrade everything all at once. Make a plan and pace your self.

by Anita Kelley As Oklahomans, many of us remember visiting Grandpa and Grandma on the family farm or maybe you yourself grew up on a farm. We have sweet memories of enjoying plenty of fresh air and sunshine, picking yummy vegetables right out of the garden, playing games, swinging from a tree or capturing fireflies in a jar. Grandma always made delicious homecooked meals that made our mouths water and our tummies full! With many Grandpas and Grandmas moving away from the family farm for health reasons, how can we ensure that they continue living a healthy lifestyle with plenty of fresh air and sunshine? Shannon McClure, RN and developer of Eden Care Homes has designed just the answer. The first Eden Care Cottage is nestled on a wooded lot north of Edmond in a quiet, residential neighborhood. Because the Eden Care Cottage is a traditional family home, each person adapts more easily to his or her new environment. There are five people living at the Cottage and the caregivers get to know each other and enjoy the camaraderie of forming a close knit “family.” Each caregiver cooks, cleans, plans activities and interacts with the members of the home just as a family member would. What makes Eden Care even more beneficial is McClure’s focus on healthy living. Just as living on a farm offers a healthy environment, this same healthy environment is fostered at Eden Care. Being located along wooded acreage allows for long walks on an oversized walking trail.

being created among us all,” recalls Edmond resident Jane Collins. With the help of the caregivers, all members of the household contribute to the home’s daily routine as they are able whether folding clothes, making homemade soap, painting a picture to be hung by the fireplace or whipping up some homemade cookies in the kitchen. A household rhythm based on each individual’s needs and preferences naturally develops creating a sense of familiarity and belonging. Three delicious, home-cooked and nutritionally balanced meals are served daily – just the way Grandma cooked using fresh vegetables and herbs right out of the garden. Using a resident’s favorite recipe is always a big “hit” at dinner time! Because of McClure’s extensive experience as a registered nurse and her multiple professional credentials in eldercare, which include certification in assisted living, home health and dementia care, she recognizes the importance of natural therapies for this age group. Nature and pet therapy, music, aromatherapy, therapeutic touch and massage therapy are all utilized. “My mother loves the clean, serene atmosphere. The Cottage is like night and day compared to an institution. My mother is so happy now and truly has a good life of both amazing care and activities and companionship,” says Sandy, the daughter of one Eden Care resident.

There’s bird and critter watching from the covered patio, flower gardening and raised beds with vegetables and herbs. The outdoor patio is perfect for barbecues and family picnics. “One of the most special moments for me was when Shannon noticed that my father was a little anxious. She came over, sat in front of him, spoke softly and asked if she might rub his hand with some lavender oil. It was a very sweet moment. He calmed down and they bonded. A family was Thrive Oklahoma

by Katherine Hawk In a small cabin with just barely enough room to fit all four, Deanne Hughes, her husband Dow and their two sons, Dutton and Duncan, settled in for a family vacation. Little did they know they would soon experience a memory that would last a lifetime. “We were at Yellowstone National Park and we happened to be in the closest cabin to Old Faithful. We also happened to have a full moon on one of the nights,” Dow explained.

Deanne said. “It is our responsibility to make sure it is there for future generations so they can know what a bison looks like on the prairie, see an elk standing in the middle of a pond, and hear the birds as they fly by. It is up to us as Oklahomans to collectively pool financial resources and partner with the Conservancy to ensure these same rich landscapes and inherent experiences are available for generations to follow.”

The family sat still on the front porch in awe as Old Faithful shot off into the sky lit up by the full moonlight. “We didn’t plan it that way,” Dutton excitedly said. His mom confirmed that it indeed was a perfect evening. “It is our responsibility to make sure nature is there for future generations…”

So if you find yourself looking for a member of the Hughes family someday, your best bet is to look outside under Mother Nature’s big, beautiful sky. There you will find them roaming together, just like many critters of the wild. Family… it’s in their nature.

The Hughes family appreciates the different elements of the environment and what it can unexpectedly throw their way, good or bad. Their memories are full of family outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, fishing, stargazing, kayaking, and even farming. “One of the beauties about nature is that it is all different. You can’t go to Colorado and wish it was the beach. If you sit still and enjoy it, let it sink in… there is beauty in all of it,” Deanne explained. “My enjoyment is watching Dutton and Duncan learn about the world through their senses: through seeing it, tasting it, hearing it, and feeling it.” The full moon experience at Yellowstone is just one of many for the Hughes family. One of Deanne’s favorite childhood memories is a Christmas gift she received from her grandmother: a picture of a baby bison she adopted in Deanne’s name from The Nature Conservancy’s Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near Pawhuska, OK. As Deanne’s first exposure to the Conservancy, this gift helped shape her future with her family and as a Conservancy Trustee. “This is our own backyard, our state, our heritage and our future,”

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