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A Lifestyle Magazine
COMPLIMENTARY Volume 56 Issue 1
omen’s ournal Relax & Rejuvenate
NEHA
THREADING
salon ● spa ● wellness
WojoTalk.com WojoTalk.com
Contents
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Health & Wellness
Healthy Meals
Home Decor
Business
With over 32 years of experience, The Women’s Journal is a brand you can trust. It is a primary resource for women. Each edition is published bi-monthly and distributed free of charge. You can find a copy of the journal where savvy women shop. The journal also has subscribers that pay to have the journal delivered to their home or business.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
ways to revamp
Your Winter Skincare Regimen
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mart skincare is essential year-round to maintain healthy, youthful looking skin. During the colder months, it becomes especially critical as temperatures, humidity and air quality are in flux - not to mention your calendar, which is sure to be packed with seasonal festivities. By upgrading your skincare regimen this winter, you can better protect your skin through dry conditions and maintain a healthy glow between your daily activities and unexpected happenings. Whether you’re getting glam for a gathering or hitting the ski slopes, taking care of your skin is key to looking and feeling your best! Shine with refined, smoothed skin The secret to maintaining healthy looking, dewy skin is to find skincare products that help refine the appearance of pores. While cold air visibly shrinks pores, lower humidity levels can actually increase excess oil production and cause irritated, clogged pores. When choosing your skincare products, look for those designed to retexturize your skin. Formulas with scientifically proven ingredients like oat extract help exfoliate the skin to unclog pores, while lentil seed extract, which is high in antioxidants, can reduce the appearance of pores. Additionally, java tea extract is known for its oil control properties. Always remember to moisturize skin and stay hydrated This goes for every climate and season, as skin cells require water to stay healthy and resist environmental damage. In the winter, harsher climates often see lower humidity, which requires extra hydrating skincare for defense. Moisturize at least twice daily. In the morning, moisturizers are the perfect base for your makeup to avoid flaky skin while you’re out and about. Complement it with nourishing foundations for smooth, flawless coverage, and toss a compact foundation with moisturizer in your bag to reapply on the go. For intensive hydration, consider denser moisturizing creams that have anti-aging benefits. These formulas contain multi-phase technology to replenish, energize, repair and pro-
tect skin so it looks and performs more like it did when it was younger. Using moisturizers with an added anti-aging effect from powerful ingredients like gardenia grandiflora stem cell extract is particularly crucial in dry weather, when your skin is more susceptible to dullness and dryness. If moisturizing creams feel too heavy on your skin during the day, opt for a lotion for a light and refreshing boost. Then, as you’re unwinding at night, reapplying moisturizers after removing makeup and cleansing is a great way to revitalize the skin for the day ahead. It’s like giving your skin a big glass of water! Of course, don’t forget to drink water as well. Eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about two liters, gives your skin a refreshing reservoir. Coffee, tea and soda have a diuretic effect that counteracts hydration, so try to limit your intake of those beverages. Indulge once in a while, inside and out In addition to your daily skincare regimen, pick a day or two each week to pamper your skin even further with a revitalizing mineral-based mask or peel. Try moisturizing masks packed with hydrolipids to lock in moisture, and soothing fragrances, like cucumber and lavender, for a full, relaxing experience. Every now and then, take time to truly self-indulge, such as by making yourself a cup of herbal tea, soaking in a hot bath or diving into that book you’ve put on hold. By taking care of yourself from the inside out and investing in high quality skincare, you’ll be able to feel and look great as you enjoy the winter months and make memories to cherish.■ About Neha Gupta Neha Gupta, a talented and well sought out threading technician who took an interest in facial threading in India over 20 years ago. After working in several salons, Neha opened her own location back in 2008. Now she is the successful owner of Neha Threading Salon and Spa in Pikesville MD and a new location in Canton an upscale community located in Baltimore City. For more information, please visit www.nehathreading.com. 410-653-2769 (Pikesville) / 410-675-2769 (Canton) January - February 2017
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Mother Knows Best New Options Let Women Choose the Pregnancy and Delivery Plan That’s Right for Them
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Intimacy & Chronic Illness:
Redefining “Normal”
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reating and sustaining both emotional and physical intimacy (closeness and affection with another person) in any relationship can be difficult. For people living with a chronic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - an autoimmune disease of the joints that impacts 1.6 million people in the United States it can be even more challenging. In fact, a study of those living with RA revealed that more than half feel that their disease places limitations on intimacy and more than a third say that living with RA has strained their relationship with their partner. For many people, browsing the self-help section of a book store, an internet search, or picking up a women’s magazine can help provide some suggestions for how to build or repair intimacy. However, for those with RA, help and advice is more limited and there’s a real need for support for those with a chronic disease looking to address intimacy challenges. So, let’s start here. The best first step to addressing any challenge is to take a look at it from a higher perspective and evaluate the bigger picture. When we step back and look at relationship “issues,” the first thing we realize is that when it comes to relationships, “normal” doesn’t exist. There is no one way to define a healthy relationship. Once you’ve accepted that there is no “normal,” you can start to focus on redefining your relationships in the face of a chronic disease, like RA. Here are a few tips that may help address intimacy with RA: Focus on self-love. The old adage “you must love yourself first before someone else can love you” rings true. While it can be difficult to love yourself when it feels like you are fighting against your body, it is even more important to exercise healthy self-love behaviors when dealing with a chronic disease. Focus on things that you love about yourself, practice positive affirmations, and take the time to do things that make you feel good. Communicate with your partner. An open dialogue is a critical component to intimacy - both physically and emotionally. Communicating openly and honestly paves the way for a feeling of closeness that comes from shared expectations and understanding. It’s also important to know that intimacy doesn’t require physicality, and if there are times you can’t be physical due to RA symptoms such as fatigue or swollen joints - that’s okay as long as you are open and honest with your partner. Make sure the intimacy in
HEALTH & WELLNESS your relationship is maintained by enjoying shared interests or hobbies - have pillow talks or compliment one another out of the blue! Work as a team. There are times in every relationship when each person faces his or her own challenges. You and your partner are in this together. You are each other’s advocates. Maintaining a healthy and successful relationship is all about balance and understanding that challenges come in all shapes and forms. Living with RA is no exception. Talk to a professional. If your RA symptoms are inhibiting your relationship, talk to a professional. The right professional probably has some good ideas of how to address the impact on intimacy. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your rheumatologist, try speaking with someone who specializes in intimate relationships such as a relationship counselor or sex therapist. If you have a chronic disease like RA, it’s important to remember that it does not define you and there are steps you can take to better manage lifestyle challenges as a result of your condition. With a little research and communication a professional, there are ways to prioritize your health, but not sacrifice your relationships and ability to enjoy life with the people closest to you.■
Ellicott City: 9501 Old Annapolis Road, Ste. 305 Ellicott City, MD 21042 Laurel 8317 Cherry Lane, Laurel, MD 20707 Phone numbers: 443-380-0060 / 410-730-7722 January - February 2017
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
By Alan Weiss, M.D.
The Gastrointestinal Tract:
The Surprising Key to
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e live in a day where the medical system and physician training fosters viewing the human body as composed of seemingly unrelated parts. One doctor looks at one part while another looks at another part. What is very surprising is how connected the various parts of the body are. There is no better example of this then the profound effects that the gastrointestinal tract has on overall health. In many of my patients who have chronic illnesses I very commonly find that when they also have gastrointestinal symptoms, such as reflux, pain, or chronic diarrhea; it is only when their GI symptoms are treated and resolved that they begin to get better. The GI tract is not just a tube. We all know how critical the GI tract is for digestion and absorption of nutrients. People are often unaware that up to 80% of the body’s immune tissue that protects us from infections is located in the intestinal wall. As well there are ten times as many microorganisms (bacteria) in the intestines than there are cells in the human body. These bacteria are critical to achieving optimal health. The body uses these bacteria to produce Vitamin K, to optimize the immune system, and to produce hormones. Disruption in the healthy bacterial balance can often result in disease. Diseases that can result from bacterial gut imbalances include inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer. I have patients who experienced significant reductions in mood disorders (depression and anxiety) after treating gut imbalances and eliminating foods they were sensitive to. Food intolerances and allergies are another topic of gut health that is underappreciated. Many very young children with colic, chronic ear and sinus problems and rashes often suffer from undiagnosed food allergies. The most common sources of food allergy is dairy and wheat, as well as allergy to a wheat protein called gluten which can result in Celiac Disease. The health effects of these food allergies can often extend beyond the GI tract. For instance, even in the absence of significant GI symptoms, Celiac disease can cause thyroid illness, osteoporosis, and neurological problems. Another example is a deficiency of stomach acid, which is critical for digestion. Most people know of acid reflux, but probably as common is a low level of stomach acid. This can result in chronic bloating, bacterial and yeast overgrowth, as well as poor absorption of food an nutrients, which can in turn result in osteoporosis, neurological issues, rashes, and muscular weakness. There are many more examples of the wide-ranging effects of GI problems such as histamine intolerance and leaky gut syndrome. 6
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Health
“GI tract is for digestion and absorption of nutrients.”
So where does one begin? It is important to bring to your physician’s attention any chronic symptoms you have and ask if they can be connected to other health issues. It is useful to do food allergy testing, cultures for infections, and measurement of stomach acid. Hunting for hidden bowel infections can often pay off handsomely in health benefits. Use of probiotics, which can restore normal bacterial balance, and prebiotics which can nourish and return to health the intestinal cells and membrane, can often make a big difference.■
Dr.Weiss completed his undergraduate work at University of Virginia and is a graduate of McGill University Medical School; he completed his Internship at the University of Hawaii and Residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. As head of Annapolis Integrative Medicine, Dr. Weiss specializes in preventative health, alternative approaches to wellness, and treating complex issues including CFS and Fibromyalgia.
Healthy Meals
Low Calorie Protein
Cheesecake
Ingredients: Prep time: 15 minutes/Cook time: 40 minutes/Serves: 10 Crust: 1 ½ graham crackers ¼ cup and 2 tablespoons almond meal 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk Cheesecake: 4 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened 3 ounces low-fat cottage cheese, blended 3 ounces non-fat plain Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon unsweetened applesauce 1 teaspoon sweetener 1 teaspoon corn starch ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 Eggland’s Best egg (large) room temperature 1/3 cup Eggland’s Best 100% Liquid Egg Whites 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 2 cups blueberries
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8.
PREPARATION: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place ten muffin tin liners in a muffin tin. Combine almond meal and graham crackers using a blender or food processor. In a small bowl, add almond milk to mix, slowly. The mix should not be wet, but crumbly instead. Portion mixture into the muffin cups and place into oven. Bake 10 minutes. Use a hand mixer to combine Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. Add the rest of the ingredients individually, while mixing at low speed. Each ingredient should be fully mixed in before adding the next one. Remove crusts from oven and lower oven temperature to 300 degrees. Add cheesecake mixture to muffin tin and return to oven. Bake 30 minutes. Once complete , allow the tin to cool 15 minutes before moving to refrigerator. Leave for two hours, and then top with blueberries, whipped cream, or other desired toppings. ■ January - February 2017
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Healthy Meals COMMUNITY
Quick Italian
Spinach Pie
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INGREDIENTS Prep time: 10 mins / Cook Time: 25 mins / Servings: 5 1 container (16 oz.) BREAKSTONE’S or KNUDSEN 2% Milkfat Low Fat Cottage Cheese 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained 1 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese 4 Eggland’s Best Eggs (large) 1 jar (7 oz.) roasted red peppers, well drained, chopped 1/3 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese 1 tsp. dried oregano leaves 1. 2. 3. 4.
PREPARATION: Heat oven to 350ºF. Mix ingredients until blended. Pour into 9-inch pie plate sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 40 min. or until center is set.■
HOME DECOR
tips to keep your home warm, cozy and protected this winter
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inter is a harsh and cold season that can be terribly straining on homes, causing costly and inconvenient breakdowns, especially to plumbing and heating systems. Home experts recommend homeowners pay attention to the little things to avoid bigger problems from developing. Taking simple steps, such as having your systems serviced each season, can help safeguard appliances and systems and keep them running at optimal performance. “Unfortunately, appliances and systems often break down when they are needed the most,” says Dave Quandt, vice president of field services American Home Shield, a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company and the largest provider of home warranties in the nation. “In 2015, our contractors and technicians completed more than 350,000 heating-related service calls, and we know the big impact that even small things can have when it comes to protecting your home.” To help protect your home this winter, follow these tips from the pros at American Home Shield: • Check, then cook: Planning on baking cookies or making homemade bread for some cold weather comfort? First, check to make sure your oven is not losing heat. If the oven door doesn’t seal properly, it could be losing more than 70 percent of its heat. Inspect the seal for breaks, tears or abnormalities and look for possible leaks. If you spot a problem, replace the seal; these are available for purchase at most home improvement stores. • Unblock and save: Over time, homeowners often add or rearrange furniture without thinking about how it affects air-
flow. Take a walk through your home and make sure there is at least an inch or two’s worth of clearance in front of every air vent. Blocking vents can cost you more money as you are likely to crank up the heat to compensate, which causes your furnace to work even harder. • Let your thermostat do the work: Many homeowners assume they know how to use their thermostat, but often there is much more it can do. Some thermostats can actually learn homeowners’ preferences and automatically adjust to save energy. Architect and home lifestyle blogger Ronique Gibson of Stagetecture encourages homeowners to take time to educate themselves on how to properly use their thermostat. Check out more of her tips for homeowners this winter season on her blog, www.Stagetecture.com. • Don’t forget your dryer: Tossing towels and blankets in the dryer to warm up on frigid days? Make sure your dryer isn’t clogged first. A clogged dryer exhaust is not only inefficient, it’s also a dangerous fire hazard. In most cases, all it takes to clean it is loosening the clamp to the exhaust and then gently pulling it off the back of the dryer. A vacuum attachment should be able to remove the lint and clear the vent. • Trust the pros: During the colder months, your heating system or furnace can run double duty trying to compete with outdoor temperatures, so make sure to have your unit professionally serviced to ensure it is working up to its potential. Also, consider a home warranty plan to help protect against unexpected costs associated with breakdowns and repairs. Visit AHS.com to find the right warranty for your home.■ January - February 2017
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BUSINESS
Where There is a Will, There’s Peace of Mind
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hat’s the state of your estate? There are compelling reasons for having an estate plan, and three core documents you’ll need to create one: a power of attorney, a living will or health care proxy, and a will. Power of attorney A power of attorney is the document designating someone to make financial decisions for you, whether you’re out of the country for a long period, have a physical injury preventing you from conducting business in person, or are mentally incapacitated. A power of attorney can be “springing” - going into effect upon your incapacity - or “durable,” meaning it goes into effect immediately. The challenge with a springing power of attorney is it can be subject to disagreement and dispute between the holder of the power and another family member. One solution is to require the incapacity be certified by a physician, although even those findings can be disputed. With the durable power of attorney, there’s no basis for contesting whether the holder of the power can act. The risk is the holder has the immediate right and ability to access and take action with respect to the financial assets subject to the power. One possible strategy? Limit the power to specific assets. This won’t help if the grantor if the power is totally incapacitated and the holder may need access to all of the grantor’s assets. A durable power of attorney is arguably less problematic, provided you are comfortable with the person you’re choosing. The holder of the power has a legal obligation, as a fiduciary of the grantor, to act in the best interests of the grantor and not in his or her interests. Living will and health care proxy A “living will” ensures your health care wishes are acted upon if you are unable to make such decisions. It lets you describe the types of treatment you do or don’t want under specific circumstances. For example, if you have a terminal illness, you may not want extraordinary measures taken to save your life. The challenge is it’s almost impossible to anticipate all possible scenarios to indicate what health care treatment you’ll want. An alternative to a pure living will is a “living will and health care proxy,” wherein you designate an individual to make health care choices for you. The living will portion describes in general terms your health care philosophy, and the health care proxy allows you to name an individual to make health care choices for you consistent with that philosophy. The choice of such an individual is important, and you should make sure you are comfortable he or she understands and will act consistent with your wishes. 10
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You should have a living will drawn up as part of your basic estate planning. Again, the alternative is a costly legal process for someone - maybe not of your choice - to get appointed as your proxy to make health care decisions on your behalf. Last will and testament A “last will and testament” serves several important purposes, including determining how your assets are distributed, who’ll care for your minor children and who’ll invest and distribute property held in trust for your children, grandchildren or other beneficiaries. The basic function of a last will and testament is to ensure your assets are distributed as you’d want. Absent a will, your assets will be distributed in accordance with applicable state law. You’ll also designate the legal guardian, and possible successors, for any minor children who survive you and your spouse. This is one of the most important and difficult decisions for parents - so difficult that it sometimes can hold up the entire estate plan. But agreement by the parents is important and avoids the possibility of someone else being court-appointed who may or may not share your child-rearing views. Think you don’t have a large enough estate to warrant setting up trusts for your beneficiaries? Consider even the most basic estate when you own a house, have retirement assets and maybe additional investments or property. Given the total value of these assets, you’d probably want to hold them in trust for minor heirs. If there’s life insurance, a trust for younger beneficiaries will almost certainly make sense. Although federal estate tax is no longer a significant consideration for most individuals, you may want to consider the cost of state estate tax. The state exemption is sometimes less than the federal exemption, and state estate tax can take a meaningful bite out of what you expect to leave to your beneficiaries.■ About Our Firm Our firm is dedicated to providing you with quality estate planning resources, so you can become familiar with all of the existing options. When you visit or call our office, we want you to feel comfortable discussing such an important issue concerning both you and your family. We want to arm you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your family’s future. 410.573.4818/301.970.8080.
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