Baltimore County
W
J
A Lifestyle Magazine
COMPLIMENTARY Volume 54 Issue 5
omen s ournal Relax & Rejuvenate
NEHA
THREADING
salon ● spa ● wellness
WojoTalk.com
Contents
3 10 12 14
Health & Wellness
Healthy Meals
Home Decor
Business
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Experience
5 Star N
eha Threading – Salon and Spa is the only spa that offers threading services along with a full service spa. There is no other spa in Baltimore that offers couples treatments, Vichy showers, Ayurvedic treatments along with hair and threading services. They also offer Henna Tattooing which is very popular during the summer time. Neha is an artist with an extraordinary hand. She not only does perfect threading but can also draw intricate, one-of-a kind designs for Henna Tattoos! The uniqueness of Neha comes from her remarkable energy personally attending to each and every one of her customers and giving them the exceptional customer service. This is what she has to say for all her customers: “I still have a lot of passion about my work and I love to serve all of you whether it is performing threading service or listening to your stories or even giving you my magical hug to relieve your stress!! It really makes me feel great from inside.”
Believe it or not there is magic in her style of threading and her interaction with her customers that gives a positive energy and makes you feel good. Even the Indian folk music she plays every morning has a soothing effect in the environment. Neha has been in the business for over 20 years and has threaded over 20K unique customers and that is one of the reason she was mentioned as the “Threading Goddess” by the Examiner magazine. Recently Neha was featured on WBAL Channel in one of their segments for “Growth of Woman Owned Business” in
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Luxury in your neighborhood!
“The uniqueness of Neha comes from her remarkable energy.”
Maryland. Her “Art of Threading” has been televised several times by various local TV channels. Recently Neha has introduced a FREE massage service once a month for a person in need to support the local community. Her first candidate was a beautiful spirited woman with terminal cancer and really appreciated the experience of the spa. Her goal is to expand this by adding more FREE services and also, to go to local hospitals/hospice and offer massages. For all her regular customers Neha Threading - Salon and Spa offers $50 spa services also known as Spa Week twice a year. Spa Week is very popular and is extended for 3 weeks; it will begin October 10th and end October 30th. Threading is becoming more popular day by day. With that being said, there is a higher demand of good threading artists. Neha has plans to open 2-3 Kiosk locations in surrounding areas to cater to her ever expanding clientele. These locations will only offer threading services, and to ensure customers will still get the same exceptional customer service as they experience at our Pikesville and Canton location. Neha has started mentoring new threading artists under her stewardship by teaching them her unique style of doing threading. Once they perfect the art they will be given independence to run one of the new locations.■ 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) October - November 2016
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By Alan Weiss, M.D.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Thriving in (Not Just Surviving) your
40s & 50s
T
ime and time again I see men and women in their 40s and 50s with a similar story: Increasing stress at home and work, raising children, not sleeping well, gaining weight, less energy, less time for pleasure and the list goes on. Along with this come aches and pains, lessened libidos, burgeoning intestinal and abdominal complaints, and often a growing list of medications to combat these. Fortunately there is a fairly simple approach to dealing with this kind of situation. First and foremost is to make sure there are no serious illnesses either happening or on the horizon. A good history and physical exam as well as appropriate comprehensive testing should be able to sort that out. Once that is handled you can begin to deal with getting well. First and foremost is getting good restorative sleep. Over time we develop habits and patterns of sleep that do not promote health. Overuse of caffeine, cutting back time allotted for sleep and the development of medical sleep disorders such as sleep apnea (marked by snoring, gasping, daytime fatigue and difficulty with losing weight) are all issues to consider. There are simple non pharmaceutical methods available to help promote the sleep we need for our bodies to heal. Next is diet. As we get older we become less able to manage sugar and easily digested simple carbohydrates as found in breads, pastas, grains and some fruits. We tend to become somewhat insulin resistant, which creates a vicious circle of obesity causing more insulin resistance and inflammation, etcetera. Weight gain and inflammation are often due to food allergies, a phenomenon known as leaky gut, inflammation and insulin resistance. One way to gauge your body’s metabolic activities is to have your doctor check your c-reactive protein level to measure inflammation, and if blood sugar is an issue, consider having a glucose tolerance test and check insulin levels. I have found food allergy testing to be very useful for many. Evaluating and optimizing hormone status can be instrumental in maintaining youth. Some say our hormones decline because we age. Others say we age because our hormones decline. Areas to focus on are thyroid issues which can produce fatigue and dulling. A phenomenon called “adrenal fatigue” is becoming more recognized as a real issue and testing and treating this can make a big difference for people. Finally optimizing hormone levels in men and women (testosterone, estrogen and progesterone) can afford great changes in energy and vitality.
“Some say our hormones decline because we age”
As one begins to deal with these issues and others (such as toxins in our food and environment, micronutrient levels, exercise and stress management) it becomes obvious that they are all interconnected like a web. A simple example is that when one is stressed, you are less likely to sleep well, and data shows that people who are not well rested make poorer eating choices. Working with a health practitioner and examining your life and habits from these perspectives can give one an access to new habits, new actions, and real changes.■
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. October - November 2016
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Are you Ready for flu Season?
F
ever, chills, fatigue, body aches, sore throat and headache - these are just a few of the common symptoms of seasonal influenza, also known as the flu. While you may think you can weather the storm, the flu can be a major health concern for you and your family, especially for children and the elderly. The flu is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by influenza viruses that attack the nose, throat and lungs. Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, flu symptoms vary from mild respiratory illness to severe complications, hospitalization and in some cases death. An average of 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu complications in the U.S. each year. To reduce illness and potential death resulting from the flu, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages annual vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older. “Despite strong recommendations for everyone in the U.S. 6 months of age and older to be vaccinated against the flu every year, fewer than half of eligible people did so in the 20142015 season. This includes children, the group with the highest incidence during community outbreaks,” said Kim Tran, MS, PharmD, pharmacist, PillPack, Inc. “Even healthy people are at risk - they should be vaccinated to help protect themselves and to prevent transmission to others.” Due to the variety of factors that can determine a person’s suitability for a vaccine, including age, health and allergies, different flu vaccines are approved for use in different populations of people. In particular, quadrivalent vaccines, which help pro-
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tect against four strains of the flu, approved for both children and adults aim to broaden flu coverage. The traditional seasonal influenza vaccine is a trivalent formula consisting of two strains of influenza A viruses and a single strain of influenza B virus. Although there are two very different lineages of B viruses that both circulate during most seasons, experts are limited to choosing only one of the B virus strains for inclusion in the trivalent vaccine. The use of a quadrivalent influenza vaccine may now provide protection against both B lineages, which may provide broader protection against circulating flu viruses. In addition, studies have shown that seasonal flu vaccines made to protect against four flu viruses have a safety profile similar to vaccines made to protect against three viruses. Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people with the flu beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick. Some people can even be infected with the flu and spread the virus to others without having any symptoms. While the best way to help prevent the flu is to get a flu shot every year, you should also take everyday precautions against the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and try to avoid close contact with sick people. You could protect yourself and your family against the inconvenient and potentially life-threatening complications of the flu by simply getting vaccinated. For additional resources regarding what is best suited for you, please visit www.whatsyourfluplan.com.■
It’s kids’ eye exam season:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Tips for Children’s Vision Health “Undiagnosed vision problems can also lead to behavioral problems in school and difficulty with class work.”
B
y now, kids have settled into their school day routine, teachers know each student’s abilities and potential, and you’re feeling like you have a moment to catch a breath before the holidays arrive. Then, an envelope comes home from school with a troubling surprise: your child is having difficulty seeing the white board in class. The school recommends a full eye exam. “It’s not uncommon for parents to be unaware their child is having vision issues, and children themselves may not realize it either,” says Dr. Mark Jacquot, clinical director for LensCrafters Vision Care. “Kids use their eyes constantly in the classroom and on the playground. Problems often come to light during the first months of the school year, when children either have a vision screening in school or their teacher notices them struggling academically.” Between 15 to 20 percent of pre-school-age kids have a vision problem such as nearsightedness, lazy eye (2 to 5 percent), and 3 to 4 percent have a condition that causes the eyes to turn in or out, according to the Vision Council. However, two out of three kids start school without having had a comprehensive eye exam. Undiagnosed vision problems can also lead to behavioral problems in school and difficulty with class work. Some kids may even have their vision issues misdiagnosed as attention deficit disorders, according to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Some signs of vision issues - like a short attention span for close work or difficulty reading - mirror ADD symptoms. The vision care professionals at LensCrafters recommend parents be alert for common signs of vision problems in children, including: • Pupils of different sizes
• • • • • • •
Red eyes Swollen eyelids Excessive blinking, stumbling or daydreaming Rubbing eyes Squinting Headaches, dizziness, nausea or double vision Holding reading materials very close to the face To help parents understand, first hand, the vision problems children may be experiencing, a new video is available at www. lenscrafters.com/see-how-your-child-sees. “In-school vision screenings generally only test for how well a child sees at various distances, so it’s important for children to have the health of their eyes checked by a doctor through a comprehensive exam each year, even if you haven’t noticed signs of a problem,” Jacquot says. “Eye health can be a valuable indicator of overall health, and a comprehensive eye exam can detect or rule out serious health conditions.” While health insurance typically doesn’t cover adult vision care, the Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to cover pediatric eye care. If your child hasn’t already had a comprehensive eye exam this school year, now’s the time to get one. New technology makes eye exams easier, more accurate and more kid-friendly than ever. LensCrafters’ new digital exam, Clarifye, measures five times more optical characteristics of the visual system, on both the inside and outside of the eye, to provide the most detailed picture of eye health. The exam pinpoints the smallest changes that occur in eyes over time, allowing eye care professionals to detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, diabetes and high blood pressure. Visit www.lenscrafters.com/clarifye to learn more about Clarifye. For more information on children’s eye health and vision care, visit eyeonkidshealth.com.■ October - November 2016
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Mammograms for Early Detection of
Breast Cancer J
ennifer was my last appointment of the day and she was late. Late meeting at work, had to pick up the kids, almost forgot she had even her annual GYN appointment. She apologized, and of course I could still see her. As a working mother myself, I empathized. During her visit, we reviewed her uneventful medical and family history, and her physical examination was normal. We discussed follow-up plans. Her Pap smear results would be available next week, and I would send her to get a mammogram since she recently celebrated her 40th birthday. She disapproved saying, “I don’t need a mammogram. I don’t have breast cancer. No one in my family has ever had breast cancer, or any type of cancer.” She gave more reasons: Too
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busy with work, school, and family; mammograms were painful; mammograms are for older women, etc. I had a rebuttal for each reason, so we went back and forth. Finally, I handed her the form and insisted, “Humor me. Get it done, and then I’ll leave you alone.” Jennifer and her husband came to my office the following week, both in tears. The mammogram was abnormal, and a follow-up biopsy confirmed that she had breast cancer. She underwent surgery and radiation. Luckily, the cancer was detected very early, and her prognosis was excellent. She is grateful to me for insisting on the mammogram. And I am grateful that she listened. Counseling my patients about breast cancer screening is perhaps one of the
most important things I do at my practice. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and accounts for 27 percent of all new cases of cancer diagnosed in women. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 12 percent, or 1 in 8. That means one out of every eight patients that I see will have breast cancer at some time in her life. While prevention of breast cancer is not possible, early detection of disease usually translates to a better outcome. As an OB/GYN, I am aware that I can make a difference in my patients’ lives by emphasizing screening guidelines aimed at early detection of breast cancer. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology currently recommends selfbreast exam, clinical-breast exam, and breast imaging (usually mammogram) beginning at age 40.. Many women do not feel confident about doing self-breast exams for fear that they are not doing it correctly. The key is to start at a younger age and get used to the normal feel and look of both breasts. Once an awareness of what feels and looks normal is estab-
lished, then abnormal changes are easier to detect. For women still having menstrual cycles, they may experience changes in breast texture during the menstrual cycle. Any persistent abnormal findings should be reported to a health provider. The clinical breast exam is accomplished during a woman’s yearly GYN visit. It is important to have this breast examination by a health care professional at least once a year as a simple and effective strategy for early detection of breast cancer. As an OB/GYN, I get a lot of questions about breast cancer. Here are a few: Q: What exactly is breast cancer? Cancer is a term used to describe when cells in any part of the body start to grow abnormally. The cells grow uncontrollably forming a lump, or tumor. In the breast, some tumors are benign, not harmful, and do not spread. Breast cancer typically refers to tumors that are harmful, grow in size, invade the entire breast, and spread to other parts of the body. Q: Who can get breast cancer? Every woman can get breast cancer. Q: How harmful is breast cancer? Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The breast cancer survival rate is lower among women whose cancer was detected at a later stage of disease. Survival is also lower in women diagnosed before age 40. Younger women with breast cancer tend to have more aggressive tumors that are less responsive to treatment. African-American women also have lower survival rates than Caucasian women. Q: Is the risk higher for some women? While every woman is at risk for breast cancer, some patients are at higher risk and may require enhanced screening. Known risk factors for breast cancer are increasing age, family history, older age at first full-term pregnancy, early onset of menstrual cycles, late menopause, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and breast density. For older women in menopause, additional risks include obesity and use of hormone replacement therapy. There is absolutely no scientific evidence that links underwire bras, breast implants, antiperspirant use, and medical abortion to breast cancer. Keep in mind that having a risk factor, or even several, does not mean that you will get breast cancer. Most women who have one or more risk factors never develop the breast cancer. More important, many women diagnosed with breast cancer have no risk factors. For example, even if no family member has ever had breast cancer, the disease can still occur. Q: What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer? Typically, early breast cancer does not cause signs or symptoms. However, all breast changes including lump in the breast or underarm, nipple discharge or other nipple changes, skin color or skin texture changes, or breast pain should be reported to a doctor.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
“While every woman is at risk for breast cancer, some patients are at higher risk and may require enhanced screening.” Q: I don’t have health insurance. Can I still get screened for breast cancer? The new health care laws give almost every woman access to cost-free or inexpensive preventive health care screenings. Women are encouraged to be proactive, and apply for coverage. If you missed the deadline for applying for health insurance last year, open enrollment begins again on November 15th. Some local imaging centers offer reasonable- or reduced-priced mammograms. The Howard County Health Department Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program also offers screening at no cost to qualified applicants. Q: I am afraid. How can I prevent breast cancer? Breast cancer is scary. Yet, we do not have to be scared or intimidated. Every woman should pay close attention to her own body. Be proactive. Talk to a doctor about breast cancer screening. Early detection is the key.■
Ellicott City: 9501 Old Annapolis Rd, Suite 305 Ellicott City, MD 21042 Laurel 8317 Cherry Lane Laurel, MD 20707 Phone numbers: 443-380-0060 410-730-7722 October - November 2016
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Healthy Meals COMMUNITY
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Simple, F healthy twists to favorite family foods
rom favorite meals to the snacks they ask for daily, you probably have a list committed to memory of the foods your family enjoys most. Wish you could up the nutrition factor on some of those items? With a few healthy twists, you can easily encourage your family to eat more wholesome snacks and meals while still appealing to their taste buds. Registered Dietician Christy Wilson offers incredibly simple ideas for recreating meal and snack time so your entire family benefits from better nutrition. For more inspiration for healthy eating, visit www.vivemejor.com. Snack fresh When hunger pangs strike, but it’s not yet mealtime, reach for fresh fruit. Get a little creative by making fruit parfaits by layering chopped fresh fruit with yogurt and granola. Packed with vitamins and minerals, you can feel good when your kids ask for more. Super sides Get creative by adding fresh produce into side dishes. For example, add red pepper, mushrooms, onion, tomato and lime juice to Knorr Fiesta Sides Yellow Rice. Want to make it a meal? Add a protein like sauteed chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces. Satisfy the crunch craving Sometimes your family just wants something crunchy so they reach for that bag of chips. Stop! Instead of chips, prepare crunchy vegetable sticks like jicama, carrots and cucumbers. They’re great for dipping and packing in the kids’ lunches. Double the vegetables For a nutrition boost, double the vegetables in favorite family recipes. For example, you can take Knorr’s recipe for Fiesta Lime Chicken and give it a nutritious spin with two or three tomatoes instead of just one.■
Fiesta Lime Chicken
Serves 4; Preparation time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 tablespoon lime juice 1 package Knorr Fiesta Sides Yellow Rice 1 avocado, diced 1 large tomato, diced Directions: If desired, season chicken with salt and pepper or Knorr Chicken flavor Bouillon. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken, stirring frequently, until chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 5 minutes. Stir in lime juice. Remove and set aside.■ October - November 2016
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4 HOME DECOR COMMUNITY
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DIY Projects for your First Home
“W
here should I start?” It’s a question many homeowners ask themselves. DIY is a great place to start for new homeowners. DIY projects are very versatile - they can easily be adapted to your skill level, budget and desired project. With a little extra time and creativity, you can transform your home. Other benefits to choosing a DIY project are that they are typically more cost-effective than the alternative and they offer an added sense of ownership and pride in your home. Since DIY project ideas are endless, it’s important to choose ones that will improve your home’s value at a reasonable cost. A DIY project should make your life easier and more enjoyable. These are some top recommended DIY projects for first-time homeowners. They won’t break the bank but they will deliver a bang for your buck. 1. Add crown molding or update casing and trim. The addition of crown molding to the top of interior walls is a subtle change with big impact. Casing, which is the trim around doors and windows, can also make a huge difference. The replacement of dated crown molding, casing or trim can make a room look newly updated. Go one step further with a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and you’ll basically have an entirely new room. For more information on how to install crown molding, check out these simple steps. 2. Replace doors. Doors are often forgettable, but don’t have to be. Replace hollow core bedroom, bathroom and closet doors with wood alternatives for an instant dash of richness. And don’t limit yourself to traditionally-styled options. From specialty woods to glass panels, there are plenty of options to choose from. 3. Clean and refinish your wood deck. As long as your wood is in good shape, all you need is deck cleaner and wood stain to turn something dated into the focal point of your backyard. You can buy deck cleaner at your local hardware store. Wood deck stains are available there or at a paint store. You’ll be amazed to see weathered wood look like new again. If you haven’t cleaned or refinished a deck before, here are step-by-step instructions. 4. Update your closets. Add built-in shelving or simply streamline clothes hangers for an organizational boost you’ll thank yourself for every day. Or you can tackle a popular closet upgrade: lining a traditional closet with cedar. Natural cedar looks great, smells great and keeps moths and mildew away. It’s a classic and high-end upgrade that’s not terribly expensive or time-intensive. When your friends or family open your closet, they will be pleasantly surprised. 5. Use tongue-and-groove cedar to line some or all of an existing closet. You can leave baseboards in place if they’re thicker than the cedar. If not, remove them with a pry bar before the cedar installation. Use nails to attach the cedar to the wall studs, or adhere them with a construction adhesive. Prepare to feel like a bona fide fancy grown-up when it’s done! These are just a fraction of the many DIY projects possibilities. The most important piece of advice is to have fun and don’t be afraid to try new things. The more DIY projects you complete, the more confident you’ll feel. To get started, pencil in a dedicated DIY day on your calendar and enjoy the process!■ October - November 2016
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BUSINESS
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October - November 2016
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Take a Cooking Class ...It’s Fun!
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Cooking Classes $35 NEW LOCATION
Near Arundel Mills Mall
Classes also available in DC & MD
301-887-7901
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