WJ Washington Vol 57/Issue 2

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Washington

W

J

A Lifestyle Magazine

COMPLIMENTARY Volume 57 Issue 2

omen s ournal

matters of the heart

xoxo

NO BAKE LEMON COOKIE FRUIT TARTS

WojoTalk.com


Contents

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Health & Wellness

Decor & Recipes

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.

Business Development Tara Pannell DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS Wendy Ward GRAPHIC DESIGNER Fina Florez To Advertise, please email Info@wjwomen.com


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sneaky tricks

HEALTH & WELLNESS

of Heart Disease

“High blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary artery disease are often silent.”

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s Americans, our health is far from perfect, but over the decades, we’ve seen great improvements to medical care and lived longer lives. But new health data in a recent report might shake up our complacency: The federal government finds that life expectancy for Americans has dropped for the first time in 25 years. Though the factors are varied and complex, it has health experts and doctors taking a hard look at the current realities, including our rising obesity rate and the fact doctors may be reaching their limit on what they can do to treat heart disease. “The report, though troubling to any family doctor, can be used as the basis of a wake-up call to anyone to improve their health,” says Andrew Manganaro, MD, FACC, FACS, Chief Medical officer for Life Line Screening. “That is especially true for those who have been diagnosed with a risk factor for heart disease.” Manganaro urges patients ages 55 and older to be proactive with their heart health by scheduling regular doctor visits and following their doctor’s instructions. In addition, he recommends making regular cardiovascular screenings a part of your wellness routine. Not convinced you need a screening? These three realities of cardiovascular health might change your mind. 1. Heart disease is often silent. Problems with the cardiovascular system can creep in gradually. Fully 80 percent - 4 out of 5 - of people who have a stroke have no symptoms beforehand. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary artery disease are often silent, partly because the warning signs are not what most people expect. Symptoms are less obvious, such as a headache, shortness of breath or pain in the jaw. Even if you are already taking steps to manage your risk factors, a screening will give you and your doctor a picture of the health of your cardiovascular system.

2. Minor conditions are easy to ignore. Even if your screening doesn’t reveal you’re at a very high risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack, don’t be complacent. Because your cardiovascular system is interconnected, plaque in one artery makes it very possible that plaque will eventually show up elsewhere. For example, a diagnosis of peripheral artery disease is a condition that is associated with leg cramping, but that’s a diagnosis that should be taken as a warning. Because these leg arteries are literally narrowing, it could mean that the arteries to the brain could also narrow, creating the ideal conditions for a stoke. Likewise, if arteries to the heart were to narrow, that could lead to heart attack or heart failure. 3. Oral health is a window to artery health. For decades, researchers have seen a connection between oral health and heart health. Back in the 1920s for example, doctors thought they could cure heart disease by extracting teeth. While the connection is not yet fully understood, we do know oral plaque has a relationship to carotid artery plaque. Manganaro encourages patients to also see their dentist regularly and take good care of their gums and teeth. The good news is you don’t need a prescription or take a trip to the doctor’s office to have preventive health screenings for cardiovascular disease. Life Line Screening performs affordable testing in community settings throughout the country. This testing will reveal where carotid artery plaque buildup is located and how much. This could translate into lifesaving treatment for you, or simply offer peace of mind. To find out when a screening clinic may be scheduled in your area, visit www.lifelinescreening.com/ HeartCheck or call (877) 754-9631.■ February - March 2017

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Submitted By Dr. Net Tesfayohannes

Georgetown Pain Management 7500 Greenway Center Dr., Suite #940, Greenbelt, MD 20770

Phone: (301) 718-1082 / Fax: (301) 718-1084 / www.gtpain.com 4

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By Alan Weiss, M.D.

The Gastrointestinal Tract:

Health

The Surprising Key to

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

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.

“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. February - March 2017

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

things you can do today to support your heart health

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n the path to good health, it pays to follow your heart - literally. A healthy heart is essential to supporting good overall health, yet many people ignore the warning signs that their heart is not as healthy as it could be. A 2016 survey from the American Academy of Family Physicians, conducted by Harris Poll, found that nearly three in 10 men and women reported they had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. This result mirrors the findings of research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings translate to an estimated 75 million people with high blood pressure, and just slightly more than half have the condition under control. “This finding is concerning because we know that high blood pressure and heart attacks or chronic heart failure are so closely related,” said John Meigs, Jr., MD, president of the AAFP. “According to the CDC, seven out of 10 people who have a first heart attack have high blood pressure. Seven out of 10 people who develop chronic heart failure have high blood pressure. So it’s important that people know what their blood pressure is.” To lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these recommendations. 1. Be deliberate with your diet. Fruits and vegetables are essential, but pay special attention to their color too. Vegetables and fruits of different colors offer different nutrients, so mix them up. At the same time, avoid heavily processed foods and those high in sodium. You should also make sure you’re

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“Fruits and vegetables are essential, but pay special attention to their color too.” drinking plenty of water rather than soda or energy drinks. Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses every single day. 2. Balance your BMI. If you don’t know your BMI, a quick Internet search can lead you to several easy-to-use BMI calculators. And once you do know your BMI, you can start taking steps to reduce it, if necessary. According to the American Heart Association, losing just 5-10 percent of your body weight can dramatically reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. And that leads us to ... 3. Jump start your heart with aerobic exercise. Your heart is a muscle, and like other muscles in your body, exercise strengthens it. So put your heart through a workout with activities like walking, biking or hiking to increase your heart rate. Exercise can also lower your risk of developing plaque in your arteries, allowing your heart to be more efficient in delivering blood and nutrients to other parts of your body. 4. Stop the stress. Aside from a poor diet, there may be no larger culprit for high blood pressure than stress. Successful stress management has been proven to reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. So relax, exercise, meditate, breathe deep or just have some fun. Whatever you do to burn off stress, make it an essential part of your day. You and your heart will be better for it. “Get your blood pressure checked,” says Meigs. “If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to treat it and lower your risk factors. That same advice applies to knowing what your blood cholesterol levels are.” To learn more about how you can reduce your blood pressure and improve your heart health, have a conversation with your family doctor today. Your doctor will be able to give you an accurate assessment of your current health and offer ideas on where and how you can improve. And to find more heart-healthy tips, visit familydoctor.org.■


“Dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli are among the most nutritious foods.”

HEALTH & WELLNESS

One thing can help children eat more vegetables at school

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he U.S Department of Agriculture proposed a complete overhaul of school lunches subsidized by the federal government in 2012. These changes aimed to limit calories, reduce sodium and increase the consumption of vegetables and whole grains. Improved nutrition is a laudable goal, but the realities of science and nutrition may surprise most people. That’s because scientific studies show kids are more likely to eat their vegetables if they have adequate salt. Dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli are among the most nutritious foods. However, they all contain very bitter phytochemicals that affect their taste. A research paper from the University of Pennsylvania examined the response of tasters to varying amounts of salt in a range of foods that were naturally bitter, including vegetables and other foods deemed to be healthy. Reducing the salt intake made these foods less appealing and adversely affected the tasters’ nutrient intake. In another study conducted at Ohio State University, cooked broccoli was fed to individuals from three different age groups: children, adults and senior citizens. The broccoli florets were prepared with different levels of salt. The results showed that even though participants were unaware as to which sample was which, salt significantly increased broccoli’s palatability. A University of Vermont study to measure food consumption in schools before and after the salt reduction mandate confirmed what school lunch officials feared: they witnessed most students putting fruits and vegetables into the trash instead of

their mouths. The study showed that although students were required to place more fruits and vegetables on their trays, they ate less of each. When students were involved in setting choices, several new student-approved recipes were added to the menu: barbecue chicken, buffalo chicken wraps, chicken salad wraps and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - all savory comfort foods everyone enjoys. It was a stark reminder you cannot impose bland foods on individuals. And there is a reason for that - our bodies are telling us we need sufficient amounts of the essential nutrient, sodium. Public health policy that is not based on evidence cannot outdo our bodies built-in mechanisms demanding those nutrients.■ Frederick Corder, MD FAAP Dr. Corder attended medical school at Howard University College of Medicine and graduated in 1977. He is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Corder was formally the Chief Health Officer for Prince George’s County and the medical Director of several health plans. Dr. Corder has been in Pediatric practice for over 35 years. Dr. Corder, his wife Dr. Marilyn Corder ad their daughter Adrienne Corder started the Corder Pounders Youth Fitness program and the Family Fitness Center. Bowie, MD • (301) 805-2229 / Cheverly, MD • (301) 341-7494 Children’s Medical Center: Washington, DC – T: 202-291-0147 February - March 2017

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Happy Healthy feet Tips by Dr. Barbara Puplampu

A practicing podiatrist with over 22 years of experience

1. Check your feet everyday. (Do an inspection for cuts, bruises etc.) 2. Keep your feet dry. 3. Wear properly fitted shoes and socks.

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hot bathroom DESIGNs

That Don’t Have to Cost a Bundle

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offee bars, TVs in mirrors, smart toilets and pet-friendly amenities - a growing number of homeowners are requesting such upscale features in their bathroom design, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Is it any wonder that association members report the average cost of remodeling a bath is between $10,000 and $30,000? However, you don’t have to spend that much to update your bathroom stylishly and easily. Here are four popular bathroom design preferences, plus tips to cost-effectively achieve these looks in your home: Transitional is trending According to a poll of remodeling professionals, the vast majority agreed that “transitional” was the most-requested style in bathroom settings. Transitional design allows you to blend elements of both traditional and contemporary styles. The result is a comfortable blend of sophistication and simplicity that is easy to create with only a modest investment. Neutrals have staying power Long favored for their ability to create an easy-to-customize color foundation, neutral hues remain in vogue in the bathroom. Whites and grays are the most popular color schemes, NKBA reports, although these colors aren’t confined to walls or floors. White continues to be the most popular color choice for toilets, tubs and sinks. In bathrooms with these pristine-toned fixtures, you can cost-effectively play on the neutral trend by adding pale gray to the walls. For a subtle effect that will also add height to the room, paint the ceiling a gray several shades lighter than the walls.

HOME DECOR

square showerhead, paired with the Times Square shower system that features an ultra-convenient hand shower. A teak shower seat and recessed lighting above the shower are also cost-effective upgrades that can elevate your shower experience to be truly spa-like. Aging-in-place amenities Home design experts have long predicted that as baby boomers grow older, demand will increase for home features that will allow seniors to stay in their houses throughout their golden years. NKBA members report evidence of this trend, with more homeowners asking for aging-in-place upgrades such as grab bars, higher vanities and chair-height toilets. Aging-in-place upgrades are among the most useful and cost-effective bathroom improvements. Following this pattern can be as simple as installing grab bars in showers and tubs, and next to toilets. Replacing knob faucets with single-handle or lever-style faucets allows people with dexterity challenges to easily and safely function in the bathroom. Remodeling your bathroom to keep pace with today’s hottest trends doesn’t have to cost a lot. With a few creative touches and versatile pieces like new faucets and hand showers, it’s possible to create an up-to-date look with a modest investment.■

Superior showers The shower is becoming a highlight of the bathroom, with many renovators reporting that homeowners want customization such as lighting, built-in seating, benches and hand-showers installed. Remodeling your shower can be as simple as replacing an old-style, static showerhead with an upgraded, more luxurious model. One option is the American Standard drenching 6-inch February - March 2017

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Healthy Meals COMMUNITY

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Healthy Meals

NO BAKE LEMON COOKIE FRUIT TARTS Just 8 ingredients and 30 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients / serves 6 CRUST • 7-12 medjool dates, pitted (if not sticky and moist, see notes) • 2 cups raw walnuts (or sub other nut, such as pecan or almond) • 1/4 tsp sea salt (optional)

FILLING • 12 ounces firm silken tofu (I used Morinaga), patted dry and gently pressed in a clean towel for at least 15 minutes, up to 1 hour • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • ~1/4 cup maple syrup, agave nectar or honey if not vegan (or use date caramel - I did half date caramel, half agave) • juice of 1 lemon (~2 Tbsp) • 1 1/2 cups mixed fresh fruit, divided (blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, mango, or whatever you prefer)

recipe by Minimalist Baker.com

Directions 1. Press/drain tofu while preparing crust. 2. Add walnuts to a food processor and pulse until a semi-fine meal is achieved. 3. Then, with the processor running, drop in dates one at a time through the spout until the mixture resembles a dough. It should hold form when squeezed between two fingers. This will take anywhere from 7-12 dates, depending on their size. 4. Line a standard pie or tart pan, or several 4 3/4-inch tart pans (I bought mine here) with parchment paper. Divide crust between the pans and press using your hands to form a uniform crust. Place another piece of parchment paper on top and use a glass to get it more even and firmly pressed into place. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Set in freezer to chill. 5. Add drained tofu, lemon juice, vanilla, and sweetener of choice to blender and blend until creamy and smooth, scraping down edges as needed. I used half date caramel and half agave. Adjust flavors to desired level of tartness/sweetness. 6. Remove crust from freezer and top with lemon filling. Chill to set - at least 2-4 hours - and then top with fruit just before serving. You could also serve with coconut whipped cream to send these over the top. 7. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a few days. Transfer to freezer for longer-term storage.■ February - March 2017

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Healthy Meals COMMUNITY

Valentine POPCORN MIX Ingredients / serves 16 4 cups crispy corn cereal squares 1 cup premier white morsels 1 tablespoon Pure Wesson® Vegetable Oil 8 drops red food coloring 1 bag (76.3 g each) Orville Redenbacher’s® Gourmet® Naturals Simply Salted Microwave Popcorn 2 cups tiny pretzel twists, broken into pieces 1/2 cup Peter Pan® Creamy Peanut Butter 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions 1. Line shallow baking pan with parchment paper. Place cereal in large bowl; set aside. Place morsels and oil in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds; stir.

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Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds more or until softened; stir until completely melted. Add food coloring; stir until blended. Spoon mixture over cereal; stir until well coated. Spread cereal mixture on pan, separating pieces. Refrigerate 5 minutes or until firm. 2. Meanwhile, prepare popcorn according to package directions. Remove all unpopped kernels. Combine popped corn and pretzel pieces in an extra-large bowl. Place peanut butter in small microwave-safe bowl; microwave on HIGH 30 seconds or until melted. Drizzle peanut butter over popcorn mixture; toss to coat. Place confectioner’s sugar in large resealable food storage bag. Add popcorn mixture; shake to coat. 3. Place popcorn mixture and coated cereal in large serving bowl. Add cranberries; toss gently to combine. Store leftovers in tightly sealed container.■


Healthy Meals

Cannoli French Toast Rolls

INGREDIENTS Prep Time: 15 minutes Serves: 8 Filling 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest

French Toast 16 slices home-style white bread, crusts removed 1/4 cup milk 2 Eggs (large) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup Land O Lakes® Butter Garnish with powdered sugar

• • • • • • • • •

DIRECTIONS Combine all filling ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Flatten bread slices with rolling pin and spread 1 tablespoon filling over each bread slice, to 1/2 inch from sides and to 1 inch at top. Roll up bread slices, starting from bottom. Place milk, eggs and cinnamon in shallow bowl and whisk until combined. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat until sizzling. Dip 4 bread rolls into egg mixture, then place in skillet. Cook, turning occasionally, for 3 minutes or until lightly browned on all sides. Repeat with remaining butter and bread rolls; wiping out skillet between batches. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired, and enjoy!■ February - March 2017

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BUSINESS

The Surprising Way to Stretch

Your Retirement Savings

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he temptation to start collecting monthly Social Security checks at age 62 is hard to resist, but claiming the benefit too early can have damaging consequences for your overall retirement funds. According to Kiplinger. com’s October list of “Financial Decisions You Will Regret in Retirement,” taking the money as soon as you are eligible at 62 is actually considered one of the worst mistakes you can make in your lifetime by many advisors. That’s because the longer you wait to claim benefits, the more money you are eligible to receive in your monthly check. The Social Security Administration says the increases from delaying your benefit can be large and explains that a worker would receive $750 a month if she starts her benefit at age 62, but $1,000 a month at her full retirement age of 66. Or, if she delays until age 70, she would receive $1,320 a month. There are obvious advantages to waiting until age 70 to claim Social Security, but for individuals who can’t or don’t want to continue working that long, it might not be so easy to defer the monthly cash benefit. Certified financial planners Neil Krishnaswamy and Tom Davison say older adults do have options for filling the financial gap until they are eligible for their maximum benefit at age 70. Both experts outlined strategies that incorporate housing wealth early on in retirement instead of using home equity as a last resort option, which has been the conventional wisdom until recently. This can be achieved by either selling the home and downsizing or, if you plan on staying in your current home for many years, using a reverse mortgage to convert part of the home’s value into a liquid asset. Setting up a reverse mortgage with a term payout that lasts eight years is one idea to consider in this scenario. The loan proceeds can help bridge a homeowner’s finances by replacing all or a portion of the income Social Security would have provided during the interim. A reverse mortgage can also make sense for affluent retirees in high tax brackets seeking to maximize their Social Security benefit. Davison, a wealth manager and researcher in Columbus, Ohio, wrote a 2014 case study, “Delay Social Security: Funding

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the Income Gap with a Reverse Mortgage” that showed how using a reverse mortgage line of credit to bridge the gap can dramatically improve a retirement financial plan. Instead of spending down an IRA or other investments where withdrawals are taxed, withdrawals from the line of credit, which are not taxable income, can be used to pay expenses. This allows the investment portfolio to grow until the first required minimum distribution at age 70, the same year the retiree can claim the maximum Social Security benefit. Davison emphasized the long-term benefits of the reverse mortgage line of credit if the borrower is able to put money towards voluntarily repaying it over time. The reverse mortgage line of credit will grow at a reliable rate and can be used to support spending later in life when fewer borrowing options are available. A reverse mortgage is a loan that enables homeowners that are generally 62 or older to use part of their homes’ equity to obtain cash proceeds that can be used in many ways, without giving up ownership of the house. Borrowers may choose to draw their funds as a lump sum, as a monthly term or tenure payment, or they may choose to create a line of credit that can be drawn upon on an as-needed basis; borrowers may also choose a combination of a monthly payment and a line of credit. The loan does not have to be repaid until the last surviving borrower or remaining eligible non-borrowing spouse passes away or permanently leaves the home, or fails to meet loan obligations that include paying property taxes and insurance, and keeping the home maintained. There is no penalty for repaying all or some of the loan early, and as Davison stresses, repaying the line of credit when expenses are low will enable it to grow and make funds available later on when you need it.■ 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.


BUSINESS

Sisters Serving Together

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By Michelle Reese-Wiseman & Marline Reese-Gamble

ello, and thank you once again for all the emails and phone calls. I’m so humbled by your positive responses. Well, taking a look back at all the articles I’ve shared with you, I noticed that I’ve told you several times about how important it is to pre-plan for your funeral arrangements and burial. So I will not beat that horse this time. However, what I’d like to share with you is just as important. It’s the Spiritual Care Program offered at Wiseman Funeral Home. Many family members have a hard time coping with the loss of a loved one. I call it “The Empty Space Syndrome”. Wiseman Funeral Home offers assistance free of charge to those who we have served. Please allow me to introduce to you, my sister and a powerful minister of God, Rev. Marline Reese-Gamble. Marline Reese-Gamble, a chaplain at Wiseman Funeral Home and a funeral officiant, Rev. Gamble passionately supports the integrity, mission, vision and values of Wiseman Funeral Home. She provides pastoral care, spiritual comfort and bereavement support to grieving families. She has a profound ability to respect different lifestyles, cultures and beliefs, as well as people with no faith tradition. When someone dies, grief can be very difficult for family and friends. Rev. Gamble provides competent and compassionate spiritual care and emotional support. With a loving and considerate presence, Rev. Gamble specializes in helping clients recognize and utilize inner strengths when struggling through the bereavement process. The focus involves developing appropriate coping mechanisms. Some clients desire prayer, attentive listening and assistance in reconciling spiritual beliefs or answers to end-of-life questions. Rev. Gamble is always prepared to provide the highest quality spiritual care. The Wiseman Funeral Home Team understands that chaplaincy, in the spirit of excellence, involves empathy, compassion, and enhanced skill in dealing with the spiritual dynamics of loss and death. When clients desire prayer or religious support, Rev. Gamble complies with unique and personalized ministry consistent with the diverse needs of each grieving family. Rev. Gamble is a certified grief facilitator and ordained minister. Her values: caring, compassion, honesty, excellence and integrity. Her motto “This ministry is a rich and rewarding experience.” Rev. Gamble is dedicated and devoted to serving Prince George’s County residents with nurturing spiritual support. This journey has taken her into jails, hospitals, hospice centers, nursing homes and halfway houses. She’s helping individuals to find hope, comfort and purpose during difficult life circumstances. This passion compels and drives her and has taken her on a path of countless hours ministering to inmates. Rev. Gamble motivates inmates to examine their issues, make wise choices, and es-

tablish positive/realistic goals for personal development and growth. When making rounds at various hospitals and hospice centers, God reveals the spiritual needs of each patient. Rev. Gamble is anointed to administer spiritual care with compassion and empathy. She is helping patients manage fears, control anxieties and seek divine comfort and strength during difficult circumstances. Also, Rev. Gamble is committed to investing in the spiritual lives of people through sound biblical teaching, preaching, comforting prayers and spiritual coaching. This ministry serves the community with integrity. Her other ministerial services include officiating weddings and pre-marital workshops. Rev. Gamble is devoted to helping couples build a solid foundation for enriched and lasting marital relations. These workshops include the following sessions: Good Communication, Intimacy / Passion, Money Management, Biblical Foundations of Marriage and Experiencing the Power of Oneness. In spiritual excellence and integrity, Rev. Gamble is teaching people how to live victoriously by applying God’s Word (biblical principles) to their lives. Rev. Gamble passionately studied theology, completed seminary and holds a Master of Ministry/Divinity degree from Freedom Bible College and Seminary. She’s committed to helping individuals achieve spiritual and emotional wholeness. Clients are encouraged to explore thoughts, emotions, actions, and circumstances to enhance spiritual growth and inner healing. Rev. Gamble may be contacted via email at: marline.gamble@gmail.com We love our community. We are committed to excellence. We are sisters serving you together.■ Wiseman Funeral Home, established in November 2008, is a full service funeral care provider, specializing in earth burials, cremations, memorial services, national and International shipping and receiving of human remains. The company is well versed in the practice of funeral pre-planning as well as funeral trust and Medicaid spend downs. We are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We serve you professionally with utmost respect. 7531 Old Alexandria Ferry Road, Clinton, Maryland 301-899-2005 / michelle@wisemanfuneralhome.net Marline.gamble@gmail.com February - March 2017

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