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December 2019
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Publisher’s Notes
Be a Kid…Feel the Magic Happy holidays, everyone! Are you ready yet? I am always so impressed when people are on top of their game and have shopping completed, gifts wrapped—and shipped! How do they do it? In the past, I have always been one of those last-minute shoppers, most likely because I haven’t really embraced the holidays for years. Maybe this year will be different! My husband, Manny, is truly a holiday elf. Doesn’t matter what holiday. He loves them all. For example…Halloween. I am confessing here that, for the last six years, I have “gone dark” at my house during Halloween. This year, Manny and I were working at Women’s Edition. (Yes, he’s joined our team!) He said, “We have to go get candy…the trick-or-treaters will be at our house soon.” I admit, I sort of cringed. He then said, “It’s our first Halloween since we’ve been married!” Well, that did it. I raced to get candy, and he headed for home in the Harry Potter costume he had put on first thing that morning. It was fun! The kids were so very cute and so intrigued that Harry Potter was handing out candy to them. We had a record count on Halloween: 28 trick-or treaters. Years ago, if I got 10, I thought I was doing well. I really enjoyed it! The best costume was worn by an adult who was taking his kids around the neighborhood. He was a sumo wrestler. You get the picture. With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, I am hoping that my holiday spirit continues. I have a feeling that it will. Manny has brought an entirely new perspective to my life. We have fun together, even when we are working, either at home or at the magazine. Being positive about the upcoming holidays has already gotten me in a better frame of mind. It’s the first week of November as I’m writing this, and I’m already thinking of ideas for gifts! I realize that the holidays put additional stress on all of us, particularly women! We have to cram so much more into our already hectic schedules. Here is a wish for all: I hope you find some time to be an innocent child—for at least a little while—this holiday. Take some time for yourself to do what makes YOU happy! Maybe that is a long, hot bath with lots of candles, a drive around the neighborhood to see the lights, or a trip to see an old friend who always makes you smile. Do what you can to be a kid this season. Feel the magic. Then you can take care of everyone else! Hope it’s a great holiday season. Onward to an amazing 2020!
Points of Interest Need the perfect holiday outfit or gift? Check out Nancy’s Boutique in Fremont. She carries wonderful lines by Lynn Ritche, Nic & Zoe, Cartise, Bylyse, and Spanner, to name a few. See the ad page 1. Shop for the man in your life at Lindley Clothing Tuesday, December 3rd for 20% off all merchandise. See the ad on page 5. Main Street Studios in Elkhorn are hosting their annual open house December 6th and 7th. See the ad on page 37. Looking to get the house ready for holiday company or just need an update? A WellDressed Window has a great Hunter Douglas rebate now until December 9th. Check out the ad on page 36. If you are wondering if you have the correct Medicare coverage, contact Laura Weiler (page 8) for a free evaluation. Act quickly, as open enrollment ends December 7th. There’s still time to get your carpets cleaned before the holidays! Omaha Cleaning Connections is offering a great special on page 72. Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with a terminal illness? Aseracare offers end-of-life care, including medical, emotional, and spiritual support, to patients and families. See the ad on page 10. You can lose weight over the holidays! Jenny Craig’s newest Rapid Results program helps optimize your metabolism and accelerate weight loss. See page 25 for locations. Looking for senior living, assisted living, or secure memory care? The Meriwether by Agemark in La Vista is now open. Turn to page 61 for details and call to schedule a tour.
Janet Van deWalle, National Publisher On the Cover: Tommy Bahama More information at www.tommybahama.com
Positive Thought of the Month “May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.” — Mary Anne Radmacher
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December 2019
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Inside This Edition 2 Publisher’s Notes
40 Out and About
6 Fashion Worthy
42 Home Works
8 Weekend Gourmet
46 To Your Good Health
12 Business Style
48 An Inside Look
15 Zodiac Forecast
50 Focus on Finance
16 A Woman’s Work
52 Seasons of Life
18 Vantage Point 20 Fresh Concept Worldwide, obesity rates have almost tripled since 1975, and they continue to rise in the United States, for both adults and children.
Short-term rehab facilities specialize in making sure recovery happens as quickly and as successfully as possible.
54 Business Connection 58 Auto Wise
24 The Market Place
60 Life Worth Living
26 Healthy Living
62 Great Escapes
28 Good Looks
66 The Good Life
32 Income Outcome
68 View From The Top
33 Kids Comments
70 Cuddly Critters
34 Interiors By Design
National Publisher/Editor Janet Van deWalle
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56 Peak Performance
22 The Green Thumb
The winter holidays are upon us. Do you greet them with anticipation, or with a feeling of dread? Stress has its purpose—but it can also have adverse effects on our health.
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72 Positive Perspective Have you ever met someone who has “an ego the size of Montana”? The minute we meet people like this, we can sense that they are all about themselves.
Operations Manager Roxy Orr
Art & Editorial Director Erin Lanza
70 Administrative Assistant Manny Chavez
Copy Editor Liz Huett
Women’s Edition 11570 West Do dg e R o ad • Omah a, NE 68154 • 402-397-0732 or 888-892-40 7 6 Women’s Edition is published by and is the property of Women’s Edition, Inc. Women’s Edition® The Magazine For Metropolitan Women is a registered trademark of Women’s Edition, Inc. (Reg. No. 2,501,858). All rights reserved. Women’s Edition has no affiliation with any other publication. Women’s Edition makes every effort to provide accurate information in advertising and editorial content, however, does not make any claim as to the accuracy of information provided by advertisers or editorial contributors and accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information. Women’s Edition is not responsible for the accuracy of the QR codes appearing in our magazine. © Copyright 2019, Women’s Edition, Inc. All rights reserved. This material is for personal use only. Republication and redissemination in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Women’s Edition, Inc.
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Fashion Worthy
It’s Time to Get Fancy for Holiday Parties! Flaunt Your Holiday Style By Holly Bell
The holidays are the best time of the year to get dressed up! People have become so used to casual attire, it is really a treat to have a reason to don your party outfit and feel festive again. This holiday season, have fun dressing up in many ways. Try on-trend romantic black lace and ruffles! Black lace is so wonderfully versatile and so in style this holiday. If wearing all-over lace and ruffles seems a little too much for you, you can still nod to the trend by layering a black lace top under a sleeveless black dress or jumper. You can accessorize with lace, too. Wear a lace shawl around your shoulders or belt it around your hips over a solid black background. On this year’s runways, designers surprised us with the modern juxtaposition of edgier shoes with lace. Sometimes, opposites do attract! We saw boots with lace, rather than the delicate heels you might presume. Another juxtaposition was today’s fashion made with fabrics that seemed to be taking inspiration from years gone by. One of the most festive holiday trends was one we haven’t seen in a while: high-shine fabrics like lamé or shiny satin. This blast-from-the-past fabric shines on the runway and will make you feel ready to party. One of the most-asked questions about the holiday party season is, “What is appropriate to wear to a work party?” This is a tricky issue to navigate. Should you choose looking professional or looking chic? Should you throw in the towel and wear an ugly but funny holiday sweater? Don’t worry; you can make a festive but appropriate entrance to your holiday work party, even if your event is directly after work. Some suggestions would be to wear a soft, romantic maxi dress layered under a tailored blazer. Bring along some dressy shoes and a sparkly necklace to swap out for your more conservative work accessories when you remove your blazer. Wear your conservative black pantsuit to work, but bring along a trendy top in gold or silver lamé or satin. Ditch the jacket and swap out your top, along with adding some dangle earrings, and your outfit says, “Hey, colleagues, let’s party!” If your event is not directly after work, you have more options to wear and more time to get ready. Velvet is back as a holiday classic, and nothing is more elegant. For a casual twist on party attire, try a velvet top worn with your favorite jeans. Designers are always borrowing from past looks, and brocade has come into its own again. Try a brocade jacket or a brocade skirt for an elegant look. Sequined fabrics are always fun to try. A sequined skirt worn with a tailored top is a great choice for a work party. No matter what you wear, keep in mind that you can’t go
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December 2019
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wrong by keeping your look tasteful. You work with these people, so keep your cleavage under wraps and your hemlines below the knee. While everyone is considering party dresses, are you trending toward pants? Some women love dresses, but some strongly prefer pants, even for dressy occasions. Never fear—pants can be part of a holiday party ensemble. Try some full-legged pants in a soft, flowing fabric for a chic look. Keep the look tailored with a white blouse on top, adding some glittery jewelry and party shoes to keep things festive. Shiny fabrics are the rage this season, so try some satin pants! Add a velour top to pair shiny with matte for a gorgeous contrast in fabrics. Jewel tones are always in the spotlight during the holidays. Deep red, royal blue, and emerald green are all flattering and festive options. One way to stand out at holiday party time is to wear white! Yes, I am talking about white pants or even an all-white ensemble. Add a black belt with an important buckle and you will stand out in a sea of black dresses. Are you going to a house party or throwing a party at your own home? You need to be comfortable! Velour pants are the answer. Nothing is more comfortable or easier to wear. Add a top with a little sparkle detail and be ready for anything! Every holiday season is special, but try to make this one even more enjoyable. No holiday plans are perfect, and prioritizing is key to a fun holiday season. Choose a couple of things you really want to do well and let the other things go. No matter what you wear, your best accessories will be the smile on your face and the light in your eyes! Editor’s Note: Holly has been in the fashion industry for over 30 years as a buyer, boutique store owner, visual merchandiser, and fashion show producer. She is currently the owner of a modeling agency. Holly regularly appears on local TV doing fashion segments. WE More information at www.inspiredstyle.com
December 2019
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Weekend Gourmet
Holiday Sweets and Treats! By Kate Beiting
Kristi’s Homemade Ornaments Mix 4 cups of flour, 2 cups of salt, 1 teaspoon of alum, and 1 and 1/2 cups of water. Mix with hands and then roll out on a lightly floured board until the dough is 1/8 of an inch thick. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters and use a straw to make a string hole in the top of each one. Place the cutouts on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn them over and bake for another 90 minutes, until hard and dry. Cool. Use fine sandpaper to smooth the edges, if necessary. Paint with acrylic or poster paint. Let dry, then shellac and hang. Easy Christmas Fruitcake Whisk 2 and 1/2 cups of flour with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together 2 eggs, one 28-ounce jar of ready-to-use mincemeat, one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups of mixed candied fruit, and 1 cup of roughly chopped walnuts or pecans. Mix well. Blend in the flour and baking soda. Grease and flour a Bundt or tube-style cake pan. Pour in the ingredients. Bake at 300 degrees for 50–55 minutes, until cake tests done. Cool. Pour an ounce of good bourbon over the cake and refrigerate. You can add bourbon once a week until ready to serve.
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Jam Cookies Mix together 1 and 3/4 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. In a separate bowl, cream together 3/4 cup of soft butter, 2/3 cup of sugar, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Slowly blend the dry ingredients with the egg mixture. Spoon out balls of dough and roll them in sugar. Place the balls on a cookie sheet and indent the middle of each one with your thumb. Fill the indentation with raspberry or strawberry jam. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool. Makes about 36 cookies. Dolly Dream Bars Lightly grease a 9x13-inch pan. Mix 1 and 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs with 1/2 cup of melted butter. Mix and press firmly onto the bottom of the baking dish. Pour one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk over the crumbs. Layer with 1 cup of butterscotch chips, 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 and 1/3 cups of flaked coconut, and 1 cup of chopped pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Loosen a bit while still warm and then let cool. Cut into squares. Grandpa’s Old Fashioned Peppermint Popcorn Pour 3 quarts of plain, unseasoned popcorn (store-bought is fine) into a large roasting pan. Melt 1 stick of butter in a saucepan. Pour in 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 cup of light corn syrup. Cook (stirring) until sugar dissolves and mixture boils. Boil (without stirring) for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract and 1/8 teaspoon of green food coloring. (You could use any color of food coloring—
maybe combine a batch of red and a batch of green!) Pour over popcorn and stir to mix well. Bake on a cookie sheet for 1 hour at 250 degrees, stirring several times. Optional extra peppermint: During the last 10 minutes of baking, sprinkle with 3–4 broken-up candy canes and put back in the oven. My Sister’s Bourbon Balls (Cookies for Adults!) Combine 3 cups of vanilla wafer crumbs, 1 cup of ground pecans, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons of cocoa. Mix in 3 Tablespoons of light corn syrup and 1/2 cup of bourbon or rum (or orange juice). Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar. Cover and store in the refrigerator. Toffee Bars Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with foil and spray lightly with a non-stick spray. Place graham crackers all over the foil, breaking them at perforations to fit the pan. In a saucepan, melt 2 sticks of butter with 1 cup of light brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Boil for 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over graham crackers. Bake for 6–7 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and sprinkle the top with 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips, spreading the chips while the bars are warm. Top with toffee bits, if desired. Let cool, then cut or break into pieces. Editor’s Note: Kate has been an Omaha area culinary instructor since 1997. She attended The Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha. WE
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Business Style
Goldsmith Silversmith Where Jewelry is a Work of Art By Marge Shoemaker
Are you looking for a special gift for someone in your life? Head down to Goldsmith Silversmith in Omaha’s Old Market, where you can choose from an array of unique pieces of jewelry…or even design your own. You’ll find original items in a variety of metals, showcasing gemstones, natural stones, and pearls. Feast your eyes on rings, pendants, and bracelets of a quality not often found in larger stores. Dwaine Ferguson owns Goldsmith Silversmith, and he and his staff are artisans. Often thought of as the hippie of the Old Market, Dwaine has run his business there since the 1970s. His expertise is designing and handcrafting customized jewelry for his clients. “When someone wants to commission a special piece, we start with an informal conversation,” he notes. This allows him to get to know the person’s lifestyle and personality before beginning the work. With the information he gleans from conversation, Dwaine sketches ideas for the finished product. Once a sketch is approved by the client, a wax mock-up is created and then adjusted to the client’s tastes. With the client’s approval, the final piece is created. This process ensures customer satisfaction and avoids wasting precious materials in an unsatisfactory design. Dwaine started his career as an architectural draftsman, but he found that drawing things conceived by someone else wasn’t up his alley—he wanted to create. “For several years, I made sculptures of all sizes and traveled to craft shows,” he recalls. “That stuff was heavy and hard to lug around. I decided to go smaller, and I ended up making jewelry.” Most of his creations, he sold himself. “I wish I’d known then what I know now,” he reminisces, telling a tale of a guy who bought 20 of Dwaine’s rings for 10 dollars each. Good sale, right? Years later, a customer came in wearing a ring that Dwaine recognized as coming from that collection. He told Dwaine where he got it and how much it cost. “According to the customer,” Dwaine recalls, “he paid a lot more than the guy who bought it from me. I guess I didn’t know the value of my own work! I learned a valuable lesson.” Part of that lesson is that if you don’t value your work, no one else will, either. “Most of the pieces we offer in the store are one of a kind, designed and made by artists. A piece of art appreciates in value. Quality lasts!” Quality is a key word at Goldsmith Silversmith. Dwaine attests to the quality materials in all the items in the shop, as well as the quality workmanship that goes into them. Most of his sales
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December 2019
staff are artists themselves. Part of the charm of this small shop is the personal relationships that develop among those who come in. That’s the difference between shopping online and buying from a live person…the personal touch. You get to see the item you’re buying up close. You can try it on, hold it up to the light, feel its weight, and see its quality. You can ask questions and get immediate answers. The personal attention carries over into the other services provided at Goldsmith Silversmith. “If a piece bought here needs repair, we do it. We stand behind our workmanship,” Dwaine declares. He’ll also show you how you can identify good workmanship. “Artists sign their work. A piece of jewelry isn’t big enough for a signature, so the jeweler puts a stamp inconspicuously on the piece,” he explains. “That’s how I knew that ring was mine. My stamp was on it.” Dwaine keeps up to date on jewelry trends, including gold, which is always in style. Rose gold is trending now, but yellow gold is coming back. White gold is often popular with younger people. Diamonds are always good when you buy them from a reputable store or dealer. Many pieces are made by combining stones. As for custom designs, Dwaine says, “If you can imagine it, we can create it. We strive to meet your satisfaction.” Many of his customers tell him how people have wanted to see their ring, bracelet, or pendant more closely and then ask where it was made. “When you’re looking for a jeweler,” Dwaine concludes, “look for someone you can trust. Ask questions. Be aware. A high price on an item doesn’t necessarily equate to high value.” If you want original, high-quality jewelry or you want a custom-designed artisan piece, Goldsmith Silversmith is where you want to go. Goldsmith Silversmith is located at 1019 Howard Street, in Omaha’s Old Market area. Stop in and browse or call 402-342-1737 if you want a personal appointment. Visit goldsmithsilversmith.com to see a sampling of designs. WE
Dwaine Ferguson, owner and artisan
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Zodiac Forecast
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SAGITTARIUS November 22–December 21 Happy birthday, Sagittarius! This month, you should emphasize your own personal enjoyment as well as that of your loved ones. It’s the best season of the year, and love is in the air! There is much peace and harmony within your family. Throughout or following the winter holiday season, you may be traveling a lot with your family. Travel destinations could be new and exotic. Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19) You are unwinding from a hectic year. One way to relax is going to places you’ve never been—just for the joy of it! Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 18) Let the past go…the New Year is just around the corner. Focus on what the future may hold for you. Loved ones will be encouraging. Pisces (Feb 19–Mar 20) Your family plays a positive role in your life, and you enjoy a harmonious relationship with your partner…all the makings for a perfect holiday! Aries (Mar 21–Apr 19) You love the holidays and often use this as a time to concentrate on future endeavors. Love can be found at social gatherings, so single Rams should not skip those holiday parties.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 22) You are going to have a great month financially. This enables you to pamper yourself and spoil your loved ones. Get out and enjoy all the festive highlights of the holiday season! Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22) Although you are very independent, this is the season to expand your social horizons. Although your past might surface and haunt you, make it a point to focus on your future. Get out there and mingle—watch out for that mistletoe! Virgo (Aug 23–Sep 22) Love will be stronger this month as loved ones spend more time together during the holiday season. Remember, some of the greatest gifts are memories!
Taurus (Apr 20–May 20) Those born under the Taurus sign are always mindful of helping others. Use your compassion by offering your gifts and time to the less fortunate this holiday season.
Libra (Sep 23–Oct 22) Your health will be superb this month. Travel locally. There is so much to see and do during the festive season, even close to home. Harmonize with your family and enjoy their company. You should revel in all of it!
Gemini (May 21–Jun 20) It’s a very social time of the year. Being social is essential to good health! Keep up your immune system so you won’t have to stay home.
Scorpio (Oct 23–Nov 21) Family matters will be your main priority this month. As you enjoy the season, you relish in your past achievements and your goals for the New Year. WE
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A Woman’s Work
Ho, Ho, Ho! Look Who’s Coming Down the Chimney
By Sharon Knierim
One thing I love about Christmas is the large cast of fantastical and thrilling characters. True Christian believers revere December 25th as the birth date of Jesus, though even the most dedicated believers still have their fun during this all-encompassing and deeply enjoyable family holiday. The Christmas story and the wonderful characters who populate that story are enigmatic. The story appeals to all ages and is often learned at a very early age, in religious training and from parents and grandparents. These days, most public places in the United States remain secular, so the religious celebration of the holiday has become more private and closer to the heart. Though the characters in the Christmas story are revered around the world, they’re not the only characters we enjoy during the holiday season. Over the centuries, people have created many cast members who appear during December and make up a large portion of how we celebrate this mysterious holiday. Christmas is the supreme holiday for having fun with all the characters that we recognize at this time of the year. Charles Dickens gave us the unforgettable characters of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim. In the story, Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come. He has quite a night, and he wakes up a kinder and more caring man on Christmas morning. This wonderful story evokes many emotions and is
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often used as a holiday operetta for elementary children. The Nutcracker ballet brings its own magic and beauty to the season. Attending a performance is a magical way to open the holiday season, as sugar plum fairies populate the stage and Tchaikovsky’s thrilling and memorable music stays with us long after Christmas has passed. Some families make a holiday tradition of attending a production of this show year after year. No matter what age the audience is, the Nutcracker is unforgettable and has become a special memory for many. If you are a Charlie Brown fan (who isn’t?), you’re probably looking forward to his holiday special. Charlie Brown and his little gang may be some of the world’s oldest children. Every year, we have looked forward to finding out how his Christmas saga will end. Spoiler alert: It always ends the very same way. Oddly enough, one of the most popular Christmastime
Women’s Edit ion in d e is t r e v d a s “My business ha ry y e ar t he ad e v e d n a , e d a c e er a d . Magazine for ov rrals it brings in fe re ra xt e e h t ia gh t he y e ar— u pays for it self v ro h t d e it is v e ic e I hav hairdresser, Every single off t, n ta n u o c c a r, e l advis n dent is t, financia a Women’s Edit io d a h e v a h ll a ore— physician, and m c offe e tables.” ir e h t n o e in z a g ma i, ow ner sk in is W l ry e h C —
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characters is the dastardly Grinch. Even his name sets our teeth on edge! I’m sure the entire population of the United States is familiar with this character, created more than six decades ago by Dr. Seuss. The Grinch lives on a mountaintop, alone with only his poor little dog as a companion. Even though the Grinch probably is suffering from loneliness, he is usually unkind to that poor pooch. As Christmas approaches, the Grinch hatches a plan to visit Whoville after everyone has fallen asleep on Christmas Eve. In his nastiness, he sacks up every gift, crumb of food, holiday decoration, and even the candy canes from small sleeping children dreaming of Christmas morning. He expects that this will ruin Christmas, and, for a while, we’re pretty sure he’s right. However, once he sees that the residents of Whoville are happy to celebrate Christmas with or without all the trappings, the ice around the Grinch’s heart seems to melt (that is, his heart grows three sizes). He reverses his plan, delivering Christmas after all. Of course, it just would not be Christmas without dear old Santa Claus. He is our favorite character, and he certainly does represent the spirit of the holiday. Santa is big on gift giving, and he always has the best gift ideas! His process of delivery is a bit difficult to understand, but we all must admit that he certainly does get results. Though our understanding of jolly old St. Nick may change over time, none of us every really outgrows Santa Claus. What a hard worker! Though he has a bevy of elves helping him throughout the year, anyone who has ever held a management position knows that, in the end, the success of the operation always boils down to you. That’s a lot of pressure for St. Nick, but he seems to carry it well and always has a cheerful countenance. Whatever your beliefs are, I hope you and all those you hold dear have a wonderful time enjoying this well-loved holiday. Beautiful packages under the tree and bright shiny lights do make the holiday bright, but the most wonderful gift of all is the gift of spending time with loved ones, building the memories that will last a lifetime. Start a new holiday tradition this year by sharing one of these delightful Christmastime characters with your family. Please have a very happy holiday. WE
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December 2019
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Vantage Point
Omaha Face Plastic Surgery and MedSpa A Relaxing Atmosphere By Ann Stergiou
Do you feel that your face needs a little “maintenance,” but you’re not sure what procedures might be right for you? Do you want to know what your surgical and non-surgical options are? Well, look no further—just get in touch with Omaha Face Plastic Surgery and MedSpa. They’ll have the answers you need. Open since 2017 and fully accredited, Omaha Face offers a variety of surgical and non-surgical options. Dr. John Harbison (surgeon, medical director, and co-owner) or his wife, Ashley (coowner, pharmacist, and administrator), will be happy to discuss these options with you at your free consultation. At their fully equipped office, located off 178th and Burke, you can get details regarding surgical procedures such as brow lift, face lift, neck lift, rhinoplasty, and hairline advancement, just to name a few. Non-surgical procedures such as Botox injections, fillers, micro-needling, and non-surgical rhinoplasty may also be on the table. When you walk into Omaha Face, you’ll immediately feel a sense of calm. Dr. Harbison’s whole philosophy centers around having a more personal relationship with his clients. The goal is not to see as many people as possible in a single day. Dr. Harbison prefers to give each of his clients the time needed to fully discuss their desired outcomes. This philosophy is apparent from start to finish, during the consultation, the procedure, and the follow-up appointments, including future skin care recommendations. “The relationship is ongoing,” says Dr. Harbison. He sees all of his patients through the entire process. “They are truly patient-focused and superior,” reports patient Jessica Sisung. “From my initial consultation to my surgery day and, now, post-rhinoplasty, they went above and beyond for me.” Omaha Face offers a lovely lounge area, a stateof-the-art digital photography room for before and after photos, a private consultation room, four exam rooms, a laser room for surgical resurfacing, and an on-site operating room. Everything that is needed for your complete care is waiting for you. You can also rest easy knowing that Dr. Harbison is double board-certified. After earning his medical degree, he completed his residency in head and neck surgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center before being accepted into a competitive facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the University of California–Irvine. He has authored several articles and book chapters in both facial
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December 2019
plastic surgery and head and neck surgery, and he continuously receives invitations to speaking engagements in his field throughout the United States. As a young man, Dr. Harbison loved math and science, particularly chemistry. He started out as a chemical engineering major, but he quickly realized the career path he really wanted was one that had more of a human element and would allow him to work directly with people. Many of the medical specialties he considered offered a high volume of patients, but he found those specialties too impersonal. In plastic surgery, he could make a real connection to his clients. Dr. Harbison loves the family atmosphere that fills his office. He loves the personal touches that are offered to his clients. Most of all, he loves those happy tears when a client who was concerned with some impediment is overjoyed by the outcome of a procedure. “That’s a great feeling,” says Dr. Harbison. “Life-changing, meaningful procedures are done here.” When he’s made a really powerful transformation and fully met that client’s needs, he’s reminded that this is the career he was meant to pursue. Why choose Omaha Face for your surgical or spa needs? “We’re down-to-earth, approachable people,” notes Dr. Harbison. “We’re going for real results, not super-plastic, overdone results. We’re very practical in our discussions with our clients. We’re always on time, our consultations are thorough and very informative, and we support you throughout the entire process.” If this sounds good to you, give them a call! Omaha Face Plastic Surgery and MedSpa is located at 17838 Burke Street, Suite 101, in Omaha. They are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about the procedures they offer, visit them online at omahaface.com. To set up your free consultation, call 402-882-7722. WE
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December 2019
19
Fresh Concept
Obesity is Ballooning Bariatric Surgery Can Help By Janette Calabro
Worldwide, obesity rates have almost tripled since 1975, and they continue to rise in the United States, for both adults and children. The American Medical Association (AMA) states that “the nation’s obesity rate is approaching 40 percent after holding around 34–35 percent between 2005 and 2012. No state has had a statistically significant drop in its obesity rate in the past five years.” The AMA goes on to note that rising obesity rates bring an increase in related diseases, some of which can be serious or even life-threatening. That’s enough to scare you skinny! It’s smart to take a good look at your relationship with food. There is a difference between eating when you’re hungry and eating when you’re bored, stressed, or emotional. Some of the most common causes of obesity are physical inactivity and overeating, but some causes are more complicated, including genetics, medications, and conditions like hypothyroidism or insulin resistance. Even demographics play a role in obesity. For example, people who live in a city are less likely to have obesity than their rural neighbors, and women are more prone than men to have severe obesity. Body mass index (BMI) defines an individual’s height-to-weight ratio, and it’s a common starting point for determining whether a person is at a healthy weight. A BMI between 20 and 25 is generally considered normal. Beyond that, there are different risk levels. For example, a BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates that the individual is overweight; a BMI between 30 and 39.9 indicates obesity. If your BMI is 40 or above, or if you are 100 pounds or more over your ideal body weight, you are considered morbidly obese—the highest risk category. This level of obesity presents serious health risks, interfering with basic functions such as walking or even breathing. It’s important to remember that, while BMI is a useful tool, it’s only a starting point for identifying obesity. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you are very athletic, all that extra muscle may put your BMI outside the normal range, even if you are healthy. For older people, the healthiest BMI is between 25 and 27. Children should not be evaluated with any calculator; their health and weight should be discussed with their primary physician. If you want to find your own BMI, you can click on one of many online calculators or crunch the numbers yourself. Start by multiplying your weight in pounds by 703. Divide that number by your height in inches. Last, divide that answer by your height in inches one more time. The health risks involved with obesity are numerous, including arthritis (especially in the knees and hips), heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, and even varicose veins. If your heart can’t take on the excess weight, it won’t work as it should. As a result, hypertension can lead to a stroke or damage the heart and kidneys. If your joints are
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bearing extra weight, knees and hips will wear out rapidly, causing pain and inflammation. Extra fat in the tongue and neck area can block your airway, causing sleep apnea. Don’t count out reflux disease, which can happen when too much weight overloads the valve at the top of the stomach. Too much heartburn can even lead to esophageal cancer. Depression, infertility, and even urinary incontinence can be caused by obesity. The good news is that there are many paths to reversing obesity. Improvements to diet and exercise regimens are always the first line of treatment. More invasive treatment might include one of many types of weight-loss surgery that are known collectively as bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery may be a good option if your BMI is at least 35 or if you have already developed serious health problems related to obesity. These surgeries are recommended when changes to diet and exercise haven’t resulted in sufficient weight loss. Gastric bypass, the most common bariatric surgery, changes your digestive system by limiting the size of the stomach, literally slowing down digestion. This weight-loss surgery includes a permanent reduction in stomach size, and weight loss is usually between 50 to 80 percent of excess body weight within 12 to 18 months. A more extreme option in malabsorptive surgeries (those that restrict nutrients in the small intestine) includes removing some of the digestive tract along with gastric bypass to reduce stomach size. Lap band surgery is a reversible treatment. A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (actually an inflatable silicone device) is placed at the top of the stomach, curbing hunger and reducing the physical amount of food you can eat. Patients typically lose one or two pounds per week. The band can be removed when it is no longer needed. Recovery time varies, but it is usually a quicker recovery and shorter hospital stay than with more invasive surgery. If patients follow their doctors’ orders, success rates are high, and the surgery is FDA-approved. Sleeve gastrectomy is also performed laparoscopically, but this surgery is not reversible. The stomach is divided vertically and stapled, and up to 85 percent of the stomach is removed. Stomach size reverts to a sleeve-like tube connected to the intestines. The hormone that regulates hunger (ghrelin)
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disappears with the part of the stomach that is removed. The success rate of this procedure, according to the National Institutes of Health, is “96.1 percent of the patients after 1 year, 95.1 percent after 2 years, 89.5 percent after 3 years, 82.1 percent after 4 years, and 73.3 percent after 5 years.” Bariatric surgery isn’t a cure-all, and it isn’t for everyone. An extensive screening process is required before your doctor can consent to surgery. Expect pre-surgical lab tests to prove there is no indication of alcoholism or active drug addiction. A psychiatric exam is usually included. Physical exams may include an abdominal ultrasound, a blood study, cardiac clearance, chest x-ray, echo and electrocardiograms, liver function tests, pulmonary tests, an upper gastrointestinal evaluation, and even a sleep study. Other exams include a screening of general health and, of course, BMI and weight determination. A documented history of weight management under a professional’s supervision of diet and exercise may be required, as well. All of these screenings for physical health and emotional state help determine if you are a good candidate for bariatric surgery, and they are required before medical clearance for surgery is granted. After surgery, your doctor will recommend some basic healthy lifestyle changes. Follow this prescribed advice, and you’ll likely feel and look like a million bucks. Permanent lifestyle changes like regular exercise and a healthy diet are necessary to make sure your bariatric investment lasts for the long term. After bariatric surgery, you’ll need to develop a new way of eating. The Mayo Clinic recommends that you eat and drink slowly and keep meals small. It’s also a good idea to drink liquids (plenty of water) in between meals. Chew
your food mindfully and completely before swallowing. Also recommended is a focus on high-protein foods, avoiding foods that contain lots of fat and sugar. Calorie intake for the first few months after surgery shouldn’t exceed 1,000 calories per day. If that doesn’t sound like much, you’re right—that’s why vitamin and mineral supplements are advised. After six weeks, a normal solid food diet is usually back in the picture. Emotionally, it’s always good to rethink your relationship with food to create healthy eating habits that last a lifetime. The regimen continues with exercise for at least one hour, four days a week. You’ll need to make fitness a priority and assemble a post-surgery support team. Long-term success doesn’t mean going it alone—talking with others who have been through the same challenges can be great moral support and an opportunity to openly discuss your concerns. Assemble a health team, too—for example, a therapist who can help with the common problem of emotional eating or a nutritionist to help you stay in tune with your body’s dietary needs. Build muscle mass on your own by walking or regularly going to the gym. If you are new to exercise and need help building a fitness plan with small, reachable goals, consider hiring a personal trainer. Some slip-ups and weight regain are inevitable, but that’s when your team holds you accountable for long-term weight loss success. Work with your doctor to choose the best bariatric surgery option for you, and tune into your support teams to stay healthy. Stay motivated and rock this healthy new you! Sources for this article included: ucla.edu, nih.gov, mayoclinic. org, and ama-assn.org. WE
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The Green Thumb
Christmas in the Garden Taking the Holiday Outdoors By Sharon Knierim
As we approach the hustle and bustle of the winter holidays, don’t forget that our outdoor environment can be part of this special holiday time. If cost is a deciding factor regarding decorations outdoors, look through your existing holiday decorations. You might be surprised at how much material you already have that can be displayed outdoors and is tough enough to withstand the harsh weather that we’re sure to get at this time of year. One word of caution, however: Be sure that the lights you wish to use outside are, in fact, appropriate for outdoor use. Not all light strings are intended for outdoor displays! Different people prefer different holiday decorating plans for the yard…and that’s okay. You can go head over heels and put twinkle lights or spotlights on every inch of the place. On the other hand, you could choose to be more conservative. (Don’t forget that less is sometimes more.) Whichever plan you select, be sure you do have a plan. Confusion in decorations does not make for a very pleasing effect. Santa Claus and his reindeer placed next to the nativity scene will not be very attractive. Holiday celebrants often wish to decorate their outdoor areas with natural elements. What a beautiful idea! This can be easily done by harvesting and utilizing what is already in your outdoor environment. If you have to go “shopping” for items such as pinecones or evergreen boughs, ask your neighbors
before picking through their yards! They may be happy to share or trade decorative elements. Be sure not to harvest from public spaces such as national parks. This can be construed as theft! When decorating outdoors, don’t forget that our wildlife friends have to live in that space. Be sure to use only materials that will not be harmful to our feathered and furry friends. Tinsel? Forget about it. Tinsel and other manmade products can be ingested by animals, causing damage or even death. Please be mindful of this potential problem. Natural outdoor wreaths and garlands are very attractive and can be an excellent source of food for the birds. You may need to reconstruct or fill in empty spots as the season wears on because birds can become wildly hungry as they pick off the nuts and berries. If constructing a garland seems too overwhelming, a natural wreath is always a beautiful and welcome addition for
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the birds. Ever popular is the stringing of cranberries. Their bold red hue brightens up any evergreen shrub or tree, and the birds will appreciate the food. I have even witnessed raccoons and squirrels getting in on the feast provided by the cheerful and nutritious cranberries. Actually, any dried fruit can serve a dual purpose as holiday decorations and food for local wildlife. If you are fortunate enough to have an evergreen in your yard, then you have an excellent opportunity to decorate for the holidays. These outdoor “Christmas trees” can become just as festive as those we erect inside our homes. Outdoor lighting is absolutely beautiful on these wonderful trees and can certainly enhance any outdoor environment during the holidays. If your outdoor tree is of any significant size, you will need several strings of lights. The holiday fun really begins when you start to string them around the tree! Our own daughter always called this process The Festival of Stringing the &!#$*& Christmas Lights. It was very entertaining for her to watch old Mom and Dad trying to
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work together to wrap the lights evenly around the tree. What are the holidays for if not for fun? Many outdoor decorators use only lights to decorate evergreens, and this is just fine. However, if you wish to go a bit further, large ornaments or edible ornaments are always appropriate. If you are limited to a small outdoor space and wish to decorate, homemade (or already packaged) suet cakes are a good idea. With the addition of a red ribbon, they can provide festive decoration as well as inviting the birds for a bit of holiday cheer. Pinecones painted in peanut butter are also festive and provide much-needed protein for the birds. Everyone needs extra energy to celebrate this special time of the year! Have fun decorating your outdoor environment, and have a very happy holiday season! Editor’s Note: Sharon Knierim has been a Master Gardener since 2003 through Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Today she lives on a small farm in western Iowa and looks forward to sharing her passion for gardening each month with her green thumbed reader friends. WE
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Craving The Good Life Do you find yourself far from your ideal life? Do you seek a deeper purpose for the things you do each day? Do some areas of your life thrive while other important areas wither? Let Life Coach Christine Coash help you create the life of your dreams and keep the most important parts of that life in balance. Oola is a clearly-outlined map to help you assess and improve your life in seven essential areas—fitness, finance, family, career, faith, friends, and fun. When you improve these areas, you will experience Oola, the balanced, successful, happy life we all seek! Call 402-759-6008 today. Clip n’ Go Clip n’ Go is Omaha’s Premier Mobile Pet Grooming Service. Turn to the proficient pet groomers at Clip n’ Go for all your pet grooming needs. We’re a full-service company. From shampooing your pets to trimming their nails to perfection, you can count on us to handle your pet grooming needs with ease. Our skilled pet groomer will come to your office or home at your convenience. We assure you that your pet will feel comfortable all the time. Contact us today for full-service and cage-free pet grooming services. Call us today at 402-669-6876. The National Breast Cancer Foundation You can empower women facing breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer
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Shops of Legacy 402-334-1030 2835 South 170th Plaza, Ste. 210 Tower Plaza 402-392-7300 325 North 78th Street
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December 2019
25
Healthy Living
Totally Vein, Focused on You Happy, Healthy Veins By Janette Calabro
There’s a reason that Robert Zadalis, M.D., focuses on blood vessels. Arteries carry our life force—our blood—away from the heart, while our veins carry blood from the capillaries back toward the heart. That’s 100,000 miles of blood vessels! We can’t live without them, but they often don’t get the attention they deserve. Dr. Zadalis points out that 25 percent of adults have issues with their veins and 50 percent of people older than 50 years have vein problems. “Venous insufficiency and varicosity are often downplayed,” he says. “I want to spread the word about venous disease so that people can enjoy a better quality of life.” Symptoms of venous disease can include an achy feeling in the legs, swelling, throbbing, cramping, even itching and burning—and that doesn’t even include how unattractive swollen veins can be. If left untreated, symptoms can worsen, affecting your participation in activities or how your legs feel if you stand or sit for long periods of time. “A lot of people don’t realize that their tired, achy legs are caused by venous disease and that there is something we can do about it,” Dr. Zadalis
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continues. “I want to get the word out to treat early—to educate the public, even other physicians, that this is a significant problem and that we have the means to correct or reverse it.” Varicose veins are those large, unsightly, swollen veins. They’re generally caused by an increased pressure in the main superficial veins. As pressure increases, blood attempts to escape from the side branches of the veins, which creates those bulges at the skin level. Risk factors for varicose veins include genetics, obesity, pregnancy, and age. Women are more
Robert Zadalis, M.D.
www.womensedition.com
likely to develop varicose veins because of hormonal changes. Minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation uses heat to damage Untreated varicose veins tend to get worse over time and can the wall inside the vein, creating scar tissue that closes the bulging lead to bleeding, blood clots, and even venous ulcers. Blood clots vein. With VenaSeal, a newer option, Dr. Zadalis injects medical or ulcers can happen when blood pools in the vein, leading to adhesive into a troublesome vein to seal it. These procedures are stagnant blood flow, and they can be very costly to treat. done with a local anesthetic or numbing agent for the patient’s Luckily for patients in the Omaha area, Dr. Zadalis is highly comfort. “Most people listen to music on their headphones or watch qualified to treat venous disease. He completed his residency in general TV during the procedure,” Dr. Zadalis relates. “The majority walk surgery at UNMC in 1997 and then joined in, walk out, and drive themselves home.” the UNMC faculty as an assistant professor of Restrictions after surgery are minimal—walking “We’re looking for surgery. After practicing privately from 1999 is part of the recovery. to 2018, he jumped at the chance to join his A partial phlebectomy (vein removal) is abnormal valves in the mentor, Dr. Stephen Torpy, at Totally Vein. In common during ablation procedures, and Dr. veins. Valves in the legs February of this year, Dr. Zadalis ventured a Zadalis will let you take a look at your removed step further by purchasing the practice. veins, if you want. “There’s about a 50-50 direct blood toward the The treatment plan at Totally Vein, which chance that patients want to see them after heart. When they go bad, is mostly covered by health insurance, they’re out,” Dr. Zadalis says with a smile. “The begins with a consultation and physical others want nothing to do with it.” the blood can reflux or examination. “The first appointment is when Though genetics might increase your risk of reverse its flow.” a history is gathered,” says Dr. Zadalis. “The faulty valves, there are lifestyle changes you can exam generally includes an ultrasound. make to keep your veins healthy. “Stay active.Your We’re looking for abnormal valves in the veins. Valves in the legs calves act as an extra pump for your veins by pumping the blood from direct blood toward the heart. When they go bad, the blood can your legs back up to your heart. This takes the pressure off those valves.” reflux or reverse its flow.” “My reward is seeing healthy, happy patients who love their After the consultation, Dr. Zadalis correlates your history results,” Dr. Zadalis concludes. “After surgery, when my patients and exam results. If a problem is found, treatment options are see their removed veins, now empty and collapsed, they remember considered. Compression stockings are a conservative treatment, the distended, bulging veins they once saw in their legs. Their usual but they just alleviate the symptoms and don’t cure varicose veins. reaction is, ‘That’s it?’ and wish they would have done it sooner.” To fix the problem, Totally Vein offers various ablation procedures, If you’re troubled by the symptoms of venous disease, don’t wait— which use heat to close the troublesome vein. (After a vein is the treatment is probably easier than you think. Get in touch with sealed, the blood reroutes to other, healthier veins.) Totally Vein at 402-934-6996 or totallyveinomaha.com. WE
December 2019
27
Good Looks
Have a Stress-Free Holiday Give the Gift of Massage or Aromatherapy
By Loretta McCollum
’Tis the season of making merry! December is filled with family gatherings, parties, and shopping for the perfect gifts for the special people on your list. It’s definitely the most joyful time of the year, but it can also be the most fatiguing. The majority of us run ourselves ragged in our quest to provide the perfect holiday for our family and friends. At the end of the day, we are often too frenzied and frazzled to actually enjoy the fruits of our labor. We need to take time out from all of the festivities, food, and frolic to relax and rejuvenate. Getting a massage is a great way to ease the stress and strain of the holidays. Are you one of the many people who often say they would love a massage but have never actually gotten one? Well, enough is enough. Don’t you deserve a little attention and relaxation? Let’s make this the holiday season that you finally treat yourself. The frenzied end to the year is an ideal time to reward yourself for all that you do for others. A professional massage can also be the perfect gift for the person on your list who seems to have everything. A massage can have many physical benefits, including muscle relaxation, stress relief, improving sleep quality, and easing chronic pain. Certain types of massage can also help with specific problems, like sports injuries. There are multiple types of massage, each designed to
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produce a particular result. Swedish massages utilize soft, broad strokes up and down the entire body, focusing on specific regions that are often strained or fatigued. The muscles are rubbed in the direction that blood returns to the heart. Tapping motions on the top layer of muscles, combined with manipulated joint movement, is both relaxing and energizing. A Swedish massage also increases the blood’s oxygen levels, improving circulation and relieving tension. Hot stone massages help relax tight muscles with, as the name describes, hot stones. Stones that have been heated in water are placed on specific areas of the body, such as the back, stomach, and face. The stones warm and relax the muscles. The massage therapist is then able to apply deeper pressure on those areas without discomfort to the person on the table. A hot stone massage can decrease stress, increase flexibility, and decrease muscle spasms. ›››
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Janet Van deWalle, National Publisher
Wishing Everyone Happy Holidays and an Amazing New Year! We want to thank everyone who has helped make Women’s Edition magazine a success. Here’s to our readers, advertisers, writers, distribution staff, and distribution locations!
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A deep tissue massage is an intense massage that specifically targets muscle knots and tissue adhesions. The massage therapist applies warm oils and direct pressure to relax the top muscle layers, allowing for penetration to the deeper muscle tissues. This type of massage is more of a therapeutic treatment than a relaxation aid; it helps relieve chronic aches and pains. It’s also beneficial for sports injuries, sciatica pain, and fibromyalgia. During a deep tissue massage, you should expect to feel pressure that is significantly more intense than what you would feel during a Swedish massage. It’s fairly common to feel sore the next day. There’s also Shiatsu, a Japanese technique in which the therapist applies finger pressure to multiple areas, holding each one for several seconds. Stretching and joint rotation are also employed. This massage method is based on traditional Chinese acupuncture and can help ease headache pain and muscle pain and stiffness. It promotes overall well-being and can also increase blood flow and improve mood. Reflexology is a type of massage that applies pressure to various reflex areas of the feet, relieving pain and stress while promoting relaxation and a good night’s sleep. This kind of massage can be especially wonderful for someone who stands for long periods of time. Aromatherapy is not a type of massage, but it is another type of holistic and healing treatment that can be used in conjunction with other therapies or on its own. Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts in many forms, including diffusers, oils, creams, lotions, and bath salts. It’s more than just enjoying a pleasant scent (though that is an added benefit). Aromatherapy is known for managing pain, reducing stress and anxiety, relieving fatigue, and improving digestion. If you’re interested in aromatherapy, you may want to seek out a certified aromatherapist. Your local spa or yoga studio is a good place to start for a referral. This time of year, who couldn’t use an extra dose of relaxation? Give the amazing and beneficial gift of massage to a loved one…or to yourself. Your local spa, salon, or massage therapy studio can help you choose the best options for your gift to yourself or to someone else. Sources for this article included: healthline.com, webmd.com, and amcollege.edu. WE
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Income Outcome
Please and Thank You Spread the Words “Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”—Og Mandino Wow—there’s a goal! When I read this quote for the first time, I realized that it was a wonderful way for me to get back into the habit of respecting everyone in my life, from dear friends to complete strangers. “Respect is a two-way street; if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.”—R.G. Risch In the past, I had come to feel as if the act of respecting others had pretty much gone out the window. Everyone was in such a rush. I witnessed drivers cutting people off on the highway. There were constant interruptions when people were speaking. It became common to see others roll their eyes at their spouse, friends, or kids. Voices were raised. Being rude had become everyone’s favorite pastime. “Replacing rudeness and impatience with the Golden Rule may not change the world, but it will change your world and your relationships.”—Steve Shallenberger
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December 2019
By Janet Van deWalle
The Golden Rule is really quite a brilliant road map for living our lives: Treat others as you would like others to treat you. Well, that sounds fair, doesn’t it? “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” —Carol Burnett What I have realized is that I cannot change that person who is being rude to me, but I can change how I react to rudeness. My new habit of behavior is that when I encounter a person who is being rude to me, I do everything in my power to treat the next person I meet with total respect. Sometimes, there is an “energy hangover” from my last encounter; if I am calm and persistent, the energy does turn around. “Politeness is a sign of dignity, not subservience.” —Theodore Roosevelt Remember how our parents taught us to say “please” and “thank you”? I have rediscovered these polite phrases in my language. In the beginning, it felt a little strange, but the responses that I received from the people I said these words to have been well worth my efforts. Now, for me, it has become a habit. Please, give this a try. Perhaps we can create a kinder, gentler country. Thank you. WE
Kids Comments
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Keep Holiday Stress at Bay Prioritize!
By Marge Shoemaker, BS, MS
The winter holidays are upon us. Do you greet them with anticipation, or with a feeling of dread? Some people find joy in making lists and crossing off tasks as they are completed. (Proof they’ve accomplished something?) However, long lists can be intimidating. I know people who freak out and convince themselves they’ll never get it all done. Others shrug their shoulders, saying, “Meh…I’ll do what I can and not worry about the rest.” What’s your point of view? Stress has its purpose—it may be the impetus to get us moving—but it can also have adverse effects on our health. Sara gets severe headaches and digestive problems when she’s stressed. When her blood pressure rises, she worries, which only raises it more. Jan, on the other hand, relishes being busy. She gives herself deadlines, claiming it’s the only way she can get everything done on time. We all are aware of how debilitating long-term stress can be, even leading to depression, weight gain, and other serious problems. Know yourself. The easiest way I’ve found to cope with holiday stress is to identify the main cause, be it gifts, budgets, entertaining, decorating, cards, or baking. I make lists and then prioritize. Who do I want to give gifts to? Who must I have gifts for? How much should I spend? Which parties do I have to go to? Which ones do I want to attend? Do I have to entertain? Do I even want to? Do
I have to decorate elaborately, or at all? Should I send cards or email greetings? Do I really have to bake? Regarding gifts, I give my grandsons money and something small, and I take them on an outing when I visit. One year, they thanked me for printing the card holding their money so they could read it. The rest of the family gets something small and a check. Spending time together doesn’t put any of us into debt! There are a few parties that I have to go to, but I choose to entertain when everyone isn’t so busy. I decorate simply unless I’m entertaining or expecting visitors. I’ve pared down my holiday card list significantly, and a local bakery does my baking. The best thing about prioritizing, besides easing stress, is that it improves my state of mind. I’m generally a pretty positive person and don’t sweat the stuff I can’t change. It’s much easier to enjoy friends when I’m not worried about getting things done. We go to lunch or get together for a cocktail or coffee. When we do gather, everyone brings something to share; no one is burdened by a lot of preparation. Look for the positive this holiday season. If you’re making someone else’s holiday a little brighter, it’s worth a little bit of effort…but it’s not worth your health. Editor’s Note: Marge has three children, two grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She holds advanced degrees in education. Her life’s mission is to teach everyone that kids are people, too. WE
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Interiors by Design
Sweet Dreams Stylish, Sleep-Friendly Beds
By Robyn V. Powell
Nothing is more inviting than a luxurious bed. From the quality of the mattress to the thread count of the sheets, the details matter. As Americans, we spend nearly half our life in bed, but only 53 percent of us actually like our beds. In fact, three out of four people believe their bed should be more comfortable. How did we end up this way? According to recent research, most people are more concerned about choosing a bed that looks good than one that feels good. If your bed is more like a nightmare than a dream come true, it’s time to wake up. There’s no need to sacrifice style for comfort! It’s possible to create a bed that provides the comfortable, rejuvenating sleep you need without sacrificing the style you love. When it comes to building your dream bed, selecting the right mattress is foundational. Experts recommend replacing your mattress every eight years—or sooner, if you’re experiencing chronic neck or back pain. While there are many considerations in mattresses, ranging from your budget to your preferred sleeping position, the biggest challenge is identifying the ideal construction and material to give you the right levels of support and comfort. Innovative materials and technology have made it possible to match the right product to your personal needs. Traditional and durable coil mattresses provide good bounce, and they sleep cooler
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than other options. Memory foam offers good contour and hug but retains heat, while natural latex is cool, comfortable, and bouncy. When shopping for mattresses, it’s best to try reclining on different types (not a bad way to spend an afternoon). Bring your sleep partner along to ensure the mattress you choose will be a happy fit for you both! The journey to dreamland doesn’t stop at your mattress. You need quality linens, as well. Many people assume that higher thread counts equate to better quality linens and make their buying decision based on this feature alone. While it’s true that thread count is important, there’s another factor that plays an even more important role in overall comfort: the type of fabric. According to Consumer Reports, there’s no need to pay extra for sheets with thread counts over 400, but it is worth the extra cost for sheets made from the best quality cotton. Investing in pima, Egyptian, and ›››
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Supima long-fiber cotton linens will give you unsurpassed comfort and softness that just gets better with every wash. The number one complaint among sleepers is waking up hot. Whether you naturally run hot, are going through menopause, or are just trying to stay cool in a bedroom that’s heated to someone else’s taste, waking up drenched in sweat is unpleasant and can throw off your sleep cycle. Dressing your bed with cooling linens can keep you from overheating at night and help ensure quality shut-eye. Natural cotton is one of the most breathable textiles on the market. Percale sheets, known for their crisp, airy feel, are ideal for breathable summer nights. Keep in mind that the tighter weave of linens with high thread counts can reduce breathability and increase heat retention; when it comes to cool comfort, cotton sheets with lower thread counts are a better option. To help manage night sweats, look for linens that offer unique features like cooling technology, moisture wicking, and super lightweight and breathable construction, like eco-friendly soft bamboo and microfiber. For best results, pair cooling sheets with a cooling mattress protector or cooling blanket. For many hot-blooded sleepers, cooling pillows made with materials that release heat more effectively than regular pillows can help provide a sounder night’s sleep. (That way, every side of the pillow is the cool side!) From cooling gel to memory foam, cooling pillows are often designed with contours to help eliminate pain and stiffness. There’s no need to sacrifice comfort for cool, so search for a pillow that gives you the best of all worlds. Even if you don’t need a cooling pillow, you might want a contoured shape to keep your head and neck in proper alignment while you rest. Bedding store specialists are excellent resources to help guide you through the maze of options. Your bedroom should be a stylish retreat where you go at the end of the day to rest your mind, rejuvenate your body, and renew your spirit. To create a relaxed vibe, this year’s bedding trends inspire serenity. The all-white bed, always beautiful and fresh, is all about soft layering and luxe texturing. Begin with sumptuous linens, top with a lush velvet coverlet, a lofty duvet, and clouds of just slightly overstuffed pillows. A faux fur throw adds just the right touch of cozy luxe to help you drift away! Sources for this article included: consumerreports.com, sleep.org, and sleep health.org. WE
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Out and About
21st-Century Homes At Echo Systems, the Future is Here By Robyn V. Powell
Over the last decade, the notion of the smart home has transitioned from a futuristic concept to reality. We’ve now reached a point where technology is shaping the modern American home and revolutionizing the way we live. What once existed only in the imagination—a home that greets you by unlocking the front door, disengaging the security system, turning on the lights, and playing your favorite music—is now possible with one tap on your phone. Wonderfully sophisticated yet elegantly simple, automated technology enables seamless and efficient home management. When automation is integrated with beautiful design, the result is an elevated and unprecedented quality of life. Echo Systems is the region’s leader in residential and commercial technology, lighting, and home automation. Their state-of-the-art Experience Center in Omaha provides visitors a unique opportunity to experience one of the most technologically advanced showrooms in America. The 12,000-square-foot showroom, designed like a luxury dream home, features cutting-edge lighting, audio, and visual components. Visitors discover artwork that transitions into televisions, motorized shades that operate silently, and music that plays from invisible speakers. As Doug Dushan, the sales and marketing manager at Echo Systems, explains, “Our vision is to provide an idea center to help educate the community. We want to open up people’s minds to what’s possible. When clients walk in and see all the attention to detail, when they can touch a single button that says ‘entertain,’ which sets up everything from lights to music to shades, they get to experience firsthand how an integrated system gives them ultimate home control.” “Whether you’re building, remodeling, or just want to explore what’s possible, we encourage you to visit the Experience Center and be introduced to the possibilities before embarking on your project,” Doug continues. “A lot of thought and investment goes into home design, but technology is too often an afterthought. Our goal is to reverse this.” When designing an interior space, it’s important to consider technology that will appeal to a generation brought up with technology at their fingertips. Designers, builders, and architects need to plan for technology’s integration early in the process. Without proper planning, people end up adding devices piecemeal. They require multiple apps and look like the afterthoughts that they are. “No one wants a pile of remotes on their coffee table. We’re focused on giving people seamless, high-quality technology in their homes, with minimal visual impact,” explains Doug. “We create individualized solutions to enhance your personal lifestyle and bring all that together with streamlined functionality.” As technology advances, the Experience Center
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evolves. The recently completed lighting lab demonstrates an exciting new concept in lighting known as Human Centric Doug Dushan, sales and Lighting (HCL), and Omaha is one of only a handful of marketing manager places in the nation where people can experience it. HCL is about being able to control lighting temperature (that is, warm or cool frequencies of light) to adjust to people’s natural daily rhythms. Giving humans the right lighting for their bodies at the right time of day regulates the circadian rhythms so the body produces melatonin and serotonin when it is supposed to—energizing us during the day and letting our bodies (or our kids’ bodies) naturally decompress and sleep at night. The science behind HCL shows that it increases motivation, productivity, and wellbeing. “People are often surprised that subtle changes to lighting can result in dramatic improvements in aesthetics,” Doug continues. “Whether you’re illuminating artwork or marble countertops, the proper light—when optimally placed, positioned, and angled— enhances the surface by adjusting saturation of color. People invest a great deal of time and money designing their spaces, but so much is lost without proper lighting.” Fusing functionality with aesthetics to create the perfect digital lifestyle is an art itself. Doug’s passion for premium quality and innovative design stems from an appreciation of aesthetics and a belief that big ideas can improve people’s lives. “I come from a family of artists and have always appreciated art,” says Doug. “I may be the only ex-Marine, former art consultant, tech expert around.” Nervous about learning to use even more technology in your home? Don’t be. “Not everyone is tech savvy, and that’s okay,” Doug points out. “Our goal is to create a hightech environment that’s intuitive, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to use. If any technical issues do arise, we’re just a phone call away. We can troubleshoot or even come to your home to get everything running as it should.” With a standing invitation to the community to visit and learn, Doug and the Echo Systems team are available to show anyone with an interest the technological wonders that are shaping the lifestyles of the 21st century. For more information, call 402-334-4900, visit echosystemsmidwest.com, or come to the showroom, located at 4315 South 120th Street, in Omaha. WE
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Home Works
Luxury Hardware Increase Your Home’s Value and Style!
By Anne Yankus
Whether you’re looking to sell your house at a profit or just want to enjoy a little touch of luxury in your space, one of the best returns on investment you can get is with an upgrade to your cabinet and door hardware. This may sound small, but even a simple change to the finishing touches can make all the difference in a room. You’ll get the most for your money by staying on trend, which can vary from state to state or even city to city. Ask your real estate agent what is trending in your area. There are a lot of different luxury hardware materials out there. Some of the most common are brass, bronze, stainless steel, zinc, pewter, crystal, glass, and stone. Keep in mind that you’ll want to look at solid materials to get the full value of these hardware types. (For example, choose solid brass as opposed to a brass finish on a cheaper core metal.) Like everything else in life, each material has its pros and cons. Brass has a durable finish, an elegant appearance, and anti-microbial properties. On the other hand, brass is a softer metal and is vulnerable to tarnish. Bronze is resistant to corrosion and has a unique reddish hue. Despite its resistance, bronze does still require cleaning to prevent green oxidation. Stainless steel is strong and self-healing and does not tarnish, but it shows fingerprints easily. Zinc hardware is a more affordable option but is more brittle than any of the other options mentioned so far and needs to be refinished regularly.
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Pewter is a very malleable metal, which allows for unique shapes and custom designs and also develops a patina that does not require cleaning. Precisely because of its malleability, however, pewter is easy to damage. Crystal hardware can be a gorgeous addition to your home; it comes in varying colors, all with elegant flair. Crystal is also very durable and provides a nice contrast to other fixtures if you want to mix and match. Glass is similarly versatile. It is less expensive than crystal but is more fragile. Lastly, stone can have gorgeous natural variants, is quite sturdy, and doesn’t require much maintenance. However, it is limited to smaller knobs. Making a comeback lately are some older luxury materials such as copper, weathered nickel, and weathered brass. Copper hardware has been around for a long time but has recently enjoyed a resurgence in farmhouse-style kitchens. Brushed nickel hardware ›››
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We wish you every happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming new year!
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has been popular for the last couple of decades, but weathered nickel and weathered brass are making a comeback in farmhouse or traditional Shaker-style kitchens. Some other recent trends have been knobs with antique and eclectic details, as well as mix-and-match looks that combine two or more materials. Owners of older homes sometimes request historical reproductions of the home’s original hardware. These can be more expensive, especially if they need to be custom-made, but they can be a stunning feature. Replacing your doorknobs and latches can also be a great investment for your home. Some popular door hardware materials and styles are brushed mixed nickel and bronze, unusual color tones such as oil-rubbed bronze and champagne bronze, stainless steel, brushed and matte combos, black matte, and Venetian bronze. Of course, style is only half the equation when it comes to door hardware—you also want to consider security for your home. Smart locks are the latest in door technology. These high-tech devices can have a variety of functions, such as wireless or remote locking and unlocking, numeric keypads, mobile support, and eliminating the need for additional keys. If smart locks aren’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with a tried-and-true deadbolt. Of course, not all deadbolts are made the same. For maximum investment return (and maximum home safety), you’ll definitely want to go for a higher quality deadbolt that is made of hardened steel, and make sure it’s installed at least one inch into the doorjamb. Whether you’re re-locking your existing door or getting a new door altogether, you need to consider the type of door you’ll have when you’re choosing a deadbolt. Single deadbolts are the best with wooden, metal, and solid core doors; double deadbolts are best if you have glass in your door; and hollow core doors are best without deadbolts. Upgrading your knobs and pulls to high-quality, luxury hardware does much more than add a fresh look to your kitchen or bath. These simple changes can provide an excellent return on investment. The good looks and safety of the latest technology for your doors and locks will bring peace of mind for you and for the next person who buys your home. Sources for this story include homelight. com, theflooringgirl.com, hgtv.com, and sdmmag.com. WE
Suboxone Clinic NOW OPEN for Pain Med Addiction Proudly serving the Omaha, Nebraska community, our Suboxone Clinic provides adults struggling with addiction the ability to recover from heroin, oxycodone, Percocet, and other opiates. While Suboxone can aid patients in overcoming the physical aspects of addiction, patients must also obtain support for the emotional components as well. By implementing both group and individual counseling into a comprehensive treatment plan, patients are given the tools required to achieve long-term sobriety. David Johnson, PA-C Neck Pain • Back Pain • Joint Pain Headaches • Fibromyalgia • Knee Pain Pain Pumps
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To Your Good Health
Managing Chronic Pain Relieve Pain Without Risking Addiction
By Leslie Byrne
Opioid abuse and addiction have become serious problems in the United States. For years, opioids were widely prescribed and considered an excellent solution for chronic pain sufferers. Now, we know that opioids are highly addictive and should never be the first treatment option. Providers and patients are taking a second look at non-opioid options to manage pain without risking addiction. Chronic pain is defined as pain every day for three months. According to a 2016 CDC survey, a staggering 50 million Americans (that’s one out of every five people) suffer from chronic pain. With numbers like that, perhaps we should not be surprised so many have turned to opioids to help control their pain. The concern with opioids is not that they aren’t effective pain relievers—they often are. The problem is that they change the chemistry of the brain, which can lead to drug addiction. Over time, the dose needs to be increased to continue to control the pain, and this leads to dependence and all the negative trappings that can come with it, up to and including death by overdose. Not everyone who takes opioids will develop an addiction, and not everyone who develops an addiction will overdose, but that’s no help to the 130 people every day who die of an opioid overdose. Fortunately, many non-opioid options are available for patients who have chronic pain. In fact, many of them have been around
for a long time and are coming back to the forefront as medical professionals re-evaluate the use of opioids. Doctors may suggest many alternative options to their patients before prescribing opioids to manage pain. Some common non-drug treatments include light to moderate exercise to improve the flow of blood and oxygen to muscles. A moderate amount of exercise can help people who suffer from lower back pain or arthritis. Applying heat or cold to the sore area can effectively control pain, as well. Non-addictive medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are another common treatment for pain. This class of drugs includes things like ibuprofen. Taken correctly, these medications can effectively relieve pain. Creams or ointments that contain the anesthetic lidocaine may be used, depending on the type of pain. Since the opioid crisis, acupuncture is often suggested to patients to ease chronic pain, and some states are looking to extend Medicaid to cover acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment in which thin needles are inserted into the skin at specific
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points on the body. Inserting the needles at these specific points is thought to correct imbalances in the flow of energy in the body, called qi (pronounced “chee”). It is believed to decrease inflammation and is often suggested as arthritis treatment. Regular treatments are most effective, and it should only be done by a certified acupuncturist. Don’t worry if you can’t find an acupuncturist in your community—many chiropractors have taken additional training to obtain the required certification and are happy to offer this treatment. Biofeedback therapy is another nonpharmaceutical option for chronic pain. During a biofeedback session, electrodes are attached to the patient’s skin and monitored by a technician, who can identify when the patient’s pain levels are waxing and waning. Since pain can be monitored visually, patients can learn to control things like muscle tension to help with relaxation. It is a good option for pregnant women, since there is no medication involved, and can be very effective for pain that is related to physical tension (like headaches or neck pain). Less conventional pain treatments might include Botox injections to paralyze muscles, aromatherapy to reduce anxiety, or hypnosis to relax and to alter the perception of pain. CBD oil, from the cannabis plant, is being used to relieve pain and inflammation. Though research about CBD oil for pain management is promising, most CBD products are not FDA-approved. Since they are not regulated for purity and dosage, it is important to work with a reputable source. Even with the risk of addiction, there are times when opioids are the best option to control pain. These cases should be closely supervised by a physician or a pain management specialist. Pain management is a fast-growing medical specialty that takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating all kinds of pain and is usually done in a clinic or office environment. If someone becomes addicted to pain medications, a medically supervised detox is needed. A drug called Suboxone is often used during the withdrawal phase to alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms. The dose is gradually reduced until the patient no longer needs the medication. Pain management may not be simple, but it’s worth the effort to live a life with less pain. Work with your physician to find the therapies that works best for you. Sources for this article included: clevelandclinic.org, healthline.com, medicalnewstoday.com, health.harvard.edu, ghr.nlm.nih.gov, and mayoclinic.org. WE
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47
An Inside Look
A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation Get Your Life Back After Cancer By Jackie Byers
A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation owes it creation to Dr. Stephanie Koraleski and Dr. Kay Ryan. Stephanie is the daughter of a breast cancer survivor and Kay survived breast cancer herself, so they are both intimately acquainted with the devastating effects of the disease, even when treatment is successful. After her treatment, Kay felt that she needed help recovering her physical strength, emotional balance, and mental clarity, but she experienced a letdown when she realized that no programs existed to help her. She and Stephanie discussed their frustrations and designed a solution: A Time to Heal. Kay and Stephanie worked on their new project at night, after they came home from their full-time jobs. They obtained tax-exempt status and an initial group of Gold Donors, who allow them to provide their wellness programs for free. The multi-faceted programs at A Time to Heal strive to reach five key goals for cancer survivors and caregivers: develop resilience, boost hope, improve quality of life, lead to happiness, and develop greater strength. Kay and Stephanie worked with a gerontologist to design a measurement tool so they could make sure their programs were working. This sophisticated document provides facts that are clinically measurable. “We have concrete, evidence-based data gathered over 10 years,” says Rebecca Vinton, the executive director of A Time to Heal. “Our programs work. The proof will be published in 2020.” What a relief to cancer survivors to have posttreatment support that is proven to help! “A Time to Heal and being with other survivors has been pivotal in my recovery,” says cancer survivor Joey. “I gain so much support in the class—and outside it, too.” An anonymous group member posted, “Thanks to the people involved in the Survivorship 101 class, for the knowledge you shared, your kindness, thoughtfulness, and care. My strength and faith have improved.” Medical services are usually quite costly, so many cancer survivors are left without a lot of money to spend on post-treatment care. Stephanie and Kay established A Time to Heal as a tax-exempt, nonprofit enterprise, providing its innovative wellness classes for survivors and caregivers for free. “We have a great group of financial backers who make this organization flourish,” shares Rebecca. “As our outreach has spread over Nebraska and to other states, other organizations have stepped forward to share the costs of these classes.” “The first class is Survivorship 101, our original course offering,” Rebecca continues. “It is a 12-week program with a smorgasbord of tools focusing on behavior training, social interaction, and psychological counseling.” A slightly different
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version of Survivorship 101 exists for family members and friends, who are often caregivers. These loved ones, though not dealing with cancer in their own bodies, can carry a heavy burden of caregiving tasks as well as emotional drain. They need assistance, too. Meeting for two and a half hours each week, Survivorship 101 is well-paced. From gentle stretching to lecture, from group discussion to journaling, each segment has a clear purpose. Positive affirmations close each session. The topics covered each week and the way they are labeled clearly indicate how the focus is placed on each individual. Each goal has the patient take responsibility for achievement; thus, patients can celebrate their own victories as they come. In addition to Survivorship 101, A Time to Heal offers an eight-week program for helping the up to 75 percent of cancer survivors who are affected by cancerrelated brain fog. This class has 90-minute sessions to help survivors cope with inefficiencies in multitasking, disorganization, slow recall of words and names, and other cognitive processing lapses that often follow cancer treatment. A Time to Heal now also offers a professionally led support group for those whose cancer has metastasized. The goal for this ongoing program is living the best possible life with cancer. No matter what type of cancer has struck you, a family member, or friend, A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation has proven programs and services that can help...and their donors make it possible for them to offer their programs at no cost to participants. Classes are offered in various locations, but the offices of A Time to Heal Cancer Foundation are located at The Collective for Hope Campus at 8000 Chicago Street in Omaha. You can reach them at 402-401-6083 or online at atth.org. If you or someone you love is struggling to rebuild after cancer treatment, you can find ways to face it and heal. A Time to Health has programs that are proven to work. Visit their website and see for yourself what past participants have to say. Isn’t it time for you to heal? WE
Rebecca Vinton, executive director
www.womensedition.com
December 2019
49
Focus on Finance
The War on Investment Fees A Primer and an Update
By George Morgan
Since the early 1900s, the size of the commissions charged by brokers to buy and sell stock were set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They were not cheap, and they allowed brokers to make healthy salaries. In the 1960s, however, the SEC began to change the rules, allowing investors to negotiate these commissions. The cost went down, but not by much. This rule change was not that significant overall because the investing public only had a small number of dollars in the stock market at the time. The thing we today call a mutual fund originated in the early 1900s and was known at that time as a trust. Brokers would gather pools of the public’s money and purchase stocks with the pooled funds. With trusts, no effort was made to enhance performance by buying and selling positions in the portfolio. The mutual funds we know today began with the Investment Companies Act of 1940. Because of the Great Depression and World War II, Main Street put few dollars into the market until the 1960s. In the mid-1960s, Wall Street began manufacturing and marketing a product they called a go-go fund. The funds got their name from the fact that the majority of the stocks in them were companies that were growing rapidly by buying up other companies. The public was drawn to gogo funds because Wall Street advertised them as producing extraordinary investment returns. What the public did not know or simply ignored was that these funds had extraordinarily high fees. First of all, they required an 8.5 percent commission up front. In addition, the investor paid the broker 1.5 percent of the total value of the investments—every year. This was great for the broker, but it was a big drain on the investor’s real return. This level of fees on actively managed funds remained the norm for the next 50 years. Low-cost index funds came into being in 1975, but they were not very often used. This was because, since brokers received no compensation from them, the only investors who used index funds were those who did their own research and made their own decisions. In today’s market, the typical maintenance fee on an actively managed fund is 0.85 percent, while the same maintenance fee on a passively managed index fund is 0.02 percent. That means that index funds put 0.83 percent more into the pockets of investors, not Wall Street. About four or five years ago, the push to bring fees down to zero began in earnest. The major participants were two of the largest mutual fund providers and the major discount brokerage firms. They were not driven by a love for their clients; rather, simple competition was forcing them to lower their fees. If one competitor goes to zero fees, the others must respond in kind or risk losing their client base.
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How are discount firms able to give away their services and still stay in business? The answer is simple: They are beginning to operate like banks. Banks take deposits from their customers and then loan that money out to other customers. They give part of the interest they receive to their depositors and keep the rest for themselves. Almost all of the discount brokers’ clients keep some form of cash balance, which provides brokers with the revenue stream they need to stay in business. How are the Wall Street firms competing against the zero fees charged by the discount firms and several major mutual fund companies? Here, the simple answer is that they are not. Investors who are seeking low-cost products and services will avoid full-service brokers. However, there are still many investors with sizable amounts of money to invest who want their money actively managed. It is impossible to tell how many dollars Wall Street has lost to the discounters, but they have altered their business models to focus on clients who are willing to pay full price. Wall Street brokers are not going away, but their business will look different. An important part of this story is the millions of American 401(k) plans, which hold about 5 trillion dollars in employee funds. A recent Supreme Court decision says that employers who sponsor 401(k) plans must provide their employees with funds that are reasonably priced. Just exactly what “reasonably priced” means is yet to be determined, but it is bound to be closer to the discounter’s price than to Wall Street’s. The bottom line is that there are opportunities out there for you to reduce your investment costs and increase the amount of money that ends up in your pocket. It is up to you to do the homework. An important place for you to begin is with your 401(k). Make sure you know how much you are paying in fees. Editor’s Note: Professor Morgan has over 40 years’ experience in the investment field, both as a university professor and as a financial advisor. He currently serves on the faculty at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he directs a program designed to educate 401(k) plan participants on how to improve their investment strategy. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. WE
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December 2019
51
Seasons of Life
Short-Term Rehabilitation Faster, More Complete Recovery
By Linda Barnes
As much as we prefer not to think about unexpected illnesses, surgeries, or injuries, it’s so helpful to be informed about the options for transition from hospital to home before you’re staring that transition in the face. Short-term rehab facilities specialize in making sure recovery happens as quickly and as successfully as possible. Perhaps you’re planning an elective surgery and wondering about the advantages of rehabilitation services available at a short-term facility. When my husband had knee replacement surgery, we were confident that, between the two of us, we could manage his care afterward. Not everyone is so fortunate! Many patients live alone or with family members who are unable to perform the care needed after hospitalization. In these cases, a short-term rehab facility is a great choice. Patients who are well enough to leave the hospital after a stroke, surgery, or injury can heal under the care of professionals until they’re able to function independently at home. Statistics show that 20 percent of patients need post-acute care after release from the hospital. In patients who are 65 years and older, the number jumps to 40 percent. Post-acute care can be provided by a skilled nursing facility, short-term rehab, or home health care. Short-term rehab may be a special unit of a hospital, a wing of a skilled nursing facility, or a free-standing facility. The goal is to provide the medical care, therapies, and support needed to return to optimal function. A typical stay lasts two to four weeks.
Regardless of the structure, inpatient short-term rehab has certain common features. Professional medical staff is on site around the clock. Doctors and nurses supervise the medical care of the residents. Trained therapists provide daily physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy on site. Rooms may be private or semi-private, depending upon the facility. Meals are provided, along with assistance with getting in and out of bed, if needed. Medications are dispensed and social needs are addressed. Recent studies have shown that those who take advantage of inpatient short-term rehab have quicker recoveries, lower mortality rates, and fewer re-admissions to the hospital. One reason for the lower re-admission rate is that short-term rehab has trained staff who can deal with unexpected medical issues on site. This avoids the trip to the emergency room that someone recuperating at home might have to take.
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The rehabilitation part of the equation is an important part of the success of these programs. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists are integral parts of the recovery process. Physical therapy involves strengthening muscles and learning to use aids like walkers, wheelchairs, and canes. Patients practice sitting and getting up as well as using stairs. Occupational therapy concentrates on daily activities that will be needed when the patient returns home. Preparing meals, getting dressed, and using medical response tools are some of these skills. Speech therapy is often needed with stroke patients and those with other injuries or surgeries that affect swallowing or verbal communication. Those in rehab can strengthen tongue and lip muscles and re-learn to drink and swallow. The number of hours spent in daily therapy depends on the level of injury or the skills that the patient needs to re-learn. Outpatient therapy may follow release when ongoing work is needed. A short-term rehab center near my home offers all the medical and therapy support plus some terrific amenities. The goals are maximum health, wellness, and independence. Meals are chef-prepared. They have patios and outdoor spaces, walkin showers, educational programs, Wi-Fi, activities, and entertainment. A full calendar, including games, crafts, music, and afternoon coffee and cookies keeps everyone engaged. For younger patients, private health insurance will likely pay, but it’s always smart to make sure. Those 65 and older who are on Medicare will need to meet certain criteria. A three-night hospital stay is required, within the previous 30 days, as well as a need for daily skilled services. A doctor must order the short-term inpatient rehab. Medicare covers the first 20 days. For days 21-100, a co-pay is required. If you’re planning elective surgery, scout out the possibilities ahead of time and visit the facilities, if you can. Be aware that you might not always have your first choice if the facility is full, so prioritize a list of three or four, just in case. A facility must have Medicare certification in order to receive Medicare reimbursement.Your state and local government may require licensing or other credentials, as well. Look for a facility that is clean and well-staffed. The other amenities will depend upon your personal preferences. Why not opt for the best chance of a quicker and more complete recovery in a short-term rehab facility? Sources for this article included: medlineplus. gov, usnews.com, and seniordirectory.com. WE December 2019
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Caring Senior Service At Caring Senior Service, we take your quality of life to heart! You deserve to maintain the safe and independent lifestyle you have worked so hard for, and our caregivers are your solution! We provide quality care, as well as active involvement, to support you in your home rather than in a nursing home. How do we do this? You are our #1 priority! We are committed to showing compassion and kindness to earn your trust, which is crucial to your satisfaction and to our continued success. Call 402-682-7326 for a FREE IN-HOME consultation. My ThinSide Out Are you an emotional eater or a yo-yo dieter? Have you gained and lost the same 25-50 (or more) pounds over the years? Have you tried multiple plans and failed? I can relate! That was me until I found the Body Breakthrough Method. None of the programs I’d ever tried taught me to listen to my own hunger, my own fullness, or my own physical and emotional signals of satisfaction and peace with food. I’ve had a long career as a professional mental health provider. Now I am dedicated to helping my weight loss clients find this same peace with food. Call me, Karen Williams, owner and coach, at 402-709-6475 to schedule a free 60-minute consultation. Let’s change your mindset surrounding food! Venus Vein Clinic Vein disease isn’t about appearance as much as it is about your health. Do you suffer from leg pain, swelling, restlessness, and skin discoloration? These are very common symptoms of vein disease. Left untreated, it can cause serious health issues. At VENUS, you may be surprised at how easily and comfortably you can improve your daily life. There is no downtime to recover, there’s no sedation or heavy medicines needed, and treatments are covered by medical insurance. You can go right back to work or exercise, and you will feel better and look better, too. VENUS Vein Clinic—Your Go-To Vein Clinic. Don’t wait a day longer, call today at 402-979-VEIN (8346) or visit VenusVeinClinic.com.
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Kelly Schroeder, M.D.
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Make A Wish Tens of thousands of volunteers, donors, and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish® vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. In the United States and its territories, on average, a wish is granted every 35 minutes. We believe a wish experience can be a game-changer. Make-A-Wish chapters across the United States and its territories serve their communities and have a variety of volunteering needs that are specific to each chapter. Find your local chapter and visit its website to learn more about volunteering opportunities. Want to help grant wishes every month? Become a Monthly Wishmaker.
WISH KID EVAN, AGE 6
Koca Chiropractic The professionals at Koca Chiropractic want to remind you that we are dedicated to helping you experience better health through better living. Our team combines skill and expertise, the latest technology, and revolutionary concepts to provide you with affordable, advanced wellness care strategies that get results. You can count on us to offer an honest, no-nonsense approach to helping you and your family achieve your health goals. Call today to have the most important system in your body checked…your nerve system! Let us show you how it’s all connected. Call 402-496-4570 today to schedule your no-obligation wellness evaluation. Reed Law PC LLO At Reed Law, our mission is to end nursing home abuse and neglect. We are the only Nebraska law firm devoted exclusively to handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Our experienced and aggressive team is committed to providing compassionate, personal service to every client. We strive to provide exceptional results for victims and the families of victims, which is why so many of our clients refer their friends and family to our firm. Our consultations are free, our fee structure is reasonable, and our clients never pay anything up front. For more information or to set up a free initial consultation, give us a call today at 402-933-0588.
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55
Peak Performance
Consignment Shopping Resale Revs Up
By Maria Harding
Do you have designer items in your closet that you don’t need anymore? Perhaps a skirt that no longer fits, or a bag that you like but just never use? Consider selling them through a local consignment store. Increasingly, shoppers are drawn to resale stores. Buying used clothing, accessories, and furniture is more appealing than ever, for a variety of reasons. Some people realize that disposing of vast amounts of seldom-used goods is not sustainable for our planet. Others are inspired by saving money when purchasing previously owned quality items. Still others delight in the prospect of finding that unique treasure… you never know exactly what you’ll find in a resale store. However, the real magic begins when a smart shopper becomes a consignor as well as a consumer. First, we should clarify some terminology. “Resale store” refers broadly to any retailer that offers goods that are not brand-new. Their inventory can come from a variety of sources, including donations, estate sales, flea markets, individual consignors, or a combination of these. “Thrift store” generally refers to retailers that benefit a not-for-profit organization. Thrift stores’ inventory has been donated by individuals who have relinquished ownership of the items. “Consignment stores” offer the opportunity for individuals to sell items in the store while maintaining ownership of those items. When an item sells, the consignment store and the individual share in the profit.
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Every consignment store has different guidelines that establish the partnership between the store and the individual sellers, but a consignor can generally expect to earn 40–60 percent of the ticketed sale price. Some consignment stores will offer a higher percentage if the profit is used as store credit, and others may initially charge a small fee to establish a new consignor. Similarly, each store has a different policy about how long an item will remain on display. Typically, a consignment store will feature items for 30–90 days. After that point, the items are often discounted, donated, or given back to the owner (you’ll need to pick them up). Resale stores are a booming industry. In 2018, our nation’s resale clothing and furniture market reported sales between $17.5 and $24 billion. The fashion resale market alone is growing 21 times faster than the retail market, according to research done by the firm GlobalData. Similar studies report that the clothing resale industry is expected to double within five years. Almost three quarters of resale shoppers report spending fewer dollars in traditional retail, preferring instead to buy used items.
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There are many benefits to consigning furniture or clothing through a store as opposed to selling your items at a garage sale or in an online marketplace. Though you’ll have to share the profit with the consignment store, you don’t bear the burden of advertising, dealing with potential buyers, or researching the value of your items. As a consignor, you also benefit from the established reputation of the store and its expertise in displaying items to their best advantage. The local economy is supported when members of a community buy and sell through consignment stores— consignment benefits local shop owners, employees, and consignors. Inventory isn’t generally shipped from hundreds or even thousands of miles away; it all cycles locally. As a potential consignor, look for stores that have a well-organized system for keeping track of consignment items. Often, inventory on the showroom floor is marked with a price tag that also has an identification code, so the store knows immediately which consignor’s account gets credited when the item sells. Every privately owned store has a unique clientele, so choose stores that closely reflect the character of the items you wish to sell. Some stores prefer to carry only mainstream name-brand items, while others favor quirky or antique pieces. Smaller stores carry fewer items, so there is less competition for the sale, but a smaller store may also attract fewer shoppers. Be patient and see what your consignments yield in terms of profit and rate of turnover. Visit your favorite consignment stores often because the inventory can change on a daily basis. Sign up for email newsletters that alert you to sales and special events. When investing in furniture or other costly items, take the time to research their value before purchasing. This allows you to be a smart shopper and to appreciate the great deals you will find. Before every purchase, carefully check each item for damage, and ask about the store’s return policy. Clear out your closet! Consigning your items gives a new person the chance to love your old things. It also opens up space in your home for the indulgent bargains you are sure to find as a consignment store shopper. Sources for this article included: narts. org, fortune.com, and manvsdebt.com. WE
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57
Auto Wise
Got Power? Maintaining Your Vehicle’s Battery
By Brennan Hallock
When cars first began replacing horses as the primary form of transportation on American roads in the early 20th century, they did not come with batteries. Instead, hand cranks were used to start their engines. This system was quickly replaced by electric batteries, though, which allow us to start our engines with the turn of a key or the press of a button. As electricity becomes more and more essential to our modern vehicles, the battery is becoming more and more important to maintain. Your vehicle’s battery is essential to starting the engine, of course, but it’s also integral to many other parts of your driving experience, even in a gas-powered vehicle. Your alternator, headlights, dashboard, interior lights, charging functions, air conditioner, radio, and more are powered and maintained by the battery. Most vehicle batteries last about four to six years, but a number of factors impact the life of your battery. These include how often you drive, what electronics you use in your vehicle, how secure your battery is, your battery’s corrosion, and the weather. Short or infrequent drives can cause your battery to fail faster because they don’t allow the battery to fully recharge. If you don’t plan to drive your vehicle regularly, it is smart to invest in a portable car battery charger to make sure you don’t end up stranded.
The electronics you use in your vehicle pull their electricity directly from the battery. This is fine while you’re driving because the vehicle is recharging the battery. If your vehicle is idling, you should unplug any electronics and turn off the lights so they don’t drain the battery. This is not only because it can leave you stranded. Allowing your battery to be drained will force it to work harder and shorten its lifespan. A battery’s life can be shortened if it is not securely fastened under the hood—batteries that shake and vibrate may end up with internal damage and short circuits. Check your battery terminal regularly to make sure it is secure, especially if you drive on bumpy roads such as gravel or dirt. Corrosion on your vehicle’s battery terminals is common, especially with older vehicles, and can cause a bad connection that harms your battery life. Luckily, it’s easy to clean: Dip
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a toothbrush in baking soda and water and then scrub the terminals. Spray them clean with cold water and wipe them off with a dry rag. The weather is the biggest factor affecting your battery’s lifespan. In extremely hot temperatures, the fluid in the battery can evaporate, damaging the internal structure and limiting its ability to hold a charge. If you notice a rotten egg (sulphur) smell coming from your battery, this is usually the cause. You can’t control the weather, but you can keep your car cooler by parking in a garage or out of direct sunlight. Cold temperatures are also damaging because they reduce the solution’s ability to transfer full power (this is why it can be hard to start a vehicle in the winter). One way to fight this problem is to buy a battery heater. When purchasing a vehicle battery, you have a few choices. These choices include lead-acid, lithium metal or lithium ion, and deep cycle. Lead-acid are the most common and affordable batteries and have been around the longest. They can be used in nearly all vehicles and have an average lifespan. Valve-regulated deep-acid (VRLA) batteries are the most modern version of these; they are lower maintenance and more durable.
Lithium batteries are some of the most advanced on the market, and they tend to be more expensive. The lithium ion is rechargeable; it’s what you will normally find in electric vehicles. Deep cycle batteries offer longer, more sustained power, which is why they are used for marine vehicles or golf carts. They are also more suited for colder climates, where more reserve cranking power is necessary. In most vehicles, the battery is located under the front hood, next to the engine, but there is no required location for a vehicle battery. On some vehicles, you may find it under the wheel well, under a floorboard panel, in the rear of the car, or even in the trunk. No matter where it is located, the manufacturer will have designed it to be accessible in case you need to jump your car. You may have to refer to the owner’s manual, though, to see exactly how this should be done. You may have to pop off a panel or remove a wheel. If you keep your battery happy, your whole driving experience will be happier. If you have any questions about your vehicle’s current battery or whether you might need a new one, ask your mechanic. Sources for this article included: popularmechanics.com, blog. nationwide.com, and knowhow.napaonline.com. WE
December 2019
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Life Worth Living
The Symbols of Christmas Do You Have a Favorite? By Sharon Knierim
No matter how many Christmas seasons we enjoy (or endure) over the course of the years, it is the happy holiday memories that seem to remain in our hearts and minds. As with so many things in life, we choose to recall those times that bring us all closer together and warm our human hearts. Although it so often doesn’t seem to be human nature these days, suddenly there is talk everywhere about peace on Earth and goodwill toward men. Wishfully, we could carry this sentiment with us all year long, and it could become a full-time universal goal. The symbols that represent this most celebrated of holidays are beautiful and varied. Surrounding this end-of-the-year holiday, there are symbols for people of many different belief systems. If we choose, we can center our holiday on the secular or the spiritual aspects of Christmas. Most of us combine both themes. Do you like the sound of bells? Christmastime is represented by bells of every shape and size. Bells and their musical offering remind us to be happy as they ring out joy. From the tiniest bells to the largest church bells and chimes, their contribution is a visual and aural reminder of the joy of the season. Growing up, our mother always pinned little bells on the hems of our petticoats so that our little bells would ring as we moved about. Adding bells to this holiday is a sure winner. The woman serving us at our local deli adds one bell each day to her hair or apparel so that, by Christmas, she rings, and jingles, and clatters. She offers a bit of festivity to all of us with the simple act of wearing bells. Then, there’s the Christmas music. Any holiday that has its own repertoire of music is very special. Who doesn’t recall the soothing strains of Bing Crosby, crooning his most famous melody, White Christmas? That tune is loaded with sentimental symbolism, recalling sweet dreams of children playing in the snow and sleigh bells ringing. And have you noticed that there are no sad songs representing Christmastime? The message of these songs is joy, and peace, and goodwill—with at least a bit of hope thrown in, for good measure. If you’re an avid fan of Santa Claus and his North Pole gang of highly motivated toy makers (and who isn’t?), you may find yourself visiting department stores or attending parties where this jolly old elf is ever-present. Oh, and the fun of small children who believe in Santa Claus (as I surely do) and then see him at events during the holidays! There are a few opponents to the lore of St. Nick, as some adults refuse to introduce Santa in the way he was meant to be understood—as something magical and fun. Viewing Santa as a nasty trick upon children seems contrary to those of us who are true believers. After all, childhood is, in some part, believing in fantasy. Even adults have fantasies; it’s just a part of life.
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For more than six decades, I have been a true and constant believer in Santa Claus and his loyal league of helpers, and they haven’t let me down yet! Mistletoe is one of the more secular symbols of the holiday. In the past, I have decorated every archway and hanging light fixture with this magical plant. Anyone who stands under the mistletoe will supposedly be kissed. As you can imagine, I spend lots of the Christmas season standing under archways and hanging light fixtures. Not much has happened over the years, and I have yet to be kissed until I feel faint. Then again, the holiday itself is about hope, so I’m sure you’ll find me standing in archways and under hanging light fixtures again this year. You never know. This could be my year! What is the number one symbol that comes to mind when you think of Christmas? It’s probably the Christmas tree. In most homes, that heavily decorated tree earns pride of place and is the centerpiece of all holiday festivities. Whether you’re a big fan of Santa Claus and his denizens of helpers or choose to believe in the joys of Christmas surrounding the holy story of a birth in Bethlehem, the truest symbol of this time of year is peace on Earth. Let me wish each and every one of you the happiest holiday ever. I hope you are surrounded by those you truly love. Merry Christmas. WE
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Great Escapes
Cruises Ocean Versus River
By Jackie Williams
I just got back from my second European river cruise, and I am ready to book my next one! I love the relaxing feel of travel along the river. The views are constantly changing, the atmosphere on board is very laid back, and (unlike the party scene on larger ocean ships), there just aren’t that many people on board. I love having the space to immerse myself in the destination. I was attracted to booking with U by Uniworld because of the active excursion options. Hiking up to castles and biking along vineyards and orchards is my idea of a good time, in addition to the walking tours around the cities. I also appreciated that I did not feel like cattle, being herded along with thousands of other tourists at each port. I wasn’t alone in these opinions—everyone I talked to on our ship, “The A,” felt the same way. River cruises used to be mainly for senior travelers, but the median age of a river cruise guest has dropped to 45 years. On the U by Uniworld cruise that I took, I saw guests of a wide variety of ages, from their 20s to their 70s, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. With free Wi-Fi, buffet-style meals, a fleet of bicycles on the deck, wellness activities every morning, daily guided tours, and on-board spa treatments, all the bases were covered. You can make a river cruise like this into a vacation that is as structured or non-structured as you want.
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River cruises are gaining in popularity and ships are booking at 100 percent occupancy, so look ahead now to when you want to travel. River cruises lines are reporting satisfaction rates of over 96 percent. Companies like Uniworld, U by Uniworld, Viking, AmaWaterways, Tauck, and Avalon all offer luxurious experiences and are now following the trends by offering active tours in addition to the traditional walking tours. River cruises are typically for adult passengers, but there are some family itineraries where you can bring the kids and grandkids, especially during the holidays. I cannot wait to try out another river cruise line! The two experiences I have had have been wonderful but different, and I’m looking forward to trying a third. Does the drama of an oversized ocean liner sound more like your style? If so, you’re not alone. About 30 million ›››
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people are expected to take an ocean cruise this year, and cruise travel is booming. Why do people love cruises so much? Offering itineraries for travelers of all ages to enjoy, visiting multiple destinations in one trip, and the ease of booking are among the many reasons. Women-only and solo itineraries are also on the rise. People are looking to spend their money on experiences instead of material things, to stay connected while traveling, and to pay attention to their personal wellness. The cruise lines have heard and are delivering! Where is everyone going? Well, cruises to the Mediterranean are growing in popularity, as are cruises of shorter durations. Alaska and the Caribbean are always popular, and more people are cruising Asia, as well. Mega ships that hold more than 6,500 passengers are destinations in themselves! This year alone, 18 new ocean ships debuted, with plenty more scheduled for the next five years to meet the demand. According to a 2019 poll done by Conde Nast Traveler, the best-rated cruise lines this year out of small ships are Crystal and Windstar. The best midsized cruise ships are Crystal, Viking Ocean, and Seabourn. For the large ocean liners, it’s Disney, Cunard, and Holland America. This doesn’t mean that Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and the like are not up to par. They have plenty to offer, including great value and a lot of fun. Ocean cruises are great vacations for a family traveling with multiple generations. One ship hotel manager explained to me that they make sure the kids love their cruises—when the kids are happy, the parents are happy, and that means everyone wants to come back! Planning now for next year would be a great idea. Talk to your travel agent about where you would like to cruise and which ship you would like to take, but keep an open mind—your agent might have some great ideas for you. Booking through a travel agent can get you better pricing and perks. It also saves you a ton of time when you make someone else responsible for arranging the trip! That’s a win-win situation. Get ready to cruise the world with your family next year! Sources for this article included: cruising.org, statista.com, and maritimeexecutive.com. WE December 2019
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The Good Life
Lingerie Feeling Good, Looking Good
By Angella A. Arndt
The holiday season is a time to celebrate and count blessings with families and loved ones. For many, it’s also a time of entertaining and parties, which means dressing for the occasion. Cocktail dresses, gowns, and dress pants outfits will be on full display, but looking and feeling your best includes essential wardrobe items that are not often seen. Lingerie is a fundamental part of a woman’s wardrobe, and the right pieces can boost your confidence and help you put your best foot forward. If you’re looking for holiday gift ideas, lingerie is a great gift option that’s personal and intimate. The key to successful lingerie gift-giving is thinking about the recipient. What kind of clothing does she usually like to wear? Does she prefer delicate lace or comfortable cotton? Lingerie doesn’t just mean bras and panties— it also includes items like camisoles, chemises, robes, and rompers. With so many options, you’re sure to find something to delight that special someone in your life. Many women find bra shopping to be a frustrating experience. There are so many styles, fits, and colors—the choices can be overwhelming. You can make your bra-buying experience more enjoyable by keeping a few tips in mind. First of all, narrow your focus. What type of bra do you need? Are you looking for a sports bra, strapless bra, racerback, t-shirt bra, or a pushup bra to enhance cleavage? Second, don’t get caught up in cup size. Many women wear bras with band sizes that are too large and cup sizes that are too small. A well-fitting band should be snug but should not dig into your chest. The front of the bra should lie flat, and your breasts should fill the cups without any puckering or gapping. Remember to try on each bra you are buying. Sizes vary among lingerie brands and bra styles. Regular fittings are essential! Your body changes over time, which means that your bra size may change, as well. Breast shape is just as important as breast size when finding the right bra. For example, athletic breasts are wider and more muscular—t-shirt bras are a good option. If you have a wide space between your breasts, a front-closure style lifts your breasts and brings them closer together. Relaxed breasts hang, and a balconette style may be the most flattering. Small, rounded breasts may not need a lot of coverage or support, and most styles will work. Taking the time to find the right style for your shape will help with a better fit. If you’re still unsure about shopping for a bra, a professionally trained bra fitter can help you find the right style and ensure you have a properly fitting bra. You’ll find bra fitters at most large department stores and specialty boutiques. These fitters are trained to
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measure and find the right bra size and style for your breast size and shape. Additionally, they are familiar with their inventory and will know which brands are best for your figure. The latest trends in bras emphasize comfort and function. Wire-free bralettes and sports bras continue to grow in popularity. Bralettes are comfortable and versatile—they may even be worn as outerwear. Sports bras are designed for exercise, but they are also very comfortable for casual days. If you’re looking for a wardrobe accessory that can make you look slimmer, consider purchasing some shapewear. Many women have a love-hate relationship with shapewear—they love how it makes them look but hate how it feels. A proper fit is key to achieving a slimmer look while maintaining comfort. Trying to go down a size in shapewear will probably not meet your expectations. The right size will provide shaping benefits without causing bulges and being uncomfortable. Shapewear is also available in different strength levels, meaning you can choose light or ultra-slimming. There are also different types of shapewear to target specific areas you’d like to smooth. Depending upon your outfit, there’s sure to be shapewear that can help you achieve a smooth, sleeker look. High-waist shorts eliminate muffin tops and also shape your bottom, thighs, and hips. Shapewear briefs provide tummy control and create an hourglass curve. Shapewear dresses are worn under dresses and have allover compression, providing smooth curves and a flatter tummy. Shapewear bras get rid of back fat. Postpartum tube shapewear for new moms provides shaping benefits as well as support for abdominal muscles as they heal from the physical trauma of labor and delivery. There are so many options for lingerie and shapewear. With a little effort, you’ll find the pieces and fit that work for you. Lingerie and shapewear may serve practical purposes, but they can also enhance your style by providing that hidden finishing touch. Sources for this article included: goodhousekeeping. com, realsimple.com, retailwire.com, and webmd.com. WE
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View from the Top
Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler A Legacy of Service By Vicki Jo Walsh
The people of Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler Mortuaries and Crematory have been providing service to grieving families in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area for more than 125 years. In fact, the current business is a merging of caring funeral professionals who came together over many decades, each group bringing a legacy of service to the organization. The group includes Heafey and Heafey Funeral Home (originally located at 14th and Douglas Streets in Omaha), the Hoffmann Funeral Home (originally located at 24th and Dodge Streets in Omaha), the Dworak Funeral Home (still operating at 2466 South 16th Street in Omaha), and the Cutler Funeral Home (in Council Bluffs, Iowa). The firm also includes the corporate heritage of Korisko Larkin Staskiewicz Funeral Home in South Omaha. The Cutler family has been serving in the funeral business since 1850, which begain in LaPorte, Indiana. Lewis Cutler, Bill Cutler’s great-great-grandfather, came to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1901 and established the Cutler Funeral Home, now Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-
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Woodring, on Pearl and Willow Avenue in Council Bluffs, IA. The Cutler Funeral Home has the distinction of having handled the funeral arrangements of the Civil War’s last major general—General Grenville M. Dodge, who died in 1915. Bill was taught to earn his own money when he was growing up. By age 10, he was washing funeral cars for his family’s business: the Cutler Funeral Home. He would work after school, during the
Bill Cutler IV, Funeral Director
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summer, and on other school breaks. Even though Bill left the area to attend college, he knew that he would be back to work in the family business. He had watched his family care for other families since he was a child, and he knew that this was his calling. He takes pride in continuing his family’s legacy. Bill’s first step in providing care to a grieving family making funeral arrangements is to learn everything he can from the family about the deceased. He obtains information about the deceased’s background, including occupation, education, family members, military service, memberships, religious affiliations, and any individual preferences about memorial. He asks about things like flower preferences, music selections, and special religious readings, poetry, or quotation choices. His goal is to make each service a reflection of the life of the deceased—a unique and personal tribute that honors the deceased’s life contributions. The newly completed flagship chapel of Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler is the West Center Chapel, located at 7805 West Center Road, across the street from Resurrection and Calvary Cemeteries. The parking is plentiful, with easy access into the building. As you enter, you are promptly greeted by the receptionist sitting in front of a beautiful stained glass window. Before you know it, she’ll be on her feet, coming your way to help you find the area you are visiting. The newly completed facility is spacious, including spaces for many sizes of services and luncheons (the West Center Chapel can accommodate up to 500 people at a single service). New technology has been added to the new building to assist in the services. All types of burials can be arranged, including cremation.
If the West Center Chapel is not convenient, you can choose one of several other chapels in the Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler family. These include the Dworak Chapel at 2466 South 16th Street, the Korisko Chapel at 5108 F Street, the Bellevue Chapel at 2202 Hancock Street, and the Cutler-O’Neill-MeyerWoodring Funeral Homes and Crematory, located in downtown Council Bluffs at 545 Willow Avenue. Bill advises pre-planning your own service to make sure that you have a voice in the planning. You can make an appointment at any time to review your choices, including the information to include in your obituary notice, family gathering arrangements before or after burial, music selections, and any special requests. You can also choose the type of burial you prefer. Once you have had the opportunity to make your choices, consider burial insurance to secure your wishes and lock in the price that you’ll pay. No matter when you use your policy, the price for your services remains the same as when you took out your policy. This is a great way to guarantee that your wishes and choices are heard and provided for. By planning and paying in advance, you will greatly reduce the stress of your loved ones at the time of your death. They will be grieving, and it will be hard for them to make quick decisions to honor you. What a wonderful way to extend an act of kindness and love to those you leave behind. Whether you need help planning for a recent death or planning for the future, let the caring professionals at Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler Mortuaries and Crematory help care for your family. To reach them, please call 402-391-3900 or visit heafeyheafey.com. WE
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Cuddly Critters
Pet Safety for the Holidays Protect Your Pets This Season By Brie Christensen
The holidays are an exciting time, full of celebrations and festivities, but these events can also be a dangerous time for furry friends. It’s important for pet owners to take certain precautions to get through the season without any mishaps. From foods to special decorations, there’s a lot to look out for, but fear not—there are many ways to avoid pet emergencies. While food is one of the greatest highlights of any holiday, certain foods often enjoyed by humans can be problematic if ingested by animals. Chocolate (especially dark chocolate), macadamia nuts, and some artificial sweeteners can be toxic to dogs and cats. When you’re done eating turkey, it may be tempting to give your dog a taste or a bone, but you need to resist this urge. Fatty meats can make your dog sick, and brittle bird bones can easily splinter and end up in small, sharp pieces in your dog’s digestive tract. Keep some pet treats on hand so your pet can join in the fun while staying safe. Toys are great gifts for pets at the holidays! The lure of a new toy may help to keep your pets away from things like yarn, ribbon, or string that can get stuck in the intestines if ingested. Other holiday decorations that can prove to be hazardous include Christmas trees, tinsel, or excessive wires that are lighting up the season. Tinsel should be avoided or at least limited to higher locations out of pets’ reach. Consider grouping your extra lighting cords in a length of PVC pipe to make them less accessible to curious chewers. Christmas tree water can contain fertilizers or bacteria that may cause stomach upset if your pets drink the water. This might be the year to switch to an artificial tree! If your heart is set on a freshly cut evergreen, make sure your tree stand has a covered water dish (or cover an open one with aluminum foil). Take care to keep your pet’s water dish full and fresh so your dog or cat doesn’t have to go looking for a drink elsewhere. Popular holiday plants can also cause trouble for pets. When ingested, holly can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular issues; and lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Artificial options might be the best bet for pet owners. Nothing sets the holiday mood quite like a scented candle. We all know not to leave an open flame unattended, but this becomes even more vital when curious pets live in the house. Candles or wax warmers should be placed on secure surfaces that pets can’t reach. Consider flame-free candles or bringing the scent of pine inside with natural greenery. The holidays are often filled with gatherings, but not all pets are comfortable in large groups (and not all guests are comfortable with pets). If your pets and guests want to spend time together, let them enjoy it! If
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your pet needs to feel safe from the crowd, a private room equipped with food, water, and toys might be the way to go. Many pet owners travel during the holidays, and pets sometimes need to stay home. Dog and cat boarding are excellent options for pets who like to spend time with other animals. At a boarding facility, pets will be tended to by professionals, which can bring peace of mind to owners. Other pets are more comfortable at home. For these animals, in-home pet sitting can be the right solution. In either case, be sure to do reference checks before booking. For animal lovers, there’s no joy comparable to the kind that is experienced when a new animal is brought home. For this reason, people often feel that the holidays present a great time to adopt new furry friends. Keep in mind that the hectic holiday season might not be the best time to welcome a furry family member. A family might consider whether or not they have the appropriate amount of time to dedicate to a new animal during the busy holidays. One last reminder: Pets are living creatures and should never be given as surprise gifts. Always discuss options with everyone in the household before deciding to adopt a pet. The holidays are an extra special occasion to show your affection and gratitude for friends and family, and that includes pets. This year (and every year), show your fur babies that you care by taking some simple steps to keep them happy and safe. Sources for this article included: aspca.org, noahsarkvet. com, and insider.com. WE
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December 2019
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Positive Perspective
Always Be Humble and Kind Trading Ego for Knowledge Have you ever met someone who has “an ego the size of Montana”? The minute we meet people like this, we can sense that they are all about themselves. They don’t listen well. They don’t give praise to others. They are very much involved in their own lives and no one else’s. “Ego is false confidence; self-respect is true confidence.” —Naval Ravikant Self-esteem and self-respect are not the same thing as ego. The difference? People with healthy self-esteem recognize that they have many positive traits, but they also recognize that they are not perfect and will always be looking for ways to learn, grow, and change. People with inflated egos, on the other hand, think that they are better than everyone else. They believe things have to be their way or the highway. They feel as if they are perfect. They will take other people’s ideas and claim them as their own. They will rarely admit when they are wrong. “All you need to know and observe in yourself is this: Whenever you feel superior or inferior to anyone, that’s the ego in you.”—Eckhart Tolle I’ve taken a good hard look at myself and my own ego. At times, I realized that I was feeling superior to others. At other times, I was feeling very inferior to others. Ego.
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“The gulf left by the absence of ego is quickly filled with knowledge.”—Shane Parrish Learning and growing, gaining knowledge about other people’s lives and about treating others with respect, has been a challenge for me. I realized that because I owned my own business, I had become one of those individuals who had an exaggerated sense of self-importance. “It’s much easier to live with ourselves when we feel superior rather than responsible.”—Anonymous When I read this quote, I had a major “Aha!” moment. It was quite humbling. Looking back on my life, I was always the one who pointed the finger at those who came off as superior to others. When I was having this conversation with my husband, brother, and sister in law, my brother, Tom, said something that I had never heard before: “Instead of pointing the finger, point the thumb.” I truly do appreciate all that I have learned in the last several years. I am on a quest to fill my gulf with knowledge. I will live by these words: “When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you/ When the work you put in is realized/ Let yourself feel the pride, but always stay humble and kind.” —Tim McGraw
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