Saratoga Family Fall 2019 Complimentary
And they're off ...to School!
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Welcome to
Saratoga Family Magazine Chris Vallone Bushee Creative Director/Managing Editor cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com (518) 581-2480 ext.201
Saratoga Family Owner/Publisher Chad Beatty
General Manager Robin Mitchell Whether you are lucky enough to live here or enjoying our wonderful area for vacation, welcome to Saratoga Family magazine, the area’s only printed multi-generational magazine. I have the perfect mix of articles for a late summer read… by the pool, at the park, or while waiting for the kids while they shop, and shop and shop! Trust me, I know school is right around the corner, but I’m sure you too want to enjoy every minute of this beautiful weather, so may I suggest a family friendly (and healthy!) dining option? Check out Dock Brown’s Lakeside Tavern on page 16. And speaking of food… this magazine (both sides!) is filled with healthy breakfast options (page 36), easy weeknight recipes and even a list of vendors at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market who offer prepared meals (page 32) – perfect! Our (adorable!!) cover is filled with Back to School shopping ideas from Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile (both found on Broadway) because I think the best school clothes are the ones that remind you of that awesome vacation you were just on! (Even if it was a stay-cation in your hometown!) Don’t forget to flip this over and check out Healthy Saratoga magazine. Thank you to our readers …and our advertisers who allow us to provide this informative magazine - free of charge - to the thousands of people that read each issue! Please mention us by name when visiting their businesses. As always… I love hearing from you! cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com PS… Meet our talented contributors (for both sides!) on page 8.
Enjoy, Chris
Creative Director / Managing Editor Chris Vallone Bushee Magazine Designer Marisa Scirocco Advertising Designer Morgan Rook Advertising Sales Jim Daley Cindy Durfey Contributing Writers Marissa Gonzalez Anne Gordon Ann Hauprich Meghan Lemery Fritz Megin Potter Theresa St. John Kristen Schultz Aimee Wojtowecz Photographers Alice Corey Rich Frank Pattie Garrette Brooke McConnell Tammy Loya Adam Potter @PhotographsByAlexx Theresa St. John Supersourcemedia.com Published by
Seeing as we’re a horse town, I really wanted those ponies on our cover, but isn’t this just the cutest group of kids you’ve ever seen?!
Photos by Alice Corey Photography
Saratoga TODAY Newspaper Five Case Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 tel: (518) 581-2480 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com Saratoga Family is brought to you by Saratoga TODAY Newspaper, Saratoga Publishing, LLC. Saratoga Publishing shall make every effort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims any responsibility should they occur. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the publisher. Copyright © 2019, Saratoga TODAY Newspaper
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HEALTHY SARATOGA
CONTRIBUTORS RICHARD FRANK
Richard Frank, Owner of Four Seasons Natural Foods since 1990. Spends his time working at the business, working as a volunteer at the Waldorf School, working at home with his family, working at getting exercise, working at eating right, working at relaxing and being peaceful, working at getting a good night sleep and working and failing at not being too dull.
ANNE GORDON
Anne Gordon is the owner of Live Life Travel, which is the only Virtuoso, Luxury Full Service Travel Planning Agency in Saratoga Springs, NY. They specialize in Honeymoons, Family Travel, Destination Weddings and Luxury Cruise. Anne is a devout travel enthusiast herself with a genuine passion for helping others make their travel dreams come true. To get more info on your next vacation, email Anne today: anne@livelifetravel.world. To find out more about Live Life Travel: www.livelifetravel.world
HIMANEE GUPTA CARLSON
Empire State College professor Himanee Gupta-Carlson grows vegetables and raises chickens, ducks and goats with her husband Jim at Squashville Farm in Greenfield Center. She writes and edits articles on the Saratoga Farmers’ Market for Saratoga Today, and coordinates a community garden and farmto-pantry food donation program for the Franklin Community Center. Her book Muncie, India(na), on growing up as the child of immigrant Indians will be released next year.
Saratoga Family
MEGAN HARRINGTON
Megan is a freelance writer who has written for a variety of publications including national magazines, local newspapers, and websites. When she’s not writing, she enjoys training for marathons and coaching fellow runners. After spending the previous seven years in New York City, Megan and her husband recently relocated to Saratoga Springs and are loving their new community at the base of the Adirondacks.
ANN HAUPRICH
When not writing magazine articles that warm hearts, lift spirits and tickle funny bones, Ann Hauprich keeps busy preserving the past and present for future generations at Legacies Unlimited in Ballston Spa. The historic upstate village where the author’s family settled half a century ago will be commemorated in her sixth book in 2020. To learn more, visit AnnHauprich.US and LegaciesUnlimited.com.
MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ Meghan is a native of the Glens Falls Saratoga region. Her passion is to provide her clients and readers with the tools necessary to live a life grounded in peace and emotional well-being. She is an author and writer for various publications in Upstate NY and State College, PA. She is also the co-host for a monthly radio segment focused on how to improve relationships.She currently resides in State College, PA where she enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
MEGIN POTTER
Megin is an expressive writer and artist with work published in books, newspapers, corporate communications, and online. A resident of the region for over 20 years, she continues to discover anew the interesting people, places, and products it has to offer. As a mother to her active young son, she is inspired to explore even more.
DON PROULX
A resident of Saratoga Springs, Don is originally from Fall River, Massachusetts where he entered the U.S. Navy after graduating high school. Retiring from 20 years of service as a Chief Petty Officer, his career included two tours of duty at the Naval Nuclear Prototype Training Unit, Ballston Spa. He is an avid long distance runner and is a member of the Saratoga Stryders running club where he is currently serving as vice-president.
KRISTEN SCHULTZ
Kristin Schultz has been writing about food, beverages and restaurants since 2014. She moved to the Capital Region in 2016 and enjoys scouring the area looking for delicious and interesting eats and drinks. She also loves spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking and has recently made it her mission to perfect the art of waffle making. Kristin will never turn down a glass of bourbon or a bowl of noodles. When she's not eating, Kristin likes to pile into the car with her family and explore new places.
THERESA ST. JOHN
Theresa is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Saratoga Springs. Even though history was not on her radar while in high school, she has a deep interest in all things historical now. She has been on assignment for several magazines and is published in both print and online venues. Last year she traveled to Ireland on assignment, which, she states "was a trip of a lifetime." She is the proud mom to two young men and Nonnie to six rescued dogs, two chinchillas, and a bird. Life is good.
DIANE WHITTEN MS
Diane Whitten is a food and nutrition educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County where she’s worked for the past 17 years. Her classes focus on healthy eating and cooking, plus food preservation methods. Her nutrition radio spots can be heard on WJKE the Jockey and WABY Moon Radio. Her bi-monthly column, Know Your Farmer Know Your Food, is published in the Saratogian and Troy Record. Diane has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in Nutritional Sciences, and a masters’ degree in Education from the College of St. Rose.
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Fall 2019
Saratoga Family 13
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54
contents
photo by Susan Blackburn Photography
12 Your Summer To-Do List – yes, you still have time!
30 Teaching Healthy Eating Habits
13 I’m The Chef Too!
32 Prepared Foods from a Farmers’ Market? – yes!
16 Family Friendly Lake-Side Dining! 21 Options for… Back to School Shopping 24 Looking into Home Schooling?
33 What your children are eating at school. 36 Healthy (Fast!) Breakfast Options
26 Great School Pics? – yes, it’s possible!
38 Mommy Guilt
28 Meet Children’s Book Illustrator Jody Wheeler
44 Don’t gamble with your retirement.
39 One Mom’s Story
photo by Theresa St. John
45 Save the Date… Saratoga’s Grandparents’ Day Celebration is 9/8 46 Advice from a travel agent, who happens to be a mom : ) 48 Dino Roar Valley 51 Fort Ticonderoga 52 The Pet Section… cause they’re family too! 54 Sharing Saratoga’s Soft Patina 56 Handling your teen’s sexuality, when it differs from yours.
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We know you’re getting ready to go back to school, but…
Summer isn’t over yet! Enjoy this list of suggestions to maximize the last month left, by the Agricultural Stewardship Association, AgStewardship.org
• Catch fireflies • Have a bonfire & make S’mores • Go fishing • Pick berries • Spend a day at a county fair • Eat ice cream • Visit a farmers’ market or local farm stand • Take pictures of the sunrise/sunset (send us your favorite farm ones and we will share them on our social media) katie@agstewardship.org / Subject line: Saratoga Family • Attend a classical event at SPAC
• Go on a picnic • Go to the drive-in movies • Grill up some local veggies and meat • Have a watermelon seed spitting contest • Go swimming • Skip rocks • Draw with chalk • Dance to Klezmer music • Take a hike in the woods • Plant a flower • Make a bird feeder
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Tasty Teaching WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER
E
PHOTOS BY SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY
dible erupting volcanoes, bubbling cauldron cakes, and galaxy donuts are just a few of the goodies kids are cooking up in “I’M THE CHEF, TOO!” classes.
Created by third grade teacher Lisa Wallace, the “I’m the chef, too!” curriculum teaches educational concepts through the joy of cooking. “It’s really a win-win for both parent and child,” said Wallace. ROLLING KITCHEN “I’M THE CHEF, TOO!” brings the rolling pins, the ingredients, and the fun! Sessions can be held in a classroom, gymnasium, community center, or even outside; anyplace that has running water and electricity.
“The children are the ones working at their own pace and putting their own spin on it,” she said. While developing the program, Wallace worked with her own children; now 3, 5, and 7-years-old. They wanted to be engaged in the process – not just watch. “It’s dirty, it’s messy – the kids love it!” she said. SCIENCE, MATH, ART, OH MY! Kids learn to temper and construct a chocolate dragonfly, build an edible terrarium, or bake bees out of pretzel dough while learning about the natural world.
“We’re unique in the fact that we bring everything we need and can set up in an ordinary space,” said Wallace. The experience is completely hands-on for the kids, too.
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They discuss mathematical concepts like vertices, edges, and geometry, while crafting treats. Color theory comes to life when budding artists use edible paints on their cookie canvas masterpieces. “The concepts they’re learning while baking are fun concepts that they’re interested in learning about,” said Wallace. Maybe your kids would be interested in making golden snitch cake pops, exploding bon-bons, and other Harry Potter-like-items in the “Hogwarts School of Culinary Magic”, take part in “Chopped” challenges, or create buildable foods in “Lego Mania”. This is just a sampling of the huge variety of themed culinary classes that “I’m a chef, too!” hosts. Kids ages 3 ½ to 12 years old, can be part of the fun during after school programs, one-time programs, in 4-week series, private and corporate parties, camps, and field trips and other events.
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ON THE RISE “I’M A CHEF, TOO!” participants get to go home with their own apron. For some sessions, in-class prep is followed up by additional cooking steps and recipes so they can involve their families in the culinary adventure even after they return home. Originally started four years ago in Maryland, the Capital Regionbased business is continuing to grow and expand with franchise opportunities available for others interesting in cooking up their own branch. “We’re really an educational company looking to infuse educational concepts into fun opportunities for kids,” said Wallace. Whether you’re interested in signing up for a class, bringing one to your school or organization, or considering joining the team, go to ImTheChefToo-NYCapital.com for more information. f
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DOCK BROWN'S Lakeside TAVERN
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WRITTEN BY KRISTEN SCHULTZ PHOTOS BY SUSAN BLACKBURN PHOTOGRAPHY
T
he waves lazily lick the sand at Brown’s Beach. Little kids splash near the shore while older ones wade and play farther out. Overlooking Saratoga Lake’s only public beach is Dock Brown’s Lakeside Tavern.
If you’re one of the 45 restaurant patrons lucky enough to snag a seat on the covered veranda, you’ll enjoy a free serving of panoramic views of the sun setting behind the mountains and lake with your dinner. The brains behind this operation are co-owner and Saratoga Springs native Michelle Boiani, Tony Panza and Stacy Tecler. Boiani has years of hospitality experience, while Tecler co-owned a successful deli on Sacandaga Lake for seven years. After college, Boiani moved to Atlanta where she started her career working as a Hotel Sales Manager and later as a Corporate Meeting Planner for GE. While she was living in Atlanta, her uncle and long-time Saratoga Springs restaurant owner, Tony Panza, asked her to be an investor of the business of The Nest and Dock Brown’s. Boiani set to work, designing the guest rooms from Atlanta. Three years ago, she moved back to her hometown of Saratoga Springs. When deciding to revamp the restaurant menu, she reconnected with Tecler. The women’s tie to each other goes back to freshmen year while attending Russell Sage College over 25 years ago. “And here we are,” said Boiani. Tecler grew up in a food-centered family. Her grandparents owned a diner in Albany and her father was a baker. They often gathered for large family dinners. Her mother still comes into Dock Brown’s Lakeside Tavern to help prepare ingredients for lunch and dinner service. The women’s tie to each other and to family extends to Dock Brown’s menu. From soups to sauces, Tecler makes it from scratch. It may be more convenient to buy beer battered fish frozen and ready to go, but convenience is not her priority. Her beer-battered fish is hand-dipped and cooked to order. “It’s about taking pride in what we serve customers,” Tecler said. “It what makes us stand out.” It takes a lot of work to hand-craft dishes so Tecler and Boiani had to be smart about the menu. “We’ve made adjustments [since first opening] and have been intentional about menu design,” said Boiani. “We want to serve all our customers. Some are coming off their boats and want to grab something quick to get back out on the water. Some are at the beach and some want to sit and watch the sunset.”
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The menu, then, is a tight selection of seasonal, accessible choices. It consists of five salads, a handful of apps and wings, eight sandwiches and three entrees. Some of the ingredients come straight from an on-site herb garden or from the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. The ahi tuna salad sees slices of seasoned ahi seared quickly, sliced and spread atop tender spinach and peppery arugula. Sweet diced mango contrast the greens, and a drizzle of honey vinaigrette finishes off the dish. A sweet, tangy peach barbecue sauce dresses the pan seared Atlantic salmon which crowns a bed of creamy, savory garlic smashed potatoes and vegetable of the day - which on our visit was tender asparagus. If you prefer your seafood in a bun, the seasonal favorite lobster roll sees Maine lobster lightly dressed with mayonnaise, lemon, dill, parsley and celery in a top-split, buttery brioche roll and served with an arugula and vegetable salad. Dock Brown’s Lakeside Tavern’s menu extends beyond the expected seafood. The sherry chicken is a generous portion of thin, herb-seasoned chicken breast in a light cream sherry sauce topped with quartered, seared tomatoes served with smashed potatoes and a vegetable. The cocktail menu, like the food menu, rotates seasonally. For summer, try the Sail Away. Grapefruit vodka anchors this dry, refreshing sipper served up in a sugar-rimmed Collins glass. The Beach Bum features coconut tequila, triple sec, fresh citrus juice and club soda in a decidedly tropical tipple. The Honey Bee has a citrus start and a smooth honey finish courtesy of local vodka, muddled lemon and mint and local honey. Dock Brown’s Lakeside Tavern is open year round, so in the fall and winter, those lobster rolls are replaced with belly-warming pot roasts and a bevy of soup options. No matter what time of year, Boiani and Tecler work to create a homey, family atmosphere. Keeping other families fed is no small feat, and isn’t easy for their own families. “It’s a challenge to balance working in this industry and raising a family. But thanks to having a female partnership, there is more understanding and flexibility to obtain both”,” Tecler said. Boiani and Tecler help each other meet that challenge. “We’re like yin and yang,” Boiani said. Boiani takes charge while Tecler nurtures and encourages. Dock Brown’s Lakeside Tavern is a family restaurant in every sense of the word. Whether you’re heading in after an afternoon on the lake, grabbing a bite for the beach or taking in the evening lake breeze, you’re sure to take away a family memory that will linger long after the sun sets. f
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Back to School Shopping
We've Got Ideas WRITTEN BY MARISSA GONZALEZ PHOTOS BY @PHOTOGRAPHSBYALEXX
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You don’t have to be made of money for your kids to get that "on-trend" look.
R
ight now, there are so many ways to save A TON of money on on-trend items, (or even the necessities that are just used seasonally!) or… those items that come with the different phases of life. Between renting and consigning, (both physically and via Internet and smartphone apps) the options are truly limitless! And that’s not the only benefit of consignment shopping or renting. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the main source of textiles in municipal waste is from clothing. Fast fashion brands have a huge environmental impact; because typically if clothing is thrown away it ends up in a landfill. Finding ways to reuse and recycle clothing, furniture, and any other household item is not only saving money but helping to save the environment!
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RENT THE RUNWAY When it comes to on-trend items for the pickiest teens (and their moms!) Rent the Runway is a great option. For $159 a month, a rotating closet of designer clothes, is at your disposal. This membership includes four spaces to rent from… everyday clothes, party attire, bags, accessories and even children’s clothes for girls. Feel free to keep items for as long -or as short - as you want, or simply send an item back to open up another space; shipping included. For those moms just starting out… Rent the Runway offers maternity and “bump-friendly” too! Items are also available to rent for just four days at a time, which is perfect for special events and holidays. Marc Jacobs, Lily Pulitzer and J. Crew for as low as $30 per rental! CONSIGNMENT STORES Style Encore Clifton Park, Plato’s Closet Clifton Park and local favorites like Saratoga Closet in Saratoga Springs and Worth Repeating in Glenville, can help your family save hundreds on items - some, brand new with the tags still on! Consignment stores assure quality on items versus generic secondhand stores. Consignment shops aren’t just for clothing, Saratoga Consignment Studio offers up home decor items such as rugs, home accents, accessories, and furniture for almost every room in the house! ONLINE CONSIGNMENT AND MARKETPLACES If you want designer items on a budget, The Real Real is the place to go. Shop from used, to lightly used pieces from consigners all over the country. Choose your designer, choose your budget and find that it’s okay to treat yourself to a designer piece every once in a while! Mobile apps like POSHMARK, OfferUp and ThredUp, make it easy to find virtually anything you need at a discounted price. Shop from millions of users and items, anytime and anywhere right from your phone, finding on-trend items, such as these by @SustainableVibeClothes found on f POSHMARK and Instagram. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com FALL 2019 | SARATOGA FAMILY | 23
Homeschooling
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER
Education does not come in one size fits all. Trying to squeeze a child into an ill-fitting academic arrangement is a no-win situation.
and investing, while also encouraging them to stay academically and socially connected, by joining clubs, participating in sports and talking to people they’d meet around town.
Homeschooling allows you to take charge of your child’s education.
“It’s so important to reach out to people and make a connection,” she said.
“I highly recommend it to a number of different families in all different religions and academic situations,” said Rachel C. McDermott.
ENJOY THE FIT
BE PROACTIVE Homeschooling parents play a big role in their children’s academic success. “I really had to take the bull by the horns and ask a zillion questions,” said McDermott, a mother of two who opted in for homeschooling her children while they were in elementary school because it was important to her that she nurture her children’s creativity. “The biggest impetus for me was that I wanted them to continue to be the creative learners that people naturally are – for that not to be squelched – and I supplement that learning process any way that I can,” she said. GET CONNECTED McDermott paid attention to her children’s unique learning styles and joined an online parent support group, the Saratoga Area Homeschoolers, which now has 275 members. While homeschooling her children, McDermott, who works as a Wise Financial representative, nurtured their financial success by teaching them about money, business,
The Saratoga chapter of New York State LEAH (Loving Education At Home) is a Christian-based homeschooling group consisting of 38 families. They host group field trips, events, classes and parent support meetings. They are eligible for special discounted rates at places that enhance learning – like museums – and special programs (including the SPAC Classical Kids Program). “It’s phenomenal. Some people have really utilized it. One family saved about $3,000,” said Chapter Leader Christina Lee. They also hold Co-op classes once a week for 27 weeks. Here, small groups of students, from pre-K up to the 12th grade, are taught in a parent-led classroom setting. Co-op classes are organized by ability and age level. All of the more than 20 structured and enrichment classes on this year’s schedule are at maximum capacity. Registration for the next school year begins in May. “It’s really important as a homeschooler to be involved in a group with like-minded people,” said Lee. There is a $63 per family annual membership fee, plus additional fees for Co-op classes and supplies. For more information go to HomeSchool-life.com/NY/SaratogaLEAH f
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How to Avoid
Picture Day Disasters
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER
Standing in a long line with a free comb in hand,
anxiously waiting for your turn in front of the camera, posing in front of the entire class. Cringe-worthy photos seem almost inevitable. Susan Blackburn, owner of Blackburn Portrait Studio, is a professional photographer who started out taking school yearbook photos when she began her photography career. In addition, her three daughters all went through the picture day process when they were in school. So, what are her tips to avoid picture day disasters? BE PREPARED
All those notices about when picture day is happening are sent home for a reason. Schedule a reminder in your phone, write it down on the calendar, hang a post-it note on the mirror - do whatever it takes. You’ll be glad you did. There is nothing more stressful than waking up and realizing that today is school picture day and scrambling to get the kids ready. Lay the clothing out the night before, giving your kid two options to choose from, so they feel more invested in the process. KEEP IT SIMPLE In portraits, the center of attention should naturally be the face. Simple clothing is a good contrast to the busy backgrounds common in school photo packages, advises Blackburn. Chose clothing that is clean and wrinkle-free. For kids Middle School aged and older,
apply only light make-up. In portraits, you want to look like an enhanced version of yourself—not a completely different person. If you are worried about blemishes, a light hand with coverup can do wonders. Regarding accessories, less is more. If you have too much going on, it will be a distraction. FAST AND #NOFILTER School photographers literally take hundreds of photos on picture day, often with the help of only one parent volunteer. “The school photographer generally has about one minute to capture an image of each child. It’s hard to establish rapport and comfort that quickly, and it can be very hard to get what I consider to be great pictures that way,” said Blackburn. Good portraits are a direct result of good listening. Encourage your child to pay attention, be a good listener and follow the directions the photographer is giving. BE REAL Realistic expectations will help you avoid disappointment when cracking open the yearbook. “Not every kid walks around with a big grin,” said Blackburn. “I often tell my clients during a consultation that there is more than one expression. Some kids are just naturally more serious, so it would not be a true reflection of their personality to have a huge cheesy smile in their photos. I will take a pleasant or serious expression over a fake smile any day.” f
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Portrait of a children’s book illustrator
Jody Wheeler WRITTEN BY ANN HAUPRICH PHOTOS PROVIDED
W
hen Penguin Random House needed an artist to illustrate Corduroy Takes a Bow by actress Viola Davis, they promptly contacted Saratoga County native Jody Wheeler. The 2018 title honoring the 50th anniversary of the beloved Teddy bear character created by the late Don Freeman received glowing reviews. The applause continued as Nate the Great and the Wandering Word, co-authored by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Andrew Sharmat, was published by Delacorte Press soon thereafter. What many fans of the most recent Corduroy and Nate the Great titles don’t realize is they are but two of nearly 80 books whose covers and inside pages showcase pictures by an artist whose fascination with children’s literature began prior to her kindergarten enrolment in the village of Ballston Spa where her mother Betty was a longtime teacher. “I definitely owe my lifelong love of books to my great aunt, Opal Wheeler, who was a prolific author of mid-century titles for young readers published by what was then called E. P. Dutton Company, Inc,” smiles the self-described “City Mouse Country Mouse” who divides her time between residential studios in her hometown and in Manhattan. While Wheeler’s ability to breathe new life into books and products featuring Freeman’s Corduroy the Bear,
Ludwig Bemelman’s Madeline, Ezra Jack Keats’ Roberto and some of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House characters speaks for itself, her original creations often hold sentimental value. The reason; the Ballston Spa High School alum has been known to rely on girlhood memories when creating artwork to accompany stories for young readers. Indeed, visions of Ballston Spa were among the first to dance in Wheeler’s head when she was commissioned to illustrate a special edition of The Night Before Christmas. Cherished childhood recollections additionally inspired some of the enchanting images inside of An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott and The First Noel. And at least one recent title (Happy Thanksgiving Day!) showcases paintings of characters that closely resemble a multi-generational family elsewhere in the foothills of the Adirondacks. (All four of these titles were published by Ideals Children’s Books.) Whether illustrating books or creating original artwork for calendars, greeting cards, keepsake books, paper dolls or a diversity of other products, Wheeler does so “in the hope of touching the heart or sparking the imagination of the viewer. If I can bring a smile to a child’s face through a picture book - or help calm someone’s busy day with the soothing effect of a watercolor landscape or still life,
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Photo by Tammy Loya Studio
I have done my job. And I do it because I truly believe that the visual arts have the power to inspire. I am thankful every day that I am so involved in illustration as a profession because it helps to foster literacy and makes the world a more beautiful place.” Little wonder educators and librarians often invite Wheeler to make presentations designed to encourage youngsters to persevere along the Road to Reading. Many a budding artist in a public, private or home-schooling setting has also left with dreams of one day having his/ her pictures help bring a story to life. The same held true when Wheeler and famed Greenfield Center author and storyteller Joseph Bruchac III, donated their time and treasure at a “Salute to Literacy” benefit sponsored by VFW Post 358 in Ballston Spa. Others have been fortunate to interact with her during signings in book stores and at exhibits of her artwork in such settings as Brookside Museum and the National Bottle Museum in Ballston Spa. The participation of three generations of artist friend Joanne Mould’s family, in one of Wheeler’s workshops at a Saratoga County Fair, made a lasting impression on the illustrator’s heart. The fact that her late father, Byrhl, was a proud member of the Ballston Spa Lions Club which has strong ties to the fairgrounds was also on Wheeler’s mind that day. “It’s always an honor for me to be a part of Saratoga County Fair activities,” muses Wheeler. It was also a special treat for Wheeler, whose affiliations include the Saratoga County Arts Council, the Graphic Artists Guild and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, to assist in the judging of an October 2018 village cemetery “plein air” painting contest where she and fellow judge Victoria Cromie “were impressed with the quality and variety of artwork submitted.” Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from a related exhibit and sale benefited the Ballston Spa Public Library -- which has long been one of Wheeler’s favorite haunts. And when recognized as an alumnus of distinction by the Ballston Spa Central School District in 2012, Wheeler was quick to award credit to the village educators who encouraged her earliest artistic efforts, insisting: “I don’t think I could have gotten a better education any place else; the teachers and principals I had at the old South Street School, Malta Avenue School and Ballston Spa High School were simply outstanding.” Talk about a Class Act! To view samples from the artist’s portfolio and/or to book a presentation, please visit WheelerIllustration.com. f saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com FALL 2019 | SARATOGA FAMILY | 29
An All-American Crisis…
ADOLESCENT OBESITY AND WHAT FAMILIES CAN DO TO CHANGE THE FUTURE.
WRITTEN BY AIMEE WOJTOWECZ PHOTOS PROVIDED
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dolescence is a time of powerful and complicated transitions in childhood. Children are gaining more independence, may be eating more meals away from home and experimenting with their own preferences and tastes. Hormonal changes and growth spurts require an increased caloric intake, yet the Standard American Diet does not provide the added nutrients that are also needed. Instead, adolescents are consuming high amounts of protein, simple carbohydrates, saturated fat, sugar, processed foods, and cholesterol, leading to an adolescent obesity rate of nearly 20%. Over the past 30 years the rate of childhood obesity has doubled, and the rate of adolescent obesity has quadrupled. The health consequences of obesity can manifest during childhood but continue through adulthood, causing a significant strain on the current healthcare system (Golden et al., 2016). These adolescents are at risk for myriad health and social issues throughout their life such as bullying, psychological problems, musculoskeletal pain, asthma, and eventually Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and fatty liver disease. It is crucial to influence healthier decision-making through education and problem solving. To date, there is very little evidence available that supports effective treatment options in adolescents (Taylor et al., 2016). In a 2017 meta-analysis of 72 different studies the best results for treating adolescent obesity were programs that combined diet and physical activity. In patients aged 13-18, interventions delivered at school were substantially ineffective. The most successful results were seen in children aged 6-12 involved in programs lasting less than a year with involvement from both school and family (Gori et al., 2017). The recommendations of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine are, that once a diagnosis of adolescent obesity has been reached, healthcare professionals need to work together to determine an individualized course of treatment. This means dieticians, behavioral health providers, and exercise specialists, work together with the primary care physician to guide the child through an evaluation for comorbidities, deliver
evidence-based lifestyle counseling, and ultimately if necessary refer the child to more intensive treatment options such as weight loss surgery, monitored diets or even residential care (Taylor et al., 2016). WHO IS AT RISK? Children who: • eat a diet high in calories with added sugars and fats • have a sedentary lifestyle (i.e. no exercise) • have a parent that is obese or overweight • are of African American, Hispanic, American Indian, or Native Alaskan descent • have limited financial and educational resources HOW CAN WE HELP? No foods are off limits. Children need a variety of healthy foods for proper growth. That doesn’t mean they can never have their favorite treats again; it just means those treats becomes less often as healthier options are introduced. Nobody likes being told they can’t eat their favorite foods so find creative ways to make healthy foods fun; experiment with new recipes, try new fruits and vegetables, get the whole family involved. Below are general recommendations for growing youth; please consult with your child's physician or a qualified nutritionist for a more personalized plan. HOW MANY SERVINGS DO THEY NEED? (5) Food group
Girls
Boys
Pasta, bread, cereal, rice (mostly whole grains)
9
11
Vegetables 4 5 Fruits
3 4
Milk, yogurt, cheese
2-3
Meat, fish, beans, eggs, nuts
2 (for a total 2 (for a total of 6 ounces) of 7 ounces)
2-3
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BEAUTY AND BRAINS Certain foods directly benefit the ability to look, perform, function, and think one’s very best! Aim for a variety each day. NUTRIENT
FOUND IN
Biotin
Almonds, avocados, fatty fish, dark greens
Zinc
Mushrooms, quinoa, chickpeas
Blueberries, Antioxidants raspberries, olive oil
Vitamin K
IMPROVES Hair, nails, skin Skin suffering from inflammation and oil production Memory, coordination, cognitive decline
Concentration, Dark leafy greens: spinach, collards, kale Wound healing
Omega Chia, flax, walnuts, Fatty Acids fatty fish
Cognitive function, Brain protection
Vitamin D
Fatty fish, Eggs
Energy, Mood, Recovery
Vitamin C
Bell peppers, pineapple, papaya
Immunity strength
Vitamin A
Pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots
Skin, Bone strength, Eye health
Vitamin E
Peaches, seeds, tomatoes, peanuts
Immunity strength Collagen production, Skin
B Vitamins
Lentils, beans
Energy, Recovery
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE Change is possible when a child’s whole world becomes involved. Families can seek ways to become more active together and everyone benefits. Schools can create environments where best practices provide opportunities for more physical activity throughout the day, offer more nutritious food and beverage options and celebrate the many ways that healthy habits support the body. Communities can provide safe places for children to play and prosper. With support and guidance children can recover from obesity and the many other health issues that often are seen hand-in-hand. f saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com FALL 2019 | SARATOGA FAMILY | 31
Meals with Ease
FROM THE SARATOGA FARMERS’ MARKET
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WRITTEN BY HIMANEE GUPTA CARLSON PHOTOS BY PATTIE GARRETTE
n the fall, the weeknight is often a packed night – school, sports practices, community meetings, and so forth. The evening meal, as a result, falls by the wayside, turning into pizza-to-go, a hastily tossed salad, leftovers in a microwave.
Adding visits to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market can change this scenario. Several vendors offer prepared foods that can be refrigerated or frozen for weeknight use. Along with these easy-toprepare recipes, you’ve got school nights covered!
Prepared food at the Saratoga Farmers Market Alaturco Mediterranean Grill: (Saturdays) Mediterranean salad, kebabs, appetizers. AlaturcoGrill.com Daily Fresh: (Saturdays) Indian appetizers and side dishes. Facebook.com/DailyFreshFood.online Dickinson’s Delights: (Saturdays) Breakfast items, crepes, deli foods, fruit salad, quiche, soup. Facebook.com/DickinsonsDelights Euro Delicacies: (Wednesdays and Saturdays) Mediterranean entrees, baklava. Euro-delicacies.com Freddy’s Rockin’ Hummus: (Saturdays) hummus. Facebook.com/Freddys-Rockin-Hummus-203944259653233 Giovanni Fresco: (Saturdays) Italian entrees. GiovanniCasanica@gmail.com Mangiamo: (Saturdays) fresh hand-cut pasta and ravioli. MangiamoEats.com Petra Pocket Pies: (Saturdays) Mediterranean-inspired salads, pocket pies, snacks. PetraPocketPies@gmail.com The Food Florist: (Wednesdays and Saturdays) frozen casseroles, lasagnas, pot pies, quiches, pies. orders@TheFoodFlorist.com The Vermont Spatzle Company (Saturdays): spatzle. Facebook.com/VTSpatzle 32 | SARATOGA FAMILY | FALL 2019 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
From Pitney Meadows to School
WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MEGIN POTTER UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
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ood stirs up our passions. The senses react to the rainbow of colors, textures, tastes, and sounds of eating.
It may not seem it at times, but instinctually, even kids know this about their food. Before they learn about the body’s functions in the classroom, they are feeling how food affects them in the cafeteria. “SCHOOL AND THE GROWING SEASON DON’T COINCIDE” Now, school lunches will be having more local vegetables longer past the growing season. This year, the Saratoga Springs City School District School cafeteria is reinvigorating students’ dining experiences, thanks to a two-year Farm-to-School grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and Cornell Cooperative Extension. One of 18 similar projects throughout the state, the grant provides funding for students to connect with the neighboring Pitney Meadows Community Farm – for food, farm experiences, and agricultural curriculum. It also funds the farm’s ability to feed them. A GROWING RESPONSIBILITY Food insecurity is a real issue in Saratoga Springs. Low income families account for more than a third of the city school district students, said Brooke McConnell, Communications & Development Consultant for Pitney Meadows Community Farm. Pitney Meadows has already been providing produce to the Franklin Community Center and now has the added goal of delivering 250 lbs. of food weekly to area restaurants and schools. For some, school lunch is their only chance at a healthy meal during the day.
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“In Saratoga Springs the value of the school lunch is high – which is not typical in other areas. We already serve homemade, fresh food,” said School Lunch Director Margaret Sullivan. Since 1998, Sullivan has been working on greening the school cafeteria. CHANGING UP WHAT’S ON THE TRAYS Nationally, the Farm-to-School Program was established in 2006, and in 2008 Saratoga Springs was awarded a Farm-to-School grant to replace processed foods with from-scratch items, start school garden and composting programs, and build relationships with local farmers to acquire more fresh produce. Canned vegetables and dehydrated mashed potatoes were replaced by items including oven-roasted sweet potatoes.
Photo by Brooke McConnell
“They just loved them – I was just shocked,” said Sullivan. The seasoned, roasted cauliflower was another “easy sell,” she said.
Photo by Brooke McConnell
Photo by Brooke McConnell
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Her staff understands that making food this way does involve more preparation work but they are willing to do it because they feel like they have a responsibility to parents, and take pride in the finished product they create to serve students. “We were able to form a relationship with the Saratoga Farmers’ Market and that put a lot of produce on student trays,” said Sullivan. They never knew what was going to be delivered – it might be baby spinach one week and the next – leeks.
“I’m very passionate about knowing where food comes from. With a farm like this nearby, there’s an avenue to learning where food comes from,” said the farm’s vegetable manager, Aliza Pickering. “There’s magic in there.” In May and June, Pickering led a handful of high school student volunteers as they got their hands into the dirt; planting and weeding. In September and October, she’ll have students harvesting vegetables and hosting classroom field trips.
The Farm-to-School grant increases Pitney Meadows’ capacity to deliver these high-nutrient, local foods by funding building and equipment on-site. This includes three walk-in storage coolers, and a produce wash station (with three bubble-washers and a lettuce spinner). Pitney Meadows’ Community Farm, 223 West Ave, Saratoga Springs, is open to the public for events, community garden space, recreational opportunities and more. Visit them online at PitneyMeadowsCommunityfarm.org f
In June, students got their first taste of what the new grant money will bring. PITNEY MEADOWS ON THE MENU At the “Harvest of the Month” table, they get out of the regular lunch line for taste-tastings. Encouraged to taste a sampling of Pitney Meadows produce, this month introduced them to several varieties of lettuces mixed-andmatched with dressings. “The students were surprised at how different lettuces taste, mixing-and-matching them with dressings and how that changes the taste,” said Ashley Keatley, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Local Agriculture Coordinator. The kids’ spinach-tasting resulted in some unexpected reactions, as well. “One kid said, ‘I don’t like spinach.’ I handed him a smoothie and said, ‘Try it in here.’ He tasted it and said, ‘That’s so good! It needs to be on the menu everyday!,” recalled Keatley. FARM FIELD CLASSROOM This is the first year Pitney Meadows, the 166-acre non-profit farm on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs, has planted their fields. The late 19th century farm-in-thecity became the Pitney Meadows Community Farm in 2016 with a mission of conserving the land, growing food, educating, and contributing to the community.
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101
HEALTHY FAST BREAKFAST WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY RICH FRANK OF FOUR SEASONS NATURAL FOODS
Back to School means back to routine and back to habits--both the good habits and the bad ones! So where does your weekday, breakfast protocol stand? We’ve all heard (and generally ignored)--Breakfast is the most important meal. Unfortunately, for breakfast, it falls right after you semi-willingly abandon your bed and just before you need to be doing something else, so it gets skipped, ignored and unloved. It’s one thing to treat yourself badly at breakfast, but harder when you are responsible for your kids. They can’t deal as well as you think you can yourself. Here are some ideas to help when there’s little time and energy! Cold Cereal. There’s a reason the box took over weekday breakfast in the last 50 years--complaint-free, fast and super easy. Open component 1: Box. Open component 2: Milk. Mix together in bowl. Eat. Fortunately, you can follow these basic rules and up the game a little. Component 1: The Box. Try some less sugary alternatives: Granola/muesli: Too numerous to count, there are a lot of great versions here--many with whole grains or paleo or gluten free, depending on your style. They can be filling and delicious with good nutrition. Feel free to mix with high quality cold cereal to change the taste and texture. We love local favorites like Battenkill and Little Lads! Updated Organic Cold Cereal: Like the commercial favorites, organic, no preservatives or artificial versions now abound. Cascadian Farms, Barabara, Nature’s Path and others have good options.
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Component 2: The Milk. Try some alternatives to dairy milk. Joining first round favorites of soy, rice and almond, now macadamia, cashew, banana, hemp, coconut, sesame are all new to the field. No need to be an exact replica of cow’s milk, alternatives can bring interest, flavor, different nutrition, and variety to the same old, same old. Hot Cereal: Oats: These are wicked easy--ditch the packet and take 6 minutes to simmer on the stove top… add your own raisins, cinnamon, walnuts, maple syrup etc. But, it’s not just oats out there anymore--try other whole grains and seeds from amaranth and quinoa to millet and flax. Exotic Toast. In degree of homemade difficulty: Waffles > Pancakes > French Toast. Now, let’s get real-- all of those take time, energy and worst of all, mess! Try these: Cinnamon Delight: Put some butter on whole grain bread, sprinkle with maple sugar and cinnamon. Put in toaster oven for 3 1/2 minutes. Yes! Avocado: Smoosh some ripe avocado in a bowl, add sea salt, spread on well-toasted whole grain or gluten-free bread. (Variants include adding garlic, chopped greens, poached egg, jalapenos) to the bowl before spreading. Don’t knock it ‘til you tried it. Milkshakes.... I mean, smoothies. They aren’t milkshakes, but you can get pretty close, especially when you start calling them milkshakes. In blender, add bananas (try frozen ones!) and berries. Add in yogurt, favorite milk, peanut butter, hemp seeds, whatever else sounds good. Blend and serve. It tastes too good to be that easy and nutritious. Plain Fruit. Yes, obvious, but often overlooked. You know--oranges, grapefruits, apples, grapes and the like. Have some once and awhile! Cereal Bars. Maybe not the best, but could be worse too. Check out Kind or Nature’s Path as decent options. Chia Seed Pudding. Into a quart Ball jar, put a 1/2 cup of chia seeds, 2 1/2 cups almond milk, a tablespoon of maple syrup, a few pieces of lemon or orange rind. Shake well and refrigerate overnight. Carrot Raisin Manna Bread. It comes frozen, simply thaw it. It’s made from sprouted grains mashed up into a loaf. Eat cool, room temperature, or warmed slightly in the toaster oven. Spread on some tahini or nut butter. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com FALL 2019 | SARATOGA FAMILY | 37
I’m Sorry I Judged You! MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ, LCSW-R
LETTING GO OF THE MOMMY GUILT ONCE AND FOR ALL
Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA.
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hen I had my son in October of 2016 I was brought to my knees in humility. I immediately wanted to take out a Public Service Announcement declaring my sincere apologies to family and friends for judging them as parents. Of course, I had lots of nieces, nephews and friends’ children to practice my expert parenting skills, but the fact is, until you are in it, you have NO idea what it entails. I judged you for working full time, staying home full time, having a messy house, letting your kids watch electronics at a restaurant, having cookies and juice in your pantry and looking like a sloppy, tired mess when you left the house. How hard can it be to manage it all? Man was I in for the shock of my life. Almost 3 years later I can look back at my younger judgey self with humor and gratitude. I have learned so much about myself in this amazingly joyful, exhausting, sometimes crazy journey called parenting. But perhaps the most valuable lesson learned is not to judge you. We do a major disservice to ourselves as women and mothers when we judge one another. The best motherly wisdom I can offer is this: DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU, not what works for Sally, Debbie or Karen. If you want to breastfeed do it, if you don’t, don’t! If sleep training works for you go for it, if it doesn’t forget it. Family bed or separate rooms - do what works best for your family. Working full time, staying home full time or a little bit of both, do what works for you!
Here’s the problem with buying into the Mommy guilt, you trade your peace of mind, diminish your worth and abandon your intuition because of what you think you should do versus what you know will work for you and your family. Before I had my son, everyone asked me when I was going to have a baby, now that he’s here everyone asks me when I’ll have another one. Guess what! I’m fully content with one child, I don’t have a burning desire to do it again and I feel tremendous peace at this decision. I’ve had people say ridiculous things to me like, “Well you can’t just have one…” or “He’ll be so lonely, you have to have more!” For me, being a present, joyful, happy, self-aware, peaceful Mom is far more valuable than creating a situation that I know, for me PERSONALLY, will lead to anxiety and exhaustion. Whether you want 1, 4 or NONE at all, do what works for you unapologetically. Judging one another when we all belong to the same tribe is a cheap way to feel like we somehow are doing better than the other Moms in the play group. Let’s call cease and desist on any and all judgement. Let’s get real and vulnerable about the complexities of motherhood and the days of pure joy followed by days of pure frustration. Let’s admit this is the hardest job we’ve ever had. Let’s applaud one another for doing what works for each of us individually instead of shaming one another. WE ARE WORTH IT. f
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Have it all
‌AND NEVER BE AFRAID OF LIVING A BIG LIFE. The story of Carol Dimopoulos AS TOLD BY THOMAS DIMOPOULOS, PHOTOS PROVIDED
It is a calm night, as calm a night can be six or seven miles above the earth. The 14-hour flight from New York to Addis Ababa is accompanied by the soft hum of the twin-engine jet aircraft called a Dreamliner. Never be afraid of living a big life. I have always had a love for travel and for learning about the world. From the minute I took my first step, when I first became conscious and started walking, I was en route somewhere. I remember watching a show on PBS when I was little about trains traveling across India and knowing that I wanted to do that. Looking through my passport now, its pages are crowded with the stampings of foreign places. India. Italy. France, Ireland and England. Germany. The Czech Republic. Columbia and Costa Rica, Thailand, Tibet and Nepal.
Tibet Everest Base Camp, with daughter Charlotte, in July 2018.
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Kyoto Japan, May 2016, with daughter Janna - learning about the art and history of Kimono dressing.
Chance meeting with a group of elementary school students and their teacher in Addis Ababa, outside of the National Museum of Ethiopia and home to “Lucy” - one of the world’s most famous set of fossils, dating back 3 to 4 million years ago, and is the earliest known hominid.
When you travel you learn about the world, about how diverse our beliefs and our cultures are, but at the end of the day you see how we’re all the same. Every human is made from the same instincts, the same desires. I travel internationally four or five times a year in my job as President of Learning Journeys - a division I founded for a major tour company called Perillo Tours. I go and see places to develop programs that create an environment for people who are interested in learning. Places where they can have in-depth experiences and fulfill what they’re interested in - whether it’s spirituality or painting or language. The goal is to create an environment where people can learn, can be transformed, can enrich their lives. And to give back – because that’s very important to learning, as well. Us learning about communities and other communities also learning about us. Creating good ambassadorship. Long flights such as these provide downtime for me. Some reading, some movie-watching. One of the films shown on this night is “Pad Man,” which is about an Indian man who invented sanitary pads for women. There’s another about a teacher who has Tourette Syndrome. My laptop gets a pretty good workout as well. I’m an adjunct professor in the business discipline at SUNY Empire State College where I’ve taught for about 10 years. The reason I got into teaching was to give back. I grew up in poverty and neither of my parents had an advanced education, so when I got the opportunity to go to college and get an education and
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became an adult, I really wanted to give back. I am thinking of people like my mother who didn’t have the chance to get an education. I’m also pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, where I hope to earn my doctorate in global education and leadership by May of 2021. I’m also a certified yoga teacher.
Fitting all these things into one life? Ha, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Never be afraid of living a big life!
As pleasurable as travel is, you’re not home. You’re in a foreign culture and sometimes so foreign you can’t imagine that places like this exist on the earth. No matter where I go in the world, I know my home is here in Saratoga. Never be afraid of living a big life! When I get homesick, I think about driving up that " I want to give back Yoga changed me at a time when little hill by the apple orchard, and know that no and share the I was living a very stressful life. I matter where I roam, this is tremendous opportunity was living my big dream, or so I my home. I have three kids – a son, Christian, I’ve had and help people thought. I was the president of a and two daughters, Janna and Charlotte, and to know that everyone is big tour company and earning all are fairly adventurous. I’m married to Thomas, capable of achieving the big bucks with an apartment a journalist who spent most of his early life their goals." in Manhattan during the weekdays traveling through Europe, so he understands the and commuting home on the weekend. madness that I experience with travel. It’s a beautiful One night, I sat looking out the window and house, with our two dogs and four cats and it’s where I find thought: I hate this. I worked my whole life to get to my place of peace. No matter what, the road always takes that point, but realized it wasn’t what I wanted. My me back here. body was sick. I started having back problems and People ask about some of the places I’ve found most knee problems. One day, I took a yoga class and fascinating. Making tiramisu in a kitchen in Tuscany is one. when I sat on the mat, I knew it was going to be Studying art in France or learning about coffee-making on miraculous for me. Yoga helped me overcome a farm in Columbia are some of the others. In Kyoto, Japan, many obstacles – from back pain to anxiety. we learned about kimono dressing and got a chance to Anything that miraculous, I want to share, so I took walk around the village. I realized how difficult it is to walk in yoga teacher training. It helped with my own a kimono! In Ethiopia, the churches of Lalibela were transformation and I wanted to share what I was particularly fascinating. It’s a very spiritual place. Christianity feeling with other people. Yoga has the ability to in Ethiopia is a very ancient form and people live their faith heal mind, body and spirit. every day. We also visited Everest base camp. We started out by going to Rongbuk - the world’s highest-altitude monastery, which is very cool. It was under construction at the time and as people were laying the floor, it was wild to see them chanting good energy into the bricks that they were setting.
Gomukh Glacier, Himalayas, India. Taken during a spiritual journey, June 2016
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Mount Kailash, Tibet Prayer Flags, July 2018.
The most surprising was Tibet. Currently, it’s very oppressive, so it’s difficult to glean anything about the culture. Also, the altitudes are very challenging. You’re traveling at over 15,000 feet most of the time. It was physically and emotionally taxing. And the oppression, it was heartbreaking, because you can see the Tibetan culture vanishing.
Tibet, Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, July 2018.
In India, one of the programs is a spiritual tour to the northern part of the country, which is the seat of yoga and spirituality, globally. The journey takes travelers through Rishikesh and Haridwar, to learn about yoga, about astrology and cooking, and visits with an organization call the Purkal Project – which is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) that creates sustainable income for women by creating entrepreneurial societies through quilting and sewing and handcrafts. Simultaneously, their children are gaining a world class education. This is in a very rural place in the Himalayan region of India. Agriculture sustains the village, but the region is very poor. In the past, there was very little opportunity for the women to feed their families. They lived in poverty. Most families slept on floors and there was no running water. The women are responsible for the household with very little means. The Purkal Project, which started about 15 years ago, provides the women with the skills to selfsustain themselves and their families. When you enter the compound, you see this very vivid scene of women wearing multi-colored saris, laughing and smiling while 42 | SARATOGA FAMILY | FALL 2019 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
they’re quilting and sewing. Some have their children by their side. People can go and purchase the goods right there and then. The women also sell at trade shows and have a website where people can purchase them online. It’s changed the dynamic of the village for the women and for their children – many of whom are enrolled in the Purkal Village School, which is Pre-K to age 12 – so they can get an education and they too can have opportunities. Before that, lots of kids lived up in hills and had no access to schools or education. It’s changing the dynamic of what life looks like in a rural environment. The concept is: if you change the life of the mother, you change the society. The reason I chose to go back for my doctorate is that I was inspired by the Purkal Project in India. I’ve seen many NGOs in my travels and there are very good schools and many good women’s social projects, but I’ve never seen one put together with women’s empowerment and children’s education so effectively and with such a huge social impact on the society. I was fascinated by that. My whole dissertation is on the Purkal Project. I have a burning desire to provide economic empowerment to women throughout the world, so my goal is to use this as a template, to create a model for opportunity for women around the world in developing countries. These travels are more a transformative journey, because the purpose is not only to go sight-seeing, but to learn, and to take something back with you to enhance your life: a career or a hobby, or something for which you’ve always had a burning desire. So, whether it be through Learning Journeys or through education, I want to give back and share the tremendous opportunity I’ve had and help people to know that everyone is capable of achieving their goals. Everyone can have the life they want. The only thing that prevents people is not believing that they can, but I’m here to say: You can absolutely have any kind of life you want! There’s a famous quote by Georgia O'Keeffe: “I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” And that’s the way I live my life. I want everyone to learn about their own essence and to help bring that out in people. That’s really where my heart is. Helping people to find their essence and being able to live their own Big Life. f
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Don’t Gamble on Retirement
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hen people save for retirement, the biggest concern is the returns on investments. When they retire however, it’s not only the returns they need to care about, but also the order of those returns. Negative returns during the first couple of years of retirement can increase the risk of running out of money, much more so than the same negative returns happening later in retirement. This is sequence of returns risk. People who experience even one year of market loss early in retirement may need to make significant adjustments to their plans. Conversely, the same loss later in retirement will likely have much less of an impact on one’s retirement income or lifestyle. People may be used to looking for the average return on their portfolio, but it’s not just the average return that is important. Let’s think about two hypothetical retirement portfolios - with the same average return – they can have very different outcomes based on the order in which the returns occur. Let’s say the initial investment was $100,000 with $4,000 in annual withdrawals increasing 3% each year for inflation. Portfolio 1 experiences the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500)1 returns from the year 2000-2016, and ended with a balance of $39,450. Portfolio 2 experiences the same annual returns, but in reverse order, with an ending balance of $120,205. Even though the portfolios had the same average return, that’s a difference of $80,755! That can make a dramatic difference in a person’s retirement, which is why it’s so important to consider sequence of returns risk. What can people do to mitigate this risk? Many people might think that they can mitigate sequence of returns risk by reducing or eliminating equity holdings in portfolios. But this compromises the upside potential that equities can provide and may lead to running out of money quicker. Portfolios with higher allocations to equities have typically outperformed, because downside volatility in the U.S. equity markets has historically been relatively short-lived. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.
Adding income annuities to a retirement portfolio is an efficient way to help hedge sequence of returns risk. How? • Income annuities are uncorrelated with capital markets and they reduce the net withdrawals from a portfolio. • This helps lessen the likelihood of “selling at the bottom,” and allows retirees to keep some of their money invested in the market and take advantage of any potential future gains. • Having additional sources of guaranteed lifetime income also reduces the role luck plays in retirement outcomes. Income annuities may be part of a strategy to take some of the uncertainty out of retirement. Source: Standard & Poor’s. You cannot invest in an index. Product guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuer. This educational, third-party article is provided as a courtesy by Barry and Dan Bruno, Agents, (CA/AR Ins. Lic. #OB65966) New York Life Insurance Company. To learn more about the information or topics discussed, please contact Barry and Dan Bruno, agents (CA/AR Ins. Lic. #OB65966) New York Life Insurance Company at Bruno & Bruno Financial Services, LLC 518.587.9295 or email: barry@brunofs. com or dan@brunofs.com. Neither New York Life, nor its agents, provides tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult with your professional advisor for tax, legal or accounting advice. f
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… Datetoga e h t ra Save nnual Sa Day
on ts A 3rd paren e held nd will b a m r o G fr . tion r 8th, bra p.m be Cele ptem until 12 rings . Se Sp a.m ga 9:30 Sarato nter e e h C at t City
The
Grandparents Day
WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER
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lthough it was nationally recognized 40 years ago by President Jimmy Carter, Grandparents Day hasn’t caught on as a holiday quite like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day have. Saratoga Grandparents Day celebration is trying to change that. GRANDPARENTS ARE GREAT Grandparents provide a different perspective on life. They have the knowledge that comes with experience. Carnival games, music, and special readings give generations a chance to connect and strengthen their family bonds at the 3rd Annual Saratoga Grandparents Day, hosted by The Wesley Foundation.
“It’s a light-hearted day of fun,” said Katelynn Donovan, The Wesley Community’s Director of Marketing and Advancement. #DoSomethingGrand GRANDPARENTS DAY IS GROWING. Last year, twice as many people (more than 300) attended the Saratoga Grandparents Day event as had in its inaugural year, and they’re expecting even more this year.
“We have all different types of activities, whether you’re 4 or 24, to give you an opportunity to spend time with your grandparents,” said Donovan. And it’s all FREE. HAVING FUN RIPENS WITH AGE Give them the chance, and your grandparents can teach you how to let loose and have a little fun.
“During the first year of the event, we had a face painter come in because we thought it was something the younger children would like to do but I don’t think there was a grandparent there who didn’t have their face painted, too!” said Donovan. It’s all smiles when families have a good time – together. The 3rd Annual Saratoga Grandparents Day Celebration will be held on September 8th, from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Any proceeds from the event will go towards ongoing improvements to the Springs Building, the oldest structure on The Wesley Community campus. For more information, go to TheWesleyCommunity.org f
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Live, Life, Travel…
Forget the Bucket! WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER & LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL, LLC PHOTO PROVIDED
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hen my 12-year old son told me that he had a “bucket list,” I was surprised by my mixed emotions. One one-hand, I was so proud that I had inspired him at such a young age to be so passionate about travel that he had his own list of “must see destinations.” However, when I think about a “bucket list” it conjures up feelings of people who almost missed out because they waited to enjoy life until it was almost too late, which is not how I want to live, not how I raise my son, and definitely the complete opposite of WHAT we should all be aiming for… Live Life Travel. Perhaps it is just a saying and I am taking it too literally; however, I view it as a mindset that we can be changing at home starting with our own children in very engaging, fun and educational ways. Instead of a “Bucket List,” we can make a conscious decision to start building “Life Lists” with our families from a very young age, which then creates both life and family goals. Here are some of the awesome benefits: •Increased sense of community within the family through shared goals
•Better communication encouraging teamwork at home •Education – Geography (we recommend not going to any destination before all children have completed their in-classroom education) •Budgeting - Goals •Parents become role models for their children in terms of prioritizing family time, being able to unplug from work, taking all of their paid vacation time •TRAVEL BENEFITS FOR KIDS: Increased independence, self-esteem and self-confidence as well as developing intellectual curiosity, better cooperation skills and adaptability and increased tolerance and respectfulness of others. Education beyond the classroom… learning about different cultures, languages, history, currencies, museums/ art as well as becoming global citizens. •Vacation Benefits for Adults: Lowers stress, Heart disease prevention, increased productivity, Better sleep, irreplaceable memories and experiences with your children (set goals for before the 1st child leaves for college).
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Naturally, as parents, our biggest challenges will always be: 1) Having enough time 2) Having enough money 3) Or a combination of both at the same time
We call this the “Time/Money Ratio,” and it is why planning and having goals is essential. For example, I made a commitment for my son and I to always spend February Break together when he started Kindergarten and since then, we have. However, February has become an extremely busy month for me and he’s turning 13 (new “Life Stage”) so we are re-assessing our Family Travel Goals. Perhaps it would make more sense for him to fly alone to Florida and spend more time with his Grandparents that week. This is a perfect example of why my family needs to re-assess our own goals right now. We also only have 5 years before he graduates from High School and we both know that we have certain places that we want to travel to together before then that we will need to save and plan for. Every family will have different obstacles, but the objective is to make a commitment, then work together towards the goal that is important to everyone. For your children, this will be the first of many “life lists.” Encourage your children – along with yourself - to seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Studying abroad or “volunteer travel” are both rewarding experiences for young travelers. If you are not sure where to start, speak to a travel advisor for a consultation and professional planning. LiveLifeTravel.world f
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Plan your Day Trips...
Discover Dino Roar Valley WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER PHOTOS BY ADAM POTTER
These animals were here before us and now they are back with us... NOT JUST A WALK IN THE PARK
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he biggest animals in forest history are lurking in Lake George Expedition Park.
Lake George Expedition Park’s 65 acres is home to Magic Forest (the theme park that’s been delighting children with whimsical characters, rides and amusements since 1963). In May 2019, they opened the gates to their newest addition; Dino Roar Valley. Here, man and nature miraculously meet in a whole new way. “Dinosaurs are always very popular – 66 million years of popular,” said the park’s general manager, John Collins. Three years in the making, the valley adjacent to Magic Forest has evolved into a beautiful setting where you can see 20 full-scale animatronic dinosaurs. “It’s a walking tour that’s educational as well as entertaining,” said Collins. ANIMATRONIC ADVENTURE AWAITS It’s an easy 30-minute drive from Saratoga Springs until you’re turning into Lake George Expedition Park’s large graveled parking lot situated on U.S. Route 9 in Lake George.
In front of you is a blue-roofed chalet entrance building where you have the option to purchase a variety of adventure packages (plan ahead and buy tickets online to save a few dollars per person off the admission prices). For $24.99/person ($21.99 online) you’ll have full access to Dino Roar Valley plus access to all the shows at Magic Forest (to go on Magic Forest rides, you’ll need a combo ticket – see website for details). To begin, trek down the half-mile paved trail on-foot (golf carts and wheelchairs are also available). You’ll be greeted by a Dilophosaurus perched in front of several picnic tables and the gift shop located within an airconditioned yurt. The trail circles around and exits back out here as well, so you can save the gift shop for last if you prefer – which is what we did
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My 10-year-old son, Adam and I, continued down the sloping path to the Expedition Base Camp pavilion where four large-screen TVs played a short introductory video starring Simon, the magnanimous local student (about his same age) who was selected as the park’s Junior Ambassador this spring. Simon was selected from a pool of 30 video entries in a contest hosted in conjunction with WMHT Public Broadcasting. “WHERE IMAGINATION MEETS HISTORY” Stay alert - upon exiting Expedition Base Camp, your ears will begin to hear the shrieks, moos and caws of the prehistoric era. “Wow! Look at that!” is quickly followed up by “Did you know…?” from the park’s adult visitors, while the children are left breathless by the sight of the towering animatronic wonders. The photo opportunities are everywhere along the trail that features a rich canopy of shade, a trickling stream and native fern species. This is what Adam enjoyed most about this park – where you can break free from the standard social media staples and come out with a photo that truly astounds. “We disturbed as minimal an amount of land as possible - and it’s 10 degrees cooler in the valley,” said Collins. All of the park enjoys the shade of tall trees, which we were extremely grateful for, as it was a broiling 92 degrees on the day of our visit. Benches and snack stands are positioned in multiple convenient locations along the trail offering rest and refreshment. SENSE THE WONDER The menacing eyes, gaping jaws and shaking talons of the dinosaurs is highlighted by the life-like motion of their bellies breathing in and out. Pairings, like the Triceratops with her young or a face-off between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Stegosaurus, gives you the sense of being in the middle of an intense action movie sequence - without all the blood and mayhem. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com FALL 2019 | SARATOGA FAMILY | 49
Photo provided by DinoRoar Valley
For a sharp contrast (and perspective of just how far animatronic technology has come) before you leave the park stop by Magic Forest’s “It’s a Small World” exhibit (free with your Dino Roar Valley admission ticket). Made by Disney for the 1939 World’s Fair, Snow White and the seven dwarfs jerk and jolt to the patinaed voice of the film’s musical melodies. While the entire Lake George Expedition Park experience is geared toward younger children, climbing around inside the Dino Nest and digging in the two large covered sand pit excavation areas gives them hands-on playtime. Halfway through the trail, beside a beautiful building, the Dino Outpost, there are the men’s, women’s and handicap accessible restroom facilities. The le Club Outpost food cart sells reasonablypriced, kid-friendly foods. (We ate at Magic Forest’s Snack Stand instead, which has a bit more of a selection, similarly priced, freshly prepared and made-to-order). The brightly colored umbrellas covering the Dino Outpost’s patio picnic tables is where groups can enjoy pizza and fun with the purchase of a party package. Packages include dance parties, arcade games, dino photo props and more. Free shows throughout the day on Roary’s Stage and add-on activities in the Paleontologist Workshop make for a great day of discovery. It’s easy to spend at least a couple of hours at Lake George Expedition Park. The last dinosaur that we encountered was the largest that man has yet discovered. The siren call of the 130ft Titanosaurus, whose hipbones alone are the size of a fully-grown man, left the greatest impression. “That giant, giant dinosaur was supercool!” said Adam. Which, as a parent, is just what you want to hear. For more information go to LakeGeorgeExpeditionPark.com f 50 | SARATOGA FAMILY | FALL 2019 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
Fort Ticonderoga
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here may be nothing more American than apple pie. Well, how about picking apples against a backdrop of the thunder of cannons and the crack of muskets on one of the most historic sites in our country? Fort Ticonderoga, about an hour north of Saratoga, offers fun for the whole family and there is no better time to experience it than in the fall. The daily programs of rifle demonstrations, heritage breed animals and antique craft making is complemented by a massive six-acre corn maze, apple picking and boat cruises with the beautiful fall foliage as far as the eye can see. The youngest visitors can enjoy the hands-on activities and immersive programming that lets them play the role of a young soldier standing firm against the powerful British. The entire family must work together in Voyage to New France: A Family Adventure where the Fort Ticonderoga staff will guide the family through the daily chores and duties of soldiers at the fort. Older visitors can revel in the one-of-a-kind exhibits including the largest collection of 18th century military materials. The collection includes weapons, artillery, art, clothing and more. Learn about the history of Fort Carillon (later named Ticonderoga) and the pivotal role it played in the founding of our country.
The highlight of fall is the Heritage, Harvest and Horse Festival, which takes place on Oct. 5, and brings together local food, drinks, crafts and horses in a unique display you won’t see elsewhere. Set among the King’s Gardens, you won’t find a more picturesque destination that needs to be capped off with the Carillon Boat Tour. A perfect fit for those looking for a great fall outing. If fall foliage is what you are looking for, look no further than the hiking trails and the awe-inspiring Mount Defiance. The Carillon Battlefield Hiking Trail begins at the Log House Welcome Center and is a two-mile trail that takes you deep into the woods on the grounds of the legendary 1758 battle for Fort Carillon. For the more adventurous hiker (or driver) Mount Defiance will give you a bird’s eye view of the Fort, the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain and more. Regional beer and wine is served daily in the America’s Fort Café, with salads grown on property straight from the King’s Garden using traditional farming methods. A visit to the café completes this incredibly rich experience. f
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These guys totally earned their "I Was Brave!" sticker!
Dr. Ryan and her dog Artie
A Doggie Door & More WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER
Springs Family Veterinary Hospital is a veterinary hospital that understands that pets - well - sometimes fight like cats and dogs! “The majority of our patients are cats and dogs, so the entire hospital is designed for calming them,” said veterinarian Sara Ryan, owner of Springs Family Veterinary Hospital. THE CAT’S MEOW Designed with separate entrances, waiting areas, and treatment rooms for cats and dogs, lots of natural light and non-slip floors, the Springs Family Veterinary hospital, which opened in June, at 9 Hampstead Place, Saratoga Springs, is built to avoid conflict between our feline and canine friends. “Cats are very sensitive to dog pheromones and get very stressed,” said Ryan. As a gentle soothing method, she uses speciallyformulated pheromones sprayed on a towel to put her cat and dog patients at ease. They also use special cleaners to eliminate any unwanted odors throughout the building. “It doesn’t smell like a vet’s office in here,” she said.
THE DOGGIE’S DELIGHT Ryan and her staff are all certified (or in the process of being certified) in Fear Free pet handling techniques that “take the pet out of petrified.” When you bring in your pet, they strive to use calm voices, minimize wait times, and offer an array of high-value treats to put them at ease. “Different dogs like different treats. Patients are excited to come in and go right up to the treat bar,” said Ryan. Soft, chewy treats, deli meat, and canned tuna are all on the menu at Springs Family Veterinary Hospital. A WARM WELCOME Ryan, who grew up in Charlton and now lives in Wilton, hopes to create a warm, family-friendly environment where she can spend time getting to know you and your pet. “We want to be a family-oriented community practice with that personal touch,” she said. Springs Family Veterinary Hospital isn't just a place for pets to sit back and relax; it's also a brand-new, full-service hospital that boasts a state-of-the-art surgical suite, dental suite and radiology department. Dr. Ryan and her professional staff have extensive background in private practice and take pride in providing exceptional medical and surgical care for pets throughout all life stages. f
Springs Family Veterinary Hospital invites everyone to see the hospital, learn more about the Fear Free approach, and meet the staff at their Grand Opening celebration and Community Open House this fall. For more information, find them on Facebook or visit their website SpringsFamilyVet.com 52 | SARATOGA FAMILY | FALL 2019 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
Q&A for your pet issues! Submit your questions to cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com
Q A
: What do I need to do before starting at a doggie daycare center?
: It’s important to tour the place, see the environment your dog will be playing in. At THE PET LODGE, we require all daycare dogs to be spayed/neutered and have up-to-date rabies, distemper and Bordetella vaccinations. We do not allow Pit Bulls in our daycare program, although they may board with us if they’re friendly. We require that all dogs pass a socialization test where we look for extreme fear or extreme aggression. Most dogs fall somewhere in the middle and are entered in our program. You will want to know about hours of drop off and pickup, and any discounts offered for passes. Mostly, you want to find out if the dogs have fun and get exercise!f
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Sharing Saratoga's Soft Patina: LOU SCHNEIDER ~ A WISE MAN OF MANY WORDS
WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA ST. JOHN
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hen I ask how old he is, Lou Schneider grins at me. “I’m 88.” He says. “I was born on April 17th, 1931.” I jot that down as he laughs. “Or was it 1831? Sometimes it seems that way.”
They feared the alternative would be a wider war with Russia and China – or worse, the start of WWIII.
Everyone in Saratoga seems to know Lou. Mention his name – you’ll hear things like “Lou’s my favorite veteran, we meet him every week for coffee, he’s an interesting character,” or “Did you know he’s a Mets fan?”
Lou was drafted into the Army Medical Corp when he was 22. He remained stateside during his service (19531955) and feels very fortunate. “I had a choice. The army said I could work with animals in Aberdeen, Maryland or amputees in Washington, DC. I chose the latter.”
In June of 1950, The Korean War began. 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army made their way across the 38th parallel, the boundary between the Soviet-backed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the north and the pro-Western Republic of Korea to the south. This invasion was the first military action of the Cold War. By July, American troops entered the war on South Korea’s behalf. American officials believed it was a war against the forces of international communism. Fighting stalled, casualties mounted with no resolution in sight. American officials worked feverishly, trying to fashion some sort of armistice with the North Koreans.
When the war finally ended, it was July 1953. Some 5 million soldiers and civilians had lost their lives.
He worked in a prosthetic research lab, using all sorts of materials to design artificial limbs for the countless soldiers, nurses, and civilians injured during the war. Lou states that, over time, people working at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center got used to seeing soldiers arrive minus an arm or a leg. “During meal-time, they’d show us movies about amputees and medical procedures. Sometimes we’d wake at midnight to the same.” I notice a far-away look in his eye. “It helped us not react at the moment – we could be clear-headed and calm when a soldier needed us.”
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In March of this year, The New York State Military Museum, located on Lake Avenue in Saratoga, unveiled a new permanent exhibit: “Hot Spots in the Cold War: Korea and Vietnam.” It includes a pair of prosthetic hands designed and donated by Lou. “The burns? Those I could never handle. It always bothered me when a young soldier was brought in, suffering from an injury like that. It hit home – really affected me.”
They moved to the area in 1996 from Bennington, Vermont. Lou smiles when he tells me that they have a daughter and two sons, eight grandchildren, and a great-grandson that’s two years old. “We loved moving to this town,” he tells me. “I liked the feel of the political arena and became involved right away. Sandy and I would take long walks around town. We’d stop for coffee at Uncommon Grounds all the time – it was a great place to meet up with friends.”
Sandy loves to quilt. Her colorful pieces hang on the walls of their apartment at The Summit, a living complex with all of the amenities for active older adults over 55. Lou points each one of the quilts out to me, saying, “Come over here and see this one.” He remembers owning a two-seater Cessna 150. He’d fly a friend or family member over land and water, 6,000 feet up in the air. “Okay,” he’d say, taking his hands off of the controls. “You’ve got the plane now.” f
But funny things happened, too. Lou recalls a nurse who’d lost part of her nose during the war. “We made her a new one,” he says, shrugging his shoulders. “The side of it kept staining. After a while, we realized she was a smoker – the nicotine was discoloring the plastic. We gave her a few dozen noses, sent her on her way.” “Look, If you can’t find humor in life, well, you might as well just pack it in.” Over coffee, he tells me how he met his wife, Sandy. She attended Brooklyn College, while he went to class at The City College of New York. She caught his eye at a house party, where students from both schools met for a good time. “Was it love at first sight?” I ask him. He nods with a smile. “ It was for me.” Lou takes another sip of coffee and sighs. “My pick-up line wasn’t that great.” I wait for it. “I said hello and told her that I’d painted socks on my feet – that way when I took a shower I could do my laundry at the same time.” It’s hard not to spit my coffee out. Like, oh my goodness. “That was your pick-up line? What did she say?” Lou shakes his head, laughing. “She refused to talk to me at all.” Before long, Sandy warmed to Lou. She fell in love with him. They were married, off-base, in 1954. This October 24th will be 65 years. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com FALL 2019 | SARATOGA FAMILY | 55
Sexuality & Teens WRITTEN BY MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ, LCSW-R
Helping Your Child Find Love and Acceptance WRITTEN BY MEGHAN LEMERY FRITZ, LCSW-R
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ne of the toughest things to endure as a parent is to see your child hurting. How we navigate these challenging moments with our children sets the stage for their success or failure as they launch into adulthood.
I recently received an email from a distraught parent of a teenager who thinks their child may prefer same sex and/or identify as bisexual. The parent feels paralyzed with fear and is afraid of saying the wrong thing to their child. Facing issues about sexuality can be extremely anxiety provoking for a parent. Walking with your child as they figure out their identity and struggle to accept their sexuality can bring up your own confusion around this issue, prejudices you were taught as a child, or embarrassment. Being aware of your own thoughts, feelings and reactions is crucial to helping your child through this process. Statistics show us that teens who face unacceptance from their parents have a drastically higher risk for suicide than teens who feel supported and accepted by their parents. One of the most loving things you can do for your child who is ready to talk to you about their sexuality is to listen -without interruption. Practice focusing on your breath and breathing slowly in and out as you listen to what they have to stay. This type of breathing automatically helps to reduce the fight or flight response you may feel physically. Focusing on your chest and your breathing also helps you to remain totally present which promotes a deeper connection with your child. Future fear-based thoughts that get on a runaway train will block an open conversation and create an environment of anxiety and fear, leaving your child feeling abandoned and scared. As you listen, reach out physically by touching their hand or shoulder, keeping eye contact and nodding to show them you hear them and accept their words without shame or judgement.
Resist the urge to ask questions during this time, again, questions during a sensitive moment can reflect unacceptance which will shut your child down. Your responses should convey love, acceptance and understanding… “I love you and accept you and I am here for you every step of the way, we will figure this out together.” “Help me give you exactly what you need to hear from me in this moment, what are you afraid of, how can I help?” “I’m so proud of you for having the courage to talk to me about this, you are so brave.” These responses show that no matter what is said you will not abandon your child emotionally or spiritually. Some responses that promote a feeling of unacceptance or shame are: “I don’t understand, last summer you had a boyfriend?” “How could you do this after all we have given you?” “This is against our religion and we can’t accept this.” “Who did this to you?” These types of responses increase the risk of suicide and does incredible damage to self-esteem and self-worth. If you are struggling with your own feelings around sexuality, get some counseling to help you heal whatever unhealthy beliefs you were taught from your own upbringing. Parenting doesn’t come with an instructional manual, but if we stick to the basics of love, acceptance and being fully present for our children in the tough times we can protect them from the devastating effects of a lifetime of shame. For more on this topic visit: YouTube.com/ watch?v=rP01bH9Ljf4 Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing in State College, PA. For your free audio course on relationships and attraction, visit changeyourstoryllc.com and enter the code Simply Saratoga. f
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Healthy Saratoga Fall 2019 Complimentary
Pregnancy Fitness Healthy Recipies Walking Tips ...and more!
Brought to you by
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Welcome to
HEALTHY SARATOGA
Healthy Saratoga... the magazine From The Editor
OWNER/PUBLISHER Chad Beatty
GENERAL MANAGER Robin Mitchell
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ MANAGING EDITOR Chris Vallone Bushee
MAGAZINE DESIGNER Marisa Scirocco
ADVERTISING DESIGNER Morgan Rook
ADVERTISING SALES Jim Daley Cindy Durfey
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Deb Czech Jovanna D’Alonzo Susan Halstead Megan Harrington James Kelley, MD Megin Potter Don Proulx Theresa St.John Kristen Schultz Todd Shimkus Diane Whitten
PHOTOGRAPHERS Susan Blackburn SuperSourceMedia.com Kyle Yagielski
PUBLISHED BY
Saratoga TODAY Newspaper Five Case Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 tel: (518) 581-2480 | fax: (518) 581-2487
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com Healthy Saratoga is brought to you by Saratoga TODAY Newspaper, Saratoga Publishing, LLC. Saratoga Publishing shall make every effort to avoid errors and omissions but disclaims any responsibility should they occur. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the publisher. Copyright © 2019, Saratoga TODAY Newspaper
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Chris Vallone Bushee • Creative Director/Managing Editor cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com • (518) 581-2480 ext.201
I couldn’t resist this cover for the fall / back to school issue. This edition of Healthy Saratoga magazine is filled with powerful women, living life to the fullest! (Sorry guys, we’ll get you next time!) Our cover story is on page 15, and anybody that’s experienced that “ninth month” knows how dedicated this woman is!! BUT… please don’t think you need to be pregnant (or even a woman!) to enjoy this issue : )) We have plenty of great stuff… As a person who doesn’t absorb Iron, I’m familiar with getting infusions to be healthy - and see the benefit of them - but to others, this feels more like the newest trend in health care. We’ll let you decide for yourself - story on page 26. Check out page 10 for preservation, canning and freezing tips (and delicious recipes!) from Cornell Cooperative Extension – Saratoga County for all those berries you should be picking – they are too healthy to pass up! And if you’re looking for advice to beef up your walking / hiking routines, check out page 20 for suggested trails, tips from a doctor and a list of local road races. See… The things you need to know to take care of yourself. And when you’re done with this side, please flip the magazine over to care for the others in your family… your kids and grandkids, your parents and grandparents and even your pets! We hope you like this combination of articles and subject matter and would love your feedback. Send your comments and story ideas to cBushee@SaratogaPublishing.com Thank you to our readers …and our advertisers who allow us to provide this informative magazine - free of charge - to the thousands of people that read each issue! Please mention us by name when visiting their businesses. As always… I love hearing from you!
Stay Healthy Saratoga, Chris
Cover photo by Kyle Yagielski, Metabolic FALL | HEALTHY SARATOGA | 3
HEALTHY SARATOGA
FALL 2019 6 From the Chamber 8 Because Laughing Matters 10 Berry Season… Short, But Oh So Sweet! 15 Strength Training While Pregnant 18 Advice from Vaughn Vision 20 Suggested Local Running & Walking Routes 22 Dr Kelley’s Hiking Tips 23 Local Road Races 26 Infusion RX NY
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A TRIFECTA FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY
WRITTEN BY SUSAN HALSTEAD,CHAIR OF THE SARATOGA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS COUNCIL AND THE OWNER OF FAMILY VISION CARE CENTER
Health. History. Horses. Of course, Saratoga’s brand is a trifecta. But in first place is HEALTH! After all, where else in the world can you access FREE water, all day, and every day from natural springs all across the City. Our City is often described as walkable. It’s a feature that attracts people who want to live downtown. We have strategically placed public art across the City to encourage people to walk. We have dog parks for people to walk with their dogs. We have Congress Park, the Saratoga Spa State Park, and trails in which to walk or to exercise in other ways. Within Saratoga County, we have approximately 650 local farms. We have two farmer’s markets in the City alone. Here you can buy local produce twice a week every week of the year. We have local stores like Four Seasons and Healthy Living who pride themselves on offering local produce too. And we’re adding new stores and restaurants featuring healthy options all the time. These three features that define our healthy community - - water, walking or exercise, and fresh local food - - are showcased in our Healthy Saratoga logo. The logo has a water feature; a leaf and a person running. This design was intentional. In many ways, this logo defines the trifecta of what makes Saratoga healthy. But this trifecta is also really the key to our own individual health. If we want to be healthy and to stay healthy, drinking more water can really make a difference. It is perhaps one of the more profound things we can do to improve our health.
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Being more active - - walking, biking, dancing, running, kayaking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, etc., - - will also help us to live a healthier lifestyle. Eating better is also crucial for our personal health. With so many amazing restaurants in the City, it’s so easy to get off track. But they all have healthier options. And of course, there are those farmers markets and local stores who not only carry healthy local food options but are often willing to offer advice and guidance. Drinking more water. Being more physically active. Eating Better. These three actions have been featured in nearly all of the Saratoga County Chamber’s Healthy Saratoga events and programs. From our celebration of Employee Wellness Month to our Health & Wellness Week to our HORSE Basketball tournament or Silent Disco, we’ve tried to educate employers and employees on what they can do together to be healthier at home and in the workplace. But for Health to really win and place first for our community, the Healthy Saratoga movement has to engage employers, employees AND the individuals and families who live here. In this case, it doesn’t matter which group places first, second or third, we all have to be in the money for the community to really move the needle ensuring that we remain one of the healthiest places to live. To help you win, please visit our website and take a look at the extensive list of our members in the health and wellness sector. They all want to help employers, employees and individuals to live a healthier lifestyle. You can bet on it.
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DANCE FOR YOUR WELL-BEING
WRITTEN BY TODD SHIMKUS, PRESIDENT OF THE SARATOGA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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aratoga has many claims to fame, but none compare to the allure, beauty and history of dance. Boasting the National Museum of Dance, the infamous Skidmore College Dance Department and of course, SPAC, the summer home of the New York City Ballet, one might say dance is the essence of Saratoga.
of sensory stimulation, social interaction, nostalgia, and emotion; it is universal. It gives us a sense of freedom through movement which may help us celebrate joyous occasions, express emotions through technical choreography or enjoy a personal moment with a loved one when words may not suffice.
For those who appreciate and/or practice the art of dance, its numerous gifts are understood. Most people, however, may not realize its vast contributions to multiple dimensions of wellbeing. They understand dance’s physical benefits; improved cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, balance, agility and flexibility, and improved body composition-but this is just the tip of the iceberg, there is so much more!
Additionally, dance has been proven to influence cognitive functions, including working memory, attention, plan and carry out goals and the ability to move easily between behaviors (Kimura & Hozumi, 2012). Joining a dance class or group can also be an affordable way for people of all ages to get involved socially and keep depressive symptoms at bay- there is a very clear and well documented connection between social isolation and depression. What better way to accomplish this than dancing with friends and loved ones?
The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) supports the premise that the body, mind and spirit are interconnected. It “considers dance/ movement therapy as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual.” This integration occurs across all socio-economic classes and arises from an intricate combination
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Whether it is at the Saratoga Senior Center, the Museum of Dance, or while enjoying your favorite music at SPAC, keep it up! Dance is wonderful for your well-being!
FALL | HEALTHY SARATOGA | 7
t e s e J th r fo ealth... H it of
In the days before “Google” became a verb, we at The HUMOR Project were delighted to receive 50,000 letters a year from folks around the world interested in the positive, healthy power of humor. Since then, we have been the beneficiary of thousands of emails containing humorous goodies that we include in our free Laughing Matters e-mail newsletter. Here is a taste to strengthen your funny bone:
Marv Stone was a laugh-lover, attendee at our international humor conference, and subscriber to our print LAUGHING MATTERS magazine. Marv passed away at the age of 93... but his LOL (Legacy Of Laughter) lives on thanks to his daughter, Robyn Hedley. Robyn bequeathed to us her father's 60+ year collection of humorous stories, cartoons, jokes, etc. I am happy to share the wealth with you. Marv knew that humor is a laugh-giving …and life-giving force: If olive oil comes from olives, where does baby oil come from?
Why isn't PHONETIC spelled the way it sounds? Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. Then when you do criticize that person, you'll be a mile away and have his shoes! If you're going to do something tonight you'll be sorry for tomorrow morning... sleep late!
Why are they called APARTMENTS if they are all stuck together?
Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment... but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
Why are there interstates in Hawaii?
Two finishes for an automobile: lacquer and liquor.
Music heard in bankruptcy court: BAROQUE. Some Mornings I Wake Up Grouchy... Other Mornings I Let Him Sleep.
Experience is the comb life gives you after you've lost your hair.
We would all have a comfortable old age if we could sell our experience for what we paid for it.
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The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. Contrarily, the French have lots of fat in their diets and also suffer fewer heart attacks than either the British or Americans. Conclusion: Eat whatever the heck you want. It's speaking English that kills you.
Golf is a game in which you yell fore,
shoot six, and write down five.
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Two tortoises collide. The only witness was a snail. When police ask the snail what happened, the snail replied, "I don't know... it all happened so fast."
When you are in your casket and family and friends are mourning over you, what would you like to hear them say? Three people chose these words: #1: I would like to hear them say that I was a wonderful husband and a great family man. #2: I would like to hear them say that I was an excellent teacher who made a huge difference in people's lives. #3: I would like to hear them say, "Look, he's moving!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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Berries…
WRITTEN BY DIANE WHITTEN, CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SARATOGA COUNTY AND JOVANNA D’ALONZO, CCE INTERN
A SHORT BUT SWEET SEASON! A great way to freshen up your summer cuisine is by eating fresh, local berries! Beginning with strawberries around mid-June, the season for berries seems to end too quickly in late summer. Ranging in flavors from sweet to tangy, berries are very versatile. They can be eaten raw by the handful, put in smoothies and salads, cooked in your morning oatmeal or desserts, turned into ice cubes to add to lemonade or iced tea, and much more! There are many types of berries, including local varieties of blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, currants, elderberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Locally grown berries will be more flavorful and juicier than those purchased at grocery stores, since they’re fresher. For a list of markets and farms where you can find berries locally visit www.SaratogaFarms.com. If you’re lucky, you know where there’s a patch of berries on public property or your own property!
BERRY PICKIN’ A trip into the country to visit a farm for berry picking is a fun activity with friends and family! Kids enjoy exploring the rows of berries and finding the biggest ones and will be more likely to eat the berries they pick, plus it gets them in touch with nature. Adults can enjoy conversation while filling their containers and planning what to do with their harvest. In addition to getting some of your daily steps in, berry picking can help you connect with local agriculture and where your food comes from.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS Berries are low in calories and packed with fiber and vitamin C. Blackberries are high in folate and iron, and are also a good source of pectin, a soluble fiber that helps lower bad cholesterol. Like blackberries, cranberries, currants and gooseberries also have a lot of pectin, which is good for making jam and jelly. Blueberries are full of antioxidants (the most in any locally produced fruit) which protect against cell damage that hastens aging, promotes heart health and decreases cancer risk. Cranberries, raspberries and strawberries are high in vitamin C, with strawberries having the most vitamin C of any berry. Vitamin C is beneficial to the body’s immune system; it’s important to get it in your diet, as the body doesn’t create its own.
STORAGE AND PRESERVATION Berries are highly perishable, compared to other fruits, and may turn soft, mushy, and moldy within 24 hours. However, most can be stored in the refrigerator for about 2-7 days, depending on the type of berry. If you won’t be eating or cooking your berries within a few days, you should preserve them. Freezing retains the most nutritional value and is easy. Once you put them in a bag, remove as much air as possible. If you’re interested in making jam or jelly with lower amounts of sugar, look for a pectin for low or no sugar jam. For more information about preserving berries or food preservation in general, check out the National Center for Home Food Preservation at HomeFoodPreservation.com. I offer hands-on workshops at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Ballston Spa where you’ll learn the best techniques to preserve foods safely. Classes are listed at www.cceSaratoga.org. 10 | HEALTHY SARATOGA | FALL 2019
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Red Raspberry Salsa 2 cups fresh raspberries ¼ cup chopped sweet onion 1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice In a medium bowl, mix together raspberries, sweet onion, jalapeño pepper, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 1 hour before serving. Serve on corn chips or toasted pita bread, also makes a great condiment for fish or seafood. Makes 2 ½ cups (10, ¼ cup servings) Nutrition per serving: Calories: 15; fat: 0; sat. fat: 0; sodium: 0; carb: 5g; Vit. C:10%RDI
Raspberry Lemon Pudding Cake Preheat oven to 350.
1-2 cups raspberries
Butter an 8X8 baking dish and spread berries on the bottom.
1 cup sugar, divided
In a large mixing bowl combine ¾ cup sugar, buttermilk, egg yolks, lemon juice, flour, melted butter and salt.
1 ½ cup buttermilk
In a separate mixing bowl beat egg whites until foamy, gradually pour in ¼ cup sugar while beating. Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
4 large egg yolks 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup flour ¼ cup butter (½ stick), melted
Fold meringue one third at time into batter. Pour batter into buttered dish over the raspberries, and place in a hot water bath. (To prepare a water bath for baking, put your filled pan in a larger pan and add enough boiling-hot water to reach halfway up the side of the smaller pan. It’s best to add the water after you’ve put the pan on the oven rack, so you don’t scald yourself when moving the pans to the oven.)
1/8 teaspoon salt 4 large egg whites
Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350, or until the top is evenly browned. Allow to cool slightly, serve warm. Makes 8 servings. Nutrition per serving: 190 calories, 9 g fat, 5 g sat. fat, 125 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 5 g protein.
Blueberry-Currant Jam (requires no added pectin) 1 quart (4 cups) stemmed blueberries 1 cup water 1 pint (2 cups) stemmed red currants
Sterilize canning jars by boiling them for 10 minutes. Keep jars in hot water until filled. Combine blueberries and 1 cup water; cook slowly 5 minutes. In another pan, combine currants and 1 cup water; cook slowly 10 minutes, then press through a sieve, strainer or food mill to remove seeds. Combine blueberries and currant pulp; cook rapidly for 5 minutes. Add sugar, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
1 cup water
Cook rapidly until thick, about 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
3 cups sugar
Pour hot jam into hot sterilized ½ pint (8 oz) jars, to within ¼ inch of the top. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; adjust two-piece metal canning lids. Process jam for 5 minutes in a Boiling Water Canner. Makes 4 half-pint (8oz) jars. Recipe source: HomeFoodPreservation.com
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FALL | HEALTHY SARATOGA | 11
Fresh Blueberry Pie 1 quart fresh blueberries
In a small saucepan combine 1 cup blueberries, sugar, water, lemon rind and corn starch.
1 cup sugar 1 cup water
Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind 3 tablespoons corn starch
Using a rubber spatula, scrape blueberry mixture into a small glass or ceramic bowl to cool until it’s lukewarm.
9 inch fully baked pastry shell, cooled Whipped cream for topping
Spread the remaining blueberries into the pie shell and pour cooled blueberry mixture over fresh blueberries. Serve with whipped cream. Makes 8 servings. Nutrition per serving: 190 calories, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 105 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 25% DV Vitamin C
Blueberry Cobbler Grease a large (1 ½ quart) casserole-type baking dish.
3 cups (1 & ½ pints) blueberries
Combine berries, sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl.
½ cup sugar
Spoon into the baking dish.
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
In another bowl combine the flour, salt, and baking powder.
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
Work in the butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs.
1 tablespoon baking powder
Lightly beat the egg and milk together, stir this into the dry mixture to form a smooth dough. Spoon dough over the berries, pressing slightly to cover as much as possible.
pinch of salt 2 tablespoons butter 2/3 cup low-fat milk 1 egg, well beaten Preheat oven to 425°.
Bake 35-40 minutes or until the cobbler is light brown
Red Currant Wine Cooler ¾ cup red currant puree (see directions below) 1 cup Chardonnay 2 tablespoons honey 3 cups seltzer Stir honey into wine until dissolved. Combine all ingredients and serve over ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Makes 6 servings. Red Currant Puree - crush currants through the sieve of a food mill or mash them through a strainer with the back of a wooden spoon. It’s ok if some of the tiny seeds get into the puree. One pint of currants will yield about ¾ of a cup of a beautiful pinkish red puree. This puree will freeze well and keep in the freezer for up to a year. 12 | HEALTHY SARATOGA | FALL 2019
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14 | HEALTHY SARATOGA | FALL 2019
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STRENGTH TRAINING WHILE PREGNANT?
Here’s What You Need to Know WRITTEN BY MEGAN HARRINGTON PHOTOS BY KYLE YAGIELSKI, METABOLIC
I
f you’re expecting a baby and want to stay fit, you may have a lot of questions. You might be wondering, what’s safe and which modifications are necessary? Should you work out right up until you go into labor? How about during the first trimester? Well, wonder no more! We sat down for a chat with Lynsey Abbale, the Director of Training for the Metabolic studio franchise, for all the answers. Beyond being in fantastic shape, Lynsey is well qualified to give prenatal training advice – as of press time she is 9 months pregnant! While she was always active, Lynsey didn’t become interested in metabolic training until more recently. In her days as a competitive cheerleader, Lynsey says, “I was a true cardio bunny – I rarely strength trained.” She said it
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was a bit scary to transition in to the strength training realm, but also very empowering. Lynsey explains, “I loved that weight became about how much you could lift, and not about how much you weighed.” Lynsey began working as a part-time trainer for Matt Phelps over 7 years ago. At the time, Matt owned Phelps Gym, but eventually went on to open the Metabolic training franchise. Over the years, Lynsey became more and more interested in fitness and eventually received her personal trainer certifications from the International Sports and Sciences Association (ISSA) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). She also became a certified health coach through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute.
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When Metabolic’s second location in Clifton Park opened two years ago, Lynsey became the facility’s studio manager. The company built on its successes and continued to grow. It now operates 6 locations in Green Island, Clifton Park, Colonie, Delmar, Saratoga Springs, and Syracuse and Lynsey was promoted to Director of Training for the entire franchise. “I was so honored,” she says. “I really believe in this style of training. We serve a wide demographic, and we can modify the program based on the individual. Our classes really foster a great community.” In her current role, Lynsey encounters many pregnant and postpartum training clients and she says, “It inspired me to take a deep dive into all aspects of training as a pregnant or postpartum woman.”
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When we chatted with Lynsey, she was 8 months pregnant and enjoying the process. She says, “After working with so man pregnant clients, it’s such an incredible experience to feel it myself. It really gives me a better understanding of what my clients are going through.” So, what should you expect when exercising during each trimester? Here’s what Lynsey suggests:
FIRST TRIMESTER Early on, exercise frequency or intensity, doesn’t need to change unless you’re very feeling sick. But she advises, “Don’t lift more weight than you lifted before. This isn’t a time for personal records.” She also recommends eliminating abdominal exercises almost right away because of the risk of abdominal separation. She says, “You want to avoid crunches and movements that would make the stomach cone; basically, anything that puts pressure on the linea alba structure.”
SECOND TRIMESTER For many moms, the second trimester is the “golden” or “honeymoon” time. Morning sickness is gone, but you don’t feel too large and uncomfortable yet. Lynsey recommends moms keep working out, with some modifications. • For pushups, elevate the upper body slightly and/or drop to your knees to relieve some pressure on the core. • Avoid exercises that require you to lie on your back - it can restrict oxygen to the baby. • Try to focus on back and shoulder strength – you’ll need those muscles to be in good shape for carrying the baby and for nursing.
THIRD TRIMESTER As you near the end of your pregnancy, Lynsey says, “You get as much, if not more, benefit from gentle exercise like stretching and walking in your third trimester. Lynsey explains, “At this point, the relaxing hormone is pumping through the body, making you more susceptible to strains.” • Use lighter weights (or just use body weight). • Eliminate gymnastics-like movements like burpees or box stepping. Your center of gravity has shifted dramatically and it’s easy to fall and injure yourself. • To avoid pelvic floor dysfunction, make modifications like stepping instead of jumping. For example, if a workout calls for squat jumps, try static squats instead. As Lynsey prepares for her own birth, her advice to mamas is to continue working on their physical and mental strength. She says, “The stronger and more confident you can go into birth, the easier it is to come out of – no matter what type of birth you have.” If you want to hear more about what Lynsey has to say about training, you can find her podcast, The Metabolic Experience (co-hosted with Metabolic founder, Matt Phelps), on iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher. You can also follow her on Instagram at @lyns778.
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HIGH-TECH = VISUAL STRESS
C
lassrooms around the country are becoming increasingly high-tech, with teachers incorporating 3D imaging, digital devices and the latest computer applications into their daily curriculum. While these devices can greatly enhance learning, they also enhance the demands of the visual system and increase the importance of proper eye and vision care. Doctors and researchers today are largely focused on two issues that arise from our ever-growing screen time: Digital eye strain and the newest hot topic of blue light exposure. Prolonged use of computers can cause eye strain, headaches, fatigue, burning or tired eyes, loss of focus, blurred vision, double vision or head and neck pain. This condition has been called by the American Optometric Association, computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS occurs when eye or vision problems related to work, are experienced during usage of digital devices. Blue light is low wavelength high energy light that is emitted by computer screens. There is evidence that some kinds of light exposure can cause eye damage under certain conditions. For instance, too much exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun does raise the risks of eye diseases, including cataracts, growths on the eye and cancer.
Long hours staring at digital screens can cause eye strain, and decreased blinking associated with computer use can cause dry eyes. But these effects are caused by how people use their screens, not by anything coming from the screens. The fact is that we get 10x as much blue light exposure from the sun then we do from digital devices. This is how you can protect your eyes from strain if you work with computers all day: • Sit about 25 inches (arm's length) from the computer screen. Position the screen so you are gazing slightly downward. • Reduce screen glare by using a matte screen filter if needed. • Take regular breaks using the “20-20-20” rule: every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. • When your eyes feel dry, use artificial tears to refresh them. • Adjust your room lighting and try increasing the contrast on your screen to reduce eye strain. • Remember to blink • If you wear contact lenses, give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses. It is also important to keep in mind, a school-vision-screening, while helpful, is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination. Screenings vary in scope and are not designed to detect many visual problems that can significantly impact tasks like reading where more than clarity of vision is needed. So as the first day of school is quickly approaching, and most parents are busily making their way through a list of “to-dos”: shopping for school clothes, making appointments for immunizations and physicals, trips to the store for pencils, pens, paper and all the other “must-haves” for the classroom. An appointment with your optometrist should be on the list to make sure your child’s eyes are ready for the increased demands on their visual system seen in today’s classrooms.
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Chad A. Vaughn O.D., Optometrist- Vaughn Vision 170 South Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518.306.5290
3770 Carman Road Guilderland, NY 12303 518.982.0123
VaughnVision.com FaceBook.com/VaughnVision
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FALL | HEALTHY SARATOGA | 19
COACHES CHOICE:
Top Running & Walking Routes in the Saratoga Region WRITTEN BY DEB CZECH PHOTOS BY SUPERSOURCEMEDIA.COM
Runners and walkers love the Saratoga region, as reflected in the growing number of running clubs and programs, races in a variety of formats, and runners and walkers on the sidewalks, roads, and trails. From slow to fast and young to old, these athletes come in all shapes, sizes, and speeds. Several of the coaches of Fleet Feet’s running programs in the Saratoga area provided their favorite locations to get out and get moving.
MARK MINDEL Mark has coached Fleet Feet’s Half & Full Marathon group in Saratoga County for the past five years. Before his retirement, he taught and coached at Averill Park for 30 years. A resident of Ballston Lake, Mark continues to be involved in high school athletics as a frequent track and field official in the Capital Region. More than 40 years ago, he was the founder of the popular Schenectady Stockade-athon 15K race that takes place each November, an event he has never missed attending since the race’s inception. A competitive runner earlier in life, Mark won the Montreal Marathon in 1979. Coach Mark’s Choice: ZIM SMITH TRAIL, BALLSTON LAKE “One of my favorite places to run with a group is the 9-mile Zim Smith trail, which runs between Ballston Spa and Halfmoon, with plans in place to extend it another 3 miles to Mechanicville. It is scenic and has several sections that are very shady. “Some parts of the trail are paved, others are hard-packed crushed stone. It’s popular with cyclists as well as runners and walkers, and it is an easy place to take a group of mixed paces, because people can spread out, yet nobody gets lost.” 20 | HEALTHY SARATOGA | FALL 2019
An easy place to connect with the Zim Smith trail is via Shenantaha Creek Park, 374 Eastline Road in Ballston Lake. Parking and restrooms are available.
CHARLES WOODRUFF Charlie owns the Fleet Feet running stores in Malta and Albany, together with his wife, Arlene. A collegiate runner at the University of Connecticut, he has focused more recently on road running and the 5K and 10K distances. Charlie has been training runners of all abilities since 1994, and presently coaches the Advanced 5K/10K group in Fleet Feet’s Saratoga County training programs. Coach Charlie’s Choice: LUTHER FOREST TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS, MALTA “We are lucky with our Fleet Feet store location in Malta off of Route 9 to have easy access into the Luther Forest Technology Campus. This large tech park blends a mix of flat and hilly terrain, with both sidewalk and trail options available. Just 10 minutes south of Saratoga, off Exit 12 of the Northway, the tech park is the site of the Malta 5K and new 10K race in September, so it’s a great place to train and compete. “While there is certainly commercial development within the tech park, it’s also a place of natural beauty and a home to wildlife. Numerous loops, connected by Malta’s well-known traffic roundabouts, make the tech campus an easy place to run a short or long distance. We welcome people to run from our store at 37 Kendall Way or parking is also available in the middle of the tech park at the Luther Forest Athletic Fields on Rocket Way.”
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MEGAN DROSKY Megan has been a part of the Fleet Feet family for many years as a mentor with several of the training programs. For the past few years, she has coached the Beginner 5K programs meeting in the Saratoga Spa State Park, helping people move from walking into running while training for their first 5K (3.1 miles) race. Megan has an extensive background in corporate wellness, fitness, and nutrition. Coach Megan’s Choice: SARATOGA SPA STATE PARK, SARATOGA SPRINGS “Saratoga Spa State Park has many well-known paths for running and walking, especially along the Avenue of the Pines and near the Gideon Putnam Hotel. While that section of the park is very flat and pleasant, we also like to train on hills. “For example, there are great hills that we run repeats on, including the shady hills that make up some of the park’s scenic trails. We gather at the freshwater spring near the Geyser Creek Education Center and run up and down some of the hills radiating from that point, affectionately known as the “Wheel of Hills” by our groups. This could include the beautiful Ferndell Trail, or the gravel road connecting the Geyser Creek picnic area to the Roosevelt Baths parking lot, or the paved path that parallels the creek heading up towards the SPAC box office. There are several additional hills as well, making this a terrific workout for runners or walkers who like a challenge.”
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DR. KELLEY’S HIKING TIPS WRITTEN BY JAMES KELLEY, MD PHOTOS PROVIDED
J
ames Kelley, MD, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Sports Medicine, is dedicated to injury prevention. With that in mind, he offers the following observations and tips for one of the area’s favorite summer activities—hiking:
DON’T LET TICKS KEEP YOU FROM HIKING. Fear of Lyme exposure shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a hike. It takes 24 hours for a tick to give you Lyme disease, so make sure to inspect your skin from head to toe within that time frame, removing any ticks with a tweezer. Of course, wear reasonably protective clothing, such as longer sleeves, for prevention.
SAFETY FIRST. Know first aid basics. Have a first aid kit in your car. Don’t hike alone. Definitely make sure someone knows what trail you’re on, so if you don’t show up, they can tell search and rescue where to start looking. Also, be sure to research hiking basics, trail advice, weather conditions, and equipment usage.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR. When buying hiking shoes, work with a staff person to find boots or walking shoes that make sense for you and the terrain. Break them in with several smaller hikes. Don’t ignore a weak ankle condition. It’s not enough to depend on a sturdy hiking boot. Strengthen your ankles before you hike.
STAY HYDRATED. Bring plenty of water, especially in high heat or humidity, as well as a change of clothes. Wet clothes can lead to heat stroke and illness. If it gets cold at night, don’t sleep in wet clothing. Don’t forget, it’s easier for children to get dehydrated than adults.
CONDITIONING IS IMPORTANT. Break into hiking. Like any exercise, you have to work up to the distance. You might be in shape for a 6-mile hike, get lost, and it turns into an 8-mile hike. If someone in your group gets hurt, you may be bearing some or all of their weight on the trail back. Condition for surprises, not just for when the hike is perfect.
James Kelley, MD.
AVOID TOO MUCH, TOO FAST. Slowly, but steadily, work up intensity and volume so as to minimize the risk of injury. Strong pelvic stability and lower leg strength is helpful for power and stability, so an ongoing strength routine is useful. Strengthen your upper back and neck muscles, too, especially if you’ll be carrying a lot of gear.
STRETCH AND COOL DOWN YOUR MUSCLES. It’s a good idea to stretch afterwards, flexing and extending the lower back and calves for a few minutes after every hike. Increase to 5 to 10 minutes after a vigorous hike. You’ll feel a lot better the next day. Try out these tips on an Above & Beyond Challenge hike to benefit the Addiction Medicine Program at Saratoga Community Health Center. To learn more, visit AboveAndBeyondChallenge.org. Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Sports Medicine is located at 8 Medical Park Dr., Suite 100, on Saratoga Hospital’s Malta campus. To make an appointment, call 518-363-8710. For more information, visit SaratogaHospital.org. 22 | HEALTHY SARATOGA | FALL 2019
The first Above & Beyond Challenge hikers of the summer. Front row, from left: Katie LaFreniere, Saratoga Community Health Center Medical Director Renée Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD, Vivian and Paul von Schenk. Back row, from left: Addiction Medicine nurse Margaret Lane, Rick Schmidt, Holly Marek, Ronald Rodriquez, Edward Lenz, John Murphy, Earl Mikoloski, and Carolyn, Lydia and Stephen von Schenk.
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SELECT LOCAL ROAD RACES
FALL 2019 AUGUST 5TH, 12TH, and 19TH
AUGUST 17TH
Start time; 6:30 p.m. Tawasentha Park, Guilderland
Start time; 10:00 a.m. Benefits Double-H Ranch West Mountain, 59 West Mountain Rd., Queensbury
TAWASENTHA 5K CROSS COUNTRY RACE hmrrc.com/races/2019/tawasentha-xc-5k
AUGUST 10TH
THE CERVEZA SHUFFLE 10K/5K RACE, 1K KIDS AND FAMILY FUN RUN Select Road Race Information compiled by: DON PROULX Vice President of Saratoga Stryders
SaratogaStryders.org Send your race information to be considered in our next edition (published Dec 6) by 11/ 8/19 to
donproulx@nycap.rr.com
Start times: 10K/5K; 9 a. m., 1K Fun Run; 10:30 a. m. The event benefits the Glens Falls Medical Mission Foundation. Saratoga Spa State Park Warming Hut, 19 Roosevelt Dr. Saratoga Springs Active.com/saratoga-springs-ny/running/cerveza-shuffle-2019
AUGUST 12TH
34TH RUN FOR THE ROSES 5K RACE, 2.5 MILE NATURE WALK AND KIDS’ 1 MILE FUN RUN Start times: 5K Race; 9 a.m., Nature Walk; 8 a.m., 1 Mile Fun Run; 10 a.m. Grafton Lakes State Park, Rt. 2, Grafton
GraftonCommunityLibrary.org/ run-for-the-roses-2015-2/
AUGUST 17TH
17TH ANNUAL JAILHOUSE ROCK 5K
Start time; 8:30 a.m. Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton Street, Ballston Spa. Contact Jennifer Ferriss, ferrissj@gmail.com or call the Brookside Museum, 518-885-4000 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
OVER THE TOP RUN 5K TRAIL RUN/ 10K MOUNTAIN BIKE
WestMTN.net/over-the-toprun-bike-and-brew-festivalaug-18/
AUGUST 17TH
VOORHEESVILLE 5K (HILLTOWN TRIPLE CROWN RACE #2)
Start time; 9:00 a.m. Voorheesville High School 432 New Salem Rd. Voorheesville Contact Phil Carducci 518 861-6350 whiteknighttrm@gmail.com Zippyreg.com/online_reg/ index.php?e=1231
AUGUST 18TH
35TH TONY LUCIANO 5K
Start time; 9:00 a.m. Hudson Falls Community Pool Burgoyne Ave and Franklin St, Hudson Falls Active.com/ hudson-falls-ny/running/ distance-running/ 35th-annual-tonyluciano-5k-2019
AUGUST 19TH
SARATOGA HARNESS TRACK MILE
Start time; 5:00 Race appropriate to estimated mile time from over 10-minute mile through sub 5-minute mile. Saratoga Casino and Raceway 342 Jefferson St, Saratoga
AUGUST 21ST
SOUTHERN SARATOGA YMCA HUMP DAY 5K
Start time; 6:15 p.m. Southern Saratoga YMCA, 1 Wall St, Clifton ParkContact Aaron Ditch, aditch@cdymca.org, 518 371-2139
AUGUST 24TH
22ND ALTAMONT 5K (HILLTOWN TRIPLE CROWN RACE #3) Start time; 9:00 a.m. Benjamin M. Crupe Bozenkill Park, Gun Club Road, Altamont Altamont5k.org/
AUGUST 25TH
WHAT WOULD TREVOR DO? RUN N’ ROLL FOR HOPE 5K AND KIDS UNDER 12 FUN RUN Start time; 10:00 a.m. Saratoga Spa State Park Warming Hut, Roosevelt Dr, Saratoga Springs RunSignUp.com/Race/NY/ SaratogaSprings/RunNroll5k
AUGUST 31ST
SARATOGA RUN FOR THE HORSES 5K AND KIDS’ FUN RUN
Start times: Kids’ Fun Run; 8:00 a.m., 5K Run/Walk; 8:30 a.m. Orenda Pavilion, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga RunSignup.com/Race/NY/ SaratogaSprings/RunForThe Horses5kss
Runsignup.com/Race/NY/ SaratogaSprings/The SecondAnnualSaratogaCasino andRacewayMondayNightMile
FALL | HEALTHY SARATOGA | 23
SEPTEMBER 7TH
SEPTEMBER 14TH
Start time; 8:30 a.m. HVCC TEC Smart, 345 Hermes Rd, Malta http://www.malta5k.com/
Start time; 10:00 a. m. Adirondack Brewing Company, 33 Canada St, Lake George,
GLOBAL FOUNDRIES MALTA 5K AND 10K
SEPTEMBER 8TH
CAMP CHINGACHGOOK CHALLENGE HALF-MARATHON AND 10K
Half-marathon; 8 AM Lake George Elementary School, 69 Sun Valley Dr, Lake George, 10K; 9AM Camp Chingachgook, 1872 Pilot Knob Rd, Kattskill Bay, NY
ADIRONDACK PUB AND BREWERY ADK 5K
GreatAmericanBreweryRaces.com/ adk-5k
SEPTEMBER 15TH
THE SARATOGA PALIO MELANIE O'DONNELL MEMORIAL RACE 5K AND HALF-MARATHON Start times: Half-marathon; 7:45 a.m., 5K; 8:00 a.m., Kids’ Fun Run; 9:15 a.m. Broadway, Saratoga Springs
Areep.com/events/acc/index.php
TheSaratogaPalio.com
SEPTEMBER 8TH
SEPTEMBER 15TH
THE L.L. BEAN FLANNEL 5K
Arrive no later than 7 AM for packet pickup at L. L. Bean Store, Colonie Center Mall, Albany. Shuttles to race at Crossings of Colonie Park with race start at 8:30. Flannel5k.net/albany/
2019 DUNKIN’ RUN 5K/10K/10K MASTERS/15K RACES/1/2 MILE FUN RUN Start times: 10K/10K Masters/15K; 8:20 a.m., 5K; 8:30 a.m., Fun Run; 10:00 a.m. Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center, 340 Whitehall Rd, Albany AlbanyJCC.org/dunkinrun
SEPTEMBER 15TH
HUDSON MOHAWK ROAD RUNNERS CLUB ANNIVERSARY 2.95 MILE AND 5.9 MILE RUNS Start time; 9:00 a.m. State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany Hmrrc.com/races/2019/ anniversary-run-295m-59m
SEPTEMBER 21ST
ADIRONDACK MARATHON DISTANCE FESTIVAL 5K/10K/1K KIDS’ FUN RUN 5K/10K
9:30 a.m., Kids’ Run; 2:00 p.m. Town of Chester Municipal Center, 6307 State Route 9, Chestertown AdirondackMarathon.org/5-k-10-kkids-fun-run
SEPTEMBER 21ST
START CHILDREN’S CENTER 5K RUN/WALK Start time; 10:00 a.m. START Children’s Center, 127 Bloomingrove Dr, Troy
RunSignup.com/Race/NY/Troy/ STARTChildrensCenter5k
SEPTEMBER 22ND
ADIRONDACK MARATHON DISTANCE FESTIVAL HALFMARATHON AND FULL MARATHON Marathon starts at 9:00 a.m., Early bird start; 7:00 a.m. Half-marathon starts at 10:00 a.m. Rt. 9, Schroon Lake, bus transportation to half-marathon start AdirondackMarathon.org
SEPTEMBER 22ND
GLENVILLE MUDDY SNEAKERS 5K TRAIL RACE Start time; 9:00 a.m. Indian Meadows Park, 155 Droms Rd, Schenectady Contact Lisa Rivet, 518 399-8118, lrivet@cdymca.org
SEPTEMBER 22ND
7TH ANNUAL ALBANY BOOSTER CLUB FALCON 5K AND KIDS’ 1 MILE FUN RUN Start times: 5K; 9:30 a.m., Kids’ Fun Run; 10:30 a.m. Washington Park, Albany AlbanyBoosterclub.org/
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saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
OCTOBER 6TH
NOVEMBER 10TH
Start time; 10:00 a.m. New Scotland Town Park, 148 Swift Rd, Voorheesville
8:30 a.m. (Kids’ 0.5 Mile Fun Run at 10:45) Veterans Park, Schenectady
HUDSON MOHAWK ROAD RUNNERS CLUB NEW SCOTLAND 7.1 MILE
Hmrrc.com/races/2019/town-newscotland-71m
OCTOBER 12TH
FALLING LEAVES 5K RUN/WALK & HALF MILE FUN RUN 10:00 a.m. Start (5K) 10:45 (Fun Run) William Kelly Park, Ballston Spa Ballstonspaumchurch.org
OCTOBER 12TH
THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHALLENGE 5K RUN/WALK, 10K, 1 MILE KIDS’ RUN 9:30 a.m. Start (5K & 10K) 10:45 (Kids’ Run) Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs
SaratogaBridges.ejoinme.org/GPC
OCTOBER 27TH
HAIRY GORILLA HALF MARATHON/ SQUIRRELLY 6 MILE TRAIL RACES 9:30 a.m. Start (both races) Thacher State Park, Voorheesville,
MVP HEALTH CARE STOCKADE-ATHON 15K ROAD RACE
Stockadeathon.com/
NOVEMBER 28TH
18TH CHRISTOPHER DAILEY TURKEY TROT 5K WALK/RUN
8:30 a.m.Broadway, Saratoga Springs Christopherdaileyfoundation.com/ turkeytrot.htm
NOVEMBER 28TH
71ST TROY TURKEY TROT 10K/5K/ GRADE SCHOOL MILE 10K: 8 a.m., Grade School Mile: 9:30, 5K: 10:00, Troy Atrium, Troy TroyTurkeyTrot.com/
DECEMBER 8TH
DOUG BOWDEN WINTER SERIES 3MILE AND 15K 10 a.m. UAlbany Campus, Albany
Hmrrc.com/races/2018/doug-bowdenwinter-series-1-3m-and-15k
DECEMBER 14TH
2019 JINGLE BELL RUN-ALBANY 5K RUN
Benefits The Arthritis Foundation Time and location TBD. Contact Rainbow Doemel, rdoemel@arthritis.org 518 732-6219
DECEMBER 31ST
SARATOGA ARTS FIRST NIGHT 5K 5:30 p.m., Skidmore College Athletic Complex, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga-arts.org/ firstnight/5krun
DECEMBER 7TH
23RD ALBANY LAST RUN 5K
5 p.m. Race through Albany Holiday Lights, Fireworks. Empire State Plaza Concourse, Albany AlbanyEvents.org/ events/AlbanyLast-Run-5k_8_ event_main.htm
Hairygorillahalf.com/
OCTOBER 27TH
SARATOGA CROSS-COUNTRY CLASSIC 2K, 3K, 5K RUN/WALK See web page for start times, gentle course, novices welcome Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, SaratogaXCclassic.com/
NOVEMBER 2ND
8TH SARATOGA REVOLUTIONARY RUN 5K FOR VETERANS WITH KIDS’ NATURE RUN 10 a.m. Start Fort Hardy Park, Schuylerville
RunSignUp.com/Race/NY/ Schuylerville/RevolutionaryRun ForVeterans
NOVEMBER 3RD
SARATOGA STRYDERS FALLBACK 5 MILE TRAIL RACE 10 a.m. Admin Building, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga SaratogaStryders.org/page-18091 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
FALL | HEALTHY SARATOGA | 25
VITAMINS BY IV Q&A WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER
VITAMIN INFUSION TREATMENTS - the process of injecting a direct infusion of vitamins and minerals into the body through an IV - are said to cure hangovers, boost the immune system by correcting nutrient imbalances, and give you healthier-looking skin.
really high. We start a Vitamin C IV with a 5-gram (5,000 mg) dosage. That will boost your immune system, make your skin feel better, and just make you feel better. We’re not giving people a huge dose; we’re making their vitamin levels where they should be.
Certified nurses, Scott Wetting and Laura Smith, are the co-founders of Infusion Rx New York. They discuss who can benefit from this wellness trend, if it’s possible to overdose on vitamins, the injection process, and the cost of treatments at their Clifton Park offices.
LS: We’re not taking people who walk in off the street and strapping them up to an IV. It’s not like, “OK, sit down, we’ll hook you up.” When you come in, we have a brief focus meeting; discuss your goals, health status, and nutrition.
Healthy Saratoga Magazine: Who are infusions right for?
SW: It’s always good to do things in moderation, but yes, absolutely, this can work very quickly after a big weekend to help you feel better.
Laura Smith: We offer a menu of vitamin infusions; high doses of Vitamin C, hydration, a lot of different things. Basically, anybody can benefit from a vitamin infusion. Scott Wetting: Patients in their teens to their eighties can find it valuable. We can mix custom blends on-premises and give people pretty much whatever they want. HSM: How have your skills and previous experience as certified nurses prepared you for administering infusions? SW: Certified Nurse Practitioners have the right (and authority) to prescribe and administer these products. We work with patients and health care providers to get them what they need. Bringing that expertise into the realm of infusions – it’s a perfect fit. As a nurse, delivering anesthesia wasn’t just about getting a patient to go to sleep, it’s about fluid balance within the body and maintaining homeostasis. Delivering vitamins and electrolytes through infusions is treating people at a different level. It really opens up a whole new avenue to feeling better for them. LS: You don’t even have to be ill to benefit from this. When you take supplements, like chewy Vitamin C, what you end up using cellularly compared to what’s being digested in your stomach is less than 20 percent. In an IV, you’re getting 100 percent of the vitamins, so it’s so much more effective. We can target and treat your nutritional states better that way. HSM: Can your body get too many vitamins? SW: You’d have to swallow 10 bottles of gummies to hurt yourself. The dosages where you can hurt yourself are really,
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HSM: Is this a fast fix for repairing our lifestyle choices?
LS: August in Saratoga? It’s a big, huge, party scene - so people will be looking for this. HSM: What is the process of getting a treatment like? LS: Schedule an hour, but you’ll likely be out sooner than that. You do not need anyone to drive you (unless you’re really hungover and can’t drive yourself). SW: After the consultation, you sign a consent form. We hook you up – we can usually insert the IV the first try – and you hang out in the lounge. There’s free Wi-Fi, reclining massage chairs; it’s very comfortable. Sometimes the patient lets us know that there’s some itching, burning, or stomach distress, but we can adjust for that. Occasionally, there is skin irritation in the location of the IV site. LS: We use a tiny pediatric IV, because sometimes patients are concerned about that. HSM: How much does it cost? SW: Our basic, beginner infusion – a mix of hydration, vitamins, and pain relievers, is $69 to $119, and you’ll be feeling a lot better than you did. There are also powerful antioxidants and energy boosters that we can add-in for $19 to $40, depending on what you get. LS: Our prices range up to $400. In addition to the vitamin and hydration infusions, we do treatments with Ketamine also, for patients with certain mood disorders and chronic pain. We will collaborate with your mental health practitioner to see if this is a good option for you. For more information, go to InfusionRXNY.com saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
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