It's A Grand Life 10 17

It’s A Grand Life

October 2017

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From Me To You...

Welcome! to the October edition of It’s A Grand Life magazine.

People who know me well know 3 things about me.

I am particular about my chocolate, I can’t order water in a restaurant - not because I don’t want it, but because I never get it. And I love to read. I don’t mean I enjoy a good book, I mean I LOVE to read. At one point I was a member of 4 separate book clubs at the same time and still read for pleasure in addition to those required books.

I learn so much from books, things about my surroundings, things from the past, things that could be the future and how other people think. I immerse myself in books and they always become a part of my life at the time.

For example, when I read

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about the Second World War I become more resilient, willing to find a way to make things work and last. I find myself considering darning socks and rationing the milk. Luckily for my family I usually resist the urge to use Spam in every meal - I guess that is one of those foods you need to grow up with to appreciate.

Here are some interesting facts from my reading of that time. Did you know that bananas were in such short supply in England during the war that one banana was auctioned off for the equivalent of $125! See? You are learning things already.

My uncle was diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency and had a prescription for the yellow fruit.

I am sure if he had been able he would have sold them as he hated bananas!

What else was rationed?

Nylon stockings. When the

war redirected the product to make parachutes women took to using gravy to paint a looka-like version on their legs, drawing a line down the back with an eyebrow pencil. My dog would have just loved that.

The rumor about carrots being good for your eyesight was started by the British government during the war.

The Royal Air Force had been using newly invented radar technology with great success.

To misdirect the Germans the propaganda machine put out the story that the pilots were eating copious amounts of carrots to improve their eyesight at night. It is amazing what you can learn by picking up a book, or a magazine...

Catherine Uretsky

Editor, It’s A Grand Life Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.594.9283

October 2017

Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies and article reproductions can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

Anne Yost (623) 692-9563 Joe Wristen (480) 369-5804 Full Time REALTORS® and Residents

Home Warranty with a Sale or Purchase. www.yostrealtyteam.com

All contents © 2010-present day Estrella Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission from Estrella Publishing LLC is prohibited. Estrella Publishing accepts freelance contributions, there is no guarantee that materials will be used or returned. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within.

Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers. Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion.

Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.

Catherine Uretsky Publisher & Editor

It’s A Grand Life

Al Uretsky Publisher & Sales Exec

October 2017

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October 2017

October and the Color Pink October - most people think of fall, Halloween and the beginning of the holidays.

I think of pink. It is a delicate color that means sweet, nice, cute, romantic, feminine, and tenderness. It is associated with flowers, babies, little girls and sweetness. the color pink is the color of universal love of oneself and others, to me pink means saving lives. For me it means 7 years of fighting and struggling, but always surviving and educating women and men about breast cancer. Before breast cancer I thought I was living. But now I have walked the path. I certainly have my scars.

3 years ago this month I started the pink roadhouse mammo fund and Reba’s vision. I now call this my second act. You see I am a warrior that will fight till the end.

Trying and hopefully succeeding to help other women understand and educate the truths and myths about living with breast cancer.

Nothing has been easy, it’s a constant battle, there are so many happy endings, and a few losses. As in continue my fight I always focus on the people who ask me why???

You are why.

I want to encourage and support women amd the stigma of breast cancer. The diagnosis, the chemo, radiation, and side effects.

You see I have been there many times over, and I know what it does to you and your body. Through the rounds of never ending chemo (it seems), radiation, night sweats, port infections, losing your hair, and on and on. Losing a part of your body and not understanding why this happened to you. I guess you could say breast cancer has It’s A Grand Life

been my savior.

On Our Cover

It wasn’t the death sentence the doctor gave me 3 years ago, it was a challenge to change my life and focus on living. The color pink gave me hope. It gave me the strength and courage to “fight like a girl.” Cancer has not killed me, but fueled me with the passion to change other women’s lives after they here the words “you have breast cancer”. I hope my passion will fuel you with love, hope, and the courage to fight like a girl and love the color pink like I do.

With this passion the Pink Roadhouse Mammo Fund thrives and helps women here in the west valley in many ways.

Providing free 3D mammograms for women with no insurance, counseling and support. I also wanted to help women currently in treatment feel beautiful.

Baskets of hope became a reality, filling a woman’s life with something from their community.

Gifts presented in a beautiful basket filled with items to make her smile while she is on her journey.

Our newest venture is now providing free wigs, hats, scarves, bras, and prosthetics.

Anything a woman needs while in treatment for any form of cancer at no cost to them through generous donations from women who have been there and survived. To see the smile on the face of a woman

trying on a wig, and feeling human once again. To seeing a young mother with children smile when she receives her basket filled with items just for her.

I ask you to please continue to support Reba’s vision. As October approaches I think of true pink, light pink and all shades of pink representing every woman out there that has beaten, is in battle or just beginning their fight.

My month of October is filled to the brim with events and I look forward to meeting you and hearing your story.

Our pink ladies luncheon will be held at the Spicery in Glendale AZ. this year and will be November 12, 2017 from 10a.m. till 3p.m. With all proceeds benefiting Reba’s vision, the Pink Roadhouse Mammo Fund.

If you see me driving around in Pinky, “my pink ford f-150 truck, please honk or say hi, I don’t bite, I celebrate life. Celebrate with me. I am starting my 3rd act now not letting a little thing called cancer beat me.

Fight like a girl!

Submitted by Reba MasonMikutowicz

October 2017

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Senior Health Tips for choosing the Medicare plan that’s right for you

For most seniors, the period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 is the only time they can switch or make changes to their Medicare insurance plan. Medicare is a government program designed to ensure people older than 65 have access to affordable health insurance.

The Medicare program has four parts, according to Medicare.gov: A, B, C and D. * Medicare Part A helps pay for in-patient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility and hospice care. * Medicare Part B helps cover care by doctors or other health care providers, outpatient services, some medical equipment and some preventive services. * Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage) covers everything included in parts A and B, and usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage as part of the plan.

Medicare Advantage plans may include extra benefits and services for an extra cost. * Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription medications and is run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

Most people think of Medicare parts A and B as Original Medicare, in which the government pays directly for the health care services received.

Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A if they paid taxes while working; everyone pays a monthly premium for Part B, based on income. The standard premium for Part B in 2017 was $134 per month, which is deducted from the individual’s Social Security benefits.

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Original Medicare pays for about 80 percent of the total costs of health care. The patient is responsible for the remaining 20 percent. To offset the financial burden of that 20 percent, some people choose to purchase supplemental insurance, called Medigap.Private insurance companies offer Medigap to cover things Medicare doesn’t, such as deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance - but, keep in mind, Medigap only supplements Original Medicare benefits.

Further, if you do not apply for Medigap in the first six months of becoming eligible, there’s no guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a Medigap policy.

When choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, you should consider these questions: * How likely is it your health needs will change down the road?

Since health changes as you age, chances are your treatment needs will, too. If you don’t enroll in the additional insurance and drug coverage when you first sign up for Original Medicare, you may pay a monthly penalty for enrolling later and may not be eligible for additional Medigap coverage. * Are you still working past age 65? If so, you will probably want to enroll in Part A, because there generally are no monthly premiums, and it may supplement your employer’s insurance plan. * Is it more important to you to have lower

or no premiums or lower outof-pocket costs? With Original Medicare, you may pay more out of pocket without supplemental insurance and prescription drug coverage. * How important is it to keep your doctor? Original Medicare is accepted by any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, without referral. Medicare Advantage plans allow you to select a doctor from the plan network, which is usually very large. * Do you regularly take prescription medication for chronic conditions? Prescription drug coverage is not included in Original Medicare, and if you fail to sign up for Part D at the time you enroll, you could pay a penalty for adding it later. Most Medicare Advantage plans do cover prescription drugs.

Medicare Advantage allows patients to receive the care they need to stay well and keeps their budgets in check with set costs and annual maximums.

To learn more about Medicare, visit www.Medicare.gov.

October 2017

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It’s A Grand Life

October 2017

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Furry Friends My Experience with Dog Flu: A Dog’s Point of View Recently, I got really sick. I had just spent a fun-filled week with all my friends at doggie daycare while my family was on vacation.

Shortly after they brought me home, I started coughing a lot. It was really hard to breathe and I started vomiting. I didn’t feel like eating anything and I was tired all of the time. I was miserable.

One of my family members missed a couple days of work to try to nurse me back to health.

One time we spent the whole night in the bathroom hoping the steam from the hot shower would help my nasty cough. I know it was hard for her as she has a busy job, but she was as scared as I was. When it was clear I wasn’t getting any better, my family decided to take me to my veterinarian, who ran some tests and found that I had contracted H3N2, a new strain of canine influenza, also known as dog flu.

My family didn’t know anything about H3N2, but my vet said she was happy that they brought me in to see her. We were surprised to learn that even though a lot of people don’t know about it, H3N2 has been spreading rapidly across the United States since the first

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case was reported in 2015. My vet also shared that: * Social dogs like me, who go to doggie daycare, dog parks, groomers, or really anywhere that dogs, cats and humans come into contact with one another, are at the highest risk for exposure to and contracting dog flu * Because most dogs have no natural immunity to this highly contagious disease, nearly every dog who comes across it will become infected * H3N8, a relatively less intense strain of dog flu, has been in the United States for more than 13 years, but it can also spread very quickly, like the H3N2 strain * In most dogs, dog flu manifests as some coughing, a runny nose and a slight decrease in appetite and energy * H3N2 can also cause respiratory problems and vomiting, and serious cases of either strain can lead to pneumonia and even death in severe cases * The common kennel cough vaccine doesn’t protect against dog flu One of my favorite things in the whole world is running around and playing with my friends at doggie daycare and at the dog park, as well as when I go get my bath, haircut and nails trimmed.

My vet told us that this was probably how I got sick. Because we can have trouble letting our families know when we’re not feeling well,

people may accidentally take contagious dogs out and about, inadvertently causing CIV to spread between dogs that come into contact. Even drinking out of the same water bowl or chewing on community dog toys can expose us to the disease.

However, my vet told my family that because of how contagious the dog flu is and because it can be contagious for up to three weeks, it was important that I stay home from the dog park, groomer or doggie daycare for a while. I’m so glad my family listened to my vet-I certainly didn’t want to get any of my friends sick!

When my vet gave us my diagnosis, she also said that there is no specific treatment or medicine for dog flu, so the best protection is vaccination. Most veterinarians recommend the dog flu vaccine. There is even a combination vaccine that helps to protect against both strains of dog flu, H3N2 and H3N8, which means one less shot for me!

Before we left my vet, she told us about the If This Dog Could Talk: Tour to Prevent Dog Flu and we downloaded a copy of the new tour album, created in collaboration with Merck Animal Health and The Dogist photographer Elias Weiss Friedman. The album contains hundreds of beautiful pictures of dogs and shares important information with pet parents about the dog flu. My family and I had so much fun looking at all of the photos and sharing them with our friends-many of whom also had never heard of dog flu before. We all learned about dog flu the hard way, but hopefully you won’t have to!

Visit dogflu.com to download the free album

October 2017

Heads Shoulders Knees & Toes

Pancreatic cancer: Know your family, know your risk

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, with a mere 29 percent one-year survival rate. In 2016, pancreatic cancer became the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, surpassing breast cancer.

The time frame between diagnosis and death is often short. Only 7 percent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years. This is incredibly small compared to prostate cancer or breast cancer, where more than 90 percent of patients survive for five years after diagnosis.

“Most people are unaware of how deadly pancreatic cancer is,” says Jim Rolfe, president of Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

“These chilling statistics can serve as an eye-opener that motivates people to learn more about their risks and contact their health care professional.”

To make the process easier, the Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation has introduced a new series of online tools. Visit www.

KnowMyRisk.org to download a worksheet and access other helpful tools that let you explore your family history and become your own health advocate.

Print out the worksheet and call or visit your grandparents, parents and other extended family members. You may not be aware that someone a few generations removed from you was affected by cancer.

Having this conversation can be empowering, because once you know your risks you can take charge of your future.

Consider genetic counseling When considering how personal a cancer or disease diagnosis can be, it is no surprise that medicine is looking at our DNA to uncover information. This makes genetic counselors an important part of the health care team, helping you ask the right questions and

uncover familial genetic risk factors.

If you learn you have a history of pancreatic cancer in multiple family members, you should consider meeting with a genetic counselor to assess your level of risk. From there, the counselor and your doctor can decide on a course of action.

To learn more about genetic counseling and find a local certified genetic counselor at the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ database, visit www.

KnowMyRisk.org.

Take charge and be empowered “Don’t take a backseat when it comes to your health,” says Rolfe. “The first step toward early detection of pancreatic cancer is understanding your family history. From there, you can make informed decisions that help you live a full, healthy life.”

Early detection is important Although pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers, early detection can significantly impact survival rates. The fiveyear survival rate for pancreatic cancer approaches 25 percent if cancers are surgically removed while they are still small and have not spread to the lymph nodes.

Know your family, know your risk Family history is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. When you know more about your genetics and which members of your family have been affected by pancreatic cancer, you can better manage your own health.

It’s A Grand Life

October 2017

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October 2017

In God’s Name Many times I hear, or read that another spokesperson explains that only he or she understands what God wants. And just as many times I learn that words spoken and written millennia ago are distorted but these very same people. More than that, however, Scripture’s declarations are desecrated. I have witnessed from the time I was a child, the hatred that spews from so-called messengers of God. All this, supposedly done in the name of God. Perhaps God is now crying because the love and connection preached by the righteous members of God’s legions seem to be drowned out by ignorance and deceit.

My memory wanders to the 1940’s and 1950’s when religious fanatics used the mass media to demonstrate their hatred for those who appear to be different. Throughout history there have been those who use this convenient scapegoating to denigrate, murder, all in the socalled name of God. Century upon century the history books contain such evildoers - the degenerate Roman Empire, people like the sinister Haman found in the Book of Esther, and the evil of all evils perpetrated by Hitler.

There is no debate that can take place that would result in further

It’s A Grand Life

Living With Faith

understanding all people of closed minds and hate in their hearts.

We can and should bring to the discussion love and connection that is the hallmark of Scripture.

We can and should bring to the discussion thousands of years of history in which the development of the human understanding of togetherness and compatibility are the messages found in our relationships with all people.

We can and should bring to the discussion the willingness to forget and forgive, which is representative of what Scripture emphasizes time and again.

We can and should bring to the discussion the ability to stand firm and denounce hatred in any form, to anyone. Why? Because, simply stated, we were all created in the image of God. Having the same origin, establishes the undeniable fact that we are all alike in spirit even as we are different on the outside. This same essence of who we are can be found in Moses, Jesus, the Prophets, the Disciples, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela, the list is endless. Nowhere on this list will we ever find the apostles of destruction. While we may all have the same beginnings, the perpetrators of evil certainly do not have the same endings.

These demons love to quote Scripture to embrace their contempt, but what they are doing is showing their contempt for God. When Scripture enjoins us to “Love they neighbor as thyself,” it does not specifically say that only white people should love

white people, or black people should love only black people, or Catholics should love only Catholics, or Protestants should only love Protestants, or Jews only love Jews. It is declarative, not suggestive and is universally understood by all people of goodwill as a sacrament.

Again, the debate could become endless with always the same result. We were taught that silence is golden, but silence is not the way to combat the calamity of intentional division and separation, especially in the time in which we live. A resurgence of these destructive forces are again alive and well, and here in our own backyards.

Words that once were erased from human exchanges are now, once again, surfacing and with them age old bigotries. Are we so numb from the past that we refuse to confront the present?

What should we do or say?

The very same thing that all the venerated deliverers of acceptance demonstrated, forgiveness. Let us join together to perfect the flaws in our troubled world, not add to them needlessly; to end the shameful and ignorant ranting’s of madmen for no other reason that to create sensationalism and notoriety, more than that, senseless destruction and mayhem which caters to the lowest level of human behavior.

Perhaps society will awaken to the horrors of hate. Perhaps humanity will realize that survival is contingent upon awareness and love. All this can happen in God’s name if we are willing to step forward and become a member of the legions of God. Then truly we will be speaking in God’s name.

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation National Chaplain, Jewish War Veterans, USA October 2017

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October 2017

What Does It Mean?

Making sense of nutrition labels You can find them on the side of most every product at your local grocery store. They are plain and kind of boring but nutrition labels were designed to contain vitally important information for good health and wise food choices.

These labels tell you the number of servings in a container, how many calories per serving, and what amounts of vitamins and essential nutrients (like sodium) they contain.

However, they don’t just give you the raw data, they also tell you what percentage of your daily allowance of needed nutrients you are getting. When it comes to sodium, however, that may be a problem. The daily allowances are based on the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines, with guidance from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), now known as the Health and Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies).

The current FDA Dietary Guidelines call for a maximum daily sodium allowance of 2,300 mg, well below what the average American eats, which is about 3,400 mg per day of sodium.

But, when the IOM studied this

issue and released their report in 2013, “Sodium Intake in Populations: Assessment of Evidence,” they found no evidence to lower the daily allowance below 2,300 mg per day and some indication that doing so would be harmful. The level set by the FDA not only represents a significant population-wide sodium reduction effort, it also ignores the latest evidence.

An increasing amount of research is contradicting the FDA’s sodium guidelines. A 2014 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the healthy range for sodium consumption was between 3,000 and 6,000 mg per day and eating less than 3,000 mg per day may increase the risk of death or cardiovascular incidents.

And a 2011 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that low-sodium diets were more likely to result in death from cardiovascular disease.

Low-salt diets can lead to insulin resistance, congestive heart failure, cardiovascular events, iodine deficiency, loss of cognition, low birth

It’s A Grand Life

weights, and higher rates of death. Dr. Michael Alderman, editor of the American Journal of Hypertension and former president of the American Society of Hypertension, has repeatedly cited his concern that a population-wide sodium reduction campaign could have unintended consequences.

Very few countries in the world meet the government recommendations. A study of almost 20,000 people in 33 countries shows the normal range of consumption around the world is 2,800 to 4,800 mg/day. This is consistent regardless of where people get their food, either from home-cooked meals, prepackaged meals or restaurants.

The new nutrition labels were supposed to go into place this year, but now the FDA has indefinitely delayed their implementation. Hopefully this will allow them time to adjust the sodium limits to more accurately reflect the evidence as well as how real people eat and the safe range of sodium consumption.

October 2017

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Be Safe Out There 6 simple steps to avoid distracted driving

Mobile phones have become an essential part of life for most people, helping them stay connected and increase productivity. However, this technology can also be a distraction when driving, which puts everyone on the road at risk.

More than one-quarter of all car crashes involve phone use, both with handsets and handsfree, the National Safety Council reports. Considering many states and countries don’t yet compile and report data on cellphone use following a crash, this number is likely much higher.

Distracted driving isn’t just an issue for young adults. High technology use means this is a problem across generations. For professionals in particular, the expectation to stay productive and reachable means a constant temptation to use cellphones when driving.

Recognizing the ethical and liability issues that arise when employees drive while distracted, employers across the country have begun implementing distracted-driving policies.

Typically, these policies prohibit employees from using mobile phones while driving on company time.

In January 2017, the NSC reported that Cargill was the largest privately held company to prohibit the use of mobile devices, including hands-free technology, while an employee is driving on behalf of the company.

Cargill’s Chairman and CEO David MacLennan just marked the oneyear anniversary of following the policy.

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“I had to try the policy myself first,” says MacLennan. “Once I knew what it would take to go completely cellphone free in my car, I could then make it work for our entire company.”

Based on his experience, MacLennan offers these six simple steps for anyone looking to eliminate distracted driving yet stay productive and responsive to your job.

1. Auto response Use a free automated response app to let callers know that you’re driving and can’t take the call.

You can personalize the response so incoming calls or texts receive a text message saying you’re on the road.

2. DND If you’re driving a vehicle outfitted with communication technology, use its “do not disturb” feature to unplug from calls and texts while behind the wheel.

3. Block drive times Just as you schedule meetings, use shared calendars to block times you’ll be driving. This alerts anyone else connected to your calendar when you’ll be out of touch.

reach it, such as in the back seat.

5. Pull over If you must take a call while on the road, let it go to voicemail and pull over in a safe location to return the call. Plan pull-over “cellphone stops” along your route if needed.

6. Avoid all distractions Cellphones aren’t the only cause of distracted driving. Eating, grooming and reading are activities people try to tackle while driving. Be smart and simply stay focused on the road.

Driving safely should be everyone’s top concern when behind the wheel. These simple steps can make it easier to resist the temptation to pick up the phone or do another activity that can wait until you’ve arrived, safely, at your destination.

4. Out of sight, out of mind A study by AT&T found that 62 percent of drivers keep their phones within reach in the car. Put yours where you can’t see or October 2017

Yum Yum 5 food trends impacting what, and how, we eat Today’s consumers market view their food choices with a more critical eye than ever before, and this pressure is placing higher expectations on food manufacturers, not only in terms of how consumers’ food is made but what it’s made from, where it’s sourced and how it’s delivered.

To discuss these topics and more, investors, scientists and food makers recently gathered at the Future of Food Tech summit in New York City to talk about what’s behind the trends in food innovation and investment. Of all the topics discussed at the summit, these five key takeaways stood out the most.

1. Personalization is key From meal delivery services that customize meals for dietary needs to companies that create products tailored to an individual’s health, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to food. In fact, today’s consumers are starting a movement toward personalization, which in turn is changing the way people shop. “The food industry is getting closer to the consumer,” says Raven Kropf, director of emerging customers with Cargill’s protein business.

their values and are responsibly produced. The same goes for investors looking to participate in the food industry. In fact, many investors today are choosing projects based on ideology and a drive toward ethical food consumption.

3. There’s growing interest in alternative proteins A burger made entirely from lab-cultured meat and sushi made from eggplant are just two of the innovations showcased at the summit. “There’s a lot of excitement around alternative sources of protein, but consumer acceptance is key,” said Dominique Harris, business development adviser for Cargill’s protein business. “We want to provide what consumers want, and in protein that means offering a variety of options. It doesn’t have to be either/or.”

4. Consumers want to know where their food comes from Imagine being able to trace any food product back to the field or the animal from which it came. That’s the potential

promise of blockchain technology, which could essentially create a digitalized traceability system for food. From supply chain management to food safety, the potential for this technology is nearly limitless.

5. Food start-ups are on the rise As more entrepreneurs get into the food business, they’re looking for investors of all kinds.

Likewise, traditional consumer packaged goods companies and ingredient suppliers are keeping their eyes on the newcomers for opportunities to connect. “I would encourage start-ups to seek out strategic partners in the food industry,” said Chris Mallett, corporate vice president of research and development at Cargill. “Together we can create and sustain a healthy ecosystem for innovation in the industry.”

These five trends are grabbing 2017 by storm. As the calendar rolls toward 2018, it will be interesting to see what the future of food has in store.

2. Ethical production matters Consumers continue to seek products that align with It’s A Grand Life

October 2017

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Life As A Caregiver Being Normal...

I remember when my father was struggling through cancer.

My mom used to say that one of the most frustrating things that would occur was when she’d ask him what he wanted for dinner, he’d tell her, she’d make it, and then he didn’t want it or wouldn’t eat it. He didn’t mean to be difficult, but in his case, it was the chemo that would change his taste and food often just didn’t taste good nor was his appetite normal. That would frustrate her terribly because there were so few things she could do to make him comfortable. She was hoping good food would be one. Food was also something she felt she could control as far as quality of life. But that was not the case.

That same scenario happens for Alzheimer’s patients, as well.

They often lose much of their appetite in the later stages of the disease. In my mom’s case, she still HAS a good appetite most of the time and will eat just about anything. But there are those times when she says she’s hungry, I cook her dinner, and she only eats a tiny bit of it. It’s very frustrating to me at times, just like it was for her with my dad. And like my dad, she doesn’t not eat it to be mean.

So I have learned to try and let it go. Granted, there aren’t many things we can control about Alzheimer’s, and food is most always a positive element in someone’s life, but we just can’t always expect to get the reaction we hope for in serving their favorite foods.

Now, I am generally a strong woman and am always busy.

That has certainly been tested in moving to a brand new place as well as caring for my mom. But….stress, frustration,

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depression, and uncertainty has a way of sneaking up on you (no matter HOW strong you are), and we don’t even see it coming. Which is exactly what happened to ME. About two years ago, I noticed that I seemed to cry for absolutely no reason.

No apparent reason, that is. I knew the feelings I was having weren’t typical for me, even though I consider myself to be an emotional person. So I went to the doctor to check it out. As soon as he walked into the room and I began explaining what I was feeling, I began to cry. That’s when he told me I was normal.

He explained that the stress and the other above-mentioned things I was feeling often don’t impact a person right away.

They build-up over time and when we start to feel more in control, that’s often when they hit us. I was experiencing what millions of women experience each and every day: performance anxiety. He prescribed a wonderful medication called Lexapro. My first response was: what are the side effects? He laughed and said that with the low dose he was prescribing there wouldn’t BE any side effects.

the course of several weeks and came to find out that THEY took it, as well. Wait. What?? You mean, I was trying to deal and cope with everything ON MY OWN when others had been much smarter and sought help much earlier than me????

So…the lesson here is this.

Women are amazing creatures.

We take on enormous amounts of challenges and work hard to balance all the pieces of our world. And if we even suspect a crack in our armor, we begin to freak out and beat ourselves up (which only compounds the situation) instead of asking for help! Asking for help is NOT a form of weakness….it is absolute strength! And very smart. And we are both!!

Submitted by Kathy Linton, West Valley Resident

I went home and took the first one. Within 4 days I felt much more in control of my emotions AND with the tasks at hand. No side effects. Not one. I mentioned it to a few of my girlfriends over October 2017

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623.556.2828 623.535.9777 602.368.8413 623.544.0700 623.975.4244

HOUSEHOLD SERVICES Al’s Plumbing Cluff Mechanical Heating/AC General Exterminating In Home Senior Services Jackrabbit Nursery JBS Roofing Loilty Cleaning Service

It’s A Grand Life

623.329.5170 602.765.COOL 623.977.2100 623.584.9599 623.386.4700 623.247.9252 623.225.2002

The Window Cleaner AZ

623.738.6064

REAL ESTATE Arizona Premier Realty

623.692.9563

RELIGION Spirit Song Church

623.824.1357

RETAIL SERVICES Budget Blinds of Gooodyear Foot Solutions Pure Patio Steel Shield Security Doors

480.629.8854 623.536.6676 623.299.8000 623.977.3277

October 2017

17

Puzzles & Games Sudoku for October Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck!

Sudoku Solution

4

4

1

1

8

2

4

7

6

6

3

8

2

5

9

6 5 9 3 1 4 7

8

7

3

9

7

5

4

8

5

4

6

3

1

2

5 2 6 1 9 7 8

6 3 7 1 5 2 9 4

5 9 4 3 2 8 1 6

4 2 6 8 9 7 5 3

8

3

18 It’s A Grand Life

4

4

2

6

5

1

2

9

8

9

3

9

8

6

7

3 7

6 2

1

5 4

7

6

7

8

5

8

2

5

4

3

9

9

6

4

2

1

3

8

5

7

October 2017

DON’T BE TRICKED!

Your Residential & Commerical Roofing Contractor Will Be Your Treat!

“Let Our Family Cover Yours”  New Construction, Repairs, Recovers, Maintenance  Installation of Gutters & Attic Insulation  Shingles, Tile, Built Up, Single Ply, Foam & Coatings, Metal, Shake We’re Here To Answer Your Questions.

Give Us A Call!

623.247.9252 It’s A Grand Life

www.JBSroofingAZ.com 19 October 2017

20 It’s A Grand Life

October 2017