Fulton County Women's Journal - December '13/January '14

The Fulton County Women’s Journal

A Free Bi-Monthly Resource for the Women of Fulton County

In This Issue

December 2013/January 2014 Holiday Edition Our Ears Hear – Or Do They? Expert Advice From An Expert Become A Community Investor – An Avenue To Wealth Say Goodbye To Hot Flashes – Through Natural Means Redefining How You View Your Divorce The Etiquette Of Re-Gifting

Educate. Enrich. Empower.

Take One – It’s PRICELESS!

Publishers' Page

Cecily Williams

The Fulton County Women’s Journal

The Fulton Count y Women’s Journal

(a Media Ventures company) 4060 Peachtree Road, Suite D-167 Atlanta, Georgia 30319 678-250-3319 www.georgiawj.com

Publishers: Cecily Williams & Obren Barnes womensjournalga@gmail.com

Dear Readers,

As we move further into the holiday season, it is important to keep focus on the things that are most important. Our daily lives are filled with tremendous responsibilities, stresses and obligations. Oftentimes life can completely overwhelm us. It is very easy to become consumed with everything that is happening to “me” and have our focus directed inward.

It is in these times, that it is important to focus on the things that matter most. Take time this holiday season to focus on the gifts that are available for each of us every day. Take the time to celebrate life, family and friends.

Make it a priority to engage in random acts of kindness. Treat every person you meet even better than you would like to be treated. Make this holiday season your best ever!

As for us, we are honored to bring you this next edition of the Fulton County Women’s Journal. The professionals included herein have taken the time to share their expertise on issues we believe relevant to the women of Fulton County and their families. We are proud and privileged to bring you this holiday edition. We welcome your contributions and feedback, so please feel free to contact us. E-mail us at womensjournalga@gmail.com or call us at 678-250-3319 and let us know what you think! We love to hear from you, so that we can serve you better. Enjoy the season!

- Warm Regards, Cecily Williams and Obren Barnes, Publishers

Editor Whiz Marks www.whizmarks.com

Printer Print Innovators www.printinnovators.com

Graphic Design:

Jelly Graphics www.jellygraphics.com The Women’s Journal is published bimonthly and is available free of charge, by subscription, at display stands in approved private and public establishments and authorized distributors only. Trademark and U.S. Copyright laws protect The Women’s Journal. No part of this paper may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The Women’s Journal is not responsible for any editorial comment (other than its own), typographical errors from advertisements submitted as camera ready or any reproductions of advertisements submitted as camera ready. If an advertisement does not meet our standards of acceptance, we may revise or cancel it at any time, whether or not it has been already acknowledged and/ or previously published. The advertiser assumes sole responsibility for all statements contained in submitted copy and will protect and indemnify The Women’s Journal, its owners, publishers, and employees, against any and all liability loss or expense arising out of claims for liable, unfair trade names, patents copyrights and propriety rights, and all violations of the right of privacy or other violations resulting from the publication by this newspaper of its advertising copy. Publisher shall be under no liability for failure, for any reason, to insert an advertisement. Publisher shall not be liable by reason of error, omission and/or failure to insert any part of an advertisement. Publisher will not be liable for delay or failure in performance in publication and/or distribution if all or any portion of an issue is delayed or suspended for any reason. The publisher will exercise reasonable judgement in these instances and will make adjustments for the advertiser where and when appropriate. The Women’s Journal assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material or reproductions made by advertisers. This newspaper will be published by the 15th of every other month.

Representations by The Women’s Journal COPYRIGHT 1999™ READERSHIP 100,000 +

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In This Issue Our Ear s Hear – Or Do

December 201 3/January 2014 Holiday Ed ition

Empower.

Take One

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On The Cover... Dr. Norma Mraz, Audiologist. Shot

on location at Dr. Mraz’ office in Alpharetta by Tiffany Powell Photography. Look for their articles in this issue.

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Shingles Vaccine...............................6 Our Ears Hear-Or Do They?..............7

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Q&A With Dr. Boone.........................9 Your Abdominal Appearance...10-11

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Living Healthfully After Cancer.....14

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Lifestyle & Portrait Photography....36

Beating Cancer-One Bite At A Time..15

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WomeninProfile Jennifer Swain “People ask me what I do and I always get stumped by the questions. At the end of the day, I care. I change minds. I work to end child sex trafficking so that no child will ever grow up to be exploited.” –Jennifer Swain, Programs Director for youthSpark, Inc. Working in various capacities over the last six years, Ms. Swain has been passionately involved with serving commercially sexually exploited victims and her influential vision aided in the development of Georgia’s first child sex trafficking specific prevention program for girls ages 11-17, youthSpark Voices. As the youthSpark Programs Director, she leads their current efforts to end child sex trafficking through prevention and youth-empowered education. Working to prevent both future victims and exploiters, their A Future. Not A Past. Campaign focuses on the demand side of trafficking and provide direct services to girls deemed “high risk” for trafficking involvement through our youthSpark Voices program and youth-empowered education initiatives. As a Member of the Governor’s Office for Children & Families CSEC Task Force and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Family Advocacy & Outreach Network, she trains, and advocates on behalf of child sex trafficking victims to various state agencies both locally and nationally that may have contact with children regarding warning signs and available services.

Prior to her work in the non-profit world, Swain worked in communications for FOX5/WZDX in Alabama and has experience working with youth through her longtime volunteer work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alabama.

Michelle Higgins Michelle Higgins is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. Edward Jones focuses on helping individuals and business owners find tailored solutions to reach their financial goals. Michelle prides herself with developing a personal, face to face relationship with her clients. She can help determine the most appropriate financial strategy for you and your family.

Michelle enjoys being part of the community. She has worked with the Child Development Association (CDA) in Roswell, Georgia for many years. She has been the chairperson for their largest fundraising event. In addition, Michelle is active in her church and children’s schools.

Born in South Carolina to an Air Force family, Michelle grew up in Los Angeles, California. She moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University where she earned a Degree in Intercultural Communication with a related field in French. She also holds a Certificate in Sustainability from Georgia Southern University.

After college she worked for Intel Corporation as a Business Development Specialist in the Legal and Finance Divisions negotiating Intellectual Property Agreements. After leaving Intel Corporation, she decided to focus on her passion for helping people with their personal finances and became a Mortgage Broker in Scottsdale for several years before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in 2007. In Atlanta, Michelle worked as a Project Manager in the Finance department with an IT company. Michelle left that company to pursue a career as a Financial Advisor.

She and her husband, Doug Higgins, have four children. Two in college and two in High School. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, watching movies and spending time with her friends and family.

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WomeninProfile Pam Santoro Pam Santoro, a REALTOR® with Harry Norman Realtors®, has been helping residential buyers and sellers in the North Fulton area for the past 9 years. She’s an Accredited Relocation Specialist, Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist, and Luxury Marketing Specialist. Pam’s an Ambassador with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the past president of the American Business Women’s Association Crabapple Chapter, the 2011 Woman of the Year for the American Business Women’s Association Crabapple Chapter, and the 2010 Member of the Year for the Atlanta Chapter of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, and Principal of the day at Summit Hill Elementary School on November 20th, 2014.

Pam grew up in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, which is now a suburb of the city of Pittsburgh while her husband, Tony, grew up in Pittsburgh’s South Hills. Prior to the moving to Kansas City, Pam was a systems analyst at ALCOA. Tony’s job relocated them to Kansas City for a few years and then on to Atlanta. They have two children: Angela is attending graduate school at Georgia State University and Greg is a Junior at Georgia Southern University.

Living in Georgia for 19 years has been a good fit for her family. In those years, Pam was involved in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, baseball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, fencing, French club and marching band in our Alpharetta community. She also held various PTA positions at Dolvin Elementary, Ocee Elementary, Taylor Road Middle and Chattahoochee High schools getting outdoor grants for Ocee Elementary and Taylor Road Middle schools plus was a substitute teacher for Fulton County Schools prior to her real estate career.

Lindsay Frangie Lindsay Frangie was born in Elberton and raised in Acworth, GA. She attended Sprayberry High School and graduated with honors from Floyd College. She and her husband, Ramses, own the Georgia branch of WestStar Mortgage, Inc., and both have been in the mortgage industry for over 11 years. Lindsay is dedicated to serving the community through various animal rescue projects and works closely every year with Ahimsa House for the Walk, Wag, Run. She is an avid dog lover and spends her free time with her dogs, with family and friends, rescuing animals, or gardening.

Lindsay prides herself in offering personalized service when discussing mortgage options with her borrowers. She sets herself apart by being their mortgage manager for life. Not only does she advise existing borrowers on their current needs, but she also lets previous borrowers know when they can benefit from another no cost mortgage transaction by lowering their rate or by shortening their term.

If there is no cost to save, there is no break-even point and savings start on day one.

Lindsay listens to borrowers and tailors a mortgage product to fit their needs and goals. WestStar Mortgage offers quick preapprovals in one hour or less, no closing cost loans, and first time homebuyer programs. They offer loan products including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo and special programs such as HARP 1 and 2. If you are in need of advice on whether or not you should buy or refinance, call Lindsay today. The consultation is free. You can reach her at 404-410-7798 or LFrangie@ weststarmortgage.com.

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Health Medical and

Presented By Gary Edward Barg About Caregiver Media Group Caregiver Media Group is the nation’s first integrated media organization serving caregivers online, in-print and in-person. Established in 1995, Caregiver Media Group has become the recognized media authority on caregiving through Today’s Caregiver magazine, Caregiver.com, the Fearless Caregiver Conferences, the award winning book - The Fearless Caregiver: How to get the best care for your loved one and still have a life of your own, as well as Caregiver Media Group’s award winning content and custom publications.

Shingles Vaccine

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The chickenpox virus many people experienced as a child remains asleep within the body’s nervous system throughout their lives. The virus can reactivate with a drop in immunity due to stress or other factors, appearing as a rash known as shingles.

It starts as pain and sensitivity in the area that will erupt, and the cause of the burning sensation is not immediately apparent. Once the rash forms, it becomes a unique sign pointing to the cause.

The rash is both unsightly and painful, and looks very much like shingles on a roof. Shingles blisters are fluid filled and eventually pop, similar to pimples, but appear to “hang” from the rash line. Keeping the area clean and following precautions not to touch the area are essential to preventing additional infection.

Shingles has no preference as to which area it will attack, even from one outbreak to another.

Usually one area of the body is affected, and the outbreak runs in a line relative to a nerve.

Nerve cells carry the virus to the skin surface where the eruptions occur. Our nervous system delivers signals to our entire body, including pain signals. When we have small outbreaks of pimples, those can be uncomfortable and even painful until they subside.

With shingles, pain is consistent and immediate, because the eruption is tied to a nerve.

When a facial nerve is attacked by the virus, it can be classified as Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and the

symptoms can resemble a stroke.

Ringing in the ears, vertigo and facial weakness on the side of the affected nerve imitate stroke. This type of viral attack creates blisters on the inside and/or outside of the ear canal, including the eardrum, and can include blisters on the tongue and roof of the mouth.

virus to provoke the body to react and generate immunity.

If an individual’s body cannot generate this reaction due to drugs given to suppress the immune reaction or for other reasons, it’s best to avoid the vaccination.

Caregivers may debate vaccinating their loved ones.

Concerns of effectiveness and any negative reactions are to be expected. Weigh the concerns against the known benefits, especially for patients with memory challenges like Alzheimer’s or dementia. A loved one with memory challenges may not understand precautions about the rash area, or managing pain.

Antiviral medications may help stunt the progression of the rash once it’s happened, but “prevention” can be obtained in the form of a vaccine.

Inoculations of any type (flu, pneumonia, chickenpox, etc.) are not 100% guaranteed, except to raise immunity to the disease.

Five year clinical trial results by drug corporation Merck & Company was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2005. Outbreaks of shingles were cut by 50%, and of those who had outbreaks, long term complications could be reduced by two-thirds.

The vaccine boosts immunity, and immunity is the factor that protects us from disease.

In the event you choose vaccination for yourself and your loved one, remember that having a mild cold will not affect the impact of the vaccination.

However, it is suggested that you wait until you are over anything more severe than a light head cold. Vaccination is recommended for individuals over age sixty. Speak to your doctor about benefits of early vaccination.

As treatment for shingles can be costly, the vaccine can be cost effective. A case of shingles can last for months in some people with low immune systems, or reoccur within the same year.

Vaccination provides a measure of support to prevent the first outbreak, and need to spend money on doctor’s visits and medication.

The vaccine is simply a “turbo charged” version of the chickenpox vaccine given to children.

Long term effects of shingles can hamper the quality of daily activities. Post-herpetic neuralgia is a long term complication in which there is residual pain from the outbreak. This complication was reduced by two-thirds during the Merck trial.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the vaccine, but caution individuals who have gelatin or other allergies to assess them fully with their doctor. Anyone with severely depressed immune systems (such as individuals with AIDS or other immune disorder) should avoid the vaccine as it does contain enough of the living chickenpox

Individuals who have already had shingles can still benefit from vaccination. Outbreaks can occur more than once in a lifetime, and in different locations.

Gary Edward Barg, CEO Editor-In-Chief Caregiver Media Group Today’s Caregiver magazine Fearless Caregiver Conferences Caregiver Friendly Awards Caregiver.com T: 954.362.8121 T: 800.829.2734 extension 121 F: 954.585.9201 Gary@caregiver.com Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly email newsletter at http://caregiver.com/subscribe/subscribe_newsletter.htm

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Health Medical and

By Dr. Norma Rivera Mraz

Dr. Norma Rivera Mraz earned both her Bachelor of Arts (1985) and Master of Arts (1987) degrees from the University of Florida. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree (2004) from the Arizona School of Health Sciences. After 10 years practicing audiology in Florida, she moved to Atlanta, GA in 1997, where she focused her efforts in the treatment of individuals who are afflicted with tinnitus and hyperacusis (abnormal sensitivity to sound).

Dr. Rivera Mraz currently owns and operates Mraz Audiology Consulting, Inc., which specializes in hearing conservation, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. The patient population served is newborn to adults. Mraz Audiology Consulting, Inc. focuses on providing the highest quality of care and professionalism to address each patient’s individualized hearing healthcare needs. Dr. Rivera Mraz speaks fluent English, Spanish, and Sign Language.

Our Ears Hear-Or Do They?

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We live in a world that is rich with sounds, from soft like a whisper to loud like a jet turbine engine.

Sound can have so much meaning and evoke emotion— the sound of a gentle kiss on the cheek or a siren screeching as it passes by.

Hearing is one of our 5 traditional senses and is where sound is perceived. Humans are capable of hearing from 20Hz (very low bass) to 20,000Hz (very high pitch). Everyday conversation generally falls in the frequency range of 250Hz to 8000Hz. Equally important is how we hear Since childhood, we have been taught that we hear with our ears, but that is only partially correct. The ears are merely the end organs that take external sound vibrations, and through an intricate and sophisticated process, convert them to mechanical information in the middle ear, which then travels through the inner ear where tiny hair cells are stimulated that send impulses the hearing nerve to the auditory cortex in the brain—the hearing center.

In other words, if sound doesn’t reach the auditory cortex of the brain – no sound is heard.

Here are some facts we know: Statistics show that approximately 40 million adults in the United States report some degree of hearing loss. Hearing loss due to aging (presbycusis), affects approximately 35% of individuals over 60 years of age.

Unfortunately, what used to be considered an older person’s problem is quickly becoming a serious issue with today’s youth.

What can be done to protect your hearing?

Research shows that exposure to excessive noise levels are the leading cause for permanent damage to the ear resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears. The average conversation is around 65 decibels (dB) which is how sound intensity (loudness) is measured. A concert or leaf

blower is 115dB, whereas a firearm is 135dB. Sound levels exceeding 100dB for more than 30 minutes continuously is dangerous to our ears. There are 3 highly effective options for hearing conservation. First, turn the volume down. It is a simple solution if you can control the sound source. The rule of thumb is if you are 3 feet away and have to raise your voice in order for the other person to hear you, than it is too loud. Second, walk away. The more distance between you and the offensive sound, the better. And third, wear proper ear protection.

empowered with information that helps them make informed decisions so they can choose how they wish to (safely) participate in these types of activities. Let’s also consider a child attending an event who is innocently following the guidance of the adult. If the person behind them starts blowing some obnoxious instrument like a plastic horn or vuvuzela, or screams out loud at levels that are toxic to the hearing system, than this child never stood a chance nor were they protected from what could eventually result in permanent hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

There are different types of ear protection that are designed for specific environments. Ear muffs or plugs are great for mowing the lawn because they dampen excessive noise levels. However, if you are attending a concert, sporting event, movie theatre, or any desired noisy event than you will want to wear a different form of ear protection that is conducive to that particular environment, such as musician plugs. Musician plugs offers a flat attenuation of the sound while maintaining the integrity of the sound – basically, speech and music sounds clear without being muffled. These types of ear plugs are available in noncustom form found at major music stores and you don’t have to be a musician to wear them. They can also be custom made to fit your ear comfortably and aesthetically by your local audiologist.

It is interesting to note that in preparation for a December Monday Night Football game, head coach Sean Payton contacted Brett Favre to ask him how he combatted the loud noise levels inside the Seahawks stadium that was purposefully designed to acoustically enhance the sound levels (exceeding 120dB) making it difficult for the team to hear themselves inside the huddle and while they played.

Favre told him to order custom

But I love my music LOUD! In our society, the definition of “fun” is often equated with “volume.” Simply put, the louder it is, the better. So let’s consider a sporting event … fans in the stands are encouraged to “get LOUDER,” “break the sound barrier,” “scream and shout”… all good as along as everyone understands the consequences.

Everyone should be entitled to go out and have a great time, no one is suggesting otherwise, but everyone should also be

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noise reduction ear plugs – as a result, 20 pair were ordered for the team! While it is true that for most, it will take repetitive exposures of excessive noise levels over a period of time before permanent damage to the hearing system is done, there are many for whom it takes only one assault to change their world and turn it upside down.

Be wise and choose to properly protect your ears from dangerous noise levels. There are no second chances. Hearing the world and people around you in its natural splendor for many years to come is not only priceless, but a gift easily worth giving and protecting. Happy Holidays!

Health Medical and

Computer Eye Strain: 10 Steps For Relief

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Computer eye strain has become a major job-related complaint. Here are 10 easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of computer eye strain and other common symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS): 1. Get a comprehensive eye exam Having a routine comprehensive eye exam is the most important thing you can do to prevent or treat computer vision problems.

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), computer users should have an eye exam before they start working on a computer and once a year thereafter. Be sure to tell your eye doctor how often you use a computer at work and at home.

2. Use proper lighting Eye strain often is caused by excessively bright light either from outdoor sunlight coming in through a window or from harsh interior lighting. Your ambient lighting should be about half as bright as that typically found in most offices.

Eliminate exterior light by closing drapes, shades or blinds.

Reduce interior lighting by using fewer or lower intensity bulbs and tubes. Position your computer monitor so windows are to the side, instead of in front or behind it.

Many computer users find their eyes feel better if they can avoid working under overhead fluorescent lights.

3. Minimize glare Glare on walls and finished surfaces, as well as reflections on your computer screen also can cause computer eye strain.

Consider installing an anti-glare screen on your monitor and, if possible, paint bright white walls a darker color with a matte finish.

If you wear glasses, purchase lenses with anti-reflective (AR) coating. AR coating reduces

7. Exercise your eyes To reduce your risk of tiring your eyes by constantly focusing on your screen, look away from your computer at least every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object (at least 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds. Some eye doctors call this the “2020-20 rule.” Looking far away relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye to reduce fatigue.

glare by minimizing the amount of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of your eyeglass lenses.

4. Upgrade your display If you have not already done so, replace your old tube-style monitor with a flat-panel display.

Old-fashioned CRT screens can cause a noticeable “flicker” of images, which is a major cause of computer eye strain. Flicker is not an issue with LCD screens.

8. Take frequent breaks To reduce your risk for computer vision syndrome and neck, back and shoulder pain, take frequent breaks during your computer work day. Stand up, move about and stretch your arms, legs, back, neck and shoulders to reduce tension and muscle fatigue.

5. Adjust your computer display settings Generally, these adjustments are beneficial: • Brightness. Adjust display brightness so it’s approximately the same as your surrounding workstation.

If the white background of a Web page looks like a light source, it’s too bright. If it seems dull and gray, it may be too dark.

your eye care professional modify your eyeglasses prescription to create customized computer glasses.

This is especially true if you normally wear contact lenses, which may become dry and uncomfortable during sustained computer work.

Computer glasses also are a good choice if you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, because these lenses generally are not optimal for the distance to your computer screen.

Republished with permission from AllAboutVision.com. Source: Computer Eye Strain: 10 Tips for Relief. Copyright 2013, Access Media Group LLC.

9. Modify your workstation If you need to look back and forth between a printed page and your computer screen, this can cause eye strain. Place written pages on a copy stand adjacent to the monitor, and light the stand properly.

• Text size and contrast. Adjust the text size and contrast for comfort, especially when reading or composing long documents. Usually, black print on a white background is best for comfort.

Adjust your workstation and chair to the correct height.

Purchase ergonomic furniture to enable you to position your computer screen 20 to 24 inches from your eyes. The center of your screen should be about 10 to 15 degrees below your eyes.

• Color temperature. Blue light is short-wavelength visible light that is associated with more eye strain than longer wavelength hues, such as orange and red. Reducing the color temperature of your display lowers the amount of blue light for better long-term viewing comfort.

10. Consider computer eyewear You might benefit from having

6. Blink more often Blinking is very important when working at a computer; blinking moistens your eyes to prevent dryness and irritation.

When working at a computer, people blink less frequently, and many blinks performed during computer work are only partial lid closures.

678 624 7766 SURESIGHT ALPHARETTA 3975 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 2 Alpharetta, GA 30005 www.suresighteyecare.com

Try this exercise: Every 20 minutes, blink 10 times by closing your eyes as if falling asleep (very slowly). This will help rewet your eyes.

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Health Medical and

By Dr. Martha Boone Dr. Martha Boone is a Board Certified Urologist in Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. Boone is one of two female Urologists in the state of Georgia who were fellowshipped trained in female urology. She is in private practice of urology in Alpharetta, enjoying greatly caring for men and women with urologic issues. Dr. Boone trained in general surgery for two years at Tulane then trained in general urology for 4 years thereafter. She did her fellowship in female urology and urinary tract reconstruction at The University of California at Davis. When Dr. Boone became an urologist, there were fewer than 50 women in the world who were practicing urology. Now, she is happy to boast, there are over 250 women urologist in the world.

Q & A With Dr. Boone

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Today we will review two common questions that are asked in my office.

Question: Why are my kidney stones re-occurring?

Answer: The most common cause for recurrent stone formation is not drinking enough fluids. A person should drink approximately their body weight รท 2 in ounces. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs. your typical normal fluid intake would be approximately 75 ounces in 24 hours.

Another common cause for kidney stone formation is eating too much salt. Most people need no more than 2000mg of sodium every 24 hours.

If you have made more than 1 kidney stone, you could benefit from having urine entire endocrine system evaluated. Dr. Boone would do approximately 30 blood tests and approximately 25 urine tests to determine exactly what is going on in your body to cause stone formation.

There are common myths surrounding kidney stone formation. Many people think that if they avoid calcium containing foods they can prevent kidney stones. This is absolutely not the case in most patients. In fact, some types of kidney stones are treated by making sure that you have enough calcium in food in your diet.

In the southern part of the United States, the most common type of kidney stone is a calcium oxalate stone. Drinking lemon water can help prevent kidney stones by adding citrate to the diet. Citrate is a natural food product that helps prevent the kidney stone crystals from sticking to one another and subsequently helps decrease the growing stone size. I frequently prescribe a supplement Theralith

XR for kidney stone formers.

No matter what kind of kidney stones you are making, drinking more lemon water, eating less salt, and eating little animal protein can improve your chances of making fewer stones. If you desire to do everything possible to never have a stone again, my office could do blood and urine testing to more specifically adjust your diet and life style and possibly prescribe medication.

Question: What are the best treatments for frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence?

Answer: There are currently many available treatments for these problems. Most offices will prescribe medications. I also prescribe the medications but I also recommend the following possible treatments: 1. Central Neuromodulation.

2. Peripheral Neuromodulation with an acupuncture technique called Uroplasty.

3. Intravessicle Botox injection (this is a simple office procedure that takes 15 minutes and lasts about 10 months) 4. Physical therapy with a person trained in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is also helpful for these symptoms.

Anyone who wishes to help their frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence, should consider the Kegel exercise program at home.

If your primary care physician has tried several of the overactive bladder medications and you have not improved, this is an indication that you may have a neurologic component to your problem.

In that case, we could perform a Test Stimulation in the office to determine if there is a nerve component to your problem. (www.medtronic.com/oab/)

9

Health Medical and

By Maurice Nahabedian, MD, FACS Professor of Plastic Surgery Georgetown University Hospital Maurice Nahabedian, MD, FACS is currently a Professor of Plastic Surgery, Vice Chairman for Clinical Affairs, and Chief of the Division of Microvascular Reconstruction in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital. His primary clinical and research interests are focused on breast as well as abdominal wall reconstruction. He has published over 130 manuscripts, editorials, and discussions as well as 42 book chapters on a variety of topics that include breast reconstruction and

Improving Your Abdominal Appearance:

T

The desire to improve abdominal appearance is ubiquitous. For some people, it’s about improving contour and having that chiseled appearance to look better than normal. For others, it’s about reducing the quantity of skin and / or fat just to get to a point where they once again look normal. For some, achieving these goals may be easy, whereas for others, it may be very difficult. One of the consequences of getting older is that our metabolism slows down and we tend to accumulate fat in areas that we would like to keep thin, namely the hips and abdomen. With the increasing emphasis and importance of maintaining good health, nutrition and exercise, many people are able to achieve these goals without surgery.

However for some, losing that excess skin and fat may prove to be more of a challenge because there may be diet and exercise resistant fat. For those individuals, surgical options such as abdominoplasty or liposuction may be considered, but only when they are good candidates. I want to emphasize the term “good candidates” because there are many factors that must be appreciated when considering surgical approaches to abdominal contouring that include patient expectations, general health, body weight, and quantity of skin and fat.

Some patients will be good candidates for liposuction, some will be a good candidate for abdominoplasty, and some may not be a candidate for either. This monograph will review the current indications and surgical options for improving abdominal contour as well as to offer some assistance for individuals considering which option may be most appropriate for them.

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) According to statistics compiled

by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 106,000 abdominoplasties were performed in 2012 with the vast majority being women (reference: www.plasticsurgery. org). This represents a 70% increase since 2000. The main reason why women choose abdominoplasty is because they want to improve abdominal appearance by simultaneously removing skin and fat. Many will report one or more factors that have led them to this decision that include but are not limited to pregnancy, advancing age, weight fluctuations, heredity, and prior abdominal operations. In order to be considered a good candidate for a tummy tuck, one should be in good physical and mental health, maintain a stable weight, and avoid all tobacco products. It is always emphasized that proceeding with a tummy tuck should not be perceived as a substitute for dieting, exercise, and weight loss. In women, that are overweight, my advice is to attempt conservative measure such as dieting and exercise first in order to stabilize their weight. In women that are able to do this successfully, results have been more predictable and reproducible and women have been generally happier with the results. I also advise women that are considering future pregnancies to postpone having a tummy tuck until having children is complete.

During the initial consultation, your board certified plastic surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate based on the factors reviewed. Some women will be candidates for a mini-abdominoplasty that requires less skin and fat removal; whereas, other will require a full-abdominoplasty to optimally contour the skin.

Your plastic surgeon will review this during the consultation and determine which would

be most appropriate. Some women may have a localized area of fat excess and be a better candidate for the less invasive procedures such as liposuction rather than a tummy-tuck. Liposuction will be reviewed later in the monograph.

Your surgeon should also review the risks and benefits of having a tummy tuck, take photographs, and discuss cost. As with any operation, there are certain adverse events can occur with an abdominoplasty. These include but are not limited to bleeding, infection, scar, fluid collection, delayed healing and contour irregularities. Fortunately, these are uncommon and the vast majority of women are very pleased with the outcome. The cost of an abdominoplasty will vary based on where you live and surgeon experience. Keep in mind that this is a cosmetic operation and rarely covered as an insurance benefit. In general, you should plan on 30 to 45 minutes for the consultation.

The procedure itself is generally straightforward and usually takes about 2 hours.

General anesthesia is usually recommended but it can sometimes be performed under twilight anesthesia in conjunction with a local anesthetic. The incision usually extends from hip to hip and is located just above the pubic bone so it’s is nicely concealed within the bikini line. Sometimes a second incision around the belly button is necessary in situations where extensive abdominal contouring is needed (full-abdominoplasty).

In some women that have had

10

children, the muscles supporting the abdomen may slightly separate resulting in a condition known as rectus diastasis. This condition can be repaired during an abdominoplasty by suturing the supportive structures and muscles back together along the midline to eliminate that central midline bulging.

Once the excess skin and fat are removed, the incision is closed in layers using dissolvable sutures. A drainage tube is usually placed above the muscle layer to remove any fluid that may accumulate.

This is usually removed a few days after surgery. An abdominal binder may also be recommended for support and to reduce the amount of swelling. Abdominoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure but on rare occasions, overnight hospitalizations may be recommended for safety reasons.

Following the tummy tuck, your abdomen will be firmer and the excess skin and fat will be gone.

Initially, there may be some mild swelling but this diminishes after a few weeks. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics (when needed) as indicated.

Be prepared to walk in a slightly flexed position at the waistline until the incisions heal and the skin elasticity returns (usually a few days). I typically instruct patients that it’s ok to shower and get the incisions wet after 3 days. I also advise patients that it’s ok to drive when they are off their pain medication and they have full range of motion (usually 7 – 10 days). Most patients are able to resume normal activities after about 1 month.

Health Medical and

abdominal wall reconstruction. Dr. Nahabedian has been the principal editor of 3 textbooks and co-edited 2 textbooks focused on reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery and is in the process of completing a 6th textbook on abdominal wall reconstruction. He is the Section Editor for Breast Surgery with the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS), serves on the editorial board for 3 other journals, and has reviewed manuscripts for 23 different journals. Dr. Nahabedian currently serves on the clinical symposia committee and the instructional course committee for the American Society of Plastic Surgery, is the PRS representative to the Joint Business Operations Committee, and is a frequent oral board examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In 2012, Dr Nahabedian chaired three national symposia that included the 4th Annual Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Conference, the Santa Fe Breast and Body Contouring Symposia, and the Challenging Complications in Plastic Surgery Conference. Dr. Nahabedian has also been a visiting professor 55 times over the past 8 years at various universities and hospitals around the country.

Exercise, Liposuction Or Abdominoplasty Abdominal Liposuction Liposuction has been one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the USA. According to ASPS statistics, over 200,000 liposuctions procedures were performed in 2012 (reference: www.plasticsurgery.org) .

Abdominal liposuction is ideal for women with a localized area or areas of excess fat.

It is an excellent way to improve abdominal contour and proportion in a much less invasive manner. Although liposuction has been shown to be safe and effective for fat removal, it should not be perceived as a substitute for weight loss, good eating habits, and regular exercise or as a treatment for obesity.

Individuals considering liposuction should consult a board certified plastic surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate.

Ideal candidates for abdominal liposuction are in good physical and mental health and are within 30% of their ideal body weight. Good candidates for abdominal liposuction will typically have firm, elastic skin with good muscle tone. As is the case with all patients seeking cosmetic surgery, avoidance of tobacco products is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of complications. During your consultation, the plastic surgeon will typically assess your expectations and what you hope to achieve, obtain a comprehensive history, perform a physical examination, review the treatments options, discuss complications, and take photographs.

As technology has made a big splash in our everyday lives, so have the options for liposuction.

Traditional liposuction is still the most common and involves the insertion of a blunt tip cannula into the area of localized fat in order to suction out the

fat. This is achieved using a negative pressure apparatus to generate the suction force.

Newer technologies will use ultrasound or radiofrequency waves to dissolve or breakup the localized fat followed by the suction phase. Still newer technologies will utilize external devices that will cool or freeze the localized fat resulting in fat dissolution. Your plastic surgeon should review these options and determine which is preferable for you.

Whenever considering liposuction, you should be aware of the potential complications. Fortunately, liposuction is considered a relatively simple procedure and the vast majority of patient do very well and are very happy with the outcome; however, there are situations when things may not go as expected.

Adverse events are related to various factors that include but are not limited to the length of the procedure, the amount of fat removed, and whether or not additional procedures are performed. Some of these adverse events include irregular contour, waviness of the skin, fluid collections, infection, and the need for a “touch-up� or additional procedures. More serious adverse events include blood clots (deep venous thrombosis) with dislodgment of these clots to the heart and lungs (pulmonary embolus).

Most liposuction procedures are performed as an outpatient; however, in some situations, an overnight stay in a hospital like setting is recommended.

Some of the reasons for an overnight hospitalization include removal of more

than 5 liters of fat or it the operation requires more than 5 hours. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances may occur in these situations. Performing simultaneous operations such as breast surgery and abdominal contouring procedures may also increase the chances of a complication.

The steps of the traditional liposuction operation are relatively straightforward.

Liposuction is sometimes performed under general anesthesia (completely asleep) or twilight anesthesia (light sleep) with the addition of a local anesthetic agent.

Your plastic surgeon may recommend one or the other.

Small incisions will be made at specific locations on your abdomen followed by the instillation of a tumescent fluid into the fat compartment. This fluid is comprised of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine and is used to constrict the blood vessels in the area, to minimize intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, and to expand the fat compartment.

About 20 minutes later, a thin hollow tube or cannula is inserted and attached to a suction device to remove the fat. This is performed using back-and–forth movements either manually or with a power-assisted device. The suctioning is continued until the desired contour is achieved.

Maurice Nahabedian, MD, FACS Professor: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Georgetown University Washington DC

11

The small incisions may be closed or left open and bandages are applied.

Recovery following liposuction of the abdomen is usually easier than abdominoplasty.

Patients should refrain for strenuous activities or exercise for about 1 month. Compression garments are essential. I explain to all patients considering liposuction that removal of the fat completes about 60% of the task and that adequate postoperative compression completes the rest. For this reason, compression garments are recommended and should be worn continuously for several weeks. Failure to do so will result in prolonged swelling and a less desirable outcome. Showering is permitted 3 days following liposuction. Pain medication and antibiotics are prescribed as indicated. Most patients are able to resume normal activities after 4-6 weeks.

In summary, both abdominoplasty and liposuction are safe and effective methods to achieve improvement in abdominal appearance. That said, dieting and exercise are highly recommended both before and after these procedures. When considering these options, it is recommended to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which may be the most appropriate.

202-444-2000 DrNahabedian@aol.com www.MauriceNahabedian.com 3800 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007

Health Medical and

Tell me about Probiotics and GI Disorders

By Maria Georgsson, M.D.

Dr. Maria Georgsson is a gastroenterologist at Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates in Flemington, NJ. She completed her medical school and internal medicine residencies at Columbia University College Physicians andindicates Surgeons NYC, andGG did Lactibacillus her gastroenterology at SUNY Stony uncover & Active of Cultures seal which that in rhamnosus, immune system.

The information acidophilus, fellowship Brook, NY. Sheproduced has been practice 1996. She lives inand Hunterdon County with her husband when initially theyincontained at since by scientists and healthcareand providers to da Lactobacillus bulgaricus other bacterial three daughters. least 100 million cultures per gram of viable strains either alone or when used in combi- appear to support the use of probiotics fo

bacteria. In addition, not all probiotics are nation with other bacterial strains. variety of gastrointestinal disorders. Th alike and given the many thousands of bactesaid the truth remains that the long-te ria that are available it should not be surpris- Other medical studies have evaluated the role benefits of probiotics at the present time a ing that there is considerable debate and un- of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome and unknown. It remains the consensus opini certainty about which strains of bacteria are the results suggest that patients with diar- among healthcare providers that a healt most beneficial to patients.

A useful websiteof probiotics diet high pain, in fiberintestinal and low in fat as well rhea-predominant and gas /bloat over-the-counter capsule form. in a variety of symptoms abdominal that you may wish to visit should you want plenty of exercise is best medicine for t appear to benefi t the most.

It is important to intestinal disorders such as blockage and rectalthe bleeding.

As yogurt is a dairy product, more information is www.Aboutyogurt.com majority of the population. note that there is little consistent data on the antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

There is consistent data thatAt the prese people ingesting yogurt for the best dose of probiotics that should be used time the long term benefits of using probi probiotics, in conjunction with probiotic not berecog-This is the setting where A role forbenefit probioticsshould has long been and the most advantageous time to use them. ics are unknown as are the long term risk probiotics are most commonly the other medications used lactose may nized byintolerant, the alternativeasorthis “complementary” In addition, many of the studies were only In addition the benefits of using probiot at the present time.

It is to treat these diseases, have counteract the benefits the haveused medicine proponents, but onlyofrecently conducted for a short period of time and with are not long lasting and will likely disa that the protective helped reduce incidence probiotics.

In those probiotics been viewed people, by more members ofnoteworthy pearto within 2 to 4 the weeks after you stop usi limited patient enrollment so that definitive the medical community as having did not vary significantly of some of the debilitating capsule form of probiotics is beneficialeffects answers were not obtained. Further research them. It is important to remember that if y properties. More specifically, some membersbetween theofdifferent symptoms. preferable. have any serious medical problems or lon into the use probiotics strains is on-going. of the medical community now see the use ofof probiotics- Sacharomyces standing medical problems that you spe Is there role for probiotics probiotics in afact favorable light especially itsboulardi, Despite the that there withayour health care provider before taki Probablylactobacillus the best studied diseases that have suppression of the growth of diseaseproducin the healthy individual? are only two primary forms of shown patient t from the use of pro- probiotics. rhamnosus, GGbenefi Lactibacillus ing bacteria,the as well as of its available favorable impact biotics are the inflammatory bowel diseases Probiotics have been advertised probiotics array acidophilus, Lactobacillus on improving the barrier function of the gut, -- ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease as products containing probiotics -- promoting good health and bulgaricus and other bacterial altering immune system to reduce inflam- which can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, improving the immune system. can be the confusing.

For example, strains either alone or when mation, and even altering pain perception.

August/September 2013 intestinal blockage and The information uncovered most yogurts Page do 2not specify the used in combination withrectal otherbleeding.

Dr. Maria Georgsson is a gastroenterolog There is consistent data that probiotics, in by scientists and healthcare amount ofexists? probiotics that theystudiesbacterial strains.

What data Certain medical at Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates providers to date to her medic contain while only a few have shown the potential benefiyogurts ts of probiot- conjunction with the other medications used Flemington, NJ. appear She completed to treat these diseases, have helped to reduce medical studies have support the use of probiotics ics inhave a variety intestinalYogurt disorders suchOther may the of National the incidence of some of the debilitating school and internal medicine residencies as antibiotic-associated diarrhea. This is theevaluated the role of probiotics for aColumbia variety of gastrointestinal Association’s Live & Active University College of Physicia setting where probiotics are most commonly symptoms.

About Probiotics And GI Disorders

By Maria Georgsson, M.D.

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This purpose of this article is to provide some answers to questions raised by patients This purpose of this article is about probiotics and gastrointestinal disorders. to provide some answers to Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, grown eiquestions raised by patients ther in a laboratory or in cultured milk prodabout and intestinal health ucts that probiotics have shown certain gastrointestinal disorders. benefits such as reducing unpleasant sympProbiotics are beneficial toms (gas, bloating, diarrhea and abdominal bacteria, in the a immune cramping) asgrown well aseither boosting laboratory or in cultured milk system.

products that have shown In order for a patient health to understand the pocertain intestinal benefits tential benefits of probiotics it helps to have such as reducing unpleasant a basic understanding of the bacterial makesymptoms (gas, bloating, up of the colon. The colon is the last part diarrhea and abdominal of the intestine and in an average healthy cramping) as well boosting individual contains notas billions, but rather the immune system. trillions of bacteria. More specifically, sci-

entists have identified more than 1000 difIn order for of a bacteria patientthat to may be found ferent species understand theThe potential within the colon. bacterial makeup of benefits of colon probiotics helps balance each person’s – and theit careful to have a basic understanding of each type of bacteria that is present - is different: some bacteria within the of the bacterial makeup of colon are necessary for The healthcolon and help to break the colon. is the lastdown food and drugsintestine as well as and maintain a healthy part of the in an balance within the digestive system. Other average healthy individual bacteria are not not so “friendly” contribute contains billions, butand rather to the unpleasant symptoms described above trillions of bacteria. More – gas, bloating, etc. - while others may actuspecifically, scientists have ally increase the risk of disease. A variety of identified more than 1000 factors can alter the balance of these bacteria different species of bacteria within the colon. Antibiotics and certain inthat may be found fections can kill beneficialwithin bacteriathe and allow colon.

The bacterial makeup the overgrowth of disease-causing bacteria.

of each person’s colon Wherethe cancareful I get Probiotics? and balanceAs ofindicated probiotics may offer some hope each type of bacteria thatin promoting beneficial bacteria. Probiotics are availis present - is different: some able in two primary forms: dairy products, bacteria within the colon are most often yogurt, as well as in an over-thenecessary forform. health counter capsule As and yogurthelp is a dairy to break down food and product, people ingesting yogurt drugs for the proas well as tmaintain biotic benefi should notabehealthy lactose intolerbalance within the digestive ant, as this may counteract the benefits of the system. bacteria are not probiotics.Other In those people, capsule form of probiotics is preferable. so “friendly” and contribute to the unpleasant symptoms Despite the fact that there are only two pridescribed above - gas, bloating, mary forms of probiotics the array of availetc. - while others may actually able products containing probiotics can be increase risk of disease. confusing. the For example, most yogurts do A variety of factors alter that not specify the amount can of probiotics the balance of these bacteria they contain while only a few yogurts may within colon.

Antibiotics have thethe National Yogurt Association’s Live and certain infections can kill beneficial bacteria and allow the overgrowth of diseasecausing bacteria.

Where can I get Probiotics?

As indicated probiotics may offer some hope in promoting beneficial bacteria. Probiotics are available in two primary forms: dairy products, most often yogurt, as well as in an

Health&Medicine

Tell me about Probiotics and GI Disorders

and Surgeons in NYC, did her gastroe in irritable bowel syndrome and disorders.

That said theand truth Cultures seal which indicates usedwhen at the initially present time.

It is noteworthythe results suggest that patients terology fellowship at SUNY Stony Brook, N remains that the long-term that produced Is there a role for probiotics in the healthy She has been in practice since 1996. She liv that the protective effects did 100 not vary signif-with diarrhea-predominant and benefits of probiotics at the they contained at least individual?

Probiotics have been advertised in Hunterdon County with her husband and icantly between the different strains of probi-gas/bloat symptoms appear to present time are unknown. It million cultures per gram of otics- Sacharomyces boulardi, lactobacillus as promoting good health and improving the daughters. benefit the most. It is important remains the consensus opinion viable bacteria. In addition, not note that there is little among healthcare all probiotics are alike and given to immune system.providers The information uncovered acidophilus, & Active Cultures seal which indicates that rhamnosus, GG Lactibacillus by scientists healthcare Lactobacillus bulgaricus and other bacterial when initially produced they contained at best consistent data on the dose that a healthy dietandhigh inproviders to date the many thousands of bacteria least 100 million cultures per gram of viable strains either alone or when used in combi- appear to support the use of probiotics for a variety gastrointestinal other bacterial strains.and low bacteria.

In addition, notthat all probiotics are nation of probiotics should bewith used fiber in offat as welldisorders. as That that are available it should said the truth remains that the long-term alike and given the many thousands of bacteand the most advantageous plenty of exercise is the best By Maria Georgsson, M.D. not be surprising that there ria that are available it should not be surpris- Other medical studies have evaluated the role benefits of probiotics at the present time are ing that there is considerable debate and un- of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome and unknown. It remains the consensus opinion to use them. In addition, medicine for the majority of is considerable debate and This purpose of this article is to provide some time certainty about which strains of bacteria are the results suggest that patients with diar- among healthcare providers that a healthy answers to questions raised by patients about many in fithe ber andpresent low in fat as well as rhea-predominant and gas /bloat symptoms diet highAt most benefi cial to patients.

A useful website of the studies were only the population. uncertainty about which strains probiotics and gastrointestinal disorders. that you may wish to visit should you want appear to benefit the most. It is important to plenty of exercise is the best medicine for the Probiotics are benefi cial bacteria, grown eiconducted for a short period time the long term benefits the present more information is www.Aboutyogurt.com note that there is little consistent data on the majority of the population. Atof of bacteria are most beneficial ther in a laboratory or in cultured milk prodthe long term benefits of using probiotbest dose of probiotics that should be used time GASTROENTEROLOGY • HEPATOLOGY • INTERNAL MEDICINE time and with limited patient using probiotics are unknown A role for probiotics has long been recog- and that have shown certain intestinal health of to patients. Auctsuseful website that as are the long term risks. the most advantageous time to use them. ics are unknown nized by the alternative or “complementary” In addition, many of the studies were only In addition the benefits of using probiotics benefits such as DRIVE reducing unpleasant symp- 206, 1100wish WESCOTT •you SUITE SUITE 207 END AVENUE enrollment so that definitive as135 areWEST the long term risks. In you may to visit should toms (gas, bloating, diarrhea and abdominal medicine proponents, but only recently have conducted for a short period of time and with are not long lasting and will likely disapprobiotics been viewed by more members of FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY, 08822 cramping) as well as boosting the immune SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY answers were not obtained. addition thepear benefits of08876 using within 2 to 4 weeks after you stop using limited patient enrollment so that definitive want more information is www. the medical community as having beneficial answers were not obtained. Further research them. It is important to remember that if you system.

Further research into theintouse probiotics are long lasting properties. More specifically, some members AboutYogurt.com the useof of probiotics is on-going. have not any serious medical problems or longIn order for a patient to understand the po- of the medical community now see the use of standing medical problems that you speak is on-going. and will likely disappear within tential benefits of probiotics it helps to have probiotics probiotics in a favorable light especially its Probably the best studied diseases that have with your health care provider before taking a basic understanding oflong the bacterial make- suppression of the growth of disease- producA role for probiotics has shown patient benefit from the 4 useweeks of pro- probiotics.

2 to after you stop up of the colon. The colon is the last part ing bacteria, as well as its favorable impact biotics are the inflammatory bowel diseases thefunction bestofstudied of the intestine in an average healthy Probably been recognized by and the on improving the barrier the gut, -- ulcerative colitis andusing them.

Crohn’s Disease -- It is important to individual contains not billions, but rather altering the immune system to reduce inflamwhich can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, diseases that have shown alternative “complementary” remember that if you have any trillions of bacteria.

More specifically, sci- mation, Kenneth J. or DiGregorio, M.D. Samuel Y. Bae, Gilbert and even altering pain M.D. perception. intestinal blockage and rectal bleeding.S. Cardoso, D.O. entists have identified more than 1000 dif- patient benefit from the use of Dr. Maria Georgsson is a gastroenterologist Diplomate American Board of but Internal Medicine Diplomate Osteopathic There is consistent data that probiotics, in American medicine proponents, only American Board of Gastroenterology serious medical problems or data exists? Certain medical studies ferent species of bacteria that may be found What Diplomate at Hunterdon Gastroenterology Associates in conjunction with the other medications used Board Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology Diplomate of Internal Medicine have shown the potential benefi ts of probiotprobiotics are the inflammatory within the colon.

The bacterial makeup of Flemington, NJ. She problems completed her medical recently have probiotics been longstanding medical to treat these diseases, have helped to reduce each person’s colon – and the careful balance ics in a variety of intestinal disorders such school and Board internal of medicine residencies at Gastroenterology of theDiplomate debilitating American diseases - ulcerative as antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

This is the the incidence of somethat viewed by more members the- is bowel of each type of bacteria thatof is present Columbia University College of Physicians Andrea Goldstein, M.D. you speak with your health symptoms. setting where probiotics are most commonly different:M.D. some bacteria within the colon are colitis and Surgeons in NYC, and did her gastroenJason Matthews, and American Crohn’s Disease - Medicine careCherag Diplomate Board of Internal Daruwala, M.D. medical community asandhaving provider before taking terology fellowship at SUNY Stony Brook, NY. necessary for health help to break down used at the present time. It is noteworthy Is there a role for probiotics inDiplomate the healthy American Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine that theDiplomate American Board of Gastroenterology of Internal She has beenBoard in practice since 1996. Medicine She lives protective effects did not vary signiffood and drugs as well as maintain a healthy which can cause diarrhea, beneficial properties. individual? Probiotics probiotics. have been advertised in Hunterdon County with her husband and 3 Diplomate American BoardtheofMore Gastroenterology balance within digestive system. Other icantly between the different strains of probiDiplomate American Board of Gastroenterology as promoting good health and improving the daughters. bacteria are members not so “friendly” and specifically, some ofcontribute otics- Sacharomyces boulardi, lactobacillus to the unpleasant symptoms described above Reinhard G. Schwartz, M.D. theMaria medical now –community gas, bloating, etc. - while others may actuGeorgsson, M.D. Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine ally increase the risk of disease. A variety of seeDiplomate the use of probiotics inofa American Board ofbalance Gastroenterology factors can alter the these bacteria Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology withinespecially the colon. Antibiotics favorable light itsand certain infections can kill beneficial bacteria and allow suppression of the growth of bacteria. the overgrowth of disease-causing disease-producing Where can I bacteria, get Probiotics? Asas indicated GASTROENTEROLOGY • HEPATOLOGY • INTERNAL MEDICINE probiotics may offer some hope in promot1100 WESCOTT DRIVE • SUITE 206, SUITE 207 135 WEST END AVENUE well as its favorable impact on ing beneficial bacteria. Probiotics are availFLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY, 08822 SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY 08876 ablebarrier in two primary forms: dairy products, improving the function most often yogurt, as well as in an over-the908-483-4000 908-483-4000 of the gut, altering the counter capsule form.immune As yogurt is a dairy product, people ingesting yogurt for the proWWW.HUNTERDONGASTRO.COM system to reduce inflammation, biotic benefi t should not be lactose intolerKenneth J. DiGregorio, M.D. Samuel Y. Bae, M.D. Gilbert S. Cardoso, D.O. ant, as this may counteract the benefi ts of the and even altering pain Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine Diplomate American Osteopathic Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology probiotics. In those people, capsule form of Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology Diplomate Board of Internal Medicine probiotics is preferable. perception.

Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology

908-483-4000

908-483-4000

WWW.HUNTERDONGASTRO.COM

Despite the fact that there are only two primary forms of probiotics the array of available products containing probiotics can be confusing. For example, most yogurts do not specify the amount of probiotics that they contain while only a few yogurts may have the National Yogurt Association’s Live

What data exists?

Certain medical studies have shown the potential benefits

12

Jason Matthews, M.D.

Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology

Maria Georgsson, M.D.

Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology

Andrea Goldstein, M.D.

Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology

Cherag Daruwala, M.D.

Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology

Reinhard G. Schwartz, M.D.

Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine Diplomate American Board of Gastroenterology

Health Medical and

By Dr. Daemon Jones Dr. Dae is a licensed naturopathic physician, author and international speaker specializing in the treatment of diabetes, balancing hormones, metabolism and weight loss. Dr. Dae uses a combination of safe and effective conventional and natural therapies to help you achieve your health goals. She earned her naturopathic medical degree from the University of Bridgeport’s college of Naturopathic Medicine in 2002. Dr. Dae conducts virtual appointments to support you in your hometown. Dr. Dae’s book Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased at Amazon.com or at her website, www.

HealthyDaes.org

Say Goodbye To Hot Flashes

H

Have you ever had this experience?

You are at work and then, out of nowhere, you experience a sudden burst of heat in your chest or face that radiates to your whole body. Your face gets flushed and red. Sweat beads form on your temples and trickle down your face or you sweat under your arms. Perhaps your heart starts beating faster.

Some people call it a personal summer, but you are having a hot flash or a hot flush.

Or maybe this?

Perhaps you are sleeping and you wake up because you are feeling too hot or cold only to notice that your pajamas are soaked and your sheets are wet from your sweat. In severe cases you have to change your sheets before you can go back to bed. The night sweat episode you just had has now upset you, as well as interrupted your sleep, causing you to feel more tired the next day.

What do hot flashes and night sweats have in common?

They are two very common symptoms of menopause or perimenopause that occur due to hormonal imbalances during the menopausal transition. In fact, there are many symptoms that women experience that they might not realize are part of the menopause transition: • Fatigue or loss of energy • Irregular periods • Sleeplessness or insomnia • Unexplained weight gain • Forgetfulness or “fuzzy thinking” • Mood changes or irritability • Hair thinning or hair loss • Loss of sexual appetite or low libido • Vaginal dryness • Food cravings

• Digestive problems • Anxiety or a feeling of being overwhelmed During the perimenopause and menopausal process, women may experience more than half of the symptoms listed above.

If you are saying “yes” to more than five of these symptoms, you are likely having a hormonal imbalance and could be going into menopause.

Is there hope to relieve your symptoms?

Absolutely! Many of my patients experience relief using my proven protocols. The key to success is using the right combination of dietary and lifestyles changes along with a prescription plan to balance hormones.

Dietary and lifestyle changes Eating a high fiber, nutrient dense whole food diet can reduce menopausal symptoms and improve overall health. Managing stress, sleep and exercise also has an amazing effect on alleviating menopausal symptoms as well. Using these behavioral strategies, along with understanding any underlying hormonal imbalance, can transform your life and your health by getting rid of your menopausal symptoms forever.

imbalances, I work with bioidentical hormones as part of the treatment to reduce women’s symptoms and improving overall health. Bioidentical hormones safely and effectively regulate and normalize female hormones thus eliminating symptoms.

What are bio-identical hormones and how do they work?

Bio-identical hormones have the exact same chemical structure as the human body. The body cannot tell the difference between bioidentical hormones and the ones your ovaries produce. The estrogen hormones are made from plant substances, usually soy and yams, and converted into the exact form of estrogens our body produces. Bio-identical micronized progesterone is used in combination with estrogens to prevent the increased risk of endometrial cancer in women that still have their uterus. If a woman has had a hysterectomy, then a more personalize bio-identical treatment will have to be tailored for her.

Bio-identical estrogens can be prescribed in pill, a patch, cream, gel, lotion or

Balancing your hormones is the key When we think of menopause and hormones, the most obvious thought is to look at your female sex hormones.

Those are an important part of the puzzle, but we also have to look at testosterone, insulin, cortisol, DHEA and thyroid levels because they have major impacts on female hormone levels. Looking at the total hormonal picture has brought the most patient success and patient satisfaction with reduction of symptoms!

Once I have evaluated and corrected all other hormonal

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vaginal preparation form.

Progesterones are in capsules or gel form only. Bio-identical hormones have been shown to reduce menopausal symptoms without side effects.

Is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) safe?

The 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) found that taking synthetic hormones increased the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.

In contrast, research studies have shown that bio-identical hormone replacement (BHRT) is not only safer than HRT, it is more effective at reducing these symptoms for women as well. Additionally, bioidentical hormones have been shown to be cardioprotective, increase bone density, and prevent some forms of cancer in women.

If you are ready to say good bye to menopausal symptoms, call for a free consultation. I successfully help patients all over the country get their energy and health back through balancing their hormones.

I want to help you, too. To learn about more options for your health, visit my website www.healthydaes.org.

Health Medical and

By Mary Baker, MSN, RN, FNP-C, CBEC, CBCN The clinic is managed by Mary Baker, MSN, RN, FNP-C, CBEC, CBCN, who is also a breast cancer survivor. Mary earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia and she is boardcertified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is certified in clinical breast exam by the National Consortium of Breast Centers and in breast care by the Oncology Nursing Society.

Living Healthfully After Cancer

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Due to scientific advances, there are more cancer survivors than ever before in history.

However, the period after acute treatment ends can be daunting as patients struggle to understand what to do next and who will now “watch over” them. Healthcare providers who take advantage of this “teachable moment” can provide cancer survivors with invaluable information and guidance for the next phase of their lives.

disease, than their peers without cancer. The PCP can potentially limit disability and improve quality of life through early detection and treatment of these common health issues.

Because roughly fifty percent of those with cancer will die of other causes, it is crucial for survivors to stay well-connected to their primary care provider.

Understandably, often the individual’s “go-to” provider for all health concerns is the medical oncologist, because of the close relationship and level of trust that develop during cancer treatment.

However, studies have shown that screening rates for other cancers are higher when primary care providers are involved in the care of cancer survivors. Also, primary care providers have expertise in providing screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for an array of chronic conditions. This is important to cancer survivors because it has been discovered that they have a higher rate of comorbid conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular

But what is the role of the cancer survivor?

What is the current state of evidence on health behaviors which the survivor can adopt that appear to impact recurrence and mortality?

Many studies have examined the health benefits of nutrition and physical activity after cancer. A 2007 article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported results from a prospective study of 1,490 women with early-stage breast cancer with these findings: consuming five or more daily servings of vegetables/fruits and performing physical activity equivalent to walking 30 minutes 6 days a week reduced mortality by 50% regardless of weight, although fewer obese women were found to be physically active with a healthy dietary pattern.

It should encourage survivors to know that one does not have to train for a triathlon or iron man competition to significantly impact mortality risk after a breast cancer diagnosis!

What about alcohol consumption?

According to the American

Cancer Society, “there is a lot of evidence that drinking alcohol increases the risk of several cancers.” In 2007, a work group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed the scientific evidence on alcohol and cancer risk for 27 different cancer types. They discovered that alcohol is a contributing factor in the development of cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum and female breast. Additionally, it is also now recognized that drinking even low amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer. “Compared to nondrinkers, there is a 10% to 12% higher risk of female breast cancer associated with each drink per day.” For this reason, women with history of breast cancer are currently being advised to limit alcohol to 1-2 servings/week or less.

What role does psychological stress play in cancer survivorship?

According to the National Cancer Institute, there is no strong evidence that it directly affects outcomes, but there is data to suggest that patients who are overwhelmed by stress tend to develop a sense of helplessness or hopelessness.

This can cause them to give up prematurely or engage

in risky behaviors and can prevent them from maintaining a healthy lifestyle or seeking treatment when ill—all of which can be associated with higher rates of death. So how can individuals more effectively manage stress? For some, support groups offer a safe environment in which to explore their feelings and reactions among peers with similar history.

For others, individual counseling might offer greater help. For yet others, the practices of yoga, meditation, prayer, or mindfulness might bring a sense of peace and calm.

What are some other ways to enhance life after cancer?

For many survivors, volunteering with a cancer organization or befriending a newly-diagnosed cancer survivor is a beneficial experience; a way to “give back” or “pay forward” and bring meaning out of a traumatic experience. Others find this to be a transformative time of exploring new careers, new hobbies, or digging into that “bucket” to take a yearned-for vacation or write that book! Either way, in the final analysis, it is important for each of us to realize that life is precious and should not be “measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.“

Many of the programs that support cancer patients in their recovery and survivorship are not reimbursed through insurance, but we are able to offer them at Bon Secours thanks to donor support.”

Ann Carpin | Senior Development Officer Bon Secours Richmond Health System | Foundation 7229 Forest Avenue, Suite 200 | Richmond, VA 23226 W: 804-281-8583 | ann_carpin@bshsi.org

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Health Medical and

By Ka Wong, MS, RD, CNSC Ka Wong is a Registered Dietitian for the inpatient oncology and surgical units at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, VA. She has a Master of Clinical Nutrition from Chicago Medical School and also holds a specialized certification in Nutrition Support. She is an Assistant Professor at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Ka has been helping people achieve their nutrition goals for over 20 years.

Beating Cancer- One Bite At A Time

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According to the American Cancer Society, poor diet and obesity are related to onethird of all Americans that die from cancer. This statistic and volumes of research highlight the importance of healthy eating in reducing cancer risk.

Even with the good intention of eating better, consumers are often bombarded with the latest headlines of a special diet that can cure or prevent cancer. This article will discuss the pros and cons of some popular diet regimes and suggest a healthy approach to eating.

Alkaline diet Among the many purported health benefits, the alkaline diet is said to increase the pH level in the body (making it more alkaline) to make it unfavorable for tumor growth.

The alkaline diet promotes the consumption of vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts and seeds while it restricts the intake of dairy, eggs, animal protein, sugar and refined starch. Nutritionally, this is not a harmful diet since it is low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sugar. However, this diet may render low iron levels as iron absorption is impaired by the phytates in vegetables and legumes. In addition, the levels of vitamin D and vitamin B-12 may be insufficient if not planned carefully. More importantly, there is a major flaw in the basis of this diet for cancer treatment. The human body constantly maintains a tight-range of blood pH level between 7.35- 7.45. An Alkaline diet may change a person’s urinary pH, but it cannot alter blood pH level. Looking at the evidence, there is no scientific research supporting its place in cancer fighting. For general health, the alkaline diet may help to reduce the intake of “bad� calories and up the fiber which is a much needed dietary change for many Americans.

It does not, however, help to prevent or cure cancer.

Juicing This practice claims to prevent or cure cancer by boosting the immune system and removing toxins from the body. Juicing involves extracting juice from fresh fruits and vegetables while removing the pulp or dietary fiber in the process. Fruits and vegetables contain cancerfighting phytochemicals and antioxidants. Therefore, juicing is a great way to include more fruit and vegetables especially for those who dislike eating them. Some juicing practices suggest drinking only juices during cancer treatment. They suggest solid foods should also be avoided when juicing since they require digestion and therefore place a burden on the body. This practice would definitely make juicing an unbalanced diet that is deficient in protein, iron and vitamin B-12. Juicing may also be high in sugar content and may cause diarrhea in some individuals. While there is lack of research supporting the practice of juicing for cancer, it is no doubt a creative way to add in a wider variety of fruits and vegetables into a meal plan. Varying the types of fruits and vegetables used in the recipe would help to maximize the exposure to the thousands of phytochemicals known to scientists.

Eat at least five different servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Choose whole fruits instead of juice; fresh or frozen vegetables before canned.

Varying the color of fruits and vegetables (think purple, white, orange, green, yellow, and red) is as important as meeting the quota for the day. Each color represent a different phytochemical that combats cancer and other inflammatory diseases.

Choose more plant-based meals. Red meat and processed meat have been shown to increase risk of colon cancer.

Limit red meat to no more than 18 ounces per week and avoid carcinogenic processed meat such as hot dogs, lunch meat, sausage, and bacon.

Try eating beans, legumes or soy instead of meat. Do not worry about the connection of soy and breast cancer.

Relax and eat well The following suggestions may not be earth-shattering and some may have been around for decades. But they are evidencebased with research linking to reducing cancer risk.

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Ample studies have shown no relation between breast cancer occurrence and soy intake.

Soy may even reduce breast cancer recurrence.

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Eat meals at a regular interval to avoid impulsive snacking. Pack healthy snacks such as almonds, walnuts, low-fat yogurt, fresh fruits to fill in between meals. Prepare smaller portions for meals at home or opt to doggy-bag half of the meals when dining out.

To combat fatigue and avoid emotional eating, try taking a walk or standing up to stretch.

Scheduling a time to get moving may help to establish a routine and make it a priority.

Following a restrictive diet can create emotional stress, not to mention the financial burden it may incur. Healthy eating should not be complicated, but it does require long-term commitment.

Health Medical and

By Brenda Pavlic, CPhT Brenda Pavlic is a nationally certified pharmacy technician and co-owner of SaveWay Compounding Pharmacy in Newark, DE. With more than twenty-five years of pharmacy experience she has furthered her career with extensive training and education in Pharmacy Compounding, Women’s Health, Cosmeceutics, Pain Management, Aseptic and Veterinary Compounding. She has published articles and presented seminars both locally and nationally to healthcare practitioners. Her experience and education provide her with skills needed to develop formulations that ease medication administration, improve compliance and ultimately result in positive outcomes for patients

Clean Eating And Gut Repair

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Gastrointestinal problems are among the most common reasons people seek medical care. Symptoms range from mild: bloating, cramping, gas, indigestion, constipation, and abdominal distention to severe: bleeding, blockage, severe inflammation, or infection. Left untreated, a sick gut can morph into chronic disease affecting the immune system and overall health and well-being. While many of the symptoms of a dysfunctional gut are localized, there are other disease states that are directly related to or affected by gut function. These include heart disease, cancer, auto-immune diseases, mood, depression, allergies, and skin disorders.

Our food and the way we eat has changed more in the last 50 years than it has in the last five thousand. High-fructose corn syrup, corn-fed factory-farmed meat, preservatives, geneticallymodified wheat, vegetables, and grains, processed/ packaged foods, and hormoneinjected dairy are all examples of foods that are being consumed in great quantities like never before.

Discovering your toxic triggers is key to healing your gut. Not everyone will have the same toxic triggers but there are patterns. Dairy and gluten are two of the most common. Some others are corn, soy, grains, wheat, alcohol, caffeine, and processed sugar. The best way to uncover the foods that are problematic for you is by testing them.

One approach to finding your offenders is to adhere to a “clean” diet for 3 weeks. A clean diet consists of eliminating the questionable foods and ingesting only vegetables, good protein, good fats, and complex carbohydrates in the proper ratio and at the right time of day. A good approach is to remove anything “white”; i.e. white sugar, white flour, white

pasta, white bread. Check labels and ingredients on everything before you consume it. If you cannot pronounce it or have no idea what it is, do not eat it.

After three weeks, re-introduce the questionable substances one at a time for two to three days and monitor your reaction to each. It is important not to incorporate more than one potential toxic trigger at a time because if you have a negative reaction, you will not be able to discern which food is responsible.

Note: It is helpful to keep a journal to record your diet and any undesirable response that develops.

Once you’ve determined your toxic triggers, you can decide whether to eliminate them or greatly reduce your intake. This process will be done on an individual basis taking several factors into consideration. First and foremost would be how you feel eating “clean” and how negatively you are affected when the foods are re-introduced.

Other determining factors are discipline, convenience, timemanagement, stress, support, expense, etc.

restore gut flora, and address nutritional deficiencies will most likely be recommended.

After working through a cleaneating program and initializing gut repair, most people report that they feel great, have increased energy, improved digestion, heightened mental clarity, weight loss and loss of inches around the waist, and improved sleeping. Today there are so many challenges when it comes to our health.

Not only are we bombarded with unhealthy food choices, we also have an onslaught of information via the internet, written articles and books, as well as the well-meaning intentions of others through their opinions. It is important to remember that each person is unique. Their individual needs will guide the tailoring of a program best-suited to them.

If you need further guidance seek advice from someone knowledgeable about gut health and repair.

Testimonials Thank you for your attention and service. We appreciate your compassion and thoughtfulness.

- LJ We greatly appreciate you taking time out of your busy day

“Old habits die hard.” Making dramatic changes in your diet can be very challenging.

Today’s fast-paced, instantgratification, mass production world does not make eating good, clean, nutritious food easy or easily affordable.

Unfortunately, just the opposite is true. However, successfully altering this aspect of your lifestyle might produce benefits that far outweigh the obstacles.

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, it might be worth your while to talk to a nutritionist or healthcare professional knowledgeable about gut function and a healthy diet. Additionally, supplements to aid in digestion,

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to educate us and share your expertise. - PP It is very hard to find people with compassion as great as yours.

Words cannot express how grateful I am to you for helping me and my daughter in our time of desperation. I had all but given up on finding medicine for my daughter when I called SaveWay. I will never forget you and wish there were more people out there like you. - JR Calvin & Brenda - Just a quick thank you for all of your help with the nursing home and especially working with the nursing supervisor. We really appreciate it. - DPP For more information, call Saveway Compounding Pharmacy at 302-369-5520 or 1-877-225-8469, or visit them at 31 Albe Drive, #1, Newark, DE 19702.

SaveWay

Compounding Pharmacy 31 Albe Drive; Unit 1 Newark, DE 19702 (302) 369-5520 savewaybrenda@aol.com www.savewaypharmacy.com Hours: M-F 9am—6pm Sat 10am—2pm Closed Sunday

Business Financial and

By Ed Hecht, Esq. Ed Hecht is a family law attorney and a single father to two young children. He’s been through his own divorce and he will help you get through yours, as well as handle all post-divorce issues including modifications and contempt proceedings. Ed came to the legal field after a career in other areas, and he understands life as a non-lawyer, including the challenges and frustrations faced by those unfamiliar with the legal system. Ed is available to his clients at all hours via his personal cell phone number, so that they may call or text him whenever he is needed. He is passionate in his commitment to his clients, and patient in helping them understand the big picture as well as the intricacies. You’re just one phone call away from a solution.

Redefining How You View

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As a Family Law Attorney, I deal with divorce and modifications of support and custody. I represent both men and women. Oftentimes I’m in the position of helping clients through the emotional process of transitioning from married to unmarried and adjusting to their new singlehood, with a few new twists. Adding to the complexity of the transition is the possibility that they may now be single with kids, or single again for the first time in many years -- perhaps even decades -- and the entire singlehood landscape has changed.

With these factors in mind, there are a few truisms I like to share with my clients to help them make the adjustment to their new lives as singles.

“Nothing in life has any meaning, except for the meaning you give to it”

This is my all-time favorite thought to share with people, whether they are clients, friends, even strangers. Regardless of what happens in your life, it’s up to you to decide how you view it, how you feel about it, and what you do about it.

Studies on longevity have revealed that one of the secrets of those who live to be more than 100 years old is that they handle losses much better than those who don’t live that long.

The ability to maintain one’s healthy sense of self, and selfworth, after a devastating loss (such as the death of a child, spouse, or in the context of this article, a divorce) is a key factor in moving on and finding brighter days and reasons to smile again.

I explain to my clients that regardless of the reason for the divorce, something wasn’t working within the marriage.

Even if they feel they were doing everything right (including staying faithful to a cheating spouse), the other person’s value of the marriage, and of them, wasn’t what it should have been.

I’ll often ask them if they were happy in their marriage, and for many, the answer is no,

but they were keeping their commitment—a commitment sometimes made decades earlier.

By the time I meet them, they are either looking to file the divorce papers, or are responding to the filing by their spouse. They are often emotionally traumatized, and I try to help them to reframe how they view their impending divorce: not as the scary unknown or betrayal they initially feel, but as an opportunity to find happiness either on their own, or with someone who will value them infinitely more than the spouse they are becoming divorced from. After learning how dysfunctional and unhappy some clients’ marriages were, and upon learning that they never would have filed for divorce, I’ve even commented to some clients that their spouse may have done something for them that they never would have done for themselves: given them their freedom from an unhappy, unfulfilling marriage!

How’s that for seeing things in a different light?

“Life is too long to be unhappy”

We’re all familiar with the phrase “life is too short to be unhappy,” and it’s true. Did you ever stop to consider that life is also too long to be unhappy? I encourage clients to see things differently and realize that they probably have decades left to live, perhaps another 30-50 years depending on family history and individual health. If they are in an unhappy marriage, that’s a very long time to live in that situation! Scientists and health professionals have already confirmed the link between your mood and the release of hormones like cortisol that can lead to heart attacks and other life-shortening ailments.

So if you’re facing a divorce, whether it’s your choice or not, view it as a release from something that made you unhappy and opportunity for a happy new beginning (after a reasonable grieving period, or course), rather than mourning the loss of something that wasn’t

Your Divorce & Life’s Other Tough Situations!

working for one or both of you.

If counseling and attempts to save the marriage don’t work, a divorce is a chance at a new beginning if you view it as such.

Keep yourself focused on the brighter days ahead. Remember that you may not have had the opportunity to enjoy those days if you or your spouse hadn’t made the decision to end a marriage that wasn’t working. You deserve happiness, and your children need to see both of you happy, even if you aren’t together.

I have to remind clients sometimes to not waste today or tomorrow grieving over yesterday. Respect your spouse’s “right to be wrong” (either in their actions or in their decision to divorce you), ask yourself if you really want to be with someone like that (the answer should be a resounding “NO!”), and focus on the great future you can make for yourself—either by yourself or with someone who really values and appreciates you and your presence in their life.

“It is what it is, let’s deal with the here and the now”

I hope I’ve given you a few thoughts you can carry with you, and share with others, for getting through life’s tough situations, especially divorce. I discuss these and many other divorce and child custody topics in much greater detail on my website at www.hechtfamilylaw.com as well as on my Facebook page at Hecht Family Law. You are invited to visit them today!

We live in a world of “would’ve, should’ve, could’ve.” It’s so easy to fall into the trap of looking at yourself or your spouse and wishing things had been different, or blaming them (or yourself) for the issues. But you’re here now facing divorce, and while the past matters a bit, within the context of moving on it doesn’t matter as much as people sometimes want to make it matter. One of the keys to getting through the divorce process without falling apart is to accept that you’re here at this point in your marriage and deal with what’s in front of you, not what’s behind you. Also, they must have faith that the sun will shine again.

Ed Hecht, Esq. Managing Partner 678-887-6200 390 North Main Street Alpharetta, Ga 30009

Disclaimer: This article and the information “Redefining How You View Your Divorce (And Life’s Other Tough Situations” discussed herein are neither advice nor opinion on specific legal questions, but are furnished only as general information on areas of interest.

The applicability of the legal principles discussed in this article may differ widely in specific situations. Therefore, the information contained in this article cannot be construed as individual legal advice and no attorneyclient relationship shall be construed or created by this article.

• • • •

Divorce Child Custody Child Support Modifications

ed@hechtfamilylaw.com www.hechtfamilylaw.com

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Business Financial and

By R. Caren Bitar R. Caren Bitar earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in English before going on to teach undergraduate creative writing. She then worked in offices for years as a writer and editor. Ms. Bitar decided to take her talents to the Web. WhizMarks.com was founded in the Summer of 2010. Numerous individuals and businesses around the world now benefit from her expertise. She currently serves as Copy Editor for Fairfax Woman Magazine and its sister publications in Northern Virginia and Southern Maryland.

First Impressions, Last Impressions…

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Do you remember the old adage, “first impressions, last impressions?” Psychologists have studied the fact that upon meeting a person for the first time, the brain forms a mental image. The primary formation of that image has power over thoughts. The question is: can we take our first not-so-good impressions back? Here are a few reasons making a first impression on paper can make or break a connection.

Cover Letters and Resumes The ever so familiar task of writing a resume—with visually appealing formatting—can create an immediate response from an employer. Improving your resume can create a good first impression that might get your foot in the door for a well-earned interview. Nicely prepared resumes and cover letters can make you seem competent, prepared for the challenges of a job, well spoken, and computer savvy. You may consider sending job application materials to a professional editor. You’ll feel more confident getting that basic cover letter polished by an editor before putting it out there.

Online Dating Profiles More than ever before, singles are using the internet to meet new potential dating partners. The problem is that first impressions do not only involve photographs

but personal write-ups. It’s surprising to see how many men and women either express themselves in words poorly or very well. The difference can put off English grammar nerds nationwide. A poorly written profile may leave you unknowingly passed off as incompetent, irresponsible, careless and socially inept.

proposal or more, contact R. Caren Bitar for editing at editor@whizmarks. com or (917) 740-0577. She earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in English before going on to teach undergraduate creative writing.

After working in offices for years as a writer and editor, Ms. Bitar decided to take her editing skills to the Web. Numerous individuals and businesses around the world now benefit from her expertise. Check out www.whizmarks. com for more information.

Admissions Essays Top colleges and universities expect the highest standards of competency from their students and prospective ones. When it comes to application admission essays, issues with content and organization can devastate your chances of getting into the best schools. An editor can make positive changes here. Don’t hesitate to obtain a second opinion before those applications get mailed off.

Business Proposals When it comes to writing a proposal, it’s so important to clearly and accurately explain intentions, needs and requirements. Your chances of obtaining financing for a project can oftentimes rely on how well your point comes across. Get a crucial second look before you turn it into your supervisors.

AFTER: For some reason, th e rights of women decreased after Sh akespeare’s time as if they had somehow lost credibility as time pa ssed (Nor ton 10). In A Midsummer Night ’s Dream, the four m ain women in the play have a strong sens e of personal desir e and feel no qualms abou t voicing them, soci ally inappropriate or no t. Their lack of pow er pertaining to legal matters prevented them from attaining any major type of cont rol over their lives. The men in this play are mor e in control of their envi ronment, but are sw ayed by the female pres ence. The females in A Midsummer Night ’s Dream strongly shape their male counterp ar ts’ actions. Shak espeare quite possibly knew that Queen Elizab et h I would be watchin g the play (William s 5), which may have influenced the way he portrayed women.

Women’s streng th of will carried weight on the men’s decisions .

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e’s time ed after Shakespear BEFORE: er w lo en om w of e rights te department as For some reason, th ility in the real esta ib ed cr st lo ow eh , the four as if women som mmer Night’s Dream su id M A In ).

10 n desires and time passed (Nor to es of their personal ns se ng ro st ve ha riate or e play , socially inapprop main women in th em th g in ic vo to e y major n it cam from attaining an em felt no qualms whe th d te en ev pr legal power in this play not. Their lack of ts. While, the men en nm ro vi en r ei th the female t are influenced by ty pe of control over en nm ro vi en r ei th strongly rol of mer Night’s Dream while more in cont m su id M A in es use ale desir g the lines of: Beca on al presence. The fem e or m ly sib os action. (P atching this play influence the male abeth I would be w iz El en ue Q at th en’s streng th Shakespeare knew portrayed the wom he ay w e th d ce en influ way their (Williams, 5), this the Queen and the to ns sio lu al e iv repetit of w ill through his tions.) ght on the men’s ac ei streng th carried w

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Business Financial and

By Deborah Lanham My career path has included a variety of marketing and sales-related positions which span from the corporate world to the nonprofit environment. Now firmly rooted in the Director of Membership Services position at the GNFCC, the door for increased creativity, opportunity and responsibility is wide open. I am passionate about helping businesses enhance current marketing strategies to gain greater visibility and experience measurable growth. I manage an enthusiastic sales team, host a bi-weekly networking event, and continue to discover ways to improve programs and resources for our members. This year we are holding our first annual Women In Business Luncheon. Included will be a CEO Roundtable preevent offering high-level executive women a unique meeting with their peers. This has been received enthusiastically demonstrating the continued desire for women to connect with one another.

Membership With A Purpose

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The GNFCC recognizes the critical position it holds as North Fulton’s catalyst organization.

Setting goals and developing an effective strategy that supports and strengthens our members is paramount to their success.

We are committed to providing the very best in leadership, advocacy, programs and resources, all designed with a purpose; to stimulate growth and sustainability for our members and the communities we serve.

Leadership: The GNFCC is on the front line for your business.

Too much is at stake to simply respond to change--the GNFCC must lead change. We believe in a collaborative leadership approach where intelligent discussions are fostered, innovative ideas exchanged and bold steps taken to bring real transformation to North Fulton.

The education and development of emerging leaders is a priority for the GNFCC as the best minds and talent promise a competitive edge and vibrant future for our region.

Advocacy: The GNFCC keeps members informed.

Understanding our role and influence in public policy offers chamber members a tremendous advantage. The GNFCC speaks your language and will be a relentless advocate regarding policies and practices that impact your bottom line. Whether hosting events allowing members to interact with public officials or bringing one loud, collective voice to the table, the GNFCC is there to help navigate the process.

Programs/Events: The GNFCC provides relevant and meaningful programming.

People are what make the GNFCC powerful and we work hard to create an environment that serves our members well.

Connecting professionals is our forte. The GNFCC facilitates multiple events monthly providing networking opportunities that are second to none. Members who are pro-active and engaged bring greater visibility and measurable growth to

their business. The first place to start is Chamber101 where new members learn the power of connecting, best networking practices, and how to launch into all the opportunities that await them.

Resources: The GNFCC is a powerful resource for your business.

Within the walls of the GNFCC you will find incredible tools for your business. From a dedicated Resource Room providing members a place to display their business cards to FREE business counsel for small businesses, the chamber communicates its desire to help you succeed.

With recent enhancements to conference rooms and large meeting space, members have access to state of the art projection, WiFi, and other multi-media options for hosting training meetings, workshops and business presentations. Members will find a host of benefits associated with their membership with the GNFCC.

Attend a premiere GNFCC event as our guest.

Contact Deborah Lanham, Director of Membership Services @ 678/397-0567 or dlanham@gnfcc.com 11605 Haynes Bridge Road Suite 100, Building 400 Alpharetta, GA 30009

The North Fulton story is one of growth and opportunity and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce has had an integral role in the community’s history and success since 1973. This year the GNFCC will celebrate 40 years of service to the six cities of North Fulton – Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs and continues to work hard to bring exceptional resources, programming and business connections to its members.

The GNFCC is positioned well to influence the next level of business growth and expansion in North Fulton. With a solid local foundation and expanded regional perspective, the chamber is laser-focused on (3) goals; 1. Attract new companies 2. Secure and celebrate dedicated businesses already here 3. Build a stronger GNFCC through collaborative partnerships What a great time to join the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce!

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If you have not experienced first-hand the quality of the membership environment, I invite you to get involved. The chamber is truly the place to enhance your professional connections, bring incredible visibility to your company, accelerate your bottom line and engage in impactful community involvement.

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Business & Finance

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Investments In Turbulent Times

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County Woman

20

Business Financial and

By Tanya Madison Morrison, Esquire Tanya is an attorney specializing in business development and charitable organizations. She co-authored COMMUNITY INVESTORS: Making Money While Making Social Change, an inspirational business book that provides strategies for tax-exempt organizations to access alternative sources of money and wealth.

She has served as Adjunct Professor at American University in Washington, D.C., and currently travels nationally and internationally, speaking at conferences and seminars on the subjects of leadership, education and college access, professional development, social change and women’s empowerment.

Recognized by the United States Small Business Administration as a business leader, Tanya has helped thousands of women pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Become A Community Investor:

A

Are you passionate about helping others? Do you want to start a business that will make a difference in the world—a college readiness service, senior care center, environmental stewardship program, childcare center, nutrition and agriculture (farming) program, youth development program—but you don’t know where to begin?

If you answered “yes,” consider yourself a Community Investor!

A Community Investor is 1) a person who wants to invest time, talent and resources in the social sector using incentives of tax exemption, 2) a business that operates with the objective of realizing a profit while making a social impact using strategies reserved for public charities, or 3) an organization that uses privileges of tax exemption to become a “magnet for money” and, as a result, change lives.

One of the first and most important steps is choosing your business structure: corporation, limited liability company (LLC), not-for-profit, etc. Your decision will depend on the nature of your business and clientele. If your business will meet a public need, consider an entity that enables you to obtain 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS).

Many people steer away from a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt structure because of what they don’t know or because of myths about “nonprofits.” In so doing, they miss out on economic incentives available to such businesses.

But “nonprofit” does not mean “no money”!

Actually, a tax-exempt organization may yield greater opportunities to build wealth than other entities would because of access to income streams not otherwise available.

For instance, your idea to create social change might serve

people with the ability to pay for the service (fee-for-service).

Or a corporate sponsor, private foundation or individual donor interested in your service or product might contribute funds to support it.

excessive compensation. (“Excessive” is relative based on the position and industry standards.)

Such income streams usually require that the business be a 501(c)(3), often referred to as a “nonprofit” or a “social sector organization.” So let’s dispel some of those myths associated with “nonprofits”:

FACT: In 2012, Americans donated over $200 billion in individual giving to charity.

Additionally, bequests totaled over $23 billion, corporations gave over $18 billion, and foundations gave over $45 billion. People, corporations and foundations still give to social causes they deem important. (Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Giving USA 2012)

MYTH #1 – “Nonprofits cannot make a profit.”

FACT: The word “nonprofit” is a misnomer. In fact, “nonprofit” could mean more money because a 501(c)(3) business that properly uses the privileges and benefits associated with that designation can actually become quite profitable. Because a taxexempt organization (TEO)—a more accurate term than “nonprofit”—is a business, the goal, as with any business, should be to be profitable.

After all, the more profitable your business, the more people you can serve. TEOs are not prohibited from making a profit, only from distributing those profits inappropriately to people in control of the business.

Whereas the owners of an LLC can distribute and spend profits any way they desire, those who operate a TEO must use profits to further the business’s purpose.

MYTH #3 – “No one gives to nonprofits anymore.”

MYTH #4 – “My idea is too small to be funded.”

FACT: Funding isn’t determined by the “size” of your idea but by the population, cause and need served. Selecting a public need to meet is important and should be part of the research phase before structuring your business.

Furthermore, the definition of “public need” isn’t limited to a charity but also refers to the industry in which you’ll serve, such as education, environment, nutrition, health care or any area that addresses a public concern.

MYTH #5 – “Community

MYTH #2 – “I can’t get paid for running a nonprofit.”

FACT: You can receive a reasonable salary for services rendered to the TEO. Though the law prohibits an individual with significant influence over the TEO from receiving benefits greater than the service she provides, fair and reasonable compensation is acceptable.

Whereas the owner of an LLC can pay herself an unlimited salary for providing even minimal service, the head of a TEO is prohibited from receiving

21

5 Myths to Dispel Before Structuring Your Business

organizations only serve the poor; my idea is different.”

FACT: The poor are no longer the dominant group seeking services from TEOs. The middle class, baby boomers, seniors, youth, women, families and special-interest groups also have needs that can be met by social sector organizations, and their needs can be served in more profitable ways. Thus, fee-based and other earned-income, taxexempt activities are becoming the norm.

As you can see, the social sector offers untapped resources for creative, innovative and energetic Community Investors to explore while improving lives.

Yes, rules exist to govern who benefits and how income is used, but don’t consider the rules so restrictive that you dare not take advantage of the benefits.

If you are both passionate about making a difference for individuals and communities and strongly driven to create financial opportunities for yourself and others, become a Community Investor. A 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization is a highly effective vehicle through which to access those opportunities and now is a fantastic time to get started!

Business Financial and

22

Business Financial

Alicia Shope is an owner, member of the Board of Directors, Senior Vice President and and Compliance Officer for the company. Ms. Shope graduated in 2006 from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in English for Creative Writing and joined the CGMA team in early 2007. She is licensed as a Series 26 Investments Company Products / Variable Contracts Principal, Series 6 and 63 Investment Company/ Variable Contracts Representative and a

By Alicia Shope Series 99 Operations Professional. Ms. Shope is responsible for the day to day oversight of Shope isactivities. an owner, member the Board of Directors, Senior Vice President and Compliance allAlicia broker-related In addition, she of provides operations support, technical editing, Officer for C.G. Menk & Associates.

Ms. Shope graduated in 2006 from Towson University with a human resources, and marketing across all business areas of the company. With over 15 Bachelor of Science in English for Creative Writing and joined the CGMA team in early 2007. She is years working experience in various service-related industries, Ms. Shope stands prepared licensed as a Series 26 Investments Company Products / Variable Contracts Principal, Series 6 and 63 to assist CGMA and its clients to ensure a timely and professional resolution all actions.

Investment Company/ Variable Contracts Representative and a Series 99 Operations Professional. Ms. Shope is responsible for the day to day oversight of all broker-related activities. In addition, she provides operations support, technical editing, human resources, and marketing across all business areas of the company. With over 15 years working experience in various service-related industries, Ms. Shope stands prepared to assist CGMA and its clients to ensure a timely and professional resolution to all actions.

Incentivizing Savings

Testimonial

We chose CGMA as our financial advisor back in How many times have you buckle down and save for Once we have 1996 and since that time, Chuck has helped us realize several of our biggest dreams…giving us stepped on a scale and said to something if they know what the all the facts guidance on the right investments and the right yourself, “I really need to lose 5 reward will be. If they are saving and figures, way to invest our money to afford our dream pounds before I dare to put on for a truck – they can visualize we feel more home and years later, a vacation condo in Ocean a bathing suit?” I know I can’t 4 wheels, an 8 foot bed, and a secure in our City. even begin to calculate that built in GPS system. If they are decisions and Testimonial: number, but I will guarantee that saving for a vacation – they can our convictions Over the years, we have referred family, friends, and coworkers and I have said itasat once each a hotel room, a sandy meeting We chose CGMA ourleast financial advisor back invisualize 1996 and since that time, Chuck has helped uson realize several of our biggest dreams…giving us all have been so very grateful the referral. year, which is the week before andour shopping.

Whatour do And guidance on the right investments and the rightbeach way to invest money to afford dream that home goal. and years later, afor vacation condo in Ocean our family trip to the beach. you think of when you visualize that is where a CGMA is an honest company, one who truly looks City.

There is nothing like the threat of your retirement? Most probably good financial out for their clients’ best interests and a company Over the years, we have family, friends,think and coworkers and all have been so very grateful for the referral. having to wear a referred bathing suit in of simply not working, advisor comes you can trust.

- Bryan and Lisa Dougherty public to get me to eat right for staying home, visiting family in.

Once you CGMA is an honest company, one who truly looks out for their clients’ best interests and a company you can trust. a few days. or doing nothing. Let’s face have an idea off of your investments. It is wise -Bryan and Lisa Dougherty it, it’s hard to think of saving of what you want, why not sit to seek multiple opinions on your Now, how many times have for something that requires down with someone who can investments before dedicating you looked at your retirement you to do “nothing.” The key help in meeting those goals yourself to an investment advisor account and said to yourself, is to attach, or incentivize financially? A good financial and plan. Also, just because “I really need to put $5 away “something” with that “nothing” advisor will help you arrange you must pay a fee to meet every month for the next 30 – think electric bill. your investments in such a way with a financial advisor does not years so I can pay my electric that they work with your current mean his/her advice surpasses bill when I retire?” I am going to It’s a difficult process to begin, financial abilities in order to that of an advisor offering free go out on a limb here and make but as I have witnessed in meet your future wants, while consultations. an assumption that that number my career as an Investment also addressing your future is much, much less.

Advisor, once someone starts The next time you catch needs, i.e. bills and expenses saving, whether for retirement, yourself day-dreaming about you may not have considered.

When we think about retirement, their child’s college savings, your perfect retirement, try to All of your needs will be met it is very easy to see ourselves or an emergency fund, they remember to ask yourself what while ensuring your investments on a beach somewhere warm, usually don’t stop saving until your plans are in making that are the most suitable for you, sipping a cold drink and they are ready to access the dream a reality. Work with a not the kind of investments that wiggling our toes into the sand. funds. Once we buckle down will offer a higher commission for reputable investment advisor Perhaps our vision is enjoying and fully visualize that goal we and allow him or her to help the advisor. Unfortunately, there a nice view of the mountains. are working towards, we work you start your journey as soon as are many Investment Advisors in Whatever you see yourself doing much harder to achieve it. the industry out to make a dollar possible. in retirement, it probably did not include a single thought about electric bills. Unfortunately, that bill will be as real in retirement as it is today. The problem is that most of us have a hard time incentivizing something that is so far away into the future. Take CGMA is a broker/dealer firm committed to helping you meet your investment my bathing suit dilemma, for CGMA is a broker/dealer firm committed to helping you meet your investment goals through dedicated service and education. With our strict ethics policy and example. I could have easily goals through dedicated service and education. With our strict ethics policy and avoided fast foods beginning focused one-on-one interaction with clients, CGMA stands apart from most in December. Losing half a focused one-on-one interaction with clients, CGMA stands apart from most pound a week for a few weeks Broker-Dealers in the industry.

We look forward to working with youinvestment and your CGMA is a broker/dealer firm committed to helping you meet your Broker-Dealers in the industry.

We look forward to working with you and your would have been much easier family to build dedicated a wealth management plan; including college savings, than trying to lose all 5 pounds goals service and education.

Withretirement, our strict ethics policy and familythrough to build a wealth management plan; including retirement, college savings, the week before a vacation. and emergency fundsinteraction which meetwith your specific needs. focused one-on-one clients, CGMA stands apart from most It may be impossible to make and emergency funds which meet your specific needs. such a goal because I waited Broker-Dealers in the industry.

We look to working with you and your Aside fromforward your time, so long. Saving for retirement, Aside from your time, family to build a wealth management plan; including retirement, college savings, and everything else for that a consultation is FREE! matter, falls along those same a consultation is FREE! and emergency funds which meet your specific needs. boundaries. So why do we still So contact a representative at CGMA today. put it off?

So contact a representative at CGMA today.

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When When isis the the last last time time you you had had aa free free review review of of your your retirement retirement account? account?

When is the last time you had a free review of your retirement account?

For most people, the benefits of saving for retirement are so intangible that they become irrelevant. Most people can

Phone: 410.761.2462 Aside from your time, Phone: 410.761.2462 Toll-Free: 888.923.5660 Toll-Free: 888.923.5660 a consultation is FREE! www.cgma.us www.cgma.us So contact a representative at CGMA today Phone: 410.761.2462 Toll-Free: 888.923.5660 www.cgma.us

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.

C.G.Menk & C.G.Menk & Associates, Inc. Associates, Inc. C.G.Menk &

Business Financial and

Presented By Frederick J. Dawson, ChFC, CLU Fred Dawson, ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant), CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) has over 30 years of comprehensive wealth management experience.

He is Executive Vice President of Bassett, Dawson & Foy, Inc. and a founding principal partner of the firm. Successful women are prominent among Fred’s diverse domestic and international client base of professionals, retirees, professional musicians and business owners. In 2008 Fred was cited by Delaware Today Magazine as one of Delaware’s Top Financial Advisors. Criteria are not necessarily based on client satisfaction or advisor performance. Fred received a State of Delaware Senate Tribute in 1999 for his “long and distinguished record of service to his community, his country, his state and his region.”

7 Things A Woman Should Do After The Loss Of A Spouse

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The loss of a spouse can be a devastating, life-changing event. Sadly, for many women, becoming a widow is a first step toward economic hardship.

That’s why it’s critical for you to organize your finances after your spouse’s death and take ongoing steps to secure your financial future and that of your family.

procedures to follow. A tax professional can help you file certain federal and state tax returns that may be due. A financial professional can help you by conducting a comprehensive review of your financial situation and identifying any retirement and survivor’s benefits that may be available to you.

Locate important documents and financial records These include your spouse’s will and other estate planning documents (e.g., trust), insurance policies, bank and brokerage statements, stock and bond certificates, deeds, Social Security number, birth and marriage certificates, and certified copies of the death certificate.

Apply for benefits You’ll need to contact several institutions for information on how you can file for benefits, namely, life insurance company, Social Security Administration and your spouse’s employers.

If your husband was a Federal, state or local employee or in the military, you may be eligible for government-sponsored survivor’s benefits.

Set up a communications tracking and filing system Set up a system to record incoming and outgoing calls and mail. For phone calls, keep a notebook handy where you can write down the caller’s name, date, and subject of the call. For mail, keep track of what you receive and whether a response is required by a certain date. Finally, create a filing system for important documents and correspondence with separate folders for different topics.

Avoid hasty decisions Go at your own pace, not someone else’s. For example, don’t commit to move from your current home until you can make a decision based on reason instead of emotion.

Don’t spend money impulsively.

Don’t cave in to pressure to sell or give away your spouse’s possessions. Find out where you stand financially before you make any large purchases, sell property, or loan money to others.

Seek professional advice to settle the estate and file tax returns Getting expert help from an attorney, accountant, and/or financial and tax professional.

An attorney can tell you what

expenses to take care of, such as funeral costs or outstanding debts your husband may have incurred. You can use credit cards for certain expenses or you can try to negotiate with creditors to allow you to postpone payment for 30 days or more, if necessary. Make sure you have one or more credit cards in your name, and when you can, order a free copy of your credit report and review it for accuracy.

Some Content Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2013.

Update account names You may need to contact financial institutions to change account names and/or update contact information.

Evaluate short-term expenses You may have immediate

Frederick J. Dawson, ChFC, CLU Wealth Manager, Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Executive Vice President, Bassett, Dawson & Foy, Inc. Bassett, Dawson & Foy, Inc. E.A. Delle Donne Corporate Center 1011 Centre Road, Suite 110 Wilmington, DE 19805 302-999-9330 www.bdfwealth.com • fdawson@bdfwealth

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For more information or to take advantage of our complimentary second opinion service contact Fred’s office at 302-999-9330 or fdawson@bdfwealth.com. *B assett, Dawson & Foy, Inc. is an Independent Registered Investment Advisory Firm with the State of DE. * S ecurities Offered Through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC *A ny opinions are those of Fred Dawson and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.

alternative remedies.

KnowFitness your options! and Lifestyle

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Know your options!

Juicing 4 Awareness

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This is a crucial part of healing for those that have cancer. The energy you experience when juicing “green” is amazing! Your body can now cleanse and heal. the

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Fitness Lifestyle and

By Maria Williams Maria Williams, The Clean Water Mom, serves over 18,000 customers nationally with whole house water filtration systems from Kennett Square, PA. Visit online at www.cleanwatermom.com or www.puriteam. com. Picking The Right Filter For You Is Easy Because we’re an online business, we pride ourselves in cool tools used to educate you and help make your selection much easier. If you have city water, you can use our “water wizard” which helps you choose the right filter for your home. Use this shortened link to get there: http://bit.ly/ReCbQp

Yield Huge Results In Your Family’s Health

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It’s been said, “No water, no life.” Water is essential for life for every single human, animal and microbe on Earth. It’s taken for granted, of course, but at what cost?

Let me tell you a little about me.

I’m Maria Williams, the Clean Water Mom. If you’ve ever wondered about the water you are giving your family, I’m here to tell you what I’ve discovered along my journey over the past several years or so. And if you’ve never considered what goes into that bottle of water or comes out of your tap, well, I want to encourage you to read my story so you can at least be informed about how clean water might be the solution to a problem you or a family member are having.

I never used to think about the water I drank until several years ago.

It was March 22, 2008 and I reluctantly left my almost 2 year old and four year old sons in the capable hands of my husband to fly all the way across the country.

I was nervous and excited about the prospect of meeting the owners of a water filtration company I thought I wanted to buy.

Here’s the thing… I knew nothing about water filtration at the time other than that some people had water softeners and some had water filters. I didn’t know a “whole house” water filter existed or what it did.

I just knew that I wanted to be a good mom to my kids and thought buying a business would allow me more freedom to be available for them.

As I sat across the table from

this man listening to him tell me about water filtration, whole house filtration systems and all the aspects of their business, I got a sick feeling.

harmful, carcinogenic gases are breathed in and absorbed through the skin. It can get so bad that the majority of the chloroforms found in homes are because of the water in our homes. We have a customer whose children could not bathe in their bathroom without the door open because the concentration was bad.

I was in Las Vegas. It was hot.

And I remember sitting in this room which was so incredibly warm. I was sweating and thirsty. And then he said something that really got me in the “mom gut.” He told me that chlorine gas is released from unfiltered water when you take a hot shower. Now up to this point, I always thought of myself as a good mom. I try to do the best for my children and give them the healthiest environment. For instance, we don’t drink a lot of juice or sugary drinks, instead we drink mostly milk and water. But all of sudden I felt like I wasn’t doing the best for them.

2. Your Water is Loaded with Chemicals: Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers are rampant in our water supply. The good news is that these volatile and synthetic organic compounds (VOCs and SOCs) are easy to remove from drinking water using a high quality filter.

You see my kids have asthma and unbeknownst to me I was exposing them to chlorine gas – daily – when giving them a hot bath or shower. Not a proud mom moment.

But I needed to make sure what he said was true, so after leaving the meeting, I immediately started doing my own research. I educated myself on everything I could find about water and water filtration and have been doing so for over four years now.

3. Most of Us Are Chronically Dehydrated: Most of us don’t think of ourselves as chronically dehydrated. After all, we drink lots, right? True, but unfortunately most of us are drinking soda, coffee, tea, alcohol, and juice. Many conditions are aggravated by lack of water. According to Dr. Batmanghelidj in his book, “You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty,” asthma, allergies, blood pressure, diabetes, constipation, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, general pain symptoms, ulcers, colitis pain, headaches, migraines,

Here’s a few of the things I learned: 1. Chlorine: The Double-Edged Sword Chlorine, the main disinfect used to clean our water, prevents major illness outbreaks that used to kill thousands of people. However, you see, chlorine is not without its problems. It releases THMs (poisonous gases) when it is mixed with organic matter, especially when heated such as in the shower or bathtub. These

www.cleanwatermom.com • 888-491-4100

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rheumatoid arthritis pain, lower back pain, osteoarthritis, obesity, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, dry eyes, hot flashes, kidney stones, and cancer formation are just some of the maladies that are caused or aggravated by dehydration.

To be certain you’re adequately hydrated, take your weight and divide in half. This is the number of ounces of water you should be drinking daily. Same goes for your kids.

And these facts are just the tip of the iceberg. A quality whole house water filter will filter chlorine, chloramines, heavy metals, VOCs, SOCs, odors, and make it taste great, so you’ll drink more of it.

For the full free report, “9 Alarming Things Moms Should Know About their Water,” please visit our website at www.cleanwatermom.com/wj

Fitness Lifestyle and

By Beatrice Miller Beatrice Miller is a Nikken Independent Consultant. She has been in the wellness industry for four years helping people create balance in their lives with natural solutions to energy, like nutrition.

What Does Good Nutrition Look Like?

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Why good nutrition is a challenge: most foods lack nutritional value due to depleted soils, processed foods, etc. They are poorly absorbed by the body and contain toxic chemicals. In addition, sleep deprivation and stressful, fast-paced living, are challenges that threaten our efforts to eat healthy. It is vital that we supplement with quality, whole food nutrition, as our food source alone does not provide the necessary nutrients.

Minerals and vitamins are essential. Nutrients are labeled essential for 2 reasons: 1) The body does not manufacture essential nutrients, which must be ingested in food or supplement form every day, 2) The body requires essential nutrients to function. If essential nutrients are lacking for any length of time, the result will be disease and imbalance.

Father of Western Medicine Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

Your entire body, including your DNA, is under daily assault from a variety of sources, from poor diets to all types of pollution.

Cells, including your brain cells, each get hit by free-radicals thousands of times a day. This is where antioxidants come into play. They include vitamins and other nutrients that target free radicals. In particular, fruits and vegetables are powerful sources of these heroic protectors, and your body produces some itself. Their role is to limit damage to your cells, which can slow down disease and signs of aging.

Homeostasis is where the cells stay in balance. To achieve this balance, the cells need water, oxygen, nutrition and rest.

Nutrient absorption and digestive health are crucial because nearly every single

aspect of your health is related to digestion. Adding nutrition that is formulated from organic vegetables, including all types of vegetable phyto-nutrients and trace minerals, is key to influencing repair. A good probiotic also assists in digestive and immune system activity.

“All diseases start in the intestines” - Hippocrates Many people are aware of what impacts their health.

They are seeking healthy food sources that contribute to fitness, youthful energy and slowing the aging process.

People want healthier food options and a trusted source for supplements.

solution with their Kenzen® Whole Foods nutrition.

I have been with Nikken 17 years.” - June Silva

Nikken does not make any medical claims, as to what results each individual will experience.

“The Nikken nutritionals and water have been AWESOME. Lactoferrin, a digestive supplement, has also improved my mood. The Jade Greenzymes (barley greens) have completely cleared up my Rosacea and I am off my medication. The joint supplement has kept me dancing with no knee swelling! I have lost 25lbs and had significant improvement in cardiovascular lab tests since taking the Vital Balance Meal Replacement.”

- Dianne St. John

Testimonials “I was told by the Mayo Clinic that I had to learn to live with a chronic neck problem, I joined Nikken to get products. Within three weeks I felt better than I had in over 6 years. I knew I had an obligation to share Nikken. Later, I was caring for my sister for 6 weeks and my Nikken income continued. This was the “real beginning” of my career, and residual income.

Solution: The Nikken Nutrition Philosophy Nikken Kenzen Wellness® relies on organic fruits and vegetables harvested at the peak of the nutritional cycle to provide the nutrients our bodies need for optimum wellness. We try to practice healthy eating and increase our intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, but we may not be getting the nutrients we need. Every vegetable or fruit contains vitamins and minerals plus hundreds of co-nutrients such as bioflavonoids and other phytonutrients. Nikken’s whole food products are prepared in a way that preserves more of these natural components.

Lisa Hazelgrove 804-5393251 lisa@lisahealthy.com

Beatrice Miller 804-852-1775 bea.miller@halo.com

Barbara Satterwhite RN 804-437-0243 barbsatterwhite@gmail.com

Japanese Health Research Institute 39 years, 38 countries, 40 million customers

Nikken created Kenzen Wellness® to help take the guesswork out of nutrition and to make integrating good nutrition into your lifestyle a joyful experience. Kenzen is a Japanese word that combines “wholesome” with “wellness.”

Based on a whole foods philosophy, Nikken Kenzen Wellness® provides the kind of natural nutrition your body was meant to live and thrive on.

Join the Movement Looking for partners that embrace natural solutions Want extra income?

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Nutrition is key to optimal wellness. Nikken has the

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The Fulton County Women’s Journal

This is what our advertisers say about the Women’s Journals: “This will be our second edition with the Journal. Although, we have not had any direct leads as of yet many of our current and past clients have contacted us to let us know how great it is that we have an article in the Journal. I do believe we will see some leads after we have been in the Journal for a few editions and have a following. Every person we have dealt with on the WJ team has been great. Each person has been quick to respond to any questions or concerns we have had. I just had my first photo shoot a couple weeks ago. The edition has not come out yet so I haven’t seen the pictures but the experience itself was a lot of fun. It was great to have the experience of being in a professional photo shoot. Thanks!”

- Christina Lessard, Lessard Builders, Controller “I have worked with the Women’s Journal in two separate areas of my career. Each time, I continue to be impressed by the professionalism and compassion of the staff. The articles and advertisements are always perfect. If I have a problem, Pam is always there to help. What more could a Marketing Director ask for. Thank you!”

- Kristy Handley, Marketing Director, State Street Assisted Living “Without question, an outstanding way to educate patients.”

- Vincent Perrottta, M.D., Peninsula Plastic Surgery

“We have built our business on the readership of the Women’s Journal: I cannot believe the amount of business we receive from our articles.”

- Fred Winward, President, Resort Landscaping “The Women’s Journal is the most successful advertising we have ever done.”

- Focal Point Opticians

“A priceless educational vehicle to allow patients quality, objective information about our various procedures.”

- Andreus V. Strauss, M.D., Director of Oncology Beebe Medical Center “The Women’s Journal is the best advertising I have ever done, I can’t believe I waited so long to try them. They are the only advertising I am doing now.”

- Carmella, Permanent Cosmetics “Magnificent response to our advertising.”

- Dave Crowley, President, Bethany Bay Resorts

Did you know?

Women’s Buying Power • • • • • • • • • •

94% Home Furnishings 93% OTC Pharmaceuticals 93% Food 92% Vacations 91% of New Homes 89% Bank Accounts 85% Auto Purchases 81% Riding Lawn Mowers 80% Healthcare 66% PCs

Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases.

• Women carry 76 million credit cards, 8 million more than men.

• In 2001, U.S. women’s purchasing power constituted the number 3 market in the world; the collective buying power exceeded the entire economy of Japan.

• By 2010, women are expected to control $1 trillion, or 60% of the country’s wealth, according to research conducted by Business Week and Gallup.

(Sources: The Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, Trendsight, Business Women’s)

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Dining Entertainment and

By Adam Kline Adam started his restaurant career at age 15 in establishments in Southern New Jersey. After moving to North Carolina in 1988, he gained the knowledge and experience to become a manager at some of Greensboro’s finest restaurants.

What’s The Difference In Your Bubblies

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There is nothing like a little bubbly on these hot days.

Whether you actually have a celebration or just enjoy the crispness, a nice glass of champagne, prosecco or sparkling wine may just be the perfect solution to your palates desire. Nowadays, the selection at the store seems to have doubled with options.

There are so many different brands, styles and types to chose from. Most people, including myself at first, don’t know the differences between any bubbly styles, except for the cost. I wanted to take a look at what are the true reasons behind the differences within the names of three bubblies which tastes are so similar.

The easiest answer is that they are all generally defined by what area they are produced in. It gets a little more scientific when you dig deeper into the differences in there production, but not to much. Here are some of the basics anybody can understand to compare Champagne, Prosecco and Sparkling wine.

Champagne Location – Champagne is an effervescent wine made in the Champagne region of France.

If it’s not made in Champagne, it’s not “Champagne”. All other effervescent wines are generally “sparkling wines”.

Please keep in mind that this does not mean that they are inferior in any way.

Production and Storage – Champagne is made using the traditional method in which the wine made from chardonnay and pinot noir grapes undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle, which allows it to generate it’s own carbonation.

Because of this, it’s best when stored for a few years before drinking.

Taste – Generally fruity with hints of pear, citrus, apple, vanilla and nuttiness. Typically more

acidic than Prosecco, and more bubbly.

Classifications – Champagnes and sparkling wines are classified by sweetness. That usually includes: Brut: dry, less than 1.5% sugar Extra Sec: extra dry, 1.2 to 2% sugar Sec: medium sweet, 1.7 to 3.5% sugar Demi-Sec: sweet, 3.3 to 5% sugar (dessert champagne) Doux: very sweet, over 5% sugar (dessert champagne)

Over the years it has morphed into a kind of poor man’s champagne. As production techniques improved, so did the wines. The bubble became finer with more persistent. The flavors and aromas developed a complexity while the excessive sugar additions once use to cover up it’s defects were reduced.

alcohol compared to other sparkling wines, a little lighter in body and slightly less bubbly.

Location – Produced in the Veneto region of Italy. Again, if it’s not made in this region it’s not Prosecco.

That is kind of it in a nutshell.

So…next time some snob gives you a hard time for not bringing “real Champagne” to the celebration you can counter with a little sparkling wine knowledge!

Taste – Slightly dryer than champagne. It is also lower in

Price – Champagne tends to be more expensive than other types of sparkling wine for a combination of factors: 1) It’s harder (and more expensive) to grow grapes in the cooler climate. 2) It undergoes the extremely laborious traditional method of production. 3) The exclusiveness of being produced in the expensive and small Champagne region.

Sparkling Wine Sparkling wine can be made the exact same way as Champagne with the same grapes and the same production method and can be just as good, but again, if it’s not made in the Champagne region than it is not Champagne. Also, in terms of production, Champagne is produced using only the traditional method, and while sparkling wine can also be made using the traditional method, it may also be produced using the transfer and Charmat process methods.

Because of the wide variety of sparkling wines, pricing tends to be all over the board, but in general, is much more cost effective than Champagne.

Prosecco Things have changed for Prosecco. Once it was an oversweetened fizz whose could at one time be sold in cans.

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Storage – Best to drink early (within 6 months to a year of purchasing).

Price – In general, it tends to be 1/2 to 1/5 of the price of champagne.

enjoy!

Community Education and

Tell Your Story of Survivorship!

By Trudy K. Perry

Trudy K. Perry is a co-founder of Taking Flight and is a long-time activist for women having worked with Wider Opportunities for Women and Dr. Dorothy Height and the National Council of Negro Women.

Trudy is most interested in Taking Flight collecting breast castings and stories of women globally to highlight the common experiences of women throughout the world.

Live Out Loud. Take Control.

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Every woman has a story to tell. Some women keep journals to help get hold of whatever’s happening in life at the moment or maybe to hold a memory so that years later those feelings can be summoned again. Women fighting breast cancer have profound stories on the experience of battling the disease and the feelings that come with the work of accepting their changing bodies.

The Pink Project recently began to help breast cancer survivors who are interested in celebrating themselves and sharing their life experiences.

With tender care Creative Director Donna Beaver-Young makes a plaster-of-paris casting of each participant’s breasts and helps her turn a stark white casting into a masterpiece that captures her essence. Even more poignant, each woman writes a one- page essay of her

experience. These stories give voice to overwhelming fears, living though pain, coming to terms with physical changes, and re-defining beauty and self.

Women write about receiving love and support from medical personnel, new friends and strangers. This is heavy duty stuff and not for the faint hearted.

Participants have shared that creating the casting and telling their stories has been empowering and rewarding.

Participating in the work is therapeutic and cathartic as each woman loudly asserts her authority over her body. The work helps sister survivors see possibilities of life in the struggle as it encourages healthy women to get mammograms and do self breast checks.

hopes the exhibit heightens awareness of the disease and encourages women to get mammograms. Through The Pink Project, Taking Flight works to help survivors voice their experiences and builds empathy for the lives of women.

So far Taking Flight’s exhibit of it’s’ project Telling Intimate True Stories, featuring all women, has been in restaurants in Washington, DC and Richmond.

The organization hopes to exhibit The Pink Project in hospitals where women receive treatment for breast cancer.

Elizabeth

Taking Flight, the non-profit that operates the Pink Project, plans to exhibit the work to the public giving people a window into the lives of breast cancer survivors. Taking Flight

I felt a lump, but I didn’t feel bad. I didn’t lose weight. There were no obvious symptoms. Once it was confirmed that the lump was indeed breast cancer it was a surprise to everyone except me. The only symptoms I ever had were caused by the medicines that I took like the four courses of chemotherapy that made me anemic and very ill. The six-week radiation treatment irritated my skin, and the five-year course of follow-up has thrown me into full and unexpected menopause.

It turned my life around...

I put a picture of a tree where the cancer was in my breast casting. I imagined something beautiful growing in the space where the doctors took out the tumor. … I never completed reconstruction of my left breast because I couldn’t stand the thought of one more day in surgery. Instead I

went out for a long walk with my family. I’ve been walking ever since.

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation breast cancer is the most common cancer found among every racial and ethnic group in the U.S. In 2013, it is estimated that among U.S. women there will be 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,620 breast cancer deaths.

Breast cancer rates in the U.S. vary by race and ethnicity.

White women have the highest breast cancer incidence rate of any racial or ethnic group.

African American and Hispanic/ Latina women are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with later stage breast cancer. The two most common risk factors for breast cancer are being female and getting older.

Taking Flight works with all women and has a goal to work internationally capturing broad diversities in race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, sexual preferences and health status. Taking Flight operates The Pink Project to bring attention to breast health and help women assaulted by breast cancer.

Please contact Taking Flight to be a part of The Pink Project, opening in October 2014, by contacting Creative Director, Donna BeaverYoung at dbeaveryoung@ gmail.com or 703.822.1295.

Please visit www. takingflightnow.org or Telling Intimate True Stories on Facebook.

Taking Flight www.takingflightnow.org

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Community Education and

By Jennifer Swain, Programs Director Working in various capacities over the last six years, Ms. Swain has been passionately involved with serving commercially sexually exploited victims and her influential vision aided in the development of Georgia’s first child sex trafficking specific prevention program for girls ages 11-17, youthSpark Voices.

As the youthSpark Programs Director, she leads their current efforts to end child sex trafficking through prevention and youth-empowered education. As a Member of the Governor’s Office for Children & Families CSEC Task Force and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Family Advocacy & Outreach Network, she trains, and advocates on behalf of child sex trafficking victims to various state agencies both locally and nationally that may have contact with children regarding warning signs and available services.

Human Trafficking

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We caught her just in time.

When she joined our youthSpark Voices Circle, Anika said, “On a score of 0 – 10, I’m a 1, that’s how I feel.” And yes, a zero was the low end of the scale.

We couldn’t blame her. Even though she was learning some tools in our program to stand up to sex traffickers, she was still vulnerable to the men who groomed her to “work”. Anika had been placed on Backpage. com but turned to Voices for help. We knew our job was to act quickly for her safety and well-being and to support her in finding her voice.

In fact, the prostitution of children is a crime so heinous that few want to believe it exists. In Georgia, in 2000, when our organization, youthSpark, Inc. (originally the Juvenile Justice Fund) was founded, there were no facilities or programs in the Southeast dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by prostituted girls, and little public awareness. Working on the front line with the Fulton County Juvenile Court, the largest juvenile court in the Southeast, youthSpark spearheaded the early movement to end child sex trafficking. Committed to building partnerships, bringing together law makers and law enforcement, community leaders and concerned citizens, we united in the goal to stop sex trafficking and raise understanding that the girls are indeed, victims .

Sadly, child sex trafficking is a business driven by the basic laws of economics: supply and demand, youthSpark seeks to combat this most heinous form of child abuse on both

of these fronts. Our early work included the launch of Angela’s House, the first safe house for victims in the Southeast, and commissioned initial research conducted on both victims and buyers in Georgia. In 2007, we launched our A Future. Not A Past. Campaign. (AFNAP), to build a barrier between children and those who seek to harm them through exploitation. In other words – a campaign against the “pimps” and “purchasers,” putting it nicely. In recent years, this campaign has taken strong ground, including a partnership with Attorney General Sam Olens Office, who has taken a powerful position against the perpetrators of this crime.

Yesterday I Found My Voice.

Today I live to tell about it I didn’t shout from the rooftops Didn’t whisper or scream But I spoke, and the words that I heard were my own .

Yesterday I Found My Voice.

Today I’m Here to Shout About It series of events that happen well before sexual exploitation, and we seek to provide resources and education to stop this cycle. We know that there is a victimization continuum, and we fight to halt it, reversing the direction from victimization to empowerment through the power of prevention. As a key partner in Microsoft’s YouthSpark Global Initiative we are dedicated to the principle that with the proper resources, support and quite frankly, love and compassion, our young people can thrive and have successful, productive life journeys.

For over a decade, youthSpark has worked to transform the lives of children who have been exploited, abused or neglected. Today, we fight for the recognition that every girl and boy has a basic human right to safety and security. youthSpark, as a national thought leader, constantly assesses our strategies, successes and failures. In fact, with the collective progress that’s been accomplished to help victims, we have now become prevention experts, seeking to halt supply, by lessening the number of victims, and halt demand, by stopping the perpetrators. youthSpark Voices, the program that helped to rescue Anika, is one of the nation’s first prevention based programs to reduce supply by focusing upon girls at-risk of child sex trafficking.

This groundbreaking program emerged from our deep understanding that there are a

Today, Anika guides the Circle along with our staff, part of youthSpark Voices alumni group, where the girls are trained as leaders and igniters of change. They are going out and spreading the word, letting their peers know, as only peers can, of the dangers of trafficking and abuse, and what it takes to travel on an alternative path. Anika is going from a girl struggling to stay alive, to becoming a mentor to help others. youthSpark’s vision – youth empowered education, where youth themselves, take

a stand against sex trafficking vision – lifting their voices in a message that will be heard.

One of our girls recently wrote a sign on pink paper. It said, “I’m a Voices Chick”. She hung it up and it graces our wall now. With all the challenges and struggles she’s gone through, that’s what she takes pride in. There are a lot of songs out there that call girls many things that I can’t name in this article. Deeply, I celebrate her claiming ownership of that name, Voices Chick.

404-612-4628 info@youth-spark.org 395 Pryor Street Suite 2117 Atlanta, Georgia 30312

No one wakes up at 16 and chooses to be exploited or prostituted.

We’re here to stand in the gap, to stop that from ever happening.

Please join us on this journey. Join the youthSpark movement today. www.youth-spark.org

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Fashion Beauty and

By Margaret P. Daniel Considered an expert in her field, Margaret P. Daniel brings her expertise as a Certified Wedding Specialist and Certified Etiquette Trainer to each event she undertakes. With experience in the event sector of the hotel management industry as well as various other industries, she brings her expertise in planning some of Atlanta’s largest events. She is devoted to creating events that will leave lasting memories and satisfied clients.

“Our professional staff of planners and coordinators stays abreast of the newest trends in the industry.

In designing personalized events for our clients, we often find ourselves not only following customs and traditions, but also creating new ideas and even setting new trends. We believe in bringing innovative and creative ideas to our clients.” -Margaret P. Daniel

Re-gifting: Tacky Or Trendy?

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A few years ago, a very prominent lady in my church surprised me with a Christmas gift. What a nice gesture I thought! As I unwrapped the paper to reveal the beautiful gift inside, I thought, ‘Oh how nice! I needed one of these!’ As I flipped through the pages of my gift, I noticed a card inside that had not been opened. Excited, I opened the card to see what nice message awaited me, only to discover that this well written, personalized note was to the person that had given the gift to me! As much as I wanted to give this beautiful card to my gifter, I thought better of it as it may have put us both in an awkward position.

Re-gifting has become very popular over the past few years and it seems that everyone is doing it. One reason for its popularity is people’s need to cut back on spending especially during the holidays. According to the National Retail Federation holiday consumer spending survey conducted by Prosper Insights, the average holiday shopper will spend $737.95 on gifts, decor, greeting cards and more -- two percent less than the $752.24 they actually spent last year. With a need to budget, regifting makes sense.

Re-gifting has become so popular that that the creators of Regiftable.com have declared the third Thursday in December, December 19th, as National Re-gifting Day. The reason this date is so appropriate is that according to their unscientific research, the third Thursday of December is a common day for holiday office parties. And according to their scientific research, 4 out of 10 re-gifters (41%) target coworkers as the recipient of their re-gifts.

If you plan to be a re-gifter this holiday season, here are some guidelines you might want to follow: 1. Make sure the gift is appropriate. Santa earrings

might be inappropriate for your Muslim co-worker. Don’t give a gift just because you don’t like it. Be thoughtful in your giving and try to give a gift that they really might enjoy and use. You don’t want to merely burden the recipient with a gift that you no longer want. You wouldn’t want to give a gift that you’d be embarrassed to watch them open.

2. Be careful not to hurt or insult the recipient or the giver.

If the gift you’re re-gifting is something you’d never buy for yourself, think twice before giving it away. Tacky is tacky and you don’t want the recipient to think that you think so little of them.

Also, you want to make sure that neither the recipient nor the original giver travel in the same circles. You would hate for the recipient to one day give the original giver the ‘lovely’ blue floral vase that they received from you.

5. Only give away new gifts.

The gift should be brand new, unopened and in its original packaging.

6. Should you tell the recipient the gift is a re-gift? - This is where you want to tread lightly. If it is an expensive gift, you may want to tell the receiver to keep them from feeling like they should purchase a gift equal in value.

7. White Elephant PartiesHosting a White Elephant party is a great way to give away gifts that you can’t or won’t use without hurting someone’s feelings. Usually humorous or whimsical items are exchanged, but often times the recipient appreciates the gift that they receive. The only caution is to make sure that the original giver of your gift is not in attendance.

8. There are some items that should not be re-gifted.

3. Check the packaging. Be sure to check that there’s no personalization on the gift, i.e. monograms, a personal card, a personal inscription inside a book, etc. Also, don’t try to pass the gift off as coming from a different store. This could prove embarrassing if they try to return the item! Take the gift out of the packaging that it initially came in and swap it out for some nice wrapping and a bow. After all, you saved money on the gift, so go all out on the presentation.

Here’s a list: • Food (e.g., canned ham or fruitcake).

• Perfume.

• Opened wine or champagne.

• Monogrammed or other personalized items.

• An item that was handmade specifically for you. This is something you might want to keep for times when you’ll be with the person who thoughtfully took the time to create something special.

As with any other gift you receive, you should show your appreciation for their thoughtfulness. You can decide later if you want to keep the gift. Send a thank you card mentioning the thoughtfulness of the gift, but there is no need to mention how you plan to use it.

A Wedding Planning & Event Management Company The Ultimate Event Experience in • Wedding Consulting & Design • Corporate & Social Event Management • Etiquette Training & Image Consulting

4. Keep a list of giveaway gifts.

Gifts that you know you’ll give away should be labeled with the date you received it and the givers name. This will help prevent giving a gift back to the same person.

Also, remember where you received the gift to ensure others were not at the same party when you received the gift.

Call us at 678.361.5505 or visit us online at

www.margaretdaniel.com

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The Impact And Fun Of Holiday Photos

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It’s that time of the year again.

Decorations are going up, your calendar is filled with cookie swaps, ornament grabs and holiday parties galore. Your children have suddenly started cleaning up after themselves spontaneously and asking if there is anything else that they can do to help (if they’re old enough); and the mere mention of the importance of behaving “this time of the year” is generally enough to get even the littlest ones to fall in line. Yes, the winter holidays are here and you’re probably wondering if you should send out holiday cards this year. It’s great to dig through your digital archives from the course of the year and share bits and pieces of what your family’s life has been like over the past twelve months. But if you are looking to send out a more recent picture, or find yourself looking through and not finding any photos worthy of sending to your friends and family, here are a few suggestions on how to capture fun and memorable family photos during the holidays and throughout the year.

First and foremost, have fun as a family. The easiest way to make sure you have authentic smiles and excited faces in your photos is to make the photos fun. Relax and don’t get too caught up on capturing the perfect photo.

Instead, focus on showing off your children’s personalities.

Be mindful of your surroundings and your background. If the background and environment do not add anything to your image, don’t be afraid to crop the image tightly and just focus on your subject. Change your perspective. Getting down on the floor so you are on the same level as your children will create an interesting viewpoint. When

By Tiffany Powell you are moving around to take your photos, don’t forget to pay attention to your lighting and angles. When selecting images from your adventures during the year, be sure to select images that share your story.

Did you recently have a major life event like a wedding or a new addition to your family during the past year? Images from these events are perfect for your holiday cards! Don’t forget that photos make great gifts this time of year. A group of small images that are detailing a moment are not only great for a holiday card, but they also add great impact when placed together on your walls.

Take a wide variety of poses and expressions and be sure to include some candid shots as well. Often it is the un-posed and un-planned shots that are best at showcasing your family’s personalities.

Baking cookies, decorating your tree, and visits to local holiday festivals are all examples of fun family activities that lend themselves well to being photographed. Be patient and creative in your approach and don’t take things to seriously.

You can capture priceless moments of your family for the holiday cards and gifts you’ve always wanted. And, as always, know when it’s best to bring in a professional. If you want an opportunity to capture your entire family in photographs, sometimes the self-timer option on your camera is simply not enough.

Remember, it’s ok if everyone is not looking at the camera.

Indeed, placing your subject off-center in the photo draws you into the image. This time of year, our lives are filled with fun activities and traditions.

Bring your camera along and document these times visually.

Tiffany Powell Photography would be happy to help you capture creative and fun family photos that you will treasure for a lifetime.

404.435.6274 www.tiffany-powell.com

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Fashion Beauty and

Everything you ) ! k s a ever wanted to know afraid to e r e w about a bra fitting (bu t

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Around 80% of women are in the wrong bra size. Literally millions of women are not looking or feeling as good as they deserve. In fact, when did you last get fitted?

Have you ever been properly fitted?

Selecting a good bra is brought to you by BARE ESSENTIALS. Our bra boutique wants to prove how easy it is to choose a bra that loves your body. We’ll help you every step of the way.

What Does a Good Fit Give you?

• More Comfort • Better Shape • Less Chance Of Sagging Breast Tissue • Better Posture • More Confidence – And Feeling Good Inside Makes You Look Even Better Outside.

If you’ve never had a bra fitting, or it’s just been a while, don’t put if off any longer. You’ll find friendly and helpful trained fitters to take the worry and apprehension out of finding the right bra.

By Debbie Esslinger, Owner, Bare Essentials You should get fitted every six months. Our bodies change all the time, so it’s really important to keep checking your bra size.

Once your correct size has been determined, our experts will assist you in picking the right style for your body type. The size range of our bras helps our fitters to accommodate most women. But, remember, you may not take the same size bra in every style. Each bra is cut differently, just like jeans or skirts. You may take a certain size in one brand, but something else in another. There is no “one size accommodates all” in bra fitting.

Which style suits you? When we are choosing a bra that’ll make you look great, we need to consider what we’re working with. Different styles suit different bust shapes. Whether you are small, average or full busted, there is a bra that will accommodate your form.

Keep an eye on your hooks. If a bra fits properly, you should be able to comfortably fasten it on the loosest hook. Then, as the bra adjusts to your body or begins to age, you can gradually work your way in. If you have to go straight to the tightest hook, that bra is not right for you. The bra should be low and tight on the back, with no riding up. If it rides up, the band is too big.

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Fashion Beauty and

Wedding Planning & Event Management Offering The Ultimate Event Experience

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d Wedding Consulting & Design d Corporate & Social Event Management d Etiquette Training & Image Consulting

info@margaretdaniel.com www.margaretdaniel.com 678 361 5505

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tiffanypowell photography

Lifestyle & Portrait Photography

Serving the Greater Atlanta Area Available for Worldwide Travel

Specializing in Maternity Newborns Babies Children Families High School Seniors

Capturing the Memories and Moments that Take your Breath Away

Contact us to create your custom photography experience 404.435.6274 www.tiffany-powell.com