10th anniversary special issue 2017 digital version

FRAN

DRESCHER

America's Favorite Nanny Saves Lives

10th Anniversary Special Edition

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CONTENTS Christopher Walton, Esq. Helping the Little Guy

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Dr. Mimi Guarneri’s Pearls of Wisdom

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Rauni Prittinen King, RN, MIH Healing Through Touch

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Maria Burns

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Dr. Elisa Magill Envision This!

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Maha’s Home Staging Company

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Dr. Tess Mauricio. Feeling Young Again with Vaginal Rejuvenation

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The Talent Behind Laurenn Barker

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Fran Drescher. America’s Favorite Nanny

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Mom, I think God made a mistake

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ChicExecs. Kailynn Bowling & Nikki Carlson

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Ruth A. Gillis, LMFT EMDR Certified Therapist

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“Taking Care of YOU”

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Sewing To Make Children’s Dreams Come True

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Dr. Kristine Reese

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Making Aging in Place Possible

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Susan Kuruvilla, CEO

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Sohaila Handelsman. The Star in the Sky

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Beauty and The Beast Review

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Stefanie Bales: Tapping into the Psyche Through Art

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Melanie Trehan. Love the Skin You’re In

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Nancy and The Nice Guys

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A Sedona Adventure

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Would You Be A Sugar Baby?

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Safe Browsing Online

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Dr. Shivali Gohel

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26 Fran Drescher

Fabulous Finds

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MOM, I THINK God made a mistake

Oh Baby!

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Letter From the Editor Dear Readers, As I sit down to write this letter, I think back to our very first issue ten years ago.

We had great excitement and expectations at the thought of bringing a women’s magazine to San Diego. We understood the need for a publication celebrating women, and we wanted to make the women proud of this publication that they could call their own.

The journey has not always been an easy one, but it has been one that I am so glad to have experienced. Coming from New York and starting a magazine in San Diego brought with it some unexpected revelations. Many that caused me to rethink my editorial choices from time to time.

Well, ten years have passed, and our editorial board has decided to open up and lighten up. So, you will find that this issue touches upon topics you may never have thought you would find in the old, “San Diego Woman.”

So please, if you have never read an issue of our magazine before, please sit down kick up your feet and learn about the women of San Diego Woman the Magazine. For those of you who are regular readers you will notice we have increased our page count, we have an entirely new design and a modern new attitude. Women change with time, so should their magazine!

Thank you for your loyalty, your letters, your stories and your love! We are devoted to working toward the next ten years growing bigger and better with every single issue.

Remember, this is your magazine, and we would love to hear from you. If you want to share your story or the story of a woman you know, send me an email to editor@sdwomanmagazine.com. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Thank you for ten years of support.

With Love, Judith A. Habert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief San Diego Woman Magazine

San Diego Woman Magazine’s Editors, Staff, and Freelancers Would Like to Extend Heartfelt Thanks to All of Our Readers, Supporters, and Advertisers Who Have Made it Possible for Us to Celebrate Ten Years Doing What We Love to Do, Being the Voice of the Women of San Diego. We Love You All!

Letters to the Editor San Diego Woman, once again you have provided some very important information through your articles. I have suffered with the shame of terribly bad varicose veins, and have been too embarrassed to do anything about them. Now that I know how easy the procedure is now I have the courage to set up an appointment.

ჸჸ Lilly from Fallbrook My husband and I loved the article about Sheri and her guy packing up and moving to Puerto Rico. My husband and I have dreamed of a retirement like that for years. It is so hard to leave it all behind, but one of these days we will. Thanks for the inspiration!

ჸჸ Connie from San Diego I really enjoyed the article “When You’re Italian” It brought me back to my childhood. Keep sharing those type of stories with your readers. It is nice to know someone else had similar experiences.

ჸჸ Lucy from Vista The article A Four-Letter Word was such a good one and it hopefully let some of the readers understand how hard it is to have hearing problems. I was born with a congenital hearing issue that has gotten worse over the years and there is truly no outward sign to let others know that I can’t hear what they are saying to me. Some people are so mean sometimes, because they think I am ignoring them or being rude, when the only problem is I didn’t hear them. Be tolerant, and don’t assume the worse. Being hearing impaired is a real disability, and it is time it was recognized as such.

ჸჸ Constance from San Diego What a brave young woman you highlighted in the article, “Her Middle Name Should be Never Give Up” It kind of makes me feel bad for all the times I’ve complained about little inconveniences. Way to go Alexis!

ჸჸ Margie from Hillcrest I love your product reviews. I always find something in there that I want to buy. My husband isn’t too thrilled with it though, but he will get over it!

ჸჸ Barbara from La Jolla

Contributors at Point Loma. A busy woman with 9 grandchildren, she combines teaching with her love of writing.

Robert Tussey Robert has been a published writer for over thirty years and has been providing editing services for the past twenty-five.

As a musician, he has written scores of songs.

His life has revolved around his music and writing, often melding the two into articles and interviews.

Jane Baxley Jane Baxley is a freelance writer who enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and gardening. Writing has been her passion for many years. Life experience has taught her to step back and enjoy today.

Sharon Hightower Sharon is a native of California, and has lived in Chicago and Guadalajara, MX. She earned an MA in Teaehing English as a Second Language (TESOL) from CSULA some 20 years ago, but recently completed her MBA

Carol Heath

Gerald Neff With more than 40 years living and working in South America in the agriculture and forestry business. topped off with 25 years in the U.S. Embassy and Peace Corps.

His writing experience includes local publicalions and years of U.S. Embassy reports; so sit back and enjoy the ride. Gerald Neff can be contacted at 760 796 4877

Carol is a Certified Clinical Master/Teacher; she is certified in a myriad of alternative modalities including Color and Sound therapy, Chakra therapy,Reflexology, Cranial and Lomi lomi massage and developed her own hands on healing method.

Janice Carter-Booth Janice is a massage therapist who loves spending time with any amount of her 15 grandchildren. Her favorite activities are swimming and writing.

creates art based on self experiences and from experiences of those around her or strangers that she encounters.

Maggie is grateful and very fortunate for meeting good people in her life; often finding a mentor or an awsome supporter where or when least expected.

Patrick Moreno

Dawn Nicoli For over 20 years Dawn has owned and operated Nicoli Productions, an environmental portrait studio, run out of her two-acre property in Escondido.

Starting a new chapter of her life, when serenity has become so important, Dawn spends her time in her palapa tree house with her dog, Karma. exploring the world of writing.

Debbie Storms Debbie has enjoyed many careers from accountant to air traffic controller.

She believes life is an adventure to be lived to its fullest. Growing up in New Jersey, she learned life skills to help her practice that credo. Her passion for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She is now focusing on writing about her travels and interviewing entertainers, which is a great combo!

Maggie Ramos Maggie Ramos is a student at MiraCosta College and is artistically multi talented. She is a great writer, painter and a skilled photographer thanks to several recent courses. She puts her soul and heart in every piece she creates.

Her art and writing pieces tend to be very emotional. Maggie

murals as far away as Indonesia and flown to places like Wyoming and Hawaii for Decorative Painting.

Patrick resides in Fort Collins, Colorado and is the father of a ten-year old boy, Domanic; and his faithful dog, Missy.

Patrick has been a part of the cybersecurity realm and computing arena for over a decade.

Not only is he an industry veteran, Patrick has single-handedly steered multi paradigm projects enabling network and web security mitigation across variable domains. His primary motto is to make web browsing a seamless experience while ensuring data privacy. Patrick can be contacted directly at 970 541 4887 and is available for consultation upon request.

Deeba Van Overberghe Daughter of an artist, Deeba grew up with the influence of art all around her. Deeba has dedicated the last 14 years to refining her artistic talents and abilities in Fine and Decorative Arts and Illustration. She has illustrated books here in San Diego, painted

Mimi Cook Hall Mimi Cook Hall is an entrepreneur, a marketing and sales director, and a writer.

Ms. Hall is currently working on her first novel, a historical romance that takes place during the Yukon gold rush of 1896.

I N F O R M I N G, E N T E R TA I N I N G, A N D F E AT U R I N G T H E W O M E N O F S A N D I E G O

Behind the Pages Judith A. Habert

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Sonali Soni

Creative Director

Carol Heath

Judith A. Habert Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Editor

editor@sdwomanmagazine.com

Jaime V. Habert

Entertainment Editor/ Copyeditor

Dawn Nicoli Photographer

Lisa K Miller Photographer

11835 Carmel Mountain Road Suite 1304-346 San Diego, CA 92128

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SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Jaime V. Habert Entertainment Editor/Copyeditor

Annual subscriptions available on request Please send name, mailing address, and check for $25.00 payable to San Diego Woman. Subscriptions can also be purchased online at www.sdwomanmagazine.com

Disclaimer: Products, services, practices, websites or informational packets mentioned within our pages are in no way an endorsement by San Diego Woman, but are provided to our readers for informational purposes only.

Privacy Advisory: Personal information provided by our readers will be used solely for the purposes of providing requested information and will not be shared.

Christopher Walton, Esq.

HELPING THE LITTLE GUY

By Judith A. Habert

Photos by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions

W

HEN WE ARE YOUNG AND think about what we want to be when we grow up our reasons are honest and true to our hearts. It's only when we get older that we think about things like the salary or the amount of schooling involved in our decision.

That is why it is easy to spot those in just about every profession who felt it in their hearts before they contemplated the choice in the minds. Chris Walton knew from a very early age that he wanted to be a lawyer, not for the prestige or the standard of living it would allow, but for one very simple reason, he wanted to speak up for the little guy who wasn't being heard. He wanted to right the wrongs that were taking place around him. Today Chris does exactly what he dreamed of doing, and as a result, has helped right many wrongs often for those who have too soft a voice to speak for themselves. He is a personal injury attorney who specializes in elder abuse and neglect issues and often finds himself facing large nursing home corporations in a battle to bring justice for his clients.

Chris was born in Boston and moved to New Mexico as a young child. He wasn't the son of a lawyer, nor did he have any immediate family members in the field, but he knew it was his calling. At the young age of

11, the future lawyer actually won his first case. It was over a dining room table, not in a courtroom but it was a well-fought victory none the less. "I was about 11 when my friend Jeremy got into a little trouble at home, and after discussing it, we both felt that his punishment was harsher than it should have been. So, I offered to represent him, since he was too afraid to speak up to his parents. I interviewed his siblings to find out if they had received similar punishment when they had committed the same, or a similar infraction. I then put together a chart showing how they had been punished for similar crimes. Then we found a way that I would be invited to dinner so I could present my case. I'm sure Jeremy's parents thought it was pretty funny at the time, but they ended up lessening his punishment, as a result of my presentation. Word got out quickly, and I was called upon to share dinners at other friend's homes, when they needed similar help. I became known as the neighborhood attorney." For Chris, this was just the beginning of defending the little guy.

When the time came for Chris to attend college he knew that he wanted to be as far away from the desert as possible, so he chose to attend Washington State. Chris worked through college, and it was his job at Olive Garden that would affect his life more than he thought a part time job would.

"It was at this job that I met my wife, Shauna. She actually trained me, and a few years later we began dating," It was a joint decision for Shauna and Chris to move to San Diego, because they felt it would be the perfect place to raise a family. Chris applied and was accepted at California Western School of Law. When he headed to

law school, he planned to be a Sports Agent, but soon realized that there was another area of law that was more in line with the very reason he wanted to be a lawyer.

Upon graduation, Chris was recruited for a position as a defense attorney protecting the interests of insurance companies and professionals, primarily doctors. "Although I enjoyed it, there was something in me that wanted to have that feeling again of standing up for the little guy and being on the side of the plaintiff and not the large corporation."

In 2010, Chris took a major leap and decided to become the type of lawyer he wanted to be. “ I opened my own firm, Walton Law, and began working as a plaintiff ’s attorney. Instead of representing big corporations, I could now get back to standing up for the little guy." The decision to go out on his own was not an easy one. "I was married, had a wife, we just had our first child, we had bought a home, the economy was tanking, I had school loans to pay back, but I knew it was time for me to venture out on my own.

My wife was extremely supportive as she always is, so that helped with my decision."

Chris today can tell you that this was the best decision he ever made.

“One of my major concerns was being there to be an active participant in my daughter’s life. I did not want to look back years from now and wonder where the time went.”

Chris, now the father of two, Kayla, nine and Caden, six, has found a way to be a very involved Dad. “With today's technology, I can work from home. I can move my schedule around to be there for dinner. I can attend their practices and games. When I

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worked at the previous law firm, I never saw my daughter. I would leave in the morning when she was asleep and return home 30 minutes before her bedtime. I didn't want to raise my children that way. Family is very important to me."

Chris’ clients are like family to him as well. He is very selective in which cases he takes and is not looking to have a huge law firm. "When you run a low volume practice like I have chosen to do, you can pick your clients, and so I love my clients, they are like family to me. I feel for them and the pain and suffering they are experiencing. I am available to them, and they know they can call me whenever they need to. In a large law firm, you cannot possibly give your clients this level of attention."

"When someone hires me to say I take it seriously would be an understatement. I know that this person could have hired anyone and they chose me, so I feel a real responsibility to do everything I can for them to make sure they get the absolute best lawyer that they deserve."

Chris’ clients will attest to this.

When describing Chris words like caring, compassionate, and empathetic are often heard, but the comment that says it all was from one of his recent clients who simply said. “Chris Walton is a truly amazing attorney.”

Chris, who has spent the majority of his professional life operating his firm out of an office in downtown San Diego recently made a move to the Carmel Valley/Del Mar area. Their beautiful new office makes it easier for clients to visit them, and allows Chris more time with his family and less time in downtown traffic. “I see more clients in three weeks at our Carmel Valley location than I saw in a full year at our downtown location.”

With easily accessible free parking and a simple commute from most areas getting to Chris’ office is much easier for his clients. Along with making the move, Chris also hired their first

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associate. “Having another attorney in the office allows us to be available to answer every call that comes in. Even if a potential client calls in with a case that isn’t the right fit for our firm, we will answer any questions and provide information to point the potential client in the right direction.”

With a reputation as a "nice guy" fighting for the little guy, how does Chris make the transition to tough guy when going head to head with these big corporate attorneys. "I tell young lawyers all the time just be yourself when you litigate. You don't have to yell and scream or become a total jerk.

If you have a great client and build your case the right way to make sure the opposing counsel knows you are

never going away, so they have only one choice to pay or take the ultimate risk and put the choice in the hands of a jury.”

Walton Law handles all types of personal injury cases, anyone injured due to someone else’s negligence, or intentional behavior. These include car accidents, premises accidents, or product liability. Chris’ niche area is nursing home and elder abuse work including financial elder abuse.

The favorite part of being a lawyer for Chris is similar to his 11-year-old self. "My favorite part of what I do is standing up for what I believe in.

Helping people through very difficult times and having them know that I am there to hold people accountable when

they make purely financial decisions which negatively affect those they are there to protect and watch over."

I asked Chris if he could share with our readers some tips or insight on how they can be sure these type of negative events don’t end up affecting them or their loved ones. He shared the following: • “If you suspect abuse or neglect at a nursing home where, a relative lives, your first step would be to talk to the facilities administrator. If this does not help then talk to the department of public health, there is always an ombudsman who can jump in and find out what’s going on. If that gets you nowhere go to the police.”

• “We don’t charge people to call into the firm. You should always understand your legal rights. We don’t push people into signing on with our firm, so call in if you are concerned with things going on in a nursing home. Also, keep in mind that if you are involved in a car accident, call us before you speak to anyone either involved in the accident or any of their insurance or legal representatives. Do not settle. No one need be afraid to speak to someone at this firm. Even if we can't take the case, we will give you some important information to help. By the end of the phone conversation, you will be more informed and able to deal with your situation.”.

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

Dr. Mimi Guarneri’s

PEARLS OF WISDOM

By Judith A. Habert

I

N THE TEN YEARS THAT I HAVE been publishing San Diego Woman Magazine, I can honestly say that I have never come across anyone quite like Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC, ABOIM, who is board-certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology and Integrative Holistic Medicine. I had spoken to colleagues of hers, patients who swore by her, and nurses who had worked with her. Even their songs of praise did not affect me quite as much as the 60 minutes or so that I spent a few weeks ago talking with her and getting to know not only the physician, but the woman behind the title.

Within just a few moments of meeting, we had ascertained that there was a common bond in that we were both native New Yorkers and of Italian decent, but that wasn't it. That was but an added plus in that we almost immediately understood each other and communicated as perhaps only two New Yorkers can, but there was still something so special and so unique that it took a while for me to figure out what it was.

Here I was sitting across from a renowned doctor who has accomplished so much throughout her life. Dr. Guarneri speaks at conferences with thousands of attendees. She has written wonderful books, published many articles, appeared as an expert source on radio and TV programs and is even slated to be a speaker at the Vatican this coming November at an event sponsored by the World Health Organization, UCSD and Miraglo Foundation. There she sat across from me when I realized what it was…she cares from such a profound place, for each

and every patient she sees. She listens, but more importantly, she hears. As an Integrative Cardiologist, Dr. Guarneri is often faced with critical and acute care scenarios. She is called upon to make tough decisions, life, and death choices, with little room for error.

What she has learned, and very well I might add, is that more goes into her profession than just treating patients in an acute care condition. She has applied many years of clinical study and research on the mind-body-spirit connection for creating optimal heath, wellness and healing outcome and has incorporated these elements into her practice to make a difference, and most importantly, to save lives.

The term “Integrative Cardiologist” was coined by Dr. Guarneri when her practice began to change to an Integrative approach.

Dr. Guarneri came to San Diego in 1994 to work at Scripps Clinic as an Interventional Cardiologist. This specialty focuses on acute care, such as placing stents in arteries. Dr. Guarneri was often faced with very sick patients; some whom had basically received a death sentence due to the severity of their health condition. Dr. Guarneri didn’t believe these sentences to be true. She learned that by incorporating some healthy habits into their everyday life, the likelihood of developing heart disease could be significantly deterred.

“I would put in about 750 stents per year while at Scripps. I’d see many repeat patients. I just knew there had to be a better way to treat these patients so that they wouldn’t continue to be in need of my services --and possibly never need to be in the care

of a cardiologist in an acute situation,” explains Dr. Guarneri.

"I became interested in the work that Dr. Dean Ornish was doing. I would put stents in and then run across the parking lot to Dr. Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease, a lifestyle change program, and studied the work he was doing. Rauni Prittinen King, RN was the Nurse Case Manager for the research study, and we were both realizing the huge differences made by the lifestyle change program for the patients. Rauni had been an intensive care nurse for more than 20 years. She, too, was aware of the rising population of "frequent fliers" that she would see as return patients with cardiac incidents to the ICU. Dr. Guarneri remarked, "We would put these patients on vegetarian diets, teach them yoga and meditation, place them into support groups and get them up and moving and doing some exercise. The results were phenomenal.

With these lifestyle changes, we saw a 91% decrease in chest pain, cholesterol levels went down, triglycerides went down, and they lost significant amounts of weight. Most importantly, by and large, their coronary disease had been reversed.”

This proved to Dr. Guarneri exactly what she had believed for a very

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction long time, which was that you could not just treat the symptom without attacking the underlying problem. She said, “Certainly, as a cardiologist when you are faced with a patient suffering from an acute event, such as a stroke or a heart attack, Conventional Medicine’s approach is the only way to go.

You need to get the patient to a trauma center like Scripps, Sharp, UCSD and others where they are trained in critical care, and can immediately deal with the current crisis.” Dr. Guarneri felt that part of the problem was that medical schools trained doctors in the acute care model, but little to no emphasis was placed on training for prevention of coronary disease.

One of the other issues which Dr. Guarneri was witnessing more regularly was that when a patient went to a physician with a medical complaint that resulted in a diagnosis such as diabetes or high blood pressure, the answer was always the “ill to the pill” approach. Each diagnosis resulted in a prescription for medicine to treat the problem, with physicians not asking the question ‘why does this patient have high blood pressure and what can we do to reverse it?’ In defense of physicians, this was not a fault of your doctor, but more the fault of the system, which required that a physician sees a minimum number of patients per day for them to operate

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in the black. So, what took more time: writing a prescription for medication or discussing the basics of nutrition and how it applies to the disease they developed and what they would have to do to correct the problem? Dr. Guarneri shares, "The minute that became really clear to me, I realized that it was necessary for us to teach health providers differently. Not to say that what we learned in school is bad, it is great for acute care, but we need a model that really embraces the best of acute care and then how do we prevent disease and get to underlying cause so we can start to reverse the process."

Dr. Guarneri saw that a way to fix the system was to recognize that our method of healing was not the only way to improve the health of our population. She explained, “Of course, we prided our medical schools for teaching our new doctors state of the art heart technology which we knew was critical to our patients, but part of their healing process might also include the many wonders we could learn from other global traditions. Conventional Medicine is just one of many global healing traditions. There is Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine from India and Homeopathy and Naturopathic Medicine, which have their own healing properties.”

After seeing the amazing results that could be achieved through

non-traditional modalities, Dr. Guarneri knew that she owed it to the medical profession, and particularly to heart disease sufferers everywhere to bring this education to the medical community. She and Rauni decided through their own experiences and those of Dr. Ornish --and others they followed, that it was time for them to make a proposal to Scripps Hospital to create an innovative and groundbreaking program. Shortly thereafter, with some generous benefactors and the blessings of Scripps, their dream became a reality, and Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine was born.

As the medical director of the center, Dr. Guarneri saw the importance of bringing education to physicians, as well as the public who were yearning for something besides a prescription drug solution to every health problem. The Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine offered the best of Conventional and Complementary Medicine. This is based upon the belief that there exist many paths to healing and that holistic health is a cohesive balance of mind, body, and spirit. They recognized the wisdom of all healing traditions and incorporated them as appropriate into individualized care plans. Dr. Guarneri notes, “We realized one of the problems was that physicians needed to be educated in Integrative approaches. They need-

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction ed to think differently, so we started to create large conferences such as ‘Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Approach,' which is going into its 15th year. We have people from all over who attend. This is now considered one of the biggest Integrative Health and Medicine conferences in the world, hosting over 1,000 people from around the world."

The Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine grew tremendously over the years, but Dr. Guarneri's desire to bring Integrative Medicine to the forefront of the medical community was even greater than this center. Her desire was to make San Diego a hub for Integrative Health and Medicine. She was instrumental in the decision made

by Bastyr University to open their new site in San Diego. Bastyr University is a pioneer in science-based natural medicine and one of the leading health arts and sciences universities in the world, with programs for Naturopathic Medicine, Nutrition, Public Health, Herbal Sciences and more.

Dr. Guarneri realized one of her dreams when she founded The Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) in 2013. A great way to describe the AIHM is with the mission statement, which reads, “The Academy provides critical resources to support collaboration between practitioners working to transform our disease care model into one that serves the whole person—body, mind, spirit—and beyond to include community and the planet.” The AIHM is an innovative educational organization dedicated to engaging a global community of health professionals and health seekers in training, leadership, interprofessional collaboration, research, and advocacy.

She currently serves as President of the AIHM. Integrative Medicine did not earn its board certification from the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) until 2014. Dr. Guarneri sits on the founding board. I asked how the climate has changed with traditional doctors’ views of Integrative

Medicine since the certification efforts began in 1996. She said, “By in large physicians are really disenchanted now. They are unhappy with 10-minute appointments, and they don't feel they can provide the care they want to provide. Look at the statistics of physician depression, alcoholism, suicide. It is really scary. There is a lot of discontent. I wrote a book a few years ago dealing with this problem entitled Total Engagement – The Healthcare Practitioner’s Guide to Heal Yourself, Your Patients and Your Practice. It is a book that teaches them how to reinvent themselves.”

Four years ago, Dr. Guarneri took an even bigger leap toward her total belief in the importance of Integrative Medicine. She and Rauni founded both Guarneri Integrative Health, Inc. and Pacific Pearl La Jolla. Dr. Guarneri, who serves as Medical Director, explains, “I wanted to build an Integrative health and wellness facility to provide excellent healthcare in the middle of La Jolla. I also wanted to blend things that Conventional Medicine doesn’t always understand.

Here at The Pearl, you see not only a Medical Doctor, but a Naturopathic Doctor during your 90-minute first visit. We don't do 10-minute appointments at Pacific Pearl. We need to get to know our patients before we can treat them. One of our first questions to a new patient is, ’What is your idea of success?' One patient's response was simply ‘to wake up in the morning and not feel pain,' but the answers vary.

In the current 10-minutes per patient traditional medical care model, it is very easy to label people, and give them drugs. It’s not so easy to get people motivated and get them started on creating health. We need to get people back in charge of their lives. That is why I wanted to create a center where I could continue to practice medicine, continue to teach doctors, and have doctors from all areas work together under one roof. We do not have to send our patients all over town for the different needs they may have. We give

each patient our personal email and cell phone, so we are always close by to help our patients, no matter what they need."

At Guarneri Integrative Health, Inc., local patients are joined by those traveling from across the globe to be assessed and treated by Dr. Guarneri and her team of experts in cutting edge Conventional, Integrative and Natural Medicine. Pacific Pearl La Jolla is also home to several organizations, in addition to Guarneri Integrative Health, Inc. They include the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM), Holistic and Integrative Medicine Resources, Inc. (HIMR), Miraglo Foundation, Consciousness and Healing Initiative (CHI) and a fully-equipped video/live-streaming space for education, workshops and conferences.

To help patients get back in charge of their own lives, Dr. Guarneri recently released her latest book entitled, 108 Pearls to Awaken Your Healing Potential. In it, she blends modern science and ancient wisdom to offer her own guide of 108 pearls—steps

you can take to awaken the healing potential of your body, mind, and spirit. Her new book, published by Hay House, is broken up into sections focusing on the body, mind, emotions and spirit. It covers topics such as how to effectively follow the elimination diet, how to turn stress into strength, the impact of stress and depression on the body, what you can do naturally for diabetes and high cholesterol, and

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how our health and the choices we make can affect the planet. Her weekly website blogs reflect the wisdom from her book.

Before ending our time together, I took advantage of sitting across from this internationally-renowned cardiologist, scholar, author and leading proponent of Integrative Medicine. I asked her to share with our readers some of her "pearls of wisdom." These were the top two she shared with us.

• As an Integrative Cardiologist, she wanted to remind women that the number one cause of death to women is cardiovascular disease.

“Each year we lose approximately 250,000 women to heart disease. So, women must be aware that just getting a pap smear and a mammogram isn’t enough. About 40,000 women die from breast cancer every year.

So, cardiovascular health needs to be taken seriously. I don't want women burying their head in the sand. Everything that goes into heart disease is entirely preventable and reversible. Women need to get rid of the cigarettes, start exercising, be aware of proper nutrition, and realize that stress relief is important.”

• “Everyone should know their numbers – numbers such as their cholesterol, blood pressure, and BMI (body mass index). Since women usually are the head of the household and make most of the choices about food and healthcare, they can make a major positive change for their families. They can decide to make one night per week a meatless night, and the family will go along with it. Their family members might complain in the beginning, but eventually, they will acquiesce. Eventually, the entire family will realize there are other healthier options besides eating meat every day.”

Learn more at www.PacificPearlLaJolla.com and www.MimiGuarneriMD.com.

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WHAT DOES MIRAGLO FOUNDATION DO TO HELP? Miraglo Foundation has accomplished many amazing feats in the short time it has been in existence. It was founded by Rauni Prittinen King, RN and Mimi Guarneri, MD, FACC in 2011.

Its vision is “Healing people and transforming lives through education, health and research.”

Their goal is to promote love, dignity and healing to those in need and the undeserved around the world. They also support innovative Integrative Medicine education and research.

A major project supported by Miraglo Foundation is the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, an innovative educational organization dedicated to engaging a global community of health professionals and health seekers in training, leadership, interprofessional collaboration, research, and advocacy.

It is unifying the voice

of Integrative Health and Medicine. Another major project has been Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Center in the Tamil Nadu region in rural-Southern India. When Miraglo Foundation first became involved in helping the hospital, it was a one-room clinic, and, now, it is a 250-bed multi-specialty hospital serving thousands of patients monthly. It provides diagnostics, imaging services, surgical procedures, complimentary food and medicines and aftercare. In 2016, thanks to generous donations, they opened a 150-bed Specialty Hospital but are still in need of a cardiac catheterization laboratory and an open heart surgical suite, which is an $800,000 project. Miraglo Foundation is currently raising funds for this project.

Miraglo Foundation also helped Shantipuri Friends Foundation in In-

dia by providing funding to schools for children who are shunned or orphaned. They provide education, school supplies, food, clothing, and medical care.

In addition to the work they do in India, the Foundation has helped organizations in other places in the world, as well as right here in San Diego. In Nepal, they work with an organization called Friends of Maiti Nepal to gather resources in the U.S. to assist its battle against human rights violations, such as human sex trafficking.

Miraglo Foundation provides funds for rescued women and children to receive healthcare and education. In Uganda, they work with Mari Kelly Cows’ Project by providing funding to purchase cows as a means of enhancing nutrition for this vulnerable population.

In San Diego, Miraglo Foundation works with the following organizations: • Feeding San Diego, Feeding America: feeding local children, families, seniors weekly • Monarch School: a local school that is exclusively for students who are homeless.

• Welcome Home International: an organization providing holistic, peer-driven support services for women in transition from incarceration.

• Big Animals for Little Kids: an all-volunteer organization in San Diego that extends love through visits to hospitalized and ill children by entertainment volunteers in animal costumes.

• The San Diego Book Project: providing books and educational materials freeof-charge to teachers, schools and organizations with the assistance of Rotary Clubs.

These are but a few of the wonderful causes that Miraglo has gotten behind.

Check out their site www.miraglofoundation.org to find out more.

Join Miraglo Foundation to Help Make a Difference.

Visit www.miraglofoundation.org (and click the DONATE button) (858) 459-2114

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

Rauni Prittinen King, RN, MIH HEALING THROUGH TOUCH

By Judith A. Habert

W

HEN YOU HAVE SPENT OVER 20 years in critical care nursing, there isn't much you haven't seen. There are certain events in life that bring us to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). For anyone who has spent any time in an ICU, whether as a patient or a visitor, you know that the majority of what is found is not like the TV medical show ailments like train and airplane wrecks, gunshot wounds or impalement. What brings most of us to the intensive care unit are diseases that finally get to the point where our body can no longer handle what we have been doing to it for the past 10, 20 or 30 years.

Rauni Prittinen King, RN, an accomplished business woman and foundation president, a highly-sought consultant in healthcare and the co-founder and executive director of the Integrative health and wellness center, Pacific Pearl La Jolla, had seen it all as an ICU nurse. She loved her profession but was bothered with a feeling that something was missing in her early days. She would watch patients come in and out of her unit, and many more, not as lucky wouldn't make it out.

She felt deeply for the suffering she saw, but especially when she would see ‘repeat offenders,’ those who came in regularly with heart problems, strokes and other ailments. It wasn't until she attended a workshop in energy healing that she finally felt as if she had found help for the suffering.

This workshop was just the beginning for Rauni. It was the beginning of a

new life focus that wasn’t fully clear at the beginning but ultimately brought her to a global stage. She explains, "After attending that first energy healing seminar I knew I had discovered what was missing.

In every study done on the subject, there are similar findings. Compassion and intentional touch help to heal."

Rauni was ecstatic when she found the missing piece to the puzzle. She knew her patients were getting the best that conventional medicine had to offer, but now, she realized there was more to getting better than medical care and prescription drugs. She says, “I knew what they were missing – healing. When people are ill, they are in physical crisis, but they also are in an emotional, mental and spiritual crisis. We don't have a cure for misery, so we give patients drugs like Valium to get over anxiety and emotional pain. Once the patient is taken off the drug, they end up back in the same place.

They are afraid of dying, they are afraid of disability, and they are most likely afraid of the medical procedures they are about to endure."

“The practice of Healing Touch® and energy healing was what I believed was missing from the nursing practice,” Rauni says. “Once I realized this, I could not get enough education on the subject. I became a certified practitioner, and now I teach on all five levels of the curriculum.

This was how I started on the path of holistic and Integrative Medicine."

Rauni continued learning more and more about Holistic Nursing and went on with her education, earning her certification as a Holistic Nurse through the American Holistic Nurse Association, and a Masters Degree in Integrative Health. She also became a Certified Healing Touch® Practitioner and Instructor.

Rauni adds, " I knew I was on the right track and watched the significant effect I was having on patients.”

A coordinator and instructor of Healing Touch® workshops at Scripps Hospitals since 1993, Rauni also provides classes at Pacific Pearl La Jolla and is the lead instructor for the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System. After creating Healing Touch® of Finland in 1998, she has been teaching Healing Touch in Europe and India as well as North America.

In 1995, she was intrigued to follow up after hearing rumors that Scripps was going to do a Holistic lifestyle research study for cardiac patients. She applied for the job and was hired since they were looking for someone with a strong cardiac background.

The program, Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease trial, was exciting and groundbreaking. The plan was to take very sick heart patients and place them in this new research program of lifestyle changes instead of treating them with a stent, angioplasty, or open-heart surgery. It included a specific diet, yoga, meditation, exercise and support groups. Rauni says, “This was when I met Dr. Mimi Guarneri, who was an Interventional Cardiologist at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital. In the spring of 1996, our first task was to interview patients for the program."

It didn't take long for Rauni and Dr. Guarneri to realize that this program needed to be put in place for all patients.

So, after much discussion, planning and great determination, they wrote the proposal for what is now known as Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. “External funding came from grateful patients and donors, and Scripps gave us the go-ahead. This is how it all began, and it

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction still remains a part of the Scripps Health System,” she adds.

She moved into management and teaching at the new center while also treating patients. After 25 years of full time employment at Scripps Health, Rauni had touched many lives.

In 2013, Rauni and Dr. Guarneri achieved their dream of co-founding a private Integrative health and wellness center that featured a team of experts in Conventional, Integrative and Natural Medicine. She is both co-founder and executive director of Guarneri Integrative Health, Inc. at Pacific Pearl La Jolla, a center where state-of-the-art Conventional Medicine meets the best of global

HIMR provide programs for Integrative Medicine to help transform or develop professional practices and healthcare systems. Rauni is president of HIMR, and her other roles at The Pearl include director, healthcare provider and instructor.

She adds, “It was fun to use the knowledge from my Interior Design degree to create a healing environment.”

Her reach has moved beyond Pacific Pearl La Jolla. Her experience as Nurse Case Manager in the Dean Ornish program, her development and management of Integrative Medicine centers and her career in critical care nursing has given her an incredible background. This made her an obvious choice to direct and

gram she helped to create. In one course, she was assigned a project in which she had to interview a subject she admired greatly. There was a man who fit the bill – someone who had been running charitable foundations for many years. After conducting the interview, Rauni was greatly inspired to create a foundation.

In 2011, Rauni founded Miraglo Foundation, along with Dr. Mimi Guarneri. Miraglo Foundation’s vision is ‘Healing people and transforming lives through education, health and research.’

She serves as its dynamic president, and both are equally involved and dedicated to the needs of the many thousands of people that Miraglo Foundation serves

healing traditions for a personalized whole-person approach that addresses mind, body and spirit – and where a wellness assessment lasts 90 minutes and includes both a Medical Doctor and a Naturopathic Doctor. Spa and wellness services like acupuncture, massage, herbal tub baths and facials are also offered. She designed the center to include a space for conferences, workshops and community lectures that has full video/ live streaming capacities. Pacific Pearl La Jolla is also home to the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM), Miraglo Foundation, Consciousness and Healing Initiative (CHI) and Holistic and Integrative Medicine Resources Inc. (HIMR), a business and consulting unit they both founded. Among other initiatives, Rauni and Dr. Guarneri through

coordinate national and international holistic and integrative medicine conferences for physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers. These annual conferences include ‘Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Approach’ conference and the ‘Integrative and Holistic Nursing Conference,’ both of which are held in San Diego and bring thousands of healthcare professionals to the area.

She also launched a not-for-profit public charity, Miraglo Foundation, which supports projects and people in the U.S. and around the world.

Rauni, who spent a good portion of her life caring for others, was always searching for ways that she could do more. When she was working towards her Master's Degree in Integrative Health from National University, it was a pro-

today. Having interviewed the charitable foundation expert and also having worked with the Scripps Foundation, Rauni was familiar with restrictions that often were caused by how a foundation was created. She wanted to be certain that Miraglo Foundation would have a broad reach. She explains, "It was critical that I learned how to create a foundation that allowed us to accomplish all that we wanted – supporting Integrative Medicine and education, research, and service to the underserved globally. We didn't want limits. We had a long list of what should be included, and we knew that we wanted it to be local, national, and global.

It was a blessing to spend this time creating what we wanted, because we can do a lot of work not only in San Diego but in developing nations."

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction Miraglo Foundation has accomplished many remarkable feats in the short time it has been in existence. Their work is global.

A major project has been the support of the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM), which Dr. Guarneri founded and where Rauni serves as a member of the Board of Directors. A focus of Miraglo Foundation is serving the under-served, and they support several San Diego initiatives, among others. Internationally, their support of the Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Center in the Tamil Nadu region in rural-Southern India has helped it grow from a one-room clinic to a 250-bed multi-specialty hospital serving thousands of patients monthly. Rauni says, “Currently, on average, five people each day who come into the hospital will lose their lives because the center does not have the ability to perform angioplasty, stenting and open-heart surgery. Now, we are raising funds for a much needed cardiac catheterization laboratory and open heart surgical suite.”

It is difficult for Rauni and the other foundation members to bear this distress when they travel to the hospital because the staff members are doing all they can.

Even with great doctors and nurses, they can't save lives without the necessary equipment. "Unfortunately," Rauni adds, “All the equipment comes from the same manufacturers used around the globe, so the cost in developing countries is the same as in wealthy metropolitan parts of the world. It is simply unaffordable.

The people in this region of India have a hard time feeding their families…and losing one of their family members to a curable ailment is impossible to accept.”

The list of organizations and projects Miraglo Foundation works with is growing every day. Check the article on page 12 to see some of the other wonderful causes taken on by the Foundation.

Constantly traveling around the world, Rauni is spreading the important messages of Integrative Medicine, education, compassion and service to improve global health. She says, “I went to Geneva last year to the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly representing Miraglo Foundation, as part of the delegation of the Global Health Council.

This coming October, I will present in

Brazil at a large healthcare conference, and in November of 2017, we will be going to the Vatican for a World Health Organization event where Dr. Guarneri will be presenting. That event is sponsored by the World Health Organization, UCSD and Miraglo Foundation."

Rauni loves what she does, even when asked if her time as a critical nurse was a difficult period for her. She responds, "All of my experiences have led me to where I am today. Because of my background, I have a lot of credibility in several areas of healthcare. My range has allowed me to enjoy many different experiences."

Her VA teaching opportunity came about due to a study of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that Dr. Guarneri and Rauni did while they were at Scripps. Active duty Marines with PTSD at Camp Pendleton in California were returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Rauni explains, “We used Healing Touch® to help with the PTSD symptoms. In September of 2012, our findings were published in the publication, ‘Military Medicine.’ The study had to be short, since the Marines were moving from place to place. We provided six treatments in a 3-week period, but even in that time, depression dropped, there was an overall reduction of symptoms, and hostility levels significantly decreased.”

After seeing their positive results, she was invited to teach Healing Touch® to healthcare providers at the Greater Los Angeles VA. The VA is the biggest health care system in the country with 153 hospitals, 773 outpatient centers and 260 Vet Counseling Centers.

Thanks to the teachings of Rauni and others in the medical profession, Integrative Medicine has moved to the forefront of a previously conventional medical model. I asked Rauni if the climate has changed with traditional physicians and if there existed an increased acceptance of Integrative Medicine?

She says, "Yes, the tide has turned, and we are seeing more traditional doctors willing to add Integrative Medicine to their practices. We are in the process of creating the healthcare that we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.

That is why we wanted Pacific Pearl La Jolla, our Integrative health and wellness center, to be a place where our patients would feel comfortable. It is designed to be more like home and less like a medical center. That is why we don't have a waiting room. We have a living room. Some of our patients will just drop by to sit in our living room to relax, and we love that.

Things have changed with traditional healthcare. We have over 70 medical schools in this country that now teach Integrative Medicine. When I left Scripps, it was only 35, so Integrative Medicine is the way of the future.”

I asked Rauni what her tidbits of advice would be for our readers and she shared the following: • I ask patients, “Where would you be if there were no obstacles? What would you do if nothing stood in your way?”

• Go deep within and see what you really want to do with your life. Often, we live our lives according to other peoples’ desires. We don't listen to our intuition; we don't listen to our own heart; we listen to other people who tell us what we should do. Intuition is the heart. Logical thinking is the head, and although there are only 18 inches between the two, this is often the longest distance we have to go. When you follow your heart, you don't determine your outcome, but you have a vision of where you want to go. Often people will think of every obstacle between where they are and where they want to be. So, I ask, ‘What is your passion?

Follow it.’

• There was a study done on patients with cancer, and the aim was to find out what happened to cancer patients given the news that they had a limited time remaining in their life. The purpose was to see why the outcome was different for two patients who were both told they had five weeks to live.

Some died exactly in five weeks, yet others lived 20 years. This shows that when we get passed the restrictions we place on ourselves, we can achieve great things.

Learn more at http://pacificpearllajolla.com and http://miraglofoundation. org.

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

Maria Burns Helping to Make Life Easier

I

N THE YEAR 2000, A YEAR filled with trepidation for many of us, a young woman with two boys decided to pack up herself and her boys and make a journey from Mexico to Oregon. For anyone, this is a scary endeavor, but especially for someone who at the time had little command of the English language and no family to run to if things did not go as planned.

This is exactly what Maria Burns did.

She registered in school so she could learn the language that was so foreign to her and took the first job she could get cleaning homes. She enrolled her boys in school and started working long hours to provide for herself and her children. "I wanted to have a career based on honesty and integrity, but I didn't know quite what that would be, so I searched around and explored many job opportunities. I always loved to learn, so learning new skills in all of these jobs was fun for me. I always believed that when you are looking for opportunities, they will come to you."

One of her jobs finally proved to be the right one. Maria was hired as a receptionist in an income tax office.

"This job was so interesting to me that I decide to obtain my license as a tax preparation professional” Soon Maria Maria soon learned how much her services were needed especially for the Hispanic population. Being fluent in

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both Spanish and English was of great help to the large number of Oregonians who still struggled with learning and understanding the English language.

"The horror was that because some of these individuals could not comprehend what they were being told, many professionals viewed them as easy targets. One woman came to me extremely upset. She signed on with a law firm who told her she owed the IRS five thousand dollars, which included their fee. She scrambled to get the money together to pay them, but couldn't understand how she could owe this much money. She came to see me, and I told her I would check with the IRS and the woman wanted to know the cost for me to do so. I told her there was no cost for me to check, apparently, the other firm had charged her several hundred dollars, just to tell her what she owed.

The reality was when I researched her files she owed nothing to the IRS. This is only one of the many stories I started hearing from those who came to me and were not fluent in English."

Realizing how great the need was for the non-English speaking commu-

nity, she decided that she needed to be able to help them in additional areas besides tax preparation. Maria went on to become licensed in Insurance, Real Estate, and as a Notary Public.

Maria decided she needed a change of scenery so she moved to San Diego and into her current office in Vista in 2013. She has several professionals who specialize in insurance, tax, and real estate, so they help her provide excellent service to her customers. With specialists working with her, she can focus on each client’s needs and be certain that they are covered in each and every area without the chance of being taken advantage of due to language issues.

Maria’s two boys are now grown.

One lives in Mexico, while the other is in Oregon, the state Maria and her boys moved to when she came here from Mexico 17 years ago. The boys remain very close to their mom.

I asked Maria what it was that she liked most about the career she finally chose and her answer was simple.

“I am really happy with what I do. I am really happy to come to my office

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction every day. The best part of my job is being able to help people. I am a people person, and I take a personal interest in every one of my customers.

I care, and they know I care."

Maria can help in a variety of areas including Tax planning, insurance, real estate and immigration paperwork filing, Although Maria cannot handle the entire filing because she is not an attorney she can, however, help you be certain that you have correctly filled out the application before seeing an attorney. If Maria believes you require the services of an attorney, she will help you to find one who is honorable and understands that there may be a communication issue.

I asked Maria what she envisions for her business moving forward. She responded, "I want to grow. I want to have franchises; however, I never want to get too big because then you cannot give the proper attention to everyone who desperately needs it.

I asked Maria what advice she would share with our readers and she shared the following: • If you don’t understand something of importance like a tax form or immigration paperwork, do not fill it out without the assistance of an English-speaking individual who can help you to understand it.

• Be wary of phone calls where the caller presents himself as an IRS employee and ask for personal information from you like your social security number, address, date of birth, etc.

The IRS does not make phone calls; they send letters. There have been a lot of people tricked by this current scam that is going around. If you suspect that you might owe money to the IRS come into my office and let me check it out for you. There is no cost for me to do this for you and it will give you peace of mind.

• • • •

To Contact Maria: www.usalatinoservices.com maria@usalatinoservices.com 760.407.6500 760.407.6914 800 Civic Center Dr. Ste H, Vista, CA 92084

Her services include: • Business & Personal Income Tax Preparation • Insurance Services • Notary Public • Translation & Apostille • Form Filing Immigration Services • Real Estate Her Licenses include: • California Registered Tax Preparer, CTEC #A260489 • Insurance License #0J16894 • Real Estate, CA BRE #01952419 • Notary Public, Commission #2049347 • California Immigration Consultant, Bond #41369208

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Dr. Elisa Magill ENVISION THIS!

By Sharon Hightower Photo by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions

I

T WAS LATE AT NIGHT, AND AN entrepreneur was busy preparing things for her adventures the next day.

However, on this evening, she decided to check her emails one last time. When she did, a notice for a contest caught her eye. She wondered… “what if?”

Although she figured it was a long shot, she opened the email. The challenge was to name who the “mystery figure” was in the picture. To her surprise, the name came right to her! “I know who this is!!!” Excitedly, she entered the name and was completely surprised when she found out she was the winner!!! The entrepreneur? Dr. Elisa Magill of Murrieta, CA! Let’s start with a bio…

Dr. Elisa Magill is the founder of Envision This! a company specializing in improving performance, managing change, and avoiding burnout. At the foundation of her coaching and training is understanding the individual and engaging the brain for optimized performance. Dr. Magill has over 25 years of professional experience in both the corporate and academic environments.

During her career, she observed her clients and found the effects of being overwhelmed combined with a lack of focus limited their personal and professional growth. These realizations fueled Elisa’s passion for helping busy people realize their dreams while staying energetic and motivated enough to enjoy them!

I met with Elisa in a quaint, Old Towne Temecula restaurant that served organic and unique foods, coffee and biscuits. I wanted to find out how she got started in her chosen niche. In her own words… “I wasn’t 100% sure what I

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wanted to do when I decided to go back to college as a single parent. I started out as a Broadcast Journalism major, but when I realized I had to move a lot to follow the opportunities in that field, I changed majors. My son was still very young at the time, and I did not want to leave my family. As a single mom, it was important to have my parents near to watch him while I was in school or at work. I decided to switch to Journalism as a major and Psychology as a minor, but ended up falling in love with Psychology! That became my major as an undergrad, but for graduate school, I took another twist into Industrial/Organizational Psychology which is the study of how people work both on their own and with others in the workplace. It also includes the design/structure aspect of the workplace, so a nice mix of people and processes. I loved the fact that as an I/O Psychologist, I could truly put the pieces of the puzzle together, looking to create a beautiful picture!”

“Before I ever decided to go back to school though, I did a few other things. I worked in a clothing store and waitress to start. Then, when I became pregnant with my son, I figured I had to get a job where I could work from home or at least have some flexibility as I was a single mother. I ended up working as a medical transcriptionist and a marketing rep for a sales company, but neither were my dream jobs.

However, during this time, my son was diagnosed with ADHD at a very young age. Although we never had any real problems at home, he could not sit still long enough to focus in class. I

was getting called almost daily. I ended up pulling him out of school half way through 7th grade and home schooling him in a charter school. He did so much better there! He flourished. With this situation in my face daily, I started conducting a lot of research on ADHD/ ADD. This also opened my eyes to how many just have different learning styles and ‘ways of being’ so to speak, including how to keep one focused. It became my passion to help others both live the life that they were meant to live and live it the way they were designed to live it.

Forget trying to shove a square peg into a round hole. Enjoy the differences and appreciate them!”

And now? “Fast-forward, several years later after graduating with my doctorate, I fell into coaching, consulting, and training. I loved and found it very rewarding. However, any ‘me time’ slowly disappeared as somehow I found myself working day and night. Then, while working as a leader in academia, I found myself working 80-100 hour weeks (days and nights and weekends), driving 3-4 hours on the freeway almost every day. I can still remember nights where my husband, son, and step-son (and dogs) were all in the living room, watching TV and having fun, but I had to be in my home office working on a project or deadline. It was so hard missing out on all of the fun, family time. And then… my health started to suffer: I gained 25 pounds, always ate lunch over my computer while working, no longer had time to exercise, and just didn’t feel ‘myself ’ anymore. I’d have to say that one of my turning points hap-

pened when I was visiting the town in which I grew up. I ran into two men that I had known well… they had been regulars at the restaurant I worked in previously. Interestingly, they BOTH said the SAME thing when I ran into them (and this was at different times, so they did not know what the other had said). They said, ‘Are you okay? What happened?

The ‘spark’ has left your eyes!’ What a wakeup call! That was when I realized I had to make a change. Hence… my real journey began!”

I noticed that Dr. Magill also dabbled in health and wellness, so I asked her to elaborate a bit on this. She stated, “I have always loved the health field!

In fact, when I was in high school I ran cross country and track all four years.

Then, when I graduated, I kept competing. I loved the outdoors which is why it was so crazy that I ended up sitting all the time in my work. When I decided to make a change, I remember walking down the boardwalk at the beach with my husband saying, ‘I wish I had a life where I helped other women to BE THEMSELVES again; to feel free, happy, healthy, to feel a connection with the person they see in the mirror. To love what they do, to have time to be free, and to feel good about their life…’ and four years later, that is what I’m doing with Envision This!”

“I also earned three health coach certifications from Dr. Sears Wellness Institute to add to my formal education - just some extra ‘ah has!’ But my main passion is educating women to understand how to really engage their brain and find their focus - to manage their distractions, be less busy and more productive, while still increasing their free time and profits! Avoiding Entrepreneurial ADD and stop ‘spinning their wheels.’ Being truly free to live the life that they love! This is where true mental and physical health can be attained through intentional work-life balance.”

“Let me elaborate on that just a bit… it’s so important to think about and really dig deep to discover what it is that truly makes your heart glad. What energizes your soul? Not to sound too ‘foo-foo,’ but if you are not connecting your daily activities with something that, as I like to say, ‘Feeds the Spirit,’

then you are starving your soul, and (as I was told a few years back), the spark in your eyes will die. That said, we can live a life of work that we’re good at and like, but how much better if we can work at something we love and are great at!

When this happens, as others have said, we’re not really working anymore - we’re living!”

When asked how all this has influenced her business as it stands today, Dr. Magill shared, “Besides 1:1 coaching, I

created a virtual program called Distraction-to-Action (D2A), which addresses all of the key factors I found vital to success for business owners. If we do not address these issues, our ‘wheel spinning’ can lead to overwhelm, frustration, reduced funds, reduced energy, and poor health. If unmanaged, all lead to burnout, which is where 90% of new businesses fail! I say… let’s be that 10% that succeeds! This philosophy is also what inspired my new #1 Amazon Best Seller, Harness Your Entrepreneurial ADD: How to Move from Distraction to Action in the Age of Information Overload to Supercharge Your Profits, ASIN: B0722N5RK4W. I’m so excited about this book! I also designed a blueprint called ‘The Optimal You’ formula, outlining steps I share in D2A which I offer for free on my website, www.EnvisionThisLife.com.”

When asked where she came up with the formula for D2A, Dr. Magill stated, “I have to admit, I learned the hard way. You know, it would seem that with my education and experience, it would be easy for me to see it happening to myself, but NOOOOOOO. I didn’t recognize it. Here I was, teaching and coaching these concepts, but when I put on my personal business ‘hat,’ I found myself spinning my wheels, not being productive, and circling back to the same place I had been before. Then, one day it hit me. Why was I not practicing the same steps I had been teaching?

That’s when I created D2A. I also add in my educational research regarding brain science, emotional intelligence, ADHD, individual differences, health, and wellness. It’s what’s personally helped me to finally stay on track and succeed!

So as the waitress came and cleared away our table, I followed that move with my final question. So what would you like to leave our readers with today?

Elisa looked off to the hillside, tilted her head and smiled. Then she said, “Live life to be you. Be yourself. You never know what tomorrow will bring, so we can only live for today. Me - I’m a big picture person by nature. I like to think of the past and future and connect that to the present. I tend to analyze, theorize, and dream a lot! But I’ve had to learn to stop and smell the roses along the way. To take time out, not just look for free time to happen, but to take it to spend with family and friends, or to do what really makes us happy. That doesn’t mean I live my whole life like this or I’m suggesting others live this 24/7, but find balance in your schedule the best you can. Even if it’s 2 hours per week, take some time for you. Relax and breathe.

At least remember to take care of you while you’re taking care of others. We only have one of us! In closing, I’d just say, believe in yourself. This is the first step in making our dreams a reality!

Then dream it, believe it and when all is said and done… you can truly… Envision This! for yourself!”

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Bitchin & Moaning

SIGNS of Our Time

By Guest Columnist Sharon Hightower

W

HILE DRIVING HOME THIS morning after dropping off my grandson at school, I saw a sign on my street that I’d noticed some weeks ago.

It reads New Residential Homes with an arrow underneath. And I’m left wondering what other kind of homes are there? I thought by definition or at least implication a home was a residence. Am I confused here? Residential Home. Well, ok.

Signs often amuse me. Or maybe they just confuse me.

At the end of our street where it intersects at a dead-end with a rather busy street, there are two-speed limit signs as you turn onto my street going west. The first is your typical black and white speed limit sign and reads 35 in big letters. OK. But not five feet away is another sign, the yellow kind of caution sign that reads 20 mph and shows a very curvy arrow cautioning that the road is indeed curved. And almost every time I drive by I wonder: which is it? Can I drive 35 or do I need to go only 20?

Help. Also, I wonder who put up the signs. Was it CalTrans? Did they put up both? Is it a joke? Or maybe an insider gag as most streets in Fallbrook are curved.

When I lived in Oceanside, there were a couple of signs I really loved.

One shows a wave and above it the word BEACH with an arrow pointing up indicating straight ahead. And as you can almost see the water from the sign’s location, it strikes me as funny.

Do people really need a sign pointing

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them to the ocean less than a block away? Really?

The other sign was scary. It read TSUNAMI route. I'm sure it didn't mean that's where the tsunami would go, but rather that is the way one should go in the event of a tidal wave.

But the really scary thing is that I've only ever seen one sign. No further direction. It's like those detour signs that take you off your familiar route, but don't tell you where to go nor how to get back on the street from which you were being detoured.

I work at Palomar College, and it has gotten into unisex bathrooms.

And the sign on the facility nearest my office reads "men, women, and shows a handicapped drawing." It's as if folks in a wheelchair are a third gender.

I don't like the signs one often sees inside public bathrooms that say employees must wash their hands before returning to work. Gosh. I hope so. Especially if I’m in McDonald’s or Jack-in-the-Box; anywhere you eat.

Do you remember pay toilets? I don’t see them anymore, but I remember returning from a long road trip back from Vegas and all four

women piled out of the car and into the bathroom. I guess we’d spent all our money in Vegas because no one had a dime, so we had to get change.

Meanwhile, my feisty friend said she was just going to crawl under while my Mom cussed at the closed doors.

My mother’s cursing consisted of “darn” and “hell and damnation,” so when she said “damn,” I about peed my pants. The sign? It read insert $.10.

And that story reminds me of another road trip when I was about seven. We were going east this time and had gotten out to stretch our legs somewhere outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. And we were standing in a dirt area near the car, and my aunt apparently disturbed a hill of red ants which quite quickly began crawling up her legs. I may never forget her jumping around, yelling "my privates, my privates." Sign? No there was no sign, but perhaps there should have been.

I was in the hospital last week – the pretty new one on the hill in Escondido – and as I prepared to leave I was following the exit signs having gotten thoroughly lost in my visits first to the lab and then the x-ray department within- between stops in the examining area. A security gal must have read my face, and she pointed to a set of double doors. "The exit is through there," she said. And as I passed her, added, "It would help to have a sign on the doors.” As I walked further on, she remarked to the guard standing on the other side of the hallway, that when the hospital was first opened, they objected to any signage. Hmmm?

There’s an interesting sign in the laundromat that I use in town. It reads DO NOT put any person in this washer. Well darn. I thought I was going to scrub up my husband. He works outside and is often so dirty I don’t like him to come into the house.

Guess that plan is out.

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction where the owner is still living on the premises; the second, is a vacated empty home; and the third, is a new construction home being showed for the first time.

Her clients’ first step is to have an onsite personal consultation, where Maha carefully examines the home and makes recommendations. If the owner is living on site Maha’s first mission is to work with the owner to sort out which items should stay in the home, and which should be removed. “I know you have heard this saying before, “Less is more”, but it really is true for interior design.” For live-in clients, the process of staging includes removing most personal items, like photographs and collectibles, and

Maha’s Home STAGING COMPANY

by Mimi C. Hall

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T’S LIKE MAGIC. ONE DAY A HOUSE IS COMpletely empty and looking lifeless, and a week later it looks like the glamorous home of the rich and famous. As a home buyer looking at homes, which would you buy? That type of physical transformation is performed by Maha’s Home Staging for lucky clients here in San Diego.

Maha’s Home Staging is owned by the dynamic and beautiful Maha Paulus, whose gracious and vibrant personality resonates in all of her home design projects. Last year alone she staged homes for sellers, construction developers, and realtors who understood that her kind of magical touch can transform the mundane house into a beautiful home that will sell quickly and for a higher price.

“I fell in love with the idea of staging by watching TV shows like “Fixer-Upper”. Then one day I had an opportunity to attend a 3 day seminar on house staging and realized that I wanted to do this professionally. The ball started rolling when a friend asked me to advise a neighbor about fixing up their home for sale. I volunteered to help for free so I could determine if this was the right career for me. I instantly loved working with the neighbor on staging her home. The best part was that she was very pleased with the results. I was hooked.”

Maha explained to me, “Home staging is the process of preparing your home and giving it the best look you can to potential buyers, so you can have a competitive advantage against other homes that are for sale. The buyers to consider buying the home they have to instantly love your home when they walk in the door, and to picture their family living there.”

Maha explained there are typically three scenarios in which her services are employed: the first is for a home

some furniture to make a home look more spacious to the potential buyers. Many homeowners will paint walls more neutral colors to create a fresh look.

For a vacated home or new construction, a complete home approach creates a “lived-in” feeling. This entails providing each room with its own ensemble of furniture, rugs,

lamps, and décor items, including dining rooms tables that are set with dishes, napkins, and glasses, to kitchens that have food décor items that portray a friendly place to gather and eat. “My design aesthetic is to create a “light and elegant feeling” when they step through the door.” Maha said.

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction “I created Maha’s Home Staging in 2011, growing it from the ground up. At first I rented furniture, but I found that it was not cost effective. Now I own a warehouse full of furniture and décor items, plus three delivery trucks.” she laughs. Her own success even surprises her, as she started with three homes the first year, and last year she staged 95 homes. Maha adds, “Many people think Home Staging is an expensive endeavor, but it is extremely reasonable and often greatly increases the sale price of your home.”

I asked Maha, “What is your secret to success?” She explained, “I think my success comes from caring very deeply about my clients and facilitating the successful sale of their homes. I also think networking every week at realtor meetings for the past five years and referrals helped me build up my business. Ultimately I have a passion for staging homes, to make them look pretty.

The truth is, my greatest reward is watching the faces of the owners and potential buyers go “Wow!” when they step through the door. Only then do I know that I did my job.”

If you or anyone you know might benefit from home staging, please contact: Maha Paulus (619)200-6448 MahaHomeStaging.com MahaPaulus@aol.com

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0)

Dr. Tess Mauricio FEELING YOUNG AGAIN

WITH VAGINAL REJUVENATION

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LL WOMEN ARE concerned with the element of time. Even as young women we are forced to face that horrible fact of our biological clock ticking away, and this reference comes to us before we even turn 30. Rarely do men receive the same warnings or are they faced with the same levels of limitations placed upon them by society.

Rarely does the crowd at the club or a local establishment whisper when 65-year-old John walks in with a twenty-something beauty on his arm, but can the same be said if 45-year-old Jill walked in with a handsome thirty-something gentleman holding her hand. For as much as we like to say that society has changed its mores and we are now much more progressive in our thinking, women do still worry about that younger woman stealing their husbands or boyfriends away.

So, what do we do? We work out, we eat right, we visit the plastic surgeon for the occasional nip and tuck as needed, but let's face it, in some ways it is easier to fix the packaging than it is to change the contents.

Your body may look 35, but your insides have been through all of the trauma of giving birth to three chil-

dren, working long hours at jobs that required standing on our feet, and of course the unforgiving effects of gravity.

Well, worry no more!

Dr. Tess has come to the rescue once again to help in our fight to combat these problems that women face every day. Do you worry when someone at a cocktail party or your networking meeting makes a really funny joke for the fear that you may literally "wet your pants?" Do you struggle when out on a date to a comedy club, or at a funny movie, with similar worries? Perhaps, it is even worse, and this spontaneous flow may occur unprovoked, and you don't know what to do. Should a 42-year-old woman or even a 50-yearold woman consider joining the "Depends Generations?"

Certainly not!

The answer is a simple and relatively painless procedure called vConfidence.

This procedure was designed to end these worries and even better, to improve confidence and yes, even sensation for women during sex. So, not only do we get to forget about urinary incontinence, we get renewed sensation in the vaginal area during intercourse, and as a super bonus this treatment gives a sort of facelift to the

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction vagina, so guess what ladies, our private parts look years younger as well.

Besides wanting to sing the praises of Dr. Tess regarding this new treatment, I decided to take some time learning about how the procedure was done, and then speak to some women who have already had the procedure so that I could get some first-hand opinions of vConfidence and its results.

The procedure itself is done in the office and starts with a topical numbing cream. An oral sedative is optional if patients need something extra to relax. A CO2 laser applicator is then inserted into the vaginal canal for a period of fewer than ten minutes during which time Dr. Tess does a resurfacing of the vaginal canal. This resurfacing will build new collagen, rejuvenate the vaginal mucosa, restore normal ph and flora.

For most patients, this internal treatment is completely painless! A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient for the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) which Dr. Tess will inject in different areas (after the areas have been numbed) as needed to improve the vagina functionally and aesthetically. The result can be life changing even after a single treatment! Women report improvement in stress urinary incontinence, dryness, vaginal laxity, pain, loss of sensation and recurrent infections. After a few weeks, sometimes sooner, most report that sexual relations

is noticeably more enjoyable for both partners.

I spoke with two of Dr. Tess’ patients. The first was Liza, a 42-year-old female who had her daughter at the young age of 20 and due to a difficult birth, she has found that the trauma to her vaginal canal was now causing her to have occasional incidents of incontinence. Although she regularly exercised, she was forced to stay away from exercises such as jumping jacks or running because of incontinence. She thought

relief for Liza, but there was another added benefit that she had not even expected. "Sensation is greatly improved during sex and lubrication issues change.

Not only was I impressed with the change, but so was my husband. I was waiting for him to send Dr. Tess Flowers," she joked.

Veronica was the second patient I interviewed. Her situation, though somewhat similar was wrought with a bit more of a confidence issue. “I had just turned fifty years old, and I found myself

that this was just how it had to be until she learned of Dr. Tess’ procedure. “Immediately after the procedure was done I felt the density of the tissue in the vaginal canal.

I didn't try jumping jacks until about a month later, but when I did, there was no problem." This was a great

recently single after a longterm marriage. I thought my romantic life was over. How could I ever fall in love and be intimate with someone when I had such a negative self-image? In addition to my vaginal-vanity concerns, one evening while watching a movie with one

of my daughters, I experienced for the first time the ever-dreaded "leaking." I was not laughing, coughing, sneezing or anything that I could honestly give myself an excuse for why this was happening to me.

This leaking continued to happen about every 20 minutes during the movie.

There was absolutely no control. Realizing that if I didn't do something soon, I would end up wearing those adult panties that closely resembled children's pull-up diapers, I started fanatically doing Kegels, but they didn't help. Knowing Dr. Tess both professionally and personally, she introduced me to this new concept. Once she explained the procedure, I was eager to give it a try.

After all, there was no surgery involved, no chance of nerve damage, I had nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

It was the best decision I ever made. The results were great. It’s no longer goodbye 50's...it's hello 50 and counting up!”

Both women claimed of a painless procedure with only mild discomfort during the shot, and use of the laser feeling no more severe than an internal exam, both women say they highly recommend this solution to the problem and feel it will totally change your life.

For more information on the vConfidence procedure or to schedule an appointment Contact Dr. Tess at 833 4MBEAUTY or go to www.mbeautyclinic.com.

-Tess Mauricio, MD, FAAD

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

The Talent Behind Laurenn Barker

By Deeba Van Overberghe

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er face was exciting and happy. His was experienced yet also happy.

The little boy on his bicycle was infatuating, even though he was from a different era. When one looks upon the work of Laurenn Barker, they are struck by the accuracy of her rendering as well as her ability to convey the emotion and spirit of the individuals she sculpts.

Laurenn Barker is an accomplished, well-educated, international sculptor with degrees from two different universities: SMU in Texas and the Institute for American Universities in Southern France. She has studied

sculpture in Italy, Quebec, and Colorado and has been invited to study under some of the greatest artists in her industry such as Victor Issa, John Coleman, Jill Burkee, and the renowned Richard McDonald. And, her work has been archived in the National Museum of Women in the Arts as well as being listed in the “Who’s Who of American Women” for her contribution to the arts. Her commissions can be found around the world.

The breath of her work spans not only private commissions but also public commissions. She is well known for her portraiture of children. She also enjoys the challenges associated with commemorative sculptures of icons, leaders and loved ones since passed. With over twenty years of experience in sculpting, Laurenn Barker is also an awarded children's book author and illustrator with her Lae Lae series of books.

I would imagine if you were to experience a sculpture by Laurenn, you would first and foremost observe the sturdy yet energetic representation of her subject

as if it were grounded but in motion. How does one capture a moment frozen in time and then translate it through their eyes, then their mind and then heart and finally into the clay?

Laurenn could tell you it involves extensive research and that this helps her identify with her subject and allows her to define the figure. But when I look at her work, I see an energy that I know does not come from research or perhaps even from the stories shared by those who commission her work of or for their loved ones. No. It goes beyond this. She can tap into the spirit of the individual and transfer that to the clay. Her style is unique, and I would say represents a sense of belonging versus the typical ethereal representation we see in so much sculpture today. Her work is honest and holds respect for the subject she is representing.

It's also fun. Each piece I've reviewed has held some element of joy, and I find this commendable.

The amount of coordination going into the installation of a garden

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction sculpture can be a logistical nightmare if you don’t know what you are doing. However, Laurenn’s extensive experience supports great installations as she uses the best bronze foundries for casting her sculptures, a great crew of contractors for moving a piece from her studio or foundry to location and she understands the needs of the landscapers for the placement of her work in gardens, courtyards, businesses or homes.

Great efforts are involved in planning each phase of her project. Success for her begins in the studio, but it ends on the client's face.

When it all comes together, and Laurenn can see their satisfaction, this is when she is satisfied with her work.

Her talent in sculpting transfers to her passion for writing and illustrating children's stories, as well. Her award-winning Lae Lae series of books for children ages two through six is a collection of stories

designed to support child development with fun facts and moments within the stories as well as a section where the child can participate by sharing their own experience through story telling. These most loveable and fun stories with engaging renderings attract the wee-ones while helping them belong to and participate within the family unit.

If you are interested in seeing the diversity of Laurenn Barker’s work, you need to check out her website at www.ExpressionsStudio.net. It is here you can review her education and awards in detail. She has two beautiful studios; one Located in Carlsbad and one in Sedona, Arizona. If you are interested in booking a commission or have questions about Laurenn Barker’s work, you may contact her at artlark17@yahoo. com. And, you can find her award-winning books in the Lae Lae series at www.

LaeLae.com.

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Our 10th Anniversary Special Feature

Fran Drescher America’s Favorite Nanny Saves Lives

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After her misdiagnosis, she wanted to be certain that no other woman ever went through this same situation again.

The time that it took for the misdiagnosis could have caused somebody their life. This was what made Fran write her book entitled "Cancer Schmancer” and follow it up with a movement to help assure that women received testing for early detection of disease.

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HE YEAR WAS 1993, AND A quirky character named Fran Fine showed up on our TV screens, instantly catching our hearts. Her Flushing, New York accent, short tight sequin skirts, nasal voice, and unsophisticated ways, suddenly made more obvious when she found herself in the home of a high class, high net worth, Broadway Producer, Mr. Maxwell Sheffield.

For seven seasons we cheered her on in the hopes that this modern Cinderella story would come to fruition and the handsome prince, or in this case Broadway producer, would end up falling in love with and marrying the Poor little girl from Queens. With several near misses, viewers do get what they want, and Mr. Sheffield and Ms. Fine get married and even have twins.

Although this is what Fran Drescher is most remembered for, it was not her first dalliance with fame. Fran’s first big break came when she was offered, the role of Connie in Saturday Night Fever, her first major speaking role. Saturday Night Fever went on to be a major icon, and so did Fran.

Fran starred in several movies, but when she came up with the concept of "The Nanny," she knew it was the role that she was meant to play.

This was not to be her most challenging role, that would be in 2000 when she finally received the diagnosis that she was suffering from uterine cancer.

The road to her final diagnosis would not be an easy one, in fact, it took over two years before Fran would find out what the many symptoms she was experiencing actually meant. She was

not the usual candidate for Uterine cancer; She wasn't over 40, wasn't overweight, and did not have a family history of cancer. So, when she was finally told, she was lucky enough to find out that the cancer had not progressed past stage 1. Her treatment was successful, and she has been in remission since.

After her misdiagnosis, she wanted to be certain that no other woman ever went through this same situation again. The time that it took for the misdiagnosis could have caused somebody their life. This was what made Fran write her book entitled "Cancer Schmancer” and follow it up with a movement to help assure that women received testing for early detection of disease.

Although finding out that Fran had uterine cancer was a shocking moment, She does explain that it has had a profound effect on her life. "It has given me a purpose that I might not have otherwise had and it has deepened me as a person who is empathetic to other people’s pain and struggles.

And has taught me invaluable life lessons.”

The main focus of Fran’s Cancer Schmancer campaign is to make women aware of how important early detection is to surviving a diagnosis of cancer. She has helped provide mobile mammography vans in underserved areas. As Fran explains, “All odds are better for the patient when the cancer is detected early. ‘Catch it on arrival 95% survival.’ Once you learn what the early warning whispers are of the cancers that might affect you there is a

Our 10th Anniversary Special Feature much better chance of surviving cancer. It isn’t always easy because most cancer’s early warning signs can easily be ignored or misdiagnosed for a more benign problem which can often waste precious time.”

Another huge part of the Cancer Schmancer campaign is doing what ever we can to detox our homes. “The home is often the most toxic place we can be in, and we spend the most time in this environment, which is often more toxic than living across the street from an oil refinery. Kids today, for the first time in US history are not predicted to live longer than their parents. Babies are born pre-polluted with 200-300 chemicals found in the umbilical cord, and we want to turn this situation around so as to not make that prediction a self-fulfilling prophecy. We want to educate families, as well as teens, about what they are putting in their mouth, on their skin, and in their living environment. Once you

Catch it on arrival 95% survival begin to see the level of toxins you are surrounding yourself with, just in your daily lifestyle, you can better equate how compromised your immune system becomes and how that is the biggest component for why we are experiencing disease.”

Although, Fran has been actively working as an actress with two additional sitcoms, which followed “The Nanny,” and a number of movies, she has also taken on numerous responsibilities to help educate and inform women. Fran Drescher is currently a US State Department public diplomacy envoy for Women’s health issues and has championed the passage of laws such as Joanna’s Law. Looking back at the trajectory of Fran’s career in show business Fran would never have expected that she

would hold such a serious and life changing position as she currently does. “I never realized it would be this active or involved or effective on the general public, but I feel like, I got famous, I got cancer and I lived to talk about it, so I am talking. I am also an actress, writer, producer, and director. I like to keep active and current in these areas, so I have a platform to

speak about what I am most passionate about. Health advocacy, ecology, and civil liberties.”

Thank you, Fran Drescher for the many lives you have saved by helping to provide early cancer detection for women and teaching women to slow down, take a breath and be aware of their surroundings, their health and their lives.

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I

ALWAYS CONSIDERED myself pretty cosmopolitan and somewhat educated when it comes to most things. I thought I knew what transgender was WRONG; I just knew the tip of the iceberg. After researching the subject, I hope to share and enlighten you so you will have a better appreciation of the term Transgender.

On April 14 2014, The Supreme Court of India recognized the transgender community as a third gender, which led human rights groups to ensure their equal rights and equal treatment.

Some say that India leads the way for the LGBT community in many ways. India, Indonesia and Thailand, all seem to be more accepting of this community. I personally can attest to this fact as in 2007 and 2008, I was teaching English as a second language in Thailand.

I can remember on a number of occasions when Peter was seating in the first seat on the third row right on a Monday, and Paulina would take his place on Wednesday. No one seemed to think it was odd; except me. In the two years I taught there, I would say this was a weekly practice. Once Peter became Paulina, she never went back to Peter.

My Teaching Assistant explained that many boys would wait until they were 13 to change their appearance, as a sort of coming of age ceremony if you will.

Hey, Jews have Bar/ Bat Mitzvah, Mexican girls have a Quinceanera, Native Americans have Vision Quests, and Thailand have

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one day your Peter and the next day you are Paulina. As a caveat to my experience in Thailand, I can also attest to the fact that these young men were called “girlie boys” and they were gorgeous. I don’t mean beautiful or nice looking, I mean knock out breath takingly gorgeous.

birth. And gender identity is how a person establishes through how they dress, hairstyles, voice etc.

There is no single reason why some people are transgender. Experts believe a biological factor is at play and prenatal hormone levels or early experiences later in life contribute to this behavior.

MOM, I THINK God made a mistake

By Carol Heath

Transgender is often used as an umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t conform with the sex which they were assigned at birth. Gender identity refers to a person’s gut feeling about being male, female, or something else. Gender expression is the way a person communicates how they feel about their sexuality assigned at

Sex is something assigned at birth, while gender refers to what society considers appropriate behavior for boys, girls, men and woman. I hope this information helps you understand a little about the transgender community.

I interviewed a transgender parent recently and was mostly interested in finding out how a parent would feel if their child,

boy or girl, came to them and said, Mom, I think God made a mistake, I feel like a girl, but I’m a boy. This particular mother never noticed anything that indicated her child was struggling with the gender assigned at birth.

When her child, now in high school, announced this fact, the very first thought that came into her mind was ‘what did I do wrong?’

This Mom, was a very active member of her church. She had known these fellow parishioners for years, yet when she shared her child’s announcement, she and her family was shunned. She had always considered her church members to be part of her family, and was shocked at how judgmental these ‘Christians’ really were. She struggled with trying to explain to her child the actions of her extended family.

The family moved to another state, because Dad got a promotion. This Mom sought out what she hoped would be her safe place, another church; same religious sect. After what she felt was enough time and had bonded with this church, the family was shunned once she shared with them her child’s struggling gender identity.

A third family move ended up with the same results. Now this Mom began to question her reason for living as she put it. She had devoted her whole life to her husband and children. She identified herself as a mother first. She never worked at a job that took her away from her home. She drove to all the school activities

and field trips. She drove to all the sports activities her children were involved with and always supported all her children’s activities. And she was always very involved in all the church activities that involved her children and her family.

This Mom spent hours blaming herself and she continues to do just that, even after hours in therapy where she was assured it was not her fault. She almost began to forgive herself, when she learned that her child tried to commit suicide while attending college. Again, she questioned, what did I do wrong? She began to look back; was it the mineral oil she administered to both her children?

Was it too many video games her children played?

Was it too many rules? Not enough rules?

It’s hard to rationalize one person’s actions to another, especially when that person is your child.

Although her child is now an adult, living happily with another transgender, with a good job, and a home, this mother still searches for the answers and continues to ask herself what she did wrong.

Maybe this mother was over protective, maybe she was too permissive, maybe she acquiesced to everything her children wanted, maybe she was too strict, maybe she fed her children too many apples, not enough oranges, or maybe she didn’t do anything wrong. Maybe she was just a devoted mom with a child who was never comfortable in the body they were born with.

Poetry Corner Blue Veins Bleed Deep Maroon ©Maggie Ramos

I don't wish to be Mexican, as it is obvious that the bronze, tan tone represents it thru my outer thin layer.

Passively with pride, life surrounds me in a multicultural world. I undergo heavy, steady bridges.

I overcome with a leap fragile, fake barriers that intend to hold me stranded.

I don't ask to be white, despite the fact that I am a true American. I can't regret not being Asian nor African American. There are not many things in life I regret.

I am a true Native in this world, and those are strong blue veins that compose my family from any part of the globe.

Passively with pride, life surrounds me in a multicultural world.

Blue veins bleed in a deep maroon, whether we march wearing white collars, golden crowns or silky fancy wardrobes.

Our pains and sorrows all feel and bleed from the heart. Silky white gloves don't hold me back from stretching out a hand to those who trip and fall on a deep maroon carpet.

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

CHICEXECS Kailynn Bowling &Nikki Carlson Photos by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions

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T WAS A CHANCE INTRODUCtion through friends that brought powerhouse entrepreneurs, Kailynn Bowling and Nikki Carlson, together.

Kailynn had started a lucrative business buying items wholesale and selling them on eBay. Her method of traveling down to Los Angeles to secure inventory for her business was of great interest to one of her friends who had brought a girlfriend along with her on this fact finding mission. The friend turned out to be Nikki Carlson, and this would start more than a decade long friendship and business partnership between Kailynn and Nikki. "I was in the mortgage industry at the time," explains Kailynn, "but I knew it was not what I wanted to do as a career." Nikki had spent the last ten years working in marketing and advertising, but she too felt the need to branch out and do something different and exciting. After a subsequent foray to LA, an email arrived at Kailynn’s desk asking very succinctly "Do you want to go into business together?" 13 years later they are not only working in their own thriving business, but currently have over 200 beginning entrepreneurs who they are directly responsible for launching their way to business ownership success. In addition, they represent successful brands who have already gained success on their own and rely on Chic Execs to either move them to the next level or help keep them at the top of the market.

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After that initial phone call from Nikki, they were both so excited about their new endeavor except for one small problem‌they had no idea what this new business would be. The final decision was that they would start an online magazine and would position themselves as the "Modern Day Martha Stewart." "Our Magazine Chic Blvd was created before the advent of social media, but we used it similarly" shared Nikki, " We would send out marketing emails to women, and they would go to the suggested website review products and services found on the sites and share with us what their thoughts were.

We would get 300 or more emails with each mailing and women would share not only their responses to the product, and suggestions for improvements, but they often shared their life stories with us. We never let one of these emails go unanswered." This opinion portion of their magazine soon evolved to include a request from readers for their suggestions as to what products they liked or didn't like. At about the same time the iPod was growing in popularity, but with one problem that Nikki and Kailynn quickly noticed, all of the accessories for this trendy new item were geared to male consumers and women were not being recognized as significant consumers. Armed with plain ear buds, glue guns, and a variety of crystals, Kailynn and Nikki worked in their living rooms creating electronic accessories that were not only geared

towards fashion but function as well.

In less than six months, thanks to their background in marketing and advertising, they received requests from over 50 magazines. This wasn't all; the purchase orders started rolling in with requests for their hot new product, Chic Buds, from major retailers such as Best Buy, Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms, Lord and Taylors, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, and Barnes and Noble. The reality was that Kailynn and Nikki were on the pulse of what these electronic retailers wanted to know and that was "How do we reach the women's market in electronics?"

After receiving a $150,000 purchase order from Mary Kay, the women decided that they desperately needed to learn about manufacturing so they could cost-effectively, design and patent their products.

In 2006 they ventured to China to examine their options, a brave move for two pretty young blond women from California. The trip was a success, they learned a lot, and their business continued to grow. They had no competition at this point. Nikki shared, "We came in from the perspective of producing a product that we loved and needed because we felt if we loved it, so would other women. We also went out of our way to make our earbud packaging very pretty and elegant, so that you could give this special item as a gift and it would make the woman receiving it feel special. We

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction wanted a product that fit a need, so we created earbuds with a retractable cord, so it would nicely fit in our purses and not get tangled. Every item we created had a purpose. When bigger companies tried to target women, their answer was simply, let’s put pink on it and women will come. For us, we came from a place of, what is going to make our life easier. We wanted it to be pretty and serve a purpose”.

All of this notoriety made other brands around us ask, “how did you get on the Today Show? How did you get that article in People magazine?”

With so many inquiries, we decided we would open our new firm ChicExecs, a branding agency to help other brands with Marketing and Retail Growth "While we set our new firm in motion, our electronic products continued to grow. With over $400,000 in back orders, we decided to bring on some financial backing to help get these orders out the door." Kailynn explains, "We brought in a partner with an extensive electronics background.

We soon realized that we were having a lot more fun helping people promote their brands, then we were in the manufacturing business. So, we stepped back from our original company and went full speed ahead with ChicExecs.

Before very long they built a network of 40,000 entrepreneurial brands.

ChicExecs is growing by leaps and bounds due to their well-earned rep-

utation for putting new entrepreneurs on the map, by getting their brands into stores quickly and efficiently. "We know most of the retail markets from our experience with our company, so we know what they are looking for and how we can present them with products that they know we will continue to draw consumers to from our promotions," added Kailynn.

One of the biggest attractions for their customers was the fact that with ChicExecs behind them customers were able to get their products onto store shelves on average, five years earlier than attempting to do so on their own.

Nikki shares, "We believe that PR and Social Media are major components in making a product successful.

We like to see that a company has actively worked on both for at least six months. So, if they came to us before doing so, we would work in these two areas for at least six months." This along with proof that the client has sufficient working capital to produce the orders, which they know will soon come flooding in, are requirements for new customers of ChicExecs.

After 12 years in business, their network of about 40,000 buyers, respect the products that Nikki and Kailynn bring to them. Not only are Kailynn and Nikki amazing entrepreneurs who have created their successful businesses and helped successfully

launch over 200 entrepreneurs, and increase the bottom line for well known and respected businesses, but they are alway searching for ways to give back "We do something called give back stock, which allows manufacturers to donate their products to many worthwhile causes. Our clients are happy to participate in this program and

generously offer their products for free to be used for fundraising efforts as silent auction items, and for homeless centers where their products are most needed. If you have a product that you would like to donate, visit their site at www.givebackstock.com.

"Success is great, and we are happy that our business is thriving, but it doesn't mean as much unless we can give back, that is very important to us."

Tips for women starting a new business • Be authentic to who you are. If you are a mom and find a product you need that doesn't exist, then other moms probably feel the same way. Be aware that along the journey there might be those who will discourage you, but just stick with it.

• Find a mentor. Reach out to people you will be surprised how many people are willing to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help • Always uphold your morals and values. Don’t compromise. It will help you in the long run. Never work for just the success or money.

31

Puerto Rico The Amazing Beauty The Unique Visions The Wonderful People

Welcome to Our Newest Staff Member Our Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Judith Habert, proudly introduces her granddaughter Adelaide Francesca Springer, born February 23rd 2017. At the tender age of 5 months her grandmother already has her in attendance at staff meetings, and she has even been sighted on the knee of her Grandma assisting with final edits. Welcome to San Diego Woman Magazine Addy!

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

Ruth A. Gillis, LMFT EMDR Certified Therapist

By Mimi C. Hall

F

ROM THE OUTSIDE, YOU would never know the amazing transformation that is happening within the Balanced Life Therapy Center in El Cajon. Inside, Ruth Gillis LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and four other therapists, plus interns, help clients reprogram their lives, reducing stress, improving relationships, and most impressively, overcoming PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Ruth Gillis is an expert in this type of therapy winning awards for her work with her clients. She specializes in a clinically proven procedure that has been used for 25 years called EMDR, an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing.

Amazingly, the EMDR treatments actually transform bad memories from a dysfunctional anxiety that affects a person’s everyday life and relationships, to a bearable dull recollection.

Ruth was convinced that EMDR worked when she was having trouble with test anxiety, preventing her from moving to the next level of her education. Every time she sat down to take an exam her anxiety level went up so high that she could not complete it.

She told me it only took four EMDR sessions with a certified therapist to overcome her fears, and she never experienced this type of anxiety again.

She was able to take all exams without feeling anxious. “I knew at that moment that this form of healing was not only effective, but would give relief to so many people. I immediately started my EMDR training to get certified to help my clients get relief from trauma they experienced in their lives. For six years this has been my specialty.”

I asked her to give an example of a patient that benefitted from this type of treatment. She recounted an experience she had with a teenage girl, named Lydia (not real name), who would not let anyone touch her except her mother. Her self-esteem was very low, primarily due to a violent event that happened to her when she was six years old. She had been visiting her family and an eight-year-old boy, a relative, tried to strangle her. Although she got away from the boy in time, the trauma of the event stayed with her, affecting her current relationships, trust in others, and making her feel powerless. After a series of EMDR treatments and therapy, Lydia proclaimed to Ruth, “I am cured. I am free of carrying this emotional burden. I no longer feel fear when I think about that horrible incident. I can let go now, and live my life the way I want to.” The effect is usually permanent.

Most of her clients get to that point after a series of EMDR treatments.

I asked Ruth how the treatment works. Ruth explained that the EMDR treatments are based a scientific process of reprogramming the brain.

It’s a process of disconnecting the fear and anxiety from the nervous system, thereby reducing or eliminating the effect of those feelings connected to

the bad memory. This is achieved by engaging the senses in one of three ways: one way is by watching a horizontal bar of green LED lights that light up from left to right and go back and forth, which the client follows with their eyes. The second way is using headphones and listening to beeps that go from one ear to the next. The third way uses a dual pulse generator that provides tactile stimulation that alternates from one hand to the other.

Ruth let me try out the pulse generator, which looked like two small plastic egg shapes with electric cords coming out of them connected to small pulse generator. When I held them in each of my hands, I felt a short burst of vibration, first one hand then the other hand, over and over. My brain was forced to shift focus from one hemisphere to the other. If I were a client, I would be visualizing and feeling the effects of a bad memory, while going through this bilateral brain exercise.

This is especially effective for veterans, rape, and victims of violence.

Ruth is passionate about this revolutionary treatment. Ms. Gillis told me, “My passion is to see progress and relief from a client’s struggles as quickly as they want to heal.”

Perhaps you or someone you know, could benefit from this type of treatment, please check out the Balanced Life Therapy Center website for their services, or contact Ruth Gillis: Balanced Life Therapy Center 127 E. Lexington Avenue El Cajon, CA 92020 619.341.4737 BalancedLifeTherapyCenter.com RuthGillisMFT@gmail.com

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Oh Baby!

The chair that grows with your child When a company creates a product that is meant to grow with your child from sixmonths into adulthood you know how certain they must be of the quality of their product. If any piece of furniture can survive an active infant, toddler and then even a teen, you know it must be durable and well made. Our Moms applauded Abiie Beyond Junior Y for taking the needs of their customers into account when creating a product. This product starts out as a high chair for a six month old that can be quickly adjusted as needed

in less than 20 seconds. It has an adjustment for 5 point or 3-point harness to secure your child. A one hand removable tray cover which is dishwasher safe and cushions that are waterproof and will stay dry with a quick wipe. This seat meets and complies with ASTM F404 & HR 4040 standards and contains No harmful substances, such as BPA, Phthalate, PVC. If you are looking for an item that will grow with your child and do not want to go out and buy several versions of the same item, pick up an Abiie Beyond Junior Y. Go to http://www.abiie.com/ for more information.

energy absorbing EPS foam 120 pounds. There is a machine and a reinforced adjustable washable cover, so those head support it promises to sticky hands or unexpected keep your little one protected and comfortable.The radian® rXT keeps children comfortably rear-facing from 5-45 pounds for the safest possible position.

Premium, plush head and body support cushions are included for newborns and infants.The greatest part is that its usefulness does not stop there. It accommodates forward-facing children up to 80 pounds in a 5-point harness and converts to booster mode for kids 50-

spills can be washed away.

One of the coolest elements of this car seat is its unique SuperLATCH™ system, which provides both an audible and visual assurance that the seat is properly locked in place. If you are looking for the ultimate car seat and plan to never have to buy a second seat because your baby outgrows the first one, this is the car seat for you.

It also comes with a ten year warranty to give you added peace of mind. Go to https:// us.diono.com/product/radian-rxt/ for more information.

Waterpura Chemical-Free Natural Baby Wipes Our Mom’s group had the pleasure of testing the Waterpura baby wipes and perhaps the best findings of all was that nothing happened.

Yes, in the case of newborns and new moms it is always best when there is nothing to have to call the doctor up at two am to report. No strange rashes or irritations.

The Waterpura wipes are completely chemical-free, soft and strong. 99.9% Water & 0.1% Citrus Extract. Our

Abiie Beyond Junior Y

moms had no fear as to their babies being allergic and felt as comfortable using Waterpura on their little faces as they did on their baby bottoms. If your child has sensitive skin this is the wipe for you, Actually, even if he doesn’t why introduce him to the harsh world of chemicals before you have to. Buy Waterpura Wipes today. Go to https://waterpuracare. com/ for more information and to find a store near you.

Diono radian® rXT car seat We had the opportunity to test the radian® rXT car seat and I must say our Moms were extremely impressed with the lengths to which this company went to be certain their end result was the safest car seat possible. Not only is it safe, but it is a single purchase car seat that can grow with your child.

It is the only car seat your child will need from birth to 120 lbs.

This is a company that knows what parents want and with premium, innovative features like a steel alloy frame, aluminum reinforced sidewalls,

34

Oh Baby!

Rockin’ Baby Sling

Boppy® Luxe Feeding & Infant Support Pillow

There is nothing more important to a new mom or dad than having the ability to bond with their newborn.

Keeping your baby close is one of the best ways to accomplish this. Rockin Baby Slings frees up your hands so you can keep the baby close no matter what you need to do. Rockin’ Baby was founded in 2002 to provide stylish baby slings to fashionable moms, primarily on America’s West Coast.

Kathryn Wiley saw a reputable brand delivering a high quality baby product, and in it the opportunity to start a movement. She purchased Rockin’ Baby in 2011, and

transformed it into a one-forone philanthropic business model. For every baby sling sold, one would be donated to an earthquake-stricken mother in Haiti.

You can not only wear one of these stylish slings to carry your baby, but you know that by choosing this brand you are helping give another mother the chance to bond with her baby.

Rockin Baby has been so successful in this endeavor that they have added childrenswear to their line and offer the same one for one guarantee.

Go to https://rockinbaby. com/ for more information.

You know that an item is good when it can stand the test of time. The Boppy® Nursing Pillow and positioner has been supporting new moms and their infants for over 25 years. Our team of Moms found the Boppy® to be an extremely useful tool for comfortable breastfeeding. It helped them to bond more easily with their newborns, and then as they grew they were able to use the Boppy® to prop up their infants in a sitting position or to give them tummy time. One of the Moms said, “The Boppy® gave me the only

freedom in the first four months to not end up holding my baby 24/7 because he was happy to be sitting by himself." One of the other Moms shared, "If you are a plus size mom, or still haven't lost the baby weight the Boppy® doesn’t work as well for breastfeeding, but when it came to using it for my baby’s sitting up and tummy time, it was a lifesaver.”

If you want a product that will make your first months with your new baby easier, Boppy® is the way to go. Go to http:// www.boppy.com/ for more information.

e-Clip We have all heard those nightmare stories of babies left in cars by accident and succumbing to the heat.

Since 1998, when records started being kept, over 700 young children have unnecessarily died due to this event. Fortunately, this is a tragedy that can now be avoided eClip is an innovative device that has found a way to put an end to this. It is easily attached inside the

car to help remind parents to remove their baby from the

car seat. It is the first low-cost device that helps prevent parents and caregivers from accidentally leaving a young

child in the back seat of the car.

Using low energy Bluetooth and advance patent pending technology, eClip is able to detect when you walk more than 15 feet from your car by alerting you through an interactive app on your Smartphone. The eClip also monitors the temperature in the back of your car to keep it safe and comfortable at all times for your baby.

For more information and to pre-order this lifesaving device visit the company website: http://elepho.com/ eclip

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Fabulous Finds

3

1 1. Review of the “MIRACLE COPPER” Compression Socks

By Gerald M. Neff Do your feet and legs feel like a couple of deflated balloons or even flat tires? Especially after a long night or day of standing, stooping and walking at various speeds back and forth? Mine did and worse but not anymore; this aching problem has been resolved. The miracle copper anti-fatigue compression socks are a magically delightful solution.

Seriously, the anti-fatigue compression socks really work!!! I have yet to find any large or shining quantity of copper in either stocking as quoted on the label, but as a support hosiery, they are the finest that I have ever found or worn, as comes true with the claims on the label.

I tested this particular brand for several weeks on a full shift of trotting back and forth in a large company. I must say that I am forty percent more rested at the end of the shift because after working and walking an eight hour night under similar circumstances, these patented support stockings have convinced me that they really do soothe and massage my achy legs and feet. The only downside is that you need to allow several extra minutes to carefully pull these uptight on your feet and legs, smooth out the wrinkles and "VOILA" instant relief, you are now ready to begin your shift. So... for relief and a pleasant walking change

36

2 I recommend you to use the “Miracle Copper” Anti-Fatigue Compression Socks. They are unisex, and many offers are found online, but my example can be found in several leading pharmacies or large retail stores in the “AS SEEN ON TV" section beginning for around $15.00.

The comments online of these socks are limited, and the brands and offers are practically unlimited, but the demand is very real. What about nurses, sales persons, constructor workers, and many other people who spend their long hours standing, walking, or stooping, etc.? Their legs are a constant gamete of aches and pains, plus varicose veins for an extra added ugly side. "Miracle Copper" is the solution.

Same as I, some female workers with whom I spoke said that they wouldn't trade them for anything. “I have more bounce in my step, and I can almost skip with these compared to normal stockings, or other similar compression hosiery."

Skip, Skip to my Lou … my Darling !!!

2. Robert Matthews Aria 2 4K Gold Wristlet The ladies at work decide to have a spontaneous night on the town, and you have your big clunky sack of a purse that can fit just about everything you own. Of course, it won’t look good with your outfit, which is easily converted to

a sexier version of your office attire, by taking the blazer off and undoing a few buttons. Thankfully, you have your Robert Matthews "Aria 24 K Gold Wristlet" in a beautiful shade called Dark Sapphire in that huge handbag. Voila! You grab your iPhone a few credit cards your car keys and some cash, and you are set to go. With this beautiful Genuine Saffiano Leather Wristlet, you will be the envy of all your friends who find themselves shackled to a large burdensome bag.

Slip the detachable wristlet strap over your hand, and you have nothing to worry about except dancing the night away. Visit www.robertmatthew.com to view all of their latest styles and colors, because let’s face it a girl can never have too many bags.

3. Maggies It is rare that a new idea emerges from the fashion industry that is both beautiful and utilitarian. There is no other way to describe Maggies. Margaret Sinclair, Designer & Inventor with numerous patents to her name, most in the medical industry, came upon this invention when she left the medical field to pursue a fashion career. Maggies are two part magnets that can revamp any clothing allowing you to drape a new front to an old dress, create sleeves that previously didn't exist, add buttons to a jacket without any and never will

Fabulous Finds 4

5 you need a sewing machine or fastener that will leave any permanent marks on your beautiful clothing. These American made magnets are designed to hold several layers of your favorite fabric together allowing you to do amazingly creative things with scarves, shawls, and sarongs that will bring out the fashion designer in all of us. Visit their site at www.mymaggies.com and order a set of Maggies, you won’t know how you lived without them. Visit https://www.mymaggies.com/ for more information.

4. Hex Clad Hybrid Cookware We had the pleasure of testing the new product suite introduced by Hexclad,a leader in innovative cookware, and if I said we were impressed it would be a huge understatement. This is one time that I believe that the promises made of the product were not only met, but well exceeded. The non-stick surface remained non-stick through some of the toughest tests, the even cooking surface ensured that all dishes were evenly cooked and the cleanup was so quick and easy that despite the fact that it is dishwasher safe, I never felt the need to put it into the dishwasher. It wiped clean so easily.

This new patented surface of tri-ply stainless steel will allow faster heating, greater heat retention and lower energy use. It has a stay cool handle and can

even be used in the oven up to 500 degrees. If you are looking for a product that you will be the center of your kitchen and one that you will not want to be without once you try it. Buy one today Visit http://hexclad.com/ for more information.

5. Honeywell True HEPA Air Purifier Many of us suffer from allergies, and after a while, you just get used to living with the symptoms. I did not realize how much better life could be until I brought the Honeywell True HEPA Air Purifier into my home. I had read the claims of other units in the past and had even gone as far as purchasing them, and systematically returning them, since they did not do as promised. The day I turned on the Honeywell, I did not quite believe the results. I could breathe again, and all allergy symptoms seemed to systematically disappear.

It was refreshing that the promise from their advertising that Honeywell was recommended by 9 out of 10 allergists because it was affordable and effective was not an exaggeration. The fact that they claimed that the Honeywell True HEPA air purifier captured up to 99.97% of microscopic airborne particles (0.3 microns and larger) from the air that passes through the filters, including pollens, dust, smoke, pet dander, mold

6 spores, and bacteria, was obviously based on truth. Over the years, I had found that these were the elements that were responsible for my severe allergy symptoms.

If you are an allergy sufferer, you need to purchase this air purifier. You will be amazed at the difference it will make in your life. Visit www.honeywellpluggedin.com for more information.

6. THE WORLD’S FIRST BREATHABLE SILICONE ACTIVE RING Do you love letting the world know that you are happily married, but have a job or have an active lifestyle making it impossible to keep your wedding band on all the time? The solution is easy now.

The Groove Ring is a Liquid injected Silicone band that fits snugly on your hand, but is breathable so it won’t snag on objects you come in contact with or become uncomfortably warm regardless of the time of year. It comes in a wide variety of colors including classics like Midnight Black, Moss Green, Lilac Purple, and Storm Grey or new hues including Snow, Glacier Blue, Blaze, and Raspberry Red. Get one today and never worry again about damaging, losing or snagging your ring again, because these rings have a lifetime warranty. Give them try, you will never take it off. Visit their site at: https://grovelife.co

37

What I Really Want Is.........................

R

eal, natural, strong and powerful beauty comes from within your heart.

A magnificent way to balance your beauty is by meditating. Meditation is like a seed that helps you blossom. Your mind, body, and soul become fresh, delicate and beautiful with a regular practice of meditation. It is a fabulous source in creating a change in every cell in the body. There are many books, online downloads and meditation guides available. The world is your oyster.

Which door will you open to add beauty and value to your life through meditation?

It is no secret that beauty on the outside comes at a price. I like to think of it as one more way of taking care of myself. Let's first consider that your skin is your largest organ. Let's not ignore it.

Experts recommend wearing sunscreen whenever we are in the sun. Let's protect it and choose a sunscreen that will offer you all the benefits. And just because of its price, the more expensive the sunscreen does not make the benefit greater. Research shows a valuable comparison by active ingredients. Here are a few examples of three products that have near or exactly the same concentration of active ingredients when researched by a consumer research group.

Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 and Vichy Capital Soleil 50 Light Weight Foaming Lotion were $1.31 per ounce for the Coppertone and $5.94 per ounce for the Vichy! Equate Ultra Protection Sunscreen SPF 50, which is a Walmart store brand lotion, costs only 56 cents an ounce at the time of the comparison. Active ingredients include Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (13%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene

38

“Taking Care of YOU”

By Debbie Storms

By Debbie Storms

(7%), and Oxybenzone (4%).

Both have near or exactly the same concentration of active ingredients as the Equate. The NO-AD Sport SPF 50 cost per ounce is 63 cents. Active ingredients include Avobenzone (2.%), Homosalate (15.%), Octisalate (5.%), and Oxybenzone (5.%). There are other factors that make some sunscreens a personal favorite, and that is the sensory aspects and ingredient preference of sunscreen.

The products outlined here offer a range of price and help protect you from potential

health risks. There are other factors, and they need to be considered, but this is a price point platform. A great source to selecting sunscreens is 'Guide to Sunscreens' at ewg. org/sunscreens. Stay cool!

Time spent outside walking definitely deserves a good pair of shoes. Today, the options for comfortable shoes has grown. Our walking shoes are not the best place to save a few dollars that in the long run may end up being spent on injuries and medical bills. A starting

point for your purchase needs a basic guideline, starting with shopping for shoes late in the day. Feet swell slightly throughout the course of the day, so that's when they are at their largest. Wear the type of socks you expect to wear while walking. Be sure to have the salesperson measure both of your feet there may be a slight difference in size between them. Measurements should be taken while you're standing, as feet expand when they bear body weight. Try on both shoes and walk around the store.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that the shoes will be comfortable once they've been broken in. As with any other purchase, check the store's return policy at the time of your purchase. Seal your deal with a calm and positive attitude with walking after your meditation. This healing and preventive care is out there waiting for you!

Ready to enhance your natural beauty? There are as many articles as there are lines of cosmetics. To save yourself time and money go right to a great read “Don't Go to the Cosmetic Counter Without Me” by 'The Cosmetic Cop' Paula Begoun. A helpful way through the maze of beauty products is given to you in Paula's book. The perfect formula for looking fabulous without breaking the bank.

The book offers guidelines that will help you look great and leave you plenty of time to do the things you really enjoy in life.

Find a few affirmations that will help build your self-esteem and take good care of YOU! What I really want is.............

Let me know what you have in mind. dstorms88@gmail.com

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

SEWING TO MAKE Children's Dreams Come True

By Janice Carter-Booth

H

ER NAME IS BONNIE Bowe and she surely can sew! She is truly an inspiration! I wasn't kidding about the way she sews, it is simply impeccable. She sews mostly for babies and small children.

Everything from bibs, burps cloths, bedding, to toy animals.

She also make stunning aprons for all ages. She will customize any item for anyone, washing and ironing each item. The most astonishing thing about this woman…every bit of her profits go to the “Make A Wish Foundation”!

I asked her when and how she learned her craft? She said.

“It was really to do with economics.” First, she sewed maternity clothes for herself, then crafting some for her children in an effort to save money.

“How can I make sewing into something more productive, for more children”? She told me, “I know I can't cure them, but I can put a smile on their faces”.

This tells me her petite size has nothing to do with her very big and generous heart!

She told me she wanted to show that one individual on their own can make a real difference. Bonnie also said, “It has not only benefited the children, but gives my life more meaning and purpose in retirement.” Besides the “MakeA-Wish Foundation”, Bonnie has made and donated her beautiful work to a non-profit organization named, “Hearts & Hooves”. “Hearts & Hooves” provides therapy miniature horses which provide relief for autistic children.

The idea to sew for children came about when she returned to her love of sewing for her great-grandchildren about 6 years ago. Then she thought,

Not only concentrated on not-for-profits, Bonnie made a personal contribution when she designed a boys' apron to wear and display his fathers

military patch. She even made a bib for a fire captain who delivered a baby in his fire truck. These are only a few of the many wonderful, selfless acts that Bonnie has contributed through out our many communities.

When Bonnie was a child herself, it was her dad that was the nurturing parent. She came from humble beginnings living in a small apartment in Chicago. As a child, she felt Chicago was a great, vibrant city to grow up in the 50's and 60's. Her dad was an accountant during the week but, on the weekends, he took her to museums, art galleries, and parks of all sizes. He also once took her and some of her beautiful art work into the Chicago Tribune when she was only eight years old. The visit was a success when the newspaper actually published her cut out dolls at the bottom of a comic strip known as “Mopsy Modes”.

Bonnie's profession, however, was very different from her creative passion of sewing.

At first, she worked as a secretary / office manager, for an electronics company in Utah.

When the boss was at the home office in Denver, Bonnie, would be out in the field, taking samples of electronic components to engineers and purchasing agents in order for them to make PC boards. So she bought a brief case and jazzed up her outfits in an effort to have her image match her sales ability. She promoted the components, and considerably increased sales for the company; therefore bringing

home a healthy commission.

As a result of her personal investment in her career, she brought about more sales for the company. Bonnie attributes the majority of this success to reading a book in 1985 that changed her life, entitled, The Best Way For A Woman To Make Money, by David King and Karen Levine. That book advocated that being in sales was the way for this to happen for women.

So a few years later, with her daughters now grown, she made a bold move. With just a high school education she trekked off to Silicon Valley, where the electronic business was booming. She started working at first for small companies as a sales rep. She eventually started her own company selling to big companies like, Apple, Hewlett Packard, and a number of others.

When Bonnie and her Aerospace engineer husband decided to retire, they wanted to come to a warmer climate, so they looked at a map and saw a little red dot that caught their eye. This dot would soon be known as Ramona and enticed Bonnie and her husband to come down for a look before making such a big move.

Instantly, they were hooked. It had everything they wanted; quiet, sprawling, countryside, but with town within driving distance. Bonnie has her beautiful sewing displayed at The Poway Boardwalk every other Sat. starting July 1st. from 8 until 2 and also at the Rancho Bernardo market every Friday from 9 to 1.

Bonnie is on facebook at SweetDreams4kids/Bonnie Bowe. Check this page out to see her beautiful work. She welcomes orders through messages and comments on her page. Also her e-mail is sweetdreams4kids@cox.net., cell phone 760 525 0561.

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

I

F YOU ARE AT ALL like me, the mention of IV brings images of hospitals with sick patients too ill to receive proper nourishment on their own. You think of those patients who need quick doses of antibiotic to cure a possibly deadly disease. Not many of us consider the many other positive uses for IVs. At least I didn’t until I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Dr. Kristine Reese, Naturopathic Doctor and Medical Director of Lotus Rain Naturopathic Clinic.

Dr. Reese started administering IVs as a treatment for various ailments back in medical school. “It was a couple of decades ago when I was first introduced to the great benefits that could be derived from IV treatments.

I did a lot of my integrative oncology training in Canada and Europe, so these treatments were commonly being done outside of this country for quite some time.”

Dr. Reese had me very interested when I heard that they were supporting cancer patients with IVs. Dr. Reese added, "I have had many patients come to me who were told there was nothing else that could be done for them.

That it was time for them to get their affairs in order, as they would probably have only a few more months to live. One of these patients I have now been supporting for 10 years."

With this amazing fact, I had to ask what is it that IV treatments do that other treatments can’t accomplish.

Dr. Reese explains, “With IVs we can put all nutrients in the body except for fat

40

Dr. Kristine Reese Photo by Dawn Nicoli/Nicoli Productions

soluble ones like vitamin D, K or E. These nutrients include all the B's, minerals, vitamin C, and amino acids.

By doing so, we can rebuild the adrenal glands, and bypass digestion which gets us immediate results. We also do hydrogen peroxide, which is anti-microbial, so it hits candida, staph, strep, plus it alkalizes the whole system and enhances our overall health. It crosses the blood-brain barrier, so it creates clearer thinking, less congestion and pressure on the sinuses, and can help decrease tinnitus. I've had people reverse years of polyp growth due to overproduction of mucus and overgrowth of candida.

These patients previously had surgery but the polyps regrew. The IV treatments helped shrink the polyps and prevent their regrowth.

I probed a little deeper to gather an understanding of why IVs work when oral supplements sometimes will not. Dr. Reese explained that IVs cross ‘the blood-brain barrier.'

I found out that we have a barrier that protects our brain from a lot of medications we take like anti-microbial or anti-inflammatory medication to assure that they don't pass the barrier and do damage. When the natural ingredients contained in the IV cross the blood-brain barrier, only beneficial effects occur leading to clearing out of mucus and relieving pressure and congestion.

Dr. Reese also mentioned that another great goal of IV infusions is to bypass digestion altogether, which is a wonderful thing. The nutrients then go straight into the blood stream and into cells. We tend to lose many of the nutrients going through our digestive system even if we are taking the highest quality supplements.

So what types of maladies can IV treatments help?

Dr. Reese explained: “We use IV infusions for many different ailments, as well as preventative treatments.

In addition IVs are an

integral part of the weight loss protocol we offer. We also provide sports IVs to athletes including triathletes, bicyclists, the Olympic Club and many more, with Children benefiting greatly too.” These IVs enhance performance and endurance and shorten recovery time. This is accomplished with the infusion of amino acids to benefit the adrenal glands, and minerals to avoid cramping, along with whatever else might be indicated, depending on the patient and their sport.

The protocol for a runner participating in a big race would be two infusions per week in the weeks leading up to the race, and in the week after that for recovery. When an IV is put into your system the average time it remains in your body is 48-72 hours, with the peak being at 24-48 hours. Therefore, runners time their treatments to best optimize it for the race day.

Although this treatment may be unfamiliar to many of us, sports IVs have been utilized by athletes for a long time. It was locally started with the actors and actresses in Hollywood who spoke highly of the benefits.

As Dr. Reese adds “Many people might not be aware of the many benefits of IV infusions. One of the infusions offered at LotusRain is the immune IV. Due to increasing resistance to antibiotics, upper respiratory infections are more aggressive and tenacious and lead to residual coughs lasting for months. Following an immune IV, the cough typically resolves within forty-eight hours.

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction Another major use of IVs is for Detox purposes.

“We take people off of all kinds of medications and street drugs through this detox process. I am currently working with a patient to get him off of meth. He is two weeks in and doing fantastic. The IV eliminates all of the nausea, shaking, and basically all the symptoms of withdrawal, making it an easier process for someone to quit whatever drugs to which they are addicted.”

This treatment is also useful in treating Alcoholics. They are given daily IVs, and the Lotus Rain protocol requires that they are also in a support group, so they have a plan. Approaching it this way results in the greatest likelihood that they will attain sobriety. It works so well because it has been found that people who have addictive situations are not absorbing their nutrients.

The IV gives them the nutrition they are missing and they immediately start to feel better, and they can then take care of themselves and become more motivated. Over the years Dr. Reese has worked at treatment facilities providing this service to recovering addicts.

One of Dr. Reese’s most popular programs are her weight loss programs. “So what we have is called the Cadillac version and the Simple and Easy. When people are really serious about it we put them on a 6-week program and it begins by letting your family and friends know that this is what your goal is, this is what and how you are going to do it. Participants are advised to get some key

people that will help or even go through it with them or be on the phone with them.

Then go through the house and clean out all the junk food. We come home from work, and we're tired, and it's easy to go for that junk food and making those salads seems so hard. And the next step is to set up appointments for massages, acupuncture and facials because if you are taking away all these things you have to give yourself back something to replace them.

So those are the preparatory pieces and then there are options like what we call the master cleanse, which is a lemonade and maple syrup fast which puts us into

part of the package together with B12 injections. We tier it out based on what the budget is, and then we strategize on what is realistic. For example, if you are going to fast it is best

ketosis which is wonderful.

We then follow that with only a protein shake for a week. If the pure fast is too hard, they can add salads and vegetables.

We also incorporate hydrogen peroxide IVs and infrared saunas, which are a

treatment to help their patients. "I think if they had the knowledge, they would willingly share it. Traditional medical schools do not offer training in this, whereas naturopathic medical schools devote many hours to nutritional infusion train-

to head into a weekend so

by Saturday, when you are feeling shaky and don't want to do anything, you can just relax.

With all of the success Dr. Reese has had in this area, I had to ask why more doctors don't rely on this

ing and to understanding how nutrients are absorbed.”

When discussing healthy eating with Dr. Reese and what changes we can make to improve our overall health, Dr. Reese suggests, "I put my patients on a ketogenic anti-inflammatory diet which emphasizes the good fats, like avocado, white fish, and coconut oil. It is a whole food diet without any of the processed foods and we also advise avoiding dairy products. Our society is fat phobic, but we need beneficial fats - it is fat that makes every one of our hormones. So, if we lose our fats we have lost our hormone balance, which includes our happy hormones like serotonin.”

The doctors at Lotus Rain Naturopathic Clinic don't believe in popping pills for every ailment. They give each patient a 45-minute appointment so they can get to know them and understand their problems and work together to put a plan in place. "We are honest and tell them upfront that this is going to be a lifestyle change, and it won't be easy at first. It will probably be a drastic change. There is nothing off limits. We talk about sleep and what they are eating. We discuss how they are urinating, and what kind of bowel movements they are having. These are all things that don’t get discussed in a typical 10-minute doctor’s appointment.

Since we spend more time with them, we delve deeply into their lives, including their spiritual side as well as what gives them joy and laughter and what they are grateful for and what they

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do to just have fun. We treat the whole person."

Dr. Reese states that one of the main goals is to educate the patient as to the side effects of prescription medications, and where appropriate, to be able to eventually replace the medication with natural substances together with life style counseling.

Unfortunately, what most people don’t realize is generally when a patient is placed on a single medication down the line there may be two or more new ones needed to fight off the side effects of the original medication.

Dr, Reese believes in giving back to the community. She currently is deeply involved with her local Rotary and offers a Veteran's Detox program.

Dr. Reese also does a weekly radio show called Optimal Health Hour, on Tuesdays at 2 pm. It is a live show on Voice America, and is also offered as a podcast so that it can be listened to anytime.

"I interview people from all over the world, and we have been fortunate enough to have some well-renowned experts on the show.” You can find out who by visiting Dr. Reese's site at http://lotusrainclinic.com where you can also access The Optimal Health Hour to listen live or on demand.

Lotus Rain Naturopathic Clinic just recently expanded and more healing professionals are now available on site. If you would like to make an appointment or find out more information contact (619) 239 - LIFE (5433)

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Making Aging in Place POSSIBLE T

HE NEED FOR SENIOR care services can come up suddenly or as a result of persistent, declining health.

Regardless of why you now require senior care services, the need for it is somewhat of a shock. In your mind, your parents, are the strong, reliable leaders of the family.

You looked at them in times of need and to share your joys. It can be heart wrenching to realize they now need you as much as you need them.

When a loved one needs home senior care, the mind spins with questions and concerns. From understanding how to find a caregiver, to understanding how a caregiver can help, it is natural to feel overwhelmed by this new stage of life. Visiting Angels in southern San Diego County understands how difficult this time is and is here to help. We’ve helped thousands of families across the country navigate this new terrain and find peace of mind.

At home senior care from Visiting Angels makes aging in place possible.

What is aging in place? It is the desire that most seniors have to continue living in

their own home; the desire to live at home as long as possible before moving to a care facility. At Visiting Angels, our compassionate caregivers provide assistance with the activities of daily living that allows aging in place possible. With our at home client care services, seniors receive the one-on-one support they need to remain independent and live safely at home.

How can one of our Angel companions help your loved one? The options are almost unlimited. When you choose Visiting Angels for at home senior care, we’ll work with you to create a plan for care that addresses your loved one’s individual needs. Care is always scheduled for the times you need it and can be modified as needed to adjust to changing needs. The senior care services we provide can accommodate a wide range of needs including: • Companion Care • Personal Care • Palliative Care • Post-Hospital Stay Care • Social Care • Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care

• 24-hour Care • Some of the most common activities we assist with include: • Diet monitoring including planning for and preparing meals • Light housekeeping including help with laundry, making beds, and vacuuming • Assistance with shopping, running errands, and transportation to doctor’s appointments or activities • Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting • Reminders to take medications, drink fluids, and eat regularly • Going for walks, engaging in favorite activities, and friendly companionship Our caregivers are scheduled at your convenience. Weekday, weekend, holiday, and overnight visits are available as needed.

From hourly visits to 24hour care, a Visiting Angels caregiver will be there when you need them.

Welcoming a caregiver into your home and life can be difficult. At Visiting Angels, we try to make this transition as easy as possible for you and your loved one. Our initial assessment includes a complimentary home safety and falls assessment. When you choose at home senior care from Visiting Angels, you will find a partner who can answer questions, and help you find peace of mind.

Visiting Angels (619) 401-2040

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

Susan Kuruvilla, CEO

By Mimi H. Cook Photo by : Adriana Zuniga

A

S CEO of Managed Solution, Susan Kuruvilla, is running a successful IT Service business in the exploding Southern California marketplace. Speaking with this vivacious, intelligent, and confident executive, you can easily learn why Ms. Kuruvilla is admired by her peers, respected by her employees, and has reached the pinnacle of her career. Ms. Kuruvilla was born outside New York City and grew up in Racine, Wisconsin; on the edge of Lake Michigan. Family skiing trips to Colorado and college summers in the mountains planted the seed for how to create a life whereby you love what you do and live where you love. She was intentional with living and working in larger cities to gather skills and experiences to parlay later in her career to positions that did not require living in a major city. After she had earned an MBA in General Management from Dartmouth, as another way to create more employment options – she moved to Dallas, Texas to work in Finance for American Airlines. She would spend the next seven years in several senior roles before moving to the Security & Distribution Industry in San Diego.

For ten years, she served as CFO of Clark Security Products, skillfully ascending to become President; growing a $100+M business and garnering awards for Healthiest San Diego Company. She helped to sell the business and then ran it for five years for the public company that purchased it. Her position was eliminated last year which gave her time to pause in her career and refocus. “I wanted a new position that inspired me to grow every day. I didn’t want to be in the passenger seat of my career”, she explained. Her positive solution to this dilemma was, “I hired a Career Counselor to help me clarify what I wanted to do next so that I would not get distracted by job offers that were not a match.”

Ms. Kuruvilla had to find out what would make her excited to go to work every day. In the process of discovery, she realized, "I am extremely curious to learn

new things, so I need a position that challenges me every day." Six months into the job, she is exceeding expectations while learning and growing professionally. Managed Solution is poised for tremendous growth, and she is tasked with balancing the incline of rapid development combined with spearheading swift changes in processes. "I love my job. Working with Sean Ferrel, Chairman and Founder of Managed Solution has been an extremely rewarding experience, and he has been a great partner."

As Managed Solution’s CEO, she works with many different types of companies to help reduce the burden of day-to-day IT management. The company provides managed and professional services and technology forecasting, empowering companies to grow their businesses. “The depth of focus on customer care, social responsibility, and security is at the core of company values, attributing to flourishing proliferation.”

I asked her what advice she would give to other women who might feel their careers are languishing. "First, don't be afraid to reconsider your path," Susan told me that she personally went through a transformative process of discovery about what aspects of a job were important to her with her career counselor. She said that most people spend 50% of their time and energy trying to look good in their lives and 50% of their time trying not to look bad. "That's such a waste of time. No one is really paying that close attention to you. Just show up each day and focus on what needs to be done at that moment, in that day, and channel your energy on improving your skills and relationships at work."

The second piece of advice she gave is that networking is important. She met the Founder of Managed Solution through networking. "You never know when you will meet that person who could help you step into a new career." She told me that networking doesn't just mean going to the office or industry gatherings, it means getting out into the community too. "Too

many people think networking is about grandstanding or an opportunity to sell their services. That doesn't always work with people. It's better to be natural and authentic in your intent to establish a friendship or professional relationship."

She is a member of VISTAGE, which is an organization of professionals who are in upper management positions. She told me that there is a subgroup in VISTAGE for service professionals as well, so you do not have to be a CEO or President of a corporation to join.

Third, she said in addition to networking; it was important to give back.

Ms. Kuruvilla is on the Management Board for the YMCA Camping Branch.

“Working with the YMCA’S year-round camping program, I have met all types of great people from different walks of life and professions.” The YMCA Camping Branch includes three camps here in San Diego County: Raintree Ranch horseback riding camp, Camp Marston located in the Julian mountains and a child favorite, Camp Surf. "As a member of the management board, I get to oversee a program that I am passionate about – kids and outdoor fun."

I found talking to Susan Kuruvilla very encouraging and incredibly inspiring. Every job is just a stepping-stone, not something that defines a woman’s career path. It’s a perspective that gives a lot of hope to those of us who might be afraid to reinvent ourselves.

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

Sohaila Handelsman

THE STAR IN THE SKY

By Judith A. Habert

A

S THE MUSIC PLAYS tunes of faraway places Sohaila closes her eyes and moves as she has a thousand times before. The moves are natural to Sohaila; she has been doing them since the age of 12 when she accompanied her mom to her first belly dancing class. “The minute I picked up the veil I was hooked.” Four decades later Sohaila is still moving with the music.

Sohaila's original career goal was to become a police officer, and she was on her way to do so, but school was expensive, and she needed a way to pay for it. She decided to utilize her love of belly dancing to subsidize her tuition. In 1984, at the age of 18, she had become so well known for her dancing skills that she was offered a job in Mexico City to open the first Lebanese Restaurant there.

"So, I thought to myself at the time, do I want to stay in college, become a cop, and get shot at, or do I want to dance all over the world." As you can see Sohaila made her choice, and she has been professionally dancing ever since.

Sohaila remained at the restaurant for close to 10 years. During this time, she was asked to go to Egypt to dance with a group of musicians. She quickly fell in love with the Middle East, and in 1993 she got the offer that would make her dream come true. She started her dancing

44

journey in Greece where she spent five years; she worked on the original Love Boat (minus Captain Stubing) and danced all over Turkey, Istanbul, Egypt, Jordan, the Greek Islands, and Syria. "Syria was breathtaking she adds,

nothing like what we see on TV today, it was a magnificent place back then."

While dancing in these exotic locations, she would take the time to incorporate local dance moves into her repertoire growing her skills

by taking dance lessons from the top dance instructors in every country.

In 1997 Sohaila returned to San Diego and brought her knowledge of dance to Palomar College and Poway Adult Education and soon after that opened her own studio adjacent to her home in a beautiful part of Escondido. "I loved watching women metamorphize from shy introverted and often insecure women to proud secure and sensuous dancers. As I watched them, I knew that if I added the five senses into the movements, then I could connect with the women on an even deeper level. I was reconnecting them to their body, minds, and soul through their own five senses and ancient belly dance movements. I watched as they broke out of the monotony of their everyday life, and were transported to a beautiful memory that they could relive through their movements."

Sohaila loves watching how much her students change from week to week.

“We have mirrors completely around the studio. My reason for this is that some women don’t like their bodies, but women have to love themselves, above anything else.”

Sohaila teaches a ten-week program called the Sense-ual Woman® Woman’s Luxurious Lifestyle.

Sohaila soon realized that she could create a fitness inspired program which would be more fun than any other program out there. “I developed NewVo® Fitness which is a multi-cultural inspired fitness system that incorporates music from around the world in 45 min. I've traveled around the world and made

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction a point of taking classes in all of these countries. I learned very specific moves, from all of the best instructors. I now incorporate these movements in my NewVo® fitness program.”

I asked Sohaila if NewVo® Fitness was similar to Zumba® and she responded with the following. “Zumba® was made by a man thinking how a woman should be moving I’m a woman knowing how a woman should be moving.”

There is one thing that this woman does not lack and that is energy. You could feel it bouncing off the walls of her studio. Her husband of three years, Angel, was nearby in his office during our meeting, and she pulled him into the discussion a few times and when you put the two of them together, look out world. They are one of the most dynamic couples I have ever been around.

This is the first marriage for Sohaila, who was introduced to Angel by way of her Mom. Angel runs an International Entertainment company, and he was looking for dancers. Mom gave him her daughter's number, and they became friends, and it slowly grew to more. When he was at Sohaila's home helping on the property, he fell off a ladder while trimming a tree, and had a severe brain injury.

Doctors were shocked that he survived." His skull was cracked open it was horrible.

When he came to, I asked him to marry me because I wanted to take care of him for the rest of his life" Being around them it is clear to see they definitely take care of each other.

One of her latest endeavors was the brainchild

of Angel’s. It is a Multicultural Woman’s Networking group. Sohaila lights up as she explains the concept to their new networking group. “Our Multicultural Woman’s Networking group is awesome. Some groups just don’t treat members as if they are important enough.

A networking group should be about the members. Our group includes members from all walks of life. We have learned that every culture has something different and unique to offer. Right now, we have members from Mexico, Hawaii, Colombia, and Peru, just to name of few. The concept is to have a minimum of 50 women from different places so that we can learn about the different cultures. Our motto is ‘World class vision, ultimate success’ We also make a point of not calling our businesses small businesses we refer to them as ‘Expandable Businesses.'

We believe that if you have the small business mindset, you will always be a small business. Upcoming events for this group include a “girl's night in” where members will show up in the pajamas, watch movies, eat popcorn and then mastermind. The goal is not only to improve your business but to have fun doing it. On top of all of the fun events like this that are planned they have some world class speakers scheduled to present before the group" I was so impressed with her concept that I joined right on the spot.

With a name like Sohaila you would think she was from the Middle East, born to dance, but no, she was born in Hartford Connecticut.” I was a Marine brat; we traveled

some when I was a baby. My parents divorced when I was four. One day my dad was there, the next thing I knew he was gone. I've always been very close to my mom. She is Italian, and my father is German.” So, of course, I couldn't resist asking where the name Sohaila came from. "Jo Ellen is my real name. When I got on stage for the first time to perform the drummer turned to my teacher and asked for my name so he could introduce me. I said my name is Jojo and the drummer just shook his head, my teacher who was Persian blurted out 'Sohaila.' I have had this name for some 40 odd years.” Sohalia means the star in the sky, which most definitely defines Sohaila.

She even has her own dance group “The Sohaila Shining Stars, who perform all over San Diego.

If you can’t make it to a live class with Sohaila, you can sign up for one of her many online belly dance and fitness classes.

I asked Sohaila what advice she had for our readers?

She quickly responded, ”Stop listening to everyone else. We are inundated with so much information, and a lot of it is bad information.

You don't know what you don't know. So, sit back and think about what you really want to do. Not what others want you to do.

Just be authentic. Every woman can do this. Just give yourself credit and hang around people who empower you, not around those who bring you down.

Stick to what you believe in and be strong. Last but not least, Sohaila left me with the following words. "Women need to make things

happen. It's great to have a team, but if you can't find the team you want, then just go do it yourself."

To learn more or sign up for one of her classes visit Sohaila at: Website: www.SohailaInternational.com Senseual Womans' Luxury Lifestyle http://sohailainternational. com/senseualwomanprogram/ MultiCultural Women's Network Group: http://www.multiculturalbusinessassociation.com/womens--network.html Youtube: Sohaila International Belly Dance Instructor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohailazyba Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/sohailainternational/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ Sohaila01 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sohailazyba Phone: 760-519-9615 (Cell)

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He Said

She Said

Robert Tussey

This is not about politics. This is not about who is right or wrong. This is about recognizing that the battles we fight (in life) are always made stronger with allies. There are no social issues facing us today that are not made better by acknowledging our allies and our supporters and embracing their part in a growing history of breaking boundaries and stretching the mores of our social fabric. I have talked (at length) in this column about strong, supportive men who have stepped up to the challenges of becoming better fathers and men. I have talked about surrounding myself with men who represent the good father, husband, and family dynamic that is so necessary today: How we’ve stepped up to the plate. As a man, I must lead by example of what a man’s place is in the home, workplace, and in public. I don’t tolerate men who mistreat women nor will I count them as friends. These are core beliefs of so many men today.

Women, for generations, have grown their place in society from the subservient secretary/mother/wife to positions of power and leadership, both at home and in public/social life: And your growth is continuing exponentially every day. You are proudly representing yourself and your sisters and growing your voice in the world community. Believe me when I say that we support you. No, not all men feel this way but I am confident in saying the majority of us do. Old standards and walls are being broken down, but where do we go from here?

The Pendulum Effect affects everyone. Simply put, when an issue in your life needs to change and there is opposition, you must start from where you are – a pendulum swung to the upper left (no political statement meant) and decide what you want/need as the end product – a pendulum at center.

To get there you often must push the pendulum to the upper right of the arch, an extreme position, to force the issue back to the middle thus gaining the change you desire. In women’s issues this has been as true as in any other social dynamic. And there are always hurt feelings along the way. But societal change is accomplished within this paradigm.

In the current climate of women’s issues and the changes that need to be accomplished, men are being marginalized as part of the problem (of which many are). The difficulty here is that there are so many men who support this movement, are vocal about it, and are integral in creating the change, but are being left on the sidelines. We are allies in this revolution. I have seen so many divisive statements in the media/press/FB that take the men who care out of the equation. I know women have been marginalized for far too long, but to use that as a tool to eliminate the support of so many good men, would be missing the point of progress. We are here, we stand strong, and we will always support you. Let us.

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Judith A. Habert

I do believe that you make a very good point. A close friend once told me that no statement of fact should include the words never, always, ever, or none, and I do feel this is a very good point. Not every man feels that women are inferior, nor does every woman wish to male bash on every possible occasion. If we do, then we are no better than the men out there who continue to believe that women should not make the same wages for the same jobs or, perhaps to take it even further, believe that a woman’s only role in life is to be barefoot and pregnant.

Generalizing is dangerous, and in past years this is what has kept prejudice thriving in our country. The stereotypes about sex, race, physical appearance, or nationality have kept people from getting top jobs, advancing in current jobs or even being allowed into some social events or venues.

It seems that it often does take going to an extreme to get even small changes, but there has to be a balancing out in the end. People need to understand the consequences of their actions and realize that people can change.

Here is one thought that may not be taken well by male readers - especially the younger ones: I do feel like a lot of what one would consider “Gentlemen Qualities” are no longer practiced by the younger generation. Perhaps, the women’s movement is responsible for the change. We wanted to be equal so therefore men don’t believe in opening doors for women, or paying for dinner when they are out on a date, or driving them home and walking them to the door to be sure they are safe instead of meeting them at the restaurant or bar? There was a time there (I think in the 60’s) when a man would be chastised for doing any of these things by the feminist women, but when was the last time you yelled at a man for holding a door, paying a bill or seeing you safely to the door. This may in fact be a prime example of the pendulum swinging too far and men not realizing that we wanted it to swing back some.

As part of our new format, we will be reviewing movies at the theater, in Redbox, streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Not all the movies reviewed will be current, we will throw in some oldies but goodies from time to time. These reviews will include credits, rated, length, genre, story line, awards (if any), and little tid bits relating to the movie, its’ director or actors. We will also have a rating system with stars; 5 being outstanding and 1, don’t waste your time.

Beauty and The Beast Review

By Carol Heath BEAUTY AND THE BEAST **** PG 129 Mins. Family Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Kevin Kline, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson, and Stanley Tucci.

Director: Bill Condon Okay, I’ll admit it, I was not really expecting anything special with this latest rendition of this production. I just went along to help my cousin take her 4-year-old grandchildren to see it. Boy, was I wrong. I’d watched the old tv show many years ago and loved it. I’ve also seen the first Disney animated version several times. I knew what to expect, or so I thought. This new production blew me away.

The story hasn’t changed Belle, sung by Emma Watson, is imprisoned by the Beast, played by Dan Stevens. Gaston deliciously played by Luke Evans has a great voice and truly is in love with himself.

My personal live favorite was Josh Gad playing the role of LeFou, Gaston’s faithful servant. Mrs. Potts is animated with Emma Thompson’s voice.

The animated tea cup, Chip, was my personal favorite character. The candelabra danced while the china cabinet sang with an operatic voice.

The musical numbers are staged and performed with gusto by the ensemble cast and they will blow your socks off. The animation characters come alive and add a special touch to this truly enchanted new version of Beauty and the Beast.

If you don’t have a little one to accompany you, borrow one, it is worth it and you’ll both have a great time.

Way to go Disney, you’ve done it again!

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

E

MERGENCE IS THE BEST WORD one can find to describe the current work of artist Stefanie Bales. Her paintings inspire the mystical and yet are rather cerebral. Upon viewing her work, one will experience an other-worldliness. Upon further inspection, one might identify with the imagery and its story. It is truly mystical.

An accomplished artist, Stefanie is an Instructor at Platt College where she teaches her students to use traditional 2D and 3D mediums to create their artistic visions, despite the rest of their coursework being software focused.

Her educational background is impressive with a BFA from the University of Delaware’s honor program and an M.S. in Educational Counseling with a focus on Art Therapy. It was through her educational goals that she transferred her interests and experience in Gestalt therapy into her artwork.

Following is a discussion I had with this fascinating artist about her work: Deeba: “How would you describe the approach and technique you take when creating a piece or a series of work?”

Stefanie: “I love to work with all mediums and use everything from oils to watercolors, but for the past five years or so I've been working primarily with an acrylic and mixed media process which is really where I have found my voice."

Golden Hour

Deeba: “I really appreciate the use of light in your paintings. As any artist knows, the manipulation of light is essential in conveying feeling, shape, and mood in a painting. I've also noticed the balance between light and textures in your work. Can you expand on this?"

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Stefanie Bales:

TAPPING INTO THE

PSYCHE THROUGH ART

By Deeba Van Overberghe Stefanie: “My work is rather intuitive as I start with one inspiration and respond instinctively to color, texture, and form. I don’t follow a visual map or have a specific frame of reference allowing for a certain freedom to just let each painting evolve as I work. I spent years experimenting with an ink transfer process until I was able to hone the technique into something that was really individual to my work and aesthetic. My method is similar to collage work, but instead of cut and paste, I'm transferring bits of texture and imagery amidst the painted areas. This allows for moments of hyperrealism and really changes the voice of an otherwise traditional painterly composition."

Deeba: “When I view your work I can actually feel the heat of the day, smell the salt in the beach air or experience the popping and snapping of electricity when looking at those telephone poles! Can you elaborate on how you use imagery to evoke those feelings in the viewer? As well, can you talk about the emotions a viewer might have while experiencing your work.

Perhaps what I’m asking is, do you create with intention to stimulate the viewer in a certain way? “ Stefanie: “Throughout my career and my transition through mediums, there were always a few things that have been the hallmarks of my work- the study of light, the soft color palette, and the poignant atmospheric qualities that emanate from it. I’m very much inspired by color relationships, especially those derived from the sun. Regarding the emotional response, while creating my series Waking Life, I was really interested in and focused on the idea of a priori and the collective subconscious. I composed landscapes that weren't geograph-

ically specific but were supposed to feel universally familiar. Collectively, the works in the series have been described as depictions of universal daydreams, which as an afterthought, was feedback I really enjoyed."

Deeba: “I happen to be dyslexic. At times, and for brief moments, I cannot discern what the shapes are that I am seeing and this causes an uneasiness even though the image is beautiful. In some of your paintings, I feel as if this is the case. Can you explain why I feel uneasy when looking at some of your work, even though it is beautiful?"

Stefanie: “This is fascinating. I’ve never been told that my work causes a feeling of unease, but I understand what you’re referring to. This goes back to my process allowing for moments of hyperrealism amidst the painterly elements, resulting in a landscape that is both surreal and juxtaposed. Because I’m uniting elements that weren’t intended to be combined, the overall image becomes a montage of varying perspectives, timeframes, and topographies, which in turn creates secondary contradictions or illusions in figure, form, and atmosphere.”

‘Gestalt psychology is an attempt to understand the laws behind the ability to acquire and maintain meaningful perceptions in an apparently chaotic world. The central principle of gestalt psychology is that the mind forms a global whole with self-organizing tendencies. This principle maintains that when the human mind forms a percept or "gestalt," the whole has a reality of its own, independent of the parts.'

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction Deeba: “One of your recent pieces is from the Waking Life Collection titled, The Sun Also Rises. Can you explain the process and your intention behind this painting?”

Stefanie: “The Sun Also Rises is one of my favorite paintings in its series as it best represents the synthesis of all of my inspirations in one work. In my Waking Life Collection, each work reveals some sort of visual or contextual phenomenon. The multiple suns are meant to reference the way that time moves in our dream state, or exists in our memories.

I aspire to create pictorial conversations that are an aggregate of past and present- that elicit feelings of both nostalgia and possibility.”

The Sun Also Rises

Deeba: “And let’s look at one of your architectural paintings. How about your Power Line Series? One can literally hear the smacking of electricity coming off those lines, and yet the images are painted with light and warmth of color which creates contrasting interest.

Stefanie: This series was actually completed quite some years ago. In college I studied light and vacancy in architecture- the power lines were an offshoot of this and a way to expand upon my exploration of the juxtaposition of perspective and atmosphere.

Deeba: “Have you participated in any public installations of your work?

One could see ‘Castles in the Sky’ as an installation at a library or university.”

Stefanie: “Not as of yet, but as I progress in my career this is definitely something that interests me. Being an artist is, in its essence, a solo venture,

but I’d love to connect with other creatives and become more active within the collaborative community. Participating in public and or charitable works is definitely a goal of mine for the shortterm future.”

Deeba: “After reading your profile online, I discovered your involvement in charitable acts for your community. Can you elaborate on this a bit? What are you currently doing to ‘give back’?”

Stefanie: “This is something I’ve been building upon. Besides donating works to local nonprofit or charitable foundations for fundraisers or auctions (The San Diego Mission, AIGA, Home Aid, FAB Authority), I’m also a co-leader of the San Diego Chapter of the Yellow Collective- a creative group of female entrepreneurs and small business owners.”

Deeba: “As busy as you are, do you accept commissions and if so, what is the process one would go through in commissioning a piece from you?”

Stefanie: “As you know, often people see art-buying as a daunting or financially impractical experience, but personally commissioned work is the most affordable avenue for acquiring art that is both original and personal to the buyer. I love commissions because they enable me to work outside of my academic mold and to create a product that’s both reflective of my own style and an interpretation of the client’s vision. It’s a really fun experience making other people’s ideas come to life. Anyway, contacting me through my website or social media is the easiest way to touch base about a potential commission or partnership.”

Deeba: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Stefanie: “My goal is to become a vital part of the local creative community through collaboration, charity, and teaching. Despite it seeming secondary to my fine art career, teaching has always been a strength of mine and working with youth or novice artists in some capacity, whether through formal education, sharing my craft, or just encouraging young creatives to pursue their passions, is definitely something I see myself continually engaging in. My own family and two-year-old son are truly

what I value above all else, so I hope to encourage this passion for creativity and exploration in my own home as much as possible, too.”

In conclusion, I find the work of this established artist fascinating as she uses threads of psychology to evoke impressions in her work. Her mastery of technique goes without saying and plays a concrete role in creating a mystical dialogue in her paintings. Her imagery is anchored in reality while her brush evokes an ethereal point of view. The approach she takes stems from an educated life and taps into the flow of the divine, while playing with our unconscious.

What else can I say, except you have to see her work and experience it for yourselves? And if you like the experience, commission one for your home.

Truly, every artist lives to create and loves commissions! For more on Stefanie’s work and process or to see more of her beautiful art, visit her website at www.stefaniebales.com or find her on social media at @stefaniebalesfineart

Stefanie is currently being represented by both Adelman Fine Art in Little Italy, and Sparks Gallery in downtown San Diego, and her work is in numerous private collections across the country and internationally. She has been published extensively, with recent features on the TLC network, in Southern California Homes, Fine Art Connoisseur, Art Ltd, KUSI, Pacific San Diego Magazine, and the Santa Barbara Sentinel.

Castles in the Sky

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Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

T

O SAY that Melanie Trehan’s love of skin care goes back to her childhood would not be an exaggeration. How many six-year old girls do you know who regularly applied rose toner and moisturizer?

“I was probably the only one,” Melanie laughs. “This was my grandmother's daily routine, and I just loved doing it with her."

This should have been a clue to the direction in which Melanie's career would go. "I started out in nursing school, but soon realized that this was not my true calling. Luckily my parents were cool enough to let me switch focus and choose a career that would allow me to truly do what I loved."

Melanie started modeling and acting when she was a child and was soon introduced to the art of makeup. It was during her time preparing to be a nurse that she realized this field was not for her. What made her happy was when she was making women look beautiful with her natural makeup artistry skills. So, at the young age of 17, Melanie landed a position with Clinique, the top cosmetic and skincare company at the time.

She loved what she was doing, but there was still something that bothered her. Melanie started to feel that instead of just covering up skin issues for her clients, what she really wanted to do was fix their problems, so the makeup applications could be done to enhance a client's beauty and not just to cover up unsightly skin issues.

Melanie decided that

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she wanted to learn as much as she could about skin care so that when women needed help with their skin, she would be fully prepared and knowledgeable. She went to school to obtain her certification as a Medical Esthetician, working in this field

for over 6 years. She also serves as a trainer for other estheticians who wish to further their career by earning this accreditation.

However, Melanie did not stop there she went on to develop her own line of Clinical skincare products.

Melanie Trehan

LOVE THE SKIN YOU’RE IN in North Carolina for seven years. When she moved to California, a state that does not recognize the Medical Esthetician certification, Melanie went on to earn the title of Master Esthetician, which is recognized everywhere, (this accreditation is granted by the NCEA National Coalition of Estheticians Association). This certification is the highest accreditation that can be held in her field. Melanie has worked in the aesthetics industry for over 19 years, and has held the certification of Master Esthetician

Her line has grown to 60 different products, which are all dermatologist tested and approved and competitively priced, so all women can have this level of skin care products within their budget. Although Clinical skincare products are more pricey than department store brands, Melanie adds "This higher level of skin care products are well worth the price. They contain a higher amount of the ingredients necessary to produce the results you require and can be used in smaller quantities making

them last longer and in the end are a much better value."

Melanie has been called upon regularly by FOX News as an educator for the beauty industry.

She has done segments on various trends in skin care and demonstrated different methods to create overall skin health. She has also served as a celebrity beauty consultant and advanced makeup artist.

Always wanting to improve her knowledge, Melanie gained training in oncology skin care, which was an area I was not familiar with, so I asked if she could explain what this training entailed. "When you are treating individuals who are diagnosed with cancer, there are certain factors that have to be considered regarding skin care. You must be sure that you are using the right products that will neither interfere or cause adverse reactions to the cancer patient during surgery and treatment and also during their post cancer period.

Certain combinations of chemicals that would work on a patient who is not going through this health challenge will not be helpful to someone who is receiving Chemotherapy or other treatments for their disease.

Because of this knowledge, I have added a separate skin care line catering to cancer patients.”

Getting to know Melanie I was certain of one thing, she is a perfectionist in everything she does. For the past seven years, she has been the owner of HD Beauty Skincare Boutique, which is located in a lovely

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction salon in Rancho Bernardo, where she has been for the past three years.

At the HD Beauty Skincare Boutique, you will find services that are not available anywhere else in San Diego. I asked Melanie to share with us her top four most popular procedures.

1. Nonsurgical face lift “This is one of my most popular procedures, and it really is amazing. I am the only one with this specific device in all of Southern California. It can take the place of a regular facelift and is great for someone who does not want to do injectables or surgery. This procedure is great for anyone 30 and over. You will leave our Boutique looking years younger. The nonsurgical facelift is a revolutionary new skin rejuvenation system that effectively stimulates new collagen growth in the deeper skin layers, replacing aged and sun damaged collagen, plumping the skin, smoothing wrinkles, tightening skin and muscles.”

2. Derma Sweep. “Our proprietary bristle treatment tips gently lift away the top layer of skin and increase circulation to enhance lymphatic drainage, oxygenation, and the delivery of key skin nutrients. Exclusive infusion solutions formulated with cutting-edge ingredients are added to target specific skincare concerns, for visible results in just one treatment.”

3. Signature HD Beauty Facial - “This is a customized 60-minute facial tailored to each person based on whatever your concerns are with your skin. You can

only get this facial at my office because I create it. This facial treatment will address the six signs of aging: reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores, improve skin tone and texture, and reveal softer brighter skin.”

4. 24 karat liquid Gold Facial. “This facial can be summed up in two words ‘Pretty luxurious.’ This is a very special and unique treatment because no one in our area offers it. Our gold leaf facial is great for people going to an event.

This treatment gives you an immediate glow and hydration boost to the skin. The 24K Gold Facial lifts and firms your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and brightens the skin. A potent anti-aging formulation using pure 24K gold. rejuvenates and nourishes the skin, giving it a long lasting youthful glow.

Cleopatra slept in a mask of gold every night. The Queen of the Ching Dynasty had gold rolled on her face every day. This is pretty good company to be in” In addition to these four listed above, HD Beauty Skincare Boutique offers a total of about 12 different facials, most of which can be found on their website at https://theskincareboutique. com/. I don’t know about you, but as soon as I’m done writing this article, I am booking a visit at HD Beauty Skincare Boutique for one of these decadent facials, because after all, don’t we deserve it?

HD Beauty Skincare Boutique is located at 16486 Bernardo Center Drive Suite 120 San Diego CA 92128. Call 619.838.5353 for an appointment

Welcome Sohaila Handelsman to The San Diego PINK PAGES. Sohaila is our newest member of the PINK PAGES. Our complete Directory is generally included in the pages of San Diego Woman Magazine. However, with the amount of material we needed to cover in our 10th Anniversary Issue, we did not include it in this issue. Join us today and for one VERY LOW PRICE you can be in our online directory and in each issue of our magazine for a full 12 months.

Tell the World About Your Woman Owned Business Today! And Let Them Say… I Saw You In the PINK PAGES!

Sohaila Handelsman Sohaila is the founder of Sohaila International, the umbrella company for The Sense-ual Woman® retreats and programs, Belly Dance and NewVo® fitness classes. She has over 40 years of performing worldwide and instructing women of all ages in Belly Dance and Personal Image.

Sohaila works with women of all body types and fitness levels, teaching them how to rediscover their feminine power thru using their five sacred senses and ancient Middle Eastern movement. She is the producer of more than 450 online classes, 12 Signature dance dvd’s, and has authored three books. Sohaila has been been featured in commercials, music videos and movies and currently hosts her own webcast, Sohaila TV. She and her husband, Angel, recently founded and launched the Global Multicultural Women’s Network Group, bringing together business women of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds to help each other succeed in the local and Global marketplaces.

Website:www.SohailaInternational.com

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52

Our 10th Anniversary Women of Distinction

Nancy and The Nice Guys

By Janice C. Booth

I

T SOUNDS LIKE A band, but they don’t ever toot their own horn. That’s what I’m going to do in this article.

The Nice Guys of San Diego, were founded in 1979, and have given over $20 million to needy San Diegans, including our military families stationed here.

There are approximately 135 active members in the Nice Guys and they all work on a completely voluntary basis.

The group has no offices or paid staff. The Nice Guys do all the research on their charity cases to make sure the donations are placed with people truly in need.

These are individuals and families that cannot get help within the ‘system’. For example, they might help with food, house bills, bus passes or clothing just to get these people back on their feet. So one might say the Nice Guys pick up the slack.

Nancy Hamzey, a native of Michigan, came out to California in 1984, on the insistence of her brother, Bob. She took a sabbatical from her teaching job of 12 years to check out this wondrous place we call San Diego.

She fell in love with the area and began a career in real estate, 1st as a realtor, then as a title representative. Even though Nancy pored herself into her work, I know because Nancy only does things with a 110% effort, she still wanted to give back to the community.

Nancy explored different charitable organizations, but it wasn’t until 1989, when she found the Nice Guys she felt they were a perfect fit! When inquiring about the group her 1st question was “Are girls allowed?” when they said yes, she was onboard.

On down the road in 1998, Nancy became the 1st woman president of the group. On the topic of first,

area. She proclaimed “That was quite an eye-opener.”

On her adventure out in the west, Nancy also found not just a charity group, but a wonderful man that captured her heart, Zach Zacharias. Zach and Nancy were married in 2004, built a beautiful home and a great life together.

Zach also became a member of the Nice Guys and he became president of

she was also the 1st female in her extended family to graduate from college.

Nancy’s support came from a close knit family. She is the eldest of 5 children.

Dad was a door to door insurance salesman and mom stayed home to care for not only Nancy, her brother Bob, but also, triplets Paul, Paula and Pamela! Nancy graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Masters of Arts, she then taught grades 2-9 in Taylor, Michigan, in a HUD housing development

the group in 2009! Nancy and Zach are now retired, but still pursue their charity work and they love to travel.

One of their frequent destinations is Australia, where Zach’s daughter and family reside. Nancy’s life felt complete now that she inherited a fabulous daughter, a wonderful son-in-law, and now two awesome Aussie grandsons!

Back to the Nice Guys… not only do they have monthly charity meetings, but they also have a massive

event during the holidays.

‘Christmas at the Q’ is their opportunity to give back in an even bigger way. In December, the Nice Guys invite over 700 disadvantaged families to a day of fun events that culminates in the check-out line where each family gets bags of groceries(including a turkey), and a Walmart gift card to help with clothing and other household items.

The main task of the Nice Guys is to obtain donations to help San Diego’s needy. Keeping in mind that because the organization has no overhead, for every $1 that is donated to the club, $1 goes back out into the community.

The Nice Guys host 2 annual events a spring auction and the fall event honoring a leading San Diegan, called the Nice Guy of the Year. This October 28th, the Nice Guys will honor Padre Co-owner, Peter Seidler.

Peter Seidler is one of the leading local philanthropists in San Diego. His main focus is working with the community to help alleviate homelessness. For tickets or to make a donation, contact: sdniceguys@cox.net If you want to learn more about the Nice Guys or would like to donate to this worthy cause, you can contact their email or send a note to: Nice Guys of San Diego PO BOX 881456 San Diego, CA 92108

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I

F YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A breath of fresh air, look no further than Sedona, Arizona. Gazing upon all of the glowing red rock formations and feeling the warmth of the area makes you relax. The positive energy in this Arizona town can be felt everywhere you go. There is a magical quality about it.

The landscape is fascinating with pinetree lined forests to the north in Flagstaff and the desert city life of Phoenix to the south. The sky at night is mesmerizing as it is lit up with countless stars.

desert growth of shrubs and small trees.

There are ancient ruins of a 700-year-old Native American cliff dwelling to view and learn about the customs, myths, and legends of the native people. I really enjoyed this tour, and you will too if you have a love of history. It is also a great way to soak up the serene environment.

Prices vary from $59.00 to $110.00 for adults and $54.00 to $99.00 for children.

Should you be of the more artistic type, Tlaquepaque Village in the heart of Sedona might be more to your liking. It

A Sedona Adventure

By Jane Baxley

Cathedral Rock Sedona, Arizona

There are many activities available for you. If you like communing with nature, there is an offering of hiking adventures to Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Bear Mountain and Courthouse Rock.

You may also partake in a Pink Jeep Tour. There are eight different tours available ranging from one to three hours. Five of the tours are via jeep and three are hiking. An adventure guide will accompany you and point out points of interest including the geology of the cliffs, wildlife and plant life. There is also a four wheeling tour that will make you hang on tight as you go up and down steep arroyos zipping through

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is named for an artsy suburb of Guadalajara, Mexico and is made up of a collection of art galleries, craft shops, and restaurants. I love to shop so this kept us busy for hours. The builder set out to replicate a colonial Mexican village and he did just that. The architecture is beautiful. The bell tower at Tlaquepaque is a Sedona landmark. If you happen to be there in December, as we were, snow, Christmas lights and decorations adorn the village and will most definitely put you in the spirit. Bundle up because it can be quite chilly in the winter.

There is also Slide Rock Natural Park. Slide Rock is a natural water chute

in Oak Creek just above Sedona. Warning! If you do decide to join in, wear old jeans because the seat of your pants will be worn out as you go down the slide and are dumped into a natural pool. It is a great way to cool down when the weather is hot. Kids of all ages love it.

Peak times to visit Sedona are in Spring and Fall with temperatures in the mid-60s to low 80s. Summer can be just plain hot with highs in the mid to high 90s. Winter – mid November through January can bring occasional snow and cold temperatures.

For me, Sedona is the ultimate relaxing get-away. You can do as little or as much as you want. It is up to you.

Star-gazing is a wonderful past-time.

We stayed for two nights at the Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona. The staff was very friendly and professional. The room was spacious and clean and felt very cozy. The bed was very comfortable and the linens were of great quality. We loved having a fireplace in our room since the nights were cool. Not all rooms have fireplaces, so be sure to ask for one that does. There was an outdoor heated pool and hot tub that looked very inviting. We did enjoy a wonderful massage at The Spa of Poco Diablo. Bikes are available to rent as well so you can take a bike tour of Sedona. They also offer wedding planning services. There are tennis courts and a 9-hole golf course plus a fitness center. I did not find anything lacking as far as amenities were concerned. We were very pleased.

The resort itself was very clean and the staff was polite and professional.

Making sure you enjoyed yourself was their top priority. The resort is centrally located and the grounds are well kept. A full service concierge is available to take care of any requests you may have.

T Carl’s restaurant located at the resort was very nice. We ate there on our first night. The service was friendly and the food was tasty, but a little pricey.

Our second night we went to El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano in Tlaquepaque.

The food was great – traditional Mexican food and the prices were good.

For two nights at the resort we paid $166 per night. The value was great and well worth the price. We would definitely stay there again when our wanderlust takes us back to Sedona.

Would You Be A Sugar Baby?

D

ATING AND FINDING that perfect someone isn't always easy. Many women have been searching and searching, but yet some always seem to keep coming up empty. Society mores have changed, and choices are not so black and white anymore.

There are many young women out there who are tired of meeting the same men, many of whom may be immature and though they may give them pleasure in the bedroom, they fail them in the remaining areas of their life.

So what is a beautiful young girl to do these days?

Well a large number of them have clicked their way over to a site called Arrangements. com, a new dating site that lets couples decide on the terms of their relationship upfront.

What woman wouldn’t want romantic getaways, lavish gifts and a generous allowance set forth as part of their dating relationship? So it is no wonder that women may now be treating their relationships like any other business deal, and making their needs and desires known right up front.

In the old days, they used to call a woman who was involved in a relationship like this a "kept woman," and they were almost always May- December relationships, with the woman being young and beautiful while the only requirement for the man was wealth. This type of relationship was only spoken of in whispers or expressed with rolls of the eyes when mentioned as a serious relationship. This type of relationship which openly suggested sex

for money or gifts was one that usually left the female labeled as a less than moral individual.

Today many women think; differently, they feel that when you get right down to it, how different was this from dating. "When a guy takes me out to an expensive restaurant or a show, he almost always expects to be paid back for his investment. So why can't a woman do the same." explains a young 20 something woman.

To the right are some of the statistics that Arrangements.com shared with us.

This information made us stand up and take notice of the growing number of young women who threw the image of Prince Charming out the window. Instead, they chose going out, having a good time, providing sex if required, it isn't always, and at the end of the day they weren't looking for a ring on their finger, but instead, an apartment rent free or a brand new Lexus right off the showroom floor.

One of the "Sugar Babies," marveled at how well this arrangement worked. "I can finish law school now without waiting tables. I am taken out on extraordinary dates, and the sex is damn good, so why would I feel bad about the relationship I have with my "Sugar Daddy? It suits my needs perfectly."

Here is some information that we found very enlightening and thought you might as well. This survey was done by Arrangement.com, which will give you some insight into the lives of sugar daddies and the women they spoil.

Arrangement.com SURVEY RESULTS: ጎጎ 34% of users escaped to one of these destinations with their partner in the last six months: • Dubai • Honolulu • Morocco • Saint Tropez • Fiji • Bora Bora

sulted in a relationship lasting more than three years ጎጎ 55% of men report that one of these three items were requested from sugar babies: • Chanel bag • Car • Plastic surgery

ጎጎ Less than 20% of men were seeking an arrangement with a woman under the age of 22, while 36% of men sought women between the ages of 25 and 32 ጎጎ Surprisingly, only 13% of male users on the site admitted to being married ጎጎ Almost 80% of men are seeking an arrangement for 2+ years, while less than 20% of men are looking for short-term companionship for less than six months ጎጎ 27% of users live in one of the following cities: • Miami • New York • Los Angeles • Denver • Atlanta ጎጎ Almost 75% percent of men identifying as sugar daddies work in one of the following professions: • Lawyer • Realtor • Surgeon • Politician • Corporate executive • The average age range between sugar babies and daddies: 13-21 years ጎጎ 18% of arrangements have resulted in traditional marriages, while nearly 25% have re-

ጎጎ Breakdown of allowances that men allow their partner in the arrangement: • 52%: $2K - $4K • 32%: $5K - $7K • 13%: $8K - $10K+ ጎጎ 83% of men said they would pay for rent over $1,500/ month ጎጎ Almost 10% of users have signed a contract, agreeing to the terms and duration of their arrangement So, after reading these statistics and examining your own set of acceptable and unacceptable behavior, would you be a Sugar Baby?

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SAFE Browsing ONLINE

By Patrick Moreno

A

S OF 2015 ALMOST HALF OF our population, approximately 3.2 billion people, browse online.

This entails research, online banking, shopping, social media, as well as email communications. With half of our World Population online, hackers are preying on consumers and strategically placing pop-ups and programs (referred to as PUP's [Potentially Unwanted Programs]). When we click on ads that we believe to be informative or even a link that alleges it contains a story that piques our interest, we frequently find ourselves at the liberty of malware that hijacks our settings on our browser, and now we are at the hackers.

There are numerous methods that can be implemented to prevent the average consumer from downloading and installing malicious software that causes us grief. One of the most obvious is that we need to pay attention to the prompts our computer gives us. If you receive a “pop-up,” notice the name of the publisher asking for permission to “make changes” to your computer. If you do not know who or what it is, DO NOT allow it to make changes.

The second most common mistake consumers make is relying on an antivirus to protect your computer from everything online.

An antivirus is exactly what it says.

It prevents viruses. However, what

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most consumers don't understand is that there were only a handful of new viruses originated in 2016. This clearly shows "viruses" effectively instill fear into the mind of the consumer.

Frequently, I have customers contact me because they have an issue with their Antivirus; they've spent $150 or more, and they haven't successfully installed the product on their computer, much less made any use of it.

This is because the anti-virus industry does not care if you have protection on your computer – or even if that antivirus program is working properly. Quite the contrary, they give you a “Key” that is supposed to activate your antivirus note. What they don't tell you is that if you install an antivirus on top of an already infected computer, you are compounding the problem. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to ensure your computer is cleaned of malware and viruses before installing any sort of antivirus or malware protection.

The biggest Antivirus misconception: “An antivirus will protect me against malware.”

This is incorrect. An Antivirus protects you against "viruses." People are amazed when I tell them this; however, viruses are short of being obsolete. Malware is preferred by the hacking community because it is cheap and efficient.

Many people believe that they can merely run an antivirus, malware, or cleaning program and their problems will be solved. WRONG! To do the job right, you need to have a Certified Technician who can handle the job; including, but not limited to, compatibility issues, networking issues, live hacks, rootkits, etc.

In effect, viruses are in the same family as Malware containing multiple tiers. These "tiers" include, but are not limited to, the following: Adware, spyware, ransomware, system keys, worms, and rootkits. There are so many variations and possible combinations of problems that it is absolutely necessary to have the proper diagnosis before working on a system.

When you need help for your com-

puter in distress, do look for a credible organization that has zero negative COMMENTS feedback online (simply “Google” the organization and their phone number) and ensure they're prepared ready to answer the following questions: 1. Do you work on a no-fix/no-pay basis? If they don't guarantee their work, do not allow them access to the system to begin.

2. Do you guarantee your work? If they don't guarantee to fix all of the problems on the computer, don't allow them access.

3. When do I get my computer back?

DO NOT EVER DROP OFF YOUR COMPUTER WITH A TECHNICIAN!!! You have personal information on the computer and, unless you are prepared to give them your purse and wallet and the keys to your car, your Social Security Number, etc., etc., etc., then don't leave them the computer. You should work with a reputable company and, if possible, watch the work they do to ensure you are getting quality work. If they just go in and change a couple of settings, they could be scamming you. Further, you should get your computer back the same day (in most cases) or, at the latest, the next day. Depending on the condition of your system, there may be an occasion when the corrective action requires more than 8 hours of work by the most qualified of technicians.

4. Do you offer ongoing support for me? A reputable firm will offer an annual plan that allows you unfettered access to a technician.

In our organization, we offer 24/7 help with a direct line to a technician. Hackers don't take breaks or lunches.

When in doubt, call someone you trust. After your experience with our technical support, we encourage you to share it with others you care about.

The sooner we can get your personal information protected, whether it be by encryption or cyber security, the better off and safer you and your family will be.

International Artist Published writer

©StudioDeeba “Portrait of a Mermaid”

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G

ROWING UP IN A MICHIgan suburb, just outside of Detroit, Dr. Shivali Gohel was destined to get into the healthcare profession. "My father was a general surgeon and would bring home video tapes of gallbladder surgeries for my sisters and I to watch, in hopes that the love of

get through this experience and had her smiling again. I thought how wonderful they were and how great it was to be able to take care of a child who was so frightened. So, I entered into dental school with my mind set on pediatric dentistry.”

As time passed in dental school, Dr. Gohel realized that there was another area of dentistry that she found intriguing. "Half way through dental school I did my first periodontal surgical assist. I was working on a 17-year-old girl who was previously in a car accident and lost her front tooth. We had to wait until she was fully grown to provide a long term solution for her. Our plan was to build up bone so we could then place an implant. We did not want this young girl to deal with a denture or flipper for the rest of her life. It was amazing to me when I realized that you

Dr. Shivali Gohel

medicine would rub off on his children. I would watch it almost like a scary movie, peeking through my fingers, because I was curious." Dr. Gohel didn't end up becoming a general surgeon, but she did go into a surgical field of dentistry.

Initially, she thought she would specialize in pediatric dentistry, as a result of her first dental experience shadowing a pediatric dentist.

"The experience was amazing. On the first day in the office, they were working with a special needs child who was very nervous, and everyone around her was doing all they could to calm her. When her nerves got the best of her, and she started getting ill, the dentist and her assistants were right there to help her

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could grow bone and that as a periodontist I could help a patient such as this young girl get her smile back.”

This was the changing moment for Dr. Gohel. She had made up her mind that her true love of dentistry was in the periodontal specialty.

However, it did mean three additional years of training, and she had been involved in a long distance relationship with the man who would become her husband. “He wasn’t really thrilled about us being apart for an additional three years, but he was then, and has always been, extremely supportive. By the time I completed my dental training we had been in a long distance relationship for ten years, including the first three years of our marriage."

During Dr. Gohel’s residency, she also shadowed a local periodontist. “I absorbed as much as possible during my time shadowing. Everything I learned from him I took back to school and worked hard to master." She started working full time in San Diego upon graduation, and she and her husband could finally end their long distance relationship.

Dr. Gohel loves to travel and has dreams of one day traveling to every continent.

She and her husband have a good start with recent trips to India, Dubai, New Zealand, and Croatia. Their newest addition to the family, a poodle/ terrier mix puppy that they adopted at the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter, might curtail their travels for the time being.

Perhaps one of the most outstanding facts about Dr. Gohel is her desire to give back. She has graciously donated much of her time working in conjunction with the Veterans Administration in what is called the "Choice Program." This is a program in which Veterans who require dental care but cannot get appointments quickly through the VA, can choose a local dentist who participates in the program to take care of their dental needs, thus speeding up their wait time and getting quality dental care at no cost to them. Dr. Gohel adds, "It’s been so rewarding being able to help Veterans, especially in situations where they might not get the care they need. I am also on the committee for the San Diego Dental Health Foundation Gala. All proceeds from this event go to the John Geis, DDS Dental Clinic at Veteran’s Village. There will be a live and silent auction to raise money as part of this event.”

San Diego Woman Magazine applauds all of the Dentists and Doctors out there who step up to help Veterans with their health care needs.

After all these men and women have done for us and our freedom, it is good to know that there are people in our medical community who are doing all they can to look out for them.

I asked Dr. Gohel for advice she could give to our readers regarding the path for those who might want to go into the dental field: “The field of Dentistry is wide open for women.

Some years back dental schools only had a student body of about 20% female.

Today about 50% of dental students are female. Dental school is a lot of work, but it all pays off. Work hard, shadow people, figure out what your passion is, and it is easy after that. Dentistry is a wonderful field especially for women who want flexibility in their work life. You can have a family and a career as a dentist. I am currently organizing the Women’s Dental Connection with another orthodontist colleague and friend, Laura. We want to grow it to include panel discussions and professional topics, but perhaps most importantly to discuss the work/family balance and how it can be successfully achieved. This also allows for networking among the female dentists in the area.”

Along with these positions she holds at the San Diego County Dental Society, Dr. Gohel is involved with the California Society of Periodontists. She is excited to announce her next adventure of buying into a periodontal practice.

For more information contact Dr. Gohel at dr.shivali. gohel@gmail.com

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