Issuu

Healthy Sense of Self A Torah approach to acquiring this seemingly elusive state

JUNE 2023 // SIVAN 5783 // ISSUE 89

Inner Parenting Honestly, I’m bothered by my daughter’s weight gain. How can it possibly not get in the way of our relationship? Shiffy Friedman's response on this loaded topic

6 Summertime Snacks Esti Asher brings on a fun, flavorful, and nutritious menu

Does Intuitive Eating Work for Everyone? Tap In

8 Cups, That’s All Busting age-old hydration myths

Cue the Barbeque Creative recipes to amp up those grilled dishes— minus the processed sauces speaking?

My Picky Eater Is Underweight Laura Shammah on increasing caloric intake the healthy way Rough on Those Dandruffs Natural solutions for this common nuisance

Change It Up 3 signs your workout isn’t working for you

The Road Not Taken Alternative healer Dr. Yael Tusk uses traditional Chinese medicine—and lots of heart

That Child Who Keeps Knocking Stuff Over? 2 at-home coordination exercises

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Just in Time for Summer

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Renowned health coach Shaindy Oberlander welcomes us into her backyard veggie patch and shares tried-and-true tips for a successful planting season

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COPY & RESEARCH

Editor In Chief Shiffy Friedman Deputy Editor Libby Silberman Nutritional Advisory Board Dr. Rachael Schindler Laura Shammah, MS, RDN Tamar Feldman, RDN, CDE Bashy Halberstam, INHC Shaindy Oberlander, INHC Shira Savit, MA, MHC, CHC Esti Asher, MS, RDN, LD Nutrition Contributors Tanya Rosen, MS CAI CPT Shani Taub, CDC

Health Advisory Board Dr. Chayala Englard Chaya Tilla Brachfeld, RN Fitness Advisory Board Syma Kranz, PFC Esther Fried, PFC Child Development Advisory Board Friedy Singer, OTR/L Roizy Guttmann, OTR/L Coordinating Editor Liba Solomon, CNWC Feature Editors Rochel Gordon • Rikki Samson

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The Wellspring Magazine is published monthly by Wellspring Magazine Inc. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or in any form without prior written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to edit all articles for clarity, space and editorial sensitivities. The Wellspring Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content or kashrus of advertisements in the publication, nor for the content of books that are referred to or excerpted herein. The contents of The Wellspring Magazine, such as text, graphics and other material (content) are intended for educational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding your medical condition.

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‫כאיש‬ ‫אחד‬ ‫בלב‬ ‫אחד‬

WELLSPRING / SIVAN 5783

EDITOR'S NOTE

The Hot-Button Issues

s much as we try to keep a pulse on the kind of content you, our valued reader, appreciate and look out for, there’s really no foolproof way to nail it for everyone. At a simplistic level, one reader writes in to say she’d like to see more content on the menopause stage, another wants guidance on starting her baby on solids, and a third wants to know how he can improve blood glucose levels to combat a pre-diabetes diagnosis (yes, a substantial percentage of Wellspring readers are male). More holistically, one reader is looking out for effective weight loss tips, while another is either trying to help her child gain weight (see this issue’s Ask the Nutritionist) or trying to take a step back from the weight loss game with a desire to listen more to her own hunger and fullness cues. We know, we know. There’s no one way to please everyone and to do so would be not only an unrealistic goal, but an unhealthy one. However, one way to know that a piece we’ve published struck a cord with many of you is through our inbox. And last month’s influx of feedback regarding the article we ran in this space was a prime example. We can never quite know which piece will collectively kindle the embers, but from experience, the stakes are high on pieces regarding emotional wellbeing. That’s not hard to understand. After all, we don’t get as fired up on the merits or downsides of consuming more proteins and less carbs or getting some more exercise in our day as we do on subjects that touch us in the deepest of places. The flurry of responses to last month’s article titled “How Much Do You Weigh?” was in hindsight not surprising; it simply affirmed the above premise. So this is one topic readers want to hear more of, we concluded: How to attain a healthier sense of self, how to feel more okay with who we are as we are. We want

to tap into the clarity and wisdom to appreciate our essence for the invaluable, beautiful being that it is. When our self-perception is so enmeshed in a number on the scale or external appearance, and we’re aware enough to notice it (a commodity in itself), insights on how to climb out of the rut resonate deeply with us.

t is with this in mind that we bring you this issue’s Inner Parenting column. This article could have been a stand-alone Wellbeing Feature, but since readers submitted questions from their perspective as parents of young girls, we’re running it from the parenting angle. It’s fascinating to notice how parenting—and marriage, as well—urges us to reconsider so many of our values, to stretch ourselves in ways in which we may have otherwise remained stagnant. I’ve noticed this often with questions submitted to Wellspring, as well as in my own life and with the women I work with. I’m currently teaching a series on Mesillas Yesharim on Bnos Melachim’s Inspire by Wire hotline (if you love learning, especially about the truest pleasures in life, this is for you!), and there, too, I’ve noticed this phenomenon. The women who reach out to me upon listening to the shiurim often come with a question about parenting or marriage that relates to the subject matter, and this often serves as a window into their deepest selves. These are the places they may have never uncovered were it not for the nuances of their most precious relationships. Our children, goes the profound saying, are our greatest teachers. May we merit learning those lessons with patience, wisdom, and joy. Wishing you a start of a wonderful and healthy summer season,

n a m d e i r F y Shiff

WELL- PUT “People really have deep insights into what they’re experiencing. When I ask them when the pain started, or if they can think why it started, I often get very telling responses.”

Dr. Yael Tusk, Cup of Tea 6

WELLSPRING / JUNE 2023

Small

Details. WELLSPRING / SIVAN 5783

CONTENTS

JUNE 2023 SIVAN 5783 ISSUE 89 Our next issue will appear on Thursday, June 28th iy"H.

WELL INFORMED 10

Springboard

Spiritual Eating

Torah Wellspring

Health Updates

LIVING WELL

Fitness

Ask the Nutritionist

FYI

Cover Feature

Sample

Cup of Tea

60 Serial Diary

WELLBEING 64

OT@Home

Tap In

Inner Parenting

FAREWELL

SEASONED 8

WELLSPRING / JUNE 2023

Holistic

Huge

At Hamaspik, the heart is in the details WELLSPRING / SIVAN 5783

SPRINGBOARD

On the Traditional Crawl, Spring Fever, Hoarseness, and More

Marked Difference Issue #88: Cover Feature

Thank you for a comprehensive article on the importance of the traditional crawl. My third child is the only one who skipped this stage and until he began engaging in midline exercises with his kriah tutor, he really had a hard time making the connection between the right and left side of the brain. This happened a few months ago and since then his kriah has been improving by leaps and bounds, baruch Hashem. Seeing the article in your magazine reminded me that I had wanted to reach out to parents and let them know about this important 10

WELLSPRING / JUNE 2023

connection that isn’t as widely known as it should be. Thanks for bringing it to your readers’ attention. Yasher koach, Ellie R.

Never Too Young Issue #88: Wellbeing Feature

Every article in the last issue was so informative, but the article for injecting the home environment with more ruchniyus talk took the cake. Mrs. Friedman’s pieces are

always unabashedly spiritual, giving us food for thought toward elevating our lives and filling them with more of what is really important. I showed this article to my kids who are raising their own young ones, baruch Hashem, and they found the ideas very helpful. Kids are never too young to be spoken to about these most important values in our lives. I thoroughly enjoy the magazine even if a lot of the content isn’t relevant to my stage anymore. I simply marvel at the wealth of information it offers, all so beautifully presented. Mrs. G. Fried Brooklyn, New York

. s t r a e H e g Hu Small Details.

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WELLSPRING / SIVAN 5783

Quick Question

SPRINGBOARD

Question: I am in my late forties, and I wake up several times during the night to use the bathroom. I’ve become apprehensive of being out of the house for long periods of time for fear of not being in close proximity to the facilities when I’ll need them. Is there anything I can do to improve this situation?

Answer: I receive questions like yours often, so I know you’re certainly not the only one in these uncomfortable circumstances. Here are some tips that many have found helpful. 1. Regarding waking up at night, don’t drink past 6 p.m. unless you’re very thirsty. 2. To support bladder health, drink cranberry juice and take supplements that target this issue, such as Dr. Christopher Bladder Support, Better Bladder from Releaf and homeopathic remedies as indicated. 3. Bladder exercises are highly recommended, such as Kegels and push-ups to strengthen muscles. Many, especially women in their fifties and sixties, find it helpful to practice tightening the muscles by controlling the flow for a few seconds every time they feel an urge. 4. Acidic food and drink can further irritate the bladder and kidney function. Thus, acidic juices, smoothies, dips, and sauces should be limited. 5. This seems counterintuitive, but it’s important to cleanse your kidney with lots of water—during daytime hours. Take care, Miriam Schweid, kinesiologist and health consultant

Sniffles and Sneezes Issue #88: Quick Question

I know the hay fever season is almost over, but for those who are still suffering, or to clip and save for next year, here’s an excellent tip that really works for me and my kids to decrease the sniffles and sneezes. During this time of year, we drink lots and lots of chamomile and nettle tea. It’s become a ritual in our home— and the results make it all worth it (plus we doers get some time to just chill, for a good reason). These natural plants are high in anti-inflammatory properties and help reduce the swelling. We’ve even soaked cloths 12

WELLSPRING / JUNE 2023

in these teas and placed them on swollen eyelids, which proved to be very soothing and helpful. Many thanks for a top-notch publication that addresses everything that really matters in life in such an appealing format. Baila D. P. Linden, New Jersey

Hoarseness Gone Issue #88: Community

In response to the mother whose son keeps experiencing hoarseness, I’d

like to share what has worked for me. As a full-time grade-school teacher (both in the morning and afternoon), I need to use my voice a lot, spending many of my waking hours talking in monologues. I’ve had periods where I experienced hoarseness, and they started becoming more frequent sometime last year, to the extent that I was growing nervous about how it would jeopardize my teaching experience. Just when I was at a loss, I read here in Wellspring about singer Isaac Honig’s natural line of voicesupporting supplements, and I immediately purchased my first bottle of Voice37. It has worked wonders for me, baruch Hashem. My

‫ונשמרתם מאוד לנפשותיכם‬ ,‫ וועסט–נייל וויירוס‬,‫היט זיך פון ליים דיזיעז‬ ‫רעאקציע צו ביסן‬ ַ ‫און ַאלערגישע‬

!‫ַא געזונטן זומער‬

NE W!

hoarseness is gone and I’m able to speak clearly without overexerting myself. The combination of herbs, all of them in their most natural state, truly facilitates voice health and clears out the system. It’s my hope that this can be helpful to the questioner’s son as well. L. Schwartz

The Self-Worth Connection Issue #88: Editor’s Note

I really appreciated the positive message in last issue’s Editor’s Note. It is every mother’s hope to raise children, especially daughters, who feel comfortable in their own skin and aren’t plagued by the emphasis on external over internal value. However, and here’s the big question, how do we do that? In her insightful note, as always, Shiffy Friedman retells a notable conversation with her young daughter, the message of which is so powerful and telling. I would love to know how I can relay such messages to my own daughters (ranging in ages from 8–14) while knowing good and well that I do have skewed perceptions of what I call beautiful. I would love to just laugh off external factors and focus just on their internal value, but what if I’m honest with myself and I notice that I’m not there yet? Name withheld upon request Editor’s Note: Thank you for your important question. Please see this issue’s Inner Parenting column for insights regarding this topic.

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The Doctor Is In

SPRINGBOARD

Question: Last week my neighbor’s daughter developed a rash. The doctor prescribed her some cream and, baruch Hashem, it’s all cleared up, but now it looks like my kids may have the same rash. My neighbor has half a tube of the medication left and she offered it to me. The rash looks the same. Is it safe for me to just use it on my kids, or do I need to take them to get checked at the doctor too?

Answer: Medication safety is an important topic, and it’s tricky since there are lots of things to consider about both the medication and the person to whom it’s prescribed. When your doctor recommends a medication for home use, it is usually one of two types: 1. Prescription medication: This requires the doctor to write out the order for the pharmacy to fill (such as antibiotics or blood pressure medication). 2. Over-the-counter medication: This can be bought without a prescription (such as some painkillers and some allergy medicine). An important factor to consider is the dosage. People of different ages and sizes need different amounts of medication. Taking an amount not recommended may result in under- or overdosing, both of which are unsafe. This may also apply to topical medicine like creams since the frequency with which they are used may vary depending on the size of the patient and the medical condition. Second, there are multiple different medications that can be used to treat a particular condition that work in different ways. For example, your doctor may suggest different antibiotics for you than

they do for your child, even if you both have the same condition. This is especially relevant when considering allergies, other medical conditions, or other medications the individual may be taking. Similarly, sometimes certain medical conditions look the same from the outside—like a rash or ear infection—but have different causes that require different medications. The doctor can determine how best to treat the specific case. As a rule of thumb, if a doctor prescribes a medication that is available by prescription only, this should not be shared without checking with the doctor first. If you think you might need the same medication your neighbor has, bring it along with you to the doctor, and they can confirm if it’s correct and what the dose is. The same is true if they advise an over-the- counter medication. If your healthcare provider approves the medication, you should always confirm there is enough left in the container and that it isn’t expired. Refuah sheleimah to your daughter, and we’re glad to hear you have a great support system in your neighborhood! Shula Diena, MS-II, Technion American Medical School

Get in touch! Wellspring invites readers to submit letters and comments via regular mail or email to info@wellspringmagazine.com. We reserve the right to edit all submissions and will withhold your name upon request. We will honor requests for anonymity, but we cannot consider letters that arrive without contact information.

WELLSPRING / JUNE 2023

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WELLSPRING / SIVAN 5783

SPIRITUAL EATING By Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMS

The Far-Reaching Impact of Self Esteem “We were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so we were in their eyes” (Bamidbar 13:33). Upon their fateful return from Eretz Yisrael, the Meraglim expressed their fear of the giant inhabitants of the Land.

Their trepidation stemmed not only from the enormous stature of the Nefilim, but because the spies looked at themselves as miniscule: “We were like grasshoppers in our eyes…” How could that be? These were distinguished dignitaries, leaders of their own tribes, each numbering thousands of members. They had spent the past 13 months living miraculously in the midbar, helping construct the Mishkan, and preparing to assume their covenantal roles as stewards of Hashem’s precious Land. Why did they exhibit such a deflated sense of self? The answer can be found in the request to spy out the land in the first place. The commentators tell us that those who wanted firsthand proof of what the Land had in store lacked sufficient trust in Hashem that He would take care of them regardless of who or what they would encounter. This request not only distanced them from their Creator and created a cause for concern about being protected, but it also conveyed their flawed sense of self-esteem. As Yidden, we have no true identity separate and apart from Hashem. We’re His nation, carrying out His will for us through Torah and mitzvos. When we weaken that bond with our Creator, we also compromise our own intrinsic con-

nection to self. We may act the part of a typical person, carrying on our daily lives with normal activities, but we lack genuine meaning to life. That can only come from fulfilling the role for which we were created. What an important message to keep in mind regarding our food choices. When we are disconnected from our Source, we are prone to feel more fear and less regard for ourselves. It’s this lack of self-esteem that has many profound ramifications. In the case of our health, it can lead an otherwise intelligent person to hurt himself by making harmful choices or engaging in behaviors linked to chronic health conditions and fatal illnesses. If I feel like dirt, I’ll treat myself like dirt, or I’ll eat dirt—wrapped up in the form of candy, soda, or junk food. So what if it’s not good for me? I don’t care. I like the taste, so I’ll go ahead and eat it anyway. These sentiments are expressed when we don’t yet feel our true value, when we’re not fully connected to our exalted status. “And Rabi Eliezer said: A person should always conduct himself as if Hakadosh Baruch Hu resides in his stomach” (Taanis 11b, Tosafos). If we genuinely respect our body and see ourselves as the dignified mamleches Kohanim we truly are, we’ll be much less inclined to make self-sabotaging choices, even if they’re sometimes hard to resist.

Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMS, is the founder and director of Soveya and the author of the best-selling book Enough Is Enough—How the Soveya Solution Is Revolutionizing the Diet and Weight-Loss World, available on Amazon and at Barnes & Nobles and Judaica Plaza in Lakewood. He has worked with thousands of clients around the world and has maintained a 130-pound weight loss for the last 19 years. For more information about Soveya’s programs call 732-578-8800, email info@soveya.com, or visit www. soveya.com.

WELLSPRING / JUNE 2023

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