Wellspring issue #17

WEALTH OF HEALTH CONFERENCE WITH BEILY HOROWITZ OF WHEATLESS WONDERS

“TAKE ME HOME!”

The physical and emotional repercussions of missing home Psychotherapist Nina Kaweblum on helping unhappy campers beat homesickness

EVER HEARD OF A HEALTHY-LIFESTYLE ARCHITECT? Meet Breindy Goldberger, NASM CPT, PNC

UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IN CHILDREN Goldy Guttman, M.S. Ed, on when to seek help

THE LATEST CRAZE Can a fidget spinner help improve your child's health or wellbeing?

STUTTERING SOLUTION

GOOD FOOD INSIDE

Because it affects more than just speech

Brought to you by: ISSUE 17 JUNE 2017 SIVAN 5777

KEEP IT LIGHT AT THE GRILL THE IDEAL BARBECUE MENU

Life’s neither science nor art, my child, but a sprinkling of both. The secret is to strike the perfect balance. And that balance is not something you find. It’s something you create.

It’s the product of generations tinkering, experimenting, their trials and errors clearing the path to perfection upon which we embark.

Like our actions, each ingredient of this recipe must be carefully calculated, pondered, and weighed.

You see a flawless emulsion, a magical medley of the freshest

of eggs, the purest of oil, and the finest of sugar. I see the sparkle, the twinkle of a child’s smile, as his Mamma lovingly fixes his favorite sandwich.

I see families bonding, reminiscing, sharing memories — the taste of home and our mayonnaise synonymous.

Art is long, time is fleeting.

There have been those before you, and there will be those after. Though times and faces may change, the product of your values is constant.

We are what we repeatedly do, my child.

Adhering to higher standards is not an act, but a habit.

For those with higher standards ℠

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NE W! Editor In Chief Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC Nutritional Advisory Board Jack Friedman, PhD • Moshe Weinberger Yaakov Goodman, CN • Shani Taub, CDC Dr. Rachael Schindler • Tanya Rosen, MS CAI CPT Fitness Advisory Board Syma Kranz, PFC • Esther Fried, PFC Feature Editors Rochel Gordon • Liba Solomon, CNWC Copy Editors Gila Zemmel • Faige Badian Food Editor Levia Joseph Food Styling Malky Levine Photography Creative Directors Miriam Bluming • Rivky Schwartz Art Director Chavy Lefkowitz Digital Marketing Simcha Nunez Store Distribution Motty Srugo 718-496-1364 Write To Us: 670 Myrtle Ave. Suite 389 Brooklyn, NY 11205 info@wellspringmagazine.com www.wellspringmagazine.com The Wellspring Magazine is published monthly by Maxi-Health Research LLC. 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 purposed 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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From the Editor

Dear Readers, It was about two decades ago, but when I go back there, I can still feel the raw pain. I was a good little girl, in the third grade, my days occupied with multiplication tables and cursive writing, when my mother broke the news to me: she would be going to visit her parents in Eretz Yisrael for one week. From the moment I learned of her upcoming trip, I literally took ill. Indeed, on the days leading up to her departure, I developed a rash so severe that it covered most of my body. I spent hours in the bath, soaking in Aveeno® oat blends (my first memory of natural remedies) that were meant to sooth the irritation and itching, but all I could think of was what lay ahead.

On the day my mother was scheduled to leave, I spent the entire morning crying in the bath.

When I was feeling slightly better and agreed to go to school for the afternoon sessions, I cried so hard during science class (on cobras) that my kind teacher gave me permission to return home. (In a touching gesture that I remember vividly until today, she called me later that evening to hear how I was faring. Thank you, former Miss. Esty Lefkowitz!)

The irony of it all is that I’ve been living 6,000 miles apart from my family of origin for about seven years now—and counting. When I think about it, actually, it’s not that ironic after all. While a healthy child may exhibit homesickness during the development and maturation process, outgrowing it is part of the process too. But what can a mother do when her child is crying so bitterly over the phone lines that she wishes an angel would just bring the child close, close to her so she can hug her tightly and comfort her in her embrace?

When our editorial team decided to cover homesickness in the pages of the magazine, we were contemplating whether to feature it in the pre-summer issue or during the camp season. Perhaps it would be more helpful for parents to receive the information precisely at the time they need it most. But as the research process started to roll, we realized that proper preparation can make all the difference to a child’s happiness while he’s away from home. As you’ll read in the excellent cover feature, “Take Me Home!” that includes an enlightening Q&A with therapist Nina Kaweblum, prepping a child for the separation ahead is very much a part of the process of helping him or her enjoy the full experience.

Separation between loved ones is never easy—whether you’re the one leaving your parents and siblings or you’re the parent leaving your children, be it to go on a much-needed vacation or due to a birth. But when we give our children the tools to handle challenges properly, we’re giving them gifts that will last them a lifetime. Last month, my husband’s grandfather, a pious, kindhearted talmid chacham, was niftar. And although we miss him sorely and feel the pain of longing every day, he left us with a legacy of Torah and avodas Hashem. Having struggled with illness for several decades, he taught us what it means to grin and bear it, to fight for every mitzvah. And until Mashiach comes and we meet again, may it be very soon, we will hold on tightly to those tools of survival.

May this be a wonderful summer of only happy separations and exciting reunions,

Shiffy Friedman

shiffy@wellspringmagazine.com

Well-Put!

Are fruit shakes good for you? Nutritionist Shani Taub’s take: “What appears to be an innocent cup of blended fruit may be sabotaging your weight loss.” Read more about her view on smoothies on page 28.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 7

Contents

18

SIVAN 5777

JUNE2017 The next issue of The Wellspring will appear iy”H on July 5th.

WELL INFORMED 15

WELLNESS PLATFORM

By Rabbi Hirsch Meisels

17

TORAH WELLSPRING

By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

18

HEALTH UPDATES IN THE NEWS

By Liba Solomon, CNWC

20

FIGURES

By Miriam Katz

22

WEALTH OF HEALTH Conference with Beily Horowitz

By Sarah Weinberger

26

DEDICATED TO HEALTH 10 Questions for Esther Kenigsberg

By Chana Dunner

32 LIVING WELL 28 30

NOT EVEN 24 HOURS HAVE PASSED SINCE YOU DROPPED YOUR DAUGHTER OFF AT SLEEPAWAY CAMP FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE PHONE RINGS. FEATURE

PAGE 32

58

32 54 56 58

ASK THE NUTRITIONIST The Drink Deal

By Shani Taub, CDC IN GOOD SHAPE Fitness 101: Kickboxing

By Syma Kranz, PFC COVER FEATURE "Take Me Home!"

By Rochel Gordon HEALTH PROFILE Client: Sara Schwartz

By Esther Steinmetz TRIED AND TRUE Tantrum Tamer

By Batsheva Fine MONTHLY DOSE Unclogging the Myths

By Yaakov Goodman, CN

FAREWELL 79

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

41

SUCCULENT AND FLAVORFUL WITH A HINT OF TROPICAL, THIS DISH WILL MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE UNDER THE PALM TREES. - LEVIA JOSEPH, SEASONED

PAGE 39

EAT WELL WELLBEING 61

CLEAN SLATE Missing It

By Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC

62

FROM THE GROUND UP Understanding Developemental Delays

By Goldy Guttman, Ms. Ed.

64

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS Why Can't I Just Say No?

By Esther Moskowitz, LCSW

66

HEALTH PERSONALITY Breindy Goldberger NASM, CPT, PNC

By Shiffy Friedman

71 AN ESTIMATED 15 PERCENT OF AMERICANS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20 AND 69 HAVE SOME KIND OF HEARING LOSS DUE TO NOISE EXPOSURE AT WORK OR PLAY. -RENA MILGRAUM, RN

39

SEASONED Keep it Light at the Grill

By Levia Joseph

48

NUTRITION TIDBITS IN THE NEWS

By Liba Solomon, CNWC

50

NUTRITION FACTS IN A SHELL This Month: Cantaloupe

By Devorah Isaacson

AGE WELL 71

GOLDEN PAGE

By Yaakov Goodman, CN

72

SENIOR CARE Hearing Loss

By Rena Milgraum, RN

74

SAGE ADVICE Safe in the Sun

By Aliza Simon

76

SERIAL DIARY Entry #7

By Malka Aronson

INKWELL 78

DIARY Stuttering Solution

By Chavy Schreiber

PAGE 72

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 9

Springboard

Letters two a day before each meal, and sure enough I am starting to see some slight weight reduction and a healthier metabolism.

I hope others can take advantage of this supplement.

A grateful reader

Another Weaning Tip How we get rid of pacifiers [Issue #16: Healthy Home Habits]

A Frum Health Network Finding a forum

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor: Thanks for your wonderful magazine.

As someone who has recently embarked on the journey of a healthier lifestyle, I find it to be really informative and inspiring.

Perhaps you can help me out with this one. Do you know of a frum Google group with a focus on health—a forum that focuses on a healthy lifestyle, recipes, a place to ask questions, etc.?

Thanks, Tziri M. Editor's Note: Excellent question. We at the Wellspring would be glad to facilitate this kind of network on behalf of the community.We would love to hear from readers whether it already exists or from those who would be interested in joining.

Slimming Down It’s finally happening [Issue #16: Golden Page] Dear Editor: I especially enjoyed the Golden Page in the last edition. Unfortunately, every Pesach I seem to gain a few pounds— thanks to a wonderful abundance of carbs. I was delighted to read the piece on the Maxi Thin Supreme™. I took

10 The Wellspring | June 2017

Here’s another tip for the mother who would like to wean her child off his pacifier.

In our house, we burn the pacifiers on Erev Pesach with the chametz. The timing ends up being very convenient since the Seder ends very late, which means that the kids usually conk out the first two nights, and by the time the third night rolls around, they are semi weaned. I know we have almost a year until the next Pesach comes around, but it’s something fellow moms may want to keep in mind.

C. Paskes

Brachah Correction Spelt is hamotzi [Issue #16: Conference with Chaim Nussenzweig] Dear Editor: Sarah Weinberger’s interview in the Well Informed section was very interesting. I do believe, though, that there was some misinformation printed about the brachah made on spelt bread.

It said that breads made mostly with spelt flour are shehakol. Spelt is a grain very similar to wheat and I am pretty sure you need to wash and bentch on it.

Thanks, Elana Moalem Sharon, the baker at Organic Circle, responds: You are correct that all spelt breads are hamotzi.We apologize for that error in the article. However, we do carry a bread that is a shehakol, which is made from almond flour and tastes like real bread.

Can It Be Lyme Disease?

A possible culprit [Issue #16: Is My Child Depressed?]

Dear Editor: Every time I chance upon your magazine, I enjoy it immensely. I especially enjoy the column by Rabbi Hirsch Meisels, as I’m deeply indebted to him.

He has educated the heimish community, helping me and many others change our food preferences based on the latest research rather than on what the establishment has indoctrinated us with for so many years.

I would like to comment on the letter that appeared in issue 16 (there was also a similar question in issue 15): “Is my son depressed?” I’ve heard from several people who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease that their symptoms manifested exactly as the mother is describing in her letter. I would suggest she has her son checked for Lyme disease before starting the runaround to the gamut of emotional healers. (There are several organizations, including Yesh Tickva, that help people find the right

invites readers to submit letters and comments via regular mail or email to info@wellspringmagazine.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. 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.

Springboard

Letters

doctors as not every doctor is competent enough in this field to diagnose and treat it.)

Many thanks, Shavy S.

probably has more calories in one bite than can be found in a huge salad.

So thanks, Shani, for setting this misconception straight in my head and for forcing me to face reality that I haven’t been fasting at all. Now it’s time for me to learn how to eat right.

Thanks for the inspiration, G. Haberman Kew Garden Hills, Queens

Fasting Foe Stay away from undereating [Issue #16: Ask the Nutritionist] Dear Editor: I would like to commend nutritionist Shani Taub on an excellent column that offers doable, sensible nutrition advice.

In her last article, Shani answered the woman who claimed that her metabolism may have been ruined due to excessive dieting, and told her that her conclusion is unfounded. She went on to explain that the reason fasting is harmful is not because it causes the body to go into storage mode, as most people believe and I had expected to read, but rather because there really is no such thing as fasting. I found that explanation very enlightening.

For years, I’ve been saying that I’m barely eating and not losing weight. But when I read that line, it suddenly hit me that I haven’t been “barely eating” at all.

It’s true that I’ve cut meals out of my diet all too often, but I do find myself nibbling much too much on food that

Missing the Days of Old Thanks for the education [Issue #16: Cover Feature] Dear Editor: Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed the cover feature in your latest issue titled, “Safe in a Cave.” When I first read the title, I thought you’d be writing about what it’s like to live somewhere out in the boondocks, but I was intrigued by the introduction, so I read on.

Rochel Gordon did an excellent job at detailing how our modern lives are indeed affected by the things we see as advancements. And, as she writes, although I appreciate technology and medicine very much and I don’t know how I’d manage without it, it was definitely an eye-opener for me to realize how intertwined our lives have become with these elements.

Although I won’t be giving up my telephone any time soon, I will definitely think twice about buying processed foods or downing a regimen of antibiotics. And I may just head to my local organic market some time soon!

Thank you for providing such valuable food for thought on a monthly basis.

Wishing you continued success, Sarah G. Spielman Wesley Hills, NY

Vibrancy Kicking In Thanks to CoQ10 [Issue #16: Monthly Dose] Dear Editor: Firstly I would like to thank you for this very informative magazine. I look forward all month to reading it. My husband has been on statin medication for a number of years to control his cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, one of the side effects was terrible fatigue.

After reading last edition’s article on CoQ10, and how it is depleted by statin medication, my husband started to supplement and only a few days in he began to see real improvement in his energy levels.

A thankful reader

Quick Question

New feature! Feel free to shoot us your health-related question to receive an answer from one of the health experts at the Wellspring.

Question: My toddler has constant fluid in his ears and I don’t think he hears well. First, we blamed it on teething, but now he has all his teeth and the fluid’s still there. Our pediatrician is recommending tubes, which we see as a last resort. Are there any natural alternatives?

Response: There are many reasons children have fluid in their ears, with allergies being a main one. Try removing all dairy from your child’s diet. He may be lactose intolerant so the dairy can cause a mucus buildup.

Maxi Panto C!™ with elderberry extract is a great supplement that helps the body dry the mucus by supporting the immune system to fight the allergy. Panaway Oil is helpful for the pain and can clear the Eustachian tube. (In some children, irritation may occur when oil is placed into the ear.)

I’ve seen many children who were already scheduled to have tubes inserted and then tried this 100% natural treatment, which left their pediatricians and ENTs amazed at the results.

Mimi Schweid, nutritional advisor 12 The Wellspring | June 2017

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Wellness Platform By Rabbi Hirsch Meisels

AWAY WITH THE PRESSURE

THE NATURAL SOLUTION FOR REDUCING HYPERTENSION

A

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every three US adults struggles with high blood pressure. Whether the unfavorable situation is a result of lifestyle choices or genetics is irrelevant when it comes to treating the problem. How can hypertension be reduced?

Let’s discuss Maxi Pressure Complex™, a combination of three powerful natural ingredients that have all been proven to help reduce hypertension.

The first ingredient in the supplement, vitamin B6, is especially helpful in reducing hypertension, as it decreases water retention. When too much water accumulates in the body, it presses down on the vessels and thus increases blood pressure levels. Water content can be reduced through a lowcarb diet or medication. In fact, reducing fluid retention is so important in controlling hypertension that doctors may even prescribe medications that do not necessarily target hypertension but reduce water retention as a favorable side effect to patients suffering from this condition.

Incredibly, vitamin B6 does precisely the same thing—naturally. Studies have shown, for instance, that when women who suffered from edema in particular circumstances were given a daily dose of vitamin B6, their fluid levels decreased significantly.

Another study, conducted on animals, offers remarkable insight into the positive correlation of B6 and fluid reduction. All subjects were first fed a diet that contained high

quantities of sucrose (table sugar), which is known to raise blood pressure levels. While one experimental group was given a daily dose of B6, the other group was not. At the time when the blood pressure should have gone up in all subjects, it rose only in the second group. Furthermore, when the B6 dose was then taken away from the first group as well, the blood pressure of the subjects increased dramatically.

This study revealed that regardless of whether hypertension is genetic or the result of an unhealthy diet, vitamin B6 supplementation is effective in reducing it.

The other two ingredients in Maxi Pressure Complex™ are the minerals magnesium and potassium. These nutrients work in a similar fashion: magnesium is necessary to balance out calcium levels in the cells, whereas potassium, an electrolyte, has a similar effect on sodium. How does this work?

Briefly put, the job of calcium is to spur the cell into action and move on.

Entering through the calcium channel, the “door,” it’s meant to do its work and disappear. However, if the calcium channel malfunctions, the excessive amount of calcium in the cells leads to severe cell damage. If these cells are in the blood vessels, this over-calcification will lead to hypertension. (In other parts of the body, it may result in migraine headaches, asthma, etc.) Some medications on the blood pressure market, such as Norvasc, are calcium channel blockers. In other words, they board up the “doors” so that calcium entry is controlled.

In a healthy system, if there’s a sufficient amount of magnesium within the cells, only the necessary amount of calcium enters. Conversely, a lack of magnesium leads to excessive entry of calcium, which may cause high blood pressure. Medications like Norvasc

simply mimic the role of magnesium, the nutrient that is designed to do this job.

The following study backs this notion. Several months ago, the American Heart Association published a meta-analysis of 36 studies involving over 2,000 subjects who were given a daily magnesium dose of 368 milligrams, which is quite close to the recommended daily intake. Incredibly, the researchers saw a blood pressure reduction in the subjects after just one month of supplementation. They also noted that the blood flow was smoother, which also helps reduce hypertension.

In the same vein, potassium acts as a gatekeeper in the cell to balance sodium levels. Sodium works from the outside of the cell and potassium from the inside. A healthy balance of the two is crucial. When potassium levels drop, sodium has the upper hand, overcrowding the cell and causing high blood pressure. Contrary to popular belief, the solution is not to consume less salt, as countless studies have already proven ineffective. So what does help? Upping the potassium levels.

Maxi Pressure Complex™ combines the remarkable benefits of vitamin B6, magnesium, and potassium in a daily dose. The positive research-supported effects of the nutrients contained in this supplement in reducing hypertension, along with a lack of significant side effects, make it an attractive alternative to medication.

In this column, Rabbi Hirsch Meisels, a renowned expert on healthy living, delivers vital health information culled from his years of experience as the founder and director of FWD, Friends With Diabetes. The information was originally transcribed from his lectures on his hotline, Kol Beri’im.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 15

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

Well Informed

Well Informed

Torah Wellspring: Emotional Health By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

THE ONLY WAY TO A PLEASURABLE LIFE HOW DO YOU VIEW YIDDISHKEIT?

JUST LAST WEEK, on Shavuos, we merited accepting the Torah once again.

What a gift!

Unfortunately, however, many Jews have a wrong perspective of the Torah that not only severely inhibits their ability to appreciate its value but also deprives them of the emotional and spiritual benefits it provides. They see the Torah as a restrictive force in their lives, a book of laws that doesn’t allow them to think the way they want, act the way they want, or speak the way they want. Basically, they see Yiddishkeit as a forced acceptance of something that complicates their lives.

The truth is, however, that besides for giving us the incredible opportunity of reaping benefits in the World to Come, living by the Torah’s dictates makes life in this world incredibly beautiful. In fact, the only real way for a Jew to have maximum pleasure in this world—the calmest, happiest life—is through Torah.

The Gemara teaches us that before Hashem created the world, “histakeil b’oraisa ubara olma,” He looked into the Torah and created the world according to it. The Torah served as His blueprint. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l offers an insightful parable to illustrate this concept. Imagine a developer wants to build a hotel and he decides to buy a hospital for this purpose. However, instead of renovating the building so it resembles a hotel, he leaves all arrangements as they are, including the rooms, beds, and facilities. He simply hangs a large sign on the exterior of the building: Hotel.

Now, this building won’t be a hotel— ever. It might serve as a place where people who are desperate for somewhere to stay overnight will sleep over, and some might lodge there because of its location. But the guests will automat-

J

ically face challenges during their stay.

The guest who wants privacy will be sorely disappointed with the paper-thin walls and the curtains hanging across the room, while another guest may want the kinds of foods that a hospital kitchen can’t produce.

The same, says Rav Moshe, is true concerning the world we live in. Our world was created according to the standards of the Torah, perfectly accommodating those who follow it. If a Jew wants to give free rein to his temptations and live a life that he sees as pleasurable but does not adhere to Torah guidelines, he will soon realize that this world is just not designed for this, just as a hospital is not designed to be a hotel. Because the world was created through Torah, if you don’t live according to its principles, you’ll automatically face trouble. What you may see as the “easy way out” actually makes your life all the more complicated, difficult, and uncomfortable.

To make the most of this world, then, we must look into the Torah to see how to conduct ourselves. Indeed, a Yid once came to Rav Aharon Kotler and asked him the following question. According to halachah, when a person provides financial support to someone who learns Torah, the rewards in the World to Come are split evenly between the two. Why then, he asked, does he need to learn Torah? “Can’t I simply pay the talmid chacham to do it for me?” Answered Rav Kotler, “Yes, you’ll get your rewards in the World to Come, but what about your life in this world?” To Rav Kotler, and anyone who understands the true value of Torah, living according to the Torah is not supposed to be merely the means to reap benefits later. On the contrary, it’s designed to make your life in this world an incredibly beautiful, satisfying expe-

rience.

The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh famously said, “If Yidden would know and feel the sweetness of the Torah, they would crave it and abandon everything in this world only to entirely immerse themselves in it.” Unfortunately, few of us have merited the clarity of recognizing this sweetness, of literally feeling “addicted” to Torah. But if we don’t view the Torah in this way, especially if we’ve been blessed with the merit of bringing children into this world, we have an achrayus to seek out this clarity and acquire a newfound appreciation for this gift. Torah is the cornerstone not only of our spiritual health, but also of the emotional wellbeing of ourselves and our children, enabling us to live a life free of resentment and skewed perceptions.

A Yid once came to the esteemed Rav Noach Weinberg zt”l and proclaimed that he didn’t believe in Hashem, r”l, to which Rav Weinberg answered, “What does your G-d say?” The visitor said he sees Hashem as a Being Who’s forcing him to keep mitzvos and is denying him the rights to do what he pleases. “In that G-d I also don’t believe,” Rav Weinberg concluded. “If you don’t understand that the Torah is a gift and you don’t live with it, you first have to investigate what the real Torah is. Only then can you determine if you believe in Hashem or not.”

If a Yid walks around with the misconception that the Torah is here to limit his pleasure in this world, not only does he deprive himself of the schar he would receive for leading a Torah life in the Next World, but he loses out sorely on the most incredible emotionally and spiritually fulfilling experience in this world, as well.

L’ilui nishmas HaRav Shlomo Meir ben Efraim Zvi, zt”l.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 17

Well Informed

Health Updates in the News By Liba Solomon, CNWC

AVOCADO FANS, BEWARE! Hand injuries on the rise What’s brunch these days without a little bit of smashed avocado on a piece of toast? This fleshy fruit rich in healthy fats is more popular than ever, but in addition to surging prices, avocado fans may have one more thing to worry about. The number of injuries caused by improper handling and cutting of avocados is on the rise.

The English newspaper The Times reports that the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons is seeing a growing number of patients in the emergency room as a result of “avocado hand” – injuries from failed attempts to cut an avocado.

“People do not anticipate that the avocados they buy can be very ripe and there is minimal understanding of how to handle them,” Dr. Simon Eccles, the former president of the plastic surgery section of the Royal Society of Medicine, told the paper.

Dr. Sheel Sharma, clinical associate professor in the Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, says he’s also seen an uptick in avocado hand injuries in his practice. The problem, Sharma explains, is that people tend to cut into an avocado while cupping it in their hand.

“It’s the peculiar nature of the fruit. It has a hard shell, then soft fruit, then again a hard pit. So you get this false sense that it should be sturdy to cut through,” he says. “So you cut the skin, then the knife slices through the flesh and the next thing is your hand.”

While “avocado hand” may seem like a silly concept, these injuries can be quite serious, Sharma says. Knife injuries to the nerves or tendons can take weeks or even months to heal. How can you prevent “avocado hand”? Experts recommend against cutting an avocado while holding it in your hand; instead, slice into it on a cutting board. Sounds simple enough to me.

SUNSCREEN ALERT Are you applying it right?

You may be diligent with sunscreen application, but if you’re like most people, a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shows, you’re probably not using it correctly. Experts know using sunscreen properly can reduce the risk for skin cancer. And millions of us know we’re supposed to do it. But to find out what happens when people actually apply sunscreen in real life, researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis set up free sunscreen dispensers at the Minnesota State Fair in 2016. Then they watched as 2,187 people used the dispensers over the next 93 hours.

They discovered that only one-third of people applied the sunscreen to every part of their exposed skin as recommended — and less than half (42%) spread sunscreen on their faces.

“Thirty-three percent is actually higher than I thought it would have been, but it was sunny and the free dispenser probably motivated people to do a little better,” Dr. Darrell Rigel, clinical professor of dermatology at NYU and past president of the American Academy of Dermatology, said.

On cloudy days, fewer people used sunscreen at all, even though the researchers note that “up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays” can still reach your skin in cloudy weather.

So how do you do it right? Dermatologists advise applying sunscreen to all exposed areas, even on overcast days. Keep infants out of the sun or well protected in the shade, and dress them in sunprotective clothing. And because sunscreen lasts about two hours and then starts to degrade, keep reapplying for full protection.

18 The Wellspring | June 2017

PHYSICIAN BURNOUT IS REAL They’re human after all If you’ve ever worried that your doctor seems burned out on the job, you may be right. Physicians are busier than ever, and hospitals are worried that as their staff gets overwhelmed, the quality of care goes down and medical errors go up.

A recent study at the Mayo Clinic found that more than half of American doctors are exhausted and losing their sense of purpose. Dr. Brenda Boatswain, a coordinator at Montefiore’s Wellness Department, which offers services to overwhelmed physicians, says: “Stress management skills, mindfulness skills, relaxation and then returning to a sense of balance” are some of the techniques the program teaches. The goal is to help the doctors be “aware of what they need in order to find joy and balance in their lives.”

In a review article recently published in Urology Practice on burnout in surgeons, researchers found after analyzing existing medical literature that burnout is more common among female doctors than male, with many citing work/home conflicts as a major source of stress. So yes, we’re all human, and may the shlichim of Hashem have the strength and stamina to help us all.

CAN FIDGET SPINNERS REALLY HELP YOUR CHILD? No research supports this claim It was inevitable. I knew my son would be asking for a fidget spinner as soon as the craze caught on, but I didn’t realize how attached to it he’d become. If you’ve been around kids lately, you’ve probably come across a fidget spinner or heard about the hand-held toy. These little gadgets have three-weighted prongs that you can spin between your fingers, and they’ve rocketed to popularity recently.

Plenty of companies make fidget spinners, and some offer bold claims stating that spinners can “increase focus,” provide “stress relief,” and even help kids with ADHD, autism, and anxiety. Those are pretty big promises for a little toy, but the truth is that there’s no scientific evidence to back them up. The original fidget spinner was created by an inventor from Florida who thought it could help world peace by calming kids who threw rocks at police, not a behavioral scientist.

However, fidgeting has been linked to helping kids with ADHD—one study, published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, found that the more kids with better their memory—but experts aren’t convinced that these little toys should suddenly

ADHD fidgeted, the become a learning tool.

Clinical psychologist John Mayer, Ph.D., calls them “horrible,” especially when they show up in the classroom. “Even if they have some therapeutic benefit, a diversion device like this takes the person away from developing compensation techniques that are necessary for the long-term control of their condition and better functioning,” he says. Fidget spinners, he says, are also distracting for other kids when they’re allowed in classrooms, activities, and clubs, and can have “disastrous effects” on classroom discipline.

Mayra Mendez, Ph.D., a licensed psychotherapist, says that fidget spinners are a “fun toy” but acknowledges that there’s really no science behind them. However, she says they may be useful for some kids in certain situations. Children with autism tend to like to engage in sensory behaviors like spinning in circles, flapping their hands, and staring at fans, she says, and fidget spinners might be helpful to serve as a non-intrusive way for children with autism to engage in those behaviors in certain situations. “But will they treat autism? Absolutely not,” she says.

Mendez is less convinced about the benefits for children with ADHD and anxiety. Such children benefit from gross motor movement, she explains, but fidget spinners don’t stimulate a child’s gross motor capacities. It also probably provides greater distraction than anything else for a child with ADHD, and attention deficit disorders are distracting enough, she says. So until the trend passes, just like the millions before it, we’ll just have to make peace with this simple craze.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 19

Well Informed

Figures By Miriam Katz

OF TISSUES AND HEARTACHE Homesickness Stats

A study comprised of 1,000 college students found that: Around

1/3

of the students felt depressed or homesick at some time

had worried about not fitting in

Stress topped the list at

65% 43% while

of the negative feelings were experienced at night

of students stated that they had experienced anxiety, loneliness, and feelings of not being able to cope

75%   The Wellspring | June 2017 20

29% 32%

personally experienced some kind of emotional distress while at school

5%

claimed they didn’t know anyone who experienced homesickness

19% of children will continue yearning for their family and home for the duration of their stay

6-8%

83%

of children suffer from short-term homesickness at the start of the camp season

of children experience severe homesickness that leads to anxiety and/or depression

Nina Kaweblum, LCSW, contributed to this article.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring  21

Well Informed

Wealth of Health By Sarah Weinberger

CONFERENCE WITH: Beily Horowitz COMPANY NAME: s Wheatless Wonder LOCATION: Brooklyn

MOTTO:

odness.”

“0% gluten, 100% go

As a response to the demand for quality gluten-free baked goods, Beily Horowitz launched Wheatless Wonders, a company that manufactures fresh, tasty delicacies that don’t contain even the slightest trace of wheat, under the strict supervision of the Zlazitz Beis Din.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO ENTER THE FIELD OF GLUTENFREE FOOD PRODUCTION? A couple of years ago, one of my family members was diagnosed with celiac disease and had to remove all gluten from his diet. All I heard from him was that none of the foods he tried compared to the foods he was used to eating. Plus, they were mostly sold in the freezer as they weren’t shelf-stable, which compromised the fresh taste he wanted. At that point, I didn’t think I could do anything about it, but when a while later, another family member was diagnosed as well, my husband and I decided to take the step. It didn’t make sense to us that the perfect taste and texture couldn’t be achieved through the right process. That’s when we started with countless rounds of trial and error with each and every product. And once we achieved fresh, delicious products that looked appealing, we decided to commercialize them so that others outside of our family can also enjoy these baked goods. Our rule is that if the final product doesn't taste as good as a regular bakery item, we won't put it on the market.

WHY IS CREATING GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS SO DIFFICULT? Gluten is the glue that holds the dough together. The flours we use as alternatives to regular flour, such as potato starch and tapioca starch, are all shehakol and don’t have The Wellspring | June 2017 22

that same consistency. If regular baking is an art, baking gluten-free is a science. We literally have to come up with a formula to help the ingredients stick together. Every baked good we want to add to our line necessitates at least five batches of testing until we get the perfect consistency and texture.

IS THERE ONE KIND OF FLOUR YOU USE WHEN CREATING THE PRODUCTS? Because gluten is so crucial to the texture and consistency of every baked good, working without it constitutes not only a simple replacement of one other kind of flour, but a combination of a few. Even from the selection of flours we work with, each one has its own unique qualities, so we must experiment with combining them before finally achieving the ideal final product. Take rice flour, for example. Most companies who make it don’t manufacture a very fine end product, which leaves it tasting gritty, as if there’s sand in it.

We had to do lots of trial and error until we finally came up with a delicious formula that includes rice flour as well as others, and this only works for some of our products. From the selection of about ten flours in our stock, each product requires its own blend.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC INGREDIENTS IN YOUR PRODUCTS? They’re similar to regular baked goods, including eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Besides for the regular flour, which gets substituted with an assortment of different gluten-free flours, such as rice and almond flour and potato and tapioca starch, everything else is basically the same.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR BESTSELLING ITEM? It depends when. For Shavuos, we sold milchig wafer cake, cheese cakes in different flavors, and florets. During the year, we keep getting orders for the basics, like rugelach and brownie cake.

WERE YOU ALWAYS INTO BAKING? I’ve always enjoyed baking and spending time in the kitchen, which is why I undertook this challenge in the first place.

I wanted to prove that I can do this, and we’ve Baruch Hashem been successful.

WHY ARE GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS SO EXPENSIVE? There are two reasons for their higher price tag. First, the raw ingredients are prohibitively priced. Compared to the specialty flours necessary to produce gluten-free products, regular flour is super cheap. A 5-pound bag of almond flour, for example, costs about $25 compared to $2-3 for the same size bag of white flour.

Also, the rule in sales is that the more you can sell, the cheaper the item will be. Our market is not that wide, and will never be a tenth as large as any conventional bakery’s, which doesn’t allow us to bring the prices down.

WHO IS YOUR TARGET MARKET? I would divide them into two categories: people who need gluten free products and people who want them. Those who need these products were either diagnosed with a digestive disease, such as celiac, or they’re allergic to wheat. For these people, ingesting even one trace of gluten can have harmful repercussions on the body. Then there are those who don’t want to eat gluten for health reasons. This nutrition choice is debatable, but the market is sizable nevertheless.

WHAT FEEDBACK DO YOU GET ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTS? The line we get most from customers is that they can’t believe there’s no flour in the products.

WHAT FOODS DO YOU CURRENTLY OFFER? We presently sell a full line of pastries, including cookies and cakes. We’ve done custom orders for kids’ birthday cakes, so that children who can’t have

gluten get to have their cake and eat it too. What seems like a minor addition to the party can truly make all the difference to the child, or his sibling or friend who’s off gluten. Someone just ordered a Bas Mitzvah cake for her daughter. If it’s a cake that tastes good, they can make those who are allergic or sensitive to gluten feel part of the celebration too.

WHAT IS THE NEXT PRODUCT YOU’RE WORKING ON? We’re working on creating the perfect gluten-free Hamotzi challah, which is a very tough process because it has to be made with oat flour. While oat flour naturally doesn’t contain gluten, oats are processed in the same machines as wheat, so the grains may get contaminated. We have to buy a special order of flour to guarantee that there are no gluten particles in it.

Another issue with oat flour is that its taste isn’t spectacular, to say the least. It’s a very heavy flour, even heavier than whole wheat, and in order for a challah to be rendered Hamotzi, it must contain a majority of oats. So there’s work to do to get that perfect consistency without compromising on taste. Of course, a mediocre challah won’t cut it. We keep trying to fluff it up more, experimenting with baking powder, baking soda, yeast, and seltzer, while testing for the perfect taste.

WHICH QUESTION DO YOU GET MOST OFTEN FROM CALLERS AND POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS? Practically every second call we get is from someone who wants to know if we produce foods that are not only free of gluten but also of other ingredients such as sugar, eggs, nuts, etc. Now that we see the incredible demand for such foods, we’re trying to accommodate the needs of these people, as well. Of course, being limited with more ingredients definitely makes the challenge greater, since the absence of those products affects the texture and taste more.

For Shavuos, we did produce sugar-free cheesecake and most of our products are nut free too.

HOW DO YOU CREATE YOUR SUGAR-FREE PRODUCTS? Real sugar can be substituted in a number of ways, depending on the product we want to Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 23

Well Informed

Wealth of Health

Because gluten is so crucial to the texture and consistency of every baked good, working without it constitutes not only a simple replacement of one other kind of flour, but a combination of a few. achieve.

T h e sweetness can be replicated either with dates or with added sweeteners, such as stevia, which is natural, or Splenda, which is artificial.

WHAT WAS THE MOST INTERESTING REQUEST YOU’VE RECEIVED FROM A CUSTOMER? One caller asked if we could make some baked goods without potatoes, corn, dairy, sugar, and soy, which means no corn starch or potato starch and no soy milk either.

Another person requested a product that doesn’t contain egg yolks, nuts, milk, or oats. Even if just a tiny streak of yolk slips into the white, we’d have to dump the whole egg. These requests make us realize to appreciate when our ingredient selection is unlimited.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR NEXT PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT? We currently only take phone orders, but a couple of stores have asked to carry our products. We’re starting with one store in Lakewood and we’ll take it from there, iyH.

WHAT HAS WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE GLUTEN-FREE POPULATION TAUGHT YOU? People with digestive issues are really struggling, and the awareness in the community is profoundly lacking. It would be so nice if restaurants would offer some items for these

people, but that can only be done with a deeper understanding of what these people need. Gluten-free pizza baked in a regular oven is perfectly fine for someone who wants to lose weight, but if someone is not allowed to have gluten, that pizza can be hazardous to her health and would need to be baked in a separate oven to prevent cross-contamination.

I understand the reluctance on the restaurants’ part, especially because it isn’t easy to take responsibility, but these people would definitely appreciate it.

IN WHAT WAY DO YOU FEEL THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN BE OF HELP? In general, there are no official support groups for people who are struggling with digestive issues. When our family member was diagnosed with celiac disease, he was completely lost. Our community is so good at being there for every issue, be it cancer or diabetes, r”l, but based on the calls that we’ve received, there’s a large population who could use this kind of support group, as well.

On occasion, I’ve found myself educating some callers who just got their diagnosis and have nowhere to turn. One woman had no idea which flours she was allowed to use and where she could purchase them. Another caller didn’t know that she couldn’t eat foods that were made with utensils that are used for foods that contain gluten. She wasn’t aware that she can’t just walk into a restaurant to buy fries, because if onion rings were fried in the same oil, she would be consuming traces of flour. Living with a digestive disease is way more complex than simply following a healthy diet.

This column features a profile of a business owner who manufactures or distributes a service or product that promotes health and wellness. To be interviewed, please contact The Wellspring.

The Wellspring does not endorse any product featured in this column.

The Wellspring | June 2017 24

YOUR WELLNESS LIST

Supplements related to content in this issue that can improve your health and wellbeing To get a detailed understanding of the following nutritional topics, read more on the page numbers listed below.

MAXI ITC™ Related to “Take Me Home!” pg. 32 When your child is anxious all summer long, it’s no fun for him or you. Sometimes, all it takes is a small dosage of natural relaxant to help a child feel better about a situation that appears stressful. Maxi ITC™ combines inositol, l-taurine, and vitamin C. Inositol, a member of the B vitamin family, supports the nervous system.Taurine, a vital amino acid found in the synthesis of proteins, supports the heart, nervous system, and the modulation of intracellular fluids, and vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, scavenging free radicals.This child-friendly powder supports restful sleep and relaxation.

MAXI SKIN H&N™ Related to “Updates” pg. 18

MAXI G-C COMPLEX™ Related to “Health Profile” pg. 54 In this issue’s Health Profile, reader Sara Schwartz shares that she must have her bread to feel full. In many cases, cravings for carbs may simply result from a nutritional lack in the body. Maxi G-C Complex™ may be just what your body needs to curb the cravings and help you focus on eating the right foods. Made with natural compounds like garcinia cambogia and chromium polynicotinate that are known to curb appetite and help shed pounds, this is your ideal weight-loss formula.

Sunburns are not as external as they appear. Causing irreparable damage to the layers of skin, even seemingly short-term burns can leave everlasting scars on the tissue.

With Maxi Skin H&N™, you get a chance to replenish the nutrients that give your skin the natural glow you want.

A comprehensive formula, Maxi Skin H&N™ is a combination of vitamin A, hyaluronic acid, MSM, biotin, zinc, aloe vera, silica, and lactobacillus acidophilus, which all work together to give you healthy-looking, supple hair, skin, and nails.

CHROMIUM SUPREME™ Related to “Tidbits” pg. 48 Although the latest research reveals that fruits may reduce the risk in developing complications due to diabetes, a wholesome supplement that contains all necessary nutrients vital to diabetics is definitely a better way to get your daily dose of diabetesbeating nutrition. Chromium Supreme™ is the unique formulation that combines chromium with vanadium, selenium, zinc and manganese for the support of normal sugar metabolism.With these minerals, your sugar levels will be in the healthy range all day long.

NATUREMAX ENERGIZE™ Related to “Ask the Nutritionist” pg. 28 If you’re like the reader who would love to have her drinks but can’t afford its downsides, here’s your ideal solution.With a nutritious meal in a drink that leaves you satiated for hours, you get to have your drink and lose weight too. Naturemax Energize™ is a delicious drink, enriched with easily digestible soy protein and much more.Available in four delicious Splenda®-sweetened flavors—rich chocolate, creamy vanilla, smooth coffee, and strawberry, every shake supplies you with fiber, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, essential minerals, and powerful antioxidants.

Ask for these products at your local health food store.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

Selection Guide

Well Informed

Dedicated to Health By Chana Dunner

10 QUESTIONS FOR ESTHER KENIGSBERG OF SPARKS SPARKS IN A NUTSHELL Sparks is the only organization in the frum community that provides the total gamut of direct services for mothers suffering from perinatal disorders (primarily postpartum depression) and for their families. The helpline, through which women are directed to and provided proper help, deals with all levels of illness—including the hormonal, physiological, emotional aspects, as well as the stigma and shame. Sparks also runs awareness and education events, as well as a husband advisory support line.

1

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO LAUNCH YOUR ORGANIZATION?

In my previous life, I was a very active businesswoman. I never suffered from perinatal disorders, for which I say baruch Hashem a million times, because I now know, after speaking to so many thousands of women, how devastating it is.

About ten years ago, when I was doing school counseling as a hobby, giving workshops to principals and teachers and talking to many women, I realized that postpartum disorders were a devastating, prevalent issue that was totally neglected in the community. On a personal note, I was pregnant back then and, frankly, after seeing how rampant the disorders were, I was afraid. I realized that all you need is to be a mother—no genetic disposition, no mental illness, no history—and the hormones can go out of whack in a way that truly affects you. That’s when I told myself, and Hashem, that if I’ll be free of symptoms for one year after the birth, I would do my best to help other women deal with it. That’s when Sparks was implemented.

2

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE AT SPARKS?

As the president, I’m involved in overseeing the operations on all levels, as well as fielding calls.

From the clinical perspective, I employ and am in contact with the therapists. We also have a male counselor running the husband advisory support line. And, of course, we have a team of employees and volunteers who manage all other aspects of the organization, such as fundraising and organizing events.

The Wellspring | June 2017 26

3

WHAT IS ONE GREAT CHALLENGE YOU FACE IN RUNNING THE ORGANIZATION?

Dealing with very difficult cases of women who are unfortunately so deep in their depression is the greatest challenge. We’ve met women who were already on 25 different drugs—they didn’t know what their name was anymore—when they first came to us.

Second to the hardest challenge is when the husband has no understanding at all of what his wife is going through. He thinks it’s all a mishegas, that she just has to snap out of it. Because of the lack of awareness, he can become angry instead of compassionate. Working with husbands who are concerned about how they’ll marry off their children instead of focusing on their wife’s well-being is very challenging, but when they get the awareness, they end up becoming very supportive.

4

CAN YOU SHARE A STORY THAT STANDS OUT IN YOUR MIND?

We were recently called in to help a woman who was in bed for five years after the birth of her first baby. I had known about this woman from a paramedic who once called me at midnight to ask me which psychiatric unit to admit her to. When her mother called Sparks, I thought to myself, “I doubt we can help her after so many years.”

But then, not wanting to give up, I asked one of our two therapists if she was ready to take on the challenge.

Because the woman wasn’t capable of leaving her home, the therapist made house calls. Incredibly, she got the woman out of bed. She conducted family meetings on how to welcome this woman back into their world—she was out of everything for five whole years while her child was raised by the grandmother! The woman needed physical therapy WHAT DO YOU WISH PEOPLE to walk again, but she’s baruch Hashem doing well.

5

CAN YOU SHARE A POSITIVE STORY THAT YOU’VE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED?

A young woman who had emigrated to the US and had gone through the highest level of trauma I’ve ever encountered—abuse on every level—contacted us when she was in her ninth month. Thankfully, she was aware enough that with so much trauma, her chances for depression were exponentially greater and she wanted to be properly prepared. Her baby is now almost half a year and she’s doing well on that end baruch Hashem, but we’ve stepped in to help her with other dormant issues that came up in the process of working with her.

7

WHAT WAS THE MOST INTERESTING REQUEST YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED ON BEHALF OF A PATIENT?

Women who aren’t well don’t want anything but the magic—to get well in five and a half minutes. Just getting them to understand that this sickness comes by plane and goes away by train is already an accomplishment.

9

HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE STRESS THAT COMES ALONG WITH YOUR TAXING WORK?

That’s a good question! Sometimes I’m better at it, sometimes not so. The overall way I deal with it is by trying very hard to keep my life balanced. When I feel that I’ve had it, I do something for myself, like spending a full day out with my husband. I make sure to communicate with the secretary to send all calls to the therapists and I leave my phone on to be in touch with my children just in case, and then we’re off.

I also hire lots of cleaning help for my sanity. Because I understand my priorities and needs—what I can do and what I can’t, I’m not afraid to say no, and this has helped me deal with whatever comes my way.

6

WOULD KNOW ABOUT POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION?

It’s a lot more common than people think, affecting about 1 in 5 women nowadays. Because it occurs in 6 different versions, such as depression, anxiety, BPD, etc. and with different triggers, women are often confused about what’s going on. Women who are going through this must know that nothing is wrong with them; it doesn’t reflect on their personality. It’s not about being a failure. When you have a child and the child is well, even being a universal mother but especially as a Jewish mother, you say to yourself, “Just thank Hashem! Why are you depressed?

Why don’t you love the child?” But PPD is a hormonal disorder that affects the woman on different levels and all the negative thoughts are part of it.

Postpartum depression is the only illness that has two primary victims—the mother and her child. Bonding with the child is crucial, and every woman deserves to be well. No woman should suffer in silence. Helping ourselves is the future of our children. We could have wonderful mosdos doing amazing work, but if the mother isn’t well, she can’t give her child a house, definitely not a home.

8 10

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR WORK?

Watching the results of empowerment is exhilarating. When women get the right help, they’re able to find their inner strength to help themselves, which often includes sorting out other issues in their lives.

WHAT WAS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Since the days of President George Bush senior, the Jewish Heritage Foundation dedicates a special day on which it recognizes the contributions that the Jewish people have made for the Jewish population in the US. This year, Sparks was chosen as the organization that has contributed significantly over the last 10 years—even just by bringing perinatal illness out into the open. It was an honor for us to be there, in the presence of 25 senators and many other government officials, and receive a formal recognition for our work.

However, the many rewarding letters we receive from women with their names and phone numbers that let us know how we were the shlichim to save their lives and the lives of their families are what really touch our hearts and make us feel grateful to be doing the work we’re doing.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 27

Living Well

Ask the Nutritionist By Shani Taub, CDC

The Drink Deal Which beverages are best?

Q

Based on the insightful, helpful answers you’ve provided in the past, I’m wondering if you can offer me some much-needed advice. I’m a drink fan. I’m not talking alcohol and stuff like that, just good, thick fruit- or caffeine-based drinks that keep me going for a few hours. For example, I would choose a smoothie anytime over an ice cream and ice coffees are my favorite treat. But I’ve realized that even on days that I basically drink more than I eat, I don’t only not lose weight but I gain, which is quite frustrating.

Which drinks would you recommend for weight loss and weight maintenance? Especially now that summer is upon us and refreshing drinks are calling my name, I would love to have the proper guidance.

— Drink Addict

A

Shani answers: I understand why you’d be frustrated when you realize that you’re only gaining weight despite engaging in what seems like a healthful eating (or drinking) habit. To most people, fruit smoothies seem like safe drinks because all they contain are some frozen fruits and water, perhaps a bit of yogurt. And diet iced coffee enjoys overrated popularity in the industry because “What can be bad about drinking one cup?”

However, looks can be very deceiving. Let’s talk about fruit shakes first. What appears to be an innocent cup of blended fruit may be sabotaging your weight loss. And this is why. Have you ever paid attention to the amount of calories a smoothie contains? You may argue that it’s all fruit and “aren’t fruits harmless?” but the number of fruits you’re

The Wellspring | June 2017 28

ingesting when innocently sipping on that refreshing treat can be way more than your entire daily allowance.

It’s true that fruits are a healthy snack and that they’re packed with vital nutrients that our body needs, but as with all other good things in life, they’re beneficial only when consumed in moderation. Taking in four to five fruits all at once is what I call “shrinking food.” It’s a concept I’ve discussed several times in this column, and I can’t stress it enough. As I explain in my new cookbook, Secrets of Skinny Cooking, which I co-authored with Victoria Dwek, the best way to lead a healthy lifestyle without feeling deprived is to stretch food, not shrink it. In other words, if your meal can consist of a protein, starch, and vegetable, don’t combine them all into one dish. Instead, find ways to enjoy each part of the meal separately so it takes longer to digest the food and you get the feeling that you’re filling up. When you

drink your calories, you’re doing just the opposite. Instead of enjoying a peach in the morning, a banana in the afternoon, and then some apples after dinner, you’re stuffing them all into one cup and gulping them down in just a few minutes.

Not only are you consuming too many fruits at one sitting, but you’re also denying yourself the ability to have each fruit individually, which helps you feel satisfied throughout the day—especially during the summer.

In general, I would advise you not to drink your calories, only to eat them. For a self-proclaimed drink fan like yourself this may be tough at first, but it’s very worthwhile.

One way to still enjoy some drinks now and then is to freeze

the blends or applesauce so that consuming them is a slower process.

And if you’re in the mood of an iced coffee, make sure to stay away from the commercially prepared stuff. These are loaded with empty calories and sugar. Instead, you can prepare a 30-calorie iced coffee in your own home. Simply combine some coffee with a tablespoon of cocoa and boiling hot water. Squirt in a bit of zero-calorie syrup and add ice and almond milk. At only 30 calories a cup, almond milk offers excellent nutrition benefits and is pareve, as well.

Blend all ingredients for a refreshing drink that has the flavor and aroma you’ll love.

Of course, don’t forget the most important drink of all: water. How about simply placing water in an iced-coffee style cup with some ice cubes? If you’re daring, add some mint leaves for a completely healthy beverage that’s full of flavor and contains no calories. Water not only fills you up but cleanses the body and keeps the metabolism in motion.

It may be hard for you to stop drinking heavy beverages, but the results will be worthwhile.

FRESH OR FROZEN: ANY DIFFERENCE? If you enjoy having a frozen treat, simply freezing whole fruits can make for a great, refreshing snack.

Peeled bananas are a winner for many, as well as dates, peaches, grapes, and pineapple (in moderation).

Contrary to what many believe, foods do not lose their nutritional content when frozen. And the longer it takes for you to eat that fruit, the longer you’ll be left feeling satisfied and content.

Please send your questions to the nutritionist to info@wellspringmagazine.com.

Shani Taub, CDC, has been practicing as a certified nutritionist in Lakewood for almost a decade, meeting with clients in person and on the phone. She also owns the highly popular Shani Taub food line, which carries healthy, approved, premeasured foods and delicacies sold at supermarkets and restaurants.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 29

Living Well

In Good Shape By Syma Kranz, PFC

Fitness 101: Kickboxing That exercise is highly advantageous to the body is an indisputable fact. Among other excellent benefits, it helps with weight loss, builds muscle, improves metabolism, reduces the risk of many diseases, and enhances your mood and mental health. But you may be wondering how particular exercises score on this list—which is better for what. In this series, we take a look at the primary fitness workouts that are popular today and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Workout Description We’re going back to the basics with this one. Kickboxing may have been the very first exercise class you did in your life, and considering its incredible benefits and versatility, that makes a lot of sense.

Cardio kickboxing is a popular fitness regimen that often replaces aerobics and indoor exercise equipment workouts. A form of kickboxing called Tae-Bo, and other martial arts–inspired forms of exercise, rank among the most popular fitness classes in gyms throughout the country, according to the American Council on Education. Cardio kickboxing is a total-body workout with a plethora of benefits.

Calories burned per workout: About 750 Areas targeted: Arms, shoulders, abs, thighs, and glutes Style: High-impact, high intensity Development Although kickboxing has been practiced as a martial arts activity for thousands of years—as a means of self-defense in ancient countries like Thailand—the concept was turned into a fitness program in the 1980s by Bruce Lee, a Hong Kong native who had moved to the US. It has been going strong ever since.

The Pros Tone Your Entire Body Whether you’re looking to tone your arms, legs, or core, there’s no area of your body kickboxing won’t tighten and tone. A study by the Muscle, Ligaments and Tendons Journal showed that after five weeks of training, participants showed significant improvements in muscle power, speed, and agility. Like swimming, this is a full-body workout. If you’ve taken a kickboxing class in the past, then you know one thing’s for sure: You’re moving your entire body throughout the duration of your workout. The results from this constant movement will show in the way your muscles become more defined with every session.

Learn Self-Defense This is a perk not too many workout plans can boast. Kickboxing is not only great for your mind and body, but it also has a very practical usage as a means to learn self-defense (which you should never need to use). While martial arts–inspired workouts may have a lot of frills that aren’t necessarily adaptive to real life, kickboxing’s straightforward movements and cardio training set it apart.

Burn Calories Kickboxing is a high-intensity, high-impact workout that will have you constantly in motion. Your heart rate will be raised throughout your session, which means you’ll be burning calories. A study by Duke University found that aerobic exercise, like kickboxing, was the most effective way to reduce abdominal fat, a problem area for fat accumulation that, according to Duke’s study, correlates with heart disease and diabetes.

Relieve Stress Whether it’s anger or stress, sometimes there’s nothing quite like punching out those less-than-positive emotions. As mentioned previously, kickboxing requires constant movement, which not only relieves stress, but studies have shown that boxing exercises can also diminish feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger. Forget dwelling on your everyday worries—when you’re enjoying your kickboxing session, you won’t be able to think of anything else.

Improve Endurance Cardio-heavy workouts are the ticket to building endurance. A study by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine shows that by engaging in regular cardio exercise, muscle and ventilatory endurance is strengthened. The good news is that by improving your endurance with kickboxing, you can transfer it to any other workout you pick up. One of the most important components of kickboxing is learning when to breathe during your workout to prevent getting winded. Learning proper breathing techniques and maintaining them throughout your session is equally as vital to your practice as throwing the perfect punch.

Have Fun Kickboxing is also a fun activity. Many people enjoy it for the martial arts aspect without the dogma that comes with traditional forms. It is a very active, vigorous activity, and the individuals that participate are usually very enthusiastic and energetic. This attitude can be very contagious and helps motivate others to continue participating.

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The Cons • Injuries may be sustained if improper moves are done. The best way that you can avoid this is to make sure that the gym you signed up with has a qualified cardio kickboxing instructor or trainer.

• Cardio kickboxing is a high intensity exercise and it is not advisable that you do the full workout all in one go the first time. This is especially true for someone who has been a couch potato for quite some time. Be sure to know your fitness level and work at a beginner’s pace.

The Program Every kickboxing class revolves around the following steps. If you’re joining a class for the first time, if you want to try it at home, or even if you’ve been doing it for a while but you’re not exactly sure if you’re doing it right, here are some basic explanations for each step.

1. Jab This is a straight punch; if the right foot is in front, the right hand is jabbing. Imaginary Target: nose Stand with right foot forward in fighting stance. Rotate right hip forward, extending right arm.

Twist forearm so the fist is parallel to the floor at full extension, arm in line with shoulder. Recoil immediately.

Quick Tip: Jabs are fast, surprise punches, so strike as quickly as possible with control.

2. Cross A straight punch thrown from the rear hand, so if your right foot is in front, your left hand does a cross.

Imaginary Target: nose

Stand with right foot forward in fighting stance. Turn left foot, knee and hip to the right at the same time, followed by the left shoulder and left arm. Twist your forearm so your fist is horizontal at full extension; don’t lock your elbow. Recoil and return to fighting stance immediately.

Quick Tip: The force of the cross originates from the hips. By using your core, you’ll pack a more powerful punch.

3. Hook Punch in a circular motion, thrown with the lead hand. Imaginary Targets: ear, cheek

Stand with left foot forward in fighting stance. Pivot on the ball of your left foot, turning left knee, hip, shoulder, and arm simultaneously as you punch from left to right. Bring left forearm parallel to floor, thumb up; keep right fist by face. Recoil immediately and return to fighting stance.

Quick Tip: To get the pivoting motion correct, think of putting out a cigarette under the ball of your foot.

4. Uppercut Punch in an upward thrust with the fist pointing at the ceiling. Imaginary Target: chin

Stand with your left foot forward in fighting stance. Drop your right hand slightly and bend both knees, then twist your hips to the left as you thrust your right fist straight up and slightly forward with knuckles facing the ceiling and palm facing body. Keep your left fist by your face. Recoil immediately and return to fighting stance.

Quick Tip: To generate more force, drive the punch from your legs up. Don’t punch up beyond the tip of your nose.

5. Front Kick A jab with the heel of the foot; can be done with either leg. Imaginary Targets: knee, groin, chest

Stand with left foot forward and fists by face in fighting stance, then shift your weight to right foot. Bring left knee up to the chest, foot flexed, heel close to the glutes. Keep fists up and kick straight out from the hip as if you were punching with your heel; retract immediately and return to fighting stance.

Quick Tip: Picture slamming a door open with your foot.

6. Roundhouse Kick A circular kick (your leg moves in an arc). Do it with the front leg because it puts less stress on the opposite knee. Imaginary Targets: knee, obliques, head

Stand with right foot forward in fighting stance. Bend right knee, bringing heel toward glutes, and pivot on left foot, turning hips to left. Strike from right to left in an arc with right foot, extending kick from knee, toes pointed. Retract and return to fighting stance.

Quick Tip: Imagine slapping target with your shoelaces.

7. Side Kick This kick is the strongest, because the force comes from the glutes. Keep your foot flexed as you kick out.

Imaginary Targets: torso, chest

Stand with your left foot forward in fighting stance. Turn hips to the right, and pivot right toes out slightly. Lift your left knee toward the chest, keeping your foot flexed. Forcefully extend the left leg out to the left side, pushing through the heel while counterbalancing by leaning your entire upper body toward the right. Keep hands in fists near face. Retract the kick and immediately return to fighting stance.

Quick Tip: Think of kicking through target with heel.

Syma Kranz, PFC, is a certified aerobics, Pilates, and Barre instructor, as well as the fitness director at Fusion Fitness in Lakewood, New Jersey. What started out as a small exercise class in her home catapulted into a popular gym that prides itself with tzanua, professional instructors and an appropriate atmosphere with lyric-free music and proper attire. Syma specializes in training women to integrate fitness into their busy lives, paying special attention to proper form and alignment and specializing in core and pelvic floor strengthening.

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Living Well

Cover Feature By Rochel Gordon

“TAKE ME HOME!” IS HOMESICKNESS REAL? THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL REPERCUSSIONS OF MISSING HOME AND HOW YOU CAN PREPARE YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE SEPARATION AHEAD

N

ot even 24 hours have passed since you dropped your daughter off at sleep-away camp for the first time when the phone rings. It takes you a moment to discern the voice of the caller because the sniffling is so strong. “Who is this?” you keep asking, alarmed. “Who’s calling?”

And finally, you recognize her voice. “M…mommy?” Twelve-year-old Toby manages between sobs, “Come take me home!”

In a split second, your heart falls. For months, Toby has been fantasizing about camp, spending hours of exciting discussion with her friends about the fun they’ll have together in the rickety bunkhouses and patches of grass. The voice you now hear on the other end of the line sounds entirely strange—it’s pained and broken.

“What am I supposed to do?” you wonder. “How will this affect my child?”

Ninety-five percent of children experience at least a bit of homesick feelings when they’re away from their parents at summer camp. Homesickness is completely normal. If a child loves his parents and has a good home, why wouldn’t he feel some longing for his parents and siblings, or even for his mother’s food? Even we adults experience that longing at times. However, it’s when the homesickness turns severe that trouble sets in.

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Living Well

Cover Feature

The History of Homesickness In the spring of 1838, French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac wrote a letter from Milan to his wife, “I have homesickness! I go and come without soul, without life, without the power to say what the matter is; and if I stay thus two weeks longer, I shall be dead.”

Balzac wasn’t being melodramatic. From the Enlightenment through the early twentieth century, homesickness was considered a serious physical condition that could lead to death if not properly treated.

In 1688, Johannes Hofer, a Swiss medical student, became the first person to pathologize the experience of missing home. As Susan Matt, a historian of emotions, recounts in Homesickness: An American History, Hofer studied the case of a man from Berne, Switzerland, who had left home to pursue studies in Basel. The man became despondent, developed a high fever, and seemed inches from death. He was ordered to return home, and by the time he arrived back in Berne, he had completely recovered.

What explained the man’s strange ailment? Doctors of the time believed that “vital spirits” flowed through the body.

Hofer theorized, however, that homesick patients are so fixated on home-related thoughts that they become “exhausted” to the point that the rest of the body can’t function. The ailment has “no remedy other than a return to the homeland,” wrote Hofer.

Hofer needed a label for this newly discovered illness. The German heimweh and the French la maladie du pays were already in use, but there was no official medical term to describe the painful pining for home. Hofer invented the word nostalgia by fusing the two Greek words nostos, “homecoming,” and algia, “pain.” Today we think of nostalgia as the wistful longing for a lost time, but originally it meant the acute yearning for a specific place.

At first, Matt writes, nostalgia was considered a uniquely Swiss disease. According to Jean Starobinski, the first historian to critically study nostalgia, one doctor blamed the condition on changes in atmospheric pressure. The doctor theorized that when a Swiss person descended from his alpine home, his blood thinned and flowed less freely to his heart, resulting in depression, loss of appetite, and a deadly fever. If he couldn’t return to the mountains, “the most logical treatment consists in quartering him on a hill or in a tower, where he can breathe lighter air.”

The English word homesickness came on the scene around the 1750s. We don’t know who coined it, but the Oxford English Dictionary indicates that the word appeared as early as 1748. Like nostalgia, homesickness could provoke a rash of unpleasant symptoms, including fever, lesions, trouble sleeping, heart palpitations, emaciation, organ failure, incontinence, and dysentery.

Soldiers seemed to be particularly susceptible to homesickness, and many men deserted in part because they missed home too much. During the Civil War, Union army

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bands were sometimes forbidden from playing the popular song “Home, Sweet Home”—and perhaps for good reason.

According to Matt, more than 5,000 Union soldiers were diagnosed with nostalgia, including 74 who died.

Homesickness emerged during a time of mass migration, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was not to be trifled with. In the early 20th century, people started to take it less seriously—though Matt notes that as late as World War II, homesickness was listed as a condition in the Surgeon General’s manual.

Today, homesickness is no longer classified as a disease, but considered more of an emotional woe or adjustment problem. Recent psychological studies define homesickness as “the distress or impairment caused by an actual or anticipated separation from home.” In small doses, homesickness is a sign of our healthy attachment to loved ones. In more chronic cases, it may be associated with depression, anxiety, and loneliness, or an insecure attachment that leaves a child feeling frightened that he may be abandoned.

Case in Point: Chaim For some children, feelings of homesickness become so intense that they engulf every aspect of their lives—to the extent that they elicit physical symptoms. For anecdotal evidence, my son’s friend Chaim is an excellent case in point.

When five-year-old Chaim’s parents had to fly overseas for a family simchah, I offered to have him stay in our home during their absence, anticipating a week of fun and friendship for him and my son Shimon. The first night of his stay, Chaim cried for over two hours before finally falling asleep.

All means of consoling him were in vain; he simply couldn’t stop crying. The next morning, things looked better. Chaim and Shimon went off happily to school, holding hands in a brotherly companionship that had me breathe more easily. I thought the worst was over, but I was wrong.

Three days into his stay, Chaim, who had been rather withdrawn, started shivering with fever. While we were out on a

The Other Way Around What happens when your daughter is actually thrilled to head off to camp but it’s you, Mom, who’s standing at the bus wiping your own tears, filled with anxiety about letting her go? Research has shown that children whose parents are reluctant or anxious about separating from their children end up denying their children the ability to truly enjoy their experience. Also, although it’s healthy for children to miss their parents and for parents to shed a few tears as they wave off their precious ones, often, when a parent misses their children intensely or long-term this may be a sign of unhealthy dependence on the parent’s part. In a healthy parent-child relationship, parents are able to let go of their physical connection to their children because they’re the nurturers, not the nurtured ones.

Still Missing Mommy Homesickness doesn’t only apply to children. Adults, too, who move away from home—be it for education purposes, or due to marriage, can have their bouts of homesickness that leave them feeling sad and lonely.

So what’s the cure? Psychologists say we’re less likely to feel homesick when we feel connected, socially and geographically.

In other words, wherever you are, make yourself at home.

Rating Homesickness In 1998, researcher John Archer developed this Homesickness Questionnaire that is used in the scientific world to measure homesickness. On a scale from one to four, with one being “strongly disagree” and four being “strongly agree” rate the following statements (abridged version): 1. I can’t help thinking about my home.

2. I can’t concentrate on my work/activities because I am always thinking about my home.

3. When I am thinking about nothing in particular, my thoughts always come back home.

4. I hardly ever think about home. (In this question, the ratings are reversed from four to one.)

5. I communicate with friends/family at home every day.

6. Thinking of home makes me cry.

7. I dream about my friends/family at home.

8. If I would go home for the weekend, I wouldn’t come back.

9. I hate this place.

10. I am drawn to people I know from home.

11. I wish I had never come here.

12. The people here annoy me.

13. I can’t seem to settle here.

14. I feel like I’ve left a part of me back home.

15. I feel restless here.

After all statements are rated, add up your points.

15-25 You are not homesick.

You adapt very well to new surroundings and probably make friends easily. Although you enjoy exploring new places, this probably doesn’t mean that you don’t value your home.

family trip to the park, he broke into uncontrollable sobs, refusing to budge as he called for his parents. “My foot hurts,” he kept repeating, “and also my head.” For the remainder of the week, Chaim spent his days on our living room couch, burning with fever, his large eyes downcast, his lips in a perpetual frown. And the little bit of food that I coerced him to eat found its way back up in no time. The child’s emotional suffering had clearly carried over into the physical realm.

When the doctor examined Chaim, he found no medical cause for his physical symptoms. He checked his ears, his lungs, his mouth, but nothing turned up. “Just give him a lot of TLC,” he advised, “and everything will be better when his mother returns.” With my kids away at school, I was able to focus entirely on Chaim and give him what he needed, but he adamantly held on to the pain. As the days progressed, the symptoms only worsened. On the last day of his stay, his foot hurt him so much that he refused to walk.

Just when I was convinced that the doctor had erred in his diagnosis (or lack thereof), the arrival day of Chaim’s mother finally dawned upon us. Minutes before she said she would come, I went to inform her miserable son that she was on the way and that I was packing up his stuff for him.

Before I knew it, he was filling his suitcase himself, with all his belongings. “Why don’t you rest?” I asked him. “I think my foot doesn’t hurt anymore,” was his honest reply. And when his mother arrived several minutes later, he walked out our front door on his own two feet.

So yes, homesickness is real. Children, as well as adults, can actually get physically sick as a result of missing home— and not only sick in the heart. Is there a way for parents to help their children beat homesickness? And when is the distress considered severe enough for parents to actually fulfill their child’s request of “Take me home!”?

26-36 You are somewhat homesick.

Give it just a bit of time and you’ll be glad that you made this decision. Focus on making new connections, which will help you feel more at peace in your new place.

37-47 You are homesick.

Homesickness is not a weakness; it’s simply a reflection of adjustment. It may take a bit longer for you to feel at home in your new environment, but time will do the work.

48-60 You are extremely homesick.

When the homesickness is so severe that it impairs function, more serious steps may be necessary, such as returning home or seeking professional emotional support.

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Living Well

Cover Feature

An Inside View:

Q&A with Nina Kaweblum, LCSW, DBT-LBCTM on how to help children beat homesickness HAVE YOU FOUND THAT HOMESICKNESS CAN RESULT IN PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS? In general, children who are homesick are withdrawn and uninterested in joining activities or conversations. That being said, there are children whose homesickness comes out as stomach aches, difficulty sleeping or eating (or overeating), and excessive tiredness. In an extreme situation, a girl might say something like, “I feel like there’s a fire in my stomach.” It’s probably homesickness when she continues, “I don’t want my friends to make it better. I just want to be alone.”

Certain behaviors can also signal homesickness. If your son refuses to join in during games or night activity, speaks only about his family and how things are at home, and acts irritable even when everyone else is happy and treating him nicely, he’s probably homesick. Or your daughter might not want to spend time with the other girls and might even ask to spend time in bed, alone, or look for private places to go cry.

AT WHAT AGE DO CHILDREN MOST DISPLAY SIGNS OF HOMESICKNESS? At all ages. According to Dr. Christopher Thurber, who studied homesickness in 329 boys between the ages of 8 and 16 at resident camp, homesickness is the norm rather than the exception. A whopping 83% of the campers reported homesickness on at least one day of camp.

The question, then, is not so much at what age do campers shown signs of homesickness, but how intensely they feel it and for how long.

WHAT ARE THE USUAL SIGNS? Since different children show their homesickness differently—ranging from withdrawing and feeling sad to becoming angry and fighting, and anything in between—the best thing to do if your son does not seem happy is to ask, “Are you feeling homesick?” Don’t worry that this might put an idea into your son’s head; research shows just the opposite. Not only are you validating his feelings and experience (and validation helps children, and adults, manage their emotions), but you’re giving your son permission to ask for your help as well as gaining the information that he needs it.

WHEN A CHILD GOES TO SLEEPAWAY CAMP, WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HEALTHY EXPRESSION OF HOMESICKNESS (WHAT AGE, TO WHAT EXTENT, FOR HOW LONG, ETC.)?

Since just about every child misses home to some extent, what you’re looking for is whether your daughter is able to enjoy camp as well. Let’s say, for example, your daughter was crying and having a hard time letting you go when you brought her to the bus.You convince her to go, and you spend the next

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several hours (or days, depending on the camp’s policy about calls home) worrying. Finally, she calls. What you’re hoping to hear is, “I really miss you.The girls in my bunk are nice. Are you coming for visiting day? Oh, we’re going to a water park next week—I can’t wait!” In other words, a mixture of emotions.

As the above-mentioned research shows, this would be typical, “normal” homesickness that almost every child at every age experiences. It shouldn’t prevent your daughter from enjoying camp, and it should get progressively weaker.

WHEN CAN HOMESICKNESS BECOME A CAUSE FOR ALARM? For 6% to 8% of children homesickness looks quite different: An extremely homesick child is not able to participate in activities, generally has difficulty sleeping and eating, and isolates himself while others are having fun. If it gets worse as time goes on instead of better, parents need to consider taking their child home. Sometimes the child becomes so depressed or anxious that he cannot function at camp and needs to leave camp to be seen by a mental health professional.

Sometimes what a child calls homesick is coming from a different place. If the child had been very happy or managing feelings of missing home and then suddenly wants to go home or refuses to participate in camp activities, it might indicate something else is going on—bullying, physical illness, or trauma. Parents who are concerned about any of these possibilities need to discuss them directly with their child and the camp and do whatever it takes to protect their child.

HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE PARENTS TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE LEAVING TO CAMP FOR THE FIRST TIME? STEP 1: Make sure your child is ready to go in the first place.

There are 4 things to think about when you are deciding whether this is the year to send your son to sleep away camp or if he would gain more from another year at your local day camp.

1. Experience: Does my son have any experiences with sleeping away from home? Was it a positive or negative experience? Did he learn any coping skills to handle when he missed home?

• Take away point: If a child has had negative experiences and didn’t learn the skills to deal with it, it is more likely that s/he will be more homesick.

2. Attitude: Does my daughter expect to be homesick?

• Take away point: Children who expect to be really homesick and not enjoy camp usually do just that.

3. Personality: Is my son generally anxious or depressed? Does he do well in social situations?

• Take away point: If your child already struggles emotionally or socially, going away to camp will most likely exacerbate

these feelings, causing your child to feel really, really homesick.

4. Decision: Was it your daughter’s choice to go away or yours?

Did you convince her to go to camp or insist that she would come to love it?

• Take away point: The less control your child has over her going away, the higher the risk that she will be severely homesick.

STEP 2: Prevention = Less severe homesickness + more enjoyment Once you’ve decided that your child is ready and willing to go to camp, prepare him for the mix of emotions that he will probably feel. Let him know that it’s perfectly normal to feel some homesickness and that it doesn’t mean he won’t enjoy camp.

You should also teach your child coping skills to manage when homesick feelings strike. There are two types of coping skills: action skills and thinking skills. Action skills include finding someone to play with, reading a book, helping someone else, or doing something fun.Thinking skills include cheerleading thoughts like “These feelings will pass,” “It’s normal to feel this way,” “I’ll see my parents soon,” and “I’m going to get through this.” It’s also teaching your child not to think only homesick thoughts, but to choose to notice and think about the positive parts of camp.

It helps to practice. If your daughter has never slept away from home, you can arrange for him to go to your sister’s for a Shabbos or to a friend for a sleepover to use these skills.

HOW SHOULD A PARENT RESPOND TO A HOMESICK CHILD’S EXPRESSION OF PAIN? Start off by validating your child’s feelings—it makes sense that he misses you. Explain that he can feel two ways at once (enjoy camp and miss home) and that this is totally normal.

Don’t worry that validating will make your son feel worse.

Just the opposite: Feeling understood helps him move on to other feelings and to trust that your advice and reassurance will work for him.

Then remind him of the action and thinking skills that you discussed when he was getting ready for camp. Ask him what specifically he’s going to do to cope once you get off the phone, and if he answers, “I don’t know,” coach him: “What about playing the game you brought during free time?” (actions), or “Can you also think about the fun you’re going to have tomorrow when you go to the water park?” (thinking).

Telling your son that you believe that he can do this helps, as long as you balance it with the validation that it’s also hard to miss home. Model this balance by saying things like, “I also miss you and I’m excited you’ll have fun at camp.”

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS AVOID DOING WHEN THEIR CHILD IS HOMESICK? Calling twice a day to see how your daughter is doing sends the message that you don’t think she can cope, which interferes with her ability to connect to the other campers, counselors, and activities, and to develop independence. Also, if the camp has a no-call policy during the first week, honor it; insist-

ing on speaking to your daughter sends the message that you don’t think she can manage on her own.

According to research, bribing your child (“If you stay, I’ll buy you that necklace that you wanted”) gets in the way of her learning to enjoy becoming independent. Similarly, don’t bargain, “If you don’t like it in three more days, I’ll come pick you up.” You’re only sending the message that you’re not sure that camp is really for her. If your daughter asks, tearfully, “What if I don’t like it?” reassure her that even if she sometimes feels homesick, that’s normal, and she will enjoy camp anyway.

AT WHAT POINT SHOULD A HOMESICK CHILD BE BROUGHT HOME FROM CAMP OR FROM A FRIEND’S HOME (SUCH AS AFTER A MOTHER GIVES BIRTH, ETC.)?

Remember that there are 6% to 8% of kids who become so severely homesick that they cannot manage to get involved in the fun and become anxious or depressed, despite the camp’s best attempts. At this point, it is time to speak to the camp director about whether your child should come home.

The key is to not make your child feel like a failure. Tell her you’re proud that she tried to make a difficult situation work, and remind her that she can go again another year. Just because it didn’t work out this year, doesn’t mean camp won’t work out beautifully next year.

CAN THE EXHIBITION OF EXTREME HOMESICKNESS BE A SIGN OF SOME OTHER EMOTIONAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUE? Absolutely, and it’s crucial to take your child’s concerns seriously. Sometimes a child isn’t feeling well. Sometimes a child is being bullied. Sometimes a child has been traumatized. Parents must look into all of these possibilities.

During camp—just like throughout the year—you need to find the balance of teaching your child to trust others while knowing that if anything should happen, he can tell you and you will help him. Going to camp should be a continuation of this.

WHAT WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO PARENTS OF A HOMESICK CHILD? Similar to what we tell our children: It’s normal to be homesick—wouldn’t you worry if your daughter didn’t miss you?

Remember that approximately 99% of children do enjoy their camp experience and the majority of homesick children do go back to a camp the next summer.

Also, if we prepare our children, we can feel confident that we’ve given them the tools to cope. Homesickness then becomes an opportunity for our children to practice these skills and develop into independent adults, capable of handling challenges. Use your cheerleading skills on yourself: “I’m teaching my son to succeed in life—I’m doing a great job!”

—Nina Kaweblum, LCSW, DBT-LBCTM, MA, MEd is a Linehan Board Certified DBT therapist with a private practice in Lakewood, New Jersey, for adolescents and adults. Mrs. Kaweblum also works as a school social worker at Bet Yaakov of the Jersey Shore. She is intensively trained in DBT, DBT-PE and EMDR and consults with schools to implement DBT into their programs.

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Live & active cultures - low in calories - High in protein - 25 billion probiotics - Real greek yogurt

new

Approved

By:

ISSUE 17 JUNE 2017 SIVAN 5777

Keep It Light at the Grill

EAT WELL: SELECTING THAT PERFECT CANTALOUPE IN THE PRODUCE AISLE

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Eat Well

Recipes

Dear Cooks,

Can you believe it’s summertime again? While you’re busy writing up yet another list of what you still need to take care of before the kids are off to camp or you’re off to your vacation place, there’s still dinner to do every night. And who says we have to wait until it’s officially summer to enjoy our first barbecue? In this issue of “Seasoned,” we bring you some incredible ideas to use at your grill. From mains to sides and even a refreshingly fruity drink, you’re all covered. The best part of this menu is that though every dish is chock-full of flavor, each one will keep you feeling light, thanks to its nutritious content. Enjoy them one at a time, or all at once.

Happy packing (and don’t forget to clip these for when you’re away), -Levia

Watermelon-Mint Infused Water Summer in a cup. Refreshing is the word that sums up this beverage.

2 cups watermelon chunks 1 lemon, sliced handful of mint leaves

handful of tea leaves ice cubes

Fill the bottom of a jug/pitcher with ice cubes. Add watermelon, lemon, and leaves. Fill the rest with filtered water and let it cool.

Nutrition Nugget: Watermelon is a great summer tonic that helps with digestion and is naturally sweet and satisfying. Who needs dessert?

-Dr. Rachael Schindler

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beach by

Eat Well

Recipes By Levia Joseph Styling & Photography By Malky Levine

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Kebabs

You’ve done kebabs in a thousand different ways, but this is nothing like you’ve ever tasted before. Succulent and flavorful with a hint of tropical, this dish will make you feel like you’re under the palm trees.

6 slices boneless chicken breast 1 can pineapple chunks 2 red bell peppers, diced into 1 1/4 inch pieces Drizzle: 1 tsp olive oil 1 tsp sesame oil 2 cloves garlic, minced

1 large purple onion, diced into 1 1/4 inch pieces.

1 Tbsp olive oil salt and pepper for sprinkling 3/4 cup pineapple juice 1/4 cup tomato paste 2 Tbsp agave nectar

1 Tbsp organic shoyu sauce 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed

Cut the chicken breast into nuggets. Spread the chicken, peppers, and onions on a parchment paper. Drizzle olive oil over them and then sprinkle salt and pepper generously.

Thread chicken, pineapple, pepper, and red onion onto skewers until all of the chicken has been used.

Heat a grill to medium heat. Place the kebabs on the grill. Grill approximately 5 minutes on each side.

For the drizzle: Heat olive oil, sesame oil, and garlic in a small saucepan for 2-3 minutes. Add pineapple juice, tomato paste, agave shoyu sauce, and apple cider vinegar and bring to a boil. Add ground flaxseed and stir to combine and thicken the sauce. Let it cool. Drizzle over the chicken kebabs and serve.

Yield: 6 large kebabs

Nutrition Nugget: What a delicious and nutritious recipe that even the kids will love. The apple cider vinegar gives a sweet and sour taste while helping digestion. If you are sugar sensitive, substitute the agave for half honey half stevia and add a splash of orange juice.

-Dr. Rachael Schindler

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Recipes

Grilled Eggplant with Chili Con Carne

Ever tried eggplant as your vegetable side at a barbecue? You’ll be hooked on this one. So much more exciting than your regular stir fry or deli salad.

2 eggplants 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 lb ground beef 1 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 tsp salt

1 cup chicken soup 1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded 1/4 cup tahini paste

Cut eggplants in half, lengthwise. Wrap them in aluminum foil and place on heated grill for 5-10 minutes. Remove the foil and place them directly on the grill for 5-7 minutes for each side. Set aside.

Place olive oil, onion, and garlic into an aluminum pan and put on heated grill for 2-3 minutes.

In a separate bowl, mix ground beef, spices, and chicken soup. Add it to the pan of onion and garlic and keep it on the grill, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces to half.

Place the jalapeno pepper directly on the grill for 2 minutes on each side. Remove and cut into chunks.

Serve half an eggplant with grilled beef mixture over it. Top with chunks of jalapeno pepper. Use the remaining sauce from the beef and mix with tahini paste. Add salt to taste. Drizzle over beef or serve at the side.

Yield: 4 servings

Nutrition Nugget: Here's a secret: Eggplant is great for your heart and cholesterol according to Ayurvedic medicine. Paired with chili peppers that help your metabolic rate and cleanse your blood, this makes a greattasting, satisfying, and healthy meal.

-Dr. Rachael Schindler

Follow your PASSION

At the foot of Israel’s Carmel Mountains and amid the beauty of the fertile Galilee, the Morad Winery transforms the best fruits nature has to offer into the world’s finest fruit wines.

R E D G R A P E F R U I T W I N E · P O M E G R A N AT E W I N E · LY C H E E W I N E · PA S S I O N F R U I T W I N E

Eat Well

Recipes

Balsamic Glazed Asparagus Wraps

Here’s another delicious option as your vegetable side dish. It makes eating veggies such fun.

8 thin slices boneless flanken steak 1 lb asparagus

1 Tbsp oil salt and pepper for sprinkling

fresh rosemary, chopped

Balsamic glaze: 1 tsp olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tsp sweet red wine 2 tsp brown sugar

Rub each side of steak with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and some chopped fresh rosemary. Wrap 3 asparagus sticks with a slice of steak and secure with a toothpick. Grill on both sides until steak is well marked and asparagus begins to wilt.

For the glaze, heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Pour over the asparagus wraps before serving.

Nutrition Nugget: Asparagus is a good diuretic and is great for people with IBS. You can replace the brown sugar with coconut sugar for a sweet and nutritious sugar-free version.

-Dr. Rachael Schindler

Eat Well

Nutrition Tidbits in the News By Liba Solomon, CNWC

MIRACLE FOOD Fruit May Have Benefits for Diabetes Fresh fruit has well-known health benefits, but its high sugar content has turned it into a contentious food for many, especially diabetics. However, a large study has recently found that eating fresh fruit may reduce the risk for developing diabetes, and the risk for its complications.

The study in PLOS Medicine tracked diet and health in 512,891 Chinese men and women ages 30 to 79 for an average of seven years, controlling for smoking, alcohol intake, blood pressure, and other factors. Among those without diabetes at the start, eating fresh fruit daily was associated with a 12% lower risk of developing the disease compared with those who ate none. The more frequently they ate fruit, the lower their risk was.

In people who were already diabetic, those who ate fruit three times a week had a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality, and a lower risk for diabetic complications like heart and kidney disease, than those who didn’t eat fruit.

The study was observational, and the reason for the effect remains unclear. But the lead author, Dr. Huaidong Du, a research fellow at the University of Oxford, said “The sugar in fruit is not the same as the sugar in manufactured foods and may be metabolized differently.

And there are other nutrients in fruit that may benefit in other ways.” Enjoy that nectarine!

BEWARE OF THE BARBECUE Grilled chicken may be the way to go It’s no news that red meat isn’t the healthiest food choice out there.

But according to a new report, the more red meat you eat, the greater your risk of dying from one of nine diseases.

Researchers studied more than 536,000 men and women ages 50 to 71, tracking their diet and health for an average of 16 years. They recorded intake of total meat, processed and unprocessed red meat (beef and lamb), and white meat (poultry and fish).

Compared with the one-fifth of people who ate the least red meat, the one-fifth who ate the most had a 26% increased risk of death from various causes. High red meat consumption increased the rate of dying from cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, infections, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, and liver disease.

White meat, on the other hand, may be good for you. The researchers found that those who ate the highest proportion of white meat had a 25% reduced risk of dying from various causes compared with those who ate the least white meat.

“This is an observational study,” says the lead author, Arash Etemadi, an epidemiologist with the National Cancer Institute, “and we can’t determine whether red meat is responsible for these associations. But we have a 16-year follow-up, and we had the numbers to look at different causes, and we can see that it’s happening” for many causes of death. I’ll go for the grilled chicken this time.

The Wellspring | June 2017 48

THE SALT STORY Did we get it all wrong?

The body relies on the essential mineral of sodium chloride, better known as salt, for a variety of functions, including blood pressure and the transmission of nerve impulses. Sodium levels in the blood must be carefully maintained. If you eat a lot of salt, you will become thirsty and drink water, diluting your blood enough to maintain the proper concentration of sodium.

Ultimately you will excrete much of the excess salt and water in urine.

The theory, held by doctors for the past 200 years, is intuitive and simple. And it may be completely wrong.

New studies of Russian cosmonauts, held in isolation to simulate space travel, show that eating more salt made them less thirsty but somehow hungrier. Subsequent experiments found that mice burned more calories when they got more salt, eating 25% more just to maintain their weight.

The research, published recently in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, contradicts much of the conventional wisdom about how the body handles salt and suggests that high levels may play a role in weight loss. Of course, the findings have stunned kidney specialists.

The new studies are the culmination of a decades-long quest by a determined scientist, Dr. Jens Titze, now a kidney specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Germany. In 1991, as a medical student in Berlin, he took a class by a professor who worked with the European space program.

Prompted to conduct his own simulation studies, Dr. Titze found that when the crew ate more salt, they excreted more salt; the amount of sodium in their blood remained constant, and their urine volume increased. “But then we had a look at fluid intake, and were more than surprised,” he says. Instead of drinking more, the crew were drinking less in the long run when getting more salt. So where was the excreted water coming from? “There was only one way to explain this phenomenon,” Dr. Titze says. “The body most likely had generated or produced water when salt intake was high.”

Another puzzle: The crew complained that they were always hungry on the high-salt diet. Dr. Titze assured them that they were getting exactly enough food to maintain their weights, and were eating the same amount on the lower-salt diets, when hunger did not seem to be problem. But urine tests suggested another explanation. The crew members were increasing production of glucocorticoid hormones, which influence both metabolism and immune function.

To get further insight, Dr. Titze began a study of mice in the laboratory. Sure enough, the more salt he added to the animals’ diet, the less water they drank. And he saw why. The animals were getting water—but not by drinking it. The increased levels of glucocorticoid hormones broke down fat and muscle in their own bodies. This freed up water for the body to use. But that process requires energy, Dr. Titze also found, which is why the mice ate 25% more food on a high-salt diet. The hormones also may be a cause of the strange long-term fluctuations in urine volume.

Scientists know that a starving body will burn its own fat and muscle for sustenance. But the realization that something similar happens on a salty diet is a revelation. People do what camels do, noted Dr. Mark Zeidel, a nephrologist at Harvard Medical School. A camel traveling through the desert that has no water to drink gets its water instead by breaking down the fat in its hump.

One of the many implications of this finding is that salt may be involved in weight loss. Generally, scientists have assumed that a high-salt diet encourages a greater intake of fluids, which increases weight. But if balancing a higher salt intake requires the body to break down tissue, it may also increase energy expenditure. Still, Dr. Titze says he would not advise eating a lot of salt to lose weight. If his results are correct, more salt will make you hungrier in the long run, so you would have to be sure not to eat more food to make up for the extra calories burned.

“The work suggests that we really do not understand the effect of sodium chloride on the body,” says Dr. Melanie Hoenig, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. She and others have not abandoned their conviction that high-salt diets can raise blood pressure in some people. But now, Dr. Hoenig says, “I suspect that when it comes to the adverse effects of high sodium intake, we are right for all the wrong reasons.”

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 49

Eat Well

Nutrition Facts in a Shell By Devorah Isaacson

Here’s the place to check out nutrition labels for the nutrition-laden produce that come in their natural peels-just so you know what wholesome goodness you’re feeding your family and yourself!

This Month:

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe wedges have always been a welcome, refreshing appetizer all year round (think the classic sheva brachos menu circa 2000), but this highly nutritious fruit is actually in its peak season around the month of June.

Chock-full of juicy flavor and fun to eat, cantaloupe makes for a great beginning or end to any meal and adds great taste to fruit salad. But what does cantaloupe give the body, other than treating your taste buds? You’ll be glad to learn that this orange melon packs it all in for you.

Principle

Nutrition Value

Percentage of RDA

Energy

34 Kcal

1.5%

Carbohydrates

8.6 g

6.5%

Protein

0.84 g

1.5%

Total Fat

0.19 g

<1%

Cholesterol

0 mg

0%

Dietary Fiber

0.9 g

2.25%

Folates

21 µg

5%

Niacin

0.734 mg

4.5%

Pantothenic Acid

0.105 mg

2%

Pyridoxine

0.072 mg

5.5%

Riboflavin

0.026 mg

2%

Thiamin

0.017 mg

1%

Vitamin A

3382 IU

112%

Vitamin C

36.7 mg

61%

Vitamin E

0.05 mg

0.5%

Vitamin K

2.5 µg

2%

Sodium

1 mg

0%

Potassium

267 mg

6%

Calcium

9 mg

1%

Copper

41 mg

4.5%

Vitamins

Electrolytes

Minerals

Selection Cantaloupe is one of those fruits that you can either “strike it delicious” or find yourself dumping whole in the garbage can. Here’s a brief guide to judging ripeness and taste of cantaloupe in the produce aisle: 1. Without cracking into it, pick up the melon and check out its skin. You want to avoid one with many cracks and big spots of discoloration.

2. Look under the webbing of the cantaloupe and see if there is any color coming through the webbing.

For regular orange cantaloupes, avoid white skin under the web-like texture on the surface.

3. Look for a melon that feels heavy for its size and that has a clean rind. Weight means it has a better sugar and water content, which usually means a richer and sweeter fruit.

4. Try the thump test: Hold the melon in one hand off any surface and thump it or flick it with your fingers (you can also tap it with your knuckle). If it sounds like it’s echoing or sounds a little hollow, that’s a good sign.

5. Smell the skin or stem-side of the melon and make sure it smells like the fruit. It should have a subtle warm, sweet smell.

In Your Plate!

In addition to enjoying fresh cantaloupe cubes or wedges, have some creative fun with this delicious melon.

Magnesium 12 mg 3% *Try some cold melon berry soup by slicing 3 cantaManganese 0.041 mg 2% loupes into large chunks and then pureeing them until Zinc 0.18 mg 1.5% they’re liquid. Gently mix in 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and chill the mixture in the freezer for 20–30 minutes. Serve in individual bowls, garnished with fresh or frozen berries.

Refreshing! *Be daring. At your next barbecue, thread cantaloupe cubes onto skewers, drizzle with honey, and grill. Tastes heavenly with some vanilla ice cream or as its own dessert. *Your guests will love this refreshing beverage at your next summer party: Cut about 2 medium cantaloupes into chunks and puree until smooth. Strain the mixture so you stay with about 4-5 cups of fine juice. (Discard pulp or freeze into ice cubes.) Pour the cantaloupe juice into a large pitcher and add 3 cups of cold water and 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice. Serve with cantaloupe chunks, plenty of ice, and a sprig of mint.

Iron

The Wellspring | June 2017 50

0.21 mg

2.5%

Cantaloupe provides a range of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and electrolytes which have been shown to have multiple health benefits. The nutrients found in cantaloupe can be spotted in its deep, orange color and can help prevent oxidative stress plus a wide range of inflammatory-caused diseases that are prevalent in the US and other western nations today.

Among other nutrients, cantaloupe nutrition is known for containing two special, protective phytonutrients: carotenoids and cucurbitacins. These are both powerful antioxidants that have been linked with the prevention of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative disorders. They help to stop free radical damage within the body and to slow the aging process.

Vitamin A, found in high levels in cantaloupe, is an antioxidant known for promoting healthy vision and skin, boosting immunity, and reducing inflammation. Together with antioxidant vitamin C, which is also present in cantaloupe in high amounts, these vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy mucus membranes, cellular health, and warding off DNA damage that can lead to disease.

And there’s even more to cantaloupe’s many health benefits. Cantaloupe is now being used to extract an enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD). This is a strong antioxidant found mostly in the rind of cantaloupe which plays a vital role as a leading antioxidant defending the inside of the human body from oxidative stress. On top of this — although they are usually discarded and only the orange flesh is eaten — cantaloupe seeds also provide important omega-3 fatty acids and are in fact edible.

While other types of fruits, like berries, may have higher levels of antioxidants, cantaloupe is commonly eaten in higher volumes, which can offset its lower antioxidant levels. This means that cantaloupe can significantly increase beneficial levels of phytonutrients to the average person’s diet.

Another nutrition plus in cantaloupe is its high electrolyte content, which helps the body to detox and rid itself of excess water and fluids. This is helpful in relieving uncomfortable symptoms of bad digestion including bloating and swelling.

Potassium acts as an electrolyte and promotes blood flow and hydration levels within the body, and allows oxygen to reach your cells. At the same time, it’s useful in balancing water retention in the gut and keeping you from becoming dehydrated, which can stop cases of diarrhea.

And, of course, mention must be made that because cantaloupe contains only 60 calories per cup and is high in water and various nutrients, it’s a great addition to any weight loss plan. Since those following a low calorie diet can sometimes experience nutrient deficiencies, poor digestion, low immunity, and weakness, adding cantaloupe to your diet can help to balance these risks and ensure you’re acquiring plenty of vitamins and minerals in the process of losing weight.

Fun in the Kitchen!

Cantaloupe Dressing

Prepare this for your next fruit salad to give it an entirely new and refreshing flavor.

1 cup cubed cantaloupe 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt 4 tsp sweetener Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Chill or serve immediately.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 51

PROMOTION

IN THE KNOW

No Ordinary Lemonade What’s a summer’s day without lemonade? Simply sitting out in the sun and relishing the taste of fresh, sweet lemon is a priceless experience. If you’ve been depriving yourself or your family of this pleasure because squeezing your own lemons involves too much time and work and the commercially prepared beverages aren’t up to par with your nutrition standards, here’s great news: Golden Flow’s newest addition to their popular fruit juice line is like no other lemonade on the market.

All natural, with no artificial flavoring and no high fructose corn syrup, Golden Flow’s lemonade is now available in three refreshing flavors. Choose from classic, raspberry, and strawberry lemonade for a great, energizing drink on your summer day.

Farewell to the Fluid If your child’s ENT is recommending tubes, know that there may be a natural alternative to clearing the fluid in the ear: Panaway Oil. Many children have fluid in their ears due to allergy, mucus build-up, and infections, which can affect your child’s hearing. Panaway Oil is a combination of pure essential oils, including wintergreen and clove, which gently and naturally dry up the fluid, ease the pain, and improve hearing. To apply, gently massage oil in the outer canal and behind the ears three times daily for incredible results. Ask for Panaway Oil at your local health food store.

A Win-Win Deal The mitzvah of kibbud av v’eim is indeed special and you want to be there for your dear, elderly parents and grandparents. However, tending to the needs of an aging individual can often become a very time-consuming obligation, one that leaves you with little time for anything else, including earning a livelihood.

Thanks to Hamaspik’s incredible Personal Assistance Program, you can now care for your zeidy, bubby, or elderly acquaintance and get paid for it too. Hamaspik’s dedicated staff will be glad to guide you through the application process. Call 1-855-Hamaspik. You’re hired!

Forget the Paradox The summer has rolled around once again. What joy!

What better way to unwind and relax in the heat than with a delicious, creamy ice cream pop? If you see your health or weight as a priority, you may be thinking this can’t be you. After all, ice cream and a healthy lifestyle seem like a paradox.

Enter Fit-n-Free, Mehadrin’s line of low-cal ice cream, and the picture changes. With a steadily growing selection, now including over five delicious-tasting choices like vanilla tubs, vanilla & chocolate cups, and coffee pops, you won’t only love the flavor, but the calorie content too. A win-win situation!

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 53

Living Well

Health Profile By Esther Steinmetz

SARA SCHWARTZ

In this fun column, The Wellspring readers get acquainted with a fellow reader’s health profile, getting a glimpse into the role that health and wellness play in her everyday life and the tidbits of advice that Chana Roness, nutritional counselor at the popular Nutrition by Tanya, offers for improved quality of life.

Age: 38 Did you know that your metabolism slows down at the age of 30 and then again at the age of 35? So you’ve already had two metabolic slow downs.

Location: Lakewood, NJ Weight: 153 lbs.

Height: 5’1” Ideally, you should be between 105-130 pounds max, so losing 25 pounds is definitely realistic and doable.

Marital Status: Married Kids: 9 (really great ones ka”h!)

You gave birth to and are raising 9(!!) kids! You know what that means? It means that you can do... ANYTHING! Including transforming your body and habits and health.

Occupation: Social worker/Mother Favorite health food: Everything!

Not many people can say they like all health food. That should make it so much easier for you to lose weight and eat healthy.

Favorite junk food: Potato kugel You could try replacing half the potatoes with zucchini, skipping half the oil, and replacing the whole eggs with egg whites for a healthier version.

Favorite exercise: Dance/Zumba, Pilates, yoga—it must be varied and not too repetitive.

Great idea! Not only does repetition get boring, it gets non-effective too. When your body gets used to something, it doesn’t react anymore.

Favorite nutritious dish: Salads (with dressing) and soups.

My usual bedtime: 11:00 PM My usual wake-up time: 7:00 AM My biggest meal on a usual day: Dinner The soups I usually make: Vegetable, broccoli, zucchini, and chicken My usual dinner menu: Something on the grill, like salmon or chicken, a starch (potatoes/rice), and a lot of salad.

The Wellspring | June 2017 54

My weight loss saga: None really—I like to be healthy and happy, and haven’t been ready to restrict until now. It would be very nice to lose weight, but not at the expense of my peace of mind.

Greatest weight loss challenge: I find it difficult to restrict without thinking about food the whole day. I feel healthier when I eat intuitively and healthfully. Unfortunately, at night when I think about the next day, I often reach for something unhealthy, sweet, and not conducive to weight loss.

Why are you reaching for something sweet when you think about the next day? I would suggest going upstairs, away from the kitchen, and writing out the next day’s plans and menu on a paper or even in your phone. Make sure to do it away from the kitchen so you’re not near food as you’re doing it.

Another pitfall is that my husband and children really like to have cake, kugel, and cookies around to snack on, and then I eat the entire thing. I really would love more healthful recipes for baked goods that taste good and ideas of what to do in this situation.

Since that situation is not changing and you have to have these foods in the house, you have to change. Have plenty of healthful choices around for yourself, and never bake when you’re exhausted and your defenses are down.

I also get really hungry if I eliminate carbs. I eat bread twice a day, which is not good for weight loss, but for some reason that’s the only thing that makes me feel satisfied.

The time of year when I find it hardest to watch my weight: I recently gave birth, and with the weight gain of Pesach added to the pounds I gained during pregnancy, it’s been harder than usual.

The extent I’ve gone to implement a healthy lifestyle in my home: We eat a ton of fruit and vegetables, there is no refined flour in my home during the week (pasta, bread, and crackers are whole grain), and sugary treats are not usually around except on Shabbos.

What I do in my downtime: Read. I don’t have much downtime, though.

One place I would love to visit: I’m really happy where I am. We’d all love to be in Israel, but long term, not just for a visit.

My weight/lifestyle goals: To be full, energetic, and stop eating sugar. Oh yeah, and to lose as much weight as I can in the process…

How I would treat myself if I achieve this goal: The reward would be being at that point.

Chana Roness is a nutrition counselor at Nutrition by Tanya which has locations in Boro Park, Flatbush Williamsburg, Monsey, Lakewood, Five Towns, Monroe and Crown Heights.

To be interviewed for this column (anonymously) please send your contact information to info@wellspringmagazine.com.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 55

Living Well

Healthy Home Habits By Batsheva Fine

TriedTantrum andTamerTrue How can I calm my child down?

As a young mother of two, I’ve found this column to be super helpful. Often, when I turn to this page, I find that the issue covered here is exactly the one I’m grappling with in my own home.

Here’s the question that’s pressing on my mind these days. How do I calm my three-year-old down when he’s throwing a tantrum? Fortunately, he doesn’t have full-blown tantrums very often, but when he does, I find that I lose myself in my efforts to get things under control. Is there a way to turn this into a win-win situation?

Ruchy Monsey, New York mother of three: When my daughter was younger and wanted to hit me in anger, I’d tell her, “Hi-five!” when I saw her fist coming. She’d end up getting frustrated for a second that I was turning it into something fun, as if I wanted her to hit me, and then she’d burst out laughing, ending the tantrum.

Bracha Goetz, Children’s book author Baltimore, Maryland bubby of many: Go into another room and listen to music or a shiur that you really enjoy. The next time the child has a tantrum, you’ll begin to automatically think, “Oh goodie! Now I have a chance to listen to my favorite song or shiur!” You will actually start to welcome the tantrum opportunities, but they probably won’t last long.

Sima Lakewood, New Jersey: mother of twelve My daughter babysits for toddlers and she calls some of them her OT kids. She found that they calm down when she drags them (safely!) around the room. They hold on to some hose and she pulls them around for a few minutes. Also, they like getting long bear hugs from their mothers, as well as wheelbarrow walking, spinning around, and playing with play dough and rice. She wraps them in a blanket and rolls them around the room. Interestingly, the other kids don’t want it, but they love it.

From your question, it doesn’t look like your child has such sensory issues, so the best thing is to pick the child up, give him a hug and kiss, and tell him you love him. Then, divert his attention to some activity, like looking out of the window at the cars, coloring, etc. I find that when we mothers remains calm, the child will mirror that behavior, in most cases. It’s crucial for a mother not to finally give into the demands for which the tantrum was thrown, because this teaches the toddler that he can scream for that amount of time until mommy will acquiesce, even if it means for two hours.

And here’s a tip for you to stay calm. Listening to soothing music really helps.

Also, be confident that teaching a child to make requests in a civilized manner is an important part of instilling him with derech eretz and is beneficial.

Ahuva Far Rockaway, New York mother of two:

The Wellspring | June 2017 56

I find that distraction usually works best.

Don’t try to reason or find a solution, but distract the child with something else.

When a kid is howling and I suddenly drop my voice to a whisper, I get the child’s attention. Then I speak calmly and assertively.

Validating without feeling threatened that you have to give in is always very helpful. You validate the child’s desires (calmly, because you know that you are in charge, not the child) and show you understand how much they want what they want. Even though you don’t give it to them, they know that you understand, so they don’t scream as loudly to make their point.

There is also room to compromise when a child wants something specific that you can’t give them. You can say no to that, but yes to something similar that will make the child happy.

Riva Passaic, New Jersey mother of four: My parenting teacher taught us to imagine that all we hear when the child is screaming and kicking is a loud truck passing by. Once the emotional aspect of the tantrum is missing, all it becomes is an unpleasant sound that we simply have to wait for its end.

Chana Rochel Brooklyn, New York mother of six: I believe in giving hugs when a child is throwing a tantrum. I do not believe it spoils the child. Giving him what he wants because he’s crying is spoiling him; giving him a hug when he’s upset to have been told no is just helping him calm down.

Smart Solutions Maxi Health joins the conversation: Having your child throw a tantrum every now and then is part of the normal routine of childrearing. However, if you find that your child is often uneasy, tense, and easily triggered, helping the child calm down can go a long way in eliminating this upheaval in the home. Yummie Calm™ is a natural relaxing formula for young ones that impacts their behavior in an entirely healthy way.

Made with inositol, a member of the B-complex family that supports serotonin (calming) receptors in the brain, as well as taurine, which supports brain health, heart health, and energy levels in children and adults, this product is highly effective. And best of all, your child will love the bubble gum flavor!

Next up: A few months ago, I noticed that my 4-year-old daughter had a few tiny "dots" on her stomach.

When I showed them to the doctor he said it was molluscum and that it would disappear on its own.

Unfortunately, it seems to be spreading to different parts of her body and growing pretty large. I would love to stop the spreading and to get rid of it, especially before summertime/swimming season. Any tips or advice from experienced mothers would be greatly appreciated!

Have a health question for the Wellspring community?

Let us know what it is and we’ll do our work to get the conversation rolling in your favor!

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 57

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

Esty Boro Park, Brooklyn mother of two:

Living Well

Monthly Dose By Yaakov Goodman, CN

UNCLOGGING THE MYTHS THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF CHOLESTEROL

Over 100 million adults in the US have high cholesterol and approximately 35 million of them have severely elevated levels, putting them at serious danger of heart disease.

Cholesterol is a lipid fat that is chemically classified as a sterol. It provides critically important functions in the body, such as building and maintaining cell membranes. Cholesterol also functions as a precursor to various hormones and vitamins. While cholesterol is essential to life, the lipoprotein it is bound to plays a role in whether it injures or protects the arterial wall.

Since cholesterol is insoluble in blood, it is transported in the circulatory system by lipoproteins. LDL (bad cholesterol) transports cholesterol to the cells, whereas HDL (good cholesterol) transports cholesterol away from the cells. When a person has excess LDL, too much cholesterol deposits into the arterial wall. Insufficient HDL, on the other hand, impairs cholesterol transport away from the arterial wall for disposal in the liver. Too much LDL and/ or not enough HDL can thus set the stage for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

While cholesterol levels can be modestly influenced by dietary modification, about 80% of cholesterol does not come from dietary sources but is synthesized by the liver. Normally, the liver regulates cholesterol levels via a biochemical feedback loop. When cholesterol levels are low, liver production â&#x20AC;&#x201A; The Wellspring | June 2017 58

of HMG-CoA reductase increases to speed biosynthesis of cholesterol. Conversely, when cholesterol levels are too high, the liver limits HMG-CoA reductase production to reduce cholesterol production. Proper functioning of this feedback mechanism is vital for the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, modern dietary and lifestyle habits contribute to the disruption of this system, leading to elevated cholesterol levels and increased risks for developing cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, certain genetic disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia and autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia, are known to increase LDL levels and risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

However, making the right lifestyle and dietary choices can dramatically improve your cholesterol levels and help you distance the risk of unwanted heart disease. Rather than solely rely on conventional reference ranges, Maxi Health has long advocated for the below listed optimal levels of cholesterol.

Total cholesterol: 160-190 mg/dL LDL: 50-99 mg/dL HDL: 50-60 mg/dL Triglycerides: under 90 mg/dL Statin drugs lower LDL and total cholesterol, but have only a modest effect on boosting artery-cleansing HDL. Statin drugs do not lower triglycerides.

Physicians often rely solely on highdose statin drug therapy to achieve desired blood lipid readings. One problem with this approach is that there is a marked increase in side effects as the dose of the statin drug is increased.

While you should take all necessary steps to protect heart health, which may include taking cholesterol-lowering medications, high-dose statins are

often unnecessary. They should not be considered the only approach, given their considerable risks at high doses.

The side effects of sustained statin use are well documentedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;muscle wasting, cognitive impairment, blurred vision, and nerve damage, among others.

Red Yeast Rice in a Healthy Alternative In early 2002, Maxi Health formulated the Maxi Red Yeast Riceâ&#x201E;˘, a broad-spectrum supplement formulated with Co-Q10 and policosanol, all vital agents in the fight for healthy cholesterol levels. This supplement has shown tremendous promise for individuals with elevated cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels, and low HDL. Monacolin-K Monacolin-K, a compound found in red yeast rice extract, is a naturally occurring statin. In clinical studies, red yeast rice in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle lowers cholesterol as effectively as the prescription drug simvastatin.

Red yeast rice, a staple of Chinese medicine and a traditional Asian seasoning, is made by fermenting polished rice with various strains of the yeast Monacus purpureus. It contains a naturally occurring statin called monacolin-K. A substantial body of supportive research further indicates that red yeast rice also reduces triglycerides and boosts HDL, thus offering a safer and broader spectrum alternative than synthetic prescription statins.

You will also discover the clinically demonstrated heart-protective benefits of other natural compounds that can bring your blood lipids into healthy balance, lower C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood, quell chronic system-wide

inflammation, and support healthy endothelial function. Together they provide a potent, complementary alternative to prescription statin drugs.

In one of the largest studies of its kind, a meta-analysis of 93 randomized controlled trials involving almost 10,000 Chinese patients found that red yeast rice could significantly lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, and raise levels of HDL compared with placebo. In a study specifically designed to determine if RYR could lower lipid levels without causing myalgia (muscle pain), researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with high cholesterol. Study participants were randomly assigned to take either 1,800 mg of red yeast rice or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. All participants were also enrolled in a 12week therapeutic lifestyle change program during the study.

LDL levels decreased in the RYR treatment group by an average of 35mg/dL more than the members of the placebo group. Even more impressive, these results were achieved without increasing muscle pain or CPK (creatine phosphokinase), an enzyme in the blood that indicates muscle damage.

RYR has been shown in some studies to perform as well or better than some widely used synthetic statins. In one randomized, open-label clinical trial, investigators looked at 74 individuals with high cholesterol,

dividing them between a simvastatin treatment group (40 mg/day) and a red yeast rice group.

The statin group received their medication and traditional counseling.

Both groups achieved a statistically significant reduction in LDL levels about 40% each. But the red yeast rice group also achieved significant reductions in triglycerides Investigators concluded that “the red yeast rice approach to lipid lowering has promise for a subset of patients unwilling or unable to take statins.”

Individuals already suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD) may also benefit from RYR as it has been shown to blunt the increase in triglycerides following a meal.

Policosanol Policosanol, another ingredient in the Maxi Health Red Yeast Rice™, is a natural-

ly occurring component of beeswax and is widely accepted to be ultra-safe.

More than 80 studies performed mostly by a single research institute suggest that supplementing with policosanol exerts cholesterol-lowering effects equivalent to that of statin drugs.

Numerous animal model studies have been conducted using policosanol. One study found that pretreatment with policosanol prevented arterial wall thickening and endothelial damage in animals whose arteries had been damaged artificially. Some research suggests that policosanol is effective in lowering cholesterol in patients with progressive atherosclerosis and diabetes. One study tested policosanol in patients suffering ischemic stroke who were also treated with aspirin and vitamins. They achieved substantially positive results, with improvements

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not ibntended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

While you should take all necessary steps to protect heart health, which may include taking cholesterol-lowering medications, high-dose statins are often unnecessary.

Living Well

Monthly Dose

in neurological outcomes and recurrent events.

In another study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, the effects of policosanol in older patients with high cholesterol and more than one other atherosclerotic risk factor was investigated. After six weeks on a lipid-lowering diet, patients randomly received a placebo or policosanol.

Policosanol (5 and 10 mg/day) significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol 24.4%, and total cholesterol, while significantly increasing HDL-cholesterol by 29.1%. Triglyceride also significantly improved.

Another action of policosanol is to reduce the proliferation of cells on the lining of the arteries. Healthy arteries are lined with a smooth layer of cells so that blood can race through with no resistance.

One of the features of diseased arteries is that this layer becomes thick and overgrown with cells. As the artery narrows, blood flow slows down or is blocked completely. Policosanol also inhibits the formation of clots, and may work synergistically with aspirin in this respect. In a comparison of aspirin and policosanol, aspirin was better at reducing one type of platelet aggregation (clumping together of blood cells), but policosanol was better at inhibiting

As one leading cardiologist observed, “You can’t go to a cardiology conference and ask who’s on statins without everyone’s hand going up.”

The Wellspring | June 2017 60

another type. Together, policosanol and aspirin worked better than either alone.

Why do so many doctors advocate statin use?

The simple answer is that many doctors have been misled by Big Pharma.

It’s no exaggeration to say that statins have become the new aspirin in mainstream medicine’s war on cardiovascular disease. They’re considered wonder drugs by many in the medical community. As one leading cardiologist observed, “You can’t go to a cardiolo-

gy conference and ask who’s on statins without everyone’s hand going up.”

A casual attitude toward statin drug use largely stems from industry influence. Not content with letting doctors decide whether or not to prescribe statins on the merits of questionably favorable research data, some drug companies have apparently taken to bribing physicians to push statins on their patients.

Summary Statin drugs are heavily used and over-prescribed, owing to industry influence and misinformation. Highdose statins are often unnecessary, and may not be the right choice for millions of people, given their side effects.

Individuals who want to achieve optimal cholesterol levels should see Maxi Red Yeast Rice™ as a choice supplement, with synergistic ingredients that have been shown to reduce blood lipid levels while promoting healthy endothelial function and reducing CRP and systemic inflammation. For best results, take with Maxi CH-Control™.

Please note: This supplement is in no way intended to replace necessary drugs. Consult your healthcare practitioner to see if this supplement is right for you or if you have any concerns.

Wellbeing

Clean Slate By Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC

MISSING IT What emotional eating robs us from Although we’re in the process of covering failure strategies that you may have been consciously or subconsciously resorting to despite your true desire to reach a healthy weight, I will digress to share an episode that highlights the importance of coming to terms with emotional eating.

Several days ago, I received a phone call from a reader who chose to be courageously candid about an emotional eating episode she experienced the previous Shabbos. “I’m a fan of the Wellspring,” said the young woman we’ll call Rivka, “and as someone who has always struggled with emotional eating, I especially appreciate the Clean Slate column.”

After we enjoyed some small talk, Rivka shared a personal anecdote that highlights one of the saddest repercussions of emotional eating. She requested that we print it to raise awareness of the importance of getting to the bottom of the issue.

If you’d enumerate the cons of emotional eating, what would you include? Of course, weight gain and its detriments may be very high on the list. But these unfavorable outcomes unleash a host of emotional issues as well, negatively affecting self-image and self-esteem. However, Rivka pointed out that perhaps the most damaging consequence of emotional eating is that we inadvertently give up on being present. What makes her so insistent about this?

While Rivka, an ambitious and highly talented mother of four, was doing her erev Shabbos shopping at her local supermarket, she passed the ice cream freezer on the way to the cashier and decided to “treat” herself.

She carefully chose the ice cream that appealed most to her taste buds— dairy, of course—and placed it in the upper section of her shopping cart,

guarding it from her toddler’s observant eye. As soon as she got home, Rivka stashed the ice cream cone into the back recesses of her freezer and proceeded with the last-minute preparations for Shabbos.

Early Shabbos morning, while Rivka was trying to catch up on a sleep deficit that resulted from a highly productive week at home and at work, the children had other plans. For four hours straight, until her husband finally returned from shul, Rivka was busy breaking up one fight after the next, wiping up spills, and begging for some quiet. “If you’d only be more on top of your sleep schedule all week long,” the inner critic hissed in her brain, “you wouldn’t be so out of service now, and the kids would sense that.” In no time at all, another negative self-evaluation popped up in her head. “It’s because your parenting needs an urgent makeover,” she heard. In desperation, Rivka resorted to the coping mechanism she knew best—flight. And the way Rivka had accustomed herself to fleeing an unpleasant situation (not the children’s behavior, but her own self-critique), was to turn to food.

“All day long,” Rivka recalled, “I was thinking of the ice cream at the back of the freezer. In my mind’s eye, it was the special reward I would soon be receiving for ‘surviving’ the day. After all the kids would be peacefully asleep, I’d sit down with a good book and enjoy every lick.” For emotional eaters, such thoughts are not indications of teivah but a mechanism of comfort, a simple means of avoiding deeper, hurting parts of themselves.

Sadly, Rivka reported, she couldn’t wait for the day to end. She willed the hours she could have spent enjoying the company of her husband and the antics of her lovely children to slip away so she could finally indulge in

her “well-deserved” treat. Finally, as the sun started to set and her children thankfully finished their last bits of challah at shalosh seudos, she rushed them into bed, denying them their usual bedtime routine of storytime and discussion. “At last,” Rivka courageously shared, “I found myself sitting at the kitchen table, a book on my lap and the cone in my hand. The first few licks tasted good, but after that it all tasted like sand. It suddenly hit me what I’d given up for this silly thing—the price I was paying for a few moments of short-lived physical pleasure.”

Disappointed and discouraged (her self-critic hard at work), Rivka dumped the empty wrapper into the garbage can and went to check up on her precious children. She wanted to catch Rochel still awake so she could read her the book she’d begged for earlier, only to find her fast asleep, cuddling in her blanket.

And then she realized that it hadn’t even been five hours since she’d eaten meat.

In case you may have erred in your assessment of Rivka, let me remind you that she’s a perfectly normal, ehrlich, highly efficient mother who excels at her high-powered career and is loved and appreciated by her many friends and colleagues. She’s not a glutton or immature child. So what gives? When food is used as a coping mechanism, logic departs and we find ourselves at the mercy of an addiction that knows no end.

In this column on emotional eating, Shiffy Friedman, MSW, CNWC, discusses the journey toward a healthy relationship with food from a Torah-based, psychological, and personal perspective.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 61

Wellbeing

From the Ground Up By Goldy Guttman, Ms. Ed.

Understanding Developmental Delays in Children In this series, we’ve discussed healthy development in children up until the age of 2. As the series ran, many parents wondered what steps to take if their children weren’t exhibiting the milestones we listed for each stage. In this article, we will explore the definition of a developmental delay, and what parents can do to help their children thrive.

“My Shloimy was definitely walking at this age.”

“Leah talked in three-word sentences when she was Adina’s age.”

“You’re saying he never rolled over yet?”

These are just a few of the comments I’ve heard from parents. They weren’t telling me; they were just repeating what others had told them. Words that seem insensitive, that are said without thought. But these words can truly make a difference. Often, exchanges like these may be the first time a parent realizes their child is delayed. A parent’s love for a child is so blinding that it can inadvertently prevent them from seeing any delay as a cause for worry. And not necessarily is every delay a reason for panic.

The first important pointer regarding childhood development is that kids do not develop like clockwork. In other words, if your trusty parenting book says Moishy should have rolled over by three months, and he is immobile by four months, don’t call your local agency just yet. Children are wonderful creatures, each one created uniquely by Hashem, with individual features, individual personalities, and individual milestones. How can we expect each one to be exactly identical—to develop and reach goals at the exact same age? It’s simply not realistic. Kids don’t master skills on a strict timetable.

Short-lived delays—when kids catch up on their own—aren’t usually cause for concern.

A developmental delay is more than just being “a little behind.” It means your child is continually behind in skills other kids his age have acquired. To assess your own child, look up a block of skills he should be mastering. If your child is four months old and does not push herself up on her arms when she’s on her belly, but she has rolled over, and holds her head nicely, that would be a short-term delay, and you can breathe a sigh of relief, she will eventually catch up—on her own timeline. But if you can’t check off most items on that list, there’s a good chance that there’s a motor delay.

Let’s explore the five areas of skill development and possible delays within these areas.

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COGNITIVE (Thinking) These skills begin with a baby exploring the world around him. It’s about how your child learns to think, and solve problems. As he gets older, these are the skills that help him learn colors, numbers, and shapes. I personally call these “brain skills.”

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL These are the skills that will help your child interact with the world around him. It will begin by your child smiling, and will continue to develop as he learns to communicate. Eye contact, expressing emotions, and asking for help are all skills that belong to the social/emotional area.

SPEECH/LANGUAGE This skill set does not begin when your child utters his first word. It actually begins much earlier, with the cooing and babbling your baby loves to do. This skill will develop to the point of your child understanding what’s said, and using words correctly to communicate.

FINE AND GROSS MOTOR These skills focus on the ability to use muscles. Fine motor skills refer to smaller muscles, such as the muscles in fingers, while gross motor skills refer to larger muscles, such as legs. In a baby, a fine motor skill would be holding an object, and a gross motor skill would be rolling over. These skills will develop as your child learns to be mobile, and use fingers to hold utensils and color.

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (also known as ADL skills) These skills focus on the ability of your child to perform regular everyday tasks, such as eating, dressing, and bathing.

Now that you know the areas of development (which I’ve been writing about for several months now), you are equipped to figure out if your child is up to par. It’s easy to access checklists of developmental milestones your child should be reaching at any age. Once you have a chart, go through each area, and check the skills of your child. You are your child’s best evaluator; who knows him better than you? If there are several boxes unchecked in one area, it is likely your child is developmentally delayed in that domain.

Congratulations. You are now a well-informed parent, who knows exactly what issues need to be addressed with your child.

Keep in mind that there are plenty of resources available to help your child. I cannot stress enough the importance of early intervention. Early intervention is widely available, and an extremely valuable resource.

If you need assistance in going through the process, or you have any child development questions, feel free to contact me through the Wellspring.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 63

Wellbeing

Emotional Wellness By Esther Moskovitz, LCSW

why can't I Just say no?

What we do for approval

Did you ever take the time to observe a tree? It stands tall and straight, held up by the strength of its thick, sturdy trunk. A vine, on the other hand, has no height of its own. It depends on the wooden spokes of the trellis to give it shape and height. Did you ever see a tree that has shaped itself around a fence or a trellis? It’s such a sad sight. It looks like a tree that thinks it's a vine.

How familiar does the following sound? You’re being asked to make dinner for a neighbor, and you’re too busy lately to even make a decent supper for your own brood. So you end up staying up later than you should, in order to prepare your neighbor’s dinner, and you’re cranky the whole next day. Or, your friend calls you to vent.

She really needs to air out her thoughts and feelings, but your daughter is waiting to show you the scrapbooking project she worked hard on. So you whisper to your daughter that you’ll be with her in just five minutes, and you go back to help your friend. It doesn’t feel right, but we do it. Why can’t we just say no?

It all began very innocently when we were children, and we were just being

ourselves. One day, out of the blue, maybe even quite by accident, we did something special. Perhaps while we were playing on the monkey bars we suddenly did a graceful flip.

Or maybe we shared our cookies without being asked. And suddenly, we got something that felt just wonderful:

a chessed? No problem. Give a friend a compliment? That was easy, too.

Get good grades? Look sophisticated?

Be witty? Skinny? A good listener?

Whatever it took, we kept gravitating towards those things that generated approval.

Slowly, slowly, after days and weeks and months and years, we began to feel empty without it. We lost touch with our own unique barometer of who we are—our values, our mission, our strength, and our goodness. And although we had inherent value—although we were strong as a tree, we thought we needed others to uphold our feelings of worth. We thought we were a vine. And we didn’t even see it happening.

Most of us consider it immature to live for others’ approval. Most of us know we should not care what others think of us. It can be painful to face what we really think about ourselves minus the external approval. It can feel impossible—in the moment—not to say “yes,” even though our truth is screaming “no.” But it can be done. You really are a tree. You can say what you need to. You can do a favor when it’s right for you, and you can live by your values even if they aren’t in vogue. You don’t need anyone to uphold your value. It’s your birthright—determined by the fact that G-d created each and every one of us, with our unique sensitivities, circumstances, and choices to make.

So, whether we needed it, or just wanted it, we learned to do more of those things that generated approval. approval. We were noticed. External approval filled us with a heady feeling, and we simply wanted more.

After that, just being ourselves didn’t measure up. Why be happy with feeling fine, when we could feel absolutely wonderful? And even more dramatically, if we grew up with criticism or without a healthy dose of loving attention, then this kind of attention felt like oxygen. It allowed us to feel worthy, special, and for a child who doesn’t feel that way, that’s air to breathe. It’s not even a luxury; it’s a need.

So, whether we needed it, or just wanted it, we learned to do more of those things that generated approval.

And it wasn’t even hard. Choose to do

Esther Moskovitz, LCSW, specializes in challenges faced by adults raised by narcissistic or emotionally undeveloped parents using EMDR and the work of Pia Mellody. Her practice is in Monsey, NY and she has an active telephone practice, as well.

The Wellspring | June 2017 64

Wellbeing

Health Personality By Shiffy Friedman

A CUP OF TEA WITH...

BREINDY GOLDBERGER, NASM CPT, PNC

LOCATION OF PRACTICE: Brooklyn, NY OCCUPATION: Healthy-Lifestyle Architect YEARS IN PRACTICE: 10 PASSION: Helping others get the best out of themselves through fun and effective fitness.

WISHES PEOPLE WOULD KNOW THAT: the hardest part is getting through the first phase.

YOU CALL YOURSELF A HEALTHY-LIFESTYLE ARCHITECT, WHICH IS QUITE AN INTRIGUING TITLE. WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO? I like to call myself this mostly because it encompasses a mind, body, and lifestyle approach to lasting health. As a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and precision nutrition coach I love helping others live a healthy, supercharged life using fitness as the driving force.

Many women are in a desperate search for a lifestyle that will work for them and their bodies. They are done searching for the next best crash diet or magic fitness program that only help them reach unsustainable short-term goals. They want maintainable fitness and food actions that will help them achieve lasting success. In my capacity as a healthy-lifestyle architect, I’ve been instrumental in helping them map out their lives in a way that truly works for them.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE? I’m a strong believer in combining exercise with good nutrition. The best exercise program won’t be as effective in transforming your body as it could be if you are not supporting it with good nutrition habits, and the best food habits won’t be enough to get or keep your body moving most efficiently without fitness. Both are great, though not complete on their own. When they’re combined, success skyrockets.

The Wellspring | June 2017 66

HOW ARE THESE HABITS ESTABLISHED? Habit formation is largely dependent on the individual.

Some people like to take on all habits at once and see faster change. Others prefer adopting one habit at a time. Different approaches work for different people, and at different stages in life. There are even some people who use their initial motivation and start out with many habit practices and then, once their motivation wanes, transition to taking on one habit practice at a time. The key is to do what suits you and your goals at any given time, depending on how much time or drive you have to dedicate to habit practices.

ONCE THE INDIVIDUAL DECIDES WHICH APPROACH TO FOLLOW, HOW ARE THE HABITS INSTITUTED? Practice. Have a checklist for your habits, and mark it daily—when you succeed and when you don’t. It helps keep track of progress and to stay on the path to success. The goal becomes the process.

You must decide and commit to the practice/s—and this doesn’t simply translate into motivation. Motivation is definitely nice and a prominent plus, but it comes and goes.

It’s more about building systems to help yourself succeed.

Schedule your workouts ahead of time, the kind that you can’t cancel. Prepare your workout clothes a night before, so there’s less thinking and emotion involved. Find ways to help yourself show up to do your habit practice/s. And

then, do them. Doing the practices and installing systems cements the habit into your lifestyle. “Keep showing up,” is our motto. It’s as simple as that—just do it again and again, and it’ll become part of your routine. Everyone gets good at what they repeat. All it takes is a certain number of reps on a practice for it to become habitual.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF POSITIVE HEALTH HABITS THAT YOU ENCOURAGE? My favorite habit is eating only 3-4 times a day, with no snacks in between. It’s a great place to start! Why? Snacking potentially makes you eat a lot more food than your body needs. We have an easier time in staying lean when we cut out snacks. And we feel fuller and more satisfied, because eating fewer meals allows us to eat more at each meal. When I eat many tiny meals, I’m fending off hunger and never gain complete satisfaction. I enjoy eating a full 600-calorie meal that has me forget about food and focus instead for a good few hours on other things in life that matter, in addition to two smaller meals, versus six tiny meals that don’t feel like meals.

And no. Eating frequent meals does not speed up metabolism, as some think. Research confirms that we use the same energy to digest three larger meals as we do when we eat six smaller ones, so at the end of the day we’re burning the same amount of calories (when we consume the same amount of food in these meals). Eating six times a day simply gives you more opportunities to overeat.

WHAT SHOULD EACH MEAL INCLUDE? My motto is P and P, protein and produce (with a greater focus on vegetables). Building each meal around the two P’s helps attain and maintain fullness. Protein is the most satiating macronutrient. For this reason, eating a greater percentage of protein will typically result in eating fewer total calories each day. Also, protein reduces levels of the hunger hormones and boosts appetite-reducing hormones. It also has the highest thermic effect (the amount of energy used to break down and digest the food) of all the foods. That means that 100 calories of carbs and 100 calories of protein are not really the same. Your body burns a lot more calories just by digesting the protein vs. the carbs or fats. The general amount of protein I advise per meal is 20-30 grams for women and a little more for men.

IS THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE ACTUAL FOOD? I don’t recommend the use of a food scale at all. I want to make eating healthy as convenient as possible. The grams of protein represent the content of calories from protein.

You can easily find the protein content on nutrition labels on products like Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. For foods like chicken and fish that have no nutrition labels, simply eyeball the size to be approximately that of the palm of your hand. In weight, this would probably amount to 3-4 ounces.

For example, a palm-sized serving of chicken, which is also around 3-4 oz., contains 20-30 grams of protein.

The other main factor of the meal is the produce—mostly vegetables, and/or with some fruit. Vegetables are chock full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help reduce the risk of many diseases. When you’re not getting the necessary vitamins and minerals that your body needs to thrive, you can start to crave foods and experience ravenous hunger in search of the nutrients that you’re currently missing.

You’ll also be more liable to experience mood swings and fluctuating energy levels.

WHAT ABOUT STARCHES? ARE CARBS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PLAN AT ALL? Capping your fruit and starch to 1-3 servings combined is a good idea. When you focus on building your meal around protein and veggies, the starchy carbs are not very necessary. This doesn’t mean that oatmeal is a bad food, but it’s definitely helpful to focus on protein and vegetables first.

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON FATS? I suggest getting the majority of your fat as a byproduct of your proteins, without adding on much fat. Think eggs, meats, salmon fish, juicy chicken—they all contain fats. You automatically get some additional fat from cooking oils, as well as from salad dressings and sauces. There are some really good fats like nuts and avocado, but if you’ve already consumed your fat quota for that meal as byproducts, these are just extra calories, and fats are pretty calorie dense.

If you were eating a super-lean non-fat meal, like oil-free grilled chicken breast and steamed broccoli, a large cube of avocado would probably complete the meal.

Research shows that most people need around 3-5 pounds of food per day in order to feel satiated. This could be four pounds of spinach leaves, which add up to maybe 400 calories; four pounds of fruit, which provide 1,000 calories; or four pounds of whole grains, which provide 5000 calories.

Worse yet, they could be in the form of nuts or cake, which amount to 10,000 calories a day.

WHAT ABOUT FITNESS? DO YOU ENCOURAGE DAILY EXERCISE? Absolutely. Making exercise an enjoyable part of your everyday life carries a boatload of benefits: more energy, less stress, and more focus; it drives you to better food choices, increases your metabolism, and improves your mood; you get better sleep, manage your weight better, and somehow everything else in your life improves.

HOW MUCH EXERCISE DO YOU RECOMMEND? Generally, you want to challenge your muscles 2-4 times a week and from there add on some cardio training/activities that you enjoy. A weekly 3-6 hour total of resistance training and cardio training is recommended, depending on your time allowance and goals.

You may be lazy or scared to start, but once you’ve established a routine, it feels so good. Exercise is a total mood enhancer. Cardio exercise pumps endorphins into the blood Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 67

Wellbeing

Health Personality

and strength training is great for mental empowerment.

IF SOMEONE HASN’T BEEN ON AN EXERCISE ROUTINE BEFORE, HOW CAN THEY EASE INTO IT? When you’re first getting started with exercise, or starting to “get back” to exercise, it could be overwhelming. But the majority of results, like anything else, will come from having a strong grip on the basics. Primarily focus on the movements that will train the most muscles and give you total body strength. When you have a better understanding of the main types of movements, such as hinges, squats, pushes, pulls, and carries or core stabilization, you’ll get a better sense of what a balanced workout program looks and feels like.

Of course, you ideally want some variety within the different movement categories. For example, you wouldn’t want to do only horizontal pushes like push-ups, you would also want vertical pushes like overhead shoulder presses. But when you’re not sure if you’re using a balanced routine, know that using the 5 human movements as a framework to reference is tough to beat.

Unfortunately, many programs are incredibly imbalanced. I’ve come across “circuit training” workouts that are composed entirely of movements from the squat and push categories. 10 squats to 10 push-ups to 10 lunges per side to 10 jump squats will definitely get your heart rate up, but most of the body is being ignored. Balanced training is not only crucial for fat loss, where the main objective is to stimulate as many muscle fibers as you can to maximize the extent that your body burns fat instead of muscle, but it’s also critical for preventing injuries and keeping you strong and healthy even when you’re not exercising.

HAVE YOU FOUND THAT GROUP INSTRUCTION IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PERSONAL TRAINING, OR VICE VERSA? It depends. Some thrive in a class environment where they feel motivated by their peers. In a class, you typically find yourself working just a little bit harder, especially if you are the competitive type. Also, it’s a lot more fun for most people. I’ve overheard women say on more than one occasion after class, “I never had so much fun while working so hard.”

A downside to the group environment is that it may be less likely for the instructor to assess your form as much as she would in a personal training session. Personal training meets you where you are and designs the best program to get you to where you want to be. For some, it can also mean “all eyes on me all the time,” which makes them work harder, since there is no option of cheating and stopping. Both are awesome. Some of my clients choose to alternate between the two for this reason.

Whether it’s group fitness or private training, choose an instructor or trainer who will energize you, push you just a bit more, and stimulate you to keep things interesting so you enjoy coming back. Knowledge and effective programing is

The Wellspring | June 2017 68

also an important factor to look for in a trainer/instructor or class.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO ENTER THE FIELD OF FITNESS AND NUTRITION? Movement was my first language. Since my youth, I’ve always used gymnastics and dance as tools to become more alive and thrive. I was always busy exploring new moves to new songs and new ways of perfecting existing moves. Dancing, leading, pushing myself, pushing others, and looking for ways to improve is second nature to me. I’m very grateful to have this strong need to pay forward my gift. I love helping others unleash their better self through fitness.

After my first child was born, I stopped working as a graphics designer, and I spent a lot of time searching for a gym that offered babysitting. It was then that I realized that there must be many more mothers in the community who would appreciate such a service. I decided to acquire more skills through training and to help make health and fitness more available for others. More so, I brought the best that fitness has to offer and combined it with my passion to make it fun and help others tap into the best of themselves, and that is how my career came about.

Among other certifications and courses I took, I am TRX certified, kettlebell certified, as well as Kickboxing, Zumba, and Kangoo Dance certified. The nutrition aspect of my career came later to enhance fitness results for my clients. I got attracted to the Precision Nutrition lifestyle and trained at Level 2, which takes the science of nutrition and combines it with the psychology of change.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO THE WELLSPRING READERS REGARDING MAINTAINING HEALTHY HABITS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS? Summertime is a very socially-oriented season. We end up spending lots of time with friends and family, but this doesn’t mean that we have to make it only about food. Do a fun activity together—take a hike, enjoy a biking trail. A jump rope is a really fun, portable tool to keep handy (I always carry one in my bag).

Also, if you’re setting health or weight loss goals for over the summer, you must have in mind what it takes to get there. You can’t just wish to be at your leanest point without being willing to work toward it. There is quite a gap between healthy and very healthy, or lean and very lean. Depending on what you want to achieve, know what it takes to get there and gear up to do what it takes, or change your goal and do the habit practices you can practice for that goal. For many, healthy and lean are usually enough, and the next level of health and leanness may not be what they really want according to the actions they’re willing to take. When your goals and actions are aligned, you feel happy with the results, have realistic expectations, and with the help of Hashem, will succeed.

AGE WELL Fighting Fatigue The natural way to refill your energy tank

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Golden Page By Yaakov Goodman, CN

FIGHTING FATIGUE

THE NATURAL WAY TO REFILL YOUR ENERGY TANK Do you sometimes wish you could just recharge your batteries? Most of us do, especially as we grow older.

Fatigue is a major problem in American adults, accounting for millions of office visits each year. The complaints are similar: groggy for much of the morning, can’t sleep well or long enough at night, lack of energy for daily tasks and even enjoyable diversions. Doctors hear these complaints all the time, and are nearly as frustrated as their patients at their powerlessness to do anything about it.

What’s worse, the only drugs available to combat fatigue have a daunting side effect profile, including the real possibility of dependence (addiction). Caffeine-laden “energy drinks” are now on the market, and while modest amounts of caffeine are likely to be harmless, large doses, especially in combination with sugar and other additives, can result in caffeine toxicity or overdose-related side effects.

Surprisingly, drugs and caffeine don’t truly provide meaningful energy; they temporarily squeeze adrenaline from your adrenal glands and in the long run can wear down your defenses still further.

Once again, the solution is found in nature. Max Energee™ is a super formula combining four of the most powerful energy-boosting nutrients out there. Let’s explore them.

Chlorella A small, water-grown algae, chlorella is the greatest source of chlorophyll, containing high amounts of protein and an ultra concentration of B vitamins. In fact, it’s virtually a complete food, containing far more vitamin B12 then liver. In addition to its remarkable ability to cleanse the bloodstream and protect against DNA damage, chlorella has been shown in various clinical trials to increase energy, boost stamina, and battle fatigue.

Bee pollen Produced by the anthers of flowering plants, bee pollen is high in B vitamins, enzymes, and various minerals. It has been shown to be useful for those combatting fatigue, especially when the individual is suffering from depression.

Eleuthero Also known as Siberian Ginseng, eleuthero has been used for centuries throughout the Far East to combat weakness and provide extra energy.

Russian scientists have for many years been exploring the ability of eleuthero to stimulate both physical and mental activity. Used by athletes worldwide, eleuthero has been shown to enhance athletic performance. One of the primary ways this plant increases energy is by increasing blood flow to the brain.

In addition, eleuthero has been shown beneficial for memory enhancement and is a powerful anti-cancer agent.

Octacosanol Scientific data supports the notion that octacosanol has a reputation for being an energy booster and useful in athletic competitions. An experiment by H. Kim and associates, described in the winter 2003 issue of Journal of Medicinal Food, tested octacosanol and a placebo on laboratory animals for 28 days. Relative to controls, rats receiving the wheat product ran 46 percent longer before they reached exhaustion. An increased ability to use oxygen and the prevention of muscle breakdown mediated these results.

In addition, octacosanol is helpful in reducing cholesterol.

So whether your fatigue is a result of a drug you take or a symptom of various other conditions, Max Energee™ may help you in the battle against fatigue and assist you in regaining those useful energy levels.

This supplement is not intended to replace a healthy, balanced diet. Always reach out to your health-care practitioner if you have any concerns.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 71

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

Age Well

Age Well

Senior Care By Rena Milgraum, R.N.

Have You Heard?

How Deafness Can Result from a Lifetime of Noise—and What to Do About It Now Seniors all too often are faced with deafness—perhaps you or a loved one have had to contend with hearing difficulties as the years go on.

But while gradual aged-related loss of hearing may have always been part of life throughout history, it turns out that in most modern societies, deafness among seniors may very well be a result of a lifetime filled with noise pollution as much as it is due to natural aging.

Here’s why.

In all major cities and suburbs across America, citizens have long been plagued by a constant acoustic fog of loud construction, noisy traffic, booming car stereos, shrieking emergency vehicle sirens, thundering low-flying aircraft, and even pesky cell phones.

These noises don’t just diminish the quality of life—they are also known to cause long-term hearing loss.

An estimated 15 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have some kind of hearing loss due to noise exposure at work or play, according to the National Institutes of Health.

While deafness and hearing loss is more common than one would expect, there are solutions and simple preventative strategies that can easily be implemented. Here are the basics.

How the ear works To understand hearing loss, here’s a basic review of how the ear works.

Hearing occurs when sound waves reach the structures inside the ear, where the sound wave vibrations are converted into nerve signals that the brain recognizes as sound.

Your ear consists of three major areas: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Sound waves pass through the outer ear and cause vibrations at the eardrum, part of the middle ear. The eardrum and three small bones of the middle ear— the hammer, anvil, and stirrup—amplify the vibrations as they travel to the inner ear. There, the vibrations pass through fluid in the cochlea (pronounced COKElee-uh), a snail-shaped structure in the inner ear.

Attached to nerve cells in the cochlea are cilia, thousands of tiny hairs that help translate sound vibrations into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain.

The vibrations of different sounds affect these tiny hairs in different ways, causing the nerve cells to send different signals to your brain. That’s how one sound is distinguished from another.

Deafness among seniors may very well be a result of a lifetime filled with noise pollution as much as it is due to natural aging.

Symptoms Signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include: • Muffled quality of speech and other sounds • Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd of people • Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly, and loudly • A need to turn up the volume of electronic devices • Withdrawal from conversations • Avoidance of some social settings Causes Doctors now believe that heredity and chronic exposure to loud noises are the main factors that contribute to hearing loss, or presbycusis in medical lingo. Other factors, such as earwax blockage, can prevent your ears from conducting sounds as well as they should.

A tragic fact about deafness is that most people with hearing loss don’t even realize they are suffering from a loss of hearing.

72 The Wellspring | June 2017

What causes hearing loss For some people, the cause of hearing loss is the result of a gradual buildup of earwax, which blocks the ear canal and prevents conduction of sound waves. Earwax blockage is a cause of hearing loss among people of all ages. For the most part, it’s reversible.

In most cases, however, hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear. Aging and prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea. When these hairs or nerve cells are damaged or missing, electrical signals aren’t transmitted as efficiently, and hearing loss occurs. Higher pitched tones may sound muffled. It can become difficult to pick out words against background noise. Heredity can make someone more inclined to these changes.

Some drugs, like the antibiotic gentamicin, and certain chemotherapy drugs can damage the inner ear. Temporary effects on hearing—ringing in the ear (tinnitus) or hearing loss—can occur from taking very high doses of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antimalarial drugs, or loop diuretics.

Diseases or illnesses that result in high fever, mainly ear

infections or meningitis, may damage the cochlea. Trauma or a ruptured eardrum can also result in loss of hearing. Additionally, abnormal bone growths or tumors of the outer or middle ear can cause hearing loss.

Diagnosis There are two primary types of hearing loss. One occurs when the inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. This type is permanent. Temporary hearing loss happens when sound waves can’t reach your inner ear. Earwax build-up, fluid, or a punctured eardrum can cause this.

Untreated, hearing problems can get worse.

Tests to diagnose hearing loss may include: • General screening tests • Tuning fork tests • Audiometer tests • Oto-acoustic emissions tests • Bone conduction tests • Auditory brain-stem response (ABR) tests Treatment Treatment can dramatically improve quality of life, self-confidence, closer relationships with loved ones, and overall outlook on life. Family and friends of people who receive treatment are even more likely to notice improvements in quality of life.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the hearing loss. Options include: • Wax removal • Hearing aids • Cochlear implants Prevention Here are some things you can do to help prevent noise-induced hearing loss and avoid worsening of age-related hearing loss: Have your hearing tested Consider regular hearing tests if you work in a noisy environment. Regular testing of your ears can provide early detection of hearing loss. Knowing some hearing is lost puts you in a better position to take steps to prevent further hearing loss.

Protect your ears in the workplace Specially designed earmuffs that resemble earphones can protect ears by bringing most loud sounds down to an acceptable level. Foam, pre-formed, or custom-molded earplugs made of plastic or rubber also can effectively protect ears from damaging noise.

Avoid recreational risks Activities such as snowmobiling, hunting, and listening to extremely loud music for long periods of time can damage your ears.

The noise level at weddings can easily be over 100 dB— bad for adults and kids, and even worse for the babies that frequently come along. Leave the baby home or put plugs in his ears.

Permanent damage can be caused by popular electronic listening devices—most “earbud” in-the-ear headphones do not seal the ear canal to keep out all external noise. This makes listeners turn up the volume to drown out all surrounding sounds, making the hearing damage worse.

Wearing protectors or taking breaks from the noise during loud recreational activities can protect your ears. Turning down the volume when listening to music can help avoid hearing damage. Also, if you’re a regular electronic device user, get custom earbuds made by a pro audiologist—they’re inexpensive and allow you to hear the music without having to crank up the volume.

Summary When it comes to hearing loss, it’s all about “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Take care of your hearing today so your doctor won’t have to tomorrow. Get tested, diligently avoid loud noises, use ear plugs, and/or lower the volume appropriately. This way, you can always be all ears to those around you.

Rena Milgraum, R.N. is Director of Patient Services at HamaspikCare, a home-care agency serving seniors and others across New York.

She may be reached through the Wellspring.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspring 73

Age Well

Sage Advice By Aliza Simon

Safe in the Sun

12 Summer Safety Tips for the Elderly The summertime is a time of fun and relaxation for most people. But for seniors, the heat and sun can be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Here are some great tips that the elderly, as well as their caregivers, can use to make sure they have a fun, safe summer.

1. Stay Hydrated Seniors are more susceptible to dehydration than younger people because they lose their ability to conserve water as they age. They may also become less aware of being thirsty and have difficulty adjusting to temperature changes.

Remember to drink water often, and be sure to pack some for those long summer drives. Dr. William Greenough, of Johns Hopkins Geriatric Center, says that caregivers should make sure seniors are drinking sweat replacement products (that contain salt and potassium) to replace water they lose during the summer.

2. Talk to Your Doctor Check with your medical team to make sure any medications you are on won’t be affected by higher temperatures. Some medications are less effective if stored at temperatures higher than room temperature (approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit), and the last thing anyone wants is for a preventable medical condition to become aggravated due to high temperatures.

3. Keep Your Cool Even small increases in temperature can shorten the life expectancy for seniors who are coping with chronic medical conditions. They shouldn’t be out of an air conditioned location for more than necessary.

4. Stay in Touch High temperatures can be life-threatening, so communication plays an important role in ensuring the safety of the elderly. For seniors, you should let friends and family know if you’ll be spending an extended period of time outdoors, even if you’re only gardening. Caregivers should check on the health and welfare of their loved ones at least twice a day.

5. Meet Your Neighbors Get in touch with those who live in your neighborhood and learn a bit about them and their schedules. If you are elderly, see if a younger neighbor – perhaps even one of their kids – can come by and check on you occasionally to make sure everything is all right. The extra company and friendship that can result is a bonus.

6. Know Who to Call Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers and place them in an easy to access area. This way, the right people can be called to help quickly prevent any further issues or prevent medical problems from getting worse.

7. Wear the Right Stuff Everyone, including seniors, should dress for the weather. When it’s warm out, some people find natural fabrics (such as cotton) to be cooler than synthetic fibers. Stock your summer wardrobe with light-colored and loose-fitting clothes to help feel cooler and more comfortable.

8. Protect Your Eyes Vision loss can be common among the elderly, and too much exposure to the sun can irritate eyes and cause further damage. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and preserve your vision.

74 The Wellspring | June 2017

9. Know the Risks of Hyperthermia During the summer, be particularly cautious about abnormally high body temperatures, a condition known as hyperthermia. Heat stroke is an advanced form of hyperthermia that can be life-threatening. Make sure to know the warning signs and get medical attention immediately if you or anyone you know is experiencing these symptoms: • Body temperature greater than 104 degrees • A change in behavior, such as acting confused, agitated or grouchy • Dry, flushed skin • Nausea and vomiting • Headache • Heavy breathing or a rapid pulse • Not sweating, even if it’s hot out • Fainting “Elderly individuals have a harder time knowing when they are dehydrated and their bodies have more difficulty regulating their temperatures” says Dr. Ronan Factora of the Cleveland Clinic. “As a result, they are more prone to heat stroke.”

If you (or an elderly loved one) start to feel any of these symptoms, ask for medical help and then get out of the heat, lie down, and place ice packs on your body.

10. Rub on Sunscreen and Wear Hats Everyone, young and old, should wear sunscreen when outdoors. The elderly especially need the extra sun protection to help keep them healthy. Caregivers, family, and friends can help by gently reminding loved ones about applying sunscreen and helping to put it on when necessary. Hats are also a great idea.

11. Apply Bug Spray The elderly population is particularly prone to West Nile Virus and encephalitis, Dr. Factora notes. If you live in areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes and where West Nile Virus is present, and if you spend a lot of time outdoors (particularly at night), use mosquito repellent to help reduce the risk of getting bitten by a mosquito carrying this virus.

12. Exercise Smart If you enjoy outdoor activities such as walking or gardening, make sure to wear the proper clothing and protective gear. It is also important to keep track of time. Do not stay outside for long periods and make sure to drink even more water than usual when exercising. Also consider getting outdoor exercise earlier in the morning or later in the evening, when the sun is not at its peak.

Age Well

Serial Diary By Malka Aronson

Spreading Myself Thin Life in the Sandwich Generation

Entry #7: Lost and Found When Rochel walked into the kitchen, her face ashen, letting us know that Bubby wasn’t in her room, we all froze for a moment. And then I flew into panic mode, shouting orders to all those present. Where could Mommy be?

“Rochy, you check the upstairs,” I commanded. “And you,” I pointed to Hindy, “go to the garage.”

My husband, Chaim, was already at the front door. “I’ll go see if she’s outside,” he called.

And then there was me, all alone, in the kitchen, my two hands on my snood, my heart doing somersaults. Where was Mommy? On a whim, I raced into the backyard. Maybe she’d gone out for some fresh air? When I got there, all I found was the empty swing swaying softly in the wind. The place was bare, with no sign of Mommy. “Is she upstairs?” I yelled to no one in particular, my voice so high-pitched I could barely recognize it. Was Mommy okay? Who knows where she could have gone off to in the half hour I innocently thought

76 The Wellspring | June 2017

she was resting.

When I got no answer from the girls, I ran through the front door to the street. From afar, I spotted Chaim’s frame down the block to the right, so I made my way to the left. I passed house after house, envious at the peaceful facade they all exuded. Is Mommy safe? Is she… alive? The thoughts were racing unchecked, as no sign of my dear mother was found. As I ran down the street, peeking into random alleyways, crossing from one side of the street to the other like a drunken woman, I feared the worst. In her defenseless, forgetful state, I realized, Mommy could be anywhere in the world. And in those moments, the world was a big, big place. After several moments of fruitless searching, my lungs let me know that I was working them too hard. Huffing and puffing, I fell onto the first bench that met my gaze—one in someone’s private yard. I just sat there gasping for breath, panting, totally oblivious to my surroundings. How could I have been so blind? I started chiding myself. Why was I in such denial regarding my mother’s condition to the extent that I always left all doors wide open? I wanted to smack myself for being so irresponsible, for dealing with my mother’s Alzheimer’s as if I was a small child who pretended it wasn’t bedtime yet. When I found the trace of strength to get up again, the phone that had thankfully stayed in my pocket let out a shrill ring.

“Home,” read the screen, and I pressed the talk button with a mix of dread and anticipation.

“She’s here!” Hindy screamed. It was the most welcome sentence I’d heard in a long, long time. Even before I knew in what state Mommy was found, and where, I fell back onto the bench and hugged myself. Tears sprang to my eyes and my throat clogged up. All at once, I was overwhelmed with a confusing hodgepodge of emotions. There was relief and anxiety and guilt coursing through my entire body in heavy, heavy waves.

“Is everything okay with her?” I asked Hindy when I caught my breath.

“Yeah, yeah!” she said. “Come home! She’s asking about you.”

“I’m on my way,” I said quickly, relieved to hear that my mother was present enough to ask for me. I heaved myself up from the bench and started in the direction of home, taking giant steps. “Where did you find her?” I finally asked.

“You won’t believe it,” was Hindy’s quiet reply. And there went another heart-stopping moment for me. “She was under her bed.”

To be continued…

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Diary By Chavy Schreiber

Stuttering Solution Man was created

with a gift that places him above all other creations—the power of speech. Most people are judged by what they say and how they express themselves. Those who excel in speech enjoy great advantages in their social and everyday lives.

As a young girl, I was faced with a speech challenge known as stuttering. It was not easy, to put it mildly. I had a lot to say to lots of people but chose not to say it. I was desperate to express my feelings to my parents, family members, and friends, but my words remained unsaid, for fear that I might stutter.

I remember when my mother used to send me on errands as a child. I knew I would need help with locating the items and that, of course, I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking anyone, so I would write the items down on a paper and show the list to the workers at the stores. At times, when that tactic didn’t work, I would come home with the wrong item (an item that was easier for me to enunciate), much to my mother’s dismay.

I never made any phone calls to my friends and avoided answering the phone when it rang. If I was home alone, I let the phone ring continuously and concocted different excuses as to why I wasn’t available to answer. I used to substitute words that were hard to pronounce for words that were easy for me to say, thus changing the context a bit and making it hard for people to understand what I was trying to say.

My speech therapists encouraged me to take deep breaths when talking, but how could I when I knew I was definitely going to stutter? I viewed my stuttering as a major handicap.

As I got older, the repercussions of my stuttering only inten-

sified. I was more self-conscious than ever.

Thankfully, I excelled at school and was given the honor to be the eighth-grade valedictorian. I, however, did not feel honored at all. My parents were delighted, but I was determined not to accept the honor. My mother tried to persuade me, but to no avail. I was not going to embarrass myself and my family on stage.

Finally, in my early teens, a wonderful nutritionist came to the rescue. She recommended that I start taking supplements to help solve my problem. She explained that stuttering was a result of stress. I don’t know if she meant that my brain had stress or that I was a nervous person. I was a perfectionist by nature, so this made sense. Thus, she highly recommended that I take Relax to the Max™ and B-Complex™, two supplements that are especially helpful in relaxing the mind and body.

I couldn't believe that there was actually something that would cure stuttering, but I was very excited to try it. I took these two supplement twice daily. I also used Rescue Remedy (a Bach flower remedy) that I kept in my pocket for emergencies. Incredibly, it didn’t take too long for me to start seeing results.

I’m glad to share this information with my dear fellow readers who stutter. If you’re like I was, everyone is probably telling you take it easy, to calm down, to relax. I can say these words in my sleep because I’ve heard them so many times. But I also know that simply hearing these words does nothing to alleviate the problem.

I was lucky to be introduced to these vital Maxi Health supplements. They truly worked when others didn’t. They helped to relax me, my brain, and my speech.

Today, I am a teacher and a coach. I answer phone calls without any hesitation, baruch Hashem. I am here to share my stuttering history so that you too can help yourself.

How has your health and wellbeing improved thanks to Maxi Health? To receive a free bottle of the supplement that changed your life, send a 50-100 word description of your story to info@wellspringmagazine.com.

We reserve the right to end this promotion at any time, without notice.

The Wellspring | June 2017 78

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.

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Fare Well

Food for Thought

If you start today, you'll get there one day earlier �han if you start tomorrow.

Sivan 5777 | The Wellspringâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; 79

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