Issuu

JUNE 2019 // SIVAN 5779 // ISSUE 41

New Column! Taste+Travel Enjoy the best of Italian cuisine with Charnie Kohn

My inner critic is killing me // Heart to Heart

Summer Ahead!

Fill your freezer to feel nourished and relaxed this summer

Beware of scam artists

Audiologist Dr. Shoshana Richelson on why she offers her patients a free two-week trial

NY/NJ $5.99 // OUTSIDE NY/NJ $6.50 CALIFORNIA $7.00 // CANADA $7.00 UK £5.50 // EUROPE €6.50 ISRAEL ₪19.9

Scientific and anecdotal evidence on this increasingly popular alternative treatment

Tissues at Graduation A healthier approach to change

LO O K S A

BRAND

G R E AT

NEw!

Discover a whole new experience with our insanely delicious

greek yogurt

FIND OUR NEW WHOLE MILK YOGURT IN 7 FLAVORS AT YOUR LOCAL SUPERMARKET

PROMOTES GOOD ADL CHOLESTEROL

GREAT SOURCE OF PROTEIN

NUTRITIOUS WHOLE MILK

Measles Hotline

Do you have any questions regarding Measles? ? Ezra can help!

Our knowledgeable medical professionals are here to help with your concerns.

PROTECT YOURSELF. PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

Leave a Measles related question on Ezraâ€™s dedicated hotline and get a response within a day.

Measles Hotline

718.686.2044 To schedule an appointment please call: 718.686.7600 13 12 3 8 T H S T REE T

12 7 8 6 0 T H S T REE T

B R O O K LY N N Y 112 18

B R O O K LY N N Y 112 19

shreddetdany mehadrin aste grea cheeses twant them. way you

real ch

eese. r

or. re e a l f l av

a l d e l ic

io u s.

IT'S TIME TO TAKE CARE ON YOURSELF - HEALTH IS THE ULTIMATE WEALTH

Your Health Success A Cleansing & Detoxifying Center

For A Healthier You

INFO LINE

SFORM .

for lecturers, free consultation and bookings:

724 Myrtle Ave Brooklyn NY 11205

Results Guarantee d E AT

718-808-9696

YourHealthSuccess.com

JUVEN

You can Preserve your health, By Cleansing and Detoxifying in our State Of The Art Facility, with our Certified Therapists, you will start feeling better ‘guaranteed’

. C LE

. RE

How do I Prevent myself from ......?

IN RA

718. 808. 9696

Pressotherapy Lymphatic Drainage (BallancerÂŽpro)

The Benefits Of Pressotherapy: Helps body detox by removing metabolic waste Helps with fluid retention in legs Helps to relieve heavy legs Helps with varicose veins Helps to Shape your body Provide pain relief, and aid in relaxation Helps in losing water weight and inches after fluid is being drained Strengthens loose skin (after pregnancy or major weight loss) Fights against cellulite Reduce stubborn weight gain Reduce swelling Limits fluid in the body during pregnancy and postpartum Enhance breastfeeding Reduce headaches Heal sports injuries Accelerate surgery recovery Fade scars

SFORM .

E AT

Results Guarante ed

JUVEN

yourhealthsuccess.com

. C LE A . RE

718-808-9696

724 Myrtle Ave Brooklyn NY 11205

IN RA

Decreases stress in the body

NE W! Editor In Chief Shiffy Friedman, LMSW, CNWC COPY & RESEARCH Nutritional Advisory Board Dr. Rachael Schindler Laura Shammah, MS, RDN Beth Warren, MS, RDN, CDN Tamar Feldman, RDN, CDE Nutrition Contributors Tanya Rosen, MS CAI CPT Shani Taub, CDC Health Advisory Board Dr. Chayala Englard • Chaya Tilla Brachfeld, RN • Miriam Schweid Fitness Advisory Board Syma Kranz, PFC Child Development Advisory Board Friedy Singer, OTR/L Roizy Guttman, OTR/L Coordinating Editor Liba Solomon, CNWC Feature Editors Rochel Gordon • Rikki Samson Copy Editors Shainy Bodenstein • Malka Winner Proofreader Faige Badian

FOOD CONTENT Food Editor Esther Frenkel Recipes, Food Styling & Photography Yossi & Malky Levine Chavi Werzberger • Charnie Kohn ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director Baruch Samuel Designers Rivky Schwartz • Shevy Gerdts Photography Sruly Rosenberg • Ruchy Baum Yanky Schwartz Digital Rivkah Shanowitz • Chanah Singal ADVERTISING Executive Account Manager Estie Rubin 718-412-3309 Ext.2 ads@wellspringmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION 718-412-3309 Ext.1 subscribe@wellspringmagazine.com DISTRIBUTION JMD Network LLC 718-972-0308 Esther@jmdnetworkllc.com

PROTECT

yourself against mosquito/tick bites and the diseases they carry - Up to 6 hours protection - Pleasant scent - Natural & Safe Find our oils in Health Food Stores near you or Call 718.709.6525 / Email: releafhealing@gmail.com

WELLSPRING MAGAZINE: 718-412-3309 info@wellspringmagazine.com www.wellspringmagazine.com 670 Myrtle Ave. Suite 389 Brooklyn, NY 11205

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

Z L T ITZ

• WO O L • • C OT TO N • • PERF • • MESH

‫ ציצית‬SALE

SIZ

SUMMER

Sale Ends: July 1st

‫כ״ח ס י ו ן‬

Boro park 5309 13th Ave // 3720 14th ave // Lakewood 12 america ave // Crown heighTS 260 Kingston Ave VALET PARKING

*Some restrictions apply.

TING

O YEARS AN D C

Welcome to Connekt The phone service that’s here for you—10+ years and counting. We’re the leading provider of customized kosher phone service that works to connect you, anywhere and anytime.

When you choose Connekt, you’re choosing a team with over a decade of great service behind our name—and a history of trust, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

Ask your local dealer or

CALL US AT

866.444.5404 TO CONNEKT NOW!

24 hr

Automated Customer Service!

• CONNEKT IS THE MOST FLEXIBLE NETWORK •

From the Editor shiffy@wellspringmagazine.com

There’s Always a First Time When a relative recently came to visit from overseas,

one of the photos she showed me caught me by surprise. Skimming through the snapshots of her young children, we came across one of her daughter lying on a doctor’s bed, needles pricking her skin. Knowing this relative was not into alternative treatments, I was shocked when she said, “That’s at the acupuncturist. Leah was suffering from seasonal allergies and we decided to give acupuncture a try. Her symptoms disappeared after the treatment.” Later, when I discussed this relative’s case with Ruchy Reese, the writer of this issue’s excellent cover feature on acupuncture, her first question was, “How does your relative know if her child is symptom-free because of the acupuncture or because of the cortisone the practitioner may have dipped the needle into without her knowledge?”

I couldn’t answer that—and my relative probably can’t either—which is why the article we present to you in this issue is just like any other Wellspring feature that covers a treatment method: we bring you a a comprehensive piece, with a considerable amount of objective, research-based, as well as anecdotal evidence, and we leave it up to you, the reader, to make an informed decision. When it comes to your health, only you, perhaps with the recommendation of a practitioner you trust, can

know what’s worth a try.

When you read about various treatments that you haven’t yet tried—or even considered, aside from making an educated choice about the efficacy of the treatment in your circumstances, you may find yourself facing another issue: namely, the apprehension of trying something new. Perhaps this was what impressed me when I first spotted that photo of the child at the acupuncturist. Whether or not acupuncture was the right solution was irrelevant—and certainly not my decision to make when it comes to someone else’s child. What impressed me so much was that someone who had been programmed to take one route all her life was ready to give something else a try when it came to improving her child’s quality of life.

As we explore in this issue’s Wellbeing feature on change, taking that leap is a sign of courage. It means we’re not constrained by our fear of the unknown, and that we can leave our comfort zone for the greater good of ourselves or our loved ones. Whether it’s trying a new treatment method, a different style of parenting, a novel summer vacation venue, or even an original recipe, moving past that block, which is essentially our fear, and embracing change is what enables us to grow in life. May this be a summer of growth and only positive, easy new beginnings for all of you.

Sincerely,

Shiffy Friedman

Well-Put! When you’re trying to get a sense of your doctor’s level of trustworthiness, you should feel that you’re more important to them than the money you’re bringing in. Dr. Shoshana Richelson, Cup of Tea

Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 13

Contents

JUNE 2019 SIVAN 5779 ISSUE 41 The next issue of The Wellspring will appear iy”H on July 16th.

WELL INFORMED 20 TORAH WELLSPRING By Rabbi Ezra Friedman 24 DENTAL HEALTH By Dr. Jacques Doueck, DDS 26 SECRETS OF A KOSHER DIETITIAN By Beth Warren, RDN 28 SPIRITUAL EATING By Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMS 30 HEALTH UPDATES IN THE NEWS By Esther Retek 34 FIGURES By Miriam Katz 36 HEALTH ED Anorexia By Laurah Shammah, MS, RDN 40 DEDICATED TO HEALTH 10 Questions for Fay Brezel By Sarah Weinberger

LIVING WELL 44 IN GOOD SHAPE This Summer's Top Fitness Trends By Syma Kranz, PFC 46 ASK THE NUTRITIONIST Calorie Clarity By Shani Taub, CDC 48 MEDICAL MYSTERY Why Couldn't I Eat? By Gitty Rosengarten 54 HEALTH PROFILE Client: Sarah L. By Rachel Esses

56 COVER FEATURE A Pointed Look at Acupuncture By Ruchy Reese 66 AT THE DIETITIAN Acid Reflux By Tamar Feldman, RDN, CDE 68 CUP OF TEA With Shoshana Richelson, Au.D. By Shiffy Friedman 74

MEMOS FROM A KINESIOLOGIST Smoother Speech By Miriam Schweid DIY Bad Breath Killer By Miriam Schweid

WELLBEING 76

FEATURE Exploring Fear of Change By Shiffy Friedman

86 CHILD DEVELOPMENT By Friedy Singer & Roizy Guttman, OTR/L 91

HEART TO HEART By Shiffy Friedman, LMSW

94 SERIAL DIARY By Zahava List

Springboard

Letters

On Lactose Intolerance, Strep Infections, ADHD, and More

Healing Strep Naturally Issue #38: Memos from a Kinesiologist

I found Miriam Schweid’s article on thieves oil to be fascinating. Some of my kids suffer from recurring strep as well as PANDAS, and are on antibiotics several months after the infection. I would love to try this as a natural alternative.

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

Is it possible to get the thieves oil without eucalyptus because I am highly allergic to the smell? Thanks, Hinda F. Miriam Schweid responds:

Thieves oil is a combination of five oils: clove, lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and rosemary. The smell of eucalyptus does not come through as it is only 10 percent of the ingredients. If you would still like to eliminate this oil, you can contact me to order a custom combination. Thank you and refuah shleimah.

On Feeling Grateful Issue #40: From the Editor

Just wanted to let you know that I read

16 Wellspring | June 2019

Shiffy Friedman’s poem, “Up With the Baby,” when I actually was doing exactly that — rocking my newborn back and forth, forcing my eyelids open. Thanks so much for the chizuk and the positive perspective. It filled me with the energy to push through the next few hours, during which I got to enjoy more of the issue’s excellent content. Keep up your great work,

_____

Chaya R.

My stomach was doing somersaults when I read the touching poem, “Up With the Baby.” My dear relative is the boy in the leather jacket. He usually sleeps through most of his day so he can hang out with the wrong crowd at night. His mother tosses and turns at night, and her worries don’t allow for much sleep. Thank you for thinking of us. Only when Hashem brings an end to this tzara will we be able to sleep well again. Thank you for a great magazine, R. H.

Taking the Courage Issue #40: Cover Feature

I’m grateful to the Wellspring team for tak-

*IT'S A STATEMENT, NOT A QUESTION.

WHEN YOU THINK OF MILK, YOU THINK OF GOLDEN FLOW * *IT'S A STATEMENT, NOT A QUESTION.

Letters

Quick Question

My six-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD several months ago. He started off by taking Concerta on a low dose, and the dosage was then increased. He is losing weight (he was of average weight until now), stares blankly at us, and has lost his entire personality. He’s having a hard time with kriyah so we suspected that he might have vision issues, but an ophthalmologist said that he has 20/20 vision. We would love to help him deal with his issues in a more productive way. Can you help us figure this out so we can do something over the summer for him to have a successful year next year?

ing the courage to write about the issue of bullying in our community. I’ve read about this issue in various other places, but you did a fabulous job in explaining and clarifying the topic. Being in the field of chinuch, I see these behaviors day in and out. It’s a nightmare that I watch over and over again. Specifically, I appreciated seeing the wealth of ideas you offered to parents of bullied children. There’s no single correct solution, and as you wrote, each child needs a different approach. Thank you again for raising this issue. Rabbi L.K.

Gluten-Free Advances

18 Wellspring | June 2019

An ADHD diagnosis is not a simple matter. Although there are times when it’s necessary, the medication reduces the child’s appetite and often relaxes them to the extent that they become very spaced-out and unfocused.

Since you mention that your child may be having vision issues, you might want to explore vision therapy as an avenue for your son’s improvement. Ophthalmologists don’t always accurately diagnose children who need vision therapy or prism glasses, and many times these children are erroneously diagnosed with ADHD, which is why the meds don’t work for them. A child who has vision issues works doubly as hard: 20 minutes of reading is like 40 minutes for him! After 20 minutes, he may start to daydream and lose concentration, and this may be what helps lead to a possibly mistaken diagnosis. A simple eye exam from a reputable vision therapist may be all your child needs. The optometrist will prescribe vision therapy or prism glasses, which often leads to immediate improvement. I also recommend giving your son a nutritional supplement such as KidsActive, which will help him focus better. Try to keep him on a healthy diet with limited sweets and food coloring and, of course, eight to ten hours of sleep nightly is always recommended. Take care, Chaya Tilla (Tina) Brachfeld, RN, Health Kinesiologist

Issue #40: Updates

Kudos to Wellspring for always updating us with the latest in health. Being that I have celiac disease, one of the Updates in the last issue was particularly relevant. Bread has always been an issue for me, and I was glad to see new stuff coming up. In truth though, we really can’t complain. Our society has come a long way in catering to the needs of people like us. There is such a huge variety of food in the gluten-free aisle. There’s no lack of cookies, cakes and the like, but nevertheless it’s always good to read of new developments. Thank you again. B. Haberfeld

- F. K. , Brooklyn, New York

This Works for Lactose Intolerance Issue #40: Tidbits

As someone who has been diagnosed with lactose intolerance, I make sure to stay away from most dairy foods. I found Liba Solomon’s article on the dairy foods that could work for people like me to be interesting, though I admit that I would be afraid to try some of them for fear of having a re-

action. Since I used to be a big milk drinker and I wanted to still continue enjoying milk, I have found that what works for me, which was what my doctor suggested, is to have it with other foods. Most mornings, I get to have some milk together with my breakfast, without experiencing any symptoms. It’s when I drink it on its own that it doesn’t work for me. Thanks for a quality publication, K. Saf ir

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

Springboard

n ri s e

e h a rve ste

se t

su n

V e g et ab

to in less than 10 hou rs!

car rot juice . Beet juice . car rot ginge r juice

Well Informed

Torah Wellspring: Spiritual Health By Rabbi Ezra Friedman

Kindling the Desire The power of one person’s love

At this time of year, we’re privileged to gain incredible insight into our spiritual and emotional health —

including our relationships with ourselves and others— from the brilliant words of Pirkei Avos. In one of the verses, our Sages discuss Aharon Hakohen’s venerable trait of “ohev es habriyos u'mikarban laTorah, he loved people and brought them closer to Torah” (1:12). These few words sum up the secret to bringing out the best in others and elevating them to the level we believe they could reach.

The only way to do so, and essentially the only way to propel someone to do anything we think they should do, we learn from our Sages, is to ignite the person’s own desire to do it. By igniting his will, he will obviously do it of his own accord. Even if it appears that when I coerce someone into doing something, they’re actually engaging in the behavior or deed, if it’s not emanating from their own will, it has no point. It’s like forcing a singer to sing a song he doesn’t want to sing. He may be a most talented singer, but what will that forced song sound like? Similarly, if the world’s top orator is coerced into delivering a speech, what quality will his talk have? The same is true in every case. Thus, the only way to encourage someone to do something is by inculcating in him a desire

20 Wellspring | June 2019

to do it. If he wants to do it, it’ll be done right.

These few words sum up the secret to bringing out the best in others and elevating them to the level we believe they could reach.

This is true in all areas of life, whether it’s in ruchniyus, like chinuch and marriage, or even in gashmiyus, like business. If I ever want anyone to do anything, the solution is not to bring them to do what I want them to do — it's only to kindle their own desire to do it.

Of course, the question that obviously follows is how we can ignite willpower in another person. In order to address this, we need to understand the fundamental motivator in people: The general rule is that if a person feels that he's good at something, he'll automatically enjoy doing it. And if a person enjoys doing it, he wants to do it.

If I feel that I’m good at learning, for example, I’ll love to learn and thus want to learn. If I feel like I'm a chessedik person, I’ll want to do good deeds. If I feel that Hashem loves me and that He wants to hear from me, I'll naturally love connecting to Him, and that’s what I ultimately end up doing, whether through tefillah or observing mitzvos. This applies to every and any skill that an individual feels he’s good at, be it singing, writing, painting, playing music, or the like.

So why is it that despite being good at a particular skill, many people are not motivated to engage in it? There’s no dearth of individuals who know how to write and, yet, don’t write, or who know how to learn, but they don’t do it. In their case, the issue is not that they can’t do it, only that they may not feel that they’re

If I look at my child and I see a particular strength in him, even if he doesn’t yet feel it, he, too, will soon recognize it in himself. good at it. In some cases, they may even be consciously aware that they are good at it, but there’s some kind of block separating their heart and their mind that doesn’t enable them to feel good at it. I could be a skilled public speaker, and everyone could even be telling me that I’m a skilled orator because my speeches are excellent, but if I still may not feel like a skilled public speaker. This is not the place to delve into how the dissonance between the mind and heart develops, but let’s focus on the outcome: Here is a person who has a positive attribute, but because he doesn’t feel that he has it, he doesn’t want to engage in it.

When an individual doesn’t feel his strengths and he thus doesn’t have a natural will to act upon them, how can this desire be kindled? If this person comes into contact with even just one individual who does see his potential and his strengths, this interaction could have such a powerful affect that the person himself starts to see his own strengths. When he sees that someone else believes in him, with time, he will start to believe in himself as well.

For example, if I look at my child and I see a particular strength in him, even if he doesn’t yet feel it, he, too, will soon recognize it in himself. Whether I notice his desire to do good, or I'm aware of a particular talent or skill, or I see a positive character trait, it’s my recognition of it that will eventually lead him to appreciate it on his own. If he believes that he’s a child who has a good heart, he’ll do good deeds and try to

be kind.

Expounding on the words, “knei lecha chaver, buy for yourself a friend,” commentators explain that one should spend whatever money it takes to have a relationship with a good chaver because the investment pays off tenfold (Avos 1:6). How is that? Our Sages define a chaver as an individual who looks at us with positive eyes and believes in our potential and strengths, which will then lead to our own recognition, and thus utilization, of our strengths.

We’re all familiar with the many stories of people who, in their youth, were not particularly recognized for a skill or talent — they may have even had a tough upbringing and no one would have believed that they would amount to anything — and then, later in life, they managed to make a profound difference in the world or break a record. When speaking of their history, they revealed that, at one point, there was this one person who came around and noticed their strength. It was this person’s belief in them that led to their own awareness of their strength. If noticing another person’s strengths is all it takes for them to want to bring it to the fore, how can we become that person who notices the good in others — in our children, our spouse, our peers, and everyone in our lives? Here is where Aharon Hakohen’s secret comes into play: “ohev es habriyos, he loved people.” The only way to recognize the strength in another individual is to love him. There is no other way.

If I love another person, I automatically see his positive attributes. A parent who truly loves his child will naturally be focused on the child’s strengths. On the other hand, when resentment and emotional negativity are present, all a person sees are the deficiencies in the other individual. This is why we find that an individual could have a long grievance list against another person, but as he starts to like him, or he learns that the other person likes him, the list not only becomes automatically eradicated, but he actually creates a new mental list of the person’s strong points.

Here’s why our love for another person is the first step in his or her motivation: When we love someone else, we see their potential. Our awareness of their potential enables them to see it on their own. And once they see that potential, they naturally want to use it.

This is precisely how Aharon Hakohen succeeded in bringing people closer to Torah. It was through his love for people, we learn in Avos, that he ignited in them a desire to be connected to the truth, because that’s what he saw in them. When he looked at people, he saw their desire to do the right thing. This is every Yid’s essence, after all. Every Jew, with no exception, has an inherent desire to be good and do good — he just has to believe in it. Those people couldn’t be in the presence of Aharon Hakohen, who saw their good, and not act upon it. When we love the people around us, something incredible happens.

Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 21

Well Informed

Torah Wellspring: Spiritual Health

If I love another person, I automatically see his positive attributes.

Even without us saying a single word, simply by seeing them in a positive light, they change. A child who feels his parent’s awe of him will naturally want to act upon it. Thus, our work is not to manipulate or coerce our children and others into doing what we think is right for them to do. Rather, if we invest in appreciating others, they will feel it. From there, it won’t be long before they’ll be doing what’s right, acting on their own will. All it takes is a bit of love to change things around. The following powerful account, which I once heard from Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter, shlita, was one of the most inspiring stories I ever heard, one that left me with food for thought for a long time. A frum businessman was once in England for business when he left his hotel room to catch a minyan. Walking down the street with $80,000 cash in his pocket, he was ambushed by three young men who pointed a gun toward his head, exclaiming, “Money or life!”

Being the clever Yid that he was, the man asked them, “Which of you here is the leader?” When they pointed toward the leader, the man pulled out his wad of cash and said, “Here’s the money I have for you. Before I give it over, though, I just want to speak with the leader for a few minutes.” The bandits had no issue with that and the head of the three stepped over to the side. “Let me ask you something,” the Yid started, “You’re probably about fifteen years old. You’re a human being. You look like a man with a heart. It can’t be that you’re just trying to be mean here. You probably

22 Wellspring | June 2019

need some cash for something important. Tell me the truth, then. Why are you doing this? What do you need all this money for?” The leader thought for a moment and said, “I’ll tell you the truth. We’re throwing a party tonight, and we want to buy some nuts and beer.”

“For that you probably need around twenty dollars, right?” the Yid offered. “Here, take this bill and go get yourself some beer and nuts. You’ll still be left with change.”

Incredibly, the kid said, “No problem,” and he let the Yid go. The Yid went to daven, and he thanked Hashem for the great miracle he just experienced. The next morning, after the businessman finished Shacharis, someone from his minyan came over to inform him that three goyim were waiting for him outside the shul. “Uh-oh,” he thought, “they probably got smart. How crazy must they be to give up on $80,000?”

Left with no choice, knowing that if he wouldn't go out to them they’d come in to find him, the Yid stepped outside and hoped for the best. There, the leader of the three stepped forward and said to him, “You gave us $20 yesterday for beer and nuts. Our total ended up being $15.50. I want to return the change to you.”

Incredulous, the Yid thought to himself, “I was shocked until now, but this is taking it to a new level. What's going on here?” In this state of shock, he asked them, “What brought about this gigantic change in you?” The teen explained, “Yesterday, before you

innocently asked your question and then offered to pay for our beer and nuts, you added a few words that — you may have not realized yourself — shook me to the core. You told me, ‘You’re a human being. You look like a man with a heart.’ When I heard these words, I was overwhelmed with a feeling I had never felt in my life. I started thinking, ‘Am I human? Do I have a heart?’

“In my earliest memories, I remember hearing my mother scream at me, ‘You thief ! You rascal! You coldhearted fool! What will become of you? You’re here to make others miserable.’ I never saw myself in another light. If I’m a person who makes others miserable, why would I do otherwise? That brought me to do everything I did until last night. But yesterday, I felt something else. With your words, ‘You’re a human being,’ I couldn’t do what coldhearted people do anymore. You gave me money to buy nuts and beer, and I thank you for that. Here’s the change.” This story powerfully portrays how even a non-Jew who never did any good in his life was so deeply influenced by another seeing the good in him. All it took to change that boy's life around was one individual who had a love for people and saw in a person something that others may have missed.

All it takes is for one human being to love another individual. That love then enables him to see the other person's beauty and strengths, which will eventually bring this person to see it in himself, and thus change forever. If we want the people in our life to do the right things and rise to their full potential, we can be that one person.

‫חלב‬ ‫שראל‬ ‫י‬

Real Dairy. Real Cream. Really Irresistible.

ROVED B PP

I N TROD UCIN G t h e f irst Da i r y C h o l ov , Y i sroel W hip p e d Crea m n o w av a i l a r e h s o b s u perma l e a t k yw h e r e . r ke t s e v e r

Well Informed

Dental Health By Dr. Jacques Doueck, DDS

DRINKING WITH A STRAW CAN SAVE YOUR TEETH

FOR ADULTS AND TEENAGERS: The average American drinks 576 cans of soda every year. These drinks put you at higher risk for cavities and other oral-health problems, as they bathe the teeth in sugary and acidic liquids.

To minimize the risk of cavities, sip soft drinks and other sweet beverages through a straw that's positioned toward the back of the mouth. Itâ€™s your throat that feels thirsty, not your teeth, so thereâ€™s no need for beverages to reach the teeth.

Even when sipped through a straw, the beverage inevitably covers the back teeth. It's therefore advisable to rinse your mouth with water after consuming soft drinks and use toothpaste that contains fluoride. We have found MI Paste to be very effective in reversing or minimizing acid damage.

FOR CHILDREN: The convenience of sippy cups and other training cups results in many children toting their cups around with them all day. Having constant access to milk or 24 Wellspring | June 2019

with

Straw cups are a great alternative to an open-mouth cup (a cup with no lid), if your child still has frequent spills or isn’t quite ready for an open-mouth cup. Cups with straws allow parents to retain the convenience of a cup with a lid without the downsides of sippy cups.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY DRINKING • Reduce your soda consumption.

• If you do drink soda, use a straw.

• Don’t leave fluids sitting in your mouth while sipping. • Don’t drink soda, milk, or juice before going to sleep.

• Don’t brush immediately after drinking soda (the brush could damage the weakened enamel).

• If you have dry mouth, try to avoid acidic or carbonated beverages (plain seltzer and diet iced tea are also very acidic). • Use straw cups for children and get rid of sippy cups as soon as possible.

Dr. Jacques Doueck has been practicing family dentistry in Brooklyn, New York since 1977, and is a Diplomate of the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines. He speaks nationally and trains other dentists in oral appliance therapy and state-of-the-art dentistry. Dr. Doueck is a member of the American Dental Association and serves on the District Claims Committee for the state society.

Re a

e m R a l I rre

“We start the child by using straws daily for drinking thin liquids, and, as they improve, thickened liquids and purees are introduced. Narrower straws are preferred, because they require [tighter] lip closure. Wider straws are not as effective because they require less tightness of [the] lip seal,” she explains.

According to speech therapist Yael Sassoon, “We recommend the use of straws to address tongue thrust and lisping. This treatment encourages increased speech clarity. It is one of most effective tools in speech therapy and a good idea for many children. Drinking with a straw helps develop and improve lip closure, strength, and control.

So for all you whipped cream lovers (and isn’t that everyone?), there’s a new product on the market for you. And get this – it’s Tanya-approved, too. Mehadrin’s brand-new, ﬁrst-on-the-market, delicious Cholov Yisroel whipped cream is the perfect topping for your favorite i r y Re a l Cr Da desserts, drinks, or fruits. (It’s delicious straight from the can too – not that I’ve tried it…) ta b l e

The use of sippy cups has also been found to cause speech disorders and delays in speech development. If a cup, thumb, or pacifier interferes regularly enough for a good part of the day, it prevents the teeth from growing together, which can cause a “tongue thrust,” adversely affecting speech skills. This is especially true for children who may already have special needs or receive services such as speech or occupational therapy.

“No, I wouldn’t like an extra serving of whipped cream,” said no one ever.

sis

juice bathes a child's teeth in sugary liquids that can lead to cavities, of course. Worse still, kids tend to hang onto sippy cups, drinking more slowly and for longer periods of time through them, which increases their risk. It’s actually no different than sipping a can of soda all day; you’ll get more dental disease that way than if you drank the whole can at once. Neither children nor adults should constantly sip on sugary liquids like milk and juice, as doing so accelerates the process of tooth decay.

Made with real dairy and real cream, the end result tastes indulgent, but is totally guilt-free. The Mehadrin whipped cream will instantly satisfy your sweet teeth, without excess calories. So keep an eye out for that new bottle of whip in kosher supermarkets everywhere. It’ll be sure to delight you.

Well Informed

Research Based Recommendations By Beth Warren, MS, RDN, CDN

||| SECRETS OF A KOSHER DIETITIAN |||

SECRET

#15

TOO MUCH SALT

Love salty snacks? You’re not alone. But did you know that salt is hiding in things that don't even a taste salty? Instant pudding, for instance, contains it's it: culpr er lot of sodium. Packaged bread is anoth ge the highest source of added sodium in the avera person's diet. Sodium is an ingredient that you may be underesand timating in terms of how it affects weight loss the se increa wellness. Too much sodium can also feel you g makin s, amount of water your body retain bloated and gain water weight (weight that fluctu make just 't doesn m sodiu But . ates on a daily basis) n you bloated; in fact, researchers at London's Quee of gram extra every for that found rsity Mary Unive in salt you eat in a day — the amount you’d find obeof risk your those tiny restaurant salt packets — sity climbs by 25%. alFor healthy adults, the recommended daily those For day. per mg 2,300 is m sodiu lowance of n, with chronic health conditions, like hypertensio mg 1,500 diabetes, or kidney disease, no more than ver, of sodium should be consumed per day. Howe adult ican Amer ge avera the CDC estimates that the eats 3,400 grams every day. Why do we need sodium in our diet? Sodium, the main ingredient in salt, is an essential our part of our diet, and not just for flavor. It keeps helps it and rly, prope ng worki s muscles and nerve

26 Wellspring | June 2019

. But our bodies maintain the proper balance of fluids often re pressu blood high, too rise levels m when sodiu increases as well. In recent years, scientists have begun to investigate obewhether salt affects other health risks, including metour alters m sity. Experts speculate that sodiu fat, abolic efficiency, changing the way we process other are Here ds. poun the causing us to pack on findings they have found: t• In 2015, British and Chinese researchers repor on ed that body fat increased for children and adults day high-salt diets. Eating an extra gram of salt each in and 28% by increased the risk of obesity in children salt why know adults by 26%. The study authors don’t may has this effect, but other research suggests that it fat. burn change the way our bodies a • An Australian study linked high-salt diets with ren. lchild schoo in ty obesi of e chanc 23% increased s Those children may eat more because the salt make also the food taste good, the authors suggest. They meal, speculate that when they get thirsty after a salty availeasily the children are more likely to reach for able high-calorie sodas. , • Another Australian study, led by Dr. Russell Keast the in rise 11% an to salt tied and published in 2016, The amount of food and calories that adults take in. ting temp likely , flavor s food' ves authors say salt impro wise. other would they than more people to eat

To schedule a nutrition appointment with Beth in the Brooklyn, NYC, NJ locations or virtually, or book an appearance, email beth@bethwarrennutrition.com or call 347-292-1725. Most insurances accepted. You can also follow her Instagram for healthy eating motivation and recipes @beth_warren

How to Cut Salt in Your Diet

Focus on whole foods and prepare them at home. Processed foods and restaurant meals are typically loaded with added salt.

Go easy on condiments like salad dressing, ketchup, and soy sauce, which are packed with sodium.

Cut back on salt gradually so your taste buds can adapt. If you go cold turkey, your food will taste bland and unappetizing.

Season your food with fresh or dry herbs, like garlic and black pepper. The more flavor you add, the less salt you’ll need.

Try your food before you grab the saltshaker. You may not need to add more.

The Space Travel Study make us thirsty. In A new study challenged the notion that salty foods amounts of salt actualfact, researchers found that people who eat high ities of salt in their quant ly drink less water than those who have lower to overeat and gain us lead diet. They also become hungrier, which could weight over time. d access to a unique For the study, Dr. Jens Titze and his colleagues gaine cosmonauts — preparing group of subjects: Ten Russian astronauts — or -flight simulation, which for the rigors of space travel to Mars. The space t for the researchers to lasted for months, provided a stable environmen study how salt affected them. the researchers changed Their diet did not vary except in one key way: cts began on a diet that subje study The food. the amount of salt in their amount recommended included 12 grams of salt per day (about twice the researchers reduced their by U.S. dietar y guidelines). After several weeks, s of salt daily during the salt to 9 grams per day. The cosmonauts ate 6 gram final third of the study period. as their salt intake Unexpectedly, the cosmonauts drank more water s complained of hunger dropped. Another surprise was that the cosmonaut uing, the researchers exwhile on the high-salt diet. But that was intrig amount of salt. plained, since the only thing that changed was the did not understand why In the space-flight simulation study, the authors the higher salt diet, so on rier hung e the cosmonauts drank less and becam study revealed that This ch. resear their ue they turned to mice to contin a substance called ced produ livers their diet, salt when mice ate a highce. But producing urea urea, which helps keep the body's water in balan food, specifically protein. requires lots of energy. In other words, it requires astronauts’ hunger. the And that protein need could be what increased The Takeaway home, at an event, in a Once in a while, such as when you eat outside your than normal, it's possible restaurant, or you consumed more canned foods water weight from salt of for your body to accommodate the fluctuation If this happens, limit n. perso the on after a few hours or so, depending , get in a great workwater more drink day, added sodium for the rest of the r!), moderate carsaltie taste lly actua will sweat out to sweat it out (your balanced. The shift in bohydrate intake, but make sure to keep your meals water retention worse. your eating habits and schedule will only make the nt of food you eat, but If you’re on a diet and trying to reduce the amou culprit. Perhaps reducthe as salt of you always feel hungry, start thinking sustainably. and easily more plan ing it may help you follow your

Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 27

Well Informed

Spiritual Eating By Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMS

There's a recipe for righteousness incorporated right in the middle of the Hebrew alphabet. Each letter in Lashon Kodesh not only identifies a sound that helps construct a word, each letter also represents a profound idea. The letter tzaddik, for instance, denotes tzidkus, or righteousness. According to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, the Kedushas Levi, the three letters preceding tzaddik — samech, ayin, and peh — formulate the blueprint for achieving this foremost goal in Judaism, providing a roadmap to righteousness.

The samech, with its enclosed shape, represents borders. It teaches us that we need to exercise control, instituting proper boundaries in our daily lives. What’s the first thing we need to place safeguards on? Our eyes, or einayim — one of which is called an ayin, the same as the letter. Our eyes are often the first gate, so to speak, of desire. Seeing creates cravings or yearnings that may not be in our best interest to pursue. Usually the food that goes into our mouths — or the words that come out — are preceded by whatever observations we make with our eyes, by whatever becomes part of our “vision.” “Out of sight, out of mind” is a most apropos axiom to apply here.

The letter that follows ayin is peh, which literally means “mouth.” Guarding our mouths and eyes, says the Kedushas Levi, is the simple and straight-

It’s All in the AlefBeis

forward instruction manual for attaining righteousness. Hashem embedded these instructions directly in the alphabet.

Boundaries and parameters are essential to achieving greatness. They're not restrictive burdens stymieing us from enjoying the sweetness in life. They're the principles and procedures that ensure we have a successful — and enjoyable — time in this world. Without them, a lifelong pursuit of pleasure would end in pain and despair.

Regarding this very idea, it says in Mishlei, “One who guards his mouth and tongue guards his soul from pain” (21:23). That verse begs a rather obvious question: Why must a person guard his mouth and his tongue? Doesn't that seem redundant? The Rambam answers with a

vital lesson, the root of which is found in these same four letters of the alefbeis.

Guarding one’s mouth, the Rambam writes, refers to refraining “from eating harmful foods, or from overeating,” and that guarding one’s tongue refers to “only speaking what’s necessary” (Hilchos Deios 4:15). Thus, just as it’s important for a Torah Jew to guard his mouth from evil or unnecessary speech, it’s crucial to be watchful of what he consumes. This same message is mirrored in the hem of the Kohen Gadol's me'il (robe). His garment was lined with bells and pomegranate-shaped tassels. The bells were meant to amend for the transgression of speaking lashon hara by making noise as the Kohen Gadol walked, atoning for the “noise” we make by speaking negatively about others. But what about the pomegranate? What was its significance? Rashi informs us that the pomegranates on the hem of the me’il resembled those on a tree that have yet to ripen and open (Zevachim 88b). That shape was meant to make it appear as if the pomegranate’s mouth was not open, as if it was refraining from speaking. Once the pomegranate opens its mouth, it begins to spoil, drying up inside.

Just as the samech is enclosed by boundaries and the pomegranates on the me'il were closed, we need to work on exercising self-control, shutting our mouths when appropriate, only speaking words that are helpful and kind, and only letting in food that is healthy and nutritious. That's the true path to righteousness — not as easy as ABC, but certainly achievable through samech, ayin, and pey.

Rabbi Eli Glaser is the founder and Director of Soveya. He is certified as a Nutrition/Wellness Consultant and Weight Management Specialist, with 25 years of coaching and counseling experience, and is maintaining a 130-pound weight loss for more than 16 years.

Soveya has offices in Lakewood and Brooklyn, and works with clients via phone and Skype around the world. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Soveya at 732-578-8800, info@soveya.com, or www.soveya.com.

28 Wellspring | June 2019

ROVED B PP

MINI SANDWICH FIT’N FREE

CA L PE ORIE R B S AR

TH E WI -FRE T L I REE, Y GU AT- F ENJO ICE EE! F R F ' ILLA VA N FIT'N D E T D W - FA R-AD UGA NI LO I S M O N ITH S. M W AFER CREA TE W A L O C CHO

NEW S U M M

E R

9 ‘ 1

Well Informed

Updates in the News By Esther Retek

MOMMY, THIS DOESN'T HELP ME LOSE WEIGHT How Ridiculing Children About Their Weight Brings on More Problems

With more fast food, fewer established meal times, and greater variety of junk food, obesity among kids is becoming increasingly prevalent. It might be your child, neighbor, or student who’s struggling with their weight. We often become judgmental and perceive the issue as a lack of self -control or a parenting problem, and in turn we can subtly, inadvertently direct a comment to the child regarding their weight issue. In addition to being insensitive, new research which was recently published in Pediatric Obesity indicates that this practice is actually also counterproductive. Conducted by Natasha Schvey, PhD, the study revealed that the body mass of children who said they were teased or ridiculed about their weight increased by 33 percent each year, compared to a similar group who had not been teased. The findings appear to contradict the belief that such teasing might motivate youths to change their behavior and attempt to lose weight. For the study, which involved 110 children who were an average of 11.8 years of age and were all overweight (defined as a BMI above the 85th percentile) when they enrolled, subjects completed a six-item questionnaire on whether they had been

30 Wellspring | June 2019

teased about their weight. One question was “Did people ever refer to you with names related to your weight?” The participants then continued with annual follow-up visits for the next 15 years, answering more such questions. The results of the study found that youths who had experienced high levels of teasing gained significantly more weight per year than those who did not. The authors theorize that weight stigma may have made youths more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as binge eating and avoiding exercise. Another possible explanation is that the stress of being ridiculed stimulates the release of the hormone cortisol, which leads to weight gain. It’s clear that the pediatric obesity challenge, identified as “one of the most serious public health issues of the 21st Century” by the World Health Organization, won’t be overcome by shaming overweight children. “It is important that the public is informed about the harmful effects teasing contributes to poor health,” says study author Schvey. “Parents, teachers, and providers all need to take an active role in addressing and reducing weight stigma facing youth today.”

M REA CE C EE I ND F A F E O AT Y T COL AM R CHO CRE S FO ILK E I M P AT. RIS OTH TRE THE MO E CE C S I L S R IB T Y T E S E H I M NC RES CRU , IR ERY UTT A B

NEW

NEW S U M M

E R

9 â€˜ 1

Well Informed

Updates in the News

TURN UP THE VOLUME Five Health Benefits of Music With the sefirah period behind us, and with weddings to attend almost every night, music is back into our lives full swing. Some of us, of course, find more pleasure in music than others, understanding its beauty and reveling in the lyrics. However, the benefits of listening to music (at a decent volume, of course) are plentiful. The effects of listening to music are not revolutionary at all, and you might be able to list some of its advantages easily, such as its ability to reduce stress, depression, and pain. But contemporary research, with compelling evidence, is providing evidence of a new array of effects that music has on us. Here are just five of them. So whether you consider yourself a music lover or not, it’s time to get the music on. Consider it an act of self-care!

1. Makes you happy “I don’t sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing,” said William James. This quote is actually backed by research. Studies conducted at McGill University prove more clearly than ever that when we hear music, the brain releases a chemical called dopamine that has positive effects on our mood. This chemical also allows us to experience positive emotions more strongly. A study in the Netherlands found that listening to music while driving impacts safety on the road. It found that the music enabled the drivers to be happier and calmer, thus avoiding frustration and anger while driving.

2. Sleep Aid Over 30 percent of Americans suffer from insomnia. A study revealed that students who listened to classical music for 45 minutes before turning in slept significantly better than students who didn’t listen. Trouble falling asleep? You might just turn up some classics at bedtime.

3. Improves memory Research indicates that the repetitive elements of rhythm and melody help our brains form patterns that enhance memory. In one study, subjects were told to memorize Japanese characters; some of them were listening to music (experimental group),

32 Wellspring | June 2019

while others were not (control group). The results showed that participants in the experimental group tested better than those in the control group. In a study conducted by the University of Helsinki, stroke survivors who listened to music for two hours on a daily basis experienced better verbal memory, less confusion, more focused attention, and improved cognitive function.

4. Decreases the munchies If you’re finding it hard to keep to your diet, you may want to try this. Research at Georgia Tech University showed that playing soft music in the background while eating can lead people to consume less food. The results of this study suggest that music allows our taste buds to relish the foods more deeply, causing us to eat less.

5. Calms infants It’s not just the adults who benefit from the gift of music. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences recently published a study indicating that music and lullabies impact infants’ vital signs, improve their feeding behaviors, and help them develop a wide range of perceptual skills. The research further states that music may increase prolonged periods of quiet-alert states in babies. (I’ll do anything for that!)

CARAMEL BRITTLE CONE

IX EW L M N ME A L L AR K

C L MI ND UT A A ITH L AN W L E I P E N A ND VA N A ND S I E A SU AT NG I L P E. O P ON OC TO CH R C LE A T IT UG BR Y S ISP R C

NEW S U M M

E R

9 â€˜ 1

Well Informed

Figures By Miriam Katz

Acupuncture Stats Over

14 million

U.S. citizens have received acupuncture treatments

3.5

An estimated

million A typical treatment involves insertion of

needles

U.S. adults receive acupuncture treatments annually

5-20 34 Wellspring | June 2019

Treatment focuses on the

basic meridians (acupuncture points) in the body

The Global Acupuncture Market value was

$24,551.6 million

In most cases, the needles remain in place for

10-30 minutes

by the end of 2017

An acute problem normally improves after

8â€“12 sessions

A chronic condition may require

1â€“2

treatments a week over several months

There is

In 2003, The World Health Organization listed at least

scientific evidence that the meridians exist

conditions in which they say acupuncture has been effective,

including high and low blood pressure, sciatica, and inducing labor

11 1,200 clinical trials with more than

participants suggested that acupuncture may help with certain symptoms associated with cancer treatments

(Sources: CDC, WHO, NCCIH)

Results of a systematic review that combined data from

Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 35

Well Informed

Health Ed By Laura Shammah, MS, RDN

Test Yourself: Anorexia, from A to Z As the mental illness with the highest mortality rate, anorexia nervosa affects an estimated 0.5 to 3.7 percent of women at some point in their life. As a dietitian who works with many clients struggling in this area, I’ve noticed that while awareness of the condition is certainly increasing, there is a lot that is yet to be learned. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about this debilitating disease and how you can help prevent it in yourself and your children.

True or False: Anorexia is an emotional and potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat. Answer: True.

The root of the disorder is not the refusal to eat; it’s the emotional disorder that leads to this outcome. While more women suffer from the condition than men, it is not an exclusively female disorder. Most people with anorexia struggle with low self-esteem, an unhealthy need for perfection, and/or untreated trauma. Thus, telling the individual to “snap out of it” or forcing them to eat may be a futile effort in bringing an end to the problem.

36 Wellspring | June 2019

Which of these may be a sign of anorexia? The individual: A. Is thin and continues to obsesses over getting thinner

B. Has a distorted body-image (feels fat even when thin) C. Loses or has thinning hair

D. Talks obsessively about food, cooking, or dieting E. Exercises excessively, even when tired or injured

F. Overemphasizes the importance of their body image to their self-worth G. All of the above Answer: G.

In a culture obsessed with thinness and dieting, it may be difficult to recognize when a person’s thinking or behavior has become dangerous. It’s crucial for parents to look out for these signs in their children and to reach out for help if they suspect the presence of an eating disorder, which can lead to severe repercussions, including reproductive issues and death.

There are two common types of anorexia:

Which of these gestures by parents may encourage the development of anorexia in their children? A. Allowing the child to determine when he or she is full B. Discussing the dangers of dieting

C. Using food for reward or punishment

Binge/purge type

The person struggling with this type of eating disorder will often purge after eating. This alleviates the fear of gaining weight and offsets some of the guilt of having ingested forbidden or highly restricted food. The compensatory purge behavior by the individual with binge/purge type anorexia may purge by exercising excessively, vomiting, or abusing laxatives. Restrictive

The individual suffering from restrictive anorexia is often perceived as highly self-disciplined. They restrict the quantity of food, calories, and often high-fat or high-sugar foods. They consume far fewer calories than are needed to maintain a healthy weight. This is a heartbreaking form of self-starvation.

D. Telling your child that you love them for their essence, not because of how they look

Answer: C.

Here are some more prevention tips for parents:

• Examine your own beliefs and behaviors related to body image and weight, and consider how your children might interpret the messages they get from you. • Encourage healthy eating and exercise.

• Talk about the variety of different body types and the fact that they can all be acceptable and healthy.

DON’T

• Label foods as “good” or bad”

• Encourage your child to engage in “dieting”

• Comment on weight or body types: yours, your child’s, or anyone else’s

• Allow teasing or making fun of anyone based on physical characteristics, including size

Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 37

Well Informed

Health Ed

Health Consequences of Anorexia The cycle of self-starvation denies the body the essential nutrients it needs to function properly. As a result, the body is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy, leading to serious medical consequences: • Abnormally slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which increase the risk of heart failure

• Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), resulting in dry, brittle bones • Muscle loss and weakness

• Severe dehydration, possibly resulting in kidney failure • Fainting, fatigue, and overall weakness

• Dry hair and skin; hair loss is common

• Growth of a downy layer of hair, called lanugo, all over the body, including the face, in an effort to keep the body warm.

True or False: If I don’t see my child engaging in disordered eating, she can’t have an eating disorder. Answer: False.

Although the behaviors associated with eating disorders, especially anorexia, are usually noticeable, just because you don’t see your child engaging in them doesn’t mean she isn’t struggling with the disorder. People with anorexia can do a good job at pretending to eat or hiding food they supposedly ate. Also, they may be bulimic, which involves binge eating and purging.

True or False: Anorexia only affects adolescents. Answer: False.

People can struggle with an eating disorder regardless of their age. While eating disorders are more prevalent during adolescence, many people who struggle with eating disorders and disordered eating in their teens continue to struggle into adulthood unless they receive treatment. Men and women at midlife and beyond are being treated for eating disorders, either due to a relapse, ongoing illness from adolescence or young adulthood, or due to the new onset of an eating disorder.

Laura Shammah MS, RDN, has been operating a private practice in New York and New Jersey for over 20 years. Her clientele runs the gamut from people with eating disorders to those dealing with hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancer. She also helps clients who run in marathons or are looking to lose or gain weight in a healthy way. Her nutritional guidance is published in MaryAnne Cohen’s book Lasagna for Lunch: Declaring Peace With Emotional Eating. Laura can be reached at 718-376-0062 or Laurashammah@aol.com. 38 Wellspring | June 2019

Treatment for Anorexia Frighteningly, many individuals who have anorexia do not believe they have an eating disorder. In such cases, treatment often must start off coercively, until the individual realizes how critical it is for their wellbeing and existence. Since anorexia is an eating disorder that is rooted in emotional issues, an optimal treatment plan is three-pronged, addressing the medical, nutritional, and emotional components involved. • Medical: The highest priority in the treatment of anorexia nervosa is addressing any serious health issues that may have resulted from the disordered eating behaviors, such as malnutrition, electrolyte imbalance, amenorrhea (loss of a regular menstrual cycle), and an unstable heartbeat.

• Nutritional: This component encompasses weight restoration, implementation and supervision of a tailored meal plan, and education about normal eating patterns. • Emotional: The goal of this part of treatment is to recognize underlying issues associated with the eating disorder, address and heal from traumatic life events, learn healthier coping skills, and further develop the capacity to express and deal with emotions.

Managing any eating disorder case requires a multidisciplinary team consisting of a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, therapist, family members, and a dietitian who specializes in eating disorders. Being part of this team allows each team member to be the most effective in their role and facilitates continued communication between all parties involved. As a dietitian who specializes in eating-disorder cases, I develop a therapeutic alliance that supports the client’s need for behavior change. These changes are to challenge the client's distorted and irrational thinking about food and weight, and to explore feelings related to hunger and fullness, metabolism and body image. It is imperative that the client engages in nutritional counseling without any fear of being judged. My clients feel my compassion, empathy, care and concern, especially knowing that I once struggled with an eating disorder and have overcome it successfully.

As the dietitian in the alliance, I’m responsible for designing a meal plan based on each client’s specific needs. I run a thorough assessment based on lab results, menses history, food recall, BMI, percent body fat, exercise regimen, and eating disorder history. A complete nutritional assessment shows current dietary intake, eating patterns, beliefs about food and weight, supplement use, and weight history. I encourage clients to express their emotions, feelings, fears around food and weight, and the goals they wish to accomplish. We gradually work through challenges and help the eating-disordered client replace the mental distortions that cause and perpetuate specific food- and weight-related behaviors. This helps the client come to understand that the overall goal is to return food and meals to their normal place in life as a source of nourishment and enjoyment.

I thank Hashem daily for the struggle I had with anorexia when I was young. Who would have thought that my battle would have brought me such great strength, happiness, and opportunity in the future? Although I wish people did not suffer with any eating disorder, I am so grateful to still love what I do after over 20 years. Specializing in emotional eating allows me to help my clients get a healthy body and mind. I have met so many wonderful people, built lifetime friendships, and learned so much from all my clients that I truly feel blessed. I find it so rewarding to help people find their way out of their darkest days and into a life full of normalcy, happiness, and food freedom. Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 39

Well Informed

Dedicated to Health By Sarah Weinberger

What motivated you to launch this organization? Working as a therapist, I noticed that clients dealing with various difficulties and life challenges often believed they were the only ones struggling with their particular issues. They had no one to open up to aside from their therapist once a week. Realizing the incredible impact an anonymous forum specifically designed for the frum community could have, I got to work, and OKclarity was born.

40 Wellspring | June 2019

At first, we were just a forum, and the response was excellent. People felt a sense of community and were able to be candid because of their anonymity online. In some cases, they were even more open online than with their therapist. I was soon inundated with private messages for referrals to professionals who work with the religious community. Thus, with the recent launch of our new and improved website, we created an exhaustive directory of professionals so members can search for professional help while remaining anonymous.

10 Questions for: Fay Brezel,

Cofounder and CEO of OkClarity OkClarity in a nutshell: OkClarity is an online Jewish mental-health platform. It features informative articles on mental health and wellness; a forum where one can anonymously share struggles and receive support and insight from other members and professionals; and a comprehensive directory of therapists, psychiatrists, and nutritionists who work with the community.

What is your current role at OKClarity? As the cofounder and CEO, I oversee the day-to-day operations along with an incredible team. This includes troubleshooting the occasional technical issues, collaborating with vetted professionals and organizations who share in our mission, and executing growth strategies so everyone in our community can tap into this valuable resource and help each other.

What is one great challenge you face in running this organization? The greatest challenge is when I can't fulfill my wishes as quickly as I'd like. There are so many ideas and opportunities I want to bring to fruition immediately, and I must keep reminding myself that patience is an important part of the process.

Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 41

Well Informed

Dedicated to Health

Can you share a story that highlights the work you do?

I don’t have many stories, but my inbox is very good at reminding me of OKclarity’s positive impact. Therapists are consistently thankful for having the online forum — something that was very much missing in our community. Some of their clients are active users, others benefit from reading forum threads, and yet others appreciate the articles.

Therapists often reach out to let me know that they’ve forwarded our articles to their clients and how helpful this has been. Anonymous forum members share that they’ve printed articles for their loved ones to read over Shabbos. And, more recently, I’ve been messaged that people have connected and are working well with therapists and nutritionists they found through our platform. I am so thankful for this feedback. It’s the fuel that keeps me going each day.

42 Wellspring | June 2019

He saw that people truly care, and he learned how others, too, have been in dark places and have seen the light again.

Can you share a recent positive experience you had? I recently received an e-mail from an anonymous user’s mother, thanking us for providing this space. Her son was in a severe depression and his reaching out to our forum community helped him immensely. He saw that people truly care, and he learned how others, too, have been in dark places and have seen the light again.

What’s the best part of your work? The best part of the work is definitely the positive messages that come my way. There are never too many reminders that our efforts are paying off and making a real impact on the lives of others.

I also light up when therapists share that they are now seeing well-matched clients who found them through our platform. Recently, a therapist related her shock at discovering that her profile on our platform showed up before her other online listings — with credit to our superior web developer. Other therapists shared that they immediately removed themselves from Psychology Today once they started listing with us. Rather than receiving spam referrals, they're now getting inquiries from clients they want to work with.

What do you wish people would know about mental health? I wish people understood that mental health affects one out of one. Mental health is as much about your relationship with yourself and others as it is about a traumatic experience. If you’re not looking after your own mental health, chances are someone else is suffering as a result. Let us all care for our mental health without contemplating whether our struggles are severe enough to require this kind of effort. It’s our responsibility to lead the healthiest physical and emotional life we can.

How do professionals benefit from being on the platform? Professionals benefit from the ability to build and maintain their online reputation via our search-engine-optimized listings. They also have the opportunity to share their wisdom while promoting themselves in a value-driven way through published articles and by responding on the forum, where their responses are highlighted and linked to their personal listing.

One of our goals is to provide professionals with a steady stream of ideal client referrals, and to match clients with their ideal professional. We are pleasantly surprised that this has already begun at this early stage.

How do you manage the stress that comes along with your taxing work? I try to take my own advice as much as possible. My routine is filled with “mental health habits 101,” like eating and sleeping well, doing exercise, engaging in meditation and lots of prayer, and keeping work at the office. I also seek out personal development and selfhelp literature, which keeps me on my toes as I work on tiny improvements. I constantly test and implement new productivity hacks and other healthy habits. Little changes, like checking and responding to my inbox once a day, free up more mental space than one would imagine.

What was the best compliment you’ve ever received? “I can’t believe no one has created this space for our community before. I can’t think of a client or colleague who wouldn’t benefit from this space.”

Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 43

Living Well

In Good Shape By Syma Kranz, PFC

Up to Date With Staying in Shape

This summer’s top fitness trends Just as fashion trends change over time, so do fitness trends. If you take a trip back in time and look through fitness history, you’ll see a number of trends and fads. There are some which are still with us in some form, while others have petered out quickly. Some exercise trends from the past that have survived until today include step workouts, kickboxing, and spinning. Sometimes exercise trends simply morph into another form, like cycling taking on a new persona as spinning. Every year, the editors of ACSM Health and Fitness Journal distribute a survey to fitness professionals worldwide to try to identify upcoming fitness trends. Here are some of the highlights from the survey.

Invigorating High Intensity Good news for HIIT lovers! High-intensity interval training still tops the list of fitness trends. HIIT routines are challenging, never boring, and let you get a workout in record time. Who doesn’t love that? In fact, HIIT training has dominated the list since the 2014 survey. The difference is that this year high-intensity interval training stole the top spot from wearable technology, which now in the number three position.

44 Wellspring | June 2019

Strength is an Asset Other trends are familiar as well. Along with highintensity interval training and wearable technology is group training, body weight training, and strength training. Of course, strength training is a staple, and a form of training that belongs in everyone’s workout arsenal. It’s the only way to reduce the loss of muscle mass that happens as we age.

Yoga Calm

Day to Day

Not surprising are yoga, functional training, and fitness training for older adults. We know that exercise increases flexibility and helps strengthen the core muscles but it’s also an excellent stress reliever. Plus, studies show that yoga training helps back pain sufferers and may lower blood pressure. So, yoga is good for your heart but in a different way than cardiovascular exercise. Yoga is also a good recovery form of exercise for those days when your body needs a rest.

And then there’s functional fitness training. The exercises we do should help us improve physical functioning in all aspects of our lives – from doing housework to moving furniture. That’s what functional training is all about, helping us improve how easily we do everyday activities.

No Time, No Space? Bodyweight! Body weight exercises are a good way to get in a workout when you have no equipment and limited space. These exercises, particularly push-ups and planks, have fitness benefits in their own right. When you do circuit workouts and add bodyweight exercises to the mix, you challenge

For Any Age Fitness training for older adults also made the top of the list. People of all ages need exercise, and the elderly are no exception. In fact, exercise is the best medicine for helping the 65-plus population set to remain functional. Exercise improves strength and power, which makes it easier to rise up out of a chair, and enhances balance skills to lower the risk of falls. Studies also show that it’s never too late to get benefits from it. Research carried out on nursing home residents showed that even 90-plus-yearold individuals can build muscle strength and size in response to strength training.

your muscles in a different way. When you’re short on time, you can even design a quick circuit workout using only bodyweight exercises. Bodyweight exercises are likely here to stay due to the fact that anyone can do them almost anywhere.

A Remedy to Recommend “Exercise as medicine” is an initiative that hopes to get health care professionals excited about exercise. With exercise offering so many health benefits, the healthcare community needs to be recommending and prescribing exercise more often. The hope is to get physicians and other professionals to refer patients to qualified fitness professionals and programs, where they can exercise in a supervised setting.

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.

Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 45

Living Well

Ask the Nutritionist By Shani Taub, CDC

Calorie Clarity

What exactly is a calorie and what role does it play in my body?

Question: The word “calorie” is thrown around very freely, but what exactly does it mean? I hear people saying “Too much, too little, healthy, not healthy, empty calories…” What exactly are calories and how do I distinguish between those that are good and bad for my health and weight?

Shani’s response: Simply put, a calorie is a unit of energy that food provides to the body upon digestion. You use the calories that you eat and drink for essential functions, such as breathing and thinking, as well as day-today activities such as walking, talking, and eating. As you consume these calories, the body automatically stores most of it within the liver and muscles for immediate energy reserves. Any excess calories you eat will be stored as fat, and the body begins to store consumed calories as fat within four to eight hours from the beginning of the meal. Consistently eating more than you burn will cause weight gain over time.

Every body needs a different amount of calories, with some of the calories from fat and some from protein, in order to function properly. Even within the span of a lifetime in the same individual, the amount the body requires fluctuates, depending on a number of factors including age, gender, body mass index, and activity level; and, in women, pregnancy or lactation.

As a side point, the calories we generally refer to in terms of our diet and exercise are actually kilocalories (kcal), which means that a food that contains 50 calories actually provides the body with 50,000 calories. Technically speaking, a dietary calorie is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius.

No matter which way you look at it, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. In other words, no matter where you’re getting it from, you’ll either burn it through essential functions or exercise, or it’ll be stored as fat. For this reason, I often tell my clients that even if they overeat on healthy calories, such as from fruits and vegetables, they will not lose weight. However, if you’re overeating on healthy calories, your body is at least getting the nutrients it needs. On the other hand, if you’re filling up on empty calories, which are calories derived from foods that contain little or no nutrients, you’re losing out on both ends. Foods with empty calories include those that are composed primarily or solely of sugar, fat, or oils, or alcoholic beverages. While consuming a small amount of empty calories won’t harm you, having too much of it will.

Just as a car moves on fuel, our bodies operate on calories. Give a car too much fuel and it can explode; give it too little and it won’t budge. There’s a certain range of calories your body needs in order to function at its best. But, if you’re waiting to hear that magic number, I’m sorry to disappoint you: It doesn’t exist.

Interestingly, considering nutritionally-empty foods as adequate nutrition was first scientifically demonstrated to be false by French physiologist Francois Magendie in the 1800s. Through experiments on dogs that are described in his Précis Élémentaire de Physiologie, he showed that eating only sugar, olive oil, or butter, led to the death of

46 Wellspring | June 2019

each of his test animals in 30 to 40 days. While counting calories gives you an idea of how many units of energy are entering the body, that doesn’t tell you anything about the quality of your diet. In order to ensure that you’re providing the body with what it really needs, you need much more knowledge than that — it’s important to know where the calories are coming from. 50 calories from a piece of chocolate are not nearly as nutritionally effective as 50 calories from an apple; and choosing foods that contain nutrient-dense calories is vital in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Does this mean that if you count your calories you’ll experience

Calories Versus Calories from Fat

While it's true that many people eat far more fat and calories than is necessary, we all need a certain amount of both for growth and activities. Knowing the difference between calories and calories from fat will help you make wise food choices. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, calories come from three general sources: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. One gram of carbohydrates has four calories. One gram of protein has four calories. One gram of fat has nine calories. That explains the main difference between calories from fat and calories from the other two sources — fat is almost twice as dense in calories. Fats are also known as lipids; they are nutrients that your body uses as building blocks for nerve tissues and hormones. Fat can also be used as fuel by the body. When a person eats fat that is not used as building blocks or fuel, it is stored by the body in fat cells. From your body's point of view, it's saving for the future, planning ahead for a time when fat may not be available. Since fat has twice as many calories per gram than carbohydrate or protein, foods with the same serving size may

weight loss? Some people lose a lot of weight on a 1200-calorie diet, but many can’t if their diet is based only on measuring caloric intake. As a nutritionist, I don’t like to work with calories. If an individual takes in all their calories by eating processed foods like potato chips, candy, and chocolate, not only will they be continuously craving more, thus making maintenance almost impossible, but more importantly, they’re wreaking havoc in their body, depriving it from what it really needs. If you base your diet according to caloric restrictions only, even if you do manage to lose weight on it, it will eventually backfire. The body needs majority of its calories from healthy sources in order to function well and maintain weight loss.

have different numbers of calories. A half-cup of vanilla ice cream contains 178 calories from three sources: 2 grams of protein (2 x 4 = 8 calories), 15.5 grams of carbohydrate (15.5 x 4 = 62 calories), and 12 grams of fat (12 x 9 = 108 calories). A high-fat food has more calories than a food with protein or carbohydrates. Consider the same serving size of a half-cup of carrots: 1 gram of protein (1 x 4 = 4 calories), 8 grams of carbohydrate (8 x 4 = 32 calories), and 0 grams of fat. There are about 36 calories in a half-cup of carrots. The difference between fat calories and other calories is more significant when addressing excess calories, the calories that your body does not have to use immediately for energy. A fat calorie can be stored as fat by the body more easily than a carbohydrate or a protein calorie. If you eat 100 excess calories of nothing but carbohydrates, your body will expend about 25 percent of those calories just to convert and store the excess calories. That means it will store 75 calories as fat. If you eat 100 excess calories of fat, the fat doesn't need to be converted before being stored. Your body will use about three calories of the 100 to store the other 97 fat calories as fat.

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, pre-measured foods and delicacies sold at supermarkets and restaurants. Sivan 5779 | Wellspring 47