Thrive's January 2020 Issue

JANUARY 2020

R E S O L U T I O N S

roundup roundup Special Insert:

Bride Guide

by L Bridal Couture

first person with

Chef Pat Darbonne thriveswla.com

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Rehabilitation Hospital Rehab Ad

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

Building wealth takes hard work and passion.

So should managing it.

Wealth Management | Investment Planning | Retirement As successful as you are, we know there’s still more you want to do. We’ve been helping our clients for more than 125 years, caring for more than $1.4 trillion of their hardearned assets. Find out why so many people trust our Financial Advisors to help them manage their wealth with the care it deserves.

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The Griffith Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

Investment and Insurance Products: u NOT FDIC Insured u NO Bank Guarantee u MAY Lose Value

Tonya Griffith, AAMS® First Vice President - Investment Officer Accredited Asset Management Specialist One Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1500 Lake Charles, LA 70629 (337) 439-9081 tonya.griffith@wellsfargoadvisors.com https://home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/tonya.griffith 97340-v1 A1932

Courtney Griffith Financial Advisor 1 Lakeshore Dr Ste 1500 Lake Charles, LA 70629 Office: (337) 439-9081 Courtney.K.Griffith@wellsfargoadvisors.com http://www.thegriffithfinancialgroup.com/

Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2015 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.

CAR-0219-03813

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Contents

Regular Features

In This Issue

50 Who’s News 66 Solutions for Life

Wining & Dining

6 8 10 12

Be the Star at Your Super Bowl Party Top Spots for Hot Chocolate What's Hidding in Your Pantry First Person with Chef Pat “Pat-N-da Pot” Darbonne

Mind & Body 14-28

Cover Section: RESOLUTION

Money & Career

roundup

30-37 Special Section:

Riding the Waves

- Understanding the Market 38 Cleanliness in the Workplace

Places & Faces

6

40 Milestones in Ty's Marathon 42 The Future is Bright for the Children's Museum

46

Style & Beauty

44 Glam Girls 48 Skin Care From the Inside Out

52 New Year, New Cut

54 Spa Solutions for Your Winter Skin Woes

Home & Family

56 Special Section: Plan your Dream Vacation

@thriveswla | thriveswla.com Thrive is designed for people focused on living a happy, healthy life, one that is balanced, full of energy and contentment. Thrive readers want to make the most of every day and to be successful in all areas of their lives – family, health, home and career.

Submitted articles and photos are welcome. Thrive assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not guarantee any submissions.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

62 Managing Editor Angie Kay Dilmore Editors and Publishers Kristy Como Armand

Christine Fisher Creative Director Barbara VanGossen Design and Layout Sarah Bercier Business Manager Katie McDaniel Stevenson Advertising Sales katie@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099 Submissions edit@thriveswla.com

SCORE A 2020 JEEP GLADIATOR! ADDITIONAL PRIZES INCLUDE A SHARE OF $447,500 IN CASH AND FREE SLOTPLAY®!

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Play Wednesdays for 5X entries (beginning January 8).

Every 10 points is one entry. Winners will have 5 minutes to report to the promotional area. Vehicle color and style may vary.

MARIE OSMOND IN CONCERT WITH THE LAKE CHARLES SYMPHONY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 • 8PM L’Auberge Event Center Tickets on sale now at Studs or ticketmaster.com.

WINNING JUST GOT EASIER... SO DID GETTING HERE! THE I-210 BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE! /LAubergeLC

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Must be 21 years of age or older. Gambling problem? Call 800.522.4700. ©2019 Penn National Gaming, Inc. All rights reserved.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? PLEASE CALL 800.522.4700.

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Wining & Dining

Be the Star at your Super Bowl Party WITH SNACKS THAT WILL SCORE As the New Year rolls in, football takes firm hold of our hearts, and our stomachs, as bowls after bowls after bowls flood your television set, leading to the granddaddy of them all, the Super Bowl.

The world’s largest sports-related holiday is a perfect excuse to have a dozen friends over for a viewing party, and only the best spreads are going to bring home the Lombardi.

Don’t get caught tossing out tired and boring snacks for your crew. Of course it doesn’t hurt to have your staples of chicken wings or chips and salsa, but this is the Super Bowl, and now is the time to have your team poised for post-season greatness. Don’t punt on the chow! We’re here to help make you shine as brightly as a Drew Brees’ championship drive. These easy to make, and certain to wow, snacks will put big points on the scoreboard.

Buffalo Chicken Dip WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

8 oz. cream cheese, room temp 2 cups grilled, pulled chicken ½ cup wing sauce of choice ½ cup ranch dressing 1 cup blue cheese crumbles 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese ¼ cup sliced green onion Celery sticks, chips, crackers, baguette slices

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

by Chad Jackson

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix all ingredients and blend thoroughly.

Place in glass baking dish and bake for 30-45 minutes.

Garnish with green onion.

Enjoy with your dipper of choice.

Mayhaw jalapeño Venison Sweet Potato Pancakes WITH CR ANBERRY GINGER CHUTNE Y PANCAKES:

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1 lb. sweet potatoes, roasted and mashed 1 2/3 cups of flour 2 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 1 ½ cups of buttermilk 2 eggs, beaten 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp salt

INSTRUC TIONS:

After potatoes are roasted, cooled, skinned and mashed, add eggs, buttermilk, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and soda and beat on low speed.

Slowly add flour to thicken to pancake batter status.

Cover and cool batter for an hour.

Cook in a non-stick skillet with a tbsp. of pure olive oil. Aim for silver dollar size.

Pull and set on paper towel to dry.

VENISON:

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

½ pound quality venison sausage, cut into small chunks 3 jalapenos, seeded and cut into strips width wise (reverse julienne) ½ cup mayhaw jelly 2 tsp pure olive oil

INSTRUC TIONS:

Add jalapenos and sausage to oiled sauté pan over med heat.

When sausage is cooked, add jelly and turn heat to low.

Simmer for 7-10 minutes until it starts to thicken.

Cook ahead and hold at temp to let flavors marry.

CR ANBERRY GINGER CHUTNEY: WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

12 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 2 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced

INSTRUC TIONS:

Bring all ingredients to boil. Reduce to a rolling simmer and reduce to a beautiful mush.

FINAL ASSEMBLY:

Top each pancake with,mayhaw jalapeno sausage and a dollop of cranberry chutney.

Chef Chad Jackson graduated from the California Culinary Academy and has been the head chef at several Lake Charles fine dining establishments. Now as the culinary brain of The Tailgate Kings, he creates unique spins on classic tailgate foods. Find other TK creations at www. thetailgatekings.com or find them on their Facebook page, Instagram, or Twitter for updates.

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Wining & Dining

Top

r o f s t o p S

Hot Chocolate

by Angie Kay Dilmore

Cool winter days find us longing to wrap our frigid fingers around something warm and steamy – like a mug of hot cocoa! We did some sweet research to find several unique and exceptional varieties at local establishments.

You’re welcome!

Boombox’s hot chocolate is made with locally sourced milk, melted dark chocolate, course sea salt, and vanilla, and then crowned with a giant homemade toasted marshmallow. It is the definition of decadent!

104 W. Pujo St., Lake Charles.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

PJ’s Coffee offers Frozen

Hot Chocolate, a chilling twist on classic cocoa. Here in the south, we often have warmer weather days that might put you in the mood for something cooler to drink.

All their hot chocolates are made with rich Ghirardelli® chocolate.

3625 Nelson Rd., Lake Charles.

Nomad Joe Roaming Espresso

Casa Sombroso Authentic Mexican Food Truck offers a

cultural spin on hot cocoa.

Theirs is a secret family recipe made with three types of milk, hints of cinnamon and Mexican vanilla, and topped with a swirled dollop of whipped cream.

offers a hot cocoa with Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate or Vegan Hollander Dutch Chocolate Sauce stirred into steamed milk. They have dairy and non-dairy milk options and whipped cream to top it off. Your choice of their flavored syrups can be added to create a masterpiece made to order. Locations change weekly and are updated on their Instagram and Facebook pages on Mondays.

Email nomadjoecoffee@yahoo.com or call 337-764-5901 for more info.

SERVING UP FINGER-LICKING FOOD FOR THREE DECADES

Their food truck is often found at 2501 Opelousas St. but call to verify. 337-707-3992.

Common Grounds Sit and Chill Coffee Shop whips up

an indulgent, made-from scratch hot chocolate. Ingredients include a Dutch Process baking cocoa, powdered sugar, evaporated milk, and a dash of salt, all mixed with steamed 2% milk and chocolate sauce. They also offer a white chocolate variety made with white chocolate sauce, white chocolate syrup, and milk. Any of their flavored syrups can be added to the cocoa, and peppermint is a favorite. Swirl and sip through a Pirouline swizzle stick!

& SPORTS BAR

N

DARRELL’S TO-GO

EW

We’re now available on Waitr & Gubers!

Located at 619 Ryan St., Lake Charles.

119 West College Street, Lake Charles | (337) 474-3651 | darrellspoboys.com Monday – Thursday: 11am–10pm | Friday & Saturday: 11am-11pm Closed Sunday | Happy Hour 4–7pm

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Wining & Dining

What’s Hiding in Your Pantry?

Deciphering L a bel s & Di t ching Proce ssed F oods

by Stephanie Kestel Karpovs

The start of a new year can bring newfound courage for difficult tasks – such as tackling the pantry! It’s the perfect time to ditch some of the heavily processed junk food and stock up on healthy options. But how do we get past the fancy marketing claims and find the truly nutritionpacked foods? Empower your grocery store purchases by learning to decipher the food labels.

Dr. Anatole Karpovs, a local pediatrician and Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, believes in using food as medicine. “When shopping, search out healthy options,” he says. “It’s important to go straight to the ingredients list and nutrition label. Some may need to look for food allergens, while others must watch for excess salt or sugar. Families have the power to promote overall wellness or illness . . . depending on what we choose to put on our plates daily. Adding in plant-based foods, splurging on quality ingredients, and limiting processed and pre-packaged foods can really improve our health.” He goes on to say that nutritional knowledge can promote positive eating behaviors and help reduce disease-related symptoms and complications from migraines, diabetes, ADHD and heart conditions. “No single food in moderation (like a piece of birthday cake) will make or break your health, so enjoy your foods, and choose nutrient-dense options with fiber, healthful fats, whole grains and low to no added sugar as often as possible.”

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

NU T RI T ION FA C T S L A BEL S Federal regulations require food manufacturers to include a label about the nutritional profile and ingredients contained in the package. In 2016, the FDA updated the food and beverage labels to make it easier for consumers to make better informed food choices. With that came the addition of labeling added sugars. Here are key points to consider when reading a label: SERVING SIZE This is listed at the top of all food labels. Putting portion size into perspective is one of the most important parts of the puzzle. Often serving sizes listed are far smaller than what most people eat. For example, if 1/3 of the bag of trail mix is a serving, but you eat the entire bag, you must multiply all of the values by 3! Suddenly your snack becomes more than a meal.

CALORIES Focus on the quality vs. the quantity of calories.

If the calories come from healthy fats and whole grains vs. saturated fats and added sugars, then you don’t necessarily need to pass on the food.

DAILY VALUES This is usually based on a 2,000-calorie diet. The percentages can be used to determine if a food or drink is high or low in nutritional content.

INGREDIENTS LIST Ingredients are listed in order by weight, so make sure the top 3-5 ingredients are not from saturated fats, hidden sugars or salt. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell what you are eating since added sugars and fats can be listed under different names.

Stephanie is a local speech-language pathologist/pediatric feeding therapist and wellness coach. She enjoys helping families become happy and healthy adventurous eaters.

TOTAL FAT The number is not as important as the type of fat. Saturated fats and trans fats are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

CHOLESTEROL The American Heart Association recommends eating less than 300 mg of daily cholesterol.

Whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables are naturally cholesterol-free.

SODIUM General guidelines encourage 1,200 to 1,300 mg of sodium per day with a maximum of 2,300 mg (the amount found in 1 teaspoon of salt or less).

Breads, canned soups and crackers often contain high amounts of sodium.

TOTAL CARBOHYDRATES These are broken down into dietary fiber and sugars. Whole grains are best. Limit added sugars.

PROTEIN Adults should get 10-35 percent of their calories from protein, but most Americans consume far more than our bodies need. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of protein without the cholesterol.

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Wining & Dining

first person with

Chef Pat “Pat-N-da Pot” Darbonne

by Angie Kay Dilmore

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

On December 12, 2019, Pat Darbonne experienced the “best day of her entire life.” She appeared on the Today Show, doing a cooking segment with one of her favorite celebrities, Hoda Kotb. The journey that brought this Southwest Louisiana native to that best day is not what you might expect of a professional chef. After high school, she worked at the Plantation House as a bus girl.

She worked on a Mississippi River cruise ship as a cocktail waitress and stateroom stewardess. She worked as a janitor at CITGO from 1989 to 1999, then law enforcement till 2015. Though she’s always loved cooking, she has never cooked for the general public. But at CITGO, she cooked meals for the operators in the control rooms, much to their delight. That was the beginning of her career as a professional chef. And this feisty, independent, single woman has big plans!

When and how did you fall in love with cooking?

Ever since I was knee high to a duck, I was always in the kitchen with Mama.

I loved the way the food smelled when she was cookin’, especially when she sautéed onions. To this day, that is one of my favorite smells. I’d push a chair up to the stove, climb up on it, and watch her cook. I’d even stir the pot when she’d walk away from the stove. I cooked my first meal at the age of 10. My mother was sick. She had taken a chicken out to cook it, but she couldn’t get out of bed, so I took it upon myself to cut the chicken up, season it, and put it in the pot. It came out really good and I’ve been cookin’ ever since.

Tell me about your business, PatN-da Pot.

In 2010, I began posting cooking-related videos on my Facebook page. I got some followers and they encouraged me to start my own cooking show. In 2018, I found a few sponsors and the Lake Charles Local Access TV channel agreed to air my cooking shows. Once a week for three months, we filmed a show. I had to cease production because it was costing me too much money to create the shows with no income in return. But those 12 episodes can still be seen daily at 4:30 p.m. on the Local Access channel as re-runs, as well as on YouTube. On my website, I sell t-shirts, cutting boards with my etouffee and jambalaya recipes engraved in the wood, and glasses with my Drinky-Drink slogan.

I like to drink wine when I’m cookin’.

That’s how Drinky-Drink got started. My best seller is my signature Pat-N-da Pot Creole Seasoning – my own recipe. It can also be found at all 64 Rouse’s Market locations across the south.

So, New York and the Today Show! How did you make that happen?

I’ve always loved Hoda. I’d watch her and Kathie Lee in the mornings. Hoda loves everything about Louisiana. She loves the food, the culture – a Louisiana fan allaround after living in New Orleans for six years as a news broadcaster. So I wanted to go cook for her. I started emailing her and sending her clips of my cookin’ show. I called the Today Show and they said the best way to get messages to her is through Twitter. So I did that. I tried to contact her for about 18 months, but it all fell on deaf ears. Finally, I decided I’d just go to New York and meet her.

On October 4 of last year, I flew to New York. The next day, I went to the Plaza at the Today Show at 4:15 a.m.

I stood in line, chatted with the security guards.

Next thing I knew, security told me to grab my things and follow them behind the barricades. We went into the studio briefly, took some photos, and then we went back outside behind the studio window. When Hoda got there, I was standing there with my sign and my Pat-N-da Pot chef’s hat and coat.

When she finally turned around and saw me, her face lit up, and she came outside to talk with me. I told her I had a cookin’ show and she said she’d have me come do a cooking segment on the show. Fast forward to December 12, and there I was. I made a chicken, sausage, and pork jambalaya on national TV. I also made a chicken and sausage gumbo and pralines for dessert.

What did it mean to you to have this experience?

There has been nothing that I was more proud of and had more fun doing than being on the Today Show with Hoda and cooking for the niece of President Kennedy (Maria Shriver) and the daughter of President George W. Bush (Jenna Bush Hagar).

What’s next for Pat Darbonne?

I want to be on the Ellen DeGeneres Show – I’ve already written to her. I’d also like to be on Harry Connick, Jr.’s show. I want to be a traveling chef in a big charter bus and cook for celebrities and share our culinary culture with them. I love Louisiana.There’s no place else in the world I’d rather live. And I want to thank my family, my friends, and my fans for all their love and support. Without them, there’d be no Pat-N-da Pot. I’m going to keep on making them proud. This is only the beginning.

If you’d like to follow Pat-N-da Pot, find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, subscribe to her YouTube channel, or go to her website, patndapot.com.

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Mind & Body R E S O L U T I O N S

roundup

Each year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, hoping to ignite positive change in their life. Recurring themes include a more active approach to health and fitness, improved finances, and learning new things for personal and professional development. Chances are, a resolution or two here in our January 2020 cover section will sound familiar to you. Read on and find tips to ensure success for all your self-improvement strategies.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

realistic

HOW TO SET

RESOLUTIONS YO U W O N ’ T B R E A K

Once the glow of a fresh new year wears off, many people struggle to make good on their New Year’s resolutions. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, only 46% of people who made New Year’s resolutions were successful.

The study also involved people who did not make a New Year’s resolution but had a goal they wanted to achieve that year. Only 4% of non-resolvers were successful at achieving their goals!

In hopes of helping you achieve your 2020 goals we’ve put together a plan for following through on your resolutions.

Remain upbeat about your new resolution so you can use that positive association with last year’s accomplishments to remind you of those good feelings when you are feeling challenged. Make small changes gradually and allow some room for error.

1. MENTALLY PREPARE FOR CHANGE Changing ingrained habits isn’t easy.

Before diving head-first into your New Year’s resolution, it’s important to take a step back and prepare for the transition.

The first step is to take a personal inventory. Consider last year’s accomplishments. Ask yourself: What did I set out to do in the past year? Where did I make progress?

Where didn’t I see progress?

Your resolution may focus on areas that lack progress, but remember to savor the progress made, and find some small way to celebrate.

2. SET A GOAL THAT MOTIVATES YOU You would be surprised how often people set goals that are not for themselves. These goals could be dictated or coerced by a manager, spouse, or parental / peer pressure.

While it’s nice to have external support, if you don’t share the same passion, the resolution has a small chance of succeeding.

Make sure your goal is important to you and that there is value or benefit for you in achieving the goal.

These two things provide the reason and willingness to take action, aka motivation! Align your resolutions with your top priorities.

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Mind & Body | RESOLUTION

roundup

3. LIMIT RESOLUTIONS TO A MANAGE ABLE NUMBER A common mistake is setting too many resolutions. We only have so much attention span to dedicate to selfimprovement. Make a short list of priority resolutions you can manage in the upcoming year. It’s better to tackle one resolution well than multiple resolutions poorly.

4 . BE SPECIFC Set SMART goals using this acronym.

• • • • •

SPECIFIC - Articulate the resolution as clearly as possible. For example, quit smoking is better than be healthy.

MEASURABLE - Quantify your resolution if possible, i.e. I will lose 10% of my body weight.

ATTAINABLE - Choose a goal within the realm of possibility, yet challenging. Make 100 friends this year might be amazing, but not likely.

Conversely, make 10 new friends is doable.

RELEVANT - Keep your resolution relevant to your priorities and goals. How will this goal impact my life?

TIME-SENSITIVE - Give yourself a timeframe in which to achieve a goal. A deadline will instill some urgency and provide a time when you can celebrate your success.

5. BRE AK UP BIG GOALS INTO SMALLER GOALS A lot of us tend to be overeager and grandiose when it comes to resolutions. We have the best of intentions and may accidentally take on a goal that is too big to achieve.

Thus, it’s helpful to divide a big goal into smaller goals that are more achievable. Break up your year-long resolution into weekly or monthly goals, and have tasks planned for each month. By breaking your plan into discrete steps, you have a better chance of success.

6 . S H A R E YO U R R E S O LU TI O N S WITH OTHERS It’s great to make a resolution for yourself and write it down, but if no one else knows about it, it becomes easy to ignore. Success requires accountability, which lends a sense of obligation, which is often more powerful than self-motivation. And when you do succeed, the people you shared with will celebrate with you!

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

7. W R I T E D O W N Y O U R G O A L S While it’s great to have goals, it is critical to document them in some way. If you don’t write them down, they’re easy to forget. Documenting a goal establishes intention, which encourages action. Written goals are also a reminder of how far you have come and what you have achieved. So write your resolutions in a journal, email yourself a list, or stick a Post-It note on the wall!

8 . A U T O M AT E W H E R E P O S S I B L E The technology you carry in your pocket or purse can help you succeed. While you still need to do the work, reminder apps can help you follow through. Consider these free scheduling, to-do-list, and task management tools:

• • • • • • • • • •

GOOGLE CALENDAR GOOGLE NOW REMINDERS (ON IOS) BOOMERANG FOR GMAIL ASANA TRELLO TODOIST MICROSOFT TO DO OMNIFOCUS THINGS

9 . R E V I E W YO U R R E S O LU TI O N R E G U L A R LY Check in on the progress of your goals often. Evaluate primary goals weekly and set daily reminders for smaller resolutions tasks. These incremental steps will lead to significant changes over the course of a single year.

10 . I F YO U FA L L O F F T R AC K , G E T B A C K O N Q U I C K LY Change is difficult and it will take time for your resolution to become a reality. Allow yourself room for mistakes and setbacks. Remember, a moment of weakness doesn’t imply failure and is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

The key is to avoid a defeatist attitude at all costs. If there is a setback, understand what led to that moment, and how you can avoid a similar situation in the future. A few small mistakes shouldn’t spoil your resolution for the year!

lose

WEIGHT

by Angie Kay Dilmore

According to healthdata.org, 160 million Americans are either overweight or obese.

Nearly 75% of our nation’s men and 60% of its women are lumped into that figure. So, it’s no surprise that Lose Weight is number one on the list of most popular New Year’s resolutions. Indeed, it is a worthwhile endeavor for many reasons, primarily health and wellness. Like most resolutions, the key is sticking with it and making it a lifelong reality.

How do you make that happen?

A study published in the research journal Obesity suggests you strive for consistency. When it comes to weight loss, there is no quick fix and it is not a temporary solution. It is a lifestyle change. An unwavering schedule of eating healthy and exercising can help you manage your weight long term.

In the study, 183 overweight and obese adults participated in a weight-loss program in which they received counseling on diet and exercise over the course of a year. Researchers tracked their weight and offered assessment meetings at six and 12 months, and again a year after the weight-loss program ended.

Results showed that those whose weight vacillated the most during the first few weeks were less likely to keep the pounds off for a long period of time, as opposed to those who dropped weight each week.

Sound intimidating? No worries. Developing consistent habits in your lifestyle is a process, but it can quickly build momentum. Once you begin to see results, you’ll be encouraged and want to keep going.

It requires a high level of commitment, but you don’t need to completely overhaul your diet to see results.

You can shed pounds effectively by making a few loweffort, high-impact changes: P R I O R I T I Z E P R O T E I N , E S P E C I A L LY A T B R E A K F A S T.

Instead of doughnuts or sugary cereal, eat a high protein breakfast to keep you full and energized until lunchtime. Incorporate eggs, nuts, or Greek yogurt into your morning routine.

B E M I N D F U L O F W H E N Y O U E A T.

Breakfast should be eaten within a few hours of waking and avoid late night snacking.

I N C R E A S E F I B E R I N TA K E .

Add more beans, nuts, whole grains, vegetables and fruits to your diet. Fiber keeps you full longer so you’re less likely to overeat.

U S E A S M A L L E R P L AT E A N D R E O R G A N I Z E YO U R P O R TI O N S .

Half your meal should consist of fruits and veggies; one quarter starch, ie whole grain bread, pasta, rice, or potato; and the final quarter should be a healthy protein, ie lean meats, beans, or eggs.

D R I N K M O R E W AT E R .

Our bodies often confuse hunger and thirst. If you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water first. Quenching your thirst can help you avoid overeating. In one study, overweight people who drank two glasses of water before their meals every day for three months lost an average of 2.6 more pounds than people who didn’t hydrate prior to eating.

BE MORE ACTIVE.

Incorporate more movement into your daily routine.

Walk, run, bike ride, go to the gym, take exercise classes, practice yoga, participate in group sports, play outside with the kids. There is no end to the ways you can burn more calories by moving your body.

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Mind & Body | RESOLUTION

roundup

EXERCISE

More

by Angie Kay Dilmore

If the number one New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, number two goes hand in hand – to exercise more. But weight loss is not the only reason to exercise. Even slender people need to move their muscles and get their heart pumping to be fit and healthy.

Yet despite the best of intentions, as we go through our busy days, checking off our to-do lists, exercise is often the first to be neglected. As any gym member knows, the cardio and weight rooms and exercise classes are packed to capacity during January and into February, but by March, motivation wanes and attendance drops. Cheyanna Glyenn, manager of CHRISTUS Louisiana Athletic Club, witnesses this phenomenon each year. She says the excuses are legion – too busy, no concrete plan or quantifiable goals, cost, gym intimidation, or general lack of motivation. Yet there are ways to overcome these excuses.

A KEY TO REGULAR EXERCISE IS ROUTINE.

Exercising the same time each day makes it more likely to happen. “Once exercise becomes part of a person’s routine, it becomes part of their lifestyle,” Glyenn says. “Recent studies show that it takes about 66 days for something to become a habit.”

AVO I D C O M PA R I N G YO U R S E L F T O O T H E R S .

This is your journey and you’re in it for the long haul!

E X E R C I S E S H O U L D B E E N J O YA B L E T O B E S U S TA I N A B L E .

Identify an activity that feels more like fun than work to you. If walking on a treadmill every day is drudgery for you, you won’t stick with it. Maybe you prefer shooting hoops, bike riding, swimming, tennis, yoga . . . the list of options is endless. Find activities you love and do them regularly.

F I N D A N E X E R C I S E PA R T N E R .

Or hire a personal trainer. Accountability is a huge motivation booster. On those days when you just don’t feel like moving, knowing someone is counting on you to be there will get you going.

R E A L I Z E T H A T S O M E T H I N G I S A L W AY S B E T T E R THAN NOTHING.

If your goal is to walk 30 minutes each day, but sometimes, you simply aren’t up to walking for half an hour, rather than skip your workout, commit to walking for just five or ten minutes. Chances are, once you get started, you’re likely to keep going.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

D O N ’ T G I V E U P.

If you lapse on your exercise plan, reboot and restart. “Life happens and things come up to throw us off track,” Glyenn says. But don’t be defeated.

Evaluate what went wrong and re-commit to your healthy goals.

Glyenn says being healthy requires physical and mental work, focus, and dedication. Prioritize exercise as a choice, not a chore. And make if non-negotiable! “Be selfish whenever it comes to your health because at the end of the day, YOU are responsible for you!”

CHRISTUS Louisiana Athletic Club is located at 4429 Nelson Rd., Lake Charles. For more information, call 337-474-6601.

Over 50 Group Fitness Classes • BodyPump • CX-Worx • Body Combat • Sprint • And so much more

FREE Childcare Personal Training 24/7 Club Access Massage Specialty Classes for All Ages • Kids A.C.T. • >50 (Senior) Classes

4429 Nelson Road • (337) 474-6601 ChristusAthleticClubLakeCharles.org

Finding the Keys You Need for 30 Years CENTURY 21 Bessette Realty is celebrating 30 years of realty success.

From first homes to new homes and the excitement of businesses opening, we’re proud to have been a key part of the growth in Southwest Louisiana.

Your trust and confidence is what motivates our team every day. As we move into the next decade, we renew our commitment to service and sales excellence, and welcome the opportunity to be your Realtor® for life!

Century21-Bessette.com | 474-2185 3025 Lake Street, Lake Charles Each office independently owned and operated. Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

thriveswla.com

19

Mind & Body | RESOLUTION

roundup

BE MORE

organized

by Stefanie Powers

If organizing your home or office is one of your New Year’s resolutions and you don’t know where to begin, help is on the way.

Taylor Stokes Thibodeaux recently started an organizing business in Lake Charles called In Its Place, hoping to share her passion with those who may find this task overwhelming.

“If you don’t know where to begin when it comes to getting your house or workplace in order, my goal is to take care of that for you,” she says. “For me, there’s no better feeling than going into a house or business and seeing the transformation right before my eyes as the clutter is put in its place.”

Nothing makes Thibodeaux happier than to have all the “things” in her life organized and functional.

“I’ve had the privilege of helping families get kick-started in making their home feel less cluttered by organizing and putting systems into place for areas like pantries, craft rooms, laundry rooms, closets, bathrooms, offices, and storage rooms,” she continues. “There’s no area too big or too small that can’t benefit from being organized and made functional for daily life.”

Thibodeaux says the first step is to choose small areas in the house to begin with, instead of looking at an entire room, which can sometimes feel daunting.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

“Start by cleaning out the designated area,” she advises. “Decide what items will stay, or be discarded, donated, or sold. Don’t waste valuable time trying to organize things that you don’t intend to keep in the first place.”

Once you’re left with the items that are here to stay, the next step is to categorize them into piles.

“Every area of the house benefits from different ‘systems,’ so this part varies depending on the needs of that space,” Thibodeaux says. “Sometimes, you might need bins or baskets, or maybe shelves or drawers, which all help keep those categories you have created organized.”

But, she cautions that organization is more than just buying a lot of bins. “You really need to analyze the area and figure out the purpose of that space, and why it got that way in the first place.”

Thibodeaux’s biggest piece of advice in keeping things organized is to label. “If you can find a way to label the specific categories that you have created by name, you will be more likely to put the item back into the labeled bin instead of putting it elsewhere,” she explains. “For example, you’ll be less likely to put the new box of Wheat Thins in the pasta bin or just throw it in the cabinet if you have a bin labeled ‘Crackers.’”

In a perfect world, whatever system you put into place would stay that way forever.

“Unfortunately, systems do require maintenance.

Every so often, you need to go through those organized bins and baskets, drawers or shelves, and make sure it doesn’t need another thorough clean out,” Thibodeaux advises.

Check out In Its Place Organizing on Facebook and Instagram, or email Thibodeaux at initsplaceorganizing337@gmail.com.

Little people can have big sleep problems.

From sleep walking to night terrors, we can diagnose and treat pediatric sleep disorders.

Call us today so your little one can rest easy.

Dr. Phillip Conner

New Beginnings Start Here!

SLEEP SPECIALISTS

Phillip Conner, MD | Michelle Zimmerman, NP

We’re ready to help you achieve your best!

SPEECH OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICAL

#WalkTalkMove HopeTherapyCenter.net 1727 Imperial Blvd, Bldg 3 478-5880

Lake Charles | Sulphur (337) 310-REST sleepdisordercenterofla.com thriveswla.com

21

Mind & Body | RESOLUTION

roundup

learn

SOMETHING NEW

by Kristian Bland

New Year’s resolutions can be hard to keep. After all, basing major life decisions around an arbitrary date on the calendar is probably not the strongest motivator for success.

Instead of trying some new fad diet and hating yourself when it doesn’t work, it might be worth trying something different this year, like learning something new.

Want to learn a new language? Just download an app like Duolingo. If you have kids taking a second language in school, consider learning it along with them. Not only will you be able to help with their homework, but you’ll also be helping yourself.

Have you ever wanted to cook like Gordon Ramsay? No problem. Just enroll in his course on Masterclass.com and he’ll teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about how to properly butter scones and other tricks professional chefs do. Masterclass specializes in offering courses taught by luminaries in their fields, including Neil Gaiman (Storytelling), Annie Leibovitz (Photography), Shonda Rhimes (Television), Natalie Portman (Acting), Martin Scorsese (Filmmaking), Christina Aguilera (Singing), and many more.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

Skillshare.com is another popular online resource offering courses taught by industry experts eager to share their knowledge in everything from learning to code to writing that novel you’ve always meant to get around to when you have the time. Now’s the time!

If you’d rather stay closer to home, check out the Leisure Learning Center at McNeese State University. Offering courses ranging from Excel and Quickbooks to ACT Reviews and Blacksmithing, there’s something for everyone.

May Gray, Leisure Learning Coordinator at McNeese, says, “Lifelong learning offers an opportunity to keep our brains active, learn interesting things, meet new people, and visit new places all while having an enjoyable time.”

In addition to offering courses year-round for adults, summer courses are offered for kids and teens. The SAGE (Senior Adult Group Education) Series of programs during the spring and fall hosts authors and other knowledgeable speakers.

2020 It’s never too late to learn a new talent, master a new skill, or simply satisfy a specific curiosity for something you’ve always wanted to know more about. You can learn at your own pace. There are no tests to worry about studying for. And there’s no homework beyond how much time and effort you’re willing to devote to your pursuit.

Not into apps or group classes? Maybe you know someone who has a talent they’re willing to share if you’re willing to learn. Ask your aunt to teach you that secret family recipe only she knows. See if your crafty friend will show you how to knit or crochet. Join a book club, find a community online, and visit the library as often as you can. These things won’t cost you a dime, and some of life’s best teachers are the people you’ve never thought to ask.

Open the door to a lifetime of learning today and start the new year off by learning something. You’ll be glad you did.

McNeese Leisure Learning offers non-credit courses for your enrichment, enjoyment and self-improvement!

McNeese SAGE Trip

McNeese Leisure Learning

SAGE on the Road to Houston: From Picasso and Monet to Stonehenge, 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., Thursday, January 9

McNeese SAGE

LaTruffe Savage Valentine Wine Dinner 6 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5

NOW - Feb. 25

Parades, dances, galas and more!

See the full schedule of events at swlamardigras.com

DOWNLOAD THE APP! Search for “Lake Charles Events.”

Great Decisions 2020, U.S. International Relations Discussion Ballroom Dance - Foxtrot and Waltz

• ENIGMATIC STREAM: Industrial Landscapes of the Lower Mississippi River, Richard Sexton, 3 p.m., Monday, January 27

Beginning Digital Photography

• LOUISIANA BIRDING: Stories on Strategy, Stewardship and Serendipity, John Flores, 3 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3 • WILDLIFE CONSERVATION in East Africa with Brian & Kitty Johnson, 3 p.m., Monday, March TBA • FOLK HEALING AND THE TRAITEURS OF SOUTH LOUISIANA, Mary Perrin, TBA

Piano for Adult Beginners Piano for Adult Beginners, Level 2 Speak Spanish for Beginners, Level 2, with Nataly Barrios Garcia Salsa/Cha-Cha Stained Glass for Beginners Excel I: Introduction to Excel Spanish for Beginners with Carolina Castaneda Excel II: Working with Multiple Workbooks “Children in Motion” Watercolor Magic with Nancy Melton

SPONSORED BY:

OVER 300 ONLINE COURSES BEGIN MONTHLY www.ed2go.com/mcneese For more information or to register: www.mcneese.edu/leisure or call (337) 475-5130 (Please leave a message.)

800-456-7952 thriveswla.com

23

Mind & Body | RESOLUTION

roundup

S AV E M O R E

spend less

by Kristy Como Armand

Many New Year’s resolutions seem to revolve around getting healthy. You may be planning to eat better, sleep more, or spend a few extra days at the gym each week.

But why stop at your physical fitness? The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to focus on your financial fitness too. Kala Kuhlthau, Lakeside Bank’s Sulphur manager, offers some guidelines for making – and keeping – your financial resolutions.

H AV E A P L A N .

“This is the first step to saving more,” says Kuhlthau.

“If your resolution is just “save more” but you don’t have some concrete steps put in place to accomplish this, it will likely be hard to make any progress, and you won’t have a way to measure your progress.”

She says when building your plan, ensure the plan is achievable.

M A K E A B U D G E T.

If you have a budget in place, review it for areas you need to pay more attention to, or to find where you can cut back to save more. If you don’t have a budget, make it a priority this year. “It’s challenging to prioritize saving without a working budget,” says Kuhlthau. Start by tracking your monthly spending by category. You should be able to get a feel for the average amount you spend on food, bills, and other various expenses each month. This will allow you to identify how much you can feasibly save monthly, or help you identify areas where you might cut back.

Kuhlthau says one way to calculate how much you usually spend each month is by looking over your spending for the past year or two. “It’s easy for us to fall into our regular routines without realizing how much we’re spending or where.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

You might be surprised to discover how much you spend on restaurants, entertainment, and other miscellaneous items each month. While it’s important to include these things in your life—you need to have fun, after all—these are areas that can easily be budgeted and scaled back.”

G E T S E R I O U S A B O U T S AV I N G .

Assess your priorities and establish goals. “What do you want your life to look like this time next year?

Are there specific luxury items you want, like a new car? Do you want to buy a house soon? Ask yourself these questions so you can adequately plan to save,” Kuhlthau says. “These big-ticket items require planning. And you can’t do that if you don’t know where you’ve been or where you’re going.”

tival heniere

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020

Venture Global

9:00 a.m. Dog Trials Registration Begins (End of Earl Road) 10:00 a.m Dog Trials - Junior Pups with Seasoned Dogs to Follow 12:00 p.m. Gates Open - Main Fairgrounds | Admission $5.00 per person or $15.00 weekend pass Children 12 & Under Free - Carnival Opens - Main Fairgrounds - Trap Shooting - Main Fairgrounds 6:30 p.m. High Performance (Entertainment) - Main Fairgrounds 10:00 p.m. Gates Close

ISH... continuing C Hour E C K Y O U R C R E D I T.

iding energy for all

When was the last time you checked your credit? According to Kuhlthau, you should check your credit at least once a year. You want to make sure there aren’t any items to dispute and you want to have a clear-cut understanding of where you stand. “Knowing your credit score gives you an idea of your relative financial standing as well as the perfect method to create goals. Let’s say you have a credit score of 600, but your goal is to raise it to 700. That’s a tangible goal that you can work toward that will also help you save money on interest rates.”

Your budget overview should include things like insurance. Are you paying too much for car insurance? Is your health insurance affordable, yet adequate? “These are areas that people tend to overlook when they’re reassessing their financial situation,” Kuhlthau says.

For more information about savings options, stop by any location of Lakeside Bank or visit www.mylksb.bank.

Co-Owner at Lake Charles Chiropractic

has been passionate about health and fitness for years.

He understands how important your health and fitness can be. During this time of the New Year, many people have goals of trying to make new resolutions for losing weight and trying to get in shape. Generally, people also have a tendency to focus on strengthening their arms, chest, and legs. These are important, however, it can neglect the muscles relating to posture or the important muscles of the neck and back. Working the muscles that surround your spine can be important in helping promote good posture and creating a strong foundation to help you reach your New Year resolution fitness goals.

But sadly, all too often, people have great intentions but sometimes fall short of reaching their goals. That is why it is so important to make changes that create good habits that will help you, not just commit to a resolution for the New Year, but to make lifestyle changes that continue for the rest of your life. Good fitness habits that you have implemented can make your life that much more enjoyable. Dr. Joseph Kulaga, D.C. treats a lot of people with neck and back pain that often times may be related to poor posture that can be linked to desk work, looking down at your PC, tablet and even cell phones, creating text neck. So, here are some suggestions to help you stay committed to your fitness goals and to help you make lifetime changes in your fitness habits.

|

6:00 PM Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Queen and Teen Fur & Wildlife Queen Pageant | South Cameron High School 753 Oak Grove Highway, Grand Chenier, LA | Admission $5

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020

6:00 p.m. Little Miss and Mister Cameron Parish & Miss Cameron Parish Pageants and Crowning of King Fur | South Cameron High School 753 Oak Grove Highway, Grand Chenier, LA | Admission $5

6:30 a.m. Cooks Allowed on Fairgrounds (Gumbo Cook-Off Only) 7:00 a.m. Fur Festival 5k Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk (Late Registration) - Downtown Main Street 9:00 a.m. Gates Open - Main Fairgrounds Admission $10.00 per person; Children 12 & Under Free - Gumbo Cook Off - Main Fairgrounds - Trap Shooting - Main Fairgrounds 9:00-4:00 Antique Vehicles Showcase - Free Admission 9:30 a.m Muskrat and Nutria Skinning - Main Fairgrounds Trap Setting Competition - Main Fairgrounds Oyster Shucking Competition - Main Fairgrounds 10:30 a.m. Kids Master Oyster Race and Master Fishing Race - Main Fairgrounds Group 1 (Ages 6-8 years old) Group 2 (Ages 9-12 years old) 10:30 a.m. Gumbo Cook-Off Judging - Main Fairgrounds 1:00 p.m. Parade - Downtown Cameron (Line up Cameron Construction Yard) 3:00 p.m. Duck and Goose Calling - Fairground Building 3:00-6:00 Three Thirty Seven (Entertainment) - Main Fairgrounds 7:00-10:00 Travis Matte (Entertainment) - Main Fairgrounds

All events will take place at the fairgrounds located on Recreation Center Lane, Cameron (directly behind Cameron Parish Courthouse). ICE CHESTS, OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE FAIRGROUNDS. ONLY SERVICE ANIMALS ALLOWED.

Being a chiropractor is one of the best jobs in the world. I get to see people get their lives back.

And that makes what I do so rewarding.”

Dr. Joseph Kulaga, D.C.

2019-2020 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2019

D O A C H E C K - U P.

lakecharleschiro.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

- Joseph Kulaga D.C. • Write down your goals and daily workout schedule • Find a specific time 3-5x’s a week and stick with it. I always think of being a “creature of habit.”

• Find something that interests you; activities, Pilates, weight training, cardio, cross training, etc.

• Having trouble sticking with a routine or unsure if you’re doing it right? Try group classes or even get a personal trainer, especially in the beginning. You will be amazed how quickly you can get some amazing goals met!

• You will be amazed how quickly you see results.

(337) 240-6619 | 5656 Nelson Road | Suite D2 | Lake Charles thriveswla.com

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Mind & Body | RESOLUTION

roundup

DECREASE STRESS

symptoms & how to tackle them

by Lauren Morris

Stress is something that everyone experiences from time to time. Whether it be once or twice a week or every day, it’s a part of our lives in some capacity. With the new year underway, many of us have made a resolution to combat stress.

According to Dr. Andrew Bradberry, Family Medicine Physician with Imperial Health, stress manifests itself in a multitude of ways. This of course depends on the person and the level of harm the situation presents.

Whether this threat of harm is real or perceived, stress is the body’s innate response to the situation at hand.

Some possible indicators of stress include chest pain, dizziness, weight gain, heart palpitations, and skin issues.

The good news is that there are ways to keep these symptoms at bay.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

DON’T RESORT TO STRESS E AT I N G “I’m a firm believer that you are what you eat,” says Dr. Bradberry, “and watching what you take in can make a difference in the way your stress shows up.” With one quarter of the American population rating their stress level as an 8/10, the link between weight gain and stress can cause concern. The main culprit is the notion that stress causes us to overeat. So, if you’re part of the large percentage of people who have chosen weight loss as a resolution for 2020, stop stressing. Easier said than done, right? Stress causes overeating, and overeating causes stress. It’s an evil cycle, but it’s one you can work at controlling. Fuel your body with healthy foods so you can function better on a biological level while simultaneously battling the body’s response to stress.

DON ’T SL ACK ON SLEEP Like overeating, lack of sleep can become a vicious cycle when it comes to stress. If you’re stressed, your anxiety may keep you

awake, and if you’re sleepy during the day, it may cause your anxiety levels to rise. Sleep deprivation can cause memory loss, lack of concentration, and weight gain, just to name a few.

“When trudging through the workday or helping your kids with their homework after a night of interrupted sleep, your stress levels will naturally rise more quickly,” says Dr. Bradberry. Small changes in your everyday habits can help you get a better night’s sleep, thus allowing you to get through the day with less stress. Watch your caffeine intake after noon, go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, avoid heavy meals close to bedtime, and be sure to get in regular exercise.

G E T TO TH E GY M One of the best ways to relieve stress is to get some sort of physical activity. The natural endorphins released during physical activity gives you a quick fix to tensionrelated stress. Even just five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety

effects. Physical activity can also improve the quality of your sleep, giving you even more ability to fight those stress symptoms.

Dr. Bradberry – a physician, a father, and a husband – makes exercising a priority. “No matter how busy you are, getting in some physical activity each week will give you noticeable results in your stress levels.”

If you find that your symptoms persist even after making these small changes, visit your doctor, says Dr. Bradberry. “When stress symptoms linger for more than a few days, it’s important to get checked out by your primary care physician. Symptoms can sometimes present as being stress-related, but that may not always be the case.”

Tackling stress can be as simple as making small, everyday changes, and you can head into this new year with a more positive, productive outlook.

Find Dr. Bradberry at 771 Bayou Pines East, Lake Charles, 337-433-1212.

When considering cosmetic surgery, two things are essential.

An experienced, highly skilled surgeon who understands the structure of the face both inside and out is, of course, a requirement. But, making skin smooth and tight again is only a part of the process.

A keen understanding of the balance and proportions of your particular face—how the chin, nose, eyes and neck work in harmony to enhance your appearance is critical.

Adjusting this balance, delicately and gently, requires the experienced eye of an artist. Uncovering the beauty beneath demands a special touch.

1000 W. Pinhook Road • Lafayette 337-237-0650 • www.acadianent.com

The hands of a surgeon. The eye of an artist.

board-certified & fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon jeffrey j. joseph, md, facs

thriveswla.com

27

Mind & Body | RESOLUTION

roundup

quit smoking

IT’S NEVER TOO L AT E T O T RY

by Madelaine Brauner Landry

Kicking the smoking habit is a great resolution, often made at midnight on New Year’s Eve. But what about the other eleven months of the year?

According to several studies cited on the University of Chicago’s medical website, a year later, this resolution averages a mere 4% success rate.

No one can disagree that smoking cessation is the best gift to give oneself or one’s loved ones; that it’s a life-saving resolution; and that motivation is key. Yet despite those truths, smokers struggle mightily to quit.

The psychological cues of ingrained habitual routines, other smokers, ashtrays, and cigarette butts littering the ground often undermine altruism, motivation, and better health.

Still, making the Quit Smoking Resolution one more time is beneficial. What have you got to lose? The 7,000+ toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke? Not becoming another lung cancer statistic? The World Health Organization notes that tobacco holds the dubious distinction of killing more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, HIV, guns, and illegal drugs combined. If you must have one more cigarette, experts say ask for it only if it’s your last request in front of a firing squad.

According to Dr. Steve Springer at the Smoking Treatment Center in Lake Charles, many good smoking cessation methods are available, backed by evidence that they work.

However, he cautions, seeking professional help increases the odds a smoker will be more successful. It is a tough process without support.

“It’s not failing to admit you need help,” notes Springer. “You’re dealing with a very addictive substance in nicotine. Withdrawal can be severe. Each smoker’s brain is different; just how severe depends on the smoker.”

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

Resolutions, we are told, fail if they are not achievable, measurable, or specific.

Furthermore, many people commit to New Year’s Resolutions while under the influence.

If you resolve to quit smoking while drinking your cocktail-of-choice when New Zealand rings in the new year, that resolution may not hold until the ball drops in Time Square eighteen hours later. Experts advise: Expect to start over many times. Commit to staying the course, as many attempts as it takes.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS COME WITH MUCH LESS DIRE WARNINGS THAN THOSE ON A CIGARETTE PACKAGE: There will be lapses. Expect them, but don’t dwell on them.

“Achievable, measurable and specific” are not throwaway words. Start with a reduction, rather than complete cessation. Your ultimate goal is to be smoke-free, but your objective can be smoking fewer packs-per-day.

Ask for and accept advance support and understanding from everyone!

The Smoking Treatment Center is located at 501 Dr. Michael DeBakey Dr., Lake Charles. For more information, call them at 337-312-8690.

ACADIAN HEARING HELPS A LOCAL MAN HEAR FOR THE HOLIDAYS For the first time in longer than he can remember, Lee LeJeune enjoyed the sounds of the holiday season last month. He has suffered from hearing loss for years, which resulted in him missing out on conversations with family and friends, the sounds of his grandchildren laughing, his favorite television programs and more. In many ways, he was isolated on the sidelines of his own life, a life his daughter Julie Borill said he had always devoted to his family.

Borill nominated her dad for Acadian Hearing Services’ “Hear for the Holidays” giveaway. They received more than 40 nominations and chose LeJeune as the winner, based on Borill’s description of her father’s devotion to his family and decades of hard work in the fertilizer and rice seed industry. In early December, LeJeune was tested and fitted, and just before Christmas he received his state-of-the-art Bluetooth, rechargeable hearing aids.

Dr. Heidi Sorrellss with Acadian Hearing said it was difficult to choose a winner, but their entire office staff found Borill’s nomination letter for her father very compelling and felt the army veteran was very deserving.

With his hearing restored, LeJeune is hearing things he hasn’t heard in years, from the whisper of his wife of almost 60 years to the signal indicator on his car. And best of all, he hears the voices of his grandchildren. “Our family will be forever grateful to the staff at Acadian Hearing for the best Christmas gift ever for Dad, the gift of hearing,” says Borill.

“His quality of life has changed dramatically since receiving his hearing aids and we could never repay the kindness from everyone.”

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Money & Career

Riding the Waves Understanding the Market and How to Avoid Investment Mistakes

by Kristy Como Armand

Investing can be an intimidating business.

It’s certainly a smart move, but even successful investors admit it took time to feel comfortable in their stock-market shoes.

Part of that intimidation is confusion about the workings of the stock market. There’s a lot of unfamiliar terminology and acronyms associated with investing, and everyone knows it comes with a certain level of risk.

“Investing is simultaneously simple and complicated,” says Denise Rau, CFP, owner of Rau Financial Group. “There are some beginners who think they can master the market like a well-seasoned Wall Street broker, and there are others who are so wrapped up in the complexities of investing that they are afraid to get started.”

At the simplest level of explanation, Rau says the market is where investors can buy and sell securities, or investments, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cash equivalents like Treasury securities. “There are quite a few ways

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

you can invest in the financial market. This depends on several factors, including your time frame, goals, comfort level and tolerance for risk,” she explains. For instance, if you have more time to invest, and have a high comfort level with risk, your approach could be more on the aggressive side. Conversely, if you’re older and have less time to invest in the market before retirement, and aren’t as comfortable with risk, your approach will likely be more conservative.

Some people invest on their own, while others invest through their employer-offered plan or seek the advice of a financial advisor. “An experienced financial advisor can help you learn about investing, work with you to determine your financial goals and put a plan in place to help you achieve them,” says Rau. “It’s a great way to get started with investing.”

Anne Miller

MKD-8652B-A

Financial Advisor 933 E Mc Neese St Lake Charles, LA 70607 337-480-9023

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

There’s strength in our numbers.

We’re proud to be the region’s largest, independent musculoskeletal group. Our experienced specialists work together to provide our patients with the type of care they expect and deserve—personalized, attentive, respectful, and of the highest quality. And when it comes to technology, we’re bringing the latest advances to Southwest Louisiana so you won’t have to leave home to get the care you need.

Our team of doctors includes these specialties: orthopaedic surgery physical medicine and rehabilitation foot and ankle care/surgery primary care sports medicine

interventional pain management hand surgery neurosurgery

Whatever your musculoskeletal concern, we’ve got you covered from head to toe.

Lake Charles | Sulphur

CenterforOrtho.com

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31

Money & Career | Riding the Waves - Understanding the Stock Market

Regardless of which path you take to investing, Rau says there are several common missteps you should avoid: WAITING TOO LONG. One misconception of investing is that you need a lot of money to do it. That’s simply not true, Rau says. You can invest even the smallest amount—a few hundred dollars—to get started. “It’s important to invest when you’re young, because you’re able to take more risks, and more risks can potentially lead to greater profit.

Unfortunately, many young people decide to wait until they have ‘enough money,’ yet it’s unclear what that means. You will have new expenses again and again, such as college, house, kids, car, etc. If you wait until you think you have enough, you may never truly get there.

Start young and start small.” And although it’s more beneficial to start when you’re younger, that doesn’t mean you can’t invest when you’re older, Rau notes.

It just means you won’t be able to make the riskier investments that have the potential to provide better returns over time.

FOCUSING ONLY ON THE MONEY. Focus on investments that mean something to you, not just the ones you think will make the most money. “The return on investment is an important deciding factor.

But it isn’t the only factor,” Rau says. “I encourage clients to consider investments in which they are personally, as well as financially, invested. You’re more likely to understand what’s happening with your investments if you’re already following companies you care about.”

SAVE The DATE

HAVING UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. If you want to invest so you can “get rich quick,” then you don’t have a realistic view of how the market works, Rau says. “Investing takes time and patience. If someone promises that you’ll get rich on a certain investment in a short amount of time, approach that investment with caution. No one ever truly knows if an investment will hit or miss.”

NOT DIVERSIFYING. Rau says the cliché, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” applies to investing. Diversification can help shield your investments against risk. Diversification means having different types of investments that respond differently to market influences. “True diversification isn’t just about having a bunch of different types of investments in different accounts,” explains Rau. “You’ll want to have a good mix of asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents." Stocks are typically higher risk but have the potential for higher gains, and bonds are lower risk but also have lower gains. Because investments in different asset classes will behave differently, your portfolio is more likely to stay predictable when you diversify.

OBSESSIVELY CHECKING THE MARKET. “I’ve seen many investors who follow the market to an almost compulsive degree,” Rau says. “That leads to unnecessary stress. It’s important to understand that the market is fluid, constantly fluctuating. When it comes to investing, think marathon, not sprint."

feb 29– March 1

lake charles civic center

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

To become a successful investor, you need a long-term plan. Hourly or daily changes in the market shouldn’t change that. Instead, pay attention to patterns over time.

That’s another way a financial planner can help.”

Rau Financial Group offers an extensive range of financial services, including financial planning, investments, retirement planning, trust services, real estate investment and insurance products. For more information, call (337) 480-3835 or visit www.raufinancialgroup.com.

Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/ SIPC. Investment advice offered through GWM Advisors, a registered investment advisor. GWM Advisors and Rau Financial Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.

Payroll and benefits of

$989 Source: Plant Manager Survey

million

10,000

Over

jobs

Source: Plant Manager Survey

$270

million

in property taxes in the last five years Source: Calcasieu Parish Assessor’s Office

Local industries have a positive impact in Southwest Louisiana. The petrochemical industry brings good jobs, great benefits and security to thousands of residents in our region. Their tax dollars benefit our community through infrastructure, funding for our law enforcement agencies and schools as well as improvements to roads and parks to make our region better. They are among our most generous corporate citizens, volunteering thousands of hours for area organizations as well as giving millions in donations.

Area industries are producing opportunity right here at home.

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Money & Career | Riding the Waves - Understanding the Stock Market

Getting Started in the Stock Market: Advice for New Investors

Many people look for a quick, easy way to riches and happiness. It may be human nature to search for a hidden key or some secret bit of knowledge that suddenly leads to the end of the rainbow or a winning lottery ticket.

While some people do buy winning tickets or a common stock that quadruples in a year, it’s unlikely. In our quest for success, we often overlook the most powerful tools available to us: time and the magic of compounding interest. Investing regularly, avoiding unnecessary financial risk, and letting your money work for you over a period of years and decades is a certain way to grow significant assets. Here’s how: HANDLE BASICS FIRST Before making your first investment, take time to learn the basics about the stock market and the individual securities composing the market. Research the internet or read books to familiarize yourself with terms and definitions, stock selection methods, and the various types of investment accounts prior to your first purchase.

SET LONG-TERM GOALS Before investing, know your purpose and the likely time in the future you may need the funds. If you are likely to need your investment returned within a few years, consider another investment. With its volatility, the stock market provides no certainty that all your capital will be available when you need it. By knowing how much capital you will need and the future point in time when you will need it, you can calculate how much you should invest and what kind of return on your investment will be needed to achieve your goals. The growth of your portfolio depends upon three interdependent factors: the capital you invest, the amount of net annual earnings on your capital, and the time length of your investment. To estimate how much capital you are likely to need for retirement or future college expenses, consult a financial adviser or use one of several free financial calculators available online. Start saving as soon as possible, save as much as you can, and receive the highest return possible consistent with your risk philosophy.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

UNDERSTAND YOUR RISK TOLERANCE Risk tolerance is generally influenced positively by education, income, and wealth (as these increase, risk tolerance appears to increase slightly) and negatively by age (as one gets older, risk tolerance decreases). Your risk tolerance is how you feel about risk and the degree of anxiety you feel when risk is present. In psychological terms, risk tolerance is defined as “the extent to which a person chooses to risk experiencing a less favorable outcome in the pursuit of a more favorable outcome.” All humans vary in their risk tolerance, and there is no “right” balance.

Risk tolerance is also affected by one’s perception of the risk. The idea of perception is important in investing. As you gain more knowledge about investments – for example, how stocks are bought and sold, how much volatility (price change) is usually present, and the difficulty or ease of liquidating an investment – you are likely to consider stock investments to have less risk than you thought before making your first purchase.

By understanding your risk tolerance, you can avoid those investments which are likely to make you anxious.

Generally, you should never own an asset which keeps you from sleeping at night. During periods of financial uncertainty, the investor who can remain calm and follow an analytical decision process invariably comes out ahead.

CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS The biggest obstacle to stock market profits is an inability to control one’s emotions and make logical decisions. In the short-term, the prices of companies reflect the combined emotions of the entire investment community. When most investors worry about a company, its stock price is likely to decline; when a majority feel positive about the company’s future, its stock price tends to rise.

Accounting • Assurance • Auditing Tax • Business Advisory

A person who feels negative about the market is called a “bear,” while their positive counterpart is called a “bull.” The constant battle between the bulls and the bears is reflected in the ever-changing price of securities. These short-term movements are driven by rumors, speculations, and hopes rather than logic and a systematic analysis of the company’s assets, management, and prospects.

Stock prices moving contrary to our expectations create tension and insecurity. Should I sell my position and avoid a loss, keep the stock and hope the price will rebound, or buy more? Questions remain even when a stock price has performed as expected: Should I take a profit now before the price falls or keep my position because the price may go higher? These thoughts will flood your mind, especially if you constantly watch the price of a security, eventually building to a point that you will take action. Because emotions are the primary driver of your action, it could potentially be wrong.

Have a good reason for buying a stock and an expectation of what the price will do if the reason is valid. Then establish the point at which you will liquidate your holdings, especially if your reason is proven invalid or if the stock doesn’t react as expected. Have an exit strategy before you buy the security and execute that strategy unemotionally.

DIVERSIFY YOUR INVESTMENTS The established way to manage risk is to diversify your exposure. Prudent investors own stocks of different companies in different industries, sometimes in different countries, with the expectation that a single bad event will not affect all their holdings. Financial advisors or roboadvisors can help ensure your investment portfolio stays diversified and balanced over time.

Investing in the stock market is a great opportunity to build large asset value for those who are willing to be consistent savers, make the necessary time and energy investment to gain experience, appropriately manage their risk, and practice patience, allowing the magic of compounding to work for them. The younger you begin your investing avocation, the greater the final results.

Providing clients with a wide range of accounting, tax and business advisory services tailored to meet today’s challenging times.

2740 Rue de Jardin, Ste. 100 | Lake Charles, LA 70605 337.478.7902

w w w. j w a l k e r c o . c o m

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Money & Career | Riding the Waves - Understanding the Stock Market

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Stock Market Options

by Gena Latrell

The Dow is up, the Average is down, sell now, buy later . . . the stock market. It’s a complicated mix of stocks, bonds, financial traders – and somehow your 401K is involved. Who can make sense of it all? Well, you can. True, the stock market is complex, but it is not impossible to navigate. Here’s a little Stock Market 101.

What is a stock? It is a share, or piece, of a company.

If you own stock in a company, you own part of that company. The stock market, or stock exchange, is the place (the collection of markets and exchanges) where stocks are traded or exchanged. The most popular are Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange. This is important because how stocks perform in a day (going up or down) is an indicator of how the economy is doing.

Investing in the stock market can be risky because there is no guarantee of success, but the correct steps can improve your chances of making profits. One of the first steps is to be prepared to stay in the market.

“Time in the market is better than timing the market,” says Anne Miller, financial advisor at Edward Jones investment firm. Miller says the probability of making money tends to increase the longer you’re invested.

Another step is to contact a financial advisor.

Miller says financial advisors do the research to offer individualized financial strategies for their clients to help them reach their goals, like saving for a down payment or putting aside money for retirement.

“Financial advisors remind their clients why they invested in the first place,” says Miller. “We can help them focus on what they can control. And while we can’t control the stock market, we can control how much money we save and how much we spend.”

HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF INVESTMENT OPTIONS OFFERED IN THE STOCK MARKET AND THEIR ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES: STOCKS are shares of a company that signify some ownership of that company.

ADVANTAGE: You can make a profit when you sell these shares.

DISADVANTAGES: The market is volatile; there could be some high highs and low lows, which can be stressful.

BONDS are investments where you loan money to the government or a corporation for a set period of time at a fixed interest rate.

ADVANTAGE: Less volatile than stocks – fewer ups and downs.

DISADVANTAGE: They earn less money long-term than stocks. How much is paid and when can depend on the bond’s maturity date.

MUTUAL funds are investments that add your money to that of other investors to buy a group of stocks.

ADVANTAGE: They are managed by professionals trained to handle your investments.

DISADVANTAGE: They are managed by professionals, so you don’t get much if any say on investment decisions.

INDEX funds are mutual funds that build their investment portfolios to match that of a financial market index (The most well-known index is the Dow Jones Industrial Average.)

ADVANTAGE: Usually lower fees to invest and they can make more money because less is spent on fees and transaction costs.

DISADVANTAGE: Provides average returns.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

There are also retirement accounts that are affected by the stock market, like the 401K. “If you have a 401K, you are an investor in the stock market,” says Miller. She recommends asking your employer’s plan provider detailed questions about where your money is being invested.

The stock market shows trends and usually the direction of the economy. There are ups and downs, records and crashes. On what terms you invest is up to you, but ensure your investments match your financial goals – and your risk tolerance.

& Chec k

COME ON OVER

us Out

Butch Ferdinandsen

CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CRPS, CRPC Investment Advisor Representative Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS), member FINRA/SIPC. WFS is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of WFS.

SMART REWARDS PLUS CHECKING With Smart Rewards Plus Checking, earn points on everyday transactions like direct deposits, bill pay and card swipes — points redeemable for merchandise, travel, cash back, and more! Great perks. Less hassle. Simply better.

www.ffbla.bank

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Money & Career

the benefits of

OFFICE CLEANLINESS how it helps your employees & your business

by Lauren Morris

Have you ever stopped to think about what germs might be lingering around your keyboard? The office doorknobs? The telephone on your desk? At this high time for colds and flu, it’s something that must at least cross your mind. The flu is highly contagious – passing from person to person primarily by droplets that leave the infected person through a cough or a sneeze. These can easily infect a person up to six feet away and can even spread by germs that land on surfaces. According to a 2014 study, a virus sample placed on a doorknob and tabletops in an office spread to 40-60 percent of workers and visitors within just two to four hours. With all this germ talk, you’re probably wondering how you can evade these all-too-resilient microorganisms. Of course, you have the regular advice like, “get a flu-shot,” “get lots of rest,” “wash your hands often,” but how about this one: “hire a cleaning service for your office.”

Workplace equipment can be 400 times dirtier than the average toilet seat; there are 16 million microbes on the average keyboard; and only three percent of offices sufficiently clean their equipment. Three. These numbers sound a little scary, but the good news is that there’s a solution. “The biggest point of concern for business owners that clean their workplace themselves is that the lack of experience causes them to miss areas that may be the biggest culprits for spreading germs,” says Luke Saucier of Southern Janicorp. It’s these overlooked things that can cause the filth – and germs – to build up.

Offices are a main offender when it comes to places where germs are spread. Sick days cost businesses in the U.S. $225.8 billion a year. If you take care of keeping your workplace clean, you will not only keep your employees well and happy, but you will keep them at their desks, too. This equates directly to more dollars in the business’ bank account. You have some control over your employees’ well-being just by taking care of something as simple as the cleanliness of your workplace.

A clean workplace doesn’t only mean that your employees have a lesser chance of getting sick, it also means they’ll be overall happier and more productive. Cleanliness, attractiveness, and organization of the workplace all matter when it comes

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

to an employee’s overall feeling about their job. Research has shown that employees have a higher rate of job satisfaction, care more about their job, and even make less mistakes when their surroundings are cleaner. A clean work environment also means a healthier sense of community, reducing the rate of workforce turnover.

Finally, we get to the big issue: customers. If you work in a business where your clientele regularly sees the inside of your workplace, cleanliness is of utmost importance. Surveys have shown that up to 80% of customers will avoid returning to a business simply because it has dirty restrooms. Scuffed floors, unpleasant odors, and dusty surfaces are red flags to customers and clients. Why? Think of your business as a reflection of you.

It’s unprofessional to show up to work dressed unprofessionally, looking less-than-put-together, or just simply being unprepared, and customers will view (even subconsciously) a messy work environment as just that - unprofessional. It’s a reflection of how you conduct business and how much you care about your business. If you care about it, you care about your customers.

Providing a clean place for them to walk into is a great way to keep them coming back.

So, how do you maintain the cleanliness of your business? The task can sound daunting to some. Business owners that clean their facility themselves run into some frustrating issues: the amount of manual labor and energy required; the fact that their time is better spent working on other business activities that actually generate revenue; and the lack of professional equipment, experience, and techniques. Saucier explains, “People who have never cleaned in a professional capacity have no idea the kind of physical labor that goes into it. Who wants to deep clean after working a full day in the office?” If you’re a business owner, it’s probably normal to find yourself spread entirely too thin; it’s the nature of the beast. Janitorial services want to help alleviate one of the components of your long list of to-dos. A professional service will get the job done and get it done well. If you outsource a cleaning service, they are also going to have all the equipment and supplies needed to do a thorough job.

Keep your workplace clean – efficiently and consistently, and you’ll see the benefits of safety, productivity, and overall satisfaction of your employees and yourself!

For more information, call Southern Janicorp at 337-436-3000.

There’s No Time Like the Present

Your Future to plan for

For over 18 years, Denise Rau, CFP®, and the staff of Rau Financial Group have been fully invested in helping clients pursue their financial dreams.

Whether its getting started with investing, saving for college, defending your family from financial uncertainty, preparing for retirement, arranging your

estate, supporting an aging parent, or all of these, we’ll listen to your goals and dreams first. Then we’ll develop a sound strategy and customized financial plan to help you pursue them.

Call us today.

Denise Rau

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

(337) 480-3835 Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Goss Advisors, a registered investment advisor. Goss Advisors and Rau Financial Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.

1634 RYAN ST., LAKE CHARLES | www.raufinancialgroup.com

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Places & Faces

Milestones in Ty’s Marathon

Ty Griffen, photos by Shonda Manuel

by Christine Fisher

Those who follow Ty’s Marathon on Facebook know the journey this 28-year-old has taken since his accident on June 9, 2017. Ty Griffen loves fishing. While boating, Ty hit his head on a cement bridge.

The water was higher than normal due to recent rains and he raised his head at an unfortunate moment to see where they were. The injury resulted in severe head trauma.

Given only a 0.05% chance of survival, the doctors said it would be a marathon to recovery. If anyone was up to the challenge, it was Ty’s family and friends. They rallied like a mighty army, prepared to spend the time and emotional support required to fight for his recovery.

Ty was in a coma in Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s ICU for three weeks. Once stable, he transferred to TIRR (The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research) Memorial Hermann in Houston in their Minimally Conscious Program for four months. Next, he went to the Transitional Learning Center in Galveston for five months. He was away from home a total of nine months during which he endured several surgeries and intense therapy. “We came home on Good Friday, 2018,” says Cathy Griffen, Ty’s mother.

“There are a lot of things with brain injuries that can take your breath away,” she says.

“Especially during the months of early recovery, your loved one is often not the same as they were before the accident. Ty had to learn to do everything over again. Our faith in God is carrying us through this marathon.”

In addition to several types of therapies at Hope Therapy Center and Ultimate Performance Chiropractic and Rehab, Ty began hyperbaric oxygen treatments in July 2018. Ty’s family saw remarkable improvements through the combination of numerous treatment and therapies. “He was more aware and he began looking and acting like our Ty again,” Cathy says.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

In March 2019, Ty’s girlfriend, Taylor, said they saw outstanding improvement after Ty completed his third round of oxygen therapy. “He gave me a hug while standing up, without holding on to anyone or anything,” she says. “It was an unexpected moment that meant a lot to both me and to Ty’s recovery. Unless you go through something like this, you cannot fully grasp how something so seemingly simple can be so missed and become such a big accomplishment.”

In between the hyperbaric oxygen treatments, Ty continues Neurosage therapy at Ultimate Performance Chiropractic and Rehab along with physical, speech, and occupational therapies at Hope Therapy Center. “Hope Therapy is equipped with certified brain injury specialists, but most of all, their therapists are the most patient people on earth. Sonya (the owner of Hope Therapy) has put together such a great team,” Cathy explains.

“Ty’s progress has been slow but steady,” says Jim Marcantel, PT, DPT, physical therapist at Hope Therapy Center. “From a physical therapy standpoint, Ty is doing better with standing, balancing, and even a little walking. In the beginning days of therapy, Ty could not remember my name. Now, not only does he remember my name, but the other day I asked him who was the quarterback for LSU and he correctly named Joe Burrow. Ty is still a sports fan!”

DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS

copiers • scanners • printers • fax • shredders Ty Griffen with his therapists at Hope Therapy Center: (left to right) Ethan Hyatt, MCD, CCC-SLP, speech language pathologist; Jessica Wells, LOTR, MOT, occupational therapist and Jim Marcantel, PT, DPT, physical therapist.

Locally owned and operated for over 30 years

600 W McNeese Street, Lake Charles | (337) 474-9913 asiofficesystems.com Behavior and demeanor have improved, too. “Due to the nature of Ty’s brain injury, his behavior can be unpredictable at times, but it is steadily improving. He is interacting better with others and is able to engage in small social contexts with cuing,” explains Jessica Wells, LOTR, MOT, occupational therapist with Hope Therapy. “He continues to improve in activities of daily living, including dressing himself, meal preparation and hygiene.”

Today, Ty stands by himself with the help of a walker. He walks with the walker, along with the assistance of two people, mostly to help his left leg get into position for each step. He has enjoyed several fishing trips and a hunting excursion in recent months.

His short-term memory is spotty. He doesn’t always remember what he’s eaten, but “he always remembers those he grew up with,” Cathy says. “Ty has so many good friends, we’re blessed that he still has that connection. His warm and gracious personality is slowly coming back, and we’re so thankful.”

“Ty’s support system of family and friends is one of his strongest assets,” explains Ethan Hyatt, MCD, CCC-SLP speech language pathologist at Hope Therapy Center. “ They have always been eager to learn about what we do in therapy and how they can implement these things at home to facilitate maximum progress. This has undoubtedly had a tremendous positive impact on Ty’s progress.”

Ty’s family is diligent with his progress at home, too. “We always send our patients home with ‘home work’ and Ty’s family goes above and beyond with making sure it gets done,” says Wells.

As far as how much independence and mobility Ty will regain, Cathy says it’s unclear. “Every brain injury is different. You never know where you’ll go, but it’s important to stay positive and be patient.”

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Places & Faces

The Future is Bright FOR THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

by Stefanie Powers

Since 1988, the Children’s Museum has been entertaining and educating the children of Southwest Louisiana and beyond with innovative, hands-on exhibits, storytelling, music, art and crafting classes and so much more.

Now, the museum is gearing up for a big move from its Broad St. location to the waterfront. Due to a joint venture and partnership between the Children’s Museum, Wildlife and Fisheries and the City of Lake Charles, its future is bright indeed.

When the project was first announced, the museum staff was elated. “We were very excited about the possibility and started looking forward to the future,” says Assistant Director Allyson Montgomery.

Port Wonder, as it has been named, is now a go, with construction expected to begin in the spring of this year and be completed by the end of 2021. It will house the Children’s Museum and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Science Center and Educational Complex. It will also include a covered fishing pier, an outdoor educational complex with a walking trail and an enhanced alligator pond.

Montgomery explains that they are still in the design phase, but they have many new things planned. “We hope to bring over some of our current exhibits and a lot of the same concepts, but there will be many new ones with a heavier emphasis on STEM education,” she says. “A lot of our current exhibits already feature science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The new exhibit areas will enhance these learning experiences featuring these concepts and include a local flare.”

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

Some of the exhibits will be similar to everyone’s favorites, while some will be new and feature career opportunities in the area.

“Our hope is for children to learn about the world around them, discover new concepts, imagine the future and dream about endless possibilities,” she continues. “A child learns best through play.”

The cost of admission will likely increase slightly, and the hours will remain about the same. They're currently open MondaySaturday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00-5:00 p.m. “Our goal is to keep admission affordable to families and students with the support of annual contributions,” says Montgomery. The relocation project would not be possible without the support of the museum’s generous community partners, annual donors, visitors and community support.

“We love being a part of Southwest Louisiana and the memories of the families who visit. Our mission is to provide a fun, educational environment that encourages curiosity, creativity and social skills through hands on programs and exhibits. We hope this project is one that everyone is proud of and can enjoy with their family. It’s all about the kids and inspiring them to do great things for the next generation.”

SHOTS FOR TOTS JANUARY DATES ANNOUNCED

THE IMPACT OF

Port Wonder

MAYOR NIC HUNTER COMMENTS ON THE IMPACT PORT WONDER WILL HAVE ON OUR AREA: Port Wonder will change the first impressions of the 80,000+ daily I-10 motorists who travel through Lake Charles. To have a 30-plus year attraction like the Children’s Museum serve as one of the anchors of this Lakefront project is an exciting prospect. Add in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Science Center and Educational Complex, and we are creating a state-of-the-art educational and entertaining destination for locals and visitors. In the long run, Port Wonder’s addition to the Lakefront will mean a new destination for residents and visitors, an economic boost to our area and a catalyst for additional development of the Lakefront.

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will offer Shots for Tots on several dates in January. Shots for Tots offers immunizations for children six weeks of age through 18 years of age who are uninsured, underinsured, or have Medicaid, or are American Indian/Alaskan native. The cost is $10 per person.

On Thursday, January 9, the clinic will be held in Moss Bluff at Dynamic Dimensions East, located at 602 Sam Houston Jones Parkway, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Sign-in ends at 11:30 a.m.

On Saturday, January 11, the clinic will be held in Sulphur at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital near the Cypress Street entrance from 8:30 a.m. – noon. Walk-ins are welcome, signin ends at 11:30 a.m. It will also be held on January 11 at the Vinton Medical Clinic, located at 1611 Hampton Street, by appointment only.

Call (337) 527-4361 to schedule an appointment.

On Wednesday, January 22, the clinic will be held in Westlake at the Westlake Diagnostic Center, located at 2345 Sampson Street, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

By appointment only, call (337) 433-1395 to schedule.

Join Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School for the

2020-2021 PRESCHOOL & LOWER SCHOOL PARENT PREVIEW Tuesday, January 28th

PreK2, PreK3 & 1st - 6th Grades will be at 5:30 pm PreK4 & Kdg at 6:30 pm 803 North Division Street, Lake Charles

The purpose of the evening is for parents to preview the upcoming grade level, meet our faculty, and preview next year’s curriculum. Come and find out why we are “so much more than a school.” www.episcopaldayschool.org

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Style & Beauty

GLAM GIRLS

by Angie Kay Dilmore

MAYA WARD Maya Ward, a fifteen-year-old sophomore at Barbe High School, first became interested in modeling early last summer when she began a modeling course offered by her cousin Alyssa Burris. Burris has modeled professionally and is the founder of Walks 2 Remember, a modeling coaching and mentoring business here in Lake Charles. By September, Maya, whose stage name is SheliaAlise, was walking runways during Fashion Week in New York City. She showcased garments by Texas-based designer Travis Hamilton and his label, Negris Lebrum. Maya has also done runway fashion modeling in Baton Rouge. Photos of Maya modeling have appeared in French, Italian, and American magazines.

Maya says Burris’s four-month modeling course was fun but humbling and way more work than she imagined. Runway modeling is also a lot of work. While a model may look serene as she sashays down the runway, it’s often mayhem behind the scenes, with lightning-quick clothing changes and adjustments to hair and make-up. “There’s a lot of practice, stress and pressure that goes into a show,” says Maya.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

One need only look around to know we have beautiful people in Southwest Louisiana. Numerous nationally recognized beauty queens, runway models, and Hollywood actresses were born and raised right here in the Lake Area. In this first issue of 2020, we spotlight two young ladies who are beautifully pursuing their passions.

Makeup by Shaunteal Prejean with Chantelle's Makeup Studio photo by Jason Carroll

Maya says modeling suits her personality. “The dedication and work ethic required has shaped me into a more disciplined person. There are a lot of physical and mental challenges that go into modeling. Certain weight standards must be maintained and it’s hard not to compare myself to other models. My coach Alyssa has groomed me to focus on myself and making myself a better model. Having a good skin care routine is also important, with the closeup photography.” Her favorite part of modeling is getting out on the runway and feeling that sense of accomplishment when the show is a success.

Currently, Maya is busy with school and activities. She has participated in athletics such as volleyball, softball, soccer, and now runs track.

She also pursues artistic outlets such as painting, writing, and reading poetry. In October 2020, she’ll be headed to Paris to walk the runways in the City of Lights.

Maya plans to continue modeling, at least as a side hustle, but college is definitely in her future.

photo by Jason Carroll

Maya on a New York runway

Maya and her coach, Alyssa Burris, founder of Walks 2 Remember

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Style & Beauty

JILLIAN ELLIOTT Jillian Elliott, a 18-year-old senior at Westlake High School, began competing in pageants at age 13. She intended to only compete at a local fair, but loved it so much, she kept competing, and that paid off big time last summer. In July, Jillian was crowned Miss Teen America 2019! She says standing onstage as one of the final two contestants was an exhilarating mix of nerves and excitement. “Hearing Louisiana called as Miss Teen America was a memorable moment. I was thrilled to serve as Miss Teen America, but representing the state that I love and have called home my entire life made it even more special.”

Pageant competition consisted of interview, active wear, fashion runway, evening gown, and onstage question.

When asked about an issue she is concerned about, Jillian shared her passion for childhood literacy. She recognizes that many young people view reading and writing as a chore. “My mission is to change that attitude and encourage kids to read and write for leisure, not only for tests, reports, or homework.” This year, Jillian will visit libraries, speak to classrooms, and pass out bookmarks to inspire kids to take advantage of their education.

Jillian says participating in pageants benefits girls in numerous ways, like improved communication skills and higher self-confidence, but overall, opportunity is the most notable. “Pageants give girls the opportunity to focus on self-growth in a competitive, yet empowering, environment.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

Also, professional opportunities are possible through pageantry. You wouldn’t believe how many lawyers, business owners, journalists, and popular entertainers are former ‘pageant girls!’”

After graduation, Jillian plans to major in Journalism at LSU with the intent of pursuing a law degree afterwards. “My dream job is to one day report for a major national news channel!”

photo by Goodwin Photography

photo by Chris Brennen Photography

photo by Jacqui Elliott

photo by Jacqui Elliott

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Style & Beauty

Skin Care

from the

Inside Out foods that benefit your body’s largest organ

We’re always searching for the latest and greatest creams to keep our skin radiant year around, especially in the winter months; but have you considered tackling that goal from the inside out?

Your diet can play a huge role in the health of your skin, for better or for worse. Try these foods to help you glow long after the sparkle of New Years.

48 48 Thrive Thrive Magazine Magazine for for Better Better Living Living • January • January 2020 2020

PISTACHIOS contain a high amount of monounsaturated fats, a beneficial type of fat that can provide many health benefits, including improved skin ageing. One study showed that women who consume a diet higher in monounsaturated fats have improvements in skin elasticity.

Pistachios are versatile, making them easy to incorporate into your diet. Add pistachios to popcorn and chocolate chips to make a snack mix. Use crushed nuts as a crust for baked chicken or tilapia. Or throw a handful into the blender with your next smoothie. For some unique pistachio snacks, try Setton Farms Pistachio + Plum Chewy Bites, 180 Snacks Pistachio Squares, Figgy Pops Cranberry Pistachio Supersnacks, or Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Pistachios with almonds, cherries, and black pepper.

RED PEPPERS provide more Vitamin C than oranges! Vitamin C is important for collagen synthesis, a protein abundant in the skin and vital for skin health. Like vitamin E, Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that may prevent harmful UV light exposure. Vitamin C can also help decrease risk of dry skin. Red peppers can easily be cut into strips for an easy snack, or you can roast them in the oven at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes and add them to dishes like pasta, salads, or omelets.

EGGS provide a phytonutrient called lutein which can greatly benefit your skin. Lutein is prominent in the skin and is associated with skin coloring. To give your skin a radiant color boost, snack on a hardboiled egg or make a quiche for an easy meal!

Courtesy of colleenchristensennutrition.com.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS are a powerhouse when it comes to Vitamin E. A quarter cup of sunflower seed kernels provides over 80% of the recommended daily intake.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is essential for healthy skin. It may help to protect the skin from free-radical damage due to the sun’s UV light. Vitamin E has also been discussed as an anti-inflammatory agent, helping decrease swelling and puffiness.

And it’s a fat-soluble antioxidant, which means it is better absorbed when eating in conjunction with a source of fat.

Sprinkle sunflower seeds onto avocado toast or on top of a salad with oil-based dressing, such as olive or avocado.

CUCUMBERS are a great vegetable to include in your diet for radiant skin. They are 96% water, meaning they’re a fabulous way to hydrate your skin beyond drinking water itself. Higher intakes of water have been shown to have a positive impact on skin physiology, allowing your skin cells to function optimally. Lack of hydration can lead to common skin problems such as dry, tight, or flaky skin, and can also contribute to wrinkling. Cucumbers are a super snack to have on hand for busy days. Dip them in hummus or add them to a salad or sandwich for a refreshing hydration boost!

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Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana...

Who’s News? You tell us! Send press releases to edit@thriveswla.com Urologist Kenneth Verheeck, MD Joins Memorial Medical Group Memorial Medical Group welcomes Kenneth Verheeck, MD, a board-certified urologist to its staff. He joins fellow urologists Dr. Kenneth Verheeck MD Stacey McBroom, DO, Farjaad Siddiq, MD and John Upshaw, MD. Dr. Verheeck received a bachelor’s of science in pharmacy from the University of Mississippi.

He then served in the US Army, achieving the rank of captain. He graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

His post-graduate training includes a urology residency at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

Dr. Verheeck is no stranger to Lake Charles, having worked in the city for 20 years. He then practiced at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi from 2014-2018. He is boardcertified by the American Board of Urology. He is also a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, American Urology Association, American College of Surgeons and Calcasieu Parish Medical Society.

Dr. Verheeck sees patients alongside Dr. Siddiq at Advanced Urology, located at 1715 Wolf Circle in Lake Charles. To schedule an appointment, call (337) 480-7499. www.lcmmg.com

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

Dr. Darryl Burckel, president of McNeese State University with State Senator Dan W. "Blade" Morrish

Louisiana State Sen. Dan W. “Blade” Morrish Receives Honorary Doctorate at McNeese Fall Commencement McNeese State University conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Louisiana State Sen. Dan W. “Blade” Morrish - a successful business owner, outstanding civic leader,

distinguished state legislator and an ardent supporter of education - during the 153rd commencement ceremony Saturday, December 14, at the Health and Human Performance Education Complex on campus. A native of Jennings, Morrish received his Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management from McNeese in 1972. He is completing his third term representing District 25 in the state Senate, which includes all of Jefferson Davis and Cameron parishes and portions of Acadia and Calcasieu parishes.

Morrish was elected to the Senate in 2008 and re-elected without opposition in 2012 and 2016. Prior to serving in the Senate, Morrish served three terms in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1996 to 2007, representing District 37, which covered Jefferson Davis and Calcasieu parishes.

In the Senate, he is chairman of the Education Committee and the Select Committee on Hurricane Recovery and a member and former six-year chairman of the Insurance Committee.

He is also a member of the Environmental Quality Committee, the Coastal Restoration Flood Control Committee, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation, the Legislative Rural Caucus, the Acadiana Delegation and the Board of Directors of the Professional Insurance Association of Louisiana and an interim member of the Finance Committee.

He is currently business and operations manager for the Lake Charles Pilots. He owned Capitol City Hardware & Implement Company of Jennings for 28 years and worked as a marine underwriter with The Insurance Company of North America and in sales and operations management with Browning-Ferris Industries.

Morrish has served as an outstanding leader in civic and professional organizations through his service on a multitude of boards and organizations at the local, state and national levels. He is currently serving as president of the National Council of Insurance Legislators, an organization comprised of legislators from all 50 states devoted to addressing model insurance legislation that focuses on insurance issues throughout the country.

Morrish has also been recognized for his successful legislative work and outstanding conservation efforts by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

Cameron Parish District Attorney Candidate Tom Barrett Accepts Temporary Position as Calcasieu ADA Tom Barrett has accepted a temporary appointment as a Calcasieu Parish Tom Barrett Assistant District Attorney. Barrett has declared his candidacy for Cameron Parish District Attorney after serving as an ADA in that office for 16 years.He grew up in Sulphur and is a long-time resident of Cameron Parish. Barrett earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University.

He established Barrett Law firm in 2000 and began working as an ADA for Cameron Parish the following year. During his 30-year career, Barrett has represented numerous public bodies, including the Cameron Parish Police Jury, Cameron Parish School Board, the cities of Sulphur, Jennings and Lake Charles, McNeese State University, Jefferson Davis Police Jury, the State of Louisiana and the Calcasieu Parish School Board, among others.

Barrett is a member of the Cameron Lions Club, Ducks Unlimited, SWLA Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association and the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association. He is the former president of the Young Men’s Business Club and former member of the Boy Scouts.

Episcopal Day School Honors Hales for Philanthropy Nealie and Dr. Steven Hale were recently honored by Bishop Noland Episcopal Day School (EDS) on National Philanthropy Day at a luncheon hosted Dr. Steven and Nealie Hale by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Southwest Chapter.

The couple has been married for 10 years, have four children and are members of St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church. Dr. Hale is a graduate of EDS and their two youngest children currently attend the school.

Nealie is originally from Jackson, Mississippi, and graduated from the University of Mississippi with a BS degree in Family and Consumer Science. She then earned a BS degree in Nursing from the University of Memphis. She is the President-elect for the Junior League of Lake Charles and is an active volunteer at EDS. Steven is originally from Lake Charles and graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge with a degree in biochemistry. He received his Medical Degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed an orthopaedic residency at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee. Steven joined the Center for Orthopaedics in 2009. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Orthopaedic Association, for which he is currently serving as the Treasurer. Steven is also a member of the Louisiana State Medical Society and Treasurer for the Calcasieu Parish Medical Society.

The Hales are both passionate about academic excellence and the environment Bishop Noland provides for their children and are very involved in continuing efforts for advancement at the school.

Corbello appointed Arts Council director Devan Corbello has been named executive director of the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. A native of SWLA, Corbello was previously employed by the American Heart Devan Corbello Association as regional director and is the founder of Corbello's Menswear.

Corbello is a member of Fusion Five and has served as sponsorship chair for the organization.

As the outreach coordinator for Family and Youth Counseling Agency, he was responsible for event coordination, media promotions, and he functioned as a delegate in Washington, D.C., where he presented SWLA-related issues to senators and representatives.

The Arts and Humanities Council is the umbrella organization for artists and arts organizations in the five-parish Imperial Calcasieu region. It administers four annual grant programs totaling nearly $200,000. The Council coordinates many of the area's most popular events including Live at the Lakefront and ArtsFest.

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Style & Beauty

New Year, New Cut

by Emily Alford

New year’s resolutions get a lot of attention every January, but new possibilities are much more fun. A brand new year offers myriad opportunities for a brand new you, starting with a new look. Here are some trendy hairstyles for 2020.

BLUNT BOB Few haircuts are more chic than the straight, chin-length bob parted down the center, which is probably why the look has been one of the most requested hairstyles since the 1920s. And in 2020, one hundred years after the blunt bob was the signature look of freewheeling flappers, it remains an incredibly popular haircut. If you opt for a straight bob, the key is to keep it shiny by using a heat protecting spray before flat ironing and a shiny product afterward.

But the center-parted bob isn’t the only popular bob for 2020.

Bobs with a deep side part are also very much in style if you’re not a center-part kind of person. Just make it clear to your hairstylist how you will part your hair, as it makes a difference in how they cut it.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

EDGY LOB If you prefer shoulder length locks, consider a lob—or long bob. These styles generally rest at or just below the shoulders. And unlike the blunt bob, in which the hair is all one length, the best lobs of 2020 are a bit tousled. For a choppy lob, stylists cut layers into the hair, making for greater volume and textured ends. Let hair air-dry for a bit of natural wave and then finish with a texturizing product for a cool, messed-up-on-purpose style.

GREAT LENGTHS This year, most hairstyles are either all or nothing. Extralong mermaid locks, the antithesis to the blunt bob, are also all the rage among stars like Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian. But just because you haven’t spent the entirety of the teens growing three feet of hair doesn’t mean you are excluded from this trend.

Celebrities with extra-long hair often have a little help in the form of extensions, and most salons offer several options for making hair a bit longer. From temporary glued extensions that last a couple of weeks to sewn in locks that last much longer. Ask your hairdresser about your options and you too could have Lady Godiva locks sooner than you thought possible.

BOLD BANGS Winter is the best time of year for bangs. Soaring summer temperatures make skin too sweaty to wear a fringe across the forehead. And the eyebrow-length, piece-y bangs that are in style for 2020 can be all grown out by summertime, especially if you’re adding long bangs to your tousled bob.

They can easily be blended in with your textured look if you decide to grow them out during summer months.

Of course, you can rock a new look without cutting hair or having extensions put in. Many of these styles can be incorporated into your look already—try a blunt cut for shoulder length hair or a center part when you normally part on the side. Little changes can make a huge statement!

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Style & Beauty

a p S ions

t u l So

for Y our Winter Skin Woes

by Emily Alford

After the excitement of the holidays comes the absolute doldrums of winter. All the cheer has worn off and we’re left with cold weather and itchy, sometimes even cracking skin. That’s why January is the perfect month to treat yourself to a spa day! Here are some of the most common winter skin problems along with some easy, refreshing spa fixes.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

PROBLEM: Itchy skin

SOLUTION: Body scrub Being cooped up in buildings blasting artificial heat during the winter makes many of us feel as if we’re jumping out of our skin. Itchy arms and legs during the colder months make you want to take off those mittens and scratch, but doing so could damage skin already raw from lack of moisture.

Instead, why not book a body scrub at the spa?

A body scrub combines a relaxing massage with an exfoliator, such as sugar, sea salt, coffee, or rice, to safely slough away all that irritatingly dry winter skin on the arms, legs, and back. Afterward, your spa technician will massage moisturizer into all the exfoliated areas, so you’ll leave with skin that feels brand-new.

PROBLEM: Cracked, cold hands and feet

SOLUTION: Paraffin dip

Venturing outside from the office door to your parked car can be enough to make hands and feet feel numb.

Additionally, a lack of moisture in the air can cause the sensitive skin on hands to crack and crease, no matter how much hand lotion you slather on. If you’re one of those people whose hands and feet are always cold or if your hands start looking a bit shriveled in the winter, a paraffin dip could be the perfect solution.

Paraffin is just a fancy word for warm (not scalding) melted mineral wax. Dipping hands and feet into warm wax in chilly wintertime feels lovely, and wax is a natural emollient, which softens the skin. After leaving the wax to harden, your spa technician will gently peel it away, along with that pesky, dry winter skin.

PROBLEM: Flaky lips

SOLUTION: Exfoliation and a lip mask One of the worst parts of chapped winter lips (besides the pain, of course) is that nagging, peeling skin that most of us are dying to pull but know we shouldn’t. But try as we might, many simply cannot resist the urge to pick a little, often leaving lips a bit bloodied in the process.

Rather than torture yourself with the cycle of pain, picking, and more pain, ask your spa technician what services they offer for dry lips. As an add-on to treatments like facials and massages, many spas offer lip scrubs and even lip masks. A lip scrub follows the same steps as a body scrub, wherein lips are lightly massaged with coarse sugar or coffee to gently remove all the dead skin and then a light lip moisturizer is applied to heal cracked lips. A lip mask takes it one step further and lets lips rest under a hydrating mask that will plump and soften parched winter pouts. Your pucker will be good as new in no time!

If you have other seasonal skin woes, let your spa receptionist know while you’re booking your appointment. Most spas are happy to customize a visit tailored specifically to your skin’s needs.

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Home & Family

Plan your Dream Vacation Oh, the places you can go! According to an AAA travel survey, approximately 100 million Americans, or one on four, traveled for vacations last year. Assuming this year to be a similar forecast, we hope you will be among those numbers. In this special section on Planning your Dream Vacation, you’ll find stories on 2020 travel trends, destinations you can go and how to get there, the importance of taking time off work, and why you should consider buying travel insurance. Wherever your vacation plans take you this year, bon voyage!

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

Silversands Grenada is home to the Caribbean's longest pool photo by Silversands

Travel Trends: WHAT TRIPS ARE IN STORE FOR YOUR 2020?

by Andrea Guthmann

Is seeing more of the world one of your New Year’s resolutions? As you consider travel plans for this year, here’s a rundown of vacation trends you should expect to see in 2020. Which trends match the resolutions on your travel list?

FLIGHT SHAME Aviation emissions are growing by 6% per year, causing people to be more aware of their travel carbon footprint.

Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg brought attention to a term for it — flygskam — which translates to flight shame, when she crossed the Atlantic in a sailboat. While that may not be your idea of a vacation, Lake Charles locals are fortunate to live within an easy drive of two major cruise ports — Galveston and New Orleans — making it easy to avoid the airport while still escaping somewhere exotic.

AVOIDING OVERTOURISM It’s everyone’s travel nightmare. Your dream trip turns out to be everyone else’s as well and ends up being an overcrowded disappointment. How to find that authentic off-the-radar destination? Look a little further.

Dreaming of a tropical island? There are 26 different island nations in the Caribbean, but many are largely unheard of.

Want to avoid hordes of cruise ship passengers? Set a course for one of the Caribbean’s best kept secrets . . . the tiny Southern Caribbean island nation of Grenada. Natural beauty abounds, from white sand beaches to lush mountains and tropical waterfalls.

Have your sights on Spain? Many visitors never make it past Barcelona, Bilbao, or Madrid, but some of the country’s most interesting finds are outside the major cities. Check out the captivating, cobblestoned medieval town of Olite, near the northern border with France, in one of Spain’s oldest winemaking regions.

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Home & Family | Plan your Dream Vacation ROAD TRIP! Road trips are surging in popularity, according to the 2019-2020 Portrait of American Travelers Survey, conducted by hospitality marketing firm MMGY Global. Not only for budget-minded families; millennials are also embracing the flexibility of having their own car.

GPS technology makes it easier than ever to explore foreign destinations by car. Hertz Europe’s “Voyage a la Francaise” gets travelers off the beaten path in the classic French sportscar, the Alpine A110. Travelers easily navigate the French countryside with Hertz custom itineraries and Hertz Connect, which provides your car with an unlimited wi-fi hot spot for several phones, as well as unlimited local and international calls.

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Hertz Europe's Voyage a la Francais photo by Hertz France

EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS Instead of bringing home souvenirs, imagine bringing home a new skill. How about learning to scuba dive? Both Sandals and Beaches resorts, found throughout the Caribbean, offer free scuba diving.

Sandals are adults-only properties, while Beaches is the gold standard for all-inclusive kid-friendly resorts.

New to scuba? A short $100 resort course in the Sandals and Beaches scuba practice pool will have you diving that day and allow you one complimentary dive per day throughout your trip.

Stay for at least six nights at Sandals and they’ll wave the $100 fee.

Want to get certified? Take the 8-hour Professional Association of Diving Instructors course on-line before your trip and you can leave vacation with your diver’s card. Sandals has certified more than 100,000 divers at their resorts, so they’re pros. Certified divers get two complimentary dives per day during their trip.

Or maybe you want to improve your tennis game? Choose a resort with first-rate instructors, like The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this sprawling resort has frescoed ceilings, gilded furnishings and Rolls Royces out front. Amidst all this opulence and Lily Pulitzer clad staff are ten beautifully landscaped tennis courts. Choose private lessons ($125 per half hour) or group clinics ($70).

Sandals Resorts offer complimentary scuba photo by Sandals

CULINARY TOURISM The Portrait of American Travelers Survey also says food is driving vacation decisions. Travel choices often start with getting a reservation at that Michelin-starred restaurant on your list. Travelers also seek authentic experiences like street food, farmers markets and food trucks.

Chicago tops every food lovers bucket list. Board the Chicago Pizza Bus for a 3.5-hour tour that includes behind-the-scenes kitchen tours, in-depth pizza history and plenty of slices. Of course, there’s more to Chicago than deep-dish pizza. Chicago’s also known for steak restaurants, a nod to its meat-packing history. One longtime favorite is Lawry’s, located in an opulent 1890’s mansion just off Michigan Avenue. Chefs in white starched uniforms wheel their massive silver carts to the dining room, carving prime rib tableside.

Looking for vegan or vegetarian? Book a table at True Food Kitchen. Hungry for budget-friendly options? Head over to hipster neighborhood Wicker Park for a $12 bowl of ramen noodles at Kinton Ramen.

You can’t leave the Windy City without having an evening cocktail at a rooftop bar. Head to the 26th floor of the Virgin Hotel, order your favorite beverage and drink in views of Chicago’s skyline at Cerise.

Chicago's Kinton Ramen photo by Neil Burger

Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

Give Yourself a Break!

THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING REGULAR VACATIONS

When was the last time you took a vacation? According to a survey by Allianz Global Assistance, 36% Americans have not been on a vacation in over two years. Fifty percent have not ventured more than 100 miles from their home.

What does this say about our American culture? Do we put more emphasis on material things than leisure experiences? Are we obsessed with our jobs or do our employers discourage taking time off from work? Yet the negative consequences of not escaping the rigors of everyday life can take a toll on our mental and physical health. Consider the following: STRESS REDUCTION A study by the American Psychological Association found that vacations reduce stress by removing people from the activities and environments that they associate with stress and anxiety. And the effects last beyond the duration of the vacation. A study from the University of Vienna reported that after taking time off work, vacationers had fewer stress-related physical complaints such as headaches, backaches, and heart irregularities, and they continued to feel better five weeks later.

IMPROVED HEART HEALTH Numerous studies tout the cardiovascular health benefits of taking a vacation. Men at risk for heart disease who skipped vacations for five consecutive years were 30 percent more likely to suffer heart attacks than those who took at least a week off each year. Even missing one year’s vacation was associated with a higher risk of heart disease.

Studies find similar results with women: Women who took a vacation once every six years or less were almost eight times more likely to develop heart disease, have a heart attack, or die of a coronaryrelated cause than those who took at least two vacations a year.

HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY Ironically, our workaholic efforts to be productive often undermine our ability to consistently perform at peak levels. Efficiency allows us to be more productive and successful, but it requires focus to be truly productive. Professional services firm Ernst & Young conducted an internal study of its employees and found that for each additional 10 hours of vacation time employees took, their year-end performance ratings improved by eight percent. Another study by the Boston Consulting Group found that high-level professionals who were required to take time off were significantly more productive overall than those who spent more time working.

BETTER SLEEP Thirty-five percent of Americans rate their sleep quality as poor (interestingly, about the same as the percentage of people who rarely take vacations.) Researchers say that vacations can help interrupt the habits that disrupt sleep, like working late into the night or watching a backlit screen before bed. If you suffer from work-related stress or your sleep is disrupted because of anxiety or tension, take a vacation and reset your sleep pattern.

If you’re still pondering your New Year’s resolutions, consider putting “Take a vacation” at the top of your list.

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Home & Family | Plan your Dream Vacation

Travel Insurance AND WHY YOU NEED IT

by Tina Higgins

You have planned the perfect vacation, contacted a travel advisor (or not), put down your deposit, and begun making payments. Your trip is six months away and you have lots of time to finish making payments and making plans. You are so excited about all the things you’re going to experience – the flight, resort, excursions, or perhaps you are taking a cruise. But have you thought about travel protection insurance?

Like any other insurance, travel insurance is meant to offer protection against sudden and unforeseen situations and events. What could possibly go wrong between the time you put your deposit down on a trip and you take off?

What about once you are on your vacation? What could happen to make you need to change your plans? Well, let’s explore a few things.

What if you have an accident or get sick and cannot go on your trip? Did you know that most vendors have cancellation policies that can cause you to lose some or all the money you have put down?

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

What if a family member is hospitalized the day before you take off for your vacation? Should you leave? Should you stay?

Let’s say that everything is going great. You have made it to your luxury resort in Jamaica. You go on that horseback riding excursion you’ve always wanted to experience. You fall off the horse and break your arm.

Does your health insurance cover the expenses in a foreign country? Most hospitals overseas will not accept your domestic health insurance card. They want your credit card instead because they expect payment up front before you receive care. What happens if you get so sick that you must be evacuated back to the U.S.? Will your health insurance help?

The what ifs go on and on, but the reality is that “life” happens. You should protect yourself!

Some say that travel insurance is too expensive. But, like car insurance, you purchase it with the hopes of never needing it. However, if you do need it, you can rest assured that your needs will be met without more out-ofpocket expenses.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT TRAVEL INSURANCE WILL COVER INCLUDE: • • • • • • •

Trip cancellation or interruption Missed connection Travel delay Emergency medical or dental coverage Travel accident Baggage loss/damage Emergency medical transportation

As you plan your next vacation, remember to budget for the cost of travel protection insurance. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!

For more information about travel protection insurance, contact Tina Higgins at Cruise Planners, 337-405-7650, tina.higgins@cruiseplanners.com, and www.DestinationsByTina.com.

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Home & Family | Plan your Dream Vacation

Planes, Trains, & Aquamobiles

(AKA BOATS)

HOW TO GET TO WHERE YOU WANT TO GO

by Angie Kay Dilmore

PLANES Seasoned Southwest Louisiana travelers no doubt are familiar with that drive to a Houston airport, be it George Bush International or Hobby, as their jumping off point to their final destination. It nearly always appears to be the more economical route. But when you factor in your drive time, cost of gasoline, and parking for the duration of your trip, it may be a better deal to fly out of our own Lake Charles Regional. You can only go to either Houston on United Airlines or Dallas-Fort Worth via American Airlines, but from either of those places, you can journey on to most anyplace on earth!

The perks of flying out of Lake Charles? A short drive to get there, free and easy parking, and no hassles to get through security. Another option often overlooked is the Lafayette airport. It’s just a bit over an hour drive, and while they do charge for parking, their TSA process is equally a breeze. From Lafayette, you can fly to Atlanta on Delta, Dallas-Ft. Worth on American, and Houston on United.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

PROS:

•

Once on board, by air is the quickest way to get to where you are going, especially if you are traveling a long distance.

• Someone else is behind the wheel and you can relax.

• Safety – Air travel is statistically one of the safest modes of transportation.

• A bird’s eye view.

CONS: • Crowded, cramped quarters • Higher cost generally, especially if there are several people traveling with you.

• Potential for lost luggage.

• Potential need to rent a car, incurring additional costs.

• Little opportunity for movement/activity, which can be a problem on longer flights.

• Travel can be disrupted by weather, mechanical problems, and other issues.

When it comes to vacations and travel adventures, there’s a whole world out there to explore and many different ways to get there. Here, we detail a few options and highlight some places you might want to experience.

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Home & Family | Plan your Dream Vacation

TRAINS You may or may not be aware, but Lake Charles has a train station at 100 Ryan St. and Amtrak’s Sunset Limited stops there tri-weekly. You can head west to Houston (approx. four hours) and from there ride the rails all the way to Los Angeles. If you go east, you can arrive in New Orleans in around six hours. From NOLA’s Union Passenger Terminal, you can hop aboard the City of New Orleans and go to Memphis (four hours) and Chicago (19 hours) or any of the other 16 stops along the way through America’s Mid-West.

BOATS Lake Charles is fortunate to have two cruise ship ports within easy driving distance – Galveston and New Orleans. From there, it’s off to the islands and beyond! Three cruise lines set sail from Galveston – Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival. The Port of New Orleans hosts the same three cruise lines, plus Norwegian. These floating resorts are as much about the journey as the destination.

While at sea, there is a plethora of activities to keep you busy and help pass the time. Or you can simply relax poolside! Once you arrive at a port of call, you can visit exciting places such as Mexico, Alaska, the Bahamas, Europe, Hawaii and the Far East.

PROS:

PROS:

• • • • •

CONS:

• • •

Comfort – You can get up and walk around a train more easily than a plane. And if your trip goes overnight, you can book a sleeper car for even more comfort.

Dependability – Trains tend to run more or less on time.

Low-stress – The engineer is driving so you can relax.

The scenery – Gaze out the wall-size windows and see the countryside up close.

Also generally safe.

Train travel tends to be comparatively slow with frequent stops.

Not always more economical than airfare, and it takes longer to get to your destination.

Lack of flexibility. Routes and timings cannot be adjusted to individual preferences

• • • • • • • •

CONS:

• • • •

Little to no claustrophobia, as long as you don’t mind traveling with several thousand other people.

Again, relax – the captain is at the helm.

Cruises can be pricey, but there are bargains out there; though certain amenities can be expensive, such as drink packages and spa treatments.

More activities than you could possibly have time to do.

Food, excursions, and other amenities are generally paid for up front.

Getting a sample of several cities. If you love them, you can always return another time.

Statistically a safe bet.

You get to dress up for dinner.

Bad weather and rough seas may cause motion sickness.

Even though most cruise ships are huge, the cabins are generally small and some people experience a sense of “being trapped” while out at sea.

While at sea, internet can be sketchy. But hmm, maybe this should in the Pros list!

You have to dress up for dinner.

For more information on any form of travel, talk to a local travel agent.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

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FLYLAKECHARLES.COM Pre-K3 – 8th Grade Excellent Student/Teacher Ratio Participant in Education in Virtues Program

“Nurturing All Children and Achieving Academic Success in the Spirit of Christ”

Open House

Monday, January 27TH 6pm

&

Tuesday, January 28th 10am - 2pm

New Family Registration Opens February 10th

2510 Enterprise Boulevard | Lake Charles, La. 70601 | (337) 436-7959 | stmcs.com

Diverse Student Body Morning, Noon, Afternoon Prayer & Weekly Liturgy Special Education Services After School Care Available for PK3-8th Grade Spanish Enrichment Offered to All Students

St. Margaret Catholic School welcomes all children regardless of race, creed, or nationality.

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Solutions for Life

from Solutions Counseling & EAP

by Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP

Letting Go of Bad Habits It’s the New Year! Many of you made New Year's Resolutions, and some of you may have resolved to drop some bad habits. According to Texas A&M research, we spend onethird to one-half of our time engaging in “habit behavior.”

These are the things we do automatically, without thinking about them: applying brakes when we are driving, buying the same products at the store (even though there are many other options). Thank goodness for these habits. Imagine how cumbersome life would be if we had to think about every decision we make.

Many habits are put into place to help us feel secure, such as nail biting, hair twirling, gum popping (guilty!), automatically playing on your phone if you have two seconds of down time, etc. These are soothing on some level, so we go to them when we feel stressed, or want a sense of relief. These are the habits that can also get in our way. For example, nail biting is an indication that you are a nervous/fidgety person, and others may make judgements based on looking at your nails (and it’s difficult to hide your fingernails).

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020

IF YOU HAVE A BAD HABIT YOU’D LIKE TO DROP, CONSIDER THESE STEPS: CREATE A “HABIT DIARY.” Since habits are mindless and automatic, the first step in breaking a bad habit is to become more mindful of the behavior. You need to know when, how and where it typically occurs. You may need some help from others to bring it to your attention.

Begin to document the “where/when/ how” of the habit. You’re looking for patterns and triggers. Sometimes this alone will begin to reduce the behavior.

DISRUPT THE HABIT. In other words, make the behavior more difficult to do. If you are a nail biter, get acrylic nails put on, or wear gloves at those times you typically bite. If you can’t seem to get out of bed in the morning, move the alarm clock to where you must get out of bed to turn it off. If you want to slow down your eating, eat with the other hand or use chopsticks.

REPLACE THE “BAD” WITH THE SMART! It’s never a good goal to “stop” doing something. (Try to “stop” picturing an elephant in your mind – impossible!) Instead, decide what you want to do instead of the bad habit. Then the goal becomes adding in a new, healthy habit as you eliminate the old unhealthy one.

There are many punishment techniques for stopping a bad habit – popping yourself with a rubber band on your wrist whenever you do the undesired thing, for example. I have never found punishment alone to be very effective. I am more of a “rewards” person. But the reward needs to be intrinsic (meaning that changing the habit will make you more of the person you want to be – not “I’ll reward myself by buying a new wardrobe if I stop this bad habit!”) I think it’s important to have a really good reason to stop a bad habit and replace it with a good habit. If you want to replace soda with water, you need to believe this will improve your life in some way.

If you want to stop biting your nails and replace that with deep breathing when you are anxious, it is important for you to see and want a tangible benefit, whether it is not having to be embarrassed for others to see your hands, or feeling like you have developed self-control and calmness (and not that your mother will stop griping about you biting your nails – you have to want it for yourself).

Once you know what you want to do instead of your bad habit, and you have figured out the positive reward of your new habit, now you need to make a plan. This is typically best done by using an “If-Then” statement. “If I am craving a sweet, then I will chew a piece of gum.”

Lastly, just like you tracked your bad habit, you need to track your new positive habit. Be aware of it, note it – celebrate it!

F O S R E LEAD , W O R R TOMO Tellurian’s Youth LEAD (Leadership, Enrichment and Development) Program is an innovative, yet simple, initiative to identify and cultivate the next generation of leaders in our neighboring communities. Program participants, who are selected through a competitive application process, are given $20,000 and one guiding rule – “Do good in your community.” LEAD participants solicit input from elected officials, non-profit organizations and business leaders to identify pressing community needs, and then execute projects to address them. We are excited to support this year’s LEAD participants and look forward to seeing the important projects they complete.

CONGRATULATIONS LEAD COUNCILS 2019-2020

Sulphur High School LEAD Council

Washington Marion High School LEAD Council

This is the third year of LEAD at Sulphur High. In the previous two years, student

This is the first year of LEAD at Washington Marion. They are hard at work on

members created and implemented a Little Free Pantry and a traffic safety initiative

developing a plan for the school’s first community project.

for their community.

The 2019-2020 Washington Marion Council Members are (pictured from left to right)

The 2019-2020 Sulphur High LEAD Council Members are (pictured from left to right)

Zavier Richard, Faculty Advisor Corry Allen, Asia Stevens, Nathaniel Smith,

Darby McMillan, Mathew Hardy, Garrett Gould, Meg Webster, Gabby McNamara,

Aa’sialynn Fuller, Javonte Roberts, Alicia Powell, Devon Dobbins, and Janaya

Kaden Rogers, Faculty advisor Teresa Crook, and Mattilyn Maples.

Woodard. (not pictured, Asia Senegal)

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • January 2020