Issuu

EAST COUNTY

Health Matters Observer

DECEMBER 2020

STEP UP YOUR

MEAL GAME No need to sacrifice health for flavor this holiday season. SEE PAGE 2

HEARING REIMAGINED

BETTER CARE

PICTURE OF HEALTH

PAGE 6

PAGE 7

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Local nonprofit implants new cochlear system.

Merger brings affordable health care.

Stay fit using habits that you enjoy.

HEALTH MATTERS

YourObserver.com

DECEMBER 2020

YULE EAT IT AND YULE LIKE IT An attempt was made to make healthy alternatives to a traditional Christmas dinner. How did it go? Well…

BRUSSELS SPROUT SALAD Yields: 8 servings Total time: 25 minutes

Photos by Brynn Mechem

Ryan’s battle with the soup is a tale that will be passed on for generations.

RYAN KOHN | SPORTS REPORTER

precedented year in almost all respects. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been

coping with the state of the world through a slight lowering of the bar in terms of diet. Or maybe the bar is fully on the ground now. It hasn’t been great, is what I’m saying.

week! You still have time to do it! I made cauliflower soup, Brussels sprout salad, chickpea and kale rigatoni, low-fat bread pudding and a secret mixed drink because we all deserve something for working hard in the kitchen. You’ll have to watch the video to see the whole process, but did I forget the words “Brussels sprouts” multiple times? Yes. Did I battle a blender of hot soup, a pot lid acting as my last line of defense against the soup’s scalding droplets? Yes. Did I end up making two dishes that I will make again because they actually tasted good? Somehow, yes. Watch the full (hectic, entertaining) video on YourObserver.com.

DIRECTIONS n In large bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add sprouts, and toss until well coated. Let stand at least 10 minutes or up to 2 hours. n When ready to serve, to bowl with sprouts, add romaine, ricotta salata, cranberries and almonds. Toss to combine.

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Leading up to her procedure, she consulted with a nutritionist and a psychologist and received an intensive education on healthy-eating habits and exercise from the dietitian at Manatee Weight Loss Center. She also connected with a support group. “The patient makes the difference in their own lives when they commit to using the lifelong tools we give them to help keep the weight off,” says Stelios Rekkas, MD, FACS, FASMBS, physician at Manatee Weight Loss Center and director of the weight loss program at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

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“The surgery helped me take the first step toward becoming the healthy person I always wanted to be,” says Jenny Rodriguez, who had robotic sleeve gastrectomy (“gastric sleeve”) surgery last year at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

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t’s the final month of what has been an un-

That’s OK. I love eating junk as much as anyone. But at some point we all need to rebound, to act like things are typical even when they aren’t just yet. You know that speech Harry makes at the end of “When Harry Met Sally …” about how when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible? Well, in that ethos (but about food) I — a sports reporter with no professional cooking skills and close to zero amateur cooking skills either — have created a video walking you through healthy alternatives for a five-course Christmas dinner. That’s in, like, a

INGREDIENTS n 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice n 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil n 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and very thinly sliced n 1 small head romaine lettuce, chopped n 1/3 cup packed grated ricotta salata or pecorino cheese n 2/3 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins n 1/2 cup smoked almonds, chopped

232 Manatee Ave E | Bradenton, FL 34208 941-254-4957 Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if bariatric surgery is right for you. Physicians are on the medical staff of Manatee Memorial Hospital, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 200222-7911 11/20

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HEALTH MATTERS

YourObserver.com

CAULIFLOWER SOUP Yields: 4 servings Total time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS n 1 tablespoon unsalted butter n 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil n 1 medium onion, chopped n 1 leek (white and light green parts), chopped n 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped n 1 small head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and sliced n 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth n 1/2 cup heavy cream n Cracked pepper, for serving Chive Oil n 1 bunch chives n 1/2 cup canola or grapeseed oil

CHICKPEA AND KALE RIGATONI Yields: 6 servings Total time: 35 minutes

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INGREDIENTS n 2 tablespoons olive oil n 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika n 1/2 cup panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs) n 8 oz. fresh chorizo (or hot Italian sausage), casings removed n 1 tablespoon tomato paste n 1 cup chicken broth n chickpeas, rinsed and drained n 2 large bunches kale (about 1 1/4 pounds total), stemmed and chopped (about 20 cups) n 12 oz. rigatoni n 2 oz. Manchego cheese, finely grated, plus more for serving

DIRECTIONS

n Heat butter and oil in large pot on

medium. Add onion, leek and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, covered, stir-

DIRECTIONS n In large skillet on medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add smoked paprika, and cook, stirring often, 30 seconds. Add panko and pinch salt, and cook, stirring, until toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer crumbs to plate. n Wipe out skillet, and heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil on mediumhigh. Add chorizo; cook, breaking up with spoon, until browned, 5-7 minutes. n Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add broth and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced by one-third, 4-6 minutes. n Add chickpeas, and cook until heated through, 2 minutes. Stir in kale and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook until tender, 2-3 minutes. n Meanwhile, cook rigatoni as label directs. Reserve 1 cup cooking liq-

ring occasionally, until very tender (but not brown), 10-12 minutes. n Stir in garlic, and cook 1 minute. Add cauliflower, broth and cream, and simmer until cauliflower is tender, 15-18 minutes. n Using handheld blender (or standard blender, in batches), puree until smooth. n Make chive oil: In blender, puree chives and 1/2 cup oil until smooth. Transfer to small saucepan, and cook on medium until mixture begins to simmer, about 3 minutes. Pour through a coffee filter set over a measuring cup. n Serve drizzled with chive oil and cracked pepper, if desired.

uid, then drain pasta, and return to pot. Toss with chickpea mixture and manchego, adding some of reserved cooking liquid if pasta seems dry. Serve sprinkled with bread crumbs and more cheese, if desired.

DECEMBER 2020

BREAD PUDDING Yields: 2 servings INGREDIENTS n 1 3/4 cups (1/2-inch) cubed Hawaiian sweet bread n 2/3 cup 2% reduced-fat milk n 2 tablespoons sugar n 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa n 1 tablespoon KahlĂşa (coffee-flavored liqueur) n 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract n 1 large egg, lightly beaten n Cooking spray n 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped n 2 tablespoons frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed DIRECTIONS n Preheat oven to 350 degrees. n Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or until toasted. Remove bread from oven. Decrease oven temperature to 325 degrees. n Combine milk and next five ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add bread, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. n Divide half of bread mixture evenly between two (6-ounce) ramekins or custard cups coated with cooking spray; sprinkle evenly with half of chocolate. Divide remaining bread mixture between ramekins; top with remaining chocolate. n Place ramekins in an 8-inch square baking pan; add hot water to pan to a depth of 1 inch. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes or until set. Serve each pudding warm with 1 tablespoon whipped topping.

HEALTH MATTERS

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DECEMBER 2020

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hen most people think of physical therapy, they often picture it as a healing method after an accident or injury. However, the truth is that physical therapy and a regular stretching routine can help people age more healthily.

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HEALTH MATTERS

YourObserver.com

“If you want to be independent, then it’s important to exercise daily. To maintain functional mobility in the community, you want to have a daily routine.” — Dave Ochsendoft

As people age, they are more prone to injuries as a result of falls and frequently experience aches and pains due to improper use or prolonged periods of stress on the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of four adults — around 36 million — over the age of 65 will fall each year. Those falls result in about 3 million emergency room visits and 32,000 deaths annually. Falls and other injuries are often caused by strength, balance and flexibility loss that people experience as they age. However, physical therapists Dave and Kristy Ochsendoft, who have owned Siesta Key Sports & Physical Therapy for the past 10 years, say a few visits to the physical therapist and a regular at-home routine can help people live a healthier lifestyle without fear of falling. “As we age, you can start to lose strength or balance, and for a lot of our seniors, that creates a fear of falling,” Dave Ochsendoft said. “That fear causes them to become less active, and in turn they get weaker, and then they’re more at

DECEMBER 2020

STRENGTHENING EXERCISES

FOR MORE INFORMATION SIESTA KEY SPORTS & PHYSICAL THERAPY Phone: 870-5811 Website: SiestaKeyPT.com

risk for falling. It can become a downward spiral.” The first step to a healthy routine is figuring out where potential weaknesses are. Common weaknesses among the older population include hips, legs and posture, the Ochsendofts said. Although there are several exercises everyone can perform to keep strong, Kristy Ochsendoft said everyone has different weaknesses and strengths and should be evaluated to find a program that is challenging for them. “For you to improve your balance or flexibility, you really want to challenge yourself with some of the exercises,” Kristy Ochsendoft said. “A person is going to benefit a lot more from an individualized program versus a general routine you find online. However, something is better than nothing.” Treatment can last anywhere from a few sessions to more than eight weeks, depending on the injury and how well a person progresses. The goal, Dave Ochsendoft said, is to get a person to be self-sufficient in their treatment, so the onus to continue a regular routine falls with the patient. “If you want to be independent, then it’s important to exercise daily,” Dave Ochsendoft said. “To maintain functional mobility in the community, you want to have a daily routine.”

Everyone’s body is different, and people will experience strengths and weaknesses in different parts of the body. Individualized routines will help a person see the most success, but there are a few general exercises everyone can try for healthy aging. STAND UP AND SIT DOWN It sounds simple, but a good way to keep strength in the legs and hips is standing up and sitting down on the edge of a chair without using your hands. Performing the seemingly simple task calls for flexibility, balance, muscle strength and motor coordination, and performing two sets of 10 repetitions a day can help keep you healthy.

PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE The ideal posture is standing erect with your body in a straight line. As a person hunches forward while looking at a computer or other devices, everything in the front of the body gets tight, and the back gets overstretched. Consciously sitting up straight and taking breaks every 30 minutes to move around can help your posture and keep your balance systems high-functioning. However, if you feel tightness as a result of poor posture, try lying flat on your back on a foam roller or rolled towel with your hands raised above your head. It can be hard to straighten properly when standing, but lying down allows gravity to help settle everything back in place.

STRETCH YOUR HIPS When people sit too long, there is abnormal stress on the hips and knees. Walking regularly can help ease the pain, but you also can lie flat on the edge of your bed and dangle one leg off the side to lengthen the muscles in the front of the hip.

STRETCH YOUR CHEST Reading or looking at a device can cause stress on the neck and upper back. Find a doorway, and place your hands on either side of the frame. Gently push forward into the palms of your hand to open up your chest.

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HEALTH MATTERS

YourObserver.com

DECEMBER 2020

Hearing lost and found

FOR MORE INFORMATION EAR RESEARCH FOUNDATION Address: 1901 Floyd St., #100 Phone: 365-0367 Website: EarRF.org

Dr. Jack Wazen at the Ear Research Foundation has installed a new kind of hearing device to help people with partial or total hearing loss. HARRY SAYER STAFF WRITER

r. Herbert Silverstein and Dr. Jack Wazen have been in the ear care and hearing loss field for some time, and it’s safe to say they’ve made their mark. Silverstein prides himself and his colleagues on the work they’ve done in their careers, everything from inventing a neurectomy procedure to help people with vertigo to formulating medication that numbs the eardrum for operations. That work continued when Silverstein founded the Silverstein Institute and the Ear Research Foundation organization in 1979 to research, develop and execute new approaches to treat hearing loss and ear damage, as well as nose and throat disorders. They’ve seen much in their time, and the work continues. But it’s not like it used to be, where Wazen jokes they would have to perform miraculous acts to help deaf people hear again. Now with advancing technology, Wazen and other members of his field are able to return hearing to people with fewer side effects or

struggles than ever before. That technology took another step forward this past year when Wazen — a partner at the Silverstein Institute and director of research at the foundation — added a new accomplishment to his name. He is one of the first neurotology specialists and surgeons to implant a new bone conduction hearing system for a patient with one-sided deafness. The progress with the new device is in how it’s implemented. The Cochlear Osia System has a processor placed behind a patient’s ear that transmits hearing information to an implant that is connected to a bone. This directs sound through vibrations straight to the inner ear and bypassing the canal, the middle ear drum, and any other part of the ear that could have an issue that affects sound. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that takes 30 minutes. “Sound travels through bone in a very efficient way,” Wazen said. “It’s easier for sound to travel through a solid than air.” The advantages to the new device are simple. Past devices — which had plenty of upsides including the most efficient form

Photos by Harry Sayer

Above: Dr. Jack Wazen has been practicing otolaryngology for more than 35 years. Right: The Cochlear Osia System connects directly to the bone and provides information to both a person’s deaf and nondeaf ear.

of conduction from the processor to the bone — often relied on more severe skin penetration, which could sometimes lead to recurring skin infections. “People who sweat a lot [or] people who do not take good care of their hair or hygiene could get recurrent infections,” Wazen said. “So we were looking for a system that could be as powerful or more … The [Osia] implant is then connected under the skin to a magnet. It’s magnet against magnet. It’s held together through an intact skin, therefore eliminating the risk of infection.” It’s a good approach for people with deformities or surgical defects and whose ears aren’t able to accept other hearing aids. It’s also a popular method for people with single-sided deafness, where just one ear has hearing loss. The device, by conducting

sound through the bone, actually provides information to both the deaf and nondeaf ear, which allows the user to hear the same thing on both sides. Since implanting the first Osia device in February, Wazen said he and colleagues now perform the procedure two to four times a month. It’s part of a long line of developments that Silverstein and Wazen have been privy to in their time. The Cochlear Osia System is just the latest improvement over past procedures, and the duo have seen much of it firsthand. Silverstein thinks back on blunter, more damaging procedures from the start of his career that have become a thing of the past. Disorders like Meniere’s disease, where issues in the inner ear cause vertigo and other maladies, would only be able to be treated

by operating and damaging the ear to the point of deafness. That made way for a drug that could be injected into the ear, which would still cause damage but not to the extent of brain surgery that would leave patients in the hospital for a couple days. The field has more of a deft touch today. Silverstein is happy to say his organization is involved with a company developing a gel that is injected into the ear and regrows small hairs in the cochlea and can partially restore hearing. It’s an exciting development, he said, and one the organization’s founder thinks will be the future of his industry. The process and implementation of helping people hear has changed, and Wazen said he still feels the thrill and pride when he speaks to a patient who tells him how they’ve helped him hear again. “Once we’ve achieved a goal, then the next step is [to] look at that goal and say, ‘Well, how can I make it better?’” Wazen said. “When I look at how we are changing people’s lives by taking somebody who is struggling to hear and communicate and putting them back in society as well-hearing individuals, that outcome, I still get goose bumps every time.”

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HEALTH MATTERS

YourObserver.com

CenterPlace Health to add two clinics in 2021 STAFF WRITER

enterPlace Health and Senior Friendship Centers have formed an alliance to try to improve health care for people throughout Sarasota County. Starting Jan. 1, Senior Friendship Centers will lease two health clinics to CPH: at 1888 Brother Geenen Way in Sarasota and 2350 Scenic Drive in Venice. “When COVID-19 hit, [we] realized how could we partner together and what we could provide,” CPH CEO Melissa Parker said. “We kind of realized we could probably provide a lot more as a federally qualified health center than the current practice at the Senior Friendship Center, so it’s kind of a win-win for both sides.” Parker explained how the partnership came about between CPH and the Senior Friendship Centers. “It was just a due diligence between the two of us to say: ‘Hey, what would happen if we merged and pooled our resources together and became the medical and dental portion of Senior Friendship Center? … How can we collaborate to provide better services to the community?’” Parker said. Dr. Neshia McClendon works for CenterPlace Health as a fam-

ily medicine doctor. She is in the process of changing from CPH’s 2200 Ringling Blvd. location to the new standalone clinic on Brother Geenen Way. “I think it’s beneficial for a lot of the population because the majority of the patients that are seen over at Senior Friendship Center are that of our older population, and they’ve come to develop relationships with a lot of the medical providers that are there,” McClendon said. “I think a lot of times with an older patient, they like to know that continuity will remain.” The expansion will give CenterPlace Health five clinics throughout Sarasota County, providing high-quality, low-cost health care to thousands of people throughout the county, CPH says. It is also expected to help alleviate some of the pressures at CPH’s North Port Health Center at 6950 Outreach Way. McClendon said many people think CPH operates as part of the Department of Health, which it doesn’t, even though they share the same building at 2200 Ringling Blvd. “In my opinion, that’s one of the things that CenterPlace Health needed to really show the name of who we are because of the confusion of ‘Oh, it’s the health

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DECEMBER 2020

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CenterPlace Health locations are throughout Sarasota County. Visit the practice’s website to find the nearest location at CenterPlaceHealth.org/ find-a-clinic.

The expansion is part of a partnership with Senior Friendship Centers. MARK BERGIN

75 NORTH PORT

VENICE GARDENS

41 Courtesy photo

Starting in 2021, Dr. Neshia McClendon will operate out of CPH’s new clinic at 1888 Brother Geenen Way.

department,’” McClendon said. “And truthfully, although we’re in the building, our companies are run completely different.” The partnership is also expected to address unmet needs in mid- and south Sarasota County, where studies show there are health professional shortage areas, a designation of shortages in primary care, dental health and mental health. Parker said there is a demand for better health care access in south Sarasota County. “That’s a problem throughout the country,” Parker said. “Not many people understand or know what health centers can provide.”

McClendon said she believes cities should have access to health care along bus routes. “We can’t assume that everyone has a car,” McClendon said. “We can’t assume that everyone has adequate transportation, but we can assume one doesn’t have transportation, [that] a lot of time they may utilize the city bus transit or city transit to get around.” McClendon said she has patients who take multiple buses from as far as Venice or Manatee County to come see her. “That partnership [with Senior Friendship Centers], it couldn’t have come at a better time when patients are struggling more with behavioral health issues with the pandemic, with patients that have lost their jobs,” McClendon said. “That’s one of the most

heart-wrenching things to see.” CPH’s website states fees are not increasing because of the new expansion. Parker said CPH has access to a sliding-fee scale, where patients can get care based on their income with a minimum payment of $10. “This strategic alliance will continue to save taxpayers by providing a medical home to lowand no-income adults and reducing costly emergency room visits,” Senior Friendship Centers CEO Erin McLeod said in a release. McLeod said CPH patients will be able to participate at Senior Friendship Centers to reinforce their well-being, which includes educational classes, exercise, meals, socialization and other actives to maintain physical and mental health.

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HEALTH MATTERS

YourObserver.com

DECEMBER 2020

“If you are doing your work in your relaxed, happy place, like your bed or on your couch, then where do you go to relax? Where do you go to separate that out and say: ‘OK, I’m done now. I get to just do whatever I want and do nothing.’” — Jane Kuhn

Having a space dedicated to work is important to ensure mental and physical health while working from home.

Separation is key Lakewood Ranch licensed social worker shares recommendations to successfully work from home.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Since the pandemic began in March, more and more people are finding themselves working from home, which isn’t always easy. For some, working from home is an excellent option that allows them to be comfortable in their own space while still maintaining productivity. For others, being at home all the time is a nightmare. They miss the

social interaction with coworkers, they can’t focus, or they feel they’re falling into a slump. No matter whether you’re working from home as a result of the pandemic, or you choose to work from home, Jane Kuhn, a retired licensed clinical social worker of 21 years and the vice president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team, said working from home can’t get in the way of taking care of yourself.

“[For those who choose to work from home], it’s not stressful for them, and they find ways to make it work within their lives,” Kuhn said. “Those people who don’t have the choice right now are being told they have to work from home, and it’s one more thing that’s taken out of our control.” The key to maintaining good mental health while working from home is ensuring there is a separation between working and leisure, Kuhn said. “You need to make that separation between ‘I’m working now,’ and ‘Now I actually get to relax,’” she said. “If you are doing your work in your relaxed, happy place, like your bed or on your couch, then where do you go to relax? Where do you go to separate that out and say: ‘OK, I’m done now. I get to just do whatever I want and do nothing.’” As part of instilling that separation, set a schedule, and make it a habit of starting work at the same time every day. “It’s going to take a lot of self discipline, but it’s so important to set that alarm, and it’s not just ‘I know I’ll wake up early,’” Kuhn said. Working from home can be overwhelming, just like in the office, so it’s important to remember to take breaks, whether that’s going for a walk around the

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HEALTH MATTERS

YourObserver.com

Courtesy photos

neighborhood, doing an exercise video or eating away from the designated workspace. “Try to carve out maybe a half hour, maybe an hour, during the day, and then get back to work,” Kuhn said. “You might find that you get more of the work done because your mind is a little bit more alert again.” This year, families have had to adjust to not only working from home but also children being at home with e-learning. Although many students have returned to school, some are still at home doing e-learning, which can be stressful for parents. Kuhn suggests separating education from home life as well. Take the time that went toward getting the kids dressed for school and making lunches in the past, and put it toward getting the kids set up for e-learning. Parents should also separate their workspaces from where their kids are learning at home to minimize distraction from listening to the students’ classes and wondering if everything is going well. Another health concern Kuhn has noticed is people feeling too isolated from having to work from home, and isolation can lead to depression. Kuhn recommends setting aside a few minutes per day to video call someone to have a face-to-face conversation with another person. Talking over the phone or doing a video call with other people working from home can help replace the lack of social interaction someone would normally get if everyone was in the office. “Find colleagues who are probably doing the same thing, and commiserate with that because that’s really what you’re doing at work — you’re sharing,” Kuhn said. “You know your common goals but also your common stressors.”

SHAUN J. LIMON DPM

Diplomate, American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry Board Certified in Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine

LISA GRIFFITH-LIMON DPM Diplomate, American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery. Board Certified in Foot Surgery.

A SUREFIRE CURE FOR THE

Holiday Blues

Jane Kuhn, a retired licensed clinical social worker of 21 years and the vice president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team, has a few ways people can harness resilience as the pandemic continues. MENTAL RESILIENCE n When starting the day, set realistic goals for yourself. The goals can be as simple as cleaning the house or working on a project you’ve been wanting to do. n Keep your mind active but not always focused on work. Do crossword puzzles, read a book, or take classes online to learn a new language. n Find a way to laugh. Humor can help you get through difficult times. n Reach out to others who have the same interests.

By Freya Robbins, CDFA™ Are you struggling more than normal this Holiday Season? This has been a far from normal year, so don’t be afraid to cut yourself a little slack. As a result of Covid-19 wreaking havoc with our business, health and personal lives, we are not the same as we were last year at this time. It is important, however, for our collective mental and emotional health, that we find a way to accept this and find ways to celebrate despite our circumstances.

PHYSICAL RESILIENCE n Stay active. Whether it’s going for a walk around the block or finding a workout video on YouTube, it’s important to have some time to keep moving. n Exercise or do some form of movement about every 20 minutes. n Eat healthy, but treat yourself from time to time. n Keep up with doctor appointments. n Don’t stay in your pajamas all day.

There will always be some situation in our lives that frustrates, confuses, or limits us. That is life in the fast lane. It is never about what happens to us, but how we handle that which happens to us that matters most. There is something important about being in the moment with your feelings, but it is also helpful to take some positive steps to move beyond the negative feelings too. Here is my surefire, threepronged approach to overcoming the Christmas Blues.

SPIRITUAL RESILIENCE (what sparks your motivation to do activities you love) n If you’re religious, practice your faith by watching a service online or praying. n If nature is comforting, go outside. Take a walk, or sit by the pool. Just get outside. n Connect with others virtually. n Feel and express gratitude. No matter what is going on in life, there is always something to be grateful for every day.

TAKE A DAILY DOSE OF GRATITUDE

Have you ever thought about the things you are thankful for? The situations that have gone right? The wonderful people in your life now or in the past who have been there for you? I highly recommend keeping a gratitude journal. You can create one daily, or you can keep an ongoing journal. Many times, we are quick to point out the bad in our life and we completely ignore the good. I encourage you to dig deep and find the many things you are thankful for.

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There are many things you can do to celebrate without spending money. Use this time to create new memories and deepen relationships. Plan a picnic on the beach. Take your family to see the Christmas lights. Plan a group to go Christmas caroling in a neighborhood that needs some holiday cheer.

EXCEL IN GENEROSITY

This time of year reminds me that there are many people who need a smile, a comforting word, or a hand doing something. If you are down and cannot seem to get yourself up, I suggest you consider doing something for someone else.

Drive through Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks and pay for the next person in line. Pay the toll for the person behind you. Give someone the parking spot you are about to take. Bring someone’s grocery cart back to the store for them. Carry someone’s groceries to their house for them. Tell your friend how much they mean to you. Make amends with someone you have injured in the past. Write a letter to someone you care about. Bring someone a flower. Give someone you love a manicure or pedicure. Make cookies for the neighbors you have not met yet. Step out of your comfort zone. You will be glad you did. There are so many ways you can show love and kindness that only cost a bit of thoughtfulness.

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This year has a lot of people experiencing new financial challenges. Maybe you are low on funds and feel that you cannot offer your family the gifts you have in the past? Is it about the gifts or is it about the thought and the relationship?

At Zollinger Mediation we provide mediation for any family issue, Marital Mediation, Eldercare Mediation, and Divorce Mediation. If you need help this holiday, start by going to our website to see how we have helped others and can help you too!

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DECEMBER 2020

HOW TO MAINTAIN RESILIENCE

Jane Kuhn is a retired licensed clinical social worker of 21 years and the vice president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team.

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Freya Robbins, CDFA™

SUPREME COURT CERTIFIED MEDIATOR

HEALTH MATTERS

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ABOUT JAYMIE

DECEMBER 2020

“You’re just always doing something. Grooming, brushing the horses. Every time I do it, I feel like I’m doing ‘wax on, wax off.’ I mean, my arms are burning.”

Age: 53 Residence: Sarasota Polo Ranch Occupation: Owner of Epic Equine Experiences Advice: “It’s never too late to change habits and find that passion. … If you find something you enjoy, it makes it so much easier to stay fit.”

which means the workload is shared. Klauber would know. The owner of Epic Equine Experiences and polo player has been riding horses since she was a toddler. Klauber, 53, lived in New York growing up, but she and her family had a farm in Pittstown, N.J., where they could escape the city. That’s where she first started riding, thanks to her father, Richie Barrie. She was a natural. If she hadn’t started riding at such a young age, she might have realized sooner just how difficult it can be to ride horses. There is no substitute for the type of workout it gives a rider, Klauber said. “The cool thing is you’re having fun, and so you don’t even really realize [you’re exercising],” she said. “You can really even get the exercise just walking on a horse. Your legs are still locked. Your core is still locked. So even if you just go for a trial ride, you’re getting exercise.” Klauber typically rides seven days a week, multiple times per day for about an hour each ride. On top of that, she plays polo two or three times a week, usually for longer than an hour each game. She added that playing polo takes the exercise up to an entirely different level. In addition to the work riders already do with their

Photos by Brendan Lavell

Jaymie Klauber plays polo on 7-year-old Chloe. It was the first practice and scrimmage of the new season.

legs and core, they have to control a horse with one arm and bend down while swinging a mallet in the other arm. It can be strenuous on the back. “It is a lot of energy that you are giving to the horse and sharing with the horse and bearing down and digging down into the horse and with the horse to accelerate,” Klauber said. “And then all the movement with the polo and steering and stopping and accelerating and turning.” Klauber, a Sarasota Polo Ranches resident, said she doesn’t ride in the summer, which means the first rides after the break are grueling. This summer, she tried to prepare herself by running — she’s since continued running twice a week while she trains for a half-marathon — and exercising through Orangetheory, a heart rate-based,

total body workout program. “It was, by far, the best workout I’ve had — that wasn’t riding, that wasn’t polo,” Klauber said. “It got me the closest I’ve ever been to being polo fit and riding fit, for sure. But still, you’re not using exactly the same muscles.” But riding isn’t the only source of exercise Klauber gains from her animals. In general, caring and tending for horses leads to an active lifestyle. From equipping the horses with saddles and more to wrapping their legs to shoveling their manure, the movement hardly stops. And Klauber has 12 to take care of in Sarasota. “You’re just always doing something,” Klauber said. “Grooming, brushing the horses. Every time I do it, I feel like I’m doing ‘wax on, wax off.’ I mean, my arms are burning.”

Other benefits to horseback riding include improved balance, coordination and posture. And Klauber said the benefits aren’t purely physical. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, she thinks the mental benefits of riding are more important than ever, from getting outside to connecting with another living being. “You’ve got that whole emotional and mental bond with a horse,” Klauber said. “Just being around them. I mean, it’s healthy for the mind and the soul and the spirit. … Winston Churchill said, ‘[There is] something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.’”

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