dc women's journal vol 48/issue 5

JWWashington

omen’sStories of

Hope

ournalA Lifestyle MagazineCOMPLIMENTARY

Volume 48 Issue 5

Gina Neely

Sinclair Prosser Adjust Your

Sails

Featuring Food Network Celebrity

Chef

Go Cook VeganGreat

Recipes

Dr. Alan WeissHealth in your 40s

and 50s

NEHA Spa Fall & Winter

Style Tips

wjwomen.com2

Take Charge of Your FinancesA financial checkup is as important as a physical checkup. A regular check of financial health can identify problems, chart progress, and outline action steps to achieve goals. Below is an end-of-year financial fitness check-up you can use to gauge your financial well-being.

Your FInancIal goals. Think about what you really want to do with your money and determine how much each of those financial goals will cost. As you set short-term and medium-term savings goals for the upcoming year, plan for an emergency fund that would take care of a few months of living expenses.

Your budget. Track your spending for 2 – 4 weeks, and then create a spending plan (total income minus total expenses). Your budget can be a monthly budget or a biweekly budget, whichever works best for you. If more money is going out than coming in, consider ways to reduce your spending or add to your income by getting a second job or turning a hobby into a small business.

Your saVIngs plan. Having a few months of essential living expenses in a liquid savings account as your emergency fund provides stability and peace of mind. Make deposits into savings automatic by updating your direct deposit designations. And plan for the 2016 Summer or Holiday Season by opening an Andrews Federal Vacation or Holiday Club Account.

Your retIrement plan. As you plan for your retirement, make or increase your designations to your employer’s 401(k) plan. If your employer matches a percentage of your contributions, take advantage of that free money! To learn more about retirement savings, check out Andrews Federal’s IRA/Retirement Center.

Your credIt report. Access your credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus, then review them for accuracy and dispute any incorrect items. You can receive a free copy from each of three credit bureaus once a year from the Annual Credit Report Request Service: www.annualcreditreport.com or 877.322.8228.

Your credIt score. Monitoring your credit score is really unnecessary, unless you are trying to figure out how credit scores work and how your activity affects your score. There are many different credit scores available, but if you want to know your score, get your FICO consumer credit score once per year at www.myfico.com.

Andrews Federal Wants to be Your Financial Partner Did you know you don’t have to be active or retired military to become a member of Andrews Federal Credit Union. In fact, if you live, work or worship in Washington, D.C., you are eligible to join today!

View our entire list of eligibility requirements by visiting andrewsfcu.org/join. For more information, call 800.487.5500 or visit your nearest Andrews Federal branch location.

October - November 2015 3

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At its current rate breast can-cer is growing rapidly, but it doesn’t need to. According to Dr. Mercola, “Cancer is a

manmade disease that did not exist be-fore poor diet and pollution appeared.” Breast cancer is caused by xenoestrogens, poor nutrition, environmental pollution, stressful negative emotions, synthetic hormone replacement therapies, birth control pills, chronic inflammation and acidity in the body, which leads to toxic-ity and the perfect breading ground for viruses. So now that we know what causes cancer, we know how to prevent it.

We are led to believe that mammo-grams detect breast cancer but the op-posite is true. Instead, mammograms have a first-time false positive rate of six percent and increase the risk for devel-oping breast cancer through potentially spreading or metastasizing an existing growth. The best method for breast can-cer prevention is breast thermography (infrared), which will detect cancer up to ten years earlier than mammography or physical exam without ionizing radi-ation or mechanical pressure. Further, needle biopsies should also be prevented because they may accidently cause malig-

nant cells to break away from the tumor, increasing the spread of cancer by fifty percent compared to patients receiving lumpectomies. An alternative way to de-tect breast cancer can be done by medical detective dogs through a person’s breath with sensitivity of 0.88 and specificity of 0.98. Cancer appears in the breath very rapidly and these dogs are best at detect-ing early cancers.

Breast cancer has the potential to go away on its own a fair amount of the time without intervention when the body turns towards a healthy environment. Nutrition is a key factor in preventing cancer. It is vital to eat only organic and eliminate the major factors that lead to chronic inflam-mation such as alcohol, coffee, processed food, food additives, a high carbohydrate diet, charred meat, unfermented soy products, dairy and refined sugar, which allow cancer cells to thrive.

Studies have shown the direct cor-relation between body hydration and toxicity. The more hydrated the body be-comes the less toxins it will allow, and vice versa. Hydrate with three to four liters of natural spring water and Sole water ther-apy per day. Avoid consuming water with chlorine and fluoride, which is running

rapidly in tap water nowadays. Dehydra-tion causes the body to become acidic which is perfect for disease. Water flushes the body of toxins. Aside from water in-take, drink a quart of organic green vege-table juice every day.

Optimize your vitamin D levels with supplementation or low-level sun ex-posure. Maintain a healthy body weight and do regular physical exercise to keep all parts of the body functioning proper-ly. Avoid electromagnetic fields, wearing underwire bras and using antiperspirant containing heavy metals like aluminum. Detox periodically especially the liver, the kidneys and colon. Get the lymphatic sys-tem moving by skin brushing daily and boost your immune system through IV therapies. With these defenses under your belt, breast cancer doesn’t stand a chance.■

HEALTH & WELLNESS

PreventIng BreaSt CanCer

INDIGO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC

Snejana Sharkar, RDN, FNP, ACNP & Dr. Isabel Sharkar, ND

(t) [email protected]

“Breast cancer has the potential to go away on its own a fair amount of the

time.”


Less Wrinkles

Botox® is a highly purified, naturally occurring pro-tein that has the ability to very precisely relax the muscles to which it is applied. In the 70’s ophthal-mologists began injecting it into tiny eye muscles

to treat “lazy eye”. In the 80’s, the drug was used to correct other facial, eyelid and limb diseases such as tremors and spasms. It was during a procedure in the late 1980’s that the cosmetic benefit was first noticed.

If dynamic wrinkles (related only to the movement of underlying muscle) are starting to make you look older or more “negative”, Botox® can help restore the rested, confi-dent appearance you desire.

When done correctly, Botox does not result in a frozen look. Instead it actually allows you to show your true emo-tion, rather than always having a sad or angry look.

It can take up to two weeks to see the effects. In most cases the treatment can last for three months, and contin-ued use can prevent new wrinkles from forming.

Less SweatingBotox® can also be administered to reduce excessive

sweating. It can be used for an important event, during hot weather, or year-round. After Botox® treatment, excess sweating starts to decrease within a couple of days, and the full effect are reached in two weeks.

In addition to making you more comfortable, this treat-ment may also make feel more confident because you do not have to worry about nervous sweating during important pre-sentations or job interviews.

Get Rid of BaggageUpper eyelid blepharoplasty is one of the most com-

monly performed surgeries. It can be cosmetic or function-al. Cosmetic blepharoplasty can give you back your origi-nal youthful appearance and reduce heaviness. Functional blepharoplasty may be indicated when heavy eyelid skin hangs over your visual field, blocking the side or overhead visual field. This condition, sometimes referred to as der-matochalasis, is a common change with aging. The need for functional surgery is documented with photography and visual field testing with and without manually lifting the eyelids with tape.

Lower lid blepharoplasty can remove the “bags” under the eyes. It is also used if the lower lid hangs down or is

pulled away from the eye. Functional causes are indicated if the lower lid is not in contact with the eyeball or if the lower lid turns inward intermittently and the eye lashes rub against the eye.

BLepharoplasty surgery can be done as an outpatient procedure, taking approximately one hour, using gentle sedation and local anaesthetic. It does not require general anaesthesia.

Both types of functional blepharoplasty may be covered by insurance. A thorough exam by an ophthalmologist can determine this.

Your Best VisionToday’s glasses are not only used to increase vision,

they are also a fashion accessory. Many people, including celebrities wear glasses to change their look. An American Board of Opticianary certified optician can help find the right frame to enhance and accent the best parts of your face. Glasses can also help to de-emphasize certain parts of your face that make you less than happy. The technologies used in current lenses make them lighter and stronger than ever before. A managing ABOC certified optician will take the time to find out your specific visual needs for work and play, will determine which type of frame is needed, which type of lens is needed and then show you styles that en-hance your look. If you have good vision in only one eye, then you need special frames and lenses that offer protec-tion to preserve your vision. The best sunglasses can help protect you from getting cancer around your eyes, prevent wrinkles and other aging changes around the eyes.

Glasses are an investment that you wear every day. You deserve expert help with such an important decision.■

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Dr. Renee Bovelle

“Your Best vision is Our Focus”

12200 Annapolis Rd., Suite 116, Glenn Dale, MD 20769301-805-4664

www.EnvisionEyeAndLaser.com

Achieve Your Best VisionYou may have heard the saying “Your Eyes are the window to your soul.” Well, did you know that they are also the windows to your youth?! In this two part article we will discuss various ways you can reset the clock on aging.”“

wjwomen.com6

Volume 48 issue 5

04 - 1718 - 2223 - 28

HEALTH & WELLNESS/BEAUTYBUSINESS

COMMUNITY & EVENTS

PUBLISHERButterfly Media Inc.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONSWendy Ward

GRAPHIC DESIGNERFina Florez

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With over 32 years of experience, The Women’s Journal is a brand you can trust. It is a primary resource for women. Each edition is published bi-monthly and distributed free of charge. You can find a copy of the journal where savvy women shop. The journal also has subscribers that pay to have the journal delivered to their home or business.

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There are many different types of massage, including these common types:• SwedishMassage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long

strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.

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BenefitsofMassageMassage is generally considered part of complementary and

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Stories of Hope

A breast self-exam made Michelle Rhodd aware of an un-familiar lump. And, following the advice of her long time gynecologist, she scheduled follow-up diagnostic tests that revealed Stage II ductal breast carcinoma. Michelle man-aged her early diagnosis on her own from the initial medical diagnosis of breast cancer to the disclosure conversations with family and friends. However, she credits the superior care she received from her oncology team at Sibley Hospital as well as the support of family, friends and her employer with making a huge difference as she navigated the emo-tional and physical journey that comes with a breast cancer diagnosis.

At every stage of her interaction with them, her oncology team worked in tandem to assure Michelle that her chances of long-term survival after the treatment was high. The team

was respectful, comforting and above all, highly communi-cative so that at all times, Michelle was well informed of all aspects of her care. Decisions about care options were made collaboratively between Michelle, her medical oncologist, her surgeon and her radiation oncologist.

Michelle completed her treatment in 2012. Her ad-vice to women everywhere is, if you receive a breast cancer diagnosis, don’t try to navigate the process on your own. Have a team of supportive friends and family at your side. Be an active participant in your care. If you have questions or are unsure about the information you receive from your oncology team, insist on getting answers. Don’t stop asking questions until you are comfortable that you understand the information and that you are able to make an informed decision about your care.■

“the team Makes all the Difference”Survivor, Michelle Rhodd

Evelyn Clarke knows firsthand the challenges of breast cancer. She was diagnosed with cancer as a sin-gle, 32 - year - old mother of two children. She advises women to pay attention to new or different physical symptoms. “Practice self-care. We spend a lot of time paying attention to the needs of others often to dis-miss challenges in our own bodies. Become aware of changes in your body and don’t delay seeking proper medical advice,” Evelyn advises.

Evelyn herself drew strength from her relationship with God and support from her family. As a result of surviving cancer and understand-ing that education was her key to recovery, she wrote a book: Chemo-therapy, Radiation and Me, which tells her story of surviving breast can-

cer at age 32. You can see the book on Amazon.com.

Evelyn advises that if you or someone you know is going through breast cancer, remember that one of the best cures for cancer is support. Start with strengthening your spiri-tual being, educating yourself about your treatment and care, and most importantly taking steps to stay fo-cused because these things are just as important as the medication. Medi-cation along with the right mind will help you survive breast cancer or any other cancer.

Care and nurture can escalate re-covery, let’s change the way we view cancer by taking the first step and become proactive! Contact Evelyn Clarke at 703-357-7773, [email protected].■

“Practice Self-Care”Survivor, Evelyn Clarke


HEALTH & WELLNESS

Survivor, Nancy Lineker

“Champion Fighter”

I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 1992. Like 70 to 75% of all women with breast cancer, I had no known risk factors or family history of the disease. Simply being female puts all women at risk. I had a normal mammogram eight months before noticing some dimpling in the skin of the lower quadrant on one breast. I did not feel a lump and I confess I did not even know puckering of the skin could be a sign of breast cancer.

I called my gynecologist, the only doctor I had at the time, and before I left your office I had an appointment with a surgeon and the long days of research and decisions began. We are fortunate in Northern Virginia to have excellent physicians and medical facilities. However the treatment op-tions available today make 1992 seem like the dark ages. There were limited surgical options and I had a cross-sec-

tion of all under arm lymph nodes in the affected side area removed. Today sentinel node biopsy makes for a fast-er recovery with less chance of lymph-edema. Almost everyone received the standard chemotherapy protocol back then. I did take part any clinical trial being held at my doctors office. They were trying to determine if higher doses of CAF given in fewer rounds would be more effective. I believe they discovered it was not, but I felt I was well cared for because of my partici-pation in this clinical trial. Now, of course there are many treatment op-tions based on the characteristics of the tumor. I am so fortunate to have a wonderful husband and young adult children who always give me uncon-ditional love and support. They, along with many friends,try to make life as normal as possible, knowing it was anything but normal. My husband would eat salad many days so that I was not subjected to cooking fumes. Ironically, a friend and I were starting a home-based catering business and had four commitments during my chemo treatment. We cooked on my good days and thanks to my partners efforts behind the scene we kept our schedule.

Six weeks of radiation seems easy after the chemo but I still eagerly awaited the day my treatment would be complete. When I arrived at the radiology lab that day I was told the machine was down and I would have to come back next week. I blurted out, “But it’s my last day and I have to fin-ish because I’m going to lunch with a friend to celebrate!” They seemed to understand and said I should go to lunch, come back later, and if the machine is fixed I can get my final

treatment. And that’s exactly what happened – funny how some things seemed so important at that time in my life.

I had a second cancer experience into 2000, during a routine mammo-gram. However I was fortunate, this was just a small calcification that did not require any chemo. So now that I was now done with medical treatment and attention was over, what was next, what was the new normal?

Soon after my original diagnosis I had a visit from the volunteer from Reach to Recovery a program of the American Cancer Society. It was help-ful that she brought me information about resources and was herself a breast cancer survivor. I decided that I would like to join the organization when I became eligible after finishing my cancer treatment. I have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful women and helping others. I am now district Coordinator of the Reach to Recov-ery program managing four units in Northern Virginia. We have trained volunteers available to make sure no one has to experience breast cancer alone. Something I do for myself, has been to spend time at the beau-tiful welcoming facility called Car-olyn’s house run by an organization called Life with Cancer. Outstanding programs are offered to anyone af-fected by a cancer diagnosis. These programs are free because of individ-ual and community support. I credit there excellent exercise program for my good health and well-being. I participate in these classes with other cancer survivors as we move forward. I’m so grateful for family, friends and other survivors I’ve met along the way to this – my 20 year milestone!■

Photo by: Rui Barros

wjwomen.com10

Breast cancer can happen to anyone it happened to me. But my doctor said those four words, “you have breast cancer”. I was sure he had me mixed up with someone else because no one in my family had cancer and I didn’t have any risk. Before cancer, I thought I was safe because I was never sick, didn’t even get colds when everybody else did. I nursed my two children I got my mammogram, but I didn’t know about lobular breast cancer, which makes up 5 to 10% of all breast can-cer, and shows up as a thickness and is often not detected on mammograms.

Before my diagnosis, like many women, I wasn’t putting myself first.

I remember canceling my annual OB/GYN appointment twice that year because I was busy, the kids had something going on. I had another appointment that was more import-ant. My husband was on his second tour in Iraq and I was a single mom. I wasn’t one of those people who had to worry about the “C” word anyway, I was healthy.

I was wrong! I was stage 2B with cancer in three lymph nodes, a tumor in one which wasn’t good according to my doctor. Given its grade, my doctor said it had been there for at least two years which means, I de-veloped breast cancer while I was pregnant with my son and the can-cer grew while I was nursing. After everything I went through because of my cancer diagnosis, I couldn’t go back to my old life because the per-son I was before didn’t exist anymore. As much as I wanted to anguish over why mommy, I believe in life there are no accidents. I got cancer to be an advocate in a war that is maiming and killing women. I needed to im-pact the war on cancer and feel like I was doing something directly to stop it, not just catch it. I didn’t know where my journey deep into cancer land would take me, but I promised God if he would let me live to raise my children I would give my life to this cause. It wasn’t long before I was appointed to the position of Virgin-ia State Lead Advocate at the Amer-ican Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network the affiliate of the American Cancer Society (ACS )and began to lobby cancer issues on Capitol Hill and at the Virginia Gen. assembly. I

worked hard to help get the Afford-able Care Act passed because I be-lieved that we cannot stop cancer and unless all Americans have the right to fight cancer equally. For two years, I was a part of the leadership at the Tigerlily Foundation which teaches young women how to be their own best advocate in their breast health. I coined the phrase “kill the beast” to empower people with cancer to fight. I sent play swords and KTB bracelets to people in chemo to help them fight. I founded “Kill The Beast, LLC which supports individuals and organizations dedicated to fighting cancer and Kill The Beast Foundation which fights against the exploitation of cancer patients. I produced the SCAR project DC exhibition which was a series of large-scale portraits of young women surviving breast cancer, shot by fashion photographer David Jay. Our goal was to make a strong statement about breast cancer during a pivotal election-year in the nation’s capital and show our country what breast cancer really looks like. We hoped to change the way people see breast cancer , because it is not just a pink ribbon. Many women like me believe that something different needs to be done to stop this disease because there is still no cure. I contin-ue to fight all cancers on many fronts. I recently joined the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Advocating for breast cancer deadline 2020 and ac-celerating The End of Breast Cancer Act in Virginia, I work with the Na-tional Patient Advocate Foundation, which improves access to healthcare through policy reform.■

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Survivor, Donna Guinn Kaufmann

Photo by: Rui Barros

“Champion Fighter”


HEALTH & WELLNESS“Family & Friends Flooded Me With Love”

“Having a Support team made all the difference ...

Survivor, Gretchen Fitzpatrick, Montgomery county 6 year survivor

Survivor, Felice Johnson

It’s late afternoon, Friday, July 17, 2009. And I’m in my closet bawling my eyes out. My husband, son, and daughter are somewhere in the house. I’ve just been told, and in the gentlest way possible by Dr. Nancy Marcus of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital that I have infiltrating Lobular Breast Cancer. I fig-ured I had cancer but I hadn’t had anything bad happened to me in my 44 years of living. So the past few weeks had been filled with

great anxiety as I worked my way through the steps of diagnostic exams, an MRI and a biopsy confirming the cancer. I had sev-eral emotional decisions to make and lots of support from my husband but I was slow in informing my friends and family of my con-dition when I finally did I was flooded with love and support the cards and emails that they sent me kept me going as I reread them over and over to keep me going.■

In August 2013, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) breast cancer. My faith in God and a strong sup-port team of family and friends helped me get through this journey.I also had a wonderful team at the Oncology and Hematology Associates of Clinton, Md. The medical team had a great plan for my treatments. They knew exactly what I needed, were very attentive, and al-ways available if I had any questions. I did four months of chemotherapy, once every three weeks, and five weeks of ra-

diation. Today, I am two years cancer free. I would recommend joining a sup-port group to relate to others managing the same situation. Also, have someone accompany you to your appointments as a second ear. Your friend may help you balance what you are hearing as well as ask a question you did not think of. If you don’t have the support of family or friends you can join MyBCTeam on-line. Finally, I can’t stress enough, if you feel that something isn’t right with your body, get checked. It saved my life!■

the rosemary Williams Mammoday Programmammograms are being provided to women who are at least 40 years of age, low income, underinsured or uninsured. All women receive

a clinical breast examination and mammo-gram at no cost. Women are also provided

with educational materials. Contact: Kimberly higginbotham at (202) 865-4655 or (202)865-5399howard university Cancer Center

natalie Williams Breast Care Foundation

(nWBCF)Save the Date, Oct 17, 2015www.supportbreastcare.org

Join the Susan g. Komen 3-Day® event

for information go towww.the3day.org

Support Resources

WRite to [email protected] to teLL YouR StoRY oF hope

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Time and time again I see men and women in their 40s and 50s with a similar story: Increasing stress at home and work, raising children, not sleeping well, gaining weight, less energy, less time for

pleasure and the list goes on. Along with this come aches and pains, lessened libidos, burgeoning intestinal and ab-dominal complaints, and often a growing list of medica-tions to combat these.

Fortunately there is a fairly simple approach to dealing with this kind of situation. First and foremost is to make sure there are no serious illnesses either happening or on the horizon. A good history and physical exam as well as appropriate comprehensive testing should be able to sort that out. Once that is handled you can begin to deal with getting well.

First and foremost is getting good restorative sleep. Over time we develop habits and patterns of sleep that do not promote health. Overuse of caffeine, cutting back time allotted for sleep and the development of medical sleep disorders such as sleep apnea (marked by snoring, gasp-ing, daytime fatigue and difficulty with losing weight) are all issues to consider. There are simple non pharmaceutical methods available to help promote the sleep we need for our bodies to heal.

Next is diet. As we get older we become less able to manage sugar and easily digested simple carbohydrates as found in breads, pastas, grains and some fruits. We tend to become somewhat insulin resistant, which creates a vicious circle of obesity causing more insulin resistance and inflam-mation, etcetera.

Weight gain and inflammation are often due to food al-lergies, a phenomenon known as leaky gut, inflammation and insulin resistance. One way to gauge your body’s meta-bolic activities is to have your doctor check your c-reactive protein level to measure inflammation, and if blood sugar is an issue, consider having a glucose tolerance test and check insulin levels. I have found food allergy testing to be very useful for many.

Evaluating and optimizing hormone status can be in-strumental in maintaining youth. Some say our hormones decline because we age. Others say we age because our hor-mones decline. Areas to focus on are thyroid issues which can produce fatigue and dulling. A phenomenon called “ad-renal fatigue” is becoming more recognized as a real issue and testing and treating this can make a big difference for people.

Finally optimizing hormone levels in men and women (testosterone, estrogen and progesterone) can afford great changes in energy and vitality.

As one begins to deal with these issues and others (such as toxins in our food and environment, micronutrient lev-els, exercise and stress management) it becomes obvious that they are all interconnected like a web. A simple exam-ple is that when one is stressed, you are less likely to sleep well, and data shows that people who are not well rested make poorer eating choices. Working with a health practi-tioner and examining your life and habits from these per-spectives can give one an access to new habits, new actions, and real changes.■

Dr.Weiss completed his undergraduate work at University of Virginia and is a graduate of McGill University Medical School; he completed his Internship at the University of Hawaii and Residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. As head of Annapolis Integrative Medicine, Dr. Weiss specializes in preventative health, alternative approaches to wellness, and treating complex issues including CFS and Fibromyalgia.

(Not Just Surviving) Your 40s & 50sThriving in...

By Alan Weiss, MD

wjwomen.com14

HEALTH & WELLNESS

If you are looking for an alterna-tive to metal braces, ClearCor-rect is the clear and simple choice. ClearCorrect invisible braces are

the clear and simple way to straight-en your teeth so that you can show off your smile. No wires. No brackets. Just clear, convenient comfort – giving you every reason to smile.

ClearCorrect is an easy and dis-creet solution to align and straighten a broad range of dental conditions for a stunning, healthy smile. The fact that it does this so well is remarkable; the fact that it does this with little to no ef-fort is almost unbelievable. ClearCor-rect is for both adults and teenagers – age is not a problem. Children who might not yet have all of their molars and even seniors with more compli-cated dental cases may be candidates for ClearCorrect, but should consult with their doctors first.

With ClearCorrect, your den-tist can straighten your teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time un-til you eventually get straight teeth. And ClearCorrect is one of the clear-est aligner systems available. The ClearCorrect aligners offer superior clarity, are virtually invisible and un-noticeable, and their smooth surface finish withstands clouding from wear.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist so you can have your teeth evaluated and talk about any problems or goals you have for your smile. Once your dentist establishes that ClearCorrect is the right treat-ment option for you, the dental staff will take impressions, photos, and sometimes X-rays of your teeth.

ClearCorrect will then create 3-D models of your teeth. Following the instructions provided by your den-tist, ClearCorrect then creates a treat-ment setup representing the desired position of your teeth at the end of treatment. At the same time, Clear-Correct also manufactures Phase Zero passive aligners designed to fit your teeth and get you accustomed to wearing aligners right away.■

If you would like to learn more about ClearCorrect, call your dental office to set up a consultation to see if ClearCorrect addresses your dental concerns and cosmetic goals.

no More Metal Braces

1) ClEAnIng fOr $79.99 (not if insurance is used)

2) $600 oFF on DenTures (not if insurance is used)

DR. MERAI COUPON OFFERS (coupons cannot be combined)

By Peter Merai, DDS, FAGD Comprehensive Dental Care, Inc.

Dr. Peter merai & michelle merai, D.D.S.

6188 Oxon hill road., Suite 410,

Oxon hill, mD 20745 301-567-9844

“No wires. No brackets. Just

clear, convenient comfort – giving you every reason

to smile.”


HEALTH & WELLNESS

Fall is here, and the change of seasons, creates chang-es in our hair and skin care needs. After a summer of swimming and sunning, your hair and skin can use some extra care. We can restore that luster to

you hair and skin with our natural hair and skin care prod-ucts. Davines is a natural hair care line that provides the best products with attention and respect for our environ-ment, using high grade and natural ingredients. Revitalize your hair with a deep conditioning treatment or a hair mask to bring back the softness and shine that chlorinated pools and sun can strip away.

Your skin suffers the same as your hair from summer activities. Bring back the soft glow with a deep pore cleans-ing and exfoliating facial. Using our organic skin care line Biotique, or our natural line Bioelements, we can take care of all your skin care needs. We have many options for light-ening and correcting uneven skin tone, that over exposure to summer sun can do to the face. We offer a glycolic treat-ment for more extensive hyper-pigmentation.

Not only can we improve the look and feel of your hair and face, but with a Vichy Shower body treatment we can wash away the dry dead skin build up from your neck to your toes. The 8 shower heads gently create the sensation of a “rain massage” over your entire body. If you’ve never had this treatment before, treat yourself to the relaxation, pampering and results this treatment provides.

Very few spas have the state of the art Vichy shower room that offers treatment. Neha Threading Salon and Spa is one of them. They are located in Pikesville. For more info please visit their web site www.nehathreading.com.■

A talented and well sought out thread-ing technician has plans to take the beauty industry by storm. Neha Gupta took an interest in facial threading in India over 20 years ago. After work-ing in several salons, Neha opened her own location back in 2008. Now she is the successful owner of Neha Thread-ing Salon and Spa in Pikesville MD and a new location in Canton an up-

scale community located in Baltimore City. Neha introduced a gentle touch combined with a vitalizing Indian head massage to threading. This signature touch to the threading process made Neha and her unique talent stand out amongst others. Neha has plans to expand her business to different areas in Baltimore by opening more loca-tions in the near future. This expansion will enable more people to experience this unique style of threading.

About neha Gupta

STYLE TIPSFall &Winter

“After a summer of swimming and sunning, your hair and skin can use some extra care.”

wjwomen.com16

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Chil

dhoo

d ob

esit

y According to the Jour-nal of the American Medical Association and the National

Center for Health Statistics, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Defined by the National Institutes of Health overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a par-ticular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is de-fined as having excess body fat.

Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbal-ance”—too few calories expend-ed for the amount of calories consumed—and are affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-be-ing. Some of the immediate effects include cardiovascular issues that may develop. Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high choles-terol or high blood pressure. Overweight children also ex-perience instability in glu-cose levels which often result to pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for devel-opment of diabetes diabetic conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatiza-tion and poor self-esteem.

Some long term affects include; heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types

of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Overweight and obesity are as-sociated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, en-dometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma states the Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

The Journal of Pediatrics published that Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases. The dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and ado-lescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institu-tions, government agencies, the media, and the food and bev-

erage industries and entertain-ment industries. Schools play a particularly critical role by es-tablishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity be-haviors.

Take charge of your child health. Encourage healthy eat-ing habits and lead by example. If your children see you trying healthy foods they will be more inclined to try them also. And exercise doesn’t have to be bor-ing! Get out and Play with your child. It’s a fun way to burn cal-ories and bond with your fam-ily.■

Obese youth are more likely

to have risk factors for

cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol

or high blood pressure.”

“Dr. Corder attended medical school at Howard University College of Medicine and graduated in 1977. He is board certified by the Amer-ican Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Corder was formally the Chief Health Officer for Prince George’s County and the medical Director of several health plans. Dr. Corder has been in Pediatric practice for over 35 years. Dr. Corder, his wife Dr. Marilyn Corder ad their daughter Adrienne Corder started the Cord-er Pounders Youth Fitness program and the Family Fitness Center.

Frederick Corder,MD FAAP

Bowie, MD • (301) 805-2229Cheverly, MD • (301) 341-7494

Children’s medical CenterWashington, DC T: 202-291-0147


Restoring your hormones to optimal levels is an excellent way to prevent cancer as

well as:• Increase energy• Improve sleep quality• Decrease hot flashes• Increase sex drive and performance

Two million years of evolution suggest that the best solution to staying healthy is to copy our body’s own natural hormonal protocols. In other words, only a few people in their 20’s and 30’s develop can-cer. The vast majority of women discover breast and uterine cancer after menopause and men get prostate cancer after their testosterone levels drop as they age.

A healthy body and mind defends against many chemicals (car-cinogens) that cause abnormal cells to multiply (cancer). We all know that a wholesome diet, low stress and maximal body movement are important to keeping the body and mind healthy. What many of us are unaware of is that having the optimal level of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone is critical in preventing cancer. The protective bene-fits that these natural hormones provide when they are kept in balance is just beginning to be fully understood.

With regard to breast cancer, follow-up research in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) has shown that synthetic, chemical progester-one is the main reason for the increased risk of breast cancer. But natural progesterone is protective.

Natural estrogen can be protective when it is carefully balanced and monitored. However, if cancer cells are already present in the breast tissue, the estrogen can stimulate them to grow faster. Even natural estrogen use must be monitored with frequent mammograms and self- breast exams. That being said, when these hormones are monitored and properly balanced:

Naturalestrogen+naturalprogesterone=protection.

testosteroneAlong with increased libido and stronger erections, restoring tes-

tosterone to normal levels provides a host of other health benefits: more muscle, less fat, stronger bones, benefits to the heart and brain function.

In the past, it was almost universally believed that testosterone therapy could lead to some degree of increased risk of prostate can-cer. Fortunately, this belief has been shown to be incorrect. Medi-cal opinion has begun to shift quite dramatically, with good evidence that testosterone therapy is quite safe for the prostate. In his book, “Testosterone for Life”, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler shows evidence that testosterone is safe for, and even protects the prostate. And research shows testosterone in women can protect against breast cancer, as well as increase energy and sex drive.

Do yourself a favor…Contact New Day Vitality Hormone center for a

free consult at 410-793-5212.■

Bio-identical hormones help Prevent Cancer!By Jennifer Robin Musiol, C-RNP

wjwomen.com18

BUSINESS

Estate planning is one place in life where you have the power to alter the outcome. Taking the time to decide who, when

and how your money will be handled and who will manage your health care when you are unable to make those de-cisions for yourself are important choic-es that you have the power to make.

A well-rounded estate plan includes five documents: a Revocable Living Trust, a General Durable Power of At-torney, a Health Care Power of Attor-ney, a Living Will and a Will. A Will is only effective at death; the other four documents have an impact during your lifetime.

In order to be effective, a Will must be admitted to probate. Probate is a process to transfer clear title of property from the person who died to the people designated in the Will. As with most legal processes, probate can be costly, time-consuming, and public. The most important role of the Will is the appointment of guardians for mi-nor children.

A “Revocable Living Trust” is a trust, which is created while you are living, and which you can revoke or amend at any time. A well-drafted trust can be extremely flexible and can facilitate management of your assets while you are well, during a period of incapacity, and long after your death. While you are alive and well, you would be the trustee and manage the assets in your trust. Upon your inca-pacity or death, someone designated by you would take over as trustee and would manage the trust, making in-

vestment and distribution decisions in accordance with the instructions you set forth in the trust, providing con-tinuity in asset management. Assets which are in a trust do not have to go through the probate process.

In a General Durable Power of At-torney, you appoint someone to make decisions for property not controlled by the trust such as IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement accounts. This pro-vides for a smooth transition during periods of incapacity.

In a Health Care Power of Attor-ney, you appoint someone to make medical decisions for you in the event you can no longer do so for yourself. You may also express any wishes you have regarding life-prolonging mea-sures in a Living Will.

Once you and a qualified estate planning attorney review your current

financial status, you will realize how vital these estate planning provisions are to the preservation of your estate.■

aDJUSt YOUr SailsBy Colleen Sinclair Prosser, Attorney

“I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” - Jimmy Dean

“The most important role

of the Will is the appointment of guardians for

minor children.” PASADEnAWed., nov. 4th @10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

(Continental Breakfast)The reserve at Two rivers

4105 mountain roadBOWIE

Wed., nov. 4th @ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.(refreshments)

Comfort InnuS 50, uS 301 @ mD 3

mIllErSVIllEThurs., nov. 5th @ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

(refreshments)The Firemark Building

8684 Veterans hwy., 4th flooreDGeWaTer

fri., nov. 6th @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.(Continental Breakfast)

historic london Town & Gardens Pavilion839 londontown road

AnnAPOlISSat., nov. 7th @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

(Continental Breakfast)Doubletree by hilton Annapolis

210 holiday Court

November 2015 SeminAR SCheDuLe

SinclairProsser Law, LLC focuses its practice on estate planning & administration, includ-ing the interaction of retirement plans & el-der law. An established member of the Amer-ican Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys & the National Academy of Elder Law Attor-neys, Colleen Sinclair Prosser, Nicole Living-ston, Jon J. Gasior & Victor A. Lembo offer years of knowledge & experience in matters associated with protecting estates & families from issues arising from death and disability.

For more info: 410-573-4818


BUSINESSBUSINESS

Your doctor’s name, your past diagnoses and medical treatment history—even the kind of medicine you take—

are examples of the types of personal information for sale in a billion dollar underground market called Darknet.

The underground Darknet con-tains a collection of websites where health-care information, credit card numbers, weapons, social security numbers, illegal drugs and personal financial information can be found for sale. Cyber-criminals target health-care providers, insurers and phar-maceutical manufacturers and other organizations for personal and med-ical information. One of the ways in which cyber-criminals are commit-ting healthcare fraud is by filing false patient claims to insurers and gov-ernment agencies that provide health services. They also fraudulently file tax returns, open loans and drain home equity and retirement accounts.

Credit card and account data have a limited lifespan; the bank or the vic-tim can cancel the card numbers and accounts instantly but the informa-tion contained in medical records has much more information. The value of healthcare data to a cybercriminal is much higher than a credit card or bank account information. Healthcare organizations are at a disadvantage when it comes to protecting itself from cyber-attacks.

Physicians’ information is also valuable to cyber-criminals because they can use it to write fake prescrip-tions to facilitate schemes involving the purchase and resale of prescription drugs. Anthem, the second-biggest health insurer in the U.S., owns Blue Cross Blue Shield and experienced a

massive data breach in which a hack-er had access to 78.8 million names, birthdays and social security numbers among other data. Protect your health-care organization by becoming HIPAA compliant, conducting annual risk as-sessments, regular training and by up-dating your policies and procedures.

Cyber-crime and the Health-care Industry

Cyber-crimes are growing, and the Medical/Healthcare industry is a prime target. Federal and State regu-lations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) require healthcare organiza-tions to implement controls to ensure the integrity and privacy of patient re-cords and other sensitive medical data. Healthcare organizations are targeted because of the volume of personal data they collect which can be sold in “The Underground”. Health-care companies lacked many of the basic protections that security experts would expect in a company’s network.The IT securi-ty-focused SANS Institute, which said the health-care industry is dealing with an “alarming” number of secu-rity breaches, noted that about 94% of medical institutions have report-ed being the victims of cyber-attacks. Studies show that criminals were able to exploit information from medical records to commit fraud for four times longer as compared to other types of identity theft.

How to Protect Your Medical/Healthcare OrganizationHealth-care providers and orga-

nizations that handle health informa-tion must protect it with passwords, encryption, and other technical safe-

guards. These are designed to make sure that only the right people have access to your information.

The HIPAA Security Rule requires Medical/Healthcare organizations to assess the security of their electronic health record systems. The Rule sets technical safeguards for protecting electronic health records against the risks that are identified in the assess-ment. All Medical/Healthcare organi-zations must have risk management policies and procedures in place to assess security risks and to ensure that known risks are addressed and pre-vented.■

Healthcare Information for Sale on the Underground Darknet

Robert Campbell is the CEO of Med Cyber Security, a Maryland based con-sulting firm that performs security and penetration testing for healthcare pro-viders and other businesses. Robert re-ceived his Master in Computer Science with a concentration in software engi-neering and space systems engineer-ing from the elite Naval Post Graduate School. He is also a healthcare certified information technologist.

Robert formed Med Cyber-Secu-rity to empower physicians, health-care organizations and practitioners to protect patient’s data and their own practices.

Allow Med Cyber-Security to partner with you to help keep you compliant with HIPPA/HITECH re-quirements so you can concentrate on your taking care of your patients.

[email protected]: www.medcybersecurity.com

Rob Campbell

(P): 301-266-2457(F): 301-805-4663

wjwomen.com20

the GoVCon VALue ChAin

In his landmark book, Competitive Advantage, Har-vard strategy expert Michael Porter introduced the concept of the Value Chain. Initially focused on man-ufacturing companies, he theorized that companies

could increase value by optimizing the series of activities that create value and the linkages between those activities. Government contracting companies also have what we have termed the GovCon Value Chain™. Whether a government contractor provides staffing services, performs systems in-tegration, or develops weapons systems - all contractors need effective systems for winning new business and exe-cuting contracts for profit and cash flow. Improving Gov-Con performance requires a systems based approach to management that focuses on learning and responding to Key Performance Indicators or KPI’s in the areas of strategy execution, operations, and fiscal management.

The GovCon Value Chain is vital to business operations regardless of the size and scale of a government contractor.

Small businesses often struggle with optimizing their Gov-Con Value Chain™ because of limitations to their access to capital, ability to attract talent, and deploy effective enter-prise systems. A holistic, systems view of the GovCon Value Chain™ will exposes and exploit numerous interdependen-cies between historically stove-piped functions to increase win rates, improve execution quality, profit, and cash flow.

SYStemS thAt WinMost GovCon Executives are familiar with instanc-

es where a firm makes a “Strategic Hire” or on boards the “Rainmaker” who is tasked with landing a major contract. Key hires can add value through customer access, insight, or influence. However, the strategic hire’s involvement alone doesn’t guarantee a win or inherently increase a win probability. Furthermore, small and mid-sized contrac-tors can rarely afford to hire “Rainmakers” like their larger counterparts can. Therefore, they require effective, multi-disciplinary systems for winning business that that can out-perform the stove-piped superstar approach of competitors.

“Individual contributors or superstars don’t win business; great systems do.”

Developing and winning business is much more of a systematic science than is commonly thought. Business

BUSINESS

Optimizing the govCon Value Chain™

“The GovCon Value Chain is vital to

business operations regardless of the size and

scale of a government contractor.”

Win

Profit

execute

Learn

By Eric McCamey and Terrell Richmond


Development is not something that a few people perform (especially in smaller firms) but a mindset and series of processes that are holistically woven into the firms’ Gov-Con Value Chain™. Connecting Business Development to the larger GovCon system and ecosystem is vital. For example, many smaller firms (and some larger ones) lack an objective and dispassionate process for qualifying and pursuing new business that fits in the company’s strategic direction. Companies that take this undisciplined route to acquiring business not only reduce their profit margins, but they also drive up their unallowable and allowable in-direct expenses which are indirectly passed on to the Gov-ernment. Of course, the costs that pass to the Government are then passed to who? The American tax payer. Biding on work that a firm can realistically win and execute is not only good business, but a social responsibility. A stove-piped, functional view of business development that is disconnected from financial operations would never make this connection.

pLAnS thAt FLY Execution is a much broader area than simply deliver-

ing the scope of contract work. There are numerous tools and methodologies such as CMMI, Lean Six Sigma, appli-cations of the PMBOK®, et cetera to address program exe-cution. However, are there universal processes and princi-ples that apply to corporate operations apart from contract execution?

For the sake of example, let’s look at a key area of exe-cution - hiring and retaining talent. All Government Con-tractors are faced with being able to get qualified individ-uals who can execute work or qualify for labor categories established on certain types of contracts. Human capital is the lifeblood of profitable contract execution. Government Contractors are all competing for similar talent. Many Gov-ernment contractors view people as expendable commodi-ties that are tied to the life of a contract. The mindset is not dissimilar from the industrial age where the monopolies worked people until there was nothing left and then moved on to the next. This mindset is evidenced when companies book 100% of an employee’s time to contracts with no time built in to connect employees with the company and devel-op their talent.

Most contractors believe that 100% contract utilization is required to operate at a profit. Some companies measure the amount of time booked direct to contracts by a “time-sold” or “utilization rate” metric. Having these employees bill 100% of their time to contracts is not only myopic, but also technically non-compliant and illegal as there are a cer-tain minimum number of things that an employee must do that cannot be charged to Government contracts (like com-pleting performance reviews). In our experience, a num-

ber close to 80% of time sold direct to projects is often the “magic number” (if planned correctly) where an employee is able to generate enough overhead to “pay for” his/herself. What else could employees be doing with 20% of their time that would yield benefit for company, be attractive to po-tential employees, and develop new business? For example, is adequate training in the corporate budget? In many cas-es, people working on contracts have a far greater intimacy with customers and are best positioned to market new busi-ness. Well trained and connected direct charge employees who are cross-trained in Business Development and oth-er areas can help win more business and generate great value. However, they can’t do this very well if they are man-dated to work 100% of their time to contracts and are never exposed to other areas of the company. Without a longer term view willing to invest in retaining talent, employees will simply move on to the next contractor with their previ-ous employer never having experienced the full benefit that was possible.

WoRK thAt pAYS Unless an organization is a non-profit, all viable busi-

ness concerns must generate a profit and maintain a pos-itive cash flow position. Financially distressed companies are not able to offer a measure of security to their employ-ees and contract execution eventually suffers. In addition, companies have to operate in an increasingly compliance driven Government contracting environment. Companies have to be both compliant and profitable. Without good business processes and enterprise systems – they can do neither.

By way of example, let’s look at cash flow and how a more holistic view of financial management can yield bet-ter results than the typical stove-piped approach to man-agement. Typically, financial management is viewed as a necessary evil that is left to the “bean counters”. However, it is important for others in the GovCon Value Chain™ to understand important financial topics and be able to as-sist in improving margins and cash flow. Do managers and employees understand how not issuing and charging to the correct charge numbers and labor categories can tie up cash in unbilled accounts receivable – thereby limiting the company’s ability to cover costs and pay salaries? Are proj-ect managers trained on how payment terms and agreeing to non-standard billing formats and reports can stifle the invoicing process? Do the executive levels of the company support the processes needed execute profitably in both their support for financial procedures and their investment in effective enterprise systems?

Companies that build awareness of financial objectives and facilitate financial acumen across different functions are able operate as more profitable entities.

BUSINESSBUSINESS

wjwomen.com22

oRGAniZAtionS thAt Get SmARtEffective Government Contractors are able to establish

“learning systems”. Learning systems are self-governing, or-ganizational systems that are able to utilize feedback and control loops to continuously assess goals, measure perfor-mance, and adapt to the environment in order to achieve objectives. An effective learning system must have the five elements noted in the NYMBUS Learning Systems Model™.

The best way to explain these concepts may be to look at human physiology. We are built with an innate objective of staying alive! All of the subsystems of the body have the goal of keeping us alive. We also have sensors - eyes, ears, nose, senses of touch, and taste buds! These sensors gen-erate all kinds of data, but the brain is able to discriminate between routine data and actionable information that in-dicates a potential threat to the body. We also have a ner-vous system that is able to communicate feedback messages to the brain - prompting us to take action to correct a po-tentially dangerous situation. A humorous example might be a person walking through the plains in Africa. His goal is to stay alive. His eyes detect a lion prowling in the high grasses. His brain says, “This is not good, I could become dinner”. Feedback is then sent to the brain that prompts the decision to run! If he escapes alive, he “learns” that it’s not a good idea to walk alone in places where there may be lions.

Government Contracting firms also need these five el-ements to operate as a learning system. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) help to establish metrics by which success is evaluated. A systems based view of the GovCon Value Chain™ helps transform performance data into actionable

intelligence. For a Learning System to thrive, organizational goals and measures have to be clearly stated in order to de-termine success. For GovCon, these measures may include sensory data such as win ratios, profitability percentages, turnover rates, revenue trends and invoice aging data. Using KPIs, the company is able to distinguish acceptable from un-acceptable performance. Further, a learning system must be able to communicate objective intelligence to facilitate sys-tem course corrections and continuous growth for GovCon.

nYmBuS CoRpoRAtion

Nymbus Corporation is a management consulting firm that accelerates growth for GovCon. We provide executive support services that assist government contractors in the analysis, implementation and monitoring of holistic sys-tems that improve contract awards ratios, profitability and operational performance.■

www.nymbuscorp.com / 703.574.8181

BUSINESS


COMMUNITY

Founded in 1991, MENTOR Maryland is a leading foster care agency serving teens with emotional and behavioral challenges. Our services are tailored to meet the individual needs of our clients. A mentor is a foster parent who is seeking the chance to positively change the life of a young person. Mentors help young people to learn independent living skills which will serve them for a lifetime. For more information, contact Tonya Logan at [email protected] or (301) 577-7931.

Have you considered if you are using your poten-tial in a lasting manner? Opportunities abound to make a difference in the life of a youth through fostering .

A mentor is a mature adult that willingly shares their experience as a trusted adviser. Their input fortifies and shapes youth to become their best. A mentor’s wisdom al-lows youth to avoid life shattering mistakes.

Foster means to encourage or promote the development of typically something regarded as good.

All youth if placed in a stable and loving environment have the good potential to flourish.

Fostering creates a powerful synergy that aids in the positive development of older teens. Disregarded and trau-matized youth still have so much potential. MENTOR Maryland provides the skill development and support to equip foster parents to serve as trusted advisors. MENTOR parents supported by MENTOR Maryland are successfully guiding older teens into successful adulthood. Catherine Sanders’ life shows that her paper identity and the labels were not her ultimate identity. Catherine’s potential needed cultivation in a loving family. When Catherine was placed by MENTOR Maryland with Donald and Lisa Wicks, she began to change from the inside out.

Depression has been with me so long, it’s as if we are close friends, or “frenemies”. The first day we met I was 13 years old. It was a sunny chilly January morning, en-veloped with a crisp white blanket of snow. However, for me all the colors were draining from everyone and every-thing became dull. Everything was coming at me hard. I didn’t know what to do, or who to turn to. No one knew I was contemplating taking my life, even if it meant that I would go to hell based on my religion, I thought to myself, “So what I’m already here”. I began to self-mutilate myself by cutting my wrists. I was well aware of what I was do-

ing, and didn’t want to make the wounds too deep to cre-ate noticeable marks that signaled I needed help, but deep enough that hopefully the ones that caused the thoughts and my depression could possibly feel the thrust of the ra-zor against their own wrist. I went to two youth psychiat-ric hospitals from ages 15 to 16. There I gained three new labels: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Panic Dis-order, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It hurt to wear these labels around, it was as If they were imprinted in my arm like a holocaust tattoo.

The best thing after going through all those years and on first meeting me, people never know I battled depression for almost seven years. Instead they see a vibrant person who is alive, always smiling, laughing, and a ball of ener-gy. I have learned that the same depression that pinned me down now serves a major purpose in my life. This purpose is here to fortify me, and for me to fortify others.

I also believe that people can lead you to your invin-cible time and make you happy beyond your comprehen-sion. I believe we have a choice when something bad hap-pens - we can chose to find the good in it.

Catherine is an example to us all. She is an honor student at Towson University studying Broadcast Journalism and an advocate for foster and adopted children. As an advocate she has spoke at the Congressional Visitors Center and the North American Council on Adoptable Children. With committed parents and a supportive agency, Catherine Sanders may soon be a household name!, spoke at the Congressional Visitors’ Center as well as the North American Council on Adoptable Children. With committed parents and a supportive agency, Catherine Sanders may soon be a household name!■

Lisa Wicks, Donald Wicks and Catherine Sanders

Use Your Potential tomentor

wjwomen.com24

WhAt iS A pARASite? Parasites are organisms that live on or inside of humans and feed off of good cells. Parasites can live within the intestines for years without causing any symptoms. When they do, symptoms include the following:

• Abdominalpain• ConstipationorDiarrhea• Nauseaorvomiting• Gasorbloating• Dysentery(loosestoolscontainingblood&mucus)• Rashoritchingaroundtherectum• Stomachtenderness• Feelingtired• WeightlossorWeightgainMost of the time, parasites are expelled out of the bowels

and can live harmlessly in a 30ft. small and large intestine where it does little harm. When the parasite is able to invade other parts of the body such as the liver, uterus or kidneys, it can cause cancer.

If the host body is unable to properly digest, absorb, or eliminate correctly, it lays in the pockets of the wall in the colon where it travels thru your blood stream and expels waste.

Though conventional wisdom has it that cancer is not like other diseases; that it is a fire that cannot be controlled or contained. The cancerous organ must be radiated or cut out - nothing could be more wrong. All cancers are alike and all are caused by a single parasite, the same parasite that also causes Tumors and Fibroids. If you kill the parasite, the cancer stops immediately and the tissues return to normal.

Once the parasites are in, it is hard for the different or-gans to purge them (and very difficult for the body to handle all the new toxins that invade the body as a result of the para-sites). There is good news, to recover from diseases you must kill the parasites, stop feeding it what it likes and it will stop growing. Detoxing out inflammation, metals and common toxins help clean up your Digestive System and strengthen the immune system. Not strengthening the immune system, will weaken the body from healing.

WhY iS DetoXiFiCAtion CRitiCAL? The importance of detoxing is necessary so that the body

can heal from the inside out, from free radicals and stress. Most people live on a running wind mill doing things that allows the body to break down due to lack of Tender Loving

Care. Studies have shown that organs die due to straining and breaking down excessive sugars. Sugars turns into yeast, candida and fungus. Once you cleanse, the organs can revive and then the body can reshape itself.

Love You With Life and Stop Loving Yourself To Death.■

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

ParaSIteS LOve YOUBy romunda Ings, CCP

INTERNAL LIFE DETOxromunda Ings, CCP

(301) 806-01069171 Central Ave., Suite l4Capitol heights, mD 20743www.cleanseurcolon.com


Gina Neely, Food Network chef, cookbook author and person-ality of Down Home with the Neelys took part in the George Foreman Grill Weight Loss Challenge, the brand’s first ever weight loss program. Neely took the challenge and lost 20 pounds and 12 inches in 12 weeks. Neely continues to cham-pion the cause of health and eating well as an ambassador for the Seafood Nutrition Partnership 501(c) 3 national cam-paign.

Gina Neely:‘Eat More Fish for a Healthy Heart’

interview

WJ Publisher, Tara Pannell visited Gina Neely to hear first hand how she took back her health with a 20 lb weight loss and why she is a passionate ambassador for Seafood Nu-

trition Partnership.

Tara: Why is this mission and project so important to you personally?Gina: I lost both my parents to cardiovascular disease. I know its effects firsthand.

Tara:Why did you start your personal journey to be healthy?Gina: As I was approaching 50, I made a proactive commit-ment to my health and wellness.

With my family history combined with my weight, I was determined to change. I did the George Foreman Challenge and lost 20 lbs in 12 weeks!

Tara: What would you advise other women and families to do related to their diets and health?Gina: Put a new spin on family favorites by swapping out frying for baking and grilling. I regularly incorporate many seafood dishes into my diet that are high in Vitamin D and low in fat. Fish tacos and salomon patties are two of my fa-vorites. Families can get low cost seafood options for less than $10 a day.

A National Health Campaign: As the ambassador for the SNP’s national campaign, Neely will visit nine cities to cre-ate awareness and increase knowledge about the benefits of eating seafood as an affordable and nutritious option. The campaign will target nine cities with the highest incidents of (CVD): Birmingham, Alabama; Charleston, West Virginia; Golden Isles, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Jacksonville, Florida; Lexington, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; Okla-homa City, Oklahoma; and Toledo, Ohio.■

Why Seafood?Fish, shellfish, and mollusks, referred to as seafood,are nu-trient-rich protein foods containing varying amounts of healthful natural compounds known as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which consumption has been asso-ciated with reducing the risk of diabetes and CVD.

Seafood is a low-calorie source of healthy fats and pro-tein. Most lean fish such as cod and flounder contain 100 calories or less per 3-ounce cooked portion; fattier fish such as salmon and mackerel contain around 200 calories or less per 3-ounce cooked portion, according to FishWatch, an online information portal about seafood from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Founded in 2013, Seafood Nutrition Partnership (SNP) is a non-profit, and member of the NonCommunicable Disease Roundtable, whose mission is to inspire a healthi-er America by raising awareness, especially among under-served women, aged 35 to 50 with at least one risk of CVD, about the essential nutritional benefits of eating seafood through local and national partnerships.

The Seafood Nutrition Partnership has taken up the charge of dispelling the notion that seafood is expensive and only available to the wealthy, and is raising awareness of the critical health benefits that seafood can provide for all Ameri-cans. Seafood is simple to prepare and very versatileówith light cooking methods such as grilling, poaching, broiling, and bak-ing, seafood is delicious and nutritious any way you cook it.

This effort comes at a time when America faces a num-ber of public health threats -- and the science behind sea-food and omega-3s suggests that it can make a tremendous difference in improving heart health. Did you know that when you eat seafood twice a week, your heart attack risk can be reduced by up to 36%? Take the next step by sign-ing-up and sharing the pledge:http://www.seafoodnutrition.org/healthy-heart-pledge.html■

COMMUNITY

wjwomen.com26

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

Ingredients4 tablespoons black beans 2 tablespoons sweet potato

1/4 cup green cabbage 1 teaspoon onion

3 tablespoons quinoa or rice 1 teaspoon coconut sprinkles 1 tablespoon avocado diced

1 tablespoon Apple diced Agave nectar or organic sugar

PreparationBoil 1/2 sweet potato, 1/2 cup quinoa, combine organic canned black beans. Mash sweet potato and quinoa togeth-er and mix in black beans. Add finely shredded raw cabbage and all other ingredients. Use romaine lettuce leaves.■

ROMAINE WrapsLETTUCE


COMMUNITY

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Ingredients1/2 cup spinach

1/2 cup corn meal 1/2 cup of black beans

PreparationIf grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork un-til thick and pasty. In a food processor, finely chop spinach. Then stir into mashed beans. Mix in corn meal until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties. If grilling, place pat-ties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

Create an onion, garlic and green bell pepper paste in your blender.■

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dc women's journal vol 48/issue 5

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