Me, Food Sensitivity Testing, and Life!

So it’s been about two months since I received my food sensitivity testing results. Things have been going pretty good. I was really excited after the first two weeks and 5 lb. weight loss. And then I began to get a little bored. I was going to have to really start “working” the list – by that I mean really avoiding my yellow foods (yellow list = mild sensitivity) and stick to my green (green list = no sensitivity). I had done really well avoiding my reds (red list = severe sensitivity) and oranges (orange list = moderate sensitivity). That was the easy part because there weren’t very many! The yellow list (yellow list = mild sensitivity) on the other hand was quite a bit longer!

Grocery shopping has become a little more intense. I am buying more fruits and veggies – but not just any fruits and veggies. Only certain fruits and veggies that appear on my green list! Oh, and did I mention my husband has gotten his food sensitivity test results? That makes grocery shopping even more challenging! Bored? Did I say I was bored? Ha! Not anymore. Now I have a mission!

Being a working mom with two small boys, I have to be prepared: meal planning, activity planning (not really a strong suit of mine), etc. We have always been a family on-the-go trying to eat healthy. But somehow, fast food has snuck into our lives. Let’s face it, it’s just easier.

But no more fast food for this family! With my and my husband’s food sensitivity results, I am armed and ready to tackle the healthy lifestyle…again! We have always enjoyed exercise, being outdoors and considered ourselves healthy. But with work and busy schedules, the diets have fallen by the wayside. My food sensitivity results have given me the perfect opportunity to get my family in check!

I know it won’t be easy to get everyone on board, but the benefits will be worth it! I am so fortunate that my husband is doing this with me and that we will be educating our children along the way. They already are aware of the “green” list and what Mom and Dad can and can’t have. It’s really cute!

And so the journey continues…

Me, Food Sensitivity Testing, and Fear of the Unknown

I did a lot of debating with myself about having food sensitivity testing.

At first I didn’t want to do it. I forbid myself to think that I wanted to do it. Why? I didn’t want to know what it was going to tell me. I was afraid of it. I was afraid that it would tell me that I couldn’t eat the things that I love to eat.

But I know of the success stories. Our patients who have eliminated foods from their diets they were sensitive to feel better and lose weight. And I wanted to feel better. Don’t get me wrong. I feel pretty good. But as the working mom of two young boys, I need every ounce of energy I can possibly generate from my body! Weight loss wasn’t necessarily my goal, but it could be an added bonus.

So here’s a look at me before food sensitivity testing. My symptoms were:

• Headaches
• Tired often
• Lack of energy
• Cravings (carbs, chips, salty)
• GI Symptoms (stomach issues)
• Trouble losing weight
• Didn’t feel 100%

The great irony of this whole story is this–I was telling my patients to do it (and I try to do everything that I tell my patients to do) but I hadn’t had the courage to face it myself. That fear of the unknown can be so overpowering, can’t it? I w anted to be able to tell them first hand what it was like, and why the sacrifices would really be worth taking the test.

And then, 3 weeks after sending my blood to the laboratory, the results arrived. As expected, there were sacrifices that would have to be made.My results revealed that I had a tremendous food sensitivity to — are you ready for this? — coffee. Argh. I crave coffee every day. I was not excited about this. But, I stopped cold turkey. And not only did I stop coffee, I’ve stopped diet cokes, too.

The results? 2 weeks in and I have lost 5 pounds AND I feel a lot better. Significantly better. I’ve gotten back into running and exercising. Even my husband said that he could tell a difference. Just from seeing what it has done for me, he is sold….he came to Seasons yesterday to have his blood drawn to check his food sensitivity.

And that, my friends, is the story. Two weeks and results. It hasn’t been easy. Ridding your body of the causes of inflammation is one of the keys to the health and wellness kingdom.

Seasons Spotlight: Anna Stephens, Nurse Practitioner

My name is Anna Stephens, and I am an RNC, BSN, MSN, WHNP-C. What in the world do all those letters mean?

It all began with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Northwestern State University (BSN).  I worked in Labor and Delivery for seven years and absolutely LOVED it!  After 1½ years working in the hospital, I decided that I could do more for women’s health with a higher degree.

I then earned my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), also from Northwestern State University.  After four years of part-time school and part-time work, I became a Certified Registered Nurse (RNC) and a Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-C).

So now that you know what all the letters mean, let me explain how that helps me to help you at Seasons.

Some of you may see me for a medical visit — hormone evaluation, annual exam, female problems. Some of you may see me for “fun” visits — Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, microdermabrasions, IPL treatments, or even skin evaluations. My goal is to see all of you for everything!  How much fun would we have?! I love what I am doing at Seasons.  It is so much fun to see women feel better and then be able to help them look better as well.  The two truly go hand-in-hand!

In addition to my nursing education, I have had many trainings for medical aesthetics services. I am a certified injector for both Botox and Juvederm.  Since becoming certified, I furthered my training with one-on-one advanced training from Allergan, the makers of Botox and Juvederm, and am now a certified advanced injector.

I also have one-on-one training every four months with an expert trainer from Bioform Medical, the makers of Radiesse.  By having an expert train me, I am able to stay up-to-date on the latest injection techniques, thus offering my clients the most current treatments!  It is so much fun to see the immediate improvements on the faces of my patients following a Botox, Juvederm or Radiesse treatment.

In the area of skin care, I have attended Obagi Medical training workshops and have been educated on the Obagi Medical Skin care line. Healthy skin is so important and with Obagi the skin becomes healthy from the inside out. These are truly amazing products that offer truly amazing results!

I also have trained with Guinot, another pharmaceutical- grade skin care line available at Seasons. Guinot is manufactured in Paris and uses natural fruit acids and enzymes to give you a more gentle skin care than Obagi but with the same fabulous results!

The face is the first thing people see when they meet us…what better reason to offer them the healthiest, most beautiful, youthful, radiant face we can? I look forward to meeting you. Let’s work together to achieve your beauty, skin care and health needs!

Fuller Lips, Fewer Wrinkles

Have you ever wished for fuller lips? Have your lips seemed to “disappear” the older you’ve gotten? How would you like your lipstick to last longer? If any of these questions spark your interest, then Juvéderm® may be the answer you’re looking for.

As we age, our skin changes. Over time the natural volume of youthful skin begins to diminish as wrinkles and folds form. But you don’t have to just sit back and let it happen!

This product is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Your healthcare professional eases hyaluronic gel under the skin to instantly restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds—like your “smile lines” or “parentheses.” Technically, these are nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth and lips.

First, we give you a dental block using Lidocaine to numb the nerves associated with the lip, then the gel is injected slowly and evenly. After the injection, the product is gently massaged to insure an even result. The procedure is virtually painless, and the results are absolutely fabulous! Your lips will have a smooth, natural look and feel—so everyone will notice (but no one will know).

The process takes about 30 minutes and results are immediate. Plus, there’s minimal recovery or downtime. So you can step into your doctor’s office for treatment and step right back into your life!

Call or come by for a complimentary consultation and let us help you achieve the younger, fuller, more supple lips you desire. Call Seasons Medical Aesthetics at 255-3223 or It’s Permanent at 340-1778 to schedule your consultation.

Have You Lost Your Glow?

Then exfoliate!

With the exposure to the sun, free radicals and the inevitable process of aging over time, our skin begins to lose its smooth, fresh appearance. We began to see age spots, blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. This affects how we and others view ourselves – regardless of how young we feel inside.

At Seasons Medical Aesthetics we offer several ways to remove those dull unsightly and lifeless skin cells. We realize each person’s skin reacts differently that’s why we continue searching and learning new ways to restore the beauty in you.

These treatments listed below will help YOU “Get your Glow On”

• Guinot Beaute Nerve Double peeling treatment
• Medical Microderm
• Chemical peels
• Obagi Medical

If you are ready to “get your glow on,” call us today. We’ll provide a free evaluation appointment to determine the right treatment for YOU!

Lisa Best, Clinical Aesthetician

Get Your Smile Back with Radiesse!

Hello, my name is Anna Stephens. I am a Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. I am so excited to have joined Dr. Goodyear and the aesthetic “team” in Ruston and Monroe.

The services we are offering are truly amazing, and you will be taken back by what a dramatic difference we can make to your appearance and your life.

We are now offering Radiesse. What is Radiesse you ask? It is a safe FDA-approved dermal filler that restores a natural, long lasting youthful look. Radiesse is made of unique calcium-based microspheres suspended in a natural gel that is injected into the skin through a simple, safe and minimally invasive procedure. Radiesse works with your body and forms a support that stimulates the growth of collagen. The results are immediate! Radiesse can last a year or more and is very safe.

Most clients are extremely happy with the results after the first treatment, but we usually schedule a follow-up visit within 2 weeks to allow for touch-ups if needed. Prices for Radiesse are individualized for each client but are very comparable to other procedures. So… what are you waiting for? Let Radiesse and the staff at Seasons Medical Aesthetics give you your smile back!

Contact us or call (318) 255-3223 to schedule an appointment or consultation today. Also ask about specials we may be offering.

Please visit the site regularly to see what new topics I have to discuss with you. I look forward to working with you and hope I can enhance your outer as well as you inner beauty!