Confession #13: What I Learned During Summer Vacation

Do you remember the first day of school? It seemed like every year, in a new classroom with a new teacher, the same old question came up.

The question was always a derivative of these: summer activities, summer learning, what I did, what my family did, vacation destinations, etc. Sometimes the question involved an essay. I always enjoyed the essay. My husband? Not so much. Not an essayist. A great storyteller in person, for sure. But I am definitely the English-minded one of our family and he is solidly the math/science guy.

Putting pen to paper and developing the line of the the summer tale was, I think, an activity we all enjoyed, but at the same time, dreaded. It was great to tell of your summer travels and hope they sounded more interesting than those of the child in the neighboring desk. But jumpstarting the brain into putting all those sentences together on the first day of school was, well, let’s just say it required coffee but I was too young to drink coffee.

As the summer winds down, once again I put pen to paper. Well, actually, I put fingers to keyboard. And the tale begins. What have I learned during summer vacation?

Honestly, the learning comes from the parenting. As mom to two precious kids aged 11 and 5, I dare say that I learn more from them than they learn from me. Don’t get me wrong. I love a great teaching moment with my kids when chance offers me an opportunity to share a pearl of wisdom that hopefully lasts a lifetime. But by and large, this summer I have done the learning and my babes have done the teaching. So my back-to-school essay will be entitled “What I’ve Learned From My Kids This Summer.”

1. Dream Big. We’ve heard it before. It has come out of my mouth a million times. But it’s watching the big dreams unfold that is inspiring. My son has played baseball since he was three. There’s nothing cuter than the tee ball pile-up. All the little kids run for the ball and have more fun making a pile than actually catching the ball. Every year for the last eight years, springtime means evenings at the ballpark, lawn chairs, extended conversations with other moms in between our kids’ at-bats, siblings playing, and dads coaching. It’s a springtime ritual that I’ve grown to love. Well this spring ended on a high note. After a super-exciting season in which our team (Drewett + Brenden Architecture) placed 1st for the league and 3rd in the season-ending tournament, Langdon was selected to play on the 11 year-old All-Star team. He was so honored to have earned a coveted spot among this group of boys. Our summer of All-Star practice and tournaments was like dessert over and over — SWEET! He’s now planning how he’ll practice and prepare for next year’s baseball season. The All-Star team finished third in the state. But the best part was the smile on my boy’s face when the big dream became reality.
2. Laugh More. I’m a pretty serious and focused person. Yes, I have a sense of humor. And I married the funniest person I’ve ever met. But being as goal-oriented as I am, I tend to get lost inside of my focus and forget to enjoy the life I’m living. My daughter is the cure for that. Every day, she reminds me that laughing is a key part of life. Dinnertime has become a ritual of the same old jokes told in slightly different ways. She’s just young enough that she thinks her knock-knock jokes are funny even when they don’t make sense. All we can do is laugh. And kids say the darndest things (wasn’t that a TV show?). Here was our conversation last night. Me: Oh, Reagan, you’re sleeping with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Reagan: Yes, mom. They got married  yesterday. Me: Oh, that’s wonderful. Are they going to have a bunch of little mouse babies? Reagan: Well, Minnie is only pregnant on Thursdays. [I’m laughing all over again.]
3. Pray Daily. The economic fall-out of the last two years has been devastating for so many. I’m thankful to be in Louisiana where we seem to be so insulated from the national economic woes (but certainly not those of hurricanes and oil spills).  And my heart aches for Arizona, where we spent 14 years living life with wonderful friends and family. Arizona has felt the impact of the Great Recession so severely that the state currently operates on 70% of it’s 2006 income. It drives me to pray daily for those who are suffering. I’ve always said that it’s the valleys in life that help us appreciate and give thanks for the mountains. The tough times remind me that I am not in control. And I am thankful for the One that is. Praying daily reminds me that my life remains in the capable hands of a creator who made something from nothing. Every night after prayers, the Drewett family shares one or two things for which they are thankful that day. Hearing those sweet words from the lips of my babies is another reminder of the many blessings, undeserved, that God has heaped into our lives.
4. Play Outside. You know, southern girls don’t sweat, they glisten. I’m not a big fan of glistening. Once I get the hair done and the makeup just right, I’m done for the day. A redo is not on my agenda. But the kids entice me to join their fun. One Sunday afternoon this summer, the Drewett family got dressed and headed to the tennis courts. Yes, it was terribly hot. But ice water poured on your head will cool you down quickly. Our afternoon swatting at tennis balls and mostly chasing the ones we missed was a much-needed and long-remembered family bonding. We all got some much needed Vitamin D from the sun we soaked up, and the exercise was great for the body and the soul. I was gently reminded on this day that any girl can get motivated for anything (even 95 degree heat and impending sweat) if she has the right outfit. There’s just nothing cuter than a tennis skirt.

I’m sure there’s more learning to come. I think a lot about how to be a good parent. I consider constantly what my actions are teaching my children. But this summer, it seems that their actions were the defining part of my summer. They reminded me to live. And to enjoy. And to be thankful. And to soak up the sun.

And that, my friends, completes my essay on “What I Learned During Summer Vacation.” I wonder if Mrs. Barmore (my fifth grade teacher) would give me an A?

(The above article was published in The Minute Magazine, August/September edition).

Hormones And Their Effects On The Body

People ask me all the time for more information about hormones and why we need them. Hormones are the communication tools of the body. They deliver messages. So here is a list of a few hormones and what they contribute to your body.

Estrogen

• Protects against osteoporosis, heart disease, memory loss, colon cancer, incontinence and tooth loss
• Enhances sleep, emotional well-being, mental acuity and focus, memory, attention span, communication ability, vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, digestion, libido and skin tone.
• Relieves menopausal symptoms and depression
• Increases tolerance to pain

Progesterone

• Has a calming effect and enhances mood
• Regulates fluid balance
• Increases blood sugar, thyroid function and mineral balance
• Relieves menopausal symptoms
• Decreases risk of endometrial cancer and may help protect against breast cancer and fibrocystic breast disease
• Protects against osteoporosis and heart disease

Testosterone

• Builds muscles and promotes muscle tone
• Increases energy and libido
• Enhances sense of well-being
• Helps strengthen bone

DHEA

• Helps protect against heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, memory loss, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis
• Can increase and enhance energy levels, libido, memory and immunity
• Protects against the effects of stress
• Aids weight loss and healing of burns
• Helps to prevent wrinkles and dry eyes

Cortisol

• Helps in responding and coping with stress, trauma, and infection
• Increases energy and metabolism
• Helps regulate blood pressure
• Enhances the integrity of blood vessels
• Reduces allergic and inflammatory response

Balance of each of these hormones is a key element of optimal health and absence of disease. Proper testing, a customized treatment plan for out-of-balance hormone levels, and follow-up testing are all important for achieving healthy hormone levels in your body. For more information about metabolic testing at Seasons, contact our office at 318-255-3223 (Ruston) or 318-387-2828 (Monroe).

Shaping A Smoother You With SmoothShapes

Have you ever wondered if your cellulite could disappear? At Seasons, we have the technology to do just that.  SmoothShapes, a state-of-the-art machine, is a pain-free treatment that uses dynamic laser and light energy to smooth and tighten skin. Collagen is regenerated, circulation is improved and metabolic processes are restored. This system is recommended in a series of eight treatments over a four-week period.

“Dermatologist Cheryl Karcher, MD. was very excited about SmoothShapes, a new laser treatment that she believes can significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite. ‘At this time, this is the only technology with a laser that’s specifically designed to melt fat.’” (Oprah Magazine; May 2009, p. 204)

A recent study was done in Phoenix with 83 patients that showed the SmoothShape system to effectively reduce thigh circumference. When the results came in, the average overall reduction among the thigh areas treated was 1.9 cm, with the maximum loss being 8.7 cm. “We generally saw the greatest results in the upper thigh,” said Dr. Robert A. Weiss, director of the Maryland Laser, Skin, and Vein Institute in Hunt Valley, Md. He concluded that the SmoothShapes system “was highly effective in producing thigh circumferential reduction at each thigh location and at each evaluation time-point in the study with 1- and 3-month follow-up.”

We all want to look better in our swimsuit, or maybe just feel better in our clothes. Anytime is a good time to think about cellulite. Give us a call to set up a consultation to see if SmoothShapes is right for you! SmoothShapes is available in our Ruston location at Seasons – The Spa, 318-255-1155.

Delta Style Makeover Contest Winner – Tiffany Spillers

Seasons – The Spa, Seasons Medical Aesthetics and It’s Permanent have teamed up with Delta Style Magazine to provide aesthetic services to one hopeful makeover candidate. The lucky lady, West Monroe resident Tiffany Spillers, is a wife and new mother looking to revamp her image and give herself some much needed tender-loving-care.

At Tiffany’s initial consultation, Tiffany, Terri Grayson of It’s Permanent, Elizabeth Drewett of Seasons, and Sarah Jeffords of Seasons discussed some of the cosmetic procedures that she was interested in and the results that she was hoping to accomplish. Following her consultation, Tiffany decided to enjoy the following services:

• Electrolysis
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for hair growth reduction
• Spray Tan
• Sudatonic Wrap
• Permanent Makeup – Eyeliner
• Microdermabrasion
• Obagi-C Facial Cleansing Kit

One of Tiffany’s concerns was hair removal. To address that concern, Tiffany had electrolysis on her eyebrows and upper lip and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) under her arms to reduce hair growth.

To give her a healthy glow without the risk of tanning, Tiffany enjoyed several spray tans throughout her makeover journey. “I really enjoyed the streak-free glow. And it lasted over a week,” she said.

To boost her weight-loss efforts, Tiffany received six Sudatonic wrap treatments. “I really loved the Sudatonic wraps,” said Tiffany, “and I saw a dramatic difference in inches lost and water weight.”

Tiffany was also interested in having permanent cosmetics but was hesitant to do something permanent and possibly painful. Following the procedure, her anxiety was replaced by joy. “I am so glad I decided to have the permanent eyeliner done,” said Tiffany. “I love it!”.

To exfoliate and improve the appearance of her skin, Tiffany had two microdermabrasion treatments. In conjunction with the microdermabrasion treatments, she used the Obagi-C Facial Cleansing Kit. Obagi, the leader in cosmeceutical products, is designed to prevent and improve the most common and visible skin disorders in adult skin. “I will never use anything else,” said Tiffany. “My skin is so soft and clear, and I love adding the sunscreen as part of my daily routine.”

While Tiffany’s makover results are obvious in the photographs on the pages of Delta Style, the team at Seasons and It’s Permanent noticed the biggest difference in Tiffany’s self-confidence and personality. “We were so pleased to play a part in transforming Tiffany into the bubbly, outgoing, and gorgeous girl that was already on the inside. We just helped the inside and the outside match!” said Terri. “We enjoyed every second of working with Tiffany and being a part of her transformation.”

For more information about the services Tiffany enjoyed at Seasons and It’s Permanent, call 255-1155 (Ruston) or 340-1178 (Monroe).

Celebrate the Peach Festival with Healthy Peach Recipes

Ruston is known for harvesting delicious peaches. During the month of June, Lincoln Parish celebrates this fabulous fruit by hosting the Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival. Seasons – The Spa is celebrating the Peach Festival with our brand new Peach Facial. How are you celebrating the peach? Here’s an idea. With fresh peaches from the Ruston Farmer’s Market, you can create this delicious Arugula Salad with Peaches and Blue Cheese!

Peach Facial. This sweet scrub exfoliates and softens while it moisturizes and brightens your skin. The Peach Facial includes cleansing, exfoliation, aromatherapy, steam and extractions. The pampering continues with an upper body massage followed by a custom mask and a moisturizer to finish. 60 minutes, $65. To schedule your appointment, call 318-255-3223.

Arugula Salad with Peaches and Blue Cheese

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 ripe peaches, peeled and each cut into 6 wedges
• 18 thin slices prosciutto
• 4 cups baby arugula
• 3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
• Pepper to taste

Directions:

Whisk together lemon juice, salt and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.

Wrap one slice prosciutto around each peach wedge, overlapping ends of prosciutto. Heat remaining olive oil in a medium non-stick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet over moderate heat and briefly cook wrapped peaches, turning occasionally with tongs, about 1 minute each side.

Divide arugula and warm prosciutto-wrapped peaches among 6 salad plates. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with blue cheese and pepper. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Recipes adapted from Whole Foods Market.

One Man’s Food is Another Man’s Poison

Sensitivity to certain foods can cause unwanted weight gain, migraines, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders and many more chronic problems. Food intolerance is not an immediate reaction, like a peanut allergy for example. Food intolerance occurs many hours after consumption. With delayed symptoms, it’s difficult to detect which food your body isn’t processing properly. You may be eating healthy food.  But it might NOT be the foods that are healthy for you.

The process of determining food sensitivities is as simple as a blood draw. The food sensitivity test screens for reactions to over 300 foods, chemicals and other substances associated with inflammation that are linked to chronic health problems. After identifying food sensitivities, you eliminate the trigger foods and get on the fast track to good health!

At Seasons, we are extremely pleased with the success stories from patients who have taken the test and eliminated trigger foods from their diet. One of our patients has lost a total of 60 lbs in 7 months since avoiding certain trigger foods. She had no idea that the food she was consuming was making her sick and keeping her from losing weight. Another patient had “excruciating migraines” and was looking for a solution. Since eliminating the foods that she is sensitive to, she has not had a migraine AND lost 20 lbs!

Take control of your health instead of taking medications to treat symptoms. Identifying and eliminating from your diet foods to which you are sensitive can help you shed pounds and feel better!

Food sensitivity testing – the how to.

The process starts with a referral from a doctor or a consultation with our nutritionist, Valerie Costanza, RD. The Seasons staff will verify insurance coverage for the test. Next, a simple blood test is performed and sent off for analysis. Results take approximately 3 weeks and come back on an easy-to-read, color-coded chart. You will meet with the Valerie to review the results and help you make a meal plan that incorporates the foods that are good for you and eliminates the ones that are making you sick. One nutritional consultation with Valerie is complimentary after having food sensitivity testing.

For more information about food sensitivities or to schedule an appointment, contact Seasons Wellness Clinic, Ruston, LA, at 318-255-3223 or Seasons Healthcare, Monroe, LA at 318-387-2828.

Naturally Monitor Fertility Using CycleBeads

Looking for a more natural way to plan or prevent pregnancy?  CycleBeads are a color-coded string of beads that represent a woman’s menstrual cycle. Each bead represents a day of your cycle and the color helps you to determine which day pregnancy is likely to occur.

How CycleBeads work:

Move the black marker over the color-coded bead that represents fertile and low fertility days. Each day move the ring one bead forward in the direction of the arrow located on the clasp. If the ring is on a colored bead, there is a low likelihood of pregnancy and if on the white bead the probability of conceiving is high.

This inexpensive method is easy to use and most importantly more than 95% effective when used correctly. CycleBeads is the most natural way to identify potentially fertile days. No medications, no side effects!

Seasons strives to keep you informed and educated on the issues that concern you. We are happy to offer our patients CycleBeads as a more natural approach to monitoring fertility.

To purchase CycleBeads or for more information, please contact Seasons Wellness Clinic, Ruston, LA. 318-255-3223.

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…

Celebrate the Peach Festival with Healthy Peach Recipes

Ruston is known for harvesting delicious peaches. During the month of June, Lincoln Parish celebrates this fabulous fruit by hosting the Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival. Seasons – The Spa is celebrating the Peach Festival with our brand new Peach Facial. We want to help YOU celebrate by creating delicious, low-fat peach dishes with fresh fruit from the Ruston Farmer’s Market.

Peach Facial. This sweet scrub exfoliates and softens while it moisturizes and brightens your skin. The Peach Facial includes cleansing, exfoliation, aromatherapy, steam and extractions. The pampering continues with an upper body massage followed by a custom mask and a moisturizer to finish. 60 minutes, $65. To schedule your appointment, call 318-255-3223.

Peaches à la mode

You will need:

• 2 medium peaches, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup low-fat granola
• 1 cup fat-free vanilla ice cream

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat a small baking dish with cooking spray.

Place the peaches in the baking dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and granola. Bake until the fruit is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes.

To serve, divide the ice cream into two bowls (1/2 cup each). Top each with 1/2 of the baked peaches. Serve immediately.

Serves 2. Under 200 calories per serving!

Peach Honey Spread

You will need:

• 3 ripened peaches
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

In a large bowl, add the peaches, honey and cinnamon. Using a fork, mash until the mixture is a consistency of chunky applesauce. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 6. 60 calories per seving.

Recipes adapted from Mayo Clinic.

Social Media, Medicine, and a Great Story!

At Seasons, we love social media. Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, You Tube — they are all great tools to help us communicate with our patients/clients and for our patients/clients to communicate with us. Seasons has been using social media for well over a year. That process began with a blog-based website, introduced over two years ago.

While this approach to communicating in the medical industry is rare, it is working. Case in point? Watch this video which tells a great story about a woman who had a misdiagnosed wrist injury. Twitter helped her find a correct diagnosis and then treatment and recovery from her injury.

Our thoughts? This is super cool and we will continue to use social media to interact and educate our patients and clients about the pursuit of wellness!

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