February-March-2011 - Focus on Women Magazine - Texas- Inspire, Educate, and Empower!

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PROVIDING A NATURAL THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION

KIMBERLYCRESS, M.D.

15 Tips to GetYou Organized

Award-Winning Care

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largest independent car dealership, helped kick off the Grant-A-Starr Foundation’s (GASF) sponsorship drive as the presenting sponsor in addition to donating radio spots in support of the Foundation’s 3rd annual 5K race and 1K Family Fun Run. The event, set for Saturday, March 5, 2011, will be held at the Sugar Land Memorial Park located at

15300 University Blvd. The Foundation was founded in celebration of the life of

Grant Starr and is a non-profit organization created solely for the purpose of advancing diagnostic testing to save children’s lives. GASF provides financial support to Houston based research projects that are dedicated to the development of diagnostic testing capabilities that will reduce the time required to identify a child’s critical illness from days or weeks to only hours. Texas Direct Auto Director of Business Development Jessica DeMarr stated, “We are proud to be a part of this event and support the Grant-A-Starr Foundation’s dedication in advancing this life-saving research.”

The Grant-A-Starr Fun Run is unique because of the student steering committee comprised of local area high school volunteers who have taken a deep personal interest in the event. The group is lead by committee chairperson Paige Lambert. Lambert, a junior at Clements HS, said, “The Student Steering Committee and I are inspired and excited

by the local support from great companies like Texas Direct Auto. We are blessed to live in a community that works together and supports student led programs like the Grant-A-Starr Fun Run. Many of us knew Grant and want to keep his memory alive by making each Fun Run event bigger and better than the one before. Texas Direct Auto’s sponsorship will help make that a reality. We would like to thank them for their participation!”

Kevin Hohn, Steering Committee Adviser, said “The Grant-A-Starr Foundation is thrilled to have Texas Direct Auto as our presenting sponsor for its 3rd annual 5K race and 1K Family Fun Run. Texas Direct Auto’s partnership will help elevate The Foundation’s primary fundraising event to a much higher level. Their enthusiastic support of The Foundation’s efforts and participation in the 2011 5K race are much appreciated.”

As race director, Scott Alexander notes, “We encourage companies and groups of friends to organize teams for the 5K run. It’s a great event and all donations go to early diagnostic research programs at two of the best hospitals in the world, Texas Children’s Hospital and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.” DeMarr said, “We encourage everyone to sign up and participate in the Fun Run. This is a great way to contribute to this worthy cause.” Details on how to donate or sign up for this event can be found at www.grantastarr.org.

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4 focus on women l February / March 2011

ContentsFeb / March 2011 l Vol. 2 l Number 4

Features20 Sweet Growth: Imperial Sugar

CEO Announces New Product Launch in Company’s BirthplaceIt’s not your grandmother’s sugar any more. Elsa Maxey was there – to interview and taste – when Imperial Sugar CEO John Sheptor rolled out the iconic company’s newest product that features one third of the calories of sugar: Steviacane™. Yes, life is still sweet at Imperial – it just contains fewer calories!

26 Shama Hyder Kabani: Social MediaExpert, Author and International SpeakerIt’s all Zen for this twenty-four-year-old web and television personality, international speaker, award-winning CEO and best-selling author Shama Hyder Kabani. Linda Eaves talks with the Generation Y’er and learns about success, Twitter and what it’s like to be Zen.

30 Dress a Girl Around the World…One Pillowcase at a TimeSew meaningful and sew fun! Tanya Sterling takes a look at Hope 4 Women International’s “Dress a Girl Around the World” campaign and learns how old pillowcases and scraps of fabric can literally dress poverty-stricken little girls in communities around the world.

46 Susan Browning Creates Her Own Niche – and Career – as a Celebrant

From divorce ceremonies to business grand openings, Susan Browning has created – and filled – a niche market as a celebrant. Don Maines visits with Browning – part therapist, part officiant, part friend – about her career as a celebrant.

Kimberly Cress, M.D. is at the forefront of a ground-breaking new therapy for depression, and it is making all the difference in the lives of three women who share their battle with the dreaded disease. The new treatment, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS, uses magnets – not medications – to achieve results, and the physician at the center of giving these women their lives back plans to help many more individuals suffering with depression, naturally.

Kimberly Cress, M.D.Providing a Natural Therapy for Depression15

Kimberly Cress, M.D.

February / March 2011 l www.FOWmag.com 5

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Contents

style13 The List: Things We LoveA few things we are in love with lately.

34 Feminine Fashion With A Masculine TouchFrom masculine inspired pieces to bold accessories, be fashion-forward with these eclectic looks.

42 What Your Wardrobe Says About YouFrumpy? Chic? Fabulous? Find out what your wardrobe is saying aboutthe real you.

health & wellness48 Nutrition Friendly Foodsfor Timeless LivingSimple dietary tips to help you look, live and feel timeless.

58 Thyroid Disease – CanGluten and Vitamin DeficiencyBe to Blame?Can your thyroid hormone deficiency be caused by something unexpected or something that may be very easy to control? Check out Dr. Osborne’s column for important information regarding your thyroid hormone deficiency.

relationship40 Life Lessons From a 40 Year Old YoungsterTimeless, tried and true advice learned – and shared – marking the big 4-0!

home44 Affordable Design Solutions to Freshen Up Any HomeThe nose knows….tips to make your home smell – and look – fabulous!

50 15 Favs: Tips to Get You - and – Your Home OrganizedGetting yourself and your family organized can be quite an undertaking, so here are some great tips to get everyone – and everything – organized.

stepping out with focus on women55 Revive Yourself!Salon Eben & Day Spa

Champagne & CupcakesSouthern Sister Designs

56 Memorial Hermann Sugar LandCare 2 Chat

Top Shelf Wine & SpiritsWine & Spirits Nite

Fernando’s Latin CuisineStepping Out for the Holidays

chick flicks23 Beauty and the BriefcaseCan Lane (Hilary Duff) find love in the workplace in order to complete her assignment for Cosmopolitan? Watch this comedy with an all-star cast and to find out if love really does conquer all.

53 Farm Girl in New YorkTwo men trying to meet hot girls hold a fake audition and meet a girl that steals their heart. But does the phony audition compromise their chance of finding love?

57 A Woman, A Gun and A Noodle ShopThis flick has it all – action, romance and suspense – all in a noodle shop in China.

pg 34

pg 48

pg 13

pg 23


Contents

well woman54 Creating Awareness for theWell Woman: Colorectal CancerMarch is colorectal cancer awareness month. Learn about the risk factors of colorectal cancer and save a loved one’s life.

fine arts38 2010 Year in ReviewBefore you rent a movie this weekend, check out Nick Nicholson’s picks for the best and worst movies of 2010.

60 Eye on Third Ward: Jack Yates High School PhotographyBilly Elliot The Musical Blue Man GroupThe Sleeping BeautyFrom ballet to Billy, check out these events around Houston.

divas INK (In the Know!)57 Check out what our divas have to say – about everything – on facebook.

between the lines63 TormentaA spine-tingling adventure of history, intrigue and redemption.

Poetic TreasuresA compilation of poems written to reflect an optimistic view of life.

financial savvy39 Girls Just Want to Have FundsTips for preparing your financial calendar for 2011.

fow feedback25 Heard Through the GrapevineWho’s saying what about Focus on Women.

columns64 The Last WordBy Glenn Smith A look at how relationships and marketing go hand in hand.

12 Days of Christmas Winners62 Check out our giveaway winners! Were you one of them?

pearls of wisdom19 “Mrs. Smith, I believe little Jonathan may have ADHD.”By Afreen Pappa, MD

24 Where You Go When It’s TimeTo Un-PlugBy Todd Farber

29 Treating Leaky Bladders Can Help Improve Women’s HealthBy Dr. Carlos R. Hamilton III

33 Having The Conversation With Your Aging ParentBy Karen Mawyer

52 Nobel Prize Award: Recognition of In Vitro Fertilization in Treating Human InfertilityBy James Chuong, MD

pg 61

pg 38

Reminding a friend to schedule a mammogram could save her life. According to The National Cancer Institute,

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a clinical breast exam on a regular basis.

You can rest assured that at the Breast Center at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital you and your friend will receive

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Call 281-242-PINK (7465) to schedule a mammogram with Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

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Reminding a friend to schedule a mammogram could save her life. According to The National Cancer Institute,

You discovered her favorite restaurant. She introduced you to your husband. Now, you could save her life.

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W ith the coming of each new year, we, as consumers, are inundated with the newness of it all – new year, new you, new attitude, new prospects. I must admit

that when the New Year comes, I always find myself filled with hope. Not necessarily hope for anything new, but unbridled enthusiasm and hope for what the new year will bring – opportunities, birthdays, watching my children grow, exploring unchartered territories in business, making new friends, more quality time with family – just hopeful.

Over the years, I’ve learned that optimism – being hopeful – is a beautiful character trait and one that should be coveted. Not everyone is naturally optimistic. I’m certainly not; it is undeniably an effort on my part. But, it’s an effort I gladly embrace because the payoff is truly extraordinary. People appreciate a half-full attitude. They respond well to it – and to you. Our society embraces optimism, so optimism is my mantra for the coming year.

In this issue, we’ll introduce you to some of the most optimistic and inspiring people I’ve had the pleasure to meet. From three women who suffered greatly from depression to the physician who through creative thinking and perseverance made a monumental difference, you’ll see how hope – pure optimism – has helped changed their lives for the better. Dr. Kim Cress’ hope for her patients, and her commitment to finding an alternative treatment for depression just might make her a modern day miracle worker. Her patients are thriving, enjoying lives they have not had for years. That’s hope – optimism – in action.

You can’t help but be optimistic when you meet Shama Hyder Kabani. I met her at the Texas Women’s Conference as a panelist on social media. Shama spoke about her new book – The Zen of Social Media Marketing – and taught us all how to be Zen. According to Shama, Zen is the struggle-free way to do something, and yes, we all needed a struggle-free way to adapt to, utilize and comprehend social media. And, if you’re wondering why Shama is so proficient at teaching us fortyish folks about social media, clearly it’s because of her outstanding professional accomplishments, along with the fact that she’s 24 years old. Yes, she’s not only optimistic, she’s amazing.

From her infectious smile to the joy she receives every day working to “Dress A Girl Around the World,” Gina Abdulla exudes hope. Gina literally takes scraps of fabric – old pillowcases, t-shirts, linens – and turns them into a smile dressing poverty stricken little girls around the world. When you see the smile – the hope – given to a little girl in Uganda who has never owned a new dress, you experience the true meaning of the word. Gina organizes Sew Fests where volunteers come and sew dresses to be distributed worldwide, and she needs our help. She needs pillowcases, flat sheets, fabric remnants, t-shirts, bias tape and decorative ribbons or buttons to turn into beautiful dresses. So, if you can help, stop by! Focus on Women is collecting donations for “Dress A Girl Around the World’s” April 30th Sew Fest at our office. Make time to clean out your linen closet. What a great way to help bring smiles – and hope – to little girls in need.

Winston Churchill said, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” I hope the New Year brings you many opportunities, and that you can see them all, whether effortless or challenging, with your glass half full. Churchill also said, “I am easily satisfied with the very best.” Focus on Women will strive to be the best in 2011– with an optimistic outlook. We know you’ll do the same.

Stay focused!

[email protected]

Hope Springs Eternal

editor’s point of view I Patti Parish-Kaminski, Editor in ChiefP

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contributors

Winner of a Texas AP award, Elsa Maxey shares Imperial Sugar Company’s new future with a unique product launch by its CEO at the birth place of the over 160 year-old company in “Sweet Growth” on page 20. Elsa is a reporter for the Fort Bend Star, a contributor for the Fort Bend Business Journal and Fort Bend Focus magazine and a consultant with local area communications company MediaNet. The 20-year Sugar Land resident is married and has grown children.

Nick Nicholson is the Entertainment Editor for Focus on Women and the Film and, Entertainment Critic for CNN Radio, the Fort Bend Star newspaper, Fort Bend Focus and Pearland Focus magazines. He is the co-founder of the Houston Film Critics Society and is currently the President of the organization. In “2010 Year in Review” on page 38, Nick lists his picks for the best – and worst – in films of the year. Nick and his wife, Mikki, reside in Sugar Land, Texas.

Don Maines began his journalism career as a film and theater critic for The Daily Texan, the student newspaper at the University of Texas. He’s added attorney to his resumé, along with award-winning playwright, actor and director. Don’s work has been honored by the Associated Press, United Press International and the State Bar of Texas, among others. In “Susan Browning Creates Her Own Niche – and Career – as a Celebrant ” on page 46, Don learns how Browning has turned her passion into a career helping others. Don lives in Richmond, Texas, where he is a correspondent for the Houston Chronicle and author of its weekly column, “Backstage.”

Owner and personal stylist at Emmanuel Salon, Brian Benoit shares his style sense and passion for photography in “Feminine Fashion with a Masculine Touch” – an eclectic mixture of ruffles, lace and leather – on page 34. Brian and his wife, Steve, live in Sugar Land, Texas with their four children.

Wife and mother of three, Tanya Sterling is the founder and director of the JOY Ministry, a special needs ministry at First Methodist Houston, and a freelance writer. On page 30 in “Let’s (literally) Dress a Girl Around the World…One Pillowcase at a Time,” Tanya interviews Gina Abdulla, Houston’s “Dress a Girl Around the World” Area Rep, about her life’s work: providing poverty stricken girls around the world with the one thing sure to put a smile on their face – a new dress. Tanya and her family reside in Sugar Land, Texas.

A Louisiana native who has relocated to Richmond, Texas with her husband and two daughters, Linda Kliebert Eaves is a freelance writer with a love for children’s literature. In a profile on Shama Hyder Kabani on page 26, Linda interviews the 24 year-old social media expert, author and international speaker and finds out the true meaning being Zen.


style

Here are a few things that we are in love with lately.

The List: Things We Love

Warm and FuzzyFinally – the perfect warm fuzzy! Bella Brand Faux Fur throws are perfect for those chilly nights when all you want to do is relax on the couch or cuddle with your cutie. The reversible throw is faux fur on one side and velvet on the other and adds a whole new meaning to the word plush. Cuddle up!www.bellahomefashions.com

We All Need Some Wrist CandyLook fashionable at a great price with these “wrist candy” bracelets designed by Elyssa Bass, an independent designer from California. Stackable bracelets and layering are hot trends for 2011, so jump on the bandwagon and grab these gorgeous gems. The bracelets, made with all-natural gemstones such as amethyst, blue topaz, turquoise, quartz and pearl, were given the name “wrist candy” because they sure are “eye candy.” www.jloggins.com

Potion in a PackageTired of your eyeshadow fading away during the day, or even worse, your eyeshadow creasing on your eyelid? Well bippidy boppidy boo - it’s time to try something new! Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion will give you long- lasting color and vibrancy from your eyeshadow color all day long. It is no magic trick; this primer really works! Try it, and we promise it will not be an illusion how great your eye make-up looks!www.urbandecay.com

Haute HatsLet’s play ball – in style! Perfect for those Saturdays at the baseball field, don one of these custom painted caps designed by My Melange and you will be the most fashionable mom at the game. Available in a cadet or baseball style hat and adorned with gems and jewels, you’ll be sure to hit a home run in fashion. www.southernsisterdesigns.com

The Indestructible Phone CaseHave you gotten more new phones than pairs of shoes in the past year? Then that is a problem that the Otter Box can fix. The Otter Box is dedicated to those of us who live hectic, crazy lifestyles and always seem to break or ruin what we now refer to as our “life line.” The Otter Box protects a phone from scratches, bumps and shocks making it perfect for those with active lifestyles. And best of all, the Otter Box is available in multiple colors and styles making it functional – and fashionable. Funky name but fabulous find!www.otterbox.com


ON THE COVERKimberly Cress, M.D.

Photo byAlisa Murray Photography

PUBLISHERSEDITOR IN CHIEF

ENTERTAINMENT EDITORSENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

OFFICE MANAGERART DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTORGRAPHIC DESIGNER

WEB DESIGNER EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Michael & Lisa FredricksonPatti Parish-KaminskiNick NicholsonJessica KijDena PerryApril LambertMimi QuinnShanna SandersNorma LoredoGrace BellezaJoey BellezaElizabeth PaceJOBpageGraphics.com - Joey BellezaLauren Dante

To advertise call 281-690-4242 • TOLL FREE 1-888-430-7469Direct mailed to physicians in the area and to Focus Magazine subscribers,

and available at demand distribution locations.

February/March 2011Vol. 2 l No. 4

4655 Techniplex Dr. Suite 400 • Stafford, TX 77477www.FOWmag.com

The views and opinions expressed by our advertisers and columnists do not necessarily reflect those of the Publishers and their staff.

2011 Focus on Women Magazine. No material from this publication may becopied or in any way reproduced without written permission from the publishers.

guest columnists

Beth NewmanNewman ImagePage 42

Lisa GieslerA Time and Place for EverythingPage 50

Charles Phan, M.D.Swana Balasubramaniam, M.D.Methodist Sugar Land HospitalPage 54

Dr. Peter OsborneTown Center Wellness Chiropractic & NutritionPage 58

Glenn SmithThe Growth Coach HoustonPage 64

42

58

50

64

54


Providing a Natural Therapyfor Depression

cover story By Patti Parish-Kaminski I Photos by Alisa Murray

W omen are the queens of multi-tasking. We juggle

children, career, husbands, our social lives, household responsibilities – you name it; we take care of it. Today, women can – and are – just as the song says, “Bringing home the bacon and frying it up in a pan.” But is all of that multi-tasking taking a toll on us?

According to an article published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 2005, more than 14 million American adults suffer from depression each year. And, women are almost twice as likely as men to suffer from the disease. Certainly the hectic lifestyle women have can negatively impact our thoughts, behavior, mood and physical health. And, don’t forget about our genes and hormones. They play a role as well.

Defining the IllnessWhile the exact cause of depression

is unknown, we do know for certain it is a serious illness affecting millions, and according to an article in the Journal of Psychiatry, depression is estimated to become the second leading cause of disability worldwide by the year 2020.

“It continues to be our job as physicians to break down barriers and educate people about depression,” said Kimberly Cress, M.D., Medical Director of the Serenity Center for Depression. “Depression is an illness. It’s not a character flaw, nor is it that individuals suffering from depression haven’t worked hard enough to overcome it. They cannot force themselves out of the illness. The brain is still a big black box, and we’re learning more every day about how the brain’s neurotransmitters affect behavior.”

KimberlyCress, M.D.

Continued on page 16


Continued from page 15

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that send signals between brain cells, and it is believed that antidepressant medications work by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters. The leading scientific theory regarding the cause of depression is that it is caused by an imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

While antidepressants are a common treatment for depression, the side effects can be extreme. “Prescribing antidepressants is a common course of treatment for depression, but some patients cannot tolerate this treatment due to various side effects,” said Dr. Cress. “Two of the most common medication side effects include weight gain and sexual dysfunction. These can fuel self-esteem issues and worsen interpersonal relationships already present with depression. Other common antidepressant side effects are fatigue, disruptive sleeping patterns and word-finding problems. It’s difficult for patients to stay on medications if the side effects are problematic.”

When patients experience extreme side effects from antidepressants, according to Dr. Cress, the treatment can be just as debilitating as the disease. “I have a patient, Shellie, who suffers from refractory depression and is very sensitive to medications, even over the counter medications. I have had to be creative and explore every available option to help her regain her life back.”

The ground-breaking technology for depression that Dr. Cress utilizes to provide a more natural treatment for patients like Shellie is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS. TMS is the first and only FDA approved non-systemic and non-invasive therapy for the treatment of major depression. Dr. Cress is experiencing dramatic results using TMS with her patients. “Non-systemic means that the therapy does not circulate in the bloodstream as medications do, thereby eliminating side effects caused by drugs,” explained Dr. Cress. “Non-invasive indicates that the treatment is non-surgical which is more natural than electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS).”

Treatment by MagnetsSo just how does TMS work? “TMS uses

a magnet similar in strength to that found in an MRI,” explained Dr. Cress. “The magnetic field only goes 2-3 cm in depth to reach the

neurons in the brain. This then stimulates the neurons in the brain to fire in order to release neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine responsible for treating depression.” The typical course of TMS treatment is about 40 minutes daily over four to six weeks tapering off as necessary. Patients do not have to be sedated for the treatment, and typically enjoy music, television or simply rest during the procedure. After completing the treatment, patients can resume their daily activities.

“The risk of major side effects is just not present with TMS, and the results have been amazing,” said Dr. Cress. When using the NeuroStar TMS Therapy device, the magnet makes a slight tapping noise. According to Dr. Cress, less than 5% of people stop the therapy because of the localized tapping sensation or headache. “In fact, many patients have fallen asleep during the treatment.”

To date, the Serenity Center for Depression has numerous patients being treated for depression with TMS. One of only three physicians in the greater Houston area to offer TMS therapy, the vast majority of Dr. Cress’ patients have experienced a profound response to this new therapy.

“Miraculous is how I would describe it,” said Lisa, a patient undergoing TMS therapy who has seen twelve physicians in the last twenty years. “My meds stopped working, and depression set in like a veil of sadness. It was very isolating.”

Lisa was taking multiple medications and was diagnosed having major depression with

psychotic features. Today, she is engaging with friends, enjoying a better relationship with her husband, exercising and is even planning to return to school to get her license as a Substance Abuse Counselor.

Shellie, a patient of Dr. Cress’ since 2001, simply could not tolerate medications to treat her depression. As a last resort, Shellie had a Vagus Nerve Stimulator, an electrical device, surgically implanted in her chest to help with her depression. When that failed, TMS was the answer.

“I tried everything to cope with my anxiety and depression,” said Shellie. “This disease has affected every area of my life and hurt those I dearly love. I must say that not only has TMS saved my life, but Dr. Cress has walked beside me giving me strength and hope every step of the way. The elephant on my chest is gone.” Today, Shellie says she feels true joy and happiness, and she now has a social life as she recently left Dr. Cress’ office to actually go on a date – an experience she would not have had prior to TMS therapy.

Ginger’s first experience with depression was after she had her first baby. “I was diagnosed with post-partum depression and was given antidepressants as treatment,” she said. After her second child was born, she was diagnosed with post-partum anxiety, and was again prescribed medication therapy.

According to Dr. Cress, once an initial diagnosis of depression is made, it is not uncommon for individuals to experience future episodes. In fact, research indicates that after one episode of depression, an individual has

According to Dr. Kimberly Cress, listening to patients like Shellie is key to their treatment and success.

a 50% chance of depression returning. After a second episode of depression, the risk increases to 75%.

As a nurse, Ginger understood the process of treatment but after multiple episodes of depression and anxiety, taking many different medications and even hospitalization, she needed help. “I was skeptical at first,” said Ginger about trying TMS therapy. “But I needed to function. Now that I’m on TMS, I am off two of my medications completely. I’m learning now to live with hope. I’m not just trying to survive – I’m living my life now.”

While TMS therapy may not completely eliminate medications for depression, it can drastically reduce the need. Listening to patients is key to their treatment and success. “During my residency, I learned how important it was to listen to the patient,” said Dr. Cress. “Capturing it all – their history, their thoughts and their symptoms – allows me to get to know them personally and develop the best protocol to treat them.”

Combining Art and ScienceThis personal approach to treatment is

what attracted Dr. Cress to psychiatry. In her third year of medical school, she realized as she went through the different disciplines of medicine that psychiatry was the only rotation that allowed her the opportunity to get to know her patients. “Spending time with my patients

for depression, Dr. Cress believes it is simply the next step toward treating the disease. “Depression may exist in our DNA. Some people have a genetic predisposition toward the disease.” While there’s not a particular gene to indicate depression, family or genetic history plays an important role. Genetic studies are the next step toward treating the disease. “If you have a family history of depression or mental disease, you are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease.”

In order to provide TMS therapy, Dr. Cress and her staff have undergone extensive training. While providing TMS therapy is a substantial investment to provide cutting-edge solutions for her patients, men as well as women,

Dr. Cress is committed to utilizing the best options and the best science available in treating her patients. Because the treatment is new, insurance reimbursement is evaluated on a case by case basis. “I can’t stand for depression to still be there,” she said. “I don’t want my patients to continue to struggle, and TMS can be an answer to help them be happy and finally live their lives to full capacity.”

For now, because of TMS therapy and Dr. Cress, Lisa, Shellie, Ginger and many other patients including men are able to come out of the shadow of depression and enjoy their lives. “I’m not only back enjoying life – I’m actually engaging in it!” said Ginger. “TMS gave me my life back.”

Recognizing theSigns of Depression

Major Depression is defined as having five or more of the following symptoms for two weeks or more. In addition, these symptoms will affect a person’s ability to function at home, work, and/or in relationships. An easy way to remember these symptoms is with the use of the mnemonic S-I-G-E-C-A-P-S.

Sleep: Decreased sleep or sleep excessivelyInterests: Inability to enjoy hobbies/activitiesGuilt: Tendency to devalue oneselfEnergy: Poor energy, lack of motivationConcentration: Poor or decreased ability to concentrateAppetite: Decreased or increased appetitePsychomotor Activity: Agitated or sluggish physical activitySuicidality: Preoccupied with death or plans of suicide

If you are suffering from these symptoms, please contact Dr. Kimberly Cress at the Serenity Center for Depression at 281.240.4322 for an evaluation. For more information regarding TMS, please visit www.myserenitycenter.com.

is imperative. Hearing their story, I can develop a personal approach to their treatment protocol. That’s why I call treating depression an art as well as a science as each person has his or her own uniqueness that I have to treat.”

Still a relatively new technology, in October 2008, the Federal Drug Administration approved TMS as a treatment for depression. Studies are showing that it is effective in helping patients reduce and even eliminate in some cases, dependency on antidepressants. “We’re seeing remarkable results with TMS,” said Dr. Cress. “The vast majority of patients have not required additional TMS treatment after their initial four to six weeks”

While TMS is a revolutionary treatment


Ginger was skeptical about TMS therapy initially, but now, she says she is learning to live with hope being free of depression.

Lisa describes the outcome of her TMS therapy as “miraculous.” Patients do not have to be sedated for the typically 40 minute treatment and upon completion can resume their daily activities.


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I f you are a parent with a child who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), chances

are you first heard these words from his or her teacher.

For someone to be diagnosed with ADHD, the behaviors must have lasted for at least six months, and be severe enough to disrupt school and other aspects of the individual’s life. Having “untreated” ADHD affects nearly every aspect of a person’s life and has been associated with school underachievement, family conflict, drug abuse, legal difficulties and poor work performance. ADHD is involved with low self-esteem, chronic stress, failure and even suicide.

Conventional medical treatment for ADHD in both children and adults revolve around the use of stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta. These medications are helpful for many people, but they can make others with different subtypes of ADHD worse. Sometimes negative reactions to these medications can be extreme, such as hallucinations, violent outbursts, volatile temperaments, psychosis and suicidal behavior.

Most of the pharmaceutical methods used to treat behavioral issues include chemicals that either imitate a neurotransmitter or redistribute existing neurotransmitters in the brain.

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers between brain cells, similar to hormones in the body. Neurotransmitters are generally excitatory or inhibitory and can be affected by genetics, stress, poor diet or toxins. While the idea of matching a drug to a chemical imbalance is generally supported, rarely is treatment geared to specific imbalances. This may explain why some drugs are ineffective for some patients and in some instances may make a condition worse.

A more functional approach to ADHD involves testing for the levels of inhibitory and excitatory brain neurotransmitters, thereby being able to tailor treatment based upon these levels. Brain neurotransmitter levels can be easily checked with a simple urine test. Neurotransmitter function can be supported with specific nutritional supplements, the building blocks for brain neurotransmitters.

If you are a parent and feel that your child may have a form of ADHD, but are concerned

“Mrs. Smith, I believe little Jonathan may have ADHD.”

about the use of stimulant medication, seek out physicians who provide an alternative approach to the problem. With the right lifestyle modifications and brain neurotransmitter balancing, your child can perform better at school, have improved self-esteem and peer relationships and have a brighter future.

If you are an adult and are concerned that you may have an undiagnosed form of ADHD or have been diagnosed in the past but do not like how stimulant medications make you feel, and you desire a more natural approach to management of your condition, you too should seek out alternative approaches. Through an integrative approach to your health care you have the potential to perform better at your job, reduce your stress, have better relationships and feel good about yourself again.

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Dr. Afreen Pappa is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. She was named one of Houston’s Top Docs 2009 by H Texas Magazine.

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feature

Sweet Growth: Imperial Sugar CEOAnnounces New Product Launchin Company’s Birthplace

“A momentous point in history,” is what Im-perial Sugar Company President and CEO John Sheptor said of the company’s an-

nouncement of a product roll out at a recent Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce hosted event. With approxi-mately one third of the calories of sugar, steviacane™ is the Imperial Sugar Company’s new product complement-ing its existing line of sweets. The new creation of the corporate sugar producing giant, which is approx-imately a $1 billion revenue company, was formally made public in the company’s hometown of Sugar Land on January 13th by Shep-tor. He’s credited with giving the new product its name, said the company’s Senior Marketing Director, Hyuna Lee, and the new “tastes-like-sugar” steviacane™ represents a compound-ed combination of both sugar from pure cane sugar and pure stevia, related to the carnation family plant.

At the product launch, Sheptor treated guests with samples of the new sweetener, and best of all, they tasted baked pastries and other assorted foods made with the new product prepared by well-known pastry chef Eddy Van Damme, host of “Bake It!” There was also a taste test among other stevia products, some with only stevia and at least one other that combined sugar and stevia mixed together.

By Elsa Maxey l Photo by Alisa Murray Photography Product Photos Courtesy of Freed Advertising


Of the product launch, Sheptor said that steviacane™ “will change the way that consumers look at sweet things in home baking and home beverage needs.” There’s a secret to all this, he said with a timber in his voice giving away his excite-ment about the company’s new product, its vision and anticipated level of growth. As a result of a crystallization process, “we have eliminated a bad aftertaste and pro-duced a product that is twice as sweet,” he said.

Sheptor, who lives in Sugar Land, of-fices at the company’s headquarters lo-cated on U.S. 90A, although since 2003, the company no longer refines sugar at its former original plant, a site now destined for a new future itself. Sheptor also has an office in Port Wentworth, Georgia, a huge refinery where the operations are continu-ing to be maintained, in addition to those in Gramercy, Louisiana, and through a joint venture, he said the company now has locations in Mexico. Regarding the name “Holly,” Imperial Sugar still owns the brand it is used in a few applications.

Sheptor has been Chief Executive Of-ficer and President of the sugar company since January 2008. Before his ascent to the top job, he served as its Chief Operat-ing Officer and Executive Vice President. With a historical perspective, he took a moment to talk about how the Imperial Sugar Company has been in Sugar Land since 1843. “We are the oldest continuing sugar company in the state of Texas,” he said, and that “gives us a very important role in the state. We uphold the values and integrities the company has had over the 160 plus history.”

At the recent unveiling of steviacane™, Sheptor said that the company has over 600 employees and it is embarking on a new strategy over the next two to three years. Personable among the company employees, he has many face-to-face rela-tionships and strives to maintain trusting associations with them. “We have been

investing in a line of organic sweetener products under the Wholesome Sweeten-ers brand,” showing a 30 percent growth yearly over the last 10 years. The compa-ny’s leadership philosophy and function is to inspire its workforce as it follows its de-velopment, he explained, and Sheptor also maintains that it is important to create an environment of passion for the services and products provided to customers.

Along these lines, recognizing how the American consumers are showing tenden-cies to move towards healthy alternatives, Sheptor said that “with steviacane™, we began a second part of that mission of ex-panding our portfolio and providing solu-tions to consumers to support their inter-ests for healthier food.”

As for the new sugar product’s fused extract, stevia comes from a plant’s leaves. It was found in Paraguay, a South Ameri-can country. The natural sugars of the plant actually come from the leaf. Shep-tor said that indigenous people, who have consumed it for centuries, called the plant ‘sweet leaf ’ because they would use the leaf like chewing gum.

“In the last 5 years, we’ve seen a very strong interest globally for stevia as a sweetner,” he said. “What we have done with our partner, Pure Circle, the pro-ducer of the stevia extract, is to bring two natural sweeteners together in this prod-uct, steviacane™, to give consumers the attributes of both products.”

Well-known pastry chef and host of “Bake It,” Eddy Van Damme, created original recipes for Imperial Sugar Company’s newest product: steviacaneTM. Van Damme’s recipesare featured on the company’s website at www.imperialsugar.com, with a onlya third of the calories!

Sweets Madewith SteviacaneTM

Made with SteviacaneTM

CheeseCake

• Serves : 8• Prep time : 20 minutes• Ready in : 25 minutes

Ingredients• 1 prepared 9 inch graham crust• 16 oz cream cheese, softened• 2 eggs• 3/8 cup steviacane®

• 2 tsp vanilla• ½ tsp lemon zest

InstructionsPreheat oven to 350F. 1. Beat cream cheese and steviacane® until combined. 2. Add eggs, vanilla and lemon zest and beat until fluffy. 3. Pour batter into crust. 4. Bake for 25 minutes. 5. Chill before serving. Top with your favorite preserves or pie filling.

Continued on page 22


Continued from page 21

H-E-B is one of Imperial Sugar Com-pany’s partners in Texas, and it has all of its new products, including steviacane™ which it placed on its shelves in Novem-ber making it commercially available since then. In the next few months, ste-viacane™ will be available throughout the United States, even through Amazon.com.

The Imperial Sugar Company may be found on Facebook and a free sample can also be requested by going to the compa-ny’s web page at www.imperialsugar.com. “Use it every way that you have used sugar in the past,” advised Sheptor, and “get the same sugar taste, the same sweetness level with half as much as the sugar.”

The company intends to continue to research and develop additional natural sweetener organic alternatives in hopes of establishing it as a leader and positioning Imperial Sugar Company as one of North America’s premier sweetener companies. “It is with a great pleasure that we launched a new future for the Imperial Sugar Com-pany here at the Sugar Land Chamber of Commerce, in the city’s birthplace of the company,” said the CEO. The major U.S. sugar producing company has been in Fort Bend County for over 160 years. It’s what accounts for how the county’s largest city got its name, and later, a city seal with the Imperial Sugar Company’s crown promi-nently displayed in its logo.

Life is sweet in Sugar Land, and with steviacane™, it just got a little bit sweeter at a third of the calories!

Peanut Brittle

• Serves : 1 ½ pounds• Prep time : 15 minutes• Ready in : 1 hour and 15 minutes

Ingredients• 1 ¼ cups of light corn syrup• 2 ¼ sticks of butter• 1 cup steviacane®

• 1 cup roasted peanuts• ½ tsp saltInstructions1. Add corn syrup, butter,

steviacane® and salt to a medium sized non stick pot. Cook over high heat stirring frequently until mixture reaches 260F. Use a candy thermometer.

2. Add peanuts and continue to stiruntil mixture reaches 310F.

3. Pour mixture onto cookie sheet and let cool.

4. Once brittle is cool break up into pieces and store in an airtight container.

ChoColate ChiP Cookies

• Serves : 4 dozen• Prep time : 15 minutes• Ready in : 9-11 minutes

Ingredients• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour• 1 tsp baking soda• 1 tsp salt• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened• 3/8 cup steviacane®

• ¾ cup packed Imperial® Light or Dark Brown Sugar• 1 tsp vanilla extract• 2 eggs• 2 cups chocolate chips

InstructionsPreheat oven to 375F. 1. Cream butter, steviacane®, brown sugar and vanilla together.

2. Add eggs one at a time.

3. Gradually add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until just combined.

4. Stir in chocolate chips.

5. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.

6. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.

7. Cool before enjoying.

“Use it every way that you have used sugar in the past,” advised Sheptor, and “get the same sugar taste, the same

sweetness level with half as much as the sugar.”

SteviacaneTM Recipes


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Before

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My Life “People are more important than plants—relationships and family are far more important to me than weeding, trimming, coddling finicky plants...” Twenty-years of successful plant selection and installation and a Texas A & M Horticulture degree equal MORE TIME for what’s most important—people!

My Garden Guy “And just when you thought customer service has long disappeared, Todd and Sabrina Farber, Garden Guy, Inc., restore your faith in customer service. Every detail fine-tuned and every question answered”— L. Royer, Client, Sugar Land Garden Guy knows what’simportant... 20 years in the same business, 15 years of marriage to one woman, 5 children.

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People and plants...People are more important than plants. As the owner of

Garden Guy for the past 20 years, I have designed and installed thousands of projects. I have had the pleasure of helping people renovate on the small levels as well as major scales. Looking back over the last 20 years, I am thankful for the gifts of being able to do what I love and the vision to balance family and work. Gardening, work and business are not my life; I think my clients feel this way too. Garden Guy clients want a garden they can love and then leave, low-maintenance choices in plants with a well-thought out design make this happen. I plan gardens for families who just don’t have time to spend coddling finicky plants and constantly weeding beds.

When it’s time to un-plug…I spend a great deal of time gazing into a computer, a cell phone, a

laptop... I have landscaping proposals to get out, emails to answer, text messages….sound familiar? With all the screens screaming for my attention, I must make time to walk away and unplug. My wife, Sabrina, and I love to sit outside in our backyard gardens and talk about our day. I am happy to hear from our clients that they use their gardens to spend time with their families too.

Women particularly enjoy a place to sit outside and feel relaxed—their own refuge. I have no greater joy than to hear of a female client who loves her new gardens and that she considers it her sanctuary. I have been married for 15 years to the same woman and have 5 children. I recognize that a woman needs a place where she can talk and reconnect with her loved ones.

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As spring of 2011 approaches, I am excited about the challenges that new clients and their home gardens bring me. Personal landscape consultations are available by clicking on the DESIGN QUOTE button on Garden-Guy.com or call us at 281-208-4400. I count it as a privilege to meet with you and to be considered to work at your home. Will you let Garden Guy create new gardens for your home this year?

Where You Go When It’s Time To Un-Plug

Todd Farber, B.S. Horticulture from Texas A & M, 1991 and President of Garden Guy, Inc. has owned and operated his company for 20 years. Todd and his wife Sabrina have been married for 15 years and have 5 children. Todd volunteers with the Texas Wildlife Association and is also Huntmaster with the Texas Youth Hunting program. He loves hunting and the outdoors in his spare time.

Pearls of WisdomBy Todd Farber


For questions and comments,please email:

[email protected]

Heard Throughthe Grapevine

Dear Tanya,Thank you so much for sending

the link to Focus on Women. The article is lovely and I’m pleased. Thank you many times over.

My best,Ann Weisgarber

Patti,I really enjoyed the Stepping Out

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feature By Linda K. Eaves

A t 24 years old, Shama Hyder Kabani was awarded one of Business Week’s

“25 Under 25 Entrepreneurs” for 2009. Later that year, her book, The Zen of Social Media Marketing, was published by BenBella Books. This intelligent, tech-savvy Generation Y’er is a web and television personality, international speaker, award-winning CEO of The Marketing Zen Group and best-selling author.

Shama Hyder Kabani:Social media expert, author and international speaker…at age 24


“I am the ultimate accidental author,” Shama said. “I wanted to write a guide for people who kept scratching their heads at social media. There were books that explained the big picture, but none that truly provided people a primer -- how to actually use social media for business purposes. The ebook did so well, it led to a book deal with a traditional publisher.”

“Zen means the struggle-free way to do something. Marketing doesn’t have to be strenuous or difficult. The book focuses on an easier way to build credibility, generate buzz and increase revenue through social media. Social Media is necessary for the small business owner,” said Shama, who holds a master’s degree in organizational communication from the University of Texas at Austin.

“Today’s media is not what it used to be. Social Media truly means that people are the media. Today, a mention in a newspaper column may mean less than what an individual shares about your establishment in a status update. You have to meet people where they are, and today they are all online. And, more importantly, they wield more power than ever before.”

The Zen of Social Media Marketing is constantly updated by logging in to receive access to the exclusive online version with live updates. “When the book was published, I knew that the at the rate technology changes, it would lose some value for readers. So, I created a mirror copy online, and I keep that updated regularly with written content as well as videos. I think all non-fiction books in the future -- especially in the business and tech fields -- will need some type of ongoing or digital content.”

The book gives real-world examples and step-by-step guides. Among other skills, the book teaches how to use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn in an ethical manner and how to generate leads. It shows how to make your website or blog the hub of your online marketing efforts.

Her book and web marketing firm have been featured on Good Morning Texas, CBS, About.com and on other high-profile media outlets. The Zen of Social Media Marketing is being used as a textbook in at

least three courses across the United States. Regarding her book’s success, she said, “It has been a wonderful and kind surprise and has surpassed all my expectations. I’ve gotten emails from doctors to strip club owners (lol!) who’ve said the advice has helped their businesses. I had someone send me a picture of the book in a store in Bangkok. I have no idea how it got there. It has certainly been a beautiful ride.”

Women Entrepreneurs

“This is the only time in history where women have it better than men as entrepreneurs. We are natural connectors and communicators -- just don’t be a perfectionist! Be an editor,” said Shama. “Learn to adapt and edit as you go. Business today is an evolutionary process. You have to keep changing and adapting to succeed.”

Her formula for business success is simple: Visibility + Credibility = Success. She advises potential entrepreneurs to first evaluate whether they have a product or service that people desire. You must have a brand – something that sets you apart from the competition. A solid foundation is required; social media marketing will enhance success.

Shama doesn’t think social media is hindering face-to-face social skills at all. “I think they both have a place. The beauty is that it allows us to connect with people and a world we may never have had a chance to do so with before. For example, on Twitter, right

now you can connect with Tunisian youth who are in the middle of a revolution.”

“I speak because I love educating people on topics around business and technology. The world of technology is changing so fast, and I love making it simple for people to understand. Book sales and the firm growing and doing well are by-products.”

She travels quite a bit and says it’s both energizing and exhausting. “The best place I went to last year was Switzerland for a Leadership Symposium at The St. Gallen University. It was a beautiful place, and I got to meet such wonderful fellow entrepreneurs. It was an experience of a lifetime.”

Future Plans

Recently, Shama learned that her book will be translated into Korean. In February, she is giving her first dual-language keynote in Mexico which will be translated simultaneously into Spanish.

Shama has three goals for the future: “One is to be more in tune with my family. It’s so easy to ignore live people for the computer. But then, you realize that they are the ones you do it all for. So, this year, I am making more of an effort to spend real quality time with them.”

“Two, I am focused on growing my company, The Marketing Zen Group. We’re a full service web marketing firm, and we grew 400% last year. I’d like to see that again this year.”

“And, three, I’m looking forward to doing more with television this year. I love educating people about technology and making it simple for them!”

As host of a popular web TV show -- www.Shama.tv -- she talks about trends in business and technology such as manufacturers getting into digital marketing to connect with consumers, distributors and retailers.

Shama is open to doing her own television show or appearing as a guest. “I see myself as a new media journalist. I think television is a natural crossover for that. I’ve done lots of TV already. Whenever the local media wants someone to explain why Facebook changed a certain feature or how privacy is being affected by the web, they call me.”

Shama Hyder Kabani: International Speaker.


Source: FOW Magazine Reader Survey, Summer 2010.+ 2% margin of error.

Focus on Women provides a unique, unequaled opportunity to target the primary decision makers in essential household and discretionary spending: women. Just who reads Focus on Women? Educated, affluent women who are consumers. And now, you can reach them six times a year as Focus on Women magazine features six issues in 2011.

Readership Profile

Home

Vehicle

Electronics

Beauty Products/Services

Home Decor/Furnishings

Fashion/Apparel

Entertainment

91.3%84.2%81.7%59.2%47.2%44.4%49.2%

11.6%13.7%13.7%15.4%11.3%14.0%10.0%

Purchasing Habits Own Plan to Purchase

Basic Reader Demographics

95% are female.

80% are married.

79% have children.

70% earned a college degree.

64% are aged 35-54.

36% have attended some college.

Affluence

92% Employed Full-Time.

59% Household Income $100,000+.

Reading Habits

72% read the entire magazine.

66% participate in Facebook.

52% receive the magazine in the mail.

50% keep the magazine for 1 to 3 months.

39% pick up the magazine at retailers.

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Leaky Bladder?

Risks: Adverse events (complications) are typically mild and temporary and most resolve shortly after treatment. Reported complications include dysuria (discomfort during urination), hematuria (blood-tinged urine), urinary tract infection, and urine retention (inability to empty the bladder). Infrequently, worsening incontinence symptoms have been reported.

T here are over 28 million women with urinary incontinence in the U.S. and more than 15 million of those women

experience stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the loss of urine when exercising, coughing, sneezing and performing other activities. SUI is the most prevalent form of urinary incontinence and most commonly develops as a result of pregnancy and childbirth. What many don’t realize is that SUI isn’t just an annoyance – it’s a medical condition, that left untreated, can have serious consequences.

Isolation, anxiety, and depression are some of the many health risks that can be associated with SUI. The condition can also limit or stop a person’s participation in enjoyable activities, thus negatively impacting social and/or work situations. Leaky bladders make exercising difficult, which can lead to weight gain. Wet skin due to constant leakage may be associated with skin rashes and skin infections. SUI can also increase the risk of repeated urinary tract infections.

Patients are often advised to try special

exercises or make lifestyle changes. Surgery is also sometimes an option. However, exercise and lifestyle changes are often not effective, and many women do not want the risks and long recovery time associated with surgery. For these women, there have been limited options, until now. A new non-surgical treatment called Renessa® has opened the door for office procedures for women who don’t want surgery.

With Renessa®, a small device inserted into the urethra gently heats small areas of tissue at the base of the bladder. This heating causes natural collagen in the tissue to become firmer, which can lead to a decrease in leaks. The treatment can be performed in a doctor’s office and requires about an hour. The full treatment effect is typically seen within 60 to 90 days, although some women see improvement sooner. Overall, 75% of patients are improved.

“We use a little local anesthetic for numbing so the patients are very comfortable during the procedure. Most women go back

Treating Leaky Bladders Can Help Improve Women’s Healthto their normal routine the same or the next day,” said Dr. Carlos R. Hamilton III, a local physician offering Renessa®.

Side effects of Renessa® are typically mild and temporary and most resolve shortly after treatment. Reported complications include dysuria (discomfort during urination), hematuria (blood-tinged urine), urinary tract infection, and urine retention (inability to empty the bladder). Infrequently, worsening incontinence symptoms have been reported.

“There’s no cutting or bleeding, and people can literally walk out of the office,” said Dr. Hamilton. “I believe in helping people, and so far everyone has been very happy.”

By Dr. Carlos R. Hamilton III

Dr. Hamilton is a board certified interventional radiologist and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston with the highest honors. He completed his interventional radiology fellowship at The University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. To determine if you are a candidate for the minimally invasive Renessa procedure or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hamilton, please call (281) 565-0033.

Pearls of Wisdom


feature By Tanya Sterling

The simple pattern is perfect for a little girl. The blue paisley dress with bright red straps and a bright red pocket is just right for a little girl. Finally, the white lace adorning the bottom of the dress and the top of that small front pocket would make any little girl smile. Especially, a poverty-stricken little girl

whose only dress may be this very dress. Welcome to Hope 4 Women International’s “Dress a Girl Around the World” campaign. People from all over the world, including the greater Houston area, form clubs and sew dresses from pillowcases and flat sheets to distribute around the world. To date, “Dress A Girl ...” has delivered 14,642 dresses to 35 countries, including the United States. People from 42 states, Canada, Uganda and Hong Kong, continue to make dresses. This organization, literally, dresses girls around the world.

Actively residing in Sugar Land for over 23 years, Gina Abdulla is Houston’s “Dress A Girl...” Area Representative. As the (volunteer) Area Rep, Gina organizes Sew Fests, provides packages and materials to organizations, schools, clubs and churches to sew, stores the finished dresses and sends them off to various countries to dress a girl. Abdulla also answers emails and gives a lot of school, church and women’s group presentations.

“What I love the most about ‘Dress A Girl...’ is that all the dresses made right here in our community go directly to the girls as soon as possible. There is no red tape or middle man. Mission teams, churches and other organizations hand-carry the dresses to the place or country of need and literally provide the dresses to little girls

Let’s (literally!) Dress A Girl Aroundthe World....One Pillow Case at a Time

Young girls in Uganda wearing dresses made by the “Dress a Girl Around the World” campaign.

Gina Abdulla, Houston’s “Dress A Girl…” Area Representative with a volunteer showing off a dress made for a little girl.

Missionary interacting with a young girl in Uganda. The young Ugandan girl is holding a prayer doll also made by the Hope 4 Women International organization.

High School volunteers support this organiza-tion by volunteering at the welcome tableduring one of the Sew Fests.

Volunteers prepping, cutting and sewing dresses at Christ United Methodist Church in Sugar Land.


and their moms,” said Abdulla. “I get tears in my eyes just thinking about all of the love and effort that goes into making these dresses, and how it benefits a young girl, lady or woman more than we will ever know.”

Abdulla got involved with “Dress A Girl...” mid last year after she retired from a successful career teaching both underprivileged and special need kids in the Houston Independent School District and Fort Bend Independent School District. After taking a brief respite, Abdulla heard about sewing for charity, researched various sewing organizations and quickly decided to become involved in “Dress A Girl...”.

The wife and mother of three young adults, Sabrina, Gibran and Alyssa, Abdulla said that it is also “deeply gratifying to receive pictures of the girls we sew for. It is satisfying to give from my heart.”

One of the main ways Abdulla and “Dress A Girl...” produces the dresses is through Sew Fests. Sew Fests are fun-filled events where women (and some men!) gather on a Saturday to assemble materials and sew dresses. During these events, some women will prep the materials for sewing by ironing out the pillow cases and flat sheets, cutting out the pattern, sewing the dresses, attaching the straps and stitching on the lace. Christ United Methodist Church in Sugar Land has been instrumental in providing a facility for “Dress A Girl...” Sew Fests as the church has hosted two events in the last few months.

“Christ UMC’s Renee Teel, Director of Missions, has really stepped up to provide ‘Dress A Girl...’ with a place to host our Sew Fests,” said Abdulla.” Our first Sew Fest was this past December, and we had so many volunteers that we had to move our event over to the gym where more space was available! Christ UMC has also packed and carried dresses with them on their mission trips to Reynosa, Mexico and will also hand-carry dresses when they go to Haiti in the near future.”

Abdulla has also presented “Dress A Girl...” information to various area high schools such as Dulles, Cinco Ranch and Clements plus churches, sewing groups and senior adult groups. As a result, her storage facility - her garage - is piled high with dresses ready to be globally shipped as well as sewing materials.

“I don’t mind filling my garage with ‘Dress A Girl...’ materials, and hopefully, my husband, Amin, does not mind either,”

laughed Abdulla. “However, I am always looking for individuals or groups going on mission trips anywhere in the world, especially third world countries. We would appreciate them physically taking dresses and placing them on the girls.”

As “Dress A Girl..” has so many requests to dress girls, they do not focus on dressing boys. However, one missionary volunteering in Uganda saw a boy wearing a trash bag and now “Dress A Girl...” makes britches out of t-shirts.

“It’s amazing how creative we can be with a pillowcase, t-shirt or a flat sheet,” said Abdulla. “I can make eight dresses for eight little girls with one flat sheet. The need in countries such as Uganda, Cuba, Haiti and other third-world countries is so great that I am committed to over-flowing my garage with dresses and getting these dresses into the right hands to dress these girls, teens and women.”

Adulla also wants to emphasize that prior sewing experience is not needed, as she had no prior experience. “My mom sewed, but I never sewed while growing up. Thus, I got involved with ‘Dress A Girl..’ purely out of a strong desire to help those who desperately need our help. I do now take sewing classes though!”

It is also amazing how generous companies and individuals have been to “Dress A Girl...”. For instance, Memorial Hermann Hospital-Sugar Land’s Information Systems Division decided to host a “Dress A Girl..” drive instead of their annual teddy bear drive. Abdulla has also unexpectedly received phone calls and dresses in the mail from women

from as far away as Louisiana and Beaumont. “Right now, I am trying to find a Girl

Scout troop to make prayer dolls for these little girls as they desperately need all the prayers they can get,” said Abdulla.

“Dress A Girl...” is a unique organization that truly brings smiles to thousands of little girls, teens and women world-wide. As an Area Rep, Abdulla has worked tirelessly amassing sewing materials and dresses, and she says her volunteerism is simply an extension and continuation of her teaching career. After all, she is still working with underprivileged kids.

“These dresses are so beautiful, it makes me want to cry,” said Abdulla. “You clearly see all of the love sewed into these dresses.”

The next Sew Fest is April 30th at Christ United Methodist-Sugar Land. For more information, please contact Gina Abdulla at [email protected] or 281-787-7232. You may also visit “Dress A Girl Around the World’s” website at www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com.

“Dress A Girl Around the World” and Focus on WomenNeeds You! Come Sew With Us!

Focus on Women is proud to support “Dress A Girl Around the World” in their upcoming Sew Fest on April 30th at First United Methodist Church-Sugar Land. We need donations to help, literally, dress little girls (and boys) around the world. Materials needed include the following:

• Pillowcases - All sizes• Flat Sheets - All sizes• StrapsIf you have any materials that you would like donate to “Dress A Girl

Around the World,” contact Gina Abdulla at [email protected] or 281-787-7232 or drop them off at Focus on Women’s office Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm. Focus on Women is located at 4655 Techniplex Drive, Suite 400 in Stafford, Texas.

Help us make “Dress A Girl’s…” next Sew Fest a success! For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com.

• Bias tape• T-shirts

Missionary visiting Uganda to deliver dresses.


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T he best time to have this conversation is before it is needed. It is important to discuss seeking help with activities

of daily living early to avoid hasty or rushed decisions.

Although there may be one person, typically the daughter, who takes the lead in providing care to aging parents, it is critical to include all members of the core family in any care discussions/decisions. It is important that the family agree that their parents need extra assistance and plan how to move forward. If there is a particular member of the family who is most influential with your parents, have them prepared to help engage in or facilitate the conversation.

Choose a quite time when everyone is in a good mood such as during a meal, on the way home from church or taking a walk. The holidays are ideal.

It is perfectly natural for your parents

to feel scared, threatened or embarrassed, so it is essential that everyone is patient and compassionate. If the conversation gets uncomfortable or at all confrontational, agree to revisit the subject at a later time.

Ask if they have discussed or considered moving to simplify their life and discuss the benefits of an assisted living lifestyle. Ask open ended questions to assess how parents are handling daily activities. For example, “How are you doing in keeping up the house?” “What activities are you no longer able to do that you wish you could still do?” “What things are simply too expensive to continue?” “Do you have a plan to handle an emergency, such as a power outage, fall or accident?” “What are your daily worries or concerns as you go through your day?”

Whether the conversation is formal or informal, such as your weekly phone conversation with mom, start to be more

Having The Conversation With Your Aging Parent

observant of any challenges that your aging parents may be encountering. With every conversation, you are collecting the information to build your relationship with your parent and ensuring that you are prepared to help provide guidance and direction should your parents need it.

Having this conversation can make a difference in restoring the quality of life for seniors and ease worries for their children. To get more advice on how to talk to your parents -- or to find out how else a senior living community could help your parent -- contact a Five Star community near you.

Karen MawyerDirector of Sales and MarketingThe Forum at Memorial Woods

Pearls of Wisdom


style I By Brian Benoit

BCBG Black Sequined Tux Jacket: $198MM Couture Taupe Ruffled Dress: $118Guess Ruffled Chiffon Sandals: $120

BCBG Beige Tunic Top: $138BCBG Black Tuxedo Pants: $178

M asculine-inspired styles are en vogue. Stay feminine,

but add in an eclectic mix of masculine touches. Sport a cropped military-inspired jacket or lace up boots and stick to the simple color palette of green, olive and grey. Tuxedo jackets create a flattering look, especially when they are longer and layered on other simple articles of clothing. To finish your look, add bold accessories-colorful tights, jewelry and boots.

Feminine Fashionwith a

MasculineTouch


style

Hair and make-up by Emmanuel Salon.Stylists Stevie Benoit and Kathy Lineberger.Fashions available at: Dillards.www.dillards.com.

Chelsea & Violet Black Ruffled Jacket: $108BCBG Ballerina Skirt: $198


style I By Brian Benoit

BCBG Black Oversized Vest: $188BCBG Gunmetal Shorts: $198GB Lacey Black Top: $34


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Red Gianni Bini Ferrari Heels: $79.99

Sanctuary Clothing Ruffled Camo Green Jacket: $101Sanctuary Clothing-Tweed Shorts: $79BCBG Lace-Up Boots: $89.99

Best Pictures:1. The Social Network2. Inception3. True Grit4. Black Swan5. 127 Hours6. Winter’s Bone7. The King’s Speech8. Toy Story 39. The Kids are All Right10. Kick Ass

Best Actors:1. Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network2. James Franco, 127 Hours3. Colin Firth, The King’s Speech4. Jeff Bridges, True Grit5. Robert Duvall, Get Low

Best Actress:1. Natalie Portman, Black Swan2. Noomi Rapace, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo3. Jennifer Lawrence, Winter’s Bone4. Annette Bening, The Kids are All Right5. Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole

Best Supporting Actor:1. Christian Bale, The Fighter2. Jeremy Renner, The Town3. Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech4. Andrew Garfield, The Social Network5. Bill Murray, Get Low

2010 YEAR IN REVIEW

With 2010 now completely under wraps, I am in the unenviable position of ranking the best and worst of the year in film. Over the course of this year, I have seen over two hundred and eighty

different movies, many of which I have thankfully long-since forgotten about. I would have to admit; however, this has been a good year for films. I have seen actors really surprise me by pushing the envelope such as Jesse Eisenberg in the Social Network. Then there is the opposite end of the spectrum, where actors really scrape the bottom of the barrel as Brendan Fraser in Furry Vengeance. As the multitude of award shows begin to hit the airwaves this month, you will have the opportunity to see and hear information about films you both have seen and never heard of. When the opportunity arises, check out some of these movies and see how they rate with you. I am anxious to see what the 2011 cinema masterpieces have in store, but until then, here is my list, ranked in order, of The Best and Worst of 2010.

Best Supporting Actress:1. Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit2. Jackie Weaver, Animal Kingdom3. Melissa Leo, The Fighter4. Julianne Moore, The Kids are All Right5. Helena Bonham Carter, The King’s Speech

The Worst Films of 20101. Jonah Hex2. Furry Vengeance3. Sex and the City 24. Splice5. The Last Airbender

Best Director: David Fincher, The Social Network

Best ScreenplayAaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Best Animated Film Toy Story 3

Best CinematographyWally Pfister, Inception

Best Documentary Restrepo

Best Foreign FilmThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Best Original ScoreHans Zimmer, Inception

Best Original Song “We are Sex Bob-Omb!” from Scott Pilgrim vs the World

By Nick Nicholson

Nick Nicholson is the Film and Entertainment Critic for CNN Radio, the Fort Bend Star, Focus Magazine, Pearland Focus as well as Focus on Women. In addition, his reviews can be seen and heard in numerous other print/media outlets in Texas and Oklahoma. Mr. Nicholson is in great demand as a speaker to both public and civic or-ganizations on the subject of film and the entertainment industry. He is the co-founder of the Houston Film Critics Society and is currently the President of the organization.


Provided by RBC Wealth Management and H. H. “Will” Hardee I financial savvyGirls just want to have fund$

T he New Year has many of us making resolutions, plans and goals for the year to come. While 2010 has been a

tumultuous year in the markets, it is time to think ahead to 2011. If fiscal fitness is one of your priorities for the New Year, like it is for many, consider making a financial calendar that will help keep you on track. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

New YearJanuary is the perfect time to plan. Set aside

time to think about your budget, financial goals and the big expenses you’re anticipating for 2011. Look back at your check register and bank statements from 2010 to help estimate what you spend each month. It takes discipline to adhere to a budget, but it frees discretionary income for more important goals – like paying down debt or saving for retirement.

In February and March, start getting ready for tax time. As you receive forms such as W-2s and 1099s, file them immediately. This will reduce time looking for them later. By mid-February, you should verify that you have received all necessary tax forms. Contact the appropriate company for any that you have not been received.

Tax law also requires those who turned 70 1/2 last year to start taking minimum withdrawals from their (non-Roth) IRA no later than April 1.

Investment Planning for the New YearMidyear

If you’re expecting a tax refund this year, May is a good time to figure out how you can put that money to good use. Consider paying off debt, establishing a rainy day fund, or adding to your nest egg by putting the money toward your IRA, Roth IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan.

By the time the summer months roll around, it’s time to have a mid-year financial check-up. Are you on target with savings and investments goals? Now is the time to make adjustments if need be.

Summer is also a good time for parents and students to think about college financial aid. The federal student financial aid deadline for the 2010-2011 school year is June 30, 2011. This means the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form must be submitted by this date. However, state deadlines may be earlier. See the FAFSA Web site at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov for details.

Year-EndIf you participate in your company’s

401(k) plan, retirement account statements will start arriving near year-end. Ask yourself if rebalancing is necessary. If a certain fund outperformed your other choices, it might be taking up a bigger percentage of your stock portfolio than what you had originally intended.

Year-end is also a good time to check any remaining balances set aside in flexible spending accounts. Remember, in most cases, money not spent by the end of the year will be forfeited.

And now that year-end is here, do you have any money left over? If you want to give to charity, consider giving shares of an appreciated investment (held greater than 12 months). You will get a full deduction in the current year for the full market value, and the non-profit will sell the investment tax-free.

For additional information about the Hardee Investment Group and the products and services we offer, please visit our website at www.HardeeInvestmentGroup.com, callus at 713-853-0879 or listen live every Thursday from 11 am until noon as Will Hardee shares his thoughts on the Price of Business Talk 650 AM.

This article is provided by H. H. “Will” Hardee, a financial consultant at RBC Wealth Management’s Houston Center office, and was prepared by or in cooperation with RBC Wealth Management. The information included in this article is not intended to be used as the primary basis for making investment decisions nor should it be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any specific security. RBC Wealth Management does not endorse this organization or publication. Consult your investment professional for additional information and guidance. RBC Wealth Management

does not provide tax or legal advice.

© 2010 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets Corporation, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.

There is no need for a wish list, these services are ready for you just like they are for the many other clients we serve. Contact us to find out what it is like to get exactly what you want.

Hardee Investment GroupH. H. “Will” Hardee, AWMSenior Vice President - Financial Consultant

(713) 853-0879www.hardeeinvestmentgroup.com

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I just turned 40 years-old. Yep--I am the big 4-0. Forty and (hopefully!) fabulous. My life has had its ups and

downs, mountains and valleys, it’s been filled with passion and an intense thirst to live life to the absolute fullest. Along the way, I have learned a few life lessons that are timeless, tried and true.

Invest in People

Invest your time and emotions into human beings, not jobs and things. In my 40 years of living, I have come to realize that if you sincerely take the time to get to know people and develop true friendships and rapport, the jobs and acquisition of “stuff ” all falls into place. People do business, develop relationships, and yes, friendships with people they like - that’s the bottom line. So, be a good friend/relative, genuinely care about the people with whom you interact, and you will get a huge return on your emotional investment. I have longtime friends and relatively new friends whom I have met over the last couple of years. Regardless of the length of the relationship and because we mutually and sincerely invested in the friendship, these people are my first responders when I’m ill, need someone to pick up one of my kids or if I just need a ear or a shoulder to lean on. They are also the ones who consistently call me, text me, Facebook me and par-taay with me on my birthday. Let me tell you, these first responders are unequivocally there

relationship l By Tanya Sterling

Life LessonsFrom a

Year OldYoungster

Tanya Sterling celebrating her 40th birthday.


for my husband and I, and they know I’ll do all I can to help them at any point in their life’s journey. Thus, an investment in people is priceless. So many pieces of life’s jigsaw puzzle will simply fall into place when you are sincere with your friends, relatives and colleagues.

Fill Yourself with Faith

For Heaven’s sake (no pun intended), believe in a higher power. Believe that there is an after-life, a Superior One, a heaven and an earth, a beginning and an end via your personal upbringing, beliefs and convictions. This is important. I never saw myself at 40 years-old. Never. Growing up, I envisioned myself at 30 years-old but for some reason, did not see beyond that. So, this fourth decade of my life is unchartered territory, and I am not only embracing it but grateful that my faith has sustained me throughout my 20’s and 30’s Believe me, I needed my faith. I have met a few people over the years who had no faith, no real or conceptual meaning to life and they seemed brittle, weather-beaten by life and almost too stoic. They possessed an “It is what it is” philosophy to life and saw nothing else. They had joy but seemed to think they were the only ones who could conjure up joy for themselves. I am certain that these individuals are convinced that the glass is half-empty. It certainly could not be half-full. Find your faith and marinate in it - end of story.

Treat Everyone the Way You Would Like to be Treated

At some point in my life, I used to think this adage was simply that - an old, wise saying. Now, I not only believe in this statement, I try to live it. I remember when I was 16 years-old and my sister, Judy-Ann, plus my cousins all went to London to visit my aunt and uncle. We were walking in the midst of either Piccadilly or Trafalgar Square when out of the crowded sidewalk emerged a homeless, elderly man with a big smile on his face. He beckoned to our (visibly American) group and asked us to give him a hug. Automatically, I reached over and hugged him. I was the only one that reached out to hug him. Yes, his odor was a bit, um, salty and yes he had an even bigger smile on his face after a total stranger reached out of a bustling crowd and gave him a hug. My family still talks about that event to this day. My intuition told me that he simply needed a hug, and you know, there are many a day when I simply need a hug. (Feel free to hug me next time you see me!)

The gentleman that does some outdoor work for us is a neat guy. Most of the time that he is here, I try to take a time-out from whatever I am doing and inquire about his wife and teenagers. Ultimately, we get into a robust conversation which I can tell he appreciates. He remembered me on my 40th birthday and called me, not about

work, but just to chat and wish me well. Treat others with respect and that respect and rapport will come back ten-fold.

Delayed Gratification

“Delayed gratification” is one of my least favorite phrases and my husband, Jevaughn’s (J.) life mantra--yes, we can be opposites. However, in my 40 years of life and....with the help of dear J., I am slowly (and oh so surely) coming to the realization that there is some truth, okay a lot of truth, to this long-held concept. Delayed gratification is defined as the ability to forgo an immediate pleasure or reward in order to gain a more substantial one later. Almost everyone, everyday, practices a delay of gratification—whether deciding to skip dessert in order to lose weight or give up smoking in order to live longer. This is one of the hardest things to do for most people, including myself. I’ll be the first to admit that we live in a society where we want everything and we want it now, without much consideration to its future impact. Well, I’ve been trying to work on executing this concept of delayed gratification. I try to observe and learn from those around me and guess what? It works. Try and delay buying up a few “things” now and you can get bigger “things” at a later date or you may even change your mind and allocate those funds to something else, someone else or savings. This is not easy, folks - I’m still learning.

There are so many life lessons I could share with you, but on this milestone of a birthday, investing in people, filling yourself up with faith, treating people the way you want to be treated and delayed gratification are the lessons that stand out to me each and every day. I can’t promise that I adhere to them all the time and that I’m perfect. However, I’ll never stop learning and I’ll always keep on trying. That’s all this 40 year-old youngster, and all of us, can do--keep on keepin’ on. Share your feedback and life lessons that you have learned throughout the years with us at [email protected] - - we would love to hear from you and...cheers!

Tanya and the girls celebrate her milestone - turning the Big 4-0: Michele, Cookie, Stephanie, Tanya, Rosemarie, Jill and Sue.


style l By Beth Newman

Mommy DearestYou say, “My children always come first.”

I say, “That’s fantastic, but do you feel as if you’ve lost your identity in the process?” You say, “I spend most of my money on my chil-dren.” I say, “Again, that’s fantastic, but are you afraid that you’ll appear selfish if you spend a little on yourself?”

Motherhood is the greatest job on earth – no doubt about it! I find, however, that too many moms get caught up in that role and lose themselves. Then, when the kids have flown the nest, moms struggle to find their sense of style again.

I encourage moms everywhere to take that little extra time to look chic. And yes, you can find chic looks that are durable, stain-resistant, and easy to maneuver in. Go for jeans, ballet flats, and a jacket or cardi-gan – just as comfortable and far more styl-ish than a track suit. Nothing sends a more powerful message to children, particularly daughters, than a mom who takes pride in her appearance.

Working GirlYou say, “Black works with everything.” I

say, “You fear standing out at the office.” You say, “I have to maintain the corporate image.” I say, “Do you prefer it to your self-image?”

Our jobs play a huge role in our lives, at times infiltrating the very essence of who we are. Word to the wise: Dress in a dull way,

A long cardigan paired with leggings is super-chic for moms on the go. The best accessory, of course, is your pre-cious little one!

Little details, such as a belted cardigan, really do pull an outfit together.

Frumpy? Chic? Tired? Trendy?

H ow you dress tells the world how you expect to be treated. – Clinton Kelly (Author and host of TLC’s What Not to Wear).

Our wardrobe selection reveals a tremendous amount about who we really are. Stop snickering…it’s true! When working with cli-ents, I hear tons of excuses for not making an effort, fashion-wise. I encourage you, though, to really think about what you’re wearing, why you’re wearing it, and what you’re ultimately revealing about yourself.

What Your Wardrobe Says About You

and rumors will fly that you’re a dull person. Yes, you must maintain a professional image at work, but professional doesn’t mean dull-as-dishwater.

You can easily ‘build’ a professional out-fit by combining office-appropriate neutrals with a splash of color. Belts are huge right now; use them to tie your look together. Pants are practical. Why not indulge in a skirt, or even a dress, for the office? Find tai-loring to suit your body shape. Keep jewelry to a minimum while at the office.


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Go bold with a lovely jacket with interesting details.

Date Night!You say, “We don’t go out that often.

Why bother buying anything new?” I say, “Isn’t your relationship worth a little more effort than the old standby black dress?” You say, “I’m not quite sure what to wear during evening events.” I say, “Let’s have a little fun here!”

Evening attire is one area which causes a great deal of confusion for many wom-en. When dressing up for events, we tend to fall back on the traditional little black dress (which is a must-have for every woman, but shouldn’t be her one and only evening go-to frock). Find a statement piece, such as an embroidered jacket or something with a fairly significant amount of bling to it. Go bolder with the jewelry, and dig out those four inch heels and wear them with pride!

Most Importantly….The FitI cannot stress to you the importance of

fit. Designers and clothing manufacturers are doing us no favors these days. We must hit the fitting rooms before committing to an article of clothing. Disregard the number on the tag – it’s not important. What is impor-tant is that your clothing fits well. Take the time to have something altered if necessary. Remember, your wardrobe sends a strong message about you–insure that it’s the mes-sage you want to convey.


home l By Family Features

A s the colors, smells and textures begin to turn from one season to the next, many women begin to

think about freshening up the inside of their homes. One easy way to update any home is to add a fresh scent that matches the room’s décor. Get inspired by the variety of vibrant colors and aromas that each season brings and create an at-home scent experience with Glade Sense & Spray Automatic Freshener. Matching fragrance to the look and style of the room, whether with colorful new throw pillows or a faux flower arrangement, makes updating a room easy and cost-effective.

Interior designer, home trend expert and frequent guest on HGTV Erinn Valencich knows exactly how to make small changes that can have a big impact. “Scent is a fantastic way to make any room

feel welcoming and complete without making any major renovations, which can be expensive and permanent,” says Valencich. “Families today are searching for easy solutions to revamp their living spaces without breaking the bank, and my customers often don’t realize that décor and scent are closely connected. Discovering a signature fragrance will tremendously add to a room’s design by creating a warm and inviting atmosphere,” she notes.

In order to offer budget-friendly tips that families can use to update their living spaces, Valencich has partnered with Glade Sense & Spray Automatic Freshener. Together, they hope these tips will enhance families’ at-home scent experience and show how affordable and easy it can be to update any room by stimulating the senses through color, texture and scent:

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Solutions to Freshen Up Any Home


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1. Think outside the box. Look at items purely based on color and see a room in a whole new

light. Valencich says painting an accent wall is one of the easiest ways to get a fresh pop of color into a room. To make the room cohesive, pick three accessories in that same color and position them around the room in a triangle pattern. This could be a few new throw pillows on the sofa and a vase on the mantle with a few chic blooms. Coffee table books with jackets in the accent color work great as styling accessories, as well.

2 . Bring the outdoors inside. Greenery is often overlooked in a home but really gives a

room life. If a live tree is too much of a commitment, incorporate an artificial tree, plant or arrangement. Use a stylish pot and cover it with moss to create an inexpensive accessory.

3 . Create visual and tactile variety. Achieve a warm and inviting atmosphere using soft

lighting with lamps and dimmers. Also use a variety of textures in the room. If there’s a lot of wood in a room already, opt for a side table made from glass and metal materials, and choose upholstered dining chairs instead of using additional wood.

4 . Don’t forget the finishing touch. If a room looks beautiful but lacks an inviting

scent, the effect may fall flat. To bring a room together, don’t forget to add fragrance as the finishing touch to home décor with Glade Sense & Spray Automatic Freshener. The newly designed neutral vase blends into any room, and the motion activated sensor provides a signature fragrance to complement the room’s design and ambiance.

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For example, Browning wishes she had known about divorce ceremonies when her marriage broke up. Instead, at the final hearing, when she asked the judge what to do next – she meant what paperwork, if any, needed to be filed -- the judge slammed her gavel and said, “You go home and party, girl!”

Browning, who is Youth Services Director at Cinco Ranch Library, now believes that about three months after a couple divorces, there should be a ceremony for the purpose of closure. It’s just one of many ceremonies that Browning, as a recently certified celebrant, advocates to mark changes in a person’s life.

feature By Don Maines

Susan BrowningCreates Her Own

Niche – and Career –as a

Celebrant

“One of the biggest things about designing a ceremony is listening to the person’s story, listening, listening and then listening more,” she said.

E veryone’s familiar with the idea that when one door closes, another

opens. But Susan Browning discovered an opportunity to provide the valuable service of helping people with those “doors” by commemorating their transitions with personalized ceremonies.


After becoming certified last spring, Browning officiated at a funeral, a pet funeral, the opening of a new business location and the wedding of a Katy couple.

“The (wedding) ceremony was outdoors in a garden, with the couple’s family and dogs,” Browning explained. “I lit a candle to create sacred space, talked about their story of meeting, and told the story of Baucis and Philemon,” a fable about the virtue of hospitality, as well as longevity in a relationship.

More recently, Browning became certified as a family celebrant to perform ceremonies ranging from baby-namings and house-warmings to coming-of-age rituals such quinceañeras. Browning personalizes each ceremony based on stories the client tells her, including mentions of any objects that have become symbols of the client’s philosophy of life, personality and beliefs. “The pet funeral I performed was for a dog who liked to break balloons, so I designed a ceremony with lots of balloons,” she said.

For the staff at the business ceremony, Browning built a basket of “wishes” for them, she said. “I had sugar for good times, a key to open doors, not just literally but figuratively, and I spoke a little benediction. It wasn’t religious. It was a wish for them.”

Religion-wise, Browning said, “I’m kind of in-between.” She left the Catholic Church when she was 13 years old to become “a spiritual seeker.” That journey has led her through encounters with atheism, Hinduism, Creation Spirituality and Shambhala Buddhism.

“I was looking for another area of growth,” Browning said, when she saw an advertisement in Utne Reader about becoming a celebrant. It especially appealed to her because she had enjoyed volunteering at a hospice and listening to patients talk about their lives from the perspective of one who is dying. “One of the biggest things about designing a ceremony is listening to the person’s story, listening, listening and then listening more,” she said.

The next step is designing a ceremony that Browning hopes will help close the door to a chapter in one’s life, but close it gently. Browning took seven months of online classes from the Celebrant Foundation & Institute, which is headquartered in Montclair, New Jersey. In May, she went to New York for the institute’s worldwide conference that culminated in Browning receiving certification as a celebrant who can also marry couples legally in Texas.

“It was a life-changing weekend for me,” said Browning. “It was so fantastic to be in a room with people who were speaking the language I was speaking. “ She felt a special kinship with others who “have slowed down and looked at little things than might be more than little things” and focused on them as markers in their lives.

“As far as I know,” said Browning, “there are only two of us who are certified (as celebrants) in Houston.” She hasn’t met the other one.

Browning was appointed to the institute’s newly formed divorce committee which she said is at the forefront of a movement to perform “collaborative divorce” ceremonies. They’re a great idea, she said, even though people who immediately understand the appropriateness of a nonreligious wedding, even a pet funeral, require extra persuasion to get on board with a divorce ceremony.

“I believe in it,” she said. “A person who is divorcing is in a special place, and knowing that it’s a good thing, but inside they’re also grieving. Even the recognition that you understand the upheaval in their lives, that’s very grounding.”

Susan Browning (in black dress) at a wedding ceremony.

Browning personalizes each ceremony based on stories the client tells her, including mentions of any objects that have become symbols of the client’s philosophy of life, personality and beliefs.


W ho doesn’t want to be consid-ered “timeless?” It’s an appeal-ing concept. After all, I try to

encourage my clients to eat foods that re-search has shown are the best for our bodies at any age. Timeless living. In other words, age isn’t all that relevant.

As a registered dietitian working in pri-vate practice, I often am asked about foods that increase longevity and about foods that can help people to look and feel younger. Fortunately, more studies are showing that diet can powerfully affect longevity, and more people are seeing exciting results from simple dietary changes. The key thing to re-

member: It’s never too late to make positive changes.

Even those already at risk from years of unhealthy eating can benefit from improved eating habits. I see many positive changes occurring with my clients once they learn to incorporate positive dietary changes on a regular basis. They experience continual improvement with their health status, have more energy and they look and feel so much better. One of my clients who suc-cessfully lost more than 25 pounds at the age of 56 described her accomplishment as “something magical.” She professes, “I am in the best shape of my life, and I am now

health & wellness l By Patty Martin, MPH, RD, LD

Nutrition Friendly Foodsfor Timeless Living

training to become a jazzercise instructor.” She’s timeless.

We all strive for long, healthy, disease-free lives. But, we must make the right choices. My goal is to help my clients take advantage of the most healthful and inter-esting foods known to increase longevity, to improve health and to prevent disease. Here are a few of my food suggestions:


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First Things First:Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet consists of consum-ing a distribution of the three main macro-nutrients, which include energizing carbohy-drates, lean proteins and good, heart healthy fats. The Institute of Medicine suggests an intake of 45-65% carbohydrate, 15-35% pro-tein and 15-30% fat.

Go NutsThis could be due to the protective fatty

acids, excellent mineral content, wealth of phytonutrients or the impressive overall pro-file of nuts as a regular part of a healthful diet. While it is true that they are high in fat, nuts have not been shown to contribute to weight gain when eaten in moderation.

The Açai Berrie Hype and Other Berries Are Just As Good

Açai berries have the highest level of anti-oxidants, but of course, they’re not a miracle cure. It’s not about choosing from only the top of the antioxidant list; it’s about choosing an abundance of antioxidant-rich foods daily. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, rasp-berries and others are good choices, along with other high-antioxidant foods.

Fish Anyone?Researchers from the Harvard School of

Public Health recently weighed the risks and benefits of consuming fish. The researchers concluded that the disease risk-reduction ben-efits of consuming one to two servings of fish per week outweighed the potential harm from mercury exposure, possibly helping to extend healthy years.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish pro-vide protective health benefits. For those who dislike fish or are vegetarians, other excellent sources of omega-3 fats include flaxseed and flax oil, canola oil, walnuts, soybeans, hemp seeds and large amounts of leafy, green veg-etables.

Drink Water For TheSake of Beauty

Drinking plenty of fluids promotes cleans-ing, flushes toxins, ensures hydration and helps maintain healthy skin, helping people look and feel younger.

Incorporating just a few of these dietary tips into your lifestyle can help you too, live a timeless life. Source: Today’s Dietitian. Vol.11, No2, February 2009.


Do you ever lose or misplace things in large piles of miscellaneous stuff? Have you ever missed an important event because you could

not find the invitation? Do you waste time and money buying items that you know you already own, but have misplaced? Do you feel that you need more hours in a day? Are you embarrassed to have company over because your house is a mess? I’ve created a quick list of some of my most effective organizing tips to help you save time and money. Many of my clients are pleased with my tips and I often receive comments such as “Wow, that makes sense!” and “I didn’t think about that.”

So, here are my favorite 15 organizing tips to get you and your home in order!

home I By Lisa Giesler

15 Favs:Tips to get you – and your home – organized


9. Is it broken? If an item is broken and you are saving it because you know you

will fix it one day, ask yourself this question, “Is it really worth the time and cost that it would take to fix it?”

10. Maintenance. Set aside time once or twice a year to clear out a closet

or file cabinet. Take the time to empty it of all of the items that are no longer used or needed.

11. Take something with you. When you exit your car or leave a room,

take something with you. For example, it is easier to take the trash out of the car as you are exiting than it is to go back later to empty the trash. It takes less time to bring laundry into your bedroom when you are going there to read a book than it does to go back later.

12. Purge. When you acquire some-thing new, consider getting rid of

something older to avoid excess clutter. How many calculators do you need? Do you re-member where the other calculator is? Do you have room to store them? How many pairs of black shoes do you need?

13. Pack your bag. Whether it is a briefcase or a diaper bag, keeping

your bag packed with the necessary items can save you time when it’s time to leave the house.

14. Use lists and calendars. They will always help to remind you of things

you need to do. If you need to call someone, attend a meeting next week or you are out of milk, then write it down.

15. Mail. Go through mail as soon as it comes in and toss the trash. Sort the

rest into three possible categories: To be filed (ex. receipts). To do (ex. pay a bill). To Read and Coupons (ex. things that do not require our immediate attention). Whatever mail lands in the “to do” category, make sure you record the day that action needs to be taken in your calendar. I do not recommend leaving the paperwork in piles but choose your favor-ite type of storage container. Some clients pre-fer vertical filing while others prefer horizontal filing containers.

1. Put things away. When you come home, don’t leave your shoes in the

hallway. When you finish reading a magazine, don’t leave it out. When you finish eating a snack, don’t leave the wrapper in the living room. If you put things away right away, you can avoid a big mess.

2. Group like items with like items. For example, cleaning supplies and of-

fice supplies should go in specific locations so that you know where to find them. Another example, you could keep your coffee supplies in a cabinet by the coffee pot. Think of it as a store: you will find that pens are on one aisle, while paper may be on another aisle. Use this same type of system for your home or office.

3. Assign a home. Every item should have a home. If an item has its own place and

you put things away, you will always know where to find it.

4. Delegate. If you don’t have time to do everything on your own, then delegate

tasks that others are capable of doing. Also, consider sharing tasks with family members or your neighbor.

5. One a day. Complete one chore or wash one load of laundry a day. This

will prevent the housework from piling up into one big chore day.

6. Multitask. You can exercise or fold a load of laundry while watching TV or

helping your children with their homework.

7. Things to go. Have a pretty container at the door for items to be returned,

gifts to give, or anything needed for your next trip or errand.

8. Donations. Have a box in your closet for items to be donated. This can be

clothes that you no longer wear or items you no longer use. When the box is full, make one trip to the donation center.

15 Favorite Organizing Tips:


P rofessor Robert Edwards, English biologist, was awarded the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine in 2010.

Professor Edwards and colleague Dr. Patrick Steptoe developed the in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure for treating human infertility in the 1970s’. After years of hard work, the first test tube baby, Louise Brown, was born on July 25, 1978. Despite facing significant social opposition of both ethical and religious varieties, IVF has given life to over four million babies worldwide making many couples’ dream of building a family come true.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine issued a statement of congratulations, “Professor Edwards and Dr. Steptoe tackled formidable scientific obstacles in order to make this advance. The development of IVF truly revolutionized infertility care, allowing millions of patients to become parents.

It also allowed us to further develop our understanding of human reproduction and development, leading to further advances.”

What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)? In order for pregnancy to occur, an egg has to be released from the ovary and united with a sperm. Normally, this union, called fertilization, occurs within the fallopian tube. When this process cannot take place in the body, it can be accomplished in the laboratory by using the IVF technique. The technique involves uniting an egg collected from a woman’s ovary with sperm collected from her partner under laboratory conditions. The resulting normal embryo(s) may be transferred to the uterus (womb) for continued growth.

Over the years, numerous advanced reproductive technologies have been developed. Some examples are intracytoplasmic injection of sperms (ICSI), assisted hatching (AH),

Nobel Prize AwardRecognition of In Vitro Fertilization in Treating Human Infertility

and testicular aspiration of sperms (TESE). Among all the cutting edge of infertility procedures, one of the most impressive breakthroughs is preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

Joining the world in celebrating the recognition of IVF in treating human infertility by the Nobel Prize Committee, Cooper Institute offers complimentary seminars and e-newsletters to those who are interested in finding out how to increase their chance of becoming pregnant.

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FARM GIRL IN NEW YORK

Maverick Entertainment

S am and Matt flee their small mid-western town for New York City, where

hot girls roam the streets! After months of trying to pick up ladies and failing miserably, they come up with the idea to hold a fake audition to meet chicks. Hilarity ensues when dozens of sexy, talentless, babes show up and compete for a job that doesn’t exist.However, when an out of town farm girl shows up for the audition, they are instantly smitten. Will these phony auditions come in the way ofthem finding true love?

By Nick Nicholson

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well woman l By Swarna Balasubramaniam, M.D.

T he month of March is dedicated to colorectal cancer awareness. Colorectal cancer affects one out of

18 Americans. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. “Because of screening tests, colorectal cancer can be caught early, increasing the survival rate for those diagnosed with the disease,” says Charles Phan, M.D., board certified gastroenterologist on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon or rectum. While the exact cause of colorectal cancer is unknown, Dr. Phan cites the following as risk factors that may increase a person’s chance of developing the disease.

Your age. The odds of developing colorectal cancer increase after age 50. Over 90% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are age 50 or older.

Family history. Having close relatives (parents, siblings or children) who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer increases your risk; therefore, earlier and more frequent screenings may be recommended by your physician.

Personal history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer. A polyp is a growth that develops on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Some polyps may become cancerous. If you’ve been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the past, the disease may reoccur.

Other risk factors include unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, smoking and bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease. Although some risk factors, such as your age and family history, cannot be avoided, other factors are within your control. Choosing to follow a healthy lifestyle may help lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

“Colorectal cancer usually does not present symptoms in its earliest stages,” shares Swarna Balasubramaniam, M.D., board certified colorectal surgeon on staff at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. However, as the cancer progresses, Dr. Balasubramaniam says the following symptoms may develop:

• Irregular bowel habits, including constipation and diarrhea

• A constant feeling that you need tohave a bowel movement

• Rectal bleeding or bloody stools• Anemia (low blood count; found

on lab tests)• Frequent stomach pains or crampsYou should consult a physician about

being screened for colorectal cancer if you experience any of these symptoms.

If you or a loved one is at risk for developing colorectal cancer or exhibits symptoms of the disease, don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with a physician. With colorectal cancer, early screenings can translate into saved lives. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Balasubramaniam or Dr. Phan, call our physician referral service at 281-274-7500.

Creating Awareness for theWell Woman:

Colorectal Cancer

Charles Phan, M.D. and Swarna Balasubramaniam, M.D.

Free Seminar & ScreeningJoin us on March 30 for a free Colorectal Cancer Awareness Seminar presented by Dr. Swarna Balasubramaniam and Dr. Charles Phan. Attendees will receive a free colorectal screening kit to take home. The presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in Conference Rooms A-D at Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Seating is limited. Reserve your seat by calling 281-274-7500.


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Join us for an evening at Salon Eben & Day Spa and experience the Aveda® rituals.

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For updates, visit www.facebook.com/FocusOnWomen

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hour wine & appetizers courtesy of Salon Eben & Day Spa.

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RSVP to [email protected]

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Thursday, April 21st5:30 - 7 pm

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Come and enjoy VIP shopping, great giveaways and of course,

champagne and cupcakes!

Attendees will also enjoy onsite spray tanning by A Tropical Haven and complimentary hair & make-up consultations

by Nuance Salon.

Southern Sister Designs’One Year Birthday Bash

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Tom Stephens & Iris Lopez.

Linda Lee & May Tape.

Lisa Giesler & Larry Street.

Jerri Reed, Sherry Carter

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Teri & Will Suessman.

Lisa Fredrickson with Paul & Manmeet Likhari and Harry Munday.

Michael Pace with Pamela &Felipe Pinillos.

Lisa Fredrickson & E. Joyce Iyamu.

Top Shelf Wine & Spirits • Wine & Spirits Nite • November 16th

Memorial Hermann Sugar Land • Care 2 Chat • November 13th

Fernando’s Latin Cuisine • Stepping Out for the Holidays • December 7th

Jay Clancy.

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Seema Sanghi & Beth Newman. Tina Pennington (a.k.a. Red) &

Mandy Williams (a.k.a. Black).Briana Uballe.


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A WOMAN, A GUN AND

A NOODLE SHOP

Sony Pictures Classic

B y all rights, Zhang Yimou’s remake of Joel and Ethan Coen’s first feature

shouldn’t work, but it does--marvelously so. It’s not that Blood Simple is a masterpiece, though it’s very good, but that the two filmmaking entities would seem to have little in common. Zhang even moves the action to feudal China, where noodle shop owner Wang (Dahong Ni) browbeats his unnamed wife (Ni Yan) and co-workers Zhao (Ye Cheng), Chen (Mao Mao), and Li (Xiao Shen-Yang). When traveling merchants drop by while Wang is away, his wife buys a pistol--in a sequence so over the top it threatens to derail the entire picture. Wang, meanwhile, pays patrol officer Zhang (Honglei Sun) to spy on her and Li. After the officer confirms his suspicions about their affair, he offers more money for Zhang to take the couple out of his misery, but Wang doesn’t count on the double-crosses that will ensue.

By Nick Nicholson

Divas INK(In the Know!)

on

Check out on Facebook:

Are you a sports fan? What sport do you enjoy watching the most?Christina Blackmon: Football!

Pamela L. Pinillos: SOCCER!!

Liz Harden: Football!

Sarah Marshall Bishop: Mixed Martial Arts

New Year, new you... What is your resolution for 2011?Thelma Shelton My resolution is to manage my time and learn to say “No”!

Do you enjoy watching movies? What is your all-time favorite film to watch? Tanya Murdock Sterling: Dirty Dancing AND The Notebook. It’s Complicated was just plain zany!

Susan Gest Wallace: Blindside, My Cousin Vinny, An Officer and a Gentelman.

Bessie Hutch Ford: My favorites are Lady Hawke, Falling in Love and An American President.

It’s Monday! What do you do to unwind after a stressful day?Suzette Peoples: Go running.. . It clears the mind, kicks up the heart rate and the oxygen gets me motivated..Feels great later!

Lavena Deramo: Facebook!

Afreen Pappa: In this beautiful weather, go for a walk. Nature’s feel good medicine!

LuVonda Petitt: Dance (West African or Zydeco). I don’t have to think just move and use a lot of energy. It clears my mind and gets the blood flowing. :-0

Pamela L. Pinillos: A benadryl. Gotta love allergy season!

Diann Charles: A relaxing cup of tea.

Deb Nic Vol: Watch a funny show with family- humor on Monday is a must!

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health & wellness l By Dr. Peter Osborne

Thyroid Disease and DysfunctionClassic signs of thyroid hormone deficiency

include fatigue, memory loss, cold hands and feet, muscle and joint pain, depression, high cholesterol, and constipation. Over the past several years, I have seen a large influx of patients that had been placed on thyroid hormones to treat the above symptoms. The problem with this approach is that it doesn’t actually address why the body is not making enough thyroid hormone in the first place.

What you should know aboutThyroid Hormone Production:

Thyroid hormone production is under the influence of a chemical called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is made by the pituitary gland. When circulating levels of thyroxine (T-4) are low, TSH sends a message to your thyroid gland to start producing more T-4. The building blocks your body uses to make T-4 come from food constituents that we obtain from the diet (tyrosine – an amino acid from protein and certain minerals – iodine, zinc, etc). Once your body makes T-4, it must be activated by other nutrients (vitamins and minerals) into something known as T-31. T-3 is the active form of thyroid hormone that works to increase the body’s metabolism. However, certain nutrient deficiencies and stress can lead to a reduction in T-3 and instead the production of Reverse T-3. This form of

Thyroid Disease – Can Gluten and VitaminDeficiency Be to Blame?

1. Moncayo R, et al. The role of selenium, vitamin C,and zinc in benign thyroid diseases and of selenium in malignant thyroid diseases: Low selenium levels are found in subacute and silent thyroiditis and in papillary and follicular carcinoma. BMC Endocr Disord. 2008 Jan 25;8:2.

2. Pansini F, et al. Effect of the hormonal contraception on serum reverse triiodothyronine levels. Gynecol Obstet Invest 1987;23:133.

3. Mazokopakis EE, et al. Effects of 12 months treatment with L-selenomethionine on serum anti-TPO Levels in Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Thyroid 2007 Jul;17(7):609-12.

4. Negro R, et al. The influence of selenium supplementation on postpartum thyroid status in pregnant women with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007 Apr;92(4):1263-8. Epub 2007 Feb 6.

Dr. Peter Osborne

T-3 is not as effective and leads to symptoms of hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, Reverse T-3 is cannot be distinguished from T-3 in traditional thyroid lab reports and this is a common oversight by many physicians. Once T-3 is made it will attach to the nucleus inside your cells and increase the body’s metabolism appropriately. Once again, however, certain nutrient deficiencies can decrease the responsiveness of our body’s cells to T-3, causing symptoms of hypothyroidism. For these reasons lab reports commonly performed by physicians that look at TSH, T-4, and T-3, can be misleading. A simplified diagram of thyroid hormone production is listed below:

TSH Stimulates the thyroid gland to make T-4 T-4 Converts to either T-3 or Reverse T-3 (RT3)

RT3 is inactive. Normal T-3 attaches to the cell nucleus Once attachment of T-3 occurs the body’s metabolism increases

Gluten Sensitivity andThyroid Dysfunction

Gluten sensitivity is a common cause of thyroid dysfunction. Gluten exposure can trigger an autoimmune reaction (Hashimoto’s disease) that disrupts normal thyroid hormone production. (For more on this visit www.GlutenFreeSociety.org) and visit the Glutenology tab.

There are also many other environmental

Glutenology - Recipes for the Gluten Free WarriorWorld renowned gluten free expert Dr. Peter Osborne has just published Glutenology - Recipes for the Gluten Free Warrior. The book contains 146 true gluten free recipes. It is the first book of its kind to delineate between “traditional gluten free” and true gluten free foods. In addition to gluten free, many of the recipes in the book are dairy and sugar free as well. To order, contact the Gluten Free Society at www.glutenfreesociety.org/healthy-gluten-free-recipes.

factors that can effect thyroid hormone production. Oral contraceptives and estrogen containing medications have been shown to reduce the conversion of T-4 to T-33. Many herbicides and pesticides contain estrogen mimicking compounds known to effect thyroid hormone production. Soy foods and sodas can cause a reduction in thyroid hormone. Certain food allergies and selenium deficiency are linked to autoimmune thyroid dysfunction3,4. Heavy metal exposure through air, water, dental fillings etc. have been linked to poor thyroid function.

Remember that thyroid disease is never just as simple as taking a medication whether it is bio-identical or not. Thyroid dysfunction has a cause. An astute physician will take an active roll in care and seek to perform a comprehensive exam and laboratory work up that will identify the cause. Keep in mind that your body has the ability to make its own thyroid hormone providing that all the essential nutrients necessary are present in the diet or through supplementation, providing that the environment is conducive to the expression of good health, and providing that the individual is properly educated in the care of his/her body. Many patients that come to me initially are taking some form of thyroid medication. Many were instructed that the medication was a life long necessity. And in many it is very common that the medication becomes unnecessary.


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February 8-May 30: Eye on Third Ward: Jack Yates High School Photography. In one of the museum’s most admired and successful education initiatives, photography students from Jack Yates High School document the cultural fabric of the historic Houston community known as the Third Ward. Remarkable artistic talents emerge as these teenagers walk through the neighborhoods capturing candid images of day-to-day life. Now in its 16th year, Eye on Third Ward continues to inspire museum visitors along with the participants.Monday - Wednesday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pmThursday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pmFriday and Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pmSunday: 12:15 pm - 7:00 pm*Admission is free on Thursdays, courtesyof Shell Oil Company Foundation.The Museum of Fine Arts, HoustonAudrey Jones Beck Buildingwww.mfah.org

EXHIBIT

February 23-March 13: Billy Elliot The Musical. Winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Time Magazine’s Best Musical Of The Decade is coming to Houston! Billy Elliot is the joyous celebration of one young boy’s dramatic journey to make his dreams come true. Set in a small town in rural England, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class to discover a surprising passion. With an award-winning creative team and music by Elton John, Billy Elliot will enchant the dreamer in all of us. This play is appropriate for ages 13 and up.Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Evenings: 7:30 pmThursday, February 24th Matinee: 2:00 pmFriday and Saturday Evenings: 8:00 pmSaturday Matinee’s: 2:00 pmSunday Matinee’s: 1:00 pmSunday Evening’s: 6:30 pmTheatre Under The StarsThe Hobby Centerwww.tuts.com

THEATRE

fine arts

february 2011

Jailen Palmer, Shotgun House, 2010, gelatin silver print.


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March 10-20: The Sleeping Beauty. The Sleeping Beauty is recognized as one of the supreme achievements of classical ballet. The ballet is based on the classic French fairy tale by Charles Perrault: a beautiful princess is cursed by an evil fairy, and doomed to sleep for a hundred years – only to be awakened by the kiss of the handsome prince who loves her. Desmond Heeley’s spectacular designs beautifully evoke the magic, drama and whimsy of the great work.March 10, 12, 18 and 19: 7:30 pmMarch 13, 20: 2:00 pmMarch 12: 1:30 pmHouston BalletBrown Theater at Wortham Theater Centerwww.houstonballet.org

BALLET

THEATRE

fine arts

march 2011

March 9-13: Blue Man Group. Best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts that combine comedy, music and technology, Blue Man Group produces a totally unique form of entertainment. Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that Blue Man Group is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, Blue Man Group is perfect for people of all ages, languages and cultures. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else; guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget!Wednesday, March 9: 7:30 pmThursday, March 10: 7:30 pmFriday, March 11: 7:30 pmSaturday, March 12: 12 pm, 4 pm and 8 pmSunday, March 13: 3 pm and 7 pmJones Hall www.spahouston.org


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between the lines

A spine-tingling adventure of history,intrigue and redemption

A ble Dawes is the last member of his family’s bloodline. He holds the key to breaking a centuries-old curse that

binds his ancestors, Galveston Texas, and the ghosts of 8,000 lost souls. However, Able is just a kid, addicted to heroin and flying solo on the most important night of his life. He isn’t even aware of his dark legacy. He’s never heard of Donovan Dawes, the man who in-vited evil to Galveston Island, and nurtured its presence. Able has also never heard of Chris-topher Dawes, Donovan’s only son, born dur-ing the violence of the 1900 Hurricane that decimated Galveston Island and set the curse in motion.

On one fateful night while searching for the heroin fix that will get him and his girl-friend through the storm, his search becomes much, much more. Able Dawes will find that he is destined for something more, he must change the course of Hurricane Rita, thereby changing the future of Galveston. But, along the way, he will have to visit the past and

overcome the sins of his fathers. In this spine-tingling adventure, Able Dawes will find that you don’t have to be a hurricane to turn things around.

For more information about Tormenta, S. Bond Herndon or to order your copy of the book, visit www.starvingwritersbooks.com/tormenta.

Author S. Bond Herndon

“O ptimists are radiant gems who triumph over life’s potential defeats,” McNeil Jones states. “However, to be an optimist is not adequate. We should share our optimism with humanity.”

Jones sets out to do so with this book of motivating and encouraging poetry. Below is an excerpt of Jones’ inspiring and uplifting poetry from Poetic Treasures.

S. Bond Herndon has lived along the Texas Gulf Coast for more than twenty years. He is married, has four adult children and one granddaughter. In 2004, he released a collaborative suspense novel, Into the Blue. His new novel, Tormenta, was released in December 2010.

A compilation of poems written toreflect an optimistic view of life

Florence McNeil Jones is a native of Texas and mother of three. She is a retired teacher, having spent her career teaching elementary and high school students. She is also active in her community as a volunteer with her local worship center, youth camp, alumni association, and other community service organizations. She also enjoys playing the piano, arts and crafts, and collecting seashells.

Author Florence McNeil Jones

Zace and Grace

Grace stepped on my toe.I started to push her to the floor.Instead, I zoomed rapidly out the door.Grace ran and grabbed my handAnd stared very sweetly in my face.

Then she gave me a big bear hug,And we went back inside and satOn our grandmother’s soft shag rug.She looked at me and said,“I love you, Zace.”

When I looked at her, my anger flewInto the thin summer air.I returned Zace’s warm, friendly stareAnd said, “I love you too, Grace.”We reached and clutched hands.

“My twin,” we repeated thrice.Life is more fun when we’re nice.We acted in a friendly way,Which made us have an extra-special day.Then Grace gave me another big hug.

For more information about Poetic Treasurers, Florence McNeil Jones or to order the book, visit www.dorrancepublishing.com or amazon.com.


I t is almost impossible to achieve signifi-cant business success without building meaningful and mutually beneficial re-

lationships! In fact, I believe that relationship marketing is the single most effective market-ing strategy known to man. One of the best pieces of business advice I ever received was to cultivate good relationships. As a business coach, I want to pass this nugget of wisdom on to you.

As I work with my clients, I encourage them to focus on the important relationships in their lives. Family, friends, supporters, and mentors; they are all significant contributors to our success. In business, we must also fo-cus on our best customers, our best referral sources, and our best prospects. These are the people who value our services and enable us to pay the bills!

There is probably no better resource to help professionals learn and build mean-ingful relationships than the timeless Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Dale Carnegie continues to inspire and educate with simple and practical rela-tionship and business advice.

The first principle that Carnegie teaches is this: Don’t criticize, condemn, or complain.

Don’t Criticize: It is human nature to want to elevate ones-self. The quickest and simplest way to do that is to criticize others. We often do it without realizing that we are doing it. To criticize others accomplishes nothing good for you, your hearer, or the

Relationship Marketing:Sound Business Advice

the last word I By Glenn Smith

one being criticized. It does not contribute to your business success. In fact, I find that most people do not want to hear you criti-cizing others, even your competition. You will build better relationships and increase your influence by keeping the conversation positive. If you can’t say something positive, don’t say anything at all!

Don’t Condemn: Unfortunately, it is also a human tendency to judge and con-demn. Every person has their own internal moral barometer. We evaluate constantly, making judgments about what we think is right and wrong. While this is a necessary part of our decision-making process, it is important to remember that everyone has talents, gifts, and qualities of goodness. It is far more productive to focus on the positive attributes and the goodness in others than to practice condemnation.

Don’t Complain: Finally, many of us are prone to complain. We complain about the weather, the economy, our customers, our spouses, etc. Complaining is actually a mecha-nism for avoiding responsibility. When we complain, we are in essence making someone or something outside of ourselves responsible

for our current situation. People who build positive and powerful relationships TAKE responsibility for their current reality. While they know that they cannot effect the weather, they also know that they control their attitude and their behaviors despite the weather. They know that their results are typically not the re-sult of the weather, but of their mindset and choices.

In order to build the kind of relation-ships that help us grow our businesses - and improve our lives - we must follow this basic Dale Carnegie business advice: Don’t criticize, condemn, or complain!

As a business coach, I have the privilege of working with wonderful business leaders. They know that their marketing success and business success rises and falls on relationships. Our advice is simple: Make quality relationships the focus of our marketing and our lives.

Glenn Smith is the owner and CEO of The Growth Coach® in Houston, TX, a coaching and consulting firm designed to help executives and business owners improve their business and their life. Glenn serves on the President’s Forum for The Growth Coach® Cor-porate Office and he serves as a mentor to new franchise owners.

Documents

February-March-2011 - Focus on Women Magazine - Texas- Inspire, Educate, and Empower!