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Serving Meals in a Bowl

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During our most recent participation in the Empty Bowls 2019 soup event on the beautiful downtown Prescott square, we were surrounded by community as well as beautiful and unique bowls. Guests looked forward to having their bowls filled with yummy soups that were prepared by local chefs and restaurants.

For as long as I can remember, our family has served food in bowls during mealtime, not just soup, chilis and stews, but also full meals and salads. During the fall and winter months, I love the feeling of the warmth exterior on my hands. It is so enjoyable.

We all have our own taste in bowls. There are certain colors of bowls, as well as cultural destinations of where the bowls were made. I go giddy over a bowl from Japan or Italy.

My daughters love eating their food in bowls.

My oldest daughter, Lindsay, has said, “I have been eating out of bowls for a long time. I eat smaller portions. It’s comforting and I appreciate my food more.”

Meals being served in bowls has been gaining popularity for the past several years. Restaurants offer bowls as a way of portion control for their guests. A favorite food of mine is Pho, a Vietnamese bowl of soup.

Here are a few helpful serving size guidelines to remember, according to the American Heart Association: one cup of raw, leafy vegetables or a baked potato should be about the size of a small fist; three ounces of cooked lean meat or poultry is about the size of a deck of cards; half a cup of fruit served with 8 ounces of yogurt; half a cup of cooked grains and pastas.

When the ingredients are combined, the appearance of the food is colorful and delightful. The flavors can also be amazing, using fresh vegetables, herbs, proteins and seasonings. Add some of your favorite broth and create another meal.

I always encourage folks to make their own bowls at home. Sure, it’s great to go out and have a bowl prepared fresh for you; however, imagine the enjoyment of making one for yourself. You can also control the portion size. You can prepare food in advance and create your bowls. Leftovers also work great for bowls.

So, pick out a bowl, fill it with your favorite foods and enjoy. QCBN

By Debbie Maranville

Debbie Maranville is the co-owner of Goods from the Garden Catering & Events and The Natural Healing Garden, Massage and Wellness. For more information, visit naturalhealinggarden.com.

 

Why Does Breast Density Matter?

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You’re dedicated to your monthly self-exams and you follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for breast cancer screenings, given your age and family risk factors. But are you aware that it’s also important to know your breast density? It’s an important and timely question for October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast density is a way to describe the composition of a woman’s breasts. It compares the area of breast and connective tissue – as seen on a mammogram – to the area of fat. Breast and connective tissue are denser than fat, so high breast density means there is more breast and connective tissue as compared to fat. On a mammogram, connective tissue appears as solid white, making it difficult to see through. And therein lies the challenge.

“Breast cancer also is white on a mammogram,” said Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Breast Care Program Medical Director and Breast Surgeon Michael Macon, M.D., FACS. “The whiter the background, the more difficult it is to identify breast cancer in the white background of a dense breast.”

Who is at Risk for Breast Density?

Generally, women who are younger and thinner have denser breast tissue, according to Dr. Macon. As a woman ages, she may gain weight, decreasing the density. Genetics also plays a role. If your mother had dense breasts, you are more likely to as well.

Additionally, breast density is more common among women taking hormone therapy to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Women with dense breasts have a higher risk – up to six times, by some estimates – of developing breast cancer. The reason is unknown.

Learn Your Breast Density

How can you learn your breast density? The radiologist administering your mammogram will determine the ratio of your dense to non-dense tissue. Four categories are used in the Breast Imaging Reporting and Database Systems:

Fatty Replaced Breast (Category A, 0-25 percent dense tissue) – This mammogram likely would show any abnormalities.

Scattered Fibroglandular Density (Category B, 25-50 percent dense tissue) – This breast density has quite a bit of fat, but also a few areas of fibrous and glandular tissue. This is the most common category.

Heterogeneously Dense (Category C, 50-75 percent dense breast tissue) – When areas of fibrous and glandular tissue are greater than fatty breast tissue, it can be difficult to see small masses on mammograms.

Extremely Dense (Category D, 75-100 percent dense tissue) – This increases the difficulty of detecting cancerous tissue because it can blend in with other white background tissue.

What Should You Do About Breast Density?

“If the radiologist determines you have heterogeneous density or extreme density, it is important to have a 3-D mammogram,” said Dr. Macon. “A 3-D mammogram uses new technology to create a three-dimensional picture.”

To assess your risk for breast cancer, Macon recommends the Tyrer-Cuzick Model – also known as the Ibis Risk Model – which may be taken online. This risk assessment tool generates a 10-year risk and lifetime risk of breast cancer based on your answers to a series of questions, including one about breast density. Women with Category C or Category D breast density have an increased risk for breast cancer.“

For women with a lifetime risk of breast cancer greater than 20 percent,” explained Macon, “more aggressive breast surveillance consisting of alternating 3-D mammograms and breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the standard.” QCBN

 

For screening mammography, including 3-D mammography, contact The BreastCare Center at YRMC at 928-442-8900.

 

Prescott Medical Imaging at 928-771-7577.

To schedule an appointment at YRMC’s Genetic Clinic for a genetic evaluation and possible testing, call 928-442-8747.

Candles Set the Mood, Bring People Together, Light the Way

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Home is where we unwind and head to the kitchen at the end of the day. It is true that fragrances have a profound effect on our feelings of well-being. Studies have shown that some fragrances are energizing, like cinnamon, and some aromas, like freshly baked cookies, are comforting. It is also true that too much technology can make us edgy and stressed. It feels like taking time out once in a while makes us feel guilty that we’re not keeping up. Too much noise! What’s the solution?

“Turn off the TV, throw away the paper, Go to the country, build you a home, …” good advice from one of our great poets and musicians, John Prine. If we can set the alarm to get to work on time, we can schedule a part of the day to relax – right? Right! Lighting a candle in your home accomplishes two things – fragrance to soothe the rough edges and a gentle glow to soothe the soul.

Dinner out can range from fast food to a candlelit room in a ritzy restaurant. So, why have we come to expect that a nice restaurant will have candles on the tables? That’s easy – they want us to linger and relax, enjoy the meal and, as we sit across from each other, we talk! So, how about recreating that same ambience at home? Where has all the conversation gone? Okay – admit it, you watch TV while cooking, while eating dinner, while cleaning up the kitchen. How about a change of pace – talking and listening is a pretty good way to get to know each other. How was your day? Instead of just “Okay,” let’s get to the heart of the matter. Those heart-to-heart talks are so few and far between we forget how important they are. A good way to start might be to light a candle to set the stage for a quiet evening. Dinner can be a bowl of soup and crackers, but illuminated by candlelight, well, that’s a horse of a different color.

Too much talk? Understood. The very act of lighting candles has meaning and symbolism all its own. The simple answer is often that glowing candles have the ability to help us focus – to quiet all of that inner chatter – to remember a loved one or to celebrate a birthday. It has a lot to do with being aware of the moment, to focus and to take an inner measure of our life.

There’s another reason a glowing candle seems to have a certain effect – we’re all humans and lighting our way in the world started a long time ago. It is believed that the Egyptians used candles in 3,000 BC, the Romans made wicked candles around 500 BC and candles were also made in China and India. Candles were used to light homes, offer a sign of welcome to travelers and certainly for religious ceremonies. Candlelight makes us feel connected somehow to each other – now and long ago.

With so many choices in candle designs, materials, fragrance or no fragrance, focus on the right candle for the right reasons. Candles are the core of décor so take the time to look for quality by checking out where your candles were made – honestly, made in the USA is a good indicator of well-made candles. Check out the burn times to make sure they will last as long as your party or ceremony. Candle making these days is part science and part artistry. “Candlelight doesn’t just happen, it’s made to happen.” Of course, you know you should never burn a candle unattended. QCBN

By Denise Jenike

Denise Jenike is co-owner of Armadilla Wax Works with her husband, Kent Buttermann. The business was originally established in Old Town Tempe in 1971, while both were attending Arizona State University. Denise completed a BA in Art Education. The business is 100% focused on the design, making and retailing candles, along with additional curated quality home décor merchandise. Armadilla Wax Works– new location is 6689 E. 1st Street, in Prescott Valley. For more information, call 928-772-1898 or visit candlefactorystore.com. Open Daily

Treating Common Incontinence

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If you’re like a lot of folks, just the suggestion of needing a bathroom prompts an uncontrollable need to head for the nearest restroom.
If this is you, you should know that you aren’t alone with this problem. According to the National Association for Continence, more than 25 million women suffer from some form of incontinence. Unfortunately, many people spend way too many hours of the day (or night) distracted by the need to find the restroom, using it, and anticipating the need for the next trip.

The problem of incontinence is distracting, time consuming and negatively affects quality of life for many individuals. Incontinence can make it difficult to feel confident, to focus on a task and to relax and enjoy life’s most treasured moments.

A common form of this problem is “urge incontinence,” characterized by an uncontrollable urge to urinate, usually on very short notice, which can result in accidents. Both men and women can experience “Nocturia,” which means frequent trips to the bathroom at night. This interrupts sleep patterns and can leave individuals exhausted. The most common form of incontinence is “stress incontinence” – the leaking of urine caused by coughing, sneezing or exercise. Sadly, for those with incontinence, even laughing may not be a laughing matter.

The staff at Skin Restoration want to see you take your time and mental energy back for yourself. We are excited to announce what we think is the most promising option for those with mild to moderate urinary incontinence. The Emsella is an FDA approved breakthrough technology that is now being offered by urology and gynecology specialists throughout the country. Emsella is a chair that uses high frequency electromagnetic energy to stimulate pelvic muscle contractions and thus, strengthen or reeducate the muscles. Sitting on this chair for 25 minutes stimulates the body to perform over 11,000 Kegel exercises (more than most people could do in a year).

After six treatments, individuals report having stronger pelvic muscles and better control of urinary function. An Emsella treatment is painless and noninvasive. Individuals remain fully clothed and there is no down time. Scientific studies report that 95% of patients treated with Emsella report an improvement in their quality of life. After a treatment series, patients report that they reduce or can fully eliminate the use of hygienic pads. They also have fewer or no nighttime bathroom trips. Frequent urges are reduced, and a manageable lifestyle can be achieved.
Of course, no conversation about a treatment is complete without discussing potential side effects. The manufacturers and providers who use Emsella are happy to say that no adverse effects have been reported, ever. But there is one side effect that bears mentioning. Many women who receive Emsella treatments report that their sexual contraction is stronger and thus, more pleasurable. We have had a few individuals request treatment for this reason.
The Emsella is located at the Skin Restoration Center near downtown in Prescott. The Skin Restoration Center was recently voted Best Medispa by readers of a local newspaper. We have become well known for our ability to improve appearance with simple treatments such as Botox, lasers and dermal fillers. We are also proud to be the only provider of incontinence treatment with the Emsella in Northern Arizona.
We do want to be clear that nothing can replace the relationship you have with your Primary Care Provider. If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, talk to your provider to rule out any underlying illnesses or complications. For uncomplicated urinary incontinence caused by pelvic floor weakness, Emsella can help. You can get a free consultation and arrange treatment by calling 928-308-0519.

Take back your time and mental energy for yourself. You are worth it! QCBN

By Carol Johnson RN, MSN, NNP-BC

Carol Johnson, RN, MSN, NNP-BC, LSO, is a nurse practitioner and the founder and director of Skin Restoration. In addition to her practitioner credentials, she is licensed by the State of Arizona as a medical director for a laser facility. She has taken numerous courses in advanced injecting and laser treatments. Johnson particularly enjoys meeting people and helping them make good choices to care for their appearance.

YRMC Resource Center Keeping Families Strong for 30 Years

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Thirty years ago, a group of concerned people from Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) and other organizations sat around a table to discuss the needs of Prescott’s most vulnerable population – its children. They explored ways they could offer support to parents so that they can give their children the best possible start in life. The grassroots effort took hold and the Family Resource Center (FRC) at Yavapai Regional Medical Center was born. The program has grown exponentially over the years, finding new ways to meet the changing needs of our families.
This year, the FRC celebrates its 30th anniversary and continues to make a difference in the lives of young families through three successful programs. Each of the programs is free of charge to families in our community.
First Steps
“Families giving birth back in 1989 needed support and education. They couldn’t Google questions like we can today,” said Family Resource Center Director David Barko. “Yavapai Regional Medical Center came forward with First Steps, which is still in existence today. Specially trained volunteers provide information to every family giving birth at YRMC. They discuss important topics like SIDS prevention and the signs of postpartum depression. We assess what each individual family might need and offer social and emotional support as well.”
One-week and three-month follow-up calls are also part of the family resources program.
Healthy Families
The early efforts of the Family Resource Center brought to light another critical need in Yavapai County – home visits for families to provide additional support and to learn more about early childhood and parenthood. Healthy Families, which is now a nationally recognized program operating in 38 states, was developed at YRMC. The focus of the program is strength and empowerment.
“Healthy Families is one of the top evidence-based home visit programs in the nation. It works,” said Barko. “We use the most up-to-date early childhood development knowledge to support our parents. They, in turn, support their children and give them the best start in life as they can. We know from research and science that the first three to five years of life are the most critical. Every experience, interaction, feeling and relationship a child has during these years literally affects the brain’s development. They set the stage for the rest of the child’s life – how they perceive everything, what kind of relationships they enter into, how they cope with stress, learn to trust, or not. The list goes on.”
Healthy Families visits occur once a week for the first six to 12 months, then every other week. Home visits can continue for as long as five years. The program is customized to meet the needs of each family. Medical health, safe sleep, developmental milestones, well checks, immunizations and childproofing the home are among the information shared with the families. A connection to community services is also part of the program.
Just as important, parents gain a listening ear and a mentor who can help them through tough times they may be experiencing. Healthy Families staff are trained in communication strategies that help remove the stigma associated with postpartum depression, anxiety, substance and alcohol abuse, financial or relationship issues and other life stressors.
The Healthy Families program also offers several holiday-themed social events each year where families can get together, make friends and celebrate what it means to be a family.
Car Seat Safety Program
Continuing to identify needs and find solutions, the Family Resource Center now offers car seat safety checks, conducted by nationally certified technicians. Partnering with other organizations, the safety checks are usually held at the Family Resource Center. They are also offered at community events and health expos throughout the year. As with the other programs through the FRC, the car seat safety checks are free of charge. Educating caregivers – or anyone who transports children – continues to be the priority. In 2018, approximately 90 percent of the seats and children that FRC saw arrived in an unsafe situation or configuration.
In 2018…
– The FRC First Steps volunteers visited all of the families who gave birth at YRMC.
– The Healthy Families program served 76 families, which includes 167 children.
– The Car Seat Safety program distributed 216 car seats and conducted 265 safety checks.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Barko notes that even the briefest connection can often lead to unexpected opportunities to help a family. He recalls a car seat check with a grandmother who wanted to make sure she was transporting her grandchildren safely.
“We ended up talking for an hour,” said Barko. “She opened up and shared with me that her daughter was pregnant and experiencing depression. I was able to reassure her and gave her some information so that she could connect with valuable community resources.”
Barko also tells about a mother with two children under the age of six. They were in the YRMC emergency room after a car accident and couldn’t return home because the car seats were destroyed. In addition to new car seats, the Family Resource Center was able to offer emotional support and resources for counseling to help the family cope after such a traumatic event.
At 30 years and counting, the Family Resource Center truly embodies YRMC’s mission.
“In some organizations, the mission is just a poster on the wall,” said Barko, “but at YRMC, those values are lived day to day. If I were to describe our team, the words that come to mind are empathy, heart and spirit. Our goal is that with every visit, every connection, we keep another child safe and help with their start in life.”
For more information on the Family Resource Center, contact David Barko at 928-771-5651 or dbarko@yrmc.org. QCBN

By Joanne Mack Robertson

Joanne Mack Robertson is freelance writer and video producer. She and her husband, Jeff, are the creative energy behind Big Picture Video Production in Prescott and Tucson.

Pets: Part of Our Heart, Home

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Here at Prescott Maid to Order, we know how important our furry friends are to our clients.

We see it every day in the homes of the people we serve. Often we find that the kids are all grown up and the companionship of the pets in these homes is paramount to the lives of our clients. Because of this, we offer pet sitting as part of our list of services and have designed a program called Prescott Maid to Order’s Forever Home Program. I’ll talk a little more about the program in a minute. But first, here are a few interesting facts about the health benefits animals bring to their humans. Owning a pet:

Decreases stress
Lowers blood pressure
Eases pain and anxiety
Lowers cholesterol
Improves mood
Helps people socialize
Prevents strokes
Monitors blood sugar levels for diabetics
Prevents allergies and improves immunity
Helps children develop

Our Forever Home Program is in conjunction with Yavapai Humane Society. The website “Mighty Cause,” states, “Every day, 9,000 pets are killed in American shelters. However, the Yavapai Humane Society bucks that trend. YHS is the safest shelter in Arizona and among the safest in the nation, with a lifesaving rate of 97%.” What a great opportunity to serve.
In an earlier article a year or two back, I talked about community service in business, stating, “While trying to grow a business, many companies locally and nationwide are seeing the value in serving their community and the world at large. Whether it is on a large or small scale, the value of volunteerism, contribution and service is of unlimited worth.” We are involved in several causes in our community, with this being just one.

So, what is the program about?

We will feature a dog or cat (sometimes both at the same time) and post an ad anywhere we can get exposure for it, on our Facebook page, our website and several community pages. Often, it will be a pet that is older, maybe has been there longer or may not be the one that will get adopted quickly. We will post and repost as long as needed to try to get the word out, not only about that particular pet, but the cause of finding homes for any of the pets in YHS. When someone responds to one of our ads, either to us directly or to the Humane Society and then adopts our “featured” pet, we will in turn sponsor the fees. How fun is that! We ask people to “share” the ad to their page and to their friends so that the word will spread.

Our homes not only put a roof over our heads, but house and protect those we love, including our critter kids. It’s where we make memories, enjoy our quiet time, recuperate from a long day at work, celebrate with those we hold dear and much more. If you have been considering the companionship of a new pet, we encourage you to check out our Forever Home Program on our website or Facebook page and visit the Humane Society. We love our clients and we love our pets! QCBN

By Lucy Leyva

Lucy Leyva is the proud owner of MTO Janitorial LLC, and Prescott Maid to Order LLC, both local cleaning companies based out of Prescott Valley, serving Northern Arizona since 2005. For any cleaning inquiry, please contact us at 928-772-0004 and/or visit our website at mtojanitorial.com.

Weekend Warriors: Fighting Back

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If that Saturday morning bike ride or run left you limping into work on Monday sore and exhausted, you’re probably not alone. Welcome to the ranks of the “Weekend Warriors.”
“Weekend Warriors” is the name given to people who are physically inactive most of the week, but then participate in rigorous physical activity during the weekend.
Many times these folks overestimate their abilities and push themselves beyond what they reasonably should do. Many may have had active lifestyles previously, but because of work and family commitments, their exercise time has diminished – especially during the week. So, they think they can make up for it on the weekend. But, the saying’s true – if you don’t use it, you lose it. And by not maintaining some sort of regular physical activity during the week, they put themselves at risk of injuries when they try to do too much on weekends.
A study through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 80 percent of adult Americans don’t get the recommended amount of aerobic and muscle-toning exercises every week. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that injuries happen to weekend warriors. Some of the more common injuries include sprained ankles, rotator cuff injuries, elbow, lower back or knee pain.
By not participating in regular physical endeavors during the week, even casual activities such as painting, cleaning or gardening can lead to sore muscles and injuries.
But the good news is it doesn’t have to be that way. You can avoid Weekend Warrior syndrome by incorporating more physical activity into your lifestyle on a daily basis. The following are tips for even the most time-crunched of individuals:
Realize that exercise doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.” Look for ways to sneak extra movement into your day. Set your watch alarm to go off a few times a day to remind you to stretch and go for a walk around the office. Walk to lunch rather than drive. While you’re waiting for your child at soccer practice, take a stroll around the field. When watching television, stand up and march in place during commercials. Or, even better, shut the TV off and complete a household chore or go for a walk around the block. And how about when your children are playing? Join them.
Increase activity gradually. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week. Break this into smaller goals for yourself so you can attain it. Look critically at your daily schedule and see where you have pockets of time that you can use for physical activity. If three 10-minute sessions are easier for you to accomplish, then do it. You will still reap the benefits.
Don’t worry about the “best” time of day to exercise. Whatever time is convenient for you is the best time.
Start at a lower intensity. While you are incorporating additional activity into your lifestyle, be sure to begin at lower intensities and increase as you are able. For example, choose a walking or jogging pace where you can still talk comfortably while getting your heart rate up. Or, during strength training, begin lifting smaller weights and work your way to heavier ones.
Choose sports and activities that you find fun and enjoyable. Soon, you’ll be looking forward to these well-deserved “me” times.
With any sport or exercise, always learn and use proper techniques. Follow safety guidelines as well.
Put your workouts into your calendar as appointments. Be sure to keep them.
Keep yourself motivated by setting realistic short and long-term goals. And reward yourself when you hit them. Download a new song on your iPod, treat yourself to a movie you want to see or buy that new book you want to read.
Wear comfortable shoes every day that allow you to move about easily no matter where you are or what you’re doing…and then move! QCBN

By Patrick Mahaney, M.D.

Hear Dr. Mahaney’s presentation on “Hip Pain and Rehabilitation,” 2-3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19,at Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.

Dr. Patrick Mahaney, M.D., is the assistant medical director for Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, a 44-bed, free-standing facility providing intensive physical rehabilitation services to patients recovering from strokes, head and spinal cord injuries, and other impairments as a result of injury or illness. For more information, visit MVRRH.ernesthealth.com

3700 N. Windsong Drive • Prescott Valley, AZ • (P) 928-759-8800 (F) 866-759-8806 • www.MVRRH.ernesthealth.com

Becoming Hearing Aid Savvy

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Hearing is something we often take for granted, until we have concerns. The following are some of the commonly asked questions that come up when individuals are considering hearing aids.
I think I need hearing aids, but how do I know what I should buy?
Your lifestyle determines the technology that would be the best for you. Those who are in group settings for church, meetings or family gatherings will need to purchase aids with more advanced technology than someone who is usually in quiet environments and only occasionally attends small meetings or gatherings. The ability of the hearing aid to switch from surround sound to directional sound is what helps you understand better in the presence of noise.
What technology is available?
There are a variety of bells and whistles available inside hearing aids: omni-directional microphones, directional microphones, automated feedback squelch, multiple tuning channels, sound recover of high frequencies, controls that allow the sound from one ear to transfer to the other, to name a few. You may want wireless connectivity for your cell phone, PDA or wireless laptop and the TV. There are even waterproof and water-resistant hearing aids for the active individual.
What features should I look for in a hearing aid?
Directional microphones will greatly reduce (not eliminate) background noise. Car noise, fan noise and other steady state noises are reduced. Unwanted speech noise from other people in the room is more difficult to eliminate because that sound is the same pitch you are trying to hear. Because of size restraints, you can’t zoom into speech like the huge directional microphones used to eavesdrop on the pro golfers talking to their caddies!
Wind block technology focuses on the sound wind makes flowing over a microphone and suppresses it.
Automatic feedback squelch is one of the most wonderful technologies. It is now uncommon to have hearing aids that whistle!
Multiple tuning channels will help the audiologist fine tune the aids to sound more comfortable.
Sound recover is a feature designed to take the energy from the high frequencies that you cannot hear and push them to frequencies you do hear. This helps with clarity of speech. There are microphones that will transfer wanted sound on one side to both ears so that you can hear better while walking with your friends or driving a car.
Bluetooth connection allows you to hear speech on the telephone in both ears while the phone is in the room rather than holding it up to your ear! This helps with clarity on the phone.
How are hearing aids priced?
Hearing aid features require enormous engineering to create a technology that is small, physically stable/dependable and able to reduce noise and expand and compress the desired sound before it enters the ear canal. The base price of the hearing aid is increased to cover the audiologist’s time for fitting and adjusting the device five or six times, educating the patient on the use and the ongoing care of the hearing aid. The audiologist can teach you how to pair the hearing aids to a phone and TV and help with troubleshooting if a problem arises. Fitting and caring for the hearing aid wearer is labor intensive. The price includes years of care of the devices. The warranty covers loss and damage, so the price of replacement and repair shipping fees are a factor. Appointments are made to keep the hearing aids clean and functioning, despite being housed in a warm, moist and wax-producing ear canal. Additional office visits may focus on counseling the family on the emotional and stress-related issues that arise when living with a hearing-impaired individual. The hearing aid is just part of the package that comes with the purchase price. The audiologist becomes part of your family’s hearing team.
What do I take with me to the appointment with my audiologist?
Write a list of the situations in which you have difficulty hearing. Ask the people you are most often around to do the same. When you compare the lists, you may see a significant difference in perception. The audiologist will be able to point out more situations to you so that you will have a good picture of when you have difficulty hearing. Many times, the family and friends of the hearing-impaired person will have as much relief from a hearing aid being used as the person wearing the hearing aid! Take a copy of any previous hearing tests with you to the appointment. Ask to have a trial with the hearing aids. As you use the devices and go back for adjustments, you will be able to make an educated decision about how much hearing aids are able to improve the quality of your life. QCBN

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net.

Karon Lynn is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. Dr. Lynn may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Ten Ways to an Easy Garden

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Time seems to stand still when the stressed voices repeat themselves in my head. But not in the garden, where an unplugged afternoon seems to melt away like a fading sun. Gardening is my escape from a hyper connected world of Facebook, inbox and scrolling Instagram posts. It becomes my inspiration when spending too much time writing behind the screen. A good garden is coffee time with your thoughts, watching a sunrise, the majesty of a butterfly or the buzzing of hummingbirds.
Gardener is a label proudly worn, but there are some unpleasant tasks, of course. Weeds are my nemesis, watering is a bane and chemicals must be avoided for a life lived well. “Simplify” is my motto in the garden. Do something right the first time, so you won’t have to repeat it. Quality over quantity is the goal posted above my monitor before writing any garden advice.
Below are personal garden tips that make local gardening easier. I know some of the tips are common sense, and some seem like more work in the short term, but together they make for more beauty with less work.

Feed the Soil
Start with great soil and you’ll grow great plants. Many gardeners only view mulch as decoration. Composted mulch does make a garden look more attractive, but it also keeps the soil and plant roots cool, retains moisture so you can water less often, prevents weeds from sprouting and feeds the soil. Right there, you’ve cut down on watering, weeding and fertilizer time.
Many of you are gardening in dead soil and don’t even realize it. The little top soil that was on your property was scraped away by the homebuilder to make room for footers, driveways and patios. No living organisms, worms or beneficial fungi remain. You will need to rebuild the soil.

Choose Lower Maintenance Perennials
Make perennial flowers the backbone of your garden, since they take care of themselves. Plants like Salvia, blue Russian sage, agave, yucca and sedums look good all season and don’t need deadheading, pinching or staking. For even more ideas, ask for my free list of low maintenance perennials.

Raised Beds, Containers
It’s much easier to control your garden with definite boundaries. You control the soil, water, exposure and even limit the growth of the plants in containers. Raised beds separate the garden beds from their surroundings. Ideally, lift the beds up by 12 inches or more. You’ll have the benefits of controlling your borders and you’ll be saving your back from some bending.

Insider Container Tip
Fill containers with Watters Potting Soil. This local soil recipe was created with mountain plants in mind. Plants love the flavor and root deep into the soil without becoming soggy.

Group Plants by Their Needs
You may have heard the saying, “Right plant for the right spot.” Put sun lovers in the sun and ground covers where they can roam. But consider how efficient it would be if you put all your water hogs together so you turn on the sprinklers in one area and are done. The same for plants that require a lot of deadheading or vegetables that need a daily harvest. You can still mix in different bloom times and variations in color, form and texture. But heavy maintenance chores should be consolidated.

Aqua Boost, Drip Irrigation
This is one of those suggestions that sounds like it’s going to cost a fortune and require a professional to install, but it doesn’t have to. Here at the garden center we reduced drip irrigation to a tinker toy level. There is an initial cost, although nowhere near what you might think, and you need some measurements. Drip irrigation is far more efficient than any other type of watering. It pushes water deep into the root level. Add an inexpensive timer and think of all the time you’ve saved yourself.
Aqua Boost Crystal cuts the number of times you need to water in half. These Watters-created crystals absorb 200 times their weight in water and hold moisture at the root level. Beneficial mycorrhizal fungi are used in this formula to revitalize garden soil and stimulate additional root formation. A must for raised beds and container gardening.

Watters All Purpose Food
Natural garden foods break down slowly and allow better uptake for young plants. Watters All Purpose Food 7-4-4 was created with mountain plants in mind. It feeds landscape plants better, and is less likely to pollute your well and the local water sources. Because of the slow breakdown of this food, plants have time to take up and use all the food, unlike synthetic fertilizers. Use three time a year: spring, summer and fall.

Prevent Weeds
PreEmergants prevent seed from ever germinating, but timing is everything. I use Hi-Yield Weed & Grass Stopper twice a year and rarely have weed outbreaks. Apply as monsoon rains begin and again just after the New Year. This winter/summer application greatly reduces the work needed for weeding. One bag covers a very large garden plot.

Until next month, I’ll be helping locals make gardening easier here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week
at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or FB.com/WattersGardenCenter.

Exploring Benefits of the Plant-Based Diet

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We are taught and conditioned throughout life that proteins are a macronutrient essential for healthy bodies, that we need protein to survive, and the best way to consume it is through animal products. When one decides to give up animal products, whether for health, ethics or even taste, the big question is, “Where do we get protein?”
It is entirely possible to be healthy, in fact, to thrive, without consuming any animal products. Muscles do not atrophy, organs do not go into failure, skin does not lose elasticity. The excessive consumption of animal protein may cause those consequences. Let us examine what proteins are, why they are considered essential, and why the consumption of them has spiraled out of control.
Proteins are chains of amino acids that are twisted and folded up on themselves. Proteins are not essential, but amino acids are. Proteins make up antibodies, enzymes, hormones and cellular structures. However, upon eating protein, especially that which comes from an animal, the digestive tract must break down the protein into the basic amino acids, then puts them back together again in sequences that our body needs. Animal protein requires a lot of digestive energy to break down, hence the theory behind eating high protein diets to lose weight. In essence, the body is using more calories to digest the food.
It is well known and accepted that proteins will denature in certain environments, for example, too hot, too salty, too acidic. How do most people eat animal protein, which is very acidic by nature? By cooking it, of course. According to chemistry, this renders the amino acids as useless. This puts a tremendous strain on the digestive and lymphatic systems. What I have observed in my clinical practice is that the body stores all that it cannot use or eliminate. This leads to inflammation (edema, bloating, allergic reactions in the face), weight gain around the abdomen and distended, spastic and improperly functioning intestines. After several decades of eating this way, it is no wonder that more chronic diseases are plaguing younger people than ever before.
This is a major problem, and capitalism is fueling this meat-fed society to eat more. Currently, eating bacon is trendy, to the point where other meat products must have bacon on them. Bacon is a salty, fatty, greasy food product that is by no means healthy. Eating a fist full of bacon and avoiding fruit is not the answer to any health concern. However, if bacon sells itself and other products, it will be sold. The three main animals that Americans consume (cow, chicken, pig) are fed corn. Corn is a governmentally subsidized crop, not to mention Monsanto is a billion dollar company that basically has a hand in all consumer goods. On top of this, there is an obesity epidemic in the United States, and we are now obliviously misled to believe that eating a Paleolithic or Ketogenic diet is the answer to weight loss. All of this is leading to a messy situation that is not benefiting anyone except for those making money.
It used to be well known that in order to regain health and vitality, more fruits and vegetables must be consumed. Now the information and food selection has gotten so vast and complicated we cannot even determine what is good for the human to eat. Locally sourced plant products are still best for the planet’s and our own health. Plant-based diets can provide the essential amino acids we need to repair tissues and create new structures in the body.
When comparing the three animals consumed to the myriad of plant foods out there, the variety of the plant-based diet is evident. Therefore, it is possible to eat so many different plant-based dishes and obtain all the macro and micronutrients necessary for vitality and radiant health.
We owe it to ourselves to investigate what is really going on with certain health trends. This is done with proper knowledge, so before consuming anything, examine why you are doing it that particular way. Knowledge and experience trump any health food fads that are only existing in this moment. We all want to be vital for this moment and many more, so transcend beyond that which is popular now and you will enjoy the simplicity and success of healthy living. QCBN

By Katie Borchert, NMD, LAc

Dr. Borchert has office hours daily at Partners in Health Care Naturally in downtown Prescott, 343 S. Montezuma St. She is also available for home visits, a great way to help the whole family. The clinic website is prescottnaturopathicdoctors.com and Dr. Borchert has Facebook and Instagram accounts featuring naturopathic living.