August 2010

Fall’s High Tech On-Line Beauty Scene

August 6, 2010 by Theresa Taylor Grutzeck

Neutrals and Nudes are IT!

We’ve all embraced cutting-edge advances in technology, from online shopping to smart phone applications that can analyze everything from your body type to putting together a whole wardrobe customized just for you. This season technology-savvy designers got in on the act by broadcasting their Fall fashion shows live on the web – a groundbreaking move that has made fashion instantly accessible to style lovers all over the world. So it’s only natural to want the latest make-up styles that keep you up with the times and trends.

On the web and even on our phones we can order products instantly or read beauty blogs of all sorts to help educate us on style, fashion and what’s new in cosmetics and in skin care. To stay updated with your skin care and make-up our blog Probeautysecrets.com is a great way to learn new facts on skin care and the latest make-up techniques for each season. What more could a modern women want?

Fast-forward to technology, and Therougecosmetics.com offers you everything you need for your fall beauty wardrobe. Experience the high-tech future of online shopping that is simple, fast, and updated for your convenience.

ALL EYES ON YOU

Eyes need all the attention this season. Matte eye colors are a big hit this Fall. They glide on silky-smooth making the eyes look dreamy and youthful. Add a bold-eye-liner for more impact. This season it is all about modern neutrals – less is more with stylish minimalism that will make every woman look fabulous no matter the occasion. Be creative and have fun this fall with endless custom looks from sheer to dramatic neutral tones.

You’re So Cheeky
The key to this season’s cheek shades is that they are rosier than ever. You are seeing bright rose shimmers to dusty rose tones all over the runways. A flush of color is youthful and will make your skin look effortlessly healthy and glowing. Indulge your skin with shimmering shades of rose, soft rose plums and rose-peach blushers. You glo girl!

Let’s Give Them Something to Talk A-POUT
Now is the time to load up on the shine! This fall, ultra shiny lips are in and will give you the perfect finish for that perfect pout. Choose colors that are loaded with rich deep boysenberry tones. Or slip into something a little more subtle with peptide lip glosses. They stay on and feel ultra smooth and satiny giving your lips much-needed, deep hydration.
It doesn’t get any silkier than this.

At The Rouge they are offering fall updates to get you ready for the season! They will help show you new styles and new trends in make-up and current advances in skin care. The mini make-up updates start September 15 through October 25. Start this season off with great beauty trends and styles to make you look youthful glowing and beautiful. Come see what they can do for you and what is new at The Rouge!

Expand Your Circle

August 6, 2010 by Eric Johnson

In his groundbreaking self-help book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey claims that one of the key elements of habit number one (being proactive) is to focus on what he describes as one’s “Circle of Influence,” as opposed to one’s “Circle of Concern.”

He explains that, “Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their Circle of Influence to increase.” He then goes on to describe a person who focuses their attention on their Circle of Concern: “Reactive people, on the other hand, focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern. They focus on the weakness of other people, the problems in the environment, and circumstances over which they have no control. Their focus results in blaming and accusing attitudes, reactive language, and increased feelings of victimization. The negative energy generated by that focus, combined with neglect in areas they could do something about, causes their Circle of Influence to shrink.”

I am of the opinion that one of the best ways to work within and enlarge one’s Circle of Influence is to donate time to a worthy cause, and that one of the best places to find these is through a local church. Now before you jump on me for suggesting it, let’s forget about the “church” label for a moment and consider what resources that just one local church, New Life in Alamo (see their ad on page 23), offer to those seeking to positively change (help) their world through their own “Circle of Influence.”

First, they support the San Francisco City Academy (see “Miracle on Jones Street,” by Clint Ladine). For 11 years the City Academy has been providing educational opportunities for the underserved children of the Tenderloin District. These kids are being taking from a path of gangs, violence, and prison, and set on a new path of opportunity, healthy relationships and success. This program, which receives no support from the City or government, provides an education, hot meals, after-school opportunities, and basic medical services for these children.

New Life Church supports a number of other effective programs that directly impact lives in important, even life-saving, ways. Through New Life, your Circle of Influence can include helping the homeless in San Francisco’s Tenderloin through the San Francisco Rescue Mission, or teenagers in Oakland and San Jose through a youth drug treatment program called Teen Challenge. You can even expand your “Circle” to positively impact the lives of people in other parts of the world, like in Mexico through a program called Open Arms, where impoverished children are provided hot meals, an education and most importantly the experience of God’s love through people who care.

Want to be a “highly successful person?” Then focus on the things you can really do something about—focus on your Circle of Influence. And an easy way to do that is to be involved in your local church.

Pizza – An American Staple

August 6, 2010 by Michael Copeland

By-in-large, and by that I mean a large sausage, black olives and mushroom on thin crust, American’s love pizza. Pizza has become an American staple similar to bottled water, mobile phones, coffee drinks, and GPS devices. American’s spend approximately $39.8 billion on fresh and frozen pizza each year. From the chain pizza parlors such as Round Table, Pizza Hut, Straw Hat, Little Caesars, Garlex, New York, Godfather’s, Domino’s, Z Pizza and Papa John’s to the higher-end pizza establishments such as Amici’s, Ascona’s, Skipolini’s, Gay 90’s, Zachary’s and California Pizza Kitchen, pizza is everywhere. Costco even sells pizza for gosh sakes. Every supermarket in the country carries a full line of frozen pizza including Totino’s, Red Baron, DiGiorno, Freschetta’s, Healthy Choice and Stouffer’s. Pizza is big business and I for one contribute to the great pizza economy every chance that I get.

Based on rough calculations, I have determined that in my lifetime I have consumed approximately 3.2 tons of pizza. If you lined up every pizza I’ve eaten side-by-side, you could create a walking bridge from Danville to Australia. If you balled up the equivalent of just the dough and cheese base from these subject pizzas, scientists and engineers might have a reasonable cap for the BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Needless to say, I, like a majority of the American public, love pizza. My mouth waters just thinking about a piping hot pie made of a rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, a perfectly baked crust, the right combination of garlic and herbs and a collection of delectable toppings. Whether you like a traditional cheese or pepperoni or a unique combination such as Canadian bacon and pineapple, thick or thin crust, cheese in the dough or one that’s glutton-free, the beauty of pizza is that you can get it made-to-order. If the government really wanted to reduce our country’s growing deficit they would get into the pizza business. The tips alone could fund national parks system.

Thanks for my friends at Wikipedia, it was learned that pizza dates back to the 16th century, where in Naples, Italy it was flatbread covered in a white sauce. Pizza was considered a dish for poor people and not thought of as a kitchen recipe. It was kept warm in copper cylindrical drums with false bottoms packed with charcoal from the ovens and sold on the street. Pizza made its appearance in the United States with the arrival of Italian immigrants in the late 1800’s where it was sold at neighborhood cafés and grocery stores in Italian-American communities. The location of the first U.S. pizzeria is disputable, but it was believed to be in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. An entire pizza sold for $0.05. The modern pizza industry was born when troops who had fought in Italy during World War II returned home with a new appreciation of the delicious treasure they had discovered. Pizzeria Uno, in Chicago, opened in late 1943.

Personally, my relationship with pizza dates back to my toddler years. I was often served Gerber’s Creamed Pizza baby food from a jar. I just couldn’t get enough strained pepperoni and pureed bell peppers, but I never did acquire a taste for the beer flavored formula. As a child growing up in rural Mountain View, Round Table was one of the first local pizza parlors in our area and a trip to that wonderfully edible paradise was better than any meal my mother slaved hours over. Sorry mom. To watch the minimum wage pizza cooks work their craft of spinning a wad of dough in the air was magical. Especially when I would drop a quarter in the jukebox and play the song Dream Weaver by Gary Wright and fantasize about one day being a minimum wage pizza man. When we didn’t eat in we would bring our pizza home on a square piece of brown cardboard covered with tin foil – that was long before the elaborate pizza boxes of today. Monday nights during the fall were a special “pizza time” at our house. My family would all sit around the huge 17-inch black and white television screen to watch an important football game between powerhouses like the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Colts, Houston Oilers and St. Louis Cardinals. Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford and Dandy Don Meredith would broadcast the action while we eat our triangular slices of heaven off a stand-up TV tray while guzzling RC Cola. Those were good times.

By the time I got to high school, and then on through college, pizza became as much a social networking medium as it was a meal. Pizza was our Facebook. Back in the olden days, people actually met face-to-face to talk and find out about each other. Pizza was an affordable, delectable, plentiful food source used to nutritionally enhance a group gatherings or an inaugural romantic interlude (aka, first date). You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know if you locate a pizza joint anywhere close to a high school or college you’ll probably be printing money assuming the pizza you cook up doesn’t taste awful. Come to think of it, we even frequented the awful tasting pizza places too if they had a large screen television programmed to a sporting event and cold/cheep beer.

Today, as a mature adult and responsible father, I still consume pizza approximately 2.5-15.75 times during any given month. Pizza is an easy dinner decision after a long week of work. Pizza is a logical meal choice to serve at a birthday parties or when the kids have friends over to the house. Pizza is too convenient to not pick-up following a mid-week school function and how many times do we grab a pizza on the way home during a typical suburban weekend day spent racing around the greater Tri-Valley attending a variety of sporting events such as little league baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse, swim or track. It’s not documented anywhere, but my rough guess is that my family has celebrated 132 youth sports season ending parties at one local pizza parlor or another around the Town of Danville. If a simple slice equaled a share of restaurant stock, I would be the controlling partner of both Garlex Pizza and Primo’s by now.

It’s funny how reliable we can become upon something like pizza. Sadly, I can admit that I’ve eaten cold pizza for breakfast, heated up pizza for lunch and gone out for pizza for dinner…..all in one day. Added to the traditional pizza options, there are a quandary of pizza type products such as, pizza pockets, pizza rolls, pizza bagels, pizza flavored Doritos and Jamba Juice’s new pizza flavored smoothie. OK, I’m kidding about the smoothie, but obviously the pizza industry continue to thrive and for good reason. Pizza has become an American staple.

Embracing Change: Moving Forward and Trusting Life

August 6, 2010 by Trina Swerdlow

If you’re like many of us, you’d love to experience more control in your life—more control of your health, more control of your income, and more control of the health and wellbeing of your loved ones. Yes, our Wish Lists for wanting to be “more in control” could most likely go on for pages and pages…right?

For this reason, in my Danville office, I’ve posted a copy of the Serenity Prayer that was originally written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. It reads:

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

This popular prayer reminds us to embrace the serenity that results from knowing the difference between what we DO have the power to control and change—and what we DON’T have the power to control and change. Focusing our energies in areas of our lives where we DO have power offers us great opportunities.

Meanwhile, gaining more control in our lives, while we embrace change…requires trust. Trust that, if we keep moving forward we won’t step into a hole that causes us to trip and fall. Or that, if we do trip and fall…that we will be able to stand back up, dust ourselves off, regain our bearings, gather positive resources/tools, and proceed forward once again (hopefully with lessons learned and wisdom gleaned).

So, thinking about your own life, how willing are you to trust yourself today as you embrace change and move forward? Are you able to move forward with an open heart…knowing we each experience many joys and sorrows in our lives?

As I share about this topic, I am reminded of the article I wrote in my September 2009 ALIVE column. In this article, I was acknowledging the loss of a local restaurant in the heart of downtown Pleasant Hill, The Left Bank. When it was in business, I frequented this restaurant to eat a meal, after which I’d sit for a bit, while writing my ALIVE column. The restaurant became one of my environmental “Creative Muses.” And, after it closed…I missed it.

While many local businesses and jobs have dropped away during these tough economic times, I used The Left Bank example in my past article to explore the various stages of the grief process. They are:

Shock/Denial/Numbness
Fear/Anger/Depression
Understanding/Acceptance/Moving On

In my private practice, I remind clients that it’s normal and healthy to go through the three stages of recovery—no matter if the loss is small or large. The greater our loss, however, the higher the intensity we’ll feel during each stage of the recovery process. Consequently, the greater losses require more time for us to move from one stage to another—and it’s not a straight shot; moving back and forth between the stages is healthy, too.

Moving on now, I am happy to report that as I write this article today, I’m sitting in the recently opened restaurant that was formerly The Left Bank. The exciting new eatery is—Jack’s Restaurant & Bar (60 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill). Three Clayton-raised brothers own the restaurant: John, Dave and Chris Marcovici. The restaurant is named after Dave’s little son.

After finishing my delicious Jack’s House Salad (and a nummy Butterscotch Crème Brûlée for dessert), I’m happy to say that I’m moving forward to embrace this current opportunity to trust life and gratefully enjoy this moment. While my writing is flowing in this lovely new environment, I remind myself that I can keep my fond memories of “the old,” while opening to new experiences available to me from “the new.”

Of course the principle of trusting life, opening your heart again, and moving forward—doesn’t simply apply to bonding to a new local business. This principle applies to moving forward after a variety of life’s disappointments, losses, and heartbreaks. After all, courageously saying “yes” to life is a sign that even after a cold, harsh winter we still possess the ability to deepen our roots, sprout new leaves, open our blossoms…and receive the glorious warmth of the sun.

Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author of the 2-CD Set, Weight Loss: Powerful & Easy-to-Use Tools for Releasing Excess Weight. She is also the author of Stress Reduction Journal: Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health. Her CDs and her book are available from John Muir Women’s Health Center online store: www.womenshealthcenterstore.com/books1.html.
Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com. To receive her free newsletter, “Trina’s Transformational Tips for Mindful Living,” sign-up at her site: www.TrinaSwerdlow.com (Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.)
Photo by Susan Wood, www.SusanWoodPhotography.com

Miracle on Jones Street

August 6, 2010 by Clint Ladine

In one of the most drug traffic areas in the world, a miracle is taking place. Right in the middle of the Tenderloin in San Francisco, where drugs are traded openly on almost every street corner, a school is being built to save the kids.

I want you to imagine a young girl walking to school. Picture her weaving in and out of drug dealers, and prostitutes. Imagine her having to step over homeless people, coming to intersections where all four corners are covered with liquor stores. Picture her not being able to make eye contact for fear of being hurt or harassed.

What I’ve just described to you is not a scene from a movie set, or a figment of my imagination. It’s the reality for 3,500 students each and every day in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. The fact is that if no one steps in and helps, it will get worse. The exciting news is that there is hope.

There is a school in the heart of this dark place, committed to helping make sure that these kids have a firm foundation for a life that includes hope and a future. The San Francisco City Academy is that beacon of light in the inner city of San Francisco. For 11 years the City Academy has been providing excellent educational opportunities for the underserved children of the Tenderloin District. These kids are being taking from a path of gangs, violence, and prison, and set on a new path towards educational opportunities, healthy relationships and success.

Johnny tells the story of how the San Francisco City Academy changed his life.

“At an early age I witnessed my dad die from an overdose of drugs. My mom and I suffered after that, finding ourselves in and out of the shelter system. Every morning we would have to leave the shelter at 6:00am and wander the streets for two hours until school started at 8:00am. It was a terrible time for us, and I found myself wondering every night where I would sleep. I found myself with a broken heart and no love on the inside. I was really struggling in school, fighting, and cursing a lot. Then one day my mom took me to the academy and my life hasn’t been the same since. I now know there is a God that loves me, there are people that care for me, and I’m doing well in school. I now have the dream to go to college and become a professional football player. If it wasn’t for the San Francisco City Academy I don’t know where I’d be.”

Currently, a new building is being built to educate 350 more “Johnnys.” This place will continue on a legacy of giving a hand up to those who most deserve it—our children. Right now you can sponsor someone like Johnny. For $38 a month you can help provide a great education, hot meals, after-school opportunities, and basic medical services for one of these children. We need help; we have no support from the City or government to fund our school. We need a miracle to complete this school. Our goal is to make sure that this new building is filled with children who need hope. Would you be one of those 350 Sponsors? For more information please contact: City Impact, 230 Jones St., SF, CA 94102. Phone: 415.292.1770 or email: Clintladine.sf911@yahoo.com

Trendy Eats: VESU

August 6, 2010 by Marissa Sullivan Anthony Bisagno

Situated on the corner of Locust and Cypress in downtown Walnut Creek, VESU restaurant is a treat for taste and sight. The name VESU is derived from both owners’ last names; Christopher VElez and Melisa SUitos. This very tight knit family run business is co-managed by Jon Sloane and Jeff Suitos. VESU’s management strives to take the best care possible of their clientele. They achieve this by having an owner or manager on site and circulating through the space. They have also successfully hired a very competent and capable bar and wait staff.

From the street VESU stands out among more traditional facades in downtown Walnut Creek. The sleek wood paneling on VESU’s exterior is a welcome touch of modernity and draws passer-bys into the modern bar at VESU. With a flat screen TV and over-sized sliding glass windows, guests enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle outside but still reap the benefits of the warm summer breeze. We recommend taking in the sights and sipping on one of VESU’s signature cocktails. The “Blue Velvet” made with vodka, fresh blueberries, lemon, sugar and velvet falernum is refreshing and delicious. Another favorite of ours is the “Hot Lips” made with tequila, ginger, lime, sugar, cilantro, and Fresno chile. We think its best described as similar to a spicy margarita.

Modern and elegant, VESU’s dining room is spacious and appointed with well selected artwork and dining furniture. Abstract paintings hang gallery style and are actually for sale. The stunning walnut barrel rolled ceiling is just one of the many contemporary touches throughout the restaurant’s décor. We also liked the ambient lighting provided by rustic filament pendant lamps which hang above tables. The back dining room features a reclaimed wood table with a live edge- lending a casual but sophisticated look to the private dining space—perfect for that cool elegant party you have been meaning to throw.

This globally diverse, small plate menu is the brainchild of Executive Chef Robert Sapirman and is one of a kind. Here he shows off his enthusiasm for local, farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients keeping VESU’s global footprint as small as possible.

Kicking off our dining experience was the country line farms wild arugula salad; this unexpected treat incorporated almonds, a poached egg atop the fresh arugula finished off with a light but incredibly flavorful vidalia onion dressing.

If you go into VESU and don’t try the Colombian “arepas” griddle cakes you are doing yourself a serious disservice. This braised pork dish has amazing flavors of citrus on the pork and a poblano pudding; while it is not a spicy topping it does pack a powerful flavor punch. The 38 north chicken drums were also delicious, getting their name from a farm 38 miles North of Golden Gate Bridge demonstrating VESU’s commitment to incorporating local and organic ingredients into their delicious offering. Other stand-out small plates include the caramel-glazed pork ribs with kim chee (which is a lovely mix of white vinegar, ginger, garlic, chili paste and cabbage), the Ahi Tartare with sancho berries, chili oil and nori and lastly, the Carne Asada with crispy sopes and cheese.

Moving onto the Entrees: We highly recommend the free-range chicken breast. This particular dish comes with purple potato gnocchi and rose lane farms rainbow chard. VESU’s Char-Crusted grass fed flat iron steak served with delta asparagus, butterball potatoes, and sauce béarnaise is delectable in both taste and presentation and should not be missed!

In our experience ordering several of the small plates and a few entrees was more than enough food for two. If you are dining in for the first time we think it’s helpful to ask your server for guidance. The staff at VESU is well versed on the menu and can provide insight on their diverse offering. We are very excited about this new addition to downtown and cannot wait to visit again soon. With their delicious, inventive and exciting menu, modern bar, and tasteful dining room, VESU is committed to delivering an experience that is unique and memorable. Whether you come in for dinner, or for a cocktail you are sure to enjoy.

The Rockefeller Secret, Part 3

August 6, 2010 by Ron Kardashian

Secrets to wealth and health you have got to know!

The resounding question is still the most important! What are we going to do RIGHT NOW with my life?

Over the past 3 months we have been dissecting the secrets to one of the wealthiest, most successful person of all time: John D. Rockefeller.

It is important in life that we DO NOT make temporary decisions that end up costing us a lifetime. Mr. Rockefeller was a learned man; one who thought through his endeavors. John D. Rockefeller was a dreamer and visionary who told others exactly what he wanted out of life. You are no different!

I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can’t find anybody who can tell me what they want.” ~ Mark Twain   ”A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” ~ Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Secret 3- Tenacity backed by skill set!
Mr. Rockefeller knew he had to be bold, but educated. In today’s world people often want something for nothing. We all get that way from time to time. Once you realize that with great success comes a great price – your attitude changes. Tenancy backed by humility ensure tremendous results. It instills within the core of the human soul a preference for human life. Its goes against the “I will run you over mentality” that fast paced societies seem to advocate. I am not condoning that anyone be a “pushover.” I’m going deeper than that. Speaking to intellectually savvy people who have a genuine demeanor to respect other people—not because they are rich or poor, but because they are alive! The spirit of willingness is the ‘Nitty Gritty” success molecule that everyone wants, but which most are not willing to pay for. Successful people are willing to do things that most people will never do. Why? They are just plain old “not willing.”

I am coaching a man who was willing to ask a venture capital firm for 20 million dollars. He has no proof his concept is a “sure deal,” or that it would even succeed, yet he was willing to take a chance backed by his tenancy and skill set, even if it meant losing it all. Going after your dream is attainable. The key is to be knowledgeable of that you’re doing and tenacious in getting there, all the while allowing humility to season you so that you’re not misconstrued or taken over as one who is filled with greed and will do anything to get what you want at any cost. This type of human being will eventually meet his or her maker and have to show their true face.

This month I would like for you to take a “value inventory” of your life. What are your values? Are you willing to drop your pride and say, “Could there be some things in my life that I don’t know?” That’s a willing attitude that always yields success.

One final note. We are now offering LIFE COACHING for TEENS. With the increase of teen suicide, my heart has been deeply moved. We are offering 50% off Life Coaching for teens done either in Group sessions over the phone or One-On-One. Your Teenager can call from their cell phones sitting at a park. My philosophy is that if we can save one life- we have already saved many. Lastly, I am starting a Teen Suicide prevention tour to all the Jr. Highs and High Schools. Let your superintendent know that Ron Kardashian has a message of hope and life for your kids and would like to come and speak for only 30 minutes. (Faculty training to follow). For more information please call us @ 1 888-918- HEAL. Or email me at info@kardashian.tv

Used by permission only – Taken from the book; “The 30 Solution.”

Ron Kardashian

Ron Kardashian is a life coach, fitness expert, educator, conference speaker, author, national television and radio personality, and NSCA-certified strength and conditioning coach. Kardashian was one of America’s first life coaches. In 1994, he founded Kardashian Life Coaching & Personal Training and has since inspired hundreds to reach their full physical, mental and spiritual potential.

Kardashian has been twice nominated as Personal Trainer of the Year. He has been an honored speaker for the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Considered a “coach’s coach,” he has empowered executives to operate at peak performance; personally, professionally, and most important , spiritually.

Ron also heads a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation that is relentless in its efforts of bringing optimal health to people of all walks of life. This organization’s mission is to fight obesity and related diseases on a global scale. Across the globe, Kardashian’s unique approach has garnered amazing results, making him a powerful, voice of change for professional athletes, CEOs, political leaders, and clergymen of every age, religion, and creed. Ron lives in California with his beautiful wife, Tia, and two children.

For an appointment or bookings you can reach Ron at: info@kardashian.tv, or call 888.918.HEAL. Visit Ron’s website at www.kardashian.tv.

Stop the Inflammation = Stop the Pain

August 6, 2010 by Dr. Niele Maimone

When you got out of bed this morning, were you pain-free? Or did your hips and knees ache? Did your hands ache as you brushed your teeth? Many of my patients dismiss these kinds of aches and pains, thinking they’re just normal signs of aging. The pain that you feel is your body’s way of telling you that it’s irritated and needs your help.

Joint pain and inflammation: Most forms of joint pain involve some kind of inflammation—either local or systemic. When injured, a chain of events in your immune system known as the inflammatory cascade is triggered. This is what causes the redness, swelling and pain we often see with an acute injury. When this process, known as local or acute inflammation, turns on and then off in response to injury it’s a sign of a healthy immune system. Yet when the symptoms of inflammation don’t disappear, it tells us that your immune system is unable to turn itself off when it should leading to a state of chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is associated with a range of health conditions and degenerative diseases, including asthma, allergies, skin problems, insulin resistance, type II Diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, auto immune disorders, and arthritis to name a few.

What causes chronic inflammation?

Blood Sugar Issues: A diet high in simple carbs, skipping meals or waiting too long between meals can cause insulin surges that, longterm, create a pro-inflammatory environment in the body.

Digestive Issues: Stress, poor food quality, drug and antibiotic use break down the digestive barrier allowing large particulate matter to seep into the blood stream causing a cascade of inflammation resulting in pain and allergies.

Hormone Imbalance: Changing levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol all play a role in age-related inflammation.

Toxic Stress: There are chemicals in our air, food, personal care items, home products and work environments that burden our detox pathways causing inflammation.

Psychological Stress: Chronic activation of the “fight or flight” response over stimulates the endocrine system leading to an inflammatory state.

How do I know if I have chronic inflammation? We can test the blood for inflammatory markers, such as CRP (C-reactive protein) to determine whether patients are likely to develop inflammatory conditions.

Many conventional doctors aren’t sure how to treat elevated levels and end up avoiding these tests altogether. In our practice we recommend dietary changes, nutritional supplementation and physical modalities that can moderate these inflammatory markers.

How do I begin to heal my pain and inflammation?

Adopt a healthy diet rich in natural anti-inflammatories. Eat small meals often and choose a diet of richly colored fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Explore natural therapies. Class IV Laser pain relief naturally breaks the inflammatory cycle and releases endorphins (natural pain killers). Natural Medicine, Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Massage Therapy also can be useful in natural pain reduction.

Heal digestive issues. By repairing the digestive tract, nutrients are properly absorbed and inflammation is relieved.

Rid your body of its toxic load with a detox diet. Removing toxic stress reverses inflammation.

Reduce stress. Exercise, meditation, therapy, yoga, prayer – there are so many ways you can relieve stress and lower inflammation markers in your blood. The beauty of stress reduction is that it’s never a waste of time—it serves you on every possible level.

You certainly don’t have to live your life in pain. With some effort and time to heal, you will be doing the things you love and feeling like yourself again.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA has been active in natural health & wellness for 10 years. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

California Sons in Retirement (SIRs) Part 2

August 6, 2010 by Harry Hubinger

Second of a four-part series dealing with retirement.

Rob, our fictional hero, becomes bored after six months of retirement and begins to hunt around for stimulation. He meets a SIR (Sons in Retirement) group on the golf course and is invited to their next meeting.

Even when he awoke that morning, Rob wasn’t sure if he would attend the SIR meeting he had been invited to. Certainly after meeting a few SIRs on the putting green at the golf course and hearing about the organization, he felt like going with the flow. But now, as the time neared he wasn’t so sure. He’d looked at the SIR web site and couldn’t find a reason not to go. He had selected a branch website near to where he lived and liked the list of activities they had available for members. But, even so, he wasn’t a joiner and hated to go to meetings where he didn’t know anyone.

‘Are you going to that thing you talked to me about?” his wife asked. “Maybe, maybe not. Not sure.” he replied.

“Well if you don’t go you’ll need to find something around here for lunch. This is my card day, and I won’t be around.”

That settled it. Another homemade tuna lunch all alone was not what he had in mind. “Guess I’ll go.”

When he walked into the big hall and saw over a hundred guys milling around, he hesitated. But before he could turn and run he was grabbed by a couple of guys with “Greeter” badges on. Before he knew it he was part of the melee.

Actually things went quite well for Rob. He didn’t mind the opening with the pledge of allegiance, as he had always been a patriotic guy – or the brief prayer. The short business meeting really consisted of a litany of all the activities these guys were involved in. He heard golf which was one of his favorites, poker which he loved but didn’t do anymore, bridge which he would participate in, morning walks, eating out, trips both local and international – and on and on. Frankly he was floored by the variety and found himself caught up in the possibilities.

The lunch was acceptable and reasonably priced, and the people he sat with seemed likeable. The after-lunch speaker was humorous and short and did educate him on a little bit of local politics.

Someone handed him an application and made a low-key pitch on joining. He was in and out in a couple of hours, and overall it wasn’t that bad. Later that afternoon his wife quizzed him on the lunch.

He found himself caught up in the prospects of joining the golf group which played a different local course each week.

“Why not?” he thought. This looked like the ideal situation for him. There was “no pressure,” and it had all the activities he loved plus a lot more. He could go to a couple of meetings, see how they golf and other activities went, and then either keep going or quit. Better yet, there was no fee for joining. The only requirement was that he attend at least four or five meetings per year and pay for his lunch.

Rob filled out the application and sent it along.

Next month: Rob gets involved and boredom goes out the window.

The Goonies

August 5, 2010 by Carolyn Hastings

I was recently visiting family in Oregon and the buzz was on. Since 1985, the Steven Spielberg produced movie The Goonies has thrived as an enduring cult classic. Yes, it was 25 years ago that Spielberg put Astoria, Oregon on the map by filming this endearing movie on their beaches and in their sea caves.

In the movie, a group of misfit boys calling themselves the Goonies are lamenting the loss of their homes to a greedy developer to expand his golf course. With the foreclosure at hand and their eminent separation, they do what any group of young American boys would do, they go treasure hunting. There were tales aplenty of a map so they started by looking, where else, but in the attic where they thought they just might begin their adventure.

The Goonies didn’t miss a trick; it had crooks, bats, cobwebs, skeletons, a lovable monster, an underground grotto, and a treasure hidden by some of the most considerate, clue-loving pirates who ever lived. Spielberg knew how to put you on the edge of your seat, even 25 years ago.

The movie begins with an assortment of engaging boys, including a smart kid, a kid with braces, a chunky kid (called Chunk), an older brother and an Asian kid whose clothing conceals numerous inventions. Along the way they pick up a couple of girls, whose function is to swap spit and get bats in their hair. With the old treasure map from the attic, they blunder into the hideout of a desperate gang of criminals, two brothers and a mama ‘from you know where’. The third brother is the lovable monster I mentioned. The tunnels to the treasure begin under their hideout. The kids find the tunnels while fleeing from the bad guys, and then go looking for the treasure with the crooks on their tail. There are lots of special effects and among the set pieces are the same kinds of booby traps that Indiana Jones survived in Raiders (falling boulders, sharp spikes), and a toboggan ride on a water chute that will remind you of the runaway train in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

When I decided to take a second look at The Goonies I mentioned it to my thirty something kids. Whew, faster than a speeding bullet the DVD’s came out. Not the VHS that I might have had leftover from the 80’s but the new cut…the cult that never died.

Many of the kids that were in this movie went on to be stars. Josh Brolin got his start right here in The Goonies. Corey Feldman, Sean Astin and Kerri Green were just some of the young actors who rounded out this talented ensemble. The Cyndi Lauper scene is worth the cost of the rental!

You may be wondering, “Did they have a reunion”? Why just like the Thomas-Hastings clan heading to Oregon for their family room, yes they did and I hear that you might keep an eye out for the Broadway adaptation in the next couple of years.

Rent it and find out why, Goonies Never Die! Once again, I invite your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com. Visit my archived movie reviews at www.CarolynHastings.com.