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Depending upon where and when you read this, Valentine chocolates may be lurking in the immediate vicinity. This is no crime. After six weeks of (mostly) healthy eating this New Year, everyone is entitled to a little diversion, especially in the name of romance. But one minor transgression is no reason to resume gorging like it is December again; so think twice before you take off for the mall to replenish that candy stash.

This is the ideal time of year to visit the farmers’ market, when you can take your time looking over the inventory and ask the growers for their favorite ways to prepare their products. You may be surprised to see a lot more than root vegetables out there. The February market offers plenty of natural sweetness in the form of plump dried fruits, juicy citrus, and silky-smooth local honey. Mixed with some power greens, these simple ingredients will satisfy that sweet tooth and get you right back on the healthy-eating track.

This Moroccan-inspired salad is a nourishing side dish for a grilled chicken breast, especially when paired with artisan whole-grain bread from the farmers’ market. To transform the salad into an entree, serve on a bed of cooked and cooled couscous, quinoa, or white beans; or consider adding other ingredients like coarsely crumbled California goat cheese, ripe avocado chunks, or a generous sprinkling of toasted walnuts or pistachios.

Herbed Salad with Oranges & Dates

3 Cara Cara or other navel oranges
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
Fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons California extra virgin olive oil
6 large handfuls ofmixed salad greens, such as arugula, mizuna, and baby kale or spinach
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
4 radishes, thinly sliced
About 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
About 1/4 cup small mint leaves
6 Medjool or other large dates, pitted and sliced lengthwise

1. Cut a slice off both ends of each orange so it will stand upright. Working one at a time, stand an orange on a cutting board with a reservoir to catch the juice, and, using a sharp knife, remove all the peel and white pith by slicing from top to bottom all the way around the orange, following the contour of the fruit. Repeat with the remaining oranges. Slice the peeled oranges crosswise about 1/2-inch thick, and cut the slices into quarters. Pour the accumulated orange juice into a large bowl.

2. To the same bowl, add the vinegar, honey, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a few grindings of pepper. Stir to blend. Whisk in 2 1/2 tablespoons ofthe olive oil. Add the salad greens, red onion, radishes, cilantro, and mint. Toss to lightly coat the greens. Taste, adding more salt or pepper if needed. Transfer the salad to a large shallow serving bowl or rimmed platter. Arrange the orange quarters over the top and scatter the dates over all. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, if desired. Serve at once. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Sweet Salad Savvy
–Navel oranges are an easy choice, since they are seedless. You can certainly substitute crimson-fleshed Blood oranges or any other variety you may have on hand; just be sure to remove the seeds.
–Known for their vitamin C content, oranges are also high in calcium, potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamin), folate, and fiber.
–If, like me, you still have a pomegranate or two hidden away in the produce drawer of your refrigerator, the jewel-like seeds make a delicious garnish when scattered over the top of this salad.
–Dates are thought to be the oldest cultivated fruit—dating back to ancient times–and have been growing in the California desert for more than a century. The climate there is ideal, as date palms thrive with their “feet in water and their heads in the sun.”
–About 90% of dates eaten in the United States are grown in California.
–Searching for the perfect date? The most common varieties are the lean, papery-skinned Deglet Noor, and the moist and meaty Medjool. Ask growers about the lesser-known varieties they may produce, like Halawi and Dayri. (If you’re nice, they may even give you a sample to taste.)
–Opt for dates that still contain the pit—it keeps them moist and supple.
–Tempted by those boxes of diced dates at the supermarket? Don’t waste your money. Coated with an anti-caking agent to keep them from sticking together, they are usually leathery and flavorless.
–Although you can use a small knife to pit dates, the flesh of fresh dates is easily pulled apart with your fingers, so you can simply lift out the pit.
— If you need chopped dates for a recipe, spray kitchen shears or a knife with no-stick cooking spray to make the job less sticky.
–Date arithmetic: 8 ounces pitted dates = about 1 1/2 cups chopped.
–Fresh dates can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Dried dates can be stored in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 6 months, or refrigerated for up to 1 year. Dates can also be frozen.
–California dates meet the American Heart Association’s criteria for foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are sodium-free, high in fiber and vitamins A and B6, and contain high levels of potassium, a nutrient proven to reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. Dates are also rich in invert sugars, providing the body with hours of natural energy.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad and Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.org. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well!

Q. I’ve saved some of the seeds from some wonderful tomatoes I had last year. When would it be a good time to germinate the seeds, so I can transplant them in May?

A. You should allow six to eight weeks between sowing the seed and planting in the open ground. So, I’d plan on sowing the seed in March. Before starting the process you need to ask yourself the question: Is it worth the time and effort with saved seed? The obvious answer is yes. But if you saved the seed from a hybrid variety flower or vegetable, you’re going to be disappointed with the results. Hybrid seed varieties are unpredictable in the next generation. Ace, Early Girl, Champion, Big Boy, and Beefsteak are examples of hybrid tomatoes. The next year’s plants and tomatoes will be dissimilar to their parents. Genetics is the culprit. The seed saved from open pollinated or the heirloom varieties will mirror the parent plant in the next generation. If you’re not sure what you have, google “heirloom” or “hybrid tomato varieties” and see if you locate your variety from the list. If you don’t know the name, then lower your expectations, and plant a few named varieties so the season isn’t a total loss.

Before sowing the seed, check to see if the seed is viable. Viable seed means it is capable of germinating. This is easily accomplished by pouring the seed into a glass of water or a larger receptacle. You discard the seed that floats on the surface and plant those that sink. The viable seed is dried out by spreading it over a paper towel and covering it with a second sheet. The seed is sowed into a flat of pre-moistened potting soil; moist like a wrung-out sponge. With a pen or pencil, make furrows in the soil. Sow the seed in the rows and then cover the seed with soil. The flat is then covered with plastic to trap the moisture and heat. Once the seedling starts to emerge from the soil, remove the sheeting and place the flat in an area that gets morning sun. The seedlings are then transferred to individual pots when they have two sets of true leaves. Some gardeners prefer to sow seed directly into individual pots and there is nothing wrong with that. But, I prefer the other method as it allows me to select and cultivate the most vigorous seedlings to grow on.

May is an excellent time to plant tomatoes. They’re a warm season fruit/vegetable that requires even temperatures and for fruit, the nighttime temperatures need to be over fifty-five degrees. Many gardeners are anxious and plant early. With cool, damp, weather and or below normal temperatures in March and April, the early planted tomatoes struggle. You avoid the early season struggles by planting late. In most years, the late planted tomatoes produce just as soon as the early ones without the seasonal risk.

Q. I have a five-year-old healthy lemon bush that only produces lemons on the lower branches. There are no flowers or fruit in the upper two thirds of the lemon tree. How do I get lemons on the upper portion of this plant?

A. There is an important piece of information missing in solving this puzzle and that is the varietial name of the lemon. Dwarf lemons, except for Meyer Lemon, are budded or grafted onto a rootstock, which is a different plant. So, I’m going to assume that you have a Eureka or Lisbon Lemon. The rootstock is an aggressive grower. It typically will send rapidly growing shoots or suckers throughout the canopy of the desired variety. These shoots originate from below the ground or off the main trunk or stem, below the point from where it was budded or grafted. You can see this point with the naked eye. It’s a diagonal line on the trunk. The desirable portion is a green color while the rootstock is a dull tan or brown. In addition, you’ll find some extremely long, nasty looking thorns along with leaves in groups of three and this growth produces no flowers or fruit. This growth should be removed but all too often it is left on with the slower growing desirable portion being removed instead. This is what I believe has happened with your plant. This often happens after a particularly cold winter where there is a significant amount of damage to the desirable variety. In the spring, the rootstock takes off while the top growth is slowed in responding. What I would do is examine the plant closely and separate the fruiting section from the non-bearing part. After St. Patrick’s Day, I’d prune off the fruitless section. Next, you increase the fruit bearing growth by feeding monthly with Citrus Food—and be on guard for any additional suckers.

The saga of the settlers/pioneers migrating to the “Promised Land” is replete with the tremendous hardships they endured during the five to six month journey across the Western frontier. During their long trip west they provided their own entertainment by playing, singing and dancing to familiar music. In a large wagon train there were usually a few people who could play instruments. As one can imagine, this brief interlude from the rigors of the day was a pleasant activity to look forward to each night.
“Music passed the time; it entertained and comforted; it brought back memories of home and family and it strengthened the bonds between friends and comrades and helped to forge new ones,” wrote Kenneth A. Bernard in his book, Lincoln and the Music of the Civil War.

Old Dan Tucker; The Arkansas Traveler; Oh Susanna; Buffalo Gals; Turkey In the Straw; Camp town Races; The Santa Fe Trail and Aura Lee, are just some of the songs of the Old West that were popular with the pioneers on the trail.

The music the setters brought with them in mid-19th century America had several roots. Some of it was influenced by folk music traditions of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Some western music celebrates the life of the cowboy on the western range and prairie. Many cowboy songs during this time can also be traced back to European folk songs. Other influences from the 1840s were from minstrel shows and popular music of the day. “Different brands of western Americana were absorbed in the American culture by way of sheet music,” wrote Beth E. Ledy in her book, Frontier Figures.

Frontier Instruments
The oldest and most widely used instrument by the pioneers was the “fiddle,” or Violin. For years it was the primary instrument found on the frontier. Davy Crockett, a noted character of the Old West, was not only a hero, he was also a fiddler. An interesting fact is, in order to preserve an old American tradition, Henry Ford started a fiddling contest in 1920.

The Concertina, whose modern cousin is the accordion, is an octagonal shaped instrument with a bellows and buttons on each end. It was used as a dance instrument and to accompany singing.

The Banjo has its roots in Africa. It was brought to the new world by slaves and was prominent in minstrel shows. The Harmonica, also known as a mouth organ, was a popular instrument on the plains. Because of its size it is portable and was a favorite instrument of soldiers in the Civil War. The Guitar and Mandolin were also among favorite instruments played by the settlers.

The lure of the Old West or, as it was called, the Wild West, was enticing to the people who were trying to carve out a better life and future for their family and their childrens’ families. People rarely, if ever, set out on their own to cross the vast expanse. Rather, they became part of an organized group that was led by an experienced wagon master who had previously made the trek.

The primary mode of transportation was a wagon called a “Prairie Schooner.” It was pulled by mules or oxen. Oxen were preferred as they were stronger than mules or horses and were easier to handle and train; also their diets were not as fussy as the mules and horses demanded.

Interestingly, people did not ride in the wagons, they walked. The wagons had a ten-foot long bed that was only four-foot wide. It was full of food and supplies for the long journey. On an average day they would travel ten to fifteen miles. When the terrain was good, maybe twenty miles, and when it was bad, perhaps only eight miles.

Hazards and dangers were constantly dealt with almost every day. Present almost daily was rough terrain, rain, mud, rattle snakes, rivers to cross and wild animals, to name a few.

This long, exhaustive and hazardous trek fulfilled the vision and idealism of Manifest Destiny. Many, of course, didn’t make it. There were deaths along the way and loved ones were buried by the trail. If the trail got so rough and was hard to maneuver properly, household items were thrown out of the wagons to lighten the load. It is said that the trails west were strewn with hundreds of objects discarded by the
pioneers.

There were many facets of the arduous journey they were about to undertake. They endured many hardships during the hazardous trek across the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Among the few pleasures they had was their musical entertainment when they set up camp at the end of the day.

Music of the Plains Indians
Music lies at the heart of Indian culture. Both secular and sacred music was common to the Plains Indians. A prominent and important part of Indian customs was powwow meetings where mainly secular music was used.

Sacred music was used for giving thanks for life itself. Sacred music is characterized by various sizes of drums; large ones for powwows and smaller ones for personal use. In both sacred and secular music, the drum must be heard by all participants because it is the most important sound in the music.

Music has many functions in the life of the Plains Indian, according to J. Bryan Burton of Westchester University. He lists the uses as: Religious; healing; work songs; game songs; courtship; story telling; hunting; growing crops; war chants and dances.

The music is of a high, intense vocal style and is nasal in sound. It has a melodic pattern that descends and also has rhythmic drumming. “Traditional Indian music usually begins with slow and steady beats that grow gradually faster and more emphatic,” writes Charlotte Heth in the Grand Encyclopedia of World Music. “Various flourishes like drum and rattle tremolos, shouts and accented patterns add variety and signal changes in performance for singers and dances.”

Plains Indians Instruments
The main instruments, and certainly the most prominent of the Indians instruments, are Drums. The sound of the drums relates to the heartbeat of the earth. The drums usually had a rawhide head on one or both sides and were often used in conjunction with the voice.

The Whistle was the primary melodic instrument often made from reeds, river cane, wood or bone. It was used to call to the spirits. Rattles were made from many sources, including shells, wood bark, deer hooves, animal horns, and hide. The Courting flute, was played by men to court the women. It was used also as a solo instrument.

Contemporary Indian music continues to evolve with influence from Rock, Country and Jazz.

For more fascinating information on the Western Pioneers and Native Americans, take a step back in time and take the family to visit the Blackhawk Museum’s “Spirit of the Old West” exhibition. You’ll see a collection of Native American and Western Artifacts that will fascinate and educate visitors of all ages. Check their website BlackhawkMuseum.org or call 925-736-2277 for hours and information. Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

Dear SSHS,
I’ve been dating my guy for nearly four years now and really think it’s time we moved the relationship forward. Any ideas on how I might politely let him know that this Valentine’s Day I’d love a ring instead of roses?                                                                      – Cupid’s Victim, Dublin, CA

She Said: You sound very direct—I’m sure he knows! Guys don’t like to be pushed on this stuff, so if you’ve dropped a few hints, let it go and see what happens. But here’s an idea: It’s Leap Year, which means we get a February 29. It’s tradition that on that day, the woman gets to ask the man to marry her. If there isn’t a little something gold peeking out from under the cherry cordial this Valentine’s Day, you’ve got two weeks to come up with your own proposal. I say, quit waiting and go for it!

He Said: A guy should never be coerced into making a proposal; he either wants to marry you or he doesn’t. Think about it, do you really want a guy to pop the question just because YOU are ready to say “yes?” It should be much more organic than that and happen because this is a big step that you both are ready for. That’s not to say that some guys don’t need a kick in the pants every now and then. Like Robin said, give him a chance to see if he makes his move this Valentine’s Day, otherwise you should just take matters into your own hands and see if it gets you the desired result.

Dear HSSS,
I own a couple of cars including a nice 4-wheel drive SUV that’s great for the snow. A friend has asked if she can borrow my SUV to go up to Tahoe for a few days. I’m happy to lend people a cup of sugar or a few bucks, but is this “favor” asking a bit much?                 -Wanting to be neighborly, but… Orinda, CA

He Said: There are favors and then there are FAVORS. Asking someone for a ride to the store is a favor, borrowing someone’s car for a vacation is a FAVOR. In this situation, it all depends on how much you trust your friend and how much you like your car. When you lend out a car, you’re far too liable for what someone else might do with it. My recommendation is you say “no” and you let them know you don’t lend out valuables such as your car. I’ve lent out cars in the past and almost always regretted it because the car always came back in a different condition than I lent it in. This is what rental car companies are for.

She Said: Shawn’s points are all good, but I’m sure you feel bad about saying “no,” otherwise you wouldn’t be asking. I would say yes to family and super close friends. But if they drive a jalopy and have a reputation for being a bad driver, I’d say no, regardless. And if they ask why, you simply point to their car and shrug. Now, if your friend drives a really cute sports car, and you’d like to suggest a trade, well then I think we have a solution.

Robin Fahr is a communications specialist and co-host with Shawn Shizzo on Conversations and He Said/She Said seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30 and online at trivalleytv.org. You can also catch He Said/She Said on TheTalkPod.com. Send your questions to AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
If you don’t get this right
We’ll question your IQ… Emotional IQ that is!

Almost every man has a woman in his life. You may be thinking, not me, I don’t have a wife, not even a girlfriend. That may be true, but there are few men who don’t have a mother, a daughter or a sister. And before you think…that’s different; I’d venture to say that women are women whether they’re five, fifteen or fifty. We are born princesses and in the deep recesses of our hearts that never changes.

That’s where the emotional IQ comes in. Women are emotional and let’s face it, Valentine’s Day, as we know it, was created for women. So, this article is going to be somewhat of a “Romance for Dummies,” (nothing personal, guys).

I was just eating lunch at the counter of a tiny café I dearly love. Oops, I’m showing my feminine side, men don’t “dearly love” counters in diners. A friend came in and we were chatting and talking about the article I’m writing. She said she loves the old black and white movies, while I prefer the 90s—same movies, different eras. So, Rule One: You have to know the lady. If she’s five, you’ll be viewing Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast this Valentine’s Day. If you are lucky enough to be married to my lunch counter friend, you’ll probably be looking for An Affair to Remember.

I am a huge Nora Ephron (1941-2012) fan. She was amazing. She brought us films such as When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle. These are some of my all-time favorites. She also brought us Julie and Julia and the acclaimed Silkwood.

As you can see, she comes from a rather illustrious circle. Her mother and father were stage and screen writing team Henry and Phoebe Ephron who wrote Three’s a Family, Take Her She’s Mine, There’s No Business Like Show Business, Desk Set and last but certainly not least Carousel. Nora’s sisters wrote and she had three husbands, Dan Greenburg, a novelist, the Pulitzer prize winning Carl Bernstein, an investigative journalist, and Nicholas Pileggi, a crime journalist and screen writer. Rounding out the literary circle are her sisters and sons.

Back to our list of romances. Of course, you can’t leave out An Officer and a Gentleman. Then we have Patrick Swayze in the movie that was just waiting for him, Dirty Dancing. I think I must have bought him a new Ferrari with my ticket sales alone. Then there was the rags to riches (kind of) Pretty Woman. Richard Gere and Julia Roberts had an almost tangible chemistry that oozed into Runaway Bride as well.

Okay, are you guys ready to throw up or run yet? I’d like to go with anything Sandra Bullock and oh, yes, I re-watched Raising Helen with Kate Hudson over the weekend. She’s a wild child who becomes guardian of her sister’s three children. She lives in NYC, so she puts them in a Christian school. The pastor/principle is single, John Corbettand after trying to kiss her and her cringing, he has a really great one liner: “I’m sexy; a sexy man of God and I know who I am.” Okay, sappy but you have to watch the movie. It works.

So, men (on Valentine’s Day you’re not just guys) you can either make a touchdown or fumble the ball. The ball is in your hands, but if you plan on a cozy night in front of the fire you might want to purchase the movie or reserve it. Remember, the roses, champagne and chocolates are just part of the entertainment. If you pick the right movie, you might get by with microwave popcorn and Milkduds!

As always, I love your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

And so it is February—the month of Saint Valentine—when we think about the person we love most. It’s also a good time to reflect upon the very notion of love beyond its romantic form and expression, as the solitary force that transcends time.

Anyone who has lost a loved one knows what I mean—you never stop loving someone, even thoughthey’ve moved on from what is their physical period or phase within eternity. As it has been said, “We are not physical beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a physical experience.”

This past December, my uncle, Stephen Corso—my “Uncle Steve”—passed away. He was ninety-four but still as sharp as a tack. I have written about him in the past; about the impact he had on my life and all the wonderful memories I have of him and my aunt and cousins.

At his memorial service, I was touched by how his daughter, grandson and great grandsons spoke about him; all obviously feeling the heartache of loss, while sharing how deeply they were touched by this man—my Uncle Steve—acknowledging the impact he had on their lives. In hearing their testimonials, I vividly recalled many of those fond memories of which he was a central figure.

Just a few days before he passed, I was fortunate in that I was able to spend some time with him. We both knew that it was likely to be the last time we would see each other in this life, so we agreed to drop any pretense of the inevitable. I asked him if he wanted to pray, and he nodded and whispered “yes.” We prayed and shared a few words. I then left, with what was to be one last, warm memory.

It’s something to think about in this month when the focus is on “love.” As we pass through this plane of physical existence, we cannot help but touch others with our actions and words. And if we choose to empower those words and actions with the one force we possess that transcends time, we can rest in knowing that when its our turn for the next part of our journey, we’ll be leaving a well traveled, clearly marked trail for our loved-ones to follow.

As humans, investors are naturally inclined to follow tendencies dictated by psychology. We extrapolate recent events into the future, and we are scarred by prior traumas. Sometimes, the two go hand in hand. More specifically, we have gotten to expect that markets go straight up, as they have done since March 2009 – but the minute that we see any deviation from those expectations, we anticipate a market meltdown like 2008. The reality is, though, that the future doesn’t always follow such extreme examples. And indeed, “extreme” is a word that can be used to describe both the disaster of the financial crisis and the tremendous bull market that followed, both almost without parallel.

In reality, though, the market is more inclined to follow a pattern seen throughout much of history. And that is one with more volatility than we have seen in the past seven years, and one that might neither go straight up nor straight down. We must recognize the tradeoffs that dictate the fact that, with higher potential reward comes the necessity to undertake more potential risk. And risk often means losses from time to time, in a way that is neither extraordinary nor necessarily predictive of looming calamity.

Yes, there are problems in the world. However, we can instead offer a few questions for you to consider. And importantly, in order to help you answer these questions, your financial adviser has the tools you need to help you in your financial life journey.

What should you do? For our clients, a likely answer may be to simply make no changes at all, as their United Capital financial adviser may have already established the investment strategy most appropriate for them. It is important, or perhaps we might even say, imperative, that you recognize the instinct to “do something” ignores the most basic principal that we may be merely returning to an era of more “normal” volatility.

And more volatility is indeed normal. According to Ned Davis Research, stock market volatility over the last thirteen weeks through January 10this at the low end of the range of what is considered normal and typical. In fact, over the long span of time, the market experiences a decline of at least -10% once every 72 trading days on average. We haven’t experienced such a decline in a far longer period.

Might a Different Strategy Be Better for Me?
Consider discussing with your financial adviser. He or she can work with you, utilizing some of the industry’s innovative technologies to find where your portfolio should be positioned. If you do want a strategy that is designed to attempt to exit the market, or at least reduce risk exposure, during periods of substantial and sustained downturns, we do offer Tactical strategies. These are designed to help limit, but not avoid altogether, severe losses during a downturn. As we mentioned earlier, however, an increased focus on downside avoidance necessarily comes with decreased upside participation. As we at United Capital often say, “More of something often means less of something else.”

So have a conversation with your financial adviser. He or she is well equipped to help you handle market volatility. And above all else, a return to normal need not necessarily be feared.

Mr. Kelly Trevethan is a Certified Investment Management Analyst & Registered Financial Consultant. He is a Managing Director with United Capital Financial Advisers LLC, a national private wealth advisory firm with 79 offices across the nation. He can be reached at 415-418-2101. To obtain your free copy of the New York Times Bestselling book “The Money Code”, email him at Kelly.trevethan@unitedcp.com.

Disclosures
The information contained herein is intended for information only, is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities, and should not be considered investment advice.  All data herein are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however their accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. There are no investing strategies that guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Tactical Asset allocation strategy is not for every investor due to its potential higher tax liabilities.

© 2015 United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC. All Rights Reserved
www.unitedcp.com

The following is a brief review of the illness referred to as sleep apnea; its definition, causes and treatment options. There are two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea.

OSA is more common and can result from many factors including excessive weight, a large neck, small mouth, large tongue, nasal congestion, a long soft palate, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, alcohol or sedatives which relax the muscles of the airway, and smoking. OSA is more common in older males although it can even be present in children and infants.

Central sleep apnea is more associated with the brain. With OSA you cannot breathe, but with central sleep apnea you just don’t breathe. This kind of sleep apnea is usually associated with middle age, heart problems, strokes and opioid pain medication.

Snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, but the actual obstruction is often further down the airway, and the use of over the counter anti snoring appliances may prevent correction of OSA.

What are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea?
• Loud snoring usually accompanied by episodes of breathing cessation and gasping.
• Abrupt awakening mostly associated with Central Sleep Apnea
• Insomnia
• Morning headaches
• Daytime drowsiness and irritability
• Cognitive difficulties such as memory loss and problems with attention.
• Awakening with dry mouth or sore throat.
• Sleepiness when driving.
• Excessive movements during sleep.

What can happen if you don’t get help?
• Incidence of Heart Disease and Cancer increase many fold.
• 200% increase in Alzheimer’s
• Increase in fatal auto accidents.
• Increase in morbidity.
• Loss of bed partner

What can be done? There are many approaches to the treatment of sleep apnea, the most common being the CPAP. Although there have been big improvements in making the CPAP more comfortable, there remains a lack of acceptability. Surgery is occasionally used and varies from implanting a tongue controlling device, to nasal and palatal surgery or maxillofacial surgery which advances one or both jaws forward. The jaw advancement is wonderful if the patient has an underdeveloped chin. The apnea is reduced and the patient’s appearance is greatly improved.

In my practice we have experienced a very high degree of correction with dental sleep appliances. One very recent success was a wonderful 88 year young lady who suffered severe OSA. Her apneas were reduced to zero with the use of the appliance. I personally wear this appliance and enjoy the correction immensely.

Where do I start? Most treatments are covered by your insurance. At my office, the initial exam is complementary, whether or not you are treated by us, and my staff is expert at checking insurance benefits and arranging sleep tests.

It is important to no longer delay. Every day that you deprive your body of proper sleep, damage is being done. One very recent research finding revealed that unless you achieve deep sleep, which doesn’t occur with OSA, your brain cannot release toxins as well.

Advanced Oral Diagnosis & Treatment Center in Danville www.aodtc.com or 925-837-8048

One of the most common sentiments that my patients share with me is “don’t get old.” They tell me that “it’s no fun,” “it’s not for the faint of heart” and such. I completely understand this lament although I don’t know it firsthand. As a child, I daydreamed about the glamorous life of an adult. I assumed that life would be easier and less complicated once I’d finished my education and had a family and job of my own. Now I realize that was the folly of childish ignorance. The disagreeable truth is life gets more complicated and more difficult as we endure it. My personal belief has become that it’s most important to learn how to navigate and survive life’s turbulence and become a stronger, wiser, more tolerant person because of it. There will always be obstacles to overcome and there’s no shortage of physical, emotional and financial hardships that will remind us of the fragile human beings we are.

I enjoy hearing the musings of people who are more experienced than I am. I find that the sagest advice is gleaned when the person imparting the wisdom isn’t really trying to do so. Usually the lesson comes in the form of someone thinking out loud or sharing what they might think is a worthless anecdote. I have a patient who turned 82 not long ago. I remember the first day that she came into my office. She told me that she was still that same blond 24 year old on the inside although her physical appearance and capabilities no longer were. Our goal was to try to more closely align her physical being with her spiritual being by achieving better pain control. Mrs. K came to my office, for the first time in almost a year, last week. Unfortunately, she had suffered some acute illnesses requiring hospitalization, but had finally turned the corner and was doing well again. When I saw her, she was actually beaming with rosy cheeks and a big smile.

After reviewing her medical updates we chatted casually. I realized that a major positive impact on her health came from an unlikely source. The Golden State Warriors had brought her back to life. She is a season ticket holder and had not been able to attend any games until recently. She was loyally watching on TV throughout her convalescence and her only wish was for them to win on her birthday (they did).
Last week she was finally feeling well enough to again attend the Warriors game and her son escorted her there. Normally, she and her husband would go; however, having her son there made for a special memory as they bonded over a new experience together. As she told me the story, she twinkled like a young girl reminiscing about her first magical prom night. She told me how she was the only “little old lady with a cane” in the stadium, but everyone there was happy, courteous and positive. At one point she tripped as she climbed the stairs, but she never felt the ground because at once, arms were all around her holding her up and saving her from harm. Mrs. K was literally buoyed by the goodwill and harmony that was filling the Oracle Arena.

I believe that most people in the Bay area have been positively affected by the success of the Golden State Warriors. To many of us, they represent much more than a basketball team. Just when I thought that professional athletes were no longer fit to be role models, here come the Warriors! We are as proud of them for being personable, respectful and thoughtful people as we are of their near perfect record. They have become embodiment of what we can achieve as a community if we as individuals work hard in an unselfish way with a team effort. In short, they are gentlemen and leaders who exemplify what we are capable of at our very best. Whether they’ve won or lost, they have been gracious, patient and magnanimous. They help us feel young and give us hope of the possibility of a better day and a better world. The Warriors have taught us that life challenges are hard, but if we communicate with each other, give our best effort, protect each other and help each other, we can go far and further than otherwise would have been predicted.

I believe that Mrs. K’s emotional well being was affected by the “Warrior Positivity” which in turn benefited her physical well being. The more positivity you know, the more positivity you can imagine—even at 82 and despite life’s conflicts.

If you are suffering from a pinched nerve or herniated disc, you know how debilitating it is and how the pain slowly leaks the vitality from your life. Since 1999 when Align Healing Center opened its doors, we have been specialists in treating pain naturally; whether it’s back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain or any other pain, we have been there to awaken the healing potential in the body and relieve the pain.

That being said, we are always in search of miraculous new ways to relieve pain without the use of drugs, invasive procedures and certainly without inducing more pain. If you or someone you care about suffers from a pinched nerve or disc related pain, it is worthwhile to explore the exceptional, non-invasive, natural therapies that are available today.

Can I heal my pain without drugs or surgery? Yes, here’s how:

1. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a state-of-the-art treatment that has been helping thousands of patients with chronic neck or low back pain, sciatica, and herniated, bulging or degenerated discs. This is an entirely different treatment from traditional chiropractic adjustments. Many of the patients who are candidates for this procedure have already tried chiropractic, physical therapy, injections, and/or were told they would need surgery.

This breakthrough treatment works by gently separating the vertebra which decompresses the disc, thus causing the bulging material to be drawn back into the disc. It does this by reversing the internal disc pressure, thus creating a vacuum effect. According to the Journal of Neurosurgery (vol. 81, 1994), decompression was found to substantially reduce the pressure inside disc, therefore allowing water and nutrients to be absorbed and initiate the healing process within the disc itself. Non-surgical spinal decompression is very effective, has a high success rate, and can be utilized for both neck and low-back disc injuries.

2. Class IV Laser Therapy
Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser Cube Class IV Laser. Class IV Laser therapy gets to the root of the injury and treats it at the cellular level, providing energy to the cells so they can heal. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area.

This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.

There is hope!
We have found that a combination of Class IV laser therapy and spinal decompression offers outstanding results in healing stubborn pain due to a pinched nerve, bulging disc or spinal degeneration.
As a general rule, most patients experience significant changes in symptoms within one to three sessions. Occasionally, a more advanced degenerative condition or multiple level herniated discs may take 8-10 sessions before realizing a major decline in symptoms. Relief response varies according to age, body morphology and the degree of severity.

This unique combination of non-invasive therapy offers a chance for realizing a permanent cure for back or neck pain. This eliminates the long-term care commitment forced upon patients by other symptomatic back pain treatments, such as drugs, injections or surgery. With proper care and rehabilitation of your spine you can be back to your healthy self quickly!

For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC or to set up a complimentary consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.