July 2015

Wow Pow Sockem’ Rockem! I thought I was looking for a needle in a haystack when I starting looking for a movie to review this time. I wanted something fun and entertaining for summer but I also wanted something patriotic in celebration of Independence Day. Something, well not Independence Day, which I love but had already reviewed.

I am so sorry to admit that I had never met my new favorite superhero, Captain America. What a man—95 years old and doesn’t look a day over 30! Somehow you don’t feel like a cougar if they really are 95.

I enjoyed this movie immensely. The ultimate good vs evil flick with the suspense of sorting out who the good guys are was amazingly entertaining.

Being a Marvel Comic novice, I decided I was way overdue for a short history lesson on superheroes. Our boy, Steve Rogers was born to Irish Catholic immigrants on July 4, 1920. Raised on duty, honor and humility, when World War II was heating up and with both parents dead, undersized Steve tries to enlist in the military. He was rejected as 4F but was recruited by Operation Re-Birth, a top-secret performance enhancing experiment. With the help of Super Soldier Serum, Captain America is still alive today and fighting the fight for right.

Captain America Winter Soldier is the second of the current generation of Capt films and was released in 2014. The First Avenger was released in 2011 and Captain America Civil War will be released next year (I’ll be in line). There were also earlier versions released in 1944, 1979 and 1990. I still can’t believe I missed all of these.

The special effects on this film were absolutely amazing. Car chases, bombs going off, guys jumping off aircraft in flight or crashing through windows all made for some tense moments, but all great fun.

The cast is stellar. Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers, Captain America. His female counterpart is Scarlett Johansson. Samuel L. Jackson is pretty awesome as Nick Fury and Robert Redford (now he does look 95 but in a good way) plays Alexander Pierce. Other notables in this $260 Million blockbuster are Anthony Mackie and Sabastian Stan.

Disney has put together a complicated political thriller in comic book form and I am duly impressed. While all the action is happening you don’t think much beyond wanting the good guys to win. The problem is, you don’t really know the good guys from the bad guys until the end. For me, it doesn’t get any better than spending a couple of hours watching our American values defended and the Marvel-ous Captain America does that so well.

So, try to pull yourself away from all the politics going on right now with the campaigning heating up. Instead, why don’t you sit your kids or their kids down in front of that Big Screen TV with a Big Bowl of Popcorn and spend some time bonding over some values that are worth pondering. True American Ideals courtesy of Captain America! Let me know if you plan to join me in line in 2016 by emailing me at chastings@rockcliff.com.

From time-to-time I find myself going to, or through, Pittsburg. Either on the way to float the day away on the Delta, take in some incredible golf and even on occasion, to visit my sister-in-law. I am often stricken with the thought on the way home, “damn I’m hungry.”

Finally, I have found a spot that not only welcomes, but offers a culinary experience—a spotless and warm, lamp-lit, wooden environment, with a price point that is far lower than the product.

This is one of those rare instances where I had a pre-existing relationship with the owner, and he knew I was there to (hopefully) write about his restaurant. He is Chef Jourdan of Chef J’s Pizza Shack, and I am as bowled over by his food as I am by his story.

Jourdan deSanctis is a baker by trade. He went as far as planting a small vineyard in his front yard to harvest the yeast from the grapes in which to create a “starter” that can not be duplicated or matched. After some time renting space in various kitchens, he and his long time friend from culinary school, Chef Dennis O’Shia, knew they needed to bring this bread to the next level. Oddly enough it was the Irish sounding heritage that suggested pizza to the Italian, and the idea of Chef J’s was born.

In February of this year a corner spot on Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg opened up, and Jourdan leapt at the opportunity. While the restaurant is still an infant, they have made great strides in making their visions a reality. There is a large menu painted on the wall like a chalkboard, advertising the six different pies they have by the slice, ½, ¾ , or (largest in town) 20” pie! Currently there is a “secret” menu that houses available veggie options and other goodies (and by “secret,” I mean painted on a different wall above the expo kitchen). But these are just the modest beginnings.

Both chefs are already expanding the menu to include Farmers Salads, Grillin’ It Food, Munchies (apps) and expanded pizza choices. As long as they don’t mess with the dessert options that are already there, I will be fine.

Not only are the food options growing, but also their space. Soon they will take over a small store-front in the same shopping center to have as a full functioning kitchen for their ridiculous bread and catering. Oh yeah, they cater too! Everything from small backyard get togethers to whole roasted pigs! The day I was there, they were prepping for the Chamber of Commerce Mixer and asked if I would mind trying the six-cheese mac-n-cheese with toasted panko…MIND? A little of me feels like I cheated on my wife, it was that good!

The pizza is East Coast style, and that suits me well, but their dough is so out-of-this-world light and airy that the toppings seem to be cooked on top of a cloud.

As always, I look for service. I was treated like family despite my pre-existing relationship, because so was everybody else. Veronica Flores was working the counter and the floor, and I swear to you, this girl was smiling when she cleaned the computer screen. I am sorry that I didn’t get a chance to meet the rest of their/my family!

The Chefs are joined in this venture by Jon Fink, ex Head Chef of Piattis and Hilarie Hsu who heads up the catering and sales, and when I asked Jourdan what the big picture plans were, I nearly jumped out of my seat when he said they were tying to expand to our side of the hill. This is a power team that can make that happen, but until then, I’ll be stopping there every time I’m in Pittsburg!

2227 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg, Ca. 94565
(925) 431-0530

Dear HSSS,
My boyfriend and I broke up a couple of months ago. It’s probably for the best because we’re both going away to college, but I’m really having trouble getting over it, and I cry all the time. Sometimes I wonder if I’m ever going to feel happy again. Help!
Heartbroken in Danville

He Said: Of course you’ll feel happy again! Just remember you broke up for a reason, and I’m sure it wasn’t just because you’re going off to different colleges. Everyone’s been in your shoes and it’s not until you feel this punched-in-the-gut feeling that you realize what love and emotions are truly all about. It’s okay to cry your heart out, but just make sure you get it all out over summer and start fresh at your new school next fall. You’ll meet more boys than you can imagine in college, and I’m sure this time next year you’ll barely remember your ex.

She Said: If this is your first break-up, then welcome to the human race. You know you’re really alive when this happens the first time, and let me assure you, what you’re feeling is universal. It feels like you’re going to die, doesn’t it? But you won’t. You’re right that this was probably inevitable, given where you are in life, but I’m sure you were looking forward to your last summer together. My advice is to give yourself appropriate grieving time, then call your friends, make plans, distract yourself, meet new people, do whatever it is you have to do to move forward. You will be happy again, but it takes time.

Dear HSSS,
My son did not get in to any colleges he applied to, so he’s decided to take a gap year and gain some work experience rather than go to the local JC. It’s so frustrating when well-meaning people ask him where he’s going to school in the fall. We need a snappy come-back.
Catherine, Walnut Creek

She Said: The best way to ask this question, for the well-meaning folks who are interested in what’s next, would be for them to ask your son what his plans are now that he’s graduated from high school. But people are programmed to think everyone’s going to college right off the bat, so forgive them. Rather than snappy, I’d try the enlightened route. “John” has decided to enroll in the school of life for a year and defer his education to next year when he’ll have a little more experience under his belt and money in his pocket. We’ll keep you posted.

He Said: There’s nothing wrong with giving a straight answer to that question. You or your son shouldn’t be embarrassed that he’s not going off to college as long as he has some kind of plan. What are his plans after his “gap year?” Once he knows this, he can answer anyone who asks with confidence. However, last I checked, it’s not any easier to get into a university after taking a year off school. If he really does plan on going to college, make sure you stay on him and remind him of his long term goals. Life doesn’t get any easier going into the workforce straight out of high school.

Robin Fahr is a public relations 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 The Talk Pod. Send your questions to www.AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

 

Last month I attended a very informative conference of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. In my book, Why: The Question That Could Save Your Life I spent some time exposing “evidence based treatment,” a criteria used by the medical and dental professions to validate methods of treatment. Not only can it not work, it can prevent progress.

One lecture that I attended was titled “Orofacial Neuropathic Pain: Clinical Presentation, Mechanisms, and Evidence- Based Management.” Coincidentally that day I had read an article in the New England Journal of Medicine condemning the validity of present day research. The problem with “evidence based” is you can choose some evidence and overlook other evidence that disagrees with your conclusion.

Overlooked in this case was the work of Drs. Travell and Simons. They had reported over 30 years ago on Myofacial Pain and Trigger Points. In the lecture, the new term for the same trigger point pain allowed new evidence and a new treatment protocol. Two drugs were suggested: Gabapentin and Tricyclic Antidepressants, both of which have serious side effects and only cover the symptoms, rather than fixing the cause. The old treatment was aimed at the source of the pain, muscle spasms, and could be treated without side effects using physical therapy and white laser. Occasionally, Botox may be used with very few side effects.

As more and more professionals are becoming holistic in their diagnosis and treatment planning we are returning to the realization that if the body is brought to optimal health it will heal itself. The overdependence on drugs has resulted in America achieving the honor of being ranked number one as the sickest of all developed countries; also ranked number one in money spent on healthcare. It will only get worse now that politicians are dictating medicine.

That is why I wrote my book—to assist the average person in the avoidance of the healthcare system and know what to do if you do need help. Getting the patient to change to a healthy lifestyle and develop proper eating habits will do more than drugs can ever do. The trouble is that the monster bucks are flooding your TV telling you to run to your doctor and ask about their product for your condition with a disclaimer that goes on forever and it can include death as a side effect.

Two examples of the above are an arthritis drug pushed by a famous golfer and a psoriasis drug, both with numerous side effects. Very often these diseases can be treated with dietary changes, the only side effects being that your health improves and other problems go away. Occasionally we must turn to pharmaceuticals to get us through a crisis, such as a bacterial infection or a serious accident, but the goal should be a return to optimal health, not drug dependency.

To learn more about my practice and what I do, go to aodtc.com or call 925-837-8048. Advanced Oral Diagnosis & Treatment Center is located in Danville, California.

Q. This may be a silly question but when a plant label or gardening book says full sun, does this mean that the plant needs direct sun for the whole day or will it be okay if it gets shade in the late afternoon?

 

A. No, this is a very legitimate question that’s not asked very often. Full sun is defined as any plant that requires six hours or more of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. The sun exposure is not a year round measurement but from mid March through October. Another way of thinking of this is when Day Light Saving Times is in effect. It’s also important to realize that the information on plant labels and gardening books are not tailored to your specific neighborhood. Instead, they’re designed for a region that may include several states. The USDA Hardy Map or the Sunset Western Garden Book Climate Zones are the primary resources. Shade in the late afternoon should not be a problem for sun loving plants. A ‘shade loving’ plant is any plant that requires filtered sun with less than three hour of direct sunlight per day. Full shade does not mean no sunlight. There aren’t many plants, except mushrooms, that can survive in the dark.

In addition, there is another, very broad group of plants that are listed for “sun or part shade.” These plants will need some relief from the intense late afternoon sun, either from shade provided by a nearby tree, other plantings, a building or other means. You should keep in mind that the hottest temperature of the day occurs in mid to late afternoon. There are a wide variety of microclimates in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Identical plants can tolerate afternoon sun in one location and burn up in another. For example, Azaleas require morning sun and afternoon shade in Livermore but will grow in the full day sun in Alameda. Thus, measuring the sun exposure for plants is not an exact science. This has lead to a plethora of “sun to part shade” labels that seem to dominate gardening books and plant tags. I’m surprised to see Coleus, Japanese Maples, Fibrous Begonias, Impatiens and other so-called “shade loving” plants thriving in the afternoon sun on the hottest days. The nursery professional at your favorite garden center is an excellent resource to help sort things out.

Q. Now that I’ve harvested all the fruit off my apricot, plum and cherry trees, how should I go about watering them this fall?

A. You should scale back the water on fruit trees once Labor Day has passed. A single application in September and October is sufficient. I’d stop watering all established fruit trees in November. The two exceptions are those varieties with maturing fruit and those growing in containers. Citrus is also an exemption. Although they do not show it yet, they’re in the early stages of dormancy and do not require the moisture. You should resume watering next spring after the rainy season has ended.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional. His web address is dirtgardener.com and you can send questions by email at dirtgarden@aol.com or to 360 Civic Drive Ste. ‘D’, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 94523 and on Facebook at Facebook.com/Buzz.Bertolero

The condition known as Sciatica is one of the most common conditions that we treat at Align Healing Center. Some of the typical symptoms of Sciatica are sharp pain in the low back and/or buttocks accompanied by numbness, tingling, aching or burning down the back of the leg. In severe circumstances, weakness in the leg may also be seen.

The Sciatic Nerve is large and travels down the back of the leg to the foot. The nerve is buried deep within the muscles of the buttock and leg making it difficult to treat with common physical therapy methods. The Sciatic Nerve is composed of several smaller nerves and originates from the low back. It passes under the piriformis muscle (underneath the main buttock muscles) on its way down the leg. Irritation of the Sciatic Nerve at any point along its path is commonly known as “Sciatica.”

Understanding Sciatica
Let’s talk about nerves for a moment. Nerves are the electrical wiring of the human body. They carry the signals that allow us to move, feel, digest, detoxify, respond to our environment, and so much more. Plain and simple, if the nerves do not work the body will not work. That being said, it is important to understand that unlike other tissues, the primary blood supply to nerve tissue is actually located within the nerve itself. So, if a nerve becomes impinged or compromised, so does the blood supply to the nerve. Without proper blood supply, the nerve does not receive the energy and nutrition that are needed for the nerve to heal itself.

Over time neural impingement leads to a painful chronic condition called Neuropathy. The definition of neuropathy is a disease or injury affecting nerve cells. The common symptoms of Neuropathy include sharp pain, burning, muscular weakness, numbness or tingling either at the site of the nerve injury or wherever the nerve travels. The condition known as Sciatica is a form of Neuropathy that specifically affects the Sciatic Nerve.

What can I do to relieve my Sciatica without drugs or surgery?
Since 1999 Align Healing Center has been offering many different modalities to heal Sciatica. We have found that a combination of Class IV laser therapy and spinal decompression offer outstanding results in healing stubborn Sciatica. Class IV Laser Therapy allows the practitioner to stimulate healing within the damaged tissue by delivering the necessary energy directly to the injured area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces pain and inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms and stiffness. In addition to laser therapy we implement spinal decompression to restore spinal disc health.

Decompression works by gently stretching the spine, creating a vacuum effect which can restore disc height and even reduce the severity of bulging disc conditions associated with chronic pain and neurological symptoms.

We have found laser and decompression therapy to be most beneficial for patients with pinched nerves, arthritis, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease. This unique combination of non-invasive therapy offers a chance for realizing a permanent cure. The treatment is finite and typically lasts for about a month. This eliminates the long-term care commitment forced upon patients by other symptomatic sciatica treatments. With proper care and rehabilitation of your spine and nervous system you can be back to your healthy self quickly!

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA has been active in natural health & wellness since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

Research shows that aging skin is the result of more than just years on the calendar. Exposure to environmental elements like sunlight, smoke, and air pollution causes photo aging in the skin. Not only does this lead to the formation of lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, it can lead to more serious skin conditions, including skin cancer.

A comprehensive preventive program can help prevent environmental damage as well as the onset of more serious conditions. Sunscreens with titanium Dioxide, an essential first line of defense, only block up to 55% percent of damaging free radicals that cause the breakdown of collagen and chemical reactions in skin.

Using antioxidants along with sunscreens is your best option for protection. Studies prove antioxidants effectively neutralize chemical reactions generated when the skin is exposed to environmental assaults. When used together, antioxidants and sunscreens with titanium dioxide (without parabans), provide optimal photo-protection, preventing signs of premature aging, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting skin health. Ongrien Technologies has developed a full menu of super-antioxidants formulas for all skin types, designed to provide the most advanced protection from environmental damage.

Using a perfectly balanced antioxidant provides broad range photo-protection and conquers damage at every level of the skin. A formulation including DMAE, Lipoic Acid, Esther C, and Co-enzyme is a superior combination of antioxidants known to heal and repair damaged skin. As supported by clinical studies, the addition of Esther C enhances the efficacy of Lipoic Acid for increased synergy while regulating pigment production. Combining DMAE and Co-Enzyme in this trusted antioxidant quartet also accelerates cell turnover and stimulates collagen synthesis and repairs damaged cells to boost skin’s structure for a firmer, brighter and healthier complexion.

Aging Is Optional
Until now, as proven by pharmaceutical research labs, only certain creams and serums could deliver vitamins into the skin, with the discovery of using perfectly balanced antioxidants it not only helps to turn back time but it helps reverse the signs of aging, while titanium dioxide sunscreens is ideal for future skin health and prevention.

Sunscreen Truths
Stick with a SPF 50, where sun protection tops out — anything higher is purely an advertisement. The Environmental Working Group also advises that you avoid ingredients like oxybenzone, which can enter the bloodstream or trigger allergic skin reactions, and retinyl palmitate, which may speed development of skin tumors and lesions.

The Rouge Cosmetics is offering skin care consultations all month long in July. Come in and discover what antioxidants are suitable for your skin and find out what is best in protecting your skin in the summer months ahead to reduce sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles for future skin health.