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I’ve learned to write 2015 on my checks. The cymbidium orchid in my patio is covered with blooms. After a month of sensible eating, the December weight gain is now a distant memory. We’ve finally had some rain; and occasionally I catch a whiff of spring in the air. I say it’s time to get this New Year started.

Valentine’s Day comes at a time when everyone needs a little pick-me-up. We’ve had enough of the January doldrums. It’s time for a bit of romance…even if it involves no more than one simple act of kindness.

No sweetheart? No problem. Just about anyone—including you—deserves to feel special on Valentine’s Day. There are plenty of ways to do this. You can pass out greeting cards, just like you did in second grade. Flowers are another easy out—and you will find gorgeous, just-picked bouquets at the farmers’ market at rock-bottom prices. And then there are gifts of food. This holiday is already heavily laden with chocolate; and believe it or not, some people don’t even like it that much.Why not celebrate the season with a culinary quickie? It’s Valentine’s Day. Live a little!

No doubt strawberries will probably get sweeter and cheaper as the season progresses; but for now–after months of eating apples and citrus–I simply cannot resist them. Strawberries are a sign that spring is on its way. And you can rest assured the flavor of locally grown strawberries will surpass that of any shipped here from another hemisphere.

Spice up your day with this whimsical take on chips-and-salsa for dessert, or enjoy itas a snack while snuggled up on the sofa watching your favorite chick flick. Strawberry salsa is equally good spooned over ice cream or slices of angel food or pound cake. Omit the jalapeno if you must; or add a couple of peeled and chopped kiwi fruit for variation. It’s all good.

Strawberry-Mint Salsa with Cinnamon-Spiced Tortilla Chips

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons local honey
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 jalapeño or serrano chile pepper
2 pints farm-fresh strawberries (about 1 pound total), hulled and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons thinly sliced or chopped fresh mint leaves
Cinnamon-Spiced Tortilla Chips (recipe follows) or Cinnamon Pita Chips

1. In a large bowl, mix together the lime juice, honey, and salt.

2. Wearing rubber gloves, remove the stem, seeds, and ribs from the chile and chop finely. Add to the lime mixture; then gently stir in the strawberries and mint to combine. Serve at once, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Makes about 2 cups.

Cinnamon-Spiced Tortilla Chips

6 (7-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) melted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Stack the tortillas on top of each other and cut into 6 pie-shaped wedges. (Alternatively, cut the tortillas into strips or irregularly shaped, elongated triangles.)

2. Lay the tortilla wedges flat in a single layer on 1 or more parchment- or foil-lined baking sheets. Lightly brush each wedge with butter.

3. In a small bowl, mix the sugar with the cinnamon until well blended. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the tortillas and bake until crisp, 10 to 12minutes. Let cool completely. Serve at once, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.To serve, have each guest spoon salsa onto a chip. Makes 36 chips.

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Strawberry Savvy

–A shiny berry is a fresh berry. Once picked, strawberries lose their natural sheen in a matter of days.

–Fresh green caps, intense perfume, and vibrant, uniform color are other qualities to look for in strawberries. Avoid those “white shoulders” that mean the berries were picked before their prime. And when it comes to strawberries, bigger is not always better!

–When stored properly, farm-fresh strawberries last 1 week or longer in the refrigerator. (Oh yes they do.) Here’s the secret: Line a plastic container with a paper towel to absorb moisture. Gently pile in the unwashed strawberries with their green caps intact. Top with another paper towel, seal with an airtight lid, and refrigerate.

–Never rinse strawberries or remove their green caps until just before using. Rinsing berries removes their naturally protective outer layer; and their caps prevent water from soaking into the strawberries, diluting the flavor and altering their texture.

–To clean strawberries, place them in a colander or large sieve and rinse quickly under a gentle spray of cold water. Pat dry with towels; then remove the green caps, if desired.

–To hull strawberries (i.e., remove the green caps), use the sharp tip of a paring knife; the pointed end of a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler; or a strawberry huller—an inexpensive tweezer-like gadget available at most cookware shops. This removes not only the leafy green cap, but also the tough little white core beneath it.

–1 cup of halved raw strawberries weighs in at around 49 calories. They are a good source of vitamin C, and also contain potassium, iron, and folic acid.

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.com. 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

The 2016 general election will be here before we know it. Potential presidential candidates are well along at lining up, forming exploratory committees and organizing their fund raising machines. It is still too early to determine who the front runners will be, at least in terms of the Republicans, but on the Democrat side, if Hillary decides to run she will no doubt be the anointed one.

Regardless of who is elected, there are a few very serious, top-tier issues that we must deal with, if we want safety and security for our citizens, any real hope for relative peace in the world, and more prosperity for all Americans.

The first issue is our economic strength. We must put the brakes on our ever-mounting national debt. We need courageous leaders in office who will take a stand in order to begin to turn the tide. A good place to start would be on proposals of more spending in Washington. We should simply re-employ the old saying from the Reagan era’s war on drugs, and “Just Say No!”

The other issue is our national defense and international relations. In case you weren’t paying attention, several warning shot have been fired across our bow. One was the attack on our embassy in Libya, where our ambassador and three American heroes were murdered. Another was North Korea holding our freedoms and economy hostage for a time over a ridiculous Hollywood movie.

We have porous borders, as our Senators tell us there are “sleeper cells” of terrorists on our soil now, and that it’s not a matter of if, but when we will be hit again. Seriously? Is being prepared for certain disaster the best we can do? We need to be pro-active, and to again refer to the Reagan era, our international posture must be one of peace through strength. But as we’ve grown weaker and more detached, our would-be enemies have become bolder, more active, and more vicious.

And when we hear reports of atrocities occurring in other nations, like 276 school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram and sold into slavery, or of young boys, literally being crucified by ISIS for playing soccer, is it really “not our problem?” When we hear things like this, the two phrases that really rattle my cage are: “We’ll have no boots on the ground,” and, “We can no longer be the policemen of the world.” Whatever happened to taking a stand on what’s right? Whatever happened to defending the innocent? Today we are on pretty thin ice as a world power. Lately, I’d say our leadership is about where it was just before Hilter marched across Europe.

If America is to retain any standing of global leadership, we need a true leader as President; someone with a backbone, skill, insight and the courage to do what must be done at the appropriate time—which is any time of our choosing, not in reaction to others.

Some advice to any candidate that wants to win the presidency: Be the kind of leader I just described, and the American people will rally to your cause.

Q. I love Horseradish, the hotter the better so I would like to grow my own. How does one buy and grow Horseradish?

A. Horseradish is a rugged, cold-hardy perennial herb. It’s an evergreen that thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade and can take almost any type of soil except those consistently waterlogged. It’s available at garden centers during the winter months as plants or root divisions. You may also find it in the early spring in containers. Horseradish is not available from seed. Horseradish is an aggressive grower so you must select an out of the way location to keep it under control. The planting hole should be one foot wide and as deep as your shovel. The native soil is generously amendment with any of the blended soil conditioners or homemade compost. The roots can become twisted and malformed in heavy clay soil much like carrots. You’ll be harvesting its roots for its pungent flavor. Next, hold the root upright and backfill until all but the tip or crown is covered. A starter fertilizer is sprinkled over the top of the plant and you water. A two-inch layer of mulch is added after the rainy season concludes. One plant is usually plenty for a family. If you need more, space the plants thirty inches apart.

Your first harvest occurs the following spring, as soon as the new growth begins to forms. In our mild climate, this works better than harvesting in the late fall as is recommended in other climates. Besides, when harvesting in the spring you avoid the hassle of over wintering the root cuttings. The first year roots are the most pungent.

The most common issue gardeners face with horseradish is not how to grow it but how to keep it from growing where they don’t want it. Horseradish spreads vigorously once it’s established so again you should select an out of the way site. To control its spread, harvest all the roots, including its branches, then replant only the number of roots you desire as plants for next year. You would save the longest root(s) for replanting and use the rest for your homemade horseradish dishes. The best method of preventing horseradish from getting out of control is to grow it in a large container or in a bottomless, container placed into the garden soil. It’s also the recommended method in small gardens. This keeps the horseradish in check, allows for good drainage and makes harvesting the roots a snap. The dirt is washed and or scrubbed off the roots and they’re dried before being stored. Horseradish roots will keep in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator for three months or even longer if enclosed in a perforated plastic bag. And finally, whatever you do, don’t till the ground containing horseradish roots or place the roots in your compost pile. You run the risk of spreading the plant all over your garden.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional. His web address is www.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 beauty clock starts ticking at thirty. Things can go south very fast if you don’t start taking care of your skin. If you are thirty or over, now is the time to change your skin care regime from a department or drug store brand to an advanced skin care line, preferably from an Aesthetician.

With proper care, you can have fabulous skin in your forties, fifties, sixties and beyond. These promises are not based on my assumptions or observations alone, they have been proven by anti-aging cosmeceutical experts.

1. Serums. DMAE is positively one of the supreme ingredients to include in your everyday skin care ritual, because of the wonders it does for the skin. When this unusual nutrient complex is applied topically, not only does it work quickly—within minutes of application—it also continues to firm the skin over time. And it couldn’t be safer; it’s considered a food-grade substance, so you could actually eat it.

2. Cleansers. Using harsh alkali soaps and acne cleansers, can cause the surface of the skin to breakdown and bring about damage to the protective barrier, leaving it dry and vulnerable to disease. Using sensitive and mild cleansers that are rich in nutrients gently washes away debris and make-up without drying, at the same time nurturing the skin so that it continues to look, feel and act young and healthy.

3. Toners. While cleansing the skin daily, using a toner after cleansing is essential in taking care of your skin and keeping it smooth and healthy. Using a cotton pad with toner will take away excess make-up and oils and improve the surface of the skin. A toner with Peptides, Vitamin C, with a PH balance will benefit the complexion greatly and the skin will function with maximum benefits.

4. Moisturize. By age thirty you will see the effects of sun damage and loss of skin tone. Uneven skin tone, blotchiness and dark pigmentation are all signs of pre-mature aging. Skin starts thinning at thirty and takes longer to repair itself, than in your twenties. Stop using detergent-based moisturizers and switch to a scientifically advanced moisturizer with antioxidants and peptides, as these will help protect the epidermis from losing firmness and prevent sagging.

5. Eye Care. The eye area is the most stressed out area on the face. This delicate area cannot handle stress, allergies, alcohol, severe weather or sunshine. Eyes swell from allergies, alcohol consumption and stress. What you might not know is that when swelling occurs, toxins are left in the area and cause havoc underneath the skin. If not pampered early and correctly and given the utmost care, eyes will sag, look years older, and wrinkle fast. Eyes are the first to go when aging starts. Using a nonirritant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and a de-puffer eye cream specifically for the eye area is recommended.

Facts about Skin Over 30. The skin’s oil glands reduce their production significantly after age 30, and the loss continues over the years. Regardless of your skin type, the bottom line is this: A little care can go a long way. For most people, a skin care program that emphasizes advanced scientific proven products can help heal the skin from the inside out and maximize the good qualities of your complexion by improving color, clarity, and smoothness, while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Exploring Class IV Laser pain relief for injuries and post-surgical healing

In 2004, Align Healing Center began using laser therapy to help patients relieve their muscle, joint and nerve pain. Due to the near miraculous results that laser can provide to a sprain, strain or chronic pain, our patients began to ask “what else can laser help heal?” Wondering the same thing, we began to branch out and use laser on any and all injuries and wounds that our patients were presented with. We have literally watched the healing process occur right before our very eyes. Swelling reduces within minutes, severe bruises dissipate with no visible sign within a day or two and surgical wounds become painless, with minimal scarring and redness.

We have had patients that have had knee surgery and hip replacements, shoulder surgery, spinal surgery, breast augmentation and reconstruction, rhinoplasty, face-lifts and c-sections that heal in a fraction of the time typical without the use of laser therapy. If you are intending on having surgery or have a stubborn injury that has taken longer to heal than you would have expected it is worth your while to explore the benefits of Class IV K-Laser therapy.

How Laser Therapy Speeds Tissue Healing
Injuries and surgery cause tissue damage and inflammation which reduces the circulation to the injured tissue thereby impeding the nutrition and energy available to the damaged area. Laser therapy is the application of low levels of laser light to areas of the body that have been injured or damaged.

Therapeutic lasers do not cut or burn, but instead, supply energy to the body in the form of photons of light. Light is transmitted through the skin’s layers (the dermis, epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue under the skin). The wavelength of the Class IV Laser allows these photons to travel deep into the body up to 8-9 inches. When laser light penetrates into the body, it stimulates damaged cells to start producing ATP. ATP is the “fuel” or energy source that all cells need to function and repair. When damaged cells have the energy they need to function properly they can immediately start the repair process. Laser therapy accelerates the healing of injured areas, decreases inflammation, and eliminates pain allowing patients to quickly return to normal activities.

How long does it take to work?
95% of our patients notice improvement after the very first treatment. However, some conditions may take a few treatments to respond. Each laser treatment is cumulative, meaning that each successive treatment builds on the previous. The doctors at Align personally work with you each visit to ensure that you are progressing as quickly as possible.

For more information about how laser therapy may be helpful to you contact Align Healing Center to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Niele Maimone (925)362-8283. Visit us on the web at www.AlignHealingCenter.com.

In my book, WHY? The Question That Could Save Your Life, some of the many factors faced by those practicing alternative medicine are explained. I have been treating TMD, temporomandibular dysfunction, some call it TMJ, for over 35 years. Over those years I have found that by not using drugs, but by changing lifestyles and diets, the results are infinitely more rewarding.

When I began this practice, dentistry placed almost all of the blame for TMD on the teeth and spent multiple appointments studying the occlusion and “correcting” it. There was some work on reducing stress and learning what drugs could be prescribed to lessen symptoms, but little or no time was spent studying the whole patient.

I have had patients referred to me that were taking as many as 25 different prescriptive drugs and were worse off than ever. For patients such as these, I refer them to a professor of pharmacology who reviews the medicines and often finds several to be interfering with one another, and others given only to counteract the side effects of another. In one case a woman in her 60s was on 25 medications. It took us over two years to get her off several of the medications. Upon completion of her treatment, she looked at least ten years younger and returned to a vital, active lifestyle.

Though this number of medications for one person is not the norm, I do regularly see patients with five to eight prescriptions, many of which could have been avoided. In some cases these drugs can be responsible for side effects that can take months or even years to repair. Just yesterday, a new patient related that his doctor told him that his x-rays revealed he had arthritis, but not to be concerned. It’s just part of aging and there are medications that can help a lot.

This is where I become frustrated! Many drugs can be avoided with diet and lifestyle changes. When I treat a patient, I consider the whole person, I don’t just give them a mail order “night guard” and send them on their way. One of the challenges that I face when discussing diet or habit changes is that “it’s too hard to do.” The poisons found in processed foods are going to guarantee misery in the future. The medical and the pharmaceutical industry have them convinced they can make up for their abuse with an easy-to-take, little pill.

In my book I use the example of Dickens’s, “A Christmas Carol,” changing the ghost into ‘The Ghost of a Bad Diet Future.’ Have you ever wondered why some elder people are bedridden while other people the same age and even older, are still working, enjoying golf, travelling and their grandkids? With that in mind, what is harder; living a shorter life with a miserable end, or eating healthy food and getting exercise?

Often the anti-inflammatory drugs used for arthritis and many other types of inflammation can be replaced with an anti-inflammatory diet, which not only takes away the inflammation, but supplies the body with nutrients that prevent other serious diseases, aids in faster healing, and prevents dementia.

It’s no surprise that the majority of woman (and men) who seek out skin care treatments are hoping to retain or get back their youthful appearance. Tighter skin, smaller pores and a delicate, soft feel are all qualities that anti-aging skin care treatments can provide. What kind of treatments, you may be wondering? Well, let’s have a little chat about some of them.

There are various skin care treatments available at Healing Hands that are specifically developed to tackle aging and knowing what is right for you is incredibly important. One of our most popular treatments is microdermabrasion. The treatment itself is quick and easy, it’s sort of shocking how much it accomplishes! It helps remove the outer layer of your skin in a non-aggressive and virtually painless manner. I’ve had it done numerous times and the best way to describe it is like scratching an itch you didn’t know you have – it’s actually quite satisfying! This is essentially a great type of exfoliation that leaves your skin looking softer and brighter.

We also like to recommend LED red light therapy, which is a treatment that does more than assist in anti-aging goals. LED red light therapy is most commonly known to help reduce the signs of aging, specifically, wrinkles. The red light helps promote collagen and elasticity in the skin, bringing out a more youthful glow and appearance overall. This treatment is also very quick and easy; you basically just relax for a short time while the red light does its magic!

Those are just two of the treatments we offer at Healing Hands and both require no downtime after completion. We are always happy to answer questions and provide advice regarding our treatments, so feel free to give us a call. We also offer monthly specials that often include the above treatments at a heavily discounted rate, so book your appointments soon because our treatment times fill up quickly!

As I’ve mentioned before, a regular skin care routine is imperative to maintaining healthy skin, but you’ve got to do a little more if you want to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines. Alongside your daily routine (which should include SPF), using different products specifically for anti-aging is always a safe bet. To be safe, I always recommend working with your esthetician in figuring out the best game plan for your skin, since trying to get that science down alone can be tricky and sometimes frustrating, and, if you don’t have the right type or combination of products, your skin can react in not-so-desirable ways. Your best chance at avoiding that is to heed my advice and speak with a skin care professional, and remember, we’re always happy to answer questions, here.

So what are you waiting for? Let us help you turn back the clocks!