B Well Magazine - Bakersfield Wellness Magazine February 2014

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SPECIAL

FEBRUARY 2014

MEETBAKERSFIELD'SOLYMPIC ATHLETEPAGE 22

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MEN'SHEALTHISSUE

WEIGHT-LOSS CHALLENGETWO INSPIRING PEOPLE ON THEIR JOURNEY TO “GET FIT”

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FIT FOODIESDINE TO FIND HEALTHY MENU OPTIONS

HEART CARE

HOW TOPREVENT WORKOUTINJURIESPAGE 25

· 22 HEART HEALTHY QUOTES

· DISCOVER YOUR TRUE HEART AGE

· MANAGE ACID REFLUX/HEARTBURN

Workout Moves with Matt Baker PAGE 39

WHAT DOES YOUR STACHE SAY ABOUT YOU? PAGE 26

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E BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

READERS’ CHOICE POLL

2009

THE

BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN


FAVORITE

2010

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E BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN


2009

THE

BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN


FAVORITE

2010

February 2014

“Classic cliche: Enjoying a glass of wine & a good

book in a hot bath!”

“Going on an easy trail run with my husband

or friends, or reading a good history book.”

“Working out, shopping or enjoying wine with loved ones. It depends on the mood I’m in or how tiring my day has been.”

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“Grabbing my guitar & finding a quiet place where I can play. No matter what the day has

been like, I can always find solace in my guitar’s warm sounds.”

“Pouring myself a nice glass of chilled pinot grigio, pop-

ping a bag of popcorn, & watching trashy reality

television to remind myself that my life could be worse.”

“Nothing like 18 holes of golf with my family and friends, followed by a

good glass of pinot noir.”

“With a nice glass of chardonnay or sauvignon

blanc ... or two.”

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February 2014 · bwellmagazine.com 5

A s a busy editor, on-the-go wife and mom, and avid run-ner, I find that life can be pretty challenging. Throw in efforts to eat healthy and nutritional meals on a daily basis, and that challenge doubles.

That’s why I am pretty excited about the unveiling of our new sec-tion called Fit Foodies. Here, we will feature four local individuals who are on a quest to eat right all the time, despite their busy schedules, and as part of that, they will review local healthy-fo-cused restaurants and nutritional meals you can get on the go. Our Fit Foodie contributors are Dr. Benjamin Ha, Joel Livesey, Nicola Wright and Leigh Pozas, individuals who strive for pure healthy eating for their health, fitness and soul.

This B Well edition also focuses on men’s health and heart health. We interviewed a number of men on ways they keep their heart healthy. The contributors include doctors and experts in the health and wellness industry.

Our staff would also like to invite our fans and readers to check us out live on the Live Well Show, which airs weekly Wednesdays at 10 a.m. via webcast at Bakersfield.com. The show features stories and people featured in BWell and Bakersfield Life magazines, both sister publications, and is hosted by Lisa Krch.

In addition, make sure you participate in this issue’s contest. We are asking our readers to share pictures of their favorite vacation or things they like to do for relaxation. Those who enter will be entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift card to Imbibe. The deadline to enter is March 2. See information below for more details.

From the Editor’sDesk

Olivia [email protected]

Photo ContestB Well Mag wants to see what our readers do on vacation or how you relax on your down town! Send us one of your best pictures, then tag your photo on BWell Magazine’s Facebook page along with a caption. We’ll pick one lucky winner at random to receive a $50 gift card to Imbibe Wine & Spirits. Deadline: March 2 Must be 21 years or older to enter. Only one entry per person, please. We reserve the right to remove inappropriate photos posted on our page.

Photo by Casey Christie

$50ImbibeGift Card

WIN!u


Cover Photo · Matt BakerPhotographed by April Massirio

REGULARSOUT & ABOUT10 B Connected · Healthy Bakersfield Expo, Women's Conference, good reads, Ginger benefits & more

16 Save the Date · Events happening around town

18 B Enriched · Explore new ways to get more out of life

20 Get to Know · Kevin Burton of San Joaquin Community Hospital

YOUR HEALTH30 Defying the Odds · Heart attack survivor Curtis Trigueiro

32 Health Watch · Local doctors answer 3 health questions

34 Health Apps · 9 apps to lead you to a healthier lifestyle

36 Holistic Health · Healing aches & pains naturally

36 Smart Health News · Men’s health & development facts

GET FIT38 Fab Finds · Gifts & finds for the season

39 Workout Moves · Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Matt Baker

42 Diet Diary · Meet B Well‘s Get Fit Weight-Loss Challenge candidates Brandon & Reggan

Volume 3 Issue 1 Men's Health · Heart Health Issueinsidefebruary2014

HEALTHY BITES44 Healthy Indulgence · Wok recipe

46 Fit Foodies · Nature's Market & Juice Bar

48 Calorie Count · 8 chocolates under 230 calories

50 Chew On This · Grapefruit

WELLNESS & WONDER52 Real Success Stories · Grant & Josh: Autism

56 Your Body · Fun-to-know facts about sleep

58 What Happens When · How to prepare for detoxing & cleansing

59 Life’s Questions Answered · What are the best protein powders?

60 Gardening · Growing a salsa garden

CREATING AWARENESS62 Some Kind of Wonderful · Jacob Panero of Varner Brothers

63 B the Cause · Spotlight on Bakersfield Police Activities League

LAST LOOK72 B Seen · See who’s been spotted on the local scene

78 Life & Happiness · 12 tips to living a stree-free life

07 Ed Note09 Contributors

Expert Connect Articles:19 Dr. Daniel H. Chang of

Empire Eye & Laser Center

35 Ally Senior Care

49 Achilles Prosthetics & Orthotics

55 Desired Beauty Surgical & Medical

57 Sandman Sleep Lab

46 Fit Foodies 42 Weight-Loss Challenge

39 Jiu jitsu Workout

22 Olympic Athlete25 Preventing Injuries

26 Mustaches28 Heart Health

on the cover

8 B Well Magazine · February 2014

Lucas Populin: Bakersfield's

future olympic athlete

Preventing workout injuries

Five men share their thoughts on mustaches

insidefebruary2014Sally Baker has 25 years experience as a certified personal trainer, earning her certifica-tion through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Some of Baker’s expertise includes running, marathon training, cycling and yoga. She also coaches high school cross-country, works with clients with physical limitations and manages a pool program at Total Woman Fit-ness Center. Baker is a mother of four and has run more than 25 marathons, ultras, 10K and 5K races. She contributes a monthly Fit and Fresh column in Bakersfield Life Magazine of-fering fitness advice and healthy recipes.

Dr. Rasham Sandhu joined Central Cardi-ology Medical Clinic in September 2011, where he performs deep vein thrombosis and arterial atherectomy. Sandu completed his residency in internal medicine, along with his fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. While in medical school in his native state of Punjab, Sandhu worked with the Department of Community Medicine, helping to improve practices of sanitation, pregnancy, immunization and diseases in the rural population of the Amritsar District of the Punjab region in North India.

Tim Terrio is the founder and president of Ter-rio Physical Therapy-Fitness, Inc. Since its inception in 1998, Terrio Therapy has grown from one location with one employee to 13 locations and more than 200 employees with plans for continued growth and diversifica-tion. As a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer and certified strength coach for more than 20 years, Terrio has personally assisted thousands of clients to recover function af-ter injury or surgery. An advocate of lifelong learning, Terrio has earned four college de-grees, including a doctorate in physical ther-apy and master’s in physical education with an athletic training emphasis.

RASHAM SANDHU, MD

SALLY BAKER, CPT

TIM TERRIO, CPT

ROBERT ALIMIRZAIE MATT AND JILL BAKERDHAVAL BUCH, PTIRMA CERVANTESCHEF'S CHOICE NOODLE BAR

BARRY MASSIRIO, PA-CLEIGH POZAS, PTKATHY ROBINSONJERRY TEIXEIRA

22 25 26

Thank you to our contributors:

contributors

Diana Mestmaker, owner of The Body Archi-tect, has been a leading health and fitness consultant in Kern County since 1983. With her vast experience as a fitness consultant, personal trainer and aerobics instructor, she offers safe and effective programs. She has been a guest presenter at the Kern County Library on senior fitness and has given nu-merous presentations to educators, club and church organizations, and has worked as a fitness consultant on local television sta-tions. She is certified with American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Coaching Association, and Aerobics and Fit-ness Association of America.

DIANA MESTMAKER, CPT

Men’s HealtH

FEATURES

HeartHealth ·Preventing Acid Reflux

·22 Pieces of Advice from Health Professionals & Fitness Instructors

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pg. 22

pg. 59

pg. 50

“Your legs are your wings, so walk.” — Vinod Kumar, MD, FACC, RPVI & Medical Director of The Heart Center

pg. 39


out & about b connected

CONTRIBUTED BY MIRA PATEL

Save the date! The fifth annual Healthy Bakersfield Expo presented by The Bakersfield Californian is coming. This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22 at Rabobank Theater. This free health expo is designed to educate our community about health and wellness services that are available locally. Come spend the afternoon with us and discover a healthy Bakersfield!

A variety of experts from lo-cal health care practices will be on hand to answer ques-tions about services

and programs that are avail-able at their practice.

Come learn about facial treatments and non-surgical options from Dr. Milan Shah and safe surgery tactics from Dr. Darshan Shah of Beau-tologie Cosmetic Surgery and Medspa.

Also, meet B Well’s weight-loss challenge participants, Reggan Scrivner and Brandon Thompson, along with their personal trainer Tim Gojich, owner of Fit For Life Gym. Get nutrition and fitness tips and see how both par-ticipants are doing on their journey.

To participate or for more information, please visit healthybakersfield.com.

Participating vendors include:· Neck & Back Integrative Medicine Center· Dr. Atul Aggarwal· Costco· Curves· Children’s Hospital Central California· Houchin Community Blood Bank· Ecology Action · Order of the Dragon · Anthem Blue Cross· Sleep Number Beds and Mattress · & many more!

Local sponsors for Healthy Bakersfield include:· GemCare· Beautologie · Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center

BAKERSFIELD WELCOMES BOOKHOUNDS A store that sells used books, toys, music & moviesWRITTEN BY HILLARY HAENES

When Robin Beatty’s kids were little, she rediscovered her love for children’s books. She started to take buying trips to stores in Los Angeles to complete her collections and fulfill requests from peopleto find them books. Eventu-

ally, her long lists of wanted books turned into having a makeshift bookstore in her garage.

“Mainly, I sold only children’s books to homeschoolers, neighbors and teachers. I think my ultimate dream was

always to open a children's bookstore! Well, 30 years later, here I am with Book-Hounds,” said Beatty, store owner.

Through the years, Beatty made connections with people and places that would sell her books in bulk, so she accumu-lated a very large amount and a wide variety. She decided to revisit her dream and hoped Bakersfield would have enough interest to support a used bookstore.

BookHounds opemed in a 2,400-square-foot warehouse opened in April 2013. Custom-ers can find gently used books of every genre, CDs, DVDs, vi-nyl records, audio books, video games, comic books, graphic novels, games, puzzles and small toys. Each item is hand-picked, then cleaned, priced, transported and shelved.

Approximately, 99% of ev-erything in the store is priced from $0.49 to $3.99. Beatty continues to support teachers by giving a 20% discount on children’s books, textbooks, test prep books along with toys and puzzles.

“Many of my family and friends are or have been teachers, and I know how expensive it can be to try and stock a personal classroom library,” Beatty said.

To learn more, visit book-houndsonline.com or stop by the store at 4000 Fruitvale Ave., Suite 9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.


CONTRIBUTED BY IRMA CERVANTES, BAKERSFIELD BUSINESS WOMEN’S CONFERENCE MARKETING CO-CHAIR

Those who have been to the Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference know that it’s one of the largest, most exciting and re-warding events in our community. For those who haven’t, the 2014 conference is a must. This year’s theme, “The Next 25 Years,” will not only offer a glimmer on what lies ahead for the future of this grand annual event, but it will also highlight what it has brought, and how much it has grown since its inception in 1988.

“For the past 25 years, the Bakers-field Women’s Business Confer-ence has been inspiring women to start a business, an organization, begin or change a career and meet a mentor,” said Kathryn Mears, chairwoman of this year’s confer-ence.

The 2014 conference keynote speaker will be Randi Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media and editor-in-chief of two books “Dot Complicated” and children’s book “Dot.” Randi is the sister of Facebook’s Mark Zuck-erberg. As an early executive at Facebook, Randi created and ran the social media pioneer's market-ing programs.

In addition, the conference will have more than 30 workshops and 70 businesses to market goods and services to women. The 2014 Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference will take place April 24 at the Rabobank Convention Center. Tickets will be available for purchase in February online at bakersfieldwomen.org. Sponsor-ships are also available.

Follow the conference on social media at facebook.com/Bakersfield-Women to stay up-to-date on the most recent information.

2014 BAKERSFIELD WOMEN’S BUSINESS CONFERENCE: THE NEXT 25 YEARS!



NOT ALL

ARE CREATED EQUALCONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MESTMAKER, OWNER & TRAINER

AT THE BODY ARCHITECT

Many of us have heard of carbohydrates labeled as “simple” or “complex,” but do we understand what that means? Simple carbs hit the blood system faster than complex ones, which enter the system slowly.

The Glycemic Index labels the rates at which certain carbohy-drates are released into the blood stream. It was originally devel-oped to help those with diabetes but is very useful to athletes who need to sustain their energy and others who are dieting.

Low glycemic carbs are the way to go because they assimilate at a slower rate and supply a steadier supply of energy. They alleviate hunger and prevent mood swings. Some examples of low glycemic carbohydrates include nuts, legumes, fructose, pasta (boiled 5 minutes), dairy, fruits (only plums, peaches, apples, oranges, pears, grapes and grapefruit), rice, sweet potatoes, oats, All-Bran and most vegetables, except for carrots, corn and root vegetables.

Foods with high glycemic carbs are quickly absorbed and have a high insulin response. These include sugar, honey, puffed cereals, potatoes, candy, breads, instant products, some vegetables (car-rots, corn, peas), flaked cereals and corn chips.

If an athlete eats high glycemic carbohydrates before training, it will lead to lower blood glucose, which means quicker depletion of muscle glycogen and fatigue. It will hamper fat release from fat cells, leading to a loss of the fat-burning effects from your workouts. But eating high glycemic carbs after training results in greater benefits. Consuming them 15 minutes to two hours post workout will restore the glycogen levels in the muscle. This allows the insulin levels to rise, causing the proteins, carbs and other nutrients to be shuttled to the starving muscles, thus leading to a better recovery!

“It’s All About the Bike: The Pursuit of Happiness on Two Wheels”By Robert PennHardcover, $13; Paperback, $11; Kindle, $3.50

Whether it’s to and from work or to travel and shop, author Robert Penn has ridden a bicycle almost every day of his adult life. This cyclist decided to build his dream bike, and he went to great lengths to customize his perfect two-wheeled machine. While searching for each part, Penn gives a history of cycling and how the sport has evolved.

“365 Days of Happiness: Inspirational Quotes to Live By”By MG KeefePaperback, $5.99; Kindle, $0.99

Enjoy these power-ful quotes that are guaranteed to make you laugh, smile and cry. You’ll appreciate these words on find-ing life’s pleasures and happiness.

“Bad Catholic’s Guide to Wine, Whiskey & Song: A Spirited Look at Catholic Life & Lore from the Apocalypse to Zinfandel”By John ZmirakPaperback, $7.95

The sequel to the popular “Bad Catholic’s Guide to Good Living” allows readers to see a different perspec-tive on Catholic life. This book takes a look at wines, beers and liquors made by monks from around the world and delves into Irish history. Have fun learning a few drinking songs, games and cocktail recipes.

COMPILED BY HILLARY HAENESREADING ROOM GINGER:

NATURE’S WONDER FOOD

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GINGER: NATURE’S WONDER FOOD

CONTRIBUTED BY ROBERT ALIMIRZAIE, EXECUTIVE CHEF & OPERATIONS MANAGER AT THE PETROLEUM CLUB OF BAKERSFIELD

WINTER ENERGY PACKThis energy drink, made with green apples, beets and ginger, will boost your energy and elevate your mood.-INGREDIENTS2 green apples2 large beets (red or gold)2 inches ginger root, peeled2 medium carrots, peeled3 celery stalks, cleaned1 teaspoon local raw honeyDIRECTIONSJuice all ingredients, one at a time. Serve in a tall glass.

REBOOT JUICEAfter all the hearty holiday eating, we need some system rebooting.-INGREDIENTS1 lemon2 fennel stalks with fronds2-inch piece of ginger2 cups pineapple chunks1/2 cup sunflower sprouts1 cup coconut water2 dashes turmeric1 or 2 pinches cayenne (to taste)1 teaspoon local raw honey-DIRECTIONSSqueeze the lemon into two glasses. Pass the fennel, ginger, pineapple and sprouts through the juicer and divide between the two glasses. Top off the drinks with coconut water and a sprinkling of turmeric and cayenne.

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GREEN FANATICThis one is for green juice fans. -INGREDIENTS2 carrots8 big sprigs Italian parsley2-inch piece ginger, unpeeled4 stalks kale1/4 Granny Smith apple3/4 large English cucumber1 teaspoon local raw honey -DIRECTIONSPass all ingredients through a juicer, add honey and serve in a tall glass.

GINGER SHOTChef Robert’s personal favorite.-INGREDIENTS4-inch piece ginger, unpeeled1 teaspoon fresh lemon or lime juice1 teaspoon local raw honey-DIRECTIONSPass ginger through a juicer, add lemon juice and honey, then serve in a shot glass.

As a juice fanatic, I am always looking for a new tasty blend of healthy ingredients. The ideal juice has the perfect balance of fruits and vegetables

for a tasty mix of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Here are a few recipes to make your winter and spring seasons more enjoyable.

Just a few reasons why you should be adding ginger juicing to a daily diet:- Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols, which makes it beneficial for those who have joint, muscle and nerve aches and pains.- Ginger has incredible immune-boosting, germ-fighting abilities.- Ginger aids in digestion.- Ginger eases nausea, morning sickness and motion sickness by relaxing and soothing the intestinal tract.- Ginger can help with respiratory ailments.- Ginger stimulates circulation.- Ginger is known to boost metabolism, promote weight loss and reduce the appearance of cellulite. - Ginger is a natural antihistamine and can be used to alleviate allergies.- Ginger is a potent cancer fighter.- Ginger is excellent for detoxification; it warms the body and helps promote healthy sweating.



CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE – THE SILENT KILLERCONTRIBUTED BY RASHAM SANDHU, MD

Bakersfield Heart Hospital’s Heart Health Profiler can help you to discover important information about your cardiovascular health and risk factors — those health characteristics that increase your chance of CVD.

Major risk factors you can modify, treat or control by changing your lifestyle or taking medication are: tobacco usage, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical in activity, overweight/obesity and diabetes.

Major risk factors that cannot be changed are: age (about 82% of people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older) and heredity (children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop it themselves).

How can I find out what my risk factors are?You can go to bakersfieldhearthospital.com and under the “Heart and Vascular” tab, select “What’s Your Heart Age.” You will need to know or be able to esti-mate your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels prior to using the tool. You will be asked a series of questions and at the end, you will receive a summary and full six pages of results with what your heart age is, your CVD risk estimates and your CVD risk factors (high, moderate or low risk).

CVD is disease of the heart and blood vessels that can cause a heart attack, stroke, heart failure and peripheral vascular disease, which is poor blood circulation in the legs.

{What is heart age?}Heart age is a quick way to get a good idea of your overall heart health. It compares your CVD risk against someone without any risk factors. For example, if your real age is 55, but your heart age is 65, your cardiovas-cular risk is more like a healthy 65-year-old without any risk factors. The fewer risk factors you have, the closer your heart age will be with your actual age. In fact, it may be younger!

{What are CVD risk factors?}

A cardiovascular disease risk factor is any personal characteristic that increases your chances of CVD, such as high blood pressure. The more high and moderate risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop CVD. You can work with your doctor to improve many of your risk factors

In the United States, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 cause of death. Most people who die sud-denly from CVD-related disease have no previous symptoms.

Because of this, it is important to be aware of your heart health risks.

In our County about 65 dogs are put to sleep per day. Become Part of the Solution and join the Mutt Militia!

W e are committed to changing that statistic by pulling high risk dogs from KCAC , rehabilitating and adopting them out to loving families, and giving these dogs a second chance on life.

F or more information on how you can help M arley’s M utts, visit our website and facebook to start spreading awareness.



WRITTEN BY HILLARY HAENES

To qualify for the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Fel-lowship, one must complete more than 400 hours of postdoctoral or continuing education in implant dentistry, perform more than 50 implant cases, hold associate fellow membership in the academy and pass an examination. This is what Dr. Richard “Chip” Casteen did to earn this honor, and he is now one of 272 dentists who hold this distin-guished membership.

The AAID has more than 4,300 members including general dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, peridontists and prosth-odontists. It is one of two acade-mies who credential surgeons in the science of oral implantology and oral reconstruction. The other is the American Board of Oral Implan-tology (ABOI), which is a sister or-ganization with its own test agenda. Dr. Casteen is currently studying to take its proficiency exam.

“I enjoy taking tests because they put you at risk of failure and in general, failure in underrated; you usually only learn by failing. Success rarely teaches you like failure does. So, I take tests to put myself at risk and become more knowledgeable,” said Dr. Casteen, who urges implant surgeons to become affiliated in these two organizations.

Dr. Casteen developed Capital Dental Group, which has become one of the larger practices in the state of California. He credits his four wonderful business partners and staff, many who have been with him for more than 20 years, for the practice’s success.

Dr. Casteen is an active member of the Bakersfield West Rotary and 10 to 14 days each year, he travels to Guatamala to perform surgeries. In his free time, he enjoys putting his pilot license to use flying to Santa Ynez where he lives part-time.

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LOCAL DENTIST EARNS FELLOWSHIP IN NATIONAL ACADEMY

Dr. Richard "Chip" Casteen


out & about save the date

Color Me Rad 5K Bakersfield KERN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

Saturday, February 15; 10 a.m.

A promotion of proceeds benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Bakersfield.

U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West

FOX THEATER

Sunday, February 16; 3 p.m.

Tickets are free and available at the Fox Theater Box Office or The Bakersfield Californian. Seating is first come, first serve. Doors open at 2 p.m.

Kern County Oral Language Festival

STONE CREEK JUNIOR HIGH

Sunday, February 16; 8 a.m.

Students memorize and present their interpretation of a published literary work written by a known au-thor. Presentations are 3-5 minutes in length with grades 4-6 and grades 7-8 competing separately. Catego-ries of competition are: Verse Choir, Humorous Interpretation Solo, Humorous Interpretation Duo, Seri-ous Interpretation Solo and Serious Interpretation Duo. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grapes of Wrath — 75th AnniversaryBAKERSFIELD COLLEGE NORMAN LEVAN CENTER FOR THE HUMANITIES

Thursday, February 27; 11 a.m & 7 p.m.

Rick Wartzman, author of "Obscene in the Extreme" about the banning of "The Grapes of Wrath" in Kern County, will discuss the ban.

Thin Mint 5K & 1 mile Shortbread ShuffleSOLE 2 SOUL SPORTS

Saturday, March 8; 7 a.m.

Runners and walkers who register by Feb. 24 are guaranteed an event T-shirt and goodie bag. And of course, the first 1,000 folks to regis-ter get a box of Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies. Packet pick-up and sign-up starts at 7 a.m. on race day, or stop by Sole 2 Soul Sports from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 7, 9000 Ming Ave., Suite K-1.

Furry Paws & Foggy Nights THE PETROLEUM CLUB

Friday, February 28; 6 p.m.

Fine dining, music, and silent and live auctions, 6 to 10 p.m. at the Petroleum Club. $100 per person or $750 table of 8. RSVP by Feb. 20 to 323-8353 ext. 2

Honor Music Festival

RABOBANK CONVENTION CENTER

Saturday, March 1; 7 p.m.

Hear junior high and middle school students who've earned a place in honor band, chorus and orchestra after being selected through an audition process.

Kern County History DayLARRY E. REIDER EDUCATIONAL CENTER

Saturday, March 8; 9 a.m.

History Day is an interdisciplinary program that encourages students to research and prepare papers, exhibits, posters, performances and documentaries on an annual historical theme. Students learn to be historical detectives and sharpen their skills as writers, artists and performers.

Merle Haggard FOX THEATER

Saturday, March 8; 8 p.m.

Bakersfield legend Merle Haggard performs at the Fox Theater. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets from $43.50 to $93.50 at vallitix.com.

"Dust Bowl Dreams"

CSUB DORE ARENA THEATRE

Saturday, March 15 - 16

11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, CSUB Dore Arena Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway. Written and directed by Kamala Kruszka. $5; children 12 and under are free. 654-3150.

Kern County Science Fair

RABOBANK CONVENTION CENTER

Tuesday, March 18; 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.

After months of testing their se-lected hypothesis through research and experiments elementary through high school age students offer their findings before judges in quest of medals and cash rewards. Winners have a chance to compete at the State Science Fair.

EVENTSCan't miss events from February to May 2014

SPORTS & OUTDOORS EDUCATION FOOD & DRINK KIDS THEATER & DANCE ART MUSIC

ALL THAT JAZZ (661) 324-5844 218 H STREET, BAKERSFIELD, CA

SHOES-APPAREL-TIGHTS-BAGS-GIFTS Everything your dancer could ever need or want.


Find more community events at kernevents.com or submit your event via email to [email protected]

out & about save the date

Henry Greve Speech Contest

CITY CENTRE

Thursday, March 20; 7 a.m.

Established in 1955 for 7th and 8th graders, the Henry Greve Speech Contest offers students the opportunity to present four-and-a-half to seven-minute speeches on a given topic.

Roberto Tapia

RABOBANK THEATER

Friday, March 21; 8 p.m.

Mexican star Roberto Tapia sings at Rabobank Theater at 8 p.m. Tickets from $33 to $198.

“Dreams of the San Joaquin”

BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART

Friday, April 3; 6 p.m.

The Bakersfield Museum of Art hosts a night of acoustic music and storytelling from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Featuring singer-songwriters Randy Sharp, Jack Wesley Routh and others.

Jennifer Nettles: That Girl Tour 2014FOX THEATER

Friday, March 28; 8 p.m.

Special guest Brandy Clark, doors open at 7 p.m. at the Fox Theater. Tickets $35 to $65 at vallitix.com.

"RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES"RABOBANK THEATER

Sunday, April 27; 7 p.m.Broadway in Bakersfield presents The Beatles' discography live onstage with performances of the most challenging songs that this group recorded in studio but never performed for an audience. The music will have you singing along to this dynamic group's early hits to the classics.

Camp Out Against Cancer

STATE FARM SPORTS VILLAGE

Friday, April 4 - 5

This fundraiser for the Kern County Cancer Fund to aid local cancer patients starts with a campout on April 4 and continues with a day of games on Saturday, April 5 at State Farm Sports Village. For informa-tion, visit campoutagainstcancer.org.

CASA Superhero Run

RIO BRAVO RANCH

Saturday, April 5; 7 a.m.

Dress up as a superhero! 15701 Highway 178. Pre-registration before March 24 is $30 for 10 Mile/5K, $20 for 2K Run/Walk, $10 for children. Visit kerncasa.org for info.

Fifth annual Greater Bakersfield Green ExpoYOKUTS PARK


Yokuts Park, 4200 Empire Drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more infor-mation, visit gbgreenexpo.org

Yokuts Park Fun Runs

BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART


1mi, 2mi, 3mi, 5mi. In cooperation with the Bakersfield Parks and Recreation Department, the BTC presents the Yokut's Park Fun Runs. Come out and run on the second Saturday of each month at Yokut's Park in Bakersfield. We start at 7a.m. with a 1 mile "warm up" run for everyone. After that, choose from a 2, 3 or 5-mile run. Free to attend.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County Golf TournamentSTOCKDALE COUNTRY CLUB

Friday, May 9; 8:30 a.m.

Shotgun start at Stockdale Country Club, 7001 Stockdale Highway. Sponsors available. For more information, call Ricki Foster at 325-3730 or visit bgclubsofkerncounty.org

Gavin DeGraw

FOX THEATER

Sunday, April 27; 7:30 p.m.

Special guests Parachute and Nick Gardner, doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Fox Theater. Tickets $27 to $47 at vallitix.com.

Relay For Life

NORTHWEST BAKERSFIELD

Saturday, April 12

Starts at 9 a.m. at Wingspoint, Airport and Merle Haggard drives. For location and more information, email [email protected]

First Friday

DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT

Friday, May 2; 5 - 9 p.m.

Featuring live music, art openings, specialty shops, galleries and bou-tiques where artists will set up their artwork. Email [email protected] or [email protected].

www.newwellbeingacu.com 9900 Stockdale Hwy #204 | Bakersfield | 661-847-9717

• Acupuncture for Pain Relief • Cosmetic Acupuncture • Holistic Weight Loss

We offer you a place of healing, learning support, and encouragement on your way to wellness.

Dr. Susan Hyun, MD Dr. Brian Kim, LAc, Ph.D.


Support the Hoffmann Hospice “Fund-A-Foot” campaign and we’ll carve your name in stone. We’re building a state-of-the-art hospice home right here in Bakersfield.

To find out how you can secure your tax deductible square foot visit�www.hoffmannhospice.org.

661-410-1010

HELP USONE SQUARE FOOT AT A TIME.

Go to the Theater

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy great live entertainment. Bakersfield is home to a number of major theaters including: Rabobank Theater, The Fox Theater, Gaslamp Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall, The Spotlight Theatre, Stars Theatre and The Empty Space.

Rabobank and The Fox theaters allow Bakersfield residents to take pleasure in watching the talent of both national and international actors, while the other theaters offer lots of local talent.

Ticket prices and performance schedules vary for each establishment. For more information, visit: www.rabobankarena.com; foxtheateronline.com; themelodrama.com; thespotlighttheater.com/beta; bmtstars.com; esonline.org.

out & about b enriched

{explore new ways to get more out of life}WRITTEN BY EDUARDO GAMEZ

........................ Recreational Leagues

For anyone who wants to be active and involved in the community, the City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks Department leagues may be just the thing to enjoy.

These recreational leagues offer an abun-dance of programs like adaptive sports, adult sports, youth sports, self-defense classes, activities with pets and much more. These programs are designed to create a friendly atmosphere of team and individual experiences utilizing city facilities. This allows the city to provide a safe, quality environment that is professionally managed and maintained.

Some facilities used are Beach Park, Mesa Marin Sports Complex, Kern River Parkway and Silver Creek Park. Individual prices for sessions range from $5 to $50 depending on age and program.

To learn more about leagues, classes and programs, call 326-FUNN (3866) or visit bakersfieldcity.us/recreation to view the activities calendar and find information on how to sign up.

Beer-Making

Don’t think of brewing your own beer as time consuming! Think of it as an experience that can further teach a

man how to truly enjoy his beer.

The Gentleman Bar offers a unique experience of high-quality craft beer in downtown Bakersfield. Located at

1420 17th Place, this bar is a member-ship only establishment that also offers beer-tastings for the guy

looking to truly find his perfect beer.

For more information, check out this private bar on Facebook by searching

The Gentleman Bakersfield.

$

$

$


What is a cataract?With age, the lens inside your eye loses its clarity and becomes a cataract. Instead of focusing light, the hazy lens scatters light, resulting in blurred vision, double vision, loss of color and contrast, and night vision symptoms. The cloudiness of a cataract gradually increases with time, but depending on the pattern and degree of cloudiness, you may not even be aware that a cataract is present.

How is a cataract detected?A thorough eye examination by Dr. Chang will detect the presence and extent of a cataract, as well as any other conditions that may be causing blurred vision or other symptoms. There may be other reasons for visual loss aside from a cataract. Dr. Chang will identify and tell you if you have other causes of blurred vision and whether they are correctable.

How are cataracts treated?If your cataract is mild, updating your glasses may improve your vision. However, surgery is the primary way

of removing a cataract and restoring your vision. There are no medications, exercises, or lifestyle changes that can prevent or treat cataracts. If your vision is interfering with your daily activities, cataract surgery can be considered. With modern surgical techniques, cataracts no longer have to be “ripe” before they can be removed. Dr. Chang has removed cataracts from patients in their teens to patients in their 90’s.

What can I expect fromcataract surgery?Dr. Chang performs cataract surgery as an outpatient procedure under topical anesthesia. The eye is numbed with eyedrops and no injections. The cloudy lens is then removed and the focus of the eye is restored with an intraocular lens implant. Dr. Chang performs this procedure with a microscope, miniature instruments, and microsurgical techniques, many of which he has personally developed. Vision improves within hours to days, and you can return to most activities within a few days.

What are my visioncorrection options?One of the most exciting developments is the use of intraocular lens implants to restore and even to improve your visual function without glasses. Basic lens implants can provide good vision, but advanced toric and multifocal lenses can provide crisp distance vision without glasses or even simultaneous distance and near vision without glasses. Each patient is unique, and Dr. Chang will help you to choose the best option for you to have good vision without glasses or bifocals.

Montecito Aesthetic Institute1150 H Coast Village Rd

Montecito, CA 93108PH: 805 565 5700

Empire Eye & Laser Center4101 Empire Drive, Ste 120

Bakersfield, CA 93309PH: 661 325 3937

Daniel H. Chang, M.D. Joseph H. Chang, M.D.

Empire Eye & Laser Center4101 Empire Drive, Ste 120

Bakersfield, CA 93309PH: 661-325-EYES (3937)

empireeyeandlaser.com • theeyeliddoc.com

Daniel H. Chang, MDCataract & Refractive Surgeon

Corneal Specialist

• Graduated with honors from California Institute of Technology

• M.D. at Duke University

• Ophthalmology residency at Emory University

• Cataract and Refractive Surgery Fellowship at Minnesota Eye Consultants

• A board certified Ophthalmologist with advanced training in refractive surgery

SIMULATED VISION

WITHCATARACTS

AFTERSURGERY

This article is brought to you by Dr. Daniel H. Chang of Empire Eye & Laser Center

...................................................What do I need to know about

cataract surgery?

EXPERT CONNECT


BURTONKevin

out & about get to know

{talking health & wel lness with...}

Bakersfield native Kevin Burton has always found a way to give back to the community he grew up in. For 16 years, Kevin was a Bakersfield Fire Department reserve. As a kid, Kevin remembers watch-ing the show “Emergency!” starring with John Gage and Roy DeSoto. He and his brother, Brent, grew up with a family in the fire department in Northern California, so it was fitting that he joined the reserves.

The 42-year-old is now the president of the San Joaquin Community Hospital Foundation, where each day, he takes time to stop by the hospital to visit with donors as well as patients who are being treated by the hospital’s wonderful staff.

Kevin has been married to his wife, Chris-ta, for more than 20 years, and together, they have two wonderful teenage daugh-ters, Averi, 16, and Alyssa, 14.

“Favorite enrichment activity is watching

cooking shows on TV. I love new barbecue ideas! I’ve mastered cooking pizza on the

barbecue over the past six years.”

COMPILED BY HILLARY HAENESPHOTOGRAPH BY APRIL MASSIRIO

“Something useful that I wish I knew how to do is carpentry. I have always

been fascinated how someone can build beau-tiful furniture with either hand tools or a tabletop saw. Maybe later in life when I have more time,

I can take a course to learn some of those skills.

I’ll need to just to keep busy!”

“I balance wellness by being positive and enjoying life. Life is too short

not to enjoy every minute of every day. If you provide a positive

aurora around yourself, others will become tangled in it, and it will

brighten their day as well.”

“My daily health fix is walking the stairs instead of using the

elevator at work.”

“The best part about my job is everything I do benefits the community. My job allows me to

meet extraordinary people every day who want to make a difference by giving philanthropically to projects here at SJCH like the Grossman Burn

Center, AIS Cancer Center, and coming sometime this year, our new Downtown Quest Imaging & Breast Center. I have the best job in the world!”

“If I had one wish, it would be world peace

— isn’t that what everyone wants?”

“The most inspirational person I know is my

father because he taught me to work hard and to

always give 110%.”

“My go-to stress reliever is playing golf with friends.”

“I’m happiest when I’m camping. Taking the time to go to the beach or mountains with my family in our little 25-foot trail-

er really forces me to relax and enjoy the little things in life. My family means the world to me, and camping allows us to

spend that quality time together.”


MEET BAKERSFIELD’S WINTER OLYMPIC ATHLETE:

LUCAS POPULIN

men's special

LUGE in French means “small coasting sled.”

Cheer for Lucas on the Luge in 2018

WRITTEN BY HILLARY HAENES PHOTOGRAPHS BY APRIL MASSIRIO


LUGE in French means “small coasting sled.”

Lucas Populin was only 5 years old when his family left Argentina and immigrated to America, the land of better opportunities. Since then, the 36-year-old has called the United States, specifically Bakersfield, his home, having grown up here since his youth. Currently, Lucas is seizing a golden opportunity, allowing him to represent his native country in the 2018 Winter Olympics in the luge — a fast, courageous sliding sport that requires strong athleti-cism, coordination and dedication.

Lucas is excited about the chance to prove himself, and in some ways, competing in the luge race reminds him of his own life, which has had its share of speed, curves and bumps.

“My life is a luge track, taking one turn after another,” said Lucas, describing his history, especially during his early adult years.He became a father of two at a very young age and worked hard to support them while finding time to compete in triathlons. Soon after that, at age 21, Lucas found himself in a bad situation. Due to a significant incident fueled by his immaturity, Lucas was convicted of assault and attempted kidnapping, after an altercation with a busi-ness owner. Lucas’ life was temporarily put on hold. He served 11 years in prison for his mistakes.

“Prior to my incarceration, I had never been in any type of trouble and was actually do-ing quite well. The only problem I had was making one dumb decision that placed me in the wrong place at the wrong time along with saying the wrong things,” said Lucas. “It all snowballed into a negative experi-ence that cost me over a decade of my life.”

However, it also taught him about redemp-tion, second chances and finding ways to be a better, stronger person from there on out.

During that time, Lucas exhaustively edu-cated himself in the health and wellness field, earning 12 certifications.

“Being incarcerated allowed me to reflect, and it gave me the profound ability to truly appreciate life and how precious it is,” he said. “I learned that life is what you create and not something that just happens to you.”

Once Lucas served his time, he came back to Bakersfield in 2009 to help market and grow his family’s business, Jacobo

Physical Therapy, which he continues to do.

The self-described entrepreneur overcame his adversity and created a few businesses. With a passion for health, he started Fitnatico Fitness Systems, LLC, which offers individual and group personal training ser-vices. Lucas has achieved financial success through Maximiliano Enterprises, an online wholesale company. He also founded The Luca Project, a nonprofit organization that provides peer mentoring and outreach pro-grams that teach teens essential life skills and how to have a positive impact on the world. Because Lucas has had numerous hardships, his main goal is to let adoles-cents know they can conquer self-defeat.

“There is still hope to transform your life at any given moment. I am living the dream and am taking my life to new heights every day,” Lucas said.

His most recent project is Populin Ranch Inc., a horse rescue that provides an alter-native to equine euthanasia, which allows abandoned and retired horses to live out their lives while providing opportunities to disabled and disenfranchised kids in Kern County. Lucas and his dad used to bond with horses in Argentina, so he started this charity for his father. He has three horses so far on his ranch located off of Stockdale Highway: Sweetie a thoroughbred, Annie an American Quarter horse, and Mo, an Arabian horse. Lucas plans to team up with the city to create some kind of therapeutic community service program where kids can learn responsibility and other valuable skills.

“No matter what mistakes you’ve made in your life, you can move forward,” said Lucas, who wants youth to learn from his past.

Olympic PotentialThe physically-gifted Lucas was always decorated in medals as a kid. He did well in

sports and loved competition, mainly with his two brothers who were outside eitherrunning races or swimming laps in the pool.

“I always knew in my mind that I was Olympic caliber. I was 34 years old and saw the skeleton (sport) on TV and thought it was cool,” he said.

In October 2012, Lucas decided to try out for the United States Men’s Skeleton team. He researched it and found out there was a tryout in Park City, Utah. Lucas made the development team and was invited to the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y., for a camp instructed by U.S. Olympic De-velopment Coach Mark Haas for the entire month of December.

That same week, he found out his mom had to have a series of surgeries, so he decided to stay with his mom, Gracie Jacobo, who is his hero.

Naturally, Lucas was disappointed that he missed out on training for the 2014 SOCHI Winter Olympics. But, news travels fast and the Argentine coach contacted Lucas and asked to meet him.

(Continued on page 24)

“I learned that life is what you create and not something that just happens to you.”


men's special

(Continued from page 23)

Experience thus farIn May 2013, Lucas went to Argentina and met with the president and director of the Olympic committee. Somehow, they convinced Lucas to consider the luge, which was faster, more challenging and dangerous than the skeleton. They thought the luge would prolong Lucas’ career, considering he is a “grandpa” compared to his teammates who are in their 20s. Lucas was in!

During a trip overseas this past November, Lucas trained in Austria and Germany on four of the 13 Olympic tracks in the world. For five weeks, he worked eight-hour days — he spent four hours training and four hours condition-ing. He’d finish four to six runs a day, and his body was bruised black and blue.

“It is like ping-pong because you bounce off one wall to another,” described Lucas.

For his first run, Lucas’ coaches, who don’t speak English well, had him start in the middle of the track so he would only go about 60 mph. Before he took off, his coaches said, “You are older, you seem extremely fit. You look like you know what you’re doing. Just relax, Luca, you go not so fast from the middle so you not end up in hospital.” Lucas, who is older than his coaches, took their advice — relax, lean back with good posture and steer with your shoulders. They also told Lucas he would probably crash his first time because he didn’t know what to expect.

“Nobody can actually teach you, it is more of a feel-ing,” said Lucas, who picked up the luge naturally. “The coaches said I was the best beginner they have ever seen and ever coached. I was the only athlete to complete every single one of my runs among seasoned athletes.”

To learn the technicality of this sport, Lucas walked the track memorizing every twist and turn. One false move or even breathing wrong can cause a late turn and an accident.

“You are pulling 5Gs around the turn going 90 mph so this sport is trying on your body. You feel the force of yourself going down the track. It is so fun, so thrilling,” said Lucas.

He added, “It is like Formula One on ice.”

Going for the Gold Leading up to the 2018 Winter Olympics (scheduled to take place in South Korea), Lucas will be training six months out of the year. His first stop is Canada in late February, and then its off to Utah in March. And each year from October to March, Lucas will be training on tracks overseas. Part of the training, per his coach’s request, in-cludes gaining 20 pounds on his athletic, 5-foot-11-inch, 165-pound frame.

In the next four years, Lucas also plans to master the sport, compete in World Cup races and win some med-als. He wishes to firmly establish his charities to make a positive difference in the community, and most impor-tantly, reconnect and build a loving relationship with his children, who are now 16 and 19 years old.

“I am definitely blessed with great family, great friends and the extraordinary people who believe in me and my cause to help others succeed in life. I have a long road ahead of me, but already being on this level is pretty exciting.”


10| Arm Circles Are an Adequate Warm UpIf you consider a couple of arm circles an adequate warm up before lifting weights, think again. Our bodies are primarily made of fluid, so we function better when warmed up. To avoid an injury, do at least five minutes of car-dio to increase your core body temperature before launching into your pro-gram.

9| Quantity over QualityOne of the biggest mis-takes men make is think-ing more is better when it comes to exercise. Often-times, they will sacrifice proper techniques for more repetitions or ad-ditional dumbbell weight. Poor technique leads to compensations, which leads to increased stress on other tissues.

8| Hitting the WallIf your goal is to improve overall fitness, then you need to know your target heart rate zone (60% to 85% of Maximum Heart Rate). The closer you get to your max heart rate, the less time you have to continue the exercise. Warning: If you are on heart or blood pressure medications, check with a medical professional first.

7| Occasional Exer-ciserLack of consistency in working out does not al-low your body to adapt to the stresses placed upon it. No regularity, no im-provement.

6| One-Trick PonyStrong people like to lift weight, flexible people like to stretch, and then there are the endurance junkies. If there is some-thing you don’t like to do, then that is probably what your workout should focus on. For example, mix in cardio with weight- lifting.

5| 40 is Not the New 18News flash: As we age, our body’s change. Just because you could bench press 300 pounds in high school doesn’t mean that you still can.

4| Keeping Up with JonesesThe amount of exercise your body can tolerate or amount of weight you can lift is a gradual pro-gression that is built up over time, not dictated by the guy next to you in the gym.

3| Mirror TrainingLet’s say you can’t see the muscles when you look in the mirror. It doesn’t mean you should neglect the muscles that aren’t always visible.

2| Zero to 60 in Five SecondsMen love acceleration, but our bodies don’t. Going from the couch to a high-intensity workout is an excellent way to get injured.

1| Pop Goes the Ten-don!If you place the right amount of stress at the right speed, your tissues will be stressed beyond their limits and break. Our bodies don’t come with a rewind button, so stick with the principles of conditioning and avoid injury!

Terrio’s Top 10 Ways Men Can Injure Themselves

While Working OutCONTRIBUTED BY TIM TERRIO, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT OF

TERRIO PHYSICAL THERAPY & FITNESS

Shoulder PainExperiencing pain in the front of your shoulder? The No. 1 cause of anterior shoulder pain is poor posture. If your shoulders are rounded and your head is in front of your body, then you need to

stretch your chest muscles and strengthen your upper back.

My Aching BackIt is estimated that more than 80% of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. While there are a number of reasons this can occur, it’s im-portant to remember it may be

posture related. If a majority of your day consists of sitting, then you need to get up and walk or at least do a few back bends every couple of hours. If you have any pain going down either leg, it’s time to seek the help of a medical profes-sional. The mistake most people make is waiting too long to get it corrected.

Sprained AnklePop or no pop, that is the ques-tion. If you rolled your ankle and felt or heard a ‘pop’ sound along with experiencing immediate swelling or you are unable to walk

on it, you have earned a trip to your doctor or near-est urgent care. If you just rolled it and can still walk, then remember RICE — Rest, Ice, Compres-sion and Elevation. Ice for 20 minutes every two hours, use an Ace wrap to control swelling and keep it elevated above your heart. RICE for the first 48 hours and avoid heat, rubs or other things that will increase the swelling.

Fast Fixes If you are already injured, here are a few home remedies to relieve pain and get back in the gym:

There is something interesting about the “Y” chromosome, the high levels of testosterone and its effect on most men when it comes to exercise.

After 35 years of working out and 25 years of putting peo-ple back together as a physi-cal therapist, I present my Top 10 list of amusing, yet surefire ways to get injured while work-ing out.

men's special


men's health

What's That On Your

UPPER LIP? FIVE MUSTACHES FOR MEN TO ENVY

Stache. Caterpillar. Crumb catcher. Lip toupee. Call it what you will, the mus-tache has certainly made a comeback. Over the past couple of years, mus-taches have become more common, and not just in Movember — an annual eventduring the month of November when

men grow mustaches to raise awareness for male health issues like prostate can-cer. Mustaches are the cool new icon on just about everything from beer glasses and keychains to T-shirts and jewelry. (Yes, it is even trendy with the ladies.)

For these five local guys, mustaches have been a part of their appearance for years, even decades. Their staches are unique and have become distinguished features for each of them — trademarks that may make Tom Selleck or Sam El-liott jealous.

Here’s what these men had to say about their beloved mustaches:

COMPILED BY HILLARY HAENES PHOTOGRAPHS BY APRIL MASSIRIO

I have had this mustache for approximately 44 years — in other words, my entire adult life. Frankly, I pay it no mind, although I agree that it is a dis-tinguishing feature and it does generate a lot of mixed com-ments. Needless to say, it has its drawbacks ... ice cream cones, juicy hamburgers, egg salad sandwiches. But I’ve managed to muscle through all that, and rest assured, it is constantly cleaned! Oh, by the way, there has never been any mustache wax, addi-tives or curlers — it is truly au na-turale. It’s not for everyone, but for 44 years, I’ve grown rather accustomed to it. And did I say it was soft?” — Greg Gallion, president/CEO of Houchin Community Blood Bank

“


What's That On Your

UPPER LIP?

I have had a mustache for more than 40 years. It has become something of a trademark for me among my friends and colleagues in the legal community. I created an advertising campaign on Spanish-language television along the theme of (loosely translated) the ‘Mustache Who Defends People,’ which may sound corny but was very effective. I have experimented with a Fu-Manchu and Handlebar mustache in the past, but I am most com-fortable with a well-trimmed mustache. Although some gray has set in, I have no intentions of shaving my mus-tache in the future.” — John Tello, attorney

“

I have had mine for as long as I can remember. I did try and dye it once to get the gray out. I guess I should have read the directions. It didn’t work the first, second or third time be-cause I didn’t wait five minutes. Directions? No, I didn’t read them. After 10 minutes, it was black. I had to shave it and take a week off to go into hiding. A well-trimmed mustache says, ‘I am clean and organized.’ One that grows unkempt attaches itself to cat hair, food particles, weeds, beer suds and other living things.” — Donny Youngblood, Kern County Sheriff

““I have had my mustache for 40 years. Every time I threat-en to shave it off, people ask me to reconsider. Over the years, students have aspired to grow their own mustaches and have even stated, ‘I want to grow a stache like Zarra’s.’ For me, my mustache provides that ‘cop look’ so very prac-tical in the classroom. It is no secret that I am an alumnus of USC, holding my Ph.D. from that awesome institution. A student decided to add a mustache to the USC banner, which hangs in my classroom. Mustaches have been part of my tenure as an educator since the beginning. Fight on, for mustaches and for USC Trojans!” —Ernie Zarra, Centen-nial High School government & economics teacher

“I began growing my mustache in the summer of 2009. I had experimented with different facial hairstyles before but nev-er just a mustache. I thought, ‘If I’m going to try growing one, it has to be epic.’ Now, four and a half years later, I feel as if it has become a part of my identity, how people recognize me. I like the new facial hair craze but don’t consider myself part of the trend — I’m in it for the long haul. I think my mustache says, ‘Have fun, don’t be afraid to be different and try new things.’” — Andrew “J.R.” Flores, assistant program director of KERN Radio NewsTalk 1180


heart health care

PREVENTING HEARTBURN AND ACID REFLUX

CONTRIBUTED BY BARRY MASSIRIO, PA-C OF FARR MEDICAL GROUP

- Esophagitis- Bleeding- Ulcerations- Stricture formation- Barrett's Esophagitis- Adenocarcinoma (Cancer)

- Chest: Heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia (problem swallowing)

- Pulmonary: Asthma, cough, aspiration

- Oral: Tooth decay and gingivitis- Throat: Hoarseness, laryngitis- Ear: Earache

WHAT CAUSES GERD-Specific Foods: Raw onion, chocolate, caffeine, peppermint, citrus juice, alcohol, tomato, spicy food and sodas-Eating Habits: Large meals, eating 2-3 hours before lying downOther factorsObesity, alcoholism, smoking, sleeping position, pregnancy, hormones, hiatal hernia and some medications

MEDICATIONS THAT CAN HELP- Proton Pump inhibitors- Histamine - receptor antagonist- Antacids

WAYS TO CURE- Control exacerbating factors- See a gastroenterologist (GI doctor)- May require an EGD-scope if medications aren’t working.

Acid Reflux, also known as Gastro Esopha-geal Reflux Disease (GERD), is defined as a frequently occurring condition resulting from reflux of gastric material through the lower esophageal sphincter into the esophagus or the mouth.

Physiologic reflux is a symptom character-ized by rapid clearance, for instance, after a meal.

Pathologic GERD occurs when the injurious properties of refluxed gastric acid bile pepsin and duodenal contents overwhelm normal esophageal barriers.

SPECTRUM OF GERD MANIFESTATIONS

COMPLICATIONS CAN INCLUDE

HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHY HEART22 Pieces of Advice from Health

Professionals & Fitness Instructors

COMPILED BY HILLARY HAENES

It’s well known that most men hate scheduling regular appointments to see their primary care physician, especially as they age. To keep males well-informed on health, specifically relating to the heart, B Well Magazine reached out to various medical professionals, physicians and fitness experts along with individuals who are health conscious, asking for statistics, facts and quotes about how they personally take care of their heart.

Because heart disease is a leading cause of death in men (and women), we wanted local males to provide readers with tips on preventing heart disease to reduce the chances of a stroke or heart attack. It is our hope that you’ll listen to these renowned experts.

“Beyond exercise, the other key factor to losing weight and get-ting healthy is what we eat. We have to kick up the fruits, veggies and fiber. Go with the Choose My Plate recommenda-tions of half the plate be-ing fruits and vegetables, one-quarter protein and one-quarter starch.” — Tim Terrio, physical therapist & owner of TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness

“It’s the oldest, yet most effective, old school way: Have your oatmeal in the morning — it lowers your cholesterol. Also, at least 20 minutes of cardio every day keeps the heart pumping.” — Pat Brown, trainer & owner of Lifetime Fitness

“Out of all the modifiable risk factors causing heart disease and stroke, the two most important ones are diabetes (metabolic health) and tobacco use. Diabetes is prevented (and sometimes, cured!) by maintaining ideal body weight with help of a healthy, well-balanced diet, regular aerobic exercise, handling daily life stresses and maintain-ing at least seven hours of sleep are all crucial in fighting weight gain and achieving good metabolic health.” — Viral Mehta, MD, FACC, FSCAI & Director of STEMI Heart Attack Receiv-ing Center at San Joaquin Community Hospital, Inter-ventional Cardiologist

“With regards to men’s health in particular, our biggest enemy is denial. We men tend to ignore the warning signs and avoid getting help, which certainly works against us. My advice is to please start showing up for

your annual physicals and get checked!” — Viral Mehta, MD, FACC, FSCAI & Director of STEMI Heart Attack Receiving Center at San Joaquin Community Hospital, Interventional Cardiologist

“When you have chest pain, you need a doctor, not an appointment.” — Vinod Kumar, MD, FACC, RPVI & Medical Director of The Heart Center

“One in three Americans will die from heart disease or stroke. Live healthy, live happy, live for your family.” — Supratim Baner-jee, MD, FACC at Compre-hensive Cardiovascular Medical Group

“From the time we are in the womb, our heart is programmed with only a certain number of heartbeats. A conditioned heart maximizes its work with each beat so it does not have to beat so fast. Exercise conditions the heart and allows us to spread those heartbeats out over 100 healthy years rather than burning them up quickly!” — Jared Salvo, DO, MS, FACC at Dignity Health Hospitals

“Breathe your stress away! Slow, deep breath-ing is another powerful antidote to stress. Studies have shown that as the breathing rate is slowed down, it brings about a relaxation response resulting in a decrease in the heart rate, blood pres-sure and an overall feeling of calmness.” — Dhaval Buch, PT, president & owner of AUM Physical Therapy & Yoga Center

“Smile away for a healthy heart! A recent study at UC Irvine demonstrated that people who smiled after engaging in stress-inducing tasks showed a greater reduction in heart rate than people who maintained a neutral expression. In the same vein, a good belly laugh can send 20% more blood flowing through your entire body. That’s why laughter might just be the perfect antidote to stress.” — Dhaval Buch, PT, president & owner of AUM Physical Therapy & Yoga Center

“Early action is crucial. Know the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack to prevent death.• Chest pain or discom-fort.• Upper body pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or upper stomach.• Shortness of breath.• Nausea, lightheaded-ness or cold sweats.

Tips to protect your heart:• Visit your doctor regu-larly for checkups. If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, follow your doctor’s instructions and stay on your medica-tions. • Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt low in total fat, saturated fat and cho-lesterol and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.• Take a brisk 10-minute walk three times a day, five days a week.• Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.” — Sarabjeet Singh, MD, FACC – Inter-ventional Cardiologist with Central Cardiology Medical Clinic


PERSONAL QUOTES

“My prescription for a healthy heart is a whole foods, plant-based diet, which is scientifically proven to prevent and reverse heart disease. Fueling your body with the right foods every day is the key to optimum health.” — Dr. Benjamin Ha, family practitioner at Kaiser Permanente

“Every day I try to balance my life physi-cally (with exercise), emotionally (I surround myself with good people), and spiritually (I pray, mediate and give thanks). All of this helps my heart keep beating with joy.” — Monsignor Craig Harrison, St. Francis of Assisi Parish

“The heart is known around the world as a metaphor for love. The Beatles once said ‘And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.’ With this inspiration, I personally feel that filling up the day with laughter, joy and kindness is equally as important to the heart as one's physical needs.” — Jay Escover, store manager of Lassen’s in Bakersfield

“I wake up every morn-ing at 5:30 a.m., and get my workout in at Body Xchange before heading to the rink. Especially with the stress of a sea-son, it’s crucial to take care of yourself.” —Troy Mann, head coach of the Bakersfield Condors

“A heart scan every five years can help keep you ahead of things that may come up due to family history. When prevent-ing stress, it truly starts with your own mindset and realizing that stress is brutal on your sys-tem.” — Michael Ryan, Su-per Star Diamond Coach with Team BeachBody

“Even after two heart attacks, I refuse to let anyone refer to me or treat me as a ‘victim’ or ‘patient.’ I am as active in my family and profession as I have ever been. There is a lot of life left to live, and there is no place in it for self-pity, slowing down or seeking sympathy. Get out there and do what you do well.” — Michael Lukehart, attorney

“Imagine an engine that has to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 80 plus years. There is not a machine on this planet that can do that, yet our hearts are all asked to perform this task. We would be wise to take care of those en-gines and keep regular scheduled mainte-nance. See your doctor early and often!” — Jared Salvo, DO, MS, FACC at Dignity Hospitals

“I live a heart healthy life by exercising at least three times a week, eating healthy foods and spending quality time with those I love the most.” — Sarabjeet Singh, MD, FACC – Interven-tional Cardiologist with Central Cardiology Medi-cal Clinic

“A lot of people think heart health is some unattainable thing. Heart health is really quite simple: Eat healthy food and move around every once in a while. It’s not expensive or hard. Just stock your fridge with good food and you will eat better.” — Garrett Main, store manager of Sole 2 Soul Sports

“Cycling to and from work not only gets my heart rate up for an hour each day, it relieves a lot of stress. Also, I do not eat any meat, including fish and chicken, and consume dairy products sparingly.” — Glenn Ham-mett, avid cyclist & art director of Bakersfield Life

“I have been taking fish oil for 10 years now. Fish oil helps your body fight inflammation in your entire body, including your heart. Along with working out four days a week, fish oil is one of my key supplements in protecting my heart.” — Tim Gojich, personal trainer & owner of Fit For Life Gym

“We can't beat our genes, but we can live a long heart-healthy life by eating well and stay-ing physically active. The single most important asset that determines how well we do from a heart standpoint is our ability to exercise regu-larly. — Atul Aggarwal, MD & owner of Aggarwal Cardiology Clinic

“Your legs are your wings, so walk.” — Vinod Kumar, MD, FACC, RPVI & Medical Director of The Heart Center

STATISTICS & FACTS“Given the fact that Kern County is the worst county in California for deaths due to cardiac issues and that 80% of these are preventable, it is vital that we increase our activity level. Currently, less than 39% of adults get 30 minutes of moderate exercise three times per week. Build up a base of 20 to 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week, five is even better within your heart rate zone (60% to 75% Max Heart Rate).” — Tim Terrio, physical therapist & owner of TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness (Your Max Heart Rate is calculated by subtracting your age from 220.0)

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For as long as 54-year-old Curtis Trigueiro, of Bakersfield, can re-member, the odds have always been in his favor. A successful homebuilder and award-winning grilling enthusiast with a zest for life just like his sizzling barbecue competitions, he was managed his life with order and precision until June 2011, when the odds shuffled, and suddenly they were stacked against him.

“My wife, Angie, told me she didn't know how many lives I had before we met, but that I am running out of them,” Trigueiro laughed.

Twenty-four hours after a mishap on the golf course, he suffered a heart attack while in recovery fol-lowing spleen surgery. But within minutes, the odds were back in his favor because he was in the right place at the right time.

Trigueiro had just finished playing a round of golf at Seven Oaks Coun-try Club when his golf cart struck a curb and overturned. He broke several ribs on his left side and his spleen was punctured.

“I was rushed into emergency surgery to remove the spleen. The doctors told me later that the spleen injury was so severe that I nearly bled to death,” he recalled. “The doctors said they were con-cerned about losing me in the op-erating room.”

It would all pale in comparison to what would happen next.

While in recovery in the ICU at Bak-ersfield Memorial Hospital following the spleen surgery, a routine en-zyme check of his blood indicated a blood clot had developed and moved into his LAD – Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery, also dubbed the widow maker.

Trigueiro was having a heart attack.

“I didn't realize it was happening and I had no idea,” he said. The widow maker term refers to the likely sudden death that will occur should the LAD suddenly become completely occluded, causing a massive heart attack, which is dif-ficult to survive unless the patient is

within seconds of emergency care. “They rushed me into emergency surgery again, implanted a stent and cleaned the artery out with an-gioplasty.”

Just a few years earlier, Trigueiro, who stands 6-feet-1-inch tall and weighs 200 pounds, had been giv-en a clean bill of health. His doc-tors’ opinions on the episode dif-fered. He said one of his physicians believed the clot resulted from the initial spleen surgery, while another thought the episode would have happened regardless of what pre-cipitated it. Either way, Trigueiro said it isn’t likely that the discovery would have been made during a routine exam.

“The clot was the result of the acci-dent and it lodged in the narrowing artery,” he said. And despite being in good shape with a regimented lifestyle, Trigueiro was predis-posed. to heart troubles. Three of his four grandparents had a history of heart problems.

TOO CLOSE TO DEATH’S DOOR GOLF MISHAP PUTS MAN IN ‘RIGHT PLACE AT RIGHT TIME’WRITTEN BY LISA KIMBLE PHOTOGRAPHS BY APRIL MASSIRIO

defying the oddsyour health


The father of a son and a daughter, both in college, didn’t have to make major life changes. But he does have a constant reminder in the 12-inch incision in his abdomen and was prescribed the blood thinner Plavix for a couple of years.

Trigueiro was back on the golf course in six weeks. Still, the experience shook him.

“My whole outlook on life changed. We are only here a short time. Anybody can go at any time,” he said. “I don’t fear death. I am going to live my life.”

A few months ago, Trigueiro developed another clot, this one in his left leg, the result of traveling across the country to Kansas City, Mo., behind the wheel of a mo-tor home, en route to the American Royal — the World Series of Barbecuing. He’s since been given another clean bill of health but is ever mindful of that fateful day back in the summer of 2011.

The once self-described neat freak no longer frets over the occasional mess.

“I try not to stress about things that I can’t control,” he said.

Trigueiro also advises others to get regular checkups. “Try to be as healthy as possible, but you have to live your life to the fullest because you never know when your last day is coming.”

"Try to be as healthy as possible, but you have to live your life to the fullest because you never know when your last day is coming."

Curtis with the grill he uses for barbecue competitions


Q: What role does exercise play in preventing heart disease?

A: We know that exercise is good for our mind, body and soul, but did you know that regular exercise could actually flush cholesterol from our arteries? Exercise helps dilate our body’s blood vessels and enables blood to circulate more freely while strengthening muscles, including our heart muscle. Exercise lowers blood sugar, blood pressure and increases high-density lipoprotein — the good choles-terol that helps “deal with” the bad cholesterol. Studies show that exercise can also reduce a protein in our blood that contributes to blood clots. But how much exercise is beneficial? Harvard researchers found a 20% reduction of heart disease risk for those who frequently got vigorous exercise, such as fast walking, running, swimming laps or playing tennis most days of the week for 30 to 60 minutes. Part of the same study showed that a brisk walk for three miles or more a week resulted in a 10% reduction in risk. So get up, get moving and start exercising! It’s not too late according to a German study, which found that those who became physically active after the age of 40 were about 55% less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than those who had been inactive all their lives.

Laurie Wallace, MS, RD, CDE Dietitian/Diabetes Program Manager

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital

Kiersten Melendez, PA-CPhysician's Assistant

Comprehensive Cardiovascular

Q: What are the different reasons people seek physical therapy?

A: People commonly come to a physical thera-pist to control pain, increase flexibility, increase strength and improve balance and coordination due to surgeries, work injuries, strokes, sports injuries, car accidents, postural faults and our “maturing bodies” (our muscles and joints get old and wear out). Physical therapists are experts in the movement science of musculoskeletal disorders and have an established history of helping individuals improve their quality of lifeStarting Jan. 1, 2014, you will not need a referral from your doctor to be treated by a physical therapist, unless your insurance requires a physician referral to see a specialist. Visit your doctor if you are not sure, or if you need medi-cine or x-rays before starting physical therapy.

Javier Bustamante, MDPediatrics

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Cheree Wilhelmsen, ODOptometry

Vihn-Linh Nguyen, MDHematology/Oncology

Q: Which foods help relieve stress?

A: Though many people turn to comfort foods like sweets, fast food and alcohol during stressful times, these wrong foods can often leave them feeling worse. Choosing the right foods can actually calm your nerves and make you more resistant to the oxidative damage caused by daily hassles and chaos.Stressful events cause our cortisol levels to rise, suppressing other brain chemicals (like serotonin) that keep us calm and balanced. Eating foods that help keep cortisol levels in check while promoting increased levels of se-rotonin offer a natural solution to stress relief and prevention of chronic illness.

Top 7 Stress-Busting Foods: Whole Grains — Steel-Cut Oatmeal, Barley, QuinoaCitrus Fruits – Clementines, Oranges, Grape-fruitSpinach & KaleAlmonds & PistachiosWild Salmon & Shell FishNonfat Dairy Foods – Milk, Cottage Cheese, YogurtDark Chocolate (more than 70% cacao)

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Glinn & Giordano Physical Therapy

PHOTOGRAPHS BY APRIL MASSIRIO

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this is a good app to download. Just place your index finger on the phone’s camera and within seconds your heart rate will appear. Health professionals like nurses and EMTs have tested this app for accu-racy. Use it to optimize your workouts as it will give insight into reading your rest-ing heart rate — the fitter you are, the lower your heart rate. Android; $1.99

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........................


This article is brought to you by Ally Senior Care

Mike Williams, CEO / President Ally Senior Care,

Founder of Senior Veterans Benefit Advocates

The answer is yes! The Department for Veterans Affairs has an underutilized pro-gram for veterans and their living and surviving spouses that will reimburse some of the costs of home care. This allows them to remain living independently in their homes while receiving the assistance they need to do so safely. They don’t have to leave their homes due to needing a little help in the home! Surveys show that 1 in 4 seniors qualify and since applying will cost nothing, there’s no risk in looking into this option.

· HOW MUCH HOME CARE IS AVAILABLE AND FOR HOW LONG?The Aid and Attendance Special Pension will reimburse up to $2,200 a month. This is available for the rest of a veteran’s life. It doesn’t have a cap, and it doesn’t run out!

· WHAT DOES IT COST TO FILE THE PAPERWORK?Nothing! This is a benefit available to all wartime veterans, and it costs nothing to file. In fact, it is illegal for a company to charge a veteran to file the paperwork on his or her behalf. Few home care companies will assist with all of the paperwork, deliver it to the VA office and follow up as needed to help get the application ap-proved for no cost like Ally Senior Care does.

· HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO START GETTING REIMBURSED? WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY FOR HOME CARE UNTIL REIMBURSEMENTS START?The process can take three to six months to start receiving reimbursements if all needed paperwork is gathered and submitted properly. Many are not using this pen-sion benefit since they often cannot afford to cover the costs of home care during the approval process. There are ways we can help with this. Just give Ally Senior Care a call to discuss our unique options available due to our partnership with the Senior Veterans Benefit Advocates.

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OF MEN HAVE NOT BEEN IN FOR A REGULAR CHECKUP IN THE LAST YEAR.

{how to treat muscle pain & aches naturally}your health

Muscle soreness, aches and strains are an unpleasant experience for everyone, whether you are a weekend warrior, boot camper or seasoned athlete. How-ever, if you are smart about what you do to keep fit, then it is quite easy to avoid unnecessary aches and pains with these simple steps.

| Prevention: The best way to prevent soreness is with a set of gentle warm-up stretches before undertaking any exer-cise program. You should also include a brief cool down routine. Always know your reasonable limits and avoid being

tough, or you are sure to pay for it lat-er! This does not mean that you should not challenge yourself to increase your strength or endurance. Another impor-tant component is adequate hydration with plain water — artificially flavored energy drinks will not help, so do not al-low yourself to get lured into the hype.

| Self-help Solutions: Rest is key. After putting yourself through a rigor-ous routine, it is best to allow your entire system to relax and cool down before taking on any other tasks. A good way to do so is to listen to soothing music or a guided relaxation CD. You should also eat nutritious healthy food consisting of fresh fruits, cooked vegetables, whole grains and small amounts of nuts because they are easier to digest and provide the fuel necessary to sustain the body.

| Self-treatment: If you exceed your limits and experience muscle or joint soreness, the first thing to do is ice the af-fected area for 10 to 12 minutes. This can be done at intervals of three to four hours if necessary within the first 24 to 48 hours of injury. Cold will limit the amount of swelling in the affected area, ensur-ing a quicker recovery. But some people prefer warmth and use various creams or ointments available in stores. One can al-ternatively use heating pads (microwave-able or electric) for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. (Remember: Never sleep with an electric heating pad on!) Another way to relieve pain is through self-massage, ei-ther with your hands or by using a foam roller to reduce soreness and tightness in the affected muscles. Over-the-counter

pain relievers are available but should be used sparingly. Arnica is a good ho-meopathic remedy for muscle or joint pain and is available in pill or cream form. There’s also turmeric taken either in pill form or powder mixed with warm water or milk, which is an excellent Ayurvedic remedy for inflammation. A majority of people are unaware that a physical thera-pist specializing in gentle manual therapy techniques that can help tremendously in the effective management of tension headaches with long-term and often permanent relief without any side ef-fects! The most important component is a specialized home program target-ing the prevention of headaches, which includes stretching and strengthening exercises, improving postural aware-ness, relaxation, stress management and lifestyle modification strategies.

| Professional Treatment: If you have persistent pain and soreness in your muscles and/or joints for more than a week, you should consider a consulta-tion with a physical therapist who will evaluate your condition and guide you on the fastest road to recovery by us-ing manual therapy techniques, thera-peutic massage, electrical modalities and prescribing a customized exercise program to eliminate pain and prevent future injuries. If you still don’t improve, then your physical therapist will rec-ommend a visit with your physician for further investigation of your condition.

After all, you deserve to stop hurting and get back in the game! Be well, healthy and happy!

CONTRIBUTED BY DHAVAL BUCH, PRESIDENT & OWNER OF AUM PHYSICAL THERAPY & YOGA CENTER

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your health smart health newsMen's Health & Development

OF MEN BURN MORE CALORIES

DOING NOTH-ING AS OPPOSED

TO A WOMAN OF THE SAME

HEIGHT.

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IN GRAMS AN ACTIVE MALE NEEDS TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY PER DAY.

THE AGE MEN SHOULD START GETTING

CHECKED FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND HEART DISEASE EVERY FIVE YEARS.

3420%

THE NUMBER OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTHVISITS THAT SHOULD BE SCHEDULED PER YEAR AFTER A MAN REACHES AGE 50.

2,800THE MINIMUM CALORIC AMOUNT

THE AVERAGE MAN WITH AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AGES 31 TO 50

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The Care You Need. The Care You Deserve.

It’s not often that you hear someone called a “God Send.” Actually, it’s quite the opposite

of what you’d expect to hear when discussing health care. I met someone that is so generously enthusiastic about the care she’s been receiving that she even refers to her caretaker as her “best friend,” and “reason to strive.” Who am I talking about and what do they know that you don’t?

Sydrian is a local Bakersfield woman living with Multiple Sclerosis. A debilitating condition, Sydrian has learned to live with her diagnosis with her head up and her mind positive. However, it wasn’t always this way. It wasn’t until Sydrian met Cassandra Ortiz that her life truly changed. Cassandra operates Coordinating Care Management (CCM) out of Bakersfield Care. Specializing in assisting both elderly and disabled adults, CCM provides incredibly personalized care arrangements in a comfortable yet professional environment. Just ask Sydrian.

Sydrian’s condition made daily tasks like running errands, deciphering

confusing utility bills and shopping for household goods difficult. Physical therapy had to be arranged, transportation coordinated, and important doctor appointments scheduled. While all seemingly easy for many, such tasks are oftentimes very difficult for the elderly and disabled. Who is to help these people when families live at a distance? Who can step in when family members are stretched thin between managing their own lives, and caring for their elderly or disable loved one? Cassandra and Bakersfield Care recognized the need for this extra level of individualized care and created CCM.

I spent a day with Cassandra in order to experience, first hand, how CCM’s team helps others like Sydrian. Cassandra’s day began with a round of check-up phone calls with each client to see if anyone had new questions or concerns, as well as to check up on their current ongoing situations. Do you need to go grocery shopping? Do you have all of your medications? Have you been prescribed any new medications? How was your physical therapy? Not only is

Cassandra asking these questions to determine needs, but also to determine if any clients level of care needs more specialized attention. One client expressed difficulty with their motor skills, in which Cassandra quickly arranged an appointment with an Occupational Therapist. Another client expressed the need to fix their fence, in which case Cassandra later called the client’s HOA organization to have it repaired. Cassandra serves as a trained eye and ear that looks out for any potential changes in care, as well as overall quality of life.

After the morning phone calls, we were off to an assisted living facility to check on wonderful couple, and client of Cassandra’s, that was making the adjustment from living independently in their home to an assisted living facility. A difficult transition, Cassandra was there to not only answer any questions and address any concerns, but also to ensure that the couple was still maintaining their eligibility for Veteran’s Assistance — a special program that helped alleviate financial burden from the couple. Cassandra was able to educate the couple about their eligibility, and then take the necessary steps to ensure that they were receiving all

the benefits they are entitled to. After following up with more clients,

returning phone calls, arranging doctor appointments, and making a laundry list of items that needed to be purchased and delivered to various clients, we were off to check up on Sydrian. It was at this time that I understood the true impact CCM has on the lives of each client. As Sydrian told her story, it became overwhelmingly clear that the professionals at CCM serve as not only advocates and advisors, but most importantly, trusted friends.

For more information about the services or costs of CCM, please call

Cassandra Ortiz at 343-3159.

www.bakersfieldcare.com

Specialized Adult Care

Cassandra Ortize & Sydrian

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Imagine burning 800 calories playing a game. That is an honest explanation of what Brazilian jiu-jitsu has be-come. While most

people consider Brazilian jiu-jitsu to be a martial art, after a class or two of participation, it becomes very obvious that it is about more than just fight-ing or self-defense. It’s a game that involves interaction with an opponent with the objec-

tive of maneuvering into a bet-ter body position or going for a submission often referred to as making your opponent “tap out.”

The benefit of Brazilian jiu-jit-su comes from trying to move in various positions with your opponent doing the same. This involves muscle resistance, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. Although it may seem like hard work, it’s easy to get lost in the competition of trying to out-do your oppo-

nent. The more you learn, the more fun you have playing the game. The techniques used in jiu-jitsu exercise every muscle in your body. Aside from a great workout, the moves also parallel movement used for self-defense.

Here are five exercises you can practice at home with a family member or friend to get comfortable with the moves before attempting a class at Bakersfield Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

CONTRIBUTED BY MATT BAKER, OWNER & TRAINER AT BAKERSFIELD BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

PHOTOGRAPHS BY APRIL MASSIRIO

get fit workout moves

FROG JUMPS [Knee on stomach]

STEP 2: Jump to other side and switch knees.

The Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Matt and Jill Baker demonstrate starting position shown with partner.

Repeat steps 1 and 2.

STEP 1: Start with one knee on your partner’s stomach while your other leg is extended out and both hands are on your partner’s shoulders.

Muscles worked = Legs, back, arms and core

FUNCTION: By doing this exercise, you practice keeping your opponent trapped. In addition, you can attack your opponent’s arm by pulling up their closest arm and sitting back with your leg over their head.(This move can be done solo with a pillow as demonstrated above.)


get fit workout moves

STEP 3: Pull back and lift your partner with your legs.

STEP 4: Slowly place partner down and repeat process.

STEP 2: Wrap your arms around their back.STEP 1: Start in a sitting position with your feet under your training partner’s hips.

STEP 1: Start with your legs wrapped around your opponent, while holding both wrists.

STEP 2: Under hook one leg.

STANDING GUARD LIFTS Muscles worked = Legs, back, abdominal and arms

STEP 1: Start in your partner’s closed guard (legs wrapped around their torso).

STEP 2: Grab your partner’s wrist and lapel.

STEP 4: Slowly place them back to starting position and repeat.

STEP 3: Lean forward and stand up with back straight as you lift your training partner.

OPEN GUARD ROTATIONSMuscles worked = Back and core

SITTING GUARD LEG LIFTSMuscles worked = Legs, core and abductor muscles

FUNCTION: By doing this exercise, you are practicing lifting your opponent with your legs. This prepares for the simple task of reversing your oppo-nent by trapping their arm and leaning to the side.

STEP 3: Pull your head to their knee, while swinging your leg around.

STEP 4: Return to starting position and repeat on other side.

FUNCTION: By doing this exercise, practice attacking your opponent’s arm and tipping them over by throwing your outside leg over their head and pushing with both legs.

FUNCTION: This ex-ercise is great for full-body weight resistance. Im-portant: Lift with your legs bent and back straight. This directs more work to your legs and arms to prevent your back from over-exerting.


CHECK OUT OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Bakersfield Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been in operation for 11 years and is the Central California resentative for the Jean Jacques Machado Organization. BBJJ is a full-time academy dedicated to teaching people the art and healthy lifestyle of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. BBJJ offers 40 classes a week, and classes are taught seven days a week. Programs are offered

for adults and kids 5 years and up. The goal is to get in shape, relieve stress and have a great time!Matt Baker has been competing and instructing jiu-jitsu for 20 years and is a second-degree black belt under Jean Jacques Machado. In addition to being head instructor at BBJJ, Matt is an active competitor with an accumulation of 18 championships as a black belt, including an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation No-Gi World Championship.Jill Baker was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu through Matt and has been actively training, teaching and com-peting for seven years. Jiu-jitsu is a way of life for the Baker family. Jill is a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and head instructor of the nationally recognized Riveters Women’s Jiu-Jitsu Team. Jill is a two-time IBJJF World Champion and coordinator of SoCal Women BJJ, a women’s only jiu-jitsu network that reaches women all over California.

BAKERSFIELD BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU LOCATIONSSOUTHWEST - 4308 RESNIK COURT, SUITE 203

NORTHWEST - 2420 MOHAWK ST. AT ROSEDALE HIGHWAY (NEW LOCATION ACROSS FROM SECOND AMENDMENT SPORTS)

MATTBAKERBJJ.COM 345-2906

facebook.com/ BAKERSFIELD BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU {{

STEP 1: Start flat on your back with knees up. Keep your arms close to your chest.

STEP 2: Lift your hips up and turn to your side while staying elevated.

STEP 3: Return to starting position and repeat from side to side.

FUNCTION: By doing this exercise, you practice moving away from your opponent trying to pin you.

ELEVATED HIP ESCAPESMuscles worked = Shoulders, arms, core and abductor muscles

Call today for your FREE In-Home consultation!

(661) 631-20362029 21st Street • Bakersfield, CA 93301

Established by Jeanne Schamblin in 1990,serving Bakersfield for over 21 years.

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Our dependable caregivers are experienced,drug-alcohol screened, background checked,

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HOME CARE & HOSPITAL ATTENDANT BEDSIDE CARE


Reggan Scrivner

When my ex-husband left in 2008, I was a stay-at-home mom with three little kids. I made the decision to continue to stay home with them during their formative years. This was a sacrifice as I gave up everything extra. How-ever, I was conscious of the food I bought. I cooked from scratch because it was healthier and less expensive.

I made a little money babysitting and helped coach my kids’ swim team for four years. I used my free time to exercise five days a week. I began to love running be-cause it didn’t cost money, and I was in the best shape of my life.

When my youngest was 4, I start-ed him in pre-kindergarten class-es for a few hours a day. I decided to work part-time, so I got a job as an elementary school reading aide. I immediately stopped my workouts since I could no lon-ger find the time, and gained 10 pounds.

STUCK IN A RUTThe following year, I started sub-stitute teaching and was hired for a six-hour position. I gained five more pounds and lost whatever muscle I had left. To provide a life that my kids deserved, I decided to look for full-time employment. Last July, I started working in an office where I sit for eight hours a day. I love my job, the stabil-ity it provides and the people I work with, but I gave up planned, homemade meals for quick din-ners. I began to eat fast food at lunch and, as a result, I gained 20 pounds in the last six months, for a total of 35 pounds gained in two and a half years.

TURNING POINTI tried many remedies that all failed. I gave up trying to lose weight until I learned about Fit For Life’s X-treme Fat-Loss Class. One day my boss, Anthony Oliv-ieri, offered to pay for any em-ployee who wanted to join Fit For Life’s December fat-loss class. I

couldn’t pass up this generous gesture. The classes were amaz-ing and made me remember my love for fitness. After taking this class, I realized that I needed a lifestyle change.

BREAKING BAD HABITS My biggest challenge is setting aside time to prepare food and exercise. Evenings are difficult because I get off work at 5 p.m. I am tired from working all day and when I come home I have to make dinner, help my kids with home-work, clean the house, and take the kids to any social or sporting activities before bedtime. In the mornings, I rush to get my kids ready, so they arrive at school on time. On these days, I often forget to eat breakfast and will later eat something fast to kill the starving sensation.

LONG-TERM GOALS The goals that I want to accomplish by the end of this challenge are:

1) Run the 5K Color Me Rad race with my 12-year-old daughter. She has been asking me to do this for a year and it is time I make good on my promise to her.

2) Lose 35 pounds and prove that it is possible to be a working sin-gle mom of three and still main-tain a healthy lifestyle.

3) Do a pull up or two. I have nev-er been able to and would like to say that I can.

I am a 35-year-old mother of three and realize that I do not need to look like a model or get down to my high school weight — I just need to be healthy and happy. I have the support of my family, work, church and friends ready to encourage me and hold me accountable for the goals I set this year.

B Well‘s Get Fit Weight-Loss ChallengeReggan & Brandon: Looking to Make Lifestyle Changes

COMPILED BY HILLARY HAENES PHOTOGRAPHS BY APRIL MASSIRIO

After the success of B Well’s first “Get Fit” Weight-Loss Challenge last year, we decided to partner with Fit For Life Gym again to seek two average people wanting to make a lifestyle change for not only themselves, but for their families.

A big thanks goes to Tim Gojich, owner and trainer at Fit For Life, who is providing another annual gym membership at no cost, along with personal training and semi-private group fitness classes. He will also craft a personalized diet plan for both participants.

Follow Reggan Scrivner and Bran-don Thompson, as they share their weight-loss journey in a diary-like entry in each issue. B Well will track their transformations, challenges and success with a big reveal in our November issue. Also check for up-dates on B Well’s Facebook page each month.

get fit diet diary

Starting Measurements

Height: 5’7”Weight: 168 lbs.Body Fat: 25.2 %Lean Muscle: 125 lbs.Total Fat: 42 lbs.Chest: 42 in.Arms: 12.5 in.Thighs: 22.5 in.Waist at Navel: 40.5 in.Hips at Glutes: 42 in.


Brandon Thompson

I am 32 years old with one child and another on the way. My daughter, Riley, is almost 3 years old and my wife, Laura, is due to have our second child in July. My wife and I have known each other since high school but were only recently married in Octo-ber 2012. I have been in the land surveying/civil en-gineering field for 14 years and am currently work-ing for a locally owned multidiscipline surveying, engineering, construction and inspection company that services the petroleum, industrial, commercial and residential industries all over California.

I have been in a battle with my weight and lifestyle for my entire adult life. I have been training on and off at Fit For Life for the past 10 years. They have seen me go from a soft 255 pounds to a skinny 187 pounds and up to a fit, toned and strong 225 pounds. I was steady at 225 pounds until a series of events changed my workout and eating habits. Any-one who has had a newborn knows sleep is some-thing that is hard to come by. Combined with a new job that kept me busy working 12- to 14-hour days, proper sleep was a thing of the past. With no sleep comes no energy or time for a workout. Also, I was working out of town a lot and didn’t have time to pack a proper lunch, so fast food became my friend.

TIPPING POINTStepping on the scale one day late this past De-cember and seeing that I had gained the dreaded weight that I had worked to rid myself of 10 years ago. It just hit me one day that I needed to change my body to change my life so that I will be around to shape the lives of my children.

CHALLENGES I’LL FACEI know that my diet will be the hardest challenge for me to adapt and accept. I know that it will be the diet that will have the greatest impact in not only my life, but also the lives of my family members. I’m looking forward to the coaching and teaching from trainer Tim Gojich in regards to eating the right things and incorporating this into our daily meals as a family.

MY ULTIMATE GOALMy goal for this challenge is simply to become a healthier person and a role model for my fam-ily when it comes to health and fitness. It wouldn’t hurt to be able to wear some of those old clothes that have been collecting dust in the closet either.

I’m excited for the workouts. I miss the friendly competition that comes with group training, which keeps me honest and motivated when I feel like quitting. I know this journey will be a difficult one, but I’m ready for it. I’m ready to see the changes in myself and in my family.

Starting Measurements

Height: 6’2”Weight: 254 lbs.Body Fat: 28.2 %Lean Muscle: 182 lbs.Total Fat: 72 lbs.Chest: 47.5 in.Arms: 16 in.Thighs: 25.5 in.Waist at navel: 43.5 in.Hips at Glutes: 45 in.

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healthy bites healthy indulgence

CONTRIBUTED BY CHEF'S CHOICE NOODLE BARPHOTOGRAPHS BY APRIL MASSIRIO

Wok n’ Roll

Instead of reaching for the phone to call in your favorite Chinese cuisine delivery, try making the ultimate healthy stir-fry at home using a light protein and fresh veggies. Check out this low-cal recipe for Chef's Choice Noodle Bar’s ginger-soy sea bass with brown rice, which only packs about 450 calories.

B Protein Prep

Start with a 6-to 8-ounce sea bass filet such as halibut, cod or tilapia. Wash thoroughly and pat dry. Season with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon of white pepper. You can also dredge the fish lightly in all-purpose flour seasoned with black pepper and garlic.

C Spice & Vegetable MedleyFor a tasty dish, create your own fresh spice mix using 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger, 2 teaspoons of coarse-chopped cilantro and scallions. Use these vegetables: ¼ cup sliced mushrooms, 2 teaspoons chopped tomatoes and a few pieces of sliced red bell pepper.

D Turn Up The Heat

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegeta-ble oil in a wok on high. Place the fish in the hot wok for 2 minutes. Flip the fish over and place the fresh spice mix directly in the oil and wait 30 seconds. Add 1 teaspoon of low-sodium or gluten-free soy and a dash of white pepper. Deglaze pan with 3 table-spoons of water (white wine or fat-free chicken broth are even tastier), add vegetables and cover with a lid. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until fish turns opaque. Serve over 1 cup of brown rice, presenting the crisper side up, and top with the delicious and healthy pan sauce.

The Perfect Way To End The Day“Five-minute easy wok cooking — a gourmet dinner without breaking your healthy diet.”— Dr. Nick Hansa, owner of Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar

Let’s Wok!

>


healthy bites fit foodies

Nature’s Food Market & Juice BarPHOTOGRAPHS BY APRIL MASSIRIO

Editor’s Note: With the success of Bakersfield Life’s popular Dining Divas and Food Dudes, who bring readers rewarding restaurant reviews each month, B Well decided to send four local people to dine and find healthy menu options. Our hope is that their guidance will help you select smarter choices. (Bakersfield Life and B Well are sister publications, published by The Bakersfield Californian).

It is often said that when one door closes, another one opens.

Bakersfield native Chuck Naus, along with his wife, Wendy, never dreamed they would own a health food store and juice bar. However, during the finan-cial crisis of 2008, Chuck lost his job of 16 years working in real estate for a Fortune 100 company. Early in their marriage, Chuck and Wendy joined a local Adventist church, and they both developed an enthusiasm for teaching others how to live a healthy lifestyle. When an opportunity arose to become the owners of a newly-opened health food store in downtown Bakersfield, they decided to pursue their passion, take a chance and open Nature’s Food Market & Juice Bar in 2009.

This market serves a wide variety of healthy, natural products and grocer-ies, and they have a full-service customizable juice, smoothie and shake bar, with wheatgrass shots and a large selection of made-to-order vegan sand-wiches and wraps. Their most popular items, however, are their homemade raw food desserts.

The Naus’ attribute much of their success to their downtown location where there is a larger presence of fitness and yoga studios, as well as integrative health care providers. These local businesses and their clients comprise a significant percentage of regular customers who often stop in to pick up hard- to-find health food items, or a quick bite and a smoothie.

Chuck and Wendy believe Nature’s Food Market & Juice Bar is more than just a way to make a living. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to improve the health of the Bakersfield community through education. Along with the day-to-day counseling and advice they provide their customers, they now offer a raw food cooking class the third Sunday of each month. Chuck said, “Through our class, we try to show people that eating healthy can not only be good for you, but can taste good, too.”

SANDWICHES

Benjamin on the turkey wrap: Although many health enthusiasts don’t consider faux meat products like vegan turkey slices to be healthy, they can serve as great transitional foods for someone trying to gradually decrease their intake of animal products. This made-to-order vegan wrap is a handful of freshness filled with finely shredded carrots and crisp spinach with op-tional Vegenaise, all on a whole-wheat tortilla with a side of homemade vegan ranch dressing. The faux tur-key has a bit of smokiness and is texturally comparable to the real deal, but is some-thing of an afterthought when paired with the other natural ingredients.

Joel on the eggless egg salad sandwich: This vegan egg salad was made of sprouted tofu with special seasonings, and it looks and tastes like real egg salad. The sprouted tofu is more nutrient dense. With higher levels of protein, calcium, iron and omega-3 fats, it's a great alternative to regular tofu. The sandwich was served on fresh wheat bread with spinach, shredded car-rots and a vegan dressing on the side.

Leigh on the veggie wrap: The veggie wrap was deli-cious. I loved how finely the carrots and beets were shredded. The smoked red pepper hummus was a great, healthy spread. Finished off with spinach and wrapped in a thin whole-wheat tortilla, it made for a tasty vegetar-ian option for lunch.

Nicola on the chicken salad sandwich: I was a little nervous about the soy curls, but their only ingredient are textured whole soybeans, so I was willing to give it a shot. The bread was great — soft whole-wheat with a nutty flavor. The sandwich had spinach and shredded carrots with the chicken salad. The soy curls were well disguised as chicken — chopped with pickle, onion, celery and other great seasonings. It was an enjoy-able sandwich and would be the perfect option even for a regular meat eater.

Fit Foodies’ Final FindingsIt’s unlikely this hidden gem will remain undiscovered for much longer. Joel best summed up our collective experience when he stated, “I will be back. I left feeling rejuvenated, refreshed and ready for my next adventure."

Fit Foodies in front of Nature's Food Market & Juice Bar


DESSERTWe finished our incredible lunch by indulging in Wendy’s home-made vegan chocolate ganache and multi-seed nut bar with cacao chocolate drizzle. Both were sinfully decadent and will leave you speechless, wondering how something that tastes so good could possibly be healthy. Chuck mentioned that of all the items offered at Nature’s Market, these desserts were definitely two of the store’s most popular items.

Nicola Wright is in her element searching for healthy foods in Ba-kersfield. She is a fitness and nutri-tion coach, Turbo Kick instructor, WarmLine volunteer and contribu-tor “Get Fit With Nicola” on the 101.5 KGFM morning show. Nic-ola, a native of Vancouver, B.C., moved to Bakersfield 11 years ago with her husband and has grown to enjoy the dry and sunny weather, but will never give up her vacation to the Pacific Northwest in the heat of the summer. She and her husband have a 10-year-old son, an 8-year-old daughter and two be-loved senior dogs.

Leigh Pozas is the owner/opera-tor, trainer and instructor at Total Woman Fitness & Training Centers. Leigh has 25 years of experience in the health and fitness business hav-ing been certified by organizations such as American Council on Exer-cise, and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. Certified as a nutritional counselor by American Association of Nutrition Counsel-ors, her mission is to make fitness a fun and healthy habit.

Joel Livesey was born and raised in Bakersfield. He’s 36 years old and living with Type 1 diabetes, which means he is on insulin therapy and monitors his blood glucose levels throughout the day. This fitness and endurance junkie is a mountain and trail runner who enjoys running ul-tramarathon races and loves to fast-back in the Sierra Nevada Moun-tains. He ran the entire 223-mile John Muir Trail in under a week and backpacked more than 600 miles in the Sierras, mostly on a vegan and plant-based diet. He believes nutri-tion is the key ingredient to his suc-cesses as a runner, as it is 90% of his strategy. He would like to return to school to become a certified diabe-tes educator or registered dietitian.

Dr. Benjamin Ha, is a Kaiser Per-manente family physician. He actively promotes a whole foods, plant-based diet for his patients to help prevent and reverse chronic illness. This past spring, he co-au-thored an article for physicians on the benefits of a plant-based diet. He has also been invited to share his experience both locally and na-tionally, recently presenting at the 2013 North American Plant-Based Health Conference in Naples, Fla. Originally from North Carolina, he has lived in Bakersfield with his Din-ing Diva wife, Nina, for more than 10 years. Together, they have an 8-year-old daughter, Ashley, and a 6-year-old son, Ben, Jr.

FIT FOODIES

Benjamin on the reboot juice: Bright green in color, this complex combination of cucumber, kale, spinach, celery, lemon, lime, green apple and ginger is a fistful of super nutrition. It definitely has an acidic bite due to the ginger and citrus, balanced with the smoothness of the cucumber, celery and apple. The kale and spinach round out the flavor nicely. This juice leaves you feeling alert, detoxed and cleansed.

Joel on the peanut butter chocolate shake: The peanut butter choco-late shake was a deceptively delicious dessert that was presented to us in a murky green color. I learned that with this recipe, you can add tons of green leafy spinach and kale without even affecting the flavor. The shake was pretty amazing and would make for a nutritious break-fast or post-workout snack. The vegan green smoothie has a base of almond milk with banana and dates mixed with peanut butter and Sun Warrior chocolate protein powder, which is made of rice protein, and is a nice alternative to soy or dairy based protein. It tasted much better than any sugary, fattening ice cream shake and was nutritious as well.

Joel on the wheatgrass shot: The wheatgrass was the best I ever had! Chuck drives to Newport Beach weekly to source his wheatgrass. I usually associate bitter face with wheatgrass shots, but the killer shot with lemon, ginger and cayenne pepper was clean and fresh without a bacterial aftertaste.

Leigh on the green machine: Surprisingly, it is not green! Instead, it has a deep purple hue. It is packed with some of the best whole-foods ingredients, including kale, walnuts, almonds, green barley, flax, maca and hemp. The apple, orange, banana, blueberries and strawberries give it a pleasant fruity, lightly sweet taste. It was a delicious “health in a glass” smoothie.

Nicola on the killer C: The juice was a nice mesh of tart citrus with tangy ginger and spicy cayenne. Camu camu has a crazy amount of vitamin C to complement the vitamin C in the citrus and red bell pepper. It’s an ideal juice to help boost my immunity during the winter months.

WHEATGRASS SHOTS, JUICES, SMOOTHIES & SHAKES

Wheatgrass shots


healthy bites calorie count

Godiva Dark Chocolate Truffles4 pieces/200 calories/12 grams fat

Valentine’s Day Chocolates8 Chocolates under 230 Calories

........................

See’s Milk Chocolate Bordeaux1 piece/85 calories/4 grams fat

Green & Black’s 70% Organic Dark Chocolate with Spiced Chili Bar

12 pieces/230 calories/15 grams fat

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses9 pieces/200 calories/12 grams fat

Ferrero Rocher Hazelnut Chocolates3 pieces/220 calories/16 grams fat

Chocolove — Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate1/3 bar/159 calories/11 grams fat

Justin’s Organic Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups 2 cups200 calories14 grams fat

Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate & Caramel Filled Squares3 squares/220 calories/12 grams fat

75

2Ferrero Rocher Hazelnut Chocolates

3 pieces/220 calories/16 grams fat

Godiva Dark Chocolate Truffles4 pieces/200 calories/12 grams fat

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This article is brought to you by Achilles Prosthetics and Orthotics

Logan M. newton, B.O.C.O.

Board Certified Orthotist

2624 F Street (661) 323-5944 ACHILLESPO.COM

...................................................What basic information should I know

about living with a prosthetic leg?

EXPERT CONNECT

What materials are used to make a prosthetic leg? The prosthetic socket (the part that the amputated limb goes into) is generally made of a carbon fiber weave, layers of fiber-glass and cotton. The weave is held together with an acrylic laminating resin and formed under vacuum. This creates an extremely lightweight and strong socket. The “bones” of the prosthesis or the internal components are usually constructed of aluminum, stainless steel or titanium depending on the weight and activity level of the patient. Most prosthetic knees utilize a frame that is composed of one of these three metals; however, in many cases, they have hydraulic (fluid) or pneumatic (air) cylinders to control

the knee. The use of carbon fiber pros-thetic feet has made them not only very light but also very flexible and energy efficient. These carbon springs propel the patient forward with every step they take.

How much does an artificial leg weigh? The weight of an artificial limb will depend on the type of limb and the components, but on average, a below knee prosthetic weighs four pounds and an above knee prosthetic weighs eight pounds. A natural leg is approxi-mately 1/6 of your body weight.

How long does a prosthetic leg last? Depending on age, activi-ty level and growth, the prosthesis can

last anywhere from several months to several years. In the early stages after limb loss, many changes occur in the residual limb that can lead to shrink-ing of the limb. The greatest amount of volume loss occurs within the first six months following amputation. This may require socket changes, the addi-tion of socks, or changes in the align-ment and/or replacement of the sock-et. Later on, increased activity levels and desire for additional function can necessitate a change in the prosthetic or its parts. Once the prosthesis is comfortably adjusted and the patient is functioning at the desired level of activity, the prosthesis needs only mi-nor repairs or maintenance and can last for an average of three years.


healthy bites chew on this

Grapefruit

Nutrition Facts: 1 grapefruit = 41 cal., 0.1g fat, 8.9g sugar, 73% vitamin C, 24% vitamin A

Avocado-Grapefruit Salad

Ingredients1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice (2 lemons)

2 avocados, halved lengthwise and pitted

2 red grapefruit

3/4 teaspoons coarse salt

2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, plus

more for garnish

Freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

Lime wedges, for serving

DirectionsBrush 2 teaspoons lemon juice over flesh of avocados; set aside. Remove peel and pith from grapefruit using a sharp paring knife. Working over a medium bowl to catch the juice, carefully carve out segments from between membranes. Transfer grapefruit segments to a small bowl; set aside. Reserve juice in bowl. Add 1/4 cup lemon juice, salt and tarragon to the grapefruit juice; season with pepper. Whisk in oil in a slow, steady stream. Add grapefruit sections; toss gently just to coat. Place each avocado half on a plate. Top with grape fruit mixture, dividing evenly. Garnish with tarragon. Serve with lime wedges.

Pink Grapefruit "Margarita"(marthastewart.com)

Ingredients2 tablespoons colored sanding sugar1 lime6 teaspoons pomegranate syrup or grenadine1½ cups pink grapefruit juice

DirectionsPlace sanding sugar in a shallow dish or plate. Slice six thin rounds from the middle of lime; set aside. Rub lime wedge around rims of six glasses; dip each rim in sugar to coat. Pour 1 teaspoon of pomegranate syrup into bottom of each glass. Place grape-fruit juice and 2 cups ice cubes in a blender. Process on high speed until ice is crushed. Pour frozen mixture into glasses, and stir to combine with syrup. Garnish with re-served lime rounds, and serve immediately.

grilled grapefruit

COMPILED BY EDUARDO GAMEZ

America is the world’s largest consumer of grapefruit, so it’s natural that this fruit is typically grown in the sunny states of Arizona, California, Florida and Texas. The grapefruit is described as a hybrid between the pomelo and a sweet orange. Originally referred to as the “forbidden fruit,” the first modern-day grapefruits were produced in Barbados and eventually cultivated in the Caribbean islands and Jamaica during the 18th century. Grapefruit didn’t show up in the United States until 1823, and was seen as unusual and an impediment due to its thick skin.

The most common form is the Florida grapefruit, which comes in various colors like ruby red, pink, white and golden. They usually range four to six inches in diameter and are characterized by a tart taste with an underlying sweetness.

SELECT: The fruit should be firm and springy. The heavier

the grapefruit, the juicier it is. Also, never buy more

than you need. This citrus is best consumed

within two weeks of purchasing or picking.

STORE: It is best to store a grapefruit in the

refrigerator as a slight chill brings out more flavor.

PREP: Grapefruit can be cut into halves,

peeled or even juiced as an alternative

to the typical orange.

FUN FACTS: · It is suggested that the

grapefruit acquired its name

due to its resemblance of

large yellow grapes that

grow in clusters.

· Fresh grapefruit from

California and Arizona

are available all year and

come in several colors, in-

cluding pink, red, white and

golden.

· A grapefruit is 75% juice. One

medium grapefruit will give you

2/3 of a cup of fresh-squeezed juice.

· Grapefruit juice freshly squeezed and covered in the refrigerator will retain

98% of its vitamin C for up to a week.

· Grapefruit has a low impact on blood sugar, making it perfect for diabetics.

grapefruit banana oatmeal smoothie

(marthastewart.com)

are in season

grapefruit avocado salad

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wellness & wonder real success stories

Two Young Adults Learning to Live Independently withAutism

WRITTEN BY KELLY DAMIAN

Contributed Photo


About 1 in 88 American children have been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some of children have very mild symptoms that improve over time, but others are severely affected and will need constant support and care during their lives. Grant Davenport and Josh Santucci share their stories of living successful lives on different ends of the autistic spectrum.

COLLEGE LIFE

Grant Davenport, 20, is a student in the Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) at Taft College. During the week, he lives in the dorms, attends classes and works at a part-time job. He takes the bus home on the week-ends, and on Saturday mornings, he practices archery at the Kern County Gun Club. With two years of experience under his belt, he has become quite successful at the sport, and he has the Junior Olympic Archery medals to prove it.

A young man of varied and intense interests, Grant is pro-fessorial when he talks about archery, astronomy, Greek mythology and even Yu-Gi-Oh cards. He has an affinity for letters and numbers and learned to read when he was 2 years old. As a young child, he was a fan of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy.”

Because Grant has Asperger’s syndrome, communicating appropriately can be a challenge. Sometimes he paces and talks to himself, behaviors that can puzzle people who don’t know him. His mother, Lisa Davenport, worries that sometimes people rush to judge him and assume that Grant has a low IQ. The reality is quite the oppo-site. When Grant graduated from Stockdale High School, he was awarded a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.

“Most high-functioning people are very intelligent,” Lisa said. “But all of their intelligence is trapped in their heads.”

Outgoing and extroverted herself, Lisa used to worry about the time Grant spent by himself. Through the years, she came to understand that being alone makes her son feel happy. As Grant explains it, “I relate to the cat. Cats act like people with Asperger’s.”

Like many 20-year-olds, Grant has wide-ranging ideas for future careers. He can see himself becoming a baker or possibly an actor. (He developed an interest in acting after he played a milkman in a movie during a summer at Inclusion Film.)

Whatever career Grant pursues, Lisa is proud of his ac-complishments so far and is excited for what lies ahead.

PEACE AFTER A STORM OF CHANGE

At the age of 23, Josh Santucci is a bit of a sports nut. He likes playing tennis, basketball, catch and kickball. His favorite baseball team is the Yankees.

Once a week, Josh rides the city bus. He takes the longest route possible and, looking out the window, shuttling along the streets of Bakersfield, he is on top of the world.

Josh’s mother, Claudia Bouse, was young and unmarried when she had him. She didn't know anything about raising a child with special needs, but she knew that she loved her son without reservation and wanted him to have the best life possible. With very few resources, she navigated the health care system, fighting to get an accurate diagno-sis and appropriate treatment for her son.

“I learned that you have to be aggressive,” she said. “I learned to say, ‘I need to speak to your supervisor.’”

Josh was eventually diagnosed with autism and mild cerebral palsy. As he grew, some years were great. Clau-dia discovered that the more she, therapists and teachers worked with him, the more Josh improved.

Other years were incredibly difficult as Josh spiraled into severe behaviors: biting, breaking things and getting lost in tantrums that lasted for hours.

The year that he turned 21 was exceptionally difficult. When school let out for the summer, Josh descended into self-destructive behaviors. Claudia had to accept the fact that her son was now a man and, for the first time in his life, he needed care beyond what she could provide.(Continued on page 54)

“Most high-functioning people are very intelligent, but all of their intelligence is trapped in their heads.”

— Lisa Davenport

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(Continued from page 53)

First, Josh was placed in a group home. Three months later, he was moved to a psychiatric hospital. During his nine-month stay at the hospital, Claudia’s search for the right placement for her son became increasingly desper-ate. Locked indoors with other patients, Josh was miser-able. To make matters worse, the only alternative offered by Kern Regional Center was to have Josh evaluated for an institution in Porterville.

Claudia knew that Josh thrives in the outdoors. He loves ani-mals and children. In the right conditions, he can be sociable and friendly. After much consideration, Claudia went against professional recommendations and enrolled him in the Sup-ported Living Services program through Valley Achievement Center.

Josh now lives in his own house where Claudia checks on him regularly. On weekdays he spends his afternoons at Val-ley Achievement Center where he has lunch with his friends, works in the garden, does puzzles and sometimes works out in the exercise room. Five rotating caretakers work with Josh and meet with his family quarterly to discuss his goals and progress.

The change in Josh has been dramatic. Before the holidays, Claudia visited him at Valley Achievement Center. During their visit, Josh’s little brother Alex, now a preschooler, sat in his lap for an hour – a bit of normalcy that everyone was grateful for.

Transitioning Josh to independent living has taken time and patience. Claudia had to step back and give him his space, but today he is the relaxed and healthy young man she always knew he could be.

wellness & wonder real success stories

John Owens, M.D.

John Owens M.D.

Laura Valenzuela MSN, NP-C

4000 Physicians Blvd, E-211 Bakersfield, CA 93301

(661) 401-2000 www.johnowensmd.com

“ I learned that you have to be aggressive ... I learned to say, ‘I need to speak to your

supervisor.’ ”— Claudia Bouse on getting Josh diagnosed

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The loss of fat from the face is an-other unfortunate process of aging, and it happens to everyone but at different rates and severities. Take a moment to look at a 5-year-old’s face; you will see a face full of fat and tight skin. Now, look at someone in his or her 20s, and you will notice the fat decrease in the face, indicated by lowered volume accompanied by an increase in droopiness of facial tissues and wrinkles. Now, examine someone in his or her 80s, and the fat-loss in the face is so severe that the skin is practically laying on the bone, and they have a skeletal ap-pearance with significant wrinkles.


........................wellness & wonder your body

{fun & interesting facts about sleep}CONTRIBUTED BY AL BENSUSEN, OWNER OF SANDMAN SLEEP LAB

The less you sleep, the more your genes contribute to how

much you weigh. The more you sleep, the less your genes determine how much you

weigh and the more you can control your weight.

Studies show that regularly sleeping too little (six hours or less) or regularly sleeping

too much (more than nine hours) is associated with a

shorter lifespan! That’s why seven to eight hours is ideal.

Lack of sleep can raise the sensation of hunger

by 25%. By sleeping more, you can eat more and burn more calories.

Studies indicate that sleep deprivation is linked with lower libido

and less interest in sex in both men and women. Sometimes to spice things

up, you need to start by resting.

Men are more likely than women to drive

while drowsy (56% vs. 45%), and men are almost twice as likely as women to fall asleep while driving (22% vs. 12%).

New parents lose a total of six months of sleep during the first couple years

of childcare.

Sleep is just as important as diet

and exercise.

Sleeping directly after learning something new

will improve your ability to remember it effectively.

Regular exercise aids in falling asleep easier and helps people sleep sounder. However, sporadic exercise or working

out right before bed will make falling asleep much more difficult.

Experts say one of the most alluring sleep distractions is the

24-hour accessibility of the Internet.

A study of sleep breathing disorders and cancer mortality shows an association between

sleep apnea and an increase in your chance of dying from cancer.

33% of people who drink four or more caffeinated beverages

daily are designated at risk for sleep apnea — a disorder in which breathing is interrupted briefly and repeatedly. Chronic

snoring can be an indicator.

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wellness & wonder what happens when...

{recommendations to consider before starting a body cleanse or detox} CONTRIBUTED BY LEIGH POZAS, CPT & OWNER OF TOTAL WOMAN FITNESS CENTERS


TWO-SECOND TIP: Expect and accept the good with the bad. In the end, the cleanse will be worth it & you will feel great, clean, restored & rejuvenated.

WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE Cleans-ing or detoxing is an intense process and each person will experience it differently. Sometimes, you have to get worse before you get better. Symptoms like headaches, fatigue, moodiness, skin eruptions, and changes in bowl movements or even body temperature are common, as well as food cravings.

Emotions may run amuck during a cleanse. Often, emotions that were stored away manifest and are cleaned out along with toxins.

TYPES OF CLEANSES Cleanses range from three-day fasts with only drinks or juices for nutrition, to one, two or three-week programs. Quick fixes may seem attractive, but they aren’t very effective and are more difficult than they appear. I recommend a longer, more nutritious whole foods cleanse that ide-aly lasts three weeks. These programs help cleanse or detoxify the body by gently removing toxins that we accumulate from the food — or food-like prod-ucts — that we eat, junk that we drink, and environ-mental toxins that we breathe and absorb through our skin. The liver is the body’s natural detoxifier, but it could use some help sometimes.

WHY CLEANSING IS GOOD The accumulation of toxins is normal, and even people with the best diets will build up toxic sludge in the body from factors beyond their control. The air we breathe (especially here in the valley), and the chemicals that surround us from cleaning products and fibers in carpet and furniture cause this accumulation. Spending a few weeks “cleaning up” the body a couple of times a year or even seasonally is a great idea. Anytime you feel yourself getting sluggish, irritable or depressed, or feel brain fog setting in is a good time to rid your body of these toxins.

HAVING A SUPPORT SYSTEM IS KEYHaving a good support team is helpful to a successful cleanse. Share what you are doing with the people you share your life with. Ask them to help you through it and to understand that you may be emotional, cranky, tired or hungry, but those reactions are normal.

THE IDEAL CLEANSE Two whole food cleanses that I recommend are the “Ultimate Reset” by Beachbody (you can order it at ultimatereset.com/totalwomanfit) and the “Clean” or “Clean Gut” pro-grams by physician Alejandro Junger. These are both sensible programs that help the body repair itself, heal and generally promote good health. Each program is three weeks long, but there are still sig-nificant benefits to only completing week one and/or week two.

But don’t jump into these programs quickly or take them lightly. Preparation and commitment are important to achieve your desired results.

Cleansing has become increasingly popular in re-cent years, but it is certainly not new to humans, who have practiced cleanses throughout history. But in these modern, technological times, we’ve put a new spin on an old practice.

With many kinds of cleanses on the market, it can be confusing and overwhelming to decipher which cleanse, which method or which product is the best. Here’s an introduction to help guide you through the cleansing process.

Quickly digesting and ideal to use before and after a workout. Studies have shown that whey protein reduces post-consump-tion triglycerides and, over time, reduces total cholesterol as well as increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL — good cholester-ol). Bakersfield Sports Price: 5 lbs. for $52.99

life's questions answered

Protein is an essential nutrient in the human diet. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, are utilized in nearly every biological process within the body. Optimal muscle recovery, satiety, reduced body fat mass and a reduction in cholesterol are few of the benefits of getting enough protein. In addition to nutritious whole foods, a quality protein powder can be a convenient way to ensure optimal protein consumption for any lifestyle.

The sheer number of brands and types of proteins on the market can make choosing the perfect protein powder seem like a daunting task. But with a basic understanding of what each protein is best suited for, making your choice can be simple. Here are the pros of six different protein products.

CONTRIBUTED BY JERRY TEIXEIRA, GENERAL MANAGER AT BAKERSFIELD SPORTS NUTRITION

Ideal for individuals who want to avoid an-imal-sourced proteins or people with food allergies. Boasting an amino acid profile closely resembling that of whey protein, NutraSumma Pea Protein is the perfect way to support the building and maintain-ing of lean muscle. Bakersfield Sports Price: 2.02 lbs. for $24.99

A pure whey protein isolate, this is the highest percentage of pro-tein by volume available. With zero sugar, less than 1 gram total of carbohydrates, zero cholesterol and 27 grams of protein for only 115 calories, this is the leanest protein you can buy. Perfect for a reduced calorie diet. Bakersfield Sports Price: 2 lbs. for $37.99

wellness & wonder{what protein powder is right for me?}

NutraSumma Pea Protein

Hyperwhey

Allergy Prone & Vegetarian

Before or After Workout

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Recovery

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A cold temperature processed, undena-tured protein blend. Fortified with ome-ga-3 from flax seed, coconut oil for natural energy and CLA for natural fat-loss. This is loaded with 4 grams of dietary fiber and 25 grams of protein per serving. Hexapro makes an ideal meal replacement. Bakers-field Sports Price: 5 lbs. for $59.99

Hexapro

Aftershock combines a full spectrum of recovery-based ingredients with rapidly digesting whey. Each serving is packed with glutamine, a fully dose of joint support for-mula, key vitamins and minerals, electro-lytes and a novel carbohydrate blend. The most comprehensive recovery protein on the market, Aftershock will drastically en-hance your ability to recover quickly from even the most grueling workouts. Bakers-field Sports Price: 2.64 lbs. for $33.99

Egg whites add additional lean protein to any diet. Flash pasteur-ized, you can safely drink these right out of the jug and with six amazing flavors ranging from va-nilla to chocolate caramel, you will want to! Great for cooking. Bakersfield Sports Price: Half gallon for $19.99

Muscle Egg (No Yolk Egg Whites)

Lean Protein

Energy & Fat-Loss

High Protein

Homemade Salsa

wellness & wonder gardening

SPONSORED BY ROBBY’S NURSERY & CALICO GARDENS — 4002 TERRACOTTA COURT. — 588-0859

Is the warmer weather making you antsy to get outside and start planting fruits and vegetables? If so, have you considered a salsa garden for spring?

You may need to go in stages as weather permits, but to get started, prep all the soil with good organic mulch like Gardner & Bloome’s Harvest Supreme. By the end of February, our tomato enthusiasts are “chomping at the bit” to begin their plant-ing. The back row of your garden could contain your tomatoes. Be sure to leave room for towers so plants can grow up them. Keep in mind that starting this early may require a frost cloth since the tem-perature still drops at night.

Onions and garlic can go in early with-out problems. At this time, radishes, car-rots and many of your cool season plants can be added for another harvest before the heat hits. Peppers, cilantro, basil and tomatillos will have to wait until the nights are in the high 40s (usually not before mid-April). These can go toward the front of the beds, as they will be added last.

Other early springtime fruits and veggies are artichokes, rhubarb, asparagus, straw-berries, potatoes, berries, grapes and many herbs. As you can see, there is quite a selection of fun edibles that can be grown this time of year. If you are plant-ing in pots or raised beds, use a complete potting soil like Kellogg’s Premium Potting Soil. Just remember to feed your garden once a month with E.B. Stone Organic To-mato & Vegetable Food.

For extra help, check out Robby’s Nursery & Calico Gardens’ free veggie seminar at 1 p.m. Feb 15. Bring your questions and a notebook!

CONTRIBUTED BY KATHY ROBINSON of ROBBY’S NURSERY & CALICO GARDENS

INGREDIENTS4 large tomatoes, diced1/2 large onion, minced3 cloves garlic, chopped1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (more or less to taste)2 tablespoons fresh lime juiceSalt to taste

DIRECTIONSCombine tomatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro and lime juice. Gradually add jalapenos in 2 teaspoons at a time, tasting after each addition to see how hot the salsa has become. Jalapeno peppers vary in heat, so it is important to taste the salsa to ensure you do not make it too hot to handle. Salt to taste.

Planting a

Salsa Garden

4x4 Salsa Garden Plan

Area 1 | Cilantro & Onions

• 4 Cilantro• 22 Red onions• 10 White onions (we used Georgia Sweet)

Area 2 | Peppers

• 1 Jalapeno pepper (with cage or trellis)• 1 Red Bell pepper (with cage or trellis)

Area 3 | Tomatoes/Tomatillos

Choose either tomatoes or tomatillos. You must have two tomatillo plants for cross-pollination.

• 2 large red tomatoes (such as Celebrity or Amelia, with cage or trellis)• 2 Tomatillos (with cage or trellis)source: bonnieplants.comf


creating awareness some kind of wonderful

Jacob Panero has quite a few ac-complishments under his belt. A family man with a wife and three kids, this honors graduate from UC Davis is co-owner and chief operating officer at Varner Bros. Inc., and is faithful in his god and church. An even greater accom-plishment is his amazing dedica-tion to helping others less fortu-nate. With either the help of his friends and family, or through his company, Jacob has made giving back a top priority in his daily life.

Jacob’s commitment to serving others was instilled in him at a young age by his parents. He was taught that he had a responsibility to put others before himself.

“My grandfather quotes the Chi-nese Proverb, ‘It is better to light one candle than curse the dark-ness,’” he said. “To make a differ-ence, it takes a conscious effort by individuals.”

The 32-year-old surrounds him-self with others who support and respect this way of life.

“There are very few people I’m around that haven’t made serving a priority,” he said.

For starters, Jacob and his wife, Nicole, are involved in many Chris-tian organizations, both locally and globally, and can be found on most Sundays teaching children’s classes at RiverLakes Community Church.

On Tuesday evenings, you’ll find Jacob with other selfless men and women of the Oildale LIFT pro-gram, who help more than 200 underprivileged people at 325 Roberts Lane, a location known as “The Pit.” The owner of the build-ing allows the group to meet in the parking lot to provide Christian music and family-friendly fellow-ship to those who gather. Jacob

got involved in 2012, and usu-ally spends one to two hours there each week. The LIFT program helps provide clothing and blan-kets and among other things, to those in need.

Jacob is also on the Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, helping to meet communi-ty needs in health care. He serves on Cal State Bakersfield’s Execu-tive Advisory Council and helps with guidance for the School of Business and Public Administra-tion. Because of his trade (waste management and recycling), he also participates in recycling and cleanup programs associated with Relay For Life, Adopt-A-Highway and the Greater Bakersfield Green Expo.

But Jacob’s interests don’t just lie within local organizations. He and his family support the Global Fam-ily, a nonprofit organization dedi-cated to providing education and care for children in impoverished areas. The organization also has the Daughter Project, a program that helps to prevent young girls from falling victim to human traf-ficking.

Another well-known organization that Jacob will soon be partici-pating in is Locks of Love, which is dedicated to making wigs from real human hair for children suf-fering from long-term hair loss from any medical diagnosis. He even got his 5-year-old son Tristan involved. “My son and I have been growingout our hair in conjunction with a

work project. We planned on do-nating the hair when our sister company, Metropolitan Recycling, LLC, was done constructing a re-cycling facility. It should be done in February, but my son couldn’t stand the long hair, so he cut it and donated it recently,” he said.

A man this dedicated to serving others is more than just a man. He is a wonderful human being, committed to making this commu-nity and, maybe even the world, a better place. In his free time, he and Nicole (whom he met at cross-country practice in high school) enjoy running and working out together, while their favorite ac-tivity with their kids is squeezing in a 15-minute dance party right before bedtime.

“I am just as flawed as anyone else, but strive to be more like Jesus Christ. As long as I succeed in that, I will succeed as a parent, spouse, friend and co-worker.”

Jacob’s Words of Wisdom on Giving Back

{Jacob Panero-A Well-Rounded Man Giving Back for the Greater Good}WRITTEN BY CHELSEA BREWER

“‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’ This Winston Churchill quote hits

deep when we examine how we spend our free time.”

“We all need some rest and relax-ation, but I don’t want my life to be

defined by my own recreation.”

“When I know that I put in my time for others first — time that really

did good for someone — when I get some me time it truly feels earned.”

“There’s no wrong way to donate your time or money.”

“It takes true selflessness to con-tinually serve and expect nothing

in return.”

PHOTOGRAPH BY APRIL MASSIRIO

“To make a difference, it

takes a conscious effort by

individuals.”


WRITTEN BY CHELSEA BREWER

creating awareness b the cause

Talking numbers

1

For many working-class families, after-school child care may not be an option. And if parents or guardians are not around to supervise, there are a lot of things young kids and teens do after school that can lead to trouble.

Statistics show that between the hours of 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., kids are more likely to become involved in crime. During these three short hours, kids are out of school for the day while most parents are still at work, leaving their children to care for themselves. But staying out of trouble is much easier when kids have a safe place to go.

The Bakersfield Police Activities League (PAL) is just the place for kids to visit, particularly for youth living in southeast and east Bakersfield. Inside this humble-looking building is a world of opportunity for any kid wanting to stay off the streets and get involved with almost any activity they can imagine. From sports to arts and anything in between, odds are a kid will find something fun to do and make great friends in the process.

Kyle Ursery, the director of Bakersfield’s PAL, has been with the program since March 2013.

“I’m really glad I got involved,” he said. “I’m trying to make things better for these kids.”

Baseball, basketball, soccer, video games, a pool table — the list of activities goes on and on. They also have a study room filled with plenty of tables and comfy chairs where kids can do homework, get help from an on-site tutor, or just sit and read in a warm spot until it’s time to go home.

“I would love to get every kid around this area involved in something,” Ursery said. “The kids on this side of town have it harder than most. I want them to feel safe all the time.”

All a kid has to do is show up and say they want to hang out. They’ll be welcomed in and allowed to study, play air hockey or get involved in any of the many athletic activities offered there.

One of the more popular activities is boxing. The kids have their own boxing league and begin training around the fall. Two boxers get picked to compete in

PAL’s most successful annual fundraiser: The Battle of the Badges, which is open to the public. Participants include law enforcement and military.

But PAL doesn’t just rely on fundraising events and volunteers. A majority of the program operates because of donations.

“It’s always coming down to money,” said Ursery. “We will take any donation. From toilet paper, offices supplies or just come down and buy a tumbler cup, we’ll take it.”

The staff at PAL is on the lookout for new programs and ideas. “Any little thing that’s different than what’s out there is what we want to get the kids in here,” said Ursery. “Anything to draw the kids in from the streets.”

For people interested in volunteering, simply stop by and fill out a packet. Or you can call the office for more informa-tion.

Bakersfield Police Activities League Info

Address: 301 E. Fourth St.Phone: 283-8880Website: bakersfieldpal.org Facebook search: Bakersfield Police Activities LeagueHours: Open 2 to 5:30 p.m.

u

FULL-TIME TUTOR

{Bakersfield Police Activities League: ‘Bonding Cops & Kids’}

“The kids on this side of town have it harder than most. I want them to feel safe all the time.”-Kyle Ursery

4 STEADY VOLUNTEERS

2 BOXING RINGS IN THE BOXING ROOM

$10 MONETARY DONATION FOR A PAL TUMBLER CUP

3HOURS A DAY THE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO KIDS

2FORMER PAL STUDENTS WHO ARE NOW PAL STAFF MEMBERS

20YEARS PAL HAS BEEN RUNNING IN BAKERSFIELD

3 MAJOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENTS

10-20BOUTS IN THE BIGGEST FUNDRAISER FOR THE CENTER — BATTLE OF THE BADGES


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Hillary Haenes & Patrick WellsChris, Abby, Xavier Jr. & Xavier Gonzalez Sr. Melanie Stevenson & Rosie Robles

Evie Elizalde, Erica Lopez & Olivia GarciaNelson & Arnold Viduya Michael Jones & Jennifer Neubauer

BMW of Bakersfield 5400 Gasoline Alley · Bakersfield, CA 661.396.4040 bmwbakersfield.com

1| Find joy in simple things — they are all around you: Frost on the branches of a tree, the song of a bird, a baby’s belly laugh, the rich color of a piece of fabric.

2| Smile more, laugh more and be kind — it’s good medicine. You know friends who will make you laugh, so share fun events with them. Or volunteer your time to a worthy cause and it may lift your spirits.

3| Unplug! Turn off cell-phones and learn to manage without social media for the evening. Avoid electronic stimulation for a while.

4| Be positive; it’s con-tagious. Find the good in folks. Most have something unique and wonderful to celebrate.

5| Give people the benefit of the doubt. Avoid jumping to conclusions because forgiveness is healthier and simpler than harboring festering accusations.

6| Don’t obsess about small things. It probably isn’t really that important after all. Relax your attitude, try to be a little more open-minded and consider others’ points of view.

7| Listen more. Really listen and don’t interrupt. You may be able to contribute to the lives of those around you if you just take time to hear what they are saying. They may do the same for you one day.

8| Breathe. Take time each day to find peace by sitting in a calm place, closing your eyes and breathe. Cleans-ing, refreshing, calming, renewing breathing. Focus on the breath flowing in and out. Make it a daily habit.

9| Find a healthy way to exercise by doing some-thing you enjoy. Surround yourself with friends who share similar goals and workout together. Physical exhaustion is the best stress lifter!

10| Simplify! It’s OK to say “no” sometimes. We can’t al-ways be there for everyone. Over-booking ourselves can leave us feeling frazzled and stretched too thin. Simplify all areas of your life. Elimi-nate excess stuff. Donate and recycle regularly; it can be very cleansing. 11| Commit to being the best you can be from this day forward. We are only given one body, so nurture it. Keep it strong, feed it wisely, regularly attend doctor appointments and love your life. Working to maintain physical well-being will work wonders toward maintaining sturdy mental and emotional health.

12| Never give up your dream. Believe you can achieve it and then pursue it with passion. Don’t be afraid to try new things; you may find your path is one that you had never imagined. Progress with regard to all forms of health. Mental, emotional, physical and even spiritual health seems to be more evident when we learn to reinvent ourselves, attempt new things, tackle obstacles and reach for new goals.

last look life & happiness

12CONTRIBUTED BY SALLY BAKER

tips to living lifestress-free

4501 Wible Rd., Bakers�eld


4501 Wible Rd., Bakers�eld

Documents

B Well Magazine - Bakersfield Wellness Magazine February 2014