FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016

Valley healthMontrose press

VOL. 3, ISSUE 3

SPRING INTO ACTIONGET OUTDOORS THIS SPRING – AND TAKE SOME GRANOLA WITH YOUPG 5

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VALLEY HEALTHPublisher

Vincent Laboy

Managing EditorPaul Wahl

Advertising DirectorDennis Anderson

For advertising information, contact Dennis Anderson at 252-7022

or via email at dennisa@montrosepress.com

Valley Health is a publication of the Montrose Daily Press. It publishes monthly on the first Friday.

If you have a health-related news tip, contact Paul Wahl, managing editor,

at editor@montrosepress.com.

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Dear pharmacist

Feeding the brain is vital

Last December, I forgot where I parked my car at the mall and I had to go find a security man to drive me around and find it. Well, that’s embarrassing. At first I thought someone stole my Subaru, but that just didn’t make sense. Who would steal the 4 year old dirty one, I mean if you’re going to risk a prison sentence, seems you go after a newer model right? When it sunk in, I thought silently to myself “Oh my gosh, how do I not remember this?!”

For a few minutes I got a glimpse of what it’s like to forget something important. My brain is constantly twirling a hundred million thoughts at any given time and I was multi-tasking while driving around the mall lot, which basically means NOTHING was getting my complete attention. When I pulled in, I was on a phone conversation with my “BookFace” mom, LOVE HER! And dad. You have to watch my French mom and Russian dad discussing Facebook, omg! But anyway, to honor those of you who forget things due to brain injuries, memory loss or other health conditions I’d like to offer 8 different (affordable) ways to help you.

When memory loss is severe, or compounded with other brain-related concerns, you obviously need a team of physicians, and

diagnostic imaging, lab tests and more. I don’t want to gloss over that or leave you thinking a few supplements will do the trick, but for some of you, they will serve as nice adjunctives. I want you to ask your practitioner what’s right for you.

Your brain needs to be properly ‘fed’ and ‘exercised’

and kept in good shape.

Since so many of us are multi-tasking, I think that is the number one thing that we need to stop. If you are doing several things at once, then each thing gets a piece of your brain. Nothing gets your full attention. That will cause you to forget the basics (where your phone is, where did you leave your gloves, what time is that dental ap-pointment, and so forth). So try to think (and work) sequentially, and put off other tasks and responsi-bilities until you’re done with the most important one.

Next, move your body. Exercis-ing is a sure fire way to save your brain, bring peace and calm and help you squeeze into your jeg-gings better. Today I have some help if you or a loved one is deal-ing with:

Memory issues

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Leann TobinMontrose Memorial Hospital

Another successful Health Fair goes into the record book, and again, I think about all of the incredible people who make the Blood Draws and Health Fair work. I am very blessed to stand beside these people who work very hard to make the events as efficient and informative as pos-sible.

We work hard to review it each year to assess what went well and also what can work better next time. As H.E. Luccock said, “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orches-tra to play it,” and this group plays and works incredibly well together to provide this great service.

Starting with the seven days of Early Blood Draws, we thank the phlebotomists, lab techs, nurses and all who work diligently to draw blood. They are skilled, kind, friendly, patient and very good at their craft. We performed almost 3,500 blood draws this year in four different locations-which is approximately 75 more than last year!

The result booklets from the early blood draws are new and beautifully detailed for each indi-vidual participant. Helpful hints are given to improve your overall health, in addition to the page at the end to give to your care provid-er. We’ve received overwhelming positive response regarding the presentation. They may take a bit longer to receive in the mail, but they are definitely worth the wait!

Next, we acknowledge the volun-teers who generously donate their time to do “anything they can” to

make the symphony sweet. Over 65 other volunteers arrive before 6

a.m. each day to register people, cashier, direct, serve food, alphabetize and so much more. Their energy, enthusiasm and substantial gift of time are truly admired and appreciated. Many of them come back every year to help, and we are fortunate each year to have new people call and ask, “How can I help you next year?” \The yellow vested Lions club mem-bers have helped us at the Fair for more than 20 years and we appreci-ate their assistance and

smiling faces.As I continue to think of the

support, we salute the great people at MMH who work to uphold this huge event. Muffins, juice and bananas are ordered and deliv-ered, supplies and equipment are delivered and retrieved, and lots of phone calls and questions are answered.

We appreciate everyone who donates their time to staff the informational booths at the Fair, provide health screenings and the physicians who volunteer to provide health screenings, answer questions and share their knowl-edge. It was also fun to have the CareFlight chopper on display for participants to look at this year.

And last but not least, the pro-fessional and helpful staff at the Montrose Pavilion. MMH has offered the annual Health Fair for more than 25 years and we are thankful to the community, volun-teers and staff for its support.

Leann Tobin is the director of marketing and public relations for Montrose Memorial Hospital. l

Hospital Happenings

MMH health fair a grand success

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Brain fogTraumatic brain injury (TBI)Toxic EncephalopathyFYI, toxic Encephalopathy is a term you may

not have heard of. Toxic Encephalopathy is a condition you may get from working with solvents, glues, metals, or mold, or from dealing with chronic infections.

Today I offer suggestions to save your brain (it is, after all, sort of important). I’m not sure if any of this is right for you, safe for you, or even effective for your condition, so please speak to your neurologist before trying any of these supplements:

Fatty Acids – Why fat? Fat is an integral part of your brain and can help with brain injuries, so it’s first up on my list. One of the most important types of supplements you can take is something high in DHA (docosa-hexaenoic acid). You’ll find DHA clearly labeled in supplements as well as in fish oils particu-larly salmon, chia seed oil and krill.

Mullein Root – This can be a little harder to find. I actually put a smidgen of this herb in my own thyroid supplement, ThyroScript. It is known to help with spasms, as it has mild anti-spasmodic effect. Since it has an affinity for facial nerves, some holistic doctors suggest Mullein for Bells Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia and other facial nerve pain syndromes associ-ated with brain-injury.

Acetyl L Carnitine – It’s capable of repair-ing brain cells (neurons) and it is known to prevent age-related memory decline. It turns into acetylcholine in the brain which can help you with learning. Doctors often suggest it for stroke victims. A side benefit is that it enhanc-es immune function!

Ginkgo Biloba – A well-known herb that sends blood up to your brain which could help with both short- and long-term memory. It seems to help balance the various catechol-amine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepi-nephrine, adrenalin) as well as serotonin and cortisol levels! Taken together this can help revitalize a fading memory, reduce anxiety and improve your mood. In a study using rats, ginkgo was found to protect brains from mobile phone devices which emit electromagnetic fre-quencies. If for some reason, you can’t tolerate ginkgo, do consider vinpocetine, it’s another one of my favorites in this category. “Vinpo” as I call it for short, is a different plant from gingko, yet it has similar amazing actions on your brain. Both of these herbs have the ability to reduce edema in the brain. It’s important that you don’t take both together, and that you don’t combine either with prescribed blood thinners.

Boswellia (Frankincense) – Quick! What

are the names of the 3 Biblical Magi who brought gifts to baby Jesus? If you don’t know the answer, or if you find that you’re struggling to remember the name of your next-door neigh-bor, do consider using boswellia, commonly known as frankincense. Numerous clinical trials point to its ability to enter the brain and nervous system and reduce inflamma-tion. Boswellia is best known by consumers as something like a natural plant-derived type of ibuprofen… it’s helpful for pain. But science suggests it could help save your brain due to its potent anti-inflammatory capabilities.

In 2014, there was a study in the European Journal of Immunology in which scientists found that boswellia reduced Th17, which you should think of as a bad chemical grenade in your brain. If boswellia can keep you from ‘pulling the pin’ on that grenade, it will slow neuronal degeneration and be helpful with brain ischemia, dementia, stroke, TIA and more. Boswellia may also support your treat-ments with Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, TBI any other conditions that are driven by Th17. My own supplement blend to support joint health, JointScript, contains boswellia.

Ashwagandha – This is known to help with thyroid function over time by raising thyroid hormone levels but it can make you sleepy. Stud-ies suggest that it’s a good choice if you have insomnia related to any brain injury, including TBI. Huperzine A – This is a plant-derived extract that may help you remember your dreams, which is kind of cool IMO! If it can help me re-member my dreams while I’m basically uncon-scious (sleeping) then it should certainly help me remember my parking spot when I’m awake! It increases acetylcholine which is associated with more clarity of thinking (good for brain fog), and memory retention to help you remem-ber the whole phone number (not just the area code!). Because it boosts nerve growth factor, it can grow and protect neurons as well as improve neuroplasticity. Dosages vary; 200 to 400 mcg (micrograms) daily is generally appropriate.

Bacopoa – This is a very cool herb as it has widespread benefits for people dealing with mind ‘processing’ issues, poor focus, memory loss and anxiety. There are many options out there so always follow label directions.

I hope that some of these supplements will help.

Suzy Cohen has been a licensed pharmacist for 25 years and is a functional medicine practitioner for the last 15. She devotes time to educating people about the benefits of natural vitamins, herbs and minerals. In addition to writing a syndicated health column, “Dear Pharmacist,” Suzy Cohen is the author of many different books on natural health. l

Cycling is a great recreational activity and a fun way to stay in shape. Some people bike to work to save money and reduce fuel consumption, while others ride to give their bodies a demanding cardiovascular work-out.

Whether a cyclist aspires to compete in the next Tour de France or wants to keep things a little more local, taking steps to improve stamina is a great way to make the most of a bike ride. Riders who improve their stamina will likely witness marked improvement in their cycling performance as time progresses.

Stamina is the body’s ability to endure ex-tended periods of exercise. For example, a person who is new to physical activity may tire after a relatively brief workout. How-ever, the more that person exercises, the more he or she builds strength and stamina, which will lead to longer workouts. The same thing applies to cycling. At the begin-ning, cycling more than a certain number of miles may be difficult, and changes in terrain can make things even more chal-lenging. By following a consistent training regimen that builds stamina, cyclists will refine their performance and push their bodies further.

Increasing cycling stamina is not neces-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Learn how to increase cycling stamina

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sarily about making the legs stron-ger, although that will help. In-creasing cycling stamina involves getting your body acclimated to regulating energy exertion so that it will not get fatigued early on. Anyone who has to exercise for long durations, whether hikers, marathon runners or triathletes, will train to develop stamina. For cyclists, here is how to begin.

l Set a realistic goal. Newcomers to the sport will not be able to ride dozens of miles without any feel-ings of fatigue. Establish a weekly goal that gradually increases your

total mileage traveled, revising these goals as you feel yourself getting stronger and more fit.

l Gradually increase biking min-utes. In addition to increasing the distance you travel, start increas-ing the number of days you ride in a week. You may soon find your-self riding several days per week, and doing so for extended periods of time. A good rule of thumb is to increase your distance and speed by around 10 percent each week if you’re training for a race or work-ing toward a challenging goal.

l Throw in a long ride once a week. Schedule a weekly long bike ride, perhaps two to three hours

of sustained riding, to challenge your body. Concentrate on the time spent riding, not necessarily how fast or hard you’re riding. Accord-ing to John Hughes, director of the Ultra Marathon Cycling Associa-tion, you can gradually add more long rides as you become more comfortable.

l Train with others. Riding with others can keep you motivated and provide a healthy dose of competi-tion to push you further.

l Take care of your body. Trevor Fenner, co-founder of Road Bike City, says you must pay special attention to your dietary intake to improve stamina. You may need

to increase carbohydrate intake, and staying hydrated is essential. Eating pieces of banana or energy bars while riding may also help sustain energy levels.

l Plan for rest. Injuries can result when you push your body too far. Have days during the week when you rest and recuperate. If you ever are weak or in pain, stop cy-cling and take time to recover.

These tips can be heeded by rid-ers of varying abilities, whether you are training for a race or sim-ply want to get more out of recre-ational cycling.

Story courtesy of Metro Creative Connection. l

Families often look for fun things to do together, and few things are more fun than physi-cal activity. Choosing activities that combine fun with physical activity is a great way to bond as a family and get healthy at the same time.

According to Let’s Move!, an initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama to fight the prob-lem of childhood obesity, children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Parents know it can sometimes be hard to get kids to disconnect from their devices long enough to get out and play.

But Let’s Move! notes that kids who are supported by their families or surrounded by others interested in physical activity are more likely to participate in such activities themselves. Families looking to get fit and grow closer can consider the following ap-proaches to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

l Give gifts that encourage activity. Both youngsters and adults are enamored with the latest gadgets, but tablets and video game consoles won’t do much to make families more physically active. In lieu of toys that promote sedentary lifestyles, give kids toys that encourage physical activity. Erect a basketball hoop in

the driveway or go buy new bicycles for the whole family, resolving to go for a nightly ride together.

l Restrict TV time. Establish house rules regarding how many hours of television kids and adults can watch each day. Kids will follow their parents’ lead with regard to how much television they watch, so par-ents should be mindful of their own viewing habits, resisting the temptation to plop down on the couch for several hours each night. Don’t turn on the televi-sion at night until the whole family has engaged in some physical activity.

l Walk or ride bikes to run er-rands. When running errands in town, take the kids along and walk or ride bicycles rather than drive. This is a great time for families to catch up, and walking or riding a bicycle is great exercise for adults and kids alike.

l Schedule physical activities for the weekends. When plan-ning weekends, parents can schedule a physical activity for the whole family. Make time to go hiking at a nearby park or schedule a family basketball game in the driveway. Such activities are healthy, and they

don’t have to cost a lot money, either.

l Volunteer as a family. Another way to get up and go as a family is to work with a local nonprofit or charitable organization. Sign the family up for monthly park or beach cleanup projects that get the family out of the house and moving. Or sign the fam-ily up to work at a local soup kitchen where kids can learn the value of helping others while

staying on their feet.

l Let kids plan activities. One great way to get kids excited about an active lifestyle is to let them plan family activi-ties. Kids who are encouraged to come up with activities, whether it’s visiting the zoo or going kayaking as a family, are more likely to embrace those activities.

Story courtesy of Metro Creative Connection. l

How families can get up and go

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5

Spring is right around the cor-ner. Daylight is increasing by the minute as we count down into March. Temps are climbing into the comfortable zone.Before you know it, everyone will

be out in the great out-doors.It’s like the birds fl y-ing north. There’s something inside each of us that beckons us into the great out-doors.In addition to its obvi-ous physical benefi ts, communing

with nature is also sharpens you mental senses, as well. Everyone experiences the out-doors in different ways.My wife and I are fond of packing up burgers or brats and heading to a park, fi lling the grill with charcoal and enjoying our sur-roundings for what little amount of time we usually have. A grill-ing picnic in the park is fun, but the amount of preparation some-times can be overwhelming.And it never fails, the more rural a spot we pick, the more things we forget at home — like a lighter for the grill. I tried the old Boy Scout trick of rubbing two sticks togeth-er one time. It didn’t work.Quick, clean and nonperishable are good measurements for foods you take a long to eat outdoors. That’s what makes granola the perfect product.And since Colorado is known to be fi lled with “granola eaters,” it makes just that much more sense.However, the fi rst granola bar sold in the United State was manufac-tured in Chico, Calif., which still has its share of “granola eaters” today, as well.

l Granola is generally a collec-tion of grains and nuts, occa-sionally with dried fruit added for good measure. One of our favorites contains carob chips, which adds just that bit of extra to the mix.

My fi rst introduction to gra-nola was as a breakfast food. It didn’t take long for me to fi gure out that dumping milk onto gra-nola ruined it, in my estimation.

A European cousin is muesli, which is terrible. And then there’s trail mix. It’s diffi cult for some folks to make a distinction between granola and trail mix.

Most use the term interchange-ably. The primary difference is that trail mix usually isn’t roasted … it’s just a mix of things you’d eat on the trail.

Any of our Montrose grocery stores will have a variety of brands, types and fl avors of the granola for those who aren’t purists. Some are better than others.

One of the corollaries I have discovered is that the least expensive varieties are gener-ally as good or sometimes better than the most expensive ones. Prices range dramatically.

Most varieties are low in fat and cholesterol. Most have considerable amounts of carbo-hydrates – which is what makes them energy food when you’re romping through nature.

Beware of added sugars in commercial varieties and don’t be fooled into thinking that every granola you eat is high in fi ber. Some have very little fi ber per serving. Granolas with dried fruit have hefty amounts of sugar in them.

l If you want complete control over what’s in your granola, the best option is to make it your-self.

If you are on a special diet, this is also the only way to ensure you’re eating what the label – in this case your own label – says.

Rolled oats – or oatmeal – seems to be the most prevalent ingredient. And we’re not talk-ing the overprocessed instant kind as well.

Rolled oats is another prod-uct where you can pay a little or pay a lot. Steel-cut are top-of-the-line. Most afi cionados believe steel-cut oats are nut-tier-fl avored and chewier than other types of oats, which can add substance to your granola. It can also change the tex-ture somewhat, so if you’re a texture-sensitive person, better stick with regular rolled oats.

Nuts are a common ingredient in granola. Almonds, peanuts, cashews or walnuts add heft and fl avor. Most recipes call for unsalted nuts, but if you’re concerned about not drinking enough water, a bit of salt may prompt you in that direction.

Seeds and grains are popular. I am a huge fan of pumpkin seeds, but fl ax and sesame seeds also work. Pumpkin seeds have a unique fl avor, in addition to being providing all sorts of vi-tamins you need if you’re active outdoors.

Raisins, craisins (dried cran-

berries) and other dried fruit often fi nd their way into home-made granola. Again, if you’re concerned about added sugar in what you eat, use them spar-ingly.

An ounce (about 60) raisins contains around 17 grams of sugar. Dried apples have far less sugar, although not as nutrition-packed as some other fruits. Pears are also high in sugar.

Most recipes also call for brown sugar, but the combina-tion of a wet ingredient like maple syrup and then adding brown sugar could make it overly sweet.

Once you get beyond these basic ingredients, you start messing with perfection. Who needs granola with candied or-ange peel or crystalized ginger? And as for spices, leave them the spice rack. I don’t know of a single homemade granola that was made better by adding cin-namon or cloves. l The actual making of granola is quite simple. Start with six parts dry ingredients and 1 part wet. Start by mixing your dry ingredients – four is generally considered optimum in most recipes.

The wet ingredient turns the mixture brown when it roasts and also holds it together in clumps. You can use something as simple as maple syrup or brown rice syrup. Of course,

those add extra calories and sugar.

To avoid those, a number of recipes call for olive oil or coco-nut oil, all of which can add also signifi cant caloric content to your granola.

It comes down to a personal choice. I come from a part of the country where canola has been grown for oil for decades, so I have become partial to it as an oil selection.

Mix the dry and the wet ingredients until throughly combined.

Line a rimmed backing sheet with parchment paper and spread the granola mixture you’ve chosen in an even layer. Be sure the layer isn’t too thick or you can ruin the taste. Bake at 300 degrees. Stir every 15 min-utes until the granola is brown and dry. Most recipes suggest 45 minutes.

If you add dried fruit, do it at the very end after the granola mixture comes out of the oven. Let it cool completely and pack-age in whatever method works for you.

Remember granola isn’t good simply as a portable energy food. You can also top salads with granola or sprinkle some on your pudding or cookies. It also makes a great cupcake top-ping.

Paul Wahl is the Managing Editor at the Montrose Daily Press. l

Get outdoors this spring – and take some granola with you

Paul WahlMontrose Daily Press Managing Editor

Here’s a recipe from the Food Network’s Alton Brown. I can’t stand his show on the network, “Cutthroat Kitchen.” It dimin-

ishes the art of cooking to be stirring your dish with your fi ngers because someone got to steal your spoon.

INGREDIENTS• 3 cups rolled oats• 1 cup slivered almonds• 1 cup cashews• 3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp maple syrup• 1/4 cup vegetable oil• 3/4 tsp. salt• 1 cup raisins•

INSTRUCTIONSPreheat oven to 250 degrees. Combine oats, nuts, coconut and

brown sugar in a large bowl. In a separate bowl combine maple syrup, oil and salt. Com-

bine both the dry and wet mixtures and pour into even layers on two sheet pans. Bake for an hour to 75 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Add raising and mix until evenly distributed.

Granola

6

Many people take advantage of nice weather by exercising in the great outdoors. Some might skip the treadmill at the gym in favor of running at the park, while others join recreational sports leagues for some exercise and fun in the sun.But exercising outdoors carries its

share of risk. Unlike gyms where machinery clearly advises mem-bers about proper form and warns against lifting excessive weight, Mother Nature comes with no such warning labels. As a result, it’s up to men and women to make injury prevention a priority when taking their exercise routine outside. The following are a handful of preventa-tive measures that can help exercise enthusiasts avoid injury as they attempt to get or stay fit in the great outdoors.

l Study the terrain. Part of the danger of exercising out-doors is that, unlike a gym fit-ted with machines designed for the sole purpose of exercise, nature’s terrain is unpredict-able. Safety features you take for granted at the gym, such as padded floors, are nonex-istent outdoors. In addition, certain areas in nature might not be suitable to all athletes. For example, mountain biking is a popular sport, but not all mountain biking trails are the same. Some trails are ideal for beginners, while others are best ridden by more seasoned riders. When your outdoor exercise regimen will be taking you off the beaten path, be sure you know the terrain before you start your workout. Speak with fellow outdoor enthusiasts about which trails or courses are best for someone of your skill level and adhere to their recommendations. When ex-ercising on a trail for the first time, bring a friend along so someone can go get help should an accident happen.

l Stay hydrated. Dehydra-tion is another cause of injury when athletes exercise in the great outdoors. Gyms have water fountains that allow members to take a drink of wa-ter when they’re thirsty. That water can help prevent dehy-dration, which can be painful and greatly increase your risk of injury. When exercising out-doors, be sure to bring along enough water so you can stay hydrated regardless of how far away from civilization you may find yourself.

l Honestly assess your abili-ties. When exercising outdoors, it’s easy to overdo it. Warm air and sunshine have a way of en-couraging athletes to prolong their workout routines or push themselves a little harder. But pushing yourself past your lim-its can considerably increase your risk of injury. While it’s easy to stay within your lim-its when exercising indoors, where the environment may encourage you to cut a workout short rather than extend it, it’s easy to overextend yourself outdoors when the weather is nice. So it’s important for men and women to make an honest assessment of their abilities before beginning an outdoor exercise regimen. Once you know what your body can and can’t handle, you can tailor your outdoor workout to one that makes the most of nice weather without putting your health at risk.

l Don’t challenge Mother Nature. One of the biggest risks with regard to exercis-ing outdoors is the tendency some athletes have to ignore the elements. Avoid working out in especially cold or hot weather, as such conditions are not conducive to exercise. Extreme weather also reduces

the number of people outside, which means there won’t be as many people around to help you if you suffer an injury, lose your way or need help with your gear. Exercising outdoors is a great way to enjoy nice weather, but limit such work-outs to those times of year when temperatures are most

conducive to outdoor activity.Working out in the great out-doors is a great way to make the most of a beautiful day. But athletes must still take certain precautionary measures to re-duce their risk of injury when exercising outdoors. Story courtesy of Metro Cre-ative Connection. l

How to prevent injury when exercising outdoors

“MANY PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NICE WEATHER BY EXERCISING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS.”

You can helpprevent colon cancer.If you’re 50 or older, talk to your doctor about getting screened for colon cancer.There are several screening options available, including simple take-home options. Visit cancer.org/colon or call 1-800-227-2345 to learn more.

©2015 American Cancer Society, Inc. No. 030391

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BY LIZ ACKERMANSPECIAL TO THE DAILY PRESS

Dr. Nicholas Taylor, director of Solutions Wellness Center, loves cairns. These piles of carefully balanced stones are used along trails to mark the way. There are many cairns at Solutions, rep-resenting the healthy personal balance that Taylor and his staff strive to help their clients achieve. The center, located at 2798 Wood-gate Road in Montrose, also hap-pens to be situated at the begin-ning of a long cairn trail that has existed for many years.

A cairn could also symbolize the trail that Taylor has walked ever since the day in 1995 when he and his family stopped in Montrose for lunch during a trip and suddenly knew that this was where they wanted to spend the rest of their lives. Taylor recalls joking to his family then that he already felt so rooted that he was ready to buy a cemetery plot.

Since then, Taylor has worked as a clinical psychologist in Montrose for more than 14 years, developed a community-based treatment model for methamphetamine addiction, and co-authored the book “Helping People Addicted to Methamphetamine: A Creative New Approach for Families and Communities.” He helped set up the present drug courts in Mon-trose and Delta counties and has taught psychology classes at CMU-Montrose.

In addition to his professional activities, Taylor has held many leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). He is presently the ecclesiastical leader of a group of 11 congregations located in an area ranging from Paonia to Natu-rita. In January, he gave a special presentation on anxiety to a group of about 150 women from the LDS church and community.

Susan Butzin, president of the women’s organization in this ecclesiastical unit, referred to as a stake, remarked that the presen-tation went very well, and that attendance would probably have

been even higher if the teen-aged girls of the area had also been invited. Taylor commented after-ward, “I was pleased we were able to be sensitive to the back stories that brought us all together and then at the same time kindle just a little bit of hope.”

The January presentation was the second Taylor has done at the LDS chapel in Montrose. In January of 2015, he shared infor-mation on depression with more than 200 women. According to The American Psychiatric Asso-ciation, most anxiety disorders “occur more frequently in females than in males (approximately a 2:1 ratio).” Taylor is quick to point out that these statistics do not reflect those cases that go undiag-nosed.

In the summer of 2014, Taylor began studying the feasibility of creating a counseling center that fostered emotional, behavioral and spiritual health. The chance to help design, develop and then direct Solutions Wellness Center was a “dream come true” for him. The existing building has been renovated to create a warm and calming atmosphere. Cairns are a prominent feature throughout and Taylor encourages his clients to make use of the stones in his office and construct their own.

It is literally warm in Chris-tine Stephenson’s office, where a small fireplace provides sooth-ing comfort for those struggling with traumatic issues. The center also has a separate play therapy place where Linda Stanger helps children, teens and parents learn to interact in healthy ways. A “mindfulness corner” provides clients and staff members with a quiet place to reflect and re-charge.

Helping clients achieve whole-person wellness is the goal of everyone at Solutions Wellness Center. They each work to hold out hope, which Taylor calls the “ultimate antidote” to all who walk through their doors. In Stephenson’s words, “If you don’t have hope for yourself right now, I will hold out that hope for you.”l

Solutions Wellness Center emphasizes hope, balance

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Many Older Adults Need Our Help...in the most fundamental ways.

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DCMH FACILIT IESPremier Women's Healthcare of Delta • Internal Medicine Associates

Delta-Montrose Home Health Services • Grand Mesa Oncology Infusion CenterGrand Mesa Rheumatology • Colorow Family Medical Care - Olathe

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SERVICES OFFEREDIn-Patient & Out-Patient, Same Day Surgery • Emergency Department - Trauma Level IV

Medical and Intensive Care • Clinical Laboratory • Stork's Landing (Labor & Delivery)Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • Endoscopy Services

Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation • Registered Dietician/Diabetes Educator Radiology - CT Scan, PET-CT, MRI, X-Ray, Bone Density, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine,

Stereostatic Breast Biopsy, Digital Mammography Annual Health Fairs held in Delta County communities

Providing Delta County Families with high quality medical services for the past 100 years.www.deltahospital.org • 970.874.7681 • 1501 East 3rd Street • Delta, CO 81416

DCMH FACILIT IESPremier Women's Healthcare of Delta • Internal Medicine Associates

Delta-Montrose Home Health Services • Grand Mesa Oncology Infusion CenterGrand Mesa Rheumatology • Colorow Family Medical Care - Olathe

DCMH Primary Care – Delta, Pediatrics & Family Practice  DCMH Urgent Care • DCMH Family Medicine – Delta

SERVICES OFFEREDIn-Patient & Out-Patient, Same Day Surgery • Emergency Department - Trauma Level IV

Medical and Intensive Care • Clinical Laboratory • Stork's Landing (Labor & Delivery)Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • Endoscopy Services

Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation • Registered Dietician/Diabetes Educator Radiology - CT Scan, PET-CT, MRI, X-Ray, Bone Density, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine,

Stereostatic Breast Biopsy, Digital Mammography Annual Health Fairs held in Delta County communities

Providing Delta County Families with high quality medical services for the past 100 years.www.deltahospital.org • 970.874.7681 • 1501 East 3rd Street • Delta, CO 81416

Emergency Trauma Level V - (970) 874-2222DCMH Urgent Care - 874-7696

DCMH FACILITIESPremier Women's Healthcare of Delta • Internal Medicine Associates • Delta-Montrose Home Health Services • Grand Mesa Oncology Infusion Center • Grand Mesa Rheumatology • DCMH Primary Care – Family Practice,

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SERVICES OFFEREDIn-Patient & Out-Patient, Same Day Surgery • Emergency Department - Trauma Level IV Medical and Intensive Care • Clinical Laboratory • Stork's Landing (Labor & Delivery) Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • Endoscopy Services Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation • Registered Dietician/Diabetes Educator Radiology - CT Scan, PET-

CT, MRI, X-Ray, Bone Density, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Stereostatic Breast Biopsy, Digital Mammography Annual Health Fairs held in Delta County communities

Dr. Nicholas Taylor balances one of the cairns placed throughout the office of Solutions Wellness Center. (Liz Ackerman/Special to the Daily Press)

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w w w. t h e p e d i a t r i c a s s o c i a t e s . c o m

MONTROSE AREA947 South Fifth StreetMontrose, CO 81401970-249-2421970-249-8897 fax

DELTA AREA242 Cottonwood Street #101Delta, CO 81416970-874-7552

Compassion. Quality. Care.When your child is in need, we will be there.

Did YOU know?

We are located in Montrose and Delta for all of your Pediatric needs!

Two Convenient Locations

Let’s talk about get-ting outside and enjoying the beautiful outdoors! If there was ever a community with the abil-ity to get our exercise out in the fresh air, it is Montrose.

I mean – not yet. But, even-tually.

It’s still way too cold and snowy now. But spring is coming!

You can be that lady on the anti-histamine commercial jogging

through the flowers. Of course, if you’re like the girl in

the commercial, you probably need some allergy medication. Those always make me so tired. It’s easier just to stay home with one of those fancy air filters.

But that’s me – you could go and run through the flowers… Well, not really though. I mean, spring around here is more like mud. You’d be filthy and your tennis shoes would weigh a billion pounds from the thick clay (they won’t let you into Golds with dirty tennis shoes.) So – I’d put it off for a while.

This summer is better. In the sum-mer you can exercise outside! Just wait ‘till summer!

Well – as long as you don’t mind skin cancer. You do know Colorado

has notoriously high rates of skin cancer right? Not a lot of atmo-sphere between your freckled brow and the scorching sun. But if you wear a hat, and a long sleeved top and lots of thick sunscreen (drip-ping into your eyes, covered in UV sunglasses that slide down your nose.) Then you could go out this summer.

Maybe even take a trip through the new water park at river bottom. As long as you don’t mind the inher-ent risks associated with rivers. I mean, they don’t even come with life guards. Can you even?? But, as long as you have a good life vest… which should protect you if you tip, but might not. You never know.

Or you could just hike… in the wild… out with the bears and the mountain lions. You might want to bring your bear spray… or better yet a gun. A nice easy trail run with bear spray and a gun… Just to be prepared.

Sometimes people trip and fall.

They do!Speaking of fall… what you

should do is just wait for fall. The sun is lower in the sky, the water is lower in the water park. That’s when you should go. Although it rains pretty much every day in the fall. You know – Colorado – if you don’t like the weather wait five minutes… right? Am I right?

So, fall is better, you’ll likely get caught in a storm, but that’s ok. You’re tough! Get outdoors this fall! It might be a bit chilly and the mud will come back, and you still need your sunscreen. But hey – you moved to Colorado because you’re an outdoorsy person! Get out there! I mean, really, what could go wrong?

Twyla Righter lives the distin-guished drama of stay at home motherhood. Before taking on a career in motherhood she was a flight attendant with a history and poly-sci degree and minors in theol-ogy and religions. l

Spring into action

ON THE JOB TRAINING

TWYLA RIGHTER

Everything we do and every emotion we feel contributes to our well-being. Hilltop’s Wellness 360 program emphasizes the value of practicing a healthy lifestyle at a young age, to not only increase wellness for our youth, but to also shape their futures.

“There is an intricate connection between our minds and bodies. If one is not in congruence with the other, they both suffer,” said Kristi Edwards, Hilltop’s Wellness 360 Instructor.

By emphasizing the value of practicing mental and physical activities, Wellness 360 encourages the development of social and life skills that could make a lasting dif-ference in the lives of our children. For kids, maintaining an optimal

level of wellness is not always easy, especially with the avail-ability of technology.

“Youth are motivated by food and video games,” said Edwards. “Motivating our youth to perform activities that are out of their comfort zone can be challenging, but just like any other skills kids need to learn how to practice physical and mental health in a meaningful and safe ways.” Well-ness 360 is a free service avail-able at Hilltop’s Regional Office for youth 10 to 18 years old in the hope to improve the mental, physical and emotional health of youth in the community. Program instructors facilitate a series of lessons to teach everything from life skills, such as budgeting and

job readiness, to exercising mind-fulness through yoga or coloring, as well as physical wellness in activities like kickball.

“A typical lesson would be-gin by discussing the character strength such as zest or enthu-siasm. Then we have an activity that requires the youth to apply zest, like whiffle ball. This helps them make a connection between their enthusiasm and the amount of fun they are having so they understand not only what en-thusiasm is, but also learn how to apply it to their lives,” said Edwards.

Ultimately, Wellness 360 is a place where youth can feel safe and heard, all while having fun.

“We do these activities so that

the kids can enjoy it and experi-ence the benefits,” said Edwards.

As overall wellness improves, so does self-confidence, behav-ior and demeanor. These group activities also serve as a place for the youth to interact, make friends and grow socially.

“We see kids improve relation-ally. Some of the kids who have a hard time making friends at school make friends here at the group,” said Edwards. “Each week they show up even if they don’t have to.”

For more information about the Wellness 360 program contact Edwards or Jill Lantz at (970)252-7445 or visit Hilltop’s Regional Office at 540 S. 1st Street in Montrose. l

Local nonprofit encourages youth to practice all aspects of a healthy lifestyle