thrive january 2016 issue

January 2016 Thrive Magazine for Better Living www.thriveswla.com 11 www.thriveswla.com Thrive Magazine for Better Living January 2016

JANUARY 2016

p28p22

Mardi Gras in

Louisiana Rural

2 www.thriveswla.com Thrive Magazine for Better Living January 2016

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Contents

In This Issue Wining &Dining 6 COVER STORY:

8 Louisiana Brothers Bring Gumbo to the Big City 10 Browsing the Freezer Isle? Don’t Skip the Seafood

Places &Faces 16 Walnut Grove Pays Tribute to the Majestic Hotel 18 Blackbird Fly Named Best Book of the Year 22 SPECIAL SECTION:

Money &Career 30 Quick Money Management Tips for 2016 32 7 Things Highly Successful People Might Be Doing That You Aren’t

Home &Family 36 Fightling Sibling Rivalry? 38 The Giving Season Isn’t Over 40 Your Memorial Wishes: A Final Gift to Your Family

Style &Beauty 44 4 Weird and Beautiful Things People Are Doing with Glitter 46 Floral Prints for Men are In

Mind &Body 50 Shedding Pounds Together: Make it Work for You & Your Partner 52 Baby Boomers Play the Waiting Game with Their Health 60 How Is Your Technology Hurting You?

Thrive is designed for people focused on living a happy, healthy life, one that is balanced, full of energy and contentment. Thrive readers want to make the most of every day and be successful in all areas of their lives – family, health, home and career.

DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!

Editors and Publishers Kristy Armand Christine Fisher

Creative Director Barbara VanGossen

Managing Editor Erin Kelly

Business Manager Katie McDaniel Stevenson

Assistant Designers Shonda Manuel Kris Roy Mandy Gilmore

Submitted articles and photos are welcome. Thrive assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not guarantee any submissions.

Advertising Sales [email protected] 337.310.2099

Submissions [email protected]

44How Do You

Mardi Gras in Louisiana Rural

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Regular Features 12 By the Numbers 14 First Person with Mark Landry 20 Who’s News34 Business Buzz 64 McNeese Corral 65 Happenings 66 Solutions for Life

INSERT coming in FebruaryGardenGarden LifestyleLifestyle&&

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

Cover gumbo photo by Ian Wright


All our wonderful dogs are available for adoption through 4Paws Society.

Call 287-3552 for more information and to learn about other programs that are available.

HOPEFULLY LOVE CAN KEEP THEM TOGETHERThis precious group of chihuahua siblings are as close as they are adorable. It would be a great thing if at least some of them could remain together. Do you have room in your heart and home for more than one?

Spike, Juney, Sissy, Bella, Lucy and Patches

Tired of the same New Year’s resolution? The popular yet undefined goal to make healthy choices often fails after a few weeks as we get tired of pursuing such a lofty goal. This year, get specific with your goal and commit to making the most of each day by increasing your protein intake at breakfast. Americans tend to eat most of their protein in the evening, but back-loading protein at dinner can affect how your body uses it. That’s why experts recommend spacing out your protein intake throughout the day to make the most of the important nutrition it provides. In fact, many nutrition experts now recommend getting 25-30 grams of protein at each meal for the best daily nutrition, yet Americans only get about 13 grams of protein at breakfast, on average. Pairing a glass of milk (or chocolate milk) and its high-quality protein with your eggs or favorite overnight oats combination is an easy, delicious way to help get the 25-30 grams of protein recommended before noon. Plus, you’ll feel fuller longer so you can focus on the things you want to accomplish.

For more information on how you can fill up your cup with milk to get closer to your morning protein goal, visit MilkLife.com.

Savory Oatmeal with Soft-Cooked Egg and BaconServings: 1Protein: 32 grams

1 cup lowfat milk1/2 cup old-fashioned oats, uncooked1 pinch sea salt1 teaspoon cooking oil (or 1/2-second spray)1 large egg1 tablespoon cheddar cheese, shredded1 slice cooked bacon, coarsely chopped2 teaspoons green onion, sliced salt and pepper (optional)Combine milk, oats and salt and cook according to package instructions. While oats cook, heat small, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly coat with cooking oil. Add egg and cook about 3-4 minutes for runny yolk. Serve oatmeal topped with cheese, bacon, egg and green onion. If desired, season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with 8-ounce glass of milk.

Nutrition information per serving: 540 calories; 23 g fat; 8 g saturated fat; 225 mg cholesterol; 32 g protein; 52 g carbohydrates; 4 g fiber; 800 mg sodium; 605 mg calcium (70% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on using lowfat milk and including an 8-ounce glass of milk.

Almond Butter English Muffin with Peach-Topped Cottage Cheese paired with Chocolate MilkServings: 1Protein: 32 grams

1 tablespoon almond butter1 English muffin, toasted and halved1/2 cup cottage cheese1/4cup diced peaches

Spread almond butter on toasted English muffin.

Nutrition information per serving: 230 calories; 10 g fat; 1 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g protein; 30 g carbohydrates; 6 g fiber; 280 mg sodium; 229 mg calcium (25% of daily value).

For morning snack: Top cottage cheese with peaches and serve with 8-ounce glass of chocolate milk.

Nutrition information per serving: 270 calories; 3.5 g fat; 2.5 g saturated fat; 10 mg cholesterol; 22 g protein; 38 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 610 mg sodium; 361 mg calcium (35% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on using lowfat chocolate milk and including an 8-ounce glass of chocolate milk.

Make Protein at Breakfast This Year’s Resolution

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Wining &DiningHow Do You

by Mitch Thomas

Wayne Camp of Coffin Custom Pits and Burners Inc. will spend four days preparing a chicken and sausage stock. Pat’s of Henderson Louisiana Seafood and Steakhouse chef Menola Zeno leaves out the celery, while Chastain’s Food and Spirits prep cook Penny Ardoin doesn’t use any bell pepper.

Each one will tell you that their pot of genuine Cajun gumbo is the best.

The official cuisine of Louisiana can be prepared in a number of different ways to satisfy a number of different tastes, but whether you prefer your roux lighter than caramel or deep dark brown, or whether you stick strictly to the holy trinity of vegetables, the result is a dish whose flavor comes straight from the kitchens of cooks raised on the culture and traditions of Louisiana.

“Gumbo to me is one of those special dishes where the chef, over time, determines what exactly

the end product will be,” said Ryan Bourriaque, who was part of the team that placed first in the professional chicken and sausage gumbo division last year during Lake Charles’ World Famous Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook Off. “It is a give-and-take and a very fluid situation. In my humble opinion, no two gumbos are alike.”

Down in Creole and Grand Chenier, Bourriaque learned to cook gumbo from his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, with each preparing the dish differently. Recently, he and some family and friends have been learning championship-level cooking from Galton Boudreaux.

Bourriaque’s favorite kind of gumbo is his maternal grandmother Lidian Richard’s shrimp and okra gumbo. He was quite fond of his paternal grandmother Viola Bourriaque’s crawfish and egg filé gumbo, though it has been many years since he’s had it.

One-to-OneAccording to Camp, gumbo begins with roux, a

one-to-one mixture of flour and oil that is browned and added to gumbo to serve as a thickener. Roux can be bought in stores, but for best results a gumbo cook will learn to prepare their own roux, a skill that takes practice to master.

“Gumbo all starts with the roux,” said Camp. “You have to be very patient. You have to practice a lot. I’d be surprised if a person cooking for the first time doesn’t burn the roux.”

Camp will use only vegetable oil and non-gluten-free flour. He prepares his stock, vegetables and meats before getting started on his roux, which must be monitored and stirred constantly to achieve the desired thickness and color. A roux can burn if it is neglected for too long or if the fire or burner is too high. Camp uses a specially seasoned Magnalite pot used exclusively for his roux.

Born in Lake Charles, Camp spent much time in Gueydan learning to cook roux from his step-mother. While in school for pharmacy, Camp and some fellow students took up cooking as a hobby, with gumbo one of Camp’s specialties. Still a pharmacist, Camp also builds barbecue pits and burners, which he takes to cooking competitions.

Camp won first place in seafood gumbo at the World Famous Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook Off in Lake Charles in 2015, as well as first place people’s choice and first place seafood gumbo at the Swamp Stomp in Thibodeaux in 2014.

If it’s any gumbo but his own, Camp is partial to the Southwest Louisiana variety over New Orleans, as other kinds can sometimes use roux that tastes too floury.

The Trinity and TasteMost cooks will agree that three of the most

often used vegetables for gumbo, nicknamed “the trinity,” include bell pepper, onion and celery. Added after the roux has been browned, the vegetables are cooked down with the roux before adding stock or any meats and can further darken the roux.


Zeno at Pat’s of Henderson will leave out the celery when cooking at the restaurant, but she doesn’t believe it detracts in any way from the quality.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, I would say mine is the best,” she said. “Everybody eats mine and then says, ‘Can you show me how to make some gumbo?’”

For Zeno, getting the seasoning “right on the nose” is what makes a perfect bowl of gumbo. Using the Pat’s of Henderson seasoning blend, Zeno will add and taste-test as the gumbo simmers to hit the right level of flavors. Cooks need to be careful not to add too much, she says, since seasonings will come from the stock as well as the seafood and chicken prepared ahead of time.

Zeno learned the proper flavors while working and watching her mother as she cooked for Pat Huval’s restaurant. She would bus tables, washing dishes, dabble in some cooking in the kitchen, and by the time she was 10 she was cooking at home as well. With a lifetime’s worth of experience and the recipes she learned from her brother, Zeno herself went to work at Pat’s cooking.

A Dash of PassionAt the end of the day, the quality of a cook’s

gumbo will depend on the energy and love the cook is willing to spend.

“I think the most important ingredient is passion,” said Bourriaque. “If you are just trying to ‘cook a gumbo’ you are missing out on a great deal here.”

Ardoin at Chastain’s has been cooking most of her life. Spending time in several other area restaurants, Ardoin came to Chastain’s to help as a prep cook, learning from Verna Nelson, the day shift manager prep cook, how to make a gumbo that renders patrons speechless.

But as far as her own pot of gumbo is concerned, “love” is her secret ingredient.

“You’ve gotta love to cook, love what you do, and I love to cook,” said Ardoin. “I love to make gumbo. It’s the main ingredient and it’s how you cook it. I put a lot of love into the food that I make.”

Wayne Camp’s Seafood GumboRoux:Equal parts of flour and oil (I use vegetable) and stir constantly until color/thickness achieved

(may be a good idea to have someone on standby in case you need something). It’s ok to add

more oil, but never add more flour to hot oil. Make sure roux is at the desired thickness before

turning up heat. Cook at medium to medium-high heat while constantly stirring.Stock:Depending on the gumbo- Place 2-4 gallons of water to boil and add seasonings to taste

along with any kind of seafood shells you can get. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 30

minutes. Strain. Have this ready before beginning the roux.Vegetables:Onion, celery and bell pepper. Have cut up and ready to go prior to starting roux. Once roux

has been prepared, turn off the fire, move the pot to another burner and add onions while

constantly stirring for a couple of minutes. Then add the rest of the vegetables. The vegetables

will help darken the roux further.Seafood:Shrimp, crabs, crawfish and oysters.Once the roux is made, have a pot of a couple gallons of water boiling. While boiling, spoon

in the roux while constantly stirring. Let boil for around 30 minutes at medium heat. Start

pouring in the stock in equal portions and taste as seasoning is already in the stock. Boil

for another 15 minutes and then add seafood starting with the shrimp and crawfish. After

cooking for 5 minutes, add the crab and let cook for 5 more minutes. If adding oysters, put in

the oysters 5 minutes before eating, as oysters cook very quickly. Serve over rice and add green

onion tops for taste.“Thanks to my step mom Miss Millie for teaching me the art ofmaking roux and gumbo. I love Gueydan,” Camp says.


Wining & Dining

Bring Gumbo to the Big City

In New York City, few know the true joy of a perfect, hearty gumbo, but Adam Lathan and Clay Boulware, former roommates at LSU, are hoping to change that one bowl at a time.

In September 2014, the pair started The Gumbo Bros, a pop-up gumbo restaurant and catering company that brings both Cajun and Creole-style gumbos to common folk and big city executives alike. Their chicken and sausage, shrimp, and vegan gumbo z’herbes has been featured at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market at Central Park as well as being served up at parties given by Martha Stewart and jewelry mogul David Yurman. They were also recently nominated for a Vendy, which is a who’s who of New York City street food.

But while their gumbo may be making waves at high-end venues, their recipes remain rooted in homespun tradition. In fact, their chicken and sausage gumbo

is called “Nanny’s Cajun Gumbo,” named for Lathan’s great-grandmother, whose recipe was passed down through generations of his family.

“My great grandmother used to do gumbo the same way most families get together for Thanksgiving or Christmas,” Lathan, who grew up in New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, says. “But instead of a turkey or a ham or something like that we would always have gumbo, so it was kind of a family tradition. Then she taught the recipe to my dad, and he taught it to me. I’ve tweaked it a little bit, but for the most part it’s true to the recipe. So we named it after her. Nanny’s gumbo.”

The pair doesn’t take any shortcuts when preparing their roux, a fact that Boulware credits with their success.

“The way I was taught was to cook roux until you’re on the verge of just absolutely burning it,” Boulware says. “When you only have 30 or 40 seconds to throw in your veggies, that’s when you’re good to go. I get it as dark as possible. It normally takes me about an hour and a half. Every once in a while it come back to bite me, but that’s just part of making gumbo.”

And while New Yorkers don’t generally share the tradition of making gumbo with family, they certainly appreciate the nostalgia a good bowl brings back, says Boulware. For example, The Gumbo Bros’ tomato-based Creole gumbo, inspired by Lathan’s childhood memories of the shrimp gumbo he ate in New Orleans, evokes fond memories of good times in the city from many customers.

“What’s been great about selling so much gumbo is everyone’s connection to the food,” Boulware says. “Everybody’s a little suspect at first about who’s making gumbo in New York, and then they come back and are like, ‘This is good gumbo. This reminds me of a trip I had to New Orleans.’ People have connections to and stories about the state. That’s one thing we noticed right after opening. People don’t just say, ‘Oh, hey, great gumbo,’ and walk off. They want to tell us some of their memories. It reminds them of a good time, which is what Louisiana is all about.”

“People don’t just say, ‘Oh, hey, great gumbo, ‘ and walk off. They want to tell us some of their memories. It reminds them of a good time, which is what Louisiana is all about.”

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Of course, some recipes had to be modified for a New York palette, says Boulware, who grew up all around Louisiana in cities from Alexandria to Baton Rouge and Shreveport. For instance, to cater to New Yorkers with dietary restrictions, the pair modified a classic gumbo z’herbes - a gumbo traditionally made with greens - to create a gluten-free, vegan dish. Even Boulware was surprised at the delicious results.

“Our Voodoo Vegan Gumbo is a black eyed pea and collard green gumbo, and we also make that in a gluten free roux using rice flour and olive oil,” Boulware says. “It’s New York City, so we’ve got to do something. But surprisingly, it’s actually really good gumbo. It’s a good vegetable serving, so I like it a lot.”

Though the business often caters to a well-to-do crowd, it was important to Lathan and Boulware to make sure the foods reflect real Southern flavors.

“My dad grows collards in our back yard,” says Lathan. “So the collard greens and black eyed peas just sort of made sense. Those are staples for people who appreciate authentic Southern food.”

One advantage to selling traditional Louisiana foods to a northern audience, according to the duo, it getting to explain the subtle differences in regional cuisines to a whole new audience.

“We’ve had a good time explaining the difference between Cajun and Creole cooking,” Lathan says. “That’s why we have our two main gumbos, the Cajun and the Creole, available at all times. The Creole obviously has the tomato base to it, and we let people know it’s more common around New Orleans versus the Cajun, which obviously is going to be chicken and sausage, not as Bougie, if you will. And people, when they taste them, immediately go ‘Oh, I get it. This is a little more Spanish; this is a little more French.’ It’s been interesting to let people try both. People are always very definitive about which one they like more.”

Since they served their first bowl of Nanny’s Cajun Gumbo last September, The Gumbo Bros have been in high demand around the city. So much so that the pop-up market venue and catering business might soon become a lot more permanent.

“We just had the idea in June or July of last year,” Lathan says. “So all this has happened pretty quickly. We always knew we had something great, and now it’s allowed us to start shoring up and looking for a permanent location.”


Wining & Dining

If another busy night has you stressed about what to put on the table, it may be time to broaden your dinnertime repertoire. There are options in the frozen food aisle that can help you prepare a real, nutritious meal even when you’re pressed for time.

With more and more companies listening to consumers and finding ways to make their products with simpler ingredients while still maintaining a great, family-pleasing taste, you can find prepared food in the frozen section that you can feel good about serving to your family. And one of the simplest, healthier proteins that is found in the freezer aisle is seafood.

Fresh from the sea and available in several varieties – including fish sticks, fillets and shrimp as well as a range of styles, such as breaded, battered, sauced

or grilled – there are frozen options for every taste, lifestyle and occasion. Seafood not only cooks quickly compared to other proteins, but numerous health agencies recommend eating seafood at least twice a week due to its health benefits. Seafood contains natural omega-3 fatty acids, lean protein and critical vitamins and minerals that can aid brain development, promote heart health, help fight obesity and improve overall health.

Cooking with seafood also lets you keep other ingredients simple, so you can let the distinct flavor of the seafood be the star. Keep it simple and pair seafood with a salad or easy side dish, or check out one of these family-friendly recipes that require just five ingredients and less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook. Gorton’s Seafood offered the following recipes to get you started.

Browsing the Aisle?Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Seafood

10 ………… Gorton’s Beer Batter Fillets1/2 cup ………………… honey mustard5 ………………… sandwich rolls, sliced5 ………………………… lettuce leaves10 slices ………………………… tomato

Prep time: 5 minutesCook time: 25 minutesServings: 5

Honey Mustard Beer Batter Fillet Sandwich

Prepare fillets according to package instructions.Spread half of mustard onto bottoms of sandwich rolls and top with lettuce leaf.

Spread remaining mustard on cooked fillets and place two cooked fillets on each roll.Place two slices of tomato on each sandwich. Top with remaining half of roll

and serve immediately

24 ………… Gorton's Classic Breaded Fish Sticks

12 ………………………………… hard taco shells

3 cups ………………… cheddar cheese, shredded

3 cups …………………………………………… salsa

3 cups …………………………… lettuce, shredded

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 6

Fish Stick Taco

Prepare fish sticks according to

package instructions. Place two

cooked fish sticks in each taco shell

followed by 1/4 cup cheese, 1/4 cup

salsa and 1/4 cup lettuce.

Serve immediately.


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to Pace Yourselfat the Dinner Table

Are you a fast eater? Are you the first one to finish your meal when eating with others? Did you grow up in a family where survival of the fittest meant eating fast in order to get your share before the chicken and mashed potatoes disappeared? Research shows that it takes 20 minutes for your brain to receive the message that you’ve had enough food. But if you eat too quickly, there is a good chance you will overeat before that satiety message is felt.

The good news? Overcoming fast eating habits can be changed. Here three tips that can slow you down.

Listen to musicThere is evidence that people actually eat in rhythm with music. If the

music is fast, they eat more quickly. If slow, they slow down. That’s why the best method for slowing down the pace of eating when at home is to listen to music and try to make your meal last at least 20 minutes. Ideally, this should be soothing, slow music. This can be classical music, or music that makes you feel calm. This will train you to eat more moderately. If you eat slowly for 20 minutes, you will notice the body’s satiety signal telling you that you’ve had enough. If you feel full before the 20 minutes elapses, stop eating.

Pace with tasteDid you know that you have 10,000 taste buds on the tongue, as well as

taste buds on the roof of your mouth? When you eat too quickly or inhale your food, you don’t really taste it. Slowing down, however, lets you discover your mouth’s unique flavor map by noticing where each bite is most flavorful. There are areas on the tongue for sensing bitter, salty, sour, sweet, and umami (that satisfying meat-type flavor). With the first three bites of any meal, investigate where the flavor is most intense. How do each of these three bites differ in intensity? This practice will slow you down and help you savor and enjoy your meal. By doing this, you may actually discover that some foods or snacks are not as appetizing as you thought they were.

Breathe in, breathe outPause every few bites to set down your utensil and take a breath. This

strategy sounds so simple that it’s amazing more of us don’t use it! But it works and helps you pace your meal. Taking one satisfying belly breath actually turns on the body’s relaxation system, which helps counter emotional eating.

Practice each of the above strategies alone or together. Try putting on 20 minutes of slow music for one meal a week to begin. Then do it for two meals, then three. Eventually, you’ll train yourself to manage overeating, savor your food, and be the slowest eater at your next party.

Donald Altman, M.A., LPC, is a psychotherapist and past vice president of The Center for Mindful Eating. His newest book is 101 Mindful Ways to Build Resilience: Cultivate Calm, Clarity, Optimism and Happiness. For more information, head to www.MindfulPractices.com.

by Donald Altman, M.A., LPC


Wining & Dining

BY THE N#MBERS

300number of years gumbo has

been cooked in Louisiana

1803year that gumbo was served as a signature dish at a gubernatorial

reception in New Orleans

350estimated amount of

calories in one bowl of chicken and sausage gumbo

1970’sdecade gumbo is added to the

menu of the US Senate cafeteria in honor of Sen. Allen Ellender

30 to 45approximate minutes it takesto make a roux, according to

Arnaud’s recipe

193average amount of calories

in one cup of gumbo

1802first year gumbo reference appears in writing

2feet, in depth and

diameter, of a common festival gumbo pot

Sources: The Atlantic, Calorie King, Cajun Foodways, Arnaud’s


Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist & Surgeon

We are Proud to Welcome a New Specialist to our Medical Staff,

Brad LeBert, MD,Dr. Brad LeBert, an ENT physician who has practiced in Lake Charles for nearly 10 years, has joined the Imperial Health physician team.

Originally from Lake Charles, Dr. LeBert received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He earned his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he also completed a residency in Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. LeBert specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat, as well as related structures of the head and neck. Dr. LeBert offers minimally invasive

sinus procedures and also provides specialized allergy treatment.

Dr. LeBert founded the ENT & Allergy Clinic in 2013, where he practices with Imperial Health ENT physicians Dr. Bridget Loehn and Dr. Blake LeBlanc.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. LeBert,call (337) 312-8564.

1920 W. Sale Road, F3 | Lake Charles

www.imperialhealth.com

Create a DIY pizza stationPrepare dough ahead of time or purchase individual serving size crusts and invite guests to make their own personal pizzas. Provide an array of fresh veggies, meats and herbs for endless combinations. Don’t forget plenty of quality cheese, and for a special twist, add some unexpected flavors, such as Jarlsberg Brand Cheese. Best known as a classic wedge, this nutty, mild cheese is also

wonderful shredded for a uniquely delicious pizza flavor. Get guests started with this Sausage, Mushroom and Herb Pizza and then invite them to get creative on their own.

Top it off rightNo game day party is complete without chips and dip. Take your nachos to another level with premium toppings, like

barbecue chicken nachos. Other upgraded topping options: grilled steak or chicken, grilled corn and onions, a variety of flavorful cheeses, homemade guacamole, diced fresh veggies, seasoned olives and spices, such as Cajun or Caribbean jerk.

Super Game DayGrub

Bring the heatSpice things up with peppers as an added ingredient to other treats like pizza and nachos, or make the pepper the star, as with these Jalapeno Poppers, which blend the heat of a whole jalapeno balanced by the distinctive flavors of goat, Jarlsberg and Parmesan cheeses.

Find game day recipes at jarlsberg.com.

When game day arrives and friends and family are gathered around the big screen to cheer your team to victory, the only thing missing is some great grub to make the celebration complete. Putting together an all-star spread is actually easier than you may think. Simple recipes featuring high-quality ingredients make it possible to serve up big flavor without a lot of fuss. Follow these tips to score a game day menu that will let your guests enjoy themselves to the fullest.


M ark Landry spent many afternoons in Paper Heroes when he was a kid,

and he recently returned as an adult—not to peruse comic books, but to sign them.

Landry, a native of Lake Charles and graduate of Louisiana State University, attended the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts and works as a screenwriter and producer in Los Angeles. He’s worked for Lucasfilm and Nickelodeon. He wrote “Teen Beach Movie,” which appeared on the Disney Channel, and is credited on “Teen Beach 2.” But he’s forever nurtured a love of comics.

In fall 2015, he released Issue #2 of Bloodthirsty, published by Titan Comics. Bloodthirsty follows Virgil LaFleur, a former Coast Guard rescue diver who seeks revenge against wealthy vampire villains who have taken over New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The series opens with LaFleur diving into the floodwaters of the hurricane.

LaFleur soon discovers that New Orleans has a dark underbelly—darker than anyone realized. The “hemovores” take advantage of post-Katrina devastation by buying most of the ravaged land and then living off the lives of the less fortunate. Bloodthirsty has received glowing reviews in the comic-book world. Issue #1 sold out.

We recently spoke to Landry about his writing experience and his venture into his beloved world of comics.

firstpersonwith Mark Landry

Places &Faces

by Erin Kelly


with Mark Landry

When did you start writing? What inspired you?I started really young, as I think most writers do. The first story I remember writing was “Super Bug vs. Evil Ant” in the fifth grade. It was an epic battle of good versus evil; if I recall correctly, Evil Ant had kidnapped Super Bug’s girlfriend (how patriarchal of me at the time). I did the illustrations, too. My mother probably still has it someplace. Films, comics and TV shows of the ’80s were my chief inspiration until I started paying attention to the “real” world around me. Now I’m inspired by the ways in which people behave in life and in society, for which I think those fictional tales of the ‘80s must have been like a set of thematic training wheels.

What is unique and compelling about comics and graphic novels, in your opinion? Sequential art on the page – in the form of comics and graphic novels – is unique in that it can often read like a novel, but at the same time present a beautifully composed and compelling page of art – page after page of it, really. I find this both immersive (like novels) and voyeuristic (like cinema) at the same time. I love great stories, and I love great visual art. When the two are combined – magic.

What inspired you specifically about Katrina?There is an old axiom that every writer understands: Write what you know. The concept of writing what you know may seem like a no-brainer, but I’ve found that the

more I actually write, the more I end up writing not only what I know but also what I feel. To write about something completely foreign to me – without getting myself embedded into the subject for long enough to feel it out – would be a fool’s errand.

I knew that with my first graphic novel, the learning curve of the comics production process and dealing with personalities as a producer would be challenging enough. Writing about life in the Syrian civil war would have been not only disingenuous of me, but also quite literally impossible; I would have had to take a four-year detour just to research the backstory. So I wrote about Louisiana – a place with which I have a great deal of familiarity and shared history. Louisiana and I are connected via some metaphysical umbilical cord. I feel what she feels; I eat what she eats, etc.

For me, Katrina was a brutal attack on Louisiana by Mother Nature, and I felt in hell some strange way also brutalized. I was hurt. And when the destruction exposed even deeper, more historically engrained (if superficially hidden) wounds, the act of organizing my reaction and writing it out became not only therapeutic – it was a compulsion that couldn’t be resisted… like a calling.

Describe the process of creating a comic.In a nutshell, the basic jobs along the comics assembly line are: writer, penciler, inker, colorist, then letterer; and an editor oversees

the entire process. Outside of just that physical production chain, there are marketing professionals, publishers, distributors, and retailers (the guys and gals who sell us our weekly comics at the local comics shops).

Each and every job or responsibility along that long line of production takes an insane amount of work for not very much money. Every person listed above makes comics because he or she loves making comics. For example, on “Bloodthirsty,” I wrote the story in my free time (nobody hired me). The two editors I brought on – John Hazners and Chris Fortier – advised me for no pay, as did our professional mentor and resident Jedi, Georges Jeanty (artist for Joss Whedon’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Serenity”). Then I raised the money via Kickstarter (and my savings account) to hire the artists – who couldn’t possibly complete all of their tasks without being paid something. I did the first round of lettering myself – also in my free time.

Once we had enough of the art and lettering completed, I shopped the sample pages around to various publishers, and Titan Comics (who publish “Doctor Who,” “Heroes,” “Man Plus,” among many other titles) offered to publish it. This was a major milestone in the process because – as a creator-owned project – publication is never a guarantee. This meant that the book would eventually make it to shelves all over the world.

Publishers – when and if they pick up a creator-owned title –

need to keep their financial risk low, so they can’t really afford to offer a big sum of money to publish a project like Bloodthirsty. They’re mostly covering the very considerable costs of printing, marketing and distribution, and then we split some portion of the revenues on the back end (if enough books are sold).

This entire process – from initial idea to books on shelves – will have taken almost five years once the graphic novel (combined issues into a single volume) of Bloodthirsty is printed in the spring.

... and the experience of writing a film, and seeing it come to fruition.This is a real trip, because as a screenwriter, I’m not typically involved in any of the downstream production processes of a film project. I don’t like logistics, so I stay away from producing responsibilities; other people direct it, edit it, mix the sound, etc. By the time I saw Teen Beach Movie at the screening on the Disney lot, it had been about three years since I had even been involved. And voila – there’s a finished movie! And there are all the characters and the story points we created, and the dialogue is being spoken out loud by talented actors. That was really, really fun. I could get used to it.

To read more about Bloodthirsty, visit bloodthirstycomic.com.

Writer/Creator Mark Landry signs a fan’s copy of

“Bloodthirsty: One Nation Under Water” Issue 1.

Writer/Creator Mark Landry with The Flash’s Nicholas Gonzalez and Kevin

Scarlett as Virgil LaFleur.

Ryan Brookhart, writer/director of

upcoming horror film “Trace,” gets his copy

signed by Mark Landry.


Majestic Hotel

Places & Faces

Some buildings personify the historic era in which they exist. Such was the case with the Majestic

Hotel in Lake Charles. Built in 1906 on the corner of Bilbo

and Pujo Street by a group of Lake Charles businessmen, the grand Majestic was a shining example of modern architecture and amenities. The $100,000 in funding was secured by the stock holders, most of whom were residents of Lake Charles. Every president from Theodore Roosevelt to John F. Kennedy was a guest at the Majestic, although not necessarily while in office. At the time of the Louisiana Maneuvers just prior to World War II, the Majestic hosted General Bradley and General Eisenhower.

Although there were many other noted hotels in Lake Charles at the time, the Majestic was bigger and grander. Local historian Maude Reid wrote of the Majestic: "The spacious south gallery of the Majestic Hotel bespeaks the Southern hospitality to be found within its doors." It featured a popular restaurant, which served as a popular gathering place for both guests and members of high society. There were ceiling fans in every guest room, and it had its own power plant and water system. The Majestic also had

its own fire pump, which was used to saturate the building and protect it from the infamous fire that destroyed much of downtown Lake Charles in 1910. The hotel and the various shops and offices in the complex escaped the fire largely unscathed.

The Majestic stood proudly until the mid-60’s when it was torn down.

Fast forward 50 years, and there is a new “Majestic” in Lake Charles. The Majestic Hall event center at Walnut Grove, located on the first floor on the Lawton Building, reflects the classic

Walnut Grove Pays Tribute to the

The Majestic Hotel and dinning room, pictured here in 1936, was a popular gathering place for both guests

and members of high society. (photo courtesy of the McNesse State University archives)

by Kristy Armand


architectural style of the original Majestic Hotel. “Every aspect of Walnut Grove is linked to the history of our region, both in location and in the names we have chosen for streets, parks and buildings throughout the neighborhood,” explains Holly Lawton, Walnut Grove Founder and Design Coordinator. “When it was time to choose a name for our event center, it seemed fitting to pay homage to the hotel that played such a prominent role in the social history of Lake Charles.”

Encompassing over 1700 square feet, The Majestic Hall can accommodate a wide variety of events, from meetings and seminars to parties and wedding receptions. Features include a catering kitchen with an ice maker, warming cabinet, refrigerator for use during events; comprehensive audiovisual capabilities; internet access; tables, chairs and podium. The Lawton Building’s exterior spaces, including the Arcade, Loggia and Great Lawn, can be included for Majestic Hall events.

For more information about reserving The Majestic Hall, call (337) 656-9602, or visit walnutgrovetnd.com.

A Majestic FloorEveryone who enters The Majestic Hall immediately comments on the beautiful wood block floor. Made of end grain mesquite hardwood from Kaswell Flooring System, it looks deceptively soft, but is actually among the most durable and resilient flooring surfaces available. End grain flooring is made by continuously cross cutting or slicing logs or cants into blocks or rounds, with the annual growth rings exposed on every piece. This becomes the wearing surface of the floor, versus vertical wooden planks that are cut for most typical wooden floors. End grain blocks are so strong, they were once used as street pavers in the1800s. Mesquite itself is one of the most beautiful and enduring hardwoods available. Its hardness and stability make it one of the best choices for end grain flooring. Over 38,000 individual blocks of end grain mesquite were laid to create the floor of The Majestic Hall.

The Majestic Hotel, photographed here in 1910, was originally located on the corner of Pujo and Bilbo Streets. (photo courtesy of the McNesse State University archives)

Stunning columns within The Majestic Hall help make any event even more spectacular.

by Kristy Armand


Places & Faces

Blackbird Fly

Blackbird Fly, a debut novel written by Lake Charles native Erin Entrada Kelly, has been named one of the best books of 2015 by Kirkus, School Library Journal, Southern Independent Booksellers Association, and the Center for the Study of Multicultural Literature.

The coming-of-age novel, intended for readers ages 10 and up, tells the story of 12-year-old Apple Yengko, a Filipino-American girl being raised in south Louisiana. The book was released by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, in March 2015. Kelly’s second novel, The Land of Forgotten Girls, will be released in March 2016.

Kelly, a McNeese graduate, was raised in Lake Charles and worked as a journalist at the American Press for 10 years, where she earned more than 20 writing and editing awards from the Louisiana Press Association, Louisiana-Mississippi Associated Press, and the Council for the Advancement of Secondary Education. She worked as a marketing specialist for Healthy Image and assistant editor of Thrive Magazine for several years before relocating to the Philadelphia area. She now works as a book publicist for Smith Publicity, one of the leading book marketing firms in the nation, and has continued her work at Thrive as a contributing editor.

Blackbird Fly earned starred reviews upon its release and was chosen as a Junior Library Selection and for Scholastic Book Club selection. SIBA announced it as a top pick in the first half of the year, and the Children’s Book Council featured it as a best new release in April.

For more information, visit www.erinentradakelly.com.

Erin Entrada Kelly

Named Best Book of the Year

A public reading and book signing of The Land of Forgotten Girls is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, as part of the McNeese Banners Series.

THE McNEESE CULTURAL SEASON


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Dr. Arthur Primeaux Named CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Award RecipientArthur Primeaux, M.D., was named the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital 2015 John Greene Martin Compassionate Care Award recipient at the Annual CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Physician Christmas party. Dr. Primeaux has been on the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Medical Staff for 34 years. He began as a second-year resident in the emergency room and launched his private practice in July 1983. Outside of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, he has served the LSU Family Medicine Residency program, Calcasieu Medical Society, St. Louis High School and Family and Youth Counseling. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

IMCAL Welcomes Walter B Council, II to StaffImperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and Development Commission (IMCAL) proudly welcomes Walter B. Council, II to its staff and to Southwest Louisiana. Council will

serve the urbanized area of SWLA as the regional Transportation Planner III. A native of Greenville, NC, he has done work primarily in Upper Marlboro, MD and Houston, TX. Council will bring his depth of experience to SWLA and help our region as we prepare to experience the over $100 billion in announced industrial expansion projects coming to SWLA, that will have some affects to our roadways.

Autism Services of SWLA Honors Founding Board Nember and Autism AdvocateThe board of directors of Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana renamed the Creole House the Geri

Christ Landry Creole House at its November 11th meeting. Landry, a retired special education teacher with Calcasieu Parish schools, has been a full-time volunteer with Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana and its partner non-profit agency, Direct Care Inc., for over a decade. She is former president of both the Autism Society of America Louisiana state chapter and the Southwest Louisiana chapter, which she founded. For more information, contact (337) 436-5001.

SOWELA’s Customer Service Star Award RecipientAllison Dering, the Associate Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at SOWELA Technical Community College, has received the

Customer Service Star Award for the fall 2015 semester. Award winners are selected from nominations submitted to and reviewed by SOWELA’s Customer Service Committee. For more information or to complete a scholarship application, visit www.sowela.edu/scholarships.

Barnhill-Hicks Joins Merchants & Farmers BankKen A. Hughes, President/CEO of Merchants & Farmers Bank announces that Sarah Barnhill-Hicks has been named Assistant Vice President/Lending. Hicks will be engaged in commercial, consumer,

and mortgage lending throughout Southwest Louisiana.

WCCH Foundation Board Elects Officers, New Board Members

The West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) Foundation Board elected new officers to serve a one year team. Rickey Watson, previous vice-president, will serve as the foundation’s new president, Marilyn Dawdy will serve as vice-president, Suzanne

Nelson will serve as secretary and George Clyde will serve as treasurer. Newly elected members of the WCCH Foundation Board include Mary Ann Redd, Ken Broussard and Kathy Bourgeois. For more information, call (337) 527-4144.

Walter B. Council II

Rickey Watson

Suzanne Peveto

Ken Broussard

Mary Ann Redd

George Clyde

Kathy Bourgeois

Marilyn Dawdy

Sarah Barnhill-Hicks

Allison Dering

Geri Christ

Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana... Who’s News? You tell us! Send press releases to

[email protected] with the subject line “Who’s News.”

Places & Faces


Manley Jordan, MD Named Chief Medical Officer at Memorial

Lake Charles Memorial Health System welcomes Manley Jordan, MD in his new role as Vice President of Medical

Affairs and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) beginning January 1, 2016.Dr. Jordan, board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, has been a practicing Pulmonary physician since 1989 and joined Pulmonology Associates of Southwest Louisiana, a part of the Memorial Medical Group, in 2004. As CMO of the Memorial Health System, he will be instrumental in aligning clinical best practices across all affiliated hospitals, clinics and physician practices and responsible for decisions relating to clinical quality assurance.

SWLA Center for Health Services announces selection of Tommie Anderson as its new Chief Executive Officer

SWLA Center for Health Services has hired Tommie Anderson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Anderson replaces

Sheik A. Bacchus who served as SWLA Center for Health Services’ CEO from December 2011 through September of 2015. Anderson brings to SWLA 19 years of management experience in healthcare, with 16 years in executive management. Prior to joining SWLA, Mr. Anderson served as Chief Operating Officer at Franklin Primary Health Center in Mobile, Alabama. For more information, visit www.swlahealth.org.

Fuller Named West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Employee of the Month

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) named Bessie Fuller, as its employee of the month for

November. As the coding supervisor in the hospital’s health information management department, Fuller oversees the five medical coders in her department, performs medical coding audits to ensure coding accuracy and also provides education and training to the medical coders of the department and outlying clinics. Recently, Bessie played a key role in the preparation and transition to ICD-10. Fuller has been with the organization for over four years.

H. Eugene Bagwell-Pettus Introduces Debut NovelIn his debut novel, “The Prodigal Son: The Long Way Home” (published by WestBow Press), Bagwell-Pettus aims to show that God’s forgiveness is just as important now as it was during biblical times and explores the lusts of life that can tear a family apart.H. Eugene Bagwell-Pettus grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee. He now resides in Lake Charles, Louisiana with his wife Dianne. Debut book signing will be on January 9 at Christian Bookstore in Lake Charles.

Noble Speaks at Technology Conference

Dr. John Noble, orthopedic surgeon with Center for Orthopedics, was one of three physicians in the country invited

to speak at the recent Health IT Leadership Summit in Atlanta. He was part of a panel session, discussing the Better Day health technology system being implemented at Center for Orthopaedics to enhance patient care.

Tommy Anderson

John Noble, MD

Bessie Fuller

Manley Jordan, MD

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Trail Rides, Chicken Runs, and Big Pots of Gumbo

Mardi Gras in

Louisiana Rural

by Angie Kay Dilmorephotos by Ian Wright


Most people in Lake Charles are familiar with the pomp and pageantry of Mardi Gras traditions; parades, krewe balls, king cakes and carnivals. But there’s a side of Mardi Gras many have never seen – the traditional rural country Mardi Gras. In small Cajun towns like Mamou, Basile and Church Point, Mardi Gras revelers celebrate with age-old cultural traditions quite different from those found in a city; although there are similarities, namely food, libation, music and general merriment.

Mardi Gras in the city means enormous floats and crowds four-lines deep. Rural celebrations are equally celebratory, but more down-home.


In old Mardi Gras tradition, locals catch live chickens for the gumbo.

While city dwellers line the streets and reach for parade throws from passing floats, country villagers gather for the Courir de Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday Run. On horseback, foot, or rustic wagons, the revelers meet early in the morning. A caped Capitaine instructs and leads the way. Celebrants wear masks and colorful costumes called capuchons, intended to conceal their identity. They sing traditional Mardi Gras songs called chansons and travel from house to house, farm to farm, playing pranks on the residents and begging for nickels and ingredients to add to a communal pot of gumbo later that afternoon. Donations are often rewarded with a drunken song and dance. Some communities engage in ritual flogging or swatting with willow branches, rope or burlap whips, even fishing poles, intended to beat out sins prior to Lent. Cajun or zydeco bands play music throughout the day. Festivities also include a chicken run. Birds are tossed into the air and chased through muddy fields and yards until captured.

Each rural community has its own particular customs. The traditions are closely tied to the community’s Catholic faith and date back thousands of years. At its core, Mardi Gras is a celebration of survival, a testimony to life.

Rural celebrations often feature men on horseback.


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In the old Mardi Gras ways, a homeowner would release chickens in the streets and locals would run to catch it.


EARLY IN THE MORNING, PAULA STEVENS BUSTLES AROUND HER BUSY BAKERY. SHE OVERSEES HER STAFF, CHECKS THE CONSISTENCY AND TASTE OF KING CAKE DOUGH IN PROGRESS, AND ATTENDS TO CUSTOMER REQUESTS. HER EMPLOYEES MOVE AND WORK AROUND EACH OTHER IN THE SMALL COZY SHOP LIKE CHOREOGRAPHED DANCERS. IT’S A TYPICAL MARDI GRAS MORNING AT DELICIOUS DONUTS AND BAKERY.

STEVENS ESTIMATES THEY MAKE AND SELL UP TO 7000 KING CAKES OVER THE COURSE OF CARNIVAL SEASON. AT THEIR PEAK, TYPICALLY THE LAST WEEK OF MARDI GRAS, HER STAFF WORKS AROUND THE CLOCK AND MAKES 200-400 CAKES A DAY.

Perfecting the ProcessStevens and her brother Lucas Verret opened their bakery business 25 years ago. They didn’t care for commercially made king cakes and knew they could do better. “Those other king cakes were basically big dry cinnamon rolls,” says Stevens. “We wanted something moister and more what we were looking for. We tried king cakes from all over the state and then developed one for our own tastes; because if we don’t sell them, we have to eat them. And we’re constantly tweaking and improving our recipe. We work on them all year long to perfect our techniques.”

flavors fit for a kingDelicious Donuts currently offers twenty-five varieties of king cakes. Each year, they concoct a new flavor or two. They often take flavor suggestions from customers. “Last year, we created savory king cakes for the first time with boudin,” says Stevens. “It was very popular. We’ve also made pizza king cakes. We’ve tried all kinds of flavors over the years. But our most popular flavor, by far, is pralines and cream. It was initially a customer suggestion.”

nuts about king cakeStevens says over half the king cakes they sell contain pecans. Of those with pecans (pecan praline, chocolate pecan praline, turtle), two thirds are pralines and cream. “Pecans make a king cake special. You can’t get them just anywhere. And we’re not skimpy. We add lots of pecans.”

as pretty as they tasteAt Delicious Donuts, they decorate the king cakes with icing and soft dissolvable sprinkles, rather than course sugar. “They’re not gritty,” says Stevens. “And we still have the pretty colors. We want our king cakes to look as good as they taste.” Each king cake comes adorned with “Mardi Gras jewelry,” which includes a mask, beads, doubloons, decorative picks, and of course, a small plastic baby hidden inside. “You eat a king cake with your eyes first,” Steven says.

available worldwideDelicious Donuts ships hundreds of king cakes all over the world during Mardi Gras season. “When someone receives a king cake in the mail, it’s like a party in a box,” says Verret. “We include extra beads, masks, plastic ware, napkins – so when they open it up, the party starts.”

Delicious Donuts and Bakery is located at 2283 Country Club Rd, Lake Charles. For more information or to place an order, call 337-479-2986.

party in a box:

the of cakesby Angie Kay Dilmore

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What to Do with Your Bundles of Beads

Beads . . . those ubiquitous parade throws tend to accumulate over the Mardi Gras season. What do you do with that sparkly mountain of green, purple, and gold piled on the dining table? You may be inclined to toss these tokens of revelry directly into the trash. But wait a minute. Did you know you can reuse or recycle Mardi Gras beads? If you are crafty and use your imagination, the possibilities are endless. Read below for a few tips. 1 Wrap strands of beads around most

anything – lamps, chandeliers, photo frames -- to give the object an eye-catching burst of color. A hot-glue gun is your friend.

2 Fashion unique jewelry. Make necklaces and bracelets by twining beads around wide ribbons. Glue beads to old metal bangles.

3 Beads are perfect for creating mosaics. 4 Coil and glue beads onto study cardboard

discs to make festive Mardi Gras coasters. 5 Craft one-of-a-kind gifts by gluing

beads onto treasure boxes or Christmas ornaments.

6 Embellish a Mardi Gras wreath for your front door.

7 Assemble luminaries by filling Mason jars half full of beads and nestling tea lights on top of the beads.

8 Make a garden chandelier by dangling beads from a hanging planter.

9 Decorate one-of-a-kind furniture pieces.

10 Fashion festive clothing for your favorite Mardi Gras party.

So, what if you aren’t crafty? No problem. Donate beads to a charitable organization. Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana collects, refurbishes, and sells used Mardi Gras beads to help fund their programs. Drop off beads at the Autism Services of SWLA office at 3006 Common St. Lake Charles.

by Angie Kay Dilmore


Money &Career

Quick Money ManagementTips for 2016

If you’re the type to make resolutions, some of them probably include your finances—getting them in order, saving more money, tackling debt. Here are a few tips from Ryan Hess, Lakeside Bank’s Westlake manager, if you’re ready to get new financial habits in gear for 2016.

Look at your budget. Theoretically, you should have been reviewing your budget regularly throughout 2015. If that didn’t happen, make it a priority this year, Hess says. “It’s easy for us to fall into our regular routines without even realizing how much we’re spending or where,” Hess says. “You might be surprised to discover how much you spend on restaurants, entertainment, and other miscellaneous items. While it’s important to include these things in your life—you need to have fun, after all—these are also areas that can easily be budgeted and scaled back. This will leave you with

more money to put away and save.”Get serious about saving. Budgeting will help.

Other things will, too—like assessing your priorities and establishing goals. “What do you want your life to look like at this time next year? Are there specific luxury items you want, like a new car? Do you want to buy a house soon? These are questions you need to ask yourself so you can adequately plan to save,” Hess says. “These big-ticket items require planning. And you can’t start a road map if you don’t know where you’ve been or where you’re going.”

Do a check-up. Your budget overview should include things like insurance. Are you paying too much for car insurance? Is your health insurance affordable, yet adequate? “These are areas that people tend to overlook when they’re reassessing their financial situation,” Hess says.

Check your credit. When was the last time you checked your credit? According to Hess, you should check your credit at least once a year. You want to make sure there aren’t any items to dispute and you want to have a clear-cut understanding of where you stand. Make sure you know your credit score. “Knowing your credit score not only gives you an idea of your relative financial standing, it also gives you the perfect method to create goals. Let’s say you have a credit score of 600, but your goal is to get it up to 700. That’s a tangible goal that you can work toward.”

For more information about improving your money management, stop by any location of Lakeside Bank, or visit lakesidebanking.com.

by Erin Kelly


of Financial Decline

Pay extra attention toward looking for the warning signs of mental and financial decline. Most importantly, take the time to talk to your parents about their wishes and how you can help them.

1.Is the aging person taking

longer to complete financial tasks? Does she struggle with everyday

efforts like preparing bills for mailing, reconciling

bank statements or organizing paperwork?

2.Is the person missing key details in financial

documents? Are bills piling up and has he missed a payment? Is he able

to prioritize his regular responsibilities?

3.Is your aging parent

experiencing problems with everyday arithmetic? Maybe

you recently went out to dinner with mom and dad,

and while paying, they took an inordinate amount

of time to calculate the appropriate tip.

4.Have you noticed a

decreased understanding of financial concepts with your loved ones? Are they having increased difficulty

comprehending health care matters like deductibles, or are they having a hard time

understanding the bank statements they receive?

5.Are they having new difficulty identifying

investment risks? Are they able to minimize the risks in potential investments?

Did they recently fall victim to fraud or a scam because they could not

spot the liabilities?

If you’ve been trusted to help an elderly relative with scheduling preventive exams and putting a health care plan in place, you may struggle with knowing when it’s time to take on a greater role in other aspects of their life.

That’s why now is the perfect time to look for warning signs that your loved ones might be suffering from a decline in financial ability.

Despite years of accumulated knowledge and experience, it is likely that at some point your loved ones’ financial capability will be challenged as they age, making it more difficult to competently handle money-related matters on their own. And this decline can occur even if illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, are not present.

Establishing a plan to manage your parents’ finances is an important task in their senior years, particularly if you intend to engage other family members in the process. A survey from the National Endowment for Financial Education

(NEFE) found that 86 percent of people want their family to help with financial matters if they become unable. However, nearly 7 in 10 say their family dynamics prevent that from happening. According to the survey, 58 percent of families experience disagreements, conflicts or confrontation with others when aging affects financial decision making.

Whether you’re a child or family member who has been enlisted to help or even charting your own financial future, approaching these discussions with candor and an open mind is critical.

“Especially if you’re accustomed to handling money matters privately, learning to talk more candidly about your finances may be uncomfortable,” said Ted Beck, president and CEO of NEFE. “However, allowing trusted individuals to take a closer look at your accounts can help you establish a realistic plan for the future, and help flag any potential concerns.”

One recommendation from Beck: Allow view-only access to let loved ones help monitor for unusual activity on your banking and credit accounts. If restrictions to unauthorized users prohibit this, you can set up an alert program (via email or text) when a transaction over a set amount occurs. Also, remember to perform regular credit checks to avoid scams and identity theft. Check the three major reporting bureaus and stagger the reports to get one every four months.

Financial Warning SignsNew dents, scratches and dings on your aging

parent’s car might be a sign of deteriorating driving ability. These are pretty obvious warning signs. With impaired financial decision making, the signs may not be quite as obvious, but if you know what to look for you might be able to spot it early.

Questions to Ask:

WARNING SIGNS


Money &Career

7 Things Highly Successful People Do You Might Not Be Doing

by Susan Ford Collins

Highly successful people—for our purposes, “HSPs”—operate in specific

ways, even if they don’t realize it. If you want to join the ranks of the HSPs,

consider following their footsteps in one, or all, of these ways.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SUCCESSBut not necessarily the usual ones. For HSPs, success goes beyond finishing to-do lists. It

includes things that keep their lives in balance: eating a good breakfast, exercising, spending time

with family and friends, buying gas, dropping off dry cleaning and remembering to pick it up. Most people don’t acknowledge themselves for

completing things like these, but what happens to your productivity when you leave them undone?

And how about acknowledging yourself for your creative ideas, even if no one agrees they’re

possible yet?

EMBRACE THE END OF THE DAY

It’s the perfect time to think about what you want tomorrow and long

term, but it’s the worst time to beat yourself up over failures and oversights. Remember: What you

think is what you get, like it or not. Fall asleep focused on what you want

instead of what you don’t want.

LEARN NEW THINGSIf you constantly pride yourself on doing

more-better-faster, you land in a success trap—constantly working longer and harder to raise the quantity-quality bar higher and higher. For staying

power, you need to acknowledge yourself for slowing down to learn new skills and technologies, and for allowing your mind to wander into future

possibilities and solutions. In today’s business environment, creativity and innovation are

becoming more important than productivity.

SHARE YOUR IDEASGoing so fast that you can’t gear down to spell out the details of a task you’re

delegating may seem expedient at the time. But to get the support you

need from coworkers, customers and vendors, you need to share precisely

what you have in mind.


CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CRPS, CRPC Investment Advisor Representative

Ferdinandsen Financial Group is a marketing name. Securities and Investment Advisory services offered throughout Woodbury Financial Services, INc., member FINRA/SPIC.

Butch Ferdinandsen

Susan Ford Collins is a former researcher at the National Institutes of Health who has studied HSP for more than 20 years. She is the author of the Technology of Success book series, which includes The Joy of Success: 10 Essential Skills for Getting the Success You Want.

SHARE YOUR DREAMSHighly successful business people share their dreams with people who hold the details of their dream with them, people who contribute additional information and perspectives. People they can call when they come out of a meeting so devastated that their dream seems to have literally been erased from their minds. One phone call to this person

can get you back on track.

ADAPT AND INNOVATEThis is essential today. The marketplace is

changing so rapidly that top CEOs say they don’t have a 10-year plan or even a five-

minute plan. Flexibility is key. Can you think on your feet? Can you seize an opportunity that others fail to notice? Can you abandon your 10-year-ago or five-minute-ago action plan and take the next step to your dream

when it presents itself?

DO SOMETHINGWhen you’re stuck, instead of sitting and staring at your computer, get up and do something else. Go for a walk

or switch to a project that requires another mindset altogether. HSPs

constantly tell me their most creative solutions come when they walk away

from their desk.


Butch Ferdinandsen Earns Chartered Financial Consultant DesignationButch Ferdinandsen, Investment Adviser Representative with Ferdinandsen Financial Group has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant ® (ChFC®) professional designation from The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA. Candidates for the ChFC® designation must complete a minimum of nine courses and 18 hours of supervised examinations. They must also fulfill stringent experience and ethics requirements. Over 50,000 individuals have been awarded the ChFC® designation since its inception in 1982 and the credential is widely regarded as the highest standard of knowledge and trust for financial planning professionals.

Walnut Grove Welcomes Bradley, Moreau, Howay & Stagg Real Estate AttorneysThe law firm of Bradley, Moreau, Howay & Stagg has opened a new Lake Charles office on the second floor of the Post Office Building at Walnut Grove, a traditional neighborhood development on West Sallier Street. Established in 2002, the group is the largest and most experienced real estate law firm in Lafayette, and is beginning a new phase of growth with the opening of this Lake Charles office. There are nine attorneys in the firm, with over 150 years of combined experience. For more information about any Walnut Grove property, contact W.G. Realty Company, L.L.C., at (337) 497-0825.

The Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce Announces New Board MembersBrian Hester, Owner of Hester’s Body ShopRandy Cline, First Federal BankKevin Reeves, Business & Economic Development ManagerSherry Istre, Human Resource Director at IngevityPatty Evans, Department Manager Wal-Mart DeRidderSantiago Cardenas, Manager of Brookshire Brothers West

JD Bank Contributes to 85 Area Organizations in 2015JD Bank made charitable donations throughout 2015 through a variety of direct giving and sponsorship opportunities, touching 85 community organizations in the bank’s southwest Louisiana and Acadiana markets. For more information, visit www.jdbank.com.

The Eye Clinic Breaks Ground on Lake Charles New Office

The Eye Clinic, the region’s largest provider of comprehensive family eye care, has announced plans for, and is beginning construction on, a new main office in Lake Charles. The new location is at 1767 Imperial Blvd., just off of Nelson Road. Michael Betzen, The Eye Clinic’s Practice Administrator, says construction is expected to take 12- 14 months. “The new office will give us a more modern, open design with new added features to enhance patient convenience.” The new office will encompass over 18,300 square feet. Plans include 16 exam rooms, expanded diagnostic testing facilities, a LASIK suite, several minor procedure rooms, a centralized, enlarged retail optical shop, a dedicated Aesthetic Center with separate waiting area, and increased parking capacity with a covered patient drop-off. The new office will be conveniently located next to Imperial Calcasieu Surgical Center where the groups’ ophthalmic surgeons perform most of their outpatient surgical procedures. The Eye Clinic first opened its doors in 1959 with just one physician. Since that time, the group has grown to include 13 doctors and five locations across Southwest Louisiana. The current Lake Charles office at 1717 Oak Park Blvd. opened in 1993, and Betzen says a smaller office will remain open in this area of the city after the new main office opens on Nelson Road. For more information on services available at The Eye Clinic and construction updates, visit theeyeclinic.net and the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/theeyeclinic.

SOWELA Offers Process Technology Courses in DeRidderSOWELA Technical Community College is partnering with the City of DeRidder to expand post-secondary educational offerings to residents through the Beauregard Education Link. The Beauregard Education Link is housed at the First Street School in DeRidder, a facility constructed in 1939 by the WPA and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Beginning in fall 2015, SOWELA will offer introductory courses in Process Technology at the new instructional site located at 401 West First Street in DeRidder. This site is an addition to SOWELA’s current program offerings at its main campus in Lake Charles and the Morgan Smith Instructional Site in Jennings. For more information, visit www.sowela.edu/academics/Process-Technology.

WCCH Earns ACR AccreditationWest Calcasieu Cameron Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). MRI is a noninvasive medical test that utilizes magnetic fields to produce anatomical images of internal body parts to help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field.

All you need to know to stay in the know!

Money &Career


All you need to know to stay in the know!

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Our experienced team of local lenders will provide the type of personalized service that only a truly local bank can deliver.

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City of Lake Charles Transit Service Receives State Award The City of Lake Charles Transit Service was awarded the Excellence in Grant Management—Urban Area Program Award at the 2015 annual Louisiana Public Transit Conference. The Service was chosen based on five grant management criteria: reporting timeliness, Triennial Review findings, grants remaining active, Civil Rights programs submitted and ridership increase. The City’s Transit Center operates a network of fixed routes, which originate and terminate from a new transfer center built next door to the Transit Center. For more information or a complete list of routes, call (337) 491-1253.

The Country Club at the Golden Nugget Lake Charles Makes Golf Digest’s Top Ten Best New Golf Course ListGolden Nugget Lake Charles is excited to announce Golf Digest, the world’s most widely read golf publication, ranked The Country Club in the 2015 Top Ten Best New Courses list. A panel of expert judges reviewed courses around the country for its overall construction design applauding The Country Club for its beautiful scenery, links-style course, wide fairways, variety of holes, fun atmosphere and more. For more information or to book your round of golf today, contact the Pro Shop at 337-508-GOLF (4653) or visit www.goldennuggetlc.com.


Home &Family

Fighting Sibling Rivalry? Here’s How to Charge into Battle

by Erin Kelly


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IF YOU’RE A PARENT WITH MORE THAN ONE CHILD, YOU’VE PROBABLY BEEN EXPOSED TO SOME FORM OF SIBLING RIVALRY, WHETHER IT’S FIGHTING OVER A TOY, FIGHTING FOR ATTENTION, OR FIGHTING FOR NO DISCERNABLE REASON AT ALL.IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE EXPLOSIVE AND FRUSTRATING WORLD OF IRRECONCILABLE SIBLING DIFFERENCES, BUT THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO—BOTH PROACTIVELY AND REACTIVELY—TO SERVE AS A PEACEFUL MEDIATOR AND KEEP THE SITUATION AS CALM AS POSSIBLE.

Remember: Not All is EqualDon’t fall under the belief that everything needs to be equal, says Jane Greer, nationally recognized marriage and family therapist. “Do not always try to keep things even. Your kids are different ages and have different needs. But keep them balanced. Give something to each one, but not necessarily the same thing. That way, they don’t feel left out,” Dr. Greer says. Fran Walfish, author of The Self-Aware Parent, says you need to take the age of your children into consideration. Toddlers haven’t mastered the skill of sharing, delayed gratification, frustration tolerance, and self-advocacy, so they’re primed for conflict at any moment. Also consider the gaps in age and temperament between your children.

Be There to Teach, Not JudgeChildren learn conflict resolution from adults. “A warm, nurturing adult must be available. Not to take sides, blame, or judge, but to mediate and help each child wait and listen without interrupting,” Walfish says. “Parents should always make themselves available to mediate sibling conflicts. Don’t take sides or blame. Instead, equip your kids with the language and self-advocating skills to express their feelings directly—including powerful emotions like anger and rage. Teach your kids to tolerate another person’s point of view even if it is different from their own.” According to Torsten Klaus, parenting coach and author of The Empathetic Father, staying calm is often the most difficult task for a parent. But it’s essential. Otherwise you’ll go in shouting—and that’s not productive. “Try to listen to what the children have to say. Avoid questions like ‘Who started it?’– that will lead nowhere. After you’ve listened to them, empathize and give feedback, like ‘Yes, I can see that you wanted toy XYZ,’” Klaus says. “Smaller children—and older—often find it difficult to express their feelings. So, help them by reflecting. ‘Oh, you look very angry/upset/sad.’ This can help them to get a connection to their inner feelings.”

Step into their ShoesKaren Lock Kolp, host of We Turned Out Okay, a podcast for modern parents, says you need to start by stepping into your child’s shoes.

“We need to have empathy for our kids’ feelings – and most importantly to see things from their perspective,” Kolp says. “So often, what we’ll do as parents is try to make our child feel better by diminishing her feelings. We might say ‘Oh, don’t

feel bad about that, it’s such a small thing.’ To the child, it’s hugely important – and if we think back to our own childhoods, we can remember what it feels like to be on the other side of that situation.”

Instead of minimizing the situation, let your child know that you understand what it feels like to give up a toy, shut off a screen, or come in from playing outside.

“Being understood really helps kids—or anybody—not feel mad. It’s feelings of anger that can make siblings strike out at each other. Giving up a toy is bad enough. Giving it up to your brother? Brutal. When someone validates our feelings, tells us that they know how hard this is for us, just that simple act makes it easier.”

Encourage Them to Play Problem-SolverDepending on your children’s age, you could ask them to try to find their own solution for the problem, Klaus suggests.

“It could work like this: ‘I see you both like playing with toy XYZ. I’m sure you’ll find a way so that you both can enjoy it.’ Sounds impossible? Give it a try,” Klaus says. He notes that this is only effective with older children, not toddlers; two-year-olds haven’t yet developed the skills they need to make this work. “This encouragement can help your children to take responsibility and to get creative at problem solving.”


Home &Family

The Giving Season Isn’t Over

Maybe it’s because we feel guilty when we pass the Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells or because all the reminders of our own good fortune make us all a little more expansive, but it seems like many of us undergo a transformation over the holidays not terribly unlike of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

But the giving season shouldn’t just be limited to the holidays.

Charity isn’t a matter of donating during the Thanksgiving food drive or the Christmas gift-giving season then never donating again. The best kind of charity is a long-term commitment.

“There isn’t an easy answer,” says Denise Durel, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Louisiana. “There’s never just one element that makes it possible for people to take care of themselves and their families.”

Sometimes those in need are adults looking to learn a trade in order to better support their family; sometimes they’re children who’ve been deprived of an education. The

problems are many and varied, never less than deeply complex, and aren’t limited to the holidays.

To that end, regular donations to a charity are always welcome. But if you’re struggling with finances yourself, time is also a valuable and charitable gift. Durel says there is a continued need for anyone willing to teach children how to read, for example.

United Way offers a “Get Connected” service on their website designed to match volunteers with the perfect positions so you can make charity a more central part of your life.

For more information, visit unitedwayswla.org.

by Austin Price


A Storage Solution

A desk or workspace is one of the most difficult spaces to organize. Between the things you need to keep within reach and the mementos and treasures you want close by, chasing away clutter may feel like a losing battle. Especially when surface space is at a premium, try turning to your walls for creative storage solutions.

This whimsical organization board, a project designed by the crafting experts at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, lets you create

a fully customized storage center to stash whatever you need. This design allows for everything from jewelry and charging cable storage to paper filing and photo displays to functional tools such as a clock or mirror. Choose fabrics and paint to fit your space; there’s plenty of room to go bold with bright patterns and colors or tone it down for a more subtle look.

Room Organization BoardCrafting time: Varies Skill Level: Some experience necessary

Supplies and Tools:Cork boardDry erase boardStretched canvas in multiple sizesCork rollFoamcore boardBatting2-3 coordinating fabricsCraft glueStraight pinsPaint (coordinate colors to fabric)

Lay out cork board, dry erase boards and canvas, leaving some space between each piece for pops of color with fabric.

Once composition and total project size has been determined, measure empty spaces to make fabric-covered boards.

To create a fabric covered board, cut foamcore board to proper measurement. Cut batting 2-3 inches larger than board all the way around. Place batting on front of board and wrap around to back. Fold corners so they are neat and not bulky. Adhere with craft glue, using straight pins to hold in place until dry. Iron fabric. Once each piece is finished, place back into layout to make sure everything is still properly lined up and measurements are correct, making adjustments as needed. Repeat to make as many fabric boards as needed to fill the open spaces.

Leave fabric covered boards as is or add some storage. Hang ribbon and grommets for cable organization. Stretch cording as clothesline and use clothespins for displaying pictures. Add diagonal fabric pocket for papers.

Paint canvas pieces in solid colors or patterns to coordinate with fabric. The stretched canvas can also provide interesting storage options. Hang it backward for a quick shelf. Add pegs for hanging storage. Turn it into a clock with a simple 3-piece kit or add a mirror. Double it up with another canvas for extra dimension.

Once all pieces are finished, hang together on wall.

Optional Enhancements:RibbonDrapery grommetsCordingClothespins (large and small)Wooden pegs3-piece clock kitMirror


Home &Family

A few things to consider:

Music and songs. Music is typically an essential element of a service. What do you want performed at your service? Something uplifting, that celebrates life? Something nostalgic from your past? Your favorite song, perhaps?

Traditions. If you have specific traditions you want to follow, make sure that’s clear. Don’t assume your family knows. Discuss it with them so you can be sure they know your wishes and they won’t have to debate the decisions with each other.

Readings. If you desire a faith-based service, you may wish to include your favorite scripture or readings. Those who prefer a more secular service could choose inspiration readings and personal philosophies. Eulogists. Is there someone specific you would like to deliver your eulogy? If so, are there key aspects of your life you want that person to talk about?

Few of us want to think of how our life will end, or how things will continue after we’re gone. But one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your family is a personal plan for your memorial service. When your wishes are left behind, it eases the burden on loved ones who will be expected to make decisions and answer questions about how to proceed in the hours and days immediately after your death.

“It’s about providing peace of mind to you, but most importantly, to those who are dearest to you,” says Andy Hankins, licensed funeral director with Johnson Funeral Home. “When you pre-plan your service beforehand, it makes things much easier for your family, who will already be going through a difficult time. We see the difference this makes for the families. Saying a final farewell to a loved one is one of the most stressful situations a family faces. Having to make decisions about funeral and burial arrangements during this time just adds to that stress. Putting a plan in place ahead of time eliminates this burden.”

According to Hankins, your wishes can be as personalized and detailed as you want.

“Instead of approaching it as a sad or morbid task, think of it as a positive thing—a gift to your family. Think about how you want your memorial service to look or feel. Most of us would prefer that people celebrate our lives rather than mourn or deaths. If so, consider how you’d like your loved ones to do that,” Hankins said.

Your Memorial Wishes: A Final Gift for Your Familyby Erin Kelly


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Visitation and service. Do you want a viewing, visitation or wake before your service? As for the service itself, you may want to consider whether you would prefer a funeral service, memorial or graveside.

Who and where. Who do you want to officiate, and where?

Donations or gifts. Many people prefer that the attendees give a donation in their honor, rather than flowers. If that’s the case, make those wishes clear.

Once you have all your wishes documented, make sure your family or loved ones know where to find them. Keep the document in a safe and secure place, preferably with your other important papers. “You can also arrange payments beforehand so no one is left with a financial burden,” Hankins adds. “This can also be a huge cost-savings for your family. Pre-paying for your funeral years ahead of time allows you to lock in today’s lower costs.” Hankins says there are numerous options for pre-arrangement policies, and this is something his staff can assist with, along with other funeral pre-planning services.

For more information on funeral pre-planning or to schedule a free consultation, call Johnson Funeral Home at (337) 478-8687.


Home &Family

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Winter Lawn & Yard Care

Winter is the time you spend the least amount of time thinking of your lawn. There’s a good chance you’ve put away your mower and yard equipment, and are ready for a few months of worry-free relaxation before you have to start the lawn maintenance routine again. While there’s nothing wrong with this plan, Chad Everage with Landscape Management, says there are some things you should do during the colder months to protect your lawn and landscaping from harsh weather and set the stage for a beautiful, lush yard in the spring. “Most people don’t realize that many of the things you have to do for a healthy lawn in the spring start during the winter. When it comes to your yard, success is in the prep work, and it really doesn’t take a whole lot of effort.” He offers these suggestions:

Aerate and de-weed your lawn: Placing holes in your yard and pulling out soil is called aeration. This helps fertilizer; water and air get deep into the grass. Consider removing weeds and foreign plants before the coldest winter temperatures arrive. This will help ensure that when spring comes, weeds from the fall will not affect your new lawn.

Fertilize and feed: Your grass should be given fertilizer before the coldest temperatures set in. Plants need food to feed on throughout the winter season, and fertilizer will help make the grass roots stronger for the spring and summer. Wait until spring to fertilize shrubs and trees.


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Pruning: Pruning maintains tree health and form by eliminating decaying, diseased or dead branches. Properly shaping them ensures healthy, attractive growth, and makes them stronger, to combat severe weather. It is best to prune during the dormant winter season because it’s easier to identify branches that need removed, and future buds and new growth won’t be affected. It’s a good idea to get advice from a professional for tips on how far to cut limbs. Flowering plants and trees also have different pruning schedules and should be researched before you start cutting.

Planting: Late fall and winter are great times to plant a tree, but it’s important to consider several factors, including whether the space is right for when the tree is full grown, the soil is ideal for helping the tree thrive, and the temperature extremes aren’t too much for the tree to handle.

Rake leaves and debris regularly: Grass still needs exposure to sunlight during the winter months, so rake up leaves and debris throughout the season to ensure grass receives ample light and air. Mold and disease are common in winter months when leaves and debris are left over grass. Don’t leave trash bags, trash cans or other heavy items on grass for long periods of time either, as this can cause damage.

Protect from cold: Some shrubs need to be wrapped with burlap to protect them from frost. It’s also a good idea to spread a layer of mulch around the base of landscaping and trees to provide insulation for the winter.

For more information on winter yard care, visit Landscape Management’s retail yard at 5005 Cobra Road in Lake Charles or call (337) 478-3836.

for a Better Spring

by Kristy Armand


Style &BeautyStyle &Beauty

Weird and Beautiful ThingsPeople Are Doing With4

GLITTER

1 | Glitter Beard By now, most people know about “Movember,” an organization that organizes a “no-shave November” to raise money and awareness for men’s health awareness and research. But this Movember, many men took it a step further by accenting their unshorn beards with glitter.

“Glitter beard” took the Internet by storm, but it’s actually pretty easy to achieve. Simply use a bit of beard oil and glitter away – and maybe put a sheet down first for the mess.

2 | Glitter BrowsIt’s exactly what it sounds like: eyebrows, but glittery. Big, bold brows are having a moment right now, and fashionistas looking to stand out from the bushy browed pack have taken it one step further by using glitter on top of eye pencils for a pixie-ish, fantasy inspired look that is truly cool for the club or even a glitzy party.

To get the look, make up brows as usual and then coat them in a thin layer of eyelash glue (the kind you use to attach falsies) then use fingertips or a small brush to lightly press a layer of glitter.

3 | Glitter LipsOkay, this isn’t going to last you from 9 to 5 (or even from 9 to 10), but glitter lips can make for some beautiful Instagrams. Start with a bold lip color like, fire engine red or Barbie pink, then find a matching shade of makeup-quality glitter. Makeup-quality glitter is really important here because it’s finer and stickier than what you’ll find on the craft aisle. There are plenty of Etsy shops that specialize in face glitter, and several big brands like MAC sell versions as well. Line and fill your lips with lip color and then use a cotton swab to ever so carefully fill in with glitter. But you better bring supplies for touchups because this look does not last longer than a sip.

4 | Glitter PitsNo lie, many women who have foregone underarm shaving are using glitter to make a statement on social media with the hashtag #GlitterPits, and, well, pictures of sparkly pit hair. If you don’t get itchy easily, and you don’t feel much like shaving, give it a try! Just snag some beard oil (maybe from a glitter beard guy), or even hair oil, apply to your pits and sprinkle on your sparkles of choice.

Glitter has gotten a bad rap in the past year or so. For example, a website called Ship Your Enemies Glitter launched last year to much fanfare and offered to mail unsuspecting victims a huge mess for a small fee. All this glitter hate seems unfair because, hey, it’s supposed to be fun.

However, glitter is making a comeback from revenge kitsch to weird and wonderful fashion accessory. Here are a few of the ways that men and women alike are using glitter to make a sartorial statement.

With Mardi Gras around the corner, you may even want to try all four. Just don’t forget to ‘Gram it.

by Emily Alford


1

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But florals for men are nothing new, and it’s only in the past 30 or so years that they’ve been considered the

province of women only. Who can forget Merle Haggard’s dapper floral blazers nearly stealing the show when he picked the guitar as a young musician? Even Conway Twitty, the crooner who made love songs sound macho, was known to belt out hits in a lacy collar and a floral print suit.

Floral prints don’t have to make a man look like a dandy, but they can go a long way towards making a button-down and slacks look perfectly polished. They can even bring a little style to basic running shoes.

This year, J Crew is offering some pretty

reasonably priced button downs (top) in solid colors that can seamlessly transition from winter to spring wardrobe. They’re great for men who want to try florals without going too bold because they’re sold in solid colors, like navy blue and deep red, and feature a faint grey print that looks neat and tidy without going overboard. The slim fit of the shirt makes it perfect to tuck in for work or nice evenings out, but it would also look right at home untucked with a pair of jeans to kick back at the bar.

If you’re willing to go for a bolder floral, The Gap has some really nice options, like the wrinkle-resistant twill leaves shirt (middle), which comes in a much brighter blue with

a contrasting white leaf pattern. It’s floral without flowers, and would look great under a navy blazer.

Even Nike is getting in on the action by making camo a bit more tropical with its Rosherun line (bottom). It brightens the traditional dark camouflage print favored by hunters and fashion-minded folk alike to make a brighter, almost paisley print highlighted by upbeat green and accented by hunter’s orange. Take these off the track and pair them with jeans and a solid grey tee shirt to make the transition from the court to the club.

With all these options, there’s no reason to fear flowers. They can be cool and manly – just ask Elvis.

Style &Beauty

Floral Prints For Men are In

– But They’re Not What You Think

by Emily Alford

A recent Washington Post article declared that “The end of gender is near” in response to many New York Fashion Week showings, which had men lumbering down the runway in lace floral prints and boldly floral patterned

suits. Then, Harry Styles had the fashion world divided over his American Music Awards ensemble, which featured a bold black floral print over a cream colored tux.


Slim Secret Wash Shirt In Midnight Floral and Slim Secret Wash Shirt In Mahogany Floral. Available at JCrew.com - $79.50 each.

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Chin Implants

Here at La Belle, we like to call the Quicklift® our ‘signature procedure’! The Quicklift®, is a minimally-invasive facelift procedure—and could be the answer to your needs! This procedure is designed to produce a natural appearance, and not the ‘wind swept’ look you may have seen from facelifts of the past. The downtime after this procedure is minimal, and the actual technique of the surgery is much less involved compared to other facelift procedures—which means prescription medication is rarely ever prescribed, and the healing time is much quicker when you choose the Quicklift®!

Dr. Jay Appurao, M.D, F.A.C.S, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, as well as the American Board of Surgery, amongst other distinguished honors. Dr. Jay has been practicing general surgery for thirty years, and cosmetic surgery for fifteen years--and he is the only surgeon in Louisiana who has the Quicklift® franchise!

To find out more information on this procedure, please visit our website at:labellecosmetic.com.

The Quick Lift®

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After

Before


Style &Beauty

According to Morgan Hester Shows, lead stylist at Hairspray and Company in Bossier City, Louisiana, there are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about bangs.

“You should get bangs if you want a noticeable change to your look without cutting off length,” Shows says. “It can really freshen up a tired style. Bangs can also camouflage forehead wrinkles and accent your eyes. They can make a pixie cut more feminine or edgy, depending on the shape and style.”

The first step to getting great bangs is consulting your stylist about your face shape. For example, if your forehead and chin are equal width, you’ve got a square face, and Zooey Deschanel’s thick fringe would suit you well. A pointed chin is best suited to a side swept option, while a round face is best complimented by wispy bangs. And oval faced girls? Congratulations. All of the above might be great on you, depending on your personal style.

Remember though, these are just guidelines, not rules set in stone. If you and your pointed chin are dying for baby doll bangs, find a stylist who

supports you and will help you work out a plan to get the look you’re going for.

And curly girls? Don’t let the world tell you that bangs aren’t for you. However, seriously consider wearing them curly. Your curls will make a cute frame for your face and the cut will take some of the weight off, making your hair look less heavy.

However, that comes with one caveat. “If you have curly hair, never cut your bangs at home,” Shows says. “That is something best left up to a trusted professional.” If you have curly hair, it can be very easy to cut bangs too short and unevenly, forcing your hairdresser to give you the classic “toddler with scissors” corrective style.

And finally, what should you do when you’re ready to bid your bangs goodbye? Talk to your stylist, of course.

“When you’re done with bangs, don’t just skip your hair appointment,” Shows says “See your stylist and tell them you’re ready to grow your bangs out. A few little trims and some styling advice can make the process a lot less awkward. Learn a few braiding techniques, and you can get them out of your face without having to bobby pin them to the side.”

Bangs are the opposite of the little black dress. They go in and out of fashion, the trendiest shapes and styles change constantly, and, let’s be real, not every style works for everyone.

But none of those facts have ever stopped centuries of intrepid women, from Cleopatra to Audrey Hepburn, from trying and winning at bangs. At their best, good bangs can hide wrinkles and update a heavy hairstyle. At worst, they can hide a pretty face and date a hairstyle.

by Emily Alford


Protect Your SkinAgainst Louisiana’s Dewy Winter

Winter can wreak havoc on your skin no matter where you live, but the steps needed to keep your face both resilient and brilliant through a dewy Louisiana winter differ from those of our frozen northern neighbors.

“There is no one-fits-all formula for winter proofing your skin,” says Jennifer Lemons, licensed aesthetician and owner of Dermalogix Salon and Day Spa.

While many skin care products address the harsh conditions of snow, sleet and burning winds, traditionally accepted treatments can potentially do more harm than good for those of us spending part of the winter in shorts.

“As long you’re appropriately using sunscreen, living in Louisiana has tremendous skin benefits. The year-long humidity makes the face

more supple,” says Lemons. “It’s important to let your skin breathe. Commonly practiced winter skincare such as applying heavy night creams and lotions, while rich in nutrients and antioxidants, can sometimes clog the pores, potentially triggering acne breakouts or sallow skin.”

Have questions or want to learn more about winter proofing your skin? Call Dermalogix at (337) 477-1195 or visit dermalogixspa.com.

Do not leave the house without applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. The damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays do not decrease during the winter months.

Don’t forget to moisturize!Dry, heated indoor air can dry out your skin in the winter and extra moisturizer may be needed.

Choose a water-based hydrator or natural essential oil over creams. These can deliver the same health effects as creams, but without blocking pores. Tea tree oil is a great choice for a night time hydrator.

If you’re experiencing an acne breakout, applying a very small amount of oil to your nighttime cleanser can help. However, if the acne persists it’s important to see your skin care specialist.

Avoid lotion-based masks.Gel and clay masks are a better choice. These purify and deeply clean the pores.

Try a rejuvenating facial treatment.Winter is a great time to pamper your skin, to repair sun damage from months in the sun, and to keep the skin hydradrated during the drier winter weather..

by Jen Breen


Mind &Body

Shedding Pounds Together: Heading for Health or Heading for Trouble?5 tips to make it work for you and your partnerStudies have shown that people who have workout buddies tend to have better success. Something about friendly competition, mutual guilt complexes, and external support brings us closer to the gym and further from the couch. But does the same hold true for couples?It’s a new year, which means resolutions have emerged. If you’re like many Americans, losing weight is probably at the top of your list. And you may have even vowed to lose weight with your partner. Visions of happy trips to the gym—hand-in-hand, ready to conquer fitness—dance in your head.

According to Ellen Papania, fitness manager at the CHRISTUS Athletic Club, it’s definitely a good idea. Nothing wrong with wanting to shed pounds with your partner. In fact, it’s a fantastic idea, she says. “Having a supportive person on your side definitely helps,” Papania says. “You can motivate and encourage each other in ways that no one else can. Plus, you know each other’s weaknesses better than anyone else, which means you can take an active role of support in helping each other dodge those weaknesses and go for the goal.”

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You and your partner are not created equal. You need to assess your individual fitness needs and goals. One of you may need to lose more weight than the other, or vice versa. And your routine may not match, either. “Everyone is built differently, and everyone comes in with different levels of fitness,” Papania says. “Make sure your workout routine is suited to your individual needs.”

Have goals as a couple, and as individuals. Your goal as a couple might be to visit the gym at least twice or three times a week, but your individual goals will likely be different. “A good way to approach it is to say: OK, as a couple, we pledge to exercise at least 30 minutes a day for four days of the week. But as an individual, I know I need to lose 20 pounds and get my cholesterol to healthy levels,” Papania says. “Your partner may not have those same individual goals, but there are goals as a team that can definitely be shared.”

Don’t get discouraged. One of you may lose weight faster than the other. There will be weeks when one partner is charging toward the goal line while the other is sluggish behind. Remember to support each other and engage in friendly—not fierce—competition. “Motivate each other through love and support and remember that it’s not about winning over each other. It’s about winning your shared goals,” Papania says. “Don’t get discouraged if your partner sees results before you do. Everyone’s body responds differently, so you can’t expect to move forward in tandem.”

Make it fun. Find out what each of you enjoy doing at the gym. You don’t have to be side-by-side on a treadmill. If one of you despises the treadmill and would rather sit on the row machine, go for it. The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is finding things that suit your needs and don’t feel like a chore.

Celebrate your successes. Have short-term and long-term goals. They don’t have to be anything magnificent, Papania says. You may have a goal of going to the gym together three times a week. “After that first week, if you’ve accomplished that goal, have a celebration,” Papania says. “Cook a healthy meal together to celebrate the fact that you’ve decided to embrace a healthier lifestyle.” Long-term goals can be celebrated with more gusto: A trip together, perhaps.


Mind &Body

Baby Boomers Play the Waiting Game with Their Health

MANY BABY BOOMERS TAKE A RISKY APPROACH TO THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH, WHICH HAS THEM LIVING LONGER, BUT NOT NECESSARILY BETTER, ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY. THE MDVIP BOOMER HEALTH SURVEY, RELEASED IN OCTOBER, FOUND THAT BOOMERS BELIEVE IN THE VALUE OF PREVENTION, BUT ARE REACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO MANAGING THEIR HEALTH. THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF SCREENINGS AND REGULAR CHECK-UPS, BUT TYPICALLY WAIT UNTIL THEY’RE SICK BEFORE THEY SEE A DOCTOR.

But it’s a risky game to play

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The national survey found that while 94 percent of boomers believe prevention is an important part of staying healthy, 74 percent admit they could be doing more to improve their health. Half of boomers say they don’t exercise regularly, and more than a third don’t eat healthy diets. Thirty-seven percent said they don’t get enough sleep.

These numbers are concerning for a society with such a large baby boomer population. More than 75 million boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964—currently live in the United States. Medical and pharmaceutical advancements mean this aging population will live longer than previous generations, but chronic and neglected illnesses could diminish their quality of life.

The study indicates that many boomers prefer to play the waiting game when it comes to their health. Forty-three percent said it would take an unexpected, life-threatening diagnosis for them to invest more n staying healthy.

“When nearly half of respondents say they would need a nearly terminal diagnosis to get their health together, it’s concerning,” said Dr. Melissa Rasberry, family medicine physician with Imperial Health. “When it comes to quality of life, prevention and early detection are critical. With proper screenings and proactive health checks, there’s no reason why baby boomers shouldn’t be able to live healthy and happy lives. Instead, they choose to live as they see fit—until they get sick. By then, it’s often too late to manage or address the condition properly. Quality of life can diminish quickly.”

Seventeen percent of those surveyed said they believed they had little control over their health, and weren’t interested in being proactive, but according to Dr. Rasberry, this mindset is “absolutely untrue.”

“Yes, there are some diagnosis that people have little control over. But in many, many cases, we have a substantial amount of control over our personal health. We control what we eat, how often we exercise, our stress levels, whether we choose to smoke, how many drinks we have—all these things are personal health decisions that build over time,” she says. “We can absolutely take control over our health. It’s not all left to fate.”

It seems that inconvenience is the biggest hurdle standing between boomers and their doctors. The top three frustrations reported by baby boomers relative to health care were waiting in the doctor’s office; the limited amount of time spent with the doctor; and arranging appointments.

Boomers also expressed frustration at getting test results or finding a doctor they connect with, and 45 percent described going to the doctor as a “chore.”

“These are all understandable frustrations. It’s common knowledge that most people don’t enjoy going to the doctor,” says Dr. Rasberry. “But these aren’t good reasons to neglect your health.” She offers the following suggestions for boomers to be more proactive and avoid some of the irritations that come with being a patient.

Find a doctor you connect with. Ask friends and family for references. If you’re not happy with your doctor, don’t stay just because it’s routine. Find a new physician—one you connect with—and make sure the new doctor has all your medical information and your medical history.

Wary of the waiting room? At times, long waits are unpreventable. Try to make early morning appointments, or make yourself the first appointment of the day. Ask the office staff what day of the week and what time of day is best for shorter waits.

Ask your doctor which screenings you need based on your age, health, and medical history. Follow through on screenings and annual check-ups. “Yes, it may feel like a chore,” says Dr. Rasberry. “But just imagine what a chore it will be if you’re diagnosed with a serious medical condition. A few screenings and annual check-ups won’t feel like such a nuisance then.”

Eat right and exercise. Don’t smoke. Don’t drink too much. Get plenty of sleep. “These are things everyone should be doing, not just boomers,” Dr. Rasberry says. “Don’t underestimate the gravity of the health choices you make daily.”

But it’s a risky game to play


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Mind &Body

Better Sleep, LESS TIMEInsomniacs take heart: Humans get by on significantly less sleep than our closest animal relatives. The secret, according to a new study, is that our sleep is more efficient. Researchers from Duke University scoured the scientific literature and compiled a database of slumber patterns across hundreds of mammals including 21 species of primates— from baboons and lemurs to orangutans, chimpanzees and people. They then used statistical techniques to account for each species’ position in the primate family tree. They found that humans are exceptionally short sleepers—getting by on an average of seven hours of sleep a night, whereas other primate species, such as southern pig-tailed macaques and gray mouse lemurs, need as many as 14 to 17 hours. What’s more, our sleep tends to be more efficient, meaning we spend a smaller proportion of time in light stages of sleep, and more of our sleep time in deeper stages of sleep. A dream state called rapid eye movement sleep, or REM, for example, makes up nearly 25 percent of our overall sleep. But in primates such as mouse lemurs, mongoose lemurs and African green monkeys, REM sleep barely climbs above five percent. “Humans are unique in having shorter, higher quality sleep,” said anthropologist and study co-author David Samson of Duke, who logged nearly 2,000 hours watching orangutans in REM and non-REM sleep as part of his dissertation research prior to coming to Duke. The human sleep gap isn’t merely the result of round-the-clock access to artificial light from streetlamps and computer screens, the researchers say. A separate study of the sleep habits of people living in three hunter-gatherer societies without electricity in Tanzania, Namibia and Bolivia found they get slightly less shut-eye than those of us with electronic gadgets.

If artificial light and other aspects of modern life were solely responsible for shortening our sleep, we’d expect hunter-gatherer societies without access to electricity to sleep more, Samson said. Rather, the study by Samson and Duke anthropologist Charlie Nunn suggests that humans replaced sleep quantity with sleep quality long before the glare of smartphones came to be. The researchers attribute the shift towards shorter, more efficient sleep in part to the transition from sleeping in “beds” in the trees, as our early human ancestors probably did, to sleeping on the ground as we do today. Once on the ground, Samson said, early humans likely started sleeping near fire and in larger groups in order to keep warm and ward off predators such as leopards and hyenas -- habits which could have enabled our ancestors to get the most out of their sleep in the shortest time possible. Shorter sleep also freed up time that could be devoted to other things, like learning new skills and forging social bonds, while deeper sleep helped to cement those skills, sharpen memory and boost brainpower, Samson said. The findings appear in the journal Evolutionary Anthropology.


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Mind &Body

to Eat Clean While Raising Children

TIPSIt’s a brand New Year and health is on your mind. If you’re a parent, you want to get your children on board with your healthy habits, too. How does one eat clean and have their kids do the same, especially if they prefer the mac–n-cheese, chicken nuggets, and pizza? Here are five sure-fire tips to get you started. These tips are quick, easy to implement, and can be adjusted to your particular family’s needs. I advise adding one tip at a time so that things don’t become overwhelming.

Start with breakfast. The easiest way is with a smoothie. Add dark leafy greens with fruit and

non-dairy milk for a well-balanced meal that tastes great and children wont notice the green stuff. You can make smoothie jars and freeze to save time.

Juice greens and veggies. Add a fruit, lemon, and voila for a yummy drink! My kids love green juice. It took a few tries, but now they crave it. My son drinks his juice before basketball games. He says it makes him stronger.

Have snacks on hand. Make quick snacks that are not only tasty, but packed with nutrients. I make a big batch of gluten-free banana oat muffins and the kids love to join me in squishing the bananas with their hands. They throw in non-dairy chocolate chips, dried fruit, and nuts. Getting the kids involved in the snack making gives them ownership and will want to gobble up their creations.

by Lisa Ryan


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“Together, we lost 240 pounds!”As their family’s schedule became more hectic, Kacie and Kevin White started living on junk food. But when weight gain threatened to sideline them, Kacie turned to Lake Area Medical Center for weight loss surgery. Kevin followed a year later. Now, Kacie does long-distance running and biking, and Kevin hunts and climbs his tree stand with ease.

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As you feed your body clean, real food, you become fit, strong, healthy, and glowing. This is the best gift you can give your children so try a tip or two and start your New Year healthy together.

Lisa Ryan is a health coach and the author of Go Clean, Sexy You.

Make dips. Kids love to dip their food in sauces and creams. Dipping is plain fun, and it entices them to try new veggies. You can make a white bean dip for added protein, too.

Model healthy behavior. When I first started eating clean, I tried to force my family to eat what I was eating. Kale, cacao, gogi

berries… all were a big NO. After lots of arguments, I let go and just did my thing. I began to feel, look, and act healthy. I was at ease. I was calm. I was more empathetic. My family saw this and wanted

what I got! So no matter what obstacles you encounter, keep up with your clean eating and soon your family will follow you.


Mind &Body

10 Tips for Better Cycling

Spin class can be an intimidating experience for the first-timer, and even for the intermediate or advanced cycler. Top cycling trainers Kevin Mondrick of BFX Studio, Jess Walsh of New York Sports Club/Crank and Spinning Master Instructor Isabel Schaefer with CycleCast have some tips to help you get the most out of your spin experience—whether you’re part of a class or spinning on your own.

1. FOCUS ON YOUR POSTURE – relax your upper body and hands.

2. STRETCH! Take the time to stretch either on or off your bike so that you avoid any future injuries.

3. Aim to DRINK ABOUT ONE OUNCE OF LIQUID for each minute of cycling.

4. Remember that a stationary cycling class is not only a physical journey, but a mental one as well – when you use your imagination to visualize different terrains, you will be better able to push your body and challenge yourself.

5. When setting the height of your seat remember that when seated, feet resting lightly on the pedals, your knee should be slightly bent on the downstroke. If your knee is bent more than 10-15 degree angle, you need to raise the seat; if you knee is straight, you need to lower the seat slightly.

6. If at any point you feel you cannot keep up with the instructor, it is perfectly acceptable to ease off the resistance and slow down your pace.

7. TRUST YOUR INSTRUCTOR – they have a ton of experience and will lead you detail by detail the entire way.

8. CONSUME A CARBOHYDRATE-BASED BREAKFAST in the morning before training/racing.

9. STAY FOR THE COOL-DOWN! Instructors will always help you cool-down after a spin class – it will help you ride stronger next time.

10. And finally… FULLY COMMIT TO THE CLASS YOU’RE TAKING. Once you’ve done a few classes and your confidence has grown, just go for it and get lost in the music.


Health Benefits of Sugar

Is it true? Has the health community reversed its feeling on sugar? Well, not so fast. While we’ll never see a day when a doughnut can replace our morning vitamins; sugar isn’t the dirty word we know it to be. A recent study from the University of Michigan has confirmed that sugar—in moderation—is the better choice over artificial sweeteners when it comes to maintaining weight and weight loss. (Moderation is the key word here.) In our on-the-go world, the promise of a quick sugar-free or low-calorie snack can be hard to resist, especially if you have a raging sweet tooth or are dieting. Unfortunately, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Artificial sweeteners can actually cause you to gain more weight. Artificially sweetened food leaves us wanting more, the study finds. Unlike like real sugar, it is not metabolized during digestion. When we consume sugar it triggers sensors in the brain that let us know we are becoming full. If you can’t fight the craving, it’s better to choose sugar—just don’t choose a lot of it.

Please pass … the sugar?

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Mind &Body

The Texting Slump

How it looks: Your head is bent down toward the phone you are holding at waist level with your chin tucked in.How it hurts: When lowering your head to text, the force of about 60 pounds - roughly the equivalent to four bowling balls - is put upon your upper spine, according to a study published in the journal Surgical Technology International. For example, if on average the human head weighs roughly 10 pounds when in a neutral position, and the pressure on your spine doubles every inch you tilt your head forward, then when you are looking down at a smartphone in your lap, your neck is holding up what feels like 20 or 30 pounds.How you fix it: Bring your phone upward until you only have to lower your eyes to text. Dr. Lowry says this will alleviate the strain on your neck and keep your head in a neutral position where your ears are over your shoulders.

The Tablet CrunchHow it looks: You are sitting with your laptop resting on in your lap with your legs crossed, back rounded and neck bent downward.How it hurts: The posture created in this position can lead to muscle strain, pinched nerves and even herniated discs,

along with affecting the natural curve of your neck. Metabolically speaking, it decreases the ability for oxygen to enter your blood stream, explains Dr. Lowry. “Slouching can reduce the capacity of your lungs by as much as 30%. In fact, try to take a deep breath in a slumped position. Now sit up straight, try again, and notice the difference?” This lack of oxygenated blood flowing through the body could potentially lead to vascular disease. Even gastrointestinal problems can be linked to the pressure consistently bad posture places on the organs.How you fix it: First, move your laptop from your lap to a desk or even a kitchen counter to check email or surf the internet. Next, be aware of your body, Dr. Lowry says. “Keep your feet flat on the floor, roll your shoulders back and keep your ears directly over them so your head isn’t tilted forward. “

The Treadmill TwistHow it looks: Turning your head to watch TV as you exercise on the treadmill.How it hurts: Twisting your body in one direction while in motion creates muscle stress on the opposite side of your body. This has a negative effect on the muscles

in your back, along with increasing pressure on your joints, ligaments and bones. According to Dr. Lowry, your body has to work even harder to help you maintain balance, which, in turn, causes your muscles to fatigue faster. “Fatigued muscles lead to injuries.” How you fix it: Pick a treadmill that has a built-in screen, or if your gym doesn’t offer this option, choose one that has the TV mounted directly in front of the treadmill. If at home, angle the treadmill so that you can look directly at the screen without having to turn your neck in either direction to view the TV.

YOU STARE AT YOUR ELECTRONIC SCREENS MORE TIMES A DAY THAN YOU PROBABLY REALIZE, NOT REALIZING THAT DOING SO CAN PUT A SERIOUS STRAIN ON YOUR BODY. “TECHNOLOGY-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN IS MORE THAN JUST A TEMPORARY ANNOYANCE, IT’S A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE HEADACHES AND PAIN IN THE SHOULDERS, BACK AND NECK,” ACCORDING TO DR. BILL LOWRY, PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION SPECIALIST WITH CENTER FOR ORTHOPAEDICS.

HERE ARE SOME COMMON TECHNOLOGY-RELATED POSTURE PROBLEMS AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM:

How is your Technology Hurting you?

6 POSITIONS THAT COULD BE TO BLAME AND HOW TO CORRECT THEM

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The Elbow SqueezeHow it looks: Laying on your stomach, body held up by your elbows and your phone or tablet in your hand.How it hurts: Relying on your elbows to support your body weight puts pressure on the ulnar nerve located in the bend of your elbow. Holding the tablet with a bent wrist puts excessive pressure on the median nerve found in

the wrist. “When too much pressure is applied to these nerves, it results in instances of numbness and tingling, while also increasing your potential for cubital tunnel syndrome and/or carpal tunnel syndrome,” Dr. Lowry says.How you fix it: Start by holding your device with both hands and straighter wrists, and moving from your stomach to a chair. You can also try laying on your back or side to keep the pressure off your elbows.

The Gaming Thumb Throb

How it looks: “That depends on how intense the game is, right?” asks Dr. Lowry. There’s the typical “couch slouch,” where the gamer posture is relaxed and slouched back into the couch. Then there’s the “on” position when the game in in full force and the gamer’s body is tensely leaned forward with elbows on knees and fingers moving as fast as humanly possible. How it hurts: The continuous use of video games puts stress on tendons, nerves, and ligaments in the hands and arms. “Gamer’s thumb” is a real condition that causes swelling at the base of the thumb due to overuse of hand-held devices which can lead to tendonitis, bursitis, and carpel tunnel syndrome. “This is a type of repetitive stress injury that most commonly affects the hands, wrists, forearms, and shoulders,” says Dr. Lowry. “The most common symptoms include burning, tingling and pain.”How you fix it: Choose a chair that you can sit in comfortably with both feet on the floor and back support. When holding the controller, keep your wrists straight, not letting them bend downward. Finally, Dr. Lowry advises taking frequent breaks - every 20 minutes or so. “This will give your neck, head, shoulders and hand muscles a break.”

For more information about treatment for muscle and joint pain, call Center for Orthopaedics, an affiliate of Imperial Health, at (337) 721-7236 or visit www.centerforortho.com.


Mind &Body

Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy or watery eyes—these are all symptoms that many people experience each winter. When you find yourself miserable with your winter “cold,” you could actually be suffering from winter allergies.

Dr. Blake LeBlanc, ENT and Allergy Specialist with the ENT & Allergy Clinic, says, “Living in Louisiana, in such a mild climate, we don’t always see a winter freeze that kills off plants. Our allergy seasons can overlap; it’s a year-round thing here.”

Many people don’t believe their symptoms of sneezing and running nose during the winter are due to allergies. Instead, put the blame on the common cold. In fact, many will dismiss their winter symptoms year after year, blaming “a cold, but the common cold or flu, has other symptoms, such as fever and achiness.

If your symptoms persist for longer than 10 days, you most likely are dealing with allergies. “Allergy symptoms can last for weeks or even months. People can even be symptomatic year-round,” says Dr. LeBlanc.

If you have mostly outdoor

allergies, such as allergies to pollen, you will likely feel better during the winter. However, in Louisiana, “tree

pollen season runs from the end of December or beginning of January,” says Dr. LeBlanc. If you also

suffer from indoor allergies to triggers such as dust mites, mold or pet dander, the winter will present an even bigger challenge for you. “If

you are allergic to dust, or more accurately, the mold, pollen, mites and insect parts that linger in dust, winter can actually be the most miserable time of year for you. Colder temperatures result in people spending more time indoors, in closed up homes and offices with heaters running more often. Dust that has settled into carpet, on surfaces and in ventilation systems is stirred up, triggering allergies that affect

the eyes, nose, sinuses and throat,” Dr. LeBlanc adds.

Think you have a cold? Think again. It could be

WINTERALLERGIES by Robin Barton


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WINTERALLERGIES

Common symptoms of winter

allergies include:

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Nasal congestion

• Sinus headaches

• Bronchitis

• Shortness of breath

• Itchy or watery eyes

• Itchy or runny nose

• Dark circles under the eyes

Common treatment includes over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants. While decongestants help open your nasal passageways when you feel congested, antihistamines will relieve a variety of symptoms and, taken regularly, will build up in your system to prevent flare-ups. Allergy shots and immunotherapy are other options that can help control your allergy symptoms long-term.

Dr. LeBlanc has several tips to help you be allergy-free during the winter months:

See an allergist for a skin test: Visit an allergist to learn if you have allergies and, if so, exactly what causes them.

Take care of your immune system: Getting plenty of rest, eating well, exercising and reducing stress will strengthen your immune system.

Keep your home allergy-free: Discard or clean any household items that have mold, wash your bedding in hot water each week, and use a HEPA air filter to clear the indoor air of dust. You can run a humidifier to help your nose filter better to prevent viral infections and other problems. Saline nasal sprays, salt water rinses and Neti pots can help wash out unwanted allergens.

Be mindful of animals: Try to avoid furry pets, such as cats and dogs. If you already have one, don’t let your pet sleep in your bedroom, and give it a bath weekly. With animal allergies, the amount of dander actually increases during the winter.

For more information about allergy treatment, call the ENT & Allergy Clinic at (337) 312-8564 or visit ENTandAllergyClinic.net.

by Robin Barton


Guidry Named McNeese’s Head Football CoachLance Guidry was recently named the 15th head coach in school history of McNeese State University. Guidry is a 1995 graduate of McNeese. He replaces Matt Viator who left to become the head coach at Louisiana-Monroe. In 2015, Guidry helped

McNeese win its 14th Southland Conference championship, a league record, while the team posted a perfect regular season. His defense ranked 12th nationally in total defense (allowing a tad over 300 yards per game), third in both scoring defense and red zone defense, and fourth in rushing defense. In addition, the Cowboys’ defense ranked second in 4th-down conversion defense sixth in first downs defense, and seventh in 3rd-down conversion defense. McNeese will represent Guidry’s first full-time head coaching job at the collegiate level. He acted as interim head coach at Miami University (Ohio) in 2010 and Western Kentucky University in 2012, leading both teams into postseason bowl games. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at McNeese in 1994 then returned as the school’s defensive coordinator from 2000-04, and in 2008, coached the defensive backs. In his 10 combined years on the McNeese staff, the Cowboys have compiled an 86-35 record, including a 50-16 mark in Southland Conference games. During that time McNeese has won four conference championships (2001-03, 2015), made six FCS playoff appearances (1994, 2000-03, 2013, 2015) and played in the 2002 FCS National Championship game. He and his wife, Starlet, have four children: Janzen, Madison, Alexis and Kaitlyn, and one grandson, Ethan.

The Guidry FileYears at McNeese: 10 (1994, 2000-04, 2008, 2013-present)Age: 44 (March 25, 1971)High School: Welsh, 1989College: McNeese State University, 1995Coaching Career:

1994 McNeese Graduate Assistant1995-96 Leesville High School (Defensive Secondary)1997-99 Carencro High School (Defensive Coordinator)2000-04 McNeese (Defensive Coordinator)2005-07 Carencro High School (Head Coach)2008 McNeese (Defensive Backs)2009-10 Miami-Ohio (Defensive Backs)2010 Miami-Ohio (Interim Head Coach)2011-12 Western Kentucky (Defensive Coordinator)2012 Western Kentucky (Interim Head Coach)2013-15 McNeese (Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach)2015- McNeese (Head Coach)

Baseball Season Tickets On Sale Now With the first pitch just a month away, there is excitement in the air as the McNeese State baseball team prepares to take the field for 2016. Reserved season tickets are $135 and general admission seats are $100. Special discounts are

available including a Faculty/Staff general admission season ticket beginning at $80 and a Friends and Family four-pack at $75 per ticket in general admission seating.


Mark Your Calendar!

Louisiana Winter Beer Festival Tickets on Sale NowThe 2016 Louisiana Winter Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, March 5 from 1-5pm at the Historic Calcasieu Marine National Bank Building in Downtown Lake Charles. Tickets for the festival are on sale and can be purchased online at www.lawinterbeerfest.com. This will be the second year for the Craft Beer festival, benefiting the Lake Charles Symphony, and the event organizers are expecting a selection of well over 100 Louisiana and American craft beers, meads and ciders for attendees to sample. In addition to beer tastings, attendees will be able to meet the brewers from Louisiana and National breweries; sample local food offerings from area restaurants and food trucks; and enjoy local live music.

Regular admission tickets are $50 per person, which grants the attendee admission to the festival at 1pm, a commemorative tasting glass and unlimited samplings of the regular festival beer offerings. Designated drivers will receive access to the festival, free water and soft drinks, and a commemorative tasting glass for $15. In addition to Saturday’s festival, L’Auberge Casino Resort will once again host a Brewers Dinner on March 4, which will feature Louisiana beer selections paired with unique menu items prepared by award-winning Chef Lyle Broussard of Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill. Tickets are extremely limited to this event and will be available at www.lawinterbeerfest.com for $100 per seat. For more information, call (404) 822-5847 or visit www.lawinterbeerfest.com.

The 2016 Cameron Parish High School Career Fair is ScheduledThe Cameron Parish Economic Development and the Cameron Parish School Board will host the 2nd annual Cameron Parish High School Career Fair at the School Board’s Educational Conference Center on January 27 from 9am-2pm at 510 Marshall Street in Cameron. If you or your business is interested in participating or reserving a table to display your company/non-profit/educational institutional materials, sponsoring door prizes or snacks, call Clair Hebert Marceaux at (337) 739-1098.

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LET'S RODEO!


Solutions for Life from Solutions Counseling & EAP ! by Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP

Happy New Year! As you can see above, I have dubbed 2016 as “The Year of Letting Go.” Every month, I am going to address a different area that I want you to work on releasing. We’ll be talking about letting go of the past, unhealthy relationships, bitterness and resentment – all kinds of good stuff coming your way this year.

I want to kick off our “Year of Letting Go” with something big and very important – it’s time to let go of low self- esteem. As you probably know, self- esteem is the view you have of yourself, and it can be anywhere on a continuum from low to high.

Interestingly, those with low self-esteem believe the Self-esteem continuum is fluid and variable. That’s because people with lower self- esteem base the way they feel about themselves on outside forces. If someone compliments them, they feel better about themselves. If someone is critical of them, they feel worse.

People with higher self-esteem know the continuum does not fluctuate much. Yes, with work on yourself you can go up on the continuum, but not quickly. And not because of what other people think about you. People with higher self-esteem like themselves regardless of what is happening around them.

I listened to a TED talk recently about hygiene. (Go with me here, there is a connection, I promise). We know that good personal hygiene increases life expectancy. The speaker theorized the same for emotional hygiene. You wouldn’t take a physical injury and see what you could do to make it worse, right (i.e. keep walking on that broken leg, or not medicating that infection)? Why then, do we do that very thing when something bad happens and we are emotionally injured? We beat ourselves up at the very time we should be nurturing ourselves.

So, how to stop injuring and start building…This is going to be one of those “fake it until you make it” situations. You’re going to pretend you think you are awesome until you actually do. Here are some starting points:

1. Say your name. This is an exercise I use when doing self-esteem workshops. I have everyone in the room introduce themselves. And I begin to point out the people who have more confidence based solely on that action. Who made eye contact? Who had a strong, confident voice? Whose voice pitch went down at the end of their name instead of up? (That whole “up talk” thing drives me crazy – talk about sounding unsure of yourself!)

2. Make a list. This list is going to consist of your positive attributes, both outer and inner. People with lower self-esteem hate this exercise. Mainly because they have always focused on what they consider to be their flaws. I want you to make a list that will continue to grow as you continue to appreciate more and more about yourself. I will allow you to start with the easy stuff: everyone is allowed to put “I am nice” for number 1. But then you have to dig deeper. What are you good at? What are your good physical characteristics? What makes you a good human being? What do your friends like about you? What does your pet like about you? You cannot stump me on this. I will find things you will admit are not horrible. I know you are awesome, and I know you can think of some things you don’t hate about yourself.

3. Increase human interaction. Many people with lower self-esteem are isolated. They don’t have many friends, they spend a lot of time alone, and they don’t realize the damage it is doing. We are social creatures. We need interaction and contact. Join a group or organization that has a cause you believe in. Get manicures/pedicures/massages – anything to increase actual contact. Become a hugger (not the creepy kind, though).

It’s time to get started on becoming the best version of yourself. That means actually knowing who you are and liking yourself. Let’s make 2016 your best year yet!

2016: The Year of Letting Go


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