Healthy SoFlo Issue 60

PUBLISHER 

Mauricio Portillo 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Claudia Portillo 

"Being 

healthy and 

fit is no longer 

a fad or a trend 

it's a Lifestyle." 

MARKETING DIRECTOR 

Arnaldo Del Valle 

COPY EDITOR 

Lora Incardona 

ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR 

Andres Portillo 

WEBSITE DIRECTOR 

Maria Alejandra Wehdeking 

ART AND DESIGN 

Carolina Pedraza 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Gala Ricote 

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR 

Maria Alejandra Wehdeking 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Meg Meeker, MD 

Jenn Baxter 

Fabienne Claude 

Shannon Day 

Elianni Gaio 

Tarah Johansson 

Leonor Kalil 

Dina Leygerman 

Ava Mallory 

Norah Menditto 

Andres Portillo 

Julianna Portillo 

Luisa Samaniego 

Ximena Vengoechea 

Hamzah M. Saei, MD 

Claudia Portillo 

Editor in Chief 

May is Women’s Health Month. Finally, it’s time to focus on you and your health. While you stop to smell 

the freshly-bloomed flowers (provided Spring has sprung in your neck of the woods), take some time to 

breathe and be in the moment. This is the perfect time of year to indulge in just being, instead of doing. 

If you’re like me, your calendar is fully loaded with an abundance of activities. Some of them fun. Others 

not so much fun, but necessary. Taking some time to focus on your health might seem like a pipe 

dream. What with work commitments, your child’s activities schedule, and the countless other things 

you're required to be present for, taking time for yourself seems impossible. This month, we’re here to 

help you carve out some time to reconnect with what makes you tick, free your mind from worries (if 

only temporary), and to help get your health goals back on track. There’s nothing more satisfying than 

purging your daily woes and rejuvenating your soul with quiet reflection, exercise, meditation, or a clean 

bill of health from your doctor. No matter which route you choose to pursue, know that we here at 

Healthy magazine are here to answer your questions, guide you to a path to a better you, and help ease 

your transition from harried mom or corporate juggernaut to someone who cares enough about herself 

to treat her mind and body well. 

Inside you’ll find the kind of heart-warming, information-packed articles you’ve grown used to alongside 

tips and tricks to help you feel and look better and to keep the beautiful machine that is your body in tiptop 

shape. You’ll discover the hidden secrets about women’s health issues, including what you need to 

know about colon cancer and how to prevent it to articles about the gender gap in eating disorders, the 

signs and symptoms of depression, and so much more. 

We’re so happy Spring has finally begun to make an appearance, and we’re even more excited to help 

you live a happier, healthier life. Here’s to you, dear readers. We wish you love and wellness, and as 

always, the best of health. Happy Women’s Health Month! 

cportillo@healthymagazine.com 

/HEALTHYMAGAZINE 

@HEALTHYVALLEY 

/HEALTHYMAGAZINEONLINE 

/ HEALTHYMAG08 

contact@healthymagazine.com | ph. 305-900-7009 | www.healthymagazine.com 

Healthy Magazine is a free monthly publication. All contents are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. The material 

in this magazine is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. Healthy 

Magazine and its contributors accept no responsibility for inaccuracies, and the advertiser is solely responsible for ad content and holds publisher harmless from any error.

ISSUE 60 

EDITORIAL CONTENT 

MOMS, THIS IS WHY YOU’VE 

ALREADY FAILED AT YOUR YOUR 

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION 

HEY MOMS! STOP. SIT. EXHALE. 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND 

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION? 

AM I SUFFERING FROM IT? 

CIOCCA MED SPA: BEAUTIFUL 

SKIN STARTS HERE 

#METOO A NATIONAL MOVEMENT 

WHICH AFFECTS US ALL 

THE POWER OF FEMALE 

FRIENDSHIPS 

SPRING CLEANING 

FOR YOUR SOUL 

SYMPTOMS OF COLON CANCER 

THAT EVERY YOUNG WOMAN 

SHOULD KNOW 

YOU ARE NOT EQUAL. I’M SORRY. 

SHE SEEMED LIKE SUPERWOMAN 

HOW TO TREAT 

HORMONAL IMBALANCES 

YOGA FOR THE BRAIN 

3 REASONS TO EXERCISE 

FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE 

RUN OUT OF REASONS 

SUPERFOODS FOR 

HORMONAL BALANCE 

THE EATING DISORDER GENDER 

GAP: WHY DOES IT EXIST? WHICH 

WAY DOES IT SKEW? 

PALEO YUCCA GNOCCHI 

(GLUTEN-FREE) 

10 

12 

14 

16 

18 

20 

22 

24 

26 

28 

30 

32 

34 

36 

38 

40 

contact@healthymagazine.com 

ph. 305-900-7009 | www.healthymagazine.com

HEALTHY KIDS · MAY 2018 

MOMS, THIS IS WHY YOU’VE 

ALREADY FAILED AT YOUR YOUR 

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION 

We, mothers, tend to put a lot 

of expectations on ourselves 

throughout the year, especially 

around the time we are setting 

goals and resolutions. Chances 

are for many of you that you 

have already failed at whatever 

parenting resolution you made. 

WHEN YOU SET THE BAR 

AT PERFECTION, YOU WILL 

ALWAYS MISS IT. 

For instance, maybe your goal was 

to stop yelling at your kids, but a 

few days ago your child frustrated 

you, and you yelled at him. 

Alternatively, maybe your goal was 

to make lunch for your children 

every day so they wouldn’t eat 

cafeteria food, but then you had a 

busy morning and rushed everyone 

out the door, without their lunches. 

We want the best for our kids, so 

we set high goals, but this only sets 

us up for failure. When you set the 

bar at perfection, you will always 

miss it. The truth is, your kids don’t 

want perfection from you; they just 

want you. 

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE 

ABOUT ME? 

The minute you step into your 

child’s presence, she is scouring 

you to try to find out what you 

think about her. Are you happy, 

stressed, frustrated? 

Your child then internalizes her 

read on you. For example, if you 

smile at her when she walks in 

the room, she will interpret that 

as, “My mom smiled. She’s glad 

I’m here. She thinks I’m great; 

therefore, I am great.” 

Be aware of your presence around 

your child. Whether positive or 

negative, it is telling her what you 

believe about her and that is telling 

her who she is. 

I have experimented with this in my 

medical practice. When I’m seeing 

a patient, I’ll ask him, “Tell me who 

loves you?” Since the parent is in 

the room with us, I’m curious about 

what he’ll say. You know what 

answer I get most of the time? 

“Well, I know my mom and dad 

probably do because they have to.” 

WHAT ARE YOUR 

HOPES FOR ME? 

Most kids don’t think about 

their lives after 25. As 

children and adolescents, 

they live as if the years 

after 25 will never come. 

That’s why they’re running 

around wanting to do 

anything they want all the 

time. 

They need you, who 

understands that there 

is a lot of life after 25, to 

instill hope in their future. 

Talk about it with them. 

Tell them the hopes you 

have for them. That they 

will be loving. That they 

will be disciplined adults 

who have self-control so 

they can enjoy life. This 

will get them living 

and thinking beyond 

the here and now 

and give them 

hope for their 

futures. 

THE TRUTH IS, 

YOUR KIDS 

DON’T WANT 

PERFECTION 

FROM YOU; 

THEY JUST 

WANT YOU. 

Let go of the resolutions 

you are already failing. If 

you only get these three 

questions right, you’ve 

won this year as a mother 

and, more importantly, 

you’ve given your child the 

best start in life that will 

launch him to success and 

happiness. 

By Meg Meeker 

“ 

Don’t be intimidated 

by what you don’t 

know. That can be 

your greatest strength 

and ensure that you 

do things differently 

from everyone else." 

” 

— Sara Blakely 

(Founder & CEO of Spanx) 

I would like to encourage you 

not to set any strict parenting 

resolutions this year and instead 

focus on three questions. 

I’ve been a pediatrician for over 

30 years. In this time I’ve realized 

that all children, no matter their 

age, have the same three questions 

about their parents. If you can 

address these questions, you will 

set yourself up to be an excellent 

parent this year. 

HOW DO YOU 

FEEL ABOUT ME? 

Kids need to know that you love 

them every hour of every day. Does 

that sound excessive? It’s not. 

Moms, we are so used to doing 

things for our kids (making them 

lunches, signing them up for 

activities) in order to show them 

we love them when really, they 

need to hear us say it. Again and 

again and again. 

WWW.HEALTHYMAGAZINE.COM 

10 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY KIDS · MAY 2018 

HEY 

MOMS! 

STOP. SIT. 

EXHALE. 

STOP. Just, stop! Slowthe-heck-down. 

Life 

has you in a total spin. 

Please, take a minute to 

decompress. 

SIT. 

EXHALE. 

And, while you’re here, I need to 

talk to you... 

This spin that you’re in, the one 

filled with hectic schedules and 

rushed meals, laundry piles, and 

workloads; you need to Slow. 

It. Down. I know it’s almost 

impossible, and maybe right now 

it really isn’t realistic but every 

once-in-while, and on a regular 

basis ideally, please make time 

to do something that 

you really want to do; 

something just for you. 

Take time to re-group, 

and to remember 

who you are; not the 

wife, the mother, the 

employee, or the 

daughter. You! And, 

if you feel like this 

knowing yourself 

business is a hazy 

concept from the distant past, 

then no time is better than NOW, 

to get back on track. 

Sometimes, when we are 

too busy (caught up in the 

whirlwind), we start to unravel 

without even noticing. Yes, while 

filling our many roles, we can 

forget to keep an eye on our own 

well-being. And, in reality, when 

the whirlwind slows, and we land 

somewhere on the other side 

we’ll be face to face with a new 

stage; a stage that brings quiet 

moments of time where it’s just 

you, and you alone. How will 

you feel when you are face to 

face with your own reflection, in 

those moments? Will you know 

who you are? Will you like who 

you see? Take care of yourself. 

STOP. 

SIT. 

EXHALE. 

Read that book you’ve been 

hearing about, play your favorite 

music in the kitchen, take walks. 

Be a pen pal, do Pilates, start 

a blog. Take up photography, 

meet an old friend for brunch, 

sign-up for a wine-tasting class. 

Play hockey, study Italian, learn 

to knit. Try something that feels 

daring to you, say “no” more 

often, but say “yes” to new 

adventures. Buy a lavender plant 

for your garden and smell it 

every day. 

You are important, essential 

really. 

EXHALE. 

SIT. 

STOP. 

Take the time to find out what 

makes you smile, when nobody 

else is around. The “Post- 

Whirlwind You,” will be glad 

you did. 

Shannon Day is co-author of the 

funny and heartwarming book/martini 

guide 'Martinis & Motherhood: Tales 

of Wonder, Woe & WTF?!' 

12 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · MAY 2018 

WHAT ARE THE 

SIGNS AND 

SYMPTOMS OF 

DEPRESSION? 

Am I suffering from it? 

Depression is a common debilitating mood 

disorder that goes beyond a feeling of sadness 

after a setback or a troubling event. Depression 

deeply impacts other aspects of your life. It can 

stymie your productivity and creativity. It can 

interfere with your personal relationships. It can 

hamper your ability to work, study, sleep, eat, 

and your ability to enjoy life. Often, it will leave 

you feeling helpless and worthless. The feelings 

can be so intense that you fear you’ll never find 

relief. It severely alters your day-to-day life. Many 

people compare it to what it would be like to live 

in a black hole. People have described it as feeling 

like they or their lives are empty. 

It’s important to remember that no two people 

present in the same way. Feelings may vary from 

person to person. Depression goes beyond the 

normal ups and downs of life. The intense feelings 

of sadness differentiate it from everyday woes: 

the feelings are stronger. 

If you worry that you 

might be suffering 

from depression, there 

are some common 

symptoms to pay 

attention to: 

01 Overwhelming 

feelings of 

helplessness. A bleak, 

dark outlook on life. 

Loss of 

02 interest in 

daily activities. You’re 

no longer interested 

in partaking in your 

favorite hobbies or 

pastimes. You shy 

away from social 

activities and/or sex. 

03 Significant 

weight loss or 

weight gain. Significant 

is classified as a 

change of more than 

5% in either direction. 

Insomnia or 

04 oversleeping. 

Waking up many times 

per night. Inability to 

fall or stay asleep. 

Increased 

05 anger or 

irritability; Lashing 

out at people, 

spontaneous explosive 

episodes. 

06 Sluggishness, 

fatigue, or 

a feeling of being 

physically drained. 

07 Reckless 

behavior. 

Hyper-sexualization, 

risk-taking, fascination 

with doing things that 

could cause harm. 

Chemical dependence. 

Increased alcohol 

consumption. 

Problems with 

08 concentration. 

Inability to focus or 

concentrate on tasks. 

09 Unexplained 

aches and 

pains. Body pains, 

lethargy, nausea, 

headaches. 

10 Self-loathing. 

Self-hatred. 

If you’re 

experiencing 

any of the above 

symptoms, make 

an appointment 

with your 

healthcare 

provider to 

determine a 

course of action. 

Men are less likely to 

acknowledge the above 

feelings. They are more 

likely to complain about 

fatigue, sleep problems, 

or irritability. Women 

are more likely to 

experience pronounced 

feelings of guilty, 

overeating, weight 

gain, and sleep issues. 

Hormonal factors 

play a significant role 

in women as well. 

Teenagers are more 

likely to exhibit signs 

of anger, agitation, 

inability to concentrate, 

and body pains. Mature 

adults most often will 

complain of physical 

symptoms like fatigue, 

unexplained aches, 

and pains and memory 

problems. They are 

more likely to forgo 

personal care. They 

may suddenly decide to 

stop bathing or taking 

their medications or 

ignore things they’ve 

done regularly for their 

entire lives. 

“ 

The size of your 

dreams must 

always exceed 

your current 

capacity to 

achieve them. If 

your dreams do 

not scare you, 

they are not big 

enough. 

” 

— Ellen Johnson 

Sirleaf 

(President of Liberia) 

Depression comes 

in many forms such 

as major depression, 

atypical depression, 

dysthymia (recurrent, 

mild depression), 

Seasonal Affective 

Disorder (SAD), 

and post-partum 

depression. 


By Tarah Johansson 

14 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · MAY 2018 HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · MAY 2018 

Kybella is one of the 

treatments used to 

remove the infamous 

“double-chin”, which 

contains a naturally 

occurring molecule 

found in the body that 

can destroy fat cells 

under the chin. They 

also specialize in the 

platelet-rich-plasma 

facial, better known as 

vampire facial, which 

includes drawing blood 

from the client’s arm, 

separating the platelets 

and microneedling them 

back into the skin to 

promote healthy skin 

cell activity. 

As an added bonus each month, Ciocca’s 

Med Spa offers specials on their 

services and hosts events where guests 

can experience a fun-filled evening. 

Representatives from different brands 

set up educational demos and guests can 

participate in raffles, receive discounts on 

treatments, win prizes and enjoy small bites 

and wine. Ciocca’s Med Spa also has a VIP 

membership program where clients can 

receive extra perks. 

When it comes to overall skin and body 

wellness, treatment should be left in the 

hands of a knowledgeable and qualified 

provider. Those that are already familiar 

with Ciocca Health Group’s Dermatology 

and Oculofacial plastic surgery facility 

should take advantage of all the great 

benefits the Med Spa has to offer. For 

those who have yet to visit the innovative 

facility, Ciocca 

Health’s Med Spa 

is the perfect 

balance of 

medical skin 

care and 

aesthetics. 

CIOCCA 

MED SPA: 

Beautiful Skin 

Starts Here 

Day spas can provide deep relaxation 

and stress relief for many people. 

Cue the deep tissue massages, 

cucumber-covered eyelids and 

unlimited glasses of champagne. 

Yet, many people are missing out on the added 

benefits of visiting a medical spa. Luckily for those in 

South Florida, Ciocca Health Group features a Med 

Spa that offers innovate procedures, state-of-theart 

equipment and premium products to provide 

customized cosmetic treatments for beautiful skin. 

The team at Ciocca’s Med Spa includes Dr. 

Giovanna Ciocca, Dr. Ana Carolina Victoria, and 

providers certified to perform an array of cosmetic 

procedures. 

Ciocca’s Med Spa also features laser 

treatments, dermal fillers, neurotoxins, and 

body sculpting. These highly skilled experts will 

recommend the best treatment and products 

based on each client’s individual needs to 

ensure a personalized and one-of-a-kind 

experience. 

Ciocca’s Med Spa is well known for its thorough 

evaluation using a 3-D skin analysis. Each client 

has multi-angled photos taken of their face, 

which are then uploaded to a computer for 

analyzing. The photos help assess skin type, and 

provide a detailed before and after. 

Some of the facial treatments at Ciocca’s Med Spa 

include microdermabrasion, deep cleansing facials, 

Vitamin C facials, and glycolic peels. For clients 

looking to correct sun damage or pigmentation, a 

retinol peel can be a great option. 

The laser treatments available can be used for the 

removal of unwanted hair and the treatment of facial 

redness, rosacea, spider veins, and dark spots. Their 

CO2 laser helps to resurface and rejuvenate the 

wrinkles of the face and hands by stimulating new 

collagen production in the skin. 

Ciocca’s Med Spa also 

has a large variety of 

injectables such as 

Botox, Dysport and 

dermal fillers that are 

minimally invasive 

procedures used to 

create a smoother or 

fuller appearance in the 

face, remove wrinkles 

and enhance lips. 

The body wellness 

program is perfect 

for those looking for 

minimally invasive 

procedures as an 

alternative to plastic 

surgery, for a fraction 

of the cost. Body 

wrapping, lipocontour 

ultrasound cavitation, 

lipo laser, and lymphatic 

drainage treatments 

can be paired with a 

detailed nutritional 

guide and tailored 

mean plans that 

when added to a daily 

exercise routine, can 

help each client achieve 

their health and beauty 

goals. 

After each treatment, clients are 

educated on the best products to use 

at home to continue benefitting from 

the effects of their in-office care. 

These include top-of-the-line 

cleansers, serums, retinol, creams 

and sunscreen. The entire medical 

staff of certified providers take pride 

in ensuring each patient is properly 

educated during each visit from 

beginning to end. 

You can schedule 

an appointment with 

any one of their specialists 

by calling (305) 273-7998 

or visiting their website at 

cioccadermatology.com. 

Their office is located at 

7001 Southwest 97th 

Avenue, Suite #101. 

ANA CAROLINA VICTORIA, M.D. (left) and GIOVANNA CIOCCA, M.D. 

By Geovanna Arias 

16 HEALTHY MAGAZINE 

17 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

COVER STORY · MAY 2018 COVER STORY · MAY 2018 

#METOO 

A NATIONAL MOVEMENT 

WHICH AFFECTS US ALL 

EDUCATION 

We can’t keep waiting until something bad 

happens to educate young people about sexual assault. The first step is making sure 

every young person knows the difference between “yes” and “no,” as well as the 

difference between being in love and being uncomfortable. Young adults are often 

left out of these “grown-up” discussions, but the truth of the matter is that, unless 

we teach young people the difference between right and wrong before they have 

the chance to make a mistake, a lot of future suffering could be avoided. 

There are some things 

in life that everyone seems 

to have to go through. You have 

your first heartbreak, your first 

loss, your first love. But since when 

has the first time you’re catcalled or 

simply made to feel uncomfortable 

in the presence of a superior or 

a coworker deemed as one of 

these involuntary firsts? 

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS… 

...and doing something about them. The faster you get 

to a problem, the easier it is to solve. Whether you’re 

in the workplace or pursuing a relationship, you have 

to learn to recognize an unsavory situation in the 

midst of it. With change comes stigma and sometimes 

people are afraid to be part of a movement that they 

don’t understand or fully acknowledge even when 

they could greatly benefit from coming out and saying 

something. Despite how empowering the #MeToo 

movement has been, there are still many people out 

there who are scared to say something, even though 

they know they need help. It’s important to realize that 

it’s okay to be afraid, but nothing is worth staying in a 

situation or keeping quiet about something that truly 

and deeply hurts you. 

We don’t ask for 

a lot of what 

comes to us 

in our lives. 

Some things 

we have to just take, like a bitter 

pill. In the end our first love 

will have made us learn what 

it’s like to put someone equal 

to ourselves in our hearts. Our 

first loss teaches us how to care 

about something so much more 

than we ever imagined we could 

before it’s gone. 

However, all that sexual 

harassment teaches a girl is that 

she has no control over what is 

rightfully hers: her body. 

In the last decade, over 17 

million women have reported 

experiencing sexual assault. 

That number may seem 

surprising and even difficult but 

the truth of the matter is that 

it’s the reality. But we can’t 

just sit on the truth for and 

feel sorry for ourselves, 

we have to do something 

about it, and the great thing 

is that we can. It all starts with 

you. Remembering that, whether 

you are a man or a woman you 

are the first step to stopping 

the unthinkable from happening 

to you or someone you love. 

What’s next? 

USE YOUR RESOURCES 

AND BECOME A RESOURCE 

We as a community need to stay safe and take 

care of each other. No matter where your political 

ideologies lie or what gender you identify as, we are 

a community and we have to take care of each other. 

There are plenty of resources that could help you 

learn more about this movement, as well as how 

to take preventative and disciplinary action against 

sexual harassment. I urge you to take the time this 

week and sit down with your kids and talk to them 

about keeping themselves safe and the importance of 

treating people kindly and with respect. You could also 

sign up for an email newsletter about things you can 

do to push for the better legislation needed to protect 

all of the women and men out there fighting their 

cases. No matter what you do, know that with every 

ounce of strength you push towards this cause, the 

world becomes a better place. 

By Julianna Portillo 

18 HEALTHY MAGAZINE 19 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


THE POWER 

OF FEMALE 

FRIENDSHIPS 

There is growing 

evidence that 

friendships are an 

integral part of our 

human experience. 

Nowhere is that truer than in the 

relationships women have with 

each other. Social psychologists 

have long understood that a sense 

of belonging is vital for individual 

growth on many levels. 

Friendships sustain us when times 

are tough. They give us an outlet 

for our emotions – good or bad. 

For women, in particular, they 

are an essential part of life. They 

give us a sense of connection, 

someplace to gather and nourish 

our souls. 

In women’s lives, according to a 

landmark UCLA study, girlfriends 

fulfill many functions in our lives. 

They help us to get over breakups, 

work through school, work, or 

relationship problems. They can 

fill emotional gaps in our lives and 

help us to find our center after 

something has gone wrong. 

When struggling with 

interpersonal relationships or 

love relationships, having a circle 

of friends or one true friend can 

serve as a buffer between you 

and the person or person’s you’re 

clashing with. Girlfriends can listen 

to your problems, help you walk 

through scenarios, and help you 

connect with who you really are, 

without the pressure from outside 

forces. They know you better 

than you know yourself in many 

instances. 

Engaging in meaningful conversations with 

people you trust helps our bodies to release 

oxytocin, the hormone that helps counter stress 

and produces a calming effect in women. The 

same is not true for men, according to studies. 

The act of tending to or comforting someone 

else is also stress-reducing and promotes better 

health in the person providing the comfort. 

The Boston’s Nurses Health Study found that 

the more friends a woman has, the more 

opportunity they have to offer support, results 

in fewer physical impairments as the women 

age and they are more likely to lead joyful lives. 

Conversely, people with few friendships or 

confidantes reported more ailments, aches and 

pains, and less satisfaction overall. 

Friendships are tantamount to a renewable 

energy source. This becomes even more evident 

when women band together for a cause or 

share their personal stories. As the saying goes, 

there is power in numbers. Women are more 

likely to share the stories of their lives. They 

listen and learn by listening to each other. But 

what they share with each other goes beyond 

the intimate details of their lives. For instance, 

subjects ranging from marital 

strife to what they’re reading 

or listening to right now 

will be discussed. In today’s 

climate, heavier subjects 

are discussed, like politics, 

movements, politics, and 

beyond. Women have seen power, used their 

power, and reinforced their bonds through their 

friendships to change the world. 

For women, their friendships are grounded 

in deep, meaningful conversations. Women 

are masters of conversation. They are active 

listeners. They ask questions. They allow time 

for full answers. They are great at reading 

nonverbal cues. While it’s true there are men 

who can do the same; these traits are much 

more common in the female. Listening and 

empathizing are inherent natural skills women 

have. Society has often overlooked the strength 

and power of women, but time and time again, 

women have banded together, held firmly to 

their friendships, and made great strides in all 

aspects of life. They are champions of each 

other and champions for those who often don’t 

have a voice and don’t have the same human 

connections they hold dear to them. 

By Norah Menditto 

20 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


It's Springtime (no matter what that pesky 

groundhog may have said), which means it's time to open 

up the windows, breathe in the smell of new blooms 

(hopefully without launching into a sneezing fit) and pull 

the ol' capri pants out of storage. 

Just as you should reach out to others you've hurt and tell them you're 

sorry, you need to extend forgiveness to those who reach out to you. 

It's funny because this can be equally if not more challenging sometimes 

because we tend to want to hold on to our anger and our bitterness. 

There's a feeling of renewal in 

the air... of new 

beginnings and fresh 

starts. The New 

Year's resolutions 

have all crashed and burned 

by now, but that's a-okay 

because the warm air brings 

with it another opportunity to 

clean up and start over. 

Suddenly, even people who 

hate to clean find themselves 

excitedly buying a new broom 

at Target and feverishly 

clearing out their closets. 

Ahh... spring cleaning. It's a 

wondrous thing. But today, I 

want to talk to you for just a few minutes 

about a different kind of cleaning. 

Since spring is a time of new beginnings, 

there is no better time to clean out all that 

emotional and spiritual junk that has been 

cluttering up inside of you. You know what 

I'm talking about... the grudges you've been 

holding, the people you need to forgive, 

the regrets you need to let go of, the 

limiting self-beliefs that need to be kicked 

to the curb. 

It's all the junk that makes you feel tired, 

worn down, helpless and possibly even 

hopeless. And I say it's about high time for 

it to take a hike, don't you? 

Now, I know just reading those last two 

paragraphs may have sent some of you 

into a full-blown anxiety attack. It's not 

exactly a fun thing to do. After all... that 

is why you shoved it all down in the first 

place. But it is a freeing thing to do. 

And that's what it's all about, right? 

Feeling cleaner, lighter and freer? Not only 

in your home, but also in your spirit. 

So, if you're ready to get cleaned up and 

poised for your new beginning - here are 

some effective (even if they're not so easy) 

tips to spring clean your soul. 

To regret means to "feel sad, repentant 

or disappointed over something that 

has happened or been done" (Google 

Dictionary). Now right off the bat, you need to 

pay attention to something in that definition... 

do you know what it is? It's past tense. You 

can't regret something that hasn't happened 

yet or is currently happening. You can only 

regret something that has already happened 

or been done which, in and of itself, is fruitless. 

If something is in the past, then you can do 

absolutely nothing to change it. No matter 

how hard you try. It was already over and done 

with. So, ruminating over it with regret won't do 

anything except make you feel miserable. 

Now, of course, there may be decisions in your 

past that you wish you didn't make or things 

you did that you wish you could take back. But 

instead of regretting them - a wasteful emotion 

that only causes you turmoil - why not choose 

to learn from them instead and move on? Often, 

it's from some form of misplaced guilt, where 

you believe if you just regret it enough, for a long 

enough period of time... then "they" (whoever 

they are) will know that you're really sorry. 

Except, that too, is a lie. Half the time, the "they" 

you are imaginarily making amends to, doesn't 

even realize that you're walking around carrying all 

that weight. So, make the intentional effort to let 

go of regrets - whether they are over something 

you did to yourself or others - learn from the 

experience(s) and let it go. 

Which brings us straight into the next tip - say 

you're sorry. There will be some cases where you 

owe someone a heartfelt apology (I'm guessing 

they are already popping to mind right now) and 

for those, you need to put your big girl (or boy) 

panties on and just do it. 

Again, this may not sound super fun, and it will 

require some humility on your part. But, you 

(and the other person involved) will never be able 

to truly move on, until you apologize. How you 

decide to apologize will depend on the situation 

- you may have to rely on the phone or sending 

a letter if they live far away from you. Although 

email and Facebook are okay, they're a little on 

the impersonal side. So, try to avoid them or at 

least, only use them for the initial contact and 

then ask if you can speak by phone. 

It doesn't have to be super fancy or a long 

dissertation. Most of the time, the offended 

person just wants to hear you acknowledge your 

wrongdoing and offer a sincere apology. That's it. 

Whether it leads to a mended relationship or not, 

you can rest easier (and feel lighter!) knowing that 

you took responsibility and did your part. 

(Note: Please realize that this does not apply to 

anyone who puts you in danger. In those types of 

situations, write an apology letter as if you were 

speaking to them for the cathartic benefit, but 

then burn it or throw it away afterward. Do not 

put yourself in harm's way.) 

Except, guess 

who it's hurting? 

Yep, you. Refusing to forgive someone is like 

drinking poison and expecting the other person 

to suffer - it's just not going to happen. Instead, 

all it does is fester inside of you where it leads 

not only to emotional fatigue but to physical 

ailments as well. 

It's time to stop holding on 

to past grudges and extend 

forgiveness. Remember, 

forgiving someone does 

NOT mean that you are okay 

with what they did or that it 

wasn't wrong. What it does 

do, however, is release you 

from the imaginary prison 

you've had yourself trapped 

inside (I'm guessing, for far 

too long). 

(Note: I would hope that this is obvious, but again, 

please do not reach out to someone that is dangerous 

in order to forgive them. Although it is indeed 

healthier for you to forgive them and move on, you 

can do so without actually speaking to them or seeing 

them. Again, you can write a letter to them - that you 

don't send - or have an imaginary conversation with 

them out loud. The point is to get all those pentup 

emotions out of you, so you can truly move on. 

Without putting yourself in harm's way.) 

This is a BIG one. And the good news is, it 

involves no one else but me, myself and I. 

Well... actually, you, yourself and... you. The 

slightly bad news is that this one requires work. 

But, it is SO worth it in the end! 

We all have limiting beliefs - things we believe 

about ourselves that prevent us from going 

after dreams, taking chances or achieving 

goals. And 9 times out of 10, these beliefs are 

100% false. Unfortunately, what begins as 

an occasional doubtful thought becomes an 

obsessive, repetitive thought until it becomes 

so familiar that it becomes a full-blown belief. 

You may start out just doubting that you can be 

a public speaker... but the more you tell yourself 

that you can't, the more you believe yourself. 

Until eventually, you are absolutely positive that 

you can not and should not be a public speaker, 

and the thought of it absolutely terrifies 

you. This might not be too big of a 

problem... until you get that 

dream job that you've 

always wanted 

and you 

find 

out 

that one 

of your tasks 

will be to give weekly 

presentations to the rest of the 

staff. Ugh. 

This is only one example of thousands of 

possibilities - limiting beliefs can be about 

anything from our abilities and talents to our 

physical appearance or what others think of us. 

But, I'm guessing you probably already have an 

idea of what yours are and even if you don't - it 

probably won't take you long to figure them 

out. 

So, once you know what those limiting beliefs 

are (dig deep!), you can start letting go of them 

by challenging them when they pop into your 

head instead of just mindlessly agreeing with 

them. Speak truth over yourself, fight them off 

with positive affirmations and if you're feeling 

really brave, prove those limiting beliefs wrong 

by going out and doing what they said you 

couldn't do! 

Don't worry if it takes a little while to undo 

them. It did take awhile for those thoughts to 

dig themselves into your brain, so it will take 

some time for them to get out of there too. 

But the more consistently and actively you 

"retrain your brain," the easier it will become. 

Love Yourself.png 

Last, but definitely not least, it's time to start 

loving yourself. For who you are now. Not 

later, when you've lost the weight... not once 

you get your hair cut... not once you buy a new 

wardrobe or get a better job... NOW. 

If ever there was something that you don't 

want to put off until later, it's this. The way you 

feel about yourself affects every single part 

of your life. It affects how you work, how you 

relate to other people in friendships and love 

relationships and most importantly, it affects 

how you speak to yourself every day. 

Longing for a version of yourself that you used 

to be is pointless. Time has passed, you have 

changed, and that is okay. In fact, it's more 

than okay. Because I'm guessing if you really 

took a moment to think about it, you'd realize 

that you've gained a lot of wisdom and life 

experience since back "then." So, 

it's time to stop being stuck 

in the past. 

But, it's important 

not to get too caught up with 

who you want to be in the future either. 

Although it is good to have goals and things to 

work toward, make sure that you're not basing 

your worth or your self-value on achieving 

those things. 

Love yourself for who you are right now - flaws 

and all. You are a work in progress. A perfectly 

imperfect human being. 

Just the way you are. 

By Jenn Baxter 



SYMPTOMS OF COLON CANCER THAT 

EVERY YOUNG WOMAN SHOULD KNOW 

Since 1990, the number of people diagnosed with colon cancer has been 

on the rise. Surprisingly, the number of women diagnosed with colon 

cancer has increased at a steady rate. Women are more well-educated 

about breast self-exams and how to recognize potential problems in their 

reproductive organs. They’re more knowledgeable about skin care and when 

to become concerned about moles and spots on their skin, but now medical 

professionals are warning them to be vigilant about their colon health. 

A study in the Journal of the 

National Cancer Institute has found 

that people born after 1990 are 

presenting with symptoms of colon 

and rectal cancers. This has led them 

to surmise that the people in that 

age bracket have double the risk of 

colon cancer and quadruple the risk 

of rectal cancer compared to those 

born between 1950 and 1990. This 

uptick began in the mid-1980s, while 

at the same time, rates for those 

over the age of 55 dropped. 

Researchers haven’t yet determined 

why the numbers have changed 

so drastically. Their not-yetsubstantiated 

belief is that it may 

be related to stress, diet, and/ 

or behaviors. Of course, further 

research still needs to be done, but 

these are some of the factors they 

will be looking at to determine the 

cause of the uptick. 

Despite the growing numbers, there 

is good news. Unlike many types 

of cancer, colon cancer is one of 

the leading preventable forms of 

cancer. Like with any other disease, 

if you have a family history of colon 

or rectal cancer, you should inform 

your doctor and schedule an exam if 

deemed medically important by your 

physician. A colonoscopy or other 

imaging may be ordered. 

Anyone, regardless of family 

history, should be familiar with 

signs and symptoms of colon 

cancer. One of the first signs is 

large amounts of dark, black-tinged 

or maroon blood in feces. While 

not a definitive indication, it could 

indicate something that a medical 

professional will have to assess. 

Prolonged constipation may suggest 

that there’s a blockage in your colon. 

It could mean that you have a tumor 

at the end of your colon. 

Lower stomach spasms are another 

sign that something serious may 

be going on. If it’s an unfamiliar 

pain, different from anything 

you ever experienced, like gas or 

bloating, contact your doctor for an 

appointment. 

If you notice a change in the 

consistency or the shape of 

your stool, that is something 

you will want to alert your 

doctor about. Thin, narrow, 

ribbon-like shaped stool 

could indicate there’s a 

blockage in your colon. 

Anything that seems off or unusual 

should be disclosed to your doctor. 

Even if you think they’re nothing 

to be alarmed about, it is better to 

consult with your doctor and do 

the tests necessary to help combat 

this unfortunate disease. Let a 

medical professional determine 

your level of alarm. If caught early, 

the prognosis is good. Do your due 

diligence. Pay attention to your body. 

Communicate openly and honestly 

with a healthcare professional. 

24 HEALTHY MAGAZINE 

By Leonor Kalil


YOU ARE 

NOT EQUAL. 

I’m Sorry. 

Say thank you. Say thank you to 

the women who gave you a voice. Say thank 

you to the women who were arrested and 

imprisoned and beaten and gassed for you 

to have a voice. Say thank you to the women 

who refused to back down, to the women who 

fought tirelessly to give you a voice. Say thank 

you to the women who put their lives on hold, 

who –lucky for you — did not have “better 

things to do” than to march and protest and 

rally for your voice. So you don’t feel like 

a “second-class citizen.” So you get to feel 

“equal.” 

Thank Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul for 

your right to vote. 

Thank Elizabeth Stanton for your right to 

work. 

Thank Maud Wood Park for your prenatal care 

and your identity outside of your husband. 

Thank Rose Schneiderman for your humane 

working conditions. 

Thank Eleanor Roosevelt and Molly Dewson 

for your ability to work in politics and affect 

policy. 

Thank Margaret Sanger for your legal birth 

control. 

Thank Carol Downer for your reproductive 

healthcare rights. 

Thank Margaret Fuller for your equal 

education. 

Thank Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Shannon 

Turner, Gloria Steinem, Zelda Kingoff 

Nordlinger, Rosa Parks, Angela Davis, Malika 

Saada Saar, Wagatwe Wanjuki, Ida B. Wells, 

Malala Yousafzai. Thank your mother, your 

grandmother, your great-grandmother who 

did not have half of the rights you have now. 

You can make your own choices, speak and be 

heard, vote, work, control your body, defend 

yourself, defend your family, because of the 

women who marched. You did nothing to earn 

those rights. You were born into those rights. You 

did nothing, but you reap the benefits of women, 

strong women, women who fought misogyny and 

pushed through patriarchy and fought for you. 

And you sit on your pedestal, a pedestal you are 

fortunate enough to have, and type. A keyboard 

warrior. A fighter for complacency. An acceptor of 

what you were given. A denier of facts. Wrapped 

up in your delusion of equality. 

You are not equal. Even if you feel like you are. 

You still make less than a man for doing the same 

work. You make less as a CEO, as an athlete, as an 

actress, as a doctor. You make less in government, 

in the tech industry, in healthcare. 

You still don’t have full rights over your own body. 

Men are still debating over your uterus. Over your 

prenatal care. Over your choices. 

You still have to pay taxes for your basic sanitary 

needs. 

You still have to carry mace when walking alone at 

night. You still have to prove to the court why you 

were drunk on the night you were raped. You still 

have to justify your behavior when a man forces 

himself on you. 

You still don’t have paid (or even unpaid) 

maternity leave. You still have to go back to work 

while your body is broken. While you silently 

suffer from postpartum depression. 

You still have to fight to breastfeed in public. You 

still have to prove to other women it’s your right 

to do so. You still offend others with your breasts. 

You are still objectified. You are still catcalled. You 

are still sexualized. You are still told you’re too 

skinny or you’re too fat. You’re still told you’re 

too old or too young. You’re applauded when you 

“age gracefully.” You’re still told men age “better.” 

You’re still told to dress like a lady. You are still 

judged by your outfit instead of what’s in your 

head. What brand bag you have still matters more 

than your college degree. 

You are still being abused by your husband, by 

your boyfriend. You’re still being murdered by 

your partners. Being beaten by 

your soulmate. 

You are 

still worse off 

if you are a woman 

of color, a gay 

woman, a transgender 

woman. You are still 

harassed, belittled, 

dehumanized. 

Your daughters are still told they are beautiful 

before they are told they are smart. Your 

daughters are still told to behave even though 

“boys will be boys.” Your daughters are still told 

boys pull hair or pinch them because they like 

them. 

You are not equal. Your daughters are not equal. 

You are still systematically oppressed. 

Estonia allows parents to take up to three years of 

leave, fully paid for the first 435 days. United States 

has no policy requiring maternity leave. 

Singapore’s women feel safe walking alone at 

night. American women do not. 

New Zealand’s women have the smallest gender 

gap in wages, at 5.6%. United States’ pay gap is 

20%. 

Iceland has the highest number of women CEOs, 

at 44%. United States is at 4.0%. 

The United States ranks at 45 for women’s 

equality. Behind Rwanda, Cuba, Philippines, 

Jamaica. 

But I get it. You don’t want to admit it. You don’t 

want to be a victim. You think feminism is a dirty 

word. You think it’s not classy to fight for equality. 

You know the type of man that “allows” “his” 

woman to do whatever she damn well pleases. 

I get it. You believe feminists are emotional, 

irrational, unreasonable. Why aren’t women just 

satisfied with their lives, right? You get what you 

get, and you don’t get upset, right? 

I get it. You want to feel empowered. You don’t 

want to believe you’re oppressed. Because that 

would mean you are indeed a “second-class 

citizen.” You don’t want to feel like one. I get it. 

But don’t worry. I will walk for you. I will walk for 

your daughter. And your daughter’s daughter. 

And maybe you will still believe the world did not 

change. You will believe you’ve always had the 

rights you have today. And that’s okay. Because 

women who actually care and support other 

women don’t care what you think about them. 

They care about their future and the future of the 

women who come after them. 

Open your eyes. Open them wide. Because I’m 

here to tell you, along with millions of other 

women that you are not equal. Our equality is an 

illusion. A feel-good sleight of hand. A trick of the 

mind. I’m sorry to tell you, but you are not equal. 

And neither are your daughters. 

But don’t worry. We will walk for you. We will 

fight for you. We will stand up for you. And 

one day you will actually be equal, instead of 

just feeling like you are. 

By Dina Leygerman 

26 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


SHE SEEMED LIKE 

SUPERWOMAN 

I 

was 15 years old when my grandmother 

had a stroke. She was perfectly healthy 

until she needed a knee replacement. 

She recovered completely after having 

total right knee arthroplasty. She may 

have been a little overweight and had high 

blood pressure, but was otherwise a very 

active individual. She raised 9 children 

almost single-handedly. She seemed like 

superwoman. She worked as a midwife. 

Cultivating over 40 years of experience, 

people started calling her Dr. Huda, although 

she had not spent a single second in a 

medical school classroom. She was indeed 

the most capable woman I have ever seen. 

I was mesmerized by her as an individual, 

looked up to her as a professional, and 

loved with all my heart as my grandmother. 

She took care of everyone; children, 

grandchildren, family, neighbors, and friends. 

She was Ms. Independent. Until that moment 

came. A left middle cerebral artery stroke 

made superwoman become completely 

dependent on those that she took care of. 

Within seconds, her life and the lives of 

everyone around her had changed forever. 

Life was never the same after that, not for Dr. 

Huda, and not for me. 

Odds are, this story isn’t any different than 

any you’ve heard or experienced. However, 

this story gave me the capability to write 

this article. This story led me to choose a 

career in medicine, neurology, and vascular 

neurology to be more specific. 

Every 40 seconds, someone suffers from a 

stroke. Stroke is the most common cause of 

disability in the United States and is the fifth 

leading cause of death. A stroke can be an 

ischemic stroke or a hemorrhagic stroke. An 

ischemic stroke is when an artery in the brain 

becomes blocked, causing ischemia, or lack 

of oxygen to that particular part of the brain. 

The signs and symptoms depend on the 

part of the brain being affected. The larger 

the blocked artery, the more devastating 

the symptoms. It is for this reason, signs 

and symptoms of stroke can differ and vary 

from one person to another. A hemorrhagic 

stroke is when a blood vessel in the brain 

ruptures causing decreased oxygenation 

to that particular part of the brain, thereby 

causing symptoms. Further damage is caused 

by the toxic byproducts of the deoxygenated 

blood to the tissue. As mentioned above, 

signs and symptoms depend on the location 

of the ruptured vessel. It is impossible to 

distinguish an ischemic stroke versus a 

hemorrhagic stroke based on symptoms 

alone. A computed tomography scan (CT 

scan) is needed emergently to separate 

between the two and steer the direction of 

treatment. Ischemic stroke is by far much 

more common and will be the bulk of this 

article. 

Stroke symptoms, as mentioned earlier, can 

vary from person to person. It can range 

anywhere from simple numbness to the face, 

arm, and or leg, to complete debilitating 

weakness of one half of the body, loss of 

ability to speak, understand, and even death. 

No stroke should be taken lightly. Advances 

in medicine have allowed us to become 

more aggressive in the treatment of acute 

stroke. A clot-busting medication, tissue 

plasminogen activator (tPA) was approved 

in the early 1990s to be given to anyone with 

stroke symptoms within the first 3 hours 

of symptoms if no contraindications were 

present. Several years later, further research 

found beneficial to most patients up to 4.5 

hours after initial symptom onset. More 

technological advances have guided the field 

of interventional endovascular management 

of ischemic stroke, allowing for manual 

clot retrieval up to 24 hrs of symptom 

onset in select patients. None of the above 

interventions are useful, however, if the 

patient is not present in the hospital within 

the appropriate time frame. 

I made the move to South Texas 

from upstate New York in the middle 

of 2017. I was eager to start my 

career in a region I felt needed my 

presence. I completed four years 

of general neurology training and 

one year of dedicated vascular 

neurology subspecialty training. It has 

been a striking experience thus far. 

While I love every aspect of feeling 

appreciated, the truth of the matter 

is, my job is very limited to many 

patients. As a vascular neurologist, 

I have three main duties: 1) treat an 

acute stroke the best I can within 

the first 4 hours, and if after that 

time window, recognize whether the 

patient is a candidate for manual clot 

retrieval and send to the appropriate 

facility as quickly and swiftly as 

possible. 2) Perform every measure 

in my capability to ensure the worst 

has passed and their symptoms do 

not worsen while in my care. While 

stroke symptoms are usually maximal 

at onset, without the appropriate 

management, symptoms can 

certainly worsen and lead to further 

disability and a poorer outcome. 

Lastly, and maybe as important as 

the first two duties, is to determine 

the source of the stroke and address 

the cause to reduce the likelihood 

of suffering another stroke. Without 

doing so, patients are a ticking time 

bomb for another stroke. 

Some of the troubling experiences I’ve faced so far are 

the time frames of which some patients present to the 

hospital. In some cases, patients present days, even weeks 

after symptoms have occurred, only presenting because of 

worsening symptoms. So despite all the medical advances, 

a good percentage of our patient population still presents 

too late to the hospital for timely care. About 1.9 million 

Neurons die each minute in an untreated stroke. An 

untreated brain ages roughly 3.6 years for each hour during 

an untreated stroke. Time is brain indeed. Whether it’s a 

financial, cultural, geographical, or social restraint, it is our 

continued responsibility to educate and raise awareness to 

the community. Stroke does not just affect the patient, but 

the family as well. Entire family dynamics can change after a 

stroke. The increasing cost of care has made stroke one of 

the most expensive and costly diseases in our country. An 

average 65 billion dollars is spent on stroke annually. 

Seeking immediate emergent care is the key 

point of the national stoke campaign. Known 

as FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time). Speaking 

broadly, any symptoms involving the face, 

arm, or speech, require a 911 call and to seek 

immediate medical attention. While not every 

hospital is the same, most hospitals are capable 

of providing acute care for stroke, and the 

closest hospital should be visited anytime 

a stroke is suspected. When 911 is called, 

emergency medical services can determine 

the severity of symptoms and transport 

patients to the appropriate hospital. Stroke 

care is comprised of a multidisciplinary team. 

Active members include the neurologist, and 

in some cases, a neurosurgeon, hospitalist, at 

times other specialists (cardiologists, intensive 

care), dedicated nursing staff, nutritionists, 

speech therapists, and physical therapists all 

working together in order to achieve the best 

possible outcome for the patient. Studies 

have shown the most important predictor of 

a good outcome in stroke is being treated in a 

dedicated stroke unit. 

Stroke risk factors are well known and are 

no different than those of cardiac disease 

and peripheral vascular disease. For example: 

hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, and 

elevated cholesterol. Aside from these very 

common diseases, atrial fibrillation is also a 

major risk factor for ischemic stroke. Even 

non-sustained atrial fibrillation can carry a 

high stroke risk. Identifying the etiology of the 

stroke is critical in an attempt to reduce the risk 

of a recurrent stroke going forward. Another 

unfortunate and gut-wrenching experience is 

the number of patients whom I’ve seen who 

were diagnosed with a stroke years ago. When 

asked, “why did you have a stroke?” they answer 

with a blank face, which is sometimes better 

than the, “they said it was stress,” response I’ve 

heard countless times. 

An etiology of a stroke, to a vascular 

neurologist, can be suspected based on its 

appearance on imaging, MRI, for example. 

A stroke 

caused by 

hypertension 

typically looks 

different 

than a stroke 

caused 

by atrial 

fibrillation 

or any other 

cardiac cause. 

Strokes on 

both sides of 

the brain are 

likely to be 

caused by a 

more central 

source, 

thrombus from within the heart for example, 

or a tendency to develop clotting due to 

underlying malignancy, genetic causes, etc. And 

for that reason, the cause of stroke needs to be 

determined. There are circumstances, in some 

literature, where up to 40 percent of strokes 

are without an etiology or undetermined 

source. These strokes are termed cryptogenic 

strokes. Our job as physicians is to assure 

that every potential etiology is investigated 

to determine the source of stroke. It is also 

important for every patient, family member, 

and loved one to ask and understand the 

diagnosis in order to address the underlying 

cause to prevent recurrence. When my 

grandmother had a stroke, I remember asking 

my aunts who were taking care of her, “how and 

why?” The response was, “she just had surgery 

a few weeks before, so she had a stroke.” I 

accepted the answer as much as it confused 

me and didn’t bring it up again until seven years 

later when things made more sense to me. No 

one had investigated why this mildly overweight 

hypertensive right-handed female developed 

what appeared to be an embolic ischemic 

stroke causing severe long-term disability. It was 

upon further questioning, about seven years 

after the stroke, that it was revealed that my 

grandmother had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation 

and was placed on oral anticoagulation for 

further stroke risk reduction. 

Being in the Rio Grande Valley over the past 

several months, I’ve learned a lot about this 

region. Some good, some bad. The weather 

is hot, except for when it snowed for an hour. 

The food is amazing. People are genuine and 

sincerely appreciative. People will also do 

whatever it is you need, but tomorrow. People 

in the Valley are down to earth, genuine, 

sincere, and very appreciative of our efforts 

as physicians. I was in awe of the amount of 

respect they show towards physicians and 

healthcare providers. Again, coming from New 

York, you can see why it’s a culture shock for 

so many different reasons. One of the biggest 

things I’ve learned while here in the Valley is the 

value placed on family. Family is everything. It 

has helped me constantly remember the keys 

to happiness. God, family, and health. With 

change come growing pains. But I can assure 

you this; I’ve come to the Valley as the only 

stroke neurologist to provide a service that 

wasn’t provided to my grandmother. I see my 

Dr. Huda in every stroke patient I encounter. I 

wish I never had to meet anyone in the hospital, 

but when we are met with the unfortunate 

circumstance, I guarantee that everything in our 

power, knowledge, and skill-set as physicians 

and health care providers will be applied to 

your recovery. We will always do our part; we 

just need our patients to allow us to do so. 

By Hamzah M. Saei, MD 



HOW TO TREAT 

HORMONAL 

IMBALANCES 

For ages, doctors 

have told us 

to listen to 

our bodies. 

That advice 

has never been wiser 

than when it comes to 

hormonal symptoms. These 

are our body’s way of 

communicating to us that 

something we are doing 

needs an adjustment. One 

small change can yield 

incredible results. 

Hormone replacement 

therapy is a temporary 

band-aid, if you will. It is used 

to suppress symptoms and, 

therefore, ignores the root 

cause of why our hormones 

have been thrown out of 

whack in the first place. 

These hormonal imbalances 

can be triggered from any 

number of factors, including 

chronic stress, poor or 

unhealthy dietary habits, 

and the buildup of toxins 

within our system. Despite 

the many factors that can 

contribute to the root cause 

of hormonal imbalances, 

there are simple and 

powerful interventions that 

can help your system fully 

recover and help to resolve 

the underlying symptoms 

that caused the imbalance. 

Here are three strategies 

to implement in your life if 

you want to achieve overall 

balance and good health: 

01 like you’re up to it. Stress plays a 

Implement a stress management 

strategy, even if you don’t feel 

major role in causing hormonal imbalances. 

Unperceived chronic stress from our modern 

lifestyles builds up and produces stress hormones 

within the body. These accumulating stress 

hormones wreak havoc on our health over 

time. Search for ways to minimize your stress 

or reverse the levels with stress management 

tools. Small changes can make a big impact. For 

instance, try simple guided meditations for 2 – 3 

minutes per day, then gradually increase the 

time as you become more comfortable with the 

practice. Measure the difference in your quality 

of life after a month of regular practice. Or try 

mindfulness training, breathing techniques, 

nature walks, dancing, singing, exercising, yoga, 

tai chi, CBT, guided visualization, interval training, 

smiling, laughing, or seek social support. The 

most important thing is taking time for yourself 

and really enjoying whatever you choose to do. 

02 

Clean up your diet by excluding 

inflammatory foods such as gluten, 

grains, dairy, sugar, and processed 

foods. Change your diet to a nutrient-dense 

diet that focuses on fresh whole foods with 

plenty of minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids to fill 

the micronutrient gaps you might have. Antiinflammatory 

foods are abundant and include 

wild fish, grass-fed meats, pasture raised chicken, 

and organic fruits and vegetables. 

“ 

These hormonal 

imbalances can be 

triggered from any number 

of factors, including 

chronic stress, poor or 

unhealthy dietary habits, 

and the buildup of toxins 

within our system. 

03 

Detoxification is a major 

component in combating a 

hormonal imbalance. This has to do 

with ridding your body of things it doesn’t need 

or elements that have been proven to be harmful 

to the body. Remember that everything that 

touches our skin enters our bloodstream within 

three seconds. Give your body a break from 

avoidable chemicals and toxins. From solvents, 

resins and plasticizers in our nail products, to the 

mercury and lead in our cosmetics prove that 

toxins are everywhere. To avoid them, eat organic 

produce and drink plenty of pure filtered water. 

Buy organic cleaning products and cosmetics. 

Buy household plants to filter the air inside your 

home. 

Empower yourself by implementing these three 

strategies and help your body restore its natural 

balance. 

“ 

The way to 

achieve your own 

success is to be 

willing to help 

somebody else get 

it first. 

” 

— Iyanla Vanzant 

(Lawyer & Inspirational Speaker) 


By Elianni Gaio 

30 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

FITNESS & BEAUTY · MAY 2018 

YOGA FOR 

THE BRAIN 

What we think and do has 

a dynamic impact on 

our brain's health which 

impacts our attitude, and 

ultimately our reality. 

Most people can agree that the brain 

functions as a primary receiver, organizer, 

and distributor of vital information for our 

body. It is made up of a right hemisphere 

and a left hemisphere. Colloquial wisdom 

says one side of the brain is usually more 

dominant than the other side of the brain. 

The right side of the brain is associated 

with cognitive skills. These skills are 

directly connected to our creativity, 

emotions, and intuition. Right-brain 

dominant people are usually the artists, 

innovators, the free-spirited people in 

the world. Conversely, if you’re mostly 

analytical and methodical in nature, you’re 

said to be left-brained. 

The most common method of keeping the 

brain healthy is by eating greens, which 

contain vast amounts of chlorophyll, a 

direct natural medicine that is essential 

for a healthy brain. 

Another method of improving or 

maintaining proper brain development 

is through the practice of yoga. Yoga, 

although an ancient practice, has grown 

in popularity in recent years. This 

practice connects the body and the 

mind – meaning, it brings you to a higher 

awareness that your body can do anything 

you desire it to do. In some known cases, 

people have said they’ve been able to 

fly or levitate for brief periods of time 

(seconds in most cases.). For these 

reasons and many others, when the 

terms “mind, body, and spirit” is often 

mentioned within this context, connecting 

the spirit simply means transcending 

the mind to its highest form, which is 

described as your “God Self” or the divine 

inner you. Having the mind, or brain, if 

you will, be the centerpiece between the 

body and the spirit, arguably can say that 

the mind is the most valuable part of the 

body. It controls both the physical and 

spiritual selves. 

Have you ever heard the saying “mind 

over matter’? Mentally, if you tell yourself 

you can do something, you will yield those 

results in the physical world, or you will 

become whatever it is you’d set your mind 

to becoming. This is considered the “Law 

of Attraction”. This Law 

of Attraction is essentially 

a commonsense practice 

that dictates that we invite 

into the world what we set 

out to achieve and what we 

allow ourselves to desire 

fully. This practice has 

been used for thousands 

of years. 

Yoga, in practice, transcends the physical. It 

taps into the mental state of being. Within 

meditation, you are consciously bringing 

your thoughts to happy places, inviting 

them into happy moments, embracing love, 

success, or whatever brings you joy. 

PROVERBS 23:7: 

“AS A MAN 

THINKETH IN 

HIS HEART, 

SO IS HE.” 

Positive word affirmations are also a great 

way to strengthen your brain. The act of 

speaking aloud with powerful words invites 

you to reflect self-empowerment and selflove. 

Crowned Emperor of 

Ethiopia, crowned King 

of All Kings of the world, 

Haile Selassie I states, 

“Discipline of the mind is a 

basic ingredient of genuine 

morality and therefore 

of spiritual strength." If 

humanity puts their mind 

into reviving the natural 

way of living, restoring unconditional love, 

and empowering mother nature; a healing 

on earth would be not just inevitable, but 

also magical. As Emperor Haile Selassie also 

mentions, "It is only when the human mind 

is guided by religion and morality that man 

can acquire the necessary vision to put all 

his ingenuous inventions and contrivances to 

really useful and beneficial purposes." 

By Fabienne Claude 

32 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

FITNESS & BEAUTY · MAY 2018 

“ 

I’m a maniacal 

perfectionist. 

And if I weren’t, 

I wouldn’t have 

this company. 

” 

-Martha Stewart 

(Author & TV Personality) 

Let's face it, if you have anything 

in common with most Americans 

(80% according to the Center for 

Disease Control and Prevention), 

it’s probably that you know how 

difficult it is to get off your butt and exercise 

the amount our bodies expect from us. 

And before you get started on why that is, 

don’t bother, because I can hear the list of 

excuses piling up already: Gym Memberships 

are too expensive. I don’t know what to do 

when I’m in the gym; I get easily distracted; 

I’m too tired from working my brain all 

day; I’m comfortable with my body; I’m too 

uncomfortable with my body; it goes on and 

on, and it’s getting tiring. 

Nobody is asking for you to sculpt yourself 

to look like Dwyane Wade. Nobody’s asking 

you to run a marathon or sign up for a 

powerlifting competition. Nobody’s even 

asking you to work out every day! In fact, 

the CDC’s study, mentioned above, only 

asked for two and a half hours of Aerobic 

Exercise or one hour and fifteen minutes of 

vigorous-intensity activity, and eighty percent 

of American’s couldn’t even do that. It’s 

embarrassing, and our country’s health is in 

jeopardy because of it. 

But if we’re going to be honest here, there 

really isn’t much I can do to help that. I can’t 

pop out of your phone screen every morning 

to pull you out of bed an hour earlier. But 

what I can do is provide a list of medically 

supported reasons why you should get that 

little bit of exercise, and hope it leaves a mark 

on you. 

PHYSICAL 

INACTIVITY IS 

LINKED TO 5.3 

MILLION DEATHS 

WORLD-WIDE 

First on this list is a scary one, but again, 

we’re aiming to motivate by whatever means 

necessary! This is a study done by a team 

of Harvard Doctors led by Dr. I-Min Lee for 

The Lancet, a prestigious medical journal. 

Its findings show that people’s failure to get 

their recommended amount of exercise 

has led to 6% of cases of Coronary Heart 

Disease, 7% of cases of Type 2 Diabetes, and 

10% of Breast and Colon Cancers. 

EXERCISE, 

PARTICULARLY 

AEROBIC, IS 

LINKED TO 

BETTER SLEEP 

HABITS 

This one's on the brighter side of things. 

According to a study led by Drs. Kathryn 

Reed and Phillis Zee, and a team of scientists 

at Northeastern University, exercise is a 

critical factor of not only how much sleep 

you get, but how much good it does for you. 

I’m not going into detail about the benefits of 

sleep; it’s really something you should know if 

you don’t get enough of it. 

It can even improve your memory! Yes, you 

heard that right. According to a study done 

by researchers at the University of British 

Columbia, regular exercise appears to boost 

the size of the Hippocampus, which is the 

area of the brain dedicated to verbal memory 

and learning. So dispel all your stereotypes 

about the dumb jock, because if you want to 

keep your brain in tip-top shape, you better 

hit the gym. 


By Andres Portillo 

34 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY FOOD · MAY 2018 

SUPERFOODS FOR 

HORMONAL BALANCE 

Menopause marks the end of 

your menstrual cycles. It’s most 

often diagnosed, barring any 

other biological factors and post-surgical 

considerations, after twelve consecutive 

months without a menstrual period. In most 

women, it occurs between 40 and 50 years of 

age, with the average age being 51 in the US. In 

some cases, younger women have experienced 

menopause or menopausal symptoms. Those 

numbers have seen a steady increase over the 

last couple of decades but are not the norm. 

At its most basic, menopause is a natural, 

biological process, but the physical symptoms, 

like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, 

mood swings, weight gain, slowed metabolism, 

and persistent dry skin can be jarring and 

difficult to deal with, no matter what age they 

begin. 

Emotional symptoms that often accompany 

the annoying physical symptoms can disrupt 

sleep, aid in the lowering of energy levels, or 

greatly impact your overall emotional wellbeing. 

The good news is there are effective 

treatments that can combat or, in some 

cases, eliminate some of the discomfort. 

The best treatment doesn’t come from a 

bottle. The best treatment stems from you. 

It’s a commitment to making smart lifestyle 

changes. For instance, changing your eating 

habits and getting regular exercise has been 

shown to improve overall health and act as a 

mood booster; thus, combating some of the 

discomfort and irritability associated with 

menopause. 

Hormonal changes that occur with menopause 

cause the body to respond with often 

annoying and uncomfortable symptoms. The 

food and nutrition guidelines outlined below 

will help you get through this stage with ease 

and little, if any, discomfort. 

Two hormones – testosterone and serotonin 

– are essential hormones in our bodies. 

Testosterone helps to preserve muscle and 

bone quality. Serotonin is a natural mood 

booster. It also assists with persistent sleep 

problems and helps to alleviate the symptoms 

of hot flashes. Most of the body’s serotonin 

is made in the digestive system. There are 

several ways in which you can increase your 

serotonin levels. They include strength training 

exercises and pampering your intestinal flora 

with superfoods. 

THE LIST BELOW IS 

CHOCK-FULL OF GOOD-FOR- 

YOU SUPERFOODS THAT 

WILL HELP EASE YOUR 

MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS: 

1. Fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, 

carrots, and peppers are rich in 

phytochemicals, minerals, vitamins, 

and fiber – all of which help cleanse 

the body. 

2. Flax seeds are rich in lignans, which 

help maintain the body’s estrogen 

activity. 

3. Pecans flax is rich in healthy 

fats and helps to boost the 

manufacturing of serotonin. 

4. Sunflower seeds provide amino 

acids that prevent the loss of 

muscle mass and bone tissue. Eat 

them in their natural state, lightly 

toasted, or soaked. 

5. Green peas contribute other 

phytoestrogens that aid in 

maintaining the health of the 

intestinal flora. They’re also rich in 

proteins and necessary for bone 

formation. 

6. Whole grains like wheat, 

legumes, chia seeds, rye combat 

constipation. 

7. Dairy products reduce the risk of 

osteoporosis and other bonerelated 

diseases. 

8. Magnesium helps combat fatigue 

and insomnia that’s associated with 

menopause. 

By Luisa Samaniego 

36 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


THE EATING 

DISORDER 

GENDER GAP: 

Why does it exist? 

Which way does it skew? 

Physicians and researchers have surmised 

for decades that eating disorders like 

anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are 

far more common with women because 

women are more likely to diet throughout 

their lifetime. This stems from extreme societal 

pressures on women to have the “perfect” body and be 

in the “best” shape. 

By the time girls reach puberty, they have been 

inundated with images and data telling them how they 

should look. Intense pressure is abundant from all 

mediums dictate that they should be thin. This pressure 

leads to poor body image, turmoil, stress, depression, 

role confusion, among many other issues that stoke the 

dieting fires. In time, for some girls, these risk factors 

are the basis for the development of an eating disorder. 

Because societal pressures are rampant for young 

women and girls, this disorder affects them in much 

more significant numbers. 

While eating disorders 

can and do impact 

females and males, 

comparatively the 

numbers of males who 

are diagnosed with it 

are far less. Females 

in studies have shown 

more severe pathology. 

Conversely, males present much 

younger than their female 

counterparts, with the average age 

being less than twelve-years-old. 

Females typically seek treatment 

by emergency interventions or to 

deal with comorbidities like mouth 

sores, stomach ailments, or other 

issues. Males tend to present with 

different complaints. Both sexes do 

not differ in the duration of their 

illness. Both will undergo many 

tests and procedures or require 

hospitalizations for other disorders 

like anxiety or behavioral disorders. 

Both sexes experience episodes of 

binging and purging. 

In recent years, the prevalence of 

younger children suffering from 

an eating disorder is staggering. 

Although the onset is most 

typically documented in the 

prepubescent tween years or 

early adolescence, doctors are 

discovering it in children as young 

as seven-years-old. Researchers 

and medical professionals have 

not yet determined whether it’s 

become more prevalent because 

the numbers have grown or because 

they are better educated about the 

signs and symptoms. This leaves 

them to wonder if it’s a growing 

trend or a result of better education. 

Eating habits change as children 

age. Society has grown more health 

conscious. People, in general, are 

paying more attention to their 

bodies and their health. As this wave 

of healthy eating expands, people are 

more cognizant of the food that’s 

going into their bodies and more 

vigilant about what they feed their 

families. 

Eating disorders present differently 

per individual. On the same token, 

they perform differently between 

the sexes. While there are common 

symptoms, like refusal to eat, 

hiding or hoarding food, weight 

loss or failure to gain weight in a 

growing child, body image issues, 

thinning hair, or social withdrawal, 

there are often many differences. 

Some may be subtle, but the most 

important thing to remember is 

that you (parents, spouse, loved 

ones) don’t cause an eating disorder. 

Trust your instincts and be vigilant 

about getting answers. Females 

are emotional creatures but don’t 

forget that males also grapple 

with their emotions. While eating 

disorders may be more prevalent in 

females, don’t overlook the signs and 

symptoms in males. 

By Ava Mallory 

38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


FUFI_HeathMag_final.pdf 1 9/1/17 1:27 PM 

PALEO YUCCA GNOCCHI 

YUCCA BENEFITS 

Yucca is a root vegetable that grows in 

regions with subtropical climates, like 

Mexico and South America. Also known 

as cassava, yucca is a dense, starchy food 

that’s rich in carbohydrates. It’s a good 

source of fiber, folate, vitamin C, and 

potassium. 

AMONGST YUCCA 

HEALTH BENEFITS ARE: 

99 

Boosts Immunity 

99 

Eases Arthritis Pain 

99 

Benefits Skin Health 

99 

Aids Diabetes Treatment 

99 

Inhibits Oxidative Stress 

Preparation Time: 40 minutes 

Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes 

Total time: 55 to 60 minutes 

INGREDIENTS 

ɡɡ 

3 cups cooked yucca (it can be 

leftovers from the day before) – Using 

a food processor, place the chopping 

blade on it. In the slow speed chop 

1-inch pieces of cooked yucca until it 

looks like dough, around 1 minute) 

ɡɡ 

1 egg yolk 

ɡɡ 

1 tablespoon cilantro 

ɡɡ 

½ teaspoon salt 

ɡɡ 

2 tablespoons ghee 

ɡɡ 

Parmesan cheese 

ɡɡ 

1 to 2 tablespoons tapioca flour 

ɡɡ 

Water to cook 

PREPARATION 

pp 

In a large bowl and using, hands 

combine yucca, egg yolk, salt, 

and cilantro until it turns a very 

delicate dough that is soft, 

smooth and a little sticky. 

pp 

Remove pieces of dough about 

the size of a lemon. 

pp 

With the palms of hands, roll 

the dough piece on the floured 

(tapioca flour) surface into a 

rope ¾ inch in diameter. 

pp 

With a knife cut the rope ¾ inch 

pp 

Bring a medium pot with water 

to a boil. 

(Gluten-Free) 

pp 

Drop in 1/3 of the gnocchi and 

cook for 3 to 5 minutes 

pp 

Drain it and repeat this 

procedure until all the gnocchi is 

cooked 

pp 

Reserved the cooked gnocchi for 

a while 

pp 

In a small pot, melt ghee (60 

seconds) 

pp 

Turn the ghee over the gnocchi. 

pp 

Top with parmesan cheese 

pp 

Serve immediately 

Serves: 3 

By Elianni Gaio 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

40 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY KIDS · MAY 2018 HEALTHY KIDS · MAY 2018 

The Curl Experts Team 

Healthy Magazine presents our new directory, loaded with 

local restaurants and grocers who have taken the time to 

cater to those looking to form healthier dietary habits. 

We hope you enjoy Healthy Places to Eat. We sure did and 

look forward to expanding so we can continue to better 

connect our readers with healthy lifestyle options in their 

communities. 

OUIDAD SALON BY CHADWICK AND IGOR 

Igor Araujo 

Lead Colorist and Educator 

Chadwick Pendley 

Co-owner and Master Artistic Educator 

places to eat 

TM 

healthy menu vegetariann non GMOo vegan gluten free 

EARTH 

LUNCH, DINNER 

AND DRINKS 

5831 Sunset Drive 

Miami, FL 33143 

305.397.8678 

HEALTHY ROUTE 66 

HEALTHY, SANWICHES 

& WRAPS 

1831 Ponce De Leon Blvd 

Coral Gables, FL 33134 

786.615-4028 

LIGERO EXPRESS 

DESSERTS, WRAPS 

SANDWICHES 

201 Park Blvd 


786.615.9833 

GREENG LIFESTYLE 

FRESH FRUIT, VEGGIE BOWLS, 

SMOOTHIES & JUICE LAB 

@GREENGLIFESTYLE 

222 NE 25th St #106 

Miami, Florida 33137 

786.300.6545 

THE LAST CARROT 

SANDWICHES, SALADS, 

SMOOTHIES AND JUICES 

3131 Grand Avenue 

Coconut Grove, FL 33133 

305.445.0805 

NORMAN BROTHERS 

JUICE BAR, SMOOTHIES 

& COFFEE 

7621 SW 87th Ave. 


305.274.9363 

MIAMI SQUEEZE 

PIZZA, SANDWICHES, 

SMOOTHIES & JUICES 

18315 W Dixie Hwy. 

Miami, FL 33160 

305.935.9544 

SMALL TEA CO 

TEA, SALADS, 

WRAPS & MORE 

205 Aragon Ave, 

Coral Gables, FL 33134 

786.401.7189 

EVOS 

BURGERS, WRAPS 

& SALADS 

9537 S Dixie Hwy. 

Pinecrest, FL 33156 

305.740.3433 

BEEHIVE 

JUICE BAR 

& SMOOTHIES 

6490 Bird Road 


305.663.1300 

VEGAN & JUICE 

JUICE BAR & SMOOTHIES, 

VEGAN & VEGETARIAN 

115 SW 107 Ave. 


305.220.3430 

THE JUICERY BAR 

SIGNATURE JUICES, SPECIALTY 

SHOTS, ACAI BOWLS 

635 Brickell Key Dr 


305.350.2277 

DELIRIO FRESH CO. 

SALAD, PIZZA, JUICE BAR 

& SMOOTHIES 

2475 NW 95th Ave. Unit 8 


305.499.3304 

SMOOTHIE SPOT 

SALAD, VEGAN, JUICE 

BAR & SMOOTHIES 

15708 SW 72nd St. 


305.387.9888 

FUFI EMPANADAS 

ARTISAN EMPANADAS 

4600 ne 2nd ave, 

Design District 

Miami, Florida 33137 

305.576.7444 

17082 W Dixie Hwy 

North Miami Beach, FL 33160 

786.565.9684 

Amanda Craighead 

Stylist 

Krisitine Bunce 

Lead Colorist and Director of 

Education of TruStar Salon Services 

Caroline da Silva 

Colorist 

WWW.HEALTHYPLACESTOEAT.COM 

3530 N. Federal HWY Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33308 • 954.613.0405 

42 HEALTHY MAGAZINE chadwickandigor.com 

43 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy SoFlo Issue 60

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?