Sample Articles: February-April 2004

Water Works!

By Debbie Allen

When my grandmother, Bernadette Dault, was 85 year old, she was not the healthy, active person she once was. Her arthritis, high blood pressure and pain left her dependent on a walker or cane to get around. Pain pills and lots of sleep helped her cope with life day to day. It became frustrating to her when doctors told her that there was nothing they could do to help, since there is no cure for arthritis. At that point in her life, she was feeling weak and depressed.

She decided to try another doctor for one last hope. This doctor suggested that she try water aerobics. “Oh, no!” were the first words out of her mouth. “I never go into the water. I’m deathly afraid of it.” And, with her great sense of humor, she added, “The closest that I ever came to water was a walk on the beach and even that made me nervous.”

Reluctantly, she decided to give it a try as her only last hope for feeling free of pain and back on her feet. As she sat on the steps of the pool the first day, she was shaky and afraid to go in. Her therapist coaxed her to walk across the pool with the help of her walker.

Each day became a little easier, and she started to build her confidence and stamina. As she improved she no longer needed the help of the physical therapist and she joined a local health club. Her first water aerobics instructor was a fit 90-year-old man retired from the military. He inspired her to continue and get even better.

After less than a year, she was free of pain and lived a very active lifestyle without the use of a walker or a cane. In fact, her last few years of life were some of her happiest and most fulfilling.

My grandmother Bernadette lived to be 92 years young. Just three short weeks before she passed away, she was actually teaching water aerobics at the retirement community where she lived.

Often, when you give it a chance, you realize…”The world is round, and the place which may seem like the end may only be the beginning.” (Ivy Baker Priest)

Granddaughter, Debbie Allen, now shares this inspiring story with her audiences as an international professional speaker and author.

Debbie is the author of four books including her award winning, Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters.

Download a free chapter of this amazing book and sign up for Debbie’s free newsletter, “Academy of Marketing News” online at www.DebbieAllen.com.

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Nick’s Favorite Recipes

St. Valentine Blackberry Fudge Cake

Filling
1 lb. semisweet chocolate
1 lb. milk chocolate
1 lb. white chocolate
½ lb. butter
- Melt all together


16 eggs
1-cup sugar
1-cup blackberries
¼ cup blackberry brandy
1 tsp. vanilla

Place in mixer and blend with chocolates.
Place filling in a 10” spring form pan and bake for one hour at 300°. Turn oven off and let the cake sit in oven for thirty minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and let cool for 6-8 hours before removing from the pan.

Icing
2 cups milk chocolate, melted
1 ½ cups whipping cream
Blend together. Spread over cake.

Finally, spread 3 cups of toasted coconut over cake.

Share with your Valentine!


Did you know “cakes are associated with the most important moments in our life? How can it be a birthday or a wedding without indulging in the sight and taste of a glorious cake?”
“The preparation and decoration of a cake requires love and imagination. It is the art, which brings out both the powerful and sensitive side of our artistic self. The final result is fulfilling to the artist when he or she is awarded the satisfaction of watching the ecstasy on the guests’ faces as they are enjoying the final creation.”

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The Chaplain’s Tower

Speaking with “Chaplain Frank”

Life Lesson: Whistle While You Work

I received another life lesson from my service dog, Bogart. It was an eye-opening reminder that I’ll not forget. I was working on a seven-part bible study series and had a copy of each part in a folder, lying on my lap. My intention was to go out on the back patio and begin proof reading. Turning toward the door, I bumped the desk with the wheelchair and fifty-plus pages fell to the floor. I backed up a bit from my mess and gave Bogart the command to retrieve. He began to pick the papers up, one at a time!

I must mention that service dogs thoroughly enjoy doing what they’ve been trained to do. I assure you, Bogie loves serving. I drop things every day and Bogie loves to pick the items up for me, but I had never dropped a large quantity like was on the floor this time. Yet, with each single sheet of paper he gave me his enjoyment grew. At the start, I wondered if he would stay on task because of the volume of papers and the tedious repetition of the job. My huge frustrating mess was Bogart’s joy!
Watching Bogart work, I thought about our different perspectives. I saw a mess on the floor. Bogart saw joy. I was upset. Bogart was gratified. The lesson for us is our perspectives influence how we feel about things. Things like our job, family, faith, friendships, politics, finances, to name just a few.

In nearly every facet of our lives, there will be things that we just don’t like or want to do, but they need to be done. Rather than losing self-control, let’s redirect our focus. Scripture says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, {Ecclesiastes 9:10 a NASB}. If something needs our attention, let’s relax and do it.

The next time something distasteful needs your attention, just whistle while you work.

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Dr. Art Mollen’s Corner

Dear Dr. Mollen:
My 83-year-old mother has lost 35 pounds. Though this may be good for her, since she is still about 50 pounds overweight, I'm concerned that something is causing it. What could be the cause of her weight loss?
Judy

Dear Judy:
The most serious causes of unintentional weight loss in an older person include cancer, gastrointestinal problems (such as ulcers and bowel problems), and often depression. Although loss of lean body mass is common with increased age, a significant weight loss normally does not occur. In fact, a loss of approximately 10% of body weight over the past 12 months should indicate a serious problem in an elderly person. Some of the more common causes of weight loss are the effects of medication, emotional problems, alcoholism, swallowing disorders, late-life paranoia, poorly fitting dentures, a thyroid condition, a decrease in sense of smell and taste, and most importantly, depression, according to a recent report in the “American Family Physician”.

Dear Dr. Mollen:
I'm a 50 plus-year-old woman and wondering how much calcium I need?
Patty

Dear Patty:
Women should get between 1000 and 1500 mg of calcium every day. That is typically 3 to 5 servings of dairy foods. The average American consumes 800 mg of calcium a day. It is especially important for women who have irregular periods or are using birth control pills, which can deplete calcium from bones. The best way to get calcium is, of course, through adequate nutrition, but many calcium supplements are available. If taken with vitamin D, the calcium absorption is improved. You should consume 500 mg of calcium with food to improve its absorption. Calcium supplements are usually well tolerated, but some people may develop constipation, bloating or excess gas. Foods that are high in calcium include nonfat plain yogurt, dairy products, salmon, sardines and dried figs.

Dear Dr. Mollen:
I recently noticed a loss of libido. Besides that, I have had some muscle weakness, mood changes, and hair loss, and have felt depressed. I'm 57 years old and am wondering if my testosterone level is low?
SK

Dear SK:
The aging process causes a certain decline in free testosterone. In fact, at least half of men over the age of 50 have levels of testosterone below those of healthier young men. Testosterone is extremely important; lack of it is associated with a decrease in libido, body mass, muscle strength, bone mineral density and a decrease in the general sense of well-being. Testosterone replacement can improve most of these symptoms. There are several testosterone replacements available. There are oral preparations, injections, the transdermal patch and a testosterone gel. Although there have been few clinical trials designed to study the benefits of testosterone therapy in older men, it does improve muscle mass and strength. However, there are some risks and side effects from using it. Although testosterone is an effective drug, with seemingly miraculous powers, it must be given under the supervision of a physician, since it may increase red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels dramatically. Excess fluid retention and high blood pressure may also occur. But, most importantly, the effect of testosterone on the prostate is a risk for prostate cancer, which must be monitored.