Dismantle Social Constructs and Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live
Las Vegas, NV, March 8, 2021 — What better way to tackle existential angst than with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia? Or perhaps a more constructive way might be to take an introspective deep-dive into the ideologies you hold as true and ask yourself, “Is this the life I chose, or the one chosen for me?”
Christina Dylag’s Tiny Little Boxes: How to Cope with Existential Dread by Way of Ice Cream and Other Means takes readers on a soul-searching journey peppered with humor, philosophical musings and plenty of ice-cream-flavored metaphors to help them uncover any preconditioned social constructs and learn to distinguish between personal fact and fiction.
“A life constructed for us by society can be satisfying for a while, but at a certain point, the tension between who we want to be and who we are becomes unbearable,” Christina writes. “We want to follow our dreams and find fulfillment. We settle instead for a destiny carved for someone else. When we search for answers in religion or romance, we are still left with a nagging sense of emptiness.”
Christina’s book delivers a vastly different approach to the world of self-help. It’s unique, funny and fresh, with a free-flowing narrative that mirrors the fluidity of a stream of consciousness. Much of the book centers on the topic of straying from the norm and carving out a new and highly individualized path.
The result is a mind-broadening nudge that gives readers permission to live, to explore, and to break the barriers of their own little boxes. This book was written to expose and unravel the ideologies that we as humans unconsciously hold as truth, Christina explains. Tiny Little Boxes delves into our predetermined belief systems and how we might reassess or re-approach our conditioned world. Beyond our inherited notions of success, the self and existence lies a more expansive sense of freedom.
Christina Dylag is a writer and co-owner of Velveteen Rabbit, an award-winning craft cocktail bar in Las Vegas which has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bon Appetit, Saveur, Vice, Maxim, Playboy, and others. Christina is 70 percent water, roughly 30 percent sushi and a shy whisper of human form. She lives in Las Vegas and will likely be survived by her giant pet rabbit, Steve.
For more insights from the author, please visit www.Nihilisticecream.com, or follow the author on Instagram (@nihilisticecream) or on Facebook (@nihilisticecream).
Tiny Little Boxes: How to Cope with Existential Dread by Way of Ice Cream and Other Means
Savor Ecuadorian Cuisine To Your ‘Hearts’ Content With Bold New Ecuadora™ Brand From Plant-Based Pioneer Edward & Sons™; New Organic, Vegan & Gluten-Free Line Includes Two Delectable Hearts Of Palm Pastas
Initial Low-Cal Offerings Include Grain & Sodium-Free Lasagne & Linguine Plus Low Sodium Hearts of Palm
Edward & Sons Trading Company™ (edwardandsons.com), a vegetarian company and pioneer in the plant-based foods industry that first introduced Miso-Cup® instant soup and gluten-free Brown Rice Snaps® in the 1970s, welcomes a new member to the company’s family of brands: Ecuadora™ – a bold new line created to enable American consumers to savor authentic Ecuadorian cuisine right in the comfort of their own homes.
The announcement was made today by Joel Dee, founder and CEO of Edward & Sons™, which has been at the forefront of the vegan and vegetarian movement for close to 45 years. Ecuadora™ joins the company’s family of brands, including Edward & Sons™, Let’s Do Gluten Free®, Let’s Do Organic®, More Than Fair®, Native Forest®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics® and organic gluten free specialty sauces under the Premier Japan® and The Wizard's® brand names.
Although each Edward & Sons™ brand has its own unique identity, they all share the company’s longstanding commitment to Convenience Without Compromise® – a promise that’s more attuned to the needs of today’s health, cost and convenience-conscious consumers than ever before.
A Taste of Ecuador Without Leaving Home
Created to offer home cooks a passport to the many culinary wonders of picturesque Ecuador (which straddles the equator on South America’s west coast), the new Ecuadora™ brand debuts with three certified organic, low-calorie, plant-based specialties. The two new pastas have zero sodium while the Hearts of Palm contain only 25 mg of sodium per 14 ounce can. All are free of cholesterol and trans fats.
Land formerly used to raise cattle in the stunning countryside of Ecuador has been converted into certified organic farmland where indigenous palms, known locally as chontaduro, are cultivated for their “hearts,” which are the basis of the three new Ecuadora™ products introduced today:
Organic Hearts of Palm (Palmitos Organicos) – Prized by professional and neophyte cooks alike, Organic Hearts of Palm are a delicious addition to any meal and a welcome way for home cooks to vary their dishes in these challenging stay-at-home times. They are naturally low in calories and carbohydrates, making them especially sought after by those who follow Paleo and Keto diets. Simply slice and toss them into your favorite salads or sauté them with oil, onions and garlic to create a savory side dish. Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm can also be blended with roasted red pepper and mayonnaise for
a tasty alternative to hummus or just enjoyed as a yummy low-calorie snack directly from the can. Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm are USDA Organic, gluten-free, vegan and Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm, Water, Citric Acid, Salt.
Organic Grain-Free Hearts of Palm Lasagne Sheets – Ecuadora™ has cleverly crafted organic hearts of palm into low calorie, low-carb, grain and gluten-free pasta. As such, they are ideally suited to numerous popular diets currently followed by millions of discerning consumers.
Packed only in water, organic palm pasta – which is also vegan and Kosher – retains a naturally creamy color and texture that deliciously resembles its grain-based traditional counterparts.
Ecuadora™ Organic Hearts of Palm Lasagne requires no boiling – simply remove it from the can, then layer it with ricotta, tomato sauce, spinach or mushrooms and shredded cheese, then cover and bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes for a piping hot entrée bursting with wholesome flavor.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm and Water.
Organic Grain-Free Hearts of Palm Linguine Noodles – Like the new Lasagne, Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm Linguine offers a tantalizingly fresh, natural and versatile alternative to mainstream pasta for those following a restricted diet or for anyone who’s ready to lower their calorie intake without lowering their flavor expectations. Simply heat Ecuadora™ Linguine with your favorite tomato sauce and serve with a sprinkle of parmesan, or serve it warm with olive oil and garlic for “pasta aglio e olio.” The new Linguine is likewise USDA Organic, grain and gluten-free, vegan and Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm and Water.
Available online at https://store.edwardandsons.com/collections/new-products and soon in health food stores and mainstream supermarkets nationwide, the two new Ecuadora™ pasta products are sold at a MSRP of $4.79, with the new Hearts of Palm available for $4.99. All three new products are sold in 14-ounce cans.
Passport To Natural Splendor
Ecuador’s varied landscape encompasses the Amazon jungle, the Andean highlands and the wildlife haven of the Galápagos Islands. The country is universally known for its staggering biodiversity, including the many thousands of species of plants and animals that thrive in its lush tropical climate.
Commenting on the introduction of the new Ecuadora™ brand, Edward & Sons’ founder and CEO Joel Dee said, “Ecuador boasts a rich culinary heritage based on locally grown fruits, vegetables and spices. Restaurant-deprived families are eager to incorporate new tastes and recipes into their meal plans, so the timing seems perfect to introduce our new Ecuadora™ brand to the marketplace. We’re heartened by the very positive initial responses to our three debut Ecuadora™ products and look forward to expanding the brand with more wonderful regional specialties in the years ahead.”
In addition to Ecuadora™, Edward & Sons Trading Company™ brands include Edward & Sons™, Let’s Do Gluten Free®, Let’s Do Organic®, More Than Fair®, Native Forest®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics® and organic gluten free specialty sauces under the Premier Japan® and The Wizard's® brands.
Savor Ecuadorian Cuisine To Your ‘Hearts’ Content With Bold New Ecuadora™ Brand From Plant-Based Pioneer Edward & Sons™; New Organic, Vegan & Gluten-Free Line Includes Two Delectable Hearts Of Palm Pastas
Initial Low-Cal Offerings Include Grain & Sodium-Free Lasagne & Linguine Plus Low Sodium Hearts of Palm
Edward & Sons Trading Company™ (edwardandsons.com), a vegetarian company and pioneer in the plant-based foods industry that first introduced Miso-Cup® instant soup and gluten-free Brown Rice Snaps® in the 1970s, welcomes a new member to the company’s family of brands: Ecuadora™ – a bold new line created to enable American consumers to savor authentic Ecuadorian cuisine right in the comfort of their own homes.
The announcement was made today by Joel Dee, founder and CEO of Edward & Sons™, which has been at the forefront of the vegan and vegetarian movement for close to 45 years. Ecuadora™ joins the company’s family of brands, including Edward & Sons™, Let’s Do Gluten Free®, Let’s Do Organic®, More Than Fair®, Native Forest®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics® and organic gluten free specialty sauces under the Premier Japan® and The Wizard's® brand names.
Although each Edward & Sons™ brand has its own unique identity, they all share the company’s longstanding commitment to Convenience Without Compromise® – a promise that’s more attuned to the needs of today’s health, cost and convenience-conscious consumers than ever before.
A Taste of Ecuador Without Leaving Home
Created to offer home cooks a passport to the many culinary wonders of picturesque Ecuador (which straddles the equator on South America’s west coast), the new Ecuadora™ brand debuts with three certified organic, low-calorie, plant-based specialties. The two new pastas have zero sodium while the Hearts of Palm contain only 25 mg of sodium per 14 ounce can. All are free of cholesterol and trans fats.
Land formerly used to raise cattle in the stunning countryside of Ecuador has been converted into certified organic farmland where indigenous palms, known locally as chontaduro, are cultivated for their “hearts,” which are the basis of the three new Ecuadora™ products introduced today:
Organic Hearts of Palm (Palmitos Organicos) – Prized by professional and neophyte cooks alike, Organic Hearts of Palm are a delicious addition to any meal and a welcome way for home cooks to vary their dishes in these challenging stay-at-home times. They are naturally low in calories and carbohydrates, making them especially sought after by those who follow Paleo and Keto diets. Simply slice and toss them into your favorite salads or sauté them with oil, onions and garlic to create a savory side dish. Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm can also be blended with roasted red pepper and mayonnaise for
a tasty alternative to hummus or just enjoyed as a yummy low-calorie snack directly from the can. Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm are USDA Organic, gluten-free, vegan and Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm, Water, Citric Acid, Salt.
Organic Grain-Free Hearts of Palm Lasagne Sheets – Ecuadora™ has cleverly crafted organic hearts of palm into low calorie, low-carb, grain and gluten-free pasta. As such, they are ideally suited to numerous popular diets currently followed by millions of discerning consumers.
Packed only in water, organic palm pasta – which is also vegan and Kosher – retains a naturally creamy color and texture that deliciously resembles its grain-based traditional counterparts.
Ecuadora™ Organic Hearts of Palm Lasagne requires no boiling – simply remove it from the can, then layer it with ricotta, tomato sauce, spinach or mushrooms and shredded cheese, then cover and bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes for a piping hot entrée bursting with wholesome flavor.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm and Water.
Organic Grain-Free Hearts of Palm Linguine Noodles – Like the new Lasagne, Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm Linguine offers a tantalizingly fresh, natural and versatile alternative to mainstream pasta for those following a restricted diet or for anyone who’s ready to lower their calorie intake without lowering their flavor expectations. Simply heat Ecuadora™ Linguine with your favorite tomato sauce and serve with a sprinkle of parmesan, or serve it warm with olive oil and garlic for “pasta aglio e olio.” The new Linguine is likewise USDA Organic, grain and gluten-free, vegan and Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm and Water.
Available online at https://store.edwardandsons.com/collections/new-products and soon in health food stores and mainstream supermarkets nationwide, the two new Ecuadora™ pasta products are sold at a MSRP of $4.79, with the new Hearts of Palm available for $4.99. All three new products are sold in 14-ounce cans.
Passport To Natural Splendor
Ecuador’s varied landscape encompasses the Amazon jungle, the Andean highlands and the wildlife haven of the Galápagos Islands. The country is universally known for its staggering biodiversity, including the many thousands of species of plants and animals that thrive in its lush tropical climate.
Commenting on the introduction of the new Ecuadora™ brand, Edward & Sons’ founder and CEO Joel Dee said, “Ecuador boasts a rich culinary heritage based on locally grown fruits, vegetables and spices. Restaurant-deprived families are eager to incorporate new tastes and recipes into their meal plans, so the timing seems perfect to introduce our new Ecuadora™ brand to the marketplace. We’re heartened by the very positive initial responses to our three debut Ecuadora™ products and look forward to expanding the brand with more wonderful regional specialties in the years ahead.”
In addition to Ecuadora™, Edward & Sons Trading Company™ brands include Edward & Sons™, Let’s Do Gluten Free®, Let’s Do Organic®, More Than Fair®, Native Forest®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics® and organic gluten free specialty sauces under the Premier Japan® and The Wizard's® brands.
Faith and Tenacity Continue to Drive 91-Year-Old Founder of Boston Area Homeless Shelter
Boston, MA, March 8, 2021 — Sylvia Anthony firmly believes that life is a gift from God, and she’s been using her gift to impact more than a thousand homeless women and children through her nonprofit, Sylvia’s Haven, which she launched in 1987. At 91 years young, Sylvia remains steadfastly involved with Sylvia’s Haven, and hopes to inspire others to overcome life’s challenges and pursue their passions.
“When we do the right thing with the right motives, there is no limit to how far we can go with the help of God,” she writes in her poignant memoir, Till the End of Time. “My advice to you is never give up, whatever comes your way; it is all worth it.”
Sylvia had endured a difficult childhood that included an abusive father and a disinterested mother. Sylvia married young and remained in an abusive marriage until a divorce that left her alone to support her three children. Through her ambition and strength of character, Sylvia persevered, building a life for herself and her kids. After raising her children, Sylvia remarried — still, there was a void. She felt a calling to help young women, and her husband, Rick, encouraged her to follow her heart. Initially designed for homeless pregnant women, her shelter opened on January 25, 1987. Sadly, her husband lost his battle with cancer on March 30 of the same year, telling Sylvia before he died to “go get the girls.” And she’s been giving new hope to young, homeless women ever since.
Hers has been a lifetime woven with tragedy and triumph, but at Sylvia’s core burns a powerful source of courage and tenacity. She shares her remarkable story in Till the End of Time, which chronicles her early days as an unwanted child, born at the onset of the Great Depression; through her turbulent first marriage, which blessed her with three children; to finding love and discovering her divine purpose later in life. The book includes a chapter with testimonials from women who have been helped by Sylvia’s Haven, underscoring the impact of her unwavering dedication to others. Till the End of Time is the ultimate love story, woven with heartwarming memories, inspirational anecdotes and life lessons that will inspire readers to share their own God-given gifts with others.
Author Sylvia Anthony was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame on June 15, 2020. Invited to their museum in Seneca Falls, New York, she drove more than 350 miles for the appointment! Shortly thereafter, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who's Who.
A woman of faith, courage, tenacity and love, Sylvia firmly believes that the “golden years” are a time to get busy. As the founder and president of Sylvia’s Haven, a shelter for women and children near Boston, she has helped transform over 1,100 lives in the past three decades. Sylvia refers to her organization as her “magnificent obsession.” Life hasn’t always been easy for Sylvia, but she believes that God not only gives her courage during times of hardship, but also keeps her healthy so that she may realize her dream to open up Sylvia’s Haven locations in all 50 states.
Till the End of Time rose to No.1 in four different categories when it was launched on Amazon and has received 5-star reviews.
How to Decode the Lingo on Skincare and Beauty Products: What is merely marketing “Hype?”
Cosmetic Chemist David Petrillo Available to talk about beauty product ingredients, and buzzwords like “glass skin,” “patented technology,” “cosmeceutical,” “paraben-free” etc..
Each season, a new crop of beauty trends, buzzwords, and marketing terms arise. Consumers are left to try to decode what actually works and what is jargon. If you are working on stories about ingredients or the beauty industry, such as the rise of K-Beauty products, the latest TikTok fad, or DIY skincare, David Petrillo, a cosmetic chemist and CEO and founder of skincare company Perfect Image, can provide exclusive answers to your questions by your deadline.
Mr. Petrillo can also dive deep into questions about what marketing and buzz words really mean, and if a certain product can achieve the results consumers seek. Such phrases include “glass skin,” “dewy skin,” and even “hydrated.” What do these mean, and how do we select appropriate skincare to achieve our desired results without being betrayed by marketing hype?
David Petrillo shares phrases consumers should know more about:
Patented Technology
This is a marketing term used to provide, sometimes falsely, a sense that the consumer is buying something that is highly innovative. But patents aren’t necessarily a surefire sign that something is groundbreaking. Patents are sometimes authorized based on a technical change rather than a scientific breakthrough meaning new combinations of ingredients or methods of production can be promoted as being “patented technology.” What consumers really want to do is identify what their skin needs and buy products with ingredients that are proven to effectively improve the skin in that area.
Maximum strength
This is a term used often by skin cleansers and moisturizers. But this is a relative term, and consumers don’t exactly know what the maximum strength entails or how the product benefits their skin more than the competition.
Clinical strength
From painkillers to hydrating serums, companies love to highlight how their products are “clinical strength.” In these cases, healthy skepticism is, well, healthy. In many cases, a product claiming clinical strength could have been tested by the doctors developing the products, and the term can also be relative. Remember, anything that really is maximum strength or clinical strength is often regulated to a prescription.
FDA Cleared
The FDA has different protocols for skincare products that make cosmetic claims as opposed to those that make more medical claims, such as promising to increase the production of collagen in the skin. Since that is a body function, the FDA treats those differently than normal skincare products. However, the FDA just stipulates that the product being sold is safe to use in the manner in which it is directed to be used. FDA approval is not a credential that shows the superiority of results.
Hydrating
Products and consumers often use hydrating and moisturizing interchangeably, but this is inaccurate. If you want to hydrate your skin, this means you have skin that has become dull and possibly dry -- you need a humectant such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw water to the cells. If you need to moisturize your skin, you need a moisturizer that seals water in to prevent water loss. Today there are a variety of moisturizers, especially gel moisturizers, that have components that are both moisturizing and hydrating. These are good, but your choice of product depends on the individual condition of your skin. If you have extremely dry or dull skin, you may need one product that performs one function very well, rather than a jack of all trades.
Glass skin
Glass skin is a buzzword that has emerged in recent years to describe the effect of Korean beauty products, which make the skin look hydrated, luminous, and smooth. Usually, because all those adjectives entail different steps in a beauty routine, one needs several products to achieve this look, including an exfoliator, a serum, and a humectant. But more and more, single products are claiming to bring about this effect -- while they may fit well into a beauty routine, one product will have a difficult time hydrating the skin while also brightening it and exfoliating it to give it a smoother and even texture.
David Petrillo graduated in 2007 with a degree in Chemistry from Missouri University prior to working as a researcher in the cosmetics industry. His experiences in the lab led him to found his own company, Perfect Image, with a vision of making medical-grade peels and other cosmetic products more affordable.
With ten plus years of experience in the lab and equipped with the experience of formulating his own products to innovate the industry -- David is able to answer questions for the media on a variety of cosmetic chemistry questions.
Terminal Illness Causes Family Secret to Surface in Heartfelt Story of Severed Trust and Forgiveness
Dallas, TX, March 8, 2021 — Natalia Foster is the family secret that her biological father, Joe Russo, was supposed to take to his grave. But when Natalia learns that Joe, an Italian man she’s never met, is dying of a terminal illness, she’s forced to confront the truth of her parentage and make a difficult decision: Should she remain in the shadows or make herself known to Joe and his family?
The Wool Over Their Eyes, from Dione Martin, is an authentic, heartfelt story about complex family dynamics and the emotions that must be unpacked when long-buried secrets push their way to the surface.
Joe’s immediate family, including his devoted wife, Rosa, know nothing of Natalia’s existence. Her gray eyes — exactly like Joe’s — and simple math prove that Natalia is a product of Joe’s infidelity, making a mockery of Rosa’s marriage. If his family discovers the whole truth — that Natalia is not only illegitimate but also Black — family bonds will be shattered.
In the midst of Natalia’s family drama and pain, another life-changing decision emerges. Natalia must choose between two loves — a long-lost one and a new one. Her ex-boyfriend, Tyler Davis, who captured her heart and connected with her soul, resurfaces. But she meets a handsome doctor, David Duplessis, who’d cared for her father. Just as the relationship begins to blossom, David commits an act that severs her trust and sends her spiraling further into her dark abyss.
The Wool Over Their Eyes is loosely based on Martin’s personal experiences. She drew upon her own memories and insights of growing up without her biological father and being betrayed in her own marriage to inform her narrative and give her characters depth and authenticity.
“I wrote The Wool Over Their Eyes for fatherless girls, for women who have been betrayed, for those who have been rejected because of their race (or otherness) and for families that have been torn apart by secrets, lies and deception,” Martin reflects. “Healing is possible – through change, through empathy, through faith and through forgiveness.”
Author Dione Martin was born and raised in New Orleans, where she spent much of her childhood and teen years reading. She earned her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Minnesota-Morris and her Master’s in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently a senior communications director at Brinker International. She lives in Dallas with her two daughters and enjoys running, cooking, performing arts and attempting DIY projects. The Wool Over Their Eyes is her debut novel, and she is working on her next one.
Five Ways How To Kick Your Metabolism into High Gear - Nutritionist Available
Kick your metabolism up a notch or two and increase your calorie needs by conditioning your body’s energy factory with these diet and lifestyle tips. Put some TLC into your food choices and activities and you will soon see improvements in your energy, appetite, weight control and overall well being. Nicolette M. Pace MS, RDN, CDE, CBC,CDN, CFCS, FAND is available for interviews.1. Bioactivate Your Body:Some foods are natural metabolic boosters due to their key nutrients and unique plant chemicals which provide specialized support for a vigorous metabolism. Look to add garlic, chili, ginger, tumeric, cinnamon, horseradish, black pepper and fennel seeds for a healthy chemical profile that can include antioxidant polyphenols and carotenoids, sulfur, nitrogen and alkaloids that makes these ingredients super-metabolic. The heat they give off can give you a 20% increase in your metabolic rate for 30 minutes and they taste great! 2. Pump up with Protein:Peak performance and endurance is impossible without nutrients from carbohydrates, fat and protein but when it comes to which nutrient can deliver a one-two punch to your metabolism, protein is a knock out! It is not only critical for muscle support and growth but protein activates the body’s metabolic furnace by firing up natural heat energy as food protein converts to muscle and other body tissues. In fact, you’ll get an overall 30% increase in your metabolism when you include high quality egg or whey protein, meat, poultry and seafood choices or starchy vegetarian proteins like beans, lentils, quinoa and buckwheat into your meal. 3. Make the Caffeine Connection:Easily our go to source but so frequently abused. While caffeine does increase metabolism by raising heart rate and is a key ingredient in sports nutrition for proven performance enhancement and endurance, it is a therapeutic chemical so choose your sources and consumption wisely. Give it a shot pre-workout to get the same boost as athletes expect and give your palate a rest from calorie laden coffee or energy beverages by trying super savvy caffeine sources. Matcha green tea and Yerba mate contain polyphenols quercetin and catechins which put these square in your metabolic box. 4. Heat Up Your Health:Whatever the weather, there’s an easy way to experience a metabolic boost from exposing and conditioning yourself to over the top temperatures like heat or cold. Hydrotherapy (hot-cold water therapy), polar plunges, saunas, steam rooms and outdoor activities are healthy ways to increase calorie burning by encouraging brown fat tissue activity. These techniques force your body to metabolically adapt to temperature changes. This also strengthens your body’s immune and circulatory systems improving your overall health as your body works hard to maintain its core temperature. 5. Rebalance Your Metabolic Mind:Activate your metabolism by conditioning your mind to induce positive thoughts via imagery, mediation, and physical activities that are designed to improve mental outlook as they stimulate positive physiologic improvements. Scientifically proven benefits are yours for the taking when you perform yoga or martial arts like Tai Chi, Akido and Qigong on a regular basis. These can rebalance your body’s hormonal signaling and decrease stresssed out cortisol levels which are associated with excess body fat. This also elevates adiponectin levels in your fat cells which kicks your metabolism into high gear! About Nicolette M. Pace MS, RDN, CDE, CBC,CDN, CFCS ,FANDNicolette founded NutriSource Inc. ( www.nutrisource.org ) in 2002 to provide high quality education, counseling and nutrition services for a diverse community population. Prior to founding NutriSource Inc, she served as Director of Clinical Nutrition at the NYHQ/Silvercrest Center where she provided both administrative and direct care for sub-acute and chronically ill patients. Nicolette was a key member of performance improvement projects and as Chair of the Nutrition Committee; significant positive changes were made in the standard of care. Nicolette has been featured in CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox News, the New York Times, Seventeen, Fitness, Men’s Journal, More, Dr. Oz, Everyday Health, AOL, IVillage, Health, Shape and other magazines. She is also a contributing writer for Minerva Place, as well as an adjunct professor of Nutrition at CUNY and Touro Colleges. She believes in emphasizing a holistic approach toward food, nutrition and preventative healthcare.
11 Resilience-Building Habits for Stressed Healthcare Workers A year into the pandemic, healthcare workers are reeling from burnout, anxiety, and traumatic stress. Diana Hendel, PharmD and Mark Goulston, MD share habits that can help healthcare employees diffuse COVID-related stress and build resiliency.
Nashville, TN (March 2021)—The pandemic has pushed healthcare workers to their limits. Burnout was already a serious problem in the industry, but after a year-long front row view of COVID’s devastation, burnout levels are on the rise and traumatic stress is taking a toll. And yet, healthcare workers must find a way to keep showing up and doing one of the toughest jobs around. The big question is, how?
“Healthcare professionals are a naturally gritty group, but ongoing exposure to death and tragedy has left many feeling exhausted and anxious,” says Diana Hendel, PharmD, coauthor along with Mark Goulston, MD, of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99).
Practicing healthy habits are the key to building up your resilience skills, say Drs. Hendel and Goulston, and with greater resiliency you can thrive despite the long term challenges of the pandemic.
Read on for a set of habits that decrease anxiety and stress and help you build resilience over time.
Do frequent self “check-ins” to recognize when your stress levels are rising. When you’re busy and under pressure to perform, it’s easy to go on “autopilot.” Therefore, periodically pause and do a quick self-assessment throughout the day. Consider your emotional state (Do I feel friendly and engaged, or edgy and aggressive?) as well as your physical state (Is my body calm and at ease, or is it holding onto tension?).
“Take 20 or 30 seconds to scan your body and identify areas that may be holding onto tension or stress,” says Dr. Goulston. “For example, you might be carrying tension in your jaw or shoulders. When you notice an area that is tense, gently release the tension. Over time it should become easier to recognize when stress begins to take hold—and to do something about it.”
Ground yourself when you start feeling overwhelmed. Grounding is a great way to reduce anxiety and arrive in the here and now. Dr. Hendel advises that you use it anytime you feel carried away by anxious thoughts or feelings, or triggered by upsetting memories and flashbacks.
Find a comfortable place to sit (or stand). If sitting, rest your hands on your legs. Feel the fabric of your clothing. Notice its color and texture.
Next, bring your awareness to your body. Stretch your neck from side to side. Relax your shoulders. Tense and relax your calves. Stomp your feet.
Look around and notice the sights, sounds, and scents around you for a few moments.
Name 15-20 things you can see. For example, the floor, a light, a desk, a sink.
As you keep looking around, remind yourself that “The flashback or emotion I felt is in the past. Right now, in this moment, I’m safe.”
Pause and take a few deep breaths. We tend to hold our breath whenever we are stressed, but this only exacerbates feelings of anxiety and panic. Instead, use “box breathing” to calm yourself and heighten your concentration. Box breathing is the technique of taking slow, deep, full breaths. Here’s a tutorial for when you’re feeling triggered.
Slowly exhale your breath through your mouth. Consciously focus on clearing all the oxygen from your lungs. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for four slow counts. Hold your breath for four more slow counts. On the next four counts, exhale again through your mouth until your lungs are empty. Hold your breath again for a final slow count of four beats.
Try the 12 words exercise to process traumatic stress. This powerful tool helps you tap into your feelings when you feel “stuck” due to trauma by gently visiting key words one at a time. Paradoxically, naming a feeling that you’re having and letting yourself fully experience it actually lessens tension more than it increases it. As Drs. Goulston and Hendel say, “If you can name it, you can tame it.”
You can do the 12 words exercise on your own, in therapy, or as part of a group exercise. If doing it on your own, imagine a trusted friend or loved one gently and empathetically guiding you through the exercise. If you are in a group, the moderator can lead the exercise by speaking each word to the group, or to a single person in the group. You don’t have to cover all the words at once. You can focus on just one or two words, take a break, and start on a new word later.
STEP 1: Read the following words out loud: Anxious, Afraid, Overwhelmed, Fragile, Depressed, Frustrated, Angry, Ashamed, Alone, Lonely, Exhausted, Numb. STEP 2: Pick one of these words that most captures what you’re feeling when you’re greatly stressed and then focus on it. STEP 3: Imagine feeling this feeling at its worst. STEP 4: What does this feeling make you want to impulsively do? STEP 5: Imagine saying what you want to do to a person who loves you, and picture them smiling with love and compassion and saying back to you, “I understand.” STEP 6: Imagine feeling their love taking some of the pain away. STEP 7: Imagine them asking you, “What would be a better thing to do?”
Reach for something that anchors you in the present moment. Carry a small reminder of what you love about your life and focus on it if you feel triggered and need to center yourself. It might be a photo of your kids or pet, a small rock you picked up on a scenic nature hike, or a special necklace. Think of the gratitude you feel for your life whenever you look at this token.
Keep something that makes you laugh nearby. Humor is a great way to alleviate stress. Tape a clip of a funny cartoon to your work area or carry a small notebook with jokes that make you laugh every time you read them.
Use calming affirmations to give you strength and peace. Written positive statements can give you a lift when you feel yourself sinking. If self-talk is not for you, imagine a supportive other saying these to you in your mind’s eye. A few examples:
I am great at my job, and my training and skills are empowering.
I feel energized and ready for anything the day has in store for me.
I accept myself as I am. I am enough.
I am safe in this moment.
Let your feelings out (when possible). At times you may find you need to step away from your duties for a few minutes and give those intense emotions some “breathing room.” Try to move to a different room so you can cry or discreetly express your feelings. Sometimes you need to release the stress that’s built up in your body, and finding a private place to let the tears fall or vent for a few minutes can lighten your stress and enable you to get back to work.
Play a mind game. “If there is no way to speak to someone else and you need comfort in the moment, imagine talking to someone who loves you,” says Dr. Goulston. “Imagine that they are listening and lovingly holding and encouraging you. As you hear them talking and walking you through it, you will feel their love and belief in you. This kind of mental pep talk can be a bridge until you are able to speak your feelings to somebody in person.”
Head outdoors for a few minutes. If at all possible, try to get outside for a few minutes of fresh air during your shift. Take deep breaths, stretch your arms and legs, and take in the gifts of nature around you. And if possible, find someone else who is on a break and invite them for a 10-minute walk so the two of you can blow off steam.
Rediscover the simple pleasures around you. Traumatic stress can make the world appear and feel dangerous, with threats lurking around every corner. That’s why it is important to stay immersed in the joys of life. Focusing on simple pleasures promotes healing and helps you enjoy your life in the process. For example:
Get lost in a good book. Don’t just read a few pages before bedtime. Really allow yourself to indulge. Set aside 30 minutes after work or in the morning before starting your day to escape into a captivating story.
Take a walk. Even if it is only five minutes long, commit to taking a walk every day. Chances are, by the time those five minutes are up, you will want to keep going.
Find a creative outlet. Think gardening, playing a musical instrument, putting together a puzzle, or even coloring in an adult coloring book.
Don’t just turn to these strategies when you feel stress or anxiety rising in your mind or body. Intentionally practice them daily—even if you are feeling calm and in control. Over time they will become second nature.
“Resilience isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have,’ it’s a ‘must-have,’” concludes Dr. Hendel. “And it will continue serving you long after the pandemic is over.”
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About the Authors: Mark Goulston, MD, FAPA Dr. Mark Goulston is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). He is a board-certified psychiatrist, fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA NPI, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the creator of Theory Y Executive Coaching—which he provides to CEOs, presidents, founders, and entrepreneurs—and is a TEDx and international keynote speaker.
He is the creator and developer of Surgical Empathy, a process to help people recover and heal from PTSD, prevent suicide in teenagers and young adults, and help organizations overcome implicit bias.
Dr. Goulston is the author or principal author of seven prior books, including PTSD for Dummies, Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In, and Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life. He hosts the My Wakeup Call podcast, where he speaks with influencers about their purpose in life and the wakeup calls that led them there. He also is the co-creator and moderator of the multi-honored documentary Stay Alive: An Intimate Conversation About Suicide Prevention.
He appears frequently as a human psychology and behavior subject-area expert across all media, including news outlets ABC, NBC, CBS, and BBC News, as well as CNN, Today, Oprah, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune,Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Westwood One. He was also featured in the PBS special “Just Listen.”
Diana Hendel, PharmD Dr. Diana Hendel is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). She is an executive coach and leadership consultant, former hospital CEO, and author of Responsible: A Memoir, a riveting and deeply personal account of leading during and through the aftermath of a deadly workplace trauma.
As the CEO of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Hendel led one of the largest acute care, trauma, and teaching hospital complexes on the West Coast. She has served in leadership roles in numerous community organizations and professional associations, including chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association, executive committee member of the Hospital Association of Southern California, vice chair of the Southern California Leadership Council, chair of the Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, board member of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and leader-in-residence of the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University Long Beach.
She earned a BS in biological sciences from UC Irvine and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UC San Francisco. She has spoken about healthcare and leadership at regional and national conferences and at TEDx SoCal on the topic of “Childhood Obesity: Small Steps, Big Change.”
About the Book: Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99) is available in bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.
What Are The Best Ways to Store and Maintain Seasonal Sports Equipment?
Different sports need different equipment or kits. Sports equipment refers to the materials, tools, apparel, and gear used in various sports. Kit includes nets, balls, and protective gear such as and not limited to knee pads, shin pads, and helmets. They are used for playing different sports or as protective gear. Sporting equipment has changed over the years as more protective gear is required to prevent injuries. The equipment needs proper storage to make them last longer. Following are the best ways to store and maintain seasonal sports equipment.
Use Bungee Cord
Set up a bungee cord storage for balls instead of keeping them in a box; you need a square frame and a cord. Nail the cords to the frame allowing storage for balls of different sizes. This method makes it easier to remove and return equipment. It keeps the balls secure and ensures long-term maintenance.
Long Term Storage
Some warehouses offer long term storage for sports equipment and other products. It provides residential, commercial storage, household storage, warehouse storage, short, and long-term storage. Sports equipment manufacturing companies use these services to store the products before shipped and delivered to wholesalers.
Ceiling Hooks
Use ceiling hooks to store large equipment like bikes and surfboards. Ceiling hooks aren't the best option for every piece of equipment apart from the large ones. Use storage hooks in the basement or garage. Hook them in a way that gives more headroom, keeping the gears out of the way.
Shelving
Shelving is the most common way to store equipment. Shelving is flexible and allows storage of more equipment. Position the shelves close if storing small items. For large equipment, keep enough space between shelves.
Shoe Rack
Different sports need different types of shoes, especially if you are playing various sports. You will notice that the shoes take up much space. Use a shoe rack in the garage for storage. Shoe racks are readily available or made at home by using a DIY hack. Hang the shoe rack on the wall if there is not enough floor space.
Use a Corkboard
Hang a cork board on the wall of the storage room unused space. It allows for hanging different-sized equipment and is visible. Create planks or hang hooks for large equipment. Storing small to big equipment will depend on the wall space size and corkboard utilization. It is one of the best options as it holds everything in one place.
These are some of the ways to store seasonal sports equipment. Clean all your gear well after a game to make it last longer. Dry out the athletic wear for hygiene purposes. Wash your sports uniform after every game.
Dismantle Social Constructs and Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live
Las Vegas, NV, March 5, 2021 — What better way to tackle existential angst than with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia? Or perhaps a more constructive way might be to take an introspective deep-dive into the ideologies you hold as true and ask yourself, “Is this the life I chose, or the one chosen for me?”
Christina Dylag’s Tiny Little Boxes: How to Cope with Existential Dread by Way of Ice Cream and Other Means takes readers on a soul-searching journey peppered with humor, philosophical musings and plenty of ice-cream-flavored metaphors to help them uncover any preconditioned social constructs and learn to distinguish between personal fact and fiction.
“A life constructed for us by society can be satisfying for a while, but at a certain point, the tension between who we want to be and who we are becomes unbearable,” Christina writes. “We want to follow our dreams and find fulfillment. We settle instead for a destiny carved for someone else. When we search for answers in religion or romance, we are still left with a nagging sense of emptiness.”
Christina’s book delivers a vastly different approach to the world of self-help. It’s unique, funny and fresh, with a free-flowing narrative that mirrors the fluidity of a stream of consciousness. Much of the book centers on the topic of straying from the norm and carving out a new and highly individualized path.
The result is a mind-broadening nudge that gives readers permission to live, to explore, and to break the barriers of their own little boxes. This book was written to expose and unravel the ideologies that we as humans unconsciously hold as truth, Christina explains. Tiny Little Boxes delves into our predetermined belief systems and how we might reassess or re-approach our conditioned world. Beyond our inherited notions of success, the self and existence lies a more expansive sense of freedom.
Christina Dylag is a writer and co-owner of Velveteen Rabbit, an award-winning craft cocktail bar in Las Vegas which has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bon Appetit, Saveur, Vice, Maxim, Playboy, and others. Christina is 70 percent water, roughly 30 percent sushi and a shy whisper of human form. She lives in Las Vegas and will likely be survived by her giant pet rabbit, Steve.
For more insights from the author, please visit www.Nihilisticecream.com, or follow the author on Instagram (@nihilisticecream) or on Facebook (@nihilisticecream).
Tiny Little Boxes: How to Cope with Existential Dread by Way of Ice Cream and Other Means
