Healthy RGV Issue 109 - Radiation oncology Advancing Cancer Care With Leading Edge Technology

ISSUE 109 

EDITORIAL CONTENT 

FITNESS & BEAUTY 

PREPARE SMOOTHIES 

FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK, IN NO TIME! 

ARE YOU DEHYDRATED 

AND DON'T EVEN KNOW IT? 

25 HOLYDAY SONGS 

TO ADD TO YOUR WORKOUT PLAYLIST 

32 

34 

36 

HEALTHY KIDS 

THE BABY CHANGED EVERYTHING 

HOW TO BE MORE OPEN & COMMUNICATE 

WITH YOUR CHILDREN 

BULLYING: WHAT A PARENT SHOULD DO 

IS YOUR TEEN SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY? 

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE 

RADIATION ONCOLOGY: ADVANCING 

CANCER CARE WITH LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY 

MARROW DONORS BRING NEW MEANING TO LIFE- 

SAVING DONATIONS 

ALZHEIMER’S BRAINS HAVE HIGHER AND DIFFERENT 

AMOUNT OF BACTERIA 

8 TIPS TO BREAK OUT OF A BIG SLUMP 

LAST MINUTE EMERGENCY GIFT GUIDE 

MANUFACTURING HAPPINESS 

THE NO-FAIL PAT TO GETTING OVER 

PROCRASTINATION 

contact@healthymagazine.com 

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

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8 

10 

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24 

26 

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SNACK HEALTHIER 

WITH 10 POWER FOOD COMBOS 

38 

C 

“EVERY ASPECT OF OUR 

PATIENT’S CANCER 

JOURNEY IS 

PERSONALIZED ” 

Rogelio Salinas, MD

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 

Raul Arenas 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Cesar Augusto Tobon 

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR 

Maria Alejandra Wehdeking 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Craig Tanio, MD 

Meg Meeker, MD 

Benjamin West, MD 

Chef Eric Stein 

Sarah May Bates 

Jenn Baxter 

Cassandra Claude 

Alan Freeman 

Vanessa Jackson 

Rubel Shelly 

Eilleen Smith 


Julianna Lowe 


Editor in Chief 

We are finally settling into autumn. The summer days are over, kids settled in classrooms, and sweater weather is 

here. Soon, we will begin to prepare for holiday shopping and family gatherings. Before the family rolls into town 

and before you shop for your Thanksgiving holiday fare, let's take a few moments to reflect on the year we have had 

so far. There's a lot to be thankful for, and we here at Healthy Magazine want to make sure we offer our thanks to 

everyone who has impacted our lives and made us want to be better and do better. 

A big thank you to all our readers for your continued support throughout the year. We have shared delicious 

recipes, offered the latest health news and trends, and have introduced you to new medical procedures, health tips, 

wellness tips and advice, and had tons of fun along the way. The response we have received from our readers is 

humbling and makes us want to continue to find the most up-to-date information for all. 

One major topic we discussed was diabetes. As always, we want to make sure you and those you love are taking 

care of themselves. The prevalence of diabetes continues to grow at astronomical levels. As the season of home 

cooked meals, rich desserts, and carb overload inches closer, we would like you to know your numbers (A1C) and be 

mindful of what you eat and how it affects your body. There's nothing wrong with sweets from time to time, but try 

not to overindulge and make sure you are exercising to burn off the extra calories you might consume this holiday 

season. Also, remember to check your labels! Sugar has 58 names. Become familiar with them and look for healthy 

alternatives for you and your family. This month's issue will explore diabetes and its impact on your health. 

What are you thankful for this season? Who has touched your life in positive ways? Who has made you smile? What 

brings you joy? Think about those who have changed your life in big and small ways and remember to thank them 

for all they have done. 

This season is all about love, gratefulness, and family. Take the time to sit and chat, reconnect, share a few laughs, 

gather around a table and enjoy a good meal together. Our lives are busy. There's never a dull moment. This time of 

year is a good reminder of who and what matters in our lives. Reflect back on this past year, the adventures you have 

had, the secrets you have shared, and the love that has never faltered. Embrace the moment, take a look around you 

and be thankful for those in your life. We are sure they are grateful for you. 

Wishing you love, joy, good eats, and excellent health this November! 

Thank you for reading! 

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.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · DECEMBER 2017 

THE BABY 

CHANGED 

EVERYTHING 

“The Luck of Roaring Camp” is a piece of 

American fiction from Bret Harte (1836-1902) 

that captures something of the hope motif 

that is at the heart of the Christmas story. I’d 

never heard the story before a reference to 

it by Bruce Thielemann in a sermon several 

years back. Maybe it’s new to you as well. 

Roaring Camp was portrayed as the coarsest, 

meanest, toughest mining town in the Wild 

West of 1805. It was a terrible place where 

theft and murder were commonplace, 

inhabited entirely by men – and one “coarse, 

and, it is to be feared, a very sinful woman” 

named Cherokee Sal. 

Sal died in the process of giving birth to a 

baby. The men in that harsh place took her 

infant and put him in a box that had shipped 

dynamite sticks with some old flannel rags 

under him. After burying Sal, they tried to 

figure out what to do with the baby. Send 

him to the closest camp with women that 

was forty miles away? There were too many 

dishonest, untrustworthy souls there to 

trust the baby’s welfare to them! Try to find 

a woman they could hire to come to Roaring 

Camp to be his nurse? No “decent woman” 

would come there, they decided! 

To make a short story shorter still, they 

decided to keep the baby right there in 

Roaring Camp – where he thrived and was 

named “Luck.” Tommy Luck. They sent one 

of their number to a town eighty miles away 

to buy a real cradle. Another was dispatched 

to Sacramento to get proper blankets and 

supplies. But a rosewood cradle and baby 

blankets made the house they were in look 

filthy. 

So those tough men got on their hands and 

knees and scrubbed the floor clean. That 

only made the dirty walls more apparent. 

They washed them down. But clean walls 

only made the bare windows look like they 

needed curtains. And so on and so on. 

Since babies need lots of sleep, they stopped 

their raucous brawling and fighting. And as 

the boy began to imitate sounds and learn 

language, they cleaned up their vocabularies 

and stopped swearing. As he began to try to 

walk and eventually was big enough to play 

outdoors, they planted grass and flowers in 

a garden. That was better than the dust and 

sand and sharp rocks. 

Trying to play with little Tommy, their huge 

hands looked so dirty. And they smelled. So 

pretty soon the general store was selling lots 

of soap and shaving gear. You’re following 

the story now, aren’t you? The baby changed 

everything. 

On a far grander scale, that is 

the Christmas story. God is with 

us. There is hope for the worst and 

dirtiest and meanest of us. The baby 

changed everything. 

By Rubel Shelly 

6 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy Kids 

THE BABY CHANGED 

EVERYTHING 

HOW TO BE MORE OPEN 

& COMMUNICATE WITH 

YOUR CHILDREN 

BULLYING: 

WHAT A PARENT SHOULD DO 

IS YOUR TEEN SUFFERING 

FROM ANXIETY? 

6 

8 

10 

12 

"The Light 

in a Child's 

Eyes is all 

it Takes 

to Make 

Christmas 

a Magical 

Time of the 

Year."

HEALTHY KIDS · DECEMBER 2017 

HOW TO BE 

MORE OPEN & 

COMMUNICATE 

WITH YOUR 

CHILDREN 

There’s not a parent in 

the world who doesn’t 

want to know that his 

child is okay. No matter 

how old they are or how 

busy our lives get, we 

always want to be in the 

loop. We ask the requisite 

questions: How was class? 

What do you have for 

homework? Did you turn 

in that assignment? The 

questions are aplenty, but 

are we as parents asking 

the wrong questions? 

With so many 

activities 

taking up 

much of our 

time, it can be difficult to sit 

down and have a meaningful conversation 

with your children. The nonstop motion 

helps to create a disconnect with those we 

love the most. Sports, school plays, piano 

lessons, karate lessons, you name it, there’s 

never enough time to just talk. 

You might have a rudimentary understanding 

of what’s going on in your child’rens lives, 

but do you really know how they’re doing, 

what they’re feeling, what they're learning? 

For most of us, unfortunately, the answer 

may be a resounding no. So, how do we 

change the dynamics and ensure that 

you and your children have meaningful, 

memorable conversations, even when the 

days are busy and the nights are busier? 

You begin by asking open-ended questions 

that invite them to tell you more about 

subjects that matter to them. For instance, 

you can ask what they talked about in the 

lunchroom? What was the best part of their 

day and why? What did they play during 

recess? Or any variety of question that goes 

beyond the norm. 

The answers to those questions will give you 

so much insight into their lives. You’ll learn 

who their friends are, what’s on their minds, 

whether they’re making friends, if they're 

part of a good crowd and more. You’ll also 

learn some things about yourself by asking 

the right questions. You’ll get an idea of how 

well you’re doing as a parent. You’ll learn 

whether or not your children have taken 

your lessons to heart. The answers to those 

questions are a good way to track how 

well you’re doing and to see how well your 

children are adjusting to a new grade level, a 

new teacher, a new school or new friends. 

We all wish we could see our kids in action, 

but for most of us that’s simply not feasible. 

The next best thing is taking the time to 

think of questions that matter and asking 

them of your children. You’d be surprised 

how much your children are willing to 

share with you when new and interesting 

questions are posed. Who knows? You 

might find that your children will actively 

seek you out to talk one day. Stranger 

things have happened. Your children will, 

occasionally, if not more often, want to tell 

you about their days. You’ll feel a part of 

the process and you’ll build a healthy bridge 

of communication with your children that 

will follow you throughout your lifetime. 

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, 

especially as the children age and the topics 

become more serious. Be thankful you've 

got the ball rolling now. 

By Sarah Wester 

8 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


BULLYING: 

WHAT EVERY 

PARENT 

SHOULD DO 

Call me old-fashioned, but 

I don’t let kids in my office 

speak in certain ways, much 

less bully another in front 

of me. My rules are simple. 

Kids can express whatever 

feelings they want, but they 

can’t swear, be mean or rude, 

and they can’t wreck my stuff. 

Other than that, they have 

quite a bit of latitude. 

It worked for my own kids and for 26 years, 

it’s worked with my patients (well, most 

of them.) I have made kids leave my exam 

room for being rude to me or their parents. 

I have kicked them out of my practice and 

once (with a mother’s permission) I spanked 

a youngster. Yup. He spit on me, and his 

mother did nothing. So I did. 

I realize that schools aren’t private offices 

like mine, but I do believe that there is an 

increasing tone of disrespect in and around 

schools. And not just toward other students, 

but against the faculty as well. It’s not just 

the troubled kids who mouth off at teachers, 

either. Often it’s the kids whose parents are 

involved, highly motivated, and privileged. 

Many kids are taught that they have the right 

to “challenge” teachers at every turn. 

Most teachers can handle kids who give 

them a hard time; but what about those who 

have less training, who are disadvantaged, or 

younger—like Karen Klein, the grandmother 

who was recently bullied by some mean boys 

while riding a school bus? If you haven’t seen 

the video, watch it. (Note to reader: the video 

features some profanity.) It will break your 

heart. These boys should be suspended from 

school. Their behavior was outrageous. 

So what are parents to do? If you 

are worried about your child being 

bullied at school, I encourage 

you to take a few preventative 

measures. 

Ways to Help Your Child Avoid Being Bullied 

HELP YOUR CHILD WORK ON 

01 HIS ASSERTIVENESS. 

Nice, quiet, submissive kids get bullied 

because bullies know that they aren’t going 

to fight back. So the more assertive you can 

help your youngster be, the better. 

YOU CAN ROLE PLAY WITH 

02 YOUR CHILD. 

Run through a list of what bullies usually say. 

Then tell her how they say it and when. Let 

her become familiar with a bully’s behavior 

and then ask what she might say if a bully 

told her she was ugly, stupid, or fat. You can 

pretend to be the child and let her be the 

bully. 

MOST KIDS WON’T TELL 

03THEIR PARENTS WHEN THEY 

ARE BEING BULLIED BECAUSE THE 

BULLY THREATENS RETRIBUTION IF 

HE DOES. 

So tell your child that under no 

circumstances should he stay quiet. He must 

always tell you. If you suspect bullying but 

your child won’t say anything, show up at 

school unannounced periodically and watch 

how he acts around other kids. Does he avoid 

kids? Does he eat alone at lunch? If you keep 

your eyes open, you’ll figure it out. 

IF YOU DO FIND OUT THAT 

04 YOUR CHILD IS BEING 

BULLIED, GO TO THE TEACHER 

IMMEDIATELY. 

If she shrugs her shoulders, go to the 

principal. If the principal refuses to act, call 

the bully’s parents. If this doesn’t work, you 

may need to show up at school frequently. If 

you can’t make any headway and your child 

is miserable, switch schools. There is no way 

your child can learn in an environment where 

she feels badly all day. This is dramatic, but 

your child needs to see that you are willing to 

fight for her. 

FINALLY AND MOST 

05 IMPORTANTLY, WORK 

HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT 

YOUR KIDS ACT RESPECTFULLY 

TOWARD EVERYONE—ADULTS, 

GRANDPARENTS AND PEERS. 

If they grow up believing that they are 

expected to adhere to a code of conduct, 

they will speak up when that is broken— 

particularly when it is broken against them. 

By Meg Meeker, MD 

10 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


Life for them—and us— 

is about competition. 

Unfortunately, healthy 

competition can lead to 

unhealthy stress levels 

and anxiety. 

What your teens want most is to have their 

feelings acknowledged and validated for 

what they are. They don’t need a lecture or a 

flippant response. They need to be heard. 

We know, as adults, how paralyzing stress can 

be for us. It can lead to depression, anxiety, 

sleep loss, weight issues, risky and dangerous 

behaviors, and so much more. Teens are 

already vulnerable to so many of life’s 

stressors and if we don’t help them cope with 

their feelings now, we may regret it later. 

IS YOUR TEEN 

SUFFERING 

FROM ANXIETY? 

It is up to us, the people who were given 

the opportunities to raise them and teach 

them life’s lessons, to step up to the plate, 

hear their concerns, allow them a safe place 

to voice their feelings, and help them come 

up with solutions to alleviate the mounting 

pressures in their young lives. We know that 

statistics state that people who don’t have a 

healthy outlet for their emotions will act out, 

or worse, bury their feelings until the dam 

bursts. That’s not a scenario any parent wants 

to face. Do your part now. Speak to your 

children. Open the lines of communication. 

Help them find healthy coping mechanisms. 

Intervene when necessary. Don’t let children 

handle life on their own. 

Parents of teens are used to the idea 

that stress is a part of their everyday 

lives. With so many commitments 

and obligations, they are acutely 

aware of their own stress levels. What 

they might not ever have considered was 

the stress their children, specifically their 

teenagers, are under. They may hear their 

teens complain about being anxious or 

feeling like the world on their shoulders, but 

few may realize just how tough that is for 

their kids. After all, kids don’t typically have 

families to feed, bills to pay or any serious 

work commitments. At least that’s what we 

tell ourselves. 

The reality is, that’s simply not true. 

Teens are often just as stressed, if not 

more so, than their parents. Homework 

and the pressure to succeed is very real 

in their lives. Instead of tuning out their 

complaints (We get it. They complain 

a lot.), take the time to listen—really 

listen—to their concerns. Take their 

claims seriously because what sounds 

like "just a test" to you might be the 

most important test of their lives to 

them. They are under extreme pressure 

to get good grades or to make a team or 

to stay connected to their peers. 

While, yes, our children may be ready for 

some responsibilities, they’re in no way ready 

to deal with major issues. Give them an outlet 

and help them thrive. Look for the telltale 

signs that something is amiss. Speak to their 

school counselors, teachers or coaches. 

There are support systems out there waiting 

for you to ask for help. Let your child know 

that they are not alone. 

By Alan Freeman 

12 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy 

Lifestyle 

RADIATION ONCOLOGY: 

ADVANCING CANCER CARE WITH 

LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY 

MARROW DONORS BRING NEW 

MEANING TO LIFE-SAVING 

DONATIONS 

ALZHEIMER’S BRAINS HAVE 

HIGHER AND DIFFERENT AMOUNT 

OF BACTERIA 

8 TIPS TO BREAK OUT OF A BIG 

SLUMP 

LAST MINUTE EMERGENCY GIFT 

GUIDE 

MANUFACTURING HAPPINESS 

THE NO-FAIL PAT TO GETTING 

OVER PROCRASTINATION 

14 

16 

23 

24 

26 

28 

30 

"No One is 

Useless in 

This World 

who Lightens 

the Burden's 

of Another." 

-Charles Dickens

“ EVERY ASPECT OF OUR 

PATIENT’S CANCER 

JOURNEY IS 

PERSONALIZED ” 

Rogelio Salinas, MD 

Radiation Oncology 

Advancing Cancer Care with Leading Edge Technology 

Every day, new, innovative technologies are developed that are changing our everyday 

lives. The newest smartphones, self-driving cars, and personal virtual reality are just a few. 

These advances in technology are not confined to the consumer world, but define our 

current cancer care landscape. 

Radiation therapy technology in cancer care is continually advancing to provide more 

precise and personalized treatment grows. Radiation therapy is one of the most common 

and effective treatments available for many types of cancer because it directly targets a 

tumor to destroy cancerous cells. And, these advanced, highly effective technologies are 

available in your own community. 

“Texas Oncology patients can take comfort in knowing that they are receiving the highest 

quality of care with the most current techniques and technologies right in their own 

communities,” said Dr. Rogelio Salinas, a radiation oncologist who specializes in therapeutic 

radiology at Texas Oncology–McAllen. 

Radiation therapy is delivered by radiation oncologists, like Dr. Salinas, along with a team. 

14 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

COVER STORY · DECEMBER 

PREPARING FOR RADIATION 

THERAPY 

Before a patient ever receives a radiation 

treatment, a customized treatment plan is 

developed based on the patient’s specific 

diagnosis. The first step in the process is 

simulation and involves consultation with 

a physician and radiation therapy team. 

The team specifically plans every part 

of your treatment, including the correct 

body position for treatment, taking an 

imaging scan, making reference marks 

for the positions on the skin, and virtual 

simulation. In a simulation, the patient is 

immobilized (if needed) in their treatment 

position and a CT scan performed. 

The CT images are used to reconstruct 

a virtual image of the patient within the 

planning computer, allowing visualization 

of the tumor. 

These images create an outline of a tumor 

and other structures within the patient 

that allow oncologists to better treat and 

target a tumor. 

“ 

Every aspect of our patient’s 

cancer journey is personalized,” 

said Dr. Salinas. “No single cancer 

treatment is right for everyone, 

so Texas Oncology creates an 

evidence-based plan specific to our 

patient’s needs. 

” 

INTERNAL VS. 

EXTERNAL RADIATION 

About half of all cancer patients 

undergo radiation therapy as a part 

of their treatment. This treatment 

can be performed independently or 

in conjunction with other treatments, 

such as chemotherapy and/or surgery. 

Radiation can be delivered in two 

different ways to patients – externally or 

internally. 

External radiation therapy is the most 

common type of radiation therapy used 

It focuses high-energy X-rays or electron 

beams to specific points of the body where 

the tumor is located to destroy the cancer 

cells. External radiation therapy can be 

delivered through a variety of technologies, 

including: 

ɖɖ 

ɖɖ 

ɖɖ 

ɖɖ 

ɖɖ 

ɖɖ 

3D Conformal Radiation Therapy, 

a therapy that targets radiation to 

the exact shape of the tumor while 

minimizing effects to nearby organs 

and tissues; 

Image-Guided Radiation Therapies, a 

technology that increases the accuracy 

of the radiation delivery; 

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, 

a technology that allows for accurate 

delivery of stronger doses of radiation to 

different areas of the tumor; 

Stereotactic Radiosurgery, a technology 

that uses a computer-guided therapy 

system to treat tumors and other 

abnormalities of the brain; 

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, a 

therapy used to treat malignant or 

benign small to medium size tumors in 

critical areas of the body other that the 

brain, such as the lung or spine; 

Proton Beam Radiation Therapy, an 

advanced type of radiation therapy 

aimed at destroying cancerous cells 

using proton beams. 

Internal radiation therapy requires that a lowenergy 

radioactive implant is placed inside 

the body in or near the tumor. Depending on 

the patient’s specific cancer and treatment 

plan, the patient might receive a temporary 

or a permanent implant. The implant 

becomes inert over time. Internal radiation 

therapy, also known as brachytherapy, 

includes two primary types: 

ɕɕ 

ɕɕ 

Low-dose rate brachytherapy, which 

inserts radioactive materials into body 

tissue near the tumor to deliver low dose 

radiation in a permanent or temporary 

application 

High-dose rate brachytherapy, which 

inserts radioactive material close to 

the tumor, allowing for a high dose of 

radiation to be delivered precisely to the 

tumor. 

Internal radiation therapy is often used to 

treat breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, 

prostate cancer or skin cancer. 

ADVANCES IN 

RADIATION THERAPY 

Radiation therapy continues to prove 

essential to the advancement of cancer 

treatment as a whole. Texas Oncology is on 

the forefront of that advancement, offering 

the country’s most innovative radiation 

clinical trials. In affiliation with US Oncology 

Research and as a leader in the Radiation 

Therapy Oncology Group®, Texas Oncology 

offers patients the opportunity to participate 

in a significant number of ongoing radiation 

clinical trials. 

“ 

Texas Oncology is a leader in 

groundbreaking cancer research and 

clinical trials in Texas, paving the 

way for new breakthroughs in cancer 

care,” said Dr. Salinas. “We encourage 

patients to discuss the benefits and 

risks with their physician if they’re 

interested in participating in a clinical 

trial. 

” 

With the development of modern 

technologies, improved equipment, and 

other medical breakthroughs discovered 

through clinical trials, radiation treatment 

will continue to evolve. Physicians now 

have access to more diversified and most 

advanced treatment options than ever 

before. With these technologies as tools, 

physicians can fight cancer in the most 

effective, personalized manner yet. 

15 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


MARROW DONORS 

BRING NEW MEANING TO 

LIFE-SAVING DONATIONS 

Perhaps one of the great joys of my job as a physician is 

hearing a patient has found their perfect match. Not 

something you expect to hear from a physician? Let me 

explain. Patients with blood-related cancers often rely on 

blood and marrow donors to aid in treatments. This involves a bit 

of genetic matchmaking, among many other factors, between the 

patient and marrow donors. When a match is made, it gives patients 

a powerful way to fight their cancer. The challenge is that many 

Americans have no idea they may hold the key to saving a life. 

Blood disorders and cancers aren’t talked about as often as other 

types of cancers, such as breast and colon cancers. Leukemia, 

lymphoma, and multiple myeloma are all blood related cancers 

that can either originate in or directly impact the bone marrow. 

Once thought incurable, cancers and disorders related to the blood 

are now often treated through a blood or bone marrow stem cell 

transplant, or BMT. This specialized treatment requires thorough 

evaluation and may not be right for all patients. When a physician 

identifies an opportunity for a patient to undergo a BMT, many 

factors in addition to finding a genetic match determine whether the 

treatment is best for that patient. 

Think of a BMT as a resetting of the immune system with brand new 

cells. The specific type of transplant depends on a patient’s diagnosis 

and condition, but most transplants work similarly in that bloodforming 

cells (or stem cells) are infused into a patient’s body to 

help it build healthy new cells that will multiply in the body to create 

healthy, non-diseased cells. Stem cells can re-build white or red blood 

cells as well as platelets in the bone marrow and blood stream. 

Where do those healthy, blood-forming cells come from? People 

like you, of course. Blood and marrow donations make transplants 

possible, but common misconceptions tend to deter people from 

donating. Here are some things to consider before opting out of 

registering to be a donor. 

Donating isn’t as scary as you may think. If you donate blood 

you can donate marrow or cells that help with the rebuilding 

of a patient’s immune system. For example, one method on 

donation involves a machine that draws your blood, takes the cells it 

needs and puts the blood back into your body by way of the opposite 

arm. 

Most donors report minimal side effects. Though there’s a bit 

more to it than, say, dropping by a local blood drive, donors 

generally report minimal side effects. Headaches, fatigue, and 

general discomfort in the days following the donation have been 

reported, but this is normal and varies by person. 

It’s easy to register as a donor. The National Marrow Donor 

Program matches donors with potential transplant patients. 

The Be the Match program, a database of donors, helps 

healthcare providers find life-saving bone marrow donors. You can 

easily register today by visiting the website at www.BeTheMatch. 

org and giving a cheek swab. A diverse range of donors are needed, 

particularly for minority registrants. 

Across Texas Oncology’s expansive network of more than 420 

physicians, we’re focused on oncology and blood disorders in both 

children and adults. I have witnessed the incredible gift donors 

provide to our patients. I encourage everyone to sign up to be a 

donor. It can be life-saving. 

BENJAMIN WEST, M.D 

Benjamin West, M.D., Texas Oncology is a radiation oncologist 

at Texas Oncology McAllen, 1901 South 2nd Street in McAllen, 

Texas. To learn more about exciting advancements in cancer 

treatment, visit www.TexasOncology.com 

or call 1-888-864-I CAN (4226). 

16 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Weslaco 

Texas Oncology delivers high-quality cancer care with leading-edge technology and advanced treatment 

options to help patients achieve “More breakthroughs. More victories.” in their fights against cancer. 

Texas Oncology, a pioneer in community-based cancer care, is an independent oncology 

practice with sites of service throughout Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Texas 

Oncology patients have the opportunity to take part in some of the most 

promising clinical trials in the nation for a broad range of cancers. In 

fact, Texas Oncology has played an integral role in gaining Food 

and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for 29 of the 

latest cancer therapies. 

Habib Ghaddar, MD, FACP 

Medical Oncology/Hematology 

Dr. Ghaddar specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He is board-certified by the American Board of 

Internal Medicine in hematology and medical oncology. He received his medical degree from the American 

University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Good 

Samaritan Hospital/John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed his fellowship in 

hematology/oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. He has been in 

practice with Texas Oncology since 1995. 

Daniel Farray, MD 


Dr. Farray is board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He received his medical 

degree in 1998 from the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena in the Dominican Republic and completed 

his residency in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his 

fellowship in medical oncology and hematology in 2006 at Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center/Loyola University 

Chicago. Dr. Farray ranked first in his medical school class. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical 

Oncology and American College of Physicians. 

Weslaco 1330 East 6th Street, Suite 204 Weslaco, Texas 78596 PH: 956.969.0021 FAX: 956.968.9744 

www.TexasOncology.com

Harlingen 

Marco A. Araneda, MD 


Dr. Araneda specializes in medical oncology and is board-certified in internal medicine and medical 

oncology. He received his medical degree from San Carlos University in Guatemala and completed a 

medical oncology fellowship at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, as well as a 

fellowship in bone marrow transplantation at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. He has special 

interests in breast cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, hematologic malignancies, and molecular 

targeted therapy. 

Nabeel Sarhill 


Dr. Nabeel Sarhill is board-certified in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine. He earned his 

medical doctorate from the University of Tishreen Medical School in Lattakia, Syria, and completed his 

residency in internal medicine at Case Wester Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. His fellowship in 

hematology was completed at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, and his 

clinical research fellowship in medicine and symptoms management at The Harry R. Horvitz Center for 

Palliative Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Nabeel Sarhill is a member of the American Society of Clinical 

Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Syrian Medical Association, Syrian Ministry of Health, American 

Board of Hematology, American Board of Medical Oncology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. 



Dr. West is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He was a physicist prior to becoming a physician. 

Hayan Moualla, MD 


Dr. Moualla completed his Internal Medicine residency followed by a fellowship in Geriatrics and later a 

fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. For 

almost 5 years before joining Texas Oncology, Dr. Moualla practiced in beautiful southern Virginia. He is 

Board Certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology with special interest in elderly cancer and blood 

disorders. His emphasis is making sure that all patient understand their conditions well and have a good 

idea about available options. Dr. Moualla is married and has a boy and twin girls. His biggest pleasure is 

spending time with family. He also enjoys soccer, ping pong, badminton and swimming. 

Harlingen 2121 Pease Street, Suite 101 Harlingen, Texas 78550 PH: 956.425.8845 FAX: 956.364.6793 


McALLEN 

Billie J. Marek, MD, FACP 


Dr. Marek is board-certified and specializes in medical oncology and heamatology. He currently serves as a 

director of Texas Oncology and is the medical director for Texas Oncology-McAllen. He has served the Rio 

Grande Valley for the past 22 years as a medical oncologist and hematologist, has been recognized as a 

“Super Doctor” in oncology for five years in a row, and was recognized as Doctor of The Year for Rio 

Grande Regional. Dr. Marek received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at 

San Antonio. He completed his fellowship at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. 

Alvaro Restrepo, MD 


“I can be part of your team... and together we can fight the battle.” Dr. Restrepo specializes in, medical 

oncology and hematology. He completed his fellowship at the University of Miami. He also serves on the 

reast Cancer Committee of US Oncology and has completed a fellowship in breast cancer treatment. 

Through the Life Beyond Cancer Fundation he established the Texas Oncology–McAllen Breast Cancer 

Ride/Walk undraiser to raise funds for Rio Grande Valley cancer patients. To date approximately $30,000 has 

been donated to cancer patients in the Rio Grande Valley. 

Suresh Ratnam, MD, FACP 


Dr. Ratnam has been with Texas Oncology-McAllen for 13 years, which he joined after completing his 

fellowship at the renowned National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. He has 

co-authored several research publications and is passionate about cutting-edge oncology care. He currently 

serves on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee of US Oncology and chairman of the Credentials 

Committee for South Texas Health System. 

Guillermo Lazo, MD 


Dr. Lazo specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He completed his fellowship at The University of 

Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a recipient of several awards including the American Society of 

Clinical Oncology Merit Award and is the author of several peer-reviewed medical publications as well as 

book chapters. He received the highest honors on the professional examination for his medical doctorate 

degree. 

McAllen 1901 South 2nd Street McAllen, Texas 78503 PH: 956.687.5150 FAX: 956.687.9546 


Nurul Wahid, MD 


Dr. Wahid was fellowship-trained in medical oncology and hematology at Columbia University College of 

Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He is board certified in Hematology and Oncology. He has been 

recognized as Physician of the Year at Rio Grande State Center in Harlingen where he has served as senior 

attending physician for the past 13 years. 

Rogelio Salinas, MD 


Dr. Salinas is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He completed his residency training at Memorial 

Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York followed by his fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson 

Cancer Center. 

Joseph Litam, MD 


Dr. Litam was fellowship-trained at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He is well 

known in the community and was in private practice for 27 years before joining Texas Oncology. He has special 

interest in treating solid tumors. 



Dr. West is board-certified radiation oncologist. He was physicist prior to becoming a physician. 

Phoebe Verano, RN, FNP-BC 

Nurse Practitioner 

Phoebe Cepeda Verano is a certified Family Nurse Practioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, who 

received her Masters degree at the University of Texas- Pan American (UTPA) in 2013. She has more than 

30 years of experience as a registered nurse, most of it in an adult critical care setting. As a nurse 

practitioner, she has the compassion to be a part of a patient’s journey through cancer care and believes 

that patient education is an important first step following diagnosis and treatment plan development. “I 

am committed to preparing cancer patients for their journeys and assuring they know that we are always 

here to support them.” 

Cristelita Parrocho, RN, BSN,CCRN,MSN,FNP-C 

Nurse Practicioner 

Cristy graduated as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in 

California. She is also a certified Adult Critical Care Registered Nurse. Before joining Texas Oncology-McAllen 

she was a hospitalist with IPC Healthcare. “Cancer is brutal but I believe loving and actually feeling while you 

care for these patients will somehow bring upon sunshine in the darkest moments of their lives. It is not 

how much time but how much love you put into it.” 

McAllen 1901 South 2nd Street McAllen, Texas 78503 PH: 956.687.5150 FAX: 956.687.9546 


Brownsville 

Balesh Sharma, MD 


Balesh Sharma, MD specializes in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. He is board certified by in 

medical oncology. Dr. Sharma received an MD Delhi University in New Delhi, India, in 1990, where he also 

completed his residency in Anesthesia and Critical Care in 1991. He completed his medical internship at Lincoln 

Medical Center in New York in 1992-93. Dr. Sharma completed his residency in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s 

Medical Center in affiliation with Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut. In 1998, he completed a 

fellowship in hematology and oncology from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and has 

been in private practice since then. 

Marcelo Boek, MD 


Dr Marcelo M Boek specializes in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology/Hematology. He is board certified in 

Medical Oncology and Hematology. He received his medical degree from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul 

in Brazil. He also completed his Internal Medicine residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital- University of Miami. 

In 2003 he completed his Fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at John Strogger- Cook County 

Hospital in Chicago. Dr Boek then worked as a Medical Oncologist at The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency at The 

Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and as an investigator affiliated with The North 

Central Cancer Treatment Group and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. He was also appointed as a Clinical 

Assistant Professor with the Division of Oncology, College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan and 

held this job until he moved back to the United States. Dr Boek joined Texas Oncology in 2006 

Carlos Gonzalez-Angulo, MD 


Dr. Gonzalez specializes in radiation oncology and internal medicine. He is certified by the American Board of 

Internal Medicine as well as the American Board of Radiology, and is a member of the American Society of 

Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO). He completed his 

fellowship in radiation oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, in Buffalo, New York, and also completed a 

second residency in radiation oncology at Jackson Memorial Hospital/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 

in Miami, Florida. Aside from his medical practice, Dr. Gonzalez is a Christian lay minister and a student of 

ancient Greek. 

Mariza D. Oliver, MSN, APRN, FNP-C 

Advanced Practice Provider 

Mariza is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and has a Masters degree in 

Nursing Administration. She has over 17 years experience in nursing and has worked in healthcare areas such as 

medical-surgical, post-partum, hospice, and home health. She has extensive experience in providing care for the 

adult and geriatric population of the Rio Grande Valley. 

2150 N. Expressway 83 Brownsville, TX 78521 PH: 956-548-0810 FAX: 956-548-2239 www.TexasOncology.com


ALZHEIMER’S BRAINS HAVE 

HIGHER AND DIFFERENT 

AMOUNT OF BACTERIA 

As researchers diligently look for the root causes 

of Alzheimer’s disease, one of the critical common 

pathways is higher inflammation and potentially 

infection. 

A recent study in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 

provides important new evidence that bacterial 

infection could be contributing to Alzheimer’s 

disease. The researchers analyzed eight Alzheimer’s 

and six healthy brain samples from a brain bank, 

where people donate their brains after death for 

medical research. They used a technique called next 

generation sequencing (NGS) to detect specific 

bacterial genes. This technique allows researchers 

to see the different types and amounts of bacteria, 

similar to how we look at the microbiome in the gut. 

THE RESEARCHERS SHOWED 2 

MAJOR FINDINGS 

Alzheimer’s brains have a “strikingly larger” bacterial 

load with up to 7-fold larger amounts of bacteria 

than normal brains 

Alzheimer’s brains have 

different types of bacteria 

than normal bacteria. 

Bacteria species associated 

skin, nasopharyngeal 

and oral areas such as 

Firmicutes and consistently 

Actinobacteria were found at a much higher level 

in Alzheimer’s brains. 

In the last year, Dr. Rudy Tanzi and his team has 

shown compelling evidence in multiple articles that 

amyloid has antibacterial properties and that the 

production of amyloid be the brain’s response to 

infection. Loss of integrity of the blood-brain barrier 

and chronic infections may be some of the several 

root causes of Alzheimer’s disease. This recent study 

supports that the nasopharyngeal, skin, and oral 

areas may be important sources of those chronic 

infections. 

What are the implications for patients? As we treat 

patients with early Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive 

decline, we believe it is critical to look for evidence 

of blood-brain barrier permeability and evidence of 

chronic infections in the nasopharyngeal and oral 

areas. Helping to address both of these situations is 

part of a comprehensive approach to brain health. 

"A recent study in 

Frontiers in Aging 

Neuroscience 

provides important 

new evidence 

that bacterial 

infection could 

be contributing 

to Alzheimer’s 

disease." 

By Craig Tanio, MD 

23 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


8 TIPS TO BREAK OUT 

OF A BIG SLUMP 

We’re all familiar with the phrase “in 

a slump.” We’ve experienced it at 

some time or another in our lives. 

Technically, the term slump refers 

to teams who are experiencing a 

particularly bad losing streak, but for the rest of the 

population, it refers to a prolonged period of their 

lives when they’re feeling defeated, like life will never 

get better for them. For some of us, that might mean 

we’re bored with where we are in life or we feel like 

our lives aren’t going anywhere. 

It’s moments like this when a much-needed change 

is in order. Motivation or inspiration to move on is 

needed, but you might not know how or where to 

find it. To begin you have to learn to recognize the 

emotions you’re experiencing. But how do you know if 

it’s a true slump or something much more serious? 

Do yourself a favor and track 

your emotions for the next 

two weeks. Write down what 

you’re feeling, the time of day 

and what the circumstances 

around you are like (are you at 

work, at home, in a crowded bar, 

etc.). Focus on anything that 

triggers you to feel differently, 

whether good or bad. If you see 

a consistent pattern of being 

down in the dumps, that’s the 

time to seek professional help. 

Let your doctor know what 

you’re feeling and show her 

what you’ve tracked. Your doctor 

can help you come up with 

solutions. If what you experience 

isn’t necessarily a deeper issue 

and appears to more related 

to boredom, there are simple 

techniques to help combat that. 

Here are a few tips to help you 

get back on track: 

Call your feelings what 

01 they are. If you can say 

them out loud, then you’re 

halfway to finding your way out 

of your slump. The more you talk 

about what's going on and 

the faster you reach 

out to someone 

qualified 

enough 

to help you deal with your 

emotions, the better. 

Understand that this too 

02 shall pass. When you’re 

at the center of turmoil, it can 

be difficult to see the light at 

the end of the tunnel. Keep in 

mind that you’ve found your way 

out of other situations. You’ve 

survived your share of issues. 

Write down little reminders that 

you have been through worse 

or that what you’re feeling won’t 

last forever. 

Don’t be afraid to talk 

03 about it. Even if you 

choose not to seek professional 

advice, just the mere act of 

discussing your issues with a 

trusted friend can help you get 

out of your funk. 

Do something different. 

04 Change your routine. 

Take a different route to work or 

school. See something new. Start 

a new hobby. Do anything that 

gets you away from your normal 

routine. 

Take care of yourself. 

05 

Seek out inspiration. 

06 

By Julianna Lowe 

24 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Only one heart. 

Only one you. 

INDIVIDUALIZED HEART CARE, 

DEVOTED TO YOU. 

No two hearts are exactly the same. 

That’s why the cardiovascular 

specialists of Valley Baptist Health 

System pursue an individualized 

care plan for every single heart we 

encounter. From preventative care to 

treating heart conditions, every 

element is designed to take care 

of our first priority: you. 

To learn more about our services or to find a cardiologist near you 

call (844) 614-9386 or visit ValleyHearts.com/onlyone 

1040 W Jefferson St. 

Brownsville, TX 78520 

2101 Pease St. 

Harlingen, TX 78550


LAST MINUTE 

EMERGENCY 

GIFT GUIDE 

3. a creative child who is a little too sophisticated for 

For the Child: Gifts for children are always easier but 

usually never creative. If you are in need of a gift for 

toys but too young for those expensive watercolors, then a 

toy camera would be the most ideal. 

CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND, LIKE EVERY YEAR YOU 

STILL HAVEN’T LEARNED TO NOT LEAVE GIFT SHOPPING FOR THE VERY 

LAST MINUTE OR MAYBE YOU FORGOT TO BUY THAT PRESENT FOR 

YOUR SISTER WHILE YOU WERE TOO BUSY WORRYING ABOUT TOYS 

FOR THE CHILDREN. 

IN THIS GIFT GUIDE THERE IS A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, 

FROM THE HARDEST FRIEND TO GIFT TO YOUR DAD, FOR WHOM 

EVERY YEAR YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TO GET. 

My First Camera, poketo.com $18.00 

1. love to finally buy her a house or that oven 

For the Mom: Thinking of a gift for the woman who 

gave you everything can be really hard. We would 

she’s always wanted but we are likely still saving 

up for those. Instead, why not give her 

something small and shiny? Mothers 

are well known for loving jewelry and 

a simple pair of classic golden hoop 

earrings would look stunning! 

Interlocking, hollow hoop earrings, 

shopanomie.com $84.00 

4. overall beauty products. They’ll watch the beauty 

For the Beauty Addict: We all know someone who 

is currently obsessed with makeup, skincare and 

gurus on YouTube and will buy all kinds of stuff you didn’t 

even know you could put on your face. It’s okay, though, 

because these makeup-obsessed friends are the easiest 

people to gift! Every year makeup companies will launch 

value or gift sets with sample size products of their best 

selling products and sometimes even include a full size! These 

value sets come at a discounted price and make excellent 

holiday gifts. 

2. 

For the Dad: Dads are always harder to gift, as we 

can’t give a shaving kit for the third year in a row. At 

some point he’ll start noticing we are not putting in 

enough effort. A nice modern pair of shoes is the ideal gift to 

make dad feel like a cool dad. 

Sephora Favorites Skin Wonderland, sephora.com $64.00 

271 Boots in Blue, LONGCHAMP, us.longchamp.com $385 

26 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


5. 

For the Foodie Friend: Some 

people love food so much 

they actually enjoy being in 

the kitchen and will think about strange 

things like the quality of pans, knives 

and kitchen utensils. These frustrated 

chef friends deserve a great set of 

knives that are not only great quality 

but have a beautiful aesthetic. 

Golden 13-Piece Knife Block Set, 

anthropologie.com $99.99 

8. 

For the Fitness Junkie: We all 

have that friend that’s a little 

too into healthy food and will 

quietly judge you if you drink a milkshake 

instead of a smoothie. Also, I may be this 

friend and I may have already put this 

item on my shopping cart. It’s an on-thego 

blender that will make the smoothie 

process seamless. 

Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend 250- 

Watt Blender with Travel Sport Bottle, 

amazon.com $21.99 

6. 

For the Fashionista: 

These people are 

arguably the hardest 

to gift but not the most 

impossible. The fashionista 

friend is different and is always 

up to date with the latest 

trends. For this friend, I think a 

pair of foldable ballerina flats 

is the perfect match. 

Tieks foldable ballet flats, Lovestruck, tieks.com $265.00 

7. into technology may be 

For the Tech-Obsessed: 

Your friend who’s really 

constantly judging your choice of 

phone or computer but it’s okay, 

we still love them. In this case, a 

pair of stylish, fashionable, good 

quality Bluetooth headphones 

is the ideal gift for this kind of 

person. 

Plattan ADV Wireless 

Bluetooth® On-Ear Headphones, 

nordstrom.com $100.00 

9. of Kindles, we can 

For the Bookworm: 

In the modern era 

even read books from our 

phones, which means if we 

find ourselves buying books, 

it might be for the cover 

and aesthetic value and your 

bookworm friend might love 

a good book with a beautiful 

cover. 

The Happiness Code by Domonique Bertolucci, 

anthropologie.com $14.99 

the One 

You Didn’t 

10.For 

Know You 

Had to Get a Gift For: This 

one’s tricky because this 

person came out of nowhere 

when they asked you if you 

would like a towel set for 

Christmas and you’re like 

“Shoot, now I have to get 

you a present too?” But don’t 

worry, this one is also easy. 

A candle is an excellent gift, 

who doesn’t love a room that 

smells good? 

No. 10: Sweet Grapefruit Soy 

Candle pfcandleco.com $18 

By Claudia Portillo 

27 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


this power you likely don't know what it's capable 

of – and that’s awe-inspiring beauty. 

By stepping out of your normal – and upping your 

bar for everything, you gain a new capacity for 

your personal growth. Plus, when you approach 

your life in this way, you expand your capacity to 

feel love, gratitude and happiness. It’s a form of 

wisdom and intelligence to act in this way. Once 

you get used to it, it’s like an increased aliveness 

that grows your appreciation and thirst for life. 

You have a new scale for valuing time once you 

step out of the bounds of your well-tread routine 

and the definition of “normal.” 

So what does that mean for you now, reading this? 

Try it out for one day. Step up to the plate in a 

bigger way than you normally do. Go beyond and 

listen to the little nudge that whispers something 

wonderful you should do, if you had more time or 

if it didn’t cost money. Decide you will go for it in 

all of those if’s. Just commit to saying ‘yes’ to that 

voice, as a rule. 

Happiness is a thought-habit that 

for many of us, requires constant 

maintenance and deliberate focus. 

Though there are many reasons to 

feel grateful for our life – they’re all around us 

all the time - in order to be capable of feeling 

that value, we need contrast. Contrast meaning 

the complimentary opposite of gratitude 

and appreciation: pain or difficult striving. In 

other words, a constant state of awareness 

of value (happiness) often arrives from a true 

understanding of its absence (pain). Without 

that contrast, it’s easy for life to get stuck in a 

middle array of emotions – a permanent state 

of “so-so” or “okay.” When you live in this 

state for long enough, powerful emotions like 

gratitude and happiness are assigned to a set of 

general milestones (birthdays, weddings, getting 

a promotion etc.) but outside of that it can be 

frustrating to find a true sense of joy. The real 

kind – that moves you to tears, or sticks in your 

memory for the rest of your life. 

So that kind of joy is what this blog is all about. 

You have the power to create that range in your 

life, minus the negative contrast. You can actually 

manufacture the other half of life’s good/bad 

contrast by pushing yourself beyond what you say 

you are capable of, beyond what is normal and 

expected of you in your everyday life. By pushing 

yourself to be excellent and great: for friends, 

strangers, and for yourself. This manufacturing 

of the positive extreme is also how you create 

genuine greatness in your person. It is where you 

change yourself rapidly and change those around 

you because they are witnessing your example. 

You become walking inspiration. 

For example, let’s say you receive a bitter email 

from someone clearly in the wrong- you respond 

with a kind one. That affects you in dramatic ways 

as well as the other person. It’s hard to do, but not 

that hard. It just takes a conscious decision to act 

in this way. “Extreme Positive.” Another example 

is perhaps with a problem that you don't want to 

address – something that you are dreading, but 

that you are not being expected to address by 

anyone else. Let’s say you decide to tackle it and 

over-deliver with great efforts. You create a new 

reality with that action because of your activation 

of “what could be” instead of accepting “what is.” 

Your awareness of positive possibility is unique 

to you. That is your gift to use every day of your 

life. You are very much the omniscient narrator 

of a film in that you could treat your life just like 

a movie that you steer beat-by-beat one scene at 

a time. You can have dramatic score and make 

the most profound and beautiful emotional arc 

ever, with epic and memorable speeches delivered 

straight from the heart. The best success 

montage, the best adventure montage, or the best 

cliché romantic surprise for someone you love - 

full of roses and candles and soothing music. It’s 

all in your power to create, for no other reason 

than to make this movie better. Until you claim 

Because if you live as that person, 

always, you become extraordinary. 

You affects on others are profound 

and you grow vastly deeper. You 

will touch the deeper levels of this 

existence that you might only 

reach if you had the benefit of 

organic contrast. 

So in closing, I invite you to be 'ultimate.' Be 

profound. Be brave. Be selfless. Be beyond 

what is asked or expected from you in all ways. 

Choose to act kind and loving toward others 

at all times. Be even more generous and work 

even harder expecting nothing in return. Go 

big demonstrating your love to others and 

showing them their value to you. Show up and 

bring flowers. Surprise people with real, genuine 

consideration. Give people you care about your 

undivided time – because of the immense value of 

being together in that moment. Be humble and 

accept kindness from others, no matter who they 

are. Practice embodying greatness of character in 

every moment of your life, and you will experience 

echoes in the form of the unexpected gifts they 

bear. All of it starts with a decision to do so; to 

create this positive half of contrast, without a 

need for reciprocation or reaction. 

That is my invitation to you, today. As you go 

about your day, seek an invitation from your 

surroundings to be greater and decide now – 

ahead of time- that you will listen to that tiny voice 

inside of you that says, “It would be great if…” 

Listen intently and push yourself to show up as 

your greatest self. See how long you can stick to 

that habit. I believe you will find you are not only 

happier, you are greater. 

By Sarah May Bates 

28 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


If the job is overwhelming and you 

know it will take a lot of time and 

effort, instead of going all in and trying 

to do everything at once, slow down, break 

it apart into manageable tasks and focus 

on one piece of the project at a time. The 

mere act of doing so will make you feel 

better and you’ll go home with a sense of 

accomplishment as you complete each small 

task. 

Is the task just an annoying part of 

your day? Do you avoid it because you 

don’t like it? There’s a solution for that. 

Set a timer or a stopwatch and tackle what 

you can, when you can in a short amount 

of time. You’d be surprised what you could 

accomplish in two, ten, fifteen or twenty 

minutes time. You’ll soon find that you’re 

done quicker than you thought. 

Shut off all distractions. If the internet, 

text messages, phone calls, games or 

apps are preventing you from getting 

your job done, shut them off, keep them 

out of sight or avoid them altogether until 

you’ve completed your task. 

THE NO-FAIL PATH TO GETTING 

OVER PROCRASTINATION 

Procrastination has become a way of 

life for busy people and non-busy 

people. It’s what we do when we 

don’t want to tackle projects small 

or large. It’s the bane of our existence and a 

much-needed escape route for many of us, 

but does it have to be a constant in our lives? 

Are we doomed to never getting anything 

done on time, if at all? 

The answer is no, procrastination doesn’t 

have to control our every move. We allow 

it to. We invite it into our daily lives and 

let it sit there in between us and our tasks. 

Oftentimes, it can lead to stress, anxiety, 

depression, feelings of inadequacy and 

even worse, job loss or loss of meaningful 

friendships and relationships. 

We need to take a good hard look at not 

what procrastination is because we know that 

already. We’re living it. But we need to look at 

the reasons why we choose to procrastinate 

and what we can do to beat it for good. 

Are we hesitating to do something because 

we believe we’re not qualified to do it? Is 

the task too large to tackle? Are we out of 

practice or overbooked? Is it fear? Lack of 

knowledge or lack of sleep? There are many 

reasons we procrastinate. Once you figure 

out your reasons, you can craft a plan to 

combat your tendencies. 

Use time blocking. Look at your 

weekly to-do list. Write down how 

much time you think each job will take 

to complete. (Note: It’s much safer to 

overestimate than to underestimate.) Mark 

off hour, two-hour, three or four-hour blocks 

of time to accomplish whatever task you 

need to accomplish and work until your time 

is up. If you go into your workday blindly, 

you’ll find yourself unsure of how to proceed 

or trying to do too much at once. Focus on 

one thing at a time. 

Turn off all notifications. If someone 

truly needs to get ahold of you, 

they’ll find a way, in the rare event 

something important comes up. Checking 

social media is a time suck. Save the 

messages for later. Don’t check your email. 

Shut off alerts. Anything that comes in will 

still be there later. Now, get back to work! 

By Vanessa Jackson 

30 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY FOOD · DECEMBER 2017 

PREPARE 

SMOOTHIES 

FOR AN 

ENTIRE 

WEEK, IN 

NO TIME! 

You lead a busy life. It probably 

feels like you spend your life in 

panic mode. Did I remember 

to do this or do that? Have I 

eaten today? Wait! What? Then 

your tummy rumbles and you begin to 

feel sluggish. Nope. You forgot to eat. 

So, what do you do when you’re in a 

bind? What do you reach for? Hopefully, 

you have healthy snacks on hand when 

you’re in crunch. 

If you want to make your routine a whole 

lot easier, schedule in a few minutes 

to make your smoothies for the week. 

Yes, you read that right. You can make a 

week’s worth of smoothies in just a few 

minutes time. 

Freezer smoothies are the answer to 

your dietary needs. All you need is a few 

simple ingredients, quart size freezer 

bags and your freezer. Stock up on your 

favorite fresh fruits and veggies and get 

ready to add a kick of flavor to your daily 

diet. And the best part? You can get your 

kids involved! They’ll love mixing and 

matching their own smoothies too. 

If your kiddos 

aren’t fans of the green 

vegetables, no need to worry. 

There’s a simple solution for 

that. Making them smoothies 

makes it easy to hide the 

offending veggies. Just mix 

them right in there with the 

ingredients they love and 

they’ll never know. 

Gather some of your favorites ingredients 

and let’s make some smoothies like this 

basic recipe that you can mix and match 

with: 

ɩɩ 

1½ cups of spinach 

ɩɩ 

½ cup of carrots or cauliflower 

ɩɩ 

1 whole pineapple, mango, large apple 

or 2 pears, or 1½ cups of diced fruit 

ɩɩ 

Blend in 10-12 ounces of your favorite 

juice 

Label your bag so you won’t have to 

guess what the ingredients are and just 

maybe you’ll get the kids to 

pick their own blends for 

breakfast. 

What ingredients do you 

need to have on hand to 

keep things simple? Buy a large container 

of organic spinach and other leafy 

greens. Into your freezer bags go all the 

ingredients in this order: chopped veggies, 

fruits, leafy greens. 

When you place the ingredients in the 

blender, you should layer them for the 

best results: liquid (juice) first, leafy greens 

next, frozen fruits next, and then add the 

veggies. The whole idea is to have them 

layered in the bag in the opposite order of 

how you’ll add them to the blender so that 

By Chef Eric Stein 

32 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Fitness 

& Beauty 

PREPARE SMOOTHIES FOR AN 

ENTIRE WEEK, IN NO TIME! 

ARE YOU DEHYDRATED AND DON'T 

EVEN KNOW IT? 

25 HOLYDAY SONGS TO ADD TO 

YOUR WORKOUT PLAYLIST 

SNACK HEALTHIER WITH 10 POWER 

FOOD COMBOS 

32 

34 

36 

38 

"Some People 

Want it to 

Happen, 

Some Wish 

it Would 

Happen, 

Others Make it 

Happen."


ARE YOU 

DEHYDRATED 

AND YOU 

DON'T EVEN 

KNOW IT? 

I 

have been wanting to write a blog post 

on this for a long time and now I have 

the perfect reason to do so. A new little 

miracle product I’ve found, called ORAL I.V. 

But before I tell you about that, let me ask 

you a question. 

ARE YOU 

DEHYDRATED? 

I’m guessing your immediate answer is 

probably “No, I drink all the time!” Well, 

first, let’s cut out all the sodas, coffee, 

energy drinks and sports drinks, and just 

focus on water. 

ARE YOU GETTING 

ENOUGH WATER 

EVERY DAY? 

Chances are, probably not. In fact, studies 

have shown that up to 75% of Americans 

are chronically dehydrated. Yes, I said 

seventy-five percent. 

That may sound a little insane at first, but 

when you stop to think about it, if you aren’t 

drinking enough water in the first place, and 

then you add to that dehydrating beverages 

like coffee and alcohol, and then top it off 

with a diet that is high in sodium... there you 

have it - dehydration. 

It’s a pretty common phenomenon that 

stretches across all ages, races, income 

levels and lifestyles. Because for the 

average American, it’s not about having 

access to water, as much as it is about 

making hydration a regular part of their 

routine. As well as something they are 

mindfully aware of. 

Because in many cases, that is the problem. 

We are all so busy with our jobs, our families, 

social commitments, chores, kids’ schedules 

and list goes on and on... that often, as silly 

as it sounds, remembering to drink enough 

water often gets lost in the mix. 

Whether you’re a mom who has been busy 

running errands and chauffeuring around 

kids all day, or a busy executive running from 

meeting to meeting, it’s unfortunately way 

too easy to find yourself near the end of the 

day and realize you’ve barely drank a thing. 

This also happens in part, to a lack of 

knowledge about the symptoms of 

dehydration. Many people think when 

they’re dehydrated, they’ll feel thirsty, plain 

and simple. But, while that is true to a 

certain extent, there are also a lot of other 

symptoms of dehydration that can be missed 

or mistaken for something else. 

For example, fatigue. Feeling fatigued can 

often be a sign of dehydration, particularly 

when you feel fatigued in the mid-afternoon 

hours. But many people who feel this 

symptom often attribute it to not having 

enough rest the night before or to simply 

being bored at work, and will often to try to 

“remedy” the situation with an energy drink 

or a candy bar. Which in the end, will only 

continue the cycle since cravings for sugar 

(or salt) are often also a sign of dehydration. 

Difficulty with concentration, focus 

and memory can also be a symptom of 

dehydration, as well as headaches and 

feelings of anxiety and irritability. Which 

again, means that mid-afternoon slump 

where you can’t concentrate, feel cranky and 

want a nap, may just mean you need more 

water! 

34 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


WHICH BRINGS US 

TO THE INFAMOUS 

QUESTION... HOW 

MUCH WATER SHOULD 

I BE DRINKING? 

Although the “8 glasses a day” rule is a myth 

and there is no real magic number, you can 

get a good idea of how much to drink by 

using the simple rule of drinking half of your 

body weight in ounces per day. Meaning, if 

you weigh 150 lbs., you will want to drink at 

least 75 ounces of water each day. 

That may sound like a lot at first, but it can 

be done easily by spreading it out in small 

amounts over the course of the entire day. 

If you don’t like the taste of plain water, 

you can also “spruce it up” by adding fresh 

fruits or vegetables (like cucumbers, lemons 

or limes) to it or by drinking naturally 

decaffeinated herbal tea. 

Another easy option for staying hydrated, 

particularly if you are on the go, is using a 

hydration shot like ORAL I.V. every day. It’s 

100% natural, organic, gluten-free, sugarfree, 

vegan and contains 0 calories. Which 

means it’s not full of artificial ingredients or 

chemicals that your body does not want or 

need. So it fits in perfectly with your clean 

eating diet! 

So, what is in it then? Simply, structured 

water and trace minerals like sodium, 

magnesium, manganese, zinc, potassium, 

selenium, chromium and silicon that aid 

in our bodies’ ability to metabolize water. 

Providing our cells with these important 

nutrients helps them to hydrate almost 

immediately and moves water inside of 

our cells, where we need it the most. 

That means, as opposed to just replacing 

electrolytes like many sports drinks do, 

ORAL I.V. activates the body’s own hydration 

processes and basically makes water work 

better in our bodies. 

It is not meant to be a replacement to 

water, but a supplement to water. And the 

best part of all, is how convenient they are 

to keep on hand. I admit, although I am 

MUCH better than I used to be about staying 

hydrated (thanks to the adrenal fatigue), I 

am still not the best. So, on those days when 

I realize I haven’t had nearly enough water 

and it’s the afternoon, I like to grab an ORAL 

I.V. to give my body a little boost and then 

get back to drinking more water as soon as 

I can. They’re also great to keep on your 

nightstand and drink right before bed, since 

they will hydrate you for the eight hours that 

you’ll be asleep, without the unpleasant side 

effect of having to get up in the middle of 

the night to use the restroom. 

In fact, the best way to utilize a hydration 

shot is to take one every day - just as you 

would a multivitamin or other supplement. 

It’ll help your body stay consistently 

hydrated (as opposed to riding the hydrateddehydrated 

roller coaster) and will allow 

your body to work better for you! 

The point is, our schedules and 

our diets in America today 

do not naturally lean toward 

healthy bodies, so it’s up to 

us to take conscious steps 

to keep them that way. 

By eating whole, organic 

foods, using non-toxic 

products, exercising 

and of course, staying 

hydrated. 

So, next time you catch 

yourself feeling tired, foggy 

headed or even suffering with 

a headache, stop and ask 

yourself, am I dehydrated? 

Then, grab yourself a ORAL 

I.V. hydration shot and start 

drinking more water! 

To order your own hydration shots and help 

your body stay hydrated, visit 

www.oraliv.com. 

And remember... keep your worries tiny and 

your dreams BIG! 

By Jenn Baxter 

35 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

FITNESS & BEAUTY · NOVEMBER 2017 

The day after Thanksgiving isn’t just Black Friday; it is the official 

start of the marathon of Holiday music THAT follows us into 

the new year! Holiday music lovers are in heaven WHILE 

humming to “Silent Night” in the department stores or blasting 

“Jingle Bell Rock” in their cars. STILL, THERE IS one place and one 

moment where holiday songs don’t quite 

make the cut—the gym; and when 

it’s time to get pumped in your 

workout. Let’s face it, “White 

Christmas” isn’t quite the song 

that gets your adrenaline rushing 

on the treadmill, spinning bike, or even 

in the weight room. 

Exercisers will agree that music is a motivator in 

increasing energy in workout routines. When the 

holidays roll around, temptations all around you can 

create the tendency to skip workouts. Making a great 

holiday playlist can help you stay in the holiday spirit 

while staying right on track with your health and fitness 

goals. 

So for all of you that blast your holiday cheer 

on the speakers while hanging your mistletoe, 

drinking your pumpkin spice lattes, wrapping 

presents, and baking holiday treats, but can’t 

do the same in your workout routine—I have it 

covered! I have compiled a list of upbeat holiday 

songs to keep your body merrily moving. 

1. “Underneath the 

Tree,” Kelly Clarkson 

2. “Christmas Tree”, Lady 

Gaga 

3. “What Christmas 

Means to Me,” Stevie 

Wonder 

4. “All I Want For 

Christmas Is You,” 

Mariah Carey 

5. “Up on the Housetop,” 

Jackson 5 

6. “Sleigh Ride,” TLC 

7. “Merry Christmas, 

Happy Holidays,” 

NSYNC 

8. “My Only Wish,” 

Britney Spears 

9. “Miracle”, Maccabeats 

10. “Last Christmas,” 

Cascada 

11. “Sleigh Ride,” Karmin 

12. “Christmas In Hollis,” 

Run D.M.C. 

13. “Drummer Boy”, 

Justin Bieber, Busta 

Rhymes 

14. “What Christmas 

Means to Me,” Hanson 

15. “Christmas,” Micheal 

Buble 

16. “Run Rudolph Run,” 

CeeLo Green 

17. “8 Days of Christmas”, 

Destiny’s Child 

18. “Naughty, Naughty 

Children,” Grace Potter 

19. “Last Christmas,” 

Ariana Grande 

20. “Joy to the World,” 

Pentatonix 

21. “Christmas Lights,” 

Cold Play 

22. “One More Sleep,” 

Leona Lewis 

23. “Christmas Wrapping,” 

Kylie Minogue 

24. “It’s Christmas Time 

Again,” Backstreet 

Boys 

25. “Hey Santa,” Straight 

No Chaser 

By Cassandra Claude 

36 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

HEALTHY FOOD · DECEMBER 2017 

SNACK 

HEALTHIER 

WITH 10 

POWER 

FOOD 

COMBOS 

Can you say delicious? – Almonds 

04 and plain Greek yogurt. Try it. You’ll 

love it! 

So much goodness – Eggs and 

05avocados. Enough said. 

Drink something good for you – 

06Green smoothie and wheat germ, 

the power couple. 

Are you a snacker? Do you find 

yourself constantly fretting 

about your next snack? While 

you’re working, does your 

mind wander to the contents 

of your kitchen cabinets or what’s in your 

freezer or refrigerator? Nothing can be more 

irritating than knowing that what you have 

on hand at home may not be the best choice 

for you. The bottom line is that none of the 

salty, sugary, carb-laden foods you tend to 

gravitate to will do you or your hunger pangs 

any favors. They might just be making you 

hungrier and more sluggish, thus, defeating 

the purpose of a get-up-and-go snack to tide 

you over or infuse a bit of energy in your 

body until your next meal. 

To compound the problem with poor snack 

choices, we combine our unhealthy favorites 

and that can be a deadly combination. It’s a 

mood killer, a diet buster, the first step in a 

spiral of emotions and a fast road to feeling 

tired, sluggish and irritable. Are you ready 

to beat those hunger pangs and get rid of 

that hangry feeling you have in the midafternoon? 

Here ten great options that can 

help you get through your day and keep you 

full and healthy when you need it: 

The power combination – Avocados 

01 and tomatoes. Oh, so good and 

good for you! Slice ‘em, dice ‘em and throw 

‘em onto a plate with your favorite greens 

and you’re good to go for hours. 

Load up on fiber and protein – 

02 Apple slices and all-natural peanut 

butter. Yummy goodness that will keep you 

going and boost your brain power. 

03 

It’s not just for breakfast anymore 

– Oatmeal and pumpkin seeds or 

fruit is the perfect filling treat. 

We kid you not – Sweet potatoes 

07 and black beans, oh, my! 

What a treat! – 

08 Veggie chips and 

hummus 

I’ll have 

09 another 

– Chocolate 

soy milk and a 

banana for your 

midmorning 

snack? Yes, please! 

A favorite for the ages – Cottage 

cheese and fruit. Make mine a 

10 

By Eilleen Smith 

38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy RGV Issue 109 - Radiation oncology Advancing Cancer Care With Leading Edge Technology

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