September October 2021 web

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 - Complimentary Issue - www.qcfamilyfocus.com

Understanding and

Managing Stress

Can Pregnancy

Affect Your

Eyesight?

Having Trouble Getting Back into the School Routine?

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2 September/October 2021 I QC Family Focus

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

Serving Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois

6

11

MOTHER’S EYES

DURING PREGNANCY

12

Back to School Tips

During a Pandemic

Keeping Your Child’s

Spine Healthy

14

7 SIGNS THAT

STRESS IS

CAUSING A

CHALLENGE

Publisher: Mike Mickle

Editor: Karen Mickle

Magazine Design: Jessie Smith

Contributing Editors

Denise Aden • Ela Ersan • Evin Ersan

Cherie Marriott • Mike Mickle • James Wymore

Join thousands of others as they help us promote happy healthy families in the QCA.

Call 563-940-7875 for more information.

QC Family Focus Magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mickle Communications Group LLC. Publication of advertising and articles does not

constitute endorsement. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and/or edit any materials for publication. You can contact us at QC Family Focus

Magazine, P.O. Box 194, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722, 563-940-7875 or email: mmickle@qcfamilyfocus.com. ©Copyright 2021.

QC Family Focus I September/October 2021 3

Your Mickle’s Worth

“Counting flowers on the wall... that don’t

bother me at all. Playing solitaire til one with a

deck on 51. Smoking cigarettes and watch Captain

Kangaroo. Now, don’t tell me I’ve nothing to do!”

Now that I’ve placed that song in your head, if you

are old enough to remember the Statler Brothers

I’m certainly not planning to take up smoking, but

playing solitaire til dawn is not out of the realm of

possibilities. Seems like we went from warp speed

many days balancing work and kids events to a slow

crawl.

Being empty nesters is something Karen and

I thought we’d be ready for. Turns out at least one

of us was not. I’ll let you guess which one of us that

is. Here’s a hint... it’s not Karen. The days I’m home

and Karen is working, the house is eerily quiet. Not

only do we miss seeing the kids on a daily basis but

we also enjoyed seeing their friends come over and

hang out with them. These days (at least some of

them) it’s just Boomer, Dennis (the turtle) and me.

Recently when Karen was home, she decided to

set Dennis free from his tank and let him roam for

a bit. He came face to face with Boomer, as shown

in the photo. Dennis didn’t snap. Boomer didn’t

bark. I think they were both too confused by what

they were looking at to take any action against the

other. Yep. That was our evening entertainment, a

dog and turtle face off. I thought about challenging

them to race each other but I was afraid if Dennis

won, it might impact Boomer’s self-esteem. So, we

let them stare at each other for a bit. Boomer got

tired of turtle tracking and left the room to go eat.

Dennis tried to make a run for it but didn’t get too far.

He was safely returned to his tank and the evening’s

pet performance was over.

I’m sure we’ll find a hobby. With two of

the kids just an hour away (in opposite directions

of each other) and the oldest 4 hours away, we

can certainly go visit them, who knows, we might

even take off on our own vacation! That would be

a switch from the past 23 years. One thing is for

certain, while we are adjusting to the new chapter

in our lives, we are forever grateful for the three

children we have and getting to share the joys and

the struggles of parenting with all of you. It’s still

hard to believe that Matt was a baby when the first

edition of QCFF rolled off the presses and now he’s

in college. From the bottom of my heart, thank you

for taking the journey of parenthood with us. For

those of you just beginning the journey, my only

advice is don’t blink. As I’ve said before, the days

seem long but the years fly by.

Take Care,

Mike, Karen, Kyle, Kate Matt, Boomer and Dennis

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How To Care For Your Lawn

September Through November

Many tasks can be done in Iowa during early

fall that help lawns grow well. Most lawns in Iowa are

comprised of Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season

grasses. Proper mowing, overseeding, aeration, weed

control and fertilization late in the growing season can

promote lush, green, good-looking, cool-season lawns.

Aaron J. Steilis a Consumer Horticulture Specialist with

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, offers

some advice.

What are best mowing practices for the fall?

During the stressful, hot summer months,

lawns are mowed at 3.0 to 3.5 inches tall. The cooler

temperatures of fall promote better growth. In September,

lower the mowing height to 2.5 to 3 inches. Continue

to mow the lawn until the grass stops growing in late

October/early November. When mowing the lawn, never

remove more than one-third of the total leaf area at any

one time.

Why and how should I aerate my lawn?

Early September is the best time to aerate lawns

in Iowa. Aeration relieves soil compaction, improves

water and nutrient movement in the soil, and prevents

thatch accumulation.

Aerate lawns with a core aerator. Core aerators

have hollow metal tubes or tines that remove plugs of

soil. Avoid spike-type devices that simply punch holes

(compacting the soil) in the ground. Core aerators can

be rented from hardware or machine rental stores or the

service can be done by a professional lawn care company.

Remove soil cores that are approximately threefourths

of an inch in diameter and 3 inches long. For

best results, aerate lawns when the soil is moist. Avoid

aeration when soils are dry or wet. The tubes or tines will

not be able to penetrate deeply when the soil is dry and

may get plugged with soil when the soil is wet. Lawns

that are properly aerated should have 20 to 40 holes

per square foot. Since most core aerators won’t remove

the proper number of holes with a single pass, several

passes are often necessary. After aeration, pull a drag

mat or weighted piece of fencing material across the

lawn to break up the soil cores on the soil surface. If the

lawn is smaller, use a stiff rake to break up the soil cores.

When and how should I apply herbicides for

weed control in my lawn?

In small areas, some weeds can be controlled by

pulling and digging. This method is best accomplished

after a soaking rain or deep watering. Unfortunately,

pulling and digging is often ineffective on deep-rooted

weeds.

In many situations, herbicides are the only

practical method of weed control. Perennial broadleaf

weeds, like dandelion, clover, thistle and plantain, are best

controlled with a herbicide application in late September

to early November in Iowa. Effective broadleaf herbicides

include 2,4-D, MCPP, MCPA, dicamba, triclopyr and

others. The most effective broadleaf herbicide products

contain a mixture of two or three herbicides as no single

compound will control all broadleaf weeds. Broadleaf

herbicides can be applied as liquids or granules. Do not

apply herbicides to newly seeded lawns until the new

grass has been mowed at least twice. Herbicides must

be used according to label instructions on the package.

Perennial grassy weeds, like quackgrass and tall fescue,

have few options for selective control. If hand digging or

pulling is not practical, the most effective herbicide option

is the nonselective herbicide glyphosate (Roundup).

Nonselective herbicides kill virtually all plants (both

desirable and weedy) to which the material is applied.

Spot treat the weedy perennial grasses. More than one

application may be necessary to kill difficult to control

weeds. Always apply herbicides when winds are calm

and temperatures are cool to prevent drift and damage

to desirable plants.

While perennial weeds are best controlled in the

fall, the control of annual broadleaf and grassy weeds like

crabgrass and prostrate knotweed is best done in spring

with a pre-emergent herbicide.

wqpt.org/kids

Begins

Monday, OCT 4

on WQPT PBS


MOTHER’S EYES

DURING PREGNANCY

by James Wymore, MD Eye Surgeons Associates

Pregnancy may have a

variety of effects on the eyes

and eyelids. Fortunately, most

women experience no significant

problems. Of those that do occur,

some are related to physiologic

changes and usually transient.

Others may be associated with

pre-existing diseases, or pregnancy may prompt

new medical diagnoses. The following are some

of the more common.

Chloasma is a blotchy browning (pregnancy

mask) that will sometimes affect eyelid skin. It

tends to fade after delivery. The lids may also

become swollen and droopy, probably from

fluid retention. Spider angiomas, small dilated

blood vessels, may arise on the lids as they do

elsewhere.

Corneal (window of the eye) sensitivity

decreases during pregnancy, mostly in the third

trimester. The corneal curvature may change

as well, even with breast feeding, though some

studies disagree on this point. Both are thought

to be due to corneal swelling. This may cause

contact lens wearers to be more susceptible to

damage from their contacts, and are also a reason

to delay contact lens fitting or glasses change

for at least six weeks postpartum. Eventually

the changes reverse. Consult an eye doctor if

you experience irritation or pain while wearing

contacts. Lasik surgery, which is performed on

the cornea, is not a good idea, either during or

soon after pregnancy and delivery.

Other temporary differences include

decreased eye pressure, dry eyes, and increased

light sensitivity with migraines. Eye pressure is

generally raised in glaucoma, and thus is monitored

to prevent worsening damage. Pressure checks

during pregnancy may not be reliable, so watch

it closely. It’s important to use as little glaucoma

medication as possible, as the effects on the fetus

are not fully known. Treat dry eyes with over the

counter artificial tears. Use of sunglasses is a

good temporary solution for migraine sensitivity

to bright lights.

Because diabetes is common, the effects

of diabetes on the eyes are the most frequently

encountered eye changes in pregnancy. A

significant percentage of women may either

develop diabetic retinopathy (leaking blood


vessels in the retina, or nerve, of the eye), or

experience worsening if the retinopathy was

already present. The risk depends upon the

severity and control of the diabetes, and presence

of associated diseases. Control your diabetes and

blood pressure as much as possible and monitor

the eyes closely. Those who develop gestational

diabetes usually don’t have to worry about eye

damage.

Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (high blood

pressure associated with other systemic problems)

may be associated with decreased vision, blind

spots, and double vision. These are thought

to be related to hormonal changes combined

with previous vascular disease. Central serous

chorioretinopathy may occur during the third

trimester of pregnancy. This is an accumulation

of fluid under the retina of the eye, near or in the

center of vision. The person affected might see

a large spot in her vision, distortion, or objects

appearing smaller. It usually resolves on its own

without treatment.

Loss of central or side vision, or development

of double vision may point to worsening of an

existing neurologic disease. Tumors involving the

pituitary and other parts of the brain may grow

more rapidly during pregnancy, impinging on the

visual system, causing these types of symptoms.

Labor and delivery, with the high rise

in intravenous pressure from straining, will

occasionally cause bleeding or swelling in the

retina. Although this can be severe, usually there

are no visual symptoms, and many times resolves

without significant permanent damage.

Pregnancy is certainly not a time when eyes

are the first things on a women’s mind. An

expectant woman, however, should not ignore

visual symptoms. Much can be done to preserve

sight in most of these situations I’ve outlined.

By the way, if you are pregnant and reading this

article-- Congratulations!

BIO: Dr. Wymore, with Eye Surgeons Associates, is a boardcertified

general ophthalmologist. He is a member of the American

Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Wymore practices at our offices in Rock

Island, Illinois. For more information, please see our website: www.

esaeyecare.com.

The material contained in this article is for informational purposes

only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical

advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician

or other qualified health care provider.

SEE

BETTER

LIVE

BETTER

PEDIATRIC

EXAMS

Help your child see the wonders

of life. Start scheduling exams by

age three to detect serious vision

problems.

(563) 323-2020 l (309) 793-2020

ESAEYECARE.COM


Just For Kids

Name:

Write the answer for each problem. Then, color according to the key at the bottom.

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1

1

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6

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7 7

7 7

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Brown 2

Lt. Blue 3

Lt. Green 6

Orange

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Blue

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Green

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Red

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Yellow

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Super Teacher Worksheets - www.superteacherworksheets.com


Name: ______________________________

Autumn Word Search

A C O L O R S W A B

U O R A L L W I M O

T O K R A K E A T N R A

U L A C O F A L L F W C

M L E A F C T E A I I O

N S A P P L E F F R N R

S C A R E C R O W E D N

Find these words in the puzzle. Words are hidden and .

ACORN

APPLE

AUTUMN

BON FIRE

COLORS

COOL

FALL

LEAF

RAKE

SCARECROW

SWEATER

WIND

Super Teacher Worksheets - www.superteacherworksheets.com


Just For Kids

Canning Ring Pumpkins

Super sweet rustic pumpkins created from old canning rings

For years we have saw this cute simple craft on Pinterest and

wanted to make some but never had spare canning rings. A

friends was selling their home and moving south and had a huge

box, perfect.

They can be as rusty or shiny as you like them.

I used the pipe cleaner method of securing them together, arrange

in a circle in your color order, put pipe cleaner around the

center, twist tight and done!

I spray painted some of the rings Rustoleum Spray paint in lagoon

in multiple coats and added them between gold ones.

Hot glued cinnamon sticks cut to about an inch long formed the

stem and jute for the tendrils finished off the rustic pumpkins.

Simple easy and fun fall project, give it a try ;)

Gnome Pumpkins

Littles will love crafting these lovable little friends. No fabric scraps?

Try using patterned paper for hats instead.

Make the pumpkin: Trace hat template on wool fabric, adjusting size

as necessary; cut out. Use craft glue or iron-on fusible tape to glue

straight edges together. Fill hat with batting to help it stand upright;

set on pumpkin. Attach a small wood craft bead to a small pumpkin

with hot-glue to create a nose. Attach strands of yarn with hot glue

around nose to create beard; trim as necessary.

Mummy Pumpkins

These mummies are just as cute as a button!

Make the pumpkin: Wrap a small white pumpkin with

strips of gauze, holding strips in place where necessary

with hot-glue. Attach two differently sized black

buttons with hot-glue to create eyes. Tack down a

length of thin black twine with staple-gun staples to

create a mouth.


Keeping Your Child’s

Spine Healthy

by Cherie Marriott, D.C., Faculty Clinician, Palmer Chiropractic Clinics

Did you know that your

child’s spine is a vital component

to his or her health? The nervous

system is so important that the

first cells to differentiate at about

seven hours after conception

become the brain and spinal

cord! Your child’s spine is literally

his or her lifeline, because running

through it is the spinal cord with

its billions of nerve fibers sending

messages and energy from the

brain to all areas of the body.

A chiropractic adjustment

reduces misalignment of the

spine that may potentially cause

interference in the nervous system.

Adjustments are safe, gentle

and effective. When applied to a

baby or small child, adjustments

are made with no more pressure

than you would use to test the

ripeness of a tomato. Many times

a sleeping baby can be adjusted

without even being awakened.

When should you take your child

to a chiropractor?

• At regular milestone intervals

during the first year of life, such

as learning to hold the head up,

sit up, crawl, stand and walk.

Your child’s spine grows almost

an additional 50 percent of its

original birth length during the

first year of life!

• When your child takes a fall.

Youngsters take numerous

tumbles while jumping or running

around, when learning to ride

a bike, and during their day-today

activities at home and on the

playground. And just as cavities

develop in your child’s teeth

without symptoms, subluxations

can be present without causing

pain. It’s important to visit your

chiropractor for a check-up at

least as often as you visit your mental attitude, the Doctor of

dentist.

Chiropractic can help you raise a

• When your child participates child whose body is structurally

in athletic activities. A tackle and functionally sound. Your

on the football field can twist child will also learn good health

a young spine. A softball habits that will be of benefit for

pitcher could throw a vertebra a lifetime!

or shoulder out of alignment. Cherie Marriott, D.C., is a

A soccer player could injure 1986 graduate of Palmer College of

the neck while “heading” the Chiropractic. She’s been a faculty

ball. Regular spinal check-ups clinician in the Palmer Chiropractic

can detect underlying injuries Clinic since 1990 and earned her

such as subluxations, and early Diplomate in Chiropractic Pediatrics

correction can reduce pain and in 1996.

improve performance.

Palmer Chiropractic Clinics

• When you want to give your child delivers more than 75,000 patient

a head start on good health. visits in the Quad Cities every year.

Doctors of Chiropractic believe Learn more at http://www.palmer.

that it’s important to prevent edu/clinics/quad-cities/.

disease rather than to wait until

a disease or illness occurs.

With regular adjustments and

counseling on proper nutrition,

sufficient rest, exercise,

good posture, and a positive


Back to School Tips During a Pandemic

by Kim Feeney Butterfly Beginnings

It’s a strange time. In the face of a pandemic

and lots of debate about whether schools

should re-open some parents are choosing to

home-school and some children are returning

to face to face classes. I want to provide some

back to school tips during a pandemic.

The most important tip I have is to realize that

parents are doing the best they can and know

how to do given unprecedented circumstances

and we all need to be kind and gentle with one

another during this time. Whether you are a

parent who has no choice in the matter due to

having to work outside of the home and needing

your children to go to school or maybe you’re

a parent who is gripped with anxiety about the

risks and have made decision to homeschool,

it’s a stressful time for everyone.

Tips for Parents Sending Children Back to

School

1. As much as possible, keep it positive and

fun in terms of the adjustments that will be

needed for this school year.

2. Have conversations to prepare your child that

teachers will probably all be wearing masks

and maybe gloves and explain the reason

without causing fear for your child. Be very

matter of fact and up-beat

3. In the case your school is requiring masks

and social distancing, let your child become

familiar with face-coverings as a part of her

wardrobe, explaining why we are wearing

them. You might purchase or make plain

light-colored masks your child can decorate

with fabric pens to personalize it.

4. Talk about what social distancing looks like.

Introduce air-high-fives instead of hugs and

have discussions about not sharing food and

drink with others.

5. Go over hand washing protocols and

encourage your child to practice keeping

hands away from his face.

6. Consider a plastic back-pack that is easy

to wipe down with disinfectant wipes when

your child returns home from school.

7. Make a game of the return home routine with

singing a silly song while removing shoes

and clothes in the laundry room and taking a

nice warm shower before settling in after the

day at school.

8. Be sure to organize time outdoors for your

child and family after school. Being in nature

as much as possible will be a healthy way to

get some fresh air and be together after the

school days.

9. Create evenings that are as relaxing as

possible for the whole family to mitigate stress

everyone may be feeling. Lower the lights,

play some soft music and make bedtime a

time for plenty of cuddles and reading books

together.


Tips for Parents Homeschooling

1. Try to keep school days at home as normal

as possible by having your child get ready for

the day just as she would if she were going

to school away from home. Pick out an outfit

the night before, get dressed in the morning

after breakfast, brush teeth and hair and get

school supplies all organized.

2. Build in social time for your child. Arrange

online video chats with friends in advance

or have a lunch date with a social friend or

group of friends.

3. Schedule recess! Get outdoors to run, swing,

play in the fresh air every day.

4. Keep a routine and stick to it. This level of

structure will provide a sense of normalcy and

give your child and you a sense of security.

Tips for All Parents

1. Tune into your own emotions and stress level.

Be sure you are taking time for yourself. If you

need to hire a tutor to meet with your child

online to help with those math assignments

while you take some time to yourself with a

good book, do it.

2. Consider finding a counselor to talk to if you

notice the stress of the pandemic situation is

getting to you. Your child needs you to take

care of you and sometimes leaning into some

professional support an really help.

3. Schedule relaxed fun time for the whole family

regularly. You might set up the sprinkler out in

the yard for the kids while you sit in the shade

and relax. Maybe there’s a good movie and a

bowl of popcorn you can all enjoy together

in the evening. Take the kids out for a nature

walk after dinner.

If your child seems to be having a tough

time adjusting to the challenges of the return to

school during a pandemic, consider reaching

out for some play therapy services and parenting

support. I will be happy to speak with you further

about how I might support you and your family

during this time. Meanwhile I hope these back

to school tips during a pandemic will help you

to feel like you can create a plan that will work

for your family.

Transforming Children Through Play Therapy

Kim Feeney, LISW, RPT-S

1333 W Lombard St

Davenport, IA 52804

563-349-9595

kim@butterflybeginningscounseling.com

www.butterflybeginningscounseling.com


7 SIGNS THAT

STRESS IS

CAUSING A

CHALLENGE

by Denise Aden, MSW LISW Quad Cities Counseling

I want to introduce you to Sarah.

(Sarah is not her real name).

Sarah is 43 years old, married

and has 3 children. She is also a

professional and very important in

her company. Sarah has worked

extremely hard to get where she is not

only in her career but in her personal

life. She has a great marriage, her

kids do well and school and activities

and the family life is not perfect, but

it is a good life. Sarah is blessed and

loves her family and career.

However, recently, she has been

feeling a shift in her life and is

concerned as it seems to be affecting

both her home and work life. She

hasn’t said anything to anyone yet,

not even her husband. But things are

not getting better, in fact, they seem

to be progressing in the direction

she is not liking to well.

Sarah finally decided to talk

with her husband and with his

encouragement, she has reached

out to go to counseling. Turns out,

Sarah has been dealing with some

extreme stress in her life.

Identifying signs of stress can

seem complicated —

Mostly because we don’t always

associate certain signs with stress at

all.

The reality is that you might have


been struggling with one or more of

these issues for years. Yet, you didn’t

make the association between the

problem and stress.

If you’re like most people,

you try to get through each day.

Sometimes, it feels like you have

blinders over your eyes to block

out the distractions (aka problems),

metaphorically speaking.

Although blinders might keep

us looking forward, they also create

huge blind spots when it comes to

our health and well-being...and that

can be a huge problem if not solved.

If you think stress might be an

issue for you, consider these seven

signs.

1. TENSE MUSCLES

Have you noticed lately that

the muscles in your shoulders and

back seem to be tight and achy?

At the same time, though, it’s not

like you have been doing anything

strenuous enough to warrant the

pain. Those tense muscles might

be due to stress. We often hold that

stress in our muscles, which contract

more often. The result is pain and

achiness because the muscles have

been under tension for so long.

2. TEETH GRINDING

Also known as bruxism. This is

another sign of stress that you

might not have thought about.

Just like with muscle tension, people

under stress will clench their jaws.

The result is that your teeth grind

together and wear down. Not to

mention why your jaw may be feeling

extremely sore! If you think this has

been happening to you, take note of

what your dentist says at your next

appointment.

3. DIGESTIVE ISSUES

Have you had frequent

episodes of upset stomach or

diarrhea?

Yep! Could be due to stress.

One of the effects of stress is the

release of cortisol in your body.

Cortisol is a hormone that can harm

your stomach. It can cause you to

have an upset stomach, nausea, or

diarrhea. Even if you get treatment

for these stomach issues, you won’t

be directly addressing the source of

the problem — stress.

4. HAVING A SHORT FUSE

Did you notice the other day,

when you felt so on edge, that

when someone started talking,

you snapped at them? Was it

someone whom you regretted

lashing out at, such as your

partner or even your child?

When you feel stressed out,

all you can think about is what’s

bothering you. Thus, you lose your

capacity to handle other situations

adequately. Too much of your brain’s

energy is being consumed by stress.

5. CHANGE IN EATING HABITS

If you feel stressed, it’s not

uncommon to either eat too much

or not enough food.

When you eat something

tasty and delicious, your brain

produces dopamine. Dopamine is

a neurotransmitter that helps us

feel good and experience pleasure.

That’s something you might want if

you’re constantly feeling stressed!

On the other hand, stress can also

cause you to eat very little or not at

all.

6. IT’S HARD TO FOCUS ON

ANYTHING

As mentioned above, it’s

frequently hard to think about

anything else besides what’s

stressing you out.

This state of mind can cause

many problems when you’re trying

to focus on other things, such as

work, school, or taking care of

children. That lack of focus causes

you to make mistakes or even forget

things. Naturally, this forgetfulness

can cause more stress!

7. FEELING ALONE

Loneliness is undoubtedly a

sign of depression — it’s also a

sign of stress.

Stress can cause you to feel

less connected to others. That’s a

problem because it helps to talk

to someone about what you are

experiencing.

It’s effortless to misunderstand

these signs of stress.

If you’ve been to a healthcare

practitioner and left without a

diagnosis, consider stress as a

contender for the cause of what

you have been feeling recently..

Furthermore, reflect on what might

be at the core of your stress.

The American Heart Association

recommends several ways to reduce

stress in addition to talking to a

mental health professional.

Here are 3 tips to help reduce

stress on the spot…

1. Positive Self Talk

I can do this

I can handle it ONE step at a

time

I can reach out and get help

when I need it

2. Take a Break

Go for a walk

Meditate

Play with your kids or pet

3. Count to 10

Before speaking count

If it’s not urgent,..wait. It will still

be there

Walk away and calm down

Remember Sarah…?

So checking in with Sarah...she

has been in counseling for several

weeks now and feeling better. She

has learned tools (some of the

ones above and more) and is able

to handle her stress differently and

more effectively now.

Her husband and kids have

noticed the difference and even

at her job, she has been more

productive and is on the path for a

promotion and salary increase.

It helps to talk to a therapist who

understands anxiety counseling and

stress management, too. If you’re

ready to feel better, please read more

about anxiety treatment and reach

out to me today. I’m here to help

decrease your stress and increase

the calmer you!

Client-Centered, Solution-Focused.

Do any of the following statements

resonate with you?

· You feel isolated.

· You lack confidence.

· You struggle to have time for yourself.

· You believe God has more for your life,

but it just isn’t happening.

If any of these are true for you,

counseling can help.

I’m Denise Aden, and I provide

counseling services here in the Quad

Cities area. I also offer counseling with a

Christian perspective, if you wish. I have

more than 30 years of experience, and

my approach is warm, compassionate,

client-centered and solution-focused.

Looking for more peace in your life?

Call me at (563) 213-5100 for

a free consultation.

Denise Aden, MSW, LISW

1970 Spruce Hills Drive · Bettendorf, IA 52722 · (563) 213-5100

info@quadcitiescounseling.com · quadcitiescounseling.com


UNDERSTANDING AND

MANAGING STRESS

by Evin Ersan College Reporter, Boston University

When the word stress is mentioned in any way,

most of us immediately assume that the word is

being used in a negative context. Indeed, the word

“stress” most often refers to something revolving

around worry and anxiousness, two emotions

that many consider to be completely undesirable.

However, contrary to what some may believe,

stress can actually be a positive component of our

daily lives provided that it is managed correctly.

Good Stress:

The July 2021 issue of Health Magazine defines

stress as, “anything a person perceives to be a

threat.” Again, many would assume that this makes

stress inherently bad. However, this is most certainly

not true. In fact, this recognition of a possible threat

is the very thing that can galvanize us into increasing

our focus and urgency, which, in turn, launches us

into a proactive and productive mindset.

I’m actually laughing a little bit as I’m writing this

because I just tried to ask my mom a question to

which she replied, “I am in my get it done mode!”

This basically translates to, “Don’t mess with me. I

am a little stressed because I’m working to get stuff

done!”

So, this kind of short term stress is something that


we should definitely not write off as a horrible thing.

On the contrary, it’s something we should absolutely

use to our advantage to keep us in line with our

goals. Although, with that being said, it’s important

to acknowledge that there is most definitely a bad

form of stress.

Bad Stess:

Experts say that reoccurring, chronic bouts of

stress are the most dangerous to our health. This is

where you have constant stress for a couple months

or more. Long term stress can happen for a variety

of reasons. For children, the most common causes

of prolonged stress are: abuse, a bad family/home

life, bullying, social media anxiety, and prolonged

stress about schoolwork. For adults, this type of

stress often comes from a demanding workload,

being overwhelmed with family obligations, marital

problems, financial problems, and health issues.

Individuals dealing with long-term stress are much

more likely to have health problems, so learning to

manage this type of stress is extremely important.

So how can you deal with stress?

Short-term stress is oftentimes based on the fact

that you are struggling with a workload that has an

approaching deadline. Therefore, I say embrace

your stress, and let it motivate you to start your todo

list. Once the stress passes, take time to reflect

back and learn from the experience. This can lead

to positive behavior such as being better prepared

next time, working on time management, getting

organized, and removing any obstacles you feel

contributed to your short term stress.

Prolonged stress is more complex and should

be addressed immediately because the longer bad

stress goes on, the worse it is for your health. The

first thing that needs to happen is that the source

of the long term stress needs to be acknowledged.

This can be a very difficult and painful process to

undertake as it requires an honest evaluation of

what is happening in your life. Our natural instinct

as humans is to avoid pain at all cost, so this

process pretty much goes against our DNA, but

it is absolutely necessary for any healing to begin.

Prolonged stress issues are best treated by doctors

and/or mental health professionals.

If you are struggling with prolonged stress or mental

health issues, please don’t wait to get the help you

need. Your parents, family, teacher, friend, coach,

neighbor, or even someone in law-enforcement

are all options you can utilize if you need help or

guidance. Taking care of yourself by managing your

stress and mental health is an essential requirement

for leading a happy, purposeful, and productive life.

I hope you found this article helpful. We only get

one life to live in this world, so let’s ensure we take

good care of ourselves!

If you enjoy and want more positive content, feel

free to check out my positivity products dedicated

to suicide prevention and follow me on social media

on my website, evinersan.com.

Stay Fit - Stay Sharp - Stay Positive!

Source: Health Magazine, July 2021

Sincerely,

Evin Ersan

With

Ela Ersan

Rising Senior

Pleasant Valley High School Student

ITALIAN LEMON ICE

(Homemade Italian Lemon Ice can also be referred to as Granita.)

This lite and refreshing recipe is perfect for summer. So good on a

hot day! Keep a good stock in your freezer, because once people

taste this amazing Italian Lemon Ice, it will go fast. You can double

this recipe if you’d like!

INGREDIENTS

- 4 cups of water

- 1 cup granulated sugar

- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest

- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Step 1 : Gather all your ingredients

Step 2 : Bring your water to a boil Add the sugar and stir until

dissolved.

Step 3 : Allow the water to cool; then add lemon zest and juice

and stir to combine.

Step 4 : Pour the mixture into a baking pan and place in the

freezer.

Step 5 : Gently stir the crystals every 30 minutes or so and leave

until all of the liquid is crystallized but not frozen solid, and the

mixture is smooth—about 3 hours. A fork may be necessary to

scrape the mixture as it begins to freeze.

Step 6 : Scoop into small cups and garnish with a mint leaf,

crushed mint, or your favorite berries.

That’s it! Stay cool and enjoy!

Calling all Dudes and Dads! Whether you

are a Dude who is about to embark on the journey

of fatherhood or a grizzled veteran in the world of

parenting, we want to hear from you! Dudes, tell us

what frightens you the most about becoming a dad.

Share your current life with us. Are you into fitness? If

so, tell us more. Completely devoted to your career?

Describe your perfect day. Perhaps, you’ve just met

that special someone who has grabbed your heart and

you can’t wait to start a new life with your new love. We

want details. Dads, what about you? Are you helping

care for a newborn? Do you have a toddler? Did your

child just experience the first day of school. Maybe

you are learning what it means to have an empty nest?

Whatever stage of “dadhood” you are in, we want

to hear from you. The Journey from Dude to Dad is

exhilarating, terrifying and unbelieveably rewarding.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Wait... never mind. Go

ahead and sweat this small stuff... at least for awhile.

It’s what many dads do. Just don’t sweat so much

you become dehydrated. Then, you lose focus. That’s

not good. Okay, you get the point. We are all in this

together. Let’s help each other. We want to hear your

story, share your photos and exchange ideas! Email:

mike@micklecommunications.com if you want to share

your story.

Sheet Pan Breakfast Pizza

Kids (and adults) love this breakfast pizza! Grab a large rimmed

sheet pan and bake it at the beginning of the week. Leftovers

reheat amazingly in the oven or air fryer for breakfasts all week

long. Feel free to add whatever toppings your family enjoys - but

the gravy and sausage combination is fantastic!

INGREDIENTS

- 1 tube Pillsbury thin crust refrigerated pizza dough

- 1/2 lb ground sausage

- 6 eggs

- 4.5 oz Fritos Mild Cheddar Cheese Dip (1/2 can)

- 2.75 oz pkg Gravy mix

- 1 1/2 cups Colby cheese, shredded

- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded

- salt

- pepper

- garlic salt

INSTRUCTIONS

- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

- Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.

- In a skillet brown and cook the ground sausage. Drain off the grease and set aside.

- In that same skillet scramble the eggs and cook until firm (adding salt & pepper if you desire),

also removing from the heat and setting aside.

- In a saucepan make the gravy according to the package directions (add pepper and garlic salt if

desired). Once made remove from the heat and set aside.

- Open the tube of pizza dough and lay it flat onto the sheet pan. Using your fingers gently press

out the dough to the side of the pan until the dough reaches the edges.

- Using a spoon spread the cheese sauce over the crust. Then layer on the sausage and

scrambled eggs. Taking a spoon dot the pizza with the prepared gravy.

Finally sprinkle on the Colby and Mozzarella cheeses.

- Bake for 20 minutes or until slightly golden and the crust is firm.

- Serve warm.

For more of Ally’s recipes check out the recipe section at

www.qcfamilyfocus.com or www.sweetandsavoryfood.com


Back To School

Programs!

- Ask about our amazing

fundraisers for your group

or organization!

- Store Tours available for

your group or club!

- Ask about our Happy

Reader program!

GREAT SAVINGS!

ONLINE CODE: 247BT ONLINE CODE: 203BT ONLINE CODE: 246BT

$3 OFF

Any

Large Pizza

$2 OFF

Any

or

or

Medium Pizza

$1 OFF

Any

Small Pizza

Not valid with any other offer. Present coupon when ordering. No cash back.

One coupon per purchase. Tax, gratuity, and delivery charge not included.

Good at participating locations only. Enjoy by November 30, 2021.

happyjoes.com

in a world of mediocre & ordinary...

FIND THE

BUSINESS THAT WILL

IN THE QUAD CITIES!

Caught in the clutches of

the villain of indecision?

Find the business superheroes

at LocalsLoveUs.com


m mickle

communications

video•print•design•marketing

“No other company in the Midwest is doing what you are doing.”

Eric Powell-Manager, Program Development- TLC Network

563.940.7875 • MICKLECOMMUNICATIONS.COM

Mickle Communications is the expert in telling your story.

MC is the only video production company to win a Silver Dome Award

for Best Documentary in Illinois and a 5-time Emmy Nominee.

Tackling topics no other video production

company in the QC is willing to cover.

#Whatcanwedoforyou


September October 2021 web

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