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Scott Benner’s Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal Honored with Mom’s Choice Award
May 16, 2013, Ann Arbor, MI

Author Scott Benner’s best-selling parenting book, Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal: Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Dad, has been named a 2013 recipient of the Gold distinction from Mom’s Choice Awards®.

Globally recognized for establishing the standard of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services, Mom’s Choice Awards® honored Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal as an outstanding book within its “Adult Books: Parenting—Contemporary Families” category. An esteemed panel of judges that includes industry leaders in education, publishing, parenting, the performing arts, science, and medicine evaluated the book based on its production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, and cost. Products that receive honors from Mom’s Choice Awards® help families grow emotionally, physically and spiritually; they are morally sound and promote good will; and they are inspirational and uplifting.

A pithy, modern parenting book written from the viewpoint of a seasoned stay-at-home father with an inspiring story and an irreverent sense of humor, Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal delivers both hilarity and perspective to readers everywhere. With a wide range of topics that anchor individual chapters (fatherhood, marriage, sex, gender roles, diabetes, laundry, “dropping the baby”), the book is an entertaining collection of stories about the mishaps and misadventures of parenting.

Through the lens of Scott Benner’s experiences, readers are reminded that the path to happiness is paved by figuring out how to turn life’s challenges into life’s rewards. Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal tells the story of an American family that has overcome an array of obstacles to discover peace and joy within their own home.

According to Library Journal, “[Benner] asserts the secret to happiness is to never stop and never give up … his unabashed “dad humor” brings a distinct charm to his writing without being mawkish or overly sentimental.” The NYC Dad’s Group declared, “Scott Benner’s book, Life is Short, Laundry is Eternal, is a book that proves that the family route is one that is paved with bumps and washed with tears, but filled with fun and love.”

Scott Benner is currently available for interviews in print, television, radio and online media. He is a highly engaging, experienced interviewee who is qualified to talk on a wide range of topics, including parenting, fatherhood, marriage, children, gender issues, diabetes, health activism, baseball, blogging, writing, and volunteerism.

About Scott Benner
Scott Benner is a stay-at-home father, a diabetes advocate, and a keen observer of the human condition. He has spent the last twelve years raising his two children at their family home in New Jersey.

Scott shares his triumphs and challenges in parenting a child with type 1 diabetes on ArdensDay.com, an inspirational blog for parents and caregivers of children with diabetes. His first book, Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal, is a perfect blend of Scott’s passion for parenting, his knack for positivity in the face of adversity, and his exceptional skill at spinning a yarn.

About SPRY PUBLISHING
Spry Publishing is a premier publisher of health books and media, offering valuable content on a wide range of medical subjects. With an extensive list of accredited authors, Spry Publishing specializes in educating both patients and healthcare professionals by delivering timely, relevant wellness information across an array of platforms.
Spry Publishing operates within the Edwards Brothers Malloy family of businesses, a century-old printing and publishing tradition that is currently the sixth largest book and journal manufacturer in North America.

For more information about Spry Publishing, Scott Benner, Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal: Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Dad, or the contents of this press release, please contact:
Jeremy Sterling, Director of Marketing
Spry Publishing, 2500 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
p: 734-546-5434 | e: jsterling@sprypub.com
www.sprypub.com

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By Katherine Plumhoff

For May’s Food of the Month, we get to explore the cuisine of an entire section of the world! May is National Mediterranean Diet Month, and I know what you’re thinking: olive oil and red wine. What else differentiates this type of food, though, and just how good for you is it?

The Mediterranean diet includes the traditional foods of southern Italy, Greece, and Spain. It’s rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, and legumes. Although it is high in fat, it’s generally monounsatured fat (here’s looking at you, olive oil), which is said to reduce the risk of heart disease while having other anti-inflammatory benefits. The Mediterranean diet is also high in fiber, which has tons of health benefits we’ve already talked about that include maintaining steadier blood sugar levels.

Research on the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet has turned up some fascinating results. It turns out that the traditional Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of cancer and the incidences of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Also, a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) concluded that healthy people who followed a Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Another recent study suggested that eating a healthy Mediterranean diet may improve heart health and reduces the risk of heart attacks.

So now that you know how beneficial following a Mediterranean diet is, you might be wondering how to incorporate it into your lifestyle. After working as an au pair and living in a tiny pueblo in Spain for three months last summer, I picked up on a few Mediterranean eating habits that are easy to incorporate into your life. Check them out.

• Try olive oil instead of butter with bread. If you’re dipping lightly, you’ll use less, and extra virgin olive oil is full of beneficial monounsaturated fat. And, it’s delicious, too!
• Replace high-sugar and high-fat desserts with a piece of fruit. The family I worked for in Spain would eat fresh peaches and melon after dinner, and it’s the perfect end to a meal.
• Add fish. Pick something high in protein and omega-3s, such as mackerel or tuna, and grill or bake it. The 4-year-old Spanish toddler I watched absolutely loved fish kebabs—making healthy food fun will get even the pickiest of eaters to try something new!
• Eat your veggies. Make sure every meal offers something green. A salad with in-season vegetables is a good place to start. Maybe you can even start your own huerta, or home garden, to ensure regular access to healthy, fresh veggies.
• Don’t forget beans. Legumes are a great source of protein and are popular in Mediterranean food. Try your hand at cocido madrileño, a Spanish stew with a chickpea base (one of my favorite Spanish dishes, hands down!), or serve up some pasta e fagioli, or pasta and beans, a traditional Italian meatless dish.

Katherine Plumhoff joined the Spry Wellness Blog as a contributor in 2013. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in English and Communication Studies at the University of Michigan and hopes to work in publishing after graduation.

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By Jessica Snyder with Elizabeth A. Jackson, MD, MPH

Women’s heart health is an incredibly important topic, but unfortunately it’s not talked about nearly enough. Dr. Elizabeth Jackson has written a new book called An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health: Your Path to Lifelong Wellness, and in it she addresses crucial information that all women need in order to be their healthiest.

In the following excerpt from An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health, Dr. Jackson provides some information on cardiac rehabilitation programs that many people decide to participate in after a heart attack, heart surgery, or percutaneous coronary intervention.

“After being discharged from the hospital, women who have experienced a cardiac event should ask their doctors about enrolling in a cardiac rehabilitation program. It’s a well-known fact that women do not enter or complete these programs as often as men. There are several reasons why this may be happening. First, younger women are frequently balancing family and work obligations and are therefore reluctant to take the time to complete a rehab program. For older women, the issue is typically related to access. They are less likely to be able to drive and hesitant to ask family or friends to take them. Since women are usually older at the time of a heart attack, and may have other illnesses or mobility issues, some doctors may assume these patients are not interested in this type of program. However, even if a woman has difficulty walking, she can complete a cardiac rehab program and benefit tremendously. Data show that these programs greatly reduce mortality after a coronary event.

“Cardiac rehabilitation is a structured program that often starts in the hospital with education about having a heart attack and the treatment plan, which is referred to as phase one. Phase two occurs as an outpatient, when the heart attack survivor visits a rehab facility several times per week over the course of several months Recently, Medicare increased coverage for the number of weeks a patient is eligible for cardiac rehabilitation, based on the benefits gained from such programs.

“Cardiac rehab provides an evaluation of your cardiac and medical history, along with your baseline fitness. An exercise program is then tailored to you, and sessions are performed under the supervision of trained staff—with heart rate and blood pressure monitoring. Most programs also offer education and counseling on diet, stress, and smoking cessation. Participants learn to set reasonable goals, based on their individual condition, in order to achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle.

“After phase two is completed, many programs offer the option to continue to exercise at the cardiac rehabilitation facilities, which is called phase three. During this phase, participants are not monitored as closely, but they do have the benefit of interacting with trained personnel who have come to know them. This can help patients stick to the program.

“Cardiac rehabilitation programs are also beneficial to patients who have not experienced a heart attack. Anyone who has undergone a heart surgery or PCI will find cardiac rehab valuable for recovery and prevention of further problems. If you have a heart condition, particularly if you were recently discharged from the hospital, ask your health-care provider about what options are best for you.”

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by Jess Snyder

Choosing the healthiest foods for yourself and your family can be, quite frankly, exhausting. The Internet is full of countless articles featuring opinions of doctors, dietitians, nutritionists, health gurus, and average Janes who have figured out what works for them. To alleviate some of the confusion, we’ve asked four of our trusted sources for their wisdom on how to help make your quest for health a little easier.

Dietitian Julie Feldman, author of Grocery Makeover, says that fiber is the way to go when you’re looking for a good snack for the family that won’t leave tummies rumbling thirty minutes later.

“When deciding which foods to shop for and provide for your family, choosing mostly fiber-full carbohydrates is the way to go,” explains Feldman. “Fiber extends many benefits to our overall health and quality of life. Fiber is unique in that it is the only nutrient that we eat that we don’t break down and absorb. This creates a slow and steady source of energy for our bodies that does not cause a large production of insulin. When we eat this way throughout the day, we have energy, lack cravings, and are more likely to be physically active.”

Many moms would agree with Dr. Elizabeth Jackson and author of An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health. Dr. Jackson urges women to remember the impact that choosing healthy habits has on not only themselves, but also on their families. She encourages women to be aware of the powerful example they have an opportunity to present.

Dr. Jackson reminds women that “when you’re healthy, your family will benefit in many ways. The healthy habits you adopt are typically mimicked by your children. In many ways, women are the ultimate healthcare providers. We are generally responsible for grocery shopping, meal preparation, first aid, scheduling check-ups, and, of course, providing commonsense advice. As such, we have a wonderful opportunity to instill healthy habits in our children that will last a lifetime. Even if you’re not planning on having a family, you can still serve as a role model for friends, relatives, and coworkers.”

For many people, the relationship with food extends beyond nourishment to trying to satisfy emotions as well as our stomachs with food. Ginger Vieira, a certified cognitive coach, personal trainer, and author of Emotional Eating with Diabetes, offered us some expert advice on developing a healthier relationship with food.

“You are human. We all need and want friendship, love, and happiness,” explains Vieira.
“When you don’t have one of these things in your life, food can become a quick and easy … well, not a substitute, but a distraction. Macaroni and cheese cannot replace love, and it never will. It is simply a way to ignore your feelings, needs, wants, and even insecurities.

“Instead of trying to hide the fact that you feel loneliness and crave something like love, could you try to acknowledge it? Could you actually pause in the moment when you would usually reach for food and say out loud, ‘What I really want is love, not food.’

“If you are using food to cover, hide, or distract yourself from emotions over a certain part of your life, those emotions or that situation will never evolve. They will continue to be hidden, covered with calories.”

So how do you get it all under control? Susan Weiner is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator who is the coauthor of the upcoming book The Complete Diabetes Organizer. She has some great tips for managing the chaos and making sure food doesn’t take you by surprise.

Weiner suggests, “A weekly meal schedule can help you make healthy choices that may help you control your blood sugar levels. You’ll also be more likely to manage your weight. Best of all, you won’t come home and feel anxious and worry about what’s for dinner.

• Take inventory of your food
Make sure that you have all of the basic foods and ingredients you might need to plan healthy and well balanced meals for the week ahead.

• Plan your meals for the week
Check out some healthy cookbooks from your local library or look online for ideas on simple and healthy recipes which are within your calorie, carbohydrate and fat budget.

• Write down your meals for the week ahead
Try to keep a simple written plan of your meals for the week ahead. You are more likely to eat nutritious and portioned meals if you generally stay within your pre-planned menu guidelines.”

I hope these tips will help you overcome some confusion and frustration and forge a path to improved health and well-being. From here, you can evolve and adapt your eating habits to your lifestyle in the healthiest way possible.

Good luck!

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Essentials of Robotic Surgery: The Present and Potential Future of Surgical Techniques
May 14, 2013, Ann Arbor, MI

Drs. Manak Sood and Stefan W. Leichtle with Spry Publishing today announced the release of Essentials of Robotic Surgery, a groundbreaking new book that provides comprehensive analysis of the current developments in robotically assisted surgery.

Essentials of Robotic Surgery details the history of robotic surgical technologies and techniques, while looking ahead to the possibilities contained within future applications. Covered in the book are the most notable, current surgical applications, from coronary revascularization to prostate surgery, from the lungs and esophagus to the uterus, from sleep apnea to head and neck cancer.

Surgical robots currently are used to perform a wide range of procedures across a diverse group of specialties, and they have proven to exhibit a number of significant advantages over manual surgeries, including increased precision, less blood loss and pain, and shorter recovery times. Essentials of Robotic Surgery is an ideal resource for healthcare professionals who are considering whether robotic surgeries may be right for their organization, as it provides the most up-to-date information currently available on this highly dynamic topic.

In a recent interview, Essentials of Robotic Surgery editor Dr. Manak Sood discussed the future of robotically assisted surgery and some of the premise behind his new book. “Robotic surgery is penetrating almost seven different specialties. There are more and more applications for the technology in each specialty as time goes on. There are new robots coming out, they’re going to be smaller and better, so this technology is definitely here to stay. The better we get at it, the more we can do with it.”

Coeditor Dr. Stefan W. Leichtle echoed Dr. Sood’s enthusiasm by saying, “I think surgical robotic systems have already shown that they are more than an expensive toy or a fascinating piece of technology, and that they can provide a real benefit measured in quality of life for certain patients. Robotic surgery often creates emotional responses because of the current discussions about cost and value of medical care. Though that is very important, I’d recommend that even skeptic readers should be open to being fascinated and excited about this amazing technological advancement.”

To receive more information on Manak Sood, MD, and Stefan W. Leichtle, MD, and a review copy of their new book, Essentials of Robotic Surgery, please contact Jeremy Sterling, Director of Marketing at Spry Publishing (jsterling@sprypub.com).

About Manak Sood, MD
Manak Sood, MD, received his medical degree from Albany Medical College School of Medicine in 1992. He completed his residency at St. Barnabus Medical Center and attended Indiana University School of Medicine for his fellowship in thoracic surgery. Dr. Sood specializes in cardiothoracic surgery and is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He currently practices at the Michigan Heart & Vascular Institute (MHVI) of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

About Stefan W. Leichtle, MD
Stefan W. Leichtle, MD, is currently a senior resident in General Surgery at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received his medical degree at the Technical University Munich after attending the Universities of Erlangen-Nuremberg and Munich in Germany. Dr. Leichtle’s scholarly interests include healthcare policy and outcomes research. He is actively involved in local and regional quality improvement initiatives, and has published several scientific manuscripts. Additionally, Dr. Leichtle has received numerous awards for regional and national presentations of his research. Clinically, he is interested in trauma surgery and surgical critical care, and is actively involved in trauma education and quality improvement.

About SPRY PUBLISHING
Spry Publishing is a premier publisher of health books and media, offering valuable content on a wide range of medical subjects. With an extensive list of accredited authors, Spry Publishing specializes in educating both patients and healthcare professionals by delivering timely, relevant wellness information across an array of platforms.
Spry Publishing operates within the Edwards Brothers Malloy family of businesses, a century-old printing and publishing tradition that is currently the sixth largest book and journal manufacturer in North America.

For more information about Spry Publishing, Manak Sood, MD, Stefan W. Leichtle, MD, Essentials of Robotic Surgery, or the contents of this press release, please contact:
Jeremy Sterling, Director of Marketing
Spry Publishing, 2500 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
p: 734-546-5434 | e: jsterling@sprypub.com
www.sprypub.com

Follow @sprypub

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Dr. Elizabeth Jackson Helps Women Improve Heart Health at Any Age
May 14, 2013, Ann Arbor

Spry Publishing and renowned cardiologist Elizabeth A. Jackson, MD, MPH, today announced the release of An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health: Your Path to Lifelong Wellness. With resources and tips to help women make positive steps toward improving their overall health, An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health is every woman’s guidebook to enjoying a heart-healthy life.

Heart disease has long been thought of as a men’s issue, though it is actually the leading cause of death in both men and women. While most published information on cardiovascular health addresses the topic from a male perspective, Dr. Jackson’s new book focuses exclusively on cutting-edge information that is relevant and impactful to women. An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health provides essential education on the differences between men and women when it comes to heart disease prevention, risk factors, symptoms, and treatments.

Often at the helm of their family’s overall health, diet, and nutrition, a woman and her lifestyle decisions can affect not only her own well-being; they can determine the habits of her partner and children as well. By becoming better educated, a woman can have a profound, permanent impact on the health of the people around her.

In a recent interview, Dr. Jackson discussed the inspiration behind writing her book. “Something that I feel particularly passionate about is our ability to improve our health on our own. When we look at exercise and nutrition and stress reduction it’s not like you need to have some pill that has side effects or that you need a medical person to help you through making a decision to take the pill. A lot of things we intuitively know how to do are important—eating healthy foods and being active and enjoying life have a tremendous ability to reduce your risk for heart disease.”

Dr. Jackson is currently available for interviews and appearances in support of the release of An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health. She is a knowledgeable and engaging interviewee who is qualified to comment on a wide range of women’s health topics, including:

- Cardiovascular health concerns that are unique to women; how heart health differs between women and men
- The impact of a woman’s health decisions on her family, friends, and others around her
- Improving heart health—and consequently, overall health and well-being—at any age
- Lifestyle considerations (diet, exercise, stress, sleep, etc.) and how they change throughout a woman’s life

To receive more information on Dr. Jackson and a review copy of her new book, An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health, please contact Jeremy Sterling, Director of Marketing at Spry Publishing, jsterling@sprypub.com.

About ELIZABETH A. JACKSON, MD, MPH
Elizabeth A. Jackson, MD, MPH, received her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Brown University’s Rhode Island Hospital and attended the New England Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, for a fellowship in cardiovascular medicine. She also completed a research fellowship in preventative medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. It was during her research fellowship that Dr. Jackson earned a Master’s in Public Health at Harvard University’s School of Public Health, where she also completed training in nutritional epidemiology.

Dr. Jackson began work at the University of Michigan Health Center in 2007. She works as an attending cardiologist with an emphasis in women’s cardiovascular health and cardiovascular prevention. Dr. Jackson is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

About SPRY PUBLISHING
Spry Publishing is a premier publisher of health books and media, offering valuable content on a wide range of medical subjects. With an extensive list of accredited authors, Spry Publishing specializes in educating both patients and healthcare professionals by delivering timely, relevant wellness information across an array of platforms.
Spry Publishing operates within the Edwards Brothers Malloy family of businesses, a century-old printing and publishing tradition that is currently the sixth largest book and journal manufacturer in North America.

For more information about Spry Publishing, Elizabeth Jackson, MD, MPH, An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health or the contents of this press release, please contact:
Jeremy Sterling, Director of Marketing
Spry Publishing, 2500 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
p: 734-546-5434 | e: jsterling@sprypub.com
www.sprypub.com

Follow @sprypub

By Jess Snyder with Dr. Elizabeth Jackson

Elizabeth Jackson, MD,MPH, is a renowned cardiologist who focuses on women being able to live a heart-healthy life. In her new book, Dr. Jackson shares with women of all ages what they need to do throughout their lives to care for their hearts. One of Spry Publishing’s newest titles, An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health will be available in stores May 14, 2013. We had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Jackson this week and finding out more about what she hopes women learn from her book, and what motivated her to write it.

JS: What is your favorite piece of information that you share in your book and why?

EJ: Something that I feel particularly passionate about is our ability to improve our health on our own. What we think makes sense as moms makes good heart sense, so when we look at exercise and nutrition and stress reduction it’s not like you need to have some pill that has side effects or that you need a medical person to help you through making a decision to take the pill. A lot of things we intuitively know how to do are important; healthy foods and being active and enjoying life have a tremendous ability to reduce your risk for heart disease.

JS: How does your family feel about the book?

EJ: The way my sons and I approach things is that everything is a team effort. When I’m doing something such as a grant or a paper or a book, then they talk about it with me and see me writing things just like I want to know what homework they’re doing. They understood the amount of effort that it took, and I think that they like thinking about the fact that there’s something that’s published.

JS: What was their reaction when you brought the books home?

EJ: I think they’re proud. Just like parents are proud when their kids accomplish something, it’s a two-way street. They get proud when they feel that their parents have accomplished something. They were excited. I believe they recognize that it was a big effort.

JS: What trends are you seeing in heart health management for women?

EJ: When you look at what was thought about in women’s health in general and in heart health specifically, I see huge advances in many different directions. When I started out, I was an EKG tech working in a hospital and, really, I think patients and younger physicians don’t realize how much this field has progressed. So when you look at the advancement of what we know and what patients know about protecting their heart against heart disease and treating it, it’s really amazing. Having said that, we still have a long ways to go to really understand what are quality metrics to make sure all women are treated properly. Are younger women with heart disease different from older women with heart disease? How do we transition through the unique periods of pregnancy and childbearing to menopause?

JS: What tips or advice would you share with your readers?

EJ: I think most of us can ask, “Am I as healthy as I can be?” It doesn’t mean that every day we’re going to be totally unstressed and eating perfectly, but if we are most of the time then we’re OK. If generally you’re getting up feeling happy, doing what you like, getting regular exercise, eating right—those are the things at any age that really make a difference for heart health.

JS: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

EJ: I came in the back door to cardiology in some ways. I wasn’t a science major, I was an art major. I was lucky enough to be in Boston where there are a lot of hospitals in which to work. I was also lucky enough to encounter physicians and nurses who were passionate about what they were doing, but also felt that no matter what level you were at, you should be learning. That was when I realized I really think cardiology is very interesting and that, as a lifestyle, working with people was something that was fitting for me. Being a physician gave me the opportunity to do research as well as clinical practice, so I started heading in that direction and went to medical school when I was 29 turning 30. It was a good decision for me. Since my first real taste of medicine was in cardiology, it seemed like a great fit since it was something I’d been thinking of throughout the whole path.

I also think you have to be very organized. I tell my kids and residents that the biggest skills you need in life are the ability to communicate and to be organized. So if you want to balance different things, nobody can balance everything all the time, but if you’re organized and know when to ask for help, then you can generally do anything you want.

JS: What do you do when you are not writing?

EJ: I’m really lucky because I think work is enjoyable. To me, writing grants is something I don’t mind doing. I usually end up doing a bit of stuff on the weekends. I also really like to row, so I’m a passionate sculler. The Huron River (Ann Arbor), it’s not exactly the Charles River, but it’ll do. I used to run a fair amount and I just like doing different things, going to the gym, watching people exercise, and being like, “Oh, we’re all doing well.”

JS: You mentioned that you have a learning disability. How did that impact you?

EJ: I think that, being dyslexic, it was good for me to work for a couple years before I went to school, because I didn’t think I was very intelligent. I think many 20-year-olds in this economic age probably need to and are doing this sort of soul searching. What am I good at, what am I not? And maybe when people aren’t hiring you, or you aren’t seeing your worth, the silver lining in those obstacles really makes you think about what you are worth. Your worth is dependent not on somebody else but on yourself.

For me, particularly with dyslexia, it made me start thinking about intelligence as different things. You can see a lot of very smart physicians or lawyers and they’re very smart in their fields. But maybe they’re not so smart in social or financial fields. Nobody can be smart in every single thing that they want to be. When I look at my kids, I want them to understand their strengths and their weakness and not let their weaknesses be barriers. It’s your life—you want to go out and challenge yourself. I’m not saying that I wish dyslexia on anybody—it’s really pretty hard. But then when you look around, most people have something difficult that they’re trying to overcome and it’s pretty amazing to watch people overcome some amazing things. We have obstacles throughout our lives and understanding how we can overcome those and build on our weaknesses will feel very satisfying. If you asked me was I ever going to write a book, I would have said absolutely no. That’s the part I still pinch myself about. The only thing that’s holding many people back from what they want to do is the fear of failure, and you know, it’s not so scary. If you fall down, you get up and you move on.

JS: What do you wish people would ask you about more?

EJ: Some people come in feeling like they’re going to let the healthcare providers do what they want and it’s my decision as their physician. Whether it’s taking a pill or changing a lifestyle, it’s really up to them. I really want them to ask me, “What can I do, how can I make decisions?” We’re in an age where I can say, “Look at these websites because you’re going to make the decision on x, y, and z.” I want them to see that physicians are people who want to help them make the best decisions. It’s a team; how can I be part of this team in a positive way?

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By Jess Snyder

It always amazes me how, within the chaos and noise of a mall, the wafting smell of pretzels from the food court is enough to stop my thoughts and lure me toward a warm buttery, salty treat. April is national soft pretzel month, and while they may seem like a quick and simple snack, there is a surprising amount of history wrapped into the tradition of pretzels.

Some historians believe pretzels are as old as 600–700 AD. Regardless of the precise date, most scholars agree that they were probably baked by monks initially. Though the monasteries where pretzels are reported to have begun are scattered between Italy, southern France, and even Greece, Germany is the origin of the pretzel we know and love today; it was used as an emblem of bakers’ guilds there since the 12th century.

The pretzel made the jump to America in the 1800s when German immigrants landed here. These immigrants, now known as the Pennsylvania Dutch, brought pretzel recipes with them and started selling them in bakeries in the area. In 1861 Sturgis Pretzel House in Lititz, Pennsylvania, became the first commercial hard pretzel bakery in the United States. The tradition continues in America, and in particular on the East Coast. The average Philadelphian eats twelve times as many pretzels as the average American does in a year.

For a few decades, pretzels have enjoyed the reputation of being relatively healthy snacks, easy to put in your purse or to snag while walking around the mall. However, while baked pretzels are notably low in fat, they are low in overall nutritional value as well. What they don’t lack is sodium! Oftentimes a serving of pretzels can account for a quarter to a third of your recommended daily sodium allowance. Pretzels get processed by your body quickly as well, leaving you hungry sooner than other snack options. If you’re looking to stay full for a while, choose a snack with more fiber and protein, or consider pairing your pretzel with peanut butter.

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By Jessica Snyder with Lisa Jackson

Elizabeth Jackson, MD, is a renowned cardiologist who focuses on living a heart-healthy life. With every beat, this vital part of our bodies keeps us going. In her new book, Dr. Jackson shares with women of all ages what they need to do throughout their lives to care for their hearts.

One of Spry Publishing’s newest titles, An Ageless Woman’s Guide to Heart Health, will be available in stores May 14, 2013. So that you don’t have to wait to begin taking care of your heart, featured below is an excerpt from this debut book by Elizabeth Jackson, MD.

“What Is Angina?

“When we or someone we know experience chest pain, our first thought is typically of a heart attack. In reality, many things may cause chest pain, including indigestion, gallbladder attacks, problems with the esophagus, and angina, to name a few. Angina, which literally means “squeezing of the chest” in Latin, is closely related to heart attack, as it’s caused by decreased blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle. Just as with a heart attack, the reduced blood flow is most often a result of a narrowing of the coronary artery due to atherosclerosis, and the symptoms are very similar.

“Angina can be described as pressure, heaviness, tightening, squeezing, or aching across the chest, particularly behind the breastbone. The pain can sometimes radiate to the neck, jaw, arms, back, or even teeth. However, unlike a heart attack, the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart is not completely cut off, and the condition can cause chronic chest pain.

“There are two types of angina: stable and unstable. Stable angina is the most common and is what most people mean when they refer to angina. Patients with stable angina have symptoms on a regular basis; for instance, walking up the stairs always causes chest pain. Exertion is typically the trigger for stable angina, although severe emotional stress or a heavy meal can also bring it on—anything that causes the heart to demand more blood oxygen than the arteries can supply. The discomfort usually lasts from 1 to 15 minutes and is relieved by resting or placing a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. Nitroglycerin relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, which improves blood flow.

“Unstable angina is less common, but more serious. The symptoms are more severe and less predictable than stable angina. In addition, the pain is often more frequent, lasts longer, occurs at rest, and may not be relieved by nitroglycerin. While unstable angina is not the same as a heart attack, it warrants an immediate visit to your health-care provider or emergency room for further cardiac testing. This condition is often a precursor to a heart attack.”

Jessica Snyder joined the Spry Wellness Blog as a contributor in 2012. She is currently working to obtain an undergraduate degree in English and Communications at the University of Michigan.

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by Jess Snyder

Scott Benner’s new book has been on the store shelves for only a few weeks and readers’ reviews are avidly recommending this author’s first book. Although irreverent and hilarious in some chapters, today I’m sharing a solemn heartfelt excerpt about fatherhood from Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal: Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Dad. This debut title is a perfect gift for Father’s Day—for your father, the father of your children, and don’t forget the women in your life who are interested in a view from the other side of the fence.

“I’m writing this today only one day removed from taking Arden to a gymnastics class. I have to tell you that there are about a thousand things that I’d rather do than watch gymnastics, but those aren’t what I was doing yesterday. It doesn’t matter if your children are in a bad play, singing off key in the school chorus, or participating in a sport that you absolutely hate, their activities are for them, and you get to experience their joy, struggle, frustration, accomplishments, and defeats as they participate. I really believe that if you don’t witness your children living their lives, it is very difficult to properly help them make their way through that life. Your children’s teachable moments can act as teaching moments for you as well.

“Sometimes, these moments are so small and, at first glance, may seem insignificant. Maybe it’s something as simple as shopping for a dress or being behind them for support as they make a decision about what binder to buy for school. Our children are just that, children. Almost everything they do is new to them, and even when it seems that they’ve been at it for long enough to not need you, they still like to know that you’re there. A lot of these moments happen when you don’t expect; they happen in department stores, car rides, and during boring events such as dance recitals.

“Men can continue to avoid these moments in life if they want. They can make fun of them behind their wives’ backs to save face with their friends. You can be sure that more than a few jokes will be told about the guys who do these things with a willing heart. I just wish that those guys would stop saying, “I don’t do that, my wife does,” in a tone that’s meant to belittle the moment. Peer pressure at this age isn’t pretty; it’s kind of sad, actually.

“Privately most guys wish that they had a closer relationship with their fathers, although publicly they mock those relationships. It just doesn’t make sense. Don’t you see that you are sending your children down the same path that you privately wish you had never had to walk? Eventually, someone will break the cycle. One of the men in your familial line will put his foot down and say that’s enough. Why not let it be you? There are a million great experiences waiting to enrich your life if you can just get the idea out of your head that they aren’t for you.”

Jessica Snyder joined the Spry Wellness Blog as a contributor in 2012. She is currently working to obtain an undergraduate degree in English and Communications at the University of Michigan.

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This week we received an update on Sophie Lash, the vibrant teen with autism who has overcome obesity by embracing the challenge while having fun. Sophie’s incredible transformation resulted in victories on multiple fronts—she went from preferring a sedentary lifestyle to loving being active and outdoors, giving up her snacking habits as a “food ninja” to pursuing healthy eating habits, culminating in a total weight loss of 70 pounds—a third of her body weight.

On April 25, 2013, Sophie hopes to win an award from the Michigan Fitness Foundation, The Governor’s Fitness Award for Conquering Obesity, in recognition of the commitment she has made to become active and fit. If you’re interested in learning more about Sophie’s amazing journey, here’s a wonderful video about her and her family:

In order to win the Governor’s Fitness Award, Sophie needs your votes! You can cast a vote and cheer her on here.

Read more about Sophie Lash’s amazing story:
Sophie the Athlete: Part I
Sophie the Athlete: Part II

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by Jessica Snyder with Julie Feldman, MPH, RDN

Julie Feldman, MPH, RDN, is a dietician who owns a private practice based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where she provides counseling and consulting services to individuals, families, teams, and corporations. Her debut book, Grocery Makeover, hit shelves earlier this month. To give you an idea about why we’re so excited, here’s a short excerpt from the book on the value of understanding micronutrients and what they can do for you.

“The easiest way to ensure that you and your family are receiving adequate vitamin intake on a regular basis is to focus on color, servings, and variety. Fruits and vegetables retain certain colors based on the types of vitamins and minerals they contain. Typically, the deeper the color, the more nutrient dense a fruit or vegetable may be. By choosing a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables throughout the day and week, you will help to ensure that the required vitamins and minerals are being received. This can be a fun way for kids to think about being healthy as well. Encourage them to “eat the rainbow” when it comes to produce.

“It is recommended that most adults consume roughly two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables each day. Since most of us eat about 5 times during the day (3 meals and 2 snacks), each time we eat there should be a serving of fruit and/or a vegetable as part of the meal to ensure that we are meeting our micronutrient needs.

“Minerals, including calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, iron, zinc, and magnesium, are essential to the human body and function as both structural components and electrolytes within our body. Our bones would not grow and our muscles would not contract without them. Minerals are found throughout our food supply and there is a great deal of nutritional propaganda focused on their consumption. Get enough calcium, decrease your sodium intake, seek out potassium-containing foods, supplement zinc—the list goes on and on. Choosing a diet primarily comprised of whole foods, limiting canned and processed items, is likely to ensure safe mineral consumption.

“Calcium is one of the key minerals that is often lacking in the American diet. For example, teenagers’ calcium needs are roughly 1,300 mg per day. That equates to about 5 servings of a calcium-containing food a day. In my 14 years of practice, I have yet to meet a teen that ingests that much healthy dairy each day. This is an example of a great opportunity to supplement the diet with a calcium supplement. One 500 mg calcium supplement added to the diet each day means that this teen now only needs 3 servings of a calcium-containing food to meet his or her needs. Specific nutrient needs, including calcium, will be discussed when we identify great sources for these key nutrients throughout the book.”

To learn more about the value of these key nutrients and much, much more, pick up a copy of Grocery Makeover today!

Julie Feldman, MPH, RDN, works in her own private practice based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where she provides counseling and consulting services to individuals, families, teams, and corporations. She thoroughly enjoys spreading the message of sound nutrition, appearing frequently on television and in print as a nutrition expert.

Jessica Snyder joined the Spry Wellness Blog as a contributor in 2012. She is currently working to obtain an undergraduate degree in English and Communications at the University of Michigan.

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by Jessica Snyder with Moira McCarthy

Would it surprise you to learn that last year more than 64 million people donated their time as volunteers? The National Corporation for National and Community Service estimates that people gave more than $173 billion in time and expertise. That’s a staggering number, indicating that the average person who volunteered last year gave around 50 hours of their time. But, spread that time out over the year and it’s only an hour per week.

I recently spoke with one of our authors who has given back in huge ways to her community. Moira McCarthy is a well-known author, public speaker, diabetes mom, and volunteer who was recently honored on the floor of the U.S. Senate for her advocacy on behalf of diabetes research, fundraising, and general awareness. She was also recognized as International Volunteer of the Year by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, ChairMom of their International Children’s Congress, and one of the top national fundraisers for their 105-mile Ride to Cure Diabetes, not to mention serving on the board of the Clara Barton Camp for Girls with Diabetes. Just reading that list makes me tired, so I asked her what drives her to keep volunteering.

“People say, ‘Wow, you do so much,’ but what they don’t realize is that I get so much more than I give. From friendships to support to empowerment to knowledge, volunteering in the diabetes world has brought me so much that I feel like I should be the one saying thank you. Raising a child with diabetes can sometimes feel like an endless battle. But even on the hardest days, if I have a chance to reach out and help someone, I think ‘gosh, that felt good. I’m going to be okay, and so is my child.’ I cannot imagine living this life without volunteering. It also makes me happy to see I’ve set a standard for my daughter. She’s a young adult now and I just found out she’s formed her own Walk to Cure Diabetes team down in Washington, D.C. This past week she visited with congressmen on Capitol Hill. She called me gushing about how much she got out of it. So, the beat goes on.”

And the best part is, there are literally thousands of ways to become connected with a volunteer organization. This web page links to several organizations through which you can get connected to serve in your community. Give it a try today!

Moira McCarthy is a well-known author, public speaker, diabetes mom, and volunteer. In her new book, Raising Teens with Diabetes, she shares her tips, experiences, and inspiration to parents of teenagers with diabetes.

Jessica Snyder joined the Spry Wellness Blog as a contributor in 2012. She is currently working to obtain an undergraduate degree in English and Communications at the University of Michigan.

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This piece was originally run on December 28, 2012. We are rerunning it as a part of our focus on National Autism Month. If their story is of interest to you, Skip is currently collecting endorsement letters for Sophie’s Governor’s Fitness Awards nomination. If you’d like to show your support for their cause, please email us at info@sprypub.com. Since this article first published, Sophie has also been selected as a finalist for the Michigan People’s Choice Award! We’ll keep you updated as we receive links for the voting.

by Skip DeWall

She is an athlete.

My stepdaughter Sophie Lash is autistic. She does not talk. She has coordination and motor skill deficiencies. She lives in a world that at times is utter chaos, a world where her brain is in overdrive, bombarded with images and sounds often paralyzing her and making communication with those outside her world almost impossible—sometimes it is excruciating in the extreme. She covers her ears to slow the onslaught. She closes her eyes to control the overwhelming stream of visual images overloading her capacity to process them. She seeks comfort in familiarity. She longs for her computer, her chair, her room, her DVDs, and her grandmother Dorothy who spoils her mercilessly. She needs her doting mother, who raised her as a single parent, and her adoring sister Hannah at her side to see to her every need. Hannah, who from the age of four has been Sophie’s co-mother, is selfless in her dedication to her little sister. She has lowered-the-boom on me many times for pushing too hard, for not understanding the un-understandable. It would be impossible for Sophie to be an athlete without Mary and Hannah—her biggest fans—but we are a team. We are the A-Team. The Autism Team!

A year ago, Mary, Hannah, and I would never have believed Sophie could be nominated for a physical fitness, heath and diet award, let alone—and more importantly—that it would actually mean something to Sophie. But now we are believers. She is a hero. She is proud of herself! She is willing to put in the work, though very difficult for her, to be fit and healthy.

And then there is the “Sophie posse,” women who have been engaged in her life and education for years and important men like her uncle John Hellner. She has been known to drive them to tears of late, just at the sight of her. She is a totally different kid than the one they knew before she became an athlete. And she is an athlete. When she started hiking on the trails at the Geology Center here in Chelsea, when she became more comfortable taking long walks with us, when she tolerated running laps on the Chelsea High School track, when she tried to hit tennis balls, when she trained for the Run for the Rolls, she blew us away. At one time we found it almost impossible to pry her from the car, and now she loves to be outside.

In addition to embracing more physical activity, Sophie has taken an active interest in her diet. She, completely on her own and to our surprise, discovered cooking videos on YouTube recently. She really loves to help me cook! A complete change of diet has resulted in her losing sixty pounds. Pizza is no longer a staple food; it’s a treat. Pizza is actually part of the reason Sophie is trying to talk more. It was outside the Jet’s Pizza store in Chelsea about a year ago where she and I sat waiting for her to answer the question, “Sophie, do you want to get pizza now?” She finally uttered something that sounded like the word yes and we went in to pick up dinner. She has made constant progress in her vocabulary since then.

Through Sophie we understand what the word dedication means. The Run for the Rolls was Sophie’s first race. It will not be her last. Next year we will invite others with autism to run with us, to join our team, and maybe she will introduce others with autism to the joy of fitness and good health.

Update April 3, 2013: Sophie has been selected as a finalist in the competition. The final stage will include a voting portion. We’ll keep you updated, and post the link when it becomes available.

Sophie Catherine Lash is 14 and resides in Chelsea, Michigan, and attends Chelsea High School where she is blessed by a very wonderful special education staff.

Read Sophie the Athlete: Part I.

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by Jess Snyder and Skip DeWall

This piece was originally run on December 27, 2012. We are rerunning it as a part of our focus on National Autism Month. If their story is of interest to you, Skip is currently collecting endorsement letters for Sophie’s Governor’s Fitness Awards nomination. If you’d like to show your support for their cause, please email us at info@sprypub.com. Since this article first published, Sophie has also been selected as a finalist for the Michigan People’s Choice Award! We’ll keep you updated as we receive links for the voting.

At Spry Publishing, we love to feature individuals who have achieved great things in the midst of great challenges, especially when those people are able to inspire others to do the same.

Skip DeWall is a good friend of Spry, a member of our local community, and a colleague of ours in the publishing industry. Skip’s stepdaughter Sophie Lash is an incredible young woman with autism who is making the type of achievements that we most admire. With the support of her family, friends, and community, Sophie is expanding her personal horizons through diet and exercise, making changes that have impacted much more than just her physical fitness.

Sophie is being nominated for the Governor’s Fitness Awards here in Michigan, so we thought this would be the perfect time to share their fantastic story with you. I had a chance to interview Skip this month and asked him about his family, Sophie’s recent accomplishments, and the Fitness Awards for which she’s been nominated. Later this week, we will publish Skip’s nomination letter to the Michigan Fitness Award organization, explaining Sophie’s story in more detail.

Enjoy!

JS: Can you tell us a little bit about your family?

SD: I married Sophie’s mother, Mary, in February of 2011. I have another stepdaughter, Hannah, age 17. My children, Jen and Dan, are 25 and 27 respectively, and off at school. Mary and I met at ProQuest in Ann Arbor, where we both work in sales. Mary actually interviewed me for the job. We live in Chelsea. Hannah and Sophie both go to Chelsea High School. Sophie is in the special education program.

JS: What first prompted Sophie to become more active?

SD: Sophie’s autism makes it hard for her to do anything that is unfamiliar to her. She would almost never choose to leave the house if it were up to her. As a family, we decided that Sophie’s condition was not going to hinder our everyday activities and that we would work together to help her to accept challenges. We started with simple things—trips to the store, short walks, attending social functions in town, and going out to visit people.

At first it was extremely hard for Sophie, but we took small steps. A short visit. A quick walk. Sometimes we had to make a deal with Sophie—just get out of the car and look at the festival, and if you don’t want to stay we will leave. And we did leave if she chose that path. But then the walks got longer and the socialization more comfortable, and soon she was doing everything with us, and usually without the fear and apprehension that had paralyzed her in the past. Because she was so far behind her peers in this regard, we kept increasing our expectations little by little. We wanted to be certain that we had reachable goals, and that Sophie actually understood that she could accomplish these new experiences. Her confidence grew as each new goal was attained. I began running a few steps with her on our regular hikes. Then a few more, then faster … and she responded. So, I took her to the track and had her run/walk laps with me. In her autistic mind, the idea that we would run was not maddening, but the thought that she should run in a circle, only to end up exhausted where she started drove her crazy. But again, small steps. We usually rewarded her in some way after a workout—a treat, pizza night, or a visit to Grandma’s. Soon enough, she trained for and ran the Run for the Rolls (one mile fun run) in the summer of 2012.

JS: What kind of impact has the activity and cooking together had on your family?

SD: Sophie’s growth has profoundly affected us. Virtually everything we did, at one time, was entered into with the realization that Sophie could explode in a tantrum and force us to abandon our plans. She was prone to meltdowns that were terrifying to the uninitiated. She would hit, scratch, and bite. She would scream on the floor and refuse to budge. We very frequently missed out on things because the fear of Sophie exploding was just too great.

The confidence that she now has, that we all have, is remarkable and allows us to have what I would call a totally normal family life. Sophie has been constantly pushed to achieve. Her growth has resulted in self-confidence and good behavior. She has, day-by-day, what I would call a normal life and has grown so dramatically as a person that many who know her simply cannot believe it.

Sophie has taken an interest in cooking too, which is rewarding to me because I am a chef wanna-be. My son Dan is a chef. Sophie, all on her own, discovered cooking videos on YouTube and likes to help me make her supper, granola bars, and mostly, pizza. A year ago this was not the case.

JS: I understand she has been nominated for an award. Can you tell us more about that?

SD: The Governor’s Fitness Awards are given in several categories each year. When Cindy Trivelene, race director for The Run for the Rolls, submitted pictures of Sophie to the foundation that sponsors the awards and her race, Sophie caught some attention. They wanted to know more about her. They recommended Cindy submit an application for her nomination. We have nominated Sophie for awards in several categories including: Inspiring Story, Conquering Obesity, and Overcoming Adversity.

Jessica Snyder joined the Spry Wellness Blog as a contributor in 2012. She is currently working to obtain an undergraduate degree in English and Communications at the University of Michigan.

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