Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being fully present. In our day of technical addiction and multitasking, this is actually more challenging than ever before, which is probably why mindfulness is becoming so mainstream. There is a desperate need to feel more connected and content. For some, this practice comes naturally. Those who are really present in the kitchen, preparing loving meals and eating with consciousness already do this practice instinctively. Those who immerse themselves … [Read more...] about Mindfulness: What it is, How it Works
Columnists
Raising Awareness About Colorectal Cancer Screening, At-Home Tests
March is designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month to raise awareness about this disease and the need for early detection and diagnosis. Of cancers that affect both men and women, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and it is the third most common cancer in men and in women. The American Cancer Society estimates the number of colorectal cancer cases in the U.S. … [Read more...] about Raising Awareness About Colorectal Cancer Screening, At-Home Tests
Treating Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing loss in children is more common than you may realize. Hearing loss occurs in two to three per 100 babies born in the United States, prompting hospitals to offer hearing screening as part of the newborn package or charge a small fee for the test. I strongly recommend all parents have their baby’s hearing checked prior to discharge. Hearing Test for Newborns The hearing test is quick and painless for the baby. It is administered by either a nurse or other hospital employee trained in … [Read more...] about Treating Hearing Loss in Babies
Undertsanding Osteopathic Medicine
I often get the question, “What is a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)?” A D.O. is fully licensed physician who receives the same training as a Medical Doctor or M.D. They may practice in all fields of medicine. In addition to traditional medicine, D.O.s are trained to use a holistic approach to medicine by incorporating working with their hands to diagnose and treat patients. D.O.s receive special training in the musculoskeletal system. They spend, on minimum, an extra 200 hours learning … [Read more...] about Undertsanding Osteopathic Medicine
Springtime: The Season of Renewal, Fresh Starts
Spring in Flagstaff means snow, rain, dry, sunny, cloudy, cold, warm, calm, windy. In Flagstaff, we have it all. One thing about spring you can count on is new growth. Aspen and oak trees begin to bud, and sprouts begin to push up through the ground. Spring can be a time of new beginning for humans, too. Those goals and resolutions that laid dormant through the winter can sprout anew. Every time we wake up is a new opportunity to start over. Sometimes, it is helpful to launch a plan on a … [Read more...] about Springtime: The Season of Renewal, Fresh Starts
Planning for a Sustainable Water Future
Hello, Flagstaff! Has everyone been enjoying our relatively active winter weather? I have, after last year’s exceptional dryness and the perpetual threat of wildfire. I deeply appreciate the rain and snow that we’ve been blessed with. Water is an ongoing concern and something I think we need to think critically about. The climate is changing, the City of Flagstaff has recognized that and laid out a series of goals and steps that we think will help our community and our planet. As the … [Read more...] about Planning for a Sustainable Water Future
Hot Stones May Be Your Remedy for Cold March Winds
March has arrived with biting winds as the promise of spring seems to be blown from reach. Most of us are ready to get outside and start summer activities; yet, many of us find our muscles and joints aching and our bodies longing for warmth. One of the best ways to take the chill off and promote health and rejuvenation is to get a massage that includes the use of hot stones – an ancient and time-proven therapy that reaches deep into the muscles, tissues and joints. Stone massage, when … [Read more...] about Hot Stones May Be Your Remedy for Cold March Winds
NAU: An Investment That Pays the Best Interest
Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” The success of NAU’s alumni proves this to be true. Their accomplishments are a living, enduring testament to the benefit of an investment in the NAU experience. Robin Braun credits her time at NAU with the skills that led her to serve as a pilot for the Navy SEALs, as a rear admiral in the U.S. Navy and in leadership roles at Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. Martin Casado believes his years … [Read more...] about NAU: An Investment That Pays the Best Interest
Preventing Dental Disease in Your Pet
Dental Disease is a common and often overlooked problem in pets. While cavities represent the most common dental disease in humans, dogs and cats are more frequently bothered by tartar buildup on the teeth. Tartar accumulation leads to irritation of the gums around the base of the teeth, ultimately leading to the exposure of the roots. Contributing Factors Unfortunately, one of the main contributing factors to the amount of tartar buildup in pets is the individual chemistry in their mouths. … [Read more...] about Preventing Dental Disease in Your Pet
Understanding Medicare Health Plan Rules
As more and more older Americans stay in the workforce, employers may have questions about how employees’ Medicare entitlement impacts their group health plan coverage. Employers sponsoring group health plans that cover individuals enrolled in Medicare should understand the rules below. Medicare’s coordination of benefits rules, which determine whether the group health plan or Medicare pays first on claims is fairly straightforward. If an employer has 20 or more employees, its group health plan … [Read more...] about Understanding Medicare Health Plan Rules