www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com Clean eating as sacred practice Food on retreat becomes medicine and meditation. You slow down, chew mindfully and savor the nourishment that comes from whole, vibrant, plant-rich meals. You might eat locally grown produce, drink herbal teas and cook with intention—or be lovingly served by others who honor food as a sacred act. By removing processed foods, stimulants and alcohol, your body and mind begin to clear. Cravings dissolve. Intuition heightens. Your taste returns, not just for food, but for life itself. Stillness, silence and soul connection The silence you find on retreat is not empty—it’s full of insight, emotion, memory and soul. In this quiet, the distractions fall away and your inner voice becomes audible. Journaling, meditating, walking in nature or simply watching the sunrise all become spiritual practices. You may meet parts of yourself you forgot existed. Why take yourself on retreat? You don’t have to wait for an invitation or a curated group experience. You can take yourself on retreat anytime and anywhere you wish. You can choose a day, a weekend, or a full week to turn inward. You create your own rhythm, your own rituals. It’s an act of radical responsibility and deep self-love to say, “I am worthy of my own time, my own attention, my own healing.” Finding a retreat for you You don’t have to spend a lot of money to reap the rewards of a sacred pause. A home retreat can work just as well as an external getaway and can teach you a lot about yourself. If you’d prefer to attend a retreat organized by others, reach out to local wellness practitioners for their recommendations, or simply search “local wellness retreats” in your desired destination and find one that resonates with you based on offerings and reviews. Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue that affects millions of children across the country. Children with obesity are at higher risk for other chronic health conditions and diseases, such as asthma, bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In this article, HARC provides Coachella Valley statistics and resources to promote healthy growth in our local children. The way to determine a child’s body weight category is determined by using the body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measurement used to determine weight category, including underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity. BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the person’s square height in meters. For children and teenagers, there is an age-specific and sex-specific BMI. Childhood obesity can then be defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile, meaning that the child’s BMI is greater than the BMI of 95% of children in the same age and sex. Coachella Valley data HARC’s 2022 community survey indicates that 46.1% of local children aged 2 and older have a BMI that puts them in the “overweight” or “obese” category; this is roughly 25,790 children in our valley. However, when parents were asked about their perception of their child’s weight, only 14.4% of parents believed their child was overweight. With so many parents unaware that their child is overweight, these parents are less likely to make changes to the child’s lifestyle to support healthier development. How to support your child from home Addressing obesity starts at home and there are several ways that parents and caregivers can support a child’s healthy growth. First, it is important to be aware of your child’s BMI to assess potential weight issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a Child and Teen BMI calculator available for parents to use (search BMI calculator at cdc.gov or see link below), and any concerns should certainly be discussed with the child’s pediatrician or doctor. Regardless of the child’s BMI, it is essential for children to have a healthy diet. Lowcalorie foods with fruits and vegetables instead of foods with high amounts of added sugars and fats are a good start. Getting into the habit of reading labels when shopping can help cut down on foods with high sugar and carbohydrate contents. Another way to promote healthy growth is ensuring the child is drinking plenty of water while limiting high-sugar drinks. It is also important for the child to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine. The CDC recommends that children get 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Parents may find a list of age-appropriate activities for a child by visiting the CDC’s Physical Activity Guidelines. Lastly, it is beneficial for children to develop healthy sleeping habits to encourage healthy growth and improve the child’s attention and brain functioning. Multiple studies have found that lack of sleep is associated with higher risks of weight gain and obesity. Certainly, we want our local children to experience a childhood that is healthy and happy. Moreover, behaviors in childhood lead to long-term habits that often carry them through much of their lives. It is critical to develop healthy habits so that a healthy weight can be maintained into adulthood, leading to a long and vibrant life. HARC is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health, wellness and quality of life in the Coachella Valley through data-driven research and evaluation. Learn more at www.HARCdata.org. Sources: 1) https://harcdata.org/coachella-valley-community-health-survey/executive-report/; 2) https://www.cdc.gov/bmi/child-teencalculator/index.html; 3) https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/ www.DesertHealthNews.com May/June 2025 Medical News The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 6 www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com www.jordanptcenter.com www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com Laser Endodontic Treatment Laser energy enhances the effect of disinfectants used in the canals, further eliminating bacterial infection. Ozone Therapy for Endodontics An advanced preventative therapy that fights off bacteria and pathogens which typically cause most oral health problems. Cone Beam CT Scan Cutting-edge 3D imaging of teeth, nerve pathways, soft tissue and bone that allows for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment of dental infections. Surgical Microscope Endodontics require significant attention to detail and precision. This advanced dental microscope is instrumental in providing the best outcomes for our clients. RanchoMirageEndodontics.com PalmSpringsEndodontics.com Offering Biological Root Canal Therapy for Optimal Oral and Whole Body Health We use advanced technology and biological techniques to greatly reduce ambient bacteria and protect the overall health of our patients. Eddie Al Halasa, DDS, MSD Board Certified Endodontist Rita J. Hung, DMD, MPD, MSD Board Eligible Endodontist Advanced Technology Root canal therapy • Endodontic retreatment Apicoectomy • IV and oral sedation dentistry RANCHO MIRAGE (760) 779-0350 71780 San Jacinto Dr., Ste. B3 Rancho Mirage PALM SPRINGS (760) 318-0101 558 S. Paseo Doroteo, Ste. 9 Palm Springs PERSONALIZED CARE FOR THE ENTIRE COACHELLA VALLEY Clean cuisine is at the heart of rejuvenating retreats. Healthy habits learned in childhood can last a lifetime. Nearly Half of Local Children Are Overweight or Obese Tips for healthy growth at home Provided by HARC Obese at home Let’s Retreat Continued from page 1 Continued on page 13
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