Desert Health News - November-December 2023

www.palmspringsspeaks.org www.desertcarenetwork.com/strokequiz Stroke Care Take a quiz to learn about your risk. DesertCareNetwork.co StrokeQuiz when every second counts. 1 http://www.deserthealthnews.com/ November/December 2023 what’s inside Complimentary Natural Options From Cancer Patient to Naturopathic Doctor 13 Integrative Medicine Prescribing Vegetables: How to Get Started in Your Practice 16 Through the Generations Holiday Tips for Loved Ones with Dementia 21 Fresh Cuisine Chef Trilby's King Oyster Mushroom Scallops 23 Desert Events Good Vibes Floating Sound Bath Experience 24 Health & Beauty From Plate to Face: Diet, Skincare and Beauty 18 Financial Health The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected 26 Continued on page 10 Medical News Finding Peace During the Holiday Hustle 3 HEALTHY CELLS HEALTHY BODY HEALTHY AGING DR. TEMPLE GRANDIN: CHAMPION FOR AUTISM & ANIMALS S he didn’t speak until she was four; today, she lectures around the world. She didn’t read until she was eight and has now authored more than 15 books and 60 scientific papers. In her youth, she had difficulty working with others, then went on to revolutionize an entire industry. School was challenging, yet she earned both masters and doctoral degrees. She suffered extreme anxiety in her youth and built a calming device that is now widely used by others. Dr. Temple Grandin has autism and is considered one of the first to verbally share “the way she sees it.” Her writings and presentations offer parents, clinicians and educators a glimpse into how brains can be different - different, not less as her supportive mother coined. Time Magazine named her one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. On November 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, Dr. Grandin will share her story as part of the Palm Springs Speaks series. The New York Times best-selling author is presenting her latest book, Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns and Abstractions . Her talk is entitled “The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism & Asperger's,” and Grandin will discuss the real issues of autism, the ones parents, teachers and individuals on the spectrum face every day. She will offer helpful dos and don’ts, practical strategies and try-it-now tips, all based on her “insider” perspective and substantial research. In the realms of autism and animal welfare, Grandin, now 76, is considered an unparalleled champion. She describes her autistic senses and emotions as very similar to those of animals, which gives her the unique ability to analyze situations using sensory-based data instead of language. Her designs for humane livestock handling systems, based on her observations of their behaviors, have greatly improved animal welfare and quality standards in the meat packing and livestock industries. In college, her observations of how clamped cattle chutes instilled calm in the animals inspired her to create a similar system for her own anxiety she called Palm Springs SPEAKS Dr. Temple Grandin Nov. 17. • 7:30 PM Palm Springs Cultural Center For tickets and info: palmspringsspeaks. g By Lauren Del Sarto W hen was the last time you were out of your mind? Not with the help of outside influences, but on your own accord. Completely and utterly absent from thought, rumination and responsibility. Our minds never seem to stop thinking, planning and problem solving, especially during this vibrant time of year. Busy brain has its benefits, doesn’t it? We stay on top of things, feel accomplished, on the ball. We stay ahead of guilt that can accompany falling behind. All our French hens are in a tidy little row. But it canalsobeexhausting. Lifepasses tooquickly. We often look back and wonder where the time went. Taking moments throughout our day to just be , to pause our thoughts, clear our minds and open our eyes to really see what’s around us can actually slow the stopwatch. This simple act takes conscious effort, but the results may surprise you and may leave you wanting more. The world tends to look different. Your clear head allows space for your uninhibited heart to take a step forward. You have feelings for your visual field and may even smile to yourself with awe and wonder. It can feel as if time has stopped. It's not only our view that can change. Taking a break from mental chatter calms us within and puts our entire body at ease. Even momentary pauses can have significant benefits in easing stress, anxiety, low mood and high blood pressure. We come back a little lighter. Sounds crazy, but if you want to make memories that last, stop, take a moment and feel them. Put your thoughts and to-do lists aside and Just Be. The benefits will last much longer than those check marks, and Father Time may even stop to tip his hat.