Known as the “silent killer,” heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States.  In the twenty seconds it took you to read this far, one person in the U.S. has had a heart attack.  And each and every ensuing twenty seconds claims another heart attack victim.

So, how do you ensure that you do not fall victim to heart disease?   Meet Dr. Sanjiv Goel, an expert Interventional Cardiologist.  Born, raised and educated at the most prestigious schools in India, Dr. Goel completed his medical fellowships in Canada and was eventually sought after by the top medical teams in the United States.  Over the past 18 years, based in the Los Robles Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, Dr. Goel has emerged as an expert in non-surgical alternatives for cardio vascular disease.  Dr. Goel takes a holistic approach to your heart health.  In other words, Dr. Goel is as interested in preventing heart disease as he is in treating it.

Surgery is Old School

“My job is to keep patients away from surgery,” Dr. Goel explains as I look around his impressive office facilities.  Treadmills, ultrasounds, articles on the wall, and other equipment  – it begins to sink in that there has been a huge paradigm shift in cardiac care, a fundamental change in the approach and the underlying assumptions on how to treat cardiovascular disease, and Dr. Goel is at the forefront of this shift.   By constantly challenging methods and utilizing the newest technologies available, Dr. Goel took it upon himself to lead the way in coronary and carotid stents procedures, which are non-surgical procedures.  “Medicine is about pushing the envelope, bringing your best effort and helping the patient with the best technology available.”   Helping people live longer and survive what used to be a probably death sentence is the most gratifying part of his job.  “This branch of medicine is developing so fast.”  And with passionate experts such as Dr. Goel, the future for cardiac patients looks bright indeed.

East Meets West

What sets Dr. Goel apart in this field is the artistic and expert manner in which he blends Eastern and Western principles to care for his patients’ cardiovascular needs. “Both are a blessing,” he states in describing his Eastern and Western backgrounds. On a case by case basis, Dr. Goel works with each individual patient to create a plan for their particular cardiovascular needs and situation.  This plan may incorporate the Western principles of medications and procedural solutions such as:  angiogram, carotid stenting, or clot extraction, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, or, Digoxin as well as the Eastern principles of natural remedies such as daily meditation, yoga, herbs such as garlic, fish oil and flaxseed, regular aerobic exercise as well training with weights and eating a proper diet.

By combining both, Dr. Goel strives to empower the patient to help themselves while still under his medical care and guidance.  “Society has set us up to fail,” he tells me when we discuss how our hectic lifestyles play a roll in heart disease.  Dr. Goel believes that changing our stressful lifestyles could have a big impact on our heart health.  Given that heart disease may be attributed to roughly 50% genetics and 50% environmental factors, it would behoove us to do everything possible to alleviate stress, to live an active lifestyle, and to eat right.

A Thing of The Past

“Heart disease will hopefully become, in the majority of patients, a thing of the past.  The preventative aspect of treating heart disease will eventually be the most powerful and predominant treatment.”   The progress toward this is dramatic as evidenced in the decreasing numbers of people who die from heart disease and the increasing number of people who, in just the past 10 years, have survived heart attacks.

“In this day and age, people from all walks of life, of all ages are seeking out less high risk solutions and turning to more natural therapies for healing.  Alternatives do exist.”

Prevention – You Know Your Body

There are known symptoms that are indicators.  Unlike the commercials you see on television which when I watch them I realize I suffer from everything from depression to fibromyalgia to erectile dysfunction, these symptoms are specific, and are often combined.  Again, it goes back to being aware of your body.  You’ve been living in it for a long time, you know what is normal and what isn’t.  And while each person’s “normal” will vary slightly, be aware if you experience: chest pain (which is often confused with heartburn), dizziness, fatigue, a cough, high blood pressure, palpitations, shortness of breath, swelling, or cyanosis, which is a bluish coloration of the skin and mucous membranes?.  If these occur, see your doctor right away.

The Human Element

Utilizing both Eastern and Western philosophies brings the human element to the forefront of his profession. “Healing from a heart attack or any heart disease is very emotional.  There can be anxiety, pain, fear.  I approach each patient as a personal relationship, and communicate an understanding of their situation in a one on one environment.  I mend one heart at a time.”

In very basic terms, we humans are part of the animal kingdom.  Animals use their teeth to show control with other animals, to show aggression or to warn, and to defend themselves when attacked.  As babies, we use our mouths to explore the world as well, but we learn very early on that it is not okay to bite.  We learn it is not okay to put our teeth on people or things if we feel attacked or even if we feel the need to assert control over them or a situation.

This diverted animal instinct leads us to put our teeth on food.  Biting someone is not acceptable.  Biting food is acceptable.  The feelings associated with this need become labeled as unacceptable as well.  To dissipate all that aggressive energy we turn to the acceptable – food, eating, chewing.

So, a basic animal instinct that is not being allowed to be played out is the cause of my issues with food, and may be an underlying cause of obesity?  Hm.  I dare say it makes some sense.  I will do some more research and get back to you with more.  In the meantime, if you see me baring my teeth and growling, it is NOT because I am hungry, so stand back.

Yesterday morning, Kendall was hit in the eye with a soccer ball. His right eye. His big beautiful sky blue eye. Evidently, since that incident, there have been intermittent “black curtains” blocking his vision. I was not privy to this information, for whatever reason, until this morning. Until HE was sufficiently freaked out enough about it to BOTHER to tell me, his mother.

How can I help my kids if they won’t tell me what’s going on? And why the silence? Ten days ago, I discovered my other son’s big left toe was severely traumatized and had developed a serious infection. Truly horrifying to look at, I asked him in amazement how long it had been that way. “I dunno,” he said sheepishly, “awhile.”

Awhile. What exactly is “awhile” to a 10 year old or a 13 year-old. Long-enough-for the-toe-to-be-so-painful-as-to-require-an-emergency-visit-to-a-podiatrist-and-have-minor-surgery while? Or, wait-until-I-can’t-see-with-my-right-eye-so-many-times-that-wow-maybe-I-should-mention-something-to-my-mom while?

Children grow up and eventually claim autonomy. They want their privacy. I haven’t seen either of them naked for years. Nor would I want to – I cling to that little baby image in my head to this day and it does not need to be destroyed with body hair and smelly things. But, I have learned my lesson here. As they grow and showcase their responsible selves and what wonderful young men they are becoming, I must remember that they are STILL CHILDREN and they cannot be responsible to fully take care of themselves.

They can be left alone for brief periods. They can cook a meal. They can be responsible for getting their homework done. They know their chores and for the most part, they get the consequences of behavior – both positive and negative. But what they obviously don’t get, because they have no experience with it, is the repercussions of ignoring your health or your body. That, it seems, has been taken for granted.

I am grateful that the toe was able to heal after the minor surgery and 10 days of oral antibiotics. I am grateful that Kendall’s eye seems to be undamaged. I am also grateful that in the span of two weeks they (AND I) are now aware that if the “black curtain” or “floaters” appear in his eye, he needs to let someone know IMMEDIATELY so that we can monitor it and that if there is pain or something odd looking on your body MOM NEEDS TO SEE IT.

I will also now do RANDOM checks on their bodies. Arms, legs, hands, feet, face, scalp, neck, etc. to search for any abnormalities. I have talked to them about how to check their “private” areas and verified that all is being cleaned properly. Not exactly the most delicate or comfortable conversation to have with my kids, but jeez, if I am talking to them about the dangers of sex, that blow jobs are sex, to say to drugs, to act like a young gentleman regardless of what their friends are doing, then I can talk to them about taking care of and maintaining the care of their bodies – and KEEPING THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN on that subject with me and their Dad.

Make an appointment with your kids so you never have to ask in a panicked, nausea induced state, “It’s been this way for HOW LONG?”

As the obesity rates in our country rise, it is not just the adults we have to be concerned about. If a child is overweight, there is a 79% likelihood that they will be overweight as an adult. Not surprising given that French fries are the most widely eaten vegetable. Honestly, that is like calling Ketchup a fruit, which, I admit, I did for many years when it was the only “fruit” Kamden would eat.

So what can you do to be healthy and help your kids be healthy? I like the analogy of the airplane oxygen mask. In the event of an emergency, put YOUR mask on first, THEN assist your children. The same can be true for healthy habits and healthy bodies. If you are living a healthy lifestyle, eating a rainbow of colorful foods (not the kind out of the colorful packaging, but rather, the raw fruit and vegetable kind), exercising (sorry, the thumb and forefinger exercises on video games DON’T count), and exhibiting a healthy body image, then chances are you will pass all of that along to your children.

Indeed, this is one area where you SET AN EXAMPLE. And that example can make a huge impact on the quality of not only your life, but also the lives of your children and other family members. Need help figuring it out? Browse the information at Nutrition.gov or check out what Good Housekeeping Magazine has to offer so that you and yours do not become one of the 400,000 people who die annually from poor eating habits and laziness.

A Santé! Which is “to your health” in French (the language, not the side of fries).

“Get out of your comfort zone.  Persistence and determination are more powerful than talent.  You are who you hang out with.”  These were just some of the messages that were spoken at a lovely motivational retreat at the La Costa resort in Carlsbad.  I was invited to be a part of the festivities by my dear friend, Julie Daradics, pictured on the left, and was thus privy to a private gathering in a beautiful home by the sea where I met some amazing people.   Rita Davenport, President of Arbonne was in attendance, beaming about her granddaughter turning one, and letting all present know that they “can have anything if they help others get what they want.”  Donna Wiser (www.thewiserway.com), second from right, is an inspirational woman with whom I felt an immediate connection and from whom I gleaned some fascinating tidbits which I will implement in my own life.  And nearly all of the women I met, including Julie and Carrie MacLean, pictured in the middle, are highly successful in a company called Arbonne.  I have no affiliation with Arbonne, but I now have the utmost respect for what they stand for after spending one-on-one time with the remarkable powerhouse women running the show.

If, like me at the time, you have no idea what the company really does or sells, it is a wellness company that offers state-of-the art products to help you achieve your ultimate health and beauty.  It is also a company that employs thousands of women and encourages them to run their own companies.  Yes, it is a multi-level marketing/network marketing company, but as I found out, it is a company based on support, ideas and darn good products.  And as a bit of a sneak peak, they are preparing to launch a whole new line up in March of this year.

If you would like more information on their services, products, or to become involved in the company, please contact Julie Daradics at juliesd@roadrunner.com or at 805-208-4830.

“You can’t wear that dress,” my mother used to tell me, “you have to save it for good.” “Don’t use those dishes/glasses/pens/ whatever, save them for good.”And finally, “No, you can’t borrow that, I’m saving it for good.” Well, by the time ‘good’ rolled around, nothing ever fit and/or it was out of style, or worse yet, lost in the bastion of piles of ‘good’ things that crowded every closet. Every drawer. Every cupboard. And why wasn’t today good enough? Why isn’t this moment, now, good enough? What am I saving it for? What was she saving it all for? As though some moment in the future is going to be that much more precious than this one? Evidently. And I am still waiting for it, so that I can wear my new dress. And shoes. And coat. And sign my checks with my fancy pen.

This is a belief, a meme, that I fight and literally have internal conversations (battles) with myself over nearly everyday. I know where it comes from – my childhood. Specifically, my mother. Always being told to save things for good, for special occasions. And yes, as a child and even as an adult when I visited, pulling out my parents wedding china once a year and setting a beautiful table for Thanksgiving was a special occasion. It was also the only day of the year that a complete meal was ever cooked in our household, so yes, it was momentous, indeed.It also led to over eating, and an intense avoidance of all the dishes that all had to be hand washed because ‘they’ don’t make ‘good’ dishes that can go in the dishwasher.And even though it was an event, a ‘special’ day, no ‘good’ clothes were worn, because we were just at the house cooking, and eating and cleaning. And you wouldn’t want to waste your ‘good’ clothes or shoes on that. Would you?

As an adult, I’ve become accustomed to fine things. I like designer clothes. And shoes. And furnishings. And technology. I find stuff I like everywhere – from estate sales to department stores, from small boutiques on Ventura Boulevard to Target, from EBay to Craigslist. It doesn’t matter to me where I shop, as I like to mix it up. I discriminate only on the basis of quality, craftsmanship, fabric, and ultimately, usage. But there are always those clothes, usually the ones I am drawn to the most, that I like the most, that invariably hang in my wardrobe, tags still on, week after week, waiting until the day comes that is good enough for me to wear them. It is so frustrating! I have friends that buy something new and immediately rip the tags off and wear it the next day, or even the same evening. I am envious of this behavior – of this abandon. For only if an item is purchased specifically for a significant occasion, like my wedding dress for instance, (sigh, how sad is that…that was 14 year ago) do I ever wear something immediately. And then, in the instances such as this, never again.

Recently, I bought three fabulous Hale Bob dresses to wear during the summer. They were moderately expensive dresses – three to four hundred a piece. I didn’t pay that, of course, but that is another article. They are beautiful and colorful and made of silk with beautiful detailing. So why haven’t I worn them?  How much better does it get than a warm day or evening in Southern California to wear a beautiful dress? It doesn’t get any better. But for some reason that just isn’t ‘good’ enough. Again, I ask, “What am I saving them for?”

I present my problem to my dear friend, Jessica, who wears what she wants when she wants and tries her hardest to knock the lid off my jar of possibilities. Her take on my dilemmas always inspires me. “Just put it on…wear it grocery shopping if that is where you are headed! You love it, wear it! That’s enough!” This is the retort I now hear in my mind every time I choose not to wear the dresses. The thought of ‘dressing up’ to wander through the produce isles with my kids is so ridiculous it always brings a smile to my face. And one day, I will actually do it….

Today, I dressed up for work. True, I work out of my home in a home office, but, today is a good day (not a sweats and/or pajama day), and I’m wearing new shoes and one of my new dresses. And later, I will be going to the grocery store in the same clothes – if for no other reason than someone needs to see me in it because I actually took off the tags and put it on.

‘Saving it for good’ puts off for tomorrow joy that I could be experiencing today. This day is ‘good.’ This moment is ‘special.’ And from this minute forward, I will strive to live in the present, with the awareness that what (and whom) we adorn ourselves with, surround ourselves with, and populate our lives with, ultimately creates our mindset, our experience, our life. And dammit, mine will be in fabulous clothes, sipping from my china and writing with my special pen – this is the moment I’ve been saving it all for and I will live it fully now, no longer putting it on hold, no longer ‘saving it for good.’

I looked at him silently, contemplating his face.  There was no malice or teasing.  It was simply an observation on his part.  And, it was embarrassingly true.  ”It just proves,” he continued, “that sleep is the best medicine.”  I thought about this while I studied his face and realized he was absolutely right.  If I scheduled my life around the necessary amount of sleep, I am certain my life would be more, more, what? Stable? Predictable? Peaceful? Manageable?  I can’t find the right word – maybe because maybe there isn’t just one.  Maybe because there are so many words that would apply if I slept more.  And maybe because I am just too tired to think.

It reminded me of the chalky red chewable tablets the dentist used to give when I was kid to show us that we were indeed not getting all the plaque when we brushed. I thought it would be a good lesson for my son. After the hooting and hollering upon Kendall trying it – he was very blue, thus obviously not brushing away a bunch of plaque – I was forced to try it as well. At that point I can only deduce that it is just a tint, not a plaque finder because there is no way that I still do not know how to properly brush my teeth. Yet another Bluetooth product to hate. Can you hear me? Can you see me smile?