Saturday, July 21, 2012

How You Can Help Stop Labor & Sex Trafficking

Hello Friends ~
This weeks show on Human Labor and Sex Trafficking was an eye opening one indeed. A couple of months ago Melissa, Diane and I had the opportunity to view the film "Not My Life." The film was directed by Oscar nominee Robert Bilheimer.  "Not My Life" is the first documentary film to depict the horrifying and dangerous practices of human trafficking and modern slavery on a global scale.
Filmed on five continents over a period of four years, "Not My Life" depicts the unspeakable practices of a multi-billion dollar global industry whose profits, as the film's narration says, "are built on the backs and in the beds of our planet's youth." While acknowledging that trafficking and slavery are universal crimes, affecting millions of human beings all over the world, "Not My Life" zeroes in on the fact that the vast majority of trafficking and slavery victims are indeed children.  
The film was an eye opening experience for all of us that attended.  Mr. Bilheimer was a guest on our show this week and talked about his experiences with the film. So what can you do to help stop labor and sex trafficking?  The following information was taken from the website HumanTrafficking.org.

How Do People Get Trapped Into Sex or Labor Trafficking?
No one volunteers to be exploited. Traffickers frequently recruit people through fraudulent advertisements promising legitimate jobs as hostesses, domestics, or work in the agricultural industry. Trafficking victims of all kinds come from rural, suburban, and urban settings.
There are signs when commercial establishments are holding people against their will.
Visible Indicators of Trafficking
Visible Indicators May Include:
·         Heavy security at the commercial establishment including barred windows, locked doors, isolated location, electronic surveillance. Women are never seen leaving the premises unless escorted.
·         Victims live at the same premises as the brothel or work site or are driven between quarters and "work" by a guard. For labor trafficking, victims are often prohibited from leaving the work site, which may look like a guarded compound from the outside.
·         Victims are kept under surveillance when taken to a doctor, hospital or clinic for treatment; trafficker may act as a translator.
·         High foot traffic especially for brothels where there may be trafficked women indicated often by a stream of men arriving and leaving the premises.
Trafficking victims are kept in bondage through a combination of fear, intimidation, abuse, and psychological controls. While each victim will have a different experience, they share common threads that may signify a life of indentured servitude.
Trafficking victims live a life marked by abuse, betrayal of their basic human rights, and control under their trafficker. The following indicators in and of themselves may not be enough to meet the legal standard for trafficking, but they indicate that a victim is controlled by someone else and, accordingly, the situation should be further investigated.
Profile of a Trafficked Person
What Is the Profile of a Trafficking Victim?
Most trafficking victims will not readily volunteer information about their status because of fear and abuse they have suffered at the hands of their trafficker. They may also be reluctant to come forward with information from despair, discouragement, and a sense that there are no viable options to escape their situation. Even if pressed, they may not identify themselves as someone held in bondage for fear of retribution to themselves or family members.However, there are indicators that often point to a person held in a slavery condition. They include:
1 Other Important Signs:
In addition to some of the obvious physical and mental indicators of trafficking, there are other signs that an individual is being controlled by someone else. Red flags should go up for police or aid workers who notice any of the following during an intake. The individual:
·         Does not hold his/her own identity or travel documents
·         Suffers from verbal or psychological abuse designed to intimidate, degrade and frighten the individual
·         Has a trafficker or pimp who controls all the money, victim will have very little or no pocket money

Find more information at www.HumanTrafficking.org.  Thank you for listening to the show.

~ Eva
Outreach Today

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Good Mental Health: How to empower and retrain your brain

Hello Friends-

What an interesting show on Mental Health this week. So what exactly is mental health? We learned that mental or emotional health refers to your overall psychological well-being. It's the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with life's challenges.

It's easy to get your head together, and you've already taken the first step by looking into mental health. Remember, it all starts from within that noggin of yours!  :)

Experts say taking care of your body is a powerful step towards empowering your brain.  The activities you participate in and the daily choices you make effect the way you feel physically and emotionally.

Here are some additional tips:
  1. Exercise to relieve stress - for at least 30 minutes a day.
  2. Get enough sleep - Most people need 7-8 hours a sleep to be the their best
  3. Eat well- What you put in your body effects your energy and your mood.
  4. Hello sunshine - Apparently the sunlight lifts your mood - try to get at least 15 minutes of sun per day. Of course don't forget your sunscreen!
  5. Limit alcohol and avoid cigarettes - Experts say they have long-term consequences on your mood an emotional health.
Thanks for listening to the show.

We will see you next week for a very powerful show on human labor and sex trafficking. You may be surprised to find out it's not just a problem abroad, but also right here in the United States.

~Outreach Today


Thursday, June 21, 2012

You Can Do It! Lose Weight, Get Fit & Healthy

Hello there Friends-
If you're tired of carrying around those extra pounds and not looking good in your clothes...it’s time to do something about it!  In his book  "Gym-Free and Ripped," trainer Nathan Jendrick says you can get trimmed and toned without stepping foot in the gym or buying expensive bulky home machines.

Nathan says people often complain and make excuses about how busy their lives are and they don't have time to regularly exercise.  So he says even if you only have 20 minutes a day to devote to being healthier, make sure you use that time at home planning healthy meals to eat, stretching, doing something to get your heart rate up.

Nathan says stretching is the easiest way to get involved with getting active.  He says when you start stretching everything feels better and it allows you to get more active. Nathan says stretching IS working out and its a good way to warm up your muscles and get started.

The hot new craze is the Insanity Workout.  Nathan says 60-90 day plans are great if people can stick with them. But he says for a lot a people those type of programs are daunting.  He says after 90 days you will look great.  BUT its very hard and intimidating and the problem is people go back to their old habits.  Nathan says truth be told you can run in place 45 minutes to an hour a day and get in the same shape as you would doing one of these programs. The problem is...it won't be fun..

Nathan suggests incremental changes.  Start with the stretching, then move into some body weight exercises..and all of this you can do from home.  He says you don't need to pop in a DVD and try to keep up with fitness celebrities. Find something you really joy and that will keep you motivated.


Nathan also suggests taking pictures once a week or every two weeks. You will see how your body changes because you're working out.  If you fall off the exercise bandwagon..keep taking pictures.  Nathan says you will be motivated by not looking as good as you did the previous times when you were working out and that's also a great motivation technique.

Great advice.  If you would like to hear more about working out and being healthy at home.. visit Nathan's website at 
www.healthyfromhome.com.

Thanks for listening to Outreach Today.
We will see you next week where we will talk about relieving stress!!

~Eva





Thursday, June 7, 2012

Navigating the Dating Game with Dignity



Hello Everyone!
What an eye opening discussion we had today about Dating. Being over 40 myself I found it to be very interesting, inspiring and to be honest.. quite comical.  We had three wonderful guests talk about different aspects of dating including the Dating Goddess who has penned 13 books on dating over 40.
Here are some of her answers to questions about dating.

OT:  What makes dating different now than when we were in our 20s? 
DG:            Pros
·         Often more freedom if kids are out of the house, so more time to date
·         More income to spend because you’re further along in your career
       Cons
·         My be balancing raising teenagers and caring for elderly parents, so not much time to date
·         Not usually concerned about having more kids, although adoption is an option for those interested
·         May have put on extra pounds, have sags and bags. Not feel as attractive as when younger
·         May have been financially wiped out by tuition and divorce payments so no funds to date.

OT: Let’s say I think I want a special man in my life again. What are some things I need to know?

DG:  Need to examine your espectations (Is Bradd Pitt ruining your love life?)
·         Need to be ready to open your heart (Have you built a fortress around your heart?)
·         Need to have courage (Courage and dating  -rejection stings)
·         Be willing to examine your own actions and try to understand your date’

OT: What are some of the hardest things for women re-entering the dating pool after a long absence?
DG:
·         (Don’t think you are damaged goods)
·         Don’t assume the man you’re with is like others, both bad and good
·         Are you set in your ways?)

OT:  How does a woman know what she’s looking for in her next mate?
DG:
·         (What’s your “perfect boyfriend’s” job description?)

·         Practice dates

·         Be present to how you feel, both with him and between dates

OT:      What has surprised you about men’s dating behavior?
DG:
·         (Chivalry isn’t dead —but it seems to be hibernating)

·         (Midlife men have forgotten how to date)
·         With few exceptions, a man has to initiate the first contact
·         Most of the men I’ve met have been sweet, caring and dear.

OT:  We’re now prepped and ready to get into the dating pool. What do we need to do?
DG:
·         Be strategic about your attire and presentation (Do you have the right datewear?)
·         (Are you making bad decisions out of loneliness?)
·         (Being “in wonder” about your date’s behavior)

OT:  Let’s say we’ve gotten some interest from a guy. Should we immediately try to meet him?
DG:  Vet him. Even if he profile isn’t that appealing, respond to his email. Ask him some questions.
·         Once you have his last name, Google him
·         Move from email to phone.
·         If he’s not odious on the phone, only agree to coffee


Thank you, Dating Goddess. If you want to purchase her books go to www.DatingGoddess.com.


Thanks for listening to Outreach Today!

















Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Fight for Life: Standing Up to Cancer

Wow..is all I can say what an inspirational show today about Cancer. How to not get it, how to live with it and how to inspire others!  Three awesome guests on today's show shared some very life saving information.


Breast Cancer Survivor Denielle Freeman shared advice to women to remember to always do their self exams - no matter how young or old you are.  She also shared advice for friends and loved ones of cancer patients. Denielle says don't minimize their symptoms and how they are feeling. Unless you have been through it...you don't know.. be supportive!
To read Denielle's blog about her cancer journey visit the following websites www. wattpad.com - A Curse or a Blessing? My Journey through Breast Cancer and Denielle's Story on Facebook - Read her blog in the notes section www.facebook.com/denielles.story.


Dr. Susan Silberstein author of the books Hungry for Health, Hungrier for Health, and Kitchen Chemotherapy says there are some things you can eat that will help prevent cancer.  Some of those items are cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, coleslaw and cabbage, flax-seed, legumes, certain types of fat -like Omega 3's and garlic.  For more information on Susan visit her websites - www.beatcancer.org and www.susansilberstein.com.


One our favorite books on Cancer is written by Kris Carr. It's called Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips.  The book presents a crash course in cancer management, a tour of the best holistic care and spiritual practices, sensible nutritional guidelines, plus professional beauty tricks and image boosters. In total there are 77 tips, including


  1. Expect the "why me?" cancer blues...and put a firm three-day limit on indulging in self-pity.
  2. Create your own cancer term....and call yourself a survivor from the day you are diagnosed
  3. Use the cancer card when you need to rest or need a break, but don't abuse it!
  4. Eat real food - preferably raw and vegetarian -and go for a diet high in chlorophyll.
  5. Throw out the scale..and embrace the body you've got.
  6. Splurge on a pretty, lacy bra that brings out your inner sex goddess - new boobs or no boobs.  (good one Kris! ha!)
  7. Be straight forward with your partner about your situation...and explore cancer karma sutra.
  8. Think and do some research before starting a family....and be kind to the family you already have.
  9. Say please and thank you, but ask for what you want!
For more information on Kris' books visit her website www.crazysexycancer.com.

And as always, thank you for listening to Outreach Today!

Have a great one!

Eva Bowen
Executive Producer

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

May is National Women's Health Month: Did you take care of your health?

Hello Friends-
Today's show is all about Women's Health.  Its important to be mindful about what we ARE doing and what we SHOULD be doing to stay healthy. One of our guests Dr. Angela DeRosa spoke about the 5 tests all the ladies should be getting.


Preventative health screenings are important but there is conflicting information about who needs them, when the right time is to get screened and how often certain tests should be done. May is National Women’s Health Month so it’s time to set the record straight and take health matters into your own hands.

Preventative health screenings are crucial but often confusing for female patients as there are many different guidelines that suggest different things. Many of these practice recommendations are based on large population statistics as well as monetary savings; none of which take into unique individual patients needs or risk. Routine tests are our best defense for early diagnosis of disease and in-turn higher successful treatment rates if something is detected. Women need to make their health a priority and National Women’s Health month is a great time to do that.”

Top 5 tests you should consider getting:

1. Heart disease is the number one killer of women throughout the world, six-times more likely to cause death than breast cancer. Based on these statistics, women over the age of 50 should have an electrocardiogram (EKG) yearly.

2. Skin cancer screenings must be conducted every year no matter what your age. The American Cancer Society anticipates Arizona will have 1,650 new cases of melanoma in 2012.

3. Pap smears should be done annually between the ages of 21 and 30 and then every 3 years in patients older than 30, providing they are in a monogamous relationship and have a history of normal pap smears.

4. Starting at age 40, mammograms need to be performed every other year and annually after age 50. To add increased detection of breast cancer, consider getting a BT test, which is a new blood test to detect the presence of inflammation markets which signal the possibility f breast cancer cells being present in the body.

5. A colonoscopy should be performed at age 50 to screen for colon cancer. After a baseline is established, follow up tests should be done every 5-10 years.

You can never be too careful when it comes to your health. Just this year I discovered a melanoma on a patient’s stomach during a routine skin cancer exam. She had been told by another physician that it was nothing to worry about. Trust your instincts….women know their bodies better than anyone else.


Dr. Angela DeRosa, DO, MBA
www.derosamedical.com

Thanks Dr. DeRosa!  And thank you our viewers for listening to Outreach Today! Make it a great one!

Eva Bowen
Executive Producer, Outreach Today

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus: Understanding Gender differences between the Guys and Dolls

Hello Friends..
What a wonderful show today on communication differences between men and women. I learned so much about how men think versus women. You would think in 46 years, one marriage and several long-term relationships I would have learned a thing or two....ha!


I learned while it was fun to look at the differences between men and women, we also have to be careful about not stereotyping or assuming women will all act one way and men the other. 



One of our guests Barbara J. Peters wrote a wonderful book about communication between the sexes called, "He Said, She Said, I Said."  Below is an excerpt from the book.



He Said: When she uses that tone of voice with me or puts her hand on her hip, I don’t feel like her husband; I 

feel like her child, and I just close down.



I Said: With this couple, it became evident it wasn’t just what the woman was saying that pushed her husband away 
from her, but rather how she said it—with both her words and body language. Her delivery did not create a positive 
environment for continued dialogues, and her tone of voice and stance did not encourage her spouse to respond in a 
good way. If she had a way of knowing how her body language made her husband feel, she would then have a chance 
to change her posture and delivery, which could positively impact their interactions.

It is possible to do just that.

Taking the time and effort to learn your partner’s needs and perceptions can go a long 
way in discovering how to productively and respectfully talk with each other. The keys for understanding what 
your partner might be thinking or feeling is to make sure you stay in the present, deal exclusively with the concern at hand, listen to words
spoken, and watch physical responses. Don’t let your mind think about what happened 
in the past or the last time you had a similar conversation. And don’t make assumptions. Ask questions about how 
he or she is feeling, right then, in the moment, with that experience . . . and then really listen, watch, and care about 
what you are hearing and seeing. A person’s facial expressions and body postures can often speak louder than words.

Additionally, make sure you pay close attention to your own body language and your tone of voice, as well as the 
words you use. Remember, communication is so much more than words, and if the way you deliver your words 
or present yourself isn’t in alignment with what you are saying, your partner will hear the loudest statement. For instance, if you are
saying loving words in a harsh tone of voice with body language indicating irritation, your significant 
other will “hear” the irritation much more than the actual words themselves. The next time you and your partner are spending time talking with each other, take a moment to look at the way you stand. Then consider what your posture, hand movements, or arm position could be saying to him or her. Is your posture in alignment with the message you want to send? Or is it contradictory? If you are the one who is feeling belittled by your partner’s body language or tone of voice, your feelings should be addressed, preferably at a time when you are comfortably and genuinely sharing with each other. Sometimes body stance becomes a habit more than a reflection of what a person is feeling. Give your loved one an opportunity to make some changes in the way he or she speaks to you instead of just closing down. I
n a relationship, each is responsible for how he or she responds, both as the one doing the talking and the one 
doing the listening.


I am so with Barbara on this. Often times my ex-husband would raise his voice at me when when we were discussing something. I hate being yelled at. Did I say hate?? Yep. I believe that heightened my emotion level and I would get more upset. Even though I told him repeatedly about his level and tone...he never got it that it disturbed me.  It's important to find out what works in conversations with your significant other.


If you want more information on Barbara J. Peters visit her website http://www.thegiftofalifetime.net/he-said-she-said-i-said/

Great points Barbara and very insightful information thank you!