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FROM THE DOC
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LET'S CELEBRATE!
Yes, the Holiday Season is upon us, but before Halloween, Thanksgiving and the rest.....there is an important day we should all be perhaps even more thankful for and celebrate with more gusto, and that is October 16th, World Anesthesia Day.
On that day in 1846 the first demonstration of the effective use of anesthesia occurred by dentist named William T G Morton at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Using ether vapor to make his patient 'insensate', Dr. Morton demonstrated the anesthetic while the patient underwent removal of a tumor on his neck. The surgeon pronounced after the surgery "Gentlemen, this is no humbug!" as the previous demonstration of anesthesia two years prior was greeted with major skepticism when it was under-dosed and the patient experienced pain and movement. Now...finally...proof of success.
The story goes on, with fascinating twists and turns, leaving the now famous Dr. Morton penniless (read the rest of the story Here>>>>
With modern anesthesia, modern surgery was developed. With the likes of William Halsted of Hopkins leading the way with a new and vastly improved method of meticulous surgery, the odds of surviving surgery improved from 1 in 5 back in the 1800's, to 99 in 100 today.
So, to all of us that have had surgery or needed anesthesia in our lives....Hooray for October 16th and one of great achievements of modern science.
Yours in good health, Dr. Lakin
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| VOL 10 / Issue: #4 | Fall/ 2014 |
10 Best: Places To See
Fall Colors
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1. Aspen, Colo. You won't forget the sight of white-trunked aspens with golden leaves.
2. Bayfield, Wis. Bright Victorian homes add to the color on Lake Superior's hilly shore.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina.Pull off in Asheville, N.C., to see the grand Biltmore Estate in autumn.
4. Boston Common. Strollers glide through a leafy sea of reds, oranges and yellows.
5. Cascade Range, Wash. Drive, pedal or hike through the Cascades mountains for breathtaking scenery.
6. Central Park, New York City. This iconic American space presents fall colors with classic architecture as a backdrop.
7. Eureka Springs, Ark. Fall leaves contrast gorgeously with limestone at this steep village.
8. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Leaf-peepers are welcomed with blue skies at these Smoky Mountain gateways.
9. Keene, N.H. Check out the Keene Pumpkin Festival Oct. 18,
-USA Weekend
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October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
|  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.
While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. We have made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and need your help!
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Unmask Hypertension: Track Your Blood Pressure at Home. . . .
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 Your blood-pressure checks at the doctor's office may read normal, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're in the clear: Up to 20% of adults have "masked hypertension," according to some estimates. That's when blood pressure measurements are lower at the physician's office than they are at home.
Experts aren't completely certain why it happens, but scientists have recently discovered that people with this form of hidden hypertension have a 55% increased risk for heart attack or stroke, compared with those with normal blood pressure, according to a research review. The same analysis found that home blood-pressure monitoring helps identify masked hypertension.
Doctors may recommend home monitoring (in addition to regular check-ins at that office) for people diagnosed with high blood pressure, those with pre-hypertension, or even people who just have risk factors for the condition, including family history, advanced age or obesity. Left untreated, hypertension can damage your heart, arteries and kidneys and lead to stroke and vision loss, among other complications.
Keep tabs on your pressure at home; that can help doctors make an earlier diagnosis, as well as track your treatment and encourage better blood-pressure control. Talk to your physician; if home blood-pressure monitoring is suggested for you, here are some tips to help you get started:
Choose an arm monitor.
It's more accurate and reliable than the devices that take readings from your wrist or finger. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends this type of monitor. Measure around your bicep, and choose a monitor that comes with the correct cuff size. Digital devices are more expensive than manual ones, but they're easier to use - they automatically inflate and deflate the cuff (instead of you having to pump), and they provide digital readings, as well as pulse rate; certain manual monitors require the use of a stethoscope.
Measure at the same time every day.
Either in the morning or at night, according to the AHA. Don't smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise 30 minutes before taking a reading. Sit in a chair, with your back straight and both feet flat on the floor and make sure your arm is supported on a flat surface at heart level. Take two or three measurements each time, one minute apart.
Track your results.
Record every reading, including the date and time; the AHA offers online and printable trackers at heart.org. You can also download apps to note your pressure, as well as your weight and other lifestyle factors. Some monitors can store your numbers; others allow you to upload readings to a website. One high reading is not a cause for concern, but if your numbers are consistently elevated, consult your doctor. If your pressure reaches a systolic (top number) of 180 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic (bottom number) of 110 mm Hg or higher, wait a few minutes and take it again, the AHA says; if it's still at or above that level, seek emergency treatment.
- The Doctors, USA Weekend
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Full Moon Can Mess With Your Sleep, New Study Finds. . . . .
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Urban legends suggest that full moons throw everything out of whack, from our moods to fertility to romance. Most of those lunar-themed old wives tales aren't true, of course - but a new study finds that full moons actually do screw with your sleep.
Christian Cajochen, a biologist and lead author of the new paper, was sitting outside a pub with some colleagues, gazing at the full moon, when a thought struck him. Does the full moon influence sleep? After some discussion, he realized that data from his past sleep studies might shed (moon) light on whether the lunar cycle impacts sleep.
"It took me more than four years until I decided to publish the results, because I did not believe it myself," Cajochen, a professor and director of the Centre for Chronobiology at the University of Basel in Switzerland, writes in an email.
To learn if a link between sleep and the moon exists, Cajochen looked at results of a study from 2000 to 2003 that examined circadian rhythms and the sleep- wake cycle. The experiment included 17 healthy young volunteers between age 20 and 31 and 16 healthy older subjects between the ages 57 to 74. At the time, the study had nothing to do with lunar cycles and sleep.
During the experiment, which involved two full nights of sleep and a third night that included either sleep deprivation or sleep satiation (in other words, lots of naps), the researchers took EEG readings and blood samples from the participants. An EEG records electrical activity in the brain and can determine how long and how often a person is in deep sleep. Recently, Cajochen compared the EEG and blood test results with the lunar cycle.
And he found that people experienced better sleep during the new moon and worse sleep during a full moon. During the full moon, it takes an average of five minutes longer to fall asleep and people dozed for 20 minutes less. And, their melatonin levels dropped. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle by causing drowsiness and a dip in body temperature.
"I was also surprised to see, that besides sleep, also evening melatonin levels were affected by lunar phase," he says.
While Cajochen remains unsure about why people don't sleep as well during the full moon, he speculates that sleep worsens because they see more light, meaning they don't sleep as deeply, because light keeps us awake.
Cajochen admits there's little we can do do to combat poor sleep during a full moon if excess daylight is the culprit. But, these findings will help people who believe the full moon leads to their restless nights.
"If somebody thinks he or she is sensitive to the moon effects on sleep, [doctors] should probably account for that," he says.
The study appears in the current issue of
Current Biology.
- By Meghan Holohan
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Why We Like To Be Scared: The Science Behind The Scream. . . . . .
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 Mwaaaa-haaa-haaaa-haaaa...Halloween is coming near, and that means all the frightening images and costumes are taking center stage. But enjoying these scary situations is a slightly different topic. And as it turns out, many of us do.
We like being scared and this is not a new phenomenon. As a culture, we seem to be craving these intense panic button experiences more and more. Why do we like being scared so much?
When we have the daylights frightened out of us our heart beats a little faster, we breathe a bit more intensely, perspire more and get butterflies in the pit of our stomachs. Experts know it's not uncommon for people to want to push the envelope just to see just how much fear they can tolerate. There is a great sense of satisfaction when we can prove to ourselves we actually can handle more anxiety than we ever imagined we could.
There's also a hormonal component when it comes to fear and enjoyment. The hormonal reaction we get when we are exposed to a threat or crisis can motivate this love of being scared. The moment we feel threatened, we feel increasingly more strong and powerful physically, and more intuitive emotionally. This charge to our physical and mental state is called an "adrenaline rush," and as humans we are apparently hard-wired to be drawn to this type of feeling.
On a psychological level there's an appeal to vicariously experience what's forbidden, bizarre or dark. Horror films in particular allow us to explore the experience of fear in an enjoyable and safe way. They also allow us to identify with the bad guy without getting ourselves into too much trouble. Many of us have a need to expose ourselves to sensations which are different from our daily routine. This helps us to feel more stimulated by life. Identifying with the dark side of human nature can be quite cathartic for us as well.
Creepy stories help us to release strong emotions. Let's face it, most of us, in our daily lives, don't have a way to release these types of intense and unimaginable feelings (which is probably a good thing). There are benefits to let go of these pent up fears and let them run their course when we have the chance.
And while one person's scary might be another person's enjoyable, some of us are pre-destined from birth to choose a more terrifying life route. Personal pleasure can vary widely. So whether you're facing your fears by doing something terrifying or by watching a scary movie, remember either one can feel gratifying and rewarding.
-By Dr. Robi Ludwig, TODAY contributor
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Be Sure You Have Our Correct Address!
| Paradise Valley Medical Clinic
Ninety Mountain View
9977 N. 90th Street, Suite 180
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480.614.5800 (Phone)
480.614.6322 (Fax)
**Additional Top Floor Ramp Parking:
The 2nd floor ramp parking is very close to our door, but the entrance is at the VERY NORTH END of the parking area of the two buildings. You drive all the way North...enter at the NORTH END, then drive down to the SOUTH END of the 2nd FLoor Parking to get a space very near the entrance.
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What Your Foot Really Looks Like In High Heels
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 Skyscraper-high heels make a woman's legs look longer and leaner. But if you look at the cramped, claw-toed, gnome-like three-dimensional images of a woman's foot in some stilettos released by London's Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital on YouTube, you might rethink your fashion choice -- at least for a while.
The technology called pedCAT, manufactured by Warrington, Penn.-based CurveBeam, is a CT scanner designed specifically for foot and ankle issues. It received FDA approval in the U.S. last year and in Europe in 2013, says CurveBeam spokesperson, Vinti Singh, whose foot, in her favorite four-inch heels, was pictured in the scan. The biggest difference between this technology and traditional CT scanning of the foot and ankle is that it allows for the doctor to see the foot in "true, weight bearing positioning," says Singh, who hasn't developed any problems in her feet -- yet.
And to keep it that way doctors agree that stiletto-moderation is the key to happy feet later in life.
"It's well known that high heels and a narrow toe box can be a bad mix and I see those shoe related issues at least once a day," says foot and ankle specialist Brian Donley M.D, president of the Cleveland Clinic's Lutheran Hospital. "But I don't think you need at CT scan to let someone know that high heels can cause problems."
Indeed, the problems relate to high-heel mania are legion. Among the issues some women may develop are a shortening and tightening of the Achilles tendon, which may prohibit a woman's ability to wear flat shoes. Tendonitis, pinched nerves, bunions, hammertoes or metatarsalgia, an inflammation of the bones in the ball of the feet, are also problems associated with the sky-high heel, explains podiatrist Jeffery Alexander, assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Let's not forget the truly unattractive "pump bump," which happens when back of the shoe rubs against the heel bone, causing it to swell. And, of course, there's always the potential for fractures or sprains among ". . . even the most seasoned" high heel wearer, he says.
Currently, diagnosis of foot or ankle pain is made by taking a medical history, performing a physical exam and looking for abnormalities on plain, two-dimensional X-rays, says the Cleveland Clinic's Donley, which is generally enough to get to the root of the problem. CT scanning, which has been available for many years, is used only when necessary due to its expense and the higher radiation dose.
Doctors are realists when it comes to the high heel. "If a woman wants to wear really high heels on weekends or a night out or even at work because they make her look good, she's going to wear them," says Alan Block, chief of podiatry at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center. "Fashion is going to win, so I think the message needs to be just don't wear them all the time and for everything that you do."
Even the dreadful looking CT scan of Ms. Singh's own foot isn't making her chuck her heels anytime soon. "I really only wear them on weekends," says Singh, who is 26. "I think I'll be fine when I'm older." Spoken like someone who has yet to buy an orthotic, or a nice, sensible pump.
Watch a video here....
- By Joan Raymond, TODAY contributor
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ALERT:
New Restrictions on Hydrocodone Effective October 6, 2014...
Requiring Written Prescriptions
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The federal government has established new restrictions on hundreds of medicines containing Hydrocodone, the painkiller that has grown into the most widely prescribed drug in the U.S.
The new rules mean that drugs like Vicodin, Lortab, Norco and their generic equivalents will be subject to the same prescribing rules as painkillers like Oxycodone.
Effective October 6, 2014, all medications with Hydrocodone will be considered a schedule II drug and will require a written prescription.
If you take these medications, how will it affect you?
- Hydrocodone prescriptions cannot be called into the pharmacy any more. You will need to present a written prescription to your pharmacist. These prescriptions cannot be mailed and will be picked up at our office during office hours, from 7 - 12 am and from 1 - 5 pm Monday through Thursday.
- No Rx will be written on Fridays or on the weekends.
- Doctors can only write prescriptions for a 30-day supply, with post-dated scripts for no more than 90 days if necessary.
- You need to keep track of your medications and give the office 48 hours to have the prescriptions ready for you.
- By Law you must follow up with Dr Lakin every three months to be able to continue on your prescription for the controlled medication.
Please note that there are no exceptions to these rules.
If you have any questions, please contact our office.
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What's Your BMI, And Why Should You Care?
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 Your BMI (body mass index) is a fairly good indicator of how much body fat you have. Health professionals use it to screen for possible weight problems in adults, but it doesn't paint a full picture of your health. Here's how to get your score, what the number tells you, and what it doesn't. What's your BMI? It's calculated from your height and weight, using this equation: weight (in pounds), divided by height (in inches) squared, then multiplied by 703. A woman who is 165 pounds and 5 feet 3 inches tall (or 63 inches) has a BMI of 29.2. An online BMI calculator can do the math for you (try cdc.gov/bmi). What it means: For adults 20 and older, if your BMI is 30 or higher, you are considered obese - more than one-third of American adults fall into this category, and thus may have a higher risk of a number of serious health problems, including heart disease and type-2 diabetes. BMIs from 25 to 29.9 are categorized as "overweight"; 18.5 to 24.9 are "normal" or "healthy" weight; and a BMI of less than 18.5 is considered "underweight" - which recent research suggests puts people at as high a risk of dying as obese people. What it doesn't mean: BMI measurements don't differentiate between fat and muscle, so trained athletes, for example, may have a high BMI because of more muscle, not body fat. The number also doesn't consider gender or age - at the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and older people, on average, have more body fat than younger adults. BMI is a good gauge of your risk for possible obesity-related problems, but it's not meant to diagnose health. Waist circumference, for example, is another important factor - excessive abdominal fat has been linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure, among other conditions. -USA Weekend
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Question On Your Lab Results?
Check out:
DoctorDoug's Academy 
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Dr. Lakin's guide videos on how to better understand your lab work results.....
Check the first edition here: | | DoctorDoug's Academy: Lesson #1 CBC |
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Medication Take Away Program At Costco Pharmacys
|  TAKEAWAY:
TakeAway is an environmental medication return system that is offered at any Costco pharmacy. If you have any old, unused prescription medications, this company will dispose of it free of charge. Simply get their mailer, insert the unused medications, and drop it in the mail box. You can pick up the mailers at any Costco pharmacy, or at our office. This is one way we can work together to help our environment! For more information,
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We Need Your Help!
|  Keeping you on your correct medication is as important to us as it is to you. With your help, we can be more efficient and be sure you are getting your refill requests on time and to your correct pharmacy.
Tips:
1. If you need a refill, be sure to call your pharmacy FIRST, not our office. They will know if you have more refills, and if not, they will call/fax/electronically message us with your request. Then we will contact you if there is a question or concern.
2. Remember to call your pharmacy in plenty of time so you do not run out of your medications. Sometimes we need up to 48 hours to complete a request and we do not want this to be a hardship for you.
3. Register and use our SECURE PATIENT PORTAL for refill requests. We monitor this continually and again will contact you if there is a problem.
4. Remember we do not refill pain or routine medications on Fridays or weekends and all pain medications must be picked up at our office. We cannot mail or any medications outside our office. Please plan ahead and make arrangements!
We are always here to help you and appreciate the opportunity to care for your healthcare needs!
Yours in good health,
Dr. Lakin & Staff
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Best Autumn Restaurants/Places of Inerest!
Reviewed By Anita R.
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One of my favorite restaurants in Tucson is BEYOND BREAD. There are three locations: in the northwest area at 421 W. Ina Road, a central location at 3026 N. Campbell and one out east at 6260 E. Speedway. I like to eat at the N. Campbell location when visiting the University of Arizona Art Museum, the very charming Tucson Botanic Garden and the Tucson Art Museum. The restaurant has counter service, serving breakfast , and lunch and dinner until 8 P.M. through Saturday and till 6 PM. on Sundays. The menu is extensive and the food is delicious. The breads, cakes and pastries are wonderful, especially the flourless dark chocolate cake and cookies, dark chocolate espresso brownies and various types of dark chocolate mini bombs, which are scrumptious. Prices are quite reasonable.
EL ENCANTO restaurant at 11044 N. Sahuaro Blvd. in Fountain Hills has very tasty Mexican cuisine. I love their cheese enchiladas and refried beans. Tables facing the large picture windows at the front of the restaurant give you an excellent view of Red Mountain. Service is very good. Quite nearby the restaurant is Fountain Park containing the Fountain, which shoots a 560 foot tall white jet of water above the town for 15 minutes daily on the hour.
The mountain scenery on the drive to Canyon Lake, including Tortilla Flat, off Highway 60 East, exiting at Idaho Road in Apache Junction, is spectacular, particularly at this time of the year about 3-4 P.M. You can take the Dolly Steamboat 90 minute cruise around the Lake. The Lake scenery is quite impressive and some areas can only be seen when on the steamer. Snacks may be purchased on the boat. There is a Lakeside Restaurant near the Steamer dock and also a café in Tortilla Flat. Unfortunately, I have not eaten at either of these.
However, I usually have lunch at the PARADISE BAKERY, off Highway 60 in Mesa at Signal Butte Road in a large shopping plaza, about 20 -25 minutes west of the Lake. There is counter service, and the restaurant has tasty soups, salads and sandwiches.
 Anita R.
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Have You Scheduled Your Physical Yet?
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As you all know, Dr Lakin is a strong supporter of annual physicals. This is a time we can visit and explore any unresolved medical problems and any new health issues that need to be addressed. Annual physicals are one of the best ways to safeguard your health. The American Medical Association recommends that if you are between the ages of 40 - 49 years, physicals should be done every two years. If you are 50 years plus, it is recommend you have yearly exams, especially if you have any chronic medical conditions that need to be monitored. Call to schedule your well care visit today!
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Are You registered For Dr. Lakin's Secure Patient Portal?
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Now is the time!
For help on how to register and FAQ, check our these videos:
It's as easy as that!
**Please note that our Patient Portal is not 100% optimized for
Internet Explorer 11. Some of the functions will not work as intended. The software development team is working on it. Until then, please use Internet Explorer 8, 9, 10, or Mozilla Firefox, a free browser.
Please contact Nan at nan@doctordoug.com if you have further questions or concerns.
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AT THE MOVIES WITH BARB A. . . . .
|  A MUST SEE! + + + + +
GREAT + + + +
ENTERTAINING + + +
RENT THE MOVIE + +
FORGET IT! +
**EMAIL ME! ???
Do you need to feel good. Well go and see Chef. Chef Carl Casper leaves his position as chef of an upscale restaurant when the owner (Dustin Hoffman) pushes him too far. He ends up in Miami and joins forces with his ex wife (gorgeous Cuban) and starts a business. He restores an old dirty food truck and proceeds to make a colossal reputation selling Cuban food. His best friend and his (10 year old son join him. It is hilarious after a sort of slow beginning when you try to figure out who belongs to whom. I loved this film and had huge laughs. All actors are great: Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey and Sofia Vergara.
WHITEY: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V. JAMES J. BULGER + + + + +
This was a fascinating documentary of the trial after Whitey was found in California in 2011. He disappeared from Boston in 1944 when he discovered he was about to be indicted. Whitey killed many people and committed many crimes. Whether or not he was an informer to the FBI was really not the issue. I personally feel that he was an informer and that the FBI protected him for many years. The trial could not be filmed so artistic renderings were what the audience sees.The actual prosecutors and defenders were interviewed and the voice of James Whitey Bulger is heard often. Clearly this was worth the Senior or General Admission ticket.
I'm sorry guys. I just didn't like it. I swear I will never again go to a science fiction movie. Scarlet Johansson and Morgan Freeman are wonderful and the special effects outstanding. I almost left but kept thinking of the wonderful reports of the movie in the newspaper and the media. If you are a science fiction fan do go, but I am not impressed with a packet of blue powder being implanted in her abdomen giving her mysterious powers and intelligence. Wild and weird to say the least. BOYHOOD + + + + + This was a moving theater experience like I have never had. The same cast is filmed over 12 years with a fabulous cast of Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette and the main character "Mason" played by Ellar Coltrane. Childhood and adolescence and the ups and downs of parenting. To see a child mature on the screen is awesome and probably the writer director Linklater's masterpiece. Filming started in 2002 and ended in 2014. YOU MUST SEE THIS. CALVARY + + + + + I forgot my hearing aids which I wear to work and to the movie theater. I absolutely loved this film but it was filmed in Ireland and I had trouble in the beginning understanding the Irish accent. I did eventually get it together and was thrilled with the movie. The countryside of Ireland was simply gorgeous and the priest played by Brendan Gleeson was terrific. During a confession, a parishioner tells the priest that he will kill him on the beach in one week. This leaves our man of the cloth exactly one week to determine which member of his flock is planning to murder him. I won't tell who it is or what happens. You must go and enjoy it. THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY
+ + + I was really excited to go to see this movie. There were so many good reviews and also patients of Dr.Lakin told me how much they enjoyed it. I don't know....I found it to be a little flat. Of course Helen Mirren is good in anything she stars in. Om Puri as Papa was a delight as well. It just didn't seem to make any sense to me. Here was a lovely French village in the south of France with an award winning restaurant and suddenly a displaced family from India arrives to start an Indian restaurant across the street. Give me a break...that is just too way out. Of course the food looked delicious, the romance between the Indian chef and the French sour chef sweet, and the scenery delightful. Better luck next time Oprah with film making. MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT + + + + + Sorry folks, I loved it. Loved Colin Firth, Loved Emma Stone (her grandma and I share the same hair lady and face lady), loved the scenery, and loved the costume designer. This film did not have good reviews by the professional reviewers, but I found jit whimsical, simple, sweet and surprisingly deep. Colin Firth was hysterical and the too thin Emma Stone a delight. J She has a hardly noticeable lisp which was endearing to me. J My daughter in law could correct that in one or two sessions. I felt so relaxed and entertained when it was over. IF I STAY
+ + I hate giving this only 2 ** but omg, such sweet actors dragging it on and on and on. Should Mia go to Julliard or should she stay with her significant other? Both are musicians.
She classical and he rock. It is so "soapy" that you have to ring it out every 15 minutes. Also the kids seem to be in high school.........all that drinking, necking and sex!!!!!I must have been in the wrong generation. Also her parents seem to encourage their antics. I had so many rules at 18. Did you???
GONE GIRL + + + + + Oh boy, is this a good one. I never have had 2/1/2 hours go so quickly. The girls in the office were talking about this book, so I downloaded it and could not put it down. I never read mysteries or thrillers so this was new for me and I did not know what to expect. S0000 great. Of course Ben Affleck is such a hunk so how could I miss seeing the film. I had to read "fast" because the movie was going to debut in a week or so. It's a film about marriage, the effect of the media regarding who is the guilty person, and honestly you are kept off balance during the entire movie. It is truly a thriller with a detailed plot and terrible secrets. Rosamund Pike is Amy, Ben Affleck's wife and she is excellent as well. The film followed the novel accurately except for a few items. I won't tell you anything else because I don't want to spoil it for you.
' I HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY!'
See you at the movies! Barb A. Back To Top |
Recipe for Apple Butter: Preserve the fall's bounty
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INGREDIENTS
5 pounds apples, peeled, cored and diced (see note below)
1 3/4cups apple cider
1 11/4cups sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch of salt
1/2teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4teaspoon ground mace
1/4teaspoon ground nutmeg
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large pot, bring the apples and cider to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the apples are soft, 30 to 35 minutes. Use a potato masher, fork or immersion blender to roughly mash the mixture. Return the apple mixture to the heat and stir in the sugar, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon, mace and nutmeg.
Continue to simmer until the mixture has thickened and becomes a deep rich brown, about 1 1/2hours. The mixture will be relatively smooth but may have a few chunks. If you want a completely smooth butter, you may purée it lightly at this point. Store the apple butter in a covered container in the refrigerator or pour the finished apple butter into prepared jars (see notes at left), leaving a quarter-inch of headspace. Seal the jars and process for seven to 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner. Store the processed jars in a cool, dark place.
NOTES
You can use almost any variety of apples for apple butter, but a mixture of tart and sweet apples works best. Try Granny Smith, McIntosh, Gala and Jonathan. To prepare jars for canning, read over your recipe to determine what size and how many jars are needed. Be sure each jar has a lid and the circular band that holds the lid in place, and that they fit properly. Do not use jars with noticeable imperfections, such as cracks, chips or bent lids and/or bands. Jars should be cleaned and heated to sterilize before filling. This reduces the possibility of contamination from residue, dust or other impurities being trapped in the jar. It also ensures that the jar doesn't break when it comes in contact with the sudden heat of cooked foods.
STORAGE
Processed, this apple butter will keep for up to six months. Once Mthe jars have been opened, store them in the refrigerator, where they will last for up to one week.
PER SERVING:
54 CALORIES
0 G PROTEIN
15 G CARBOHYDRATES
0.5 G FIBER
0 G TOTAL FAT (0 G SATURATED FAT)
1 MG SODIUM
0 MG CHOLESTEROL
Enjoy!
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DR LAKIN'S FLU CLINIC
|  Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. The upcoming season's flu vaccine will protect against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus. Yearly flu vaccination begins in September, or as soon as vaccine is available, and continue throughout the flu season which can last as late as May. This is because the timing and duration of flu seasons vary. While flu season can begin early as October, most of the time seasonal flu activity peaks in January, February or later. We are giving the flu vaccine in our office Wednesday afternoons through the month of November.Please call our office to schedule for your flu vaccine today!
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Famous Words & Quotes. . . . .
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"When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'.
They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I
told them they didn't understand life."
- - John Lennon
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Wherever the road leads you,
have a safe and healthy Autumn!
Dr. Douglas Lakin & Staff
Paradise Valley Medical Clinic PC
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