Dining in the Dark

By Bob Cox

When Christine Ha decided to participate in the third season of Master Chef U.S. on Fox, she knew that the odds were stacked against her. Not only would she be competing against 30,000 other aspiring chef’s, she was the first blind person to enter the contest! Joe Bastianich, a judge on MasterChef, summed up Christine’s miraculous victory quite nicely...

Midway through this year's competition, my money would not have been on Christine for the win – and not just because of her disability – because she just didn't come across as the typical frontrunner. With Christine, slow and steady won the race. She subtly climbed her way to the top by performing consistently well, triumphing over her own self-doubt, all the while maintaining her signature grace and integrity. It was thrilling to watch. And I can say with absolute confidence there was no one more deserving.

When the California Council of the Blind decided to hold its annual statewide convention at the Sacramento Marriott in Rancho Cordova from March 22-25, their CEO Paul Shane decided to reach out to Christine to see if she was willing to lend her culinary skills to the cause. Christine eagerly accepted the invitation and will be the guest chef at the Dining in the Dark event.

I spoke with Paul recently to learn more about how his organization is helping nearly one million blind and low vision residents of California.

Q: What’s your experience been like with the the California Council of the Blind?

A: It has been “eye opening” to say the least. Prior to coming on board in 2016, I had never directly interacted with someone who was blind or had low vision. Now after being immersed in their culture, challenges and accomplishments, I am proud to call them “my extended California family”. If there was only one thing that I could stress to your readers is that people who are blind and low vision are just like you; they work, have college degrees, raise families, play sports and pay taxes. They just do these things without the ability to see like we do. The preconceived notions that people have and the images that we receive from the media about blind people are completely off base.

The California Council of the Blind turns 84 years old in 2018 and prior to my appointment was made up entirely of blind and low vision volunteers from all corners of California who have accomplished many amazing feats and overcome barriers that most people would consider to be insurmountable. But don’t take my word for it, come out to our convention at the Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova and see for yourselves. We have many exciting events to participate in and extensive volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Q: What is your organization’s primary function and mission?

A: The California Council of the Blind is an 84-year-old grassroots non-profit advocacy and service delivery membership organization with chapters and affiliates across California. We come from all walks of life and work collaboratively to improve the quality of life for all Californians who are blind or have low vision. Our vision is that the culture, laws, programs, and attitudes throughout California are inclusive of all people, especially persons who are blind or have low vision. Our mission is to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity and quality of life for all Californians who are blind or have low vision.

Q: What has your organization done that our readers may be familiar with?

A: Some of the things you may be most acquainted with include:

1. Establishing the White Cane Law that gave people who are blind and low vision the right to travel independently and gave pedestrians who are blind and low vision the right-of-way on California streets.

2. Working collaboratively with financial institutions to bring about the installation of the first talking ATM’s in the country.

Trusting in Trust

By Bob Cox

On a sleepy Sunday not so long ago, my wife Diana came into the bedroom with the sweet sound of excitement in her voice as I was slowly waking up. She explained how she had an amazing discovery to share with me in the living room, so I knew I was in for a treat!

I eagerly crawled out of bed and wobbled down our narrow hallway and after a quick detour to the restroom; I traversed the final few steps until I sank into my favorite recliner next to Diana. She looked into my eyes and said, “I’ve been watching this powerful TV program and it’s going to change everything!”

I rewound the show called Super Soul Sunday to the beginning and watched Oprah Winfrey interviewing Iyanla Vanzant about the powerful insights in her newest book titled Trust. Iyanla went on to explain that the key to her transformation from an abused and fearful child into a confident, wise and compassionate adult was rooted in what she calls the four essential trusts: 1. Trust in self 2. Trust in God 3. Trust in Others 4. Trust in Life.

As I listened to the soul searching conversation between these two very enlightened women, I knew instantly that their perceptions of life closely matched mine. Iyanla believes that the foundation for creating a better life begins with a deeply rooted core of trust in yourself.

Trust in yourself sounds like an easy thing to do, so why is it so hard to achieve? Like Iyanla, I believe that the seeds of self doubt are planted in the fertile soil of our earliest memories. As children, we were taught to always listen to and follow the instructions of people that were older and more experienced. If we failed to follow their rules and do what we wanted, there would typically be a price to pay for such disobedience.

In an ideal world, each child would be gradually given more freedom to make more decisions. If one of those decisions has a positive outcome, the adults in the room would enthusiastically lead a celebration. On the other hand; if the result was negative, those adults would share their insights while guiding the child through their decision making process until the child discovers exactly where the plan went awry. From the ashes of our mistakes, an even mightier forest rises.

If you want to create a healthier and happier life for yourself and the ones you love, take my advice and follow Iyanla’s advice: TRUST YOURSELF. This advice may be hard to follow, but trust me...no trust Iyanla...no, trust your own inner voice of wisdom, which will set you free from the dreaded demons of self doubt.

Whenever you’re faced with a difficult decision to make, is your mind relentlessly pounded by the disturbing voices of self doubt? If it is, imagine those voices coming from a small childhood version of yourself and be the adult in the room. Listen to those concerns carefully, without fear, guilt, shame or judgment. Once all the concerns are out, listen to your wise inner voice and come up with a plan to make a quality choice. Trust yourself and then go for it!

Why You Should Follow Your Curiosity

By Lewis Howes

When considering a career and a lifestyle, people often offer the advice to follow your passion. It seems like solid advice, but what happens if you don’t know what your passion is? People ask me all the time how to find their passion, which is always a hard question for me to answer.

Until my conversation with Elizabeth Gilbert.

You might know her as the author of the New York Times best-selling book turned movie, Eat, Pray, Love. What you might not know is that her perspective on following your passion is much different than you may have ever heard.

Since she was 6 years old, Liz knew that she wanted to be a writer. She focused on who she wanted to be and never expected her book to take off the way it did. Her focus was never on how the audience would respond, but always being the best version of herself as a writer. With her success with Eat, Pray, Love, so many doors opened up for her and eventually led to her being invited by Oprah to be a speaker on her SuperSoul Sessions tour. It was during one of her talks that an audience member changed her perspective on passion.

As many creative individuals do, Liz also offered the advice of following your passion. She always said that you know what you’re passionate about when you would do anything to do that one thing. However, this audience member asked whether not knowing what one’s passion was made that person a failure.

It dawned on Liz at that moment that not everyone could say that they have always known what they wanted to do. So how do they find what their passion is? They follow their curiosity.

To Liz, there are two categories of people when it comes to this subject: jackhammers and hummingbirds. The jackhammers, which she identifies herself as, are the ones that have always known what they wanted to do; they’re loud and impulsive and determined. Then there are the hummingbirds. The hummingbirds exist to cross-pollinate, taking ideas from multiple places, and are responsible for keeping the culture open to new ideas.

A lot of times, society doesn’t give enough credit to the hummingbirds. These individuals often explore many different areas, whether it’s through careers or hobbies, in order to find what their passion is. Finding your passion isn’t about looking for a big sign to point you to it but being open to the invitation of creativity. As Liz points out, if you are truly following your curiosity, your eyes have to be on the ground looking for the next clue on your scavenger hunt.

I consider myself a humming-hammer. In my business, I am constantly testing new things, but when I do, I go all in. It aligns with how I always describe living my life like a sports season.

There are many things that I have been able to bring to my business as an athlete, and the mentality of living in seasons is a powerful one. There is the pre-season, the regular season, playoff season and post-season. The pre-season is when I research new ideas and see what is working in other businesses, which then of course flows into the regular season, when I am testing to see how everything is working. If everything is working according to plan, we make it to the playoffs, where the focus is on the championship (or in this case, creating the best product possible). During my post-season, I evaluate the season and from there determine whether I want to continue on the path I’m on or change the path.

It’s not always easy to cross into the unknown and try something new, but that’s what I love about Liz describing this as curiosity. Oftentimes, whether in business or in life, fear holds us back from discovering what our purpose is. It can be disguised in anxiety, apathy or acidity, but if we give ourselves permission to explore our curiosity, it can lead us to finding our passions.

The Blue Collar Attorney

By Bob Cox

Whenever I think of a typical attorney, I have a mixed bag of positive and negative expectations. The positive images that come to mind are a person who’s extremely well dressed, intelligent and articulate. On the negative side of the ledger is an individual that may be a bit frosty, aloof and unapproachable. Once inside their office, I would expect to see a plethora of framed plaques, certificates and awards filling the walls that surround an immaculately decorated and expansive office space, filled with high end furniture that costs more than the average family sedan.

When I first met an attorney named Steven H. Berniker three years ago at a veteran’s PTSD fundraising event, I liked him instantly. Not only did I find his sharp wit and self deprecating sense of humor delightful, I was amazed by his friendliness, warmth and down-to-earth spirit.

Steven’s office is a reflection of his no frills approach to practicing law. While he could certainly afford to impress his prospective clients with a lavishly decorated office, Steven resists the urge to splurge because his primary goal is to offer the very best service at the lowest possible prices and keeping expenses down is a crucial part of his strategy.

I spoke with Steven the other day to learn more about his approach to practicing law.

Q: Please tell us a little about the Law Office of Steven H. Berniker.

A: We were established in 2009 and are dedicated to providing quality legal services at a fair price. Our firm focuses on family law, social security, disability and veteran’s benefits.

Q: What is your educational background?

I graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 1986 and graduated from Hastings School of Law in 1990 and have been an attorney in good standing since 1990.

Q: What inspired you to open your own practice?

A: In 2007, the law firm I was working for was planning to open a satellite office in Sacramento and at that time, the economy tanked. They changed their mind and I was here. So, I decided the best thing to do would be to use my experience and go out on my own.

Q: Was it scary for you to venture out on your own?

A: Well, yes. I started out in a 250 square foot office, no clients and all I had in my room was a computer and a phone.

Q: How did you manage to navigate through those humble beginnings?

A: By offering very competitive prices for quality representation. I really undercut my competition and I still am. I’m significantly less if you look around. But I don’t know how to say that without sounding cheap (laughs).

Q: Aside from offering low attorney fees, what else do you do to offer superior value?

A: We also offer unbundled services. Usually, when you hire an attorney, let’s say for divorce, you would hire me and anything that happens in your divorce is my responsibility. Unbundling allows my clients with limited budgets to select a portion of the services I provide, such as handling the custody part of your case in the event of a divorce.

Q: Is there anything else you do that makes your law firm stand out?

A: I’m really good at handling custody cases. I’m also very knowledgeable in dependency cases. Dependency is part of the juvenile court; when kids are taken away from their parents. In those cases, custody is fought out and it is often bloody, especially when relatives come in. My experience really does roll over well into plain family law.

Q: What elements of family law do you focus on?

A: Family law is a broad topic. It includes division of property, spousal support, child support, domestic violence and establishing restraining orders or opposing them. So when we say I do family law, we do all of that.

Q: You also focus on social security and veterans benefits, is that correct?

A: Yes, I worked for a very large worker’s compensation firm in Santa Rosa and when they had injured workers that were never going to return to work, they would have me deal with the social security part of the case. I have done hundreds of social security hearings and I’m very familiar with how to win your case. At that time, I also handled a number of V.A. cases as well. A lot of veterans apply who work can get social security and V.A. benefits. So, we assist veterans who have served our country and suffered injuries during their service. If we can prove all that, then you can get a stipend every month on top of what you’re getting.

Q: Do you have a specific approach to dealing with challenges and staying positive?

A: My approach is very blue collar. If you come to my office, it’s not fancy, as you know. That allows me to keep the prices down and my approach is very goal oriented. What I’ve learned about law is that fairness is a concept that people have but what you consider fair, the law may not, so we need to be goal oriented and how we get to what you want.

Q: I’ve always enjoyed our meetings because you have a terrific sense of humor. Does that help you in your practice?

A: Yes, because I’m dealing with good people during difficult times. I don’t know how to say it in a nice way, that’s what you’re here for (laughs)! A good sense of humor helps deal with the stress and nastiness that is going to come up. It’s important to realize that yes, this is a stressful time, but this is going to pass and life is going to go on.

Editor’s notes: For more information about the Law Office of Steven H. Berniker, visit their website at www.familylawfirmsac.com, call (916) 480-9200 or stop by their office at 2424 Arden Way, Suite 360 in Sacramento, CA.

The Sweet Taste of Coming Home to Menchie’s

By Bob Cox

When Spring Mason, the co-owner of Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in Rancho Cordova said that choosing to invest in this franchise was like coming home, I knew exactly what she was talking about. Early on in my sales career, I was searching to work with a company that valued principals over profits while providing a healthy environment of integrity, respect and support. When I found the company that offered that and much more, it felt like coming home to work for the first time in my young life.

Just one year ago, Spring and her husband Terry embarked on an extensive search to find the best franchise for their family, a franchise that was much more than just financially successful and growing. Like me, they were also looking for a business that had a positive, friendly and family oriented culture. Out of all the franchise around, Menchie’s stood head and shoulders above the rest.

After accepting an invitation to the Menchie’s headquarters in Encino, CA Terry and Spring were pleasantly surprised by the company’s representative’s intense focus on their core values of treating people right. “We actually found Menchie’s through an internet search. I was worried that our meeting was going to be about numbers, graphs, charts and profitability. Instead, it was all about the culture of the franchise, the family, the community, giving back and how to treat your team”, Spring said.

Once they were excited about the Menchie’s business philosophy, the next step was the sweet task of sampling the tasty treats. “During the process, we visited a few of the local shops to try their products and we absolutely fell in love with it! We would go out on date nights every Saturday and sometimes two days a week to get our Menchie’s fix. So we definitely fell in love, first with the business and then with the product”, explained Spring.

Here’s how the rest of my conversation went with Spring.

Q: What makes Menchie’s frozen yogurt different from other yogurt shops?

A: Menchie’s has its own proprietary blend, while most of the other yogurt companies buy from just one company. Menchie’s actually has a dairy in southern California and a research and development team onsite at headquarters in Encino, CA. They’re Certified Kosher and organic, which means they don’t use any hormones or antibiotics on their cows. We also avoid using high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors.

Q: Is there anything else that makes your frozen yogurt taste so amazingly great?

A: Yes, they also pay for the licensing for several name brand ingredients. We serve an Oreo brand of cookies and cream, a York Peppermint Pattie flavor, Skippy for our chocolate peanut butter brownie, a Butterfinger flavor and Cinnabon flavor as well!

Q: What are your most popular flavors?

A: We always have 12 flavors and our standards are chocolate, vanilla, tart and Dole Pineapple. We also offer non-dairy options, which are our sorbet’s and also have no sugar added options and low-carb, no sugar added yogurt as well. We also make fresh waffle cones every day, which smell and taste amazing.

Q: You also offer frozen yogurt cakes, which I had never seen before. Can you tell us more about them?

A: Yes, we’re one of the few frozen yogurt companies that make cakes. We can special order cakes, so you can pick whatever flavors you want in your cake and add your favorite toppings We can create custom designs and even print designs like your photograph and place it on top of the cake as well, which is completely edible.

Q: Did Menchie’s come up with the idea of making frozen yogurt cakes?

A: Yes, they were the first to actually launch that product. Along with the amazing flavor, the other great thing about our frozen yogurt cakes is they are healthier than the ice cream cakes and have fewer calories per slice. They’re also working on frozen yogurt sandwiches made with cookies outside. We are currently serving Dole Whip Floats, like the ones found in Disneyland, and we will be launching Frozen Yogurt shakes in the near future.

Q: Can you tell us a little more about the culture here at Menchie’s?

A: We’ve both worked in the corporate world and know what it feels like to be a number in a business. I’ve always been drawn to jobs where I feel like I actually belong there and feel valued. They encourage all their franchisees to donate to the community while making everyone feel like a welcomed guest in our home.

Q: Do you have a large variety of toppings to choose from?

A: Yes, we have 32 dry toppings and 12 chill bar toppings, including fresh fruit for people that want a healthier option. We also have five sauce toppings and will be bringing out another topping which is a no sugar added, fat free chocolate. We use natural sweeteners like stevia, which tastes great.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: Even though people see us as a franchise, we’re truly a family run business, which includes me, my husband Terry and our son, so it’s definitely a family environment. Actually, when we hired our team we told them we want them to feel like family, so if they ever have issues to come to us and we’ll do whatever we can to help.

Q: Do you have any advice on how to deal with challenges and stay positive?

A: Terry and I have actually been through a lot. We’ve been together over 20 years now and we both worked in the housing market when it crashed. We both lost our jobs at the same time with small children at home and had to basically rebuild from nothing. So, we could’ve either taken it as the worst thing in the world and just regress or we could be a team and work together and build off of it, so that’s what we did.

Editor’s notes: For more information about Menchie’s in Rancho Cordova, visit their store at 10933 Olson Dr. in the Target Shopping Center or call (916) 858-2606.

Allergies: They’re Nothing to Sneeze At

By Bob Cox

Allergies are affecting more and more Americans each year, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Approximately 30% of adults and 40% of children are plagued by various allergies and around 50 million people suffer from nasal allergies in the United States. The results from allergic reactions range from symptoms as benign as sneezing to as severe as death.

The definition of an allergy is when your immune system reacts to an external source called an allergen. Allergens can be ingested while eating, drinking, inhaling and even absorbed into your skin. Professional dog trainer Kevin Salem knows a thing or two about allergies as he has suffered from a growing number of them over the past several years.

When he learned that Dr. Roc Gantt, the founder of the Natural Health Clinic had a proven track record for helping people with environmental allergies, he scheduled time to give his treatments a try. After the first session, Kevin found immediate and lasting relief from his pollen allergy. He was so overjoyed and excited, he asked Dr. Roc if he had any treatments to help him with the growing number of food allergies that were completely disrupting his life and the answer was a resounding yes!

At that time, Kevin was receiving allergy shots from his doctor for an extensive number of foods, including all meats, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, corn, peaches, bananas, milk and even coffee. The allergy shots he had received from his doctor didn’t make much of a difference, so he eagerly agreed to give Dr. Roc’s treatment a try and the results have been amazing!

The symptoms Kevin suffered from his food allergies included acid reflux, abdominal bloating and cramps, skin breakouts, labored breathing, low energy, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and an increase in asthma attacks. All those annoying discomforts are completely gone. Kevin can now enjoy the foods he loves without all the pain and displeasure.

With a unique and comprehensive treatment plan, which includes acupuncture and a variety of other methods, Dr. Roc was able to give Kevin immediate relief from his allergies. If you or someone you know is suffering from either environmental or food allergies, call Dr. Roc Gantt of the Natural Health Clinic today at (916) 349-9223.

Lighter side of shade

By Bob Cox

When Dan and Ann Wilmoth sat down with her doctor five years ago to hear the results of her biopsy, the power of that awful six letter word shook the couple to their core: CANCER. After explaining the intricacies of her stage 3 breast cancer, Ann’s oncologist followed up by asking her if she wanted to know what her chances were. The words that came out of Dan’s mild mannered and soft spoken wife left him in stunned silence when she exclaimed with unwavering confidence, “It doesn’t really matter. I’m going to beat this. Let’s get started!”

After thoroughly vetting a number of cancer specialists, Dan and Ann chose an impressive team of doctors, who laid out a thorough and comprehensive treatment plan. Over the next three years, the brutally tough surgery and treatments would test the strength and faith of this couple unlike anything else they had experienced during their 40 years of marriage.

“Her attitude was amazing. I’ve always believed that a positive attitude can change things for the better and in health I totally believe it. Those treatments beat you down, wear you out, turn you upside down but she never let it get her down and I didn’t let it get her down. And that was the only thing I could do, be her coach. I couldn’t take her cancer from her, which I would have done in a second. All I could do was be her coach, lift her up but she didn’t take much lifting. She has incredible faith”, explained Dan.

Dan credits four things that helped them overcome this insidious disease: faith, a positive attitude, great doctors and lots of laughter. Instinctively, Dan knew that one of his greatest strengths, his terrific sense of humor was vital to Ann’s survival as the couple traversed through hostile uncharted territory.

Dan added all the household chores to his already long list of responsibilities as a full time business owner. One day, while he was on an early morning grocery shopping expedition, the enormity of the situation hit Dan like a bolt of lightning. With tears streaming down his face, a clerk came rushing to his aid and asked him what was wrong. “I can’t find the mayonnaise! The clerk said sir, please; I’ll help you find the mayonnaise. Here it is. Do you need anything else? Yes, I need some olives”, Dan recalled with laughter.

From the ashes of this incredible ordeal, Dan was left with a profound desire to give back to those in need. As the owner of Sierra Sunscreens and Patio Covers in Rancho Cordova, when Dan learned about how one of his customer’s pregnant wife had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, he not only offered consoling words of wisdom to the young man, he practically gave away the patio cover that his family needed to protect his wife from the harmful rays of the sun. The young husband was moved by tears of gratitude.

Dan is 100% committed to quality and not just his personal life but his professional life as well. I spoke to Dan about his steadfast determination to offer the very best of himself to the world.

Q: What’s new and exciting at Sierra Sunscreens and Patio Covers? 

A: Well Bob; let me tell you, nothing (Dan laughed). Honestly, I can say that we run into many customers that have lost their yards from the drought and are looking for synthetic turfs. After looking at various quality companies to fulfill that need, I found Ryan McConnell, who is the owner of “The Turf Man”. We’ve partnered on several jobs and it worked out very well. Synthetic turf is very important in today’s environment as it conserves water, saves energy, requires no maintenance and stays beautiful all year.

Q: Will you tell us about the history of Sierra Sunscreens & Patio Covers?

A: Sierra Sunscreens was established in 1982 and the purpose of the business was to provide sunscreens for a growing number of new homes in Sacramento which needed protection from the sun.

Q: Why did you choose to offer other shade products?

A: When the market of new homes slowed down, we chose to diversify. Today we have vertical roll down shades, patio covers, sunrooms, screen rooms and retractable awnings.

Q: What’s your company’s philosophy when it comes to doing other home improvement projects?

A: Our philosophy is to do a few things and do them better than anybody else. People often ask us to do other things, including landscaping, but we’ve chosen to focus on a few things and do them very well.

Q: What do you do to provide superior quality?

A: We’ve separated our business with the quality of the people we hire. Our employee based staff is extensively trained. All of our installers have been with the company at least 9 years and some have been here over 20 years. Employees are directed by our management team, so we control the timing of our projects, the quality of the installation and the service after the sale.

Q: Is there anything else you do to insure that the project goes smoothly?

A: Yes, I personally meet with every installer before we go out on a project. I go over all aspects of the job with them. With subcontractors, that isn't always the case. My guys are trained to communicate with customers and some are bilingual.

Q: Do your customers have greater peace of mind knowing that you are 100% responsible for their project?

A: Yes. I would say 9 out of 10 times a customer doesn't even know that their contractor has subbed out the labor for the work. Many companies sub out labor to avoid paying workmen's comp or liability insurance, leaving the consumer with greater potential risk.

Q: Is there anything else that separates Sierra from the competition?

A: Yes, We've been in business 36 years and serviced over 10,000 customers. Longevity is a measure of treating the marketplace right. In other words, you don't stay in business for 36 years if you haven't treated your customers well.

Editor’s notes: For more information about Sierra Sunscreens & Patio Covers, call (916) 635-9706, visit their showroom at 3345 Sunrise Bl. in Rancho Cordova or check out their website at www.sierrashadeproducts.com.

A Needle of Hope/Part 2

By Bob Cox

Last month, I shared a very personal story about our Grandson Zack, who three years ago nearly lost his life in a horrific motorcycle accident. After a dozen surgeries and numerous treatments and medications, Zack was trapped in a nightmare of chronic and relentless pain.

During his three year merry-go-round of misery, the greatest challenge Zack endured was constant sleep deprivation caused by relentless pain. Recently, he was diagnosed with a relatively new but rapidly growing disease called fibromyalgia. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include chronic widespread body pain, moderate to extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, sensitivity to touch, light, sound and a number of other debilitating symptoms. The disorder affects an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. and over 200 million people worldwide, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA).

When Zack told my wife Diana and me last month that the only thing that consistently gave him relief was an 8,000 year old Chinese practice called acupuncture, we quickly made arrangements for Zack to get regular weekly treatments from our friend Dr. Roc Gantt, the owner of Natural Health Clinic in Sacramento. After the first treatment, Zack was thrilled by the amazing results, so I followed up with him recently to see how he was doing under the care of Dr. Roc.

After five intense treatments with Dr. Roc, Zack eagerly shared his experiences with me. “It’s been very physically and mentally relieving. It’s also been spiritually rejuvenating and emotional relaxing. Dr. Roc is personal, friendly, professional and very understanding about my severe circumstances. I feel energized, renewed and the long-term effects have changed my way of thinking for the better”, explained Zack.

Dr. Roc took the time during their first session to really get to know as much about Zack as possible and has executed a thorough and comprehensive treatment plan that has given Zack a much brighter outlook about the present as well as the future. Zack’s also eager to share his positive experience with people afflicted with fibromyalgia, migraine headaches and any other chronic pain ailments.

Editor’s notes: Dr Roc Gantt is the owner of Natural Health Clinic in Sacramento. He is a Naturopathic Doctor, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a Board Certified Acupuncturist. He was introduced to natural medicine after an injury he suffered while parachuting with his special forces unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He has studied and practiced under the finest teachers from around the world and is committed to giving his patients the best care possible.

For more information about Natural Health Clinic, call (916) 349-9223, stop by their office at 5500 Madison Ave. Suite A in Sacramento or visit their website at www.drgantt.com.

Reinventing Yourself

By Bob Cox

Over the years, I’ve seen a number of people who are miserable with their current life situation but unwilling to change it for a variety of reasons. Some go on to explain how much time and energy they’ve invested into either their personal or professional lives and therefore are compelled to continue to do what they’ve always done to the bitter end.

I happen to believe that we can change anything and everything about our lifestyles, but the change has to begin with ourselves. If there is a specific aspect of our personality we do not like, we have the power to replace that unwanted and negative character trait with a positive one. My wife Diana wholeheartedly agrees and her reasons are based on a monumental shift in her life around the age of 40.

A few years before Diana and I met, she was experiencing the most difficult time of her life. Her jewelry sales business was hit hard by the terrible recession of the early 1990’s and her husband had suffered a stroke caused by complications from diabetes. At the time of his stroke, he was the family’s primary wage earner, so not only was his income wiped away, Diana spent the next several months juggling the relentless responsibilities of being the family’s sole bread winner while providing constant care for her husband.

Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, they did. The daily stress was so relentless and overwhelming, Diana began to experience chronic and debilitating migraine headaches, headaches so severe that she would spend several hours and sometimes days trapped in a dark room of absolute silence. Diana tried a variety of treatments, remedies and medications, but nothing seemed to help. Diana felt completely powerless to change her life and it was slowly killing her.

Then one day a friend recommended massage therapy. Although she was very skeptical, Diana gave it a try. After the first session, she was amazed and delighted by the powerful results that delivered lasting and immediate relief. Diana was so impressed; she decided to make a 180 degree turn in her life by going for a brand new career as a massage therapist.

For the next several months, Diana felt completely rejuvenated. She managed to add massage school at night to her long list of responsibilities. Tragically, just 10 days before she graduated, her husband passed away. Diana instinctively knew that she needed to put the shock and grief of his death behind her as quickly as possible in order to give herself a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.

Shortly thereafter, she poured all of her energy into building up her massage business and the rewards and satisfaction she got from helping ease the physical and emotional pain of her clients was profound and life changing. Over the years, many of her clients became cherished friends and one was fortunate enough to become her husband!

If there’s something in your life that’s not working for you, you owe it to yourself and the people you love to take a leap of faith and try something new. With the dawn of a new year upon us, now is a great time to wipe the slate clean and begin a fresh new adventure. A great place to start is by asking this question: What’s the most important thing I want to achieve this year? Once you get the answer, challenge any self-limiting beliefs about who you truly are and any doubts about your ability to make the necessary changes needed to align yourself with your hearts desires. You can do it, so go for it!

Merry Holidays

By Bob Cox

Tis the season to be...torn? Do we greet strangers with a smile and then say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”? For many Americans, the answer might be: who cares? While I was growing up in the 20^th Century version of the Wild West (the 60’s and 70’s in southern California), everyone greeted one another in the month of December with “Merry Christmas”. The way I felt about this expression was pretty simple back then: The spirit of the term had everything to do with celebrating the pure joy of the season and little to do with the acknowledgement of a specific religion.

When I was a kid, Christmas was by far the most exciting and joyous time of year. As a matter of fact, you could combine all the other holidays into one, stuff them in a giant box and gift wrap it with tender loving care and it still wouldn’t come close to the thrill of Christmas.

I just loved every little part of it, including the sound of joyous holiday songs, the minty sweet taste of an oversized candy cane, the fresh scent of pine needles in our wood paneled family room and the unbridled ecstasy of all the eye candy, especially the mass quantities of festively wrapped gifts stuffed under our enormously decked out Douglas Fir.

I even got a devious little thrill out of seeing the look of exasperation from my dad, as my mom, three sisters and I laid our new tree at his feet. To say that dad didn’t share our passion would be a gross understatement as he never failed to find a way to make Scrooge and the Grinch look more festive than Tiny Tim from The Christmas Carol, not that other Tiny Tim who tip toed through the tulips!

After a long, dark and chilly evening of spirited and thrilling tree hunting, my mom, my sisters and I would stuff the mighty green beast through the narrow front door, drag it laboriously across the thick olive colored shag carpet in our living room, leaving behind us a gloriously satisfying trail of moist pine needles and tiny twigs. Once we got to the family room, we would proudly prop up the 10 feet of majestic beauty beneath the eight foot cork-lined ceiling. Without uttering a word, dad would simply scowl, shake his head in bewilderment and head off to the garage to retrieve his trusty wooden handsaw.

Upon his return, it would be a festive serenade of swearing and sawing until dad’s contribution to the winter madness was complete and our tree stood tall, wide, proud and naked. From there, our 10 busy little hands handled the business of dressing our treasured new companion with bright lights, shiny bulbs, paper thin silver icicles and a white felt blanket where those brightly wrapped boxes would inevitably lie, quietly torturing and teasing my wild imagination until I was ready to burst.

Then, just when you couldn’t think a fat little doughball of a kid couldn’t get any more excited, think again. Whenever no one was around, I would quietly inspect, caress and then shake each and every one of the dozens upon dozens of presents every day until the big day finally arrived. And when it did, it was a noisy and rambunctious free for all, unlike anything you’ve ever seen, even at the busiest shopping malls at 4am on Black Friday! There was screaming, grabbing, clawing and biting aplenty. It sort of reminded me of a typical family dinner at home.

Now, back to the Great Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays Debate. What should you say? We could delve into a deeper and more philosophical conversation by acknowledging the growing diversity of our population and ask each person we meet what greeting they would prefer and honor the true spirit of the season, which includes trivial things like peace on earth, good will towards men and ensuring that every person of every faith and ethnic background feels respected and included. Or we could just split the difference and say Merry Holidays!

A Needle of Hope

By Bob Cox

Ever since his near death motorcycle accident three years ago, our Grandson Zack has suffered daily under a dark cloud of extreme chronic pain. Despite numerous surgeries, doctor’s visits, and a cornucopia of treatments and medications, nothing seemed to give Zack a break from a relentless cycle of pain and misery.

Then a ray of sunshine broke through the gloom when our daughter Shauna mentioned that Zack had finally responded to the ancient health practice of acupuncture. Unfortunately, they couldn’t afford the much needed follow-up treatments. When she got off the phone, my wife Diana turned to me and asked if I knew anyone who could help Zack. I thought for about two seconds and exclaimed, “Yes, Dr. Roc!”

Later that day, I reached out to Dr. Roc Gantt, the owner of the Natural Health Clinic in Carmichael and we put together a comprehensive treatment plan to help get Zack back on his feet. Immediately after the first consultation and treatment, Zack phoned me with unbridled excitement and optimism, “That was amazing. Dr. Roc took the time to really listen to me and he totally understands what I’ve been dealing with. I feel so much better and I can finally think clearly again, so thank you so much for putting this all together!”

While Dr. Roc Gantt is a skilled, experienced and Board Certified Acupuncturist, he also has a number of other natural based treatments to help people that suffer from a wide variety illnesses, diseases and chronic pain. Dr. Roc’s philosophy is simple; he doesn’t treat symptoms or diseases, he treats people.

Aside from being an acupuncturist, Dr. Roc is a Naturalpathic Doctor, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, a teacher and trainer for N.A.E.T. (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique), a trainer for the Upledger Foundation and cranial-sacral specialist.

I asked Dr. Roc to define N.A.E.T. and cranial sacral treatments and how he uses these options to help his patients. “N.A.E.T. was developed by Dr. Nambudripad and it deals mainly with allergies. She is under the belief that a lot of maladies originate from allergies. Conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia and asthma are oftentimes caused by allergies to foods and/or the environment. Her technique includes acupuncture for adults and acupressure or laser for children. Basically, we eliminate food and environmental allergens so that the person is no longer sensitive to those things”.

“Cranial-sacral works with the cerebral spinal fluid and the central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and the brain. Western medicine says that the cranial bones are ossified and don’t move, but Dr. Upledger has concluded that the cranial bones do move and those movements can cause a number of serious health challenges. An accident like a slip and fall may cause cranial bones to slip on top of one another and cause a myriad of problems. The cranial-sacral work is able to put these bones back in their proper position and help a myriad of health issues and especially neurological problems”, explained Dr. Roc.

Dr. Roc believes that the key to helping his patients get better begins by gathering as much information as possible about their health history. He asks each patient to fill out a comprehensive health history questionnaire so that he can create a customized treatment plan that will maximize results.

While Dr. Roc has an extensive knowledge with natural health treatments, the majority of his patients require the use of acupuncture for chronic pain, sinus congestion, headaches and an assortment of other nagging conditions. “A patient came in the other day and she was trembling uncontrollably. She’s was in her 60’s and I did cranial work on her and after one treatment, she didn’t have any more trembling”.

Although each patient is very different, Dr. Roc believes that each person can accelerate their own healing by being proactive and following through with the advice he gives them after each treatment. “Getting an acupuncture treatment is just like working out. If you experience achiness from working out or getting an acupuncture treatment, that’s because of a release of lactic acid. If you take an Epsom salt bath a few hours after that workout or treatment, it helps release the lactic acid buildup in the body and reduces that achiness”. 

For more information see www.DrGantt.com 

Have a Wacky Tacky Christmas

By Bob Cox

Of the 29 birthdays my son Bobby has experienced to date, there’s one that stands out in the bank of my memories. My wife Diana and I wanted to do something really special for his 14^th Birthday, so we threw him a unique surprise party. We rented a limousine to pick him and several of his closest friends up at school. From there, we whisked them off to a nearby skateboard park where they enjoyed their favorite activity. After a few hours of unbridled fun, we headed off to a local restaurant, where pizza, cake and presents awaited our arrival.

I could be wrong, but I think Diana and I had as much fun as Bobby and his friends as we basked in all three phases of that memorable crisp autumn afternoon: the planning, the execution and the memories of that special brief moment in time.

Now imagine picking up your child and several of his/her closest friends from grade-school on a cold and rainy December day. They have no idea where you’re going as you travel along Folsom Boulevard and park your vehicle nearest the building sporting a circular sign with a cute little cartoon chimpanzee that’s sandwiched between the words Wacky and Tacky. Chances are good that right about now, those little hearts beating in the back seat will begin to race with anticipation.

Once inside Wacky Tacky, your gang will be mesmerized by the 24,000 square feet of colorful and exciting play space where kids are actually encouraged to run fast, jump high and holler to their hearts content in this soft and safe space where healthy activity intersects with imagination. Your little ones will surely have a blast climbing up 3 story jungle gyms, gliding down enormous slides and navigating through the mouth of a great white shark, whose teeth are as soft as they are pearly white!

While the weather outside is frightful, the great indoors at Wacky Tacky is so delightful. With plenty of comfortable booths to choose from, you can sit back and enjoy watching your kids do what kids do best…be kids. After a couple hours of wild and crazy mayhem, you gather up the crew and allow the little ones to catch their breath in the cozy new movie theatre and enjoy a cherished Christmas movie or other movie of your choice.

If you hear a few stomachs growling louder than the imaginary creatures in the jungle section, have no fear, the Wacky Tacky Café is here with plenty of tasty menu options to choose from. If you selected one of the spectacular party packages, your entire crew will enjoy pizza, cupcakes, soda or juice with balloons and goodie bags.

Do you want even more great adventure? The Rancho Cordova Wacky Tacky facility now has a brand new, state-of-the-art virtual reality gaming room. You will feel like you’re inside the game itself because they have the most advanced headset on the market. With a platform that moves, you can experience the thrill of flying without ever really leaving the safety of mother earth.

I spoke with Nas Qurraa, the son of the creator of Wacky Tacky the other day to get a better idea about how their two indoor facilities in Rancho Cordova and Roseville have become a local sensation.

Q: How do you describe what Wacky Tacky is?

A: Wacky Tacky is the ultimate place for kids to play and have a party in a fun, clean and safe environment. They’re not sitting around playing video games. Kids are actually running around and playing on jungle gyms, getting good exercise while having loads of fun.

Q: How do adults like your place?

A: They love it! Parents can sit comfortably or go in and play with their kids.

Q: Could you describe the new cinema room?

A: We just opened up a room that has 16-18 chairs and has a very nice projector that plays 4K and 3-D movies. We have movies available or you can bring your own movie.

Q: How did you come up with this idea?

A: It just came out of the wind, honestly. My father and I were talking and we wanted to appeal to adults and children. We can also rent out the room for corporate events, birthday parties and other celebrations.

Q: Wouldn’t this be a great place to have a Christmas party?

A: Yeah, Christmas parties are great. We want to encourage church youth groups and other organizations that have programs that take kids to fun and interesting places to come here.

Q: What are your duties and responsibilities?

A: I work full time and basically help out the family. I make sure our facilities are safe and clean, and I oversee the hiring and training of our employees.

Q: Can you tell us about your new virtual reality game?

A: Yes, it’s in a separate room. We’ve got the best headset on the market and a platform that moves. We have several different games you can play, so if you’re going up in the game, you’ll feel like you’re flying!

Q: How do you like working with your dad?

A: I love it! He’s so smart when it comes to business. I think I’ve learned more from him than from any school or any other person. He’s a nice guy, he’s great to work with and everybody that works with him loves and respects him.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

A: This is a fun and safe place to play. We’re family owned, we’re always updating our facility and kids love it. We started out in a tiny little place and now we’re known all over Sacramento. Many people have noticed our business model and want to be part of our success.

For more information about Wacky Tacky’s two exciting locations in Rancho Cordova and Roseville, call (916) 476-3260 or (916) 783-3355. Their website is www.wackytacky.net. Also, be sure to ask them about their rewards program. Become a Wacky Tacky Member and enjoy future savings, special offers and exciting updates via text message.

The Votes are in: Willo Salon is#1!

By Bob Cox

As the owner of three thriving hair salons, one might falsely conclude that Marilyn Sadeq has led a charmed and privileged life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Marilyn has worked her tail off for over 30 years while dedicating her life towards helping her client’s look and feel their best.

When she opened the first Willo Salon (formerly Mane Attractions) in Gold River back in 2007, Marilyn invested a great deal of financial, physical and emotional energy to follow her dream. For several years, she navigated her newly established salon through the longest and worst recession since the Great Depression. If that wasn’t daunting enough, she endured unbearable heartache when her 19 year-old son Keyon passed away. This tragedy followed the loss of her husband Ali 15 years earlier.

Despite these unimaginable losses, Marilyn’s heart has remained strong and full of love and gratitude. While Marilyn has made a major shift in her personal and professional life by working primarily from home, all three salons reflect Marilyn’s warm and kind hearted spirit. I asked Marilyn a few questions the other day and here’s what she had to say.

Q: How did you feel after learning about being voted #1hair salon by Style Magazine?

A: We’ve received many other awards in the past, but this one feels really good because I didn’t put any effort into it. In the past, I used to encourage the entire staff to ask every guest to please go online and vote. So, for our salons to be achieving awards and growing is a pretty big deal because I’ve completely shifted who I am and how I run my companies.

Q: Has the continuous growth and success of your salons surprised you?

A: Yes. We now have over 65 employees and several salon owners have said they don’t know how we’ve done it, because when that kind of tragedy in your life happens, the business usually suffers financially and fear shows up in staff, yet The Willo Family stuck together to keep the Willo brand strong.

Q: What are some other things that set you apart from other salons in town?

A: We’re an eco friendly salon and we want to leave the lowest environmental footprints that we can. Our line of colors are 98% naturally derived and very healthy for your body. Our stylists are Certified Aveda Stylists and Certified Aveda Colorists and they have the best products on the market to work with.

Q: What approach do you take during a new client’s consultation?

A: We have signature consultations and it’s really important for us to get to know who you are and understand your lifestyle to make the best decision for your hair. We take everything into consideration, such as your facial structure, your budget, how often you get your hair done and then make sure that it all fits your lifestyle.

Q: What message do you want to give to all of your clients?

A: I tell quests this all the time: We open our doors every day to make people happy. We could do this just for money, but we don’t. We do it for the pure passion of making a difference in people’s lives.

Q: What kind of culture have you created for Willo Salons?

A: We call ourselves The Willo Family, because we’re known for being kind. We hire the heart at Willo and everything else we can train. Our people just have kind hearts and they love to make a difference in this world, so I think we have a pretty healthy culture.

Q: Does being an eco friendly salon also help you attract kind hearted stylists?

A: Yes. We call our stylists living artists. They’re designers, but they’re mostly living artists as we have a living pallet.

Q: Has your management style changed since you opened your first salon in 1996?

A: Definitely. I have a new perspective since I lost my son. When someone comes to me with an unresolved issue, sometimes I’ll say, “Really, this small and simple issue is creating so much drama?” Most of the time, they will laugh and agree.

Q: What advice would you give people that want to have a healthier and more positive outlook on life?

A: For me, I’m committed to healthy conversations. What I teach people that are having trouble is to find something, whether it’s music or meditation that can help you just take a moment for yourself and breathe. I found some U-Tube videos and used them to help with meditation and find balance, gratitude and love. It really is that simple. If I can find gratitude, everyone can.

Editor’s notes: For more information about Willo Salon, visit their website at willosalon.com.