Wow!  Has it really been a year since we opened the doors of 3:16 Healthcare??  I can honestly say that it has been one of the most wonderfully challenging years of my life!  Over and over again, I have said that I wish I had been journaling the past 18 months, because God has really shown himself faithful in my life like never before.  The road to this point has not been easy, but it has been so very worth it.  Walking in what I know to be His purpose for my life has given me greater peace and joy than I have known, but has also required much of me and my family.  I left a secure job with people that I loved, to do something, well, crazy.  It was like jumping out of a perfectly functioning plane without a parachute, but God left no doubt in my mind that it was what I was supposed to do.  

Along the way, there have been bumps in the road and hurdles that seemed impossible.  I had to put everything I had–emotionally, financially, physically, mentally–into this practice, and when I did, God showed His favor to me.  The thing He kept putting on my heart was that He wanted EVERYTHING.  Not just some of it, all of it.  He did not want me to keep one foot securely on the side of the pool while I dipped my toe in to test the water; He wanted a full effort cannonball into the deep end.  And when I did that, He showed my what true faith and trust in Him can unlock.  

Now, let me be very clear about something: this was not a singular effort on my part.  Nor did I willingly or enthusiastically do all the things I felt God wanted me to do.  Without the love, support, and most importantly, encouragement from my husband, family, friends, and sometimes even strangers, none of this would be possible.  There were days I felt like I had totally misunderstood and should probably just stop now.  I wanted to tuck tail and run, climb into bed and pull the covers up, nail the doors shut and cry.  Was the sacrifice really worth it?

And that’s where the encouragement became important.  I love to read, and I enjoy thinking about the origins of words and what they truly mean.   Here is Webster’s definition of encourage: 1.  to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; 2. to spur on; 3. to give help or patronage to. Can you see why this was so important when I doubted myself and God’s plan?  When I thought I had misunderstood, when I knew that I didn’t have the ability to accomplish what was ahead, when I just knew God had picked the wrong gal, you all were there to encourage us, to spur us on, to offer help, to give us hope!  This community of people gave us the courage to keep going.  

And here we are, one year later, celebrating what God has done!  I would like to share with you a couple of important Bible verses that sum up the past year for me.  The first is from Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12:  ” Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.   Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?   Though one may be overpowered,    two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  There are some people in my life who have been there for me in ways I cannot even express the past year.  I am so thankful for the people who have made up my “three cord strand.”  Because of you, we have not been broken.  

Lastly, when I first started considering this practice, I was terrified.  I only knew part of the struggle to come, and I wanted to run away.  And God repeatedly gave me this verse from Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”  

So, friends, two thoughts I will leave you with after this incredible first year….encourage each other, lift each other up in prayer, word, and deed.  It will make a bigger difference than you can even imagine!  And lastly, if God has a plan for your life, it is natural to feel afraid.  He will ask you to leave your comfort zone and there will be times you feel like you are on a free fall…but He has covered you and protected you.  He has made a solution before you even knew there was a problem.  He is on your side, in your corner, and He is making “streams in the desert” for you.  

Thank you for all your support, love, and encouragement the past year!  Here is to many, many more!

God bless, Allison Key, MD

Staff Spotlight:  Paige Massey

“I am from Muscadine, Alabama. I have lived in this area all my life; therefore, this community means everything to me. I have been married to my soul mate for the past six years. We have two beautiful children and they are my world. I love my farm animals and everything outdoors! I am compassionate, and I love working with the patients here at 3:16 Family Medicine. I am so proud to be part of the 3:16 family and am passionate about the core values that this organization is about.  I look forward to the future with this wonderful work family!”

BTL Vanquish: Body Contouring, Fat “Melting”

Using the patented Selective RFTM technology, BTL Vanquish ME allows physicians to reduce the circumference of the entire abdominal area, or inner and outer thighs.  The procedure disrupts fatty cells through the selective heating of adipose tissue.  The process leads to fatty cell shrinkage and elimination.  

BTL Vanquish ME treatments are designed for those who want to decrease the circumference of their abdomen and thighs–regardless of their BMI.  Unlike other body shaping procedures, Vanquish is not limited to those with a BMI less than 30. BTL Vanquish ME is an option for those who desire aesthetic improvement without the cost and recovery time of surgery.  Vanquish offers a full flank to flank treatment which leaves no unevenness or lines of demarcation.  

During your first visit, the provider will help you design your individual treatment plan.  Most patients undergo 4 treatments scheduled 1 week apart, but this can be tailored to fit your specific needs.  Each therapy session takes approximately 45 minutes to treat the abdominal area and 30 minutes to treat thighs.  You can easily return to your daily activities after each session.  Patients have reported results as soon as after 2 weeks of treatment.  Optimal results be usually seen after a couple of months.

Comfort is the main advantage of BTL Vanquish ME over other body shaping therapies.  The entire procedure is contactless.  All you will typically feel is a warm sensation in the treated area which may last for a few hours post therapy.  The treatment is performed in a lying position so you can easily relax during the procedure.  

The whole procedure is non-invasive, contactless, and requires no recovery time.  You can easily have the treatment during your lunch break, and return to your daily activities immediately.  The treatment causes fat cell disruption.  These cells will not regenerate and are gone for good, unless you experience a dramatic lifestyle change.  

The BTL Vanquish ME is the only contactless body shaping device on the market.  Its large treated area makes the therapy typically more affordable, with more fat removed compared to other procedures.  Its body shaping effects tend to be more uniform across the entire body part.  The BTL Vanquish ME technology is based on the elevation of fat temperature; as such, there is no risk of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia–as phenomenon related to technologies based on tissue freezing. 

Workout of the Month

Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any exercise regimen.  The workout provided below should be done to your own comfort level. 

Seven Up Workout Do this full-body workout anywhere, anytime to improve your health!

Warm Up with 5-10 Minute Walk/Jog, Then do 7 rounds of 7 repetitions of these 7 exercises: Push-Ups Squats Sit Ups Burpees Lunges Russian Twists Tricep Dips Cool Down & Stretch!

Healthy & Easy Recipe: Frozen Yogurt Bark

This frozen yogurt bark studded with fruit is a fun treat for kids and adults alike. Just note to eat it as soon as pieces are removed from the freezer as it melts in about 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Servings  8  

• 1 1/2 cups 2 percent low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 2 Tbsp chopped, unsalted almonds
• 1/2 cup chopped mango
• 1/4 cup blackberries or raspberries, chopped if large
• 1/2 cup blueberries

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, add yogurt and honey. Mix together to combine.
2. Line a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Use a spatula or knife to spread the yogurt as thin as possible over the entire bottom of the dish.
3. Add the chopped nuts over the top of the yogurt. Use your fingers to slightly press them into the yogurt. Peel the mango, cutting the slices around the pit. Finely chop the mango, along with the berries, if they are larger than bite-sized and need chopping. Top the yogurt with the fruit—add as much fruit as will fit over the top. Again, slightly press fruit into the yogurt.
4. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and place in the freezer overnight.
5. When ready to serve, lift the parchment paper from the baking dish onto a cutting board. Use your hands to break bark apart into pieces (even by slightly banging the bark onto the cutting board). Serve.
6. Keep remaining pieces wrapped in parchment paper and sealed in a large Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Copyright © 2018 American Heart Association, Healthy For GoodTM, heart.org/healthyforgood