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FRIENDS FOR LIFE Connecting to People Near and Far Y ou know those friends you’ve had for ages, the kinds of friends with whom, even if you haven’t spoken in years, you can pick be there; even when we go a while without talking, we know we’ll all be there for each other. Reminiscing with them has helped me feel tethered to something foundational when the future feels uncertain.
up right where you left off? You have so much shared history that you understand each other effortlessly. Every other sentence starts with, “Remember when …” Recently, I’ve gotten to catch up with some of my closest friends from high school, and it’s been a wonderful trip down memory lane that’s helped me reconnect with them — and myself. In high school, I had a group of really close friends. We did everything together. In those days, the six of us were inseparable. Of course, life happened, and we went years without talking. Today, we’re scattered across the country, but thanks to social media, we’ve reconnected. I’ve loved hearing about their lives and who they are now and, most of all, exchanging stories from the vault of our high school memories. It’s a bit surreal to talk about experiences from when we were just kids when now we all have kids of our own. To be able to talk to your high school friends when you’re in your 50s and reminisce about those days is pretty incredible! It takes you back. It feels great to be able to pick up right where we left off, like no time has passed at all. It’s a total reminder of those days and the person I was back then, as well as the person I’ve become. These friends know me and help me feel connected to my past. We have a shared history that will always
Over the years, along with cultivating lifelong friendships, I’ve been lucky to welcome new friends into my life. Many of my friendships as an adult came from a shared interest in physical therapy, and often, those people I studied with during college or worked with afterward became my closest friends. It’s amazing how social connections of all kinds can boost my mood. A great example is the people I connect with through my Peloton rides. All the interactions are virtual, of course, but it still helps you feel connected to others. You can virtually high- five people on the Peloton, and even if you don’t know them, you still feel encouraged and get to pass that positive feeling on. I made my Peloton handle #ChooseKind for that very reason. Inspired by the book “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio that my daughter inspired me to read (it’s also a movie now, by the way), I want to share the message that when given the choice of how to respond, kindness is always the best option. Virtual conversations won’t ever replace the real thing for me, but they are a great way to connect with others — and reconnect — when you can’t be together in person.
“It’s a bit surreal to talk about experiences from when we were just kids when now we all have kids of our own.”
425-497-8180 | WWW.PTPRO.BIZ 1 -Maureen Madden
3 IDEAS FOR THE ULTIMATE CAMPOUT
Right in Your Own Backyard
you watch the best summer blockbusters or throwback favorites.
park, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn backyard camping into the best staycation ever with these ideas and more. Make a DIY Tent While pitching a tent for camping always comes with some level of frustration, making your own tent using household items like tarps, rope, blankets, and more can be a fun project for the kiddos. It’s an opportunity to let them exercise their imaginations and build something they can relax, play, and even spend the night in. Create an Outdoor Movie Theater If you’ve been craving the big-screen experience that you thought only movie theaters could offer, you’re in luck! You can make your own big screen at your backyard campout. All you need is a large white sheet, a home projector, and some speakers. Then, snuggle up in some cozy blankets and pillows under the stars while
Build a Firepit No campout — backyard campouts included — is truly complete without a roaring campfire. With a gravel base and a simple stone barrier (as well as some quick and easy instructions available online), you can build the ultimate firepit for warming up on chilly nights, telling spooky ghost stories, and of course, roasting marshmallows. As a bonus, you can keep a firepit around when cooler weather rolls in too. This is far from a comprehensive list of backyard camping activities. That said, these three ideas alone can make for several nights of outdoor entertainment. Why not explore the various ways you can have the best camping experience your backyard has to offer?
E ven though it’s almost peak camping season, you and your family might opt to cancel your out-of-town trip this summer, but don’t worry. Just because you don’t head into the mountains doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy time outdoors with a backyard campout. It might not be your favorite spot in a sprawling national
EXERCISE OF THE MONTH
“Simple Squat”
Why: Practicing a high-quality squat is a great way to get your body moving and strong in a very functional way. The better you get at squats, the more likely you will be to lift something from the floor or a low area correctly. This will save your back and knees! Strong butt and leg muscles are important for many other activities, too, like hiking, climbing stairs, and even getting up out of chairs properly. How: Stand with your feet at least shoulder-width apart. Be mindful to hinge at your hips (do not round your back) as you bend your knees about 75–80 degrees, then push through the floor with your feet as stand up again. Pro Tip: As you squat down, pretend that you are trying to sit on a chair that is a bit far away. Make sure your knees do not extend beyond your toes as you bend them. You should always be able to see the tops of your feet as you squat. Do: Do 2–3 sets of 10 each day. Work your way up to 1–3 sets of 30 per day. If you have persistent knee pain, stop and get some physical therapy!
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TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Mary Frances Shares Her Zest for Life With Everyone She Meets
If you’ve ever walked into our clinic to the sound of laughter, there’s a good chance you’ve heard Mary Frances Miller. This physical therapist and lifelong Washingtonian is one of the most upbeat, positive people you’ll meet. She’s been part of our team for 10 years, and we’re so grateful that she keeps us all smiling and laughing at work. Like Maureen, Mary Frances found her calling to PT early in life. During high school, one of her teachers gave students the
VEGAN BLT SALAD
Inspired by RabbitAndWolves.com
Ingredients
chance to explore health and science careers. One of the requirements of the class was to research a career and volunteer time for it, and Mary Frances chose a physical therapy clinic. “I fell in love with the environment,” she says. Later, while studying at Gonzaga University, she worked in the training room, which confirmed her career choice. “I love working with people, talking to people, helping people — I love people. It was a really good fit and a natural progression into the PT field.” After college, Mary Frances worked for a physical therapy clinic she had interned with. Her work allowed her enough time to pursue her other passion: travel. In addition to a year abroad during college in Italy (a trip she paid for over a summer of fishing at Dutch Harbor in Alaska) and a stint working as a physical therapist in Alaska, Mary Frances has traveled all over Europe and Asia. She also spent a year volunteering with the Navajo Nation in Arizona, providing services to pediatric patients with special needs. “It was a great experience in an incredible community,” she says. “I still dream about the day I can go back and volunteer.” When the opportunity to work with Maureen came up, Mary Frances initially hesitated. “I had three small kids, and I felt content.” That all changed when Mary Frances visited PT Pro. “I went, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is everything I want,’” she says. “From the minute I started working here, it was about people. I’ve worked at places that only care about the bottom line. It’s never been about money here. The only thing Maureen wants to know is, ‘Are your patients happy, and are you happy?’ Patients are super important.” Another aspect Mary Frances loves about PT Pro is the emphasis on education. “It’s about how we can be the best therapists and do the most for patients. The level of education that comes through our office is like living at a university,” Mary Frances describes. Mary Frances also appreciates the flexibility and work-life balance. She says, “Maureen is the kind of person who walks the walk; she’s the kind of boss you want to have. She’s the one working harder than everyone else. One of things I’m really grateful for happened last year, when my dad was turning 80. He wanted to walk across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile trail, so my four siblings and I were going to help him do it. Just being able to turn to your boss and say, ‘This is really important to me,’ and having it be a yes right away was incredible. She’s always been really supportive of us as people.”
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1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
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1/2 tbsp liquid smoke 1 tbsp maple syrup 5 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari), divided 1 cup coconut flakes 15 oz extra-firm tofu 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
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1/2 cup water 2 tsp agave
2 tsp nutritional yeast Salt and pepper, to taste
Lettuce of choice
1/2 cup cherry or sun- dried tomatoes Croutons (optional)
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2–3 cloves garlic
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Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. To make the “bacon” bits: In a large bowl, combine liquid smoke, maple syrup, and 1 tbsp of soy sauce (or tamari) and completely coat coconut flakes with the mixture. 3. On a prepared baking sheet, spread out the coated coconut flakes in a single layer. 4. Bake for 10–15 minutes or until the flakes are crispy. Let cool. 5. To make the dressing: In a blender, add tofu, coconut oil, garlic, 4 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari), apple cider vinegar, water, agave, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. 6. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, “bacon” bits, and dressing. 7. Serve chilled.
“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.” —Dale Carnegie
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The Power of Lifelong Friendships
3 Ideas for the Ultimate Backyard Campout
Exercise of the Month
Team Member Spotlight
Vegan BLT Salad
What’s We’re Excited About
Sharing Some of Our Favorites 3
THINGS WE’RE LOVING THIS MONTH
4 425-497-8180 | WWW.PTPRO.BIZ To Do: Themed Friday Night Dress-Up Maureen and her family have started a weekly tradition on Fridays: They pick a While the book is written for a younger audience, readers of any age will get joy from it. The movie, starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay, takes the beautiful story to the big screen. As the book tells readers with its now-famous line, “If it’s the difference between being right and being kind, choose kind.” This month, we want to share some of the activities and entertainment that we’ve been enjoying lately. Take a look and try them out for yourself. We hope you enjoy! To Read and Watch: ‘Wonder’ If you haven’t read R. J. Palacio’s moving tale, you’re missing out. Maureen’s daughter loved “Wonder” so much that Maureen ended up reading it and falling for the incredible story.
To Eat: Food Inspired by Global Flavors If your recipes have gotten a bit bland, take inspiration from around the globe and infuse some spice into it. At GlobalTableAdventure. com, author Sasha Martin has categorized all of her amazing recipes by region of the world. Click on the map to take you to recipes from that region. She also has suggestions for different global food nights themed around a particular ingredient. To Try: Laughter Yoga We all could use a bit more levity in our lives, and this type of yoga’s combination of breathing, stretching, and laughter exercises will help facilitate it. Tune in to live virtual classes, like the ones hosted by Amy Angelilli and Gary Ware at BreakthroughPlay. com/upcoming-events and find options on YouTube as well.
theme at the beginning of the week, and on Friday, everyone gets dressed up according to it. So far, they’ve done historical figures, movie characters, and science fiction characters of their own creation. “It gives our girls something to look forward to,” Maureen says. “There’s been a lot of tie-dying going on at our house.”
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