Take a look at our September newsletter!
PAUL’S POINT OF VIEW
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024
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ADVENTURES AWAIT Exploring Past Adventures and Future Journeys
By the time you get this newsletter, school will have started. The first day of school was always very exciting around our household as my wife was a teacher at our local school. That fact added to the energy developing as we got our three sons ready for the first day. My sons are grown now, and recently, Evan, our youngest, moved away, so we’ve become empty nesters. Fortunately, he’s moved only a few blocks away while he completes his electrician apprenticeship program. My middle son Julian is a middle school science teacher and has recently announced his engagement, which, of course, is very exciting. My oldest, Colin, who is also engaged, lives in Manhattan with his fiancée, who is completing a master’s degree. He’s managing to get acting roles in a traveling production as a stage actor, including a stint for the next few months in Florida all while being a barista in the Big Apple. There is a World Tourism Day in September, and I can announce that we will be playing our part by going on a riverboat down the Danube River in Christmas 2025, almost 16 months away. Along with visiting the Christmas markets in Germany and Austria, we’re also doing a two-day add-on trip to Prague. It will be the first time I’ve ever been on a cruise! All my other travels were of the adventure type, which you have heard of, and were very low-cost versions, so it will be nice to have our itineraries laid out for us.
It is also interesting to know that the last time I was in a former communist country … they were actually communists! That was before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. In 1984, my friend and I traveled in a 2CV Citroen around Europe. We were in West Germany and headed for West Berlin, which you can think of as a capitalist “island” in what was a communist “sea.” We had a transit visa from the border near Hamburg, which was meant to match the transit visa when we entered West Berlin. This, of course, was meant to keep East Germans from attempting to escape communism into West Berlin. Well, when we neared Berlin, the signpost had two choices: “Transit Berlin” and “Berlin.” Stupidly, as it turned out, we chose Berlin and thus drove straight into East Berlin as if we were East Germans! After we got out, walked around, and saw the “benefits” of the socialist utopia that was East Berlin, which included shops with nothing of interest to buy and decrepit old Trabant Wartburg cars tumbling by, we looked at each other and said, “Well, this is boring. We must be in East Berlin.” After consulting a map, we noticed “Checkpoint Charlie” was a short distance away. We proceeded to this quite famous barrier between East and West, but when the East German guard noticed that our transit visas did not match, he decided to charge us a 300 Deutschmark fine for our transgressions. After an incredibly irritating and somewhat tense 3–4-hour interrogation
about why we were in East Germany, we finally decided to spend a week of our budgeted money and paid this guard his fine. Notice how it was in Deutschmarks and not in the valueless and worthless East marks that were the currencies in East Germany. We then managed to make our way into West Berlin. It is poignant to think that more than 100 East Germans lost their lives doing what we did that day. Some of the escape methods are now on display at the museum at Checkpoint Charlie, which includes amazing structures, such as a 2-foot-high car built to drive underneath the barriers. People also tried to escape with homemade hang gliders in order to cross between East and West Germany near the North Sea. I always think of this story when talking about capitalism versus communism. While capitalism certainly has its problems, I have observed that it is far better as an economic system than communism. I wish you all safe travels this season and, hopefully, no mix-ups like ours back in 1984!
–Paul Kane P.T., BSC, CMP
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Get Fit With a Twist How Virtual Reality Is Revolutionizing Physical Therapy
• Continuously Adaptive Treatment: VR algorithms can detect your progress and adjust difficulty levels. With the help of high-tech VR physical therapy, your treatment will continue to challenge you and keep your therapist informed of your progress! Precautions to Keep in Mind While VR therapy sounds like a blast, it’s not for everyone. VR could trigger some conditions, like seizures, so it’s essential to talk with your doctor first. Safety first, fun second! How to Bring VR Into Your Recovery Are you curious about adding a little virtual reality to your recovery routine? Talk to your physical therapist about integrating VR into your sessions. They can determine if VR therapy is a good fit for you and help set up a program that feels more like play than work. Whether rehabbing at home or in a clinic, embracing VR could revolutionize how you view physical therapy. From battling virtual foes to strolling through peaceful landscapes, VR therapy is here to help you heal in the most entertaining way possible. So, why not strap on a headset and turn your next physical therapy session into an adventure?
Virtual reality (VR) is taking physical therapy into the future, transforming routine sessions into thrilling games that make you forget you’re even in rehab! Imagine strapping on a VR headset and stepping into a virtual world where your physical therapy exercises become part of an exciting game or a serene journey. This innovative approach spices up the traditional recovery strategies and packs a punch with serious health benefits. Welcome to the World of VR Physical Therapy VR in physical therapy isn’t just about having fun — it’s a full-blown, high-tech way to get better faster. VR helps patients improve balance, strength, and coordination by simulating real-world activities and environments. It’s like having a gym and a personal therapist rolled into one immersive experience. The Benefits of Going Virtual • Motivation: Let’s be honest: Physical therapy exercises can feel repetitive. VR brings excitement to your home sessions, turning those necessary repetitions into a game you want to play. Who knew getting better could be so much fun? • Custom Workouts: VR allows your therapist to tailor exercises specifically for you. Want to work on your balance? How about doing it on a virtual tightrope (safely, of course)? The possibilities are virtually endless!
• Brain Booster: It’s not just your muscles that get a workout. VR sessions require focus and quick thinking, giving your brain a good
workout along with your body. It’s like a double whammy of wellness!
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FUEL YOUR FITNESS The Best Pre- and Post-Workout Meals and Snacks
TAKE A BREAK! give you sustained energy, and the berries add a burst of antioxidants to keep your muscles happy. Greek Yogurt and Granola: Greek yogurt is packed with protein to help prepare your muscles for action. Whether you’re gearing up for a heart-pounding workout or cooling down after an intense lift, choosing the right food can make all the difference. Let’s look at the best food options to energize you while working out and help you recover like a champ. Pre-Workout Fuel Bananas With Peanut Butter: This dynamic duo is a favorite for a reason. Bananas provide quick-digesting carbs for a fast energy boost, while peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats. Plus, they taste amazing! Oatmeal With Berries: A bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries is a fantastic way to fuel your workout. The slow-digesting carbs from the oats
Add some granola on top for a touch of sweetness and quick carbs to get you moving. Apple Slices With Almond Butter: This combo is crunchy, sweet, and satisfying. Apples give you the natural sugars you need for energy, while almond butter adds protein and healthy fats to keep you going strong. Whole Grain Toast With Avocado: Avocado toast is more than a brunch staple — it’s also a great pre-workout snack. Whole grains provide lasting energy, and avocados contain healthy fats to keep you fueled. Post-Workout Recovery Protein Smoothie: Blend up a smoothie with your favorite protein powder, a banana, spinach, and almond milk. It’s a quick and delicious way to refuel and rehydrate! Chicken and Quinoa Bowl: Lean chicken provides high-quality protein,
while quinoa offers complex carbs and fiber. Along with veggies, this bowl is a balanced meal perfect for muscle recovery. Chocolate Milk: Yes, you read that right! Chocolate milk is a fantastic post- workout drink. It has the ideal ratio of carbs to protein for muscle recovery, plus it’s delicious. Hummus and Veggies: Crunchy veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers paired with creamy hummus make for a nutritious, protein-packed post-workout snack. Remember, the key to great pre- and post-workout nutrition is balance. Aim for a mix of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to keep your energy levels stable and your muscles strong!
TASTY TURKEY MEATLOAF This turkey meatloaf is packed with flavor and protein, perfect for a family dinner or meal prep!
INGREDIENTS • 1 lb ground turkey • 1 onion, diced
• 2 tbsp ketchup • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 2 eggs • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup bread crumbs • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1. Preheat oven to 375 F and line a baking dish with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine turkey, onion, garlic, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper. 3. Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it in the baking dish. 4. Bake for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. 5. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. DIRECTIONS
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1. Anecdotes From East Berlin and Exciting Future Travels 2. Virtual Reality Takes Physical Therapy to the Next Level 3. The Best Foods for Your Workout Routine Tasty Turkey Meatloaf 4. Explore the Stormiest Places in the World INSIDE THIS ISSUE
with the cooler mountain breezes, sparking an electric dance that lights up the dark landscape. The conditions here are so uniquely suited for this phenomenon that the local community embraces it fully, promoting thunderstorm tourism and proudly featuring a lightning bolt on the regional flag. It’s not just a weather pattern; it’s a local icon! Tiwi Islands: Home of Hector the Thundercloud Far from Venezuela, the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin, Australia, host their own regular thunderous performance. Meet Hector, a thundercloud so punctual that locals and scientists know him by name. Every day from September to April at around 3 p.m., Hector makes his grand appearance. The unique geographical shape of the Tiwi Islands, like a cone, funnels sea breezes upward, rapidly combining humid air into the atmosphere. This daily dramatic updraft escalates to 20 kilometers high, forming a towering cloud you can see from miles away. During World War II, pilots used Hector’s constant appearance to navigate during their trips between Australia and Papua New Guinea! Today, Hector continues to be a fixture in the lives of the Tiwi Islands’ residents and a fascinating subject for meteorologists. Both Catatumbo and the Tiwi Islands highlight the incredible forces of nature and how local communities adapt to and even celebrate these extraordinary conditions. So, if you’re a storm chaser or weather enthusiast looking for your next adventure, these destinations promise to electrify your travels quite literally!
Imagine a place where the sky performs a daily light show, almost like clockwork. Well, you don’t need to imagine it! There are two places where this lightning-lover’s dream is a reality: Catatumbo, Venezuela, and the Tiwi Islands in Australia. These weather wonders experience the most consistent thunderstorms on Earth. Here’s how it works. Catatumbo: Venezuela’s Electric Night Sky The night sky is anything but ordinary in a remote corner of Venezuela, where the Catatumbo River meets Lake Maracaibo. For about 300 nights every year, the spectacular “Relámpago del Catatumbo,” or Catatumbo lightning, puts on a show. This phenomenal event occurs when warm Caribbean air collides The Never-Ending Storms of Catatumbo and Tiwi Islands WHERE LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE
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