Tag: Health

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Top-Rated National Charities You Should Donate Toward

Hi everyone, Michael Gortenburg here. 

We all want to make the world a better place but when it comes down to donating, it can be difficult to nail down who you want to help and how. Today, I want to share with you some reputable charities you might want to consider: 

St. Jude’s Hospital 

St. Jude’s Research Hospital works to advance cures for deadly illnesses affecting children through research and treatment. Their mission is “no child should ever die in the dawn of their life.” They provide complete monetary support for families who can’t otherwise pay for their children’s medical bills. Donations to St. Jude are what keep families from ever receiving a bill. Unlike other hospitals, they rely solely on donations to support their mission. St. Jude’s is unique in that you get to see where your money is going. Donations directly support families seeking treatment for their children and provide them relief during an incredibly difficult time in their lives. 

National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the largest and oldest organization led by blind people in the country. They work to let the world know that blindness is not what defines someone and to continually raise expectations for what their community is capable of. Proceeds to the NFB go toward training and education for blind youth, advocacy for the community, and investing in accessible technology. 

Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) works to educate the public on mental health and reduce barriers to diagnosis and treatment. They’re doing the work to reduce the stigma around mental health and provide solutions and resources to those who live with it. MHA has raised over one million dollars to support mental health programs, screened eight million people for mental health conditions, and reached 31 million people through public education programs. Those who suffer from a mental health condition may sometimes suffer in silence and organizations such as MHA are striving to start the conversation on mental illness. 

Helping others in an effort to make the world a better place, or Tikkun Olam is an important part of my Jewish heritage. These are just a few of the many great charities that put in the work to educate the public and aid vulnerable communities. At the end of the day, by contributing to a charity, you make a contribution in someone’s life. 

Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Also follow Michael on Medium, Twitter, and Xing.

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Support Local Kansas City Restaurants

Hello folks – Michael Gortenburg here, checking in from Kansas City.

As we slowly make our way out of quarantine conditions and our city businesses have reopened to more capacity, I thought we could chat about something that everyone’s been missing: our beloved restaurants.

It has been a tough time for restaurant owners and workers – so it is important to support them and other local businesses now that we have the ability to do so. I’d like to take a moment to spotlight a few of my personal favorites. That being said, this is only a select list which does not nearly encompass all the wonderful places Kansas City has to offer.

Jack Stack Barbecue

I’ve talked before about how Kansas City knows its BBQ — and Jack Stack’s BBQ is one of the best. They have five locations around the city and are renowned for the barbeque style dubbed for our city, Kansas City BBQ. People travel all around the world to get a taste of their ribs, cornbread and local brews. If you don’t feel comfortable enough to eat out just yet — try their curbside pick-up.

Cascone’s Italian Restaurant

This Italian eatery has been family-owned and operated since 1954. There are four generations working at Cascone’s and its fresh and delicious traditional Sicilian meals has drawn regulars for years. This is the perfect place to go with family or have big celebrations. The meals are hearty, but I promise you, you will finish your plate.

La Bodega

Tapas anyone? From tortilla espanola to patatas bravas to pintxos de higo – transport yourself to Barcelona with La Bodega. The restaurant atmosphere is reminiscent of Gaudi with colorful mosaics on the tables and the opportunity to have paella in an authentic pan! As of June 1st, you can visit the restaurant with patio and sidewalk seating. After a few glasses of sangria, you’ll believe you’re in a Taperia on Las Ramblas.

Grunauer

This Austrian restaurant has a delicious array of eastern European options. I suggest ordering one of their locally made bratwursts with a side of sauerkraut, washing it down with one of their selections of beer, and finishing the night with one of their traditional apple strudels for dessert. You’ll be still thinking about your meal the next day.

Seva Cuisine of India

If you’ve never tried Indian food before — this is the place that will have you ordering Indian cuisine every week. Seva’s is one of the most top-rated places in all of Kansas City and it’s no secret why: they have a great selection of tasty savory traditional Indian dishes. It’s a great option for lunch with their signature lunch buffet, but that might not be available currently. They also have fantastic and complimentary Chai tea! Portions are generous and prices are reasonable — what’s not to like?

Minsky’s Pizza

Since 1976, Minsky’s has offered some of the best pizza Kansas City has to offer. Their slogan “Gourmet, and going to stay that way,” wholly encapsulates Minky’s. Their dough is baked to perfection, the cheese is bubbly and gooey, and the toppings are always fresh and locally sourced. They also have other delicious offerings like hot sandwiches. Minsky’s is a great option for lunch or dinner.

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These are just a few of the many wonderful restaurants we have in Kansas City.

We are fortunate to have such a great array of diverse cuisines, and we’d like to keep it that way! So if you don’t feel comfortable going out to eat yet, consider ordering in, and please make sure to leave a tip. Workers have struggled unbelievably over the past few months, so they need all the support we can give them.

Enjoy!

~ Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri

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Coronavirus Vaccine Before 2021?

Hi Everyone,

As many of you are aware, there’s a race going on worldwide to develop a coronavirus vaccine. Before I share my thoughts with you, I want to make clear that I am not a scientist nor a medical professional. I am just a concerned citizen like all of you, hoping to return safely to our pre-pandemic lives as soon as possible.

Status of Vaccine Development

There are currently over 100 vaccines in development globally, giving people a sense of optimism at a time when many feel completely helpless, especially when considering that recent statistics have shown that more than 5 million people have been infected with COVID-19 and over 300,000 people have died.

Pharmaceutical companies and researchers have approached the development of a COVID-19 vaccine through a variety of methods. Some are relying on cutting edge technology using mRNA, others are using more traditional methods to study fragments of coronavirus protein, and one team of researchers is conducting a trial on monkeys to show how a prototype vaccine could protect them from infection.

Phase 1 trials of some of these vaccines have recently produced positive and encouraging results: test subjects developed antibodies similar to those found in people who had recovered from COVID-19. Some scientists consider coronavirus to be a stable pathogen, meaning that it is less likely to have significant mutations and therefore will respond well to a vaccine – however, there have also been studies to suggest otherwise. We are still very much in the research phase of this novel virus.

Possible Good News

However far off we are from understanding COVID-19, there seems to be a feeling of optimism in the air regarding the future of the pandemic. According to a Pew Research study, 73% of adults believe there will be a COVID-19 vaccine within the next 12 months, and 72% of adults say they would get the vaccine if available today.

And while this is certainly optimistic – vaccines typically take years or even decades to develop, so developing a vaccine in such a condensed period is practically unheard of. That is not to say that it is not possible, but rather that we should manage our own expectations to realize that a return to “normal” life won’t be immediate.

One thing I do think is fascinating to see is how the world has mobilized to fight this virus on a united front. Scientists and medical researchers across the globe have joined forces to share information, test theories and work together to develop treatments and find a possible vaccine. That is a reason to be as optimistic as any, especially when you consider the history of pandemics and how past generations have had to simply live with dangerous illnesses as a normal way of life.

While we wait for the world’s brightest minds to develop a reliable treatment or vaccine, we should all do our best to follow guidelines and best practices as recommended by our leaders and experts. Even if we do not fully understand the virus, we should behave responsibly to avoid passing it along to a vulnerable party.

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What are your thoughts on a potential COVID-19 vaccine? I’m sure many of you, myself included, want this period of uncertainty and isolation to be over sooner rather than later. I hope sharing some of my thoughts will give you a perspective you might not have considered.

Also, try to remember when talking with friends and family about coronavirus that having different opinions is okay – everyone is trying to do what they feel is necessary to keep themselves and others safe and sane.

Take Care,

~ Michael Gortenburg, CEO and Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Maintaining Health and Avoiding the “Quarantine 15”


Hi gang – Michael Gortenburg here, checking in from Kansas City.

I recently shared my list of favorite tech items to have on hand during this time when many of us are stuck at home. And while they certainly help to keep you occupied at home, it is important to also spend time maintaining your health.

As such, I thought I would share some tips that you can use to stay healthy and fit while the gym and public spaces are closed.

It All Starts with Optimal Nutrition

One of the biggest factors in staying healthy is the nutrition and vitamins that your body takes in on a regular basis. A body with access to high-quality foods and supplements is one that is infinitely more prepared to ward off viruses and ailments. Luckily, these are readily available at any health food or grocery stores (provided they are still in stock).

According to health officials, these are some of the best options available for maintaining the immune system:

Zinc – a common mineral that is used to fight inflammation and improve your cells’ ability to function properly. It is an essential addition to your daily intake, especially if you are older, and has been found to be particularly effective at preventing respiratory tract infections.

Vitamin C – this vitamin is famous for its health properties and has been used to nurse the body back to health from the common cold for decades. It supports cells that are responsible for immune health and is a powerful antioxidant. You can get vitamin C from several foods like broccoli or kale, but I would advocate for supplementing with powder packets that you can also find at the grocery store.

Vitamin D – another common nutrient that is especially helpful in boosting your body’s immune system. Vitamin D supports white blood cells, the cells responsible for fighting pathogens like viruses, and is also an anti-inflammatory agent.

Garlic – this isn’t just a great addition to your favorite dishes; it also has many anti-viral properties to keep your immune system strong during this time.

Don’t Neglect Physical Exercise

Physical exercise is a great way to boost the body’s immune system and will help you avoid gaining the “Quarantine 15.”

Most Americans have a bad habit of neglecting physical exercise throughout the regular year as it is. But now with the quarantine, there is a real danger of gaining extra weight as we move around even less. If you fall into this camp, NOW is the perfect time to pick up a simple routine that you can do from the comfort of your home. And the best part is, it doesn’t have to be complicated or require expensive, bulky equipment.

For those of you who frequent the gym, you may also find it enjoyable to switch things up with home workouts.

Push-ups – one of the simplest and perhaps most effective ways to stay in shape without going to the gym. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that men who can perform at least 40 pushups in one go have a better chance of avoiding heart disease. This exercise will help work out your chest, arms, shoulders and have many variations that you can use to target different areas.

Jump Rope / Jumping Jacks – almost everyone remembers playing with a jump rope as a kid. Well, it turns out that this activity is one of the healthiest and easiest ways to get your cardio in at home. If you don’t have a jump rope laying around at the house, you can substitute with simple jumping jacks. Aim for doing as many as you can to keep your heart rate up.

Sit-ups – a basic exercise and a perfect way to target your abs while you’re stuck at home. Sit-ups give you a chance to hit those areas that you might have neglected over the years. They also have a multitude of variations that can change the difficulty depending on your goals.

Squats – a powerful exercise for targeting your legs. You can perform these in any area of your house, but for added difficulty, find a wall to lean up against. Make sure to stand about one foot away from the wall and squat down as low as you can and hold this position for as long as you can. I guarantee you will find this a lot more difficult than you would have expected.

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There are many more exercises that you can perform while stuck at home during this pandemic, but these are a handful to start with. I would recommend loading up some of your favorite music, finding an isolated spot somewhere in the house and getting started on a daily routine.

Also, be mindful of the types of foods you are ordering online. Restaurants are great, but now would be the perfect time to focus on an overall healthier diet and finding ways to work in some of the above nutrients.

Until next time,

~ Michael Gortenburg, CEO and Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri.