HicksStrong Inc.
  • Home
  • Support
    • Therapy >
      • Request Therapy Form
      • Testimonials
      • Mental Health Support
      • Therapist Apply
    • Resources >
      • SOS Advocacy
  • How to Help
    • Donate
    • Events
    • Fundraisers
    • Hug Mugs
    • Sienna Hicks GSS Grant
    • Shop
  • Sponsors & Partners
    • HicksStrong Sponsors
    • Our Partners
    • Sponsor Sign Up
  • Blog

Blog

WTEN Interview 5/18/2023

5/20/2023

0 Comments

 
Our Vice President and Co-Founder had the amazing opportunity to share HicksStrong Inc.'s mission to save military lives and about the Broadalbin American Legion Post 337 Legion Riders annual charity ride this Saturday (Rain or Shine) Registration opens at 10AM Kickstands up at Noon.

Link to the interview:

https://www.news10.com/video/michael-hicks-founder-of-hicksstrong-joins-the-show-to-discuss-supporting-military-service-members/8658625/

Address: 19 North Main Street, Broadalbin, NY 12025

Come out and show your support for our troops as well as our mission to save military lives.

Proceeds will support mental health therapy for the nearly 70 service members in care.

Thank you WTEN !!

​
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Holiday Coping

11/25/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
It can seem that every Christmas commercial showcases the perfect family having the perfect Christmas with smiling faces and fancy houses and presents in abundance.  Meanwhile the commercial of our own lives often includes the arguments and frustration, the one family member that tends to start drama, the struggle to maintain a budget and the Turkey that is still frozen. The reality doesn’t sell products.  So how do you cope? How do you find joy in the chaos? 

Here’s a few simple tips that might help keep the merry in your holidays or at least keep the grinch at a distance.  

1. Set reasonable expectations.  Don’t pressure yourself to have the best of everything and that everything goes exactly according to your plan.  Instead have a general idea of what will happen specific to what you will do and be okay with that.  Others will do what they do - you can’t control that. 

2. Plan what you can ahead of time.  Last minute shopping and cooking and wrapping quickly can become overwhelming and frustrating. If you pace as many things as possible out over days and weeks those last few days won’t seem as stressful. 

3. Create a budget and stick too it.  Be honest with yourself about what you can afford and hold yourself accountable.  Your stress will be lower when you are not worried about debt. 

4. Focus on traditions and add new ones.  Your children will likely not remember that toy under the tree but they will remember you reading a Christmas story as you snuggle under a blanket drinking cocoa.  They will remember leaving cookies for Santa. They will remember times shared with you. Your love is the greatest gift. 

5. Take breaks from the festivities - a walk, some flag football, or just a few moments of silence staring at the tree can calm the nerves.  

6. Finally remember the meaning and focus on the love.  In the end it is all that really matters. 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season

The mental health team at HicksStrong 
0 Comments

Thanksgiving Hacks with Jackie

11/22/2022

0 Comments

 
Are you interested in knowing how to “hack” Thanksgiving? Well you have come to the right
place! Holidays are time consuming and for many are very stressful! Here are some simple tips
on how to make the big day a breeze.
 
Hack it, How to:

1.     Set the table the day before. This is always something my family did and it made life so
much easier!

2.     Prep your vegetables ahead of time. Slice, dice and chop away. Storing each in a container
so you can heat, dump and go.
-       Need to turn it up a notch? Make them the day before but leave them a little firmer so when
you reheat them they are perfectly cooked.

3.     Crock pots are a beautiful thing. You can make everything including the turkey in one of
these!

4.     Skip the potato peeler. Yes, potato skin of all potato varieties is perfectly edible and is a
great source of fiber. Just be sure to give them a scrub before you boil them. Smashed red
skinned garlic mash anyone? YUM.

5.     If your friends and family are like mine, they are always asking what they can bring. A
great tip is to give everyone a dish to prepare. You take care of the bird and literally the rest
comes to you.

6.     Make sure you bird is defrosted in time. Set alarm reminders on your phone to make sure
you put that bad boy in the refrigerator in time! The USDA recommend one day for every 4-5lbs
of weight. So if your turkey is 24lbs it will take about 6days to thaw. Now that’s a lot of turkey!!

Nutrition Coach
​Jackie Mistretta
0 Comments

One Giant Hug Mug Party

11/16/2022

0 Comments

 

Author

Michael Hicks - Co-Founder HicksStrong Inc.

I had no idea what to expect this Veterans day weekend. All I knew was we had built a relationship with the NY Giants over this last year and we had secured a Hug Mug party with players and staff on Veterans day. We had 13 Volunteers of which 4 are veterans with us to help us set up and run the event. It was amazing to see the support in action. Everyone around us was getting the room set up it was like that scene in Fantasia where Mickey gets the whole room cleaning then it gets out of control... Well minus the out-of-control part.  We have built a very well-oiled team of supporters to help keep our mission moving forward and we are so grateful. 

Then out of the corner of my eye, I see Coach Brian Daboll and I realized ok this is happening.  Before I knew it we were in full HicksStrong Hug Mug swing. Players were asking questions about what we do while they took time to paint a Hug Mug for a service member to receive just two days away from game day. 

Shane Lemieux - OL, Daniel Jones - QB, Justin "Jelly" Ellis -DL, Ryder Anderson - DL, Stirling Shepard - WR and so many staff members painted HicksStrong Hug Mugs for our service members to remind them they are not alone. 


Comments from Allison Stangeby:
​NY Giants VP Community & Corporate Relations


Presenting Shane Lemieux with
a HicksStrong Hug Mug ​for his Step Father


Read More
0 Comments

Healthy Halloween

10/21/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
As spooky season is quickly approaching many of us are planning costumes,
parties and most importantly what candy to buy for trick-or-treaters!
Even if you are not a big candy person, this is the one time of year many of us
(including myself) indulge. Many past Halloweens I have found myself in front of
a scary movie, surrounded by empty candy wrappers. While the hours pass and
my stomach ache only intensifies I think to myself “whelp we did it again.”

So here are some of the ways this year I plan to keep myself in check:
  •  Eat well throughout the day. No skipping meals or snacks to help with the extra candy calories.
  •  No candy until it gets dark. Trust me this is a hard one!!!
  •  Pick a number. Whatever number you choose is the number of pieces of candy you are allowed to have. Once that number is finished. No more!
  •  Purchase a candy you dislike to hand out. For example if you love chocolate. Maybe choose gummy candy to hand out, I am sure the trick or treaters won’t mind at all!

Written by Jackie Mistretta 
Nutritional Diet Coach
0 Comments

Holiday Healthy

10/19/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

W
Are you feeling nervous about staying on track when you are invited to
Holiday parties? Here is a miniature party survival guide to help you stay on
track:

​
  • Eat normal throughout the day. Again no skipping here.
  • Fill half your plate with the healthiest thing you can find. The other half can be the foods you want to indulge in.
  • Only allow yourself a single plate as an entrée and choose just one dessert.
  • Worried about alcohol? Use the “book-end” approach. For every beverage, have one glass of water in between. It cuts calories and helps with hydration!

Pumpkin Recipes!

For my pumpkin lovers this is your time of year friends! From baked goods to the
all famous pumpkin spice late, it seems everything is pumpkin! If you are like me
and you dislike “fake” pumpkin flavor check out the recipes below that use REAL
pumpkin in unique and healthy ways.

Oatmeal Pumpkin Pancakes
Ingredients:
 3/4C canned pumpkin puree
 2 eggs
 2/3C milk (or alternative)
 2 tsp. vanilla extract
 1 TBSP sweetener or choice (maple syrup, honey, agave)
 1.5C oats (rolled oats recommended)
 2 tsp. baking powder
 ¼ tsp. salt
 ¼-1/2 tsp. spices of choice (cinnamon, ginger, clove, all spice, nutmeg,
etc.)
Instructions:
1. Combine and mix all the following ingredients into a large bowl.
2. Once ingredients are mixed well, lightly butter a large pan or griddle.
3. Place roughly 1/3C of the pancake mixture onto the cooking surface and
cook for 2-3 minutes. Flipping half way through.
4. Serve with maple syrup, top with nuts (optional) and enjoy!
These pumpkin oatmeal pancakes are high in fiber, delicious and will make your
home smell like fall!

Thai Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:
 4 TBSP. oil of choice
 2C pumpkin puree
 1 large onion (yellow, white, Spanish)
 4-6 cloves of garlic
 ½ tsp. salt
 4C broth (chick, vegetable, etc.)
 1/2C coconut milk or cream (milk or heavy cream optional)
 2 TBSP. sweetener of choice
 1 TBSP curry powder
 ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
 ¼ tsp. chili powder
 Toppings: roasted pumpkin seeds, sour cream, cilantro, green onion, etc.
Instructions:
1. In a large soup pot cook the chopped onion and garlic in oil until fragrant.
2. Next add the pumpkin puree and spices, stirring to combine.
3. Next add desired stock of choice, followed by coconut milk.
4. Allow to simmer for half an hour or until the soup has thickened slightly.
5. Serve in a bowl and topped with desired additions.
Roasted pumpkin grain salad
Ingredients:
 Roasted pumpkin (kent, sugar, etc.) *See link for how to break down a pumpkin.
 1 large onion
 4 garlic cloves
 Salt & Pepper
 1 tsp. ground coriander
 1 tsp. ground cumin
 1 TBSP. olive oil
 2 TBSP sweetener of choice.
 ½-1C quinoa or grain of choice.
 Pomegranate seeds
 Pumpkin seeds
 Kale (or greens of choice)
 Feta cheese

Lemon vinaigrette:

 1/4C lemon juice
 1 small clove of garlic
 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
 Salt and pepper to taste
 ½ tsp. sweetener of choice
 1/4C oil of choice
Instructions:
1. Split the pumpkin open and clean accordingly.
2. Cut the pumpkin, onion and garlic into large chunks, placing onto prepared cookie
sheet.
3. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper and sweetener of
choice and place into a 425 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes, stirring half way until
the vegetables are tender.
4. In a large sauce pan prepare grain of choice according to box instructions.
5. Wash, remove the stem and tear kale leaves.
6. Place grain mixture into a serving dish, top with kale leaves, placing vegetable mixture
on top.
7. Finish with a drizzle of lemon vinaigrette, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds and feta
cheese.
Roasting pumpkin link: https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-roast-a-pumpkin-224473

​Written by Jackie Mistretta
​

0 Comments

Just Breathe;

9/22/2022

0 Comments

 
Life can get so hectic sometimes. Work, deployments, trianings, school, family, side hustle, etc. So when you feel like you simply can't do anything else- Just Breathe; be here today, tomorrow, and each day after that. Because you matter, your life matters, and we here at HicksStrong want you to be here and Just Breathe. 
Picture
Our #Justbreathe movement was created to serve as a reminder for ourselves and others to take a minute, and Just Breathe. We believe self care should be accessible to everyone, and we want to remind you that it is! Taking a few moments to regulate your breath can help to regulate your nervous system and tackle stress and overwhelm.

From nature, to family and friends we want to know where you go to #Justbreathe. Purchase your shirt today, take a picture of where you go to #Justbreath and tag HicksStrong (don't forget the 2 S's!) and we will share it on our page.

To purchase a shirt click HERE

Proceeds from the shirts go directly to helping HicksStrong keep up with the growing need and requests we receive for therapy that is confidential and hassle free for our military community. 

​

0 Comments

Fill That Cup

8/30/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture

​Self-care seems to be a hot topic as of late. I see a huge number of clients experiencing burn out or compassion fatigue- mamas, papas, husbands, wives, partners, caretakers, doctors, nurses, active duty, veterans, and beyond- all who somewhere along the way, learned that taking care of everyone around them, making sure everyone around them is happy** (no uncomfortable emotions here, no sir!) is SAFE but in that safety, as an adult, recognizing that never taking care of one’s self leads to burnout, resentments, depression, anxiety, etc

During a recent discussion with school colleagues on the topic of self-care, we determined that as clinicians, collaboration is the best approach. And as individuals, it’s leaning into what are the unmet needs for ourselves. Maybe it’s basic needs level self-care, eating, showering, resting. Maybe it’s next level care, a night out, a spa day, meal prepping to reduce daily dinner decision fatigue.

It doesn’t have to be a ‘me first’ approach if that’s uncomfortable, but more of a me too (as much as that makes me cringe to write out). What are you doing today to make sure your needs are being met?


Opinion Piece by
Nicole Trottier, MPH


0 Comments

Hug Mugger Highlight

2/24/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
One of our Hug Muggers was recently spotlighted in a Skidmore article where she is an English Professor. We have been working with Brenda Pashley-Rabbitt for a couple years now and she and our other Hug Mugger Desire Drindak have help take the production to a new level.  

With the sense of community in mind we came up with a way to help Skidmore collage student during the earlier stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Students were able to take part in art therapy while being isolated providing them with much needed volunteer hours and heart warming effect of knowing what they have been painting is going to bring hope, joy and resources to struggling military members currently serving and veterans across the country. 

Hug Mugs are instrumental in reminding our service members they are not alone and that there are resources available to them.

To read more about the Skidmore article visit: https://www.skidmore.edu/civic-engagement/foc/brenda-pashley-rabbitt.php

Find out what a Hug Mug Party Fundraiser is
​and how they support our mission to Save Military Lives.

0 Comments

New Years Resolution's

1/26/2022

0 Comments

 
Author: Jackie Mistretta BS, MSCN, HicksStrong Nutritional Coach

   
It's hard to believe that it is already nearing the end of January! I could have sworn that just last week there were fire works, popped corks and parties to celebrate the New Year. Gyms have filled up quickly, diets have been started, and old habits have been changed. Social media is filled with every intention of positivity, change and “new year, new me” vibes. 


    The tradition of New Years resolutions is as old as time. According to Jones-Schenk, this tradition dates back to the Roman Empire where Julius Caesar established a new calendar every January. (2022) 

    So what happens as the weeks continue? The gym numbers decrease, the fast food gets reincorporated and those old habits seem to pop up again. Now this isn’t true for all. But for many, we seem to quickly return to our old ways. In the civilian world, it’s no big deal. We don’t meet our goals, who cares? But what about the active duty members and veterans? 

    The military holds its members to a certain standard. Whether its job performance, organization, PT or regulations, there is always an added pressure. This learned behavior is engrained in all members and most continue to uphold this standard even when they leave. Because of this added pressure, there are increased feelings of failure, depression, and frustration in these individuals. As a result, there is often food restriction, purging, over exercising and dieting to meet their goals.

     According to the United States Government Accountability Office, eating disorders in the military are more common then not. Often resulting in “co-occuring” conditions such as anxiety, depression and PTSD. (GAO, 2020)  This impact on both physical and mental health can cause significant issues and danger with readiness of a service member. 

So, why do diets NOT work?

They make you miserable! I mean, who wants to deprive themselves of the things they want and love? Not me!
  •  They cause Binge eating. Depriving ourselves of our favorites usually results in overindulgence the next time we have them.
  • They starve us. More often then not, these fad diets require extreme caloric and nutrient deficits. Let’s be honest, eating JUST a bell pepper and cream cheese for a meal really isn’t that nutritious.
  • They are confusing! One second “this food” is good for us. The next second it is no longer good for us. Diets make it impossible to know what is “safe” to eat and what is not.

Okay, so if diets do not work, then what?

    One of the number one reasons why diets do not work is because they fail to address the root cause of the issue. Think of a diet like a Band-Aid, it is simply a quick fix. Engaging in poor habits such as over exercising, restricting intake and following extreme diet plans only set’s an individual up for failure.  

    If you are feeling lost and wondering what to do next, you are not alone. At #HicksStrong Inc. we offer both mental health and nutritional services to help support our active duty and veteran hero’s. Please reach out and request nutritional services with yours truly. I will teach you the skills you need in order to achieve your goals and never have to go on another diet again!

Citations:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369118X.2021.1983003
https://journals.healio.com/doi/full/10.3928/00220124-20211210-04
https://www.statista.com/statistics/378105/new-years-resolution
https://www.thediabetescouncil.com/why-do-most-diets-fail/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/when-dieting-doesnt-work-2020052519889
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-20-611r
0 Comments

<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    Awareness
    Community Engagement
    Finances
    In The Press
    Mental Health Toolkit
    Nutrition

​© HicksStrong Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Support
    • Therapy >
      • Request Therapy Form
      • Testimonials
      • Mental Health Support
      • Therapist Apply
    • Resources >
      • SOS Advocacy
  • How to Help
    • Donate
    • Events
    • Fundraisers
    • Hug Mugs
    • Sienna Hicks GSS Grant
    • Shop
  • Sponsors & Partners
    • HicksStrong Sponsors
    • Our Partners
    • Sponsor Sign Up
  • Blog