Vegetarian Three Bean Chili

• 2 15 oz. can kidney beans (low salt; use the bean liquid too)
• 1 15 oz. can cannellini (low salt; use the bean liquid too)
• 1 15 oz. can black beans (low salt; use the bean liquid too)
• 1 28 oz can tomatoes (low salt)
• 2 C chopped seitan (”wheat meat”) or firm tofu
• 16 oz. frozen sweet corn (organic)
• 16  oz. frozen spinach (organic)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 C sunflower seeds
• 1 tsp cumin (to taste)
• 2 tsp Italian spices (oregano, thyme, basil, garlic, black pepper, tarragon, chives; to taste)
• 1 tsp habanero pepper sauce (to taste)

Put all ingredients in a large pot or crock pot and cook covered on a low heat for several hours.  This “comfort food” will make you feel good and will warm you up quickly.  We served it with a simple fresh salad and corn muffins.  Delicious.

Three weeks ago we sent two envelopes to Congress and one to the Senate.  These envelopes contained the “voices” of many of our patients who desire to see chiropractic included in the new health care reform bill.  Today I received this letter from Allyson Schwartz:

I would have liked a more detailed response, not just a form letter.  But I suppose we should be happy with any response at all?

Depression affects millions of Americans each year.  As we drudge through this rainy Autumn and approach the winter, no doubt many people will begin suffering from depression.  Some will be mild, while others will be more severe.  Mild to moderate depression can respond very well to natural therapies.  If you suffer from severe depression, you should consult the proper medical doctor for evaluation.  Regardless of the severity of your depression, natural alternatives can help you fight depression and help you avoid dangerous drugs and their side effects.

Exercise is the key.  Exercise can be one of your most effective weapons to fight depression.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

Exercise helps prevent and improve a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. Research on anxiety, depression and exercise shows that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise can also help reduce anxiety and improve mood.

Exercise can be a substitute for anti-depressant drugs according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1999:

(the study) divided 156 men and women with depression into three groups. One group took part in an aerobic exercise program, another took the SSRI sertraline (Zoloft), and a third did both. At the 16-week mark, depression had eased in all three groups. About 60%–70% of the people in all three groups could no longer be classed as having major depression. In fact, group scores on two rating scales of depression were essentially the same. This suggests that for those who need or wish to avoid drugs, exercise might be an acceptable substitute for antidepressants.

How can exercise help you fight depression?  I’ve listed some of the benefits here:

• Physical activity stimulates the production of “happy” chemicals in your brain that will lift your mood.
• Regular exercise will help you look and feel better and more energetic.  This will boost your self-esteem.
• Even gentle exercises can help reduce pent up stress and tension in your muscles.
• Physical activity increases your body temperature, which has a calming effect.
• During activity your mind will be taken off your worries, and you can focus on positive things.
• If you exercise in a social setting, you can become more “socially healthy” if you interact with others during your exercises.
• Regular exercise will enhance your immune system function.  You will get sick less often and your body will reduce unwanted chemicals in your body that fuel depression.

Are there exercises that are best for fighting depression?  No.  It’s best to live by the Nike slogan… “Just Do It”.  All your activity doesn’t have to be done at once.  It’s okay to spread it throughout your day.  I would recommend trying for at least 30 minutes every day.  Here are some suggestions if you need help coming up with ideas:

• Walking or Running.
• Mowing your lawn or raking leaves.
• Swimming.
• Lifting weights.
• Table tennis.
• Rebounding (gentle bouncing on a mini-trampoline)
• Bicycling (to work?)

How do you stay motivated?  Here are a few key ideas:

• Find activities that you enjoy.  Keep it fun.
• Vary your activities.  Both your mind and body crave changes in the routine.
• Find someone to partner with.  They will help keep you motivated and you can return the favor!
• If you decide to exercise at a gym (rather than around the home), find a local club within 10 minutes of home.  The drive to the gym can be one of your biggest barriers to exercising.
• If you miss a day, don’t let it worry you.  Just start back with your routine ASAP.  Don’t try to “make up” missed time.  Just get right back on your normal routine.

Vegetarian “Chopped Liver”

• 6 T extra virgin olive oil
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 1 1/2 C peas
• 3 hard boiled eggs (or substitute eggs with 3/4 C of tofu)
• 30 walnut halves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

1. Cook onions in oil until lightly brown.
2. Add vegetables to the onions and cook for a few minutes more.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Put veggies, walnuts, and eggs in food processor and process until smooth.
5. Chill before serving.

As of November 9, 2009 we will be accepting the following new insurance plans:

• United Healthcare
• Golden Rule
• GE Wellness Plan
• MAMSI
• Great-West Healthcare
• Principal Life Insurance Co.
• Health Allies
• Oxford Health Plans
• Medical Resource, LLC
• Premera Blue Cross
• Cypress Care
• Universal SmartComp
• Align Networks, Inc.

For a complete list of insurance companies that we accept please refer to our FAQ page.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

President Obama’s health care reform bill is being discussed now and chiropractic needs to be included! Your help is critical in helping get the message to Washington.

Chiropractic care has helped millions of people enjoy freedom from pain and live healthier and happier lives.  Chiropractic care can also help lower health care costs, because it’s far less expensive (and dangerous) than drugs, injections, and surgical procedures.

I encourage you to stand up for your rights and vote to include chiropractic care as a guaranteed benefit in any health care reform bill approved by Congress.

You can help by simply visiting the following site to let your voice be heard:

chirovoice.org

(click on the “Legislative Action Center”)

Please forward this post to anyone you  know who is pro-chiropractic care.

Currently, several prominent pro-chiropractic companies and organizations are working together in an all-out effort to ensure that chiropractic has a voice in this health care reform.

We have a short period of time and we have to act NOW!

Thanks for your support.

I just finished reviewing some data from the Center for Disease Control that was a real eye opener.  It reported that:

“The medical care costs of people with chronic diseases account for more than 75% of the nation’s $2 trillion medical care costs.”

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview.htm#3

Many (if not most) of these “chronic diseases” are absolutely preventable.  Smoking and bad eating habits account for most of the incidences of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.  Quitting smoking and changing your diet can be difficult, but it is the best choice for superior health.

It appears that much of the problem with our health care system is rooted in corrupt poliltics, insurance company policy, and pharmaceutical company agendas.  There needs to be reform at those levels.  But, if we are going to make some real long-lasting changes to our health care, we need to take prevention and healthy living seriously.  More than ever now, we need to get to the cause of the problem.  

A key concept that sets chiropractic apart from the medical approach is:

Chiropractic’s Goal Is To Remove Or Reduce The Cause Of The Problem

When I examine a patient, I am always considering what the cause of the problem is.  If someone visits our office complaining of a body pain, I will seek to discover if their problem is biomechanical in nature (from joints, muscles, or nerves) or not.  If the problem is biomechanical, I can develop a treatment plan that targets the cause and provides a quick and natural solution.  If their problem is not biomechanical (in whole or part), I will refer the patient to an appropriate health care provider.

For the majority of cases, I can find a safe, natural, solution that gets to the cause of the problem.

On the other hand, the typical medical approach to a biomechanical problem is to perform a cursory exam and then provide risky drugs, injections, or surgical procedures.  Chemicals that reduce pain, inflammation, and spasm don’t get to the cause.  They merely treat the symptoms and can actually make things worse in the long run.  The cause remains and the problem lingers.

Why can’t we treat our health care reform crisis with “chiropractic strategy”… and target the cause?

Because chiropractic care and other natural therapies are so safe, you can enjoy their benefits throughout your entire life.  And so can your children.

Many different scientific studies have found that spinal adjustments to be “remarkably safe” and “effective”.  To learn more about the safety and validity of chiropractic care for children, please check out our chiropractic research page.   One of the reasons chiropractic care has an undeniably solid track record is because we help our patients avoid dangerous drugs and risky surgical procedures.

Many parents ask me when they think their children can start chiropractic care.  I tell them that even newborns can receive adjustments. Childbirth tends to be rough on an infant’s body, and the sooner things are “straightened out” the better.

Even Natural Childbirth Can Have A Negative Impact On An Infant’s Spine

I’ve been adjusting my four children since the day of their births.  I’ve seen their births, and some have been rough.  I know that checking them regularly and providing chiropractic adjustments as needed is one of the best things I can do to keep them healthy and feeling good.

Some studies connect colic, unusual crying, ear infections, poor appetite, and erratic sleep habits can be signs of spinal imbalances. Our children are exceptionally healthy.  I thank God for their good health and for the honor of helping them achieve superior health.

Please remember…

Not All Adjustments Are Done The Same

Although I always provide careful and precise adjustments, when I adjust infants I am particularly gentle and use only light pressure.  I won’t ever separate children from their family.  In fact,  I’ll usually have mom or dad hold the baby while the adjustment is done.

Another key point to understand is…

Chiropractic Care Is Not Just For Pain Relief.

In fact, the major benefits of chiropractic adjustments are not felt.  When the spine and body are “balanced”, the positive effect on your nervous system influences your whole body in a healthy way.  Adjustments help to “relax” your nervous system, which allows your whole body to function at a more optimal level.

If your child has subluxations (spinal misalignments), their nervous system and body will operate in an “irritated” or “agitated state”.  This can manifest as a multitude of different health problems.  When your child receives a chiropractic adjustment, their nervous system and body can “relax” and “balance”.

Like Giving Your Children Healthy Food And  A Healthy Environment To Grow, Many Parents Make Chiropractic Care Part Of Their Child’s Wellness!

What parent wouldn’t want to provide their children the opportunity for superior health?

Please call me if you have any questions or concerns about chiropractic care for your children.  I will gladly meet with you and spend time explaining how our procedure is done.  If my children are in the office, I may be able to provide a “live demonstration”!

In the USA and in the UK, calling someone a senior citizen is the common polite way of saying that the person is older and possibly at the age of retirement.  Right now, the baby boomer generation has reached that age where many are seniors and reaching retirement.  Seniors are everywhere!

If You’re Not A  Senior Citizen, You May Have A Parent Or Grandparent Who Is!

Either way, it is good to appreciate and to understand some of the unique health situations that seniors face, and to focus on natural solutions.  By doing so, you can help serve, honor, and respect the ones who have invested much of their own lives supporting the younger generation.

Do You Have A Mature Spine?

As you age, many physical changes have taken place in your nerves, muscles, and joints (the neuromusculoskeletal system).  That is, unless you’ve discovered the fountain of youth!  Some changes are normal.   But many of so-called “normal” changes, are really just common and abnormal.  You may have been living with some of these abnormal changes for so long that you’ve grown accustomed to them.  The worst part is that they may be preventing you from experiencing superior health.  We’re talking about:

• Arthritis
• Restricted range of motion
• Loss of strength
• Loss of balance
• Cardiovascular weakness
• Postural imbalances
• Abnormal muscle tension and pains

Some changes come from the build up of “macro trauma” such as slips and falls, work injuries or auto accidents.  Some of your physical problems could be due to the build up of past “micro traumas” such as poor posture, bad work ergonomics, or repeatedly doing harmful exercises.

Some of the negative changes involving your neuromusculoskeletal system can be long-lasting.  These changes include arthritic changes, muscular tension, loss of normal ranges of motion, bent over rounded shoulders posture or “widow’s hump”.  Other lasting problems could include muscular weakness, incoordination, core instability, or loss of balance.

Loss Of Core Stability And Balance Is Very Serious And Can Result In Unexpected Falls!

If you are experiencing a body pain or a loss of body function (i.e. loss of balance, restricted motion, or weakness), getting help as soon as possible is very important.  Certain conditions can degenerate quickly, and the sooner you receive the proper care, the sooner you can begin healing properly.

We Have Had Great Success Treating Difficult “Long-Lasting” Problems

On your first visit to our office we will first perform a detailed case history and exam to identify your problems.   We may need to coordinate care with your primary physician and to review past diagnostic tests (i.e. x-rays or MRIs).  After the exam, I will clearly explain the best course of action to achieve your health goals.  If you decide to become a patient and I feel it’s safe, we can start treatment.

First, we will do our best to promote pain relief as fast as possible, while using natural therapies.  In my experience,  we can usually provide substantial relief within 5-10 visits.  On the short term, our focus is on reducing your pain, inflammation, and muscle spasm, and improving your joint motion, balance and stability.

In The First Few Visits We Will Provide Gentle Chiropractic Adjustments, Massage, And Other Natural Therapies To Promote Fast Pain Relief!

In addition to the care we provide, often you may be able to benefit from support to your “problem” areas.  We may recommend the following additional support to help ensure the best outcome from our treatment:

• A lumbar support pillow
• A cervical pillow
• Spinal pelvic stabilizers (Foot Levelers orthotic inserts)
• A joint support wrap
• Nutritional superfood supplements
• A TENS unit (electrical stimulation for home-based pain relief treatment)

As your body heals and you begin to experience freedom from your pain, you’ll probably begin wondering… “How long will this last?”.   For long-lasting improvement, you have to consider the “big picture”.  When considering the big picture of your ongoing wellness, you may need to incorporate ergonomic changes, targeted exercises, stress relief strategies, and dietary changes. Many of our seniors have found that even when they “feel good”, they benefit from some schedule of maintenance “chiropractic checkups” and/or massage therapy sessions.

We All Want To Stay Young!

Life may have been very rough on your body over the years, but we can help!  We see many patients who have reached the golden years.  Many of our seniors visit us on a regular basis because they have experienced the health benefits of regular care. They feel the results of having their joint mobility restored, their body balanced, their core stabilized, and their nervous system “relaxed”.

You can also experience freedom from pain and superior health naturally.  Why not give it a try?  It really works!

50% OFF WELLNESS PLANS

Join any ongoing wellness plan (BRONZE, SILVER, or GOLD) at 50% off your first month! Receive a chiropractic checkup and a 30-minute-massage for as low as only $19.50 when you join the GOLD PLAN! NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 19th!

30% OFF MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATES

Purchase one for that special person or indulge yourself.  Give the gift of a relaxing one-hour massage for only $45.50!

Hot Stone Massage “Spa” Package – Only $57.50!

INCLUDES: One-Hour Hot Stone Massage, Paraffin Treatment for Your Hands or Feet, and a Facial Cream Massage.