Lentil Soup to the Rescue!

I can't say enough good things about Lentil Soup.  Honestly.  Lentil Soup really makes the first 10 days of this Program that much more enjoyable!  About a year ago I was on the SP Purification program and had a bad experience with lentils...trust me when I say that I have the ability to really mess up recipes even if they are foolproof.  Anyway, last cleanse (January 2010) a couple patients of ours talked me into making this little bean again.  And all I have to say is it has been my favorite soup ever since!  I am constantly searching for new ways to make this soup and I happen to get my Standard Process newsletter in the mail last week, and what do you know...a Lentil Soup Recipe!  So I thought I would share it with you so you can try it too! 

Vegetarian Lentil Soup with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Cumin

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (not ground)
• 1 large onion, chopped small
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 cups brown lentils
• 4 cans vegetable broth or water
• 1 can diced tomatoes with juice (14.5 oz.)
• 2 cups chopped spinach (tightly packed)
• Sea salt to taste

Directions:

Put olive oil and cumin seeds in large heavy dutch oven and cook over medium heat until fragrant and starting to pop, about 3 minutes.  Make sure to stir a few times so they don't burn.  Stir in onion, minced garlic, ground coriander, and black pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened, about 4 minutes.  Stir in the paprika and cook about 1 minute more. 

Add lentils and veggie broth/water, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered about 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are quite tender.  Add diced tomatoes and juice and chopped spinach and simmer uncovered 20-30 more minutes, until soup ingredients are well blended and lentils are starting to break apart.  Season to taste with sea salt and serve hot.

I really hope you enjoy this soup as much as I do!  And please if you come across any recipes that you feel would be a great addition PLEASE SHARE! 

Happy Day and Happy May!

Happy May Everyone!  How wonderful to kick off May with another Standard Process Purification Program!  Welcome to all the new fellow cleansers and hello to all my repeats!  I am happy to share this experience with you all again!  Unfortunately I will  not be blogging each of the 21 days this time, but I highly recommend going back through my old posts and follow along day by day.  Look under the January tab... each day is listed.  What I am going to do more of this time around it answer any questions you may have as well as post some more recipes.  I find the hardest thing about this process is to eat a variety.  What I tend to do is find food that I am comfortable cooking and make it over and over and over again (And I know I am not alone!)  The other problem I ran into last time was the variety at my grocery store.  They always seemed to be out of the veggies I have been meaning to try...like beets.  This time I plan on searching more local farmers markets for different veggies to see what I can come up with. 

I really encourage you all to dive into this experience 100%.  Please no cheating.  Trust me it will be worth it!  And another suggestion....EAT!  This program is NOT intended to starve you! SO EAT!  Follow your guide book and start choosing fruits and veggies you wouldn't typically make.  You never know if you'll like something until you try it!  I can honestly say though that I have tried mushrooms...and I don't like them! 

WELCOME TO DAY 1!

8 Ways to Wellness

You are born to live a life of vitality, strength, peace and happiness-you are supposed to be healthy your entire life. That life should be long and full of joy, excitement, pleasure and fulfillment. But it doesn't always happen that way. Too many people are not living to their potential; they are living with physical and mental disease. It isn't right! You have the potential for physical and mental health and you owe it to yourself to drink from that deep well.

Here are 8 suggestions of things you can do to reclaim health for yourself and your family and to maintain your health throughout the years!

1. Stay subluxation free! Subluxations are simply internal structural distortions that can cause serious health problems. Subluxations stress your nervous system and interfere with communications among your organs, glands, muscles and other body parts-including your brain and your immune system. Subluxations can be caused by any trauma: difficult birth, falls, accidents, emotional upset, chemical toxicity, overwork or a combination of factors (i.e. physical, chemical or emotional stress while your tired, overworked, malnourished, etc.) Subluxation are epidemic in our society; most people have subluxations and don't even know it. For that reason everyone needs periodic chiropractic checkups.
2. Eat nutrient dense foods. Some foods give you an abundance of life-sustaining nutrients-these are known as "nutrient dense" foods. Other so called "foods" have no nutritional value or even negative nutritional value-they drain you of nutrients. Among foods with negative nutritional value are highly processed "junk foods" manufactured with sugar, high fructose corn syrup and white flour. Processed foods that damage your body also include soda, margarine, canola oil, corn and vegetable oils, and artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, Equal, and aspartame. Genetically modified foods are to be avoided. Soy is especially unhealthy because it is difficult to digest, has a damaging effect on the thyroid and has hormone (estrogen-like) chemicals that are linked to early puberty and cancer. Exceptions are fermented soy products such as soy sauce, natto, tempeh and miso. Nutrient dense foods include healthy fats and oils (olive and coconut oils, butter), grass-fed beef, and non-pasteurized raw milk and raw milk products. Organic foods are more nutritious than conventionally grown foods.
3. Cleanse yourself of toxins. To ensure perfect health we need to keep our bodies free of toxins that can interfere with the function of our nerves, muscles, glands, tissues and cells. These toxins include mercury, aluminum, copper and other heavy metals. Toxins can also arise from dental infections, root canals, cigarettes and environmental pollution. A common source of toxic pollution is drugs, whether over-the-counter-, prescribed or recreational. It is wisest to limit drug use as much as possible. A detoxification protocol may be necessary to cleanse your body. Remember we are starting the Standard Process 21-Day Purification Program May 3rd! Join in!!
4. Stay hydrated! Drinking alcohol, coffee, sugary soft drinks and even distilled water actually dries you out. Dehydration has been linked to depression, high blood pressure, disc problems, muscle weakness, heart problems, vision problems, fatigue, exhaustion and many other physical and mental conditions. Drinking good quality spring water is very good for you and necessary to prevent disease and maintain good health.
5. Stay physically active. Your body was made for action. Good exercise makes your heart, lungs and other internal organs healthy and lengthens your life. The best exercise is intense exercise (it gets your heart pumping and lungs working). As little as ten minutes of intense exercise per day is much more effective for weight loss, strength and cardiovascular health than an hour of jogging. You don't have to be in overwork mode all the time. A nice walk with a friend can also do wonders for your physical and mental health.
6. Get enough rest! Sleep is a necessary ingredient to health. A great way to destroy your physical and mental health is to run yourself into the ground. Insufficient sleep has been implicated in everything from cardiovascular disease to obesity to impaired immune response. It can also create stress, disrupt relationships, and make a person more accident prone.
7. Exercise your heart. Your mind, heart and spirit need to be exercised just like your body. Keep the excitement of life's potential alive! Meditate, sit or pray. Open your heart to life's possibilities! If you are not growing and connecting to your purpose, exploring your potential and enjoying life, you are courting danger. Discover the excitement of being alive. Take little steps at first, larger ones will follow!
8. Enjoy nourishing relationships. This is perhaps the most important aspect of life and of health. The science of psychoneuroimmunology confirms what common sense tells us: people in healthy relationships are better off. Those in committed relationships live longer and are healthier. People who feel disconnected from others are usually sicker. The more connected you are the happier you are. Nourish deeper connections to family, friends and co-workers; explore social organizations, clubs and churches. Anger, fear, loneliness and disconnection weaken your immune system while emotions of gratitude and love are the most healing.

Chiropractic can be your first step toward improving all the facets of your life. Chiropractic care connects people to their healing potential. Chiropractic can help open you to detoxification, relaxation, emotional healing and a deeper connection to oneself and others.

Chiropractic care helps people become more physically balanced. This often increases their energy and permits them to move-both physically and emotionally. The mental/emotional benefits of chiropractic have been noticed since chiropractic's inception. Correcting subluxations can improve mental function and relieve depression.

Thank you for allowing us to help you experience your healing journey with chiropractic care and helping you to become a healthier you!

Standard Process Purification Program #2!!

Hey Everyone!

Well bathing suit time is just around the corner...some might even think it's already here! Don't worry I'm not one of them. I am still looking forward to "spring", which I am not sure we will actually get this year. Anyway, moving on...

Are you ready for tank tops and swimsuits? If not, don't worry there is still time for you to get into shape and feel great about your body and your health! For the second time this year I am offering a Group Standard Process Purification Program. The program will begin May 3rd and end May 23rd. Just in time for all those Memorial Day picnics and vacations!

For those of you not familiar with what I am talking about I'll explain a little bit about what I mean. The Purification Program is a 21 day program consisting of a supplement regimen, dietary changes, and the incorporation of exercise/infrared sauna therapy to supply your body with all the proper nutrients it needs to heal your system.

Purification can help remove natural toxins from our bodies and help us maintain a healthy weight. Everyday we are exposed to toxins whether it be from our external environment or internally from our own bodily processes. External toxins can be anything from pesticides, pollutants, or chemicals to coffee, tobacco, refined sugar, or refined flour. Internal toxins can be from waste byproducts produced as a result of normal metabolic function, bacterial/yeast/fungal overgrowth, or even sluggish lymph and skin elimination.

Our body is designed to rid itself of these toxins, but often times our body can become overburdened. Purification offers our body additional support to expel these toxins and minimize our weight, which is important in maintaining our health and vitality.

Once again, I'll be joining any patients wishing to participate in this Group Purification Program. I will be supplying you with all the information, recipes, and support you need to make your way through the 21 days! If you truly are looking to better your health and rid yourself of some of the ugly habits you might have...Join me May 3rd!

For the patients who completed this Purification Program in January:

• Do you have any suggestions for me as far as things to do different?
• Do you have any suggestions for the new group? Words of encouragement?
• What information would you like to see added? Taken away? Changed?

For those looking to participate please feel free to call, e-mail, or comment on here any questions you have. I will be putting a sign-up sheet in the office tomorrow for those wanting to participate! I look forward to helping you better your health naturally! Also for those of you not familiar at all with this program please feel free to look on Standard Process's website or look back through my posts back in January to get a feel of what this is all about!

Why Whole Food Supplements?

I'm baaack! Sorry about the temporary hiatus there! Things have just been crazy at the office in March since the weather broke. People have come out of hibernation...and into the office! Since it has been awhile since my last post here are some updates:

• Our First Annual Patient Appreciation Anniversary Week was awesome! We had lots of in-office specials and goodies for everyone to enjoy. Plus we even had some wonderful patients bring in treats for us...which was crazy since we were the ones that were supposed to be appreciating them! It just confirms to us that we are in a great place with great people!
• New office hours! We are now open Monday through Friday 9:00am-6:00pm. Most days we will take a lunch from 1pm-2pm.
• Starting in April we will be offering Infrared Sauna Packages. We have not offered these in the past (we usually did specials each month), but I think we have really come up with a great way to save you money.

I think that is all the updating for now. Now I'll move on to the main reason for this post: Whole Food Supplements!

At our office we provide patients with Whole Food Supplements. The majority of the foods we eat now are devitalized. We eat too much refined and processed food and not enough fresh foods that are naturally high in nutrients. We need to replace the nutrition that is taken out of the foods we are eating and boost our intake of nutrients. This is why nutritional supplements are needed.

There are many different kinds of supplements on the market today and all of them have varying ingredients and benefits. It can be very confusing to determine which supplement is best for you. When selecting a supplement to take, it's important to look at the ingredients on the label. Doesn't it make sense to go back to basics and choose products that are made from whole food ingredients rather than ingesting ingredients that you can't even pronounce?

Well, it makes sense to us! That's why we offer Standard Process Whole Food Supplements. A "whole food" is any food grown and harvested in nature. Examples: beets, carrots, spinach, etc. A whole food contains all the things we need for great health-naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytonutrients.

Many of the ingredients in Standard Process supplements are grown on the company's own certified organic farm. Their unique manufacturing process captures and keeps the food's enzymes and nutritional factors intact, providing a concentrated whole food supplement full of natures nutrient complexity.

At the office we promote wise food choices and whole food supplements to provide you with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, along with their synergistic cofactors that you need to sustain a healthy life!

Key to remember: You can't repair and rebuild a living body with dead chemicals!

Happy Anniversary to us!

It's so hard to believe that our one year anniversary at this office location will be here Tuesday March 9th! I totally agree with all the people out there that say "Time Flies!".

To celebrate our Anniversary and also to celebrate all our wonderful patients who helped us to get to where we are, we are holding our First Annual Patient Appreciation Anniversary Week! We will be celebrating all week long next week March 8th-March 12th!

Come out and enjoy some homemade goodies, fruit (of course), and hot tea! We will also be raffling off our "Crazy For Spring" raffle basket at the end of the week. For each visit you have during the week, even sauna visits, your name will be entered to win the basket!

We are also offering several specials for the week:

1. Enjoy 20% Off your total supplement order
2. Enjoy a complimentary sauna session
3. New patient Special: X-rays (if necessary), Exam, and Adjustment for only $50. So make sure to tell your friends and family because New Patient spaces are limited and filling up fast!
4. For each new patient you refer in, you'll receive not 1 but 2 free visits!

We hope you come out and join us sometime during the week and take advantage of the specials we have going! Hope to see you all here!

P.S. Enjoy the awesome weather we are supposed to have this weekend! =)

Fluoride Part 2

Fluoride Toxicity

Fluoride is a soluble salt, not a heavy metal. There are two basic types of fluoride. Calcium fluoride appears naturally in underground water sources and even seawater. Enough of it can cause skeletal or dental fluorosis, which weakens bone and dental matter. But it is not nearly as toxic, nor does it negatively affect so many other health issues as sodium fluoride, which is added to many water supplies.

Sodium Fluoride is a synthetic waste product of the nuclear, aluminum, and phosphate fertilizer industries. This fluoride has an amazing capacity to combine and increase the potency of other toxic materials. The sodium fluoride obtained from industrial waste and added to water supplies is also already contaminated with lead, aluminum, and cadmium.

It damages the liver and kidneys, weakens the immune system, possibly leading to cancer, creates symptoms that mimic fibromyalgia, and performs as a Trojan Horse to carry aluminum across the blood brain barrier. The latter is recognized as a source of the notorious "dumbing down" with lower IQ's and Alzheimer's effects of fluoride.

Another not commonly known organ victim of fluorosis is the pineal gland, located in the middle of the brain. The pineal gland can become calcified from fluorides, inhibiting it's function as a melatonin producer. Melatonin is needed for sound, deep sleep, and the lack of it also contributes to thyroid problems that affect the entire endocrine system.

Various permutations of Sodium Fluoride are also in many insecticides for homes and pesticides for crops. Sometimes it is even added to baby foods and bottled waters. If you live in a water fluoridated area, purchase commercially grown fruits, especially grapes, and vegetables that are chemically sprayed and grown areas irrigated by fluoridated water, you are getting a triple whammy! Better skip that fluoridated toothpaste!

Step 1: Getting Rid of the Source

As always, the first step in detoxifying is to curb taking in toxins. Drinking a good quality spring water is a good start to slowing down your fluoride contamination.

Avoiding sprayed, commercially grown foods while consuming organic or locally grown foods is another big step. Watch out for processed foods such as instant tea, grape juice products, and soy milk for babies. They all contain high concentrations of sodium fluoride. So do many pharmaceutical "medicines". By minimizing your sodium fluoride intake, your body can begin eliminating the fluorides in your system slowly.

Magnesium is a very important mineral that many are lacking. Besides being so important in the metabolism and synthesis of nutrients within your cells, it also inhibits the absorption of fluoride into your cells! Along with magnesium, calcium seems to help attract the fluorides away from your bones and teeth, allowing your body to eliminate those toxins. So during any detox efforts with fluoride, it is essential that you include a healthy supplemental dose of absorbable calcium/magnesium as part of the protocol.

Step 2: Speed Up the Fluoride Detox

Exercise, a healthy diet, not over eating, and stress reduction all contribute to higher melatonin production from the pineal gland.

Iodine supplementation has been clinically demonstrated to increase the urine irrigation of sodium fluoride from the body as calcium fluoride. The calcium is robbed from your body, so make sure you are taking effective calcium and magnesium supplements. Lecithin is recommended as an adjunct to using iodine for excreting fluorides.

Iodine is another nutrient lacking in most diets and causing hypothyroid symptoms of lethargy or metabolic imbalances. Eating lots of seafood for iodine has it's constantly rising mercury hazards. Seaweed foods and iodine supplements that combine iodine and potassium iodide are highly recommended over sea food by most.

Tamarind, originally indigenous to Africa but migrated into India and southeast Asia, has been used medicinally in Ayurvedic Medicine. The pulp, bark, and leaves from the tree can be converted to teas and strong tinctures, which have also shown the ability to eliminate fluorides through the urine.Cleansing the liver is also considered effective for eliminating fluorides and other toxins.

Dry Infrared Saunas combined with exercise releases sodium fluoride stored in fatty tissues. Be sure to keep the pure water intake high to protect the kidneys while using a highly absorbable calcium magnesium supplement.