Detox Your Home…Why?

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“Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we are beginning to see as the major causes of death in the latter part of (the 1900’s) and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin.”                                                                   – Dr. Dick Irwin, Toxicologist, Texas A&M University

We live in a chemical world. Over 5000 chemicals have entered daily use since WW II, many of them found in the products we use every day to clean and beautify our bodies and our homes. Scientists are increasingly concerned that long-term low-level exposures to chemicals create a variety of health risks. They also worry that we do not yet know the impact of living with the cocktail of chemicals found in household air and dust.  Testing for human health effects is normally done on single chemicals. However, in the real world, we are exposed to a daily variety of chemicals which create ‘chemical stress’ in the body and impact cellular function.  Quite simply, if you are breathing, absorbing, ingesting a variety of chemicals regularly, your body has to work harder to keep you functioning well.

Many people assume that “if it was bad for us, the government would not allow it to be sold” but we know that regulatory bodies are slow to act. Legislation governing pest control products was only amended in 2002, after over 30 years without change and review of pest control products is just beginning. Health Canada has recently added some chemicals to their ‘hot list’ of chemicals not permitted in cosmetics, but those ingredients had not been used for years and were added for the sake of ‘clarity’. Health Canada has been slow to restrict many chemicals currently in use, including identified or suspected carcinogens, hormone disrupters and reproductive toxins. The process of evaluating and regulating all the chemicals we use in our daily lives is going to be slow. And past experiences in regulating lead in gasoline, tobacco and lawn pesticides tell us that the companies which produce these products won’t take attempts to limit their use quietly.

In choosing the products we use on our bodies and in and around our homes WE are the ones in control. We can make informed choices for the sake of our own health and the health of our families. And in most cases, what is less toxic for us is also less toxic for the natural environment.

Making the move to less toxic products can seem overwhelming… but it doesn’t need to happen all at once and is likely easier than you think! Whether you make changes in a few areas or in many, you will be making positive choices for your life.

Ready to start? Grab one of the many books from the practice or keep watch for more posts with ideas and solutions.  Share your ideas with us too! Some of the most useful tips I have gained have come from others and not out of a book…

Great Way to Get More Greens!

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Dark green, leafy vegetables such as Kale, Collards, Spinach, and Chard are an abundant source of nutrients and should be consumed as much as possible.  Try using them in lieu of bread the next time you make a sandwich, creating a leaf ‘wrap’ in replacement of the bread.  If dining on these greens is new to you, consider starting with Spinach or Chard as they are the mildest flavoured (at least in my opinion!).

Once you have selected your filling, simply place it on the leaves, roll up similar to a tortilla and enjoy.  Another option if the leaves are small (or if you want to make several for an appetizer) is to place 1-2 TBsp of the filling on the leaves and serve…they should be easily eaten in a few bites!

Some suggested fillings:

~ sliced/shaved roast beef (from a reputable butcher…antibiotic and hormone-free)   + mustard + aged cheddar cheese

~ hummus + sprouts + shredded carrots

~ roasted red peppers + kalamata olives + cucumber (tossed with lemon & olive oil)

~ tuna/salmon/chicken salad + diced celery

Really ANYTHING you would put in a sandwich can be exchanged this way so experiment!

Connect With Friends
!

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In February we celebrate Valentine’s Day, but with my sons I celebrate February as “Love and Friendship” month. More than just fun times, studies have shown that friendships help us live better and even longer! A Harvard study found that physical impairments were less likely to develop in those who have many friends. In fact the results were so significant, the researchers concluded, that not having close friends or confidantes was as detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight! Another group of researches found that people who had no friends increased their risk of death, while those who had the most friends cut their risk by more than 60%! When our lives get hectic social time seems the first to be cut out, but that’s exactly when we need it the most. Although the exact mechanisms for this health benefit are still undetermined, friendships bring joy, laughter, and often empathy to our lives. Make time for your friends for the sake of your health!

Massage Therapy Now Available!

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I am thrilled to announce that Susan Helmer, RMT has joined the building.  Susan brings over 10 years of experience in therapeutic massage, and is also trained in Cranio-Sacral Technique.

Massage therapy is great for you for so many reasons – increases your circulation, improves your immune system, relaxes your mind!  Structurally though, Massage Therapy is highly complementary to spinal adjustments in that it helps break down the tough muscle fibres that hold your spine in an abnormal position from years of damage.  When combined with your adjustments you will heal faster! It’s as simple as that.

What is Health?

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“Health cannot be measured by how we feel but rather how well our body is coping with the stressors we place on it”  ~ Dr. Melissa

Ask yourself this: if a person in pain takes a pill and the pain goes away, does this mean he or she is healthy again?

Real health involves quality nutrition and sleep, exercise, minimizing toxins, reducing stress, a well functioning nervous system, and positive happy thoughts.  Are you doing all that you should be? We start by making sure your spine is moving well (or healing in that direction) and taking the pressure off your nervous system so your brain can talk to your body.  Its up to you to examine the other areas of your life and ask us for guidance as needed to make other healthy changes to support your body.

If you’re ready to make a change join us for one of our monthly workshops and learn something new (or just be reminded so you can get back on track).  All our workshops are very informal and always a good time!

Chiropractic & Digestion

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Spinal Subluxations interfere with all body functions and lower your resistance to disease.  Every organ in your digestive system – mouth, tongue, throat, esophagus, pyloric valve, stomach, intestines, glands, pancreas and others – needs a healthy nerve supply from your spine.

Subluxations can cause stomach, esophageal, and intestinal disorders.  Of 100 people with stomach and duodenal ulcers, 86 had spinal abnormalities in the area that supplied the stomach with nerve fibres.  Another study on adolescents found that 87% who were suffering with ulcers had pelvic distortions and blockages in the spine.    Chiropractic works!  Correction of spinal problems relieves  stomach ulcers, gastritis, colitis, and spastic constipation according to researchers, and I have certainly seen this clinically in my practice.

If the nerves are impinged upon by a subluxation, no amount of drugs will relieve the pressure.  A chiropractic spinal adjustment releases pressure on your nervous system to promote body harmony, enhanced ability to cope with stress and improved resistance to disease.

Who do you know is suffering from digestive complaints? Tell them about chiropractic and change their life!  If they live locally ask us for a health pass to come visit us, otherwise we will gladly help find a referral in their area.

 

Chiropractic & Asthma

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For over a hundred years sufferers of all types of respiratory conditions have sung the praises of chiropractic care.

Spinal Subluxations interfere with all body functions and lower your resistance to disease.  Every organ in your respiratory system – trachea & lungs (bronchial tubes, brochioles) is directly connected and controlled by your brain and spinal cord.

Chiropractic works! In a study of 81 asthmatic children, 73 showed significant improvement after chiropractic adjustments, evidenced by dramatic reduction in medication use and asthmatic attacks.  In patients with chronic pulmonary disease (bronchitis /emphysema) over 90% reported improvement of symptoms after spinal care.  Many researchers have found spinal care superior to conventional medical bronchodilators, expectorants, and corticosteroids, and I have certainly seen this clinically in my practice.

If the nerves are impinged upon by a subluxation, no amount of drugs will relieve the pressure.  A chiropractic spinal adjustment releases pressure on your nervous system to promote body harmony, enhanced ability to cope with stress and improved resistance to disease.

Who do you know is suffering with asthma respiratory challenges? Tell them about chiropractic and change their life!  If they live locally ask us for a health pass to visit our practice, otherwise we will gladly help find them a referral in their area.

Disclaimer: Chiropractic care supports overall health, but is not a cure or treatment for asthma in children. 

Our Earth-Friendly Practice

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Environmental toxins weaken your health and are bad for the environment.  Our goal when building this location was to create a beautiful and harmonious space that fit the needs of the practice.  During the construction (complete renovation to convert if from a family home to commercial space) 75% of the materials and process was in keeping with environmentally-friendly practice.  From non-toxic solvents and paints to natural clay and reclaimed wood, fixtures and furniture,  the space we designed is now a beautiful, functional, health-promoting place.  We continue to hold these high values by using natural cleaning products, minimizing energy losses, recycling and composting. All computers are hard-wired and there is no WI-FI in the building.  Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by committing to making one small change in your lifestyle that honors environmental awareness.

Healthy, Colourful, Eggs for Easter

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Dying eggs is a common, fun, activity for Easter Celebrations…but have you ever thought about what you are using to create those psychedelic colours? Commercial food dyes are created from many chemicals that do not belong in your body.  This year, consider food based dyes – your kitchen might already be full of them!

How?

Select a dyeing agent, and place it in a large pot using the amount listed below.  Add 1 quart of water and 2 tablespoons white vinegar to pot; if more water is necessary to cover ingredients, proportionally increase the amount of vinegar.  Bring to a boil, and lower heat.

Allow the ingredients to simmer for 30 minutes.  Strain dye into a

bowl, and let cool.

☻            Red-cabbage dye: 4 cups chopped cabbage

☻            Turmeric dye: 3 tablespoons turmeric

☻            Onion-skin dye: 4 cups onion skins ( skins of about 12        onions)

☻            Beet dye: 4 cups chopped beets

☻            Coffee dye: 1 quart strong black coffee (instead of water)

Cold Dipping Method

With this method, the eggs and the ingredients for the dye are boiled separately.  Using a metal spoon, lower cooled hard-boiled eggs into a bowl of dye, and let them soak for as little as 5 seconds or as long as overnight, depending on the depth of colour you desire.  Remove eggs with spoon, pat dry with paper towels, and let dry on a wire rack.  The cold-dipping method produces subtle, translucent shades, but can result in an uneven colour unless the eggs are rotated vigilantly while in the dye.  Lightly rub with olive oil when dry for shine.

Boiled Method

This method involves boiling the eggs with the dye; the heat allows the dye to saturate the shells, resulting in intense, uniform colours. Set raw eggs in a pot of strained dye; bring to a boil for the amount of time specified in our colour glossary. Remove and dry eggs as with the cold-dipping method.

Natural dyes can sometimes produce unexpected results, so don’t be surprised if, for example, your red-cabbage dye yields blue eggs.  Use the following guide to help you achieve the colours you desire.

Deep Gold:  boil eggs in turmeric solution, 30 minutes.

Sienna: boil eggs in onion-skin solution, 30 minutes.

Dark, Rich Brown: boil eggs in black coffee, 30 minutes.

Pale yellow: soak eggs in room-temperature turmeric solution, 30 minutes.

Orange: soak eggs in room-temperature onion-skin solution, 30 minutes.

Light Brown: soak eggs in room-temperature black coffee, 30 minutes.

Light Pink: soak eggs in room-temperature beet solution, 30 minutes.

Light Blue: soak eggs in room-temperature cabbage solution, 30 minutes.

Royal Blue: soak eggs in room-temperature cabbage solution overnight.

Lavender: soak eggs in room-temperature turmeric solution, 30 minutes. Follow with room-temperature cabbage solution, 30 seconds.

Chartreuse: soak eggs in room-temperature turmeric solution, 30 minutes.  Follow with room-temperature beet solution, 5 seconds.

Salmon: soak eggs in room-temperature turmeric solution, 30 minutes. Follow with room-temperature beet solution, 30 minutes.

 

Structure Dictates Function!

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Has your child had a spinal check-up?

Often times when a new patient comes into our practice and sees an infant or child being adjusted, the initial comment usually is “I didn’t know you treated children.” However, if you think about it (and watched any children at play!) the spine is subject to stress from the very moment of birth and continues during the early years of life.

Early movement patterns, sleeping positions, tumbles and falls, rough play, or sports injuries can stress an infant or child’s neck, head or spine and may cause a vertebral subluxation in the body.

A vertebral subluxation is a spinal misalignment causing stress on the spinal cord and impairs normal function.  Spinal subluxations have a detrimental effect on the body and consequently are the cause of many pediatric concerns such as colic, breathing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions, chronic infections, digestive troubles, growing pains, ear infections, bedwetting and even behavioral problems.  A chiropractic spinal adjustment corrects vertebral subluxations and restores proper function to the body so that it can regulate and heal itself the way it was designed to. Clinical experience shows that chiropractic spinal adjustments are very safe and comfortable, even for newborns.  Chiropractic examinations and adjustive techniques are modified to fit a child’s size, weight, and unique spinal condition.  They are both gentle and specific to the child’s developing structures, and most parents report that their children enjoy their adjustments and look forward to subsequent visits.

During the last century, chiropractic care has become the largest drug-free profession in the world, and studies show that 1/3 of all parents make chiropractic care part of their children’s life.

As a parent you have the responsibility to make informed decisions about health issues that pertain to your child.  Gather as much info as you can, review it, and then quiet your mind and let your instincts guide you to what is right for your family. Surround yourself with a team of professionals that offer you guidance, readily answer your questions, and support your parenting approach. Proper spinal care is essential to your child’s health. For more information and to find a Pediatric Chiropractor visit www.icpa4kids.org.