We all know that eating green, leafy vegetables and having regular doses of fruits in our diet is important for health.  But for me, the thought of sitting down to eat a salad each day is just not appealing.  Unfortunately, that meant that I was not regularly eating enough fruits and veggies.

Several months ago, I finally asked Carmen what in the world was in the green smoothie that she drinks at the clinic every day.  Spinach, banana, water, and a handful of frozen fruit.  Hmmm.  Still not appealing.  But, I have to admit, that once I tried her Greenie, I was hooked.  What an easy way to get your fruits and veggies!

Since then, Carmen, Dr. Abbie, and myself have started drinking Greenies daily.  We all have a different mix.  Most are delicious.  Some.....are not...  Here are a few combos that we've tried and loved:

Carmen's mix:
Handful of spinach
10 oz water
1 banana
handful of frozen fruit
Blend and then liquefy

Dr. Abbie's mix:
Handful of spinach
10 oz water
1 banana
handful of pineapple

Dr. Lindsey's fruit mix:
Handful of spinach
1 banana
handful of mango
1 apple
10 strawberries

Dr. Lindsey's veggie mix:
Handful of spinach
1 cucumber
1 green pepper
1 banana
1 apple
Honey to taste

I have tried replacing the spinach with swiss chard from my garden, but I can't say it tastes as nice.  There's just something about the chard that makes you not feel quite as happy about drinking veggies. 

These are a great way to start your morning or take a batch to work for a mid-afternoon pick me up.  Either way, it's an easy delicious way to get a good dose of fruits and veggies

A few weeks ago, I made the decision to carry a high quality Omega-3 (fish oil) supplement at the clinic.  I truly feel that the health benefits of Omega-3's are just astounding.  Unfortunately, we cannot get high enough amounts simply by eating fish in our weekly diet.  We have to supplement.  So what's all the hype about?  The following is a list of just a few health benefits you may experience when taking an Omega-3 supplement:

            -Decreases pain and inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, have a very positive effect on your inflammatory response. Through several mechanisms, they regulate your body's inflammation cycle, which may prevent and relieve painful conditions like arthritis, allergy rhinitis, prostatitis, cystitis and anything else with an "itis" ending.
            -Improves cardiovascular health. Omega 3 fatty acids have also been proven to work wonders for your heart and the miles and miles of arteries and veins that make up your cardiovascular system. They help lower cholesterol, tryglicerides, bad LDLs and blood pressure, while at the same time increasing good HDL cholesterol.
            -Reduces depression and psychosis. Making you smarter is not all omega 3 does for your brain. Psychiatry department researchers at the University of Sheffield found that omega 3 fish oil supplements "alleviate" the symptoms of depression, bipolar and psychosis (Journal of Affective Disorder Vol. 48(2-3);149-55).
            -Increases both male and female fertility. Fish oil balances hormones, improves hormonal levels and increases blood flow to the uterus. The more Omega 3 fatty acids you get the greater your odds of conceiving.
            -Improves all around pregnancy health. Omega 3 fish oil has been shown to reduce the danger of pregnancy preeclampsia (high blood pressure), premature birth and postpartum depression. Fish oil fatty acids also facilitate a healthy placental blood flow and the efficient exchange of nutrients and oxygen between mother and baby and greatly contributes to proper brain development.
            -Lowers incidence of childhood disorders. Just to show how fish oil fatty acids leave nobody out, studies show that children (and adults) with ADD and ADHD experience a greatly improved quality of life. And those with dyslexia, dyspraxia and compulsive disorders have gotten a new lease on life thanks to omega 3 oils.

Talk to me at your next appointment to see if taking a fish oil supplement is right for you.  Taking just one teaspoon a day can have great benefits to your health and overall well being!

This afternoon a friend and I went down to the Science Center to see the Body Worlds exhibit.  If you haven't been before, you have until October to see one of the most amazing exhibits!

I had the chance to see the larger version when I was living in Minneapolis for chiropractic school.  I was in my first year of school and remember being completely wrapped up in the specific anatomy I was looking at.  What this muscle was; what that nerve was; where is the origin of this muscle; what area does this blood vessel supply?  It was a big anatomy quiz for me to help me feel validated that my studying for boards was paying off.  But, today, I had a complete "Aha!" moment while Shanna and I were looking at each display. 

What is the basic principle that chiropractic is built on?  No.  It's not that we adjust the spine and your low back pain goes away.  Chiropractic is built on the philosophy that adjusting the spine will help the body function  better by making sure the nerves that exit the spine and feed every part of our body are healthy and happy.  The basis of this philosophy could not be more clear as I was looking at these intricate dissections.  It is plain as day to see how easily the spinal cord and exiting nerves can be influenced by the spine.  To see how the sensitive nerves exiting the upper cervical spine feed directly to the face and head; of course having the spine adjusted and in proper alignment can reduce and eliminate headaches!  Or to watch the nerves exit the lumbar spine, form the sciatic nerve, and end it's journey in the foot that easily displays why a lumbar spine adjustment can alter the pain you're experiencing in your foot.  Or how about the nerves exiting the thoracic spine that feed into the diaphragm and gastrointestinal tract?  No wonder some patients find relief from asthma or heartburn when they are adjusted!  It's not that I didn't know all of this before, but seeing it today cemented my philosophy on why I do what I do. 

I encourage all of you to go see Body Worlds to appreciate the beauty of the human body in it's stripped down, raw form.  It's a mix of art and science in one exhibit.  You don't need to have any medical background to appreciate how amazing we all are to develop, grow, and function how we do. 

Each patient comes into my office with a specific goal in mind.  No matter what the goal - pain relief, aid infertility, decrease menopause symptoms, eliminate headaches, etc etc - people wants results and they want them now!  But, the reality is, to truly heal and do that naturally takes time.

I am reading a new textbook right now dealing with the treatment of infertility with acupuncture.  There was a section in the book that I thought summed up the philosophy of Western versus Alternative health care in an interesting way:

"Imagine our patient is a round table, which in its diseased state has grown sharp corners.  It now looks like a square table - oh dear!

The table goes to see the specialist in corners.

'No problem at all, my dear table.  We'll have you round again in no time at all!'  Well, right he was, more or less.  The operation was performed the very next day.  The surgeon, wielding a saw, quickly removed the table's corners.  The procedure was quite painful but over and done with rapidly and efficiently.  Unfortunately, he cut a little too close on the fourth corner and the table lost part of one of its legs.  The top, however, while not entirely round and smooth, no longer had sharp corners.

But imagine if the table had come to see the old Chinese professor himself.

'Yes, I can help you to be a round table again.'  And then he would pull out a small file, apply it to one corner and begin to file.  He would file and file.  And even thought it might require a lot of patience on the part of the table and the doctor, eventually it would be beautifully smooth and strong and perfectly round again."

I admittedly become very frustrated when I treat a patient one or two times, and they call to cancel their next appointment because they aren't 100% yet.  The idea of "quick" healing has become an expectation.  You go see your MD; you get a pill; you feel better.  But think about that pill you take.  You may see the MD physically one time to get the prescription, but then don't you take that pill several times a day for a week or two?  Or even prescriptions that you must be on for 6-8 weeks before you may possibly notice results? 

Unfortunately, I can't bottle up my chiropractic or acupuncture skills to send home with you.  Decreasing pain and increasing health simply takes time.

I can always tell when spring, fall, and holidays come around.  Not because of the weather or my calendar, but by the number of patients who decide to push back their appointments until sports, plays, swim meets, or swarms of family make an exit; getting back on a regular schedule when their bodies are feeling completely rundown after taking care of everyone else and neglecting themselves.  This is when I very nicely ask, "How'd that work out for ya?"

Now, don't get me wrong.  I completely understand that sometimes life just gets away from us.  We're all allowed times where we don't have the energy or ability to focus on anything except what is in front of us.  But I have so many patients that I notice this time of complete chaos and focus on everyone else isn't just a moment in their life; it is their life.

It's at this point that it's time to step back and consider the importance of investing in your health.  I'm not just talking about investing in chiropractic care.  What about investing the time to make one fresh meal every day?  Or get outside to take a walk during your lunch hour? And, yes, taking the 30 minutes to get adjusted or have an acupuncture treatment at least once a month.  The time and financial investment of preventing problems pales in comparison to treating problems after they arise.  Patients who take the time to pay attention to their nutrition, are physically active, and get regular adjustments just simply feel better and function better!

If you don't think that you have the ability to invest in your health now to maintain it, what makes you think you will be able to invest and regain your health once it's been lost?

How exciting!  Our first blog!  This is something that I've been wanting to add to the clinic for quite a while.  It's been on my 'to do' list for months and I finally just decided to bite the bullet and get it started.  It is my goal with this blog to not only keep people informed about what's happening at the clinic, but to also bring you different information on chiropractic, nutrition, and health in general.  If there are ever any topics you want me to hit on, just send me a quick e-mail and I'll make it happen!

It only seems fitting that this weeks blog should focus on Easter.  Dying Easter eggs is always one of the highlights for the holiday, but did you know that there are easy ways to dye the eggs with out using any artificial colors? 

No matter what color you're aiming for, here is the general dye process:

1. Hard boil eggs.
2. Bring each dye ingredient (listed below) to a boil with 2 cups of water; allow the dyes to cool.
   
3. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to each cup of cooled dye.
4. Dip the eggs into the cups, submerging each egg completely until it reaches an appealing color. Leave eggs in the dye longer for deeper colors. For deep, rich color leave the eggs in the dye and place in the refrigerator for a few hours.
5. Let eggs dry completely and then let the hunt begin!

Now, here's the fun (and interesting) part!  Listed below are natural (and easy to find) products that will make the dye for your beautiful, natural Easter eggs.

• Gold: Handful of yellow onion skins
• Yellow: 2 tablespoons turmeric, 1/2 cup dried marigolds, goldenrod or cosmos, or a handful of carrot tops
• Blue: 2 cups chopped red cabbage
• Pink: 2 cups chopped beets
• Purple: 1 cup frozen blueberries
• Brown: 2 tablespoons coffee grounds or 4 black tea bags

Have fun and HAPPY EASTER! :)