What To Do With All That Halloween Candy?

With Halloween just one week away, I figured that this would be the perfect video to share on the blog.  The video (which you can watch by clicking on the link below) gives an alternative to gorging on all of that candy that's stuffed into your children's jack-o-lantern buckets and pillows cases.  The video shows what a dental office in Canada has been doing for some years now and honestly, would be a really good idea for us at Cascade Chiropractic & Massage to do in the near future.

Halloween Candy Buy Back - Evans Dental Health - NaturalNews.tv

Now, since we don't do this yet at CC&M, it doesn't mean that you can't do it yourself at home.  I'm sure that most kids would love to make a little cash just by giving up some of their Halloween booty.  It's also a great learning experience for kids.  You can teach them about moderation (not too many people need to eat 3 pounds of candy in a 3 week span) and why that candy is so bad for you (high fructose corn syrup, coloring, fake ingredients, flavorings, etc.). 
With regard to what you then do with the "bought back" candy, that's up to you.  If you want to donate it to soldiers overseas (I'm sure there's a few good ways to do something like that in this area) or just dump it into the closest trash receptacle, that's your choice.  Either way, you're not promote sugar and fake ingredient gluttony to your children and you're actually using Halloween as a learning experience instead of just a candy grubbing extravaganza.

As always, your questions, suggestions, and input is always welcome.

Have a healthy and safe Halloween!

FREE Movie through the 22nd

If anyone out there has been hearing about Genetically Modified (GM) foods or Genetically Enhanced (GE) foods and not sure what to make of them or doesn't really know what they are, there's an opportunity to become a little more acquainted with this aspect of our food industry.

There is a brand new documentary that looks into GM/GE foods and the effects that they have on our bodies, animals bodies, and what GM foods really are.  It's quite an eye-opening look into what is allowed in the food that we eat and why we should strive to be more attentive to where our food comes from and what the ingredients really are.

You can watch the video for FREE through the 22nd of September.  Just click on the link below the picture to go to the website to watch the documentary.


http://geneticroulettemovie.com/

Your Body and the Heat

With temperatures coming this week that are a little unfamiliar to us in the PNW (85, 91, 94), I thought that it would be the opportune time to talk about how our bodies handle and react to the heat.

Personally, I like a little stretch of heat where you can just sit in the shade and sweat a little bit, but I might be alone on that one.  With that said, one of the most important ways that your body handles heat is to sweat.  Sweating is a good thing.  The moisture from your body is released through pores throughout every aspect of your skin for one purpose, to cool your body.  When that sweat evaporates from you skin, it acts to cool down your body's overall temperature.  So, go ahead and sweat.  Who cares if you have a slight "shimmer" or your shirt looks like you just stepped out of the shower.

One other thing that your body does when hot is to rush blood to the surface of the skin.  Just this past Sunday I noticed my son's cheeks were all rosy from running around outside.  Your body channels blood in to the tiniest little capillaries in your skin to release heat through your skin and to allow the evaporating sweat to cool the blood as well.  That slightly cooled blood then flows to the other heated up areas of your body.

Finally, if you've ever noticed a dog panting on a hot day, it's to release body heat.  Humans do it to, we just typically don't let our tongues flop out of our mouths when we do it.  When it's hot this week, do a little people watching.  You might be surprised at how many people are breathing more heavily with their mouths open, even if they are just walking or even sitting.  When you "pant" you release the hot air from you lungs.  It's another way to release heat from the blood that comes in very close contact with the alveoli of your lungs.

With that said, you do need to be on the lookout for some symptoms that would require you or a loved one to cool down a little faster.  Some symptoms include:

excessive sweating (more than usual)
weakness
headache
cramping
nausea

If you or someone else is suffering these symptoms, it's called heat exhaustion.  This is when you need to get out of the sun and slowly cool down.  Don't just jump into a cold shower.  Use cold cloths, take a cool shower, get a fan blowing on you, wet your hair, etc.

So, embrace the heat, just be mindful to be on the lookout if you think you may be getting to hot.

You Have a Choice!

One thing that I have come across since being a provider in the medical field is that it seems like people are told that there is one set way to do things and that there are no other alternatives.  That is definitely NOT the case.  You have a choice!

The fact of the matter is, in most cases, there ARE other choices. Especially when it comes to a procedure or medication that has serious implications or possible side effects.

I have heard stories of people being told that they need to have surgery; there's no other choice.  I've heard people told that they need something removed; there's no other choice.  I heard MANY people told that they need to take this drug or that drug; there's no other choice.  I've been told that I NEED a flu vaccine; there's no other choice.

The point of my blog this time is to not only make people realize that there are other choices, bu that you need to do research on your own to come to your own decision prior to having carpal tunnel surgery, getting the Guardasil vaccine, taking Lisinopril, or anything else.

Ask your doctors questions.  Ask them why.  Ask them about side effects.  Ask them about success rates.  Ask them if there are any cases of severe injury or even fatality.  Consult outside sources.  Go online and look up the labels on drugs and read them.  Try to find studies on new drugs and their results.  Do the research.

Why?  Because in most cases we're not getting the whole story.

Just like in a decision on politics, religion, ethical issues, etc., it's best to be informed on both sides.  You don't need to follow blindly just because someone said so.

I encourage my patients to ask me questions.  Before I send a new patient on their way after their first visit I make sure that they don't have any unanswered questions at the time.  Then I encourage them to call, e-mail, or write down any questions that pop up to ask on their next visit.  I like to give people a choice.  I encourage making your own decision.

I have no issue with people making a choice that would be opposite of what I would choose, just as long as they looked at it from every angle and decided what's best for them and their situation.

So, you DO have a choice.  Just make an informed one.

Conquering the Yard

For those of you who didn't already know, my wife, son, and I recently moved into a new house.  And, of course, along with that new house comes A LOT of yard work.  Old and overgrown landscaping to trim down, a fruit and veggie garden to plant, lawn to be mowed, rocks to dig, etc.  So, I have found myself doing more yard work in the past week than I have done in the past year.  And, this would definitely be an opportunity for me, and everyone else who is doing yard work, to heed some back safety tips.

 

Tip #1:  When lifting anything, whether it's 5 pounds or 50 pounds, always make sure to bend at the knees and hold the object as close to your body as possible. This will help prevent from "throwing out" your back.  OR, if you have bad knees, get some youngster to do the lifting for you!

Tip #2:  When gardening, switch positions often. When able to, sit in a chair or work at a gardening table/bench. When you need to get low, you can sit, kneel, lie down, etc. The key is just to not stay in one position for too long.

Tip #3:   Make your best effort to keep a straight back. The best way to do that is to try and keep your shoulders pulled back as much as possible. This will not only keep your shoulders and upper back straight, it will also help keep your head over your shoulders and your low back straight and tall.

Tip #4:  Use tools.  Any tool that has ever been invented was made to make your job easier.  It's the definition of a tool.  Use a shovel, hoe, rake, trowel, etc. whenever possible.  It will put less strain on your back, shoulders, and arms.

Tip #5:  Ask for help.  Invite people over to have a gardening party.  This way, you'll get to hang out with your friends, but more importantly you'll have assistance when needed and get the job done faster.

Tip #6:  Be sure to stretch thoroughly before and after yard work.  Keeping limber, lean muscles will help prevent any tension and soreness the day after.

Tip #7:  Drink like a fish.  Staying hydrated is key in any and all situations, but it's definitely important when outside and exercising.  Water helps keep your joints lubricated, your muscles pliable, and your mind headache free.  Always have a water bottle within reach when you're in the yard.

Tip #8:  Get adjusted.  The best way to ensure lack of soreness and back pain from doing yard work is to visit your chiropractor beforehand.  He/she will be able to get your spine in line before doing any back breaking labor.  And, of course, if you need to see a chiro after your yard work, you're more than welcome to do so.

5 Cinco de Mayo Food Tips

With Cinco de Mayo just a few short days away, I figured I would offer some advice on how to cut down on calories, increase the health quotient, and still get the most out of those Mexican dishes you crave on Cinco de Mayo.

First of all, Mexican food can be very healthy for you.  There are typically lots of fresh fruits and veggies involved and slowly cooked meats and beans.  Mexican food isn't just that unhealthy stuff that you get from Taco Bell or one of the other main food chains that serve "Mexican" food.  So, here's a few tips on how to eat a little healthier this holiday.

#1:  Traditional Food.  Typically, traditional Mexican food has more nutritional value than the Americanized versions. 

#2:  Skip the Sour Cream.  Sour cream is loaded with unnecessary calories and fat and has little to no nutritional value.  If you still want that creamy taste, opt for some plain Greek yogurt.  It has the same texture and essentially the same flavor, but it is also loaded with probiotics.

#3:  Pile on the Pico.  Pico de gallo is a fresh version of salsa usually containing tomatoes, onion, lime juice, jalapenos, cilantro, etc.  If you make your own, you can cut down on the oil sometimes used and the salt to make it an even healthier topping.  For that matter, pile on as many fresh veggies as you like!

#4:  Swap the rice.  If you're planning on downing some rice and beans, opt for brown rice.  Brown rice has many more vitamins and minerals than it's counterpart, white rice.

#5:  Put it in a Bowl.  You can cut some unnecessary calories and carbs by turning your tacos / burritos / enchiladas into a salad, especially if you're used to using a deep fried shell.

So there you have it.  It's not so hard to cut a few calories and still enjoy some Mexican food on Cinco de Mayo.  Although, I have to say that it was hard to narrow it down to just five, so here's a bonus tip.  Use fresh herbs and spices like cilantro and cumin.  You'll get amazing Mexican flavor and not all that added filler from the pre-packaged spice from the grocery store.

The One Exercise NO ONE Should Do

You may be asking yourself, "Why should someone not do an exercise?  Exercise is good for you."  Well, you're right, but not all exercises are good for you, especially when looking from a chiropractic perspective.

This exercise is a classic that has been done in Phy Ed class since middle school, the Presidential Physical Fitness competition, and Military training to this day.  So, what exercise is it?

Sit-Ups.

So, why is a sit-up so bad that no one should do sit-ups?  There's a couple reasons.  First of all, it's bad for your back.  Once you get past the crunch stage of the sit up, all you're doing is putting unneeded stress on your body.  Your lumbar spine already has enough stress on it from holding the majority of your body's weight and from all the sitting that we do these days.  When you do a sit up, you are creating an unneeded amount of pressure on the discs in the lumbar spine and strain on the overworked muscles that surround the spine.

Another reason no one should do a full sit-up is the strain it puts on a muscle called the psoas muscle.  The psoas is a muscle that helps your abdominal muscles when they are weakened by bending your body at the waist or by raising your legs up.  In most people, the psoas muscle is already overworked and tightened due to weakened abdominal muscles.  By doing a sit up, you are strengthening and tightening an already tightened muscle.

Finally, the last point I want to make is regarding hand position.  And this doesn't just pertain to sit-ups, but also crunches.  DO NOT place your hands behind your head.  Whether you feel it or not, you will more than likely be pulling your head forward and straining the back of your neck.  When doing a crunch (not a sit-up!), cross your arms over your chest.

So, what should you do instead of a sit-up?

Crunches.  Crunches and sit-ups are very similar.  A crunch is basically half of a sit up.  What you want to do is pay close attention to your abs contracting.  When you feel like they can't tighten any further or if it feels like a natural place to stop, that's where you stop.  Sitting all of the way up is unnecessary and detrimental to your spine.

Do These (crunches):                                                                 NOT these (sit-ups):