Latest News from Charmaine: June & July Combined

Greetings All!Latest news

This is the first time I am doing this. I am combining June and July’s newsletter as we will be having a vacation break in July when the newsletter would normally appear.

So, let’s start by advising you that we will be out of the office July 3rd and 4th and then from noon 7/14 until 8am 7/24 as we are taking a break with the kids when they come home from Norway where the month of July is their vacation time!

The gardens are looking glorious and the Farmers Markets are bringing more and more produce to sell which makes this my favorite time for all things food.  Screaming fresh salad ingredients have a taste that we cannot find the rest of the year….so maximize your shopping from them and help to support a neighbor in the process.

Coming up August 8/14 I will be at the Michigan Senior (?) Olympics in Rochester. I have “aged up” and so that means I have to try and win gold all over again.

Meanwhile, as a recent post said keep your ducks in a row or at least in the same pond!

See you on the table, in the office, on the mat or under the barbells.

Springtime Veggie Pasta Primavera

Serves 6-8vegan recipes

1 lb small pasta of your choice…rotini, penne or oriochetti…use whole wheat where possible

  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 2 cups asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 2-in pieces
  • 1 large sweet pepper, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute broccoli, asparagus, pepper, onion, and garlic in olive oil until veggies are just tender, about 7-10 minutes. Stir in spinach, peas, and cherries tomatoes and continue cooking an additional 5 minutes.
  3. Remove cooked veggies from heat and stir in cooked pasta, 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water, lemon juice, and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste and top pasta primavera with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Colorful Chopped Salad with Carrot Ginger Dressing

From Cookie and Katevegetarian recipes

This healthy green salad features crisp lettuce, edamame, chopped cabbage, bell pepper and broccoli in homemade carrot-ginger salad dressing. So delicious! Recipe yields 4 medium-sized salads.

  • 6 ounces chopped butter lettuce or romaine
  • 1 ½ cups edamame, preferably organic, defrosted if necessary (Green soybeans)
  • 1 ½ cups chopped purple cabbage
  • ¾ cup chopped red onion
  • Florets from 1 head of broccoli, finely sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • ⅓ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 batch of homemade carrot ginger dressing
  1. In a large serving bowl, combine everything but the dressing. Toss to combine.
  2. When you’re ready to serve, toss in enough dressing to lightly coat all of the ingredients—or, if you intend to have leftovers, store the salad separately from the dressing, and toss individual servings with dressing just before serving. The salad will keep well this way for 3 to 4 days.

Carrot Ginger Dressing   1 1/3 cups

This salad dressing tastes remarkably fresh, creamy and light. It would pair nicely with other recipes with Asian flavors. Recipe yields about 1 ⅓ cups salad dressing.

  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped (about ⅔ cup)
  • 2 tablespoons peeled and roughly chopped fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, more to taste

In a blender, combine all of the salad dressing ingredients as listed. Bend until completely smooth. Taste, and add additional salt if the dressing doesn’t make your eyes light up. If it’s too sour (it should have some zing to it), blend in a bit more honey.

Autism in The Non-Vaccinated

The younger the baby at first vaccinations, the greater the chances of autism.autism in the non-vaccinated

A US government whistleblower revealed that researchers at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have known for many years that vaccines cause autism but hid the information from the public. Also, the younger the baby at first vaccinations, the greater the chances of autism. The US government has finally admitted that vaccines cause autism in the Department of Justice “Vaccine Court.” However, there are also cases of children with autism and similar symptoms who were not vaccinated. How can there be autism in the non-vaccinated? (1)

Nearly all disease is multi-factorial

This means that many factors can go into its cause. For example, although a population of children may be exposed to the same vaccine toxins, children may have different abilities to rid their body of toxins or detoxify. Some children can remove the lead and other toxic chemicals better than others. But there’s another source of toxicity – the mother.

From their mother?

Newborns receive toxins from their mother before birth. Analysis of a pregnant woman’s blood and her umbilical cord blood shows that mothers detoxify through their babies. Depending on how toxic she may be from a lifetime of exposure to vaccines, heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides and pollution of all kinds, her baby will receive more or less toxins.

For that reason, it is essential that all women who are considering getting pregnant be tested for toxicity and if necessary begin a detoxification program. The baby will thank you.

In addition, giving a child TylenolT (especially after vaccination) and/or antibiotics as well as exposure to other toxins can weaken a child’s ability to detoxify. Intestinal problems are one symptom:

Autism is primarily a disorder of the brain, but research suggests that as many as nine out of 10 individuals with the condition also suffer from gastrointestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease and ‘leaky gut’. Restoring proper microbial balance could alleviate some of the disorder’s behavioral symptoms. (1) 

Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD discovered that nearly all mothers of autistic children have abnormal gut flora (newborns inherit their gut flora from their mothers). Damaged gut flora weakens the immune system, causing toxins to leak into the brain leading to:

  • attention deficit disorder (ADD)
  • dyslexia
  • dyspraxia
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • autism
  • other conditions

Dr. McBride developed the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) program to heal the gut lining, improve detoxification, balance body chemistry and even reverse autism. She found that fermented foods help brain health by improving intestinal health. For information on GAPS go to www.westonaprice.org.

Fermented foods may be particularly relevant to the emerging research linking traditional dietary practices and positive mental health … may mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress may be controlled … may also influence brain health. (2)

  1. Moyer MW. Gut bacteria may play a role in autism. Scientific American. August 14, 2014;25(5).
  2. Selhub EM, Logan AC, Bested AC. Fermented foods, microbiota, and mental health: ancient practice meets nutritional psychiatry. J Physiol Anthropol. 2014;33(1):2.

Researching Chiropractic

Chiropractic Case Studies

Chiropractic clinical case histories have been a regular feature of our patient newsletter since its inception. There seems to be no limit to the health problems that respond to chiropractic care. How many people suffering, on drugs, facing a life of limitation could be helped by chiropractic care? 

Probably most of them.

Labor and Deliverypregnant woman's belly

A 28-year-old woman began seeing a chiropractor for wellness care. Her first pregnancy had been long and difficult and afterwards she experienced tailbone pain.

She received regular chiropractic care before the conception of her second child and continued to receive chiropractic adjustments throughout the pregnancy. Her second labor and delivery experience was both shorter and easier than the first birth. In addition, her earlier pain disappeared. (1)

Scoliosis and Pregnancylabor and delivery

A 21-week pregnant 28-year-old woman visited a chiropractor. She presented with shoulder and neck pain due to scoliosis and with pregnancy-related complaints. Her pain was constant and rated at 6/10. Seven years earlier she had scoliosis surgery with rods surgically implanted into her spine. The rods locked her spine from T2 (just below the neck) to L3 (the middle of the lower back).

Even with the rods she was able to receive chiropractic care for subluxation correction.

Each visit saw a reduction in pain. By her 13th visit (6 weeks) her pain reduced from 6/10 to 2/10, her quality of life improved and she successfully delivered a 7 lbs. 5 oz., 20″ baby vaginally. (2)

Fibromyalgia, fatigue, depression and headacheslabor and delivery

A 40-year-old woman with an eight-year history of fibromyalgia presented for chiropractic care. She complained of widespread muscle and joint pain, fatigue, depression and headaches that limited her ability to function and enjoy life.

Analysis revealed postural distortions and spinal distortions indicative of spinal subluxations. She received chiropractic care 44 times over 5 months. She showed improvements in all aspects of life that had been evaluated: emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, general health, pain, physical functioning and social functioning. (3)

“Stabbing” neck and shoulder pain, arm numbness and weakness.

A 16-year-old girl threw a discus and felt an immediate stabbing, burning pain in her neck and shoulder that she described as 10 out of 10. Within 40 minutes of the injury, her left arm went numb and weak.

She had a history of fatigue, dizziness and headaches, and depression. Medical examination including MRI could not find the cause of her problems so the MDs decided it was psychological and referred her for psychiatric evaluation. She refused and instead received chiropractic care.

After her first visit, she reported a 50% increase in her arm muscle strength. By her 4th visit her arm was back to normal but she still had neck pain and stiffness. By the 6th visit, all the pain and stiffness was gone.

She returned five months later with similar complaints after being hit in the head with a basketball. This time her symptoms completely disappeared after one visit. (4)

1.Kent D, Vanderslice KD, Beachum AR. Reduction of labor and delivery time in a pregnant patient undergoing subluxation centered chiropractic care. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2017;2:40-43.

2.Edwards J, Alcantara J. The chiropractic care of a patient with Harrington rods, scoliosis & back pain during pregnancy. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2017;1:32-39.

3.Fedorchuk C, Lightstone D, Moser JH. Improvement in symptoms, cervical alignment & quality of life in a 40-year-old female with fibromyalgia following Chiropractic BioPhysics® Technique: a case study and selective review of literature. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. March 13, 2017:34-46.

4.Michaeli S, Russell D, Alcantara J. The chiropractic care of a teenager with possible conversion disorder. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2017;1:24-31.

GREEN HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS

KEEP EARTH DAY ALIVE ALL YEAR ROUND

While Earth Day in our rear view mirrors, this is the time to embrace more sustainable habits. Here are a few tips to help you develop an efficient, organic and sustainable routine in your own home this spring while using Green Household Cleaners.

Use environmentally friendly, organic cleaning products

Your staple cleaning spray might do the job, but the truth is it could contain harsh, toxic chemicals that are bad for the environment. When buying cleaning products, look at the label to find the words natural or nontoxic on the bottle. If you need some guidance, check the Green Pages to find out what products are available in your area.

Make your own Green Household Cleanersgreen household cleaners

Sometimes money can be a concern, but luckily you can make your own cleaners at home.

For an easy and effective spray cleaner, combine water and 1 tsp of borax into a spray bottle and shake until the borax is dissolved. Then add 2 tbsp of vinegar and shake again. Last, add ¼ of a cup of soap and oils.

This can easily replace your all-purpose cleaner. If you are not ready to let go of your bleach, substitute hydrogen-peroxide-based bleach for weekly laundry instead of using harsh chlorine bleach. Hydrogen peroxide effectively kills mold and mildew, yet it has the power to sanitize and remove stains.

Upcyclinggreen household cleaners

Upcycling is a great way to re-purpose or resell worn, used items in your home. Whether you are radiating with creative skills, or not, simply adding a fresh coat of paint to that old chair sitting in your basement or using old mason jars to sort household items can be an easy way to reduce waste.

To give you some inspiration, break into some acrylic paint and spruce up some empty coffee grounds canisters, such as Folgers, and reuse them for baking product holders like sugar or flour.

If you are ready for a larger project, you can re-purpose old furniture into something new.

Plant a Gardengreen household cleaners

Instead of buying produce and herbs from a store, plant your own garden. Reduce the amount of product and money wasted weekly. It’s as simple as deciding what you use weekly, and then find a place indoors or outdoors to plant your own garden—whether big or small. If you have limited space, use shelves or planters to grow fresh herbs or vegetables like carrots or radishes, add some sunlight, fertilizer and water. Not only will you save money and reduce waste, but plants like ferns naturally freshen the air in your home.

Compostgreen household cleaners

Start composting your leftover food. It’s true. The EPA says food and yard waste currently make up about 20 to 30 percent of U.S. trash, as daily waste hits an average of 1.3 pounds of food. Composting keeps this waste out of landfills and reduces methane, a greenhouse gas. It can enrich soil and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. If you’re looking to lower your carbon footprint, remember composting requires three basic ingredients: browns, greens and water. Browns include materials such as dead leaves, branches and twigs. Greens can be grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps and even coffee grounds .In addition to these materials, eggshells, newspaper shreds, sawdust, hair, lint, hay and other materials are compostable items. Do not compost pet waste, meat or fish bones, dairy products or fat and oils.

Reduce Paper Wastegreen household cleaners

Say goodbye to paper towels! Right now, more than 199 tons of paper has been produced, while paper accounts for 25 percent of landfill waste and 33 percent of municipal waste. However, one tree alone provides enough oxygen daily for three people. While spring cleaning, you might go through a whole roll of paper towel. Save money and reduce paper waste by ditching paper towels and using washable cloths, which are available in fabrics from cotton to microfiber. If you have any old T-shirts or rags lying around the house, these are perfect for spring cleaning and washing for reuse.

Embrace a few sustainable habits this spring and remember, a little goes a long way when it comes to living “green.”

Fermented Foods are Good for You

Do you eat fermented foods regularly? eat fermented food

Fermented foods are absolutely essential for your health and should be a part of every meal. They are found in every culture.

Fermented foods help keep your intestinal flora healthy and that is necessary for so many aspects of your health:

  • digestion
  • elimination
  • nutrition
  • mental health

Popular Fermented Foods

Among the most popular fermented foods are:yogurt is a great fermented food

  • sauerkraut
  • pickles
  • yogurt
  • kefir
  • kombucha*
  • kvass
  • sourdough
  • (traditionally made) beer
  • root beer and other soft drinks (not the commercial stuff).

Even ketchup was originally a fermented sauce.

Nearly any food can be fermented or pickled.You can make your own!

Two good books are The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fermenting Foods and The Art of Fermentation both by Warden Harmon.

*On Kombucha …there is a class available in Old Town….. if you are interested ….talk to me

~DR.C

Why does my child walk on her toes?

Toe Walking, Meningeal Tension and Chiropracticwhy does my child walk her toes

Toe walking, as is seen in some children, may be a sign of stress or tension on the brain and spinal cord. It is often caused by the tightening of their meninges. The child is relieving the stress by standing on his/her toes.

What are the meninges?

The meninges are sheets of connective tissue that wrap around the brain and spinal cord. The outer layer (dura mater) is like a tough, inelastic sheet. The meninges have many functions, one of which is to protect the nervous system from physical stress and chemical toxicity.

What causes this tension?

Serious injuries and burns, infections, toxins and childhood vaccination have all been observed to be linked to meningeal tension.

How is toe walking treated?

Toe walkers generally have numerous subluxations in their body structure. All toe walkers need chiropractic care to help release the meningeal tension on their brain and nervous system. With less stress on their brain and nervous system they will function closer to their optimal.

If there is a toe walker in your life who could use our help to relieve tension, give us a call. We’d love to help them reach new heights in a less painful way!

How often should I come in for chiropractic care?

Get Tuned Up!how often should I go the chiropractor

Just as you get your car checked, your piano tuned and have dental checkups so you should have regular chiropractic checkups.

No other health care professional is trained to locate and correct health-damaging subluxations – that’s the chiropractor’s specialty.

The Stress of Being Alive!

Because you live with gravity and deal with physical, emotional and other stresses all your life, subluxations invariably show up and weaken your ability to deal with those stresses.

Exactly how often should you come in for a checkup? Some people come in weekly, some monthly and some even daily if they have acute problems. It all depends on your lifestyle. If you are a cowboy working in the rodeo, a stuntman or woman in Hollywood or an athlete you’d probably need more care than someone who has a desk job, although sedentary workers and students sometimes exhibit more subluxations because of the intense emotional stress they can be under.

What is right for you?

The best way to find out is for you to talk to us about how well your body deals with stress so we can develop an optimal care plan for you and for each member of your family. Call us today at 517.627.4547.

Latest News from Charmaine: May Flowers!

Greetings all,Latest news

It is just so wonderful to hear the birds in full voice early in the mornings and we are spending time in the garden observing all the activities of the neighborhood birds.  Now that we no longer have Sally Cat, the birds are out in full force on the lawn digging for worms, creating nests and chatting with their friends.

Garden work is back! And, as usual, I will remind you that Rome was not built in a day and to take it easy on all the “Honey-do” garden chores/projects…nothing quite ruins the fun like a back out of whack from being overly ambitious.  Plan ahead, make sure you have the right tools, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Our trip for Alfred’s christening was fun and we look forward to them visiting in July.  We will take a week off in July to be together as a family up north and young Alfie should be in full crawl mode by then.

I will be participating in the MI Senior Olympics again in August.  I have “aged” up so need to set some records for the next age group.

See you in the office, on the table, on the mat, at any of the various Farmers Markets that are opening up now or under the barbells. ~Charmaine