Chiropractic – Many Levels of Healing

Chiropractic care can help your body function in many chiropractic can jump start your healthways.

Chiropractic can help promote 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 relax – both physically and emotionally.

The mental/emotional benefits of chiropractic have been noticed since chiropractic’s inception. Correcting subluxations was noticed to improve mental function and relieve depression.

Retracing

One of the most powerful phenomenon of healing is retracing, – where old pains, diseases or trauma come “to the surface” to be released. Retracing is one of the signs of complete healing and even though it may be (temporarily) uncomfortable, it leaves in its wake a stronger, healthier, happier person.

Start (or jump start) your healing journey with chiropractic to begin a healthier all-around lifestyle. Let your chiropractor be your healthy lifestyle coach.

Give us a call and start your journey now!

Warning – Step Away from That Computer!

Computer Stretches for the Overworked!

  • Yes, it’s the posture police. Well, don’t worry, we won’t arrest you; this is something to do for yourself.
  • If you’ve been reading this at your computer (or even a hand-held device), step away from that computer keyboard or device and straighten up.
  • Give yourself a rejuvenating office stretch. Here’s how you do it: stand facing the corner of a room, raise your hands to shoulder height and place your elbows, forearms and hands against each wall. Now lean inward and hold the stretch to flex your chest and back muscles. Hold for 15 seconds.
  • Now don’t you feel better?

computer stretches

Spring: the most dramatic time of the year

spring fermIt’s Happening (again) …

Nights are getting a wee bit shorter every night; days are getting a wee bit longer every day – it’s the most dramatic time of the year.

The earth is preparing to bring forth expansion after constriction, awakening after sleep, life after death.

Spring is a rebirth

Spring is a reminder that nothing lasts – not the dark, cold nights of winter nor the sultry nights of summer. What lasts? An endless cycle of life expressing itself over and over.

Nature gives us yet another chance to be all we can be.

Latest News from Charmaine: April Showers!

Hopefully you are not feeling too down about the April showers…there are 2 benefits to keep in April Showers mind:

  1. You don’t have to shovel (YESS!!!!)
  2. Our gardens and farms need the moisture that this past winter never really provided for this year’s crops…and if you like to eat, you might just need to grin and bear it!!

By the time you read this we will have returned from being with our Grandson Alfie and his parents. He was christened Easter Sunday.  The long trip was worth it for the cuddles and giggles and drooling (he is cutting his first teeth).

Our schedule will be pretty much as usual with one noticeable exception. Friday, April 28th we will close at noon as Dr. Ray is traveling to Denver to study with his Tai Chi teacher and I will be taking a group of ladies off on a yoga retreat.

Beyond all of that, enjoy the chance to celebrate Spring’s return…it is my favorite season, as each day there are new discoveries and signs about the awesome power of nature as she “springs” back from winter.

SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE, ON THE TABLE, ON THE MAT OR UNDER THE BARBELLS!

Pan-Roasted Cauliflower With Garlic, Parsley and Rosemary

serves 4-6Low-Carb Cauliflower Creamed Spinach

  • 2 medium cauliflower heads (about 2 pounds)
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon grated or finely minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary
  • ½ cup roughly chopped parsley
  • ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • ¼ cup roasted salted almonds (homemade or store bought), roughly chopped
  • 1 red fresno chile, thinly sliced, for garnish (optional)
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  1. Cut each cauliflower in quarters and remove the core. Cut quarters into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Chop down wider slices so all are approximately the same jagged size.
  2. Heat olive oil in a heavy wide skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add cauliflower and toss to coat using a metal spatula or flat wooden spoon. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Keeping heat brisk, repeatedly turn the cauliflower, letting the slices brown as they cook. Adjust heat as necessary to keep them sizzling nicely but not scorching. Continue to stir and flip the cauliflower until it is tender when pierced with a fork, 10 to 12 minutes.
  4. Add crushed red pepper, garlic, rosemary, parsley and lemon zest. Stir well to coat and cook 1 minute more. Check seasoning, then transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with almonds and fresno chile, if using, and serve with lemon wedges.

Lentil & Mushroom Ragu

 from Foxeslovelemons.com

serves 3-4

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 ounces baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed and picked through
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1 box (16 ounces) spaghetti or whatever pasta you prefer
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions:

In large saucepot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, garlic, carrot, bell pepper and onion. Cook until vegetables are very brown and soft, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add wine; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Use wooden spoon to scrape browned bits from bottom of pan.

Stir in bay leaf, crushed tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, water, lentils, oregano, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until lentils are tender, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more water, as needed, if ragu gets too thick. Remove bay leaf and stir in basil.

Meanwhile, prepare spaghetti according to package directions. (I served ours over Spaghetti Squash)

Serve ragu over spaghetti. Garnish with parsley and serve with Parmesan cheese.

Better Broccoli Casserole

 From Cookie and Katesteamed Broccoli

serves 6 well

Broccoli casserole made better with roasted broccoli, cheddar cheese, creamy quinoa and irresistible, garlicky whole grain bread crumbs. This healthy casserole tastes amazing!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 cup quinoa (any color), rinsed under running water in a mesh sieve for a minute and drained
  • 16 ounces broccoli florets, either pre-packaged or sliced from 2 large bunches of broccoli
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 10 twists of freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, omit if sensitive to spice
  • 8 ounces (about 2½ cups) freshly grated cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup low-fat milk (cow’s milk tastes best but unsweetened plain almond milk works, too)
  • ½ tablespoon butter or 1½ teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1 slice whole wheat bread (substitute gluten-free bread for a gluten-free casserole)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. To cook the quinoa: Bring the vegetable broth or water to boil in a heavy-bottomed, medium-sized pot. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 17 to 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Cover and set aside to steam for 10 minutes.
  3. To roast the broccoli: Slice any large broccoli florets in half to make bite-sized pieces. Transfer the broccoli to your prepared baking sheet and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, until lightly coated on all sides. Sprinkle with salt and arrange in a single layer. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and starting to caramelize on the edges.
  4. To make the breadcrumbs: Tear your piece of bread into bite-sized pieces and toss them into a food processor or blender. Process until the bread has broken into small crumbs. In a small pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, stirring often. Add the bread crumbs and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly browned and crisp. Set aside to cool. (If you cooked your bread crumbs in a cast iron skillet, transfer them to a bowl to prevent them from burning.)
  5. Reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees. Add the salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to the pot of quinoa, and stir to combine. Set aside ¾ cup of the cheese for later, then add the cheese to the pot. Pour in the milk and stir until the cheese and milk are evenly incorporated in the quinoa.
  6. Pour the cheesy quinoa into a 9-inch square baking dish and top with the roasted broccoli. Stir until the broccoli is evenly mixed in with the quinoa. Sprinkle the surface of the casserole with the reserved ¾ cup cheese, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top.
  7. Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes, until the top is golden. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

NOTE FROM DR. C: I added an 8ozs punnet of baby bella mushrooms that I sliced and roasted with the broccoli…YUM!

Roasted Squash Chili Mac

courtesy of Rachel Ray

serves 6

Ingredientsroasted-squash-chili-mac

4 tablespoons butter, plus more for the casserole dish
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and diced (or look for diced raw butternut squash in the produce department)
EVOO, for drizzling  (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 pound rigatoni, penne or macaroni with ridges *** I used about ½ pound of penne****
2 tablespoons chili powder, or a blend of ancho or chipotle
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cloves garlic, made into a paste
1 fresh chile pepper, such as Fresno or jalapeno, finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp yellow Cheddar
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
One 14-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded pepper jack or other hot-pepper melting cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly butter a casserole dish.

Put the squash on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with EVOO and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Toss to combine. Roast until the edges are browned, 17 to 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water to just shy of al dente, 7 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chili powder, oregano, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, garlic and chile pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, then whisk in the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Add the Cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano and stir until melted.

Combine the squash, chili-cheese sauce and beans, then transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Top with the pepper jack cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is browned, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Cook’s Note: The casserole can be covered and refrigerated before baking for a make-ahead meal.

Safe Solution for Fabric Softeners

make your own fabric sofnerFabric softeners may top the list as one of the worst offenders of incredibly damaging chemical mixtures, and may be one of the products environmentalists had in mind when the term “indoor pollutants” was coined. Alarmingly, many of these toxins are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

We like to be as natural, organic and chemical free as possibly, and we though you might want to be too!

The article Safe Solution for Fabric Softeners by Dr. Mercola is extremely helpful and full of good tips and information. Please read it so you can start the process of becoming a chemical-free home!

Fabric Softeners Contain Toxicities Such as Phthalates

Phthalates have been linked to:

  • Early onset of puberty
  • Altered male reproductive tract development
  • Lower testosterone levels in young males
  • Altered hormone system function
  • Reproductive and genital defects
  • Lower sperm count in young males

Here’s a liquid fabric softener recipe from Everyday Roots

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Using a large bowl or pan, mix the essential oils with the Epsom salts first, then stir in the baking soda.
  2. Pour the mixture into a container with a tight-fitting lid.

One perk to this easy recipe is that you can always switch out the essential oils. It’s also easy to double, and you can use more or less essential oil for a stronger or weaker scent. A few more quick-and-easy fabric-softening ideas include:

  • One-half cup of baking soda added when you wash your clothes. You won’t believe how soft they become.
  • One cup of distilled white vinegar and one-and-half tsp. of your favorite essential oils combined in a spray bottle. Shake well, give your wet clothes 10 to 15 spritzes and toss them into the dryer. (Don’t worry — the vinegar smell will completely dissipate.)
  • A crumpled-up ball of aluminum foil tossed in the dryer with your clothes helps get rid of static cling.14
  • A clean wash cloth with a few drops of essential oil added to the dryer will give your clothes a lovely, completely natural aroma when you pull them out

Click here for more great recipes!

Note from Dr C. :  One of my patients makes the most wonderful Lavender dryer sachets….check out The Old White House.com and look at all her wonderful chemical free house cleaning products she makes….and she is in Portland…so I would be happy to be the exchange point if needed.

old white house dryer satchets

Chiropractic Case Studies in Ear Infections & Infertility

Researching Chiropractic

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.

Ear infections and prenatal drug exposureinfant ear

A 13-month-old baby boy with otitis media had been born premature and delivered through cesarean section  with a vacuum used for extraction. At birth his blood contained opiates, methamphetamine and other amphetamines. He had been experiencing bouts of otitis media since three months of age and had previously been managed by medical doctors with rounds of antibiotics and nasal saline.

Chiropractic analysis revealed subluxations in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacroiliac regions. The boy was checked and adjusted where vertebral subluxations were found and corrected. His mother reported that his otitis media resolved the following week. He continues regular chiropractic care and has not been on any antibiotics since 13-months of age. (1)

Infertility

A 24-year-old woman began chiropractic care with a chief complaint of back pain and a 3.5-year history of infertility. She had infrequent progesterone-induced menstrual cycles.

Physical examination showed postural abnormalities, paraspinal muscular tenderness, myospasm and vertebral subluxations. She was managed for vertebral subluxations through specific chiropractic care. By the ninth visit she had her first normal menstrual cycle since the start of chiropractic care and by the twelfth visit she was pregnant. (2)

If you know anyone suffering from these issues, please share this article with them and encourage them to consult a chiropractor.

  1. Stone-McCoy P, Natori C.Chiropractic care of a toddler with otitis media born premature & exposed prenatally to opiates and amphetamines: a case study & selective review of literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2017;1:1-7.
  2. Colman LA, Jacques CA.Resolution of infertility following chiropractic care for vertebral subluxation: a case study and review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2017;1:8-15.