Tag Archives: latest news

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

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!

Latest News from Charmaine: March: Spring is Finally Here

Greetings All!Latest News fro Charmaine: March Newsletter

Well, as you get this newsletter, we are on the cusp of Spring (according to the calendar—not Mother Nature!).

This is really not time to throw caution to the wind, as the weather can still sneak in a few snow events yet and the conditions can be less than optimal…So, still be careful out there….AND get checked and adjusted if you have an OOPS!

We will be away from the office April 10th thru the 17th as we are heading over for Alfred’s christening which will happen on Easter Sunday and as is the tradition there, several other babies from the valley will be christened at the Valley church, a hop and skip from Damaris and Anders house.

Meanwhile enjoy the roller coaster weather..AND THIS NICE FULL NEWSLETTER!

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

Latest News from Charmaine: February Newsletter: Microgreens

Latest newsGreetings all,

Well, I am back from Grandmother time and, while it was hard to leave the little munchkin Alfred, and his parents, I am glad to be back in my routine again.  Dr. Ray and I will be going back for his christening at Easter…..so we will be away from the office  4/10 thru 4/17.

February is always a strange month…short in calendar days but long in passing as we all get anxious to see spring….It is also a month to stop and assess your health goals…make sure you are eating right, cutting out the sugar and processed foods and drinking LOTS of water.  Check out the article in the newsletter debunking a few nutritional myths.

I have enclosed two wonderful recipes that I came across recently and are now part of my cooking rotation.

Just saw a great little article on (of all programs) Ask This Old House about growing microgreens and it reminded me that I need to get back to growing them again…been a little crazy with the holiday season and new baby..  Anybody interested in a class?  Let me know and if we can get 5 or more people together, we can make it happen.

A giggle I saw on a billboard in Canada recently…The question is posed:  How long is a minute?….The answer is ……It depends which side of the bathroom door you are on!!!

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

Forget New Years Resolutions: Set New Year INTENTIONS Instead

Is this you?

“Now that Christmas is over, I’m going to eat healthier, but first I need to eat all the junk food and leftovers in the house, so it’s not there to tempt me.”

New Year’s ResolutionsA road with START written on it

What was yours last year? How long did that last, one day, two weeks or maybe a month?

Then you feel guilty as hell and so pig out on the first chocolate cake to cross your path. Why do we insist on setting New Year’s resolutions only to fall off the wagon as soon as a friend invites us over for a BBQ or out for dinner?

As for that exercise goal, yep going to get fit!! Buy day four your body is that sore you need a week’s rest, by then another great goal has flown the coop.

Resolutions are defined as a definite action, a firm decision to do or not to do something. Also known as the false hope syndrome, it’s out of alignment with our views of ourselves.

Setting Intentionswomen meditation to set intentions

Setting intentions gives you wings to fly, realigns us to be more mindful of our goals and dreams. Intentions are an understanding of what is evident, your energy and thoughts create an energy flow to manifest into your reality.

WE BECOME WHAT WE WANT TO BECOME BY CONSISTENTLY BEING WHAT WE WANT TO BECOME.

INTENTION: I will be more mindful of what I eat.
Eating is a natural activity, we need to eat but in this food-abundant culture, eating is often done in a mindless fashion. Mindful eating is eating with intention.

  • Fuel your body by giving it what it needs to nourish and heal.
  • Notice the effect food has on your body.
  • Keep a food/mood journal as a way to help be more aware about what you’re eating.
  • Eat slowly, without distractions, savor every mouthful, taste the food, feel the texture.
  • Enjoy your food as it nourishes your body.
  • Learn to recognize your hunger clues, are you hungry or thirsty, are you satisfied or full.
  • Chose food for enjoyment and nourishment, fuel your body so that you can live the life you crave.

Soon and with practice your focuses will become on why your eating rather than just eating.a piece of cheese cake with a bit take out
A cheese cake is sitting in front of you. You just ate a healthy dinner of chicken and salad.  Think about it–are you satisfied? Can you walk away?  Or will you feel the need to eat a large slice of cheese cake, devouring it like there is no tomorrow and within 20 minutes feeling so full and uncomfortable?

Or could you just have sliced a little, ate it more slowly and savored each bite, felt the texture, really taste the smooth creaminess, and walked away feeling satisfied?

INTENTION: I will exercise more.
Don’t go out and run 10k and lift weights and then the next day go run another 10k.  Your body will just burn out. Your intention is to exercise for fitness not deadness. Small steps add up to further distance along the path.

  • Get up from your computer every 15 min and walk, move.
  • Dance for 2-3 minutes.
  • Put on a favorite song and dance like no one is watching.
  • Start out walking/jogging 10 min every other day, build on that, add 5 min every time.
  • Try yoga every morning.
  • Walk to work.
  • Take the stairs.

man doing a push upMake a clear intention for what you are about to do:

  • 10 push-ups, run 5k or yoga.
  • Make a note of what you will achieve, listen to your body.
  • Start out laying the ground work for your intention to manifest.
  • Focus your mind on what you’re doing, how your feeling, thus increasing your chance of success.
  • Explore and find your own exercise routine, there are many paths to the top of the mountain, find one that suits you and that you will enjoy.

Start the New Year With Intentions

Not quick fixes or unrealistic behavior! Fad diets don’t work, you just find yourself craving junk food. Lasting change isn’t a fad, it’s an intention to better for yourself, slowly, mindfully and enjoyable. This helps create long term change and you will find you chose to make healthy behaviors a part of your regular routine.

Grab a journal and start writing down your intentions for this year.

Whether it is losing weight, running a marathon, finding a new job, going for a holiday–whatever your heart desires– just send it out into the universe and watch as your intentions become your realities.

Have a wonderful 2017 everyone.   From the blog TEA BREAK.

Latest News from Charmaine: January Newsletter: Intentions

Greetings all!

Well, our happy news that ended 2016, was that we became first-time grandparents to a bouncing 10lbs 8 oz baby boy, Alfred.  Damaris and Anders and Alfred are all doing well and by the time this letter is published, I will have been to Norway to see him and to help out the new mother.   Needless to say, I am sure our life is going to change “a bit” (LOL).  We will both be going over for his christening in April/May.

Meanwhile, life here continues.  Please make sure that we are current and up to date with ALL your pertinent information:

  • address
  • phone numbers
  • insurance info

It helps keep the systems flowing in the office.

This newsletter will talk about Intentions instead of Resolutions, will include a few funnies and some recipes. If there is ever anything you would like a bit more information about, talk to me and I will see what I can do for you.

See you in the office, on the mat or under the barbells!!

Latest News from Charmaine: December Newsletter: Body, Mind & Spirit

Body, Mind & Spirit Greetings all,

As we plow our ways thru’ the snow, literally and figuratively, give thanks for the winter in all its wondrous beauty.  We all know we need the four seasons of the year as part of the natural cycle, and wishing it away only creates unnecessary tension in body, mind and spirit.

Health is a vital part of our ability to adapt and live within these natural cycles and it behooves each and every one of us to make sure that we are sparking on all possible cylinders to be the best we can be.

As I mentioned, body, mind and spirit “is us” and if just one of those aspects is out of kilter, it will, like a low pressure tire, cause you to be out of balance.

So start your day with a SMILE…the physical act causes a chemical change in the body and a positive chemical change creates less stress on the body as tensions are released….so one simple act can make a huge difference.  I am reminded of a bumper sticker I once saw, that said:

SMILE- PEOPLE WILL WONDER WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN UP TO!!!

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

Latest News from Charmaine: October Newsletter: Self-Care

Latest newsGreetings all,

Happy Fall..altho’ Mother Nature seems somewhat confused herself as to what is going on in her world.

As Fall settles in, we really need to be aware of our own self-care.  If the media is to be believed, this is Flu and cold season.

Well…. BAD NEWS.

There is actually no such a thing as a Flu/cold season except in the minds of Big Pharma.

 

What there really is, is…

  • A lack of adequate hydration because we don’t feel thirsty.
  • A lack of exercise for many reasons related to a lack of priority….Exercise is vital and it needs to be prioritized and not be the first thing to go when the schedule gets funky. If it means an early start to your day than there are no excuses needed later on.
  • A lack of fresh air….bundle up and get out for a walk– it will do you good…remember sitting is the new smoking!!
  • A lack of adequate rest.
  • A lack of fresh fruit and veggies in the diet.   I make 3-5 salads in a bottle/tupperware container on Sunday evening (ask me if you want details) for the week, especially to eat them after my lunch-time training session…No excuses and I save myself the temptation of eating something I will only regret.  Remember living raw food does not come thru’ a drive thru window!

Stay safe…see you on the table, under the barbells, on the yoga mat or around town!

Latest News From Charmaine: September Newsletter: Turning on Life!

Latest NewsGreetings all,

We are now in the final quarter of the year (YIKES!!) Summer and vacations are almost a distant memory and we now (mostly) slip into a routine based on school activities and classroom demands.

Children need adequate rest

As a parent or grandparent, make sure that your child is getting adequate rest, great nourishment and plenty of unstructured time (preferably away from any screen based “thingy” to allow for decompression and also to stimulate their creativity).

With the return to all the school sports, it becomes vital to make sure that your children are checked often for subluxations to ensure that they are given the best possible chance to be as good and healthy as possible.

Thank You, Sophia!

Sophia left us earlier this month, on to a new chapter in her life…along with many of your children and grandchildren entering college for the first time.

Chiropractic Care and College Students

Again Chiropractic care becomes important to them as well as they tend to burn the candle at both ends and in the middle…typical college kids and maybe their diet is not quite like at home as they now have the “freedom” to make their own choices.  Hopefully they have also learned that they really need to make time for exercise in order to stay well.  When they come home for the weekend…try and schedule an appointment for a check up!!!

Michigan Senior Olympics are done, State meet is next on the calendar (Nov 5th) and we will also be out of the office for a late summer/early fall break at the end of this month….9/22 (pm) thru’ 10/2 back in the office October 3rd.

Stay safe…see you on the table, under the barbells, on the yoga mat or around town!

Turning on Life!

Latest News from Charmaine: August 2016: Vacations!

charmaine at tournamentGreetings all,

Are you vacationing or have you this year?

We hope so. Who doesn’t like to go on vacation? Summertime is the best time to go on vacation. So is the winter. So are the fall and spring. OK, any time is the best time to go on vacation. It’s always good to let go of day-to-day worries and cares and nurture ourselves.

It is NOT a badge of honor to declare I don’t need vacations or haven’t been on one for years…your body is probably sending you all sorts of “impertinent” memos in the  form of aches and pains and feeling less than 100%. You CANNOT drive a car on fumes,- so why think you can do that to your body.  RECHARGE/VACATION!!!!!!

Sages have said that we should spend a little time each day going on vacation. Every day we should do something that we especially love to do, something that’s deeply true to our purpose in life. Whether that’s making music, meditating, praying, exploring, learning, sharing heartfelt time with someone or another healthy diversion, it should be done every day. Why? So our lives will have balance.

So if you’re on vacation (or soon will be) remember to take that feeling home with you when you return to your “regular” life. Remember to keep a little place in your heart and mind where you’ll feel a release from stress and joy in nature, where you feel happiness and a little carefree. You just need to do a little – it’ll keep you warm on cold winter nights and keep you cool on hot summer evenings.

And THANKS for letting us give you a little respite by caring for you and your family – letting the stress out and the healing in.

Enjoy the summer and remember…. as the kids go back to school and get into sports…chiropractic care will keep them functioning at their best!!!

See you on the table, on the yoga mat, under the barbells or just walking around town!