Mick’s up With Germs

Have you noticed lots of people out sick at work and school, during this past couple of months?  I have.  In fact, at our office, we've all noticed.  I overheard one of my coworkers ask, “Why is everyone sick right now?”  So, I decided this would be a good topic for a Mick’s up Life.

Let’s think about it for a minute. 

With all the many different celebrations going on over a 2 month period, candy and desserts are everywhere!  Not many of us can say we didn't sneak a candy or two from the Halloween bowl.  At Thanksgiving time, so many wonderful homemade desserts surround us (not to mention the carbs ingested before we even reach dessert), and then during Christmastime, we are bombarded from both sides, with candy in the stockings and punch and pastries on the table.

My neighbor friend and I were just talking about this.  Sugar is the main ingredient of those beloved confections, and as we know, sugar is an inflammatory, dragging down our immune systems.

Next, let’s step outside to take a look at the temperature.  With the chill in the air, some of us get scared inside to snuggle up (with a sugar-laden hot chocolate and/or latte, perhaps?), cozily soaking in the glow of the lights of the season… when we’re not scrambling for time to run the kidderz to their new school-year events, shopping for all those aforementioned celebrations, and running to parties, plays, and just plain busy-ness of the holiday season.  With all that happening, how many of us are keeping up with our exercise routines?  Plus, we are trying to cram so many activities into a day, we might not even be getting the amount of sleep (or at least not good sleep!) that we need.  Again, our immune systems are jeopardized.

Oh, can you step outside with me one more time?  When you feel that chill, what do you notice yourself doing?  Do your shoulders tense up?  Are you rubbing your arms to keep warm?  I am!  (In fact, I was doing that at my desk at work for a while, until the temperature got regulated.)  You know what else?  The season, along with my job, keep me at the computer longer.  Do I have perfect posture at the computer?  No!  Do you?  Maybe for a short period of time, but if you’re there, or in any position, for an extended length of time, you just might find your upper back and neck getting tight, stiff, and uncomfortable.

When we are tense in our upper backs and necks, do you know what might be going on inside?  There is more opportunity for our vertebrae to shift out of place.  Do you know where the nerves serving your sinuses and face and throat are directed from?  That’s right!  Those vertebrae that are being affected by the tight muscles have a very close relationship to those nerves.  Hmmmm… yes, you probably guessed it.  If there is pressure on the nerves in that region, you could be finding yourself having sinus issues, headaches, throat problems, etc.  For that reason alone, a visit to your chiropractor would be a wonderful gift to yourself, not to mention a boost to your immune system.

Yes, those things did happened to me this season, too.  I fought off a nasty cold and fever, but it was a quick, easy fight.  I got myself back on track (and drank lots of extra water!), keeping the immune system enemies at bay, especially sugar.  It’s really amazing how much quicker the healing process is, when sugar is taken out of the equation.

So, let’s try to be sure this is a jolly season. 

• Let's reduce stress during these months, no matter how crazy things get, and that includes minimizing physical stress (you know, the posture thing we were just looking at)… and remember to sleep… sleep well.
• Say “Merry Christmas” to you our chiropractors more often at this time of year.  (In other words, schedule more visits.  This can help with the sleeping, too!) 
• Make better choices of what snacks we enjoy, foods we prepare, and drinks we consume, in order to eliminate (or at least minimize) sugar (look for alternatives, and be sure to read all ingredients!).
• Enjoy our coffees (again, look for alternatives for flavorings)  healthier hot chocolate (make your own mix), but in moderation, because as we know, nasty things thrive in an acidic environment, which these yummy concoctions do, unfortunately, promote. 
• Finally, let’s remember to take time to do some quick interval exercising (only 15 or fewer minutes of your day!), and be sure to fit in stretches.  (The stretches can help with that upper back/neck tension thing we previously touched on.)

As it is said, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

"When it snows, 

she has no fear for her household."

Proverbs 31:21 (NIV)

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Mick’s up Desserts

Yummmm!!!!  Yummmm!!!!

Aren’t holiday goodies just so yummy?!

Now that you’ve had your 3 or 4 splurges during the season, it’s time to get back to the normal routine, but your sweet tooth says it still needs some dessert once in a while, right?!

There are plenty of alternatives out there.  Why go for the sugar, when you can have food that’s tasty AND healthy?

Some great resources are (and I’m sure you can add some of your own finds to the list):

• Healing Cuisine by Elise
• eRecipe Book
• Good Food
• Healthy Food is a Piece of Cake
• Maximized Cooking
• Smart Meals
• Heal Thyself

Is it easy to resist desserts? No way!  You don’t know how much I wish (sometimes) I was ignorant of the killer effects of sugar and grains, like I used to be. I do not like living an “abnormal” life (according to most people around me).  I do not like being labeled as a “health nut.”  In reality, I don’t see myself as that.  I simply see myself as a wife and mom, who is planning ahead for my husband and children, doing everything possible to help them avoid a future filled with pain and disease (and helping my husband and me live life to the fullest NOW, rather than the way we were before).  Would it be easier to live like we used to?  Yes!  Would there be a lot less resistance with our choices of foods?  Yes!

Would we feel as alive as we do now?  No!

As much as I might want to at times, I will not give up!  Can you hang in there with me?  Please… Don’t give up!

OK… I think it might be time to try a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie recipe (using almond butter)!!!!!

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie

Take 3 cups of almond flour and mix in 1 stick of melted butter until you have a dry paste.  Flatten the mix into a pie pan until you have created a base crust.  Bake this for 5-12 minutes in the oven or until lightly browned.

Heat, on low heat, the peanut butter (or any nut butter you like) until liquid consistency and pour a very thin layer into your browned pie crust.  You will not like the recipe as much if you get too much peanut butter in it.  So spread it thin.

NOW the good stuff, the chocolate pudding:
If you do not have a Vitamix blender, then mix this part 1/2 to 1/3  at a time in a traditional blender.
Pour 1 can of Coconut milk into blender,
Add 1.5 scoops of Chocolate Perfect Protein powder
1 heaping teaspoon of Stevita brand stevia
2 heaping tablespoons of organic cocoa
1 large ripe banana
Take 5 large ripe avocado’s and add them on top of the mix and blend.

Once it is mixed, it will be the consistency of traditional pudding.

Pour this into your pie crust and put in the fridge overnight or for a couple hours.

Take any left over pudding and put it in a glass 1/3 of the way full and fill with frozen blue berries.

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“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it;

I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”

Jeremiah 33:6 (NIV)

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A Mick’s up of Candy Canes

During this Christmastide, it’s fun to look at the history of the songs and treats of the holiday season.

There are several renditions of the meaning behind the 12 Days of Christmas*, even though some party-poopers say there is no secret message. 

Isaac Watts wrote many great hymns, after his dad challenged him to do better than the songs Isaac complained about at church, and one of those delights was Joy to the World.

Another wonderful Christmas carol is Silent Night.  My son has had fun learning the song this year in its original German.

The candy cane has a sweet story.  Whatever the version of the legend, let the candy cane be a reminder of what Christ has done for you.  The white symbolizes the purity of Christ.  The red stripes symbolize the punishment He went through, so that you don’t have to.  The peppermint is reminiscent of the hyssop, which stands for cleansing.

Let this be a Christmas season you’ll never forget.  If you haven’t ever done anything with the Truth of Christ for your own life, consider doing something now.  Admit that you haven’t lived a perfect life, haven’t followed all of God’s laws, won’t make it to heaven without help, need a savior.  Believe that Christ is that savior, that He came as a pure and perfect person not deserving of punishment, but taking on the consequence of your sin.  Claim that gift from God our Judge, that acquittal, that clean slate.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and with this new life, Happy Birthday!

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)

*For fun, check out this Price Index for the 12 Days of Christmas.

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Mick’s in Safety with Christmas

Christmas is a time of joy.  We don’t want to think of the bad things that can happen.  However, we do want to take precautions, so that we keep our families safe.

Some things to watch out for are for the safety of our pets and kids.

Christmas decorations are awesome, however, some plants are toxic. 

Take some excellent advice from a pediatrician.  Dr. Brian Gannon lists out several dangers, for parents to be aware during the holidays.

That’s not all.  It’s easy to find safety tips online.  Some examples of other links available for extra research are:  Tips for Parents: Christmas Safety and The Top Five Christmas Dangers For Children and Pets.

Don’t forget.  Toxins are not only physical and chemical.  They can also be emotional.  Beware of the “green-eyed monster!”

Let this be a time of celebration, but keep safe and focused on the true meaning of the holiday.

Merry Christmas!!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

 

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Mick’s in Some Christmas Travel

Are you traveling this Christmas, like we are? 

Do you wonder how to eat healthily on the road?  We do, too… but we can share with you some ideas.

Planning ahead is key.  If you can’t or don’t want to pack your own healthy foods for the trip, then think up some alternatives.  Look at menus online before you head out, or find resources, such as the Curves™ book.  On page 163, there are a few helpful tips:  “Fast-food restaurants are okay as long as you order a burger or grilled chicken sandwich (throw away the bun) and a side salad… do not ‘super size’ your order… and of course, don’t order the fries.”  Also, Subway® has salad options.  No, I know the salads aren’t made with the most nutritious greens, nor are the meats the best choices, but it sure beats the nuggets at some of the other fast-food chains.

At this point, I’m not even going to consider addressing the grass-fed meat issue, nor the wild-caught fish information.  For a meal or two, while traveling, amidst the overall healthy eating habits developed to this point, doing your best at eating foods to help boost your immune system and your energy level, instead of dragging you down and causing inflammation, pain, and sickness, is the main focus.

“Fill your plate with Free Foods (Curves™ lingo for low-cal/low-carb)… and bypass the starches and desserts.”

(Gary Heavin and Carol Colman in Curves™ page 163)

Fast-food is not my top choice, so if you have time in your travel schedule for a sit-down meal, it might be an easier find for health-boosting foods (rancid oils are the biggest threat here, but do your best).  Again, the Curves™ book says it well:  “An Italian restaurant that offers salads and meat or fish entrees is workable.  Diners are great because they typically have a wide variety of food and serve it without a lot of fancy sauces.  Asian restaurants are a great option as long as you order the steamed or lightly sautéed vegetables with fish or chicken and avoid the deep-fried selections or foods cooked in heavy sauces.”

We had fun stopping at a mom-and-pop-style coffee shop on our last trip.  This allowed for the option of fresh, healthier sandwiches and wraps.  Of course, in a café like that, the sandwiches are made-to-order, which means you can order it open-faced or with an option other than the bread.  Try it out.

Remember, you’re eating for fuel, not for entertainment.  I like the quote, “Eat to live, don't live to eat.” (Benjamin Franklin)

Packing healthy snacks for between meals on the road is easy enough with foods like LARABAR, Granny Smith Apples, celery, grapes (in a solid container, not a plastic baggie, unless you want grape juice… just speaking from experience here), raw nuts and trail mix (but try to forego the chocolates and the oily nuts) with dates and raisins, Fruit Ropes , bananas, and low-glycemic candies.  WATER… remember lots of water!  One way to keep alert is to keep hydrated. 

Another way to keep alert is to have fun!  Play travel games, like I-spy and telling riddles, etc.  Listen to family audio dramas, such as Adventures in Odyssey and Lamplighter Theatre.  Keeping your mind and body busy with activity will keep your mind off food.

We wish you safe travels and happy eating!

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

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Christmas Mick’s up with Chiropractic

Sales here…  sales there…  everywhere you turn, you find a sale!  ‘Tis the season.


We aren’t complaining!  We love a good deal, don’t we? 

One area you might not have been looking for a sale is in the area of health.  Look around, though, because you just might find a chiropractor near you, which is willing to give you a break on the cost of an initial exam.  Why would they want to do that?  Yes, sure, it’s good for business… but most importantly, the doctors want you to give yourself the gift of wellness. 

What better time to take care of yourself than now, when family is wanting to spend time with a healthy you?!  Your family and friends love you and want you to be around for many more years.  A good way to insure that is by taking a good, close look at your health.  The best way to do that is by seeing how well your Central Nervous System is responding.  After all, it is in charge of making everything in your body function, right?

As the Weekly Sticky reminds us this week, “You LIVE in your Nerve System.  EVERYTHING you experience in life is processed through it… what you see, what you hear, what you feel.   That's why Chiropractors care so much about keeping it healthy.  If your Nerve System is stressed, there goes your ability to interpret your world, and there goes your ability to successfully navigate life.”

Hey… Even Santa gets chiropractic care.  Isn’t that saying something?!

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Proverbs 31:16 (NIV)

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Mick’s up in the Eggnog

While we talk about staying healthy this Christmastide, we don’t want to miss out on the holiday treats, right?!  You’re probably saying, “Who wants to think about diet and nutrition now?  Save it for the New Year’s Resolutions!”

There are alternatives, if you do want to enjoy sweets without the negative effects of sugar and artificial sweeteners.  There are great resources out there, like those listed in the left margin, categorized as the food blogs I follow.  One amazing example is Healing Cuisine by Elise.  In fact, she entered a recipe in the Gluten-free Cookie Swap.  (She’d love it, if you’d vote for her.)

Another possibility is downloading a FREE Holiday Recipes eCookbook, when you “like” Maxmized Living on Facebook.  Also, at McCoy Fitness, you can pick up your FREE Clean Zone Diet Cookbook!

As was mentioned in Mick’s up Merry, you should go ahead and plan to have some good ole sweets, etc., but the key is to plan.  “If you typically ‘pig out’ once per week,  hold off and do it every two.  Have a blast and eat like it’s your last meal for 3-4 meals (not days)!”

I’ll leave you with this recipe for eggnog.  Yummy!!

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Super Easy Egg Nog  (1 serving)                                    
This is an individual serving size of eggnog. It is quick and easy, healthy and a great treat especially during the holidays.

Ingredients 1 whole egg
½ cup pine nuts or chopped pecans (optional)
¼ teaspoon organic vanilla
¼-½ teaspoon stevia or xylitol, or to taste
1 cup coconut milk
Nutmeg to taste
1 pinch sea salt

Directions Beat the egg with the sweetener of your choice along with salt. Pour into a glass. Add vanilla and
milk and stir to mix. Sprinkle a little ground nutmeg on top.

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“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Luke 2:10-12 (NIV)

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Mick’s up with Peanuts



It's a Wonderful Movie - Blog

“The more we count the blessings we have, the less we crave the luxuries we haven’t.” - William Arthur Ward

Yes, how true.  If we will just stop and be grateful for the things we’ve been blessed with, we might actually stop being so greedy.

Can you tell I am a bit frustrated with a conversation that happened in our house today?  Just when you think you’re raising your kidderz right, something like this hits you.  I can see we have a few more lessons to learn.

Why is it we allow ourselves to get so caught up in receiving gifts at Christmas time, that we push the purest and most valuable gift aside.  Does it get old after a while? I don’t think the true Christmas story can ever get old.  It’s been more than 2000 years, and like the bumper sticker I saw today says, Jesus is “still saving lives!”

Jesus Christ is the real reason we celebrate this beautiful holiday.  Sure, the gift-giving (and getting) is great… but what we are celebrating is even greater!

We all know what really happened that day long ago.  A wee little baby came into this world for you!  He’s your very own Savior!  No matter what you did over these years of your life, He loves you dearly.

I have an old tract from American Tract Society called “What Christmas Is All About.”  Highlighting Linus and his speech that answers that question of Charlie Brown’s, the tract states, “The Bible says that without Jesus, we are separated from God forever.  We can never be as perfect as He is.  Our sins, those bad things we do and say and think, go against what God wants for us… and like all bad things, our sins need to be punished.  So God sent Jesus to save us from that punishment.”

If you have never thanked God for that baby Jesus, who grew up to be your Knight in Shining Armor to rescue you from eternal torture, and if you have never allowed Jesus to be that Knight in Shining Armor for you, then what better way to celebrate this Christmas than to talk to Him right now.  Admit to God that you need to be rescued.  Believe that Jesus is that rescuer.  Claim the gift He has offered to you.

Yay!  Wooohooooo!  We’re celebrating with you! 

Forget about the list for Santa or wishlistr.   The freedom you’ll feel now is better than any gift anyone can give you for Christmas. 

“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous,

no one who does what is right and never sins.”

Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NIV)

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

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Mick's up Turkey and Exercise

I've been enjoying talking with family and eating lots of food I did not have to prepare.  What a wonderful day! 

Because of this, today the nutrition and exercise posts are combined into one.

To all of my American friends, "Happy Thanksgiving!"  Be honest.  How many of you did like I did this morning?  We exercised, in order to feel better about eating the feast later in the day.  Actually, I know lots of you really have been outside enjoying the beautiful weather, and working off that full feeling.  What a great way to make the most of this family time!

It's also a wonderful way to keep from falling asleep.  You know the feeling.  After the big family dinner, we all feel like taking a nap.  We always blame it on the turkey... poor bird.  We say it's the tryptophan.

Did you know, though, that research shows it's not the turkey's fault?!

If you think about it, the usual list of items on the Thanksgiving menu are primarily carbohydrates and high on the glycemic index.  What does this mean for our bodies?  It means we eventually experience a sugar crash.

So, let's not go pointing fingers and falsely accusing the holiday favorite.  Instead, go for a walk with the family.

...when deep sleep falls on people...

Job 33:15 (NIV)

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Have You Gotten a Mick’s up of Chiropractic

You might have gathered by now that I am very thankful for chiropractic care.  I never used to know why chiropractic is so good for me, but I just knew I felt better and was healthier when I received regular care. 

I am so thankful my parents became friends with a chiropractor so many years back, which first introduced us to this form of healthcare.

I’m thankful I found a wonderful office through the yellow pages and got back into regular chiropractic care, when I was pregnant with our first child, after I discovered chiropractic is excellent for pregnant ladies.  I was no longer in pain, regained comfortable sleep during those crucial months, improved my attitude, and later had a healthy baby because of chiropractic.

It is amazing to me the gifts God has given chiropractors:  the skill to be able to feel each bone in the spine and know it by name; the precision for moving the proper bone in the necessary manner; the understanding of where each nerve leads and what it helps, as well as what is hurt when it is not able to function properly; the compassion to care for each patient and their needs; even the knowledge of all other bones in the skeletal system, so as to aid in supplying answers for bewildered patients.

If you have not yet discovered the world of chiropractic, I urge you to do yourself a favor and look into it.

Listen to what Dr. Patrick Gentempo, owner of the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance, says: “Now that this whole wellness revolution has come into this world, chiropractic is expanding and growing because we've had such great training….  Chiropractic is proactive,” meaning we take the approach of, “Let's not wait for you to get sick and then do something.  Let's keep you healthy.”

As we enter into the more stressful holiday season, it’s good to contemplate what that stress is doing to us and what we can do to handle it in a healthier way.  Dr. Gentempo continues on to say, “Everybody knows that lifestyle stress adversely affects your health.  How stress is processed and managed is through the nervous system.  What's between stress and illness?  The Central Nervous System.  You live your life through your nervous system.  What chiropractors do is evaluate your nervous system, see how stress is affecting that, and if it’s causing disturbance in how your nervous system functions, we want to release those disturbances so your body can heal and regulate.”

Is chiropractic a lifetime commitment?  Dr. Gentempo explains, “Chiropractic doesn't treat conditions...  It gives lifestyle support to help better address whatever your challenges might be.”  This question is like asking, “Once you go to the gym, do you have to keep going back?  Once you eat healthy, do you have to keep eating healthy?”  As the doctor says, “If you want a healthy lifestyle, chiropractic is a critical component.”

Many thanks to Conway Family Chiropractic for encouraging me to use their video in my blog.  This is a great summary of what chiropractic is and why we need it.  Enjoy!

Remember, don’t stress this holiday.  Read the Proverb below.  If you find yourself stressing, be sure to see your local chiropractor!

 

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

 

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