Des Moines Chiropractic Newsletter - April, 2014

Compass Chiropractic April, 2014 E-Newsletter

My only excuse for this newsletter's delay is the nice weather.  I've been out running and biking and enjoying the sun.  I hope you have too!

Saturday Hours Available through Spring!

Painful flareup?  Inflexible work schedule?  Gardening injury?

We’ll give you a hand this spring!  Saturday appointments are currently planned from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM on the following dates:

May 10, 17, 24
June 14, 28

Sandy recommends: The Wahls Protocol

The Wahls Protocol tells us that our food and lifestyle choices create health or disease, depending on what we choose.  It also narrates the leading edge research of Terry Wahls, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa - Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City.  She has made it her mission to spread the word about how to beat multiple sclerosis, autoimmune conditions and chronic diseases (and a whole host of other symptoms and diseases) that we cause through poor diet and food choices.  She is living proof that changing her diet helped her gain back her health after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000 which in just three short years, deteriorated to the point that she needed a tilting/reclining wheelchair.  Today, after researching and changing her diet, she now walks unassisted and bikes on a regular basis.

The book provides a dietary and lifestyle protocol, using Paleo concepts as guidelines, to help you take charge of your health and your life.  You don’t have to have multiple sclerosis to appreciate the recommendations this book makes with easy-to-follow, real-food nutritional guidelines.  I have read several reviews that tout that following this protocol will leave you feeling so amazing it'll make you wonder how you ever ate any other way.  I am in the early stages of adopting some of these dietary and lifestyle changes and look forward to seeing what kind of results I get.  No question, I am guilty of consuming too much sugar, carbs, chemicals and processed foods.

I found this book to be very engaging as it highlights the importance of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and essential fats) as an integral part in preventing and reversing disease, while stressing and outlining the importance of a nutrient-dense diet for our cellular health. There are also chapters devoted to reducing toxins in our body, exercise and supplements. 

Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine.”  It’s exciting to see an M.D. from a respected medical institution research and publish a protocol to better health that comes from natural foods rather than prescription medications.

Sheri Recommends Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op

For the past month and a half I have been participating in this wonderful food co-op.  It is called Bountiful Baskets.  It was started by two woman out of Arizona.  I discovered it through a friend on Facebook who is trying to get a stop in her hometown.  They distribute produce baskets, organic produce baskets, artisan bread, sandwich bread, and other fun add-ons like larger quantities of fruits/veggies, coconut oil, olive oil and granola every other week.  You do not have to participate every time if you do not want to or need to.  It is grassroots, all volunteer, no contracts and no catch co-operative.  They focus on high quality & low cost.

Most of the produce is exactly what you would buy at the grocery store except you get more for your dollar!  The regular produce basket costs $15.50, the organic is $20.50 plus the handling fee in Iowa of $5.50.  First time participants have a first time basket fee of $3.00.  Any add-ons have an additional cost, as well.

Your basket comes 50% fruit and 50% vegetables.  Currently there is only one pick up site in Des Moines, but last time I was there they had signs posted looking for another site and volunteers to run it.  Which is a good thing because I found out this last time how quickly it sells out!  Your window for ordering is the Monday before Saturday pick up starting at noon running through Tuesday at 5 p.m.  I usually order my basket on my lunch break around 2 p.m., but did not have time this week.  When I got home and tried to order around 8 p.m. they were sold out!  Sad face... if you are interested in checking this out, go to their website at www.bountifulbaskets.com.  They have stops in several states across the country and several in Iowa.

Happy Spring...FINALLY! 

Sheri's First Bountiful Basket!

Dr. Krohse Recommends Pupstart Family Dog Training

I thought I had a decent understanding of how to keep my dog, George, behaving well.  Basically we just avoided situations where he might behave poorly.  If we ended up in a risky or confrontational situation, we got out of there ASAP.  However as my girlfriend, Val, and I have gradually been combining lives it became clear that this strategy wasn't going to be adequate.  Val, George, and I needed clear communication for things to work!

We realized we needed professional guidance to ensure a happy, healthy relationship for all of us, and reached out to local dog expert Dana Fedman of Pupstart Family Dog Training.  She had us fill out a very thorough questionnaire on George's history as well as Val and my history with dogs.  We were able to communicate clearly the specific issues that Val and I wanted to improve.

Dana met the three of us and spent some time assessing George's personality and the ways we interact with him.  She guided us through how to deal with the situations where we lacked confidence.  She also was realistic about the options and outcomes of different intensities of training.  Ultimately, she empowered us with effective management tools and strategies that have significantly improved George's behavior.  George is "out of the dog house" and we are grateful to Dana for her guidance.

Thanks Dana!

I'd definitely recommend Dana and Pupstart to anyone who wants a well-behaved "best friend"!

Val & David with another local pooch after the Grand Blue Mile

&

Pedal off the Pounds

The Des Moines Cycle Club has an amazing program for those looking to be more active, lose weight, and make some great, positive friends.  The Pedal off the Pounds program is an inspiring, educational life-changing opportunity.  However, I'm getting you the info on this a bit late.  Check out the website and sign up today!  You won't regret it!  You might even get to hear me share some valuable health information with the group in June!