Des Moines Chiropractic Newsletter - August

Compass Chiropractic August, 2015 E-Newsletter

Come in this month to vote in our Cutest Pet Contest!

Every one who comes in to our office this month is invited to vote for their favorite cute pet each time they are in.  Check out a few more of our last minute entries below!
 

 

 

Champions Choose Chiropractic!
 

Sandy Recommends The Teton Wagon Train & Horse Adventure

Want a great family vacation that’s a break from the hustle and bustle of long lines at amusement parks?  I’m recommending the Teton Wagon Train and Horse Adventure that launches out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  My family embarked on this wonderful adventure a number of years ago and it remains one of our best and most memorable vacations. 

 

This 4-day, 3-night adventure took us into the past to relive the experiences of the old American West, including traveling daily by horseback or covered wagon, cooking over open fires, tent camping in the wilderness and learning about life during a simpler time.  This adventure will have you encircling the Grand Teton Mountain Range as you explore Teton National Park, trek near Yellowstone National Park and camp in wilderness areas designated the “Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone”.   In addition to bears, you will see plenty of moose, elk, deer, loons and trumpeter swans.  (But don’t worry, we were all briefed about critter encounters and safety!)  The views are unlike anything I’ve experienced and the night skies light up with literally millions of stars.  This trip is a great way to de-stress and disconnect from work, cell phones and social media.  The guides kept everyone busy and entertained as there were daily horseback rides, history lessons and several events that simulated what life was life 100+ years ago, including a pony express mail delivery, a visit to camp by a “mountain man” and a “surprise” attack on camp by uninvited guests.  During our 4-day trip, we encountered no other people or vehicles but those on the trip.  It felt like we had the entire Teton mountain range to ourselves.

This trip was led by a wagon master and expert horsemen and women who made the trip very enjoyable. The evenings always ended with a campfire and stories, music, amazing desserts cooked in dutch ovens over the campfire coals, followed by falling asleep in tents listening to the most amazing nighttime sounds.

For more information check out: www.tetonwagontrain.com

 

Amy Recommends Tender

I'm so glad that I'm not single in today's dating world! My nanny uses Tinder to find potential dates while I use the free Tender app to find dinner!  Tender is Tinder except instead of swiping left or right for someone you want to hook up with you swipe for food recipes. You still look at the picture and decide if it’s something that turns you on and swipe left to toss it and right if it’s something you want to make! It’s an easy way to find new recipes! If you swipe right it saves the dish to your cookbook for easy access to click for the full recipes. You can also filter your results to your liking or even quickly share the recipe via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, text message, or email all with the touch of an icon!
 

 

Anne Recommends Cesar Millan

In honor of the cutest pet picture contest at Compass Chiropractic this month- and thank you to everyone who presented their animals; they are all charming!- I decided to suggest something pet related… the “Dog Whisperer” icon named Cesar Millan.  Ever since I heard about this inspirational individual, my boyfriend and I have been catching up on Cesar’s TV show via Netflix.  For any dog-lover, his reality episodes are feasts of fur-babies shown adjusting from being fearful, aggressive, or generally misbehaved to content and well-mannered.  But Cesar expresses repeatedly that he is a dog psychologist, not trainer.  He clarifies that he coaches humans, and this approach consequently rehabilitates the dogs.  Cesar furnishes pet-parents with new and improved outlooks and tactics to resolve various crises, and it works.

 

The more I’ve watched his program “Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan” (originally aired on National Geographic in 2002) and the more I read his books (I know of three that have been on the New York Times Bestsellers list,) the more impressed I’ve become with the dog psychologist’s skills and attitude, and the more certain I’ve been about his aptitude and his compassion for dogs.  Like any famous “fix-it” talent, Cesar has his opponents.  Some criticize him for out-dated procedures which may seem inhumane; even I was suspicious at first.  I am convinced now that there is a lot of misunderstanding for the particulars of his techniques.  Cesar constantly requires humans to approach their dogs with “calm assertive energy” just as he does.  Without this, and without an awareness of the timing and force of Cesar’s “touches” used to re-focus stubborn dogs, I can see how his methods could be misconstrued. However, I believe that Cesar obviously cares for dogs and has proven with consistency that his practices benefit both dogs and human guardians and that his intent is far too benevolent to ever be abusive.

Cesar hasn’t always enjoyed celebrity status; his own advancement is inspiring itself.  He is a leading example of someone who has worked hard and beat odds to make it to the top- and I’m not speaking about his material and social success alone, but, most importantly, the way he utilizes his accomplishments to assist others.  As a young man, he navigated the border from Mexico to the U.S. with little money and few English words in his possession.  His first jobs were dog-grooming and limousine-washing, but word got around about his phenomenal way with canines- particularly the wayward ones.  Eventually, Cesar’s career in dog rehabilitation took off with clients who happened to be public figures, such as Will Smith and his wife, Jada- an enthusiastic advocate for Cesar.  Currently, Cesar and his dog psychology center are known across the globe.  His show (which has pushed through title and channel changes) has persisted for over a decade and reaches audiences in over 80 countries.  What I admire most about Cesar, however, has less to do with his success (though, without it, he wouldn’t be able to help so many people and animals.)  It is well-known that many popular personalities can be insincere.  Cesar’s attitude and approach are what I appreciate most, and I feel confident that he is genuinely empathetic with canines and uses his expertise and capacity as forces for good, mending relationships between humans and their pets, and allowing for thousands of dogs to spend their lives in nurturing homes.

 

Cesar’s process involves training humans who have troubled dogs to provide what is natural and nourishing.  With that, he asserts, challenges are cleared up.  His program and endorsements attest to this.  He urges humans to provide their pups with “exercise, discipline, and affection” in that order… meaning, a dog’s instinctive need is to receive adequate exercise for their energy level and appropriate “rules, boundaries, and limitations” from the “pack leader” BEFORE receiving affection.  Again, this is done with only calm assertive energy to foster a healthy, happy pet.  I’ve noticed a lot of people Cesar works with on his program even mention that, as they implement his instructions and apply the calm assertive energy to other aspects of their lives, they notice positive changes.  I love that Cesar’s process helps both animals and humans truly thrive.

Whether you are curious about Cesar’s ways or merely want some animal eye-candy, need pointers to benefit your relationship with your own dogs or want to be inspired by his skills and success stories, check out Cesar Millan!

Dr. Krohse Recommends Bike Racing and Spectating this Weekend

Were you inspired by the unbelievable athleticism on display in the Tour de France and are ready to try bike racing?  Perhaps you thought being a part of a rowdy partying crowd along the sides looked more fun instead?  Four types of cycling racing are going on right here in Des Moines this weekend.  I highly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity to try bicycle racing or spectating this weekend!

The Sakari Road Race and East Village Criterium make up the Capitol City Race Weekend.  The road race will be going on Saturday based out of Pleasant Hill and is put on by my bicycle racing team, Sakari Race Team.  Join the fun at the Woodland Hills Church of Christ Saturday morning!  The East Village Criterium takes place just west of the Capitol Building on Sunday.  Criteriums have fast and furious action on small courses and are great for spectating!  Head down to participate or cheer the daredevils on during the hard climbs & scary fast corners.

 

The 24 Hours of Cumming is a race I’ll be participating in Saturday at 11 AM.  This race is put on by our sponsored athlete, Steve Cannon, who ran around Lake Michigan a couple years back.  Racers will take off onto the gravel roads south of Cumming.  While some racers will complete four 62 mile loops for a total of 248 miles riding all night long, I’ll be racing just one 62 mile loop in around four hours.  A party will go on at the Cumming Tap throughout the day with live music, food, and drinks available.  If you are more interested in spectating, a great option would be to ride the Great Western Trail to the Cumming Tap arriving between 2 and 3.  Between 3:30 and 5 pm you’ll get to watch the cyclists ride in and refuel, tune up their bikes, and take off for another loop.

The Hin & Zuruck Time Trial is a mountain bike race taking place in the Center Trails by the Art Center and Ashworth Pool.  Head to registration around 9 AM Saturday morning if you are trying a mountain bike race for the first time.   Once the racing is complete, racers and spectators will stick with the German theme by having grilled brats, beer, music, and all the trimmings at the Greenwood Park Shelter #1.

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Cameron’s Vanilla Hazelnut Coffee

Frequent readers will know that I try to keep the base of my diet lower in carbohydrates with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits.  When it comes to morning or evening treats, I’ve found a couple flavored coffees that with just a bit of half and half become phenomenal rewards to start or end my day that fit my nutrition goals.

 

My favorite coffee in the evenings is by far the decaf version of Cameron’s Vanilla Hazelnut Coffee.  I usually make it in a French press and the aroma is unbelievably pleasant.  It permeates the entire house and Val appreciates the scent as well.  It is a lighter roast and is the smoothest coffee I’ve ever enjoyed.  While it is great hot, if I don’t drink the whole French press the first night I just put it in the fridge and enjoy a cup of iced vanilla hazelnut “heaven” the next day.
I highly recommend you track down a bag of this coffee in the regular or decaf version at a local grocery store today!