Ten Weeks to Wellness! - Your Introduction

 

 

This year, Rubin Family Chiropractic wants to help you kick off your New Year right! According to  Dr. Mark Hyman, the best way to achieve wellness goals is to have a group to which one is accountable.  Well with our Ten Weeks to Wellness, the office would like to be that group!  We have come up with 10 weeks' worth of simple activities to move towards wellness.  Every week you will be able to report your progress at the office along with checking in on Facebook, commenting on blog posts, and getting adjusted.  Each of these activities will give you tickets for entry in a final prize (we're still deciding on something that has a significance to match the magnitude of this commitment!) In addition to all your efforts at home, we will be having monthly events through the office like shopping trips to Whole Foods and a cooking class in order to help you make lasting changes! 

We are incredibly excited about our Ten Weeks of Wellness!  The interns are looking forward to participating as well, and we are all ready to answer your questions and support you along the way.  We will be accepting a limited number of participants for this activity, so sign up at the front desk as soon as possible!

What is a food allergy - and why do so many people have them?!

A conversation in the office this week got us thinking about the topic of food allergies (even more than usual): Why is it that all of a sudden it seems that every other child has a severe food allergy, to peanuts, dairy, or some other commonly-consumed food?  Many parents couldn't name a single one of their own peers with an allergy to sort sort of food, but know exactly what kid in their child's first grade classroom has to have a special snack prepared on birthdays.  What changed in this latest generation, and what should all parents be looking for when it comes to identifying a food?  Rubin Family Chiropractic went looking for answers.

What is a food allergy?
A food allergy, like any other allergy, results from an exaggerated response of the body's immune system to a perceived threat.  In layman's terms, it's as if rather than one officer coming to file a report on a fender bender, the entire state police, five fire trucks, and three ambulances plus a helicopter reported to the scene.  This over-reaction of a normally helpful system is observed by inflammation.  The degree to which this inflammation occurs determines the severity of the allergy.  In cases of anaphylaxis, the most severe type of allergic reaction, the throat may swell to a point that obstructs breathing, or inflammatory chemicals (like histamine) generated may lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

What are some signs of allergic reactions to food?

• Itchiness, rashes, or hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Abdominal cramping with or without nausea/vomitting
• Dizziness/Lightheadedness
• Low blood pressure
• Elevated pulse
• Any out of the ordinary behavior or signs, especially in children

What are some common foods that trigger allergic reactions?
The eight most common food allergens (accounting for about 90% of all food allergies) are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.  Other allergic reactions may come from food additives such as preservatives (like MSG), dyes, and added flavors.

Why the sudden rise in allergies?
The most likely reason that children today are experiencing more allergies than ever before is due to the fact that almost every food they eat has come into contact with pesticides, or has been processed with additives, or may even be raised from genetically modified seeds..  The changes in the way plants and animals were raised on farms were not fully tested for their effects on the people who consume them, so many of the changes in health observed in the present day may likely be attributed to the less-than-natural state of our foods.  As Ann Wigmore said, "The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison."

What can I do about food allergies?
If you or child has an established food allergy, the best thing to do is avoid the allergen.  If you are trying to determine whether your child has a mild allergy, an elimination diet might be in order.  Take about three weeks away from the offending food or ingredient.  Then, reintroduce it to the diet and see if the child reacts physically or emotionally. To prevent allergies, eat organic whenever possible.  Make sure you know what your consuming! Read labels and educate yourself!  And always get adjusted - chiropractic does wonders for your immune system. We here at Rubin Family Chiropractic are here to help answer any questions - and, of course, provide those adjustments.  Look for our next blog post about food sensitivities and how you can not be allergic to something like diary or gluten but be quite sensitive to it!

Resources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001847/ - PubMed Health
http://www.foodallergy.org/section/common-food-allergens1 - Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/14/why-are-there-so-many-food-allergies-now.aspx - Mercola.com

Healthy Meals for Thanksgiving!

For many people, the holidays are an excuse to abandon diets and look the other way when the kids grab an extra cookie.  However, a hearty and home-cooked feast doesn't have to mean completely abandoning your healthy eating habits you've worked so hard to establish with your family all year! Below are several suggestions for sides to swap in and enticing entrees that are office-tested and approved!

Think about a turkey alternative:  Dr. Rubin's favorite is Field Roast's Hazelnut Cranberry Roast En Croute.  It's "to die for" and can be found at your local Whole Foods market.

Try mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes! - If you need a starchy side but are looking to avoid the carbs, mashed cauliflower is the way to go.  The consistency is similar enough where you might not even notice the difference once you add Earth Balance (instead of butter) and garlic.

Skip the canned cranberry sauce! - Get the antioxidants without the preservatives by making cranberry sauce with actual cranberries.  You'll get all the flavor, plus the added benefit of fiber and less sugar than with the gelatinous in-a-can version.

I know Grandma's Green Bean Casserole is your favorite, but... Consider sauteing your vegetables in coconut or some other type of oil to cut down on the cream often found in most vegetable casseroles.  Add as many spices as you want to up the flavor and cut the guilt!

Round out the meal with a spinach salad with nuts, sunflower seeds, craisins, and sliced apples with a simple vinaigrette dressing.

For dessert, try a cashew-based pumpkin pie: With only five ingredients, this pie is dairy-free and packed with pumpkin flavor. Find the recipe at http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/09/5-ingredient-vegan-pumpkin-pie.html

We hope this sample menu give you a great starting point! Send us your healthy Thanksgiving suggestions at rubinchiropractic@gmail.com!

A Happy, Healthy Halloween!

 

As those of you that came to our Fourth Annual Halloween Bash last Friday know, Rubin Family Chiropractic loves Halloween.  It's that one day a year when you can let your inner superhero or princess show on the outside (without raising any eyebrows, that is)  However, Halloween can also lead to sugar highs and tummy aches if not handled carefully.  Here are a few things to consider in order ensure both a happy and a healthy Halloween:

• If you wouldn't want your children eating it, think twice about handing it out to the neighbors kids.  Remember, you get what you give - so put forth the very best!  Consider skipping the more processed candies for something made with organic ingredients.  Yummy Earth makes some of the tastiest organic lollipops around; they're what we like to give out at our office and can be found at Whole Foods.  Perhaps consider giving snack packs of Annie's graham bunny's or other non-candy treats that can be found at your local organic food store.  They might be a little more expensive, but think of it as planting an idea in the heads of other parents who see your treats as they are sorting through their children's pillow cases later!
• Maybe skip handing out food all together! Now, you don't have to be the dreaded "House on the Block that Gives Out Pennies" - you could be the awesome family that gives out new Halloween pencils, or packs of crayons, or other small toys.  A whole variety of handouts can be found at the dollar store and you'll have the benefit of standing out amongst a sea of chocolate.  Plus, it'll last more than 30 seconds once the kiddos get home!
• If you absolutely can't bring yourself to give up on the idea of handing out standard Halloween candy, do your research as to which types are the "least unhealthy", and try to limit the amount that each trick-or-treater takes
• When your own ghouls and goblins come home, try to limit the candy intake per day.  If possible, perhaps offer an exchange - 25 cents per piece of candy they are willing to part with. Or trade the candy for a healthier variety like those described previously.
• As to what to do with all of those leftover treats?  Many dentists offer free toothbrushes and other goodies in exchange for candy you turn in.  There are always food pantries to donate to - not that we want the less fortunate to be stuck with low-nutrient food, but it's hard to justify even candy going to waste when it could brighten someone's day.

What ever your decisions around the holiday are, remember it's about having fun and being safe! Feel free to stop by in costume today - we love to see our patients enjoying the holiday!