Perfect Foods...

One thing I often mention when talking about nutrition is the irony of perfect nutrition. Health food manufacturers and scientists are scouring the earth looking for the fountain of youth in remote parts of the world. There are new products coming on the market daily that claim to be "the long lost answer to good health". I often have people ask me what I think about this new "wonder" supplement they are taking looking for my validating opinion.

Do these foods and supplements work? Most of the time yes they are effective, but think about this. When God created Adam and Eve he said "Here you go, this whole garden is full of everything you need. Eat everything but the apples from that tree." Now we all know the meaning of that event wasn't "don't eat apples", but think about what he said in regards to food. God said look around, you're surrounded by everything you need to thrive!

The point is, most of the earth's perfect foods happen to be those in greatest abundance (water, grasses, fruits, vegetables...). The key to nutrition is diversity. There is NO one perfect food that will instantly bring you health. But by combining ALL that God has given us, not what man has perverted, you are more likely to acquire everything the body needs.

In future newsletters I will cover some of these cheap and abundant superfoods more in detail. Until then, start enjoying God's bounty and reap the benefits.

Radical?

My wife recently got a disgruntled response from a friend regarding an email warning that the FDA and USDA are attempting to "loosen" restrictions on organic food guidelines. The words "radical beliefs" were used and upon reading her response, today's topic was instantly aroused.

What is radical? According to the dictionary, here are the definitions:

1. Arising from or going to a root or source; basic: proposed a radical solution to the problem.
2. Departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme: radical opinions on education.
3. Favoring or effecting fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions: radical political views.
4. Linguistics. Of or being a root: a radical form.
5. Botany. Arising from the root or its crown: radical leaves.
6. Slang. Excellent; wonderful.

At first being called a "radical" is like profanity. But after reading the definition, my answer is a resounding YES. Though the connotations are usually negative (and for good reason in many cases) "radicals" have changed the face of the earth throughout history. These "radicals" include people like Rosa Parks, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther King, and the most radical person of all time, Jesus.

I think it's time for a "radical" solution to the usual and customary. These common practices such as placing our kids on "prescription cocaine" (Ritalin), pumping babies full of mercury just hours after they are born, removing "spare organs" after we've damaged them beyond repair with poor lifestyle choices, and accepting excessive prescriptions so Doctors and Drug Company CEO's don't have to collect food stamps to feed their children (little bit of sarcasm there). This is craziness that even the Doctors who practiced "bloodletting" would cringe at if they saw what we commonly accept today.

If taking care of yourself is radical, if living life to it's fullest is radical, then sign me up for radical. I can only hope that my efforts can help to radically change the face of our nation for the better of our children's future. It's time we all do something "radical" and go plant seeds in all of our friends and loved ones.

PS: Dear FBI, USDA, and FDA officials. Please read the entire context of this email before tapping my email, freezing my bank accounts, and placing me on the terrorist blacklist...

Extensor Training

Have you ever seen the guys in the gym with their shoulders and knuckles turned in because their chest is so ripped that they can't straighten out? Think about what this does to posture. As you think about this extreme situation you will start to see how imbalance of the flexors and extensors can cause postural distortion adversely affecting your health.

Let me explain what the flexors and extensors are. To make it simple, your flexor muscles bring you into the fetal position or the "cannonball" if you prefer, while the extensor muscles open you up into the "belly flop" position. Due to our lack of exercise, constant posture strains such as driving and working at a computer, and even lack of stretching your flexor muscles are constantly worked while the extensors waste away. This is why many people slouch and feel like they can't even hold themselves upright.

Here's a few quick and easy daily exercises you can do to balance the equation:

1. Bruegger's Posture: Stand with your back against a wall palms turned out. Now simultaneously draw your shoulders back and your head back while keeping your chin tucked. You should feel your whole back tighten up. Hold for 1 minute.
2. Reverse Snow Angel: Lay on your stomach with legs together and hands by your side. Now arch your back so your head is looking forward and your feet are off the ground. Now swing your arms up above your head while opening up your legs. It's just like making a snow angel but on your belly.
3. Yoga move: Lay on the ground in the push up position. Use your arms to push up and arch your back with legs still on the ground looking straight up at the ceiling. Hold this position for 15-20 seconds and repeat.

By incorporating these daily exercises into your routine you can start to balance the equation and make your Chiropractors job much easier!