WHY ORGANIC?

WHY ORGANIC?

Is eating organic produce that important? Why should supplements be made from organically-grown foods? There are three basic answers which cover both of these commonly-asked questions:

1. Sustainable organic farming is indisputably best for the earth. Valuable resources in the soil and atmosphere are retained, utilized, and replaced by the cycles of natural farming, as opposed to indus trial farming. With organic farming, no toxic chemical pesticides are poured into our water sources or sprayed into the air, to be ingested by animals and humans, creating serious health issues.

2. The nutritional content of organically grown foods is considerably higher than that of industrialized farm products. (Please see the study results from Rutgers University, quoted in “Why Standard Process Farms Organically…”) Superior nutrition promotes superior health. There’s so much more “bang for your buck”!

3. Concentrated whole organic foods and supplements do not deposit toxic residues in the bodies of those who eat them. Industrialized farm products add these negatives which virtually cancel out the health benefits that could come from naturally-raised foods.

TWO SIDES OF SYNERGY

By definition, synergy is "the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual effects."

You have often heard from us that a natural food contains many nutrients, perfectly balanced together in order to deliver the best nutritional value.

The fact that most of the nutrients come in tiny amounts doesn't diminish the value of the food.  Actually, the value is enhanced by both the variety and the balance between them.

Eating an organic orange will provide more nutritional benefit than taking a handful of "Vitamin C" tablets, for example.  The tablets probably contain high number amounts of ascorbic acid in isolated form.  But ascorbic acid is just ONE of the many components of the vitamin complex that is named C.  All of that C complex occurs in the orange, and those tiny amounts are needed by each other. Cooperating beautifully, they work together to produce the greater amount of good.

Let's look at spinach for another example.  Spinach is known for its high iron content.  It happens that the vitamin C in the plant is necessary to enable the perfect absorption of that iron into the body.  Again, the nutrients perform as a team to best boost your health.  (And as a side note, it's important to make sure the spinach is fresh and eaten steamed or raw to retain as much natural vitamin C content as possible  Too much water will leach out any water-soluble nutrients.)

This amazing feature of natural foods gives us the PLUS side of synergy. A truly healthy diet will rely greatly upon organic foods for nutrition that packs a punch.

Then there is the MINUS side.  When we ingest - through lungs, digestive system, or skin - small amounts of several "bad guys," the combined effect is called toxic synergy...and it is very real.

When we eat food cooked with aluminum ware or foil, we ingest "a little" aluminum - every time. Perhaps we also have "a little" cadmium from breathing smoke, or titanium from dental implants or cosmetics, or mercury from dental amalgams and medications - and the list goes on.  These metals need not be in high amounts to be toxic, because they enhance each others' toxicity.  Their "teamwork" - toxic synergy - is serious news for our health!

Considering that heavy metals are implicated in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, other autoimmune diseases, cancer, and more, your best prevention is to:

a) stop the inflow
b) address the safest, most natural way of gently removing the metals or other toxins from your system.

Nutrition Response Testing is definitely our method of choice to support positive synergy and delete negative synergy!  It covers both bases, assisting your body to do the job by means of its own intelligent priority system.

Call us for your appointment with Susana at (562) 861-3896

An easy way to boost your health

Most people think of massage as a luxury, a great way to pamper yourself or someone you love. This is true, of course. But did you know that a regular program of therapeutic massage is known to bring many health benefits? Put that with the luxury of pampering yourself, and you've got a winner!

These health benefits can include the following:

- Enhanced immunity

- Reduced depression and anxiety

- Increased benefit from athletic work-outs

- Relief of migraine pain and frequency

- Improved sleep quality

- Improved mobility, and less pain in arthritis sufferers

- Brightening complexion and hair

- Reduced PMS symptoms

- Enhanced alertness

- Better concentration

Many of our patients wisely choose to have a weekly or monthly massage from Elvira, our massage therapist extraordinaire. Elvira's talented hands, along with her training, experience, and dedication all combine to consistently bring her rave reviews. We are delighted that she is part of our team!

Our massage prices are amazingly affordable. Only $40 for a one-hour massage, or $25 for a half hour. This is one of the most reasonable ways to improve your health and help you manage your stress load. Gift cards are available in any denomination.

Call us for a convenient appointment at (562) 861-3896.

Simple Salads for Spring

When there's no time to grocery shop, it's your chance to get creative. A "throw-together" salad can be attractive as well as delicious and nutritious. Here's a simple recipe that can be varied as to ingredients or amounts, according to whatever you have in the refrigerator.

4 cups organic broccoli florets (or cauliflower, or both)
1 cup of cubed raw milk cheese - cheddar, Swiss, Gruyere - or 1/2 cup raw milk blue cheese, crumbled
1-2 red organic apples, washed and chopped but not peeled
1/2 cup organic red onion, sliced thinly and quartered
2/3 cup raw pecan pieces - or any nuts or seeds you have on hand
Add 1/2 cup chopped celery, if desired

Combine in a large bowl. Drizzle with the following vinaigrette, and toss until coated.

2 tbsp. organic red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. organic lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove organic garlic, minced
dash of cayenne
1 tsp. organic Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. fennel seeds - optional

Place all vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar and shake well before tossing with salad.

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Kitchen Q&A

Q. What about Orgreenic fry pans? Are they a healthful choice for cooking?

A. They test very well here, and are hands-down far superior to "regular" non-stick pans (which are a potential source of plastic and/or aluminum particles).

We have found that they are wonderful for re-heating food, sauteing veggies, or cooking omelets or potatoes - always no higher than low-medium heat. I have heard one complaint about cooking raw meat - that it stuck very badly and the pan was miserable to clean. If any of you have input on this, please share it. :)

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A last reminder about our special offer on the 21-day Purification Program Kit from Standard Process! The 15% off will apply through March 31st. Call us to order your kit(s) at (562-861-3896.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

We fortunate ones in southern California have access year round to locally grown vegetables and fruits - including organic or chemical-free produce. This is a great blessing that many people across the country would envy!

Zucchini is usually considered a summer squash, but it has been available at our farmers' market for many weeks. Here is a recipe for a tasty, nutritious side dish that you can have on the table in just a few minutes. It's a "keeper" for our family on every level!

LIME THYME ZUCCHINI

5 small organic zucchini (or enough to make 3 cups sliced)
3 tbsp. butter
2 cloves organic garlic, sliced very thin
grated zest of two organic limes (or one lemon)
1/2 tsp. thyme
sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
2 tbsp. raw milk grated Parmesan cheese
juice of the limes or lemon - about 2-3 tbsp.

In a large frying pan, melt the butter. Cook the garlic in the butter until fragrant, Meanwhile, wash zucchini, remove stem ends, and slice into 1/4 inch coins. Add to pan along with zest, thyme, salt and pepper.

Sauté at medium heat briefly, then cover and allow to cook at low-medium for 3-4 minutes. Turn the coins over, cover and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat and toss with lime juice and Parmesan. Serve hot. Serves 4-6

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Treat Mom to a therapeutic massage in May! For every full-hour massage you schedule in May, we will add 15 minutes FREE. That's a 25% bonus! This is not limited to moms - why not do it for yourself or someone else?

Gift cards are available at all times. Call us at (562) 861-3896.

News on Nutraceuticals

A prominent news health editor wrote a well-publicized news article this week entitled "Are Your Vitamins Killing You?" His basic point was that dietary supplements will not make you healthier, and may actually increase your risks of disease.

Is this true? You may be surprised at my answer. Within certain parameters, there is an element of truth in his premise.

Before you stop reading in amazement or disgust, please consider the following comments.

Notice the words "an element of truth." The most believable presentations often mix truth with fiction to achieve some credibility with a larger number of people. We have to establish the definition(s) before we can sort out the true from the false.

Here is the "element of truth." The vast majority of vitamins or supplements that are available today are artificial, chemically produced to imitate some substance in nature. Their so-called "active ingredient" is isolated and multiplied many times more than it ever occurs in a natural food. No nutrients that normally accompany this factor in food are included. For these reasons, the "supplement" is actually foreign to the body, not recognized as food, and often goes out undigested. In that case, supplements do not make a person healthier, and in some instances as quoted, they may increase the risks of disease.

We call such products "nutraceuticals," because they are so aligned with pharmaceuticals - in their manufacturing process, the flawed principle behind their composition, and in their frequent failure to produce better health. And yes, there are a few research studies - all using nutraceutical products - that prove that "vitamins" don't work.

Don't get me wrong, though. There are multitudes of research studies that prove the abysmal failure of the far more toxic and dangerous pharmaceuticals to produce health or decrease risk of disease. The negative results quoted in the news article.about supplements are completely dwarfed by comparison! There's an all-too-common pattern of one drug being followed by another and another in the attempt to counteract "side effects," resulting in a downward spiral of the patient's health.

There is good reason why at Thropay Health Center we use concentrated whole-food supplements by Standard Process. From soil to supplement, these products are primarily organically grown foodsthat retain their natural balance of nutrients. Using the complete food gives much better "bang for the buck," because nutrients working together accomplish better and greater benefits than isolates that require multiplied amounts in order to "work."

As so many of our patients can attest, the results in promoting health are nothing less than phenomenal! It's important to understand, too, that we can't rely upon supplements alone for our health. Dietary changes, removal of present toxins, natural exercise, and watchful maintenance are all big players in the journey to better health.

Just one more week for our April promo! Elvira has been giving free 20-minute massages to those who referred someone new this month. Thank you for your referrals!

Call us anytime at (562) 861-3896.

Cosmetic Chemicals In Fast Food!?

The remedy is in the refrigerator!

Is your gall bladder troubling you? You're not alone - it's a very common malady, ranging from dysfunction or infection to painful gall stones. These develop over time from a continued thickening of the bile - and yes, that is a nutritional problem!

Perhaps you are one of the millions who have already had their gall bladders surgically removed. In that case, the excruciating pain is gone, but the trade-off for that wonderful relief has been an extra load placed on your liver to try and compensate for the lack of the gall bladder's work. What caused the problem has not been addressed, so you, too, can benefit from these suggestions.

Here is a quote from Dr. Joseph Mercola:

"...If one does have gall bladder disease, whole beets are an excellent way to thin the bile and limit the risk of gall stones. Whole beets will thin bile the way paint thinner thins paint. It is quite consistent. There are some supplements...that do this.

I believe that one of the biggest crimes in modern American medicine, that nearly one million people each year undergo, is having gall bladders sacrificed on the altar of the surgical table. Nearly every one of these patients did not need their gall bladders removed. They just needed to thin out their bile and clean up their diet, and the body would have self-regulated and eliminated the problem."

Whew! That puts it straight, doesn't it?

He referred to supplements. Standard Process has two products made from concentrated whole beats - root, leaf, and juice - that they grow on their own farm. These we highly recommend for anyone who had, has, or wishes to prevent gall bladder disease. These would be taken in conjunction with frequently eating the beets.

Whole beets can be eaten steamed, roasted with olive oil, or made into smoothies. For a special treat, make up a batch of "BEAUTIFUL BEET SOUP" and enjoy some each day, hot or cold. The touches of ginger, orange zest, and cinnamon make this recipe so special.

3-4 medium beets (about 1 pound),scrubbed well
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large organic onion, chopped
1 pound organic carrots, sliced
1 tbsp. fresh-grated organic ginger
1 large clove of organic garlic, minced
6 cups water or organic vegetable broth
1 tsp. fresh-grated organic orange zest
3/4 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

Boil the beets whole in water, until tender - about 45 minutes. Save the water for drinking or smoothies. Cut beets into chunks.

In a soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Sauté the onion until transparent. Add carrots, ginger, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add beets and water or stock. Simmer the soup, covered, for about 45 minutes. Add the orange rind, sea salt, cinnamon, and pepper, and stir well.

In a blender or food processor, puree the soup in batches. Serve hot or chilled.

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A reminder about our March promo - 15% off the 21-Day Purification kit from Standard Process. If you just don't like beets, this Purification Program will really help your taste buds wake up to the great flavors of vegetables! You might be surprised at how your tastes change! I can personally attest that it was a wonderful help for me.

Call us to order your kit at (562) 861-3896.

Ready to spring clean?

We're repeating our March promo from last year - our amazing Standard Process 21-day Purification Program at a 15% discount off the kit price!

In case you are wondering about the benefits of this purifying program, here are a few things that will happen if you follow the instructions diligently. You will:

- manage your weight. This is the best program we know of that takes off unnecessary pounds while improving your health and bringing a glow to your face.

- support and enhance the performance of your "toxic elimination team" (liver, kidneys, small and large intestines) to gently but thoroughly remove the many toxins that accumulate in your body over time. Remember, there are about 80,000 chemicals registered for use in the U.S. Hundreds of these are present in our bodies, according to the CDC.

- kick-start yourself to a better lifestyle for your health. This program helps eliminate and change the harmful food cravings we can develop. Your taste buds will come alive, and you will find yourself enjoying foods you previously disliked - such as vegetables! This makes "eating right" so much easier as a way of life.

If you have already done the 21-day Purification Program in the past, you will relate to what I'm saying. And it's a great maintenance tool that should be repeated at least once per year.

Occasionally, someone's body is SO toxic that they can't handle the Purification Program before making some preliminary changes. We strongly recommend that everyone come to Susana for evaluation to make sure you are ready to start, before beginning the program.

We're here as your cheerleading team! Most of us here have done this program ourselves, and we all highly recommend it. Perhaps you know someone else who would be interested. Everyone will get the discount, as long as the purchase is made during March.

Give us a call right away to reserve your kit(s) at (562) 861-3896. And happy spring cleaning! Your body will thank you!

10 Surprising Ways to Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is definitely having a moment. From the kitchen to the beauty aisle, the white stuff is being touted as a miracle cure-all. But be honest: Do you know what to do with it? We’ve rounded up some of the most useful—and unusual—uses for coconut oil:

COOKING OIL SUBSTITUTE

Though coconut oil contains close to 90 percent saturated fat, it’s a medium-chain fatty acid, which your body burns quickly. It also acts as a blood sugar stabilizer as well as disease and fungus fighter. Use raw, cold pressed coconut oil for best results.

INSECT REPELLENT

In lieu of dowsing yourself with DEET filled repellent, try mixing coconut oil with peppermint, tea tree, or rosemary essential oils and applying to skin before heading outside. Bet you didn’t know coconut oil could be used for that! Bugs be gone!

DEODORANT

If you’re looking for an alternative to deodorants containing aluminum, try rubbing a small amount of coconut oil into your underarms, it’s just another one of the many uses for coconut oil.

DANDRUFF RELIEF

A little goes a long way when using coconut oil. For fewer flakes, massage one to two tablespoons of oil into your scalp. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse.

MAKEUP REMOVER

Dampen a washcloth or cotton face pad with warm water, add a dime-sized amount of coconut oil, then wipe your face. The oil and water tag-team to break down the water and oil soluble compounds on your visage. It even takes off waterproof mascara!

TOOTHPASTE

Mix a little coconut oil and baking soda together for a whitening combo. It seems like a weird concept to brush with oil, but the result will leave you with polished, pearly whites. A pretty awesome use for coconut oil!

LIP BALM

Rubbing a tiny amount of coconut oil on your lips will keep them moisturized for a surprisingly long time. Bonus—they’ll smell great too.

COFFEE CREAMER

Looking for away to cut dairy out of your morning coffee routine? Try using coconut oil, it gives coffee a rich, creamy flavor with a hint of tropical aroma. One to two teaspoons of oil mixed into your mug should be plenty.

BUTTER SUBSTITUTE

Uses for coconut oil include but are not limited to: drizzling it on your popcorn, spreading it on your toast, or substituting it in baking recipes. (Using raw, fresh-pressed coconut oil will yield the most flavorful results.)

MOISTURIZER

Coconut oil is said to prevent and visibly reduce stretch marks as well as decrease the appearance of cellulite. Just another one of the many uses for coconut oil!

Mighty Microbes

"Friendly bacteria have long been known to block the growth of toxin-producing organisms."

Dr. Royal Lee wrote the above quote in the 1950s. He was referring to the vital role that beneficial intestinal microbes play in human health.

Sixty years later, the "Microbiome Project" made big science news in 2013. This enormous study revealed more details than we've ever known on the subject of gut bacteria.

While we've long known that we need friendly intestinal bacteria to prevent such things as diarrhea, constipation, colitis, cramps, gas, diverticulitis, colon and rectal cancer, etc....it is now apparent that a healthy balance of friendly versus enemy gut "bugs" does much more than that!

These amazing microscopic critters greatly influence our getting, preventing, and curing conditions like diabetes, obesity, autoimmune disease, heart disease, depression and/or anxiety, insomnia, and much more.

They are also, as Dr. Lee indicated, closely involved with detoxifying foreign substances out of the body.

You thought that your immune system is composed of your spleen, tonsils, and adenoids and lymph glands? Partly true. The climate in your gut also has a huge "voice" in a healthy immune system!.

Simply put, we need to understand that the integrity of our digestive systems is critical to good health.

Dr. Lee also said, "Good food is only 'good' if you can digest it." So, to a diet of organic whole, real foods, add digestive enzymes at each meal, to replace the loss of stomach acid as we've mentioned before. Avoid antacids. Come in and get checked for ProSynbiotic or other friendly bacterial support that your body requires.

You may well be amazed at your increased energy and vitality!

To further support your immune system naturally, call us for a nutritional appointment at (562) 861-3896.

Home Remedies for Depression

Depression, which was once believed to be a strictly mental condition, is now being found to be genetic. Depression effects more than 19 million people in America every single year. The most common treatment options for depression include medications with a variety of harmful side effects. Below is a list of natural, home made remedies that can help treat the symptoms of clinical depression.

1. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is a popular herbal treatment for mild to moderate depression. It has chemical constituents like hypericin and hyperforin that work like an antidepressant, blocking re-uptake of serotonin and serotonin receptors.

Add one or two tablespoons of dried St. John’s wort to a cup of hot water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink this tea twice daily. Follow this routine regularly to lift your mood.
Alternatively, you can take 300 milligrams of St. John’s wort supplement three times a day.
Consult a doctor before beginning regular use of St. John’s wort.

2. Cardamom
Cardamom can help detoxify the body and rejuvenate the cells, in turn helping improve your mood and treat depression.

Add one-half teaspoon of cardamom powder to one cup of warm water or milk. Drink it once daily.
You can also add a few drops of cardamom oil to your bath water. Soak yourself in this uplifting aroma-filled bath for 30 minutes daily.

3. Nutmeg
Nutmeg works like a brain tonic and helps stimulate your brain, eliminate fatigue and stress, and improve your mood.

Mix one-eighth teaspoon or a dash of nutmeg powder in one tablespoon of Indian gooseberry juice.
Drink this two times daily to calm the mind and relieve depression.
Do not take raw nutmeg in large doses as it has psychoactive effects.

4. Saffron
Saffron is high in carotenoids and B vitamins that help increase the levels of serotonin and other chemicals in the brain. In fact, a study published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology has found saffron to be as effective as fluoxetine (Prozac) in reducing mild to moderate depression.

Take 15 mg of dried extract of saffron twice daily to fight depression.
You can also use a little bit of saffron in cooking, milk shakes or smoothies.

5. Cashews
Being rich in vitamin C, cashew nuts stimulate the nervous system. Also, the riboflavin in cashews boosts energy so you can be active and joyful. Other useful nutrients in cashews that help combat depression are magnesium, tryptophan and vitamin B6.

Add one teaspoon of cashew nut powder to one cup of warm milk. Drink it once daily.
You can also eat a handful of dry roasted cashews as a healthy snack to lift your mood.

6. Fish Oil
Studies have found that people with depression usually have low intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are required for normal brain functioning, and is highly recommended for people with depression.

Take a daily supplement of fish oil to fight depression. Fish oil supplements are sold in health food stores, drug stores, grocery stores and online. Consult a doctor for the proper dosage.
Alternatively, you can eat cold water fish like salmon, sardines, and anchovies that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed and soy products are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

7. Apples
Apples contain high levels of vitamin B, potassium and phosphorus. All these nutrients help your brain repair damaged nerve cells to improve its functioning, in turn helping fight symptoms of depression.

Chop one apple and put it in a blender or juicer to extract its juice.
Add the apple juice and one tablespoon of honey to one cup of warm milk.
Drink this twice a day.
Also, you can eat one apple daily to prevent depression.

8. Honey
The natural sugar present in honey helps fight the low feelings of depression. Plus, honey can relax frayed nerves. The amino acid called tryptophan present in honey induces sleep, which can help when depression is preventing you from getting proper sleep.

Gently crush five to 10 almonds and mix it with one tablespoon of honey. Eat one teaspoon of this this mixture twice daily, once in the morning and again before going to bed.
Mix one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of ginseng powder. Add one cup of hot water to this mixture and let it stand for five minutes. Drink it twice a day.

9. Asparagus
Asparagus contains several powerful compounds that can help lift your spirits and fight various symptoms of depression.

The high folate content in asparagus improves brain functioning, while its vitamin E helps put you in a good mood. Plus, the tryptophan present in asparagus produces serotonin in the brain that stabilizes moods.

To fight depression, eat asparagus fresh, steamed or grilled three or four times a week.
You can also take one-half or one teaspoon of powdered asparagus root with a glass of water daily as a depression beater.

10. Chicken
Low levels of vitamin B6 can contribute to depression. The body needs vitamin B6 to make mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. You can get the required amount of vitamin B6 from chicken. There is 0.5 mg of the vitamin in just 3 ounces of chicken.

Chicken is best for you when baked in the oven or stir fried with your favorite vegetables. You can also have a bowl of chicken soup. Avoid eating the skin or fried chicken, which can cause other health problems. Eat chicken two or three times a week.

Along with these natural alternatives, you can also do some practical things to lift your mood. Things like getting enough rest, avoiding junk foods, abstaining from alcohol, exercising daily, socializing, and laughing.

Sources:
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Top 10 Home Remedies
WebMD

HAPPY THANKSGIVI​NG

A special Thank You goes to YOU, our many loyal clients, for all the efforts you have made this past year to improve your health.  We appreciate you, and we hope you think of us as your biggest cheerleaders in your quest!




Here's a heads-up about our Holiday Special, which will run for the month of December.




Buy four(4) gift cards at $25 each, and get the fifth one FREE!




Make your holiday shopping easy, and please five friends as well.




Our normal policy of offering gift cards in the denomination of your choice to be used for Nutrition, Chiropractic, OR Massage visits, will stay the same.  But this additional special offer is a way to save 20%.    It's your choice!




From all of us at Thropay Health Center, have an enjoyable and relaxing holiday! We'll be closed Thursday and Friday this week, but we look forward to seeing you next week.




 Call anytime for an appointment at (562) 861-3896.

Pineapple Juice Is 5 Times More Effective Than Cough Syrup

Pineapple Juice Is 5 Times More Effective Than Cough Syrup

Did you know that pineapple juice is 500% more effective at helping you to stop coughing than cough syrup is? Well, it’s true, and it’s all on account of the fact that fresh pineapples contain a substance known as Bromelain; a specific type of enzyme that has anti-inflammatory characteristics which can combat infections and eradicate bacteria. Before you read on, check out this awesome video: Half your daily dose of vitamin C One glass pineapple juice also contains nearly half the amount of vitamin C that you require per day. Vitamin C is essential because as well as many other uses, it also enables your body to metabolize certain vital enzymes that regulate your metabolism and manage energy. A great source of manganese In addition to containing Bromelain and vitamin C, pineapple juice is also a good source of the mineral, manganese, which helps your body to maximize its absorption of calcium, aids the metabolization of carbohydrates and fats into energy, as well as facilitating healthy nerve function. Bromelain is a powerful anti-inflammatory It is also assumed that a certain amount of the Bromelain in pineapple juice is absorbed by the body directly, and that it works to lessen inflammation helping to relieve conditions like arthritis. In Germany Bromelain is specifically approved for treating inflammation and swelling of the nose, typically post sinus surgery. Choosing unprocessed natural pineapple juice instead of processed cough medicines If you’ve got an annoying cough that is simply caused through an irritation or is brought on by the common cold, you’ll do yourself far more good by reaching for natural pineapple rather than an OTC cough medicine. You’ll find the juice a less expensive option; one that doesn’t contain any nasty toxic elements, and one which has the appropriate nutrients to help you to get rid of your cold. Pineapple juice combats mucus Taking pineapple juice doesn’t just help to soothe the irritation of nasty coughs; it also helps to loosen up any annoying mucus. Back in 2010, some research was carried out in an attempt to find treatments to help sufferers of tuberculosis. The findings of the reports were published “Der Pharma Chemica”, and they included the fact that a mixture of natural pineapple juice, together with honey, and salt and pepper, when taken daily helps to dissolve mucus that congregates in the lungs, causing illnesses such as Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. A faster acting cough relief More recent studies have concluded that extract from natural pineapple juice gets rid of mucus five times quicker than other OTC cough medicines on sale in pharmacies, thereby helping people suffering from accumulations of mucus, to recover 4.8 times faster than those taking conventional medicines. Why not juice your own? Some pineapple juice that is on sale can include added sugar, so if you are watching your diet, and managing your weight, it’s best to go for the natural unsweetened variety which you’ll find on sale in most good supermarkets. Better still, and great for any holistic health lifestyle lovers, if you got a juicer in the house, why not buy fresh pineapples and make your own juice? Quick and easy pineapple juice based, cough remedy Here’s a recipe to help you to knock together your own wholly natural pineapple juice cough mixture. 1 cup of fresh pineapple juice – preferably home juiced Some fresh lemon juice – approximately a quarter of a cup A small piece of ginger – about 3 inches long 1 tablespoon of unprocessed honey Half a teaspoon of hot cayenne pepper Add all the ingredients to your juicer, and blitz! Your mucus and your cough will be gone in no time. Acknowledgements: http://www.curejoy.com/content/pineapple-juice-is-5-times-more-effective-than-cough-syrup/ http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/pineapple-juice-5-times-effective-cough-syrup.html?t=mam

Healthy Holiday Dishes - Part 1

With Thanksgiving approaching, and Christmas just around the corner after that, we thought you would like some recipes that are both healthful and delicious.

Our featured recipe today is a wonderful sweet potato and apple combination. You will enjoy this so much, it won't be a hardship to pass up the traditional sugar-laden dish that someone else might bring to your potluck. This recipe is found in Mrs. Thropay's "Healthful Cooking Made Simple" cookbook, and is called "Yams 'n' Apples."

6 organic medium yams

2 large organic apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into rings just before using

1 cup organic apple juice

3 tbsp. raw honey

2 tbsp. non-GMO organic cornstarch OR organic tapioca starch

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cloves

Cut off small ends from scrubbed yams, and bake whole in a 350 oven for about 45 minutes, or until tender. (Place a cookie sheet on the rack below, to save the oven from spills.) Cool. Carefully remove the skins, then slice the yams and place the slices in overlapping rows in a greased 9x13 glass baking dish.

Peel, core, and slice the apples. Cut the apple rings in half, and insert each half, round side up, between the yam slices in the rows.

Heat apple juice in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, in a small cup, mix honey and cornstarch well into a paste. Add spices to the apple juice. Stir the honey/cornstarch paste into the mixture. Continue stirring until it is totally melted and the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. 1/2 tsp. of vanilla can be added at this point.

Drizzle the sauce evenly over the yams and apples in the baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 for about 25 minutes, or until getting bubbly.

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In November, we say a very special "Thank You" to our patients who refer others to our office. Send us someone new during this month, and you will receive a FREE bottle of Mrs. Thropay's Wheatless Buckwheats pancake mix, available in regular and gluten-free. These are made from whole organic grains that are freshly ground before assembling the mix.

But it gets even better! Send in TWO people during November, and you will also receive a FREE 5-pound tub of Wonderful Wyoming raw Honey.

This promo applies to our nutritional, chiropractic, and full-hour massage services. (Half-hour massage is not covered) Those you refer must come in for their appointments during the month of November for you to qualify. (Our last business day of the month will be the 26th this year.)

Congratulations to our Patient of the Month, ERL BERNARD!! Erl has sent a number of happy people to us, who are already experiencing significant improvements in their health. Thank you, Erl!

Call us for your appointment soon! (562) 861-3896

Recipe time

Need a change for your lunch menu? Here's a quick and easy autumn soup recipe that will warm you up on a cool day. It's adapted from a Taste of Home recipe called Southwestern Bean Soup.

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. butter

3/4 cup diced organic onion

3/4 cup chopped organic celery

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1 can of Trader Joe's salsa-style organic re-fried beans

1/4 cup of organic salsa or picante sauce

2 cups organic chicken broth

1 tsp. liquid hickory smoke

Garnishes: shredded raw milk cheese, either cheddar or pepper Jack, according to your tastes; and 1 tbsp. chopped parsley or cilantro

In a large saucepan, saute onion and celery in olive oil and butter. Sprinkle with the garlic powder; cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Add the beans, salsa, and broth. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer the soup for 5-10 minutes. Stir in the liquid hickory smoke. Serve with chopped parsley and shredded cheese. If desired, serve with a few organic corn chips. Hot pepper sauce can be added to the soup if you want lots of kick! Makes 4 servings.

We always suggest that you take hot items to work in a well-insulated container, and avoid microwaving. So much nutritive value is lost in the microwave.

This soup is wonderful as a family meal, too. Just double or even triple the recipe, and serve with a big vegetable salad.

Keep safe and healthy this weekend! And remember that there are several good holiday recipes in our "Healthful Cooking Made Simple" cookbook. These sell for $20 at the front desk.

Call us anytime at (562) 861-3896

Cayenne Pepper: The Miracle Herb That Everyone Should Be Taking

CAYENNE PEPPER: THE MIRACLE HERB THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE TAKING

“If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other.” Dr. Schulze

“In 35 years of practice, and working with the people and teaching, I have never on house calls lost one heart attack patient and the reason is, whenever I go in–if they are still breathing–I pour down them a cup of cayenne tea (a teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of hot water, and within minutes they are up and around).” Dr. Christopher

Dr. Patrick Quillin “Cayenne pepper – prized for thousands of years for its healing power. Folklore from around the world recounts amazing results using cayenne pepper in simple healing and in baffling health problems. But cayenne pepper is not just a healer from ancient history.

Recent clinical studies have been conducted on many of the old-time health applications for this miracle herb. Again and again, the therapeutic value of cayenne pepper has been medically validated.

In a recent letter to the editors of the New England Journal of Medicine, three Italian doctors describe how they were able to reduce patients’ reported dyspepsia symptoms by more than half – by prescribing red pepper powder. In a study of 30 patients with functional dyspepsia, half of the participants received a placebo, while the other half took 2.5 grams of red pepper powder each day (divided into capsules taken before each of three meals). Both groups took their respective treatments for five weeks, and rated their symptoms each day on a scale of zero to three (higher scores indicated more severe symptoms). By the third week, the red pepper group showed a significant advantage over the control group. And by week five, the pepper group’s symptoms had declined 60 percent from their baseline scores – while the control group’s scores had only decreased about half as much. The symptom scores included ratings for pain, a feeling of fullness, nausea, and an overall score. The red pepper powder produced significant gains in all four areas.

Sources:
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/cayenne.htmhttp://expandedconsciousness.com/2014/08/16/cayenne-pepper-the-miracle-herb-that-everyone-should-be-taking/

Quiz: Guess the food

There is a one-word answer to this quiz. See if you can get it:

1) The seed is grown in overused, nutrient-depleted soil that has been treated with chemical fertilizers

2) The growing plant is sprayed frequently with chemical pesticides and fungicides

3) The harvested product is stored in bins and sprayed with a mercury-based preservative to keep out the rats and bugs

4) When it is ready to be used, the processing begins:

a. The fiber is removed to make the food product softer and prettier

b. Most of the nutrients are removed to prevent mold

c. The enzymes (needed for human digestion) are removed to further extend the shelf life of the food product

d. To produce a whiter product and to provide even more longevity on the shelf, the item is bleached with chlorine compounds

e. Chemical additives are introduced to prevent staleness down the road, and enhance the texture

f. A few artificial, laboratory-concocted, fractionated vitamins are added to supposedly atone for the total destruction of the nutrition in the food product from the above processing

5) The resulting product is creatively used in a hundred ways and is THE MAIN COMPONENT of the daily American diet, including many Mexican and Italian foods eaten here.

Most Americans eat 5-10 servings of this product every day. Nearly all of those servings also contain various forms of sugar, its favorite companion.

These food products are directly related to digestive and bowel disorders of many types, obesity, diabetes, neuro-toxic disorders such as autism, anxiety, and ADHD, and more.

We believe these products also indirectly contribute to many more serious disease conditions. Why? Not because the original food was "bad," but because of the destructive growing and processing practices that convert the food from healthy to harmful...and because of the universal addiction to these products.

I'm sure most of you have already arrived at the answer.

The ubiquitous end product is white flour - found in bread of all kinds, plus in rolls, buns, biscuits, muffins, crackers, croissants, croutons, stuffing, churros, flour tortillas, pasta, pizza crust, pretzels, waffles, crepes, doughnuts, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, ice cream cones, fried chicken and fish, gravy mixes...and beyond.

The answer to the quiz is the original food - which was intended to nourish us instead of make us sick: wheat

We're here to help! Call us anytime at (562) 861-3896.

How to cut food costs

Budget getting out of control? Take a look at these ideas for saving money on groceries, while at the same time helping your health.

1. Learn to cook. It's easy! Healthful meals are very basic and simple to prepare, with a few general principles to guide you. And there's lots of online help these days, with step-by-step recipes, tips, and more.

2. Take fewer trips to the grocery store. We all do "impulse buying" at the market, spending an average of $10 extra per trip. So if you shop once per week, instead of three times, that will save about $20 per week right there - or $80+ per month.

3. Break up the restaurant routine. Go out for dinner once a week, instead of three times. If your meals average $20 per time, you will save $160 per month.

4. Pack your own lunch for work. By spending about $3 per lunch instead of the $6 average that "buying out" costs, you will save at least $60 per month.

5. Buy healthful foods cheaper.

- We always recommend the local farmers' market for organic or "no-chemicals" produce. Ask questions about the farming practices, and choose your vendors carefully.

- Vitamin City in north Long Beach usually has lower prices than other health food stores or markets.

- When you can, buy in bulk any items that you will totally use up.

6. Make leftovers count. Most Americans waste about 14% of their food purchases of meat, fruit, vegetables, and grain products. That alone adds up to an average of at least $600 per year per family! Tips to avoid this:

- Make sure to purchase only what you will use

- Refrigerate your leftovers as soon as they are lukewarm, and use them within couple of days as a casserole or hash (They will normally keep well for up to a week, but it's easy to forget about them!) Re-heat gently.

- Don't get hung up on "use by" dates. Those are placed by the food producers, and they do a great job of guaranteeing repeat business! Most canned or packaged foods are fine after those dates.

7. Re-visit the snack issue. Making your own snacks, drinking water more often, and cutting down on the number of times you "munch" every day will all give you mega-savings!

Saving money AND eating more healthfully - it's a win-win situation!

We'd love to know your favorite money-saving tips. Write us back to share your suggestions, or call us at (562) 861-3896.

Don't "fall" for an epidemic this autumn

The bad news: Enteroviruses, new flu strains, and more...how can you escape becoming one of the statistics?

The good news: You were born with an immune system that was pre-programmed to protect you from pathogens that would knock you down...AND this amazing system has already saved your life numerous times!

The bad news: In our current culture, many factors that enter our bodies actually suppress the immune system, and keep it from functioning optimally. That puts us at higher risk for any epidemic.

The good news: You can consciously change this situation and strengthen your immunity.

Immuno-suppressants enter our bodies primarily by three portals: the lungs, the skin, and the mouth.

Aside from the smoggy air that we can't control, the lungs and skin portals can be helped by the "pitch and switch" method - to a natural products lifestyle. Discard all household cleaning AND body-care products that contain toxic chemicals, and replace them with "green" and non-toxic products. (For details on this, please contact our office.)

By far, the greatest "portal of entry" is our mouths. The "pitch and switch" method is also VERY important here! Our mouths have become dumping grounds for things that deprive or deplete our bodies of crucial nutrients that are necessary for immune function. These include the following and more:

- processed, convenience foods, which are already nutritionally defunct

- pharmaceuticals - the more you take, the more compromise to your immune system

- heavy metals that come from

a) cooking with aluminum pans and foil

b) dental amalgams made with mercury

c) some organic foods and herbs that are grown in China

The primary solution is to switch to a diet as free from chemicals and additives as is possible to obtain - locally grown organic vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, and raw dairy.

Another serious immune-suppressant is chronic sleep deprivation. That definitely needs to be corrected, too. Suggestion: Insomnia is often a by-product of a nutritional or chiropractic problem. (We can help!)

And finally, emotional stress has a "depressing" effect upon the immune system. As many other positive factors as possible need to be in place, to assist the body to deal with the stress without knocking down the immune system to a dangerous level.

The good news is that ALL of the above negatives can be changed, turned around, helped. It takes YOUR commitment to make the difference. But the pay-off makes it all well worthwhile!

Call us for appointments or any questions and comments, at (562)861-3896.