Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system, but there are other aspects to combating the onset of colds and illness.

Emergen-C is a portable packet of active mineral complexes with vitamin C, Zinc, and energy-boosting B vitamins to aid your immune system. It replenishes your body when it’s depleted, which can happen from exercising or when your body is fighting a virus.

Emergen-C is a great way to insure your getting what your body needs. The portable packets are added to water and can easily be taken anywhere, which makes them great for travel. We offer a wide selection of flavors in our office. So, if your starting to feel under the weather, or planning for that next vacation, stop in for some Emergen-C before it’s an emergency!

With the flu season upon us, some people might be wondering what they can do to protect themselves from catching this illness. Naturally, there are no guarantees when it comes to staying healthy, but there are some steps we can take to help strengthen our immune system. What are they you might ask? Well, let’s look at a few.

• Eat fruits and vegetable. Many fruits and vegetables pack an enormous punch of vitamins (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K). Darker varieties like broccoli, kale, spinach, blueberries, and blackberries are especially valuable because of their antioxidant properties (antioxidants are substances that protect cells from harm). If you find that you do not eat a sufficient amount of vitamin-rich foods, perhaps consider adding a pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin to your diet.

• Take Care of Yourself. Making a pledge to limit stress and get enough sleep is very important to staying healthy. When we lack rest or regularly fret over circumstances beyond our control, our bodies become vulnerable to invaders like free radicals. A suggestion? Set aside a peaceful space in your home: one where you can read a book, meditate, pray, stretch out, or just take in the beauty around you!

• Stay Hydrated. Our bodies regularly need water to stay hydrated. As a result, water intake is extremely important to our health (as even a little dehydration can leave us weak). So how much should we get? Well, opinions differ, but some experts suggest that daily intake should be about half of our body weight.

• Get Adjusted. Research have shown that chiropractic manipulation boosts the immune system. In addition there soft tissue techniques that can help to drain sinuses, and alleviate congestion.

In closing following the above preventative measures along with regular chiropractic treatment should keep your immune system functioning at its best.

With summer finally here, we aren’t seeing patients in the office with injured backs from shoveling snow or slipping on the ice. Instead, we have seen many golfers with sore backs, hips and wrists. A significant percentage of the 25 million golfers in America suffer with chronic back pain. They tend to increase the usage of aspirin and over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs in an attempt to get some relief. While these drugs can be helpful in the short term, they are known to cause health problems including gastrointestinal ulceration and reduce connective tissue healing. We recommend avoiding long term or over usage.

Healing Hands Chiropractic has a lot to offer golfers including:

• Spinal adjustments to improve mobility and decrease pain.
• Targeted stretch routines to prepare and protect the muscles used as well as improve balance and flexibility.
• Preventative swing advice.
• Recommendations for anti-inflammatory nutritional support like omega 3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin.

If you are a golfer or know one who is suffering from over-use injuries, please refer them to Healing Hands Chiropractic. This time of year, we want to help the golfer’s improve their swing and wellness to a tee!

Vietnamese sandwiches have many variations. Some are made of pork, or chicken, but my recipe is made with grilled beef. I hope you try this and enjoy it with your family.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Slaw:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 cup julienned carrot
• 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish
• Kosher salt

Make the slaw: In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and vinegar, and bring to a boil. Transfer the vinegar mixture to a bowl and cool. Add the carrot and daikon, mix well, and season with salt. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes or store in the refrigerator up to overnight.

Grill Beef:

• I pound flank beef
• 1/2 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp honey
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• Pinch ground black pepper

Marinade the beef flank for about I hour and cook on the grill over medium to high heat. Cook the beef to your preference, but it tastes best cooked to medium.

Sandwiches:

• 4 (10-inch) baguettes
• Mayonnaise, as needed
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro sprigs
• 1/4 medium English cucumber, cut lengthwise into 4 slices
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Make the sandwiches: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the baguettes open lengthwise, and slather the insides with mayonnaise. Arrange the baguettes on a baking sheet and bake until hot and crusty about 5 minutes. Remove the baguettes from the oven, and immediately. Fill each with some sliced grilled beef, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon cilantro, 1 slice cucumber, ground pepper, and some slaw. Serve immediately.

Prayer Stretch: Stand with palms together and elbows out. Slowly lower wrists until a stretch is felt. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position.

Wrist Flexion/Extension: With arm resting on table and hand hanging off the table, bend wrist down until a stretch is felt. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position. Bend wrist up until a stretch is felt. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position.

Wrist Flexor Stretch: With arm resting on table and hand hanging off table and elbow straight, grasp injured hand, and slowly bend wrist up until a stretch is felt. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position.

Wrist Extensor Stretch: With arm resting on table and hand hanging off the table and elbow straight, grasp the injured hand and slowly bend the wrist down until a stretch is felt. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to the starting position.

Upper Trapezius

The upper trapezius is located in between the neck and the shoulders, which are areas prone to muscle tension and pain.

So, stretching this muscle helps to relieve tightening or pain on the neck and shoulder area.

To stretch left trapezius:

With the right hand grab wrist of the left arm and pull the left arm to opposite side.

Tilt head away toward your right shoulder. Hold stretch for 10 seconds. Repeat to other side.

Remember to stretch to the point of a gentle tug, and if you experience any pain-STOP. Please consult your health care practitioner if you have any pre-existing condition, back, neck or joint pain, discomfort or any other health problem. *Please consult your doctor prior to administering any kind of new therapy.

Remember to stretch to the point of a gentle tug, and if you experience any pain-STOP. Please consult your health care practitioner if you have any pre-existing condition, back, neck or joint pain, discomfort or any other health problem. *Please consult your doctor prior to administering any kind of new therapy.

Click Here for More Recomended Stretches

This recipe is a flavorful and healthy change from the usual and is one of my family’s favorites.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes

4 Stars

MORE RECOMMENDED RECIPES

INGREDIENTS

• 5-8 fresh shiitake mushroom ( any mushroom you like)
• 6 cups canned low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 red chili flake
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 package firm tofu, drained and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water (optional)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Garnishes: thinly sliced scallions

PREPARATION:

Heat vegetable oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, chili. Stir in mushrooms. Cook about 2 minutes. Add chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil; simmer about 3 minutes. Add tofu and chicken, and simmer about 3 minutes or until heated through. Stir in cornstarch mixture to thicken, if desired, and simmer about 2 minutes. Gently stir in egg to form thin ribbons. Season with salt and pepper, and serve. Garnish with scallion.

Vitamin D has always been important, as it aids in the absorption of calcium and helping to form and maintain strong bones.

Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin”, is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D and Calcium also work together to prevent many chronic diseases. New research suggests they even protect us against certain cancers.

It’s become more difficult to absorb vitamin D the traditional way as many of us are following our dermatologists and health agencies recommendations to cover up with UVA/UVB sunscreen. Fortunately the sun is not the only way to get vitamin D. Many people now rely on food sources are and if necessary, supplements.

Vitamin D occurs naturally in fatty fish, fish oils, and is routinely added to milk. Here is a list of some foods containing vitamin D.

• Cod liver oil
• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Tuna fish
• Sardines
• Fortified Milk, varying fat contents
• Fortified breakfast cereal
• Egg (Vitamin D is found in yolk)
• Liver and beef
• Some cheeses

Get out there and enjoy the Spring time sun safely and consult your physician for a suggested dose of this important vitamin.

Around February, New Englanders begin to tire of the seemingly endless days of scraping off our cars, shoveling and sanding our walkways and driveways, just so we can get out of our houses.

Another aspect of the snow and ice that we hate is the potential for falls, which can be especially dangerous for the elderly. It makes us aware of our balance, secure footing and proper foot ware. Remember that your feet are your foundation. It’s important to protect your feet from uneven terrain to reduce the risk of falls and injury. Using proper footwear that supports your feet and ankles is key.

We offer custom made orthotics that help ease fatigue, pain and discomfort in your feet, knees, hips and back. They keep you in balance and properly aligned, based on your individual needs. Conveniently, they fit into any of your shoes that you already own. Call us to find out more information on the detailed report that our digital foot scan provides.