Good In, Bad Out

Good In, Bad Out

Scott Carlson, LMHP, CTS

Good In + Bad Out = HEALTH.  This is a scientific formula for the health of our body, mind, and souls.  The higher percentages of “good things” we put in to us will produce a higher health score. And the higher percentages of “bad things” we put in to us will produce a lower health score.  

When something enters our bodies through the eyes, the ears, the nose, the mouth, or our skin, things immediately happen.  Foods or drinks that we put in us are instantaneously diagnosed as good or bad and processed accordingly by the amazing systems in our body.  We are highlighting the liver this month.  The liver’s job is to take what we put in and process the good to be used by the rest of the body and get rid of the bad.  It is a complex and beautiful sorting station for us, working harder for us than we know. Even when we put a lot of “feel good only” stuff in us, it works overtime to bail us out.  Sometimes it cannot keep up with the workload we put on it, and then our health score drops and we begin to experience symptoms that cause us pain and even suffering.  Sadly, pain and suffering are the body’s attempt to get our attention to notice and change.  But…we gotta listen!  

I would like to challenge us all to listen more to our body.  It is speaking to us.  One of the top 10 things healthy people do is to listen to their body and not ignore it or deny it.  We can call this listening anything we want - awareness, consciousness, enlightened, awakened, etc.  But whatever we call it, it will lead to increased health.  Healthy people get more and more acutely aware of what their body is saying to them and act on it.  It takes courage and humility to listen and make necessary changes to restore us to health.  More often than not, we may end up hearing things that we do not want to hear, because it probably leads to a change.  We fear hearing painful truths.  We fear giving up things.  We fear making changes.  All fears are oppositional to love - a spiritual law.  To face and get past our fears is then a loving act.  A great read on this is:  Dr. Lisa Rankin - The Fear Cure:  Cultivating Courage as Medicine for The Body, Mind, and Soul.  

Commit yourself today to not live in fear; decide to love with a plan to begin listening intently to your body.  Commit to courageously searching and asking yourself questions about your symptoms and your behaviors.  Commit yourself to the long, daily walk of health - not the short, quick fixes that typically do not work long-term.  Believe that you do not have to live life by merely “coping” and do not settle!  The act of listening takes good information in to get the bad out of us = guarantee of improved health.  It’s not too late! Who you will become begins today; let’s seize it!

And if we can help you with your plan, we would love to join you in your journey to become a healthy “liver”.

Reduce Cellulite with a Body Detox

Reduce Cellulite with a Body Detox

by Leanne Rangel

Did you know: We are exposed to THOUSANDS of chemicals every day? Think about how you began your day this morning. You jumped in the shower where you used shampoo, conditioner, soap and a facial cleanser. You probably applied lotions, make-up or shaving cream and hair care products. You brushed your teeth, put on freshly cleaned clothes and sprayed a little perfume before grabbing breakfast and walking out the door. Good morning everyone! If you’re like most people, you just started your day with a dose of about 250 chemical toxins—all before you even left the house.

So what does this have to do with cellulite?  Many toxins are fat-soluble, meaning they dissolve in fat and are stored in our fat cells.  Normal, healthy fat cells are a nice round shape and allow the skin above them to lay smooth, indicating healthy circulation and minimal toxicity.  When toxins and fluid are added, these unhealthy fat cells begin to bulge.  This bulging, honeycomb shaped fat cell causes the bumpy appearance of cellulite on the outside of the skin. Promoting healthy weight loss is important - as we reduce our body fat, those toxins are eliminated from our body from the lymphatic system, liver, kidneys, etc.

While there is no “quick fix” for cellulite, there are some things you can do to begin reducing it. In addition to seeing Stacy for a liver detox and/or changing your diet, finding ways to limit your toxic load is critical.  Using products that are chemical-free you skin care regimen is a great way to begin. The products we carry at Alternatives are hand-selected for this very reason:

• Jane Iredale Mineral Make-Up:
• Eminence Organics: Superior products and treatments use a unique blend of USDA Certified Organic, hand-picked ingredients to deliver outstanding results; contains no harmful chemicals including Parabens, Petrolatum, Mineral Oils, Propylene Glycol or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
• Epionce: The advanced formulas used help your skin reach optimum health by improving your body’s natural ability to heal and protect itself from environmental detriments; Fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free non-comedogenic, cruelty-free

Our Exfoliating Body Wrap will help massage the toxins out, especially when combined with a relaxing session in our Infrared Sauna! A Medi-Body pack is another great detoxifying solution. Read our recent articles about the benefits of the Infrared Sauna here and the Medi-Body pack here. (include links to our articles from the fall maybe?)

Come in to see me for extra tips to fight cellulite! Spring is here and summer is right around the corner! Time to show your skin off with a smile!

The Liver – Brain Connection

Aaron Mlnarik, Neurotherapy Technician

The liver and the brain are intricately connected: nearly all chemicals that enter your body, and those made within your body, require detoxification in the liver. The liver generates hundreds of biochemical messengers to send throughout the body that influence all types of physiological functions. Those substances can directly affect how the brain functions. They can cause changes in cellular functioning that will manifest as brain fog, anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and moodiness. A stressed liver can stress your brain. Neurotherapy can help to reverse those changes. Using EEG technology, our “brain map” can indicate if liver stress exists and how it might be affecting your brain. That information can help us help you to get to the root cause of the issue. It also can tell us how to help treat it. To find out more, call the office to schedule a consultation with Scott, our Neurotherapist.

Rebalance and Rejuvenate Your Body with Alternative’s Spring Detox

Rebalance and Rejuvenate Your Body with Alternative’s Spring Detox

By Stacy Urbanski

Spring has sprung!  Spring cleaning has begun.  You wash the salt build up off your car to prevent rust, open windows to let the fresh air in and remove the layer of dust to reveal a fresh new start.  But, what about rejuvenating the most sacred temple of all?  Your body is your greatest ally, always seeking to renew, rebalance, support and sustain you.  There is wisdom in your body, treat it with care.

Spring is the time to support your body by detoxifying the liver.  It’s time to release stored toxins that build up over the winter when the body goes into hibernation mode.  In winter, extra energy is stored, sunlight and exercise decrease, and stress is at its peak.  Just as the winter grime needs to be washed from your car to prevent rust, your liver needs to be gently flushed to be rejuvenated and maximize health and well-being.

The liver is the body’s largest solid organ and the most vital for nourishment and protection.  All substances that enter the body must pass the liver’s border inspection.  From there, some substances are converted into nutrients that our cells can use immediately or store for later.  Toxic substances must be eliminated through waste.  When the toxic load is heavy, the liver becomes overwhelmed, pollutants recirculate and are stored in the fat cells of the body, including those in your brain.
We live in an accumulative toxic environment.  Exposure to chemically laden foods, cleaning products, air pollution, prescribed drugs, and internal stress constantly invade our body.  The liver and gallbladder simply can’t keep up with the burden and ultimately the aging process is accelerated. Many people are unaware of the root causes when fatigue sets in, joints ache, gastrointestinal problems increase, depression ensues and weight is gained.  In a search of answers, we go to the doctor and more drugs are prescribed to simply cover the symptoms and add to the toxic load.

Alternatives is your resource for lightening your toxic load.  We have created a regimen that includes well-researched herbal supplements coupled with the perfect balance of protein and healthy fats that will take the guesswork out of your spring cleanse.  You will also be equipped with meal plans that won’t leave you feeling hungry and allow a gentle, relaxing cleanse experience.

By easing your liver’s load, your body will have the ability to better absorb vital nutrients, prevent disease and support weight loss.  Allow me to customize a 14- or 21-day program that includes a diet plan with specialty-formulated shakes and meal suggestions for your unique preferences and appropriate supplementation used to aid in the detoxification process. All of this is packaged to make the cleanse experience convenient for a busy lifestyle.   To enhance your body’s detoxification, I will provide you with instructions to perform your own ancient home therapies.   In addition, try Alternatives’ infrared sauna and spa treatments to ensure the maximum benefits of this spring cleaning endeavor!

Sincerely,

Stacy Urbanski, DTR

No Bake Energy Bites

Energy Bites (no bake)

1 cup dry, old fashioned oats

2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes

½ cup creamy almond butter

½ cup ground flaxseed

½ cup dark chocolate chips

1/3 cup raw honey

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well until fully incorporated.

Cover and chill for 30 minutes to an hour.

Roll into balls of your preferred size.  If mixture is too sticky, wet palms.

Store in an airtight container.  Will keep well at moderate room temperature or in frig.