Check out the work of Janzen Chiropractic, CLEAR chiropractors in San Jose, CA. CLEAR Scoliosis protocol is the most innovative scoliosis work available today I'm blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of doctors!

        

I have a brand new niece, Miss Alivia Grace.  She's cute as can be!  She was born at the Avenlee Birth Center; I can't say enough about the midwife, Jennifer and her assistants.  They were top-notch and created a wonderful birth for my sister, her new baby, and our entire family.

Baby Alivia was born 100% naturally without interference of any kind, and her health has benefited for it.  Current recommendations state that all children should be checked for subluxation after birth, especially if a c-section, forceps or vacuum extraction were used.  These forces can create stresses and strains in the baby's spine that can lead to severe health problems throughout life. 

Here's baby Alivia getting her first check at 2 hours old.  I'm happy to say that she checked out 100% perfect, and didn't need an adjustment.  I attribute this to her excellent prenatal care and gentle birth. 

        

I cam to the conclusion many years ago that we are doing ourselves a huge disservice by processing our foods; the more I investigate nutrition the clearer this becomes.  Researchers discovered a carcinogen called acrylamide in cooked, starchy foods way back in 2002.  One of the researchers, Dale Hattis, stated that, “I estimate that acrylamide causes several thousand cancers per year in Americans". 

The kicker is this:  acrylamide either isn't found or is only found in very minute amounts in raw foods.  It's the high-heat cooking process that changes the food and creates the carcinogen.  Dr. Joseph Mercola states that, "eating one french fry is as bad for your health as smoking one cigarette."  Keep this in mind next time you're tempted to "biggie size" that fry order. 

The take-away message is this:  if you want to maximize your health, don't eat chips and french fries... stick to the raw and boiled varieties. 

        

• 4 CAT-scans in your life-time is equivalent to the nuclear fallout from ground zero at Hiroshima

• Each CAT-scan is eqivalent to 500 Chest X-rays

• 4 CAT-scans are equivalent to 2,000 chest rays

• One mammogram is eqivalent to 100 Chest X-rays

• Thermography is the safe alternative to mammograms

        

New Year's Resolutions are as American as apple pie and as expected as turkey on Thanksgiving.  After all, It's a good time of year to renew ourselves and look for a fresh start.  Statistically speaking, most of those resolutions don't even make it past January 31st... but let's be honest here.  Do most of your resolutions even make it off the paper??

There's good reason for this, and resolution failure can be prevented with just a little planning:

1.  Pick one thing:

What are the chances that you're going to both lose weight AND double your income in 2010?  Sure, it's possible, but let's be a little more realistic.  Keep it simple and pick an action item that you'd most like to change about yourself; one thing that nags you and brings down your self esteem.  For the over-achievers out there, don't worry; once you've mastered THIS ONE THING, then you can move on!

2.  Be specific:

Sixty-six percent of Americans are overweight, and most of those people will write "lose weight" on their 2010 resolutions list.  How successful do you think they'll be?  How successful have you been in the past?  To be successful, evaluate where you are now and where you want to be.  Then use numbers to evaluate your progress.  If your goal is to lose weight, then use body fat percentage as you goal- this is specific and measurable.

3.  Plan Action Steps:

Prevent failure by honing in on the most important component and makeTHAT your  initial step.  In the example of weight loss, choose the goal "Eat 80% raw, uncooked vegetables at every meal" or "walk 20 minutes over lunch hour".  Improving just one area and making that a new habit will bring you closer to your goal than half-completing five or six steps.  Once you've mastered the first step then move on to your next step until your specific goal is achieved.

4.  Plan a start date:

Not January 1st, unless you must.  Plan a date when you will be prepared and ready.  If your goal is to get to the gym 5 days a week, make sure you have your membership and a specific time carved out of your schedule before your start date. 

5.  You will fail:

Nobody is perfect every day, all day long.  Recognize that you will cheat, you will forget, you will fail.  Pick yourself back up, don't berate yourself, and GET GOING AGAIN!

6.  Motivate yourself:

Be your own motivational speaker... create a mantra for yourself that is encouraging and uplifting and assumes that you've already reached your goal.  "I AM 30% body fat" or, "I LOVE working out, it makes me feel so much better!"  Images are a great motivator.  Make your computer desktop wallpaper an image that reminds you of your goal.  Tape a picture or magazine photograph on your bathroom mirror for reminder. 

7.  Reward yourself:

Pick rewards for yourself that will help you to stay motivated.  Want new clothes?  A trip you've been thinking about? Making positive changes in your life isn't about punishing or depriving yourself... it's about becoming a better, happier version of the already fabulous you! 
GO FOR IT! 

        

        

This is a time-lapse video of a spine that is decaying.. .this is NOT the same as ageing. Just like your teeth, if your spine is not cared for it will decay. How healthy is your spine?

        

        

This chart and more information can be found on the Environmental Working Group's website.  They also have great tips for reducing your exposure... and they're not all what you think. 

        

Interesting video of a MD, PhD, Dr. Moulden,  speaking about vaccination and neurological damage.  Worth a quick watch here.