Month: September 2016

To celebrate the start of the new school year, stop in to the Body Logic office this month and guess the number of crayons in the container.

The closest guess without going over will win a FREE 60 Minute Swedish Massage!

Contest Ends 9/30/2016.

This delicious soup is not only great for the Fall months but is also packed with vitamins and nutrients that help with memory and verbal skills.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 pound large carrots, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 2 2/3 cups)
2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice or lemon slices
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup plain yogurt, stirred to loosen
Directions:
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté about 2 minutes, stirring. Mix in carrots. Saute a few more minutes to begin softening and browning a bit.
Add broth, cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and puree in batches in blender until smooth. Return to pan and stir in honey and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with a drizzle of yogurt and garnish with a lemon wedge.

The time is drawing very near
That we will be leaving here
Into a place that is bigger, shiny, and NEW!
But first there is something we must do.

Please don’t be set aback,
But we really, REALLY need to PACK!
We will be closing for a couple of days
So that we can reopen soon without delay!

Body Logic will be closed October 5-October 11th as we relocate to our new space!

These essential oils will help your little learners do better in school and help your sanity in the process!
Peppermint & Wild Orange – This is a very powerful combo to help with getting everyone awake, out of bed, and to the bus stop on time. This is a great duo to diffuse in your kitchen every morning to get everyone alert and focused while getting ready for the day.
Rosemary – This oil is great for uplifting mood and helping with brain function. A few drops can be added to your children’s shampoo (added bonus- it helps hair look shinier and healthier, too!) or it can be diffused while studying to help improve memory and cognitive function.
doTERRA’s “Focus” Blend – This essential oil is a blend of amyris, patchouli, frankincense, lime, ylang ylang, sandalwood, Roman chamomile essential oils, carefully selected for their ability to enhance focus and support healthy thought processes. Many of these oils contain high levels of sesquiterpenes, which have been proven to pass the blood-brain barrier to reach the cells of the brain. It comes in a convenient rollerball that you can use to apply to pulse points (like wrists and behind the ears) and can help your learner focus throughout the day.
Lemon – Lemon is another uplifting citrus oil that helps keep the brain alert and focused. It pairs well with Rosemary, so you can make a roller bottle with Rosemary and Lemon and apply to the back of the neck or diffuse this powerful duo before school.

I recently heard someone reference “September is the new January.”  And, let’s be honest, it’s very true! When you have kids, your schedule no longer matters. It’s all about the school year, what days are holidays, and the countdown until summer. From the health perspective, it’s a great opportunity to start fresh and form good habits that will last… for the family! Many patients share that their focus on health diminishes through the summer as cookouts and beer are the main staples. Food isn’t the only source of poor choices! Sleep and regular exercise are other areas that could probably use some improvement. Here’s a quick guide to help the whole family get back to the basics of health:

1. A Balanced Diet.  Yes, it’s that simple. Everyone needs fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Please note: SUGAR is NOT a part of a balanced diet. One of the biggest mistakes we make is having something that is packed with sugar for breakfast. It is true that it can be a quick source of energy; however, the crash that happens a couple hours later is not worth it. Here are a couple of tips:
   • Breakfast- a little of each, please! Example: a bowl of oatmeal with walnuts, peaches, and a slice of bacon. Yum!! PLEASE remember to have your high school age kids have something available for breakfast either before catching the bus or while riding the bus. It is NOT ok to just skip it.
   • Lunch- pack it! Time, or the lack thereof, is usually the biggest hindrance when it comes to preparing meals for the week. But let’s be honest, school lunches do not provide the best options. Get the kids involved in making lunches… it’s a great time to fit in another balanced meal. Sandwiches can be fun to change up to make it worth the time. Example: 2 slices of bread or other substitute, roasted red pepper hummus, 2-3 think slices of chicken breast, tomato, and lettuce; Include a fruit item, like an apple, and a handful of almonds.
   • Dinner- make it easy! Stir fries are one of my favorite go-to meals for a balanced diet. And now with products such as the Veggetti Spiralizer, we can make even healthier choices. Example: spiralize 2 zucchinis, add garlic, shredded carrots, broccoli, and shrimp. Stir fry it all together and you have a meal big enough to feed a family of four… it’s packed with healthy foods!
   • Snacks- leave the sugar alone! Fruits provide enough sugar we need on a daily basis. Reach for the guacamole and hummus and bring out the peppers, carrots, and celery for a dipping delight!
2. Sleep.  What more can I say? We need it!  And we don’t get enough of it. This is especially important for our children as they are in the midst of their developmental years. Research has shown that we have our school schedules are backwards. Our teenagers need to sleep later; but that’s not an option here in Virginia Beach. So adapt your lifestyle! Teenagers need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep. When the bus comes at 6:30am that means the student should be going to bed by 9:30pm. That would allow for 8 hours of sleep if the alarm goes off at 5:30am. Talk about it with your child and it might help you create a better schedule for yourself. Here are some reasons why sleep is so important:
   • Lack of sleep can limit the ability to learn, listen, concentrate, and solve problems.
   • Lack of sleep can lead to inappropriate actions and behaviors toward family, friends, and teachers.
   • Lack of sleep can contribute to poor food choices such as high sugar or caffeine intake; this can initiate a path of poor choices that can lead to nutrient deficiencies or unnecessary weight gain.
   • Lack of sleep can contribute to a weakened immune system, resulting in more missed days of school or work.
3. Regular Exercise. Exercise, similar to sleep, is something that is frequently neglected when life is busy. This is exactly why introducing it as the new normal this September is the way to go. If we build it into our daily lifestyle, we’ll be less likely to skip it. If you have young children, I recommend you exercise together! There are so many free apps available to coach you into fitting in a 10-30 minute workout. And it shows your young child how important it is to fit in that workout. You don’t need a fancy gym membership, just a pair of sneakers. I also recommend a combination of functional exercises like squats and pushups with cardiovascular exercises like walking or biking to get your heart rate elevated. Our “feel good” hormones called endorphins are released with exercise. Who doesn’t want the family getting along better by doing something healthy?!

So let’s get healthier… as a family!

The start of a new school year often begins with kids suffering from the change in schedule and lifestyle and parents rejoicing the return to a “normal routine.” Once the chaos settles and routine is established, I recommend you pay attention to how you and your child are mentally performing. How is your memory? How are your child’s creativity and language developing? More and more research is showing the utmost importance of the Omega-3 fatty acids and their role in our brain health. This is another great example of how diet and nutrition can play such an integral role in our overall health.
There are two main Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Overall, Omega-3’s are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, in the brain as well as the rest of the body. We are frequently recommending taking “fish oil” daily to help in reduce inflammation related to arthritis. Additionally, DHA is most commonly talked about as today’s research has shown that most benefits are derived from DHA. It is the primary structural component of the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain responsible for memory, language, creativity, judgement, emotion, and attention. Low levels of DHA have been linked to depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s.

So where do we find these Omega-3 fatty acids? Our primary sources are fish and animal oils/meat. Cold water fish such as herring, salmon, mackerel, halibut, and sardines are the best sources. NOTE: “wild caught” fish is the way to go! It is highly recommended that vegetarians and vegans consider taking Omega-3 fatty acids in supplement form as that population has a very high risk for deficiency. In fact, upwards of 70% of Americans are believed to be deficient in Omega-3’s due to poor dietary choices. There are some plant sources of Omega-3 fatty acids available, however it is the form of ALA (alpha-linolenic aid). ALA must be converted to DHA and EPA by the body in order to gain the same benefits. Unfortunately, this is not a very efficient process. In fact, less than 5% of ALA gets converted to EPA, and less than 0.5% is converted to DHA.

As always, Standard Process is here to help! Their resources for their Omega-3 fatty acids products are of the highest quality. In fact, their products have been tested and are safe for pregnant women with little to no risk of exposure to mercury. Here is a little information about 2 of our favorite Omega-3 products:

Tuna Omega-3 Oil: https://www.standardprocess.com/Products/Standard-Process/Tuna-Omega-3-Oil#.V82LKPkrK00

Cod Liver Oil: https://www.standardprocess.com/Products/Standard-Process/Cod-Liver-Oil#.V82LVfkrK00

To help support our children, and ourselves, we are running a promotional special for Tuna Omega-3 Oil and Cod Liver Oil. Stop by the office today and feed your brain the best nutrition available!