The sun is extremely beneficial for our bodies- it gifts us with the highest amount of natural Vitamin D, which is a very vital nutrient for proper functioning and improved immunity, and the warm rays can improve mood and sleep quality. In fact, we all need to get about 20 minutes of unblocked sun on a daily basis to get adequate amounts of Vitamin D into our bodies. That being said, there are some guidelines to follow to ensure that you do not burn your skin with too much sun exposure.

Before

– Prep your body for sun exposure. If you are not used to being in the sun unprotected, start with 5 minutes a day for one week, and increase by 5 minutes each week thereafter until you are getting 15-30 minutes each day.

– Eat foods that prepare your body internally and protect against harmful UV radiation effects:

o Red Apples (block/kill cancer cells)

o Green Tea (fights free radicals/decrease inflammation)

o Strawberries/Kiwis/Oranges (block development of cancer cells/decrease inflammation)

o Watermelon/Tomatoes (protect against UV radiation-induced effects)

o Carrots/Sweet Potatoes (protect against/repairs cells from UV radiation-induced effects)

o Fish/Avocados/Coconut (Decrease inflammation)

During

– Use natural, organic sun screens. Many of the common creams out there are filled with toxic chemicals that are harmful to the skin (ironic, huh?). Some good brands include Coola, Raw Elements, Aubrey Organics, Alba Botanica, and Dr. Mercola.

– Use clothing, hats, umbrellas, and sunglasses to cover your skin from the sun- they are easy ways to get protection without having to lather chemicals onto your skin.

– Drink lots of water!

After

– If burned, apply aloe Vera (from the actual leaf, which you can buy at the grocery store). Cut the tip of the leaf, and rub the gel-like liquid over the skin. You can also put aloe Vera in your drinks for extra hydration.

– Drink even more water! The sun dries out your skin, so beat dehydration with some good H2O.

– Cucumbers all around! Slice ‘em up, and put them in your water, on a salad, or even on your skin- they are incredibly hydrating and have high antioxidant healing properties.

– Rub coconut oil on your body to help replenish the skin- healthy fats are key to good health (especially skin health!)

Same rules apply when it is an overcast day- do not be fooled by the sneaky clouds!

Best Food For Kids School Lunch
With a busy holiday season in full speed, preparing school lunches can be pushed to the bottom of the to-do list (especially when it comes to making wholesome, nutritious meals). Kids need constant fuel to maintain momentum throughout the day- every cell, organ, tissue, and muscle are hard at work every moment of the day to keep your child alive and well. Therefore, it is at the utmost importance to feed her or him nourishing and energy-filled foods to supply the body’s systems with fuel.

Let’s be honest- reaching for the packaged box of crackers can be much more convenient than making a raw side salad. I totally get that. Do you want to hear some great news, though? Making supercharged dishes and sides for your child’s lunch really can be as easy as opening a box of crackers- it just takes one thing: commitment.

The key to healthy lunches is to include a little bit of everything (nutrients and flavors, of course!) Make sure to provide sources of protein, healthy fat, complex carbs; different textures (i.e. crunchy and smooth); and a combination of flavors (e.g. (Check out our previous article “Healthy Breakfast Options for Kids” for examples of good proteins, fats, as well as fruit and veggie options.)

Here are some homemade food options that are easy to prepare, colorful, and packed with nutrition to fuel your child’s energetic fire all day long (in a healthy way!).

[title size=”2″]Apple Sandwich Delights[/title]

Ingredients
Local apples
Raw Nut/Seed Butter*
Organic Raisins/Figs
Cinnamon
Local Honey (Optional)

Instructions

  1. Core the apples, and slice horizontally into roughly ¼ inch sections (use the ends, too!)
  2. Spread the nut/seed butter on one slice; sprinkle with raisins/figs cinnamon, and honey (if using).
  3. Top the sandwich with another apple slice, and voilà!

*Making your own nut butter is the best option to avoid unhealthy ingredients like sugar or hydrogenated oils. To make, soak raw nuts/seeds in water for 1-2 hours or so, then drain and pat dry. Next, use a food processor to blend the nuts/seeds. Feel free to add a dash of sea salt, a bit of organic, grass-fed butter (melted), coconut oil (melted), or Extra Virgin Olive Oil (might affect taste a bit, so experiment first). Flavor with cinnamon, honey, fair trade dark cocoa powder, etc. The taste opportunities are endless!

[title size=”2″]Fruit & Veggie Chips (Homemade!)[/title]

Ingredients:
Various fruits that are naturally crisper (apples, pears)
Various veggies (zucchini, squash, beets, sweet potatoes)
Coconut Oil (melted)
Spices (cinnamon, salt/pepper, garlic, dill)

Instructions:

  1. Slice veggies/ fruit into extremely thin slices (about 1/16 in thick).
  2. Coat veggies in coconut oil, and spread out on baking sheet (use parchment paper to keep food from sticking to baking sheet).
  3. Sprinkle spices of choice onto fruits/veggies.
  4. Bake at 200 for 1- 1 ½ hours, or until a bit crispy.

[title size=”2″]Toasted (Not)! Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars[/title]
Makes about 15 bars

Ingredients:
16 oz. of raw sunflower seeds
16 oz. of Organic Thomson Seedless Raisins
1 tablespoon of grass-fed butter or ghee*
Dash of sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter/ghee in a sauce pan. Add sunflower seeds, and toast over medium heat; stir constantly to prevent burning (5-10 min).
  2. Process seeds in food processor (30 seconds). Add raisins and salt; process until the mixture comes together in a sticky ball (1-2 min).
  3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and spread mixture onto a third of the pan.
  4. Place second parchment paper on top. Smooth out mixture with rolling pin.
  5. Place in the fridge, and store in an airtight container. Cut into bars when chilled.

 

* Check website for dairy-free version

Recipe courtesy of Honestly Delicious blog

http://honestlydelicious.blogspot.com/2013/10/toasted-peanut-butter-and-jelly.html

[title size=”2″]Farm Fresh Wrap[/title]

Ingredients:

Coconut Wrap (these are seriously amazing and are an excellent healthy alternative to other wrap
options like flour or corn)

Optional Toppings:

Avocado
Sliced veggies (ex: peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, onions, carrots, radishes)
Sliced fruits (tomatoes, apples, grapes, pomegranate seeds, peaches, pears)
Sprouts
Leafy greens
Organic, pasture-raised loose meats/chicken

Instructions:

  1. Spread avocado on wrap.
  2. Top with veggies, fruits, sprouts, leafy greens, meats, or any other farm fresh food!
Healthy Breakfast Options for Kids

Healthy Breakfast Options for Kids

With the school year starting and schedules quickly filling with homework and after-school activities, fast and healthy nutrition can easily be overlooked. However, proper food choices are key for these busy times, especially for our kids. After all, the food we put in their bodies is the fuel that powers them through the day. Do we want our kids running on sugar and processed (i.e. whole nutrient deficient) foods? Hopefully not because this kind of diet leads to energy crashes and various developmental challenges (Dr. Mercola, “Breakfast is Not So G-r-r-reat When Your Only Option is Frosted Flakes”)*. So for this weeks article we’ll discuss healthy breakfast options for kids.

One of the struggles with preparing a nourishing meal is breakfast time. What is filling and nutritious but also intriguing to the youngin’s taste buds? Here are some quick tips when focusing on such an important meal of the day:

  1. Include healthy omega-3 fats (e.g. Avocado; coconut oil/milk; seeds; organic, grass-fed meat). These fats support the brain and cellular functioning, and they keep us fuller longer.
  2. Include protein sources (e.g. organic, pasture-raised eggs; organic, grass-fed meat; chia/hemp seeds). Protein helps rebuild the body’s tissues and support the immune system and hormones.
  3. Veggies! (Any kind). Vegetables are vital for their high vitamin, mineral, and fiber contents. The goal is to have veggies at every meal!
  4. Fruits (e.g. Berries, cherries, green apples, grapefruit). Look for fruits that are low-glycemic. In other words, they do not affect insulin levels as greatly as other high sugar/carb fruits.
  5. Avoid processed grains. They have various negative effects on the body and brain, especially for growing kids!*

Quick Breakfast Recipes

  • Poached eggs with avocado; veggies; a side of berries
  • Chia seeds soaked overnight in coconut oil; top with berries, sliced raw almonds, and cinnamon
  • Green smoothie (kid-friendly!). 1 handful greens, 1 ½ c. fruit, 1 c. coconut milk, ½ avocado,
    2 tbs. chia/hemp/sunflower seeds. Blend together.
  • Leftovers from dinner

Articles for more details on Child Nutrition

by Dr. Joseph Mercola (a leading expert in the nutrition field)
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/29/breakfast-is-not-so-grrreat-when-your-only-option-is-frosted-flakes.aspx

PaleoMom.com- this is an article with bountiful information and resources on food for kids! http://www.thepaleomom.com/paleo-for-kids

What to do During Your 1st Trimester of Pregnancy

What to do During Your 1st Trimester of Pregnancy

You are pregnant…..now what?!? With all the research the internet offers, figuring out what to do and what not to do during your first trimester can be a daunting task. Based on my experience as a birth professional and chiropractor, I’ve attempted to simplify this task for expecting mommies so you can have the healthiest pregnancy possible during your 1st trimester. In this article I discuss what to do during your 1st trimester of pregnancy by providing 4 actions steps.

1) Focus your attention on your baby from day one

My friends and patients have told me that they don’t allow themselves to really “feel pregnant” until the first kick, 36 weeks, or until the baby is born. As a result, many women do not start caring for themselves until this reality sets in. Unlike an exam, we can’t cram good health for our baby into the last few weeks. The first trimester is crucial for growth and development, and the baby needs your attention and focus from day one.

2) Define HEALTH

The World Health Organization defines health as “optimal physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This means your health is based on how your body is functioning (rather than how you feel). To achieve optimal health during pregnancy, you need to focus on:

  1. quality nutrition, sleep, and exercise
  2. having a well functioning nervous system
  3. reducing toxins
  4. minimizing stress
  5. maintaining positive thoughts

In our office, we acknowledge that all of these factors influence health so we educate our patients on the best ways to live a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy.

3) Decide what type of birth you want to have

I tell my patients from to start thinking about what type of birth they would like to have from day one. Do you want to have a home birth, give birth at a birthing center, or have a hospital birth? Do you want the birth be more of a medical process? Or do you desire to take a more natural approach? Educate yourself on the pro’s and con’s of each birth and pick one that honors the needs of you and your partner.

4) Get checked by a chiropractor

Chiropractic care ensures that the master control system of your body, the nervous system, is working properly so that you can be as healthy as possible during your pregnancy. By maintaining a well functioning nervous system, an expecting mom can better tackle some of the hurdles that the first trimester offers such as nausea, fatigue, frequent urination, heartburn and constipation. Also, chiropractic adjustments ensure that your pelvis maintains proper alignment to allow your baby the adequate room to grow and move.

Your Turn

If you have any questions about your first trimester of pregnancy, or would like to see how your body is functioning, feel free to call Corrective Chiropractic at 404-355-5499 or leave a comment below.

How to Choose a Chiropractor

How to Choose a Chiropractor

Having the largest chiropractic college in the world right in its backyard, Atlanta can be a confusing place to find a chiropractor. Similar to finding a dentist, medical doctor, mechanic, or hair dresser it is important to do research if you’re looking to find out who is the best chiropractor in Atlanta. In today’s article we’ll discuss how to choose a chiropractor and provide questions you should ask yourself and the chiropractor you’re visiting.

Choosing the Best Chiropractor

There are certain strategies I feel are very important when seeking to find a chiropractor that give you and your family the best care.

1. How thorough is the consultation?

The first day in a chiropractic office is what sets the tone for the relationship and is the determining factor for what the patient will need. In our office we use the first visit to analyze the entire spine to figure out:

  • Can we help this person?
  • If so, how long will it take?
  • How often will we need to see them?

These questions are important in the first day and should be asked by the chiropractor your visit. This will help you achieve your goal and not waste your time.

To give you an idea of which tests we utilize here is a list of what 99% of each client receive on their first visit:

  • Blood pressure: Research shows chiropractic can lower blood pressure better than two medications
  • Spirometer: This detects lung capacity and how much air a person can blow out. We track this number since our office specializes in corrective care and as the patients posture improves they are able to increase their lung capacity
  • Grip strength: Each patient should be stronger by roughly 10-20% on their dominant hand. By assessing this we can determine if there is soft tissue or nerve blockage not allowing for increasing grip strength.
  • Nerve scans: We use digital thermography to assess the nerves in the spine to detect stress on the nervous system. This can help us locate pinched nerves and see where the problem is coming from.
  • Postural assessment: Each person receives a front and side view picture so we can track to measure if the spine is moving back into it’s normal position.
  • Digital x-rays: It is important to have a set of x-rays done on the spine to measure the curves and make sure it is straight on the front view but has 3 smooth flowing curves on the side view. Since we are one of the only offices in Atlanta to specialize in corrective care we use these first x-rays as a base in order to help our patient get as close to normal.

2) Do they adjust on the first visit?

When I look for chiropractors in other states for people that need them the first question I ask is “Do you adjust on the first visit?”. If the chiropractor adjusts on the first visit this means I immediately hang up the phone and call the next chiropractor.

Personally, if I was visiting any healthcare provider or personal trainer I would prefer they perform all the testing and gather as much data as possible then follow-up with me the next day or two days later to review their findings.

3) Are there classes to learn more about the body and how it works?

An area I feel we specialize in which I would hope more healthcare providers followed suit is education. The term doctor literally means teacher and unfortunately this is not the case in our healthcare world.

Our office holds 4 classes a month to help our patients know what they can do at home to achieve the best results and keep their bodies healthy. Two of these classes are our Natural Healthcare Orientation which is the first class each patient will attend to explain to them how they got their spine in this situation and steps to take to get the best results in the quickest amount of time.

4) What is the follow-up protocol to track progress?

Most doctors track progress based on symptoms and how their patient feels. Unfortunately, this does not work as they are a lot of people walking around who feel great but they have heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases that do not show symptoms until the latter stages. This is why our office focuses heavily on objective results versus subjective results.

We re-evaluate the spine using all of our technology to strategically show someone is getting better not because their symptoms are going away. This is very important in healthcare as most people only care for their health when they are symptomatic but neglect their health when they are asymptomatic.

Best Pediatric Chiropractor in Atlanta

Best Pediatric Chiropractor in Atlanta

Who is the best pediatric chiropractor in Atlanta? Well, this depends on how you define someone as being the “best”. In my opinion, the “best” person to take care of you and your family is a chiropractor who you trust, will educate you through the process, and who has received advanced training in pediatrics.

What Should You Look For

1) Find someone who you trust and feel comfortable with. Whenever choosing any health care provider, find someone you can connect with. Follow your intuition and choose a provider who makes you feel comfortable when you walk into the office.

2) Find someone who explains what they are doing and why they are doing it. The Chiropractor should explain what is going on with your child, what impact it might have on him/her, and what to expect during care. This allows you to be educated throughout the process and make informed decisions regarding your child’s health.

3) Look for a Chiropractor who has received advanced training in pediatrics. Parents can look on the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) website, icpa4kids.com, to find Doctors who specialize in pediatrics and pregnancy. This website shows any chiropractors who have obtained post-graduate training in pediatric care.

At Corrective Chiropractic, we care about the health of you and your family! Our mission is to serve and educate the Atlanta community about true health. Dr. Savy has received advanced training in the management of infants, children, and pre-and postpartum women and is also certified in the Webster Intrauterine Contraint Technique. If you have have any questions or would like to make an appointment to get your child checked, please call our office at 404-355-5499.

Your Turn

Do you have a chiropractor you trust to care for your child? What criteria did you use to select your family’s chiropractor?

Which Natural Health Supplements Are Best

Supplements and diets and vitamins. Which natural supplements are the best options? There are so many choices out there, so where does one begin to even look for answers? When choosing high-quality supplements, there are key characteristics to consider: manufacturing practices, care of product from start to finish, environmental awareness.

I recently returned from the Standard Process Farm in Palmyra, WI, and it was an incredible experience. Standard Process (SP) is a company that provides dietary supplements that are whole-food based and organic. We carry SP products in our Corrective Chiropractic office, so I traveled north to check out the farm and manufacturing building. Everything about the facility was impressive (cleanliness, benefits for employees and their families, sheer size of the land, and the genuine kindness of those on site), but what amazed me the most was the congruency between what the company preaches (whole-food and organic) and what it preaches; from the soil to the final product, each creation is handled with delicate and intentional care.

Now, a majority of our daily nutrients should come from a diverse, colorful, and living diet, and supplements are intended to sprinkle on those nutrients a person might be missing. That being said, choosing whole-food supplements is imperative because the body recognizes exactly what is in them: whole foods. The challenge with synthetic vitamins is that they are not surrounded by the other components of the vitamin, so the body leaches those parts from wherever else they are stored in the body.

Dr. Mercola, health care professional and best-selling author, uses the following illustration in his article “Real or Synthetic: The Truth Behind Whole Food Supplements” (2005) to explain the importance of whole-food based products:

“An automobile is a wonderfully designed complex machine that needs all of its parts to be present and in place to function properly. Wheels are certainly an important part of the whole, but you could never isolate them from the rest of the car, call them a car or expect them to function like a car. They need the engine, body and everything else.”

The human body is a complex machine that has an innate intelligence to know exactly what to do to survive, and by golly it does whatever it can to keep everything aligned internally, regardless of how we treat it. Because the part of our bodies -organs, cells, DNA- are all living and active, we need to feed them with foods that were also living and active. Dead (processed) foods just simply do not provide necessary nutrients. Therefore, when you are looking for your next round of supplements to ensure a healthy body, make sure to seek out whole-food based, organic products from a manufacturer that takes precious care of each stage in the process from the farming to the manufacturing to the final production. Your living body will appreciate the nutrients and thrive!

To read Dr. Mercola’s article in its entirety, click here

Your Turn

Which natural supplements have you used? Leave comments below!

Should my baby be checked by a Chiropractor

One of the most common questions I’m asked is “Should my baby be checked by a Chiropractor?” The real question: “Why is your baby NOT under chiropractic care?!?”

Before we can answer why infants should be checked by a chiropractor, we have to understand what chiropractic is. Chiropractors work with the nervous system- the information highway that coordinates all of our bodily functions including breathing, digestion, and immune responses. When the spine is misaligned, the nerve messages are interrupted and result in impaired nerve function. If left uncorrected, this can dramatically affect the health of a child. Chiropractic adjustments correct the misaligned vertebrae and restore proper nerve function, allowing the child to live each day at their maximum potential.

Why would my baby have nerve interference?

A recent study showed that 80% of infants have some sort of nerve interference from the birth process. Unfortunately, this problem is under-publicized and under-treated. During the average birth, a doctor will use 60-90 lbs of pressure to pull the baby out of the birth canal. The likelihood of nerve interference only increases with additional birth trauma: prolonged labor, drugs used to increase contractions, vacuum/forcep extraction, or cesarean section delivery. Imagine the effects this can have on the infant’s spine and nervous system!

What happens when there is nerve interference?

In most cases, infants may not present with any symptoms initially. Other times, newborns may experience colic, irritability, difficulty feeding or latching, eczema/skin irritations, digestive issues, sleeping problems, or neurological defects due to impaired nerve function. If this is left undetected and uncorrected, these problems may develop into learning difficulties, sensory impairments, asthma, allergies, ear infections, hyperactivity, or other health problems as the child matures.

So why is chiropractic important this early in life?

Given that 65% of a child’s brain and nervous system development occurs during the first year of life, it is imperative to ensure that your baby has every opportunity to maximize nerve function during this crucial period! Each child deserves to live life at his or her optimal level.

Is chiropractic safe for kids?

Chiropractic is extremely safe for children and adults! Infants are adjusted much differently than an adult counterpart because of their small size and age. The infant adjustment consists of a gentle fingertip contact applied to specific areas of the spine.

Get Involved

Do you take your children to a chiropractor? We’d love to hear your reason for starting, or not starting, care for your entire family. Please leave comments below!

Ahh Choo!!!

Welcome to allergy season. This is the time of year when allergies are high and the medical community and Big Pharma start rolling out the ads. They trick us into believing allergies are BAD and must be fought with Zyrtec or some other pharmaceutical drug we see on TV. Have you ever stopped to think why do allergies exist?

So, why do you think allergies exist?

Do you think it is because G-d gave you the allergy gene or rather that it could be a disruption in your body’s functioning? Have you ever considered that allergies may be protective mechanisms of your immune system adapting to stress?

Seasonal Allergies

Various seasons of pollination occur throughout the year and people react differently with each one, if at all. In the mid-Atlantic states, tree pollination happens between February and May. Grass pollination happens from May – June and weeds from August – October. Some people experience symptoms in one season while others experience symptoms in all three. However, this begs the question that, if pollen is out, why does everyone not experience symptoms?

The answer is in an uncoordinated immune system and lack of ability to adapt to the stress. Some people can handle the stress overload of pollen without symptoms and some cannot due to compromised immune systems from lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, time spent sitting) and circumstances.

Chiropractic Adjustments and Allergies

Therefore, it is crucial not to miss chiropractic appointments, during this season. Chiropractic adjustments help to balance the body and improve all functions and processes. As a chiropractor in Atlanta, I check for misalignment through various tests and see where there is nerve pressure blocking the body’s ability to function at 100%. I then make gentle adjustments to free the nerve.

Your body was designed for perfection and to function at a state without the use of drugs and surgery. By keeping it properly aligned with balanced nutritional and lifestyle choices, you can experience the highest level of health, even amidst the highest pollen counts!

Get Involved

Do you experience allergies? If so, do you experience symptoms throughout the year or only certain seasons? Read this tips to prepare your self from unwanted allergies in spring season.

Tell us your story by leaving a comment below! Request your appointment here!

At Corrective Chiropractic, our goal is to always be cutting edge and have the best technology to produce the best results for our patients. As of March 2014, we have invested in 2 Live Vibes. The Live Vibe is the newest body vibration therapy that helps increase our patients results goals) (by helping them get the correction they need. We invested this to add more value to our patients.

Live Vibe Full Body Vibration is mostly used by professional athletes, at home, health clinics, etc. This whole body vibration tool has lots of known benefits like muscle strength, correct loss of cervical curve, improve overall body posture and balance, increase health immunity, reduces pain, revitalizes the musculature around the spine, and provides exercise and vitality to patients with inactive lifestyle.

When using the Curve Restoration Unit (traction on wall), you will turn on the Live Vibe to get 3x the benefit of helping to rebuild the neck curve. The Live Vibe is also effective for osteoporosis or osteoarthritis patients that need help with remineralizing bone and increasing bone density.

When you stand on the Live Vibe, your muscles will make rapid adjustments to adapt to the stimuli and this will help reclaim your balance and allow you to stand up taller.

Professional Athletes

The results with vibrating plates has been shown to be exceptional. When you do some research, you’d find that many professional athletes and well-known people are using vibrating platforms to workout.

Below are some professional sports teams that utilize whole body vibration. I always say, the best way to train and care for your body is similar to how professional athletes train and care for their body.

  • Anaheim Ducks
  • Atlanta Braves
  • Blue Jays
  • Calgary Flames
  • Chicago Cubs
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Dallas Stars
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • LA Avengers
  • LA Dodgers
  • LA Kings
  • LA Lakers
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Miami Heat
  • New York Giants
  • New York Mets
  • Oakland Raiders
  • Philadelphia Flyers
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • San Diego Chargers
  • San Diego Padres
  • S. Korea Soccer
  • St. Louis Cardinals
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Tennessee Titans
  • Toronto Blue Jays
  • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • US Olympic Training

 

Our Goal

Our goal is to keep providing you with the best corrective chiropractic care in Atlanta, investing in a tool like Live Vibe is just one way we work to help you achieve optimal health. Request your appointment now!