Why do we seem to always put our own health last? After your kids, after you get this done at home, after your job? There’s one thing about health and our perspective on it. None of us, including myself sometimes appreciate where our health is at until it starts to decline or interrupt your normal day. Let’s change that!!!
Holiday season is in full swing and for many patients so has increased stress, routines are crazy and we tend to eat less healthy options and more sweets. The best thing you can do for your self this season is to make some steps to your day to make it easier for you to stay healthy. Health is really about the journey. There are multiple areas that have to add up and work together. Chiropractic is just one piece to the puzzle.
There are many quick fix options out there to feel better. Usually by the time people reach our office they have tried ALL OF THEM (chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapist, stretching on their own, ice, heat) and they still feel like they are exactly where they started or worse.
Most of the time, people wait to see if a problem will go away on its own, in the meantime degeneration in the spine is happening leading on the path of disease. Secondary Conditions or also called symptoms are the signs that something underneath isn’t working right. The problem has started long before your symptoms start to show up and even longer before it starts to interrupt your day. It is most of the time not from sleeping wrong, or lifting something too heavy or sitting for long periods. Yes, these things contribute to an underlying issue but it all stems from the spine long before your back flairs up. Don’t wait too long for it to create bigger issues!
Neurostructural chiropractic is not a quick fix. It is a long term solution. We work on correcting any primary conditions in the spine and that makes it so you don’t have to deal with the same issues over and over again. It doesn’t take much to get out of pain but to keep it corrected is what our goals are for people to create a healthier lifestyle.
Your nervous system is so important as it plays a huge roll in keeping you healthy and feeling great! It controls everything in your body. It senses pain which is a lot of the time why people come to my office. There is so much more going on underneath than feeling pain or tight muscles. It also controls your organs which control every function in your body.
Regular adjustments maintain and take care of your health in a proactive way. It keeps your body in its best shape. It helps your body adapt to daily life stressors – physical, chemical (food and environment toxins), emotional (stress). When life is stressful or not the healthiest, its time to make it a priority for your health by doing your regular adjustments, regular massages, adding movement into your day, eating nourishing foods, detoxing regularly, prioritizing rest, taking your supplements and many more to even try to list.
“Don’t let your body feel so crappy before you start to prioritize your health.” – Your future self will thank you later.
There will always be times in our life that hinder our healing process, but as long as we keep moving forward, we will see the progress and how the hard work and time commitment that you give yourself has paid off.
Take time for you by scheduling your regular visits to stay healthy! I can’t stress enough, it is so much easier to maintain the health of your spine rather than fix it later after months or even years of having an issue.
What does Health Mean to you?
As each new year approaches I really like resharing this old newsletter about being healthy and what it means to you. First off, it’s not all about losing weight, which it seems like new years resolutions are all about. Health is so much more than “looking” your best.
Health is happiness.
Health is having more energy.
Health is having less stress.
Health is your body functioning at its best ability.
Health is taking care of yourself and your loved ones.
Health is eating nourishing foods that your body can us as fuel.
Health is doing exercises and movements that you enjoy and will benefit your body and not harm it.
Health is getting enough restful sleep (most nights of the week).
What are your health goals this next year?
What is one small thing you can start to add to your daily routine to help you start creating healthy habits that will stay for the long term!? If you are not doing the small simple habits the big ones like more energy, better sleep will not be able to be accomplished.
Creamy Spinach Turkey Meatballs
INGREDIENTS LIST FOR THE CREAMY SPINACH TURKEY MEATBALLS
- 1/2 lb (220g) ground turkey meat
- 1/2 lb (220g) ground chicken meat
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (or cheddar, provolone…)
- 4 cloves garlic, grated + 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red crushed chili pepper flakes, optional
- 1 crumbled bouillon cube, optional
- Salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup fresh chopped cilantro (or parsley), divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable broth
- 5 ounces (150g) jarred sun-dried tomato in oil, drained of oil
- 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
1. To make the creamy spinach turkey meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey and ground chicken, cheese, grated garlic, Italian seasoning, bouillon cube, red chili pepper flakes, chopped cilantro, and black pepper. Mix well with your hands or fork and form medium balls. Arrange the turkey meatballs on a plate and set them aside.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook the turkey meatballs for 8 – 10 minutes on all sides until browned and cooked through. Remove to a clean plate and set aside.
3. In the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the remaining cooking juices. Add in the garlic and fry until fragrant (about one minute). Add onion and stir fry until translucent. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and fry for 1-2 minutes, so they release their flavors. Finally, pour in the vegetable broth, and allow the sauce to reduce slightly.
4. Reduce heat to low, add in the heavy cream, and bring to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally. Season the cream sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add in the baby spinach and allow to wilt in the sauce. Finally, add in the parmesan cheese. Allow cream sauce to simmer for a further minute until the cheese melts through.
6. Add the cooked turkey meatballs back into the pan; sprinkle with the parsley, and spoon the sauce over each meatball. Serve the creamy garlic spinach Tuscan meatballs over steamed veg or cauliflower rice for Keto dieters, or rice or pasta for non-Keto. Enjoy!