Health is so much more than how you feel. It is about how your body functions! Once you start to feel your body stop working right it is already way too late. Feeling pain or a symptom due to dysfunction is actually the last sign to show up. It takes so much time for your body to get to that point of you feeling it. There is so much that goes on before then. 

Are you able to move like you were once able to? Are you able to do all the hobbies that you love? Can you sit down and play with your kids without being in pain? Or can you concentrate all day at work without having a headache or mid back pain? Do you have enough energy to feel good all day long? 

Your nervous system plays a huge role in how your body functions. All of the healthy lifestyle habits that I talk aboutare affected by your nervous system.

Your Nervous System is a part of all of the healthy habits:

• Needs water to function. 
• Balances out the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts to help us get a full nights sleep
• Controls the amounts and time stress hormone release in your body. 
• Gets rid of the toxins in our bodies. 
• Controls the muscles which allow us to move. 
• Controls the organs that absorb the nutrients we eat or our immune system to keep us healthy.

Anything to do with your health is not always about a quick fix. It’s about taking care of yourself now so your future self can continue to do the things you love to do. I truly believe the first step to your health journey should be regular chiropractic adjustments that look at how your nervous system is working. If you add in healthy habits but your nervous system isn’t ready or able to handle it will make your body be in a state of stress instead of health and healing. Neuro-structural chiropractic is your first step. 

What’s in my healthy tool box? 

• Drinking Enough Water
• Sauna – 4 times a week to get the most benefits. 
• Red light Therapy – 5 times a week to get the most benefits. 
• Weekly adjustments
• Walking daily – how many steps do you get in a day? I hated how this is marketed to buy a fit watch but it’s very important to get movement every day. Most of our days look a lot alike so once you get a routine that works down it will be your new normal. 
• Hitting protein goals at meals and snacks
• Nutrition – more whole foods and organic when we can. 
• Meal prepping – trying to get better and getting more fruits and vegetables in for more variety instead of the basic favorites 
• Supplements – regular and situational (sickness, seasonal, hormonal, joint health etc.) 
• Monthly massages – sometimes every 2 weeks
• Lifting 3-5x/week 
• Stretching regularly
• Buying toxin free products for my home. 
• Air Purifier

I am sure there is more but these are the ones that come to mind and they are hard work to get down to a routine! I know some may look at this and be shocked at how much it takes. I get it but once you start making these habits it becomes really easy and you start feeling so good that you notice when you stop doing one of them. Its one area our society overlooks is taking care of our health. We really take advantage of our health until it becomes an issue. Why not be one step ahead with everything you can do now?

Have you heard about the 4/30/10 method? As we go into the new year many people will be jumping on quick ways to lose weight or fad diets. This method is one to look at changing habits that are for a healthy lifestyle. Its about focusing on 4 weight lifting sessions per week, 10,000 steps per day and 30 grams of protein at each meal and at snacks. Give it a try and let us know what you think! 

Honey Mustard Chicken BLT Sliders

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chicken tenders boneless chicken breasts and thighs work too
• 1 pack Hawaiian slider buns or dinner rolls
• Mayonnaise, to taste
• Sweet Baby Rays Golden Mustard honey mustard works as a substitute
• 8 strips bacon, cooke crisp
• colby jack cheese enough slices for the sandwiches
• 1/2 head lettuce
• 1/2 small red onion sliced thin
• 2 Roma tomatoes sliced thin
• 4-5 tablespoons oil for marinade and cooking chicken

BLACKENED SEASONING

• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika or regular
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

BUTTER TOPPING

• 1/2 stick butter softened
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

• Place tenders into a large zip-top bag or bowl. Add several tablespoons of blackened seasoning and a few tablespoons of oil. Mix to coat them evenly, making sure they are well seasoned on all sides.
• Cook chicken either in an oiled skillet over medium-high, or grill the chicken, about 3 minutes per side flipping just once.
• As chicken cooks make your butter topping by combining all butter mixture ingredients in a small bowl. Heat for 30 seconds or until butter melts, then stir to combine.
• If needed, slice the sliders horizontally using a serrated knife. Place them cut side up onto a baking sheet and toast under a broiler until golden brown, just a few minutes.
• Flip the top buns so the domed tops are facing up and leave them beside the bottom buns on the pan. Assemble the sliders by first adding a squeeze of mayo to all of the bottom buns.
• Add the chicken, scattering it evenly so each slider gets at least one chicken tender.
• Add a dollop of the golden honey mustard, then place cheese over the chicken.
• Spread the top buns with the butter mixture. Add baking sheet back into the broiler for another minute or two until cheese softens and the top buns are slightly toasted.
• Top the sliders with bacon, tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and another drizzle of the honey mustard. Place the top buns over the sandwiches, slice to separate them and serve.

Healthy Buckeyes Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/3 cup almond flour

1 cup peanut butter

1/4 tsp salt if peanut butter is not salted

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chocolate chips

1 tsp coconut oil

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix together almond flour, peanut butter, salt*, maple syrup, and vanilla.
2. Roll into balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil on 30 second increments in the microwave.
4. Once melted, use a fork to lower the balls into the chocolate, covering 2/3 of the ball in chocolate. Lift the balls back out and place on tray. Repeat until all are dipped.
5. Place balls in fridge for at least 15 minutes before eating.
6. Store in fridge.