As we approach the holiday season, most of us participate in some type of gift exchange.    I enjoy the experience of sharing from abundance with others.

In almost all spiritual paths gifting and/or tithing are very important practices.  These practices help free us from attachments to our material possessions.  They also move our focus from ourselves unto others. Giving and receiving are opposite sides of the same coin.  As we open ourselves up to give from our own abundance, we also open ourselves to receive on a much larger level.  Some of my happiest moments in life are seeing the excitement and happiness of a family member from a gift I have given them, by which they are truly touched.

Unfortunately, as I walk around and look at most of the people holiday shopping I do not see happiness and abundance.  I see consumerism, competition and obligation.  Where did most of us lose this tradition of sharing from our abundance?  If one is not leading an abundant life, sharing from this place is nearly impossible.  Abundance has little to do with affluence.  Abundance is living from a place of faith, trust and certainty -- independent of your current environment.  It is like living as a thermostat as opposed to a thermometer.  A thermometer reads the temperature and is constantly changing reflecting the environment, whereas, a thermostat always read the same temperature regardless of the external temperature. 

Most people go through life like thermometers, constantly reflecting their current circumstances and letting society dictate how they should live their lives.  Be like a thermostat:  trust in the innate wisdom of your body and live from your own personal abundance.  Chiropractic care will help you do this.  By removing the interference to the nerve system, our bodies can better perceive our environment and express our innate wisdom.  Abundance is our natural state, but life stresses reduce its expression.  This holiday season, I challenge you to find and express your abundance.

In the days following Thanksgiving dinner, many of us take the opportunity to reflect on our diet.  There is growing consensus in the scientific community that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can adversely affect people, especially during vulnerable periods of fetal development and childhood when exposures can have long lasting effects. Because the toxic effects of pesticides are worrisome, not well understood, or in some cases completely unstudied, shoppers are wise to minimize exposure to pesticides whenever possible.   Organic food may not always be available or may be cost prohibitive.  The Environmental Working Group has developed a printable wallet-sized guide to "the dirty dozen" and "the cleanest 12" to aid shoppers when choosing their produce.  For example, peaches, apples, and sweet bell peppers usually have the highest pesticide loads.  Onions, avocados, and frozen sweet corn generally have the lowest pesticide loads.

A simulation demonstrated that people can lower their pesticide exposure by almost 90 percent by avoiding the top twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead.  Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables will expose a person to about 14 pesticides per day, on average.  Eating the 12 least contaminated will expose a person to less than 2 pesticides per day.

The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

Curried Lentil Soup with Tomato and Spinach

 This soup is quick and easy, and flavorful enough to warm you on even the coldest December day.

¼ cup olive oil
1 med finely chopped onion
2 large gloves garlic minced
2 tsp. finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1 Tbs. curry powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 c lentils
2 ½ c vegetable broth*
3 ½ c water
15 oz can tomatoes or 1 c chopped fresh
1 carrot chopped
1 bunch coarsely chopped spinach
Fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and cook until lightly browned, stirring, 6-8 minutes.  Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring for 1 minute.  Add curry powder and cumin and cook, stirring for 30 seconds.  Add lentils, carrot, stock, and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until lentils are tender, 20-25 minutes.  Stir in tomatoes and spinach and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.  Add lemon, salt, and pepper to taste.

 -          Adopted from The Gourmet Cookbook, edited by Ruth Reichl, 2004.

 *  You may find it convenient to make and freeze your own vegetable broth to use as needed.  If fresh broth is not available, try the Whole Food's 365 brand or Trader Joe's boxed vegetable broth.  Both offer organic options too.

Thursday December 13, 2007 8:00pm-9:00pm
Journey to Wellness Workshop
Dr. Anthony will give a talk on health, wellness and how to improve the quality of you life.  Learn how to take an active role in your healing process so you can make the most of your investment.  New and existing clients are welcome.  Please register with Dr. Anthony.

Tuesday December 25, 2007
Office will be closed
Happy Holidays!

Tuesday January 1, 2008
Office will be closed
Happy New Year!