In This Issue - Jan 2015
Greetings!

 

We would like to extend a special note of thanks for our Sunrise Partners, companies and individuals who understand the importance of health care choice. They have joined the FNPA in bringing Naturopathic Medicine to Florida!

 

Please enjoy this month's articles!

The Doctors and Members of the FNPA
Legislative Updates

We will be meeting with legislators during the Interim Committee Meetings scheduled for January and February. If you have any questions, please contact me through [email protected].


In Health, 
Todd Robinson, ND
Secretary &
Legislative Chair
Sunrise Partners - Want to become a Sunrise Partner? Click Here.

Partner Spotlight for November: DirectLabs

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Evolve to Better Health in 2015, Guaranteed

New Year's resolutions don't have to be intense, hard-to-achieve dreams. In fact, they shouldn't be! Studies have shown that setting small goals is actually more effective for creating lasting change, which is exactly what you want when it comes to improving your health. The American Psychological Association suggests changing only one behavior at a time. So, instead of trying to focus on implementing a bunch of healthy changes all at once, start by evolving just one behavior in January. Add the next behavior modification in February, and so on. Also, remember that it takes time and repetition to develop a new behavior. Just the term "New Year resolution" can sabotage people into subconsciously believing that the changes they make at the start of the year are just that - only at the start of the year. Instead, try thinking of your resolutions as "new you evolutions." This will help you commit to the changes you are making as a new and improved lifestyle, rather than a short-term solution to a problem.

Here are 5 small-but-mighty steps to get you started on your health evolution.

1. Redefine your plate. This means control portion sizes and embrace the two-thirds rule. Modern portion sizes are grossly out of touch with what our bodies actually require to live and thrive. You might try using smaller plates or measuring tools to help you control your portion sizes. And, a healthy, balanced plate should be covered with two-thirds of green, meaning healthful, fresh vegetables of some sort. The other third, should contain your protein and a small amount of complex carbs. Save the fruit for breakfast, snack or dessert.

2. Treat your body to plenty of H2O. You're body loves water! In fact, it is made almost entirely of water. And just like any body of water, your body requires a steady flow of water to avoid dehydration. Just how much water you actually need depends upon your weight. Multiply your weight by two-thirds or 67%. The product of that equation is roughly how much water you should take in daily. To help you meet this goal, try drinking a 16 ounce glass of water before every meal. As a bonus, this practice will also help you feel full and help you to control your eating. You might also try sneaking in a couple of glasses in the morning, and another before bed. Keeping track of your intake can be made easier by using a specified water bottle or source container.

3. Add 30 minutes of exercise daily. If you're not already an active person, start small. This could be as simple as taking a brisk walk through your neighborhood, stretching shortly after waking, and taking the stairs anywhere you go. All of these things will help get your blood flowing throughout the day, and will help you easily fit exercise into your schedule. After a couple of weeks of daytime warm-up, or if you're already an athletic person, find other activities to give yourself a more challenging workout. Always check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.

4. Get a boost with supplements. While it's best to get your vitamins from natural sources, it might behoove you to go the extra mile with supplements. Although many supplements can be found over-the-counter, each person is different will do best with an individualized supplement regimen. Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about what supplements are the most beneficial for you.

5. Catch some zzzzzs. Sleep is one of the best things you can possibly do for your health. Sleep helps reduce cortisol and stress levels, while allowing your body time to recharge. Whether sitting at a desk all day or actively taking life by the horns, we all need plenty of sleep. The general rule of thumb is 8-10 hours of restful sleep per night.

Resources 

  • Making Lifestyle Changes that Last. American Psychological Association. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
  • Murray, N.D., Michael, and Pizzorno, N.D., Joseph. 2012. New York, NY: Atria Paperback. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.

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The Healthiest Food is Home-Cooked Food

A study by researchers at Emory University suggests that Americans eat fewer than 70 percent of their meals at home. Still, the outlook for the health of Americans may be even more bleak when we consider the incredibly low percentage of fresh, whole foods purchased, compared to the disproportionately high sales of frozen, already-cooked meals. To help boost your health this year, strive to cook at home more often. From choosing your ingredients, to preparing and cooking for nutrient preservation, home cooking allows you to have complete control over what goes into your body. Cooking at home also allows you the ability to manage food allergies and sensitivities, as well as portion sizes. Furthermore, regularly preparing and eating healthy home cooked meals will help train your palate to enjoy healthier fare, while improving your creative cooking skills.

Short on time? Try setting 1-2 days aside each week to do cooking for the week. Cook in large enough quantities that you can enjoy your home-cooked food as left-overs. On your cooking days, clean, prepare and package raw veggies like carrots, cucumbers, celery or chard for quick grab and go snacks. Remember to store food in glass whenever possible.

If you are at a loss on how to start cooking at home, check out classes offered locally. If you are in a very small town, consider placing a classified add for someone to teach you or check out any one of hundreds of online cooking websites and videos. This video is a wonderful way to sum it all up: How Cooking can Change Your Life - Michael Pollan.

Resources

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Simple Wholesome Veggie Soup

Treat yourself to a healthy winter with this wholesome vegetable soup. It is flavorful, stocked with vitamins and nutrients, and unbelievably easy to prepare. Enjoy!

Ingredients 
  • 4 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • 2 cups chopped leeks, white part only (from approximately 3 medium leeks)
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • Sea salt
  • 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped into rounds (approximately 2 medium)
  • 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
  • 2 cups fresh green beans, broken or cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 15 broccoli florets
  • 2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
  • 4 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup packed, chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chopped dill (optional)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions

Heat the sunflower oil in large, heavy-bottom stockpot over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the leeks, garlic, onions and a pinch of salt and saut� until they begin to soften, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Add the carrots, potatoes, and green beans and continue to cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add the tomatoes and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 min. Add the broccoli florets and cook an additional 15 min. Remove from heat and add the parsley, dill and lemon juice. Season, to taste, with sea salt. Serve immediately.

 

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Medicinal Herbs: The Fresher, the Better

When it comes to medicinal herbs, freshness and proper handling are key to getting the most potency and value. Usually due to improper storage procedures, bargain-store herbs are often not as potent as they could be. They may have sat in the store for a long time, or worse, may have been exposed to light and air, which causes dried herbs to lose their potency. Additionally, purchasing herbs from an unreputable source leaves you vulnerable to uncertainties, such as not knowing when the herbs were harvested or how they were stored and transferred.

For smart herb buying, look for herb sellers who store their dry medicinal herbs in dark, amber glass containers, and in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. Potent, well preserved dried herbs should retain their natural color, and have a very strong aroma. Green herbs, such as lemon balm, should still be green. Flowers such as calendula should have a vibrant yellow-orange color, and hibiscus should retain its deep maroon color. Roots should show no signs of mold and should be very dry. When evaluating a new herb source, you may also want to ask how frequently the store's stock is rotated. This should happen rather frequently. Medicinal herbs which have already been packaged into capsules or made into tinctures provide some extra assurance, provided that the herbs were fresh when they were used to make the products. Look for tinctures preserved with alcohol or glycerine, as they hold up well over time.

Local growers are usually a great source, because they harvest their herbs in small quantities, and sell them immediately. In addition, they usually know a lot about how to handle and preserve herbs.

Medicinal herbs are not an item you should try to save a few bucks on, but you can certainly save time by purchasing your herbs from reputable sellers, such as Heron Botanicals, Blessed Herbs or Mountain Rose Herbs.

As with changes in or questions about supplements or any change to your health regimen, it is a good idea to consult your Naturopathic Doctor for advice and assistance.

 

Resources
  • Murray, N.D., Michael, and Pizzorno, N.D., Joseph. 2012. New York, NY: Atria Paperback. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.
  • Bone, Kerry; Mills, Simon. 2013. Elsevier Ltd. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine. 2nd ed.

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What Wikipedia Won't Tell You About Supplements

The wonderful world of supplements can be a bit overwhelming. Many supplements are available over-the-counter, yet this should not be taken as a license to self-prescribe or self-dose. Everyone's health needs are different and an individualized health plan is vital for reaching optimum health. You may not even need a supplement, or you may need more of one supplement than you do of another. Often, over-the-counter supplements (especially those in tablet form) contain binders, fillers, and additives. Magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, simethicone, vegetable gum, talc, and propylene glycol (primary ingredient in antifreeze), are just a few of the most common additives you might find listed as "other ingredients" or "inactive ingredients" on the package supplement label.

The forms of vitamins, minerals and other substances used in products can be very important. For example, consider Vitamin E. Studies indicate that using the isolated form of Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) can increase risk of cardio vascular events in someone diagnosed with heart disease. However, using the full spectrum of Vitamin E as it occurs naturally, (mixed tocopherols and mixed tocotrienols) can decrease risk and even help improve heart health. Bargain brands and other OTC Vitamin E often contain the cheaper isolated form of Vitamin E. Your ND knows about things like this and can guide you to making better choices.

Your Naturopathic Doctor can guide you toward supplements that come in forms without unnecessary additives, and which are rigorously standardized for product amount and dosage. Supplements provided by your ND will come from reputable companies that follow very strict compliance and safety standards, including the monitoring of the supplements' degradation due to expiring shelf life. Additionally, self-medicating with supplements poses the threat of drug interaction, allergic reaction, and other risks, all of which should be monitored by your Naturopathic Doctor.

Still, the most important factor remains individualization. Discuss your health concerns and appropriate supplement options with your Naturopathic Doctor to develop a supplement regimen tailored to your specific needs. Not everybody needs the same supplements in the same amount. Your Naturopathic doctor will be able to consider your individual needs and health and choose appropriate supplements and forms that will work best for your body.

 

Resources 
  • Murray, N.D., Michael, and Pizzorno, N.D., Joseph. 2012. New York, NY: Atria Paperback. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.

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The Power of Gratitude

There is no better time to express gratitude than the New Year. Researchers are revealing the amazing emotional and physical effects of expressing gratitude. In one study, participants were more optimistic, felt better about their lives, and visited the doctor less after writing about what they were grateful for everyday for 10 weeks. In another study, participants had a huge surge in happiness scores after being asked to write a thank you letter to someone who had positively impacted their life. Researchers have found that gratitude can even help couples. Partners who frequently express gratitude to each other feel more positive about the relationship and more comfortable when expressing relationship concerns. Even employers can benefit from expressing gratitude to their employees. Employees who are thanked by their managers work harder and have greater job satisfaction. There is an old saying, "We find what we look for." Try looking for and finding all there is to be grateful for in your life.

Here are some suggestions for increasing gratitude in your life:
  • Start your day with a list of things you are grateful for.
  • Write a thank you letter to someone who changed your life for the better.
  • Make a list of 50 things you appreciate about yourself.
  • Reflect at the end of each day and come up with 5 things for which you are grateful.

Resources

  • Emmons RA, et al. "Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life," Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Feb. 2003): Vol. 84, No. 2, pp. 377-89.
  • Grant AM, et al. "A Little Thanks Goes a Long Way: Explaining Why Gratitude Expressions Motivate Prosocial Behavior," Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (June 2010): Vol. 98, No. 6, pp. 946-55.
  • Lambert NM, et al. "Expressing Gratitude to a Partner Leads to More Relationship Maintenance Behavior,"Emotion (Feb. 2011): Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 52-60.
  • Sansone RA, et al. "Gratitude and Well Being: The Benefits of Appreciation," Psychiatry (Nov. 2010): Vol. 7, No. 11, pp. 18-22.
  • Seligman MEP, et al. "Empirical Validation of Interventions," American Psychologist (July-Aug. 2005): Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 410-21.

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We support healthcare choices for Florida's residents. Please visit our website to learn more. Thank you for all that you do!

 

Sincerely, 
The Doctors and Members