Prescriptive Health's Newsletter

 

SUMMER 2016
In This Issue
What you say matters
What you say matters
Feng Shui
Sandbag Video
Soapbox Time!
Weight Loss
Sitting is Bad
Foot Soak
Something Personal
Research Notes
SUMMER IS HERE!

 

 

 

  
DOES ACUPUNCTURE REALLY WORK?
       
Of course it does! It's absolutely amazing! It has been working as a preventative medicine for centuries in Eastern parts of the world! Historically, doctors in China were paid to keep you healthy via acupuncture therapies. If you happened to get sick, they did not get paid. The battle between eastern medicine and western medicine continues with acupuncture at the firing line; however, more medical professionals are realizing the benefits of acupuncture as a complement to their current treatment plans. Acupuncture can be used to treat conditions similar to those you see a medical doctor for.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.
 
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU SAY?
       
We have many conversations every day, with many people, about many different things. Do we ever stop to think about the words we are using when we talk with people? I typically don't think because I'm talking so much, but now I WILL start to think about the words I am choosing to say. 

CLICK HERE to read about the phrases you need to drop from your vocabulary.  
 
5 ELEMENTS OF FENG SHUI
  
Feng Shui helps harmonize and optimize the flow of energy within a space. There are five elemental qualities of feng shui. Below are some ways you can boost the flow of energy within your living space, according to each element.
  • WOOD - represents strength, growth, and prosperity. It feeds fire and weakens earth. Most needed in an Office space by adding plants or wooden furniture.
  • FIRE - represents passion, heat, and enthusiasm. It feeds earth and weakens metal. Most needed in the bedroom or living room by adding candles, fireplaces, red decor, or oil lamps.
  • EARTH - represents stability and patience. It feeds metal and weakens fire. Most needed in bathrooms by adding ceramic vases, pottery, and stones.
  • METAL - represents organization and protection. It feeds water and weakens wood. Most needed in the kitchen or storage areas by adding brass, silver, gold, pewter, or steel.
  • WATER - represents prosperity, wisdom, and communication. It feeds wood and weakens fire. Most needed in entryway by adding fountains or aquariums. 
 
This is a very simple summary of the elements of feng shui. Feng Shui is an art that has rooted history in energy flow, as does Acupuncture. These five elements are essential to our whole health. Try to add these elements into the specific areas of your home to help balance and optimize the flow of energy.  


Click  HERE  for more information. 

THE BEST SQUAT YOU'RE NOT DOING: FRONT LOADED SQUAT

"How do I improve my core strength?  How do I drive up my clean and press numbers?
What is one of the best full body exercises I can perform?" Are these questions you ask yourself or consider? How about, what is " The best fat loss, strength building, functional muscle adding exercise"? Shockingly, the answer is the Ultimate Sandbag Front Loaded Squat because i t teaches you so many good fundamental concepts. For example, how to: 
  • Create proper full body stability
  • Integrate the entire body for strength and efficiency
  • Properly brace the core to improve performance and reduce back issues.
  • Build the foundational strength that will transfer to many Ultimate Sandbag Training progressions. 
  • Builds the work capacity most people actually want when they talk about "getting in shape."
Sound like something you're interested in? Check out the video below to see how to perform the front loaded squat and listen to Josh explain why it's so beneficial to you. 




SOAP BOX TIME: WE'RE ALL HUMANS
       
Every now and then I open my mouth to shout about something. Sometimes I talk loudly about the terms "fat vs. skinny" or what looks "healthy vs unhealthy" or beauty "outside vs inside". Today I'm talking about humans. Us. We're all humans. I'm still surprised that in 2016 people are bullied for being different. It doesn't matter what "different" is - it just matters that it's not the "norm". Oh really - according to who? Newsflash . . . we're all humans. Men. Women. Boys. Girls. Humans. Why we would treat someone different than how we want to be treated is beyond my comprehension. I believe that we need to show people love. I don't care who you are, who you love, or how you look or dress. . . you are a human and YOU MATTER. As humans, we all crave love, have love to give, and need love to thrive. I urge you to show someone love today. Anyone. It's just the human thing to do. If you need a hug, come to me!
 
DARK CHOCOLATE HELPS YOU LOSE WEIGHT?
       
"Could dark chocolate be your secret weapon for weight loss?  It might be!   Dark chocolate as a treat can help support your weight loss efforts in a few ways.  First of all, it's very low on the glycemic index, which means that it won't cause sugar spikes.  Keeping insulin levels steady is very important to weight loss.

Dark chocolate can also be helpful for anyone who has difficulties with emotional eating or food addiction.  It can help satisfy cravings for both sweet and fatty foods, and contains a feel-good compound called PEA which may also help improve mood. Because of its rich flavor and low level of sugar, it's difficult to eat too much, especially at percentages higher than 80%.
 
  CLICK HERE to read the full article.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH SITTING?
       
According to Dr. Kelly Starrett, "recent studies show that too much sitting contributes to a host of diseases-from obesity and diabetes to cancer and depression-and literally shortens your life. The facts are in: your chair is your enemy, and it is murdering your body. Kelly's most recent book,  Deskbound, offers a detailed battle plan for surviving the chair and reclaiming your birthright of mobility and freedom from pain. It provides creative solutions to reduce the amount of time you spend perched on your backside, as well as strategies for the workplace and school that will improve your productivity and your overall health. You will learn how to identify and fix poor posture while sitting and standing; how to prevent, treat, and resolve low back, neck, shoulder, and wrist pain; and avoid and reverse repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel and tendonitis."

I'm 1/2 way through his first book "Supple Leopard" and am learning so much. This Deskbound is next on my list! Watch the video below and listen to his statistics regarding sitting. They are astoundingly unfortunate!! You are going to WANT to buy this book!


 
DARK CHOCOLATE FOOT SOAK
       
Summer is the time when we see a lot of feet! Flip flops, sandals, bare feet - you can see everything! Try this foot soak to help rejuvenate your feet! 

INGREDIENTS
Soak
8 T cocoa powder
6 T powdered milk
4 drops cinnamon essential oil
4 drops peppermint essential oil
1 t vanilla extract
8 large marshmallows
20 dark chocolate kisses

Scrub
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

HOW TO
  1. Fill a basin with enough warm water to cover your ankles. Add the first 6 ingredients then stir well. Unwrap the kisses and keep them nearby.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and olive oil - set aside.
  3. Soak your feet in the cocoa concoction for 4 minutes. 
  4. Drop the kisses into the basin and rub the soles of your feet over them for a little massage. Once the chocolates have melted, squish your feet into them.
  5. While one foot is soaking, take the other one out and massage your foot and calf with the sugar-oil mixture using small circular motions. Repeat on the other side.
  6. Rinse both feet with water, pat try then slather on your favorite moisturizer. 
 
  • I turn 43 in a few weeks and am amazed that I'm going to be 43!! I used to think that was old! LOL!
  • Hormone changes are not a myth. Mood swings are not a myth. Bright red, hot faces are not a myth. Slower metabolisms are not a myth. They are real and they are not fun, for anyone.
  • I'm back to eating garlic on a regular basis - because I love it! It doesn't love me as much, but that's ok. 
  • I'm kicking butt with my sandbag training! Realized that 5 days was too much for my 43 yr old body so I'm back down to 4 days/wk and doggie walks most days of the week.
  • Adi is gearing up to graduate from high school and start her 6-year PT program at Ithaca College, and run track while she's there! 
  • I have been approved by Springfield College (my alma mater) as an Internship site for Seniors graduating in the Exercise Science field.
  • I must be wiser because I'm valuing the slower pace of life, realizing it's importance, and enjoying it. :)

  • The average woman uses her height in lipstick every 5 years.
  • When hippos are upset, their sweat turns red.

  • Human saliva has a boiling point three times that of regular water.

  • During your lifetime, you will produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools

  • If you lift a kangaroo's tail off the ground it can't hop.

  • There are more lifeforms living on your skin than there are people living on the planet. 
  • Otters sleep holding hands. Awh!
  • 20% of office coffee mugs contain fecal matter. (Bring your own coffee mug!)
  • Caterpillars completely liquify as they transform into moths.
  • A human will eat on average 70 assorted insects and 10 spiders while sleeping. (this is why i sleep with a sheet over my face!)
  • 82% of Americans say it's more important to feel good than look good!
     
Thank you!
Thank you for continuing to support me and Prescriptive Health.  It means alot to me that health and wellness are valued and strived for.  I try to live every day with the values and habits that I instill in my practice.  Thank you for sharing in my quest for a healthy lifestyle.  
Tanya Miszko Kefer, Ed.D., L.Ac.
(845) 659-6133

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