Second Opinion Magazine

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January-February 2016

26

Seeing Red: Awareness of Heart Disease 12

Finding Happiness through Yoga 8

Are You Laughing Enough?

24

Breathe Easier in 2016

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Contents

Why we do what we do.

Our goal is to connect Chippewa Valley consumers with alternative health and wellness resources and products that will help them lead healthier, happier lives. The idea of keeping it local and helping people discover how many incredible services and offerings our little backyard may offer has been a major driving force in everything we do in the magazine.

Why read us?

Second Opinion’s mission is to help educate and empower folks in the region to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

We are THE region’s health and wellness resource and have helped to shape and grow the wellness movement in the area—that includes helping to educate people about the value of massage therapy, chiropractics, organic foods, buying local, and much more!

We’d love to help support your mission to thrive and grow in the area, and we’d love YOUR support to help us continue being the awesome resource that we are. Together we can help create a healthier, more aware community.

CONTACT US:

Arwen Rasmussen 715.831.0325 editor@asecondopinionmag.com www.asecondopinionmag.com Graphic Design: Kathy Nelson

Office:

3315 Nimitz Street Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701 All articles are the sole property of the writers.

Opinions expressed in Second Opinion are those of the writers or advertisers themselves, not the publication or its editors. Second Opinion is not liable for use of any artwork provided by advertisers. Please direct concerns to the advertisers. ©2006-2015

4 balanced

living

6

Drop Resolution and Create Lasting Habits 8 Are You Laughing Enough?

10 Six Steps to Help You Move Forward 11 Stop Sabotaging Yourself

and Transform Your Life!

12 Finding Happiness through

Yoga in the New Year 12 5 Ways to Keep Your Resolutions 13 Three Tips for Choosing

Happiness This Year 14 The Promise of the New Year 16 24 Tips for Following through

on Your 2016 Resolutions!

18 Natural & Easy Stress Relief:

An Introduction to TRE® 23 Joining Forces for the Good

of the Valley 24 Breathe Easier in 2016 28 First Step: BREATHE through

Guided Imagery

26

30

15 This Year Grow Sprouts

20 Scratching that Winter Itch

Seeing Red: Awareness of Heart Disease in Women Is Important Healthy Habits to Prevent Heart Disease

Subscription Now Available!!

Do you know someone who may like reading Second Opinion? Did you visit and find us and would like to read more?

Have you missed an issue? Now get it right at home. $15/year for 6 issues. Email or call us today! editor@asecondopinionmag.com / 715.831.0325. Or send a check to our office with your mailing address! It's that easy! www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 3

e

e

balanced living The Bios Urn: Live on After Death through a Tree Would you like to live on after your death through the life of a tree? The Bios Urn, made of 100 percent biodegradable materials, comes with a tree seed and growth medium to help the tree grow.

The soil mix is in an expansion compartment in the urn, which increases in size to gradually mix with your ashes. As the urn slowly decomposes, the seed germinates and the tree begins to grow, as your ashes help the tree’s development.

The Bios Urn is available at https:// urnabios.com and comes with full instructions and a seed of your choice of maple, pine, gingko, beech, or ash (or you can use your own seed). The product has no expiration date. The urn can be used with all of the ashes, or with just a portion of them. It can be used with the ashes of people or of pets.

Urna Bios was an idea from

designer Gerard Moliné, introduced in 1997. In 2002, Bios Urn won the ADI FAD medal, and in the year 2005, it was a Top Nominee for the INDEX Award and Exhihome Gift Award. The company says, “The intent of Urna Bios is to offer an alternative for remembering deceased persons in a natural, sustainable fashion, thereby turning the ‘death’ process into regeneration and return to life by means of nature.” Urna Bios is made by a company in Barcelona, Spain, that ships urns worldwide.

Plastic Bags Most of us probably suspect that Americans use large quantities of plastic bags each year.

Although many people bring reusable bags to the grocery store and some places have banned plastic bags, there are still plenty of them around. What we may not have suspected is that the amount of plastic bags, sacks, and wraps used in the U.S. is 89 billion. Recycling these materials is getting easier, though. A recent study identified over 15,000 drop-off locations around the country and determined that over 70 percent of Americans have one of these bins available in their community.

4 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

Nitrates Natural chemicals in produce lower blood clot and stroke risk, according to two new studies. Bacteria in our mouths convert nitrates to nitrites, which are then turned into nitric oxide, a molecule that increases blood flow. Note: Natural nitrates aren’t the same as synthetic ones, in processed meats, which may be carcinogenic.

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Drop the New Year’s Resolution and Create Lasting Habits

By Heidi Dix, Mindful Motions

H

ow many times have you set a goal with the sincere intention to follow through, only to have it fall by the wayside within a couple of weeks, days, or even hours?

We’ve all been there and we’ve all done it. We all start on a path toward our goals pumped to get there, but sometimes, motivation slips, we make excuses, and we lose focus. Far too quickly, this “honeymoon effect” of creating change seems to wear off and we’re left feeling disappointed and back to where we started.

Unfortunately most change efforts don’t last. And the reason they don’t, is because of our habits.

As human beings, we are creatures of habit. We tend to do the same things over and over; we like to be in our comfort zones, avoiding the uncertainty that comes with change. We actually avoid change whether we want to or not. Avoiding change is a reflex that is built into the security system of our biological self and our unconscious minds. It’s a habit.

From the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep, you have two forces struggling to take charge of your life. The two forces are your conscious mind and your unconscious mind. Our conscious mind wants to get better. Our unconscious mind wants us to stay same.

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Even as you are all eager and dedicated to getting rid of old and undesirable habits, you will need to understand how to deal with the mind’s natural tendencies to resist change.

You will need to enlist the support of your whole mind if you are going to avoid the “subtle sabotage” that sinks the vast majority of attempts at habit change. The surest way to create lasting habits is to improve the relationship with your mind and learn how to enlist both minds to get the results that you want.

Imagine a program that challenges you to proactively move throughout the resistance phase of growth and uncover barriers and gaps between your current habits and your desired results. Envision an innovative system that is a proven way to change the way the unconscious mind works so that you can conquer old habits and ensure a happy, healthy lifestyle.

Introducing Healthy Mind Body, a new online accountability system and coaching program that will help you accomplish any and all of your goals, focusing on: Mindset, Energy, Your “Why,” Gratitude, Nutrition, Performance, and Fitness and Exercise. Through ten minutes of daily, consistent action, you are empowered to change the way you think, and live, by forging new habits and creating a healthy new identity.

If you are an individual looking for lasting change, or a professional looking to bring this to your clients, contact your Isagenix Healthy Mind & Body Advisor, Heidi Dix, for more information at mindfulmotions@ gmail.com.

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Jodi Ritsch Begins Concierge Service, the Joyful Doc Circle

D

r. Jodi Ritsch started the Joyful Doc Clinics about two years ago to spend more time with patients, “to have a life that I loved, and to help people from a place of love and not fear.” She notes, “It has been a great adventure.”

She and her staff will continue to see people in Menomonie for $100/visit, but they feel it is time to add a different approach. When patients came in and said how frustrated they were that with their high deductible, such as the last visit to urgent care, including just a few tests, it cost them over $900, Ritsch started to see the importance of Direct Primary Care (DPC). With an annual cost that is similar to that one urgent care visit, patients can be empowered to get issues addressed early as well as receive help with lifestyle choices and habits.

Monthly cost for the service is $75/adult, $25/child, with a $200/month family maximum. Ritsch says it is like paying your monthly gym membership fee or phone plan payment. If you’re considering signing up, do so soon, as only 200 adults will be accepted.

This service would be good, says Ritsch, for those with high deductible healthcare savings plans and for those without medical insurance. She adds, “This would be a good health care choice for families and individuals because it includes an affordable monthly member-

Unlimited primary care visits in Eau Claire, Menomonie and Online.

Membership includes monthly life coaching group and holistic speakers. ship that comes with accessibility like no other clinic. For busy parents, the ability to text a photo of a rash or do a quick online visit via Skype can be a super option. Having a true relationship with patients makes ongoing care much more convenient and personalized. It’s kind of a return to the old family doctor and not the busy-clinic doctor.”

There is a growing movement of Direct Primary Care in this country as doctors, patients, and employers look for new ways to do things differently.

ReforMedicine in Eau Claire is working directly with employers, and there are at

least three DPC clinics in the Milwaukee area. In the Twin Cities area, there is a cooperative of clinics offering DPC to employers and individuals.

Coaching is very helpful and will be included in a monthly optional group for members. As Ritsch learns more about the importance of food as medicine and mindfulness, she knows that personalized care with accountability will be a much more empowering journey to better health for her patients. The service also includes unlimited primary care visits and low-cost labs starting at just $10.

See her website for more details about what is covered.

Ritsch recommends the circle because “you get to have those monthly opportunities to get together with other frazzled moms and dads and work through things.” She adds, laughing, “For people who are fun-loving, of course the Joyful Doc Clinic is going to be fun!”

The service will be open before January 1, 2016. For more information or to sign up, go to www.joyfuldoc.com or call 715-953-4451.

... Scared to use your insurance? ... Unsure what it will cost you? ... Wish you could easily be seen by your doctor? $75/month for adults $25/month for their children $200/month family maximum (Labs for members starting at $10) 715-953-4451 www.joyfuldoc.com

Dr. Jodi Ritsch, M.D. Direct Primary Care Accessible and Affordable 520 Wilson Avenue Menomonie, WI 54751 www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 7

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.� — e.e. cummings

A Laughter Quiz: Are You Laughing Enough?

By Jodi Ritsch

A

s I drive around town this winter, there seems to be an overabundance of scowling faces driving cars. Which makes me interested in writing about the importance of laughter. Laughter has multiple benefits with no real side effects or costs. Babies and toddlers naturally are great at laughing. They find silliness in all different places with all sorts of people. We adults have much to learn from these wise little people. Life is meant 8 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

to be fun and funny!

Laughter has so many free and readily available health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and stress hormones like cortisol in the body. It also improves immune function and decreases pain. Laughter adds connection with those laughing with you. And those deep belly laughs are the ultimate in exhaling, really clearing out the lungs for a nice deep inhale that naturally follows.

“If you are too busy to laugh, you are too busy.”

—Proverb As a certified laughter yoga leader, I use childlike playfulness to start laughing because it is appropriate for all ages and everyone can do it. One of the secrets of laughter yoga is giving people permission to act silly and to laugh.

Our incredible bodies don’t care if our laughter is fake or genuine, the health benefits are present either way. Even fake smiling or chanting “Ho, Ho, Ha Ha” can help change your mood. Just like all health practices, the more you laugh, the easier it becomes. Luckily, laughter is contagious. So go to YouTube and put in laughing baby.

Go ahead right now give yourself a short laughter break.

Fun stuff.

Maybe you can call a friend that always makes you laugh or listen to a silly song or comedy skit. With today’s technology, the possibilities are endless. Ask your friends when was the last time they really laughed hard and what was so funny? Chances are you will both be soon guffawing together. Even remembering something funny can return that great feeling of deep belly laughing.

Just like exercise, a daily habit of fifteen minutes of laughter can have noticeable effects on your general sense of well-being, connection, and health (not to mention improving your score on the quiz above).

The world needs you to search inside yourself for that goofy little kid that loved to make noises, say potty words, tickle, and laugh. Hilarious things are happening all around you, wake up and ENJOY your life!

“If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.”

—Robert Frost Dr Jodi Ritsch is the owner of Joyful Doc Clinic in Menomonie, WI. To connect with her, look at her laughter yoga schedule at The Center in Eau Claire or call 715-953-4451.

Here are a few of my favorite laugh-inducing activities: • Hanging out with preschoolers/toddlers in my extended family.

• Breakfast or lunch with friends (warning: may disturb grouchy eaters around you).

• Watching The Goldbergs, Blackish, Modern Family, Jimmy Fallon, or The Mindy Project on Hulu/TV. • YouTube videos: Laughter Yoga basic 40 exercises, laughing baby—especially the German baby with a blue plastic bib.

• Soul Pancake, especially Kid President.

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” —Victor Borge Laughter is universal; it connects us to people we don’t know, those that speak a different language, those we may not necessarily even like. Laughter breaks the ice, builds a bridge, and brings us closer to peace for ourselves and our world.

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Here’s a short quiz to see how good of a laugher you are. Please circle all that apply to you at this time in your life.

I laugh a lot every day.

Laughter comes with my internal desire to have fun.

I use humor daily.

I add physical playfulness when interacting with others.

I sing for no reason every day.

I dance for no reason every day.

I express my emotions freely.

I have a high percentage of positive thoughts.

I am peaceful and calm.

I feel excited and passionate about life.

I express myself as an extrovert often.

I am satisfied and happy with life.

My physical, mental, and emotional well-being is relaxed.

I am able to communicate and interact with strangers easily.

I often feel refreshed and energetic.

I stay positive during challenging times.

I am connected to a lot of friends.

It is easy for me to laugh for no reason.

I often perform random acts of kindness.

I have the ability to be silly even in front of others.

Scores of: 16–20 circled = You are a great laugher.

12–16 circled = You are good at laughing.

8–12 circled = You have room to laugh more. < 8 circled = So glad you are reading this article.

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www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 9

Six Steps to Help You Move Forward

T

he new year is a time for reflection, and for many, a time to make resolutions, a time to make plans to change unproductive behaviors and learn to make more beneficial choices. Life coach Carleen Sterner and visionary Lisa Thelen find a set of six steps to be very helpful, both in their own lives and when working with clients hoping to make positive change in their lives. The six steps can be used with anything from daily stressors to contemplating a career change.

Thelen and Sterner say the top three issues people struggle with are: money, relationships, and time.

The six steps are: 1. Pause. When something is stressing you out, making you upset, or clearly not working, just take a break, pause.

2. Breathe. Remember to take some nice deep breaths. This offsets the effects of stress and enables you to think more clearly.

3. Look. Observe where things are, where you are. What are you doing

and/or saying? How is that making you feel? What is it doing for you?

Is it helpful? Thelen and Sterner emphasize that this step should be nonjudgmental. This isn’t about deriding yourself; it’s about understanding whether a pattern or habit is bringing about the results you’d prefer.

4. Choose. Decide, specifically, what you can do differently that might have a better outcome.

5. Commit. Make the commitment to pursue this change. Don’t just say, “I’ll give it a try.” Actually change your patterns of behavior. We can change our neuropathways, but only when we actually DO something differently—not just think about doing it.

6. Celebrate. In big or small ways. When you do the new changed behavior, smile, make yourself a cup a tea, do a happy dance. Enjoy that you have made a positive change.

Sterner and Thelen recommend that you start with awareness, with being in the present. Intention is also key, and

working through the six steps clarifies intention and accountability. Realizing that you have a choice is a starting point, which leads to opportunity, which leads to growth.

Both Thelen and Sterner recognize that there can be some initial frustration with using the six steps. In those cases, they recommend starting with just one or two steps, and when you feel comfortable practicing them, add another step. You get to decide how much you want to work on at a time. They note that step 3, Look, often causes the most anxiety for people, because it is so important not to judge yourself but rather to learn to love yourself and look for each opportunity for growth.

If you would like some help in working through an issue using the six steps, contact Thelen or Sterner.

Lisa Thelen, LLC, www.LisaThelen. com, 715-271-1371; Carleen Sterner, Creative Life Coaching, LLC, thecenter.com/ practitioners, carsterner@gmail.com.

—JC

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Stop Sabotaging Yourself and Transform Your Life!

I

t’s New Year’s resolution time—that time of the year when we resolve to start fresh and do better in our lives.

Despite lofty intentions, many of us fail to fulfill our resolutions. Is that true for you? If so, it’s likely that the “shadow” part of you is sabotaging you.

Jim and Linda Brooks, certified Shadow Work® facilitators, will be in Menomonie March 18–20 to offer a Shadow Work seminar at The Core. The seminar provides a transformational experience to help you bring unconscious shadows into the light so that you can free yourself of internal obstacles and enjoy more happiness and success in life.

The Impact of Hidden Shadows

Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung described human shadows as those parts of ourselves that we have hidden, repressed, or denied. In our attempt to get love from our early caretakers and be accepted by society, we unconsciously put into shadow the parts of ourselves—positive or negative—that our parents or our culture deemed unacceptable.

These might include our spontaneity and exuberance, because we had to “behave properly,” or our sadness or fear, because we were told not to cry. Perhaps we can’t express anger, because when we did so as a child, we were admonished. Maybe we don’t allow ourselves to be vulnerable or experience intimacy, because early on we learned that to stay safe, we had to put on a brave face.

When we put something into shadow, it goes into the unconscious part of the mind. Like an iceberg submerged in the ocean, we aren’t aware of our unconscious, yet it influences our thinking most powerfully. When our behavior arises from our shadows, we may find ourselves acting uncharacteristically—as when a normally calm person has an angry outburst.

When we put something into shadow that we don’t want, like our anger, something useful goes into shadow with it, like our ability to set healthy boundaries.

Many report that Shadow Work helps them make powerful internal shifts. Seminar graduate Richard S. says, “This was the most helpful experience I have had in understanding what stands in the way of my greater prosperity.” And Lucy G. says, “This weekend helped me see how my need to be in control gets in the way of my life and my relationships.”

Overview of the Seminar

A Shadow Work weekend is for men and women ages eighteen and over. Through individual and group processes and visualizations, we activate and explore four powerful archetypal energies—Magician, Sovereign, Lover, and Warrior.

Magician helps us gain perspective, figure out new solutions, and transform old patterns Sovereign connects us to our life’s purpose, allows us to lead, to bless, and to support Lover opens us to feelings and the wisdom of our bodies, lets in love, stimulates creativity Warrior activates our ability to set healthy boundaries and achieve goals The weekend offers an opportunity to clarify what you want to change in your life, and to remove the obstacles that are getting in your way.

According to seminar graduate Nancy N., “If you are ready to really explore something within yourself so that you can move forward in life, then this is definitely the workshop to attend.”

Facilitators

Jim and Linda Brooks have been facilitating Shadow Work seminars for almost a decade in the United States and abroad. Jim, a psychiatrist who specializes in natural healing modalities, says that often just one Shadow Work session can result in life-changing transformation.

Linda, originally from South Africa, believes deeply that human beings have an innate capacity for healing and growth. She brings an extensive background in education and training to this work.

For more information, or to register for the March 18–20 Shadow Work weekend, contact Jim and Linda at Info@ AdventuresInPartnering or 641-469-5352. Register by February 2 for an Early Bird discount.

www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 11

Finding Happiness through Yoga in the New Year

By Sandra Helpsmeet

H

appiness and yoga are interconnected. Much of this has to do with the ways that yoga can lessen or turn off the stress response in the body, but yoga can foster happiness in other ways too.

Practicing yoga intentionally and mindfully keeps your focus in your body, which keeps it in the present. When our minds are in the present, we are not thinking about what could happen, or what did happen. We just are. That is extremely refreshing and turns the stress response off, so we tend to feel calm and content.

Practicing yoga intelligently tends to pull the kinks out of our fascia, which frees us to move more easily and with less pain in our daily lives. It also tends to turn off the stress response when we can move easily and free from pain. We feel freer, more mobile, happy.

Practicing yoga usually helps us

breathe more fully. Freeing the breath also tends to turn off the stress response, so we feel more calm and content.

An energetic type of yoga practice can stress our nervous system in a pleasant way so that we feel energized. A steady diet of this can backfire, but if balanced with a calming practice, it can work in a lovely way for some people.

A strong, grounded practice tends to turn off the stress response and leave us feeling calm and alert—a great combination.

Practicing yoga consistently helps to create more neural pathways for the

5 Ways to Keep Your Resolutions This Year

By Abbie Burgess

S

etting a goal for the new year is only the beginning. Now it’s time to make it happen! Casey Wick, director of personal training at Gold’s Gym in Eau Claire, has valuable advice for resolution newbies and seasoned goal-setters alike.

Set a reasonable goal and break it into little milestones.

“Don’t overwhelm yourself!” Casey Wick advises clients.

“To make healthy a habit, you need to make a gradual transition.” Reaching one goal each week helps to make big resolutions manageable. “For example, if better nutrition is 12 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

states we practice ourselves into, so it is easier to access a calm and content state.

Yoga practices can be designed for balancing various mood states, like easing anxiety or lifting depression.

As current science is demonstrating in many ways, what we do creates more neurological pathways for that mental or physical activity. If we sit in a depressed posture, we feel more depressed and are more likely to become depressed. If we extend our body and move it more freely, we learn to pay more attention to our body’s signals and thus we become more sensitive to our internal state, and also, via mirror neurons, to the state of others. As a result, we tend to develop more understanding and compassion for ourselves and others.

As we learn to note and not react to our body state in the moment, we become more tolerant of our feelings, saving us from getting carried away in reactions to them.

Contact Sandra at the Yoga Center of Eau Claire, yoga@yogacenterec.com, 715-579-9310. Or, at Vantage Point Clinic, helpsmeets@vantagepointclinic.com, 715-832-5454.

the goal, a client could stop drinking soda first. Once that goal is accomplished, they could go on to cut all fast food out of their diet.”

Find a support system.

An important step to keeping resolutions is to involve others in your journey. Wick advocates for hiring a personal trainer to help with fitness goals. She’s also seen clients start Facebook groups with friends and family to build a resolution-keeping support group. “If you have a setback or a bad week, they can be there to encourage you to not give up.”

Reward yourself.

Pick an incentive to reward yourself for reaching a small goal along the way. Wick recommends a small nonfood reward such as a book or a movie. When you’re looking forward to rewarding yourself, you’re more likely to keep going. Not all people are motivated by rewards, so Wick recommends using physical reminders such as post-it notes that remind you why you started. “There was some reason motivating you to set this resolution,” she says. “Whether that

Three Tips for Choosing Happiness This Year

By Tina Frank, MS, RN, APNP, Positive Living Eau Claire

T

here are many ways to define happiness, but in this article, I’d like to define it as: • the ability to experience pleasure from various activities/ relationships • the ability to feel a sense of meaning and purpose

Three Tips 1. To be happier we need to “choose” to use certain tools that promote the definition of happiness. It is important to incorporate these tools into

practicing forgiveness, and loving unconditionally.

3. Practice your version of spirituality. That may be in the form of organized religion, connecting with nature or the universe, meditation, or connecting to “something” that gives you goose bumps—spiritually moves you. Surround yourself with positive energy—energy that you can draw upon. Don’t forget to share your positive energy as well. Pay it forward!

Tina Frank, MS, RN, APNP, Positive Living Eau Claire, www. positivelivingeauclaire.com, 715-579-4700. To advance health, well being, and optimal functioning in individuals who are open and capable of implementing these concepts. A core philosophy is “build what’s strong” approach that can augment the “fix what’s wrong” approach of more traditional psychotherapy.

our daily life and to build rituals into your day (similar to brushing your teeth). You can have and know the tools, but unless you practice them, the tools are ineffective. For example, I prime my environment to remind me to practice some of my tools. There are visual reminders all over my house to practice gratitude.

2. If you want to become happier, nurture your relationships. After all, relationships are the

“ultimate currency,” as noted by Whole Being Institute at Kripalu owner, Tal Ben Shahar.

You can nurture your relationships by practicing and incorporating random acts of kindness, showing gratitude,

is to avoid diabetes or be able to play with your grandchildren, remind yourself why you got started.”

Stay positive.

Setbacks happen. Maybe you’ve added on those pounds you lost last week, but wellness resolutions are not always about the number on the scale! “If you feel better and are making positive changes, you’re succeeding,” Wick says. “Look at the milestones you’ve already accomplished.” Don’t let one setback keep you from pursuing your goal!

Use technology to your advantage.

Constantly on your smartphone? Use that to your advantage. Wick recommends using apps to help her clients reach their fitness goals. Whether your resolution is to drink more water or work out every day, you can customize an app to help track your progress. Her favorite is an app called MyFitnessPal for its ease of use and the ability to connect with friends.

Try these tips to turn your New Year’s resolution into a dream come true!

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(715)

The Promise of the New Year

W

e have had sage advice over the years on how to accomplish the changes we desire. Start by listing goals.

Be realistic in determining the timeline to accomplish the desired results. (Losing 2 pounds/week or saving 10 percent of income are the generally accepted rates.)

Be actively involved in body, mind, and spirit. Positive affirmations will change your physiology to the changes you desire. Speak the affirmations with excitement and as if they have already been achieved and with gratitude. (I am thankful for my ideal weight of __ pounds. I am thankful for my bills being paid in full and the balance of __ in my savings account.)

Using positive affirmations to achieve goals can be enhanced by keeping a journal, diary, or spreadsheet. The emotional side to change can be very stubborn. The only constant in life is change, and as humans we resist change vehemently.

To ease the process I recommend creating and using a vision board (how your life is going to be enhanced in pictures) and using pure essential oils to assist in the emotional area of the brain called the amygdala. I personally and professionally recommend the doTERRA emotional aromatherapy system™.

The doTERRA Emotional Aromatherapy System™ is a

revolutionary organization of aromatic plant families around a continuum of emotions for a simple, profound approach to using fragrant essential oils in emotional aromatherapy applications. Individual essential oils can be used with great effectiveness by skilled aromatherapists. doTERRA makes emotional aromatherapy easy and accessible for anyone dealing with common negative emotions with a new line of proprietary essential oil blends representing six categories of emotional well-being. Each delicate blend contains CPTG® essential oils that can be used aromatically or topically to help balance and brighten your changing moods. Just a few drops of these naturally complex, fragrant blends can elicit profound emotional responses to help you let go of burdens, find comfort and encouragement, or inspire you to dream with passion again.

Steady positive actions to achieve the desired results of a New Year’s resolution supported by affirmation, keeping written progress notes, and opening your emotional pathways with pure essential oils.

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This Year Grow Sprouts

By Debbie Koteras, Mother Nature’s Food

A

s we look to the New Year, many of us think about making a change.

It can be a small change like adding our favorite essential oil to our laundry to a much harder change like cutting out all white sugar from our diet. Whatever the change might be for you this year, I would like to introduce you to what may be a food that you have never tried and certainly may not have thought about growing in your own home–sprouts!

Most of you have probably seen alfalfa sprouts on a salad bar along the way.

Hopefully you gave them a try, but if not once you have read the following about sprouts you might make this one of those things you will try and change in the New Year.

Live foods—of which sprouting seeds, beans, and grains are but one category—are beneficial natural sources of concentrated healthful nutrition. Sprouts can help a body that is constantly exposed to toxic chemicals and is undergoing

immune system decline. If we include sprouts in our diets, we give our body the nutrients and energy it needs to cleanse, detoxify, rebuild, and heal itself. Then those trillions of tiny cells that make up our body can continue to do what they do best—keep us alive, alert, and feeling healthy. 1 Sprouting at home doesn’t take a “green thumb.” It just takes paying attention to the six rules of sprouting: ▪ Rinse often.

▪ Keep them moist, not wet.

▪ Keep them at room temperature.

▪ Give them plenty of room to breathe.

▪ Don’t put too many in any one container.

▪ Keep them covered—no light.

The last thing I would consider when sprouting is to choose seeds that are packaged as high-germination spouting seeds. If you don’t, only part of them may not sprout, and if you don’t pick them out, it may leave hard spots and a bitter taste to what should be tender, tasty sprouts!

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24 Tips for Following through on Your 2016 Resolutions!

By Heidi Toy A new year brings new possibilities, new choices, and new hope for the future. Here are some tips to help you actually keep the resolution you make this year.

1. KISS Method. It is something that we’ve heard before, but it really works—keep it simple, sweetie. By using this method you ensure that you won’t get carried away by setting up resolutions that you have no hope of fulfilling.

Simplify your resolutions to ensure you can achieve them.

2. Be choosy. Agreeing to a New Year’s resolution just because you feel you should is setting yourself up for failure.

Instead, choose to change something you really desire to change, and your chances for success will be much greater 3. Be realistic. You may want to lose twenty-five pounds in a week, but besides being unhealthy, it’s utterly unrealistic. Instead, set realistic expectations for what you can accomplish within the time frame.

4. Broadcast your plans. Tell friends and family about your New Year’s resolution; don’t try to keep it to yourself.

Letting others know your plans firms up your decision in your own mind and helps you stay accountable.

5. Educate yourself. Learn how others have successfully made the change you desire. Doing so will help you avoid pitfalls and build realistic expectations. If you are not sure how to do something, hire an expert to help you.

16 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

6. Avoid the same old resolutions. If you’ve resolved to lose ten pounds year after year, it may be time to set a different resolution. Instead, resolve to eat healthier and add some exercise. This will accomplish the same results, but it frames your lifestyle change in a different light.

7. Break your resolution into achievable tasks.

Rather than focusing on one huge life-altering change, opt for smaller, more manageable changes that you can track and accomplish more easily.

8. Create a plan of action. Once you know the steps you need to take to fulfill your resolution, decide what you’ll do first, then do it! Plan each step in advance so that you’ll know how to proceed as you reach each small goal.

9. Don’t expect overnight results. It takes time to develop habits and behaviors, and it can take even longer to change them. Be patient with yourself and expect gradual, rather than immediate, results.

10. Don’t stress yourself out! Change, even good change, can be stressful. We’re creatures of comfort, and stepping out of our comfort zones can create stress and anxiety. Strive to disallow stress from getting the best of you.

11. Garner support from others.

12. Let your enthusiasm show! Look at the changes

you’re making as an adventure, rather than drudgery. Get

excited about how you’ll feel when you’ve reached your goal. The journey can be as much fun as the destination!

Create a chart of your progress so that you can see exactly how far you’ve come with each step you’ve taken.

13. Look at both the pros and cons of your decision. Be prepared for both the positive and negative

20. Write out your resolutions. Writing your goals and desires on paper has a strong effect on your psyche. It firms up your intentions and helps you focus more clearly. Take the time to write down your goals, step by step, to best achieve your resolutions.

outcomes of your decision so that there are no surprises.

14. Be prepared for setbacks. There will be days when your good intentions fly out the window and you return to old habits. All is not lost! It’s just like riding a horse: when you fall off, get back up and trudge on.

15. Prepare in advance. Give your subconscious time to adjust to the change so that it doesn’t come as such a shock to your system. You’re more likely to succeed when you prepare in advance.

16. Reward yourself! Look for ways to reward yourself after every step is reached. It’ll build momentum because you’ll be looking forward to the next reward. I must add here, however, that food is not a reward.

17. Set a deadline. As with any goal, it’s important to have a time frame in mind. Give yourself plenty of time to realistically reach your goal, but plan for a specific end date to work toward.

18. Set a limit. It’s best to work on just one or two resolutions at a time. You’ll be able to focus your efforts without feeling overwhelmed with too much to do. This is especially important with business goals, since distraction equals lost income.

23. Hang in there. Never give up! The going may, indeed, get tough. You may have discouraging days. You may feel like quitting. But if you’ve made the conscious decision to change, keep plugging away.

24. By putting these strategies into practice, your resolutions will transform into realistic, reachable goals. May your New Year be filled with happiness, and the Heidi Toy, NTP is a functional medicine nutritionist who specializes in helping people who are fatigued, depressed, gaining weight, experiencing heartburn and other digestive problems, and battling with female hormone issues collectively, what she calls the “Big Five.”

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Natural & Easy Stress Relief: An Introduction to TRE®

By Christine Varnavas

T

ension Release Exercises (TRE®) are a set of exercises (movements) created by Dr. David Bercelli designed to help us two-legged animals shake off stress and tension.

It’s easy and everyone can do it, anywhere, anytime.

Really? Yes! After a period of time, once learned in a safe environment with a certified practitioner, you can do it on your own.

TRE assists the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress and tension and has been known to help release current day stress due to past trauma. Based on the work of Dr. Peter Levine, who has worked in the field of stress and trauma for over forty years, Dr. David Berceli, PhD, created the series of movements known as TRE that safely activates a self-controlled natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating, known as neurogenic muscle tremors. These tremors release muscular tension at its core and calm down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return to a state of balance.

TRE is a result of Dr. David Berceli’s work with large traumatized communities while living in Africa and the Middle East, war-torn countries and areas affected by natural disaster. What he observed over many years was that repeatedly, all adults, regardless of culture and background, take on the same physical posture when in trauma. This posture is recognized as fetal position and is the body’s natural response to protecting our vital organs. He also observed that children and animals do not take on this 18 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

posture. They shake, and by doing so release the immediate physical impact of stress on the body.

How does TRE work?

It’s simple and everyone can do it. Yes, everyone.

Individuals from any age, ability, and background can do the exercises that encourage the shaking mechanism that we all have in us. If you’ve ever seen an animal shake after experiencing a fight or a child tremble after hearing a distressingly loud noise, that shaking and or trembling is the body’s natural defense mechanism trying to release the stress and tension from the body as a result of the stressor in the moment. Think about how parents rock or gently bounce an infant who is distressed. Our bodies already know what to do. However, we as adults hinder that shaking due to social norms.

To learn how to do the exercises you must first work with a certified provider. Over time and after having worked with a provider, individuals can do TRE on their own.

You can locate a provider on the global website www. traumaprevention.com. Christine Varnavas, MS, RYT, is a certified provider and lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She has been working with clients and holding small group classes in the Eau Claire area since 2014.

The series of exercises is designed to stretch and stress muscles in the body from the feet to the shoulder region.

The first movement is done with the provider and client together, and then subsequent movements are demonstrated by the provider and then recreated by the client/student in the way their body will allow. After completing the first few exercises, the client then relaxes on the floor, completes a few more movements, and the tremors begin. The client is always in control of the shaking and can stop it at any time.

Once done, a resting period is advised, similar to savasana

at the end of a yoga practice. A typical session, although it varies from client to client, lasts an hour, and that includes the exercises, the shaking, and the rest.

What it helps?

TRE can be used to aid in everything from handling daily stress to helping reduce the fight/flight/freeze response in individuals with PTSD and other acute trauma. The beauty of this self-help tool is that it is a very gentle, user-friendly, calming and healing tool designed for anyone to use. It has been reported to help decrease worry and anxiety, reduce symptoms of PTSD, improve relationships, decrease emotional reactivity, and lessen workplace stress. It can encourage better sleep, reduce muscle and back pain, provide greater emotional resiliency, help heal old injuries, and help with chronic medical conditions. In Los Angeles it is currently being used as a workplace wellness and conflict-resolution tool.

By simply being a human being we have stress, tension, and trauma. It varies for all of us and can be anywhere on the stress/tension/trauma continuum from low to high, small to gargantuan, frequently to infrequently, and all the other areas in between.

To learn more about TRE, visit cvtre.com, traumaprevention. com or call Christine at 715-828-3378. Drop-in group classes are currently taught at The Center on Highway 12 in Eau Claire, Fridays at noon. There is an opportunity to try TRE on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at The Lismore during Chippewa Valley WellFEST.

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Scratching that Winter Itch

By Dr. Margaret Meier, DVM, CVSMT

D

uring this time of year as we gather together to share the warmth of our homes with family and friends we are grateful for the glow of a warm fire or the forcedair heat that keeps us toasty warm.

This warmth, however, combined with the frequent trips in and out, leaves our skin dry and us reaching for the moisturizing lotion. Our pets end up with dry itchy skin just like us, but how can we help them? We field this question and others such as: Does our pet have psoriasis or some other serious skin condition?

Can it be from fleas with the weather so cold? What shampoo should I have my groomer use? Is there any supplement that can help? What can we do so we can sleep at night…this scratching is driving us crazy!

Parasites, such as fleas and mange, truly can also be the cause of the itch even in the winter months, especially this year with the mild winter we have been experiencing so far. The best place to check your pet for fleas is on the back near the base of the tail. Fleas like to hang out here because it is hard for our pets to reach them there. If you notice what looks to be dirt on the skin, this could be feces from the fleas. Take some of the “dirt” you see and place it on a white paper towel that has been dampened with water. If it is truly

dirt, it will just remain as a black dot on the paper towel. If it has been left on your pet by fleas, the black dirtlike material will begin to dissolve into a reddish brown color on the towel. I recommend consulting your veterinarian for the best flea and tick product for your individual pet.

There are many things we can do at home as well to help prevent the dry itchy skin of winter in our pets. Supplementing our pets’ diet with essential fatty acids, especially omega 3s, has been proven to help keep the skin healthy, which in turn helps stop the itching. With cats and dogs, the best way to supplement this is with fish oil. It is important to remember, however, that not all fish oil products are created equally, and we recommend those that use Nordic processing to extrude the oil over others that use extraction techniques.

With our horses and other herbivore friends such as rabbits, flax seed ground to expose the oil provides these essential fatty acids best in their diets. Many commercial diets available today have added amounts of these as well, but the levels are often not high enough to help this time of year.

Oatmeal shampoo and cream rinses applied directly to the skin can also help with dry itchy skin. You can even make your own oat-milk

spray at home by taking 1 cup of old fashioned oats and soaking them overnight in 4 cups of water at room temperature. In the morning, strain the liquid through cheese cloth and use a mister bottle to spray the dry itchy areas. This can provide some much needed relief.

Until we encounter a problem with our skin, we take for granted that it is the largest surface area organ in the body. Even on a physiological level, the skin is not considered a high priority as it only receives about 7 percent of the volume of blood sent out to the body each time the heart beats. If your pet is experiencing more than just an occasional dry flake when you brush him or her, consulting your veterinarian might be in order. Skin conditions are the number one reason people take their pets to the veterinarian according to VPI Pet Insurance. Pets can experience some of the same serious skin conditions that we do, such as primary seborrhea (dandruff), pyoderma (bacterial and/or fungal skin infection), and even autoimmune diseases (although these are more rare). If your pet is itching at an area that has a color change to the skin, is moist, or has an odor to it, your veterinarian will help you determine the best course of action to remedy the situation.

Dr. Meier obtained her certification in veterinary spinal manipulative therapy at the Healing Oasis Wellness Center in Sturtevant, WI. In 2007 she was certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in animal chiropractic, and in 2012, Dr. Meier was also certified by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Dr. Meier also uses other non-traditional modalities such as Reiki and other energy work to help her veterinary patients heal; she has begun her acupuncture training through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, and is looking forward to being certified in veterinary acupuncture this fall.

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Depending on the dog’s breed and coat, frostbite can occur when temps drop below freezing (32 degrees).

Wet and damp weather make dogs more vulnerable to frostbite.

Paws, ears and tails are most susceptible to frostbite.

Frostbite damage may take days to reveal clinical symptoms. If you suspect your pet has suffered frostbite, seek immediate veterinary intervention.

Hypothermia may be another concern for a dog that is outside for an extended period. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for pooch.

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Talk to your vet about your dog’s need of extra calories for winter activity.

Keep your light coated dogs and older dogs warm with a jacket or sweater.

Rock salt and ice melt can cause cracking and burns on pads. Rinse and dry paws after winter walk. Don’t miss the toes. Dogs perspire through their paws.

Snowballs or iceballs between your dog’s paws can be painful and make it difficult to walk. Keeping the paw fur trimmed will help prevent this, as well as a good pair of dog booties. At emBARK, we like www.dogbooties.com 2109 Fairfax Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701 715.864.3263 www.EMBARKDOG.com www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 21

Essential Oils Can Help and Heal Year-Round What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are made by extracting oils from certain aromatic plants to use to heal the body, the mind, and the spirit. Depending on the plant, the oils may be taken from leaves, twigs, flowers, stems, fruits, or buds.

The four methods for extracting essential oils include steam distillation, carbon dioxide hyperbolic method, using solvents, or through physical means.

Essential oils are often mixed with a carrier product. Because the oils are very concentrated, they are usually not applied to the skin at full strength. Massage therapists and other practitioners (and you can) dilute the oils in a fixed oil like sunflower oil, hemp oil, jojoba oil, or others. A few drops of essential oil can be added to an unscented lotion or cream.

Prices for essential oils vary depending on how much plant material is required to obtain the oil. For example, rose essential oil takes thousands of pounds of petals to get one ounce of essential oil, while eucalyptus only takes about a hundred pounds of leaves to extract one pound of oil. Thus, rose essential oil is much more expensive than eucalyptus essential oil.

Help Your Body

When choosing an essential oil, you need to know what possible therapeutic effects it will have based on the particular chemical makeup of the plant that oil comes from.

Some examples of oils and their physical effects are as follows: • Antimicrobial oils, which you would use when you feel a cold or the flu coming on or in general cleaning products, include most essential oils.

These could be used in a variety of ways.

• Expectorant oils, which address 22 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

“Essential oils are the regenerating and immune systems of plants. According to translations of ancient manuscripts, priests and physicians used essential oils thousands of years before the birth of Christ. They were the first medicine of mankind.”

—Christiane Northrup, from Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

mucus in the respiratory system, include bay rum, ginger, sweet marjoram, peppermint, myrrh, tea tree, and yarrow.

Ways to use a few drops of these include through inhalation, a chest rub, or a steam bath/sauna.

• Sedative oils, which calm and soothe you, include jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, rose, clary sage, vanilla, and ylang ylang. These can be used via a lotion, a mist, or during bath reflexology.

Help Your Mind and Spirit

Taking advantage of the effect of good smells can go a long way to promoting relaxation. Stress leads to many physical and mental health issues, so reducing stress is good for a healthy body and healthy mind and spirit. Research has shown that smells we associate with as being good can have a huge positive effect on our mood. Our sense of smell is directly linked to the part of the brain that is the most emotional, the limbic system.

Some examples of oils that have psychological effects are as follows: • Antidepressant oils include bergamot, neroli, sandalwood, and ylang ylang. These oils could be applied with a few drops in a bath, in a mist or diffuser, and can be used along with meditation.

• Sedative oils (see above).

• Stimulating oils, which can foster alertness and focus, include rosemary, lemon, and basil. Just smelling a few whiffs of these oils has been shown to improve performance on tasks requiring sustained attention, like taking a test.

Just Local Food carries Wyndmere and Young Living essential oils. Karin Kircher from Just Local Food says, “If we do not have an oil in stock, we can special order anytime. Many of our staff are knowledgeable and can answer any questions that you have. Also, there is a Reference Guide for Essential Oils available for customer use. This guide contains information on the science and application of essential oils and a personal guide with over 600 health-related topics.

Since ancient times people have drawn on the healing properties of essential oils, and they are still a wonderful component of a healthy lifestyle.

For more information about the essential oils at Just Local Food, call 715-552-3366 or stop in anytime. Store hours are daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

Source: Spa Bodywork, by Anne Williams.

Note of Caution

Each of us is unique, with different health levels and issues, and care should be taken to assure that an essential oil is right for the condition you seek to treat or enhance, that you have no contraindications for that oil (it is safe for you personally to use), and that you know how to use the essential oil correctly—whether you apply it to your skin through a carrier, use it in a diffuser to disperse into the air around you, or directly ingest it. Seek the advice of a trained practitioner for optimal effectiveness and safety.

JustLocalFood cooperative

healthy • affordable • delicious open daily 8am-9pm 1117 S. Farwell St. Eau Claire 715.552.3366

Joining Forces for the Good of the Valley

A

fter years of knowing each other, two local health care practitioners realized they had the same vision and goals for their work. So, they joined forces! Dr. Michael Court and Dr. Dan Czelatdko, have been helping their patients through chiropractic and nutrition for twenty-six years. They both have a passion to restore health to patients through natural means and to help them live their lives to the fullest.

Dr. Court explains that their approach to nutritional healing is not the typical “shot gun, cookie cutter” type care where you just try something and hope that it works. They “zero in on specific issues like food sensitivities, immune challenges, and chemical and heavy metal toxicities.”

Dr. Dan says that, “Dr. Court and I share a similar philosophy in regards to health care. Although I will continue to treat acute and chronic conditions, I now will have an avenue to practice true wellness care. Looking and supporting the body as a whole machine rather than part is an exciting approach to achieving true health.”

While they do chiropractic care of the spine and musculoskeletal system, they also use a system of analysis that gauges the body’s nervous system to determine what may be weak or out

of balance. They are also skilled in helping patients with diet and whole food natural supplements to address patients’ concerns. Dr. Court describes the process as finding “the barriers, removing them, and then allowing the body to heal itself.”

One patient reported, “I had a rash on my neck and stomach aches frequently. After following Dr. Court’s advice and sticking to the program, my rash is completely gone.

I don’t have stomach aches very often.

I just feel better as a whole.” —LK Another wrote, “I was feeling bloated, could not lose weight, blood sugar was high, had arthritis, and felt tired. After coming to the office, my blood sugar has come down and I have lost eight pounds.” —BN Dr. Czelatdko is a diplomate in clinical nutrition and has used nutritional therapies for over twenty years. He is now incorporating that knowledge with Nutrition Response Testing to streamline patients to better health.

Dr. Court has received his naturopathic degree in 2010, is Advanced Clinically Trained in Nutrition Response Testing, and is an instructor for Ulan Nutritional Systems, training other doctors on this

system of analysis.

They believe this gives them an edge in helping patients regain their health.

Drs. Court and Czelatdko recommend new patients come in for a personalized initial analysis ($120) to see if you would be a candidate for this kind of treatment. If this type of care will not help, then they will direct you to where you may need to seek care. If you are, it is their belief that nothing will help as much.

This analysis helps you find ways to address many health issues, including hormonal needs, digestive problems, and chronic illnesses. Dr. Court stresses, “Again, this is all part of removing barriers that keep you from getting well.” He cautions, though, that there is no quick fix. “It took years for your health issues to develop, and it will take time to help the body heal itself.”

The main office is in Lake Hallie, and it is open five days a week. The Altoona location is open by appointment only. For more information, call 715-723-2713 or visit their website at cvwellness.net.

—JC

Chippewa Falls (715) 723-2713 Altoona (by appt only) (715) 514-1168 www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 23

Breathe Easier in 2016

Y

ou may be surprised to know that if your jaw isn’t in alignment, you can suffer from breathing issues. The Q & A below will help clarify what you need to know and how you can get help.

How does the misalignment affect breathing?

To begin to answer that question, we would actually start with a different question: How did their dysfunctional breathing and dysfunctional swallow cause the misalignment of their teeth?

The importance of correct breathing (the right amount of air, correct number of breaths per minute while using proper body mechanics) and its impact, either positively or negatively, affect proper jaw growth and subsequent tooth alignment. (www.breathingwellopt.com) If the mouth is the main source for breathing, oral development is impeded. The upper palate (jaw) will be smaller than the lower (reverse of what is normal) due to constant tongue pressure pushing on the lower instead of the upper. A dysfunctional swallowing problem comes from the upper front teeth being too far back, trapping the lower jaw and affecting breathing as well as the epiglottis/throat function. There can be a problem with swallowing actually causing fluid to accumulate in the lungs, which may lead to pneumonia. For videos showing the proper swallow verses improper swallow and their effect on tooth alignment see www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZKRT8liqFA. It is unnatural for a person—even more so a child—to sleep with their mouth open. The correct position of the tongue is at the roof of the mouth and the lips together at rest, and in this position it provides support for the eruption of the teeth and the proper position of the jaws and growth of the jaws.

How common is this issue?

These issues with breathing and sleep disturbance are considered to affect approximately 30 percent of the general population. Probably between 50 to 70 percent of the general population, have some degree of difficulty.

24 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

When the teeth and the jaws are out of alignment what type of problems might someone be presented with?

Improper tongue function, which is in direct correlation with teeth and jaw alignment, can manifest itself as: headaches, neck ache, back aches, TMJ/jaw problems, grinding of the teeth, on-edge feelings, airway problems, stomach, digestive, and absorption problems.

Can you describe the treatment you offer to address these conditions of dysfunctional swallowing, crowding of teeth, dysfunctional breathing, TMJ issues, and sleep disturbance?

Problems with the jaw can be treated by stimulating growth of the jaws, realigning the teeth, bringing the lower jaw down and forward, retraining the tongue, slowing down the breath, increasing the diaphragm function, improving the overall neuromuscular balance of the craniosacral system, as well as using braces or appliances that can improve cranial functioning.

We also refer patients to other healthcare practitioners to address issues such as neuromuscular dysfunction, nutrition, homeopathy, metal toxicity, body alignment, and acupuncture meridian therapy.

Treatment time varies from case to case, dependent upon the patient’s desired outcome. Some symptomatic treatment can change breathing/oxygen/CO2 balance in as little as one visit. Other cases, where jaw expansion, teeth alignment, and TMJ therapy are necessary, may take from two to four years. It’s not unusual for us to begin that treatment at four or five years of age to reduce crowding in the front part of the mouth. Starting with young children, we avoid extraction of baby and permanent teeth and improve jaw development and function of the whole person.

Does insurance usually cover jaw alignment?

Insurance coverage for some of these procedures is totally dependent on the type of policy. Some patients have orthodontic coverage some have medical coverage in their policy which is also affected by the amount of money paid to the insurance company. Some opinions state that, generally

speaking, the more you pay for insurance, the better the coverage.

Are there any risks or side effects to the treatment?

Compared to surgery (including extraction of teeth), there are very few contraindications. One thing that we encourage is therapeutic homework and cooperation. The patient’s level of cooperation and the level of difficulty of the case play a paramount role in success.

When should someone breathe through their mouth as opposed to their nose?

Generally speaking, we should breathe through our mouth as often as we eat through our nose. During strenuous exercise we sometimes need to mouth breathe.

However, Dr. John Douillard of Boulder, Colorado, believes in training with nose breathing. (www.lifespa. com) Mouth breathing can be influenced by what we do, what we are eating, and what causes us stress, real or imagined. The influence of the modern diet (www. westonaprice.org/) and known/unknown pollutants have caused many allergies that can manifest themselves, among many other ways, as a plugged nose, forcing us to breathe through the mouth. Mouth breathing, in turn, causes the oxygen/CO2 levels to fall out of balance making the nose close off even more. Thus the vicious cycle starts.

How could we encourage our dentist to evaluate complimentary/integrative dentistry?

You could ask the following questions: • Do you see tongue function as a factor affecting breathing?

• Have you studied cranial osteopathy or cranial sacral therapy?

©Organic Valley 2015-12032

Dr. John Laughlin III, DDS and Dr. John Reed, DDS, Health Centered Dentistry, River Falls, WI

Learn more about our mission at OrganicValley.coop www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 25

can’t eliminate your heart disease risk. (If only it were true!)

Family history often plays a factor. You easily can be thin and have high cholesterol.

Knowing your numbers can help. The American Heart Association recommends you start getting your cholesterol checked at age twenty, or earlier, if your family has a history of heart disease. And be sure to have your blood pressure checked regularly.

True or False: I feel fine; therefore, I am fine.

Seeing Red: Awareness of Heart Disease in Women is Important

By Susan Pope, N.P., Cardiac Center It’s time we start seeing red.

Red — as in the color of heart disease awareness, just as pink is the color we all take notice of in regard to breast cancer.

Heart disease is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. (Yes, you read that right.) According to the American Heart Association, while one in thirty-one American women dies from breast cancer each year, heart disease claims the lives of one in three. That’s about one death each minute.

So make sure you’re as committed to heart disease prevention as you should be to your yearly mammogram.

That means: Maintain a healthy weight. Keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol at healthy levels.

Stop smoking. Or better yet, don’t start. Stay physically and mentally active.

While we’re at it, here’s a quick quiz on heart disease and women. The more we know about our nation’s No. 1 killer of women, the better.

True or False: Heart disease only affects older women.

False: Heart disease affects women of all ages. The combination of birth control pills and smoking boosts heart disease risks by 20 percent in young women, the Heart Association says. Yes, our risk increases as we age. Overeating and leading a sedentary lifestyle are factors that lead to blocked arteries over time. But don’t let your age lull you into a false sense of security. I take care of women of all ages in the hospital. Heart disease is an equal opportunity threat.

True or False: Heart disease only affects women who don’t take care of themselves.

False: Unfortunately, all the salads and yoga in the world

26 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

False: According to the Heart Association, 64 percent of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.

And when women do experience symptoms, those signs often are misinterpreted. Women’s symptoms often are vague: shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Other women experience dizziness, lightheadedness, pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, and extreme fatigue.

You may be thinking, “Ha! I feel back pain and fatigue all the time.” I get that. I hope you’re talking to your health care provider about all your concerns. But if something feels “off,” if something feels “not right,” don’t wait. Trust your gut. Listen to your heart of hearts. Seek medical attention.

Start seeing red.

Pope is a nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire who specializes in lipid management. She also sees patients weekly at Chippewa Valley Hospital in Durand.

Shadow Work® Weekend Menomonie, WI March 18–20, 2016 Facilitated by Jim and Linda Brooks

• Transform old patterns that no longer serve you • Explore and balance archetypal energies • Discover your inner gold

“Jim and Linda are superb facilitators. They are knowledgeable, experienced, insightful and empathic. They have exceptional listening skills to help guide you to get what you want at your own pace.”

W.K. – Workshop participant

Times: Fri: 6–10pm, Sat: 9am–6pm & 8–9:30pm, Sun: 9am–5pm.

Cost: $350.00 Early Bird, if registered by February 2 $400.00 after February 2 To Register: Email Info@AdventuresInPartnering.com or call 641-469-6097 Pre-registration required. Limited to 15 participants.

Her Story, Her Heart

Thursday, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m.

Auditorium, Lower Level Mayo Clinic Health System 1221 Whipple St. | Eau Claire Free parking in ramp RSVP by Feb. 12: 715-838-5818

Hear women share their heart care stories and answer audience questions along with our medical experts.

Free evening with healthy treats, music and prizes.

Around the Farm Table

is dedicated to connecting consumers to small, thoughtful producers through storytelling, forgotten recipes and entertainment.

Join Inga with the Newest Episodes on Wisconsin Public Television! aroundthefarmtable.com

www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 27

First Step: BREATHE through Guided Imagery

By Sue Peck PhD, GNP-BC, APNP

R

esearch shows that 75 to 90 percent of the visits clients make to their doctors are stress related. Stress comes in both good and bad forms. An upcoming prom or graduation for a teen: something they’ve dreamed of for weeks! The wedding of a close family member to someone we believe is their perfect match. The death of someone dear to us. A long-term illness of ourselves or a family member. A poor work situation.

And then there’s the day where the alarm didn’t go off, you got a speeding ticket or a flat tire on the way to work, stepped in an ankle-deep puddle running into the work site, and the person next to you was... These are examples of stress we’ve all experienced. When stress keeps building and we are unable to get away from it, our body works harder to maintain an even keel.

During stress, the adrenal gland, which sits just above the kidneys at the bottom of the ribs on our body, kicks out adrenaline. That adrenaline is a prod that keeps poking the organs and reminding them that they aren’t doing enough! We can tolerate short-term bursts of the prodding, but if it goes on for a long time, our body runs out of steam. If we drive a team of horses and keep whipping them to go faster, they will, until they become too tired. The horses will slow and may even become injured if we keep urging them to perform. Our body works the same way when we’re under constant stress.

No matter how much we sleep or slow down, it’s not enough.

When our body becomes worn out, we get sick; we get colds, flu, or other illnesses; we have flare ups; and cancer cells might grow.

The opposite of the stress response is the resting and repair (R&R) state. Our body does its healing work, nutrition goes out to the cells and tissues of the body, and repairs are made.

The R&R happens mostly during sleep. But when we are very stressed, sleep is affected, too! We wake up at 2:00 a.m. worrying about what we have forgotten, have to do, how we will do it, and where to go next…and then it’s 6:00 a.m., and we have to get up, and we feel exhausted. Then we have 28 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

to move into another day of stress when we have not even recovered from yesterday!

So what do we do about it? It’s not our fault the electricity went off last night! It’s not our fault our co-worker has some issues! And even for that prom or wedding, we need to fit the planning in alongside of how the rest of life just goes on!

First step: BREATHE. That’s right. BREATHE. Take a huge deep breath and let it out. As you see the breath come into your lungs, it brings clean, healthy air. And as you let it out, it releases the tension. More cleansing occurs with the next breath in, the problem releasing more as you exhale.

Breath work is a first step to stress relief. It’s one of the treatments we can use to help control the stress in our lives.

When we become focused on moving the breath within us, relaxation can occur. Relaxation helps initiate R&R and can help our sleep.

We can build on that breath work by changing the images in our mind’s eye. A treatment clients find great success with is guided imagery. We work together at visits to develop images of the way we wish things were and of how we act and react.

We’ll explore images using our six senses: What do you see in the situation? What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you taste? What do you feel: both physically with your body and in your gut or your heart?

There are many examples of situations where clients use guided imagery successfully. One is in preparation for labor and delivery; the mom is very relaxed and the labor and delivery goes very smoothly. In some cases, the nurses or midwife are waking the mom up with each contraction to push as she is so relaxed. Flying in an airplane, going to the dentist, or getting a shot can be smoothed with guided imagery. A child that has bedwetting can learn guided imagery using a faucet.

When I worked at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, we used guided imagery to relieve pain in patients who had extensive burns; the patients didn’t need ANY narcotic medications with their dressing changes. A young man with massive injuries after a motorcycle accident needed NO pain medication during dressing changes while he drove his race car around the track in his mind’s eye from his hospital bed.

Make an appointment with me, and we’ll work on guiding the images you need to relieve stress and create healing for you. Call 715-832-1953.

www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 29

Healthy Habits to Prevent Heart Disease

By Julie Hasenberg

H

eart Health is dear to my heart….My daughter Faith was born with aortic stenosis and had her first open-heart surgery at five weeks old. Her second surgery (The Ross Procedure) was done when she was seven. Another will be forthcoming in the next few years, which will entail a mechanical valve and blood thinners for the rest of her life.

Many of us make choices every day that affect our heart health. Caring for your heart through a healthy diet and regular physical activity is the secret weapon to preventing heart disease.

Remember…You have a choice with your heart health!

Go Red for Women says there are seven easy ways to help control your risk for heart disease.

1. Get Active!

Consistent, moderate intensity of physical activity of about 150 minutes per week is recommended. Also minimum of two days/ week of muscle strengthening activities as well.

2. Control Cholestrol

Good fat vs bad fat! Good fat HDL (High density Lipoprotein) shuttles the LDL (low-density protein, bad fat) out of the arteries and protects the lining of the arteries from developing plaque.

Most of bad cholesterol comes from animal products. A diet in good fats can consist of avocados, olives, coconut oils, and nuts.

3. Eat Better!!

Healthy foods are the fuel our bodies use to make new cells which create the energy we need to thrive and fight disease. EAT FRUITS and VEGTABLES, unrefined fiber-rich whole grain foods, fish, and good fats.

6. Reduce Blood Sugar

Most of the food we eat turns to glucose (blood sugar) that our bodies use for energy. Our body makes a hormone called insulin that acts like a carrier to take food energy into our cells.

7. Quit Smoking.

At Highland Fitness we have helped hundreds lose thousands of pounds through whole food nutrition, exercise, and the guidance of an accountability coach and trainer. Our members have lowered their blood pressure, reduced or eliminated medications for diabetes and cholesterol, and have gained energy to live a better quality of life. Visit www.highfitness.com ! We’d love to serve you and keep your heart strong.

Julie Hasenberg is the owner of Highland Fitness and Results Weight Loss, 715-833-2100

4. Manage Blood Pressure

Eat a heart healthy diet, manage your weight and stress.

5. Lose Weight

Too much fat, especially if it’s at your waist, equals higher risk for health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Winter Garden Seminar: Ready,

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February 6, 2016, 9AM-3PM Hosted by the Eau Claire Area Master Gardener Association Keynote Speaker - Inga Witscher host of “Around the Farm Table” on Wisconsin Public Television

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2 Day Event February 26-27, 2016

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Come visit my booth!

Young Living and Aethereo Essential Oils Quality micro-mist & small fan diffusers on Sale!!

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The Lismore Hotel ErinDesigns llc Downtown Eau Claire Digital and Hand Painted Silk Scarves, Ties, Cards, Banners, Prints, and Pillows Silk Painting Classes Healing Energy Fine Art Residential and Commercial Art and Design

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Want to know more about acupuncture, chiropractics or reiki for your Pet? Stop by my booth and let's chat!

Animal Wellness Center of Buffalo Valley Margaret Meier DVM, CVSMT* *Certified Member of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association 715-926-3836 201 Industrial Drive, Mondovi

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Health improvements with Holistic Dentistry will astound you!

Dr. Laughlin and Dr. Reed hope to see you at WellFest this year. There will be many opportunities for one-on-one questions and education about Holistic Dentistry!

Please join us Friday night at the health forum (6:30 - 7:30) or all day Saturday at our booth and presentation. www.secondopinionmagazine.com | 31

Five Nutrients for a Better You in 2016

I

t’s 2016! Are you motivated to be the best you, yet?

A great place to start is by aiming to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein foods, and dairy each day. Even better, try filling up half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, making at least half of your grains whole, and opting for nonfat or low-fat dairy whenever possible.

Although a healthy balanced diet filled with a variety of nutritious foods is the best way to meet nutritional needs, we often don’t get enough of some key nutrients. So, for a better you in 2016, focus on getting enough of these five important nutrients: ► Magnesium: Did you know that the human body uses this important mineral in over 300 different ways?

Magnesium helps us produce more energy and is required by our muscles to help us move and get on with our day-to-day tasks. Find magnesium in whole grains, like brown rice and bran cereals, nuts, especially almonds, and leafy greens, like spinach. ► Potassium: Most adults need over 4,700 mg of this important mineral each day. Unfortunately, many of us do not even get half of that amount.

An adequate potassium intake helps us to maintain a healthy blood pressure. It is also important for regulating fluids in our body, which can help to prevent muscle cramps. Potassium-rich foods include most fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, oranges, and spinach. ► Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Inflammation-fighting and heart-friendly, these important fats are also vital for skin health and normal cognitive function. To reap the benefits of omega-3s, focus on including fatty fish, like salmon or tuna, and nuts, seeds, and oils, like walnuts, chia seeds or flaxseed oil, in your daily diet. ► Vitamin D: Although our body can make this vitamin with adequate sun exposure, it’s hard to get enough when we’re bundled up during our cold 32 | www.secondopinionmagazine.com

Wisconsin winters. As vitamin D works with calcium to build strong bones, it’s definitely not a nutrient to miss out on!

Find vitamin D in foods like salmon, sardines, eggs, and mushrooms, or look for certain fortified products, like milk and orange juice. ► Vitamin B12: Found in foods like beef, salmon, eggs, and shellfish, vitamin B12 is a key nutrient for maintaining mental health. As this vitamin is naturally found almost exclusively in animal products, it is especially important for those following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle to focus on getting enough of this nutrient.

In some cases, a dietary supplement may be required, but it’s always best to doublecheck with your health care provider.

Looking for more healthy tips? Visit EatWell.FestFoods. com for additional nutrition information, product recommendations, tips, and meal ideas. Eat Well at Festival Foods is brought to you by Festival’s registered dietitians. Visit us online to learn more about our free resources, ask our dietitians a question, subscribe to weekly recipe blogs, and sign up for our free weekly Heart Health and Gluten Free newsletters. Eat Well at Festival Foods means simple solutions for a healthier you!

Emily Schwartz is a nationally accredited, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) serving the Eau Claire and La Crosse communities as Festival Foods’ Western Markets Regional Dietitian.

3007 Mall Drive ▪ 715-838-1000 www.festfoods.com