How to Buy Vitamins
I confess to being an amateur nutritionist in the 1970s when I first became a vegetarian. The food selections were poor and there was little information available and Al Gore hadn’t invented the internet yet. As a consumer and as a DC, I have learned a little here and there.
The big secret about vitamins and supplements is to never presume that ingredients are wholesome, fresh, and nutritious. In Arizona, vitamins and supplements are usually shipped in a non-airconditioned, very dark brown truck which is often subjected to heat in excess of 100 degrees. Many substances begin to break down when subjected to these temperatures. These substances are often subjected to cross country trips as well. When I purchase a supplement I am aware of its source and shipping method. As a consumer you are not. I strongly suggest smelling and tasting tablets by crushing a small amount of it. The same should be done with oil based substances by puncturing the capsule with a pin and tasting.
Many vitamins and supplements use inferior ingredients and some don’t report the amount of substances accurately and correctly. The list and details on this are rather extensive, so you would be best advised to find a knowledgable person to help guide you through this jungle. I do nutritional consulting for my patients only.
Medicare Hijinks
Those of you that are Medicare patients are aware of the difficulties I have had in the last year getting your Medicare reimbursements for you. Regretfully, one of the sources of this problem has been the difficulty of retaining help long enough to teach them the intricacies of billing to a government agency. The other has been a new form where the rules have repeatedly changed. In any case, I have begun to electronically bill, which decreases the turn around from several months to several weeks. It is also simpler to do, with fewer rules of transmission and self correction in the program itself. By the time you are reading this, we should be caught up. If you have any outstanding bills and haven’t received a copy of a computerized resubmission, please contact the office so we can catch up.
Renaissance Faire Redux
We recently took yet another trip down to the Renaissance Faire in February. Coco got to see the Fairy, the “Green Guy,” and the horses (ridden by the uninteresting jousters). Aurora got to visit with one of her school friends working down there and got a cool henna tattoo. I got to enjoy some wacky humor and music, including Ded Bob (an interactive monologue told by a skeleton), Zilch the Tory Steller ( an entire tale told in spoonerisms), and the Pirate Shantyman (singing sea shanties and comedy). We all ravaged the place in costume.
Slow Food/Slow Health vs Fast Food/Fast Health
I have organized a panel discussion and group of presentations which will be taking place at The Café Raw Bliss on 89A near my office on Sunday, June 1 at 4:00 PM. I have invited some of the people I often refer with to join me. The presenters will include Dr. William Brown (Dr.Vodder’s Lymphatic Manipulation), Kelly Johnson (Master Chocolatier of Sedona Chocolate Superfoods), Deborah Crick (owner of Café Raw Bliss), Bob Brill (Advanced Rolfer extraordinaire), and Jana Shiloh (Nationally Certified in Classical Homeopathy and Educator). Everyone will offer a talk and demonstration. Raw Chocolate and Raw food and drinks will be available for a fee. The presentation and panel talk is free.
MOVING? NOT!
My life has taken yet another interesting turn involving surrender and change. Just when I thought I had it figured out, yet another surprise, yet another turn. I decided last year that it was time for a move to Scottsdale. Both the local and the national housing markets plunged the exact month I put the house up for sale. I removed it from the sale block. My son and daughter in law then decided to separate and divorce, asking me to adopt my granddaughter Coral. After much deep inner thought and examination, as well as the ability to take a hint, I surrendered to my need to stick around. My desire to move has been quashed and I will remain in Sedona.
HEALTH IS WEALTH
Many of you realize the health challenges I have been through since November of 2005. Through much clear focus on diet and blood sugar monitoring I am pleased to be off medication and still carefully monitoring normal blood sugar after a serious Diabetes type 2 diagnosis. I have learned quite a bit about Diabetes from the inside looking out and I’m more attentive to the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
CORAL, MY GRANDDAUGHTER/DAUGHTER
I started with one whole day as a grandparent. After an unfortunate tragedy, I was called upon to raise Coral from 3 weeks old to 16 months old. When Coral was about 2 years old, her parents marriage dissolved. They were both unable to single parent her, so I will be adopting her. I always said I wanted to have more kids, and I guess this proves the ancient Yiddish adage, “Man plans and G!d laughs .”
AURORA, AKA AUNTIE RARA
Aurora has taken wonderfully to her niece/sister and enjoys playing with her. Fortunately for all of us, we have wonderful day care options here in Sedona with Miss Carol and Miss Tara, so Aurora has optional playtime with Coral. Its great to see the two of them enjoy each other. Aurora has a major upcoming performance as in the Pajama Game, Thursday through Sunday at the High School in the last weekend in April. She also has a major dance performance in mid May with Miss Danielle’s Dance Spirit.
GARDENS AND CHIROPRACTIC
Gardens are my best friend and my worst nemesis. While I love all those pretty flowers, veggies and faeries, I find many patients worshipping the Back Goddess after a stint or two in the garden. If you haven’t used those muscles in a while, think about 30-60 minutes and then a break instead of several hours of work without a break. Frequent stretches and changes of position help. Remember the Henny Youngman rule. If it hurts to do it, then don’t do it.
