How to Kill a Cold the Natural Way

1) Get Adjusted!

2) Hydrate!
    ~Drink lots of water
    ~Use a steam vaporizer while sleeping but keep it clean!

3) Do NOT overblow your nose!
    ~Gently squeeze the mucus out

4) Drink Thyme tea!

• A sprig of thyme
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 dash of cayenne pepper
• Top with hot water and enjoy up to every hour if necessary   

A love letter to my Vitamix

I have to admit, it wasn't love at first sight. 

Initially, I just thought you were a really expensive blender.  Why would anyone pay that much for a blender??? But I misjudged you.  You are so much more.

Our love affair started as an experiment.  Let's see what all the fuss is about.  I used your cookbook, I made a smoothie, and I was enthralled with the rich, creamy texture that you somehow concocted of nothing but fruit.  How did you DO that???  The love affair grew steadily as I plowed through recipes.  Soups, nut butters, pesto, hummus made with zucchini, ice cream, milk shakes, cake batter...  And then, it happened.

I graduated to my first green smoothie.

I had tried this before, and the results were nothing but disastrous.  Mind you, my last attempt was in my misguided youth, utilizing a plain old 12-speed blender.  My "smoothie" resembled a chunky, partially digested salad and left much to be desired. Despite holding my nose and chugging as fast as I could, I couldn't even finish half.  To be completely blunt, it was disgusting, left me slightly nauseous, and I couldn't believe anyone would voluntarily consume such a thing.

With you, all of this changed.  With some pineapple (peeled, but uncored!), an orange (peeled), a quarter of a banana, and some ice, you took my lettuce, kale, and spinach, and transformed them into a luscious, creamy, smooth taste of heaven!  I have used you almost every day since, and every day, I love you more and more.  Thank you for coming into my life!  You have given me a new and exciting way to get my daily nutrition and I couldn't imagine life without you.

<3 p="">Me.

The Last Announcements of 2012

Dearest Patients and Wellness Advocates, I hope this holiday season is treating you well!  I know many of you received your special gift this week (and really hope you didn't have to use it yet!) and I'm glad it brought a smile.  After all, laughter is the best medicine!  Zack enjoyed playing Santa Paws as well (We know he loves lovin!  For a picture, check out Samsara Chiropractic's Facebook page!) Some announcements: First of all, a reminder that the office will be closed next week. (It's about time I take my own advice and take some vacation time! ;.) We will be in the office New Years' Eve from 10-1 but appointments are filling up fast, (I think we only have two left!) so call NOW! Normal hours will resume January 2nd. Second, most insurance deductibles start over January 1st. Many patients are already pre-paying at the current rate to save in the new year but all pre-pays MUST be complete by January 1st. Don't miss out! Third, I want to share some wonderful upcoming opportunities: The next Dinner with the Doc is  Tuesday, January 8th at 6:30pm at  Social 156 North Gaston Ave Somerville. "How To Kill The Common Cold!" Learn how to stop a cold in it's tracks.  Learn what REALLY makes you sick and how to naturally bring your body back into balance. Also, due to popular demand, we will be having an encore presentation of the movie, "Doctored" Saturday, January 19th at 3pm.  Make sure to RSVP with the front desk for all events!  We need to know how many chairs to provide and we need to advise the wonderful folks at Social how much food they need for us! Keep in mind that these events are included in the cost of your care, so I encourage you to take advantage of them!  I also know that many of you have friends or family that you have been trying to encourage to come see us. These events are a great opportunity for them to come and get their questions answered without any pressure or fees!  Our mission is to get our message out and provide care (and hope!) to those who need it.  I hope, since you were most likely in that place before finding us as well, that you will help us help them! Finally, some of you are aware that I organize an organic produce co-op pick-up point around the corner from the office through Purple Dragon. There are currently a very limited number of openings, but if you know someone who might be interested in getting high quality, affordable, local when available, farm-fresh produce every two weeks, please have them contact me.  I've been a customer of theirs for over 15 years and have never been disappointed. And on that note, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. Stay safe! Yours in health, Dr. Redmond

How to boost your self-esteem! (aka Getting Out of a Funk:101)

Not too long ago, I had fallen into a funk and I decided I needed to take action to pull myself out of it. My self-esteem was suffering.

Don't we all have moments like that?  Sometimes, we feel like we're on top of the world, and the next year/week/day/minute, we feel like sitting in a corner, sucking our thumb, and singing this song:

So I thought I'd compile a list of the things I did to pull myself out of it.  Maybe it will be helpul for you, too!

STEP 1: BE A CRYBABY

I mean it!  You're hurt.  Let it out.  Give yourself permission to feel.  Give that inner child what it wants!  Grab your tissues, your blankie, find a quiet place to be alone, and embrace that pity party!  Then ask yourself why you feel this way.  Keep asking why until you get to what we NET practitioners call the "Lowest Common Denominator."  What is the core of the issue?  If circumstances are not what you would like them to be, ask yourself why it bothers you?  Does it make you feel like a failure?  Does it remind you of something you regret?  Something you want but don't have? Does it make you feel unloved?  What is the story you tell yourself that makes this a bad thing? What does it say about you that's so bad? Keep asking why it bothers you until you find the one thing underlying it all... the one thing that seems like the absolute worst thing about the whole situation... then save that for step 2. This is also a great time to journal about your hurts, whine to a trusted friend (who you've already warned that this is a venting session!!), and blubber like the baby you really want to be.

STEP 2: PUT YOUR BIG GIRL/BOY PANTS ON 

And that requires a big scoop of courage!  Let's face it: Facing inner demons can be scary.  But there's nothing scarier than getting to the end of your life never realizing how fabulous you were or never accomplishing your greatness because you were too scared to look at yourself honestly.  Go within.  Take a look at that piece of yourself that seems so detestable.  Make a list of all the things that make you imperfect.  Embrace it! Then don't stop until you hit step 3.

  

STEP 3: (REALITY) CHECK, PLEASE!

Now it's time to make a list of those things that you love about yourself too.  And start with how brave you were to make that first list... because that's pretty darn impressive. If you need some help, phone a friend or mentor and listen objectively.  You can also tell them what you think is so horrible and get a reality check.  If it's true, you know what you have to work on and start figuring out how to make a change.  But more likely, you're probably harder on yourself than anyone else.  Stop beating yourself up for being imperfect like 100% of your fellow human beings in this world. 

STEP 4: TREAT YOURSELF!

Think of something that brings joy to your heart... And DO IT!  I went dancing, I indulged in some retail therapy, I went for a spa treatment, I took myself out to dinner...  Do things that make you feel like it's a celebration and celebrate YOU!  Make yourself feel special because you are!  I even dressed up for my self-date!  You set the example for how others should treat you, so show the world what you deserve by doing it for yourself!  Listen to music that makes you happy or go for a nice  leisurely walk... if you're like me (and most of the world), slowing down and enjoying your surroundings in our busy, hectic schedules is luxury itself.  In all of these special moments you give yourself, take time, slow down, relish the experience, and celebrate being alive and having the opportunity to enjoy this time with yourself. Do these things with mindfulness. Note every sensation: the taste, feel, smell, and sounds that go with each moment. 

STEP 5: CONNECT WITH YOUR HIGHER POWER 

/VISIT WITH MOTHER NATURE

Take a walk in the woods, on the beach, or even a park nearby...  notice the stars, clouds, leaves, birds...  Pay attention to the scents in the air, the feel of the wind or sun on your face...  Breathe it all in with every cell of your being... and notice what a beautiful world you are an integral part of...  Go to church, pray, meditate... do what you need to do to feel connected to something greater than yourself.  Notice your heart beating, your blood flowing, your aliveness...  This is an exercise in mindfulness.  If you are looking for more information on this topic, try this course and tell Dr. Handlin I sent you.  (She's a fabulous teacher who's compassion and patience knows no bounds.) 

STEP 6: VOLUNTEER 

You can read about my most recent experience here , but the possibilities are endless.  Most importantly, find an opportunity that interests you where you can be hands on and get involved.  Go beyond yourself.  Stretch to the edges of your comfort zone.  See if you can interact with the people you're helping. Soup kitchens, Habitat for Humanity, and the recent efforts in Staten Island and the Jersey Shore are some suggestions to get you started.  This is such a unique experience for everyone, but it's rare that I find someone who doesn't benefit from this.  A quick online search can also help find a variety of opportunities. 

STEP 7: COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Make a gratitude list.  I say this all the time.  Gratitude is a such a healing state to be in.  And don't tell me you have nothing to be grateful for: When a quadriplegic who can't even swallow and lost their entire family in the accident that took their mobility can find things to be grateful for, anyone can.  Even if it's just the face that you woke up today. Or are breathing. Or aren't that quadriplegic.

STEP 8: TAKE ACTION!
The Universe rewards the action step!  So do it!  You've looked at what you don't like about yourself and your life... what are you going to do to change it?  Commit today to make a difference, keep working at it a little every day, and eventually, you'll get there.  There is no true failure but a failure to try.

What are you going to do differently tomorrow?

Exclusive Screening of the movie "Doctored"

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be able to share this movie with you.  I have been jumping out of my skin since I went to a pre-screening back in September, and now, the time is HERE!  I finally received my copy!!

So don't miss out!  RSVP now by calling 908-300-8800 for November 29th, at 7pm! Bring your friends and family, and pass this along. You might be saving a life!

Feeling Fatigued? Join me in my 30 day Adrenal Boost!

During my Facebook Fast, I got to hear others' stories of their own fasts, whether it be from media, alcohol, food, or whatever else they decided to challenge themselves with.  There were a variety of reasons behind their abstinence: weight loss, religion, proving a point, curiosity... It got me thinking of new ways to challenge myself (and if you've read my blog for a while, you know that's one of  my favorite things to do!). 

Since Adrenal Fatigue has been a major topic of conversation around the office lately (I've even decided to use it as the topic for our upcoming Dinner with the Doc) I've decided to do a 30 day Adrenal recharge.  This includes eliminating those things that tax the adrenals (caffeine, sugar, alcohol) and reducing behaviors that tax the adrenals (activity that raises the heart rate over a certain range - for me that would be 135bpm, lack of sleep, eating after 8pm, excessive screen time).  I have also decided to eliminate three of the most common allergens (soy, dairy, wheat), refined grains (white rice), and fried foods (not that I have ever eaten much of them) because these cause systemic inflammation which wears on the adrenals as well.

I started yesterday.

Some have already asked me, "What else is there to eat?!?"

Lots of wonderful foods!

Chicken, lean meats, fish, nuts (in moderation), all the veggies I can eat (preferably raw), fruit (in moderation), oats, millet, amaranth, brown rice, groats, sweet potatoes, eggs, coconut/almond/other alternative milks (unsweetened, of course), and assorted herbal teas.  I'm also allowing myself the occasional kombucha for it's alkalizing benefits.  Most importantly during this time is to eat a protein-rich breakfast and have protein at every meal. The Adrenal glands LOVE protein!!

I plan to make my best effort to be in bed no later than 10pm (obligations keep me from making it earlier but I will if possible) and limiting my screen time to average no more than two hours per day (that includes emails, YouTube, TV, Facebook, etc).  I will also be taking an adrenal support supplement that I absolutely love!

Wish me luck!  And, as usual, I'll keep you posted! ("Follow" to have the updates emailed directly to you.)

Yours in health and service,

Dr. Redmond

The Kombucha Experiment

Kombucha, for those who don't know, is a fermented tea.  It tastes slightly like apple cider vinegar and is often flavored with juices.  It's been said to have amazing health benefits as it alkalizes the blood and brings the body to a healthy pH.  Acidic blood has been linked to many health conditions including cancer and inflammatory conditions like heart disease and arthritis.

I've been experimenting a lot with my pH lately, and learning to love kombucha has been part of it.  I'll admit, the first time I tried it years ago, it made me nauseous, but due to prompting by my colleague, Dr. Noah DeKoyer to try his father's home brew, I gave it another chance and realized that it actually COULD be tasty and refreshing!

Since I've been consuming it so frequently, I decided to try making my own at home... supposedly a pretty easy process.  You start with a "SCOBY" or "mother," add some of the reserve kombucha, some sweetened, room temperature tea, and let it sit for a week.  

I just started growing my culture last night by pouring this:

into a clean, gallon-sized pickle jar with a cup of fresh-brewed, room temperature black tea (plain old Lipton!) with a Tablespoon of sugar dissolved in it (food for the yeast that do the fermentation!).  I covered the jar with a towel, and now I have this:

Now, I just put it in a dark corner, and let it grow. Pretty simple, eh?  I'll keep you posted on "her" progress, but in the meantime, I kind of feel like I have a new pet.  So just for fun, let's have a contest... who can come up with the best name? Winner gets a prize!  Just leave your suggestions below or email them to me at doctorredmond@gmail.com.

Sometimes, results take time...

I wish everyone felt fantastic after their first adjustment, and most of the time, this is true, but occasionally, someone's body has been so toxic or stuck or abused for so long that their first adjustment doesn't make much of a dent in their condition. In very rare cases, it can actually make them temporarily MORE sore.

The good news is, this does not last.

This soreness is a sign of how confused the nervous system is...

Just like people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome get sick after eating too much healthy food or a dehydrated person can get sick from drinking too much water, people who have had low functioning nervous systems for a long time can experience some side effects.

Be sure to report these side effects to your chiropractor.... they probably have tricks up their sleeve to alleviate some of the negative effects and help you through. Often when the nervous system's functioning is restored, things lurking in the background can spring to the surface, but the good news is that since your body is healing from the inside out, you don't have to worry that these insidious ailments will come out to get you later in life. Wellness is not a destination, it is a journey. What you do today and the choices you make physically, mentally, spiritually, financially, etc are investments into your health tomorrow. It took a while to drain your health piggy bank, and sometimes, it can take a while to fill it back up. Don't give up!

Video Blog: Just saying hello!

I don't believe in the Germ theory.

"I don't believe in the Germ theory."

I remember laughing at the absurdity of this statement when I was in chiropractic school.  After all, this is something we learn about from birth!  We get exposed to a germ, it infects us, and we get sick.  Done deal. Simple. There were actually people who claimed they "didn't believe" in this simple concept.  REALLY?  How could they be so ignorant? 

But one day, I decided to put my pre-programmed dogma aside and really think about this idea. 

Microscopic organisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, etc) cover every surface we come in contact with (with the exception of perhaps the operating theater where surgery is preformed, and even then, germs get in).  They even cover our skin and line the walls of our digestive tract.  They reside in every orifice of our body.  Many of them are even beneficial and necessary to our survival!  This means that more than likely, we are actually exposed to the critters that cause colds and flus almost every day of our life!  Staph and strep are regular residents on and in our body.  If you want to know what else might be living on you and are immune to the heebie jeebies, click here. (Otherwise, just keep reading.)

So why don't we all have staph and strep infections all the time???

Because most of us have an extremely effective immune system!!  Our body is constantly working to keep our little ecosystem in balance. This is why a group of people can all be exposed to the same infected individual, but they don't all get sick.  So it really isn't as simple as just getting infected, is it?  Because if our body is properly cared for, we can defend ourselves!  The same concept applies when it comes to the diseases we are vaccinated against.  We can defend ourselves from those, too!  Aren't we amazing creations?!

There are many things we can do to strengthen our immune system to help fend off these invaders.  Stay tuned for that upcoming post. 

Looking forward to helping you have a happy and healthy Holiday season!!

Dr. Redmond

The Positivity Playlist

I love music.  It lifts me up when I'm feeling down, helps me celebrate when I'm up, motivates me when I'm working, and acts as inspiration when I just want to sit and contemplate life for a little while.

Because of the emotion that often accompanies a melody, music can also be a powerful affirmation.

I encourage you to pay attention to what you're listening to, in the wake of our week of mindfulness.

I noticed a few years ago that a lot of my favorite songs included some very negative lyrics. The songs sounded happy, but they truly were not.  I also noticed many instances where these lyrics had actually manifested in my life.  It's amazing how our unconscious mind will absorb the stories we present to it and make them our own.

Now I must admit that I haven't completely given up all songs with stories I wouldn't like to have, but since our state of health is really about what we do 80% of the time, I decided to make a Positivity Playlist that I can listen to when I need a boost.  And I have decided to share some of those songs with you!  If you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comments below.  There will be a song posted every Monday to keep you going all week long.

And now, the song that inspired this post!

21 Day Meditation Challenge

I'm participating in this and welcome you to join me. You can still sign up.

Meditation has some wonderful health benefits. It can also catalyze a healing process in and of itself, and every time I have committed to a meditation program, formally or informally, I have always been impressed with how much I got out of it.  Sign up here:

http://www.chopracentermeditation.com/bestsellers/Meditation_summer/Meditation_summer.asp?id=5765

Happy meditating!

Your child is not broken...

I'm bracing myself because I'm sure I'll offend some folks with this one, but it needs to be said.

Your child is not broken.

There is nothing wrong with them. 

Sadly, the people who need to read this probably won't or won't think I'm talking about them, but it breaks my heart every time a parent contacts me telling me that their young child needs professional help because they challenge them as parents.

THAT'S WHAT CHILDREN DO!

And some will definitely be better at it than others.  But to teach a child that there is something wrong with them because of this only destroys their self-esteem.


It's a child's job to test the boundaries, and a parent's job to lovingly set them. 

Believe me... I am by no means saying being a parent is easy.  Being a parent is the hardest job that exists, and it often goes unappreciated.  Setting boundaries in a loving way is nearly impossible at times.  But to blame your child for your own inadequacies is (dare I say it?) abusive. 

You consciously chose to bring them into this world. And with that choice, you elected to be their guardian... to protect their developing mind from undue stress, to nurture their self-esteem, and to teach them how to deal with the world and thrive.  If you are choosing to consider yourself a victim of their behavior, what are you teaching them? That they are broken? They they are victims of their environment? 

I am happy to help children overcome those things that challenge them, but more importantly, if you feel there is something wrong with your child, it's time to look in a mirror. 

How are you guilty of the behaviors you accuse them of?  How can you adjust your parenting techniques to make things run smoother in the household?  Children will often resist structure and discipline, but if you stand firm (and fair!!), they will thrive.  Perhaps we need to utilize some NET to help you let go of your fears, resentments, and other emotions that are preventing you from being the parent you want to be. 

Here's the cold, hard truth... if your children are not who you want them to be, it's not their fault; it's yours. And if this made you angry, or brought out some other emotion for you, I encourage you to let me have it in the comment section below. 

What to do when you've let your body get run down... (How to fight a cold)

Sometimes, we overbook our schedules, run ourselves ragged, and end up depleting our resources that help fend off microscopic invaders.  That's when we end up expressing outwardly the symptoms of an infection, such as a flu or cold.  Our bodies keep these microbes in check every day, so these symptoms are simply the demonstration of our unbalanced lifestyle.  Getting "sick" is the nervous system's way of regaining homeostasis... since we aren't giving ourselves the rest we need, it puts us into a depleted state, forcing us to slow down and rejuvenate.  I could happily ramble about the mechanisms involved in this process... the sympathetic nervous system in overdrive with it's "fight or flight" response and the counteracting parasympathetic nervous system that we experience while sleeping, meditation, and prayer...  the neural link to why we create mucus and run fevers and ache and experience all the other unsightly symptoms of colds and flus but I doubt you want that much detail (and if you do, be sure to mention it in the comment section!). 

The reason I bring this up is because I have been guilty of not giving my body the recovery time that it needs lately, and as a result, I am fighting something.  And since I'm currently experiencing the first day of knowing something is "off,"  I figured it was the perfect time to share what I do to help my body recover as quickly as possible, drug-free.  It really is possible!

First, HYDRATE! Flush your system with as much water as possible.  Sometimes, I will drink close to a gallon within 24 hours.  Sometimes, doing ONLY this enough to stop whatever bug is trying to get me. 

Second, SLEEP!  Your body is trying to achieve balance again after going into overdrive, so resting quietly, in a dimly lit or dark room will help this happen faster.  Resist the urge to turn on the TV since it is highly stimulative to the nervous system.

Third, SUPPLEMENT!  Taking large doses of Vitamin D- around 4000IU/day should do it- has been shown to stop respiratory infections in their tracks.  I also like to mega-dose Vitamin C, but I wouldn't recommend doing this for more than a week and if you experience burning during urination, stop taking it.  It's very hard to overdose on Vitamin C since it is water soluble, but over-saturation can cause it to crystallize in your urine which can be awfully uncomfortable.  Echinacea is a great herb to take at the first sign of symptoms and has been shown to shorten the duration of a cold by a few days if taken early on.

Fourth, ELIMINATE DAIRY!  Dairy products increase mucus production due to the low level of inflammation they cause in the body.  If you are prone to colds and sinus issues, I would encourage you to eliminate dairy from your diet entirely, but that's another blog.  For now, let's just focus on eliminating dairy until you're feeling better. 

Fifth, HOMEOPATHY! There's a number of homeopathic remedies that can be used to help eliminate your symptoms altogether.  I like using the Earth, Flu/Immune, and ER911 remedies that I use in my office.  Sometimes, I don't catch the symptoms in time and will call up my homeopath for something more specific.  Homeopathy has allowed me to completely eliminate pharmaceuticals from my lifestyle so I am a huge fan. But please be aware: It is a tricky science and requires extensive knowledge of the remedies to find the right one so PLEASE! make sure you seek out a qualified practitioner.  The great thing about it is that there are no side effects so you can't hurt yourself if you take the wrong thing, but I've heard so many people say that homeopathy doesn't work, simply because they had the wrong remedy.


I've listed all the things I would definitely do... there's others but this should get you through.  Other helpful things are to avoid sugar, wheat (if sensitive to it), add some mild exercise like some gentle yoga or walking, meditate... and keep a positive attitude! Beware stating affirmations like, "I'm sick." Stay strong! You're FIGHTING it! :.)