New Years Resolution!

Okay I have a simple, do-able, no diet changing, no setting yourself up for failure New Year's resolution for everyone.  Are you ready...

DRINK.MORE.WATER.

Simple as that.  When your body is even just a little bit dehydrated, every bodily function suffers. It decreases your bodies ability to supply nutrients to different areas (most importantly your brain!), eliminate toxins, produce hormones and neurotransmitters, etc.  Your goal... ONE gallon and/or make your urine clear! (At least 1 or 2 clear or close to clear voids a day.  Its harder to do if you are taking B vitamins, but try.)  If that is hard start with one liter a day for a week.  Then move to 2 liters a day for the next week and just keep building from there.  It may seem like a lot for some people, but it will be worth it when you notice yourself thinking clearer and having more energy (and maybe even loosing weight without even trying)!!!! :)

Signs and symptoms you are dehydrated
Constipation! (Before running and taking laxatives, drink more water!! Its sometimes such a simple solution), Fatigue, Joint Aches and Pains, Allergies, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol (See interesting fact below), Weight Gain, Acne and other Skin Conditions, Headaches, Trouble Concentrating, Kidney Stones, Premature Aging (dehydration accelerates wrinkling/withering of cells in the body... most visibly the skin), etc.

With my extra research about water (who knew it would be so fun!) there is a fun fact about chronic/long term dehydration and cholesterol.  Cholesterol acts to prevent your body from loosing water.  So think about this... if you are dehydrated your body doesn't have enough water to optimally function.  Therefore you don't want to loose/eliminate any extra water so your body makes more cholesterol to prevent any extra water loss! A simple way to start lowering cholesterol levels is to drink more water!  Not iced tea that is made with water, or coffee, or pop, or kool aid, or whatever... drink pure clean water!  Feel free to add Chlorophyll ES in it if you want a minty flavor with a multitude of other health benefits.  :)

Don't set yourself up for failure this year, but instead make a simple New Year's resolution.  Take one easy step to feel better and make a positive change for your health. 

Here is another blog post I wrote about ways to make your water 'not as boring'.  Click here. 

Office Special for Nutrition Visits! Offer Valid from December 19 to 23!

Christmas Special and Savings at MTCAM!!

Offer available December 19^th to 23^rd only!

  

With Christmas right around the corner there is truly no better gift than the gift of health.  We want to help you and your loved ones have a healthy 2014 and are extending an offer from December 19 to 23^rdonly.   

 

Adults

Buy 9 visits for $468 (20% savings) (6 weeks between visits)

Buy 12 visits for $546 (30% savings)

Buy 15 visits for $683 (30% savings)

 

Children (15 and under)

Buy 9 visits for $324 (20% discount)

Buy 12 visits for $378 (30% discount)

 

You can pay in full or make ½ payment December 23^rdand the 2^nd½ payment on January 15^th at no additional cost.

 

For adult visits it averages between $39/month (for 9 visits) and $57/month (for 15 visits).  That is cheaper than going out for a nice dinner.  By going out one less time a month… you can invest in your health which is what truly matters! For children, it averages $27/month (for 9 visits) and $31/month (for 12 visits)!

 

There is no better investment than your own health.  We wish insurance would cover nutrition visits (its true HEALTH care right?!) but unfortunately they do not.  So for the year 2014 we want to extend the offer above to help you save a little money and help you get/stay healthy for next year!  It is not an overnight process and takes more monitoring and time in the beginning but it pays off!!

 

This is also a great time to invest and save money for children visits too. We want to make it affordable for the whole family, so you can bring in your children and impact their health now and for the future!  They are exposed to all the same environmental toxins and they need care too.  The great thing about children is that they typically respond faster and need to come in less! 

 

For new patients: 15 visits allow you to come in 2 times a month for the first 3 months and around once a month after that.  This is the ideal treatment plan when starting care at MTCAM.

 

For newer patients (been with us a month or two): 12 visits is ideal for you!  It keeps you on track so Dr. Maxfield can monitor your progress and give you the best care possible.

 

For ‘old’ patients (well not old J just been with us awhile): 9 visits (or even 12) is perfect for you.  9 appointments allow you 1 every 6 weeks.  This is the optimal amount of time to check supplements and see if anything has changed!

 

We hope you have had a healthy and prosperous 2013!  If not, don’t wait to make a change… we can help! For those of you who have… it is crucial to stay on the right track and you owe it to yourself to stay healthy!  “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Ben Franklin

 

If you have any questions and would like to purchase a package please call the office at 615-656-3558 or stop in!

 

All visits must be used by the end of 2014.  Nutrition visits only and not valid on chiropractic care.  Each package can be used on one person only and nontransferable.  No monthly specials can be used in conjunction with this offer.

 

 

Girl Scout Cookie Bites. Enough Said.

Who said something healthy couldn't taste sooooooooooooo good.  I was on a kick with my food processor tonight.  Made hazelnut butter. (Just throw hazelnuts in the food processor... that's it! I added some cocoa and honey to sweeten it up a bit but you don't even need that! Simply mix in food processor for 10 to 15 minutes.)  Anyways... I have had these dates for awhile and decided tonight I was going to put them to good use!!

(Its not a good recipe for those on Candida Clear. :( I am sorry!)

Ingredients
1/2 cup dates
2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
Splash of pure vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
1-2 tbsp chocolate chips (I had Trader Joe's which are sweetened with cane juice, but there are plenty of others out there.  You could even use the chocolate bar at the office with xylitol!)

Throw all the ingredients in your food processor.  It took about 1 minute to blend and you are left with a delicious end product.  Just take all the dough and pack it in little balls or if you can't wait, just eat it right off the spoon! :)  My only complaint is that it didn't make enough!

The recipe is from the link below.  On the page you will see the actual ingredients of Samoa which I pasted below... 5 ingredients (well 12 including the 5 in the chocolate chips) versus this...

Real Samoa Ingrediants
Sugar, vegetable oil (partially-hydrogenated palm kernel and/or cottonseed oil, soybean and palm oil), enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), coconut, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk (condensed milk, sugar), cocoa, sorbitol, glycerin, invert sugar, cocoa processed with alkali,cornstarch, salt, caramelized sugar, dextrose, soy lecithin, carrageenan, leavening, natural and artificial flavor

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/04/11/girl-scout-samoas-in-larabar-form/

Last Minute Christmas Gifts at MTCAM!

There may be some last minute shoppers out there (Yes... I am one of those people too. So no need to worry!)
Here is a little list of Christmas gifts/stocking stuffers we have at the office, can get online or items that would greatly help your health journey! (What I would honestly consider all great gifts for Christmas :)... but I may have different opinions than most)!! Feel free to email this post to your loved ones as a little hint :)
 
AT THE OFFICE

• Chocolate sweetened with Xylitol
• Coconut Oil- Quarts, Gallons, Coconut Oil Books!
• Toothpaste (Fluoride Free)
• Beautycounter (Toxin and Chemical free!)
• Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Body Lotion, Face Wash and Exfoliator
• Kids Shampoo, Kids Conditioner, Kids Body Wash (They smell great!!)
• Body Gift Set (Body wash, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner- and they are packaged so nicely! PERFECT GIFT)
• Skin Cream for Psoriasis and Eczema
• Anti-aging Skin Treatment: Nerium AD Day and Night Cream! Get rid of those fine lines and wrinkles in the new year :)
• Tei Fu Essential Oil and Massage Lotion: Perfect for muscular aches and pains, headaches and sinus congestion

ONLINE
Beautycounter.  (We have a small selection at the office.  Click here to shop online.)
Amazing, non-toxic, feel good beauty products!  I would love any one of these for Christmas.

• My Personal Favorites (hard just to choose a few!)
• Body Lotion, Face Exfoliating Cleanser, Face AM Hydrating Cream, Shampoo, Conditioner, Rosewater Uplifting Spray
• Gift Sets
• Body Collection- Body Wash, Body Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner
• Face Collection- Cream Face Wash, Exfoliating Face Wash, AM and PM Face Lotion, Eye Cream
• Skin Indulgence- Rose Water Uplifting Spray (LOVE!), Glow Sugar Scrub (for the body), Rosemary-Citrus Body Oil (LOVE!)
• Lip Sheers and Shine (all sorts of great colors and no harsh chemicals or lead like in most lipsticks)- under the Beauty Section
• Face Oils (just add 1 drop with your daily moisturizer)- They smell and feel like a spa!
• Lustro Face Oil 1 - Calendula has a warm, earthy-floral aroma
• Lustro Face Oil 2 - Jasmine has a sweet-floral scent
• Lustro Face Oil 3 - Ylang Ylang & Wild Chamomile has a creamy, fresh, herbal aroma

Nature Sunshine (Click here for ordering instructions. Bold only available online and not in the office. The numbers represent the product ordering codes. )

• Xylitol Gum: Cinnamon- 5400-8, Peppermint- 5408-4, Spearmint- 5405-0
• Xylitol Mints: Lemon- 5415-1 (LOVE THESE!!), Berry- 5412-2
• Chocolate (Sweetened with Xylitol)- 5453-7
• Clean Start: Wild Berry (Who doesn't want a cleanse for the new year :) Right!)
• Solstic Energy (6521-2): Drink packets that have a little natural caffeine in them
• Solstic Revive (6507-7): Drink packets that are perfect after a work out
• Tei Fu Lotion- For muscular aches and pains!
• Tei Fu Essential Oil- Great for sinus congestion, headaches, mental clarity
• Elderberry Defense- Perfect for your immune system
• Silver Shield Liquid and Gel- Great for any sickness and gel you can use topically

 
OTHER
All these items help create healthier cooking at home and lower you toxic load.  Plus they all serve as great presents!

• Food Processor
• Cast Iron Skillet
• Glass Mixing Bowls
• Glass Drinking Cups (out with the plastic!)
• Set of glass Pyrex Containers for storing food (out with the plastic!)
• Ceramic Plates/Bowls (out with any plastic!)
• Ceramic Traveling Mugs (out with the plastic!)
• Glass Traveling Water Bottle (out with the plastic!)
• Hot Plate: Perfect for warming up drinks at work!
• Pamela's Baking Mix (I make so much stuff with this mix!)

Beautycounter Products in the Office! 

 

 

 

The Body Collection (in its nice holiday packaging)!

 

 

Beautycounter Kids Products! They smell so great!

Nerium AD: For wrinkles, fine/deep lines, discoloration, and sagging skin!

 

Lotions, Silver Shield Gel ('Natural Neosporin'), Toothpaste

Golden Salve: Soothing Salve (Great for Hemorrhoids, Rashes)

Black Ointment: Great for Warts and Cysts

 

 

Psoriasis and Eczema Cream

Help to soothe and reduce itchiness and redness

 

 

Coconut Oil by the Gallon and Coconut Oil Books!

 

 

Tei Fu Lotion: Great for muscle aches and pains

Tei Fu Essential Oil: For sinus congestion, headaches, metal clarity

 

 

Xylitol and Energy Packets!

 

 

Tiao He Cleanse: Liver Cleanse (Great for any hormonal issues, sleep issues, digestive complaints)

Clean Start: General cleanse to get of everyday toxins

Emotional Healing with Flower Essences

At the office we have recently got in new products called Flower Essences.  They help people work through emotional healing.  Some times in the office we will hit a plateau... where no matter what nutritional approach we try nothing seems to work.  This is when I know there is an emotional block that is preventing my patient from moving forward and healing.  I do not deal with or ever claim to deal with breaking down emotional issues and finding deeper meanings.  That is not my place, not my job and I am not qualified to do that.  However I can test with these new Flower Essences to help break an emotional pattern that a person may or may not know they have. 

For example my Flower Essence was Be Responsible.  I literally said 'Really?!?!'  I am very responsible and it made no sense to me.  However Be Responsible is a suppressed fear formula (which once I started to think it made sense to me) and the other description was a self defeating behavior.  I am very hard on myself.  I create a large list of things to do each night (knowing  well I can't get everything done) and then beat myself up about it. I do this over and over and over.  So after reading, the description of Be Responsible sounded right.  Since taking it I truly have noticed a difference in my behavior.  I don't create these large lists and I am not nearly as hard on myself. I don't go to bed and think about all the things I didn't accomplish.  I can reflect and be thankful for what I have done.

I have been testing these on patients too.  I truly can not tell you how many times people laugh or give me a big smile when I show them the description of what they tested for.  (Descriptions below.) I don't really know what patients are going through emotionally or what their suppressed emotions may be.  It could be fear, it could be anger, or it could be grief.  Its fun to test and actually see if it matches up to what they are or may be going through.  I have had so many success stories with these and helped people make emotional breakthroughs and changes in their thought process. 

Flower Essences are made by Nature Sunshine with Bach Flowers.  Bach Flowers help to heal the connection between the body and mind and get rid of negative emotions that we dwell on... consciously or unconsciously.  Mine was unconscious and didn't become conscious until I started taking it.  The one interesting thing with the Flower Essences is that you can think of it as detoxing your nervous system or emotions.  When I first took mine I was shaking that night.  Not terrible but kind of like when you are sick and have cold chills.  I felt fine but I kept shaking.  I asked Lori if she felt sick and she was not, so I knew it had to be the Flower Essence.  I just had one day of that 'detox' and I have been good ever since.  Some people notice more emotional 'releases' or feel more frustrated or emotional the first day or 2 and then it lets up.  It is no different than a good cleanse for you body when you have detox symptoms the first couple days.  That means you are really getting rid of toxins (or in the case of Flower Essences, bad or negative emotions). 

Read the descriptions below and see if one sounds more like you or not!  Some people test for more than one, but I only have a patient do one at a time.  If you want to get tested at the office to make sure you take the right one let me know and Ill be glad to test you!  If you have any questions please feel free to email DrCarolynMaxfield@gmail.com!

Take as directed.  They look and taste like water!

Distress Remedy

Benefits:
Supports emotional balance.
May assist the body with occasional emotional distress and emotional balance.

Release It (Vented Grief Formula)

Benefits:

May assist the body with the grieving process.
May help in letting go of the past.
May assist with emotional distress.

Be Courageous (Vented Fear Formula)

Benefits:

May assist with courage and self confidence.
May help with indecisiveness, uncertainty and nervous tension.

Keep Cool (Vented Anger Formula)

Benefits:
May assist the body with feelings of anger and irritability.
May also assist with empathy and communication
 

Find Strength (Suppressed Anger Formula)

Benefits:
May assist with feelings of unworthiness.
May help the body with emotional strength and help deal with occasional emotional stress.

Open Heart (Suppressed Grief Formula)

Benefits:
May assist with the ability to love.
May help release suppressed emotion.
May help increase empathy and compassion.

Be Response-Able (Suppressed Fear Formula)

Benefits:
May assist the body with promoting self honesty.
May help encourage self-responsibility.
May help with self-defeating behavior.

Bored with Salad... Try this!

If you are like me you get bored with salads.  I can eat one type of salad for a couple weeks or longer and then I have to take a break for awhile.  I was in one of my 'salad breaks' because I had over done them until I recently went to a little gathering.  The salad had peppers cut up into small pieces for a topping which to be honest hasn't crossed my mind lately.  Maybe you all do this... and I am a little behind.  Long story short, it was fantastic!  The peppers added a nice little crunch that I have been missing. Mix it with some pecans or walnuts and BAM! you have a delicious salad.  

If you are also like me I am always running from point A to B and try to plan ahead and be prepared but always find myself doing just the opposite.  (I am always focusing on something... typically work... and time slips away from me.) So with that being said, being prepared ahead of time is crucial for me.  This seems like a silly tip but it may help one person out there.  Get a couple peppers, dice them up and keep in a glass container for storage.  Then when you are on the move like me and have 5 minutes to get ready, you can throw some salad in a bowl and have your chopped up peppers ready to go!  (You can even chop up carrots or cucumbers too and store them all together.)  It should last for at least 4 days or more.  They are great toppings for salad, like I did tonight, or on top of chicken or quinoa. 

Aren't they such pretty colors!

 

 

 

My salad tonight... with lots of peppers and pecans!  Delicious!

Thankful Part 4

(These are really late... I know.)

Nov 21st
A product that many people are thankful for at the office is one called VS-C by Nature Sunshine.  This is an amazing antiviral specifically for cold sores, canker sores and herpes.  It is effective against Mono and amazing to prevent and use during a shingles out break.  It can be taken at high doses during a flare up of any of the conditions listed above.  No need to go get different medicines, topical cream or a preventative shingles vaccines (full of neurotoxins)... VS-C is so strong and does the trick! (They make it in liquid form too!)

 

Nov 22nd
FemCo is another amazing product by Mediherb (Standard Process's herbal line).  I have had much success personally with it as well as many of my patients.  There are different herbs in there that create a balancing act between the endocrine (hormone producing) system as well as one that works to make sure the liver is detoxing like it should.  If the liver isn't filtering or working properly, hormones get backed up and create a whole host of problems from there.  It helps tremendously to lighten heavy cycles and even regulate cycles in those that come and go when they please.  FemCo is a great product and in my personal daily supplement routine!

Nov 23rd
Gallbladder Formula... this is one many patients this past month or 2 are verrrrrrry thankful for.  If you are prone to have gallbladder attacks or gallstones this is an AMAZING product to help the gallbladder function properly and even break down stones.  I wish I could just sit outside of the ER and pass this out to any gallbladder cases and have them try it for 3 days before they go get their gallbladder removed... eek! So so so so many gallbladders can be saved by this product.  During an attack you can dose up on it and if you are prone to gallstones or attacks you can always take a maintenance dose.  Please if you are a patient or not (or know someone) who has these issues I beg you to take this first before going under the knife.  The gallbladder serves a purpose and getting it removed happens all to frequently when there are natural things that can help!  This formula has saved a lot of people during the holidays after they eat those high fat and sugary meals.  :) If you notice a fullness or sharp pain on your right side under your rib cage or slightly below get on this... it works!

Nov 24th
Another personal favorite and one that has helped me a lot is Fen-Cho (sounds a lot like FemCo) by Standard Process.  This is used to improve digestion and can also be used as a mild laxative.  I found that when I take 2 or more a day my digestion is great.  Fen-Cho is made up of bile salts, fenugreek, okra and collinsonia which all help promote healthy digestion and bowel movements.  It's something that can be used everyday without any harm or fear that you will always need it or can be used in larger quantities on an as need basis.  Its really cheap and truly helps get the junk out of you :)

 

Nov 25th
At the office we have just introduced something by Nature Sunshine called Flower Essences!  Emotional blocks are something that can really hinder a person from healing.  It can be grief, anger, resentment, past frustration or any other emotion that can truly hold a person back from getting better.  I see this from time to time when we are doing everything right nutritionally but the patient is not seeing any improvement.  This is when I know emotions and an emotional block come in to play.  I am not a counselor and never claim or want to be.  This is not where my training is but there are something called Bach Flowers that help people break through emotional challenges.  These are especially important and helpful in those who can't let go of or break through a certain emotion.  We have been using them on patients and had fantastic results.  The different ones they have are

• Keep Cool- a vented anger formula
• Find Strength- a suppressed anger formula
• Be Courageous- a vented fear formula
• Be ResponseAble- a suppressed fear formula
• Distress Remedy
• Release It- a vented grief formula
• Open Heart- a suppressed grief formula

My handsome model woke up from a nap to display Be Response-Able

Thankful... Part 3!

Nov 15th
I am grateful for one of my favorite products by Beautycounter...their body lotion!  It is sooo smooth and leaves no messy streaks!  This is one product I will not do without.  There is not much scent to it (if any) which makes it perfect for anyone who is sensitive to fragrances (and you don't want to be putting on fake fragrances anyways).  You can add essential oils or they have body oils that you can add a drop or 2 with your lotion.  They have Jasmine as well as Citrus and Rosemary! 

 

Nov 16th

As 'sick' season rolls around we have many natural lines of defenses.  At the office we can determine what works best depending on whether a person has a bacteria or virus.  Elderberry Defense is something I take 2 a day of for immune protection and its a great antiviral.  The other fantastic antiviral is something called Astragalus.  It works in so many different ways to kill off viruses and helps the body to improve and give a boost to the immune system.  Other uses are for autoimmune conditions because it helps to balance out the immune system instead of making it suppressed or overactive (which is the case of autoimmune conditions where the immune system is hypersensitive).  Astragualus also helps to reduce the negative effects of steroids.  Interesting isn't it!  This antiviral and immune support is a great one to have on hand for the cold/flu season!  I always make sure it is in my 'sick' cabinet.  

Nov 17th
Another favorite of mine that I am personally thankful for is... Lymphatic Drainage.  This is a liquid product by Nature Sunshine.  It is one of my personal favorites for anyone with puffiness, breast tenderness, water retention (around belly, ankles, wrists, etc.), swelling in the lymph nodes, etc.  The lymphatic system is one that often gets over looked.  It plays a huge role in your immune system and can hold on to toxins if it is not pumping correctly or enough.  This can lead to toxin build up and can result in any of the symptoms above.  I put a family friend on it who recently had a lot of lymph nodes removed due to breast cancer.  She had swelling in her wrists and was told she had to wear braces on her arms because the swelling would never go away.  Guess what... after a bottle of lymphatic drainage she saw huge improvement!  She no longer has to wear her wrist braces (unless she is traveling).  An amazing product.  I personally used it for just general swelling and puffiness.  After I did 3 bottles back to back I had thermography done and they saw NO lymphatic congestion in my breasts.  She said that was very rare and I know it largely has to do with Lymphatic Drainage.  A great product and one of my personal favorites.  

 

Nov 18th
I am thankful for... Sick Visits!  They are a great way for patients to quickly see if they are battling a bacteria or virus and get a product that fights whatever they have.  It takes me 2 minutes to see what you have and what's going to help kill it off!  It's amazing how people run to the doctor and walk away with yet another prescription for antibiotics.  Antibiotics kill off BOTH good and bad bacteria allowing the bad stuff to overgrow.  Antibiotics are the #1 reason why candida (yeast) is so prevalent in our society and causing a whole different host of issues.  (I'll save that rant for another day.)  So if you are sick, no matter if it is a cold or flu, strep, UTI, cough, congestion, sinus infection, you name it... call in and we will be sure to get you in that day!! (615-656-3558) It costs $25 (that is usually less than an insurance co-pay) and we will be sure to send you on your way with something to kick the 'bug' (without antibiotics)! :)

Nov 19th
With cold/flu season hitting us liquid Silver Shield is a popular product at our office.  I want to talk about how fantastic Silver Shield gel is!  We have recently had a few staph infections in (and one really bad one) that didn't heal after rounds and rounds of antibiotics.  (Which suppresses your immune system anyway.)  Silver Shield gel worked like magic.  Silver Shield liquid is antibacterial and antiviral (even antiparasitic).  The gel works just like the liquid but can be applied topically.  It started clearing up staph infections extremely quickly in both cases.  The gel is also great for breakouts, cuts/scraps, yeast infections, and any other topical issue.  It basically acts as your natural 'neosporin.'  A must-have for your natural medicine cabinet!

 

 

Nov 20th

Migun (Massage Energy) Tables... how lucky are we to have these in our office!  They are always included with every visit for free which gives you 15 minutes of rest and relaxation... and detoxing too!  It feels like deep pressure therapy and a full body massage.  They are inspired by acupressure, acupuncture, chiropractic, heat therapy and massage all rolled up into one!  The best part is you get to relax for 15 minutes during your busy day.  Sometimes that is easier said than done... but it is so beneficial for the body to turn your mind off and relax! Always make sure to hop on one of the tables at each visit.  They are also available for sale by an outside vendor if you are ever interested.  Let us know and we have  the contact info at the office or you can visit www.massageenergy.com.