Egg Drop Soup! 2 Ingredients!

Okay so this could possibly be the easiest recipe yet... not kidding!  Just because its so simple to make does not mean it lacks in taste!  I have had this for dinner the past 2 nights! :)  I love egg drop soup at Chinese restaurants but you never know what all goes into it- especially the seasonings and flavoring (and MSG).  So in place of it try this!!  I think it tastes just like one at a restaurant I promise!
 
Ingredients
-4 Eggs
-Chicken Stock (I use the organic chicken stock from Coscto.  Such a great deal.)
-Sea Salt and Pepper
 
Boil 4 cups of chicken stock (which happens to be right around the size of the Coscto chicken stock box).  While the chicken stock is heating up, in a separate bowl whisk 4 eggs.  Once the chicken stock is bowling slowly add in the eggs. They will cook instantly!  Add a little sea salt and pepper and you are good to go!! You can add green onions on top like they do in the restaurant or even add a little scoop of quinoa to make it slightly more filling.  (That's what I tried tonight and it worked great!)

It truly doesn't get any easier and less time consuming than that.  Enjoy!!

The Soup!  It looks better in person :)

Product #1- Mood Elevator

My personal goal is to really educate my patients and anyone who wants to learn, so each week or 2 I am going to feature a different product that I use at the office.  Some of you may be familiar with a lot of the products, some of you may not.  If you ever have questions regarding any one of them always feel free to ask! 

Featured Product #1: Mood Elevator

Mood Elevator is a product by Nature Sunshine that simply does what it's name says... elevate/lift the mood.  It is a combination of 17 different herbs aimed at lifting the spirit and gives people a general sense of well being.  The great part is that it is in NO WAY addicting which I see a lot with depression and anxiety medications.  There is also NO withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it.  That is the worst part of some of the medications out there... it can be so hard on patients when they are trying to wean off of them (on their own, I never tell people to come off medications and legally can't).  It has taken some people 6 to 8 months to finally feel normal again once they are off of their antidepressants or anti anxiety prescriptions, especially when they have been on them for 10+ years. 

Mood Elevator also works directly on the liver.  The liver is one of the organs that greatly influences our moods.  Without a happy, healthy, and properly functioning liver it is hard to feel good.  I don't discredit outside circumstances, however the liver (thyroid and others) have a lot to do with how you handle, cope and move forward from circumstances in your life.  Mood Elevator also works to help balance out the nervous system too!

From my experience this supplement usually works pretty quick- usually around a week to notice a difference.  Now everyone is different and it may take a month for some people while others may notice a difference in a of couple days.  Its been amazing to see some patients moods change who came in feeling down or just like they had no more to give.  Once on this their spirits lift even though their circumstances are the same.  It's been pretty awesome to watch.  It is also great  place to start for anyone who is told to go on antidepressants but is hesitant to. 

Obvious uses are for-  Sadness, depression, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety. 
Other uses- Bipolar, Postpartum depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Nature Sunshine makes a regular and TCM (aka concentrated version).  The codes are

• Regular- 1878-8
• TCM- 1035-7 (It is concentrated so you don't have to take as many.)

Mood Elevator is not something to solely rely on but instead help you feel better.  Therapy and counseling are always highly encouraged at my office.  Your physical and emotional well-being are so connected that you want to address both to truly get and feel better.  Visit The Refuge Center in Franklin (Christian based, sliding scale) or Laura Ramey, LMFT (Amazing therapist who understands wholeheartedly what MTCAM is about and the connection between physical and emotional healing!!). 

Ordering information can be found by clicking here and following Nature Sunshine ordering instructions.

 

2 Detoxes for the New Year!

Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a blessed and wonderful holiday season!  With January in full swing I wanted to highlight 2 cleanses that we use pretty regularly at the office.  If you haven't done one of them I would highly suggest it.  I have done plenty of cleanses (other companies too) and these are definitely in my top personal favorites (along with a juice fast... but that's another story).  I love doing at least one cleanse in January and one in June (and I always sprinkle more in there... but its great to get into the habit in January and June)!  Its a perfect way to kick off winter (after the holidays) and also start your summer off right!

Clean Start (General Cleanse) Stock Number 3993-8

Clean Start is a 2 week detox that promotes cleansing of all the filters in your body (liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels, skin).  Each of these areas act to filter out toxins and over time get burdened down and need a little cleaning.  Clean Start does the trick!  It is a drink mix before breakfast and dinner (on an empty stomach) and 3 pills with breakfast and dinner.  

Perfect for someone looking for a general cleanse to get rid of everyday toxins.  (I always feel great by day 4 with increased energy!)

Do not use if you have loose stools.  If it creates loose stool while on it, back down to one a day and finish the box at that dosage.

Tiao He Cleanse (Liver Cleanse) Stock Number 3050-5
In Chinese tiao he means balance and harmony... and that is what this cleanse is aimed to achieve!  It is specifically targeted at the liver.  The liver is the main filter in the body and with the air we breathe in, foods we eat, and other chemicals/metals we are exposed to the liver gets bogged down.  Another job of the liver is to break down hormones that are circulating around.  If they don’t get broken down properly hormones get backed up which causes a whole host of other issues. 

Perfect for someone with symptoms like sluggish digestion, weight gain, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, hypothyroid (especially fatigue), any hormonal issues (like PMS, irregular or frequent cycles, endometriosis, PCOS, etc.), gallbladder pain or discomfort, etc.

Tiao He consists of 3 packets a day on an empty stomach.  Typically I have patients do 2 packets a day instead until the box is gone.  If loose stools occur, finish the box at one packet a day.

These detoxes will help your body function more efficiently, increase your energy, clean out your dirty filters like you do in your car and house (aka liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin).  I am personally doing the Tiao He followed by a parasite cleanse.  I have my fiance doing Clean Start and maybe if I am lucky a candida cleanse... crossing my fingers! :)  I know a lot of my patients are kicking off the year with a cleanse as well!  You should too!  If you have questions about the detoxes email me at drcarolynmaxfield@gmail.com! 

Ordering instructions can be found on this page (click here) under Nature Sunshine and the stock numbers are by the descriptions above. 

One More Great Use for Coconut Oil!

If coconut oil wasn't already amazing here is one more way to use it... In your bathtub! 

I learned this from a patient yesterday and decided to give it a try. Oh my goodness! Your skin gets so silky smooth! I always throw in Epsom salts in my bath but haven't ever thought about coconut oil for some reason. I would highly suggest it!!  

2 things... I wouldn't add it in your bath if you plan on getting your hair wet with bath water. You may have a hard time getting the coconut oil out of your wet hair. :) Secondly be careful getting out of your bath tub. Just like your silky smooth skin, your bathtub is also smooth and slick.  I feel like a mom saying that but I almost lost my footing because it was so slippery.

Now go add a couple tablespoons to your bath and relax!! :)

Simple Winter Time Dessert! (2 Ingredients!)

During these icy, cold days and nights the only thing I want to drink or eat is something warm. (That's why I am so bad about water... I just want to drink hot tea all day/hold on to the mug to keep my frozen hands warm!  I have to keep track of my water intake or I slack off.)  Anyways I thought I would share one of my typical nightly 'desserts' if that's what you want to call it.

All you need... are you ready???... is frozen fruit (and coconut oil)!  Put a tablespoon or 2 of coconut oil in your skillet and fill the rest with frozen fruit.  I used the mixed berries from Kroger or Costco.  Put it over low/medium heat and let it simmer.  Make sure you mix the berries occasionally because some of the fruit at the top stays cold unless you stir.  Once everything is nice and warm/steamy (usually takes about 5 to 7 min), pour all the contents (and the juices too which are sooo good!) in a bowl and enjoy!  It will warm you up, give you a healthy 'dessert', and curb your sweet tooth!

For those on Candida Clear:

• Use frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and any combo of them)
• You can put it over unsweetened Greek yogurt
• Drizzle xyltiol over it if you want to sweeten it more (I think its already pretty sweet but you can always add xylitol if you would like)
• You could even sprinkle cacao/cocoa on top to give it a chocolaty taste!  The warm fruit would probably make the powder mix easily.  I haven't tried it, but it sure seems like a good idea... warm chocolate raspberry deliciousness... Yum!

For everyone else:

• Use any frozen fruit (My personal favorites are the berries, cherries and mangoes... not all mixed together)
• Drizzle with honey to make sweeter if you would prefer

Its simple.  Tasty.  You get your coconut oil in.  Takes no more than 5 minutes to make.  A win win win! Enjoy!!

January Special and New Donation Site for MTCAM!

New donation site... Sole Hope!

 

Bring in THREE of the following items and receive $10 OFF your service that day.  Sole Hope is in need of these items to help pull out jiggers from the feet of children and adults in Africa

• Bandaids
• Gauze Pads
• Large Safety Pins
• Stickers for Children
• Medical Gloves (all sizes)
• Neosporin

 

Sole Hope is an organization that works to get closed toed shoes for children and adults in Africa and help prevent foot diseases that are all too common (and preventable) in their area. They teach people in the local communities the trade of shoe making which creates sustainable jobs. Shoe cutting parties can also be done in your own home with friends where all the fabric gets used to make shoes for children and also create jobs for women of Uganda! A win, win for everyone! For more information about the organization visit www.solehope.com and information on shoe cutting parties click here.

 

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.