CEDAR CREST CHIROPRACTIC
December 2019
Dr. Paul Braadt
1028 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, PA 18103 • 610-776-2005 • www.CedarCrestChiropractic.com
THE HOLIDAY SEASON THEN AND NOW Christmas With Dr. Braadt
childhood train set, which was in working order. It was a very festive time of year.
As a young boy, the day after Thanksgiving meant that Christmas was almost here, starting with Santa’s arrival at the end of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. All six of us were on our best behavior because we knew that Santa was now watching! My mom began to decorate our home starting with the Advent calendar, wreaths on the doors, candles in the windows, and colorful poinsettias throughout the house. We all had stockings with our names on them, and they hung from the mantle in the living room. A week before Christmas, Mom would start prepping for Christmas dinner and going through our holiday clothing to make sure we were all ready for the pictures that would surely come. As the weather got colder up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, we were all hoping for a white Christmas. As Christmas drew closer, the holiday movies began. Every year we watched Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Holiday Inn,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, and, of course, Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” We also gathered around the TV with my parents for the variety show holiday specials, including “The Milton Berle Show,” “The Red Skelton Show,” “The Jackie Gleason Show,” “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Bob Hope Christmas Special” for our troops overseas. From a Christian tradition, we also prepared for the upcoming Nativity. Our Jewish friends and neighbors began their preparations for Hanukkah on Dec. 22. My dad would always bring home a fresh tree that he put on a platform so the tree touched the ceiling. He surrounded the tree with his
On Christmas Day, we got up early and were escorted to the living room by our parents. All the gifts were around the tree, so we knew that our good behavior was rewarded. Then we took turns opening gifts and playing with our favorites. After a while, we got dressed in our holiday outfits and went to church. The music and choir were especially grand. I loved “Joy to the World,” which ended the service. Then we went home, played with our gifts, and waited for our extended family and friends to start arriving for a delicious dinner my mom had spent the entire week preparing. We continued many of these traditions with Michelle, our daughter. Georgette and I always laughed that we had to wake her up on Christmas Day, even when she was very young. Once up, she was ready to go. The two of them would sit on the top stair while I took the traditional picture. Michelle always checked the kitchen table to see if Santa had eaten his cookies and drank his milk and the reindeer had eaten their carrots. Santa always left a letter acknowledging her good works while making a few suggestions for the upcoming year. We taught Michelle that Santa was very busy but stopped by with three special gifts for her and her stocking, which she loved the most. Then we went off to my sister’s home for a celebration, which always included our single friends and extended family. With so many family members, each individual received one gift from their Secret Santa. The kids loved keeping the secret of who they got and making a gift for them, and they especially enjoyed presenting their gift to
their special family member. It really helped to emphasize the value of giving. You can still see many of the handmade gifts at everyone’s homes. At this time of year, it’s a great opportunity to reach out to family, friends, neighbors, and those in our community who are less fortunate. Activities like donating to a food drive, visiting nursing homes and hospitals, participating in Toys for Tots, etc. make a difference. Whatever your traditions and whoever you celebrate with during this time of year, we wish you a happy holiday season and a merry Christmas. Thank you again for trusting me with your health!
In knowledge and in health,
PAGE 1 –Dr. Paul Braadt
Safe, Effective Health Care Without Drugs & Surgery
• Get chiropractic adjustments. During the holidays, this can reduce the stress on your nervous system. Stress causes tension to build up in the muscles and joints of your body. This tension causes alterations in the normal sensitivity of the nervous system. I know you’re busy, but create time for this important step — you’ll be happy you did. HOLIDAY EATING GUIDELINES We all know that yummy holiday foods make it challenging to eat healthy. I definitely have my favorites, including my sister Ann’s delicious holiday meatballs and chicken livers on toast that my mom used to make, my grandmother’s chocolate chip cookies that my sister Liz makes, and my sister Caroline’s apple and pumpkin pies (again from my grandmother’s recipes), along with a few eggnogs. I’ve learned that the best strategy is to plan ahead of time to pick your indulgences . Additionally, the following tips will help keep you on track. • Limit your eating to a maximum of three meals a day versus continuous “grazing” in between meals. Snacking all day, including drinking alcohol, spikes the hormone insulin and throws you out of fat burning. Snacking also causes indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, constipation, etc. Include enough healthy fats like nuts, cheese, and avocado with your main meals to help get you to your next meal without being hungry. • Chew your food entirely without washing your meal down with fluids. This drinking dilutes digestive enzymes and stresses your stomach. • Leave the antacids alone. The problem is not too much acid in your stomach but too little. Indigestion, bloating, and heartburn are the result of too little acid. We tend to overeat and ingest foods during the holidays that are richer and sweeter. Two of our whole food nutrition products from Standard Process, Zypan and Multizyme , aid digestion, so let me know if you need help in this area. I can dose you for the best results. • You can also try Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar before your meal. Mix a teaspoon with a little water or another beverage to acidify your stomach and aid digestion. After a big meal, a little whole leaf aloe vera juice from a market or health food store will reduce the irritation associated with stomach alkalinity. Antacid drugs, especially proton pump inhibitors (Nexium and Prilosec) are being directly linked to Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. • Substitute healthy fats for sugar. Think butter (I love unsalted Kerrygold butter); avocados; raw nuts, like macadamia or Brazil nuts; hormone-free meats; organic cheese; and organic eggs — all the things you were told to avoid. These foods won’t spike insulin like sugar does and are healthy and safe to eat. I hope these holiday stress solutions and eating guidelines help you navigate the holidays with less repair needed in the new year. Next month, we’ll revisit our health habits and lay out an updated strategy to start the year healthy . As always, let me know if you need help in any of these areas.
DR. BRAADT’S WELLNESS COLUMN
It’s December, and a few solutions to manage holiday stress and implement eating guidelines may be helpful. In the past, I’ve discussed how stress takes various forms and can affect us all, including physical stress from pain, environmental stress from dangerous chemicals and toxins, and emotional stress of living. Holiday stress can be part of the emotional stress of living – there’s shopping for presents, stretched finances, family challenges, decorating that needs to be done, and other holiday commitments. Regardless of the source of stress, which produces the hormone cortisol, the reactions in our bodies are the same: It’s like nearly getting hit by a car. Your muscles tense, your teeth clench, and your blood pressure rises. HOLIDAY STRESS SOLUTIONS • Enjoy ‘your’ holidays. Do something that you personally enjoy. Perhaps you can engage in a memorable family tradition or take time to read your favorite book. There’s a reason for the holidays, so find something that gives you personal comfort. • Move your body. Take a walk and look at the environment you’re in versus just listening to your mind rattle off your to-do list. I’ve mentioned before that L.V. Hospital has a mapped indoor walking trail, or you can check with a nearby college, gym, or mall. California State University found that a 10-minute walk is enough to increase your energy, alter your mood, and encourage a positive outlook for up to 2 hours. • Laugh more and listen to music. Comedy is a great remedy for stress. Research at Loma Linda University showed that comedy lowers the body’s level of stress, thereby reducing blood pressure and increasing white blood cells and your immunity. My family loves the comedy “Elf” with Will Ferrell. Another favorite is “White Christmas” with music from Irving Berlin. Some of our favorite holiday music includes “Christmas Portrait” by Carpenters, “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky, and anything by Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole. Whatever your traditions, take time to create some personal pleasure amid the bustle. HOLIDAY STRESS SOLUTIONS AND EATING GUIDELINES
–Dr. Paul Braadt
CedarCrestChiropractic.com
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610-776-2005
The urge to leave behind a legacy is an inherent human instinct. Whether you accomplish this by raising children, building a successful company, or starting a charitable organization, the desire to share your wisdom should not go unfulfilled. If none of these options work for your lifestyle, writing a memoir may be a good option. A memoir not only tells your story but also passes on the wisdom you’ve gained from your many experiences and offers a unique perspective to inspire future generations. Writing can be a therapeutic exercise at a time when your life may be changing due to retirement or your kids growing up and leaving the house. And because personal reflection is a natural occurrence with age, writing a memoir can be the perfect way to spend your time. As you gain enough distance from life events to grow useful perspectives, the stage is set for self-discovery and transformation. Even more so, your life experiences can give valuable insights to readers of all ages and circumstances. That’s why biographies and memoirs are such popular genres — reading about real people helps others understand the world and how they can live in it. DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? Share Your Wisdom in a Memoir
To get started, pick a theme. Ask yourself these questions, “What message do I want to leave with my readers? What do I want them to feel or understand by reading my words?” From there, select anecdotes that support your theme. Make sure they’re clear and cohesive. Then, write like you would a fictional novel or story. Show, don’t tell, and keep readers invested by having a narrative arc, whether it flows chronologically or jumps back and forth in time. Remember, this is not a time to air dirty laundry; it’s a time to reflect, grow, and share your experiences with the world.
SUDOKU
Keto Slow-Cooked Roast Beef With Tomatoes and Garlic
INGREDIENTS
• 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and chopped • 8 sprigs fresh thyme • 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 lbs boneless rump or rib roast • 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt, divided
• 3/4 tsp pepper, divided • 1 pint grape tomatoes
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350 F. Season the beef with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and place in a large roasting pan. 2. In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, thyme, oil, and remaining salt and pepper. 3. Scatter the tomato mixture around the meat and roast to the desired doneness, about 1 hour for medium-rare (an internal temperature of 125 F). 4. Transfer the beef to a cutting board and let rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Divide into 4 servings and serve with the tomatoes and garlic.
Safe, Effective Health Care Without Drugs & Surgery
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LOGO Cedar Crest Chiropractic Dr. Paul Braadt
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1028 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. Allentown, PA 18103
Hours of Operation: Mon: 3–6:30 p.m. Tue–Thu: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Fri: Closed
Give Us A Call! 610-776-2005
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
PAGE 1 Happy Holidays!
PAGE 2 Dr. Braadt’s Wellness Column
PAGE 3 Tell Your Story and Share Your Wisdom Keto Slow-Cooked Roast Beef With Tomatoes and Garlic PAGE 4 The History Behind Christmas Lights
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
The first string of twinkling lights illuminating your neighbor’s house is always a telltale sign of the upcoming seasonal festivities. Christmas lights are a holiday staple, but have you ever wondered where this beloved tradition started? The tradition of hanging lights on the tree originally started with candles. Because this posed an immense fire hazard, Edward Hibberd Johnson, a close friend of Thomas Edison and vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, vowed to find a better way to decorate Christmas trees with light. In December 1882, three years after Edison’s invention of the lightbulb in November 1879, Johnson hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue lightbulbs together and wound them around a Christmas tree in his parlor window. A passing reporter saw the spectacle and declared in the Detroit Post and Tribune, “One can hardly imagine anything prettier.” Johnson continued this tradition, increasing the number of lights each year and eventually putting them up outside. But because electricity was still a new concept, many years passed before the fad took off for regular Americans. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge began the tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree, which spurred the idea of selling stringed lights WHY DO WE HANG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS?
commercially. By the 1930s, families everywhere were buying boxes of bulbs by the dozen. Today, an estimated 150 million Christmas lights are sold in America each year, decorating 80 million homes and consuming 6% of the nation’s electricity every December. Whether you’ll be putting up your own lights or appreciating the most impressive light displays in your neighborhood or town, let the glow fill you with joy this season. Just don’t leave them up until February!
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610-776-2005
CedarCrestChiropractic.com
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