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August 2019
ON THE MOVE
My Dog’s Superpowers A HERO’S LESSON
Since people call this time of year the “dog days” of summer, I think it’s high time for another article on the littlest member of the Morea family — Hero the Maltipoo. If you missed the article on our pup last summer, Hero became a part of our family five years ago when I brought him home on Christmas Eve. Because the black spot on his face looks like a mask straight out of a comic book, naming him “Hero” was an easy choice. This dog may not be climbing any buildings or traveling faster than a speeding bullet, but he certainly has some superpowers I’m envious of! First and foremost, there’s Hero’s ability to lay around all day. Even if I didn’t have a business to run and kids to take care of, I don’t think I could lounge as much as this dog. I’d get antsy eventually. But without bills to pay and errands to run, our little Matise-Poodle mix is more than content to take enough afternoon naps for the rest of us. No wonder he has so much energy when it’s finally time to play. But there’s a deeper strength to Hero’s relaxed attitude — it’s more than simple laziness. This dog really and truly is content in his situation. Whether you’re playing with him or being couch potatoes together, Hero is always very “in-the-now.” He doesn’t have concerns from the day before or worries about tomorrow. Like so many other dogs, he’s able to take each passing moment for what it is, and enjoy it. Maybe we humans aren’t the superior beings we think we are after all! I’m certainly a big believer that this very present mindset is a healthier way to live. As a physical therapist, I’ve seen the effect stress can have on our bodies. Our minds have a nasty habit of escalating the pain we feel, thanks in large part to the autonomic nervous system. More and more studies are finding links between our perception of pain and the actual way we experience it — and a few individuals have started experimenting with this idea in the extreme.
or “The Iceman,” attributes his ability to withstand these freezing temperatures to mental and physical training. He claims this allows him to have more control over his autonomic nervous system. His methods essentially boil down to calming his body in the face of extreme conditions. I don’t need the ability to take a dip in freezing water, but the ability to distance myself from the stress of everyday life would certainly have my tail wagging! But what I admire most about Hero isn’t his ability to achieve tranquility, but the way he shares it with those around him. Whether it’s me getting home from a long day, or my kids coming through the front door after a tough time at school, our dog won’t leave us alone until we have a smile on our faces. You may not feel it right away, but between his cuteness and playfulness, Hero will have you laughing in no time. This ability to help others enjoy the moment is certainly an amazing power, one I think we can all strive for. That’s why our whole team believes in making our clinic a fun, friendly environment. We know it’s not enough to treat your pain if we don’t alleviate the stress it’s causing you.
Here’s to all the lessons our pets have to teach us,
–Dr. Robert Morea
Specifically, Wim Hof, a Dutch extreme athlete, has pulled off amazing feats like swimming in ice water with only a pair of swim trunks. Hof,
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P E R F E C T P A I R I N G S INGREDIENTS FOR BETTER BODY BALANCE
We seek balance through many methods, like morning yoga poses and guided meditations before bed. But another important part of a balanced, holistic lifestyle is diet. When your body is missing nutrients, you suffer from all kinds of physical and mental ailments. Based on a holistic nutrition perspective, here are some foods you can pair together to promote better body balance from the inside out. CITRUS FRUITS AND DARK, LEAFY GREENS The vitamin C in citrus fruits helps your body absorb the iron in kale, spinach, and other leafy greens. Unlike the iron found in animal proteins, the iron in leafy vegetables isn’t as easy to absorb. Get the most out of those greens by tossing your spinach salad with a lemon vinaigrette or brush some lemon or orange juice onto your grilled kale. BEANS AND RICE
to fuel your body. Keep this dish interesting by creating new combinations with avocado, zesty sauces, cilantro, and radishes. Peas and quinoa is another pairing that completes the essential amino acid profile, and the two
work well together in a salad or scramble. CHERRIES AND SPIRULINA
You may not always think about your blood health, but you should because your blood distributes crucial nutrients throughout your body and floods toxins out. Iron, folic acid, vitamin B-12, and protein are the building blocks for better blood. You can find these nutrients in dark red foods, such as cherries, raspberries, beets, and kidney beans, and in dark green foods, like spinach, spirulina, and wheatgrass. Holistic nutritionist Sarah Britton, author of “My New Roots: Inspired Plant-Based Recipes,” suggests starting the day with a refreshing smoothie made with some of these foods.
These ingredient combinations bring out the best in each other, so your body can function at its best. Pair them together and enjoy!
This simple staple meal for many Latin American families is prevalent for a reason. Together, beans and rice make a nutritious and protein-packed meal
SUCCE S S S TOR I E S !
Hear What Our Clients Are Saying!
“Achilles tendonitis … not in pain anymore ...”
“I feel 80% better. My foot doctor diagnosed me with heel bursitis and Achilles tendonitis. It was painful to walk. He recommended physical therapy. I met
with Dr. Fernandez, and he told me that laser treatments would help me a lot. After only six sessions, I’m not in pain anymore, and the inflammation went down. I wake up in the morning, and I can walk with no pain.
“I’m glad I tried this laser technology. It really works.
I highly recommend this place. The staff is professional and helpful. Thank you, Dr. Fernandez.” -Rodica M.
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Sudoku Train Your Brain With
As Robert mentions on this month’s cover, “The Iceman” Wim Hof is challenging the way we think about the relationship between mind and body. The Dutch extreme athlete has pulled off some truly incredible feats, setting the world record for swimming beneath ice and running a marathon through the snow — barefoot. While we certainly wouldn’t recommend you attempt any of these stunts, Hof’s story and philosophy certainly make for a good read. That’s why this month we’re recommending “What Doesn’t Kill Us” by investigative reporter Scott Carney. This New York Times bestseller chronicles the author’s quest to understand Hof’s techniques and find out whether or not we truly “hack” our mind’s perception of pain and stress. Along with working with The Iceman himself, Carney also interviews other seemingly average individuals who have managed impossible feats. And Carney isn’t just an observer of these efforts to overcome adversity through physical and mental training; he participates. Part of what makes this book a page-turner is watching the young author turn from skeptic to full-fledged practitioner. After many trials and tribulations, Carney undertakes an incredible stunt himself, climbing to the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro in a pair of shorts. Scientists are still researching the links between our minds and bodies and the ways we experience pain. While conclusive results are still far off, researchers have remarked that practicing The Iceman’s methods “with a good dose of common sense” certainly doesn’t hurt. If you’re interested in Wim Hof’s philosophy, or just want to read about some unbelievable tests of human endurance, “What Doesn’t Kill Us” is the perfect summer read. Stories of swimming through ice water or running through the snow just might be the perfect cure for the August heat. ‘What Doesn’t Kill Us’ Explores Wim Hof’s Story AN INSPIRING BOOK
Recipe of the Month: SENEGALESE LAMB SKEWERS
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
INGREDIENTS
For the lamb: •
For the onions: •
2 lbs. trimmed leg of lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 tbsp peanut oil, plus more for grilling Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• • • •
1/2 cup Dijon mustard 1/2 tbsp agave nectar
•
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced Salt and white pepper, to taste
•
DIRECTIONS EQUIPMENT • Bamboo skewers
1. In a bowl, coat lamb with 1 tbsp oil and generously season with salt and pepper. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and agave nectar. Toss in onions and season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat a grill or grill pan to medium and oil the grates. 4. Thread lamb on skewers and grill for 6–8 minutes. 5. Serve alongside onions.
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INSIDE
Hero the Dog’s Superpower The Ingredients for Holistic Health Hear From Our Clients
Senegalese Lamb Skewers Lessons From ‘The Iceman’ The Art of Stargazing
The Art of Stargazing Helping Humans Slow Down and Look Up
2. Extra Set of Eyes While novice stargazers often want to immediately throw their money at a new telescope, astronomy experts recommend starting with binoculars instead. You’ll need to identify several anchor planets or constellations to help you navigate the sky before using a telescope. 3. Utilize Assets Put your phone to good use by downloading apps like Stellarium, Starwalk, and Google Sky Map. Each of these apps offers a unique benefit for aspiring stargazers. For example, Starwalk lets you point your phone at the sky to see stars, constellations, and planets in real time based on your location. 4. Mark Your Calendar In 1972, beloved singer-songwriter John Denver wrote about a meteor shower he witnessed during a camping trip in Colorado. He describes the scene by singing, “I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky.” The “fire” he recounted was actually the Perseids meteor shower, the most recognized shower on Earth. This astrological wonder takes place every year from July 17 to Aug. 24. During this time, viewers should be able to see shooting stars associated with the Perseids, but the shower reaches its maximum rate of activity on Aug. 12–13 this year. Grab some friends and family, and head outdoors to put your newfound stargazing knowledge to work.
Modern humans are stuck in a routine of expected and constant industriousness. But with all this rushing, people often drag themselves home at night with no energy left to enjoy the most splendid show nature has to offer: the wondrous night sky. Most people go through life looking straight ahead, but if they would stop and peer skyward, they’d bear witness to a massive, unexplored frontier made up of the moon in its all phases, burning stars sailing through the sky, constellations with epic origin stories, and meteor showers bright enough to warrant sunglasses. If you’re looking for a hobby to help you slow down and appreciate the world around you, stargazing is a great option. Here are some tips to get you started. 1. The Higher, the Better If you’re a city dweller, meander a little way out of town or try to find a tall building to keep the light pollution to a minimum.
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