Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
healthy living
DRSladic.com
September 2025
COURAGE AND CROPS A Legacy of Labor and Love
It’s hard not to think of my mom and dad whenever I have a hearty meal or chop down a tree. In anticipation of Heritage Day on Sept. 24, I’ve been thinking a lot about how hard our families’ past generations had to work to make something of their lives and secure a future for the members to come. In my parents’ case, these efforts included an oceanic jaunt in search of freedom. In 1960, my parents escaped Croatia in what was formerly known as communist Yugoslavia. My father was in his early 20s, and my mother was only 19. Unlike today, their travels weren’t a matter of getting on a plane and arriving somewhere in a few hours; their journey led them to flee their homeland and arrive in Austria as refugees. Several weeks later, they found a more permanent place to stay in Canada, where my uncle, also named Tom, sponsored their arrival. I was raised in Canada before eventually becoming a doctor in Michigan We lost Dad about 20 years ago when he was only 60, but my mom is 85 and still lives in Canada. I often think about everything she had endured in her early years, particularly how scarce food was when her family held Christmas dinners and other gatherings
in Croatia. Even though farming was a family staple in those days, rationing was still common. Life was about making the absolute most out of what you had. My parents and their siblings were incredibly hard workers, holding down jobs on farms or in factories. This lifestyle rubbed off on me, as I love working outside with my hands. I’m always up for digging a hole, cutting the grass, or chopping down a tree. One time when I was at Mom’s house in Canada, she said, “We’re going to cut these 10 trees down.” They looked like tiny trees but they were heavy when we cut them down. We spent the whole afternoon cutting them down, chopping them up, and moving them. It was great fun for me. Not surprisingly, I’m always well fed whenever I visit Mom. There’s always more than enough to eat, which I consider her expression of thanks and her acknowledgment that the days of worrying about food are over. Her early life always made her quite tough, and I’ll never forget when she decided to visit her family in Croatia in the early 1990s when her homeland was in the midst of a brutal war. I was in high school then, and I thought, “Why are you going there? Why would you do that? There’s a war there! ” Ultimately, she just wanted to see her parents, which I thought was incredibly brave.
My parents took me to Croatia when I was about 4, but I don’t remember that experience. Next year, I’m celebrating my 30th wedding anniversary with my wife, Marjorie, and the thought has come up that we might visit Croatia then. This Heritage Day, take a moment to consider just how far your family has come and how hard those who came before you had to work to achieve the American Dream. Our pasts define who we are today and who we will be in the future, and your past generation’s stories are always worth knowing and sharing. –Dr. Tom Sladic To order supplements or blood work, call 248-912-2962
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
“Journey of a thousand miles ... Starts with one step.”
DRSLADIC.COM
1
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
THE SAME PLATE DEBATE HOW VARIETY CAN SAVE YOUR GUT, MOOD, AND MEALS
If you are stuck on your go-to kale smoothie or healthy quinoa salad for lunch, it may be time to shake up your plate and add a little variety to the menu. Eating the same thing every day might seem like a safe bet and an easy way to meal prep in your busy routine. But your body and taste buds deserve new flavors to keep things fresh and boost your immune system. Even the most nutritious diets can easily turn into a food rut. Grab a plate as we explore why you shouldn’t eat the same food daily. FIXATION OR FOOD FRUSTRATION? Turning to the same recipes daily could signal something about your mental or emotional health. Variety isn’t just crucial for our physical well-being; it keeps our minds engaged and helps prevent us from feeling blue. People who limit what and how much they eat may have an eating disorder called avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). ARFID can lead to health problems, as it causes people to avoid certain nutritious foods or not eat at all. NUTRIENTS NEED NEWNESS Your body needs a variety of nutrients and foods to stay healthy and balanced. If you are eating the same meals, you might miss out on the ingredients your gut microbiome and immune system crave. Repeating recipes too often could lead to nutrient deficiencies and starve your body of proteins and essential vitamins. While consuming
some of the same foods every week is generally fine, change it up enough to get a good mix of antioxidant-rich foods.
SAME BITES, SNEAKY SIGNS By avoiding new cuisine, you could miss essential food allergy or intolerance signs. If you have the same breakfast every morning but don’t feel well afterward, trying an alternative could show you that your preferred plateful is actually hurting more than helping. By restricting items in your diet, you could even develop new food sensitivities over time. Listen to your body and be willing to make adjustments if that routine treat is causing discomfort.
SOLE-FUL SOLUTIONS
The Healing Powers of a Stroll
We all know walking is good for us, but how it affects our physical and mental well-being is astounding. If you need new motivation to move, here are three fascinating research findings that prove the healing powers of a healthy pace. STEPS TOWARD SERENITY Our soles can lead us to a calmer soul. As revealed in a landmark 2024 study conducted in Spain, people who walked 7,000 steps daily had a 31% lower chance of experiencing depression than those who only walked 5,000 steps. Those who walked between 7,500 and 10,000 steps daily saw that figure rise to 43%. Before pursuing medicinal means for treating a low mood, see if walking a mile or two might do the trick first. STRUTS OVER SWEETS When we’re stressed, surrounded by decadent food, or simply want to indulge in something sugary, we may be tempted to partake in eating habits that add harmful fats and excess calories to our diets.
Before binging on a chocolate bar, go for a 15-minute walk. According to research conducted at the University of Exeter in England, taking a stroll for even this short period can drastically reduce chocolate cravings, cravings for other high-sugar snacks, or decrease the amount you may consume once you return home. Additionally, studies suggest that a five-minute walk after a meal can positively affect blood sugar levels. ACTIVE FEET AND FLU PREVENTION With cold and flu season approaching, putting our shoes to work can do wonders in stopping sneezing and coughing from slowing down our day. Harvard Medical School notes that a study of 1,000 men and women revealed that those who walked at least 20 minutes daily, five days a week, took 43% fewer sick days during the winter.
With this information in mind, how many more steps will you take this month, week, or year?
2
DRSLADIC.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
TURKEY AND HUMMUS COLLARD WRAPS WITH COCONUT CURRY SAUCE
Ingredients
PATIENT SPOTLIGHT: LISA R. HERSHBERGER Digestion, Discipline, and Divine Direction “Before working with Dr. Sladic, I experienced infertility, thyroid issues, and digestive issues. Through my experience with Natural Solutions for Health, life became enjoyable. While on the program, I became pregnant. Changing the way I ate was what I needed. I had more energy, and my mood was better. My digestion was also helped. “Every time I would eat something I shouldn’t have after I finished the program, I got a headache or had digestive problems again. It keeps me motivated to watch what I eat if I don’t want to feel that way. “A great ‘thanks’ to you, Dr. Sladic, for all your help and time spent with me. It was greatly appreciated. May you be blessed as you keep on doing what you do. All honor and glory be to God.” –Lisa R. Hershberger
Sauce: • 1/2 cup organic full-fat coconut milk • 1/4 cup almond butter • 2 tsp red curry paste • 3 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
Wraps: • 4 large collard green leaves • 1/2 cup hummus, divided • 3/4 lb sliced turkey • 1/2 carrots, grated • 1/4 bell pepper, sliced thinly • 1 zucchini, sliced thinly • 1/2 avocado, sliced • 1/4 cup cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp honey • Pinch of salt
Directions
1. Mix all sauce ingredients until smooth. 2. Prepare collard leaves by cutting the stems off and trimming the thick vein that runs down the center of the leaf so that it lies flat. 3. Blanch collard leaves by dipping them into hot water, then immediately into cold water. 4. Dry leaves and lay flat, spreading 1–2 tbsp of hummus onto the center of each. 5. Add several turkey slices and sliced veggies. 6. Fold the right and left leaf sides in toward each other. Roll the collard leaf tight and tuck in the edges. Secure with two toothpicks, slice down the center, and serve with sauce for dipping.
WORD SEARCH
APPLES ASTER COFFEE CONSTITUTION FOLIAGE GRANDPARENTS LABOR LUNCHBOX PIRATE SAPPHIRE VIRGO WAFFLES
DRSLADIC.COM
3
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2071 E. WEST MAPLE RD., SUITE E-502 COMMERCE TWP, MI 48390 DRSLADIC.COM
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Tenacity and Tradition
2. Mix It Up for Maximum Nutrition
The Science Behind Daily Steps
3. Turkey and Hummus Collard Wraps With Coconut Curry Sauce
Patient Spotlight
4. What Your Food Cravings Are Trying to Tell You
feel nearly impossible, the brain is wired to want more.
IT’S NOT JUST A LACK OF WILLPOWER The Real Psychology Behind Cravings
CRAVINGS MAY SIGNAL PHYSICAL NEEDS. Not all cravings are emotional. Sometimes, your body is genuinely trying to tell you something. For example, craving chocolate may indicate a magnesium deficiency, while craving salty foods can indicate dehydration or a lack of electrolytes. That said, it’s essential to pause and assess. Not every craving means your body needs that exact food. MEMORIES AND EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS PLAY A ROLE. Many food cravings are tied to learned behaviors and emotional associations. If you were rewarded with sweets as a child, your brain might now associate ice cream with comfort or safety. These conditioned patterns are powerful, but you can reprogram them. Food cravings aren’t just about what’s in the pantry. They’re about what’s happening in your brain, body, and emotions. When you understand the drivers of your cravings, you can make choices that support your well- being instead of fighting these urges blindly.
YOUR BRAIN’S REWARD SYSTEM IS DRIVING THE URGE. Cravings often originate in the brain’s limbic system, responsible for behavior, emotion, and long-term memory. When you’re stressed or low, your brain searches for a quick hit of dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical. Foods high in sugar, fat, or salt can deliver that boost quickly, which is why comfort foods are hard to resist. PROCESSED FOODS FOSTER ADDICTION. Research from the University of Michigan has shown that highly processed foods can stimulate the brain’s reward centers in ways similar to addictive substances. That’s why stopping after one cookie or chip can
Do you ever find yourself reaching for chocolate late at night or suddenly craving salty chips in the middle of the afternoon? You’re not alone and definitely not “lacking willpower.” Food cravings are a complex mix of biology, psychology, and emotional cues, and understanding them can help you respond in healthier, more intentional ways. CRAVINGS ARE A UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE. Studies show that over 90% of people experience food cravings, with women more likely to crave sweet foods like chocolate, and men more often craving savory options like meat or pizza. So, if you’ve ever thought you were alone in your cravings, know that this is a near-universal human experience.
4
DRSLADIC.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator