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December 2018
ON THE MOVE
Robert’s Holiday Memories A MAGICAL TIME OF YEAR
From all of us here at The Physical Therapy Doctor, happy holidays! We hope you and your loved ones enjoy all the warmth and magic the season has to offer. The songs, the decorations, and the time spent with friends and family may sound like small things individually. But
This gift, in particular, stands out in my mind because it gave me a lot more freedom and mobility. In addition to riding around with my friends, I could also ride to school and run errands, which gave me more responsibility. It was a sign that times were changing.
brought together, they sure do make the whole month of December feel warmer. Honestly, we could use more holidays through January and February to tide us through the winter. If you’re like me, once the weather gets cold and the festive lights start going up across the city, my nostalgia for childhood grows. I vividly remember my parents going all-out with holiday
Now that I have kids of my own, I’ve found that playing Santa is what makes the holiday magical. As Michael and Matthew grew, watching them write their own letters to old Saint Nick, just as my brother and I had done, was so moving. And of course, nothing compared to the joy and excitement on their faces as they opened their gifts on Christmas morning.
“As Michael and Matthew grew, watching them write their own letters to old Saint Nick, just as my brother and I had done, was so moving.”
decorations. My mom used to have boxes upon boxes of ornaments. Putting them up was always fun, but taking them down ... not so much. Today our home decorations are more minimalistic than before, but seeing the extravagant displays around town always reminds me of those merry early days of my youth. Of course, when you’re young, you focus on things other than the decorations. For my brother and me, this time of year was all about Santa Claus. We’d carefully write our notes, asking Kris Kringle for presents and eagerly await the big day when we could see what was under the tree. My favorite gift of all certainly wasn’t a mystery. From the moment I laid eyes on it next to the tree, I knew what it was. No wrapping paper in the world could disguise the shape of my first BMX bike. It even had the blue paint job I wanted. My brother got a bike that year as well, and as soon as we were able to ride, we took off down the block with our friends. Pretty soon, we were organizing races around the neighborhood.
Even now that the boys are older and the cat’s out of the bag as far as the North Pole is concerned, finding the boys gifts that bring them that joy each year is a great experience. My inner child is shocked to hear me admit this, but I can honestly say I prefer to be the gift giver rather than the receiver. And that’s why I’d like to now extend a small gift to you. Every year, our practice has a holiday party, and we’ve recently opened it up to our patients as well. It’s a great time to get together, enjoy some great food, and celebrate the friendships we’ve built over the years. You’ll find your invitation inside. Hope to see you there!
And in case I don’t get to tell you in person, have a very happy new year!
–Dr. Robert Morea 718.747.2019 ▪ THEPTDOCTOR.COM ▪ 1
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S U R V I V I N G T H E S E A S O N O F S W E E T S
HOW TO INDULGE YOUR SWEET TOOTH WITH LESS SUGAR
Cookies, cakes, and pies, oh my! The holiday season is brimming with sweet treats of all kinds. Sometimes it can feel like candy and sugary desserts are around every corner, and yet you still want to indulge. However, when you consider that over 50 percent of Americans are insulin- resistant, prediabetic, or diabetic, that piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream starts to look more dangerous than appetizing. During the holidays, how can you satisfy your sweet tooth without worrying about consuming excessive sugar and calories? Skip the candy and go for the fruits and nuts. Keeping a bowl of fruit and nuts nearby can help keep sugar cravings at bay. Dried fruits, such as cranberries, pineapple, or apricots, are both sweet and nutritious. Just be sure to check the packaging for added sugars. You can even make your own dried fruit with a food dehydrator. This way, you are completely in control of the ingredients. No matter what you do, just be mindful not to overindulge. Dried fruit is high in sugar and calories, but the fiber and vitamins make fruit much healthier than just about any other sugary treat. Another way to cut down on your sugar intake is to use dark chocolate in all your chocolate-based treats. Dark chocolate has about half as much sugar as milk chocolate, twice as much healthy fat, less cholesterol, 4–5 times
more iron, twice as much potassium, fewer carbs, and more flavonoids and theobromine. The antioxidant properties of the theobromine and flavonoids make dark chocolate as good for your heart as it is for your soul. If you have a recipe that calls for chocolate, reach for the dark stuff, whether it’s dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, or baking chocolate. While it may seem as though everyone and their grandma is overindulging in sugar this season, know that you have the choice to opt for healthier sweets. And come New Year’s, you won’t have to spend the first few months of 2019 working off that extra cookie weight.
SUCCE S S S TOR I E S !
Hear What Our Clients Are Saying!
“I could not do a number of things
“I’m back on the golf course”
including …enjoy life!” “I am at 90 percent, and I am grateful!”
“I could not do a number of things including walking, exercising, bending, turning in bed, or just enjoy life! Michael and the staff educated me on how to strengthen and support my body. They were great at guiding and motivating me. Michael was empathetic regarding my pain, and in a few months, he had me at full activity again. I am at 90 percent, and I am grateful!” – ELISE W.
“Thanks for everyone’s kindness at The Physical Therapy Doctor and a special thanks to Josh for the personalized care in seeing me through my pain and lack of mobility after my left knee replacement surgery.” “My knee feels great, and I’m back on the golf course walking and swinging the golf clubs with no pain. I will miss physical therapy and the warm and supportive environment you have created here with such an outstanding staff.”
“Thank you again Josh and staff for your kindness.”
– J.T.
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PREVENT WINTER INJURIES
Sudoku Train Your Brain With
A Few Steps Can Make a Big Impact
As whimsical as snowy winter days can seem, they sure aren’t doing our bodies any favors. Strains and injuries, especially to the back and shoulders, are all too common this time of year. While our clinic is always happy to help you overcome these ailments after they occur, we’d prefer to help you avoid these injuries in the first place. WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR To paraphrase a Scandinavian saying, “There’s no such thing as bad weather — only bad clothes.” The best way to make our New York winters safe is to always dress for the elements. Even if you’re just making a quick trip out and back, it’s vital to layer up to keep your body warm and wear shoes with slip-resistant soles to prevent those aches and pains. As a last precaution, wear gloves and avoid walking with your hands in your pockets. If you do slip, having a hand out to catch yourself might save you from the worst harm. ONLY GO OUT WHEN YOU HAVE TO At the end of the day, there’s only so much your average winter gear can do. The truth is that every time you go outside, you’re putting yourself at a greater risk of falling, and you’re submitting your body to the stress of having to warm itself. Shivering takes its toll on your muscles. As much as you can this winter, stay cozy and warm indoors. EXERCISE Even when you don’t go out in the cold, winter can be rough on your body. If you’re more sedentary throughout the winter, you’ll be more prone to injury once it’s time to get physical again in the spring. Going to an indoor gym or swimming pool is a great way to keep your body active and healthy. So why not get a head start on those New Year’s resolutions? Of course, aches and pains can still happen. If you find yourself hurting this winter, please don’t suffer in silence. Come in for an evaluation, or just call us if you have any questions. We want you to have a safe, pain-free winter.
Recipe of the Month:
Inspired by Good Housekeeping
30-MINUTE CAULIFLOWER SOUP
This hearty soup is a quick, easy, healthy addition to your holiday table. It can also be made vegetarian by substituting chicken broth with vegetable broth.
INGREDIENTS
•
1 small head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and sliced
• • •
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• • • •
1 leek, chopped
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
•
Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter into warm oil. Add onion and leek, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, about 10–12 minutes. 2. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add cauliflower, broth, and cream. Simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. 3. Using a blender, purée in batches until smooth. 4. Top servings with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of pepper.
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INSIDE
Robert’s Holiday Memories Indulge Your Sweet Tooth With Less Sugar This Holiday Season Hear From Our Clients 30-Minute Cauliflower Soup 3 Steps to Ache Less This Winter Holiday Decoration Tours
Christmas Tours Get Away and Be Festive This Holiday Season
arches, but around the holidays, they are lit up with white string lights and flanked by snow. The Christmas decorations and lights surrounding the archway make for a Western-themed holiday pulled right out of a John Wayne classic. For holiday admirers looking for a unique spin, Jackson has you covered. YEARLY YULETIDE IN SANTA CLAUS, INDIANA This one’s for the Christmas lover. If you can’t make it out to Santa Claus, Indiana, this holiday season, you can still celebrate Christmas in this tiny Midwestern town in January, June, or even October. Embracing its unique name, the town boasts a museum, holiday shopping center, and a Christmas theme park. In a moving tribute, the town’s residents also write responses to children’s letters to Kris Kringle himself. It’s impossible to avoid holiday cheer in this town. DISNEY WORLD’S CHRISTMAS MAGIC What better place to celebrate the most magical time of the year than in the most magical place on Earth? Walt Disney World’s halls are decked to the max with a parade, gingerbread homes, strings of lights, and festive parties. Plus, costs to visit Disney World can be cheaper during the Christmas season, so keep an eye out for a vacation steal.
There’s nothing quite like the magical lights of the holiday season, and some destinations in the U.S. have perfected the craft of holiday decoration. If you’re looking to get away this December and still engage in seasonal festivities, add one of these places to your must-visit list. NEW YORK CITY’S ROCKEFELLER CENTER New York City is an iconic location for Christmastime. The scene is like a Hallmark card: Ice-skating lovers whiz past miles of twinkling lights underneath an exceptionally tall and amply-decorated tree. The tree is specially selected by Rockefeller Center’s landscaping crews, who scout out trees years in advance. It remains lit from November to early January, so you have plenty of time to check it out. RANCH CHRISTMAS IN JACKSON, WYOMING Jackson, Wyoming, takes its frontier culture to the next level during the Christmas season. All year, the city proudly displays four elk antler
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