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CEDAR CREST CHIROPRACTIC September/October 2022
Dr. Paul Braadt
1028 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, PA 18103 • 610-776-2005 • CedarCrestChiropractic.com
WHILE CREATING NEW PLEASURE MOMENTS Enjoying the Past
I was a student of ancient history as a young boy, especially the Roman Empire. I took four years of high school Latin and always wondered why the 10th month of the year, October, translates to eight in Latin. Here’s what I found: The old 10-month format, called the Julian calendar, was changed to the present 12-month format, called the Gregorian calendar, by inserting two additional months: January and February. However, by inserting these new months at the beginning of the year, the new format bumped October from eighth to 10th. I guess no one really thought it mattered. So there you go — a bit of ancient history. My memories of fall as a youth included chores around our home, like raking leaves. I would rake huge piles of leaves, and my younger sister, Liz, and I had fun jumping into them. We also collected horse chestnuts that fell from the trees into our front yard. To us, they were beautiful, shiny pearls, so we saved them in large cardboard boxes that my dad threw out at the end of the fall. Later on, I found out these same horse chestnuts were used to treat varicose veins and circulatory problems, as well as itching and swelling — who knew?! I should have saved those boxes! My dad warned us not to eat them because they could be toxic. And as we often learn over time, our parents usually turn out to be right. At my own home many years later, I raked our leaves and had fun throwing Michelle, our daughter, into the piles. She always emerged laughing and covered head to toe in colorful leaves.
Often these simple past experiences in life turn into pleasure moments that we treasure over time. During this upcoming season of holiday preparation, it’s helpful to take time to observe the changing seasons, like the silhouette of colorful leaves against the intense blue sky. As we get further into fall, notice the smell of burnt wood in the air along with the colder weather. As a kid, I recall smelling burning leaves throughout our neighborhood. This was before we knew anything about carbon footprints or global warming; it was a simpler time. The chill in the air signals that winter is on the way and is a refreshing reprieve from summer’s heat and humidity. Along with the “Minimizing Seasonal Stress” tips in the Wellness Column inside, taking time to notice the beauty of this time of year can help to de-stress the pace of modern living. Perhaps turn off the TV to minimize negative news exposure. Enjoy a walk with a family member, friend, or neighbor while observing the beauty of nature and enjoying the obvious health benefits. I’m sure you have your own past pleasure moments to savor and ways to de-stress, but I encourage you to continue to create new, simple pleasure moments as you go through life’s challenges. These moments are like miniature vacations and can sometimes shift our stressed and exhausted moods in a matter of seconds!
Fall of 1958
And, if you spot horse chestnuts on the ground this fall, you too can have fun saving these shiny pearls; just don’t eat them! In our office, we have safer, more modern strategies for treating itching and swelling!
In knowledge and health,
Dr. Paul Braadt
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DR. BRAADT’S WELLNESS COLUMN
Your Physical and Emotional Health MINIMIZING SEASONAL STRESS
The last quarter of the year has begun. While the hustle and bustle of this busy time can be enjoyable, it can also increase our stress levels and take a toll on our physical and emotional health . Georgette and I are taking a new approach to this upcoming busy season, beginning with creating a strategy and starting early! We’re listing what we love about this time of year and what we don’t. Our goal is to create a holiday season that honors our traditions without negatively affecting our health. I hope our thoughts help inspire you to create your own strategy to help minimize seasonal stress . Here’s what we enjoy: We love fall with the return to predictable routines and the cooler weather. We enjoy the fall colors; harvest decorations, like hay bales and mums; and the gathering of family, friends, and neighbors over Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. During the winter, we love the holiday lights, occasional snow, winter foods like soups and stews, the smell of a warm fireplace, and most of all, the connections made with people dear to us. We all know life has its ups and downs. The question is how can we navigate this busy time of year with less stress? Our strategy begins with starting early, getting organized, and minimizing our expectations! • Clean and store summer items: coolers, beach chairs, garden/lawn items, etc.
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Prep, as healthy as possible, treats for the trick-or-treaters.
everyone together in one place for the holidays. We used to play Secret Santa, picking a family member’s name out of a bag at Thanksgiving and agreeing upon a financial limit for the small gift. On Christmas Day, after church and our meal, we gathered around the tree and, youngest to oldest, each patiently sat in a designated chair and waited for our Secret Santa to reveal themselves and present their gift. It was so much fun, and it reinforced family, thankfulness, and the value of giving during a time when excess can so easily occur. Many of these gifts became homemade treasures. Pick up or order Christmas cards early and mail them out by Dec 1. This year, take the time to create a mailing list. For many years, I didn’t send cards, but it’s one of the things I really would like to do. And if I run out of time, a holiday call will do! Review what we eat and how to adjust during the holidays. As we’ve mentioned, our eating plan over the past two years has been healthy keto/ intermittent fasting (I/F) , so it’s pretty easy for us to not go overboard. Of course, we’ll make a few exceptions, homemade chocolate chip cookies included, but having a predictable eating plan makes exceptions easier.
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Review how to integrate our spiritual and family traditions into the holidays. Update our donations list and look for opportunities to help locally. Reach out to those around us who may experience loss or loneliness this time of year. Sometimes, an afternoon reminiscing about fond memories is just what they need. Create a call list; communication can make a difference! Create a Thanksgiving guest list with seating arrangements to minimize you-know-who’s sometimes stressful presence. Consider a few conversation starters to keep the atmosphere positive. Organize the menu and decide who can bring what to minimize the host’s responsibilities. Another tradition we have is going around the table and saying why we’re thankful. Predictably, the mothers choke up while sharing their thoughts, and the older kids share their insights while the younger kids giggle and wonder why the dessert is taking so long! Start the holiday gift list early and determine the budget. Georgette has a way of listening to family and friends throughout the year, jotting down their likes, and picking up small items along the way. She finds very thoughtful gifts like their favorite chocolate, missing serving spoons, or a frame for a special photo. Our family has grown over the years. Some members have moved out of town, and in-laws and grandchildren have been added, making it hard to get
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Please consider creating your own strategy to help minimize the potential stress on your physical and emotional health this upcoming season.
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Switch warm weather clothing out for cold weather clothing.
As always, I’m here to help!
–Dr. Paul Braadt
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Decorate the porch for fall and Christmas.
CedarCrestChiropractic.com
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610-776-2005
BUILD THE COMMUNITY THROUGH GIVING Doing Good Does You Good Volunteering not only strengthens the community but also benefits the person who serves. For those who enjoy spending their time giving back, check out how volunteering opportunities can benefit you! Improves Mental and Physical Health When you do good, you feel good. Those positive emotions lead to emotional resilience, which helps you in the face of crisis or stress. They also decrease stress while increasing positive, relaxed feelings. Volunteering gives you a sense of meaning and appreciation, which can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Volunteer activities also keep people moving. Whether it is carrying donation boxes, walking around the neighborhood, planting a community garden, or even cleaning litter from the roads, this moderate physical activity can help strengthen muscles and reduce blood pressure.
KETO-FRIENDLY AVOCADO FETA SALAD
INGREDIENTS • 2 plum tomatoes, chopped •
• 1 lime, juiced • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp red vinegar • 4 oz crumbled feta cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and chopped 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced
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DIRECTIONS
1. In a bowl, gently stir together tomatoes, avocados, onion, and garlic. Squeeze lime juice on it to give it more flavor and to keep the avocados from browning as quickly. Mix in cilantro. 2. Gently stir in olive oil and vinegar. Then stir in feta. Salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill until serving.
Prevents Isolation and Promotes Socialization Many older adults face social isolation, and it can have negative impacts on their overall health. Volunteering is a
Inspired by The-Girl-Who-Ate-Everything.com/avocado-feta-salsa
TESTIMONIAL “After my second pregnancy, my hip pain steadily increased over time to the point where it became unbearable and crippling. Leading into my first appointment with Dr. Braadt, I did not know much about chiropractic medicine, but I was willing to learn and desperate to do something about my pain. Dr. Braadt is a natural. His concise and easy-to- follow explanation of how he could help relieve my pain, and fully recover thereafter, made me feel very comfortable and confident in pursuing his treatment. After the very first adjustment, I immediately experienced a significant difference in pain and was able to execute a full range of motion in walking, something I hadn't done in months. My next few visits confirmed my initial feelings that pursuing Dr. Braadt's effective treatment was the best plan of action I could take for myself. I highly recommend Dr. Braadt and his office to anyone who wants straight, authentic answers and effective treatment for overall pain relief and wellness.”
great way to network with members of the community and meet new people.
Likewise, after moving to a new neighborhood or leaving a career, it is difficult to find a new social
group. But when you work with people toward the same goal, you may find you have common interests with
other volunteers. You can even invite your family or friends to help, and then catch up while doing something good for the community. Gives a Feeling of Purpose Sometimes as life changes and you grow older, your sense of purpose may begin to fade. Volunteering can help recharge a zest for life and may even motivate you to set and accomplish new goals. You should volunteer for many reasons, whether it’s to give back to the community, help the environment, or satisfy your own personal needs. No matter why, it’s a great way to get out there and do some good.
–Lindsay C.
Safe, Effective Health Care Without Drugs & Surgery
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: PAGE 1 Embracing the New Season PAGE 2 Your Physical and Emotional Health PAGE 3 Benefits of Volunteering for Older Adults Keto-Friendly Avocado 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
Feta Salad Testimonial PAGE 4 How Did Harry Houdini Pass Away?
Chinese water torture cell trick. He finished the show and continued his tour which took him to Canada where he gave a lecture in Montreal, Quebec. He spoke with some of the students after, and someone asked about his alleged ability to withstand hard punches to the abdomen. According to a witness, Sam Smilovitz, when Houdini confirmed that the rumors were true, a student named J. Gordon Whitehead abruptly delivered “four or five terribly forcible, deliberate, well-directed blows” to Houdini’s stomach. According to reports, he’d been sitting — probably because of his recently injured ankle — and had no time to prepare for the punches. Houdini didn’t think twice about the incident, but later that night he reported discomfort in his abdomen. Despite worsening symptoms, he pressed on to Detroit, Michigan, and got a fever of 104 degrees F, cold sweats, and even fatigue. During the opening night of his show in Detroit, Houdini promptly collapsed. He was taken to the hospital where doctors removed his appendix which they confirmed had ruptured a few days prior. Unfortunately, he passed away from peritonitis shortly after this on Halloween. Some people believe his appendix might have ruptured with or without the blows from J. Gordon Whitehead, but many historians still believe that this is what caused Houdini’s ultimate demise. Houdini’s memory still lives on almost a century after his death. We’ll likely never see another magician who can amaze and bewitch a global audience in the same manner — he was surely one of a kind.
Remembering the World’s
Greatest Magician And His Untimely Demise
The idea of magic has captivated audiences for generations. Their tricks and illusions defy not only common reasoning but sometimes even death itself. While we’ve had the opportunity to watch some great magicians on television or at live performances in Las Vegas, few have left a greater impact on spectators than Harry Houdini. Houdini got his first taste of the spotlight when he was only 9 years old as a trapeze artist. Before long, he moved on to card tricks and then even started experimenting with escape tricks using handcuffs — which proved to be a big hit. He continued to advance his escape artist skills until he ended up touring across America and Europe. Although Houdini repeatedly defied death in his shows for a number of years, it finally caught up to him in 1926. During a show in Albany, New York, Houdini shattered his ankle while performing his famous
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