(805) 648-7987 | www.venturaspineandnerve.com The Vertebral Column Health Transformations Without Toxic Medications
NOVEMBER 2019
5 A.M. COMES EARLIER ON SOME DAYS THAN OTHERS
Now we are going into the holiday season, which can be a very stressful time for many of us. Life is hard to keep up with as it is, and then we throw in the holiday season where everything speeds up tremendously. My mother taught me to slow down, be grateful, and enjoy the little moments, especially with
a privilege to me. It honors my mother and my father who went through similar challenges. There were times in their early life when they were dirt poor and had to do without some pretty basic stuff. There were winters when they thought they’d freeze to death and summers when they thought they’d starve. When they found each other and
I get the question, “Why so early?” pretty regularly. Really, it’s simple: It’s easier, calmer, and quieter, so I can envision the successful and joy- filled day(s) ahead. It’s something I learned from my mother. Her name was Laura, but I called her Mom and my children called her Grandma Laura. My mom was raised during the Great Depression, and her mother passed when my mom was only 2 years old. Then, her father lost his arm in an oil rig accident. Because of the injury, he couldn’t continue with his job. So he bought some land in Lancaster, California, and became a one-armed farmer growing alfalfa. Then, her father remarried and had three more children. My mom ended up being the caretaker for all these children, but they needed income, so she became a live-in housekeeper at age 15 for another family in Los Angeles. When those times were hard, she always took time in the early morning hours to sit quietly and meditate on the things for which she was grateful. This was one of the most important lessons I have ever learned — to continue to see the positive side of life, even when times are tough.
family and loved ones. My desire for you is that you carve out some quiet time each day and really reflect on what you have to be thankful for this holiday season.
married, the two of them made a commitment that their family would not underestimate the power of gratitude, and I want to share
Dr. Alff’s mother, Laura
their message with you. We are about to enter a new decade — let’s see this new decade bring us a beautiful world in which all people are working together to help one another. We’re hoping you will stay focused and envision a world free from strife. Happy holidays!
Also, I remind and urge you to continue to take care of your physical health during these busy times. Nothing is more important than your health — anyone who has lost their health can tell you that. So make sure you are being proactive, not reactive, with your health so your immune system stays strong. I guess you could say always being grateful and being proactive with my health is something of
–Dr. Steven Alff, D.C.
1 (805) 648-7987
Share Your Wisdom in a Memo ir DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL?
reading about real people helps others understand the world and how they can live in it. 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.
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.
Ventura Spine and Nerve Center Gave Me My Life Back ! What Our Patients Say 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 —
After five treatments with Dr. Alff at the Center, along with following his instructions for at-home therapies and nutritional supplementation, I have been pain-free! My family and friends noticed right away that I was walking better and stronger. I was participating in more things, and I was happier and appeared to have even lost some weight. I am doing more things now: going to concerts, eating lunch out, visiting friends, and enjoying life more! Coming to the Ventura Spine and Nerve Center, you notice right away the
Chronic pain from spinal stenosis and peripheral neuropathy is what brought me to the Ventura Spine and Nerve Center after attending Dr. Alff’s neuropathy seminar. I had a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Alff, and after that, I felt that what he offered me to get better could actually help me! Previously, I had two back surgeries, nine spinal epidurals, and 10 years of opioid (OxyContin) use. After discontinuing the prescription pain medications, I took over-the-counter medications, which took the edge off the pain.
friendliness of the staff. They are always interested and concerned, and they give lots of encouragement to keep up the good work. I give the whole office and Dr. Alff a 10 out of 10! Thank you! Thank you! Cora
www.venturaspineandnerve.com 2
ENTER THE NEW DECADE HEALTHIER THAN THE LAST ONE!
Because the last two months of the year are typically when we make the worst decisions regarding our health. We eat more, drink more, and move less. If you don’t have a plan, you’ll reach for a bad coping mechanism. Start now: Drink more water, move your body 30 minutes a day, keep your nervous system working properly with your regular chiropractic adjustments, and stay positive. The best, biggest, and most important thing you need to implement is also the toughest to adopt. You can work out until you’re blue in the face and run 1,000 miles a week. None of it matters if you aren’t eating well. And sorry to go all tough-love on you, but this unfortunately doesn’t have an easy answer because eating healthy during the holiday season isn’t easy . It is, however, totally worth it . So stop making excuses and start choosing yourself and your health over your cravings! Last but not least, you’ve got to find your motivation. Maybe it’s the desire to run
When the new year begins, most people try to focus on everything they want to do. They want to start that new diet. They want to become a better mother. They want to travel more. They want to lose weight. But ... Imagine what it would be like to START your new year on the 20th floor instead of back down in the basement! Imagine how much momentum you’ll have. Imagine how much you’ll accelerate the vision you have for your life if you stay motivated during the time of year when most people are struggling. So, instead of waiting until January, why not start now? For people who are already proactive with their health, this idea makes sense. But what about those of you who’ve never considered this before? Here’s why it matters: Because the last two months tend to be the most stressful of the entire year, and if you don’t have a plan, you’ll resort to negative behavior.
around with your grandkids without getting winded. Maybe you want to get back out on the golf course with your buddies. Maybe you want to get in shape for a big event this year. Or maybe you’re just tired of having the same old resolution to lose weight year after year. Whatever your motivation, you’ve got to find it, focus on it, and wave it around like a flag. You’re going to need that motivation when you’re not feeling up for a trip to the gym or when faced with a plate of cookies at the office. You’ll need it when you backslide and eat half the Taco Bell menu or when you’re struggling not to use food as a coping mechanism when you’re stressed. You’re going to need it a lot, so you better darn well know what it is! Remember, if something is important enough, you’ll find a way; if it’s not, you’ll find an excuse . Start today — not tomorrow.
TAKE A BREAK
CLASSIC ROAST CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tbsp
• 1 chicken, approx. 5–6 lbs • Kosher salt • Freshly ground pepper • 1 large bunch fresh thyme, 20 sprigs removed • 1 lemon, halved • 1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
unsalted butter, melted • 1 large yellow
onion, thickly sliced • 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces • Olive oil
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse chicken inside and out, removing giblets if included. Move to a work surface, pat dry, and liberally season with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme bunch, lemon halves, and garlic head. Brush outside with butter, and then season again. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen string. 3. Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, toss onions and carrots in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and 20 sprigs of thyme.
It all begins with you — if you do not care for yourself, you will not be strong enough to take care of anything else in life. If you want help to restore your health and quality of life, we are here for you!
4. Place the chicken on the vegetables and roast for 1 1/2 hours. 5. Remove from oven, and let stand for 20 minutes covered with foil. 6. Slice and serve with the vegetables.
Call us at (805) 648-7987 for a no-obligation, free consultation and let’s talk!
Inspired by Ina Garten
3 (805) 648-7987
(805) 648-7987 www.venturaspineandnerve.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1590 E. Main Street Ventura, CA 93001
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
inside this issue
1 2 2 3 3 4
Why So Early? Tell Your Story and Share Your Wisdom How Cora Got Her Life Back Enter the New Decade Healthier Than the Last One! Classic Roast Chicken Gratitude-Themed Games for Kids
WithThese Gratitude - Themed Games ENGAGE YOUR KIDS ON THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is an excellent time to teach children about gratefulness. By planning some fun, gratitude-themed games, you can impart a valuable lesson and spend some quality family time together. Get your kids in the holiday spirit by adding a Thanksgiving twist to these classic games. Pictionary Want to bring out your kids’ creative sides? Pictionary is the perfect way to encourage artistic expression and grateful thinking. Try adding a rule where players have to draw something they’re grateful for. This will get your kids thinking beyond turkey and stuffing and give them an imaginative way to express their gratitude. Plus, who doesn’t love a good art contest?
what it says without saying the name while everyone else tries to guess who wrote it. While Pictionary may get your kids talking about what they are thankful for, Guess Who? will tune them into what others around them are thankful for too. Pick-Up Sticks Like regular pick-up sticks, the goal is to remove a stick from a haphazard pile without disturbing the others. However, by using colored sticks that represent different kinds of thankfulness — such as places, people, or food — you can make players think outside the box. This will ensure you get a wide range of creative, thoughtful answers whenever the kids pick up a stick. These modified games are great for helping your kids realize how much they have to be thankful for. Use these to spend some fun, educational, quality time with your family this Thanksgiving.
Guess Who? To play gratitude-themed Guess Who?, have each
participant write down their name and something they’re thankful for on a slip of paper and put it in a bowl. Then, at the dinner table, have each person draw a random slip and read
www.venturaspineandnerve.com 4
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online