Dr. Morgan has talked about your toxic load and what your body can support. Think of it like coffee in an overfilled filter, or like when your tea bag just explodes. Somehow the structural integrity was compromised, either through over filling or a fault in design, which sullies your morning brew. You can only process so much in a certain amount of time and each body is different. So, what should we be eating?
When it comes to toxins and food, the first thing is what are we eating? Real foods! Foods that are ingredients, not food with ingredients. In Missoula, we can get real foods from the farmers markets and farm stands in and around town. In the grocery store that means shopping the outer aisles. Produce, meats & seafoods, dairy (and dairy alternatives), and even the bakery for fresh bread with a small ingredient list. Next up is the toxins in the foods we eat. While in a perfect world, all that would be available is organic produce, meats, and flowers. Commercial agriculture uses a lot of chemicals! It’s sometimes not financially feasible to buy all organic, so do what is best for you and your family. If you are in Missoula, we have access to some AMAZING farm stands. Frank’s Little Farm is on the corner of Curtis & Wyoming, Turner Farms is on 3rd just past Tower, Little Red Hen is on Spurgin between Tower & Clements, and County Rail Farm is in Huson and can be found on Google Maps (it’s super easy to get there). While not all farms are certified as organic, they all use organic and ethical farming principles. If you go out to eat, think about where they are getting their food. I was at a downtown restaurant a few months ago. They had some very sad saggy roses on their bar. I am always looking for ways to get my flowers into more local business and mentioned something to their manager. He said that they get the roses from the grocery store and use them in drinks, so how they look isn’t that important. Wow. Those commercially grown roses are NOT food safe and should NOT be used in people’s drinks!! Commercially grown flowers are full of pesticides and other chemicals to keep them looking fresh as a cut flower. When you are picking flowers or produce and shipping them great lengths, you need some science to help keep things looking alive when they aren’t. Here’s the last little toxin that surrounds our food and agriculture!! Something we often overlook, or haven’t learned about yet, is how people growing these products don’t have protection from the chemicals used to grow your raspberries. In the US, we have OSHA to protect workers from chemical exposure through workplace declarations (MSDS sheets and training materials) and protective equipment. A lot of the produce sold and consumed in the US is grown in South & Central America, where workers aren’t protected from the chemicals used in commercial agriculture. When you buy a food that was grown with chemicals, that means workers were exposed to all the chemicals used to grow your foods. What are our favorite tips for eating toxin free?
When you buy locally grown agricultural products, you are empowering your neighbors and growing a deeper connection with your food. Simple changes can make a difference in how your body feels and functions. Making conscious choices to live without toxins can be hard at first, but very rewarding.
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This month we are all about TOXINS. The food we eat is an obvious source of toxins, but what about the stuff we put on our body?!?! Two of our practice members, Amy and Taylor, are Beauty Counter consultants and took a moment to share with us why it's so important to be aware of what we are putting on our skin.
The biggest and coolest part of this company to me, is their transparency in creating their products, advocacy on a state and federal level, and environmentally friendly packaging. They are the real deal. Not only do they do all the above listed, but their products are great! They really work and have very clean ingredients. They are rigorously tested for safety and toxicity and my skin and hair love them. Throughout this process I learned that the U.S. hasn’t passed a law regarding cosmetic ingredients in over 80 years. 80 YEARS!!! The same toxic chemicals that were allowed to be put into our skincare in 1938 are still allowed to this day. We now know, that these chemicals and toxins have contributed to cancers, neurological disorders, endocrine and fertility issues (just to name a few). The EU has banned 1,400 of these dangerous substances, and the US has banned 30. (insert sarcastic eye roll) Beautycounter has formulated its products WITHOUT the use of over 1,800 chemicals and questionable ingredients. Some of which are formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, polyethylene glycol, and toluene. These substances are known to cause birth defects, cancers, neurological toxicity, developmental and reproductive problems. I noticed a lot of changes in my skin once I added an actual skin care regimen to my daily routine. My childhood acne scars are diminishing, my skin is brighter, more even, and has a lot more moisture! Here is a list of Beautycounter’s Safety Standards: - 100% Ingredient Transparency - Responsibly sourced raw materials - Quality Assurance Program - Unparalleled Safety Screening - Sustainable packaging - Environmental foot printing - Awarded for product performance - Trace contaminants - Formula and preservative innovation - Going beyond regulatory standards - Supplier code of conducts - Leaping Bunny certified - Certified B Corporation - EWG verified I encourage anyone out there to take the steps to reduce the toxins in your household, however you can. Baby steps or all at once! There are a lot of great products out there and it just takes a little time in the beginning to learn what to look for and how to make the switch! Most importantly, have fun with it and enjoy the process. If you have any questions you can email Amy here!
They don’t know what causes MS – it could be from toxic environmental exposure, or genetics, or even triggered by stress.
Why am I telling you this? Because it finally led me to think about my health holistically rather than just what I put in my body. I wanted to do anything I possibly could to decrease and slow- down my mom’s disease and prevent it from hitting me or my family. Her diagnosis opened my eyes to other stressors on my body. It led me to think about what I put on my body. I started removing toxins in my personal care products – shampoo, face soap, makeup, lotion, chapstick, and the list goes on. Think about the number of products you use in a day – from when you wash your hair in the morning to when you brush your teeth at night. It can add up, which can add up to a lot of toxins! I tried a few safer skincare brands and they were ok. They didn’t perform incredibly well, but hey, they were safer. Then, I stumbled on Beautycounter and their products blew me away! They were incredibly high quality – from packaging, to application, to performance. I was hooked. Along with excellent products, Beautycounter screens every potential ingredient for information on specific hazards like hormone disruption and infertility, screens for heavy metals, and promises to never use over 1,800 questionable and harmful chemicals in their products. After about a year of slowly switching to Beautycounter products I decided to become a consultant. I was already suggesting their products to friends and family, my mom being first on that list, and other people were loving their products too. Three years later, here I am, and I can’t tell you how many eye-opening conversations I’ve had with people from all walks of like that, like me five years ago, have no idea what toxins are hiding in their products. I know switching to safer skincare products is just one piece of the puzzle. I also know that we’re all busy and as a working mom it’s really hard for me to do all the “things” all the time. However, I also know that little changes we make here and there do add up. So, I do what I can when I can, knowing that it lightens my and my families toxic load so we can live full and healthy lives. I wish the same to you and those you love too! Please email me here with any questions, if you’d like recommendations (Beautycounter and more), or if you just want to chat. I welcome all of it! In health, Taylor  Symptoms are when people decide to do something about their health. The pain and discomfort start to interfere with their daily lives and become big enough issues that they can’t be ignored. However, the vast majority wind up in “The Symptom Cycle”, where xyz symptom is resolved, but they don’t commit to their care long enough to ensure that the symptomatic pattern has been neurologically rewritten. So, they wind up in a place of neutral, where the symptom isn’t occurring, they quit their care, continue their daily habits, and end up back in a place of experiencing symptoms. But, if they were to continue committing to their health, their health would move beyond neutral and into a place of optimal potential.
Health isn’t static, it’s dynamic. If you aren’t actively seeking better health, you are regressing, and can wind up in a place of experiencing symptoms. Every single one of us wants optimal health, but what are we willing to do for it? Finances and time are the two biggest reasons people don’t make changes in their lives. It’s one thing to say you want something, its a completely different thing to actively work towards it. Don’t get stuck in a vicious cycle of symptoms and neutral. You have optimum potential! You deserve better! We are here to empower you on your journey as you discover when you are capable of! In health and wellness, Dr. Morgan  When we go through difficult seasons of life, we often wonder, “why me? why is life being unfair?” But what if it isn’t being unfair? What if the challenge you are going through is actually preparing you for something far greater? And you need to become a more resilient person to experience that greatness?
I hear people adopt the victim mentality of “poor me, this is hard” (Note: some people absolutely have extremely difficult situations and I do not want to make light of those. This is for the ones who aren’t getting what they want). Thinking “poor me” keeps you stuck in a cycle of victimhood and you never take ownership of where your life is going. I had an acquaintance once tell me that she was no longer an active participant in her life and when things happen she just went along for the ride. That didn’t sit well with me. Who wants to live their life passively? Not to sound like a Pinterest board but you only get one life, why would you waste it like that? There are things out of our control but your attitude is absolutely in your control. Instead of being frustrated and thinking you’ve been dealt a poor hand, look for the lessons and the silver linings. You can have gratitude during tough times. And honestly, gratitude for what I have is what keeps me going when I am experiencing a valley in my life. Keep sight of what matters. Take note of the silver linings. Hold on to gratitude. And know that Life is preparing you for greater things! In health and wellness, Dr. Morgan  There’s been a lot of talk about taking personal responsibility for your own health for the benefit of others around you. If you are a healthy individual, you are less likely to pass on an illness to someone else, possible a more vulnerable person. If the majority of the community is comprised of resilient people, the effect that a particular illness will have on it will be minor.
So what can you do to keep yourself progressing on the healthy spectrum? Eat well. Move well. Think well. Sleep well. Get adjusted. Here are a few tips for you:
In health and wellness, The Primal Team  Who is on your health team? You have a choice.
What health recommendations are being made for your? You have a choice. Can you get a second or third opinion? You have a choice. Can you seek out a different healthcare provider? You have a choice. Is the treatment, care, or medication in align with your values? You have a choice. Is something mandated but not a law? You have a choice. Always. Question things. Be curious. Be a student in your own health and KNOW that you always have a choice, no matter how the information is presented to you. In health and wellness, Dr. Morgan  The purpose of chiropractic care is to remove interference from your nervous system. Your brain and body communicate to each other via the spinal nerves that exit from your spinal cord. If there is a distortion in the signals that are being sent between your brain and body, dysfunction occurs in your body. The human body is incredibly intelligent and will compensate for this but the dysfunction eventually leads to symptoms.
The interference is the result of a subluxation in your spine. The purpose of the adjustment is find the subluxated areas and release that tension, and allow for greater ease in your body. Did you know that your nervous system and immune systems are closely tied together? A well functioning nervous system means a well functioning immune system. All of your immune organs are innervated and if there is distortion in the signals, that is going to have an impact on the ability of your immune system to fend off foreign invaders. Research studies have shown a positive change in immune cells following chiropractic adjustments - how amazing is that?! Your body is amazing. It has great capabilities for healing. It just needs no interference. Chiropractic care is the avenue to take for greater health and healing. We are here to support and empower you on your health journey! In health and wellness, Dr. Morgan  As people start to get healthier, naturally their diet improves. They choose more nutrient dense options and fill up on local, in season produce. As this progression continues to take place and people feel better and better, they may realize that their body doesn't actually tolerate certain foods. Things such as dairy, wheat and nightshades may turn their stomach or trigger a headache or migraine. This can be frustrating! It may feel like there is one more thing that has to be eliminated from your diet. But, in the end it's a great thing, because it means how your body is actually functioning is present to your conscious mind. This is much better than the alternative of being in such a fog surrounding what is happening to the physical self.
So, what can you eat? We are so lucky right now to have many options at our fingertips when it comes to making food substitutes. Instead of having to feel deprived during special occasions, with a little bit of effort, we can stick with all the foods that make us feel great. Before I get into the list, I do want to share that unless you have a full blown allergy, I don't believe it's imperative to never eat an amazing gluten filled, dairy laden cupcake again. But, to truly feel and function at your best, it is necessary to eat in a way that supports your body for the majority. **I'm not being paid or endorsed to write about any of these products. They are just ones that I love and use on a regular basis. Wheat/Gluten Substitutes
Dairy including butter substitutes
Eggs
This list is pretty basic. I'm so thankful that I don't deal with any severe restrictions in my diet, so if you need something that goes a little deeper then utilize websites that have recipes following the AIP or autoimmune protocol. These will have great options for recipes that don't include the most common inflammatory foods. Peace, Love, and Wellness, Dr. Liz  The old theory of immunity was that germs - bacteria, viruses, fungi - made you sick. This is outdated though, because we come into contact with millions of microbes daily, and if germs make you sick, we should be sick constantly. The updated theory is terrain theory. This theory says that your internal environment provides the terrain for a germ to thrive. If you are taking care of your body, moving and eating well, positive mindset, sleeping, and getting adjusted, your immune system will be robust and resilient. You will either adequately fend off an illness or if you do get sick, the duration will be short.
However, if your diet is poor, you don’t move your body, your sleep habits aren’t great, you aren’t getting adjusted, your body is lacking in essential nutrients, and you have a negative mindset, you are creating a more optimal environment for that bacteria or virus to thrive and make you sick. Germs don’t make you sick. Your internal environment is what determines if you get sick or not. Someone else cannot “make” you be sick. Your health is your personal responsibility. Create a robust and resilient internal environment. Note: there are immunocompromised individuals who are more vulnerable to becoming sick, and so all the more reason to take responsibility for your health if you are not one of those individuals. Your ability to fend off an illness decreases the likelihood that you will pass it on to a vulnerable person. We are here to assist you on your health journey of being a resilient, healthier, happier human! In health and wellness, Dr. Morgan  Informed consent is defined as being permission granted in the knowledge of the possible consequences, typically that which is given by a patient to a doctor for treatment with full knowledge of the possible risks and benefits. How often are we actually given all of the information when it comes to making an informed and empowered health decision? There are risks and benefits to everything we do to and for our physical, mental, and emotional health.
There is a term coined “implied consent”, meaning if you don’t explicitly tell your health provider “no”, they have been given permission by you to go ahead with their care, procedure, etc. You are in charge of your health. You are allowed to say no if you are feeling uneasy or hesitant and want to get more information and do more research. Know your options. If you don’t know your options, then you don’t have any. YOU are in charge of your healthcare. YOU are allowed to dictate what you do with your body. Your healthcare provider is going to give you their best recommendations but remember at the end of the day, you are the one to decide. This goes for chiropractic care, perinatal care, general health, surgery, prescribed medications, your child’s care, everything health related. Do not be a passive part of your own health experience. Request knowledge. If your healthcare provider isn’t on your team, you have every right to fire them and hire someone else. In our office, we pride ourselves in empowering our clients in making the best healthcare decisions. Sometimes that does mean doing something other than chiropractic care, depending on where they are at. We are here to support you in whatever way you need. |
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