Some of you have asked why I am closed on Thursdays, and just the other day I was reminded as to why I am. Though there are several reasons, one seems to stand out more than others.
I wanted to go to REI, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Best Buy … all on Barrett Parkway. Because of my schedule, I decided to go on Saturday, thinking it wouldn’t be too bad. They are all near each other, “I can just zip over after work and be out of there quickly” I thought. Boy was I wrong! The traffic was unreal, I had a hard time finding a parking space at REI, and it took about 10 minutes just to drive across the street to get to Best Buy. Unfortunately, they did not have what I needed, so I had to go to Radio Shack at the mall. So, I deal with the traffic and get to the mall, only to find out that Radio Shack is no longer in the mall. AAHH! So, I went to Sears, since I was right there, I thought maybe they’d have what I needed. Well, they didn’t, but luckily the sales man was nice and told me to go to Radio Shack. I didn’t want to tell him that was what I had tried to do, yet fortunately he told me they moved to the intersection of Hwy 41 and Barrett Pkwy. Great I thought, now I can get this wire that I so badly needed (and yes, I needed it before Sunday morning), but err….that meant getting back on Barrett Parkway again!
So, I did and slowly made my way to Radio Shack, got my wire, and went home. I truly think I spent more time in my car than I did in any of the stores during that adventure. That moment further confirmed why I am closed on Thursday’s…. so I can run my errands on those days, when traffic is much less, thus less stress. On Thursday’s, I can go to the post office, the bank, get my hair cut, shopping, or whatever else I need to do and I don’t have to worry about weekend traffic.
Lately, another nice thing about being closed on Thursday’s is that I can do my “long run”. As many of you know, I am training for a marathon and part of the training is long training runs. So, today I went out and ran for three hours….yup, a leisurely 3-hour jog on a Thursday morning (at Kennesaw Mountain). As long as that may seem, it does feel good once it is over, and will help me prepare for this race.
So, in case anyone wondered why I am closed on Thursday’s, to me those are two great reasons.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Challenged Child
This weekend I attended a seminar called “The Challenged Child” and it covered children who were handicapped, had Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Muscular Dystrophy, Torticollis, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and more. Most of the content of the seminar discussed what each is, potential causes, and then ways that chiropractic care, nutrition, horse therapy, and other “alternative” things can help these children.
It’s always amazing to me to realize how much nutrition plays a role, especially in Autism. Certainly we talked about the Mercury/Vaccination - Autism link, yet focused on how changing a child’s diet can have profound effects on the child’s behavior. Studies show that children with Autism have vitamin and mineral deficiencies, lower amino acids, higher glutamine, and fatty acid deficiency. DAN! -- Defeat Autism Now – (www.autism.com) is an organization dedicated to research on the causes of Autism and ways it can be treated. I had never spent much time on their website until this weekend, when I discovered it was full of fantastic information. If you know a child with Autism, I highly recommend you visit this site, tell their parents about it, and become more knowledgeable.
According to researchers, Autism is treatable and can be reversible. I know I have taken care of several Autisic children, and have seen positive changes in their behavior. Add to that, a significant change in diet, and I believe that a child with Autism can be helped significantly. There are several DAN doctors in this area, including one Naturopath that I highly recommend. Look into the vaccination & Autism link, get children on a gluten-free diet, get them adjusted, do the research yourself, and become more informed. These children can be helped. Ask me about it, and please don’t give up.
And yes, I also learned more great things about taking care of children with CP, MD, and torticollis!
It’s always amazing to me to realize how much nutrition plays a role, especially in Autism. Certainly we talked about the Mercury/Vaccination - Autism link, yet focused on how changing a child’s diet can have profound effects on the child’s behavior. Studies show that children with Autism have vitamin and mineral deficiencies, lower amino acids, higher glutamine, and fatty acid deficiency. DAN! -- Defeat Autism Now – (www.autism.com) is an organization dedicated to research on the causes of Autism and ways it can be treated. I had never spent much time on their website until this weekend, when I discovered it was full of fantastic information. If you know a child with Autism, I highly recommend you visit this site, tell their parents about it, and become more knowledgeable.
According to researchers, Autism is treatable and can be reversible. I know I have taken care of several Autisic children, and have seen positive changes in their behavior. Add to that, a significant change in diet, and I believe that a child with Autism can be helped significantly. There are several DAN doctors in this area, including one Naturopath that I highly recommend. Look into the vaccination & Autism link, get children on a gluten-free diet, get them adjusted, do the research yourself, and become more informed. These children can be helped. Ask me about it, and please don’t give up.
And yes, I also learned more great things about taking care of children with CP, MD, and torticollis!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Acworth Women's Triathlon
Today I raced in the Acworth Women's Sprint Triathlon, my third triathlon this season. With over 500 participants, the race brings in women from all around the area, many of which are first-time triathletes. It is a great opportunity for women to get out there and race and not feel pressure from the men (sorry guys), which can be intimidating, especially if you have never done a race before.
I was very excited about the race, because I finished 2nd overall Master's (which is basically anyone over 40 years old), and 22nd overall. I raced well, and what probably "won" me the 2nd place award was my transition times, which is when you go from the swim to the bike, and then the bike to the run. My times in the 3 sports were all good, yet I think it was getting out of the transition area before other women in my age group is what helped me a lot. Usually my transitions slow me down, but not this time, so that was exciting (though I didn't know my transitions were fast until after the race when I saw the results).
I know I "passed" people in transition, yet the most satisying one was a woman I passed at about the 1.5 mile mark on the run (a 3.7 mile run all together). She was the only one to pass me on the bike and I worked hard to catch her, and then had to keep on running hard so she wouldn't catch me. I was very tired as I finished, and heard lots of people calling my name as I was running down the finish chute, but I was too tired to look and say hi.
Sometimes I wonder why I push myself and what motivates me, but I guess it is just the competitive spirit within me. Winning awards is extra motivation and certainly nice, and usually pushes me to work harder. I like racing because it gives me something to aim for, a goal, and an extra reason to stay in shape. Next up is a triathon in September, so until then.....
What motivates you? I encourage you to find something you like, whether its running, triathlon, tennis, yoga or whatever it is, and get involved, participate, and have fun. It can bring rewards to everyone who does it, in some way or another. Enjoy!
I was very excited about the race, because I finished 2nd overall Master's (which is basically anyone over 40 years old), and 22nd overall. I raced well, and what probably "won" me the 2nd place award was my transition times, which is when you go from the swim to the bike, and then the bike to the run. My times in the 3 sports were all good, yet I think it was getting out of the transition area before other women in my age group is what helped me a lot. Usually my transitions slow me down, but not this time, so that was exciting (though I didn't know my transitions were fast until after the race when I saw the results).
I know I "passed" people in transition, yet the most satisying one was a woman I passed at about the 1.5 mile mark on the run (a 3.7 mile run all together). She was the only one to pass me on the bike and I worked hard to catch her, and then had to keep on running hard so she wouldn't catch me. I was very tired as I finished, and heard lots of people calling my name as I was running down the finish chute, but I was too tired to look and say hi.
Sometimes I wonder why I push myself and what motivates me, but I guess it is just the competitive spirit within me. Winning awards is extra motivation and certainly nice, and usually pushes me to work harder. I like racing because it gives me something to aim for, a goal, and an extra reason to stay in shape. Next up is a triathon in September, so until then.....
What motivates you? I encourage you to find something you like, whether its running, triathlon, tennis, yoga or whatever it is, and get involved, participate, and have fun. It can bring rewards to everyone who does it, in some way or another. Enjoy!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Skip Caray
This morning I read in the newspaper that long-time Atlanta Braves announcer Skip Caray died yesterday. He was only 68 years old. Anytime someone dies, it is sad, though it seems especially worse when someone leaves us at a young age. No, 68 isn't "young" by many standards, but he certainly should have had many years ahead of him. I personally want to live to 100 (at least), which is 32 more years than Skip had.
Back in the late 90's and 2000-2001, I worked at a lot of Braves games and saw Skip in the press box. He was a large man, probably close to 80 pounds overweight, and though he had lost a lot of weight in recent years, the health problems that built up from that time finally caught up to him. The article said he was "battling diabetes, congestive heart failure, an irregular heartbeat and reduced kidney and liver functions". These are symptoms of someone who isn't living a healthy lifestyle, and his body just couldn't handle the extra weight he carried around.
He left behind children and grandchildren, all of whom now must go on without him. Children now without their grandfather, taken from them at too young an age. It just makes me so sad, and wonder...could this have been prevented? My belief of course, is yes. We'll never know the stress he experienced from his job or life in general, but when I see someone that overweight, I know his body has to work extra hard to function. That internal stress caused things to break down.
I wish I could encourage everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, to not be overweight, to exercise daily, to eat healthy, and to get adjusted. Who knows how much longer Skip would have lived if he did these things, though I believe his life would have been better.
So, anyone out there who is overweight, not eating well, not exercising, not getting adjusted, PLEASE make a serious effort to change. If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your family, your kids, your grandchildren. It can make a difference in your life. I just wish Skip had done that, he will be missed.
Back in the late 90's and 2000-2001, I worked at a lot of Braves games and saw Skip in the press box. He was a large man, probably close to 80 pounds overweight, and though he had lost a lot of weight in recent years, the health problems that built up from that time finally caught up to him. The article said he was "battling diabetes, congestive heart failure, an irregular heartbeat and reduced kidney and liver functions". These are symptoms of someone who isn't living a healthy lifestyle, and his body just couldn't handle the extra weight he carried around.
He left behind children and grandchildren, all of whom now must go on without him. Children now without their grandfather, taken from them at too young an age. It just makes me so sad, and wonder...could this have been prevented? My belief of course, is yes. We'll never know the stress he experienced from his job or life in general, but when I see someone that overweight, I know his body has to work extra hard to function. That internal stress caused things to break down.
I wish I could encourage everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, to not be overweight, to exercise daily, to eat healthy, and to get adjusted. Who knows how much longer Skip would have lived if he did these things, though I believe his life would have been better.
So, anyone out there who is overweight, not eating well, not exercising, not getting adjusted, PLEASE make a serious effort to change. If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your family, your kids, your grandchildren. It can make a difference in your life. I just wish Skip had done that, he will be missed.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
August 3, 2008 "Personal Section"
July marked the two-year anniversary of my bike accident and I am happy to say I am all healed up. Just a recap (sorry to those who already know this), but in 2006 I was hit by a motorcycle while biking in the mountains of North Georgia. I broke 3 bones, was all scraped up, and missed almost five months of practice. Last year I had surgery on my wrist after it just wasn't healing the way it should, and I think I can comfortably say I am doing better. I will never be back to 100%, but at least I can do most things these days without pain. Even a few months ago it still hurt to adjust, it hurt to do some yoga moves, it hurt to climb out of a pool, but not anymore.
Thus, it took 2 years for my wrist to heal ... so everyone should keep that in mind, especially when experiencing neck pain, low back pain, leg pain, or whatever. The body takes time and needs time to heal. Inside all of us is an incredible inborn intelligence, that allows us to heal and regulate, called our innate intelligence. We don't have to tell our body how to make our heart beat, or breathe, or digest food, or heal broken bones, our innate, inborn intelligence does all that. If it is not working properly, then symptoms begin, as healing and regulation slows down or doesn’t work as efficiently. Chiropractic adjustments can help by "turning on" that innate intelligence to function at a higher, more proper level, so healing can begin. That is what true health is all about.
Is your body functioning at its best? Are you getting regular adjustments to ensure that it is? Is your nervous system free of interference? We utilize high-tech computer scanning at our office to assess the health of your nervous system so we can help you. It is my goal to help others and encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle, one free of nervous system interference. If you know anyone who hasn’t been checked at our office, please send them our way.
Thus, it took 2 years for my wrist to heal ... so everyone should keep that in mind, especially when experiencing neck pain, low back pain, leg pain, or whatever. The body takes time and needs time to heal. Inside all of us is an incredible inborn intelligence, that allows us to heal and regulate, called our innate intelligence. We don't have to tell our body how to make our heart beat, or breathe, or digest food, or heal broken bones, our innate, inborn intelligence does all that. If it is not working properly, then symptoms begin, as healing and regulation slows down or doesn’t work as efficiently. Chiropractic adjustments can help by "turning on" that innate intelligence to function at a higher, more proper level, so healing can begin. That is what true health is all about.
Is your body functioning at its best? Are you getting regular adjustments to ensure that it is? Is your nervous system free of interference? We utilize high-tech computer scanning at our office to assess the health of your nervous system so we can help you. It is my goal to help others and encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle, one free of nervous system interference. If you know anyone who hasn’t been checked at our office, please send them our way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)