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Latest News from Charmaine: July 2020

Greetings all,photo3-300x198

We now can officially say it’s summer. All the hoopla of hot muggy days along with dry days that worry our farmers and the darn mosquitoes all mixed with the ongoing coronavirus that has life at a standstill for so many people   As we await some degree of resolution, to allow us to try and get  back to “normal”, lets plan on making the best with what we got!!

This past June, Dr. Ray and I celebrated 40 years (each) in Chiropractic  having graduated together in the summer of 1980.  We, however, never got to go to homecoming  this year to celebrate with our classmates, which was a bummer. Daughter Damaris graduated 10 years ago and has settled down in Norway, with her man, Anders and is in a great practice, and has our first grandchild Alfred  (3 ½) and a baby girl due October.

I finally got to the Farmers Market and oh how I missed the talks with the farmers and  their  fresh veggies…I am having a hard time at           Meijer where everything is wrapped up in  awful polluting plastic and you are  obliged to buy more than you need or not at all. As produce ripens, this is the time, in all this heat, to really think of  keeping cooking to the minimum…so maybe cook extra rice, veggies roast extra potatoes etc. that can be thrown into salad bowls and make hearty, minimum effort, minimum heat and maximum nutritious meals.

GET YOUR SPINES CHECKED! STAY HEALTHY !

Drs. Ray & Charmaine

Click HERE to contact us or call 517.627.4547

Lastest News from Charmaine: June 2020

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SIZZLE! SIZZLE! SIZZLE! From an icky half-assed Spring straight into full melty, squelchy Summer!  Gotta love Michigan in times of climate change!!

Hopefully, my veggie garden and yours survives this heat and hopefully doesn’t drown with all this rain.   At the present time, with all the COVID 19 hoof-fla-fla, veggie gardens along the lines of the old Victory gardens seem to be sprouting up…and I say hurrah to everybody planning on eating yummy fresh healthy food…a positive from a negative…gotta love it!

Needless to say with everything going on, I have not been able to train for 3 months at the gym, and the puny weights at home don’t give me the same workout (duh!). However, I will say that the distance yoga teaching has really led me to more depths and insights that have been magical. Working out alone has actually proved to be beneficial.

Just got word that travel to see our grandchild and his parents in July is off for now..hoping that at least I can make it there for 2 weeks to help out after the little one is born in October.

Meanwhile, stay safe, wash your hands (but not too much), drink lots of water, let your dog take you for regular walks, and make the best of what you got!

Contact us   517.627.4547 to make an appointment.

Latest News from Charmaine: May 2020

Greetings all,photo3-300x198


Well, I think Spring has decided that the odds of it happening are finally settled.  We have had some delicious days recently, which, hopefully has taken a little of the edge off the Stay at Home- Stay Safe Cabin Fever so many are suffering from.

Essentially, as I sure you have come to realize is that a NEW NORMAL is settling in and we can now forever be guilty of saying “Before Covid 19- we did…”  

Trust you have all enjoyed the tulips that Brenda worked so hard to get planted and I am sure, that after she visits Holland, Michigan- we are in for more.  I must say, their Tulip Time is always a glorious display.

I see that our Farmer’s Markets will be opening soon.  Big YAY!   for that…  I love my Saturday/Sunday ritual that involves getting fresh veggies and other delights straight from the person who was involved in the whole process…another great way to connect to the land.

STAY SAFE, GET FRESH AIR, EXERCISE, DRINK H2O, GET CHECKED!

Latest News from Charmaine: April 2020

Greetings all!February 2019

There is a song that goes April showers brings May flowers….but what the heck does this chilly weather bring?   MOTHER Nature is sorely testing our patience, isn’t she? …Spring is so close and yet so far away. And, of course, being the human creatures we are, we will probably soon be whining about how hot it is.

Under the current situation, life as we know it has been sorely tested and people are suffering from various degrees of emotional stress which is creating physical stress in the form of subluxations.  We need to make sure everybody who can get to our office in time of need can and we have really focused on social distancing, appointments only schedule and tons of cleaning (I am so starting to intensely dislike the smell of Clorox …anybody else there too?) 

I have included some lockdown suggestions in this newsletter and also some ideas of how to use pantry staples to provide nutritious meals as we limit our shopping to bare essentials.

In the meanwhile, breathe, smile, move and know that this too shall pass!

 

The Latest from Charmaine: February 2020

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Well the countdown to spring and greenery and impending  warmth is on, and I am for sure looking forward to it!

We have a hectic month or two coming up especially in April, what with the family coming over from Norway and College reunion (40th!) Also some continuing education thrown in the mix as well.  These two events sandwich my yearly yoga retreat. So if I am looking a smidge frazzled in April -forgive me!

On the powerlifting front, I am coming off a double whammy of injury (that was caused by a silly fall way back!) and I am seriously hoping to be competition ready by the last part of the year. Senior Olympics in August only competes in Deadlift and Bench Press…so I am good there. 

I have decided that should I not be ready to do a decent squat by October, that I will try next year. It has been a frustrating year of kinda marching in place and I know it may take longer to get back to the weight I want (180+) in squat than I might like…but I know that my body needs time, chiropractic care, training and massage.

What training goals have you set for yourself this year and how can we help keep you healthy on the road to success??

Is there anything we can help you with?

Give us a call at 517- 627-4547

The Latest From Dr. Charmaine and Dr. Ray: January 2020

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I am sure that many of us are scratching our heads at this winter….but it is happening in its own way and at its own time. We can make some changes in our lives to accommodate the change to the new year and to the weather.

Get plenty of rest. Winter is hibernation time for our four footed friends and we would do well to remember that.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. We all have our heaters and wood fires going to keep us warm but that draws a lot of moisture out of the body…so drink LOTS of H2O.

Watch your posture. I notice that so many people walk with their shoulders hunched up around their ears this time of the year…NO TURTLING PLEASE…. it messes up the neck and shoulder areas…get a scarf/two and wrap it around the neck and chest area and walk tall!!!!!

EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE. It is terribly important that we keep moving thru’ the winter months…If you are not an outside weather fan, find some way to incorporate exercise. Look at no commitment gyms and get in there and do something. Go to open swim, go to the mall or GLHS and walk. Keep your circulation working and the winter weight gain down.

WATCH THE WINTER DIET. We tend to eat too much “comfort food” in winter and a) gain weight and b) are subject to more colds and flu. The body needs to be more alkali and so more fruits, veggies and less stodgy comfort food is better. Keep the dairy and meats to flavoring status and eat 5-9 servings of veggies/fruit daily. Clementines are a great handful, quick to unwrap and loaded with Vit C.

OK…. SO STAY WARM, KEEP ACTIVE AND ALL THE OTHERS THINGS I SAID AND GET A CHIROPRACTIC CHECKUP TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE FUNCTIONING ON ALL CYLINDERS.

Remember your body does not have a check engine light!!

 

The Lastest from Charmaine: November 2019

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November seems to have rushed in with unseemly haste, bringing the month of weird weather and the constant question…Just where the heck did this year go?

Not sure I can answer that one, but I am trying hard, as I am sure many of you are, to get all the stuff done that we wanted to get done before the end of the year.

Please note: We will be out of the office from November 20th to December 2nd to be with our family in Florida.  Alfred is just shy of 3 years old (!) and we are looking forward to spending some quality time with them.

I have taken the liberty of sharing some of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes in this newsletter (we get the question what dishes do you, as a vegan/vegetarian prepare for this time of the year?).

This will be the final newsletter of the year…..so, we will take the opportunity to say -Thank You for trusting us with the opportunity to get you and yours on the road to health and may 2020 be TOTALLY AWESOME!

SEE YOU ON THE TABLE, UNDER THE BARBELLS, ON THE MAT OR JUST AROUND TOWN!

Latest News from Charmaine: October 2019

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Well, Fall seems to have found her way to us. Currently somewhat cooler temps are prevailing, and I see leaves starting to fall fast and furious.  I would put out an appeal to think twice about raking the leaves for the fact that they provide essential cover and protection to many of the beneficial bugs, and creepy crawlies over the winter. I know we are programmed to rake them, just as we are programmed to pull dandelions and thus deprive bees of essential early food.

Check out our Annual Stuff the Bus for Hunger appeal. We are trying a slightly different tack this year (our 30th!!!!!) and hope to succeed beyond expectations.

I just completed my last powerlifting meet of the year and finally managed to set a Michigan Masters record in Bench press (finally got that nailed!)

Fall generally means that we are doing a lot more outside (and inside, too!) as we strive to finish up projects before the snowy days arrive.  Please be sure you recognize your limits, that you take care doing the project and after a weekend of “warrioring” (which may include more than household projects!)….that you get your spine checked to make sure you are sparking on all cylinders!!

SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE, ON THE TABLE/MAT, UNDER THE BARBELLS, OR AROUND TOWN!

October 2019

Latest News from Charmaine: September 2019

Greetings all!

Well, as we pass the Labor Day holiday we really begin to recognize that Summer has passed and we move into one of my FAVE seasons..FALL.   I love the colors and smells and food and rituals associated with this time of the year and it is always nice to settle into a routine again.

Altho’ there is one thing we need to be aware of  and that is taking care of ourselves.  With the kids/grandkids back at school and all the attendant events that this generates, we really need to be sure that we carve at least 1 day a week ( worse case scenario a ½ day but not a top choice) and make time to chill as a family…time to go for a tramp in the woods and decompress or go to some fun event where everybody can let their hair down a little and just enjoy.  There are lots of farmers markets, harvest festivals, and craft festivals around where you can meander, browse, and just chill as a means to decompress. As the colder weather approaches, how about game nights (trivial pursuit style, I mean).

Another way to decompress is find some activity like Yoga, Tai Chi, or sports related activities as a great form of exercise and a way to blow off steam. Check out my yoga class schedule. I’d love to have you join! 

I love my yoga and my power lifting and feel so recharged after a session.  I just competed in The Michigan Senior Olympics for the 6th time and have another competition at the end of September.

SEE YOU IN THE OFFICE, ON THE MAT UNDER THE BARBELLS OR AROUND TOWN

fall leaves

Greetings from Charmaine: July/August 2019

Greetings all,February 2019

I hope those of you who have taken a vacation enjoyed your time away.  It’s always good to let go of day-to-day worries and cares and take time to recharge our batteries.

I find it hard that this country has such apparent “disdain” for the vacation.  In South Africa, we all got 3 weeks’ vacation from day one of working and it is said you need all three….one week to unwind, one to relax and one to slowly get prepared for going back to work. Norway gets 6 weeks a year and is one of the happiest places in the world!

It is not something to brag about “I don’t need a vacation”……YES you do- unless you happen to work only half days and have a phenomenal sense of balance and spend at least an hour or two each day on self-care. That’s why so many executives and “high powered” administrators end up with all these nasty things like cancer and heart attacks…they have not taken time to recharge their batteries and have a life of balance….a lot of these “millennial” startup companies have the right idea about bringing your dog to work, having a gym on the premises, fresh food cafeterias and goof off rooms, etc.

Sages have said that we should spend a little time each day going on vacation. Every day we should do something that we especially love to do, something that’s deeply true to our purpose in life. Whether that’s making music, meditating, praying, exploring, learning, sharing heartfelt time with someone or another healthy diversion, it should be done every day. Why? So our lives will have balance.

Enjoy the summer and remember…. as the kids go back to school and get into sports….chiropractic care will keep them functioning at their best!!!

See you on the table, on the yoga mat, under the barbells or just walking around town!