Wellness

  • Life, Wellness

    The Riordan Clinic Experience: Part One – I’m Not Even Sick (but I’m a patient anyway).

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    Update:  I wanted to give a quick disclaimer on this series.  It was originally written and posted in Aug/Sept of 2019.  I was hired as the Education Coordinator for Riordan Clinic in June of 2020.  All of the information in the series is reflective of my experience as a patient, pre-employment.  I did not make any changes to the original posts after being hired and is a true reflection of my experience as a patient there.  I’m getting ready for my first appointment at the Riordan Clinic.  If you aren’t already familiar with the Riordan Clinic, It is widely known for nutrition therapy, specifically Intravenous Vitamin C therapy and alternative cancer treatments. I found out about the Riordan clinic in a very roundabout way. I am always interested in learning more about nutrition and how to use food, vitamins and other supplements to treat various issues and to maintain great health. So, one day I was having a lazy afternoon (seriously, when does that happen?!)  and decided to check out a documentary called “That Vitamin Movie.” It was a great film and I recommend you watch it. The film was my first introduction to Vitamin C therapy and it featured Dr. Ron Hunninghake of the Riordan Clinic. I was so intrigued by this film and Vitamin C therapy but had absolutely no clue that the Riordan Clinic was literally right down the street from where I now live in Wichita, KS. It wasn’t until I was randomly driving by and a sign that said “Vitamin C Therapy” caught my eye. I can’t even tell you how excited I was to discover that this place was so close to me! I immediately went home to google everything I possibly could about the clinic and enrolled in a 21 Day Detox class that they hold onsite a couple of times per year. Dr. Anne Zauderer who taught the class is obviously whip-smart, and boy does she know her nutrition. But even better, she made the information very approachable and easy to understand. I got so much out of the class that I decided that I wanted to become a patient there as well. Here’s the thing…I’m not sick. I eat mostly organic, I take supplements, I exercise (although probably not as much as I should) and I feel pretty good.  So, why would I go see a doctor? I can think of a few reasons:

    • I don’t want to get sick – This isn’t in a paranoid sort of way, but in a way that if there is something small I can be doing right now that might help me out down the road, then I want to know about it and implement it as soon as possible.

    • Guesswork only goes so far – I’ve learned a lot about nutrition and health over the last decade or so.  I can tell when I’m low on iron or magnesium, and I know I could use some extra Vitamin D (because who couldn’t?), but I’ve never gotten an exact read on all of my nutrient levels.  I supplement until I feel better, but don’t have the numbers to show me I’m in the clear. I feel like the labs alone will be worth the trip.

    • To walk my talk – When it comes to acupuncture, I tell people all day long that they need to be getting treatments even when they feel good. It’s preventative medicine, not just restorative medicine. As a healthcare provider myself, it’s important that I practice what I preach.
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    • To learn – I want to see what it is like to be a patient and how the program helps me. I want to learn all about the services that the Riordan Clinic offers so when someone else needs them I know where to send them.  It’s always important to me to send people to places and products that I have tried and I trust.

    The moral of the story: You don’t have to wait until you are sick or broken to seek out support. As humans, no matter how much research we do or how smart we think we are, we will always have blind spots. It’s that second set of eyes that can see what we don’t (in health or otherwise) that helps us feel better and be more than we are today. And, isn’t that always the goal? I’m excited to see what my time there will bring and what discoveries I make about my own health.  I will be sharing my entire experience along the way in hopes that someone else can benefit from it as well. 

  • Nutrition, Wellness

    How to find the right diet for YOU

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    As you know there are a billion and one different diet books, programs and products out there and every time you turn around one of them is being praised or criticized by the media.  One day low fat is all the rage, the next day low carb is the way to go and by next week you are convinced that you should try to survive on water alone.  Studies and testimonials are great, but the only thing you really want to know is which diet is going to work for YOU.  Well, let me tell you a secret that none of the diet books ever want you to know.

    Every diet works for someone

    No diet works for everyone

     

    Despite claims that their diet is the absolute best for losing weight, improving your health and reducing your chances of being attacked by killer bees while rollerblading down main street, no ONE diet is going to benefit every person alive.

    But what about the science?

    Nearly every diet book published has some sort of scientific backing to support its claims.  Studies show that staying away from grains will help you lose weight and reduce risk of heart disease etc.  Studies also show that a diet rich in whole grains will do the exact same thing (head spinning yet?)  So who is right?  In a sense, they all are… under very specific circumstances with a very specific group of individuals.  Naturally we want to validate what we feel in our mind to be true, so authors and publishers will be sure to report on the studies that prove their hypotheses.  Does that mean the diet is right for you?  Not if you are a member of the population who was not reported on that received no benefit from the diet at all.

    So, how do you figure it out?

    My philosophy is to throw spaghetti on the wall and see what sticks.  Try one, two or fifty different diets and see if you get any results.  More importantly, see if the diet is sustainable over the long term.

     

    Some questions to ask:

    Is it a complete lifestyle overhaul over a short period (A la Atkins)?  Remember that you have been eating a certain way for years and changing all that overnight is going to be a challenge.

    Will you be able to sustain the plan? – piggy backing on the first question.  If it is a complete overhaul, will you be able to maintain it over the long term, or is the deprivation that you felt gonna send you into a junk food induced tailspin as soon as “phase one” is over?

    Do you like the food you are “allowed” to eat?  If you have a preference for vegetarian food then going Paleo isn’t going to be a good fit.  Not to mention the intestinal warfare you are likely to experience!  The opposite is also true – if you were raised on meat and potatoes then an abrupt switch to a vegan diet is going to be tough.

    Is it balanced?  If a diet has you eating one food all day-everyday then it is not balanced and it definitely will not provide all of the nutrients your body needs.  I actually met a guy who lost 100 lbs eating ice cream and drinking Pepsi (see… every diet works for someone!)  However, there is a HUGE possibility that he has nutrient deficiencies and may experience health problems in his later years.

    Will it kill your social life? – Spending time with friends and loved ones can do wonders for your health.  Make sure you diet doesn’t get in the way of all of your social time.  Is there room to indulge at least a little bit?  Can you modify meals to be able to eat at restaurants?  I tried the raw food thing for a bit (okay, it lasted a week!)  There was no way I could sustain this diet because a) try finding a restaurant that will prepare interesting raw food (a girl can only eat so many salads!) and b) Holy Preparation and clean up!  I’ve never done spent so much time or dirtied so many dishes as I did in that one week!

     

    Have you ever tried a diet only to find out it was the absolute worst thing for YOUR body or health?  Tell me all about it in the comments below!

     

     

     

  • Nutrition, Wellness

    What is Mindful Eating?

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    One of the easiest and best ways to improve your diet and health is a little practice I like to call “mindful eating.”  This is one of my greatest secrets to healthy living success and what I rely on more than anything else.

     

    So what is mindful eating, anyway? 

    Let me start out with a few examples of what mindful eating is not.  Sitting at your desk answering emails during lunch -or- sitting in front of the T.V. with a bag of chips -or- scarfing down a Doritos Locos taco while driving to your next business meeting.   Seeing a trend here?

    Basically, if you are doing anything else while you are eating, then you are not eating mindfully.

    The definition of mindful is attentive, aware and careful.  When you are doing a million other things during meal and snack times, it is extremely difficult to be mindful in any of the activities, much less eating.  When distracted, we have a tendency to eat more, and are less inclined to choose healthy foods.

    Now imagine being very deliberate about each and every meal.  Make it an event, choose your food carefully, and enjoy each and every bite.  Do you know how much more satisfied you will feel?

     

    Here are some tips for mindful eating to practice over the next few weeks.

    Mindful eating tip #1 –  Eat only when you are really hungry

    In order to do this successfully, you have to get in touch with your hunger cues. Most of the time we are conditioned to eat at certain times of day, or we opt to eat when we are bored and wanting a distraction. Pay attention to how your body feels and the subtle signs it sends when you start to get hungry. Does your stomach growl? Does your energy tank?  Do you start to get irritable?  These are important cues that tell you it’s time to eat. Noticing these cues and acting on them accordingly is a mindful eating practice in and of itself.

     

     

    Mindful eating tip #2 –  Eat in a quiet space

    (If you never eat alone, try it!)

    Eating alone and/or in a quiet space can be a very powerful experience in mindful eating.  It’s just you and your meal.  You aren’t forced to eat at anyone else’s pace and are free from all the distractions keeping you from truly enjoying the food in front of you.  Turn off your phone, music, and television and be one with your lunch 😉 Better yet, eat your meal outside and get the benefits of spending time in nature as well.

     

     

    Mindful eating tip #3 – If eating with others, pause between bites to converse and then come back and be present with your meal.

    Eating with others can be a very enjoyable experience, but it can also be very frantic depending on the vibe of the company you keep. If you are out with coworkers and everyone is stressed by deadlines and in a rush to get back to the grind, then you may feel rushed.  If your dinner date is mad at the world and you start to pick up on it, how do you think you are approaching your own meal?  When dining with others, no matter their vibe, it is always good to take a pause in the conversation to get back to the enjoyment of your own space and your own meal.

     

     

    Mindful eating tip #4 – Take a good deep breath between bites

    This one sounds simple but you would be surprised how often you eat fast and furious style without even taking a breath.  Just the act of breathing between bites can slow the pace and increase the satisfaction of eating.

     

     

    Mindful eating tip #5 – Be aware of the different flavors and textures of your food

    Food has so many delicious and sensual nuances that we often miss when we are multitasking.  At your next meal or snack, take the time to take it all in.  The subtle smells, the different flavors, the different textures, really experience, and appreciate all that your meal has to offer.

     

     

    Mindful eating tip #6 – Pay attention to how your body feels as you eat

    Do you gain energy? Do you get tired? This is so important and will give you clues about which foods are best for your body overall.  When and after you eat, you should always have a sense of satisfaction, energy, and well-being.  If you find that what or how you are eating doesn’t make you feel this way, something needs to change.

     

     

    Practicing mindful eating is the easiest way to determine which foods are right for your body and to get more enjoyment out of your meals.

    Do you ever find yourself doing a million things at once while you are supposed to be enjoying a meal?  What is your worst “non-mindful” eating habit?  I’d love to hear your experience in the comments below.


  • Life, Nutrition, Wellness

    7 Signs it might be time for a liver detox

    When it comes to overall health, your probably don’t think about your liver all that much. We hear a lot about the importance of a healthy heart, lungs and brain but the liver often gets overlooked. From a western standpoint, the liver is responsible for several functions including aiding digestion, removing harmful substances from the blood (detox), and storing nutrients. A healthy liver is absolutely essential for proper bodily function.

     

    The same is true when you think of the liver as it relates to Chinese Medicine. Known as the “Army General” it is responsible for planning and execution of the body’s functions by ensuring your qi is flowing smoothly and in the right direction. Many factors of the modern lifestyle inhibit proper functioning of the liver. Things like poor diet, lack of exercise and excessive stress can all affect the liver, causing deficiency or stagnation.  Here are a few ways to tell if your liver needs a little TLC.

     

    1)      Moodiness/Irritability – If you find that you are fluctuating between happy-go-lucky and the incredible hulk it is a telltale sign of Liver qi stagnation.   When the qi of the liver is flowing smoothly then the emotional state is even and happy. When that flow is impeded it can give rise to frustration, depression or repressed anger.

     

    2)      Fatigue – Qi is your life force energy and the liver is responsible for keeping it moving. When it is abundant and free-flowing, your energy levels are high. When it is depleted or stagnant your energy levels are low.

     

    3)      Eye/vision changes – The sense organ connected to the liver is the eyes. Changes in vision, dry, red eyes or floaters can all be indications of a Liver disharmony.

     

    4)      Waking between 1-3am – If you happen to be someone who wakes up in the middle of the night, start to notice what time it usually occurs. In Chinese Medicine each organ is assigned a particular time of day where it is most active. The liver happens to fall between 1 and 3 am. So if you notice a pattern of waking up during that time then your liver just might be trying to tell you something.

     

    5)      Irregular menstruation/pms – In Chinese Medicine the liver is responsible for storing blood. A woman’s menses can tell a lot about the health of her liver. If it is functioning and storing blood normally then a woman can expect a normal period with consistent cycle. If it is deficient then a woman may miss a period or have very light bleeding. Symptoms like pms, severe cramping and clotting can all indicate liver qi stagnation.

     

    6)      Changes in fingernails – Liver health according to Chinese Medicine will manifest on the nails. Strong nails with a moist and healthy appearance indicate a healthy liver. If you notice that your nails are dry, brittle, cracked or ridged then it might be an indication that your liver needs a boost.

     

    7)      Lack of direction and planning – not to say that it will solve your “what do I want to be when I grow up?” problem, but keeping your liver healthy can help initiate clear thinking and planning. If you are usually a motivated and well organized planner, but you find that lately you are in a slump and can’t seem to get it together, then it might be time for an acupuncture treatment!

     

    If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, there are some things that you can do to give your liver the love it needs.

    1) Start your day with warm water and lemon – in Chinese Medicine, the sour flavor can calm and nourish the liver.

    2) Exercise – Movement helps stimulate the flow of qi and blood in the body.  This enhances the function of all organs including the liver

    3) Cut back on alcohol – You don’t have to give it up forever, but if you are finding that you are more irritable than usual, it may be sign that you need a small break.

    4) …and of course, Get Acupuncture!