Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.            Edward Abbey

Fire extinguishers-4-5 yrs

Smoke alarms- 8-10  yrs

Toothbrushes- 3 months, and/or after a cold/flu

Mattresses-7 yrs

Pillows-2 yrs

Whole spices-2-3 yrs  Ground spices 1-2 yrs

Canned high acid fruits/veges-peaches, tomatoes- 18 mo

Canned low acid meat, veges  2 yrs  (keep cans away from extremes fo temperatures, away from stove, and damp areas, no bulging or rusted cans)

Food left out of refrigerator over  2.5-3  hours throw out

Cooked refrigerated leftovers use within 3-4 days (keep refrig at 38 degrees)

Eggs ok in refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks after expiration date

Frozen meats ok up to 4 months but some still ok up to 1 year

Mayonaise- 2 months,     ketchup- 4 mo. ,      mustard 8 mo.

Cosmetics: mascara 3 mo  liquid eye liner- 1 yr  and  powders

The most important trip you take in life is meeting people half way.                                             Henry Boyle

Ginseng, Ginko and Kava I do not recommend taking unless you have had a constitutional evaluation first.

Chondroitin- taken for arthritis     STOP TAKING   2-3  wks before surgery

Ginseng- taken for energy       STOP TAKING AT LEAST  1  wk before surgery

Garlic supplements- taken for immunity and BP     STOP TAKING  1 wk before surgery

Ginko biloba- improved memory     STOP TAKING at least  1 wk before surgery -May cause delayed recovery and abnormal grogginess

Kava-anxiety, muscle tension       STOP TAKING at least 1 wk before surgery -May cause delayed recovery and abnormal grogginess

Echinacea- immune system      STOP TAKING 2-3 wks before surgery- REACTION to certain anesthesia  

Glucosamine- arthritis      STOP TAKING  2-3 wks before surgery, lowers blood sugar which can cause fainting and delay recovery

Goldenseal- immune       STOP TAKING 2-3 wks before surgery,  post op grogginess, abnormal sensitivity to laser, can decrease blood volume

Cold arthritis: characterized by sharp, stabbing pain in a fixed location and cold sensation in joints. Relieved by heat. Recommended foods: garlic scallions, black beans, sesame seeds, chicken, lamb, mustard greens, ginger, small amount of rice wine if blood pressure not an issue.  10-20 min sunshine fresh air daily, warm liniments on area, cinnamon/ginger tea and avoid cold raw foods and cold weather.

Heat arthritis:  red swollen joints, painful and hot, usually sudden onset, Recommended foods- fresh fruits, veges, cabbage, mung beans, soybean sprouts. Avoid-spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, green onions.

Damp arthritis: heavy feeling in extremities, stiffness, swelling, dull aching pain that lingers and sluggishness.  Recommended foods: barley, mung beans, mustard greens, red beans, millet, sweet rice wine with meals, cornsilk tea- natural diuretic   Cook barley, mung beans and red beans together.

Kidney deficient arthritis: coldness, low energy, low back pain, knee pain, weakness, poor hearing, urine retention problems.  Recommended foods: warming foods- chicken, lamb, scallions, sesame seeds, fish, baked tofu, soybeans, walnuts, lentils, black beans, a little wine, ginger, cinnamon. Avoid: caold raw foods and fruits.

Kidney deficiency arthritis with heat: irritability, insomnia, nite sweats, damp palms, dry mouth, low back pain, blurry vision. Recommended foods: cooling foods, apples, peaches, pears, fresh veges, beans, tofu, chrysanthemum tea.  Avoid-spicy foods, smoking, alcohol and stress.

In foods:  coffee ice cream 1 cup/  40-60 mg      dark chocolate 1 oz/ 20 mg          milk chocolate 1 oz/ 6 mg

Medications:  anacin 2 tab/26 mg            dexatrim 1 tab/200 mg      dristan 1 tab/30 mg  midol  1 tab/32 mg        excedrin max 2 tab/130 mg         cafergot  1 tab/100 mg

 Cold foods include: banana, watermelon, tomato, asparagus, tofu.  Cool foods: pear, kiwi, cucumber, mushroom, eggplant, millet, barley, yogurt.  Neutral foods: lemon, fig, apple, cabbage,carrot, potato,rice, black beans.  Warm foods: pumpkin, walnut, chestnut, scallion, celery, pomegranate,ginger.  Hot foods: garlic and pepper.

An example of when to use these would be: Cold foods- for a heat type of insomnia,  cool foods- for a heat related headache, neutral foods-if you have a weak type of low back pain these foods will tonify and strengthen, warm foods- for a cold type of hay fever,  hot foods- for a cold type of flu.  To clarify which are best foods to use in times of illness, or to determine your constitution,  it’s best to call Dr G with your questions.

If what others thought of you wasn’t important-if the only thing that mattered was how your heart felt about your life-what would you be doing differently?                           -Melody Beattie

Wellness care tune-ups:  encourage a more complete healing, prevent a relapse, help you avoid small problems from becoming big ones, minimize the effects of the stresses and strains of everyday living, and reduces wear and tear from repetitve work postures and athletics.

Just as injuries, stresses and poor postures in the past may have had a cumulative effect of weakening the system, balancing and maintaining your spine and acupuncture meridians can have cumulative beneficial effects. Each time your body is balanced, optimal blood and oxygen flow is created, increasing your qi (energy), mobility, stamina, immune and recuperative powers.

The combination of one or all of the following: Acupuncture, Gentle Chiropractic adjustments, Deep Muscle therapy, Chinese medicine, create optimal functioning and keep the body from gradually returning to the state of dis-ease where it initally was at the onset of care.

After the initial weeks of care, usually the most effective time period to determine the frequency of tune-ups is one visit after 2 weeks, then one at 3 weeks, then at 4 weeks.  The body’s holding ability is determined after each session, that evaluation in addition to your own body’s signals assist in the optimal tune-up duration.

There is a face lift you can have that is guaranteed to improve your appearance, which both men and women of any age can do.   It’s called a smile.