What am I really hungry for?

We are often asked what makes the practice of Balance Equals Health unique? 

As health care practitioners our mission is to improve health and reverse chronic illness by helping people achieve their innate potential through Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Nutrition.  

For example, at times we consume food and drink as part of our culture celebrating birthdays and holidays and other times we eat before bed or when we are feeling sad or frustrated.  

That's when it gets interesting.  We want to know how you are emotionally, whats going on in your life, how are your relationships, are you exercising, drinking enough water, etc...
We become part of your healthcare team that takes every facet of your wonderful self and explore with you why your body is manifesting the symptoms that you are experiencing. We then physiologically look to the foundation or root cause and work to correct the imbalance.

 It's interesting to understand what drives our behaviors.  Sometimes a craving is just a craving but more often it serves as a message about where we are physically, emotionally, and/or chemically.  Think about when you had too little sleep the night before and what you want to eat the following day or what about after a stressful day at work?  Think about what you feel like eating after a junk food binge.  What about when you're traveling and have less access to healthy foods?  

How can you achieve a higher level of balance within your state of health?  What can you do differently?

Comment below to share your thoughts. :)

We are featured in Wellspring Magazine!

Click to read the article written about our newest service offered at Balance Equals Health!

https://issuu.com/thewellspring/docs/wellspring_issue__16_final_web_fina

How to support the body's innate ability to fight off urinary infections.

Infections tend to arise when the body is in an imbalanced state.  It could be an overabundance of stress, a poor diet, change in routine, major life event, etc. that caused the imbalance.  

However, urinary infections generally respond well to elimination of sugars, grains, and dairy from your diet and drinking 1-2 oz unsweetened organic cranberry juice multiple times per day (unless you are diabetic) and drinking a lot of water (until urine turns pale yellow). Also eating plenty of dark leafy greens for their alkaline nature would help. 

These tips are NOT a substitute for medical treatment.

This natural approach is NOT meant to kill the infection but rather boost your immune system allowing your body to better deal with the infection.

There's is NO natural substitute for antibiotics.

The medical approach is to kill the infection. The natural approach enhances your body's innate ability to do so. There's a time and place for antibiotics and other medicines.

If your M.D. prescribed antibiotics you should talk to them first about taking the antibiotics or holding off and trying a natural approach first.

How to Naturally Boost Immunity

Every other person seems to be sick lately with the flu or strep or some other infection that is commonly seen during the Winter months.  Here are some simple tips to keep your immune system STRONG and HEALTHY.

• Get Acupuncture and Chiropractic Adjustments.
• Get enough rest
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat plenty of vegetables
• Exercise
• Take vitamin D if you're deficient (Ask your doctor to test your blood levels!)
• Meditation and/or Prayer
• Minimize your sugar intake
• Drink bone broth
• Stay warm
• Take echinacea and vitamin C 
• (Ask us for our specific recommendations for you if you're a patient at Balance Equals Health)

Happy 2017!

Happy new year!  We hope you had a restful, peaceful, and joyous time celebrating the holidays with your loved ones.  We are excited to begin 2017 with a renewed energy!  You will notice a few positive changes around Balance Equals Health, Inc.  For starters, we are introducing genetic lifestyle testing in the next few months.  This will allow us to personalize your healthcare recommendations at a deeper level than ever before.  We will be able to test 45 different genes in your DNA that will tell us information about how your body interacts with various lifestyle factors and then customize a program that is highly specific to your individual needs.  This is a very exciting advance in the field of nutrition!

In the meantime, we are focused on clean eating and moving our bodies the way nature intended, with more activity and less sedentary behavior.  We are also having a daily practice of "intention setting" which helps you to stay focused on your goals.  Speaking of which, new years is a time of "resolutions" for many of us.

What are your "resolutions"?  What are your goals for 2017?  We look forward to helping you achieve your goals and to celebrate your successes along the way!

How can you boost your mood naturally through the foods you consume?

IMPORTANT:  THIS BLOG DOES NOT CONTAIN MEDICAL ADVICE ONLY GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION.  PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FOR SPECIFIC MEDICAL ADVICE.

Whether you are feeling the "Monday blues" or have been diagnosed with "depression" you may have noticed that there is a connection between how you feel and what you eat.  If you haven't made this observation yet you can begin a monthly journal writing down all foods and drinks and how you feel throughout the day.  This is one of the best ways to begin to understand your individual triggers.  For example, you might notice that you become more "down" just after breakfast and just before dinner.  Or you may notice every time you eat fast food your well being suffers.  Once you gain awareness around your individual health story you can apply some basic principles of diet for a healthy mind and body.
1. Eat whole foods.
2. Drink water only.
3. Eat a variety of colors--referring to fruits and vegetables.
4. Eat more vegetables than any other food group.
5. Eat a small amount of healthy fats every day--avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, butter.
6. Avoid processed foods.

After journaling your mood and diet for one month, apply these 6 principles for three months.  Then journal your mood and diet again for one month and see what has changed.

"Health is a journey, not a destination."  When making changes to the underlying cause of health ailments it can take some time.  A diamond doesn't shine overnight.  The stone must be collected, then cut, and finally shaped through multiple stages of polishing.  The final result is beautiful but it takes time and effort to get there.

Dr. Michelle Klein and Denise Forster are available for nutritional consultations in office and via phone/Skype.  You may call 516-466-1045 to schedule an appointment.

Technology and Mindfulness

Last night after a group meditation, a discussion transpired about "mindfulness" around technology.  Technology, like anything has its pros and cons.  How often are you at a restaurant and you or someone you are with are checking their phone while dining with other people?  Have you ever seen or been part of a group of two or more diners who are ALL on their phones at once?  How often are we with our children and are looking at our phones rather than noticing what they are doing?  How often do we check our phones for the latest update on Facebook, Twitter, text message, e-mail, etc.?  Why are we behaving like this?  Is it out of boredom, distraction from loneliness or sadness, or fulfilling an addictive need?  Is it because our job requires us to be tethered to our e-mail at all times?  Most of us have certain practices that we live by, possibly determined by our culture, religion, or personal beliefs.  Do we choose to "be present" in our life?  Do we choose to engage with others in a meaningful way?  If so, let's think twice the next time we reach into our pocket or handbag for our phone in that reflexive manner.  Perhaps ask ourselves if we are authentically looking for something we need such as directions or information or if we are escaping the moment with distraction.