McKinley Chiropractic» Nutrition

Chicago Farmer’s Markets

jarthur — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:05:00 +0000

It’s the beginning of May, which means it’s time to kick off the farmers’ market season. Farmers’ markets provide fresh,
seasonal food directly from your local farms. These foods travel a short distance from farm to table. Thus, they have a lower carbon footprint. The average distance food travels is 1,500 miles1.

Farmers’ markets provide an educational, outdoor experience that is fun to share with friends and/or family members. I encourage you to get to know your farmers; they will provide you with a wealth of information about locally grown food.

Here is a list of Chicago’s finest farmers’ markets:

Tuesdays
• Federal Plaza – Adams St. and Dearborn St. (7AM-3PM)
• Lincoln Square – Lincoln and Leland (7AM-1PM)
• Museum of Contemporary Art/Streeterville – MCA Plaza at Chicago Ave. and Mies van der Rohe Way (7AM-3PM)
• Prudential Plaza – Lake St. and Beaubien Court (7AM-3PM)

Wednesdays
• Green City Market – 1799 N. Clark St. (7AM-1PM)
• Lawndale – Green City Youth Farm at 3555 W. Ogden Ave. (3PM-7PM)
• Pullman – Arcade Park at 11100 S. Cottage Grove (7AM-12PM)
• South Shore – ShoreBank parking lot at 70th and Jeffery Blvd. (7AM-1PM)

Thursdays
• Daley Plaza – 50 W. Washington (7AM-3PM)
• Hyde Park – On the Cul-de-sac of Harper Court at 5200 S. Harper Ave. (7AM-1PM)
• Lincoln Square – Lincoln and Leland (4-8PM; includes concerts)
• Uptown – Weiss Memorial Hospital at 4646 N. Marine Dr (8AM-1PM)
• Willis Tower Plaza – 233 S. Wacker Dr. (7AM-3PM)

Saturdays
• Austin – Madison St. and Central Ave. (7AM-12PM)
• Bridgeport – 35th and Wallace (7AM-1PM)
• Division St. – 50 W. Division St. between State and Clark (7AM-1PM)
• Green City Market – 1799 N. Clark St. (7AM-1PM)
• Lincoln Park – Lincoln Park High School at Armitage Ave. and Orchard St. (7AM-1PM)
• Northcenter – Northcenter Town Square 4100 N. Damen (7AM-1PM)
• Printer’s Row Park – Parking lot at Dearborn and Polk (7AM-1PM)
• Southport Green Market – Blaine School at 1420 W. Grace St. (7AM-1PM)

Sundays
• Beverly – City parking lot; southeast corner of 9500 S. Longwood Dr. (7AM-1PM)
• Erie St. – 500 W. Erie St. (8AM-1PM)
• Logan Square – 3107 W. Logan Blvd. (10AM-3PM)
• Pilsen Community Market – Chicago Community Bank at 1800 S. Halsted (9AM-3PM)
• Wicker Park and Bucktown – 1500 N. Damen Ave. (8AM-2PM)

Monday – Saturday (Closed Sunday)
• Chicago French Market, a year-round, European-inspired indoor market in the West Loop at 131 N. Clinton St. (Ogilvie Transportation Center’s street-level MetraMarket)

Source: www.explorechicago.org

Natalie Drugan, Founder of Brumberry and Certified Health Coach
Brumberry is my nutrition and lifestyle coaching practice. As a certified health coach, I educate individuals and groups on how to make healthy food and lifestyle choices that significantly improve their health and happiness.

Contact me today for a free consultation. We can discuss your unique situation and develop a plan that works best for you. This month only, I am offering a Mother’s Day special which includes one free session to celebrate and honor moms. Give the gift of health!

Tainted Milk Jeopardizes Our Wellbeing

jarthur — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:57:14 +0000

Check out this great article from one of our mentors, Dr. Dennis Perman. He says it better than I could!

Dear Doctor:

From the “just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not really out to get you” mailbag – I received a youtube video from constant source of information and inspiration Dr. Barry Warren, featuring a terrifying expose´ about the presence of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in our milk and dairy products, from injecting cows with the substance to increase their milk production.

The conspiratorial cover-up ranges from tampering with a Fox News investigative report that was squashed over a decade ago to reports that both Canada and Europe had already moved to ban the use of this dangerous chemical. With a little more homework, I found that the effect of this practice is to increase the concentration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in our bodies, especially in infants, and excessive IGF-1 is linked to colon, breast and prostate cancer.

In fact, while Monsanto, the producers of rBGH (brand name Posilac, also known as bovine somatotrophin) allegedly threatened Fox and drove them to prevent the piece from airing unless they were allowed to eviscerate it and remove words like “cancer” from it, this video also says that Fox tried to contain the reporters, Steve Wilson and Jane Akre, with bribery, threats of termination and other questionable tactics, apparently due to financial pressure from Monsanto.

The hormone induces mastitis in the cows, which is then treated with antibiotics, and the pus from the cows’ infections appears in the milk along with the rBGH and the drugs, rendering it unsafe and potentially carcinogenic, as nations worldwide have concluded – but somehow, in the US we are still victims of the greed and indifference of a major corporation, even at the cost of life and health.

To say the least, this is infuriating, but it isn’t even the real problem – the underlying issue is that our worldview allows the perversion of nature no matter what the consequences, in health, nutrition, and all related businesses – and the ultimate penalties are paid by you and me, the consumer, who would never know about such criminal behavior if not for a few brave souls who are willing to go public.

To me, this is just a symptom of our departure from ”things natural,” and it is obvious that there is a price to pay – for example, our runaway health care costs are fed by such self-serving decision-making, and until we return to a culture that respects nature, evaluates the impact of our actions and errs on the side of health and wellness instead of avarice, we can expect more of this rampant disregard for our safety.

I am hopeful that reporting like this will eventually wake us up to the toxic beliefs that are destroying our world, but time is short – voice your opinions, not only to direct your patients and sphere of influence to avoid dairy products that don’t say “no rBGH” on them, but also to alert those you know to weigh the balance of their lifestyle choices before carelessly accepting the status quo.

Dennis Perman DC, for The Masters Circle

Do You Have The Winter Blues?

jarthur — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:19:38 +0000

Do you have the Winter Blues?

It’s March, which means the highly anticipated spring and summer months are right around the corner! However, the dark, cold winter season tends to linger through the spring, especially in the great city of Chicago. Many people might even go as far to say that the winter season wears out its welcome.

During the cold season, we generally stay indoors and crave warming foods, many of which are heavier foods that help keep us insulated and grounded throughout the winter months. In a way, we are in a state of hibernation in which we slow down our lifestyles and isolate ourselves to stay warm. This slower lifestyle and the absence of the warm, bright sun can often have an effect on our mood. Thus, many people get the “winter blues.”

Here are a few quick tips that will help improve your mood and get you ready for the warm summer months:

Exercise

Exercise as much as possible! This may seem like the very last thing you want to do; however, it is one of the most crucial things you can do to improve your mood. Whether it’s running on a treadmill, weight-lifting, exercising to a DVD in your living room or even cleaning your house, keep your body moving and stay off the couch! There are numerous studies that have indicated a drop in depressive symptoms due to exercise. Exercise can improve your self-esteem, lift your mood and increase your energy as well as release stress, anxiety and frustration.

Listen to Music

The power of music is absolutely amazing! Depending on the type of tune, music can put you in a totally different state of mind. You can pick from jazz, country, pop, rock, etc. I encourage you to put on your favorite “happy” tunes to help you escape your “winter blues.” Even better, dance to your favorite tunes to combine the power of music with exercise. Just remember to strive for an uplifting tune that gives you energy and fills you with happiness.

Eat a Healthy Diet

It’s important to eat a healthy diet regardless of time of year. However, the winter season makes it even more important to avoid foods that may lead to feelings of depression. I recommend eating a diet rich in fresh, seasonal foods that are filled with vitamins and minerals, not processed foods that have been stripped of their nutritional value. According to the British Journal of Psychiatry, people have a 58 percent higher risk of depression if their diet is heavily made up of processed foods, such as sugary and fried foods, processed meat, refined grains and high-fat dairy products.

Socialize

During the cold months be sure to make an effort to socialize with friends and family. I recommend putting a date on the calendar every week that allows you to escape your winter isolation and enjoy the comfort of other people. You can socialize by talking on the phone, meeting someone for lunch/dinner, or even going to a café. The smallest gesture, such as a smile or hello from someone, can make a significant impact on your mood.

It’s not too late to brighten up your “winter blues.” These quick tips will not only help you through the rest of the season, but they will also help you maintain a happier and healthier lifestyle throughout the year.

Do you have the winter blues? Have you faced challenges getting through the winter season? Share your thoughts below.

Natalie Drugan, Founder of Brumberry and Certified Health Coach

Brumberry is my nutrition and lifestyle coaching practice. I offer coaching (in-person and by phone nationwide) to individuals and groups who want to improve their health and happiness. I empower individuals to make healthy and informed choices that significantly improve their diet and lifestyle.