A few weeks ago, I travelled to Miami to hear Dr. Stephen Cowan talk about his new book, Fire Child, Water Child: How Understanding the Five Types of ADHD Can Help You Improve Your Child’s Self-Esteem and Attention, which was released on April 1^st (lucky me, I got an advance copy of this page turner!). In the book, Dr. Cowan opens up a frank discussion about ADHD that treats children as unique individuals in a holistic approach instead of offering a one-size-fits-all treatment plan.

This is a breakthrough book, and everyone should read it—not just parents. I don’t know about you, but when I see a movie or read a book that moves me, I want to tell everyone about it! Well, here I am doing exactly that!

Dr. Cowan is a really interesting guy, and I was as fascinated with his seminar as I was with his amazing book. He’s warm and fuzzy, yet scientifically brilliant. He’s also a pediatrician, licensed acupuncturist, and author who is a true believer in merging Eastern and Western medicine. As an alternative medicine practitioner, I love it!

After the seminar, Dr. Cowan was kind enough to let me interview him about his groundbreaking book. Read on for the inside scoop on Fire Child, Water Child:

MP: What is the message in your book?

SC: Attention is our greatest gift. But when we are insecure, we often pay attention to the things that make us feel more secure—whether it’s movement or talking or daydreaming—and there’s no time to develop the kind of “big-hearted” attention that is our inheritance.

Realizing that ADHD is a symptom, not a disease, is a radical shift in understanding the current epidemic. Simply treating symptoms is dangerous medicine because it does not get at the root of the problem. The heart of Fire Child, Water Child lies in the fact that there are five types of ADHD not one or two. Children who struggle to pay attention in certain settings are telling us something about their nature and that setting. It’s time we stop blaming the victim.

The message in this book is that parents and teachers are not the problem; they’re part of the solution. At the same time, I teach children how to empower themselves so that they are no longer victims of circumstances. This lies at the core of my approach in Fire Child, Water Child.

MP: When did you first realize you wanted to write this book?

SC: In my first years of practice I became frustrated with the one-size-fits-all medicine I had been taught. While conventional Western medicine is great at treating emergencies, I found that quick fixes simply don’t work in most of the problems I encountered in daily practice. This is particular true for neurodevelopmental problems. I felt that parents needed a more practical, yet personalized, guide to understanding their children’s strengths and challenges.

MP: How did you come up with the title of your book?

SC: The name Fire Child, Water Child is taken from the five-phase model of Chinese medicine that I adapted for my work with children. Fire and Water represent the two polar extremes of the five aspects of our nature: Fire – Wood – Earth – Metal – Water.

I also liked the title because it was a secret dedication to my two children, one a Fire child, the other a Water child.

MP: What has been the best compliment you have been given about your work?

SC: Of course, the greatest compliment comes from the parents of the children I see who have been transformed by the approach laid out in the book. When a mother or father suddenly sees their child in a new light and their hearts open to compassion, they often realize exactly what their child needs in order to grow and thrive in this world. Every time a parent thanks me for this, I am grateful for the work I am doing.

MP: Do you have any advice to give?

SC: It all boils down to this: When we honor our diversity as human beings, we empower the world. Each child has something to offer. When we discover how to transform our children’s symptoms into strengths rather than simply suppressing them, they have the opportunity to develop confidence and find fulfillment in their lives.

MP: Did you learn anything from writing your book, and what was it?

SC: I learned how to consolidate and edit the material I have collected over the years so that it is accessible and easy to use for parents. This book is not a cookbook with strict recipes. It offers many different things you can do with your children to help them find confidence and develop their attention.

MP: What dreams have been realized as the result of your writing this book?

SC: That more parents, teachers and clinicians now have access to my approach that has been road-tested over the past 20 years in my practice.

MP: If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be?

SC: Honor your child’s nature, and they will become your teacher.

Fire Child, Water Child: How Understanding the Five Types of ADHD Can Help You Improve Your Child’s Self-Esteem and Attention can be purchased on Barnes and Noble and on Amazon, and it’s also available as an e-book.

About Dr. Cowan: He is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics, a member of the AAP section on developmental disabilities, a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, and a clinical faculty member at New York Medical College. He has lectured internationally and currently practices in New York. Find him on Facebook.

Chime In: How do your honor YOUR child’s nature? Tell us in the comments below.

Give that special woman in your life the gift of pampering this Mother’s Day!

Awesome BOGO deal now through Mother’s Day: Buy one hour-long facial and get a FREE hour-long facial OR massage! Services can be used by you or given as a gift.

Any questions? Call us at (964) 370-1140 or email us at info@greenvillenaturalhealth.com.

Shedding pounds is tough (there’s no doubt about that)–but not impossible. There are several behavioral and other little changes you can make starting today that will add up to make a big difference in your health–and your waistline.

At last night’s Healthy Lifestyle Seminar, Dr. Marina presented 10 Tips to Lose Weight Faster. Were you unable to make it? No problem! Here’s a recap:

10 Tips to Lose Weight Faster

1. Little Changes Add Up

2. Eat the Right Carbs 

3. Don’t Skip Breakfast

Drink a glass of water when you first wake up, then start your metabolic engine first thing with a balanced breakfast!

4. Eat Often

Keep your metabolism working: Eat reasonable portions every few hours. Don’t starve between meals.

5. Follow Guidelines, Not Rules

Guidelines (e.g., lemon water with every meal and no white grains) are easier to follow than rigid rules (e.g., 400 calories at each meal with 100 calorie snacks).

6. Chew, Chew and Chew Some More

Chew to the point that your food is completely liquefied. This slows eating to create fullness and improves digestion.

7. Drink Warm Water with Lemon

Drink warm water with lemon 10-15 minutes before you eat and with every meal. It helps you feel full, hydrates you and it alkalizes your pH level.

8. Embrace Exercise

Sweating promotes movement of the lymphatic and circulatory systems

9. Consider Supplements

Consider having a nutritional consultation so you can figure out exactly what your body needs to function optimally. Supplements that work well for many people include the Mystique Patch, hemp protein powder, probiotics, digestive enzymes, DHA and Vitamin D.

10. Find Ways to Be Happy

Get fresh air, relax and have fun. Your new healthy lifestyle won’t last if you don’t enjoy it!

Always wanted a massage or facial but haven’t gotten around to scheduling these ahh-mazing services at Greenville Natural Health Center? Then you should enter to win our new Facebook giveaway!

Here are the details:

Sound good? Head on over to our Facebook page, and Like us!

Already a fan? Let your friends and family know about this awesome contest!

10 Tips to Lose Weight Faster

Healthy Lifestyle Seminar on Tuesday, March 20 at 6pm at GNHC (FREE!)

Shedding pounds is tough. There’s no doubt about that!

From diet to exercise to behavior and everything in between, come learn 10 practical things you can do starting today to boost your chances for success!

COST - All seminars are FREE to attend! We encourage you to use the Mystique Lifestyle Patch, but it’s definitely NOT required!

LOCATION - All seminars are at Greenville Natural Health Center, located on 1901 Laurens Road in Greenville. Get directions.

WHO CAN ATTEND - Anyone can attend! You do not have to be a patient, and feel free to bring along friends and family. No RSVP is required, though you can RSVP on Facebook if you want!

WANT TO TRACK YOUR PROGRESS? - Optional: If you want us to track your weight and measurements, please arrive a little early (between 5:30 and 6:00). If you just want to hear the seminar and discussion, that’s perfectly fine, too!

ANY QUESTIONS? - If you have any questions, please contactinfo@greenvillenaturalhealth.com or (864) 370-1140.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Feta Almond Salad

Serves 2

Ingredients

• Fresh salad greens of your choice (romaine, radicchio, Italian parsley, watercress, spinach, arugula, endive, sprouts, etc.)
• Green onions
• ½ cup feta cheese
• ½ cup slivered almonds
• Olive oil
• 1 tsp. pure maple syrup

Instructions

Chop onions and feta cheese, mix together and put in the middle of the salad greens.

Sautee slivered almonds in olive oil over medium heat until almonds brown. Then, add the maple syrup, and stir.

Pour oil, almond and syrup mixture onto the feta. Let sit 5 minutes.

Toss, and then add additional toppings of your choice, such as pomegranate seeds, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers.

Serve immediately, and enjoy!

This article originally appeared in the March issue of Natural Awakenings Upstate South Carolina Edition. 

Acupuncture Effective Treating Crohn’s Disease

A report from Greenville Natural Health Center.

According to a study in Digestion: Journal of International Gastroenterology, acupuncture is effective at treating Crohn’s disease, which the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America estimates that more than 700,000 Americans suffer from.

Crohn’s is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, meaning the body’s immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract. Affected patients typically experience periods of flare ups and remission. During flare ups, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss are common. The disease can affect other organ systems, as well, resulting in symptoms such as skin rashes, fever, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Even worse, Crohn’s is associated with more serious complications such as colon cancer, malnutrition and obstructed bowels.

At this time, there is no cure for Crohn’s. Traditionally, patients have managed the disease with lifestyle changes, along with medication and, sometimes, surgery. Lifestyle changes such as eating a clean diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, proper hydration and not smoking can help reduce symptoms. But the medications and surgeries can cause debilitating symptoms of their own and have been shown to be potentially damaging in the long term.

Luckily, other treatment options exist and are widely available. And patients are taking notice. In fact, more than half of all patients afflicted with Crohn’s have tried homeopathic treatments or alternative therapies, including acupuncture.

The study in Digestion involved 51 patients with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease. Half the patients received traditional acupuncture, while the other half, a control group, were treated at non-acupuncture points. The test group experienced superior results in comparison to the control group. After 10 weeks of traditional acupuncture treatments, patients reported a decrease in disease symptoms, as well as increased general well being and quality of life.

There is additional support for these findings. The University of Berne in Switzerland reported that nearly half of all local patients with inflammatory bowel disease have used alternative treatments and that more than 60% of them reported decreased symptoms. The National Institutes for Health and the World Health Organization both endorse acupuncture as effective for the treatment of digestive problems, including Crohn’s.

While patients managing their Crohn’s with medications often experience harsh side effects, acupuncture patients tend to experience few to no side effects. Plus, acupuncture treatments give them an overall feeling of well being and energy.

There are many options for incorporating acupuncture into a treatment plan. Some patients may choose a combination of alternative and traditional treatments, while others may choose to only use acupuncture. There’s good news for those opting for alternative treatments: Many insurance providers are now covering acupuncture.

Combined with lifestyle changes, acupuncture is an excellent option for Crohn’s disease patients looking to manage their condition naturally. To find a licensed acupuncturist near you, visit www.acufinder.com.

Welcome to Readers Talk Back!

Readers Talk Back is a series we’ll sometimes do on Wednesdays. Basically, we’ll ask YOU, the readers, a question on Facebook and Twitter, and combine the responses into a blog post that shows what the readers think about different topics.

Check our Facebook Page and Twitter feed regularly to be included in future posts! 

Our fab esthetician, Lindsey, recently blogged about her own skincare routine in a post titled How to Organize Your Vanity: A Peek Into Mine on her Savvy Assistant blog, and she gave us some awesome skincare tips in an interview on our site (check out Esthetician Lindsey Holder Explains How to Get Clear Skin for the scoop).

But we wanna know what YOU do, too!

So this week’s question is:

“What’s Your Skincare Routine?”

Read on for some of the answers we received:

From Facebook

• Stephanie Wilding: “I use organic skin cleansers (changes all the time!) and use the Clarisonic Mia with it. I actually put some of my organic multi-botanical nutritional supplement from Superfoods Galore on a cotton swab on put on my face as a toner… it’s not sticky ;o)! Then, I put on an organic face moisturizer (changes too!). This is only a morning routine as I’m terrible about washing my face at night… not good, I know! I don’t wear much makeup. My face wash & moisturizer changes because it just depends on any good deals I can find at the time. I would like to start doing masks though!”
• Kelly Cooper (Taking It Off): “In the mornings, I cleanse and tone first thing. Then, I apply energizing concentrate, renew, wrinkle smoother eye, and moisturizer (mainly Merle Norman products). In the evenings, I cleanse, tone, and exfoliate, and use MN Nighttime Recovery Cream. I use microdermabrasion and a lip mask/balm duo every three days or so. And, I always get 8+ glasses of water. ”
• Leslie Haines: “I like to keep things really simple. I’ve found that the more products I use (especially abrasive ones), the more skin problems I have. Many products I have used to prevent breakouts have actually caused my skin to breakout more. My skin also gets too dried out by most soaps and toners. I use the same soap on my hands, body, and face: Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Castile soap. If I have a blemish, I apply some witch hazel mixed with tea tree oil, and when my skin is dry I just use cocoa butter.”
• Kelly Jackson: “I don’t wear makeup unless I am required to for a special event (maybe once every 2 years.) I love to use the Que Bella Mud Masks on my face because they make my skin feel so clean and soft afterwards. It stays that way for 3-5 days after. My favorite one is the Detoxify Dead-Sea Mud Mask. They’re 80% natural. I wish they were all natural, but it really does wonders for my skin. The price is a heck of a lot less when compared to all those crazy beauty products, which don’t have any natural components to them.”
• Crystal Corr: “Lindsey will be so proud of me!! I wash in the morning with my Ilike Organic Skin Care mineral exfoliating was, tone with Rosehip toner and use Rosehip moisturizer. At night, I wash first with my Ilike Lemon Cleansing Milk to remove make-up, then a good scrub with my Mineral exfoliating wash (because I have usually just finished running, cycling or swimming), then use my toner and moisturizer again. On the weekends I do a mask… either the herb mask or a gel mask. Two more things: eye cream at night and the big one…monthly facials with Lindsey! I really am getting much better with my skin care!”
• Katie Mullinax (Powered by Hummus): “Twice a day, I wash my face with Ilike Organic Skin Care mineral exfoliating wash, tone with witchhazel and moisturize (type varies). Twice a week, I exfoliate. Once a week, I use a mask. Once a month, I get an ah-mazing facial from Lindsey Holder (can’t wait till this month’s!). I occasionally remember to use eye serum at night (need to work on this!).”

From Twitter

• Alison Storm (@alisonstorm):  ”Cleanse & moisturize 2x day, SPF in AM. A few times a wk I exfoliate & once a week I do a mask. I drink lots of water 2!”
• Amy Taylor (@NoMeatballs): “Clarisonic + cetaphil, toner … and I’m bad about moisturizer. Haven’t found something friendly for my skin.”

Didn’t get to respond to this week’s question? No problem! In the comments below, tell us what YOUR skincare routine is.

Our office manager, Crystal Corr, is gearing up to go bald on March 17th!

But why is she letting go of her luscious locks? Crystal is standing in solidarity with kids fighting cancer and, more importantly, raising money to find cures, on behalf of St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Here are a couple of photos of her beautiful long hair:

Read on for Crystal’s thoughts on her impending baldness:

GNHC: Why did you decide to support St. Baldrick’s in this way?

CC: There are several things that have brought me to this place. I had an abnormal test at one point in my life, and all I could thing about was if it was, in fact, cancer, I was going to lose my hair. My husband comforted me, saying, “Don’t worry about it–I will shave my head with you. We will just be a bald family.” I remember that being the ultimate act of love on his part. Not that he is vain about his hair or anything like that, just that he would do that for me.

When I found out about one of my dear friends having breast cancer, I grew my hair long to cut it to donate it to Locks of Love. When telling someone else about cutting my hair, in passing they said, “Would you shave your head for someone with cancer?” My hubby’s comment about shaving his head with me has always stuck in my head, so I looked at that person and said, “Yes, I would.”

The reason I decided to do this for children is growing up we had an empty lot across the street from us as far back as I can remember. When I was a teenager, a sweet family built a house there; they had 2 children. I was so excited that someone was there. Shortly after moving in to the house, the son was diagnosed with leukemia. He passed away at the age of 3. That really always stuck with me that such a small person could make such an impact in such a short time. I also remember thinking that it really sucked that he only had 3 years on this earth.

GNHC: Is there anyone in particular you’re doing this on behalf of?

CC: Yes, there are several people I’ve known personally who have battled cancer:

• Nicholas Regan, child with cancer;
• Dorothy Corr, my husband’s mother who passed with multiple myeloma (I am running a race later this year in her honor);
• Elizabeth Moore, breast cancer, friend;
• Sharon Johnson, breast cancer, friend (running a race later this year for both ladies);
• And the countless patients that we care for at Greenville Natural Health Center who have been affected by cancer.

GNHC: What are your thoughts on your impending baldness?

CC: For sure it will be strange to have no hair! This is the first time ever in my life that I’ll be bald. I was born with a ton of hair… I can get the baby picture to prove it. So this should be fun. Also, I can’t wait to not have to wear a swim cap in the pool! How cool it is going to be on my runs! And will my bike helmet still fit when I don’t have hair?

GNHC: Thanks, Crystal, for the interview, and for the sacrifice you’re making to support children battling this horrible illness.

Want to contribute? Donate with cash or check at Greenville Natural Health Center or by credit card at www.greenvillenaturalhealth.com/stbaldricks

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart and blood vessels and is responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other waste from them. Diseases affecting the cardiovascular system include arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, shock, endocarditis, diseases of the aorta and its branches, disorders of the peripheral vascular system, and congenital heart disease. February is the American Heart Association’s Heart Health Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of cardiovascular health and the dangers of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading health threat with heart disease and stroke topping the list of the first and second leading causes of death worldwide. One out of every two men and one out of every three women will develop heart disease sometime in their life. Despite dramatic medical advances over the past fifty years, heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally and the number one cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease is not just a man’s disease, in women, the condition is responsible for about 29% of deaths, reports the CDC. Although more men die of heart disease than women, females tend to be under diagnosed, often to the point that it’s too late to help them once the condition is discovered.

By integrating acupuncture and Oriental medicine into your heart healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 80%. Steps to prevention include managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, quitting smoking, eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, reducing stress and improved sleep – all of which can be helped with acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

5 Steps to a Healthy Heart with Acupuncture

1. Manage High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes the heart work harder, increasing its oxygen demands and contributing to angina. This excessive pressure can lead to an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), as well as damage to blood vessels in the kidneys and brain. It increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney disease.

Acupuncture has been found to be particularly helpful in lowering blood pressure. By applying acupuncture needles at specific sites along the wrist, inside the forearm or in the leg, researchers at the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, were able to stimulate the release of opioids, which decreases the heart’s activity and thus its need for oxygen. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure.

2. Quit Smoking

Most people associate cigarette smoking with breathing problems and lung cancer. But did you know that smoking is also a major cause of coronary artery disease? In fact, about 20% of all deaths from heart disease are directly related to cigarette smoking.

Acupuncture has shown to be an effective treatment for smoking. Acupuncture treatments for smoking cessation focus on jitters, cravings, irritability, and restlessness – symptoms that people commonly complain about when they quit. It also aids in relaxation and detoxification.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, all of which increase the risk of developing heart disease, but studies have shown that excess body weight itself (and not just the associated medical conditions) can also lead to heart failure. Even if you are entirely healthy otherwise, being overweight still places you at a greater risk of developing heart failure.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are an excellent adjunctive tool when it comes to losing weight. They can help to energize the body, maximize the absorption of nutrients, regulate elimination, control overeating, suppress the appetite, and reduce anxiety.

4. Reduce Stress

Stress is a normal part of life, but if left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, or irregular heart beats. Medical researchers aren’t exactly sure how stress increases the risk of heart disease. Stress itself might be a risk factor, or it could be that high levels of stress make other risk factors worse. For example, if you are under stress, your blood pressure goes up, you may overeat, you may exercise less, and you may be more likely to smoke.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of stress, anxiety and mental health. In addition to acupuncture, Oriental medicine offers a whole gamut of tools and techniques that can be integrated into your life to keep stress in check. These tools include Tui Na, Qi Gong exercises, herbal medicine, dietary therapy, meditations and acupressure that you can administer at home.

5. Improve Sleep

Poor sleep has been linked with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers have shown that getting at least eight hours of sleep is needed for good heart health and getting less than eight hours of sleep can put you at a greater risk for developing heart disease.

Acupuncture has shown great success treating a wide array of sleep problems without any of the side effects of prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids. The acupuncture treatments for problems sleeping focus on the root disharmony within the body that is causing the insomnia. Therefore, those who use acupuncture for insomnia achieve not only better sleep, but also an overall improvement of physical and mental health.