Sneak Peek at October's Featured Product

Could a little vitamin D mean a lot less flu this season? 

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that 1200 IU/day of vitamin D helps prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren.  Of those supplemented, only 10.8% developed the flu, versus the 18.6% who were not supplemented and developed influenza - that's nearly a 50% greater risk without proper supplementation! 

Help keep your kids healthy and safe this year by giving them vitamin D supplements.  West Loop Chiropractic recommends an easy to use spray - Mercola Advanced Nutrition Sunshine Mist, a vitamin D spray with Ultra Absorption and Nanotechnology - available for purchase at our office.  Its patented delivery system maximizes absorption into your circulatory system. 

Pick up a bottle today and stay well this cold and flu season!

Guess what?!

Cheri, your favorite office manager, is back!  She'll be working tomorrow, Saturday, with Dr. A.J. from 9-11 a.m. so be sure to stop by, say hello, and get your weekend adjustment.  Call 312.850.2225 to schedule.

Thank you!

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to last night's Grand Re-Opening Party at the West Loop Chiropractic Family Wellness Center!  We had a great time hosting you and hope that you enjoyed yourselves - have a safe and healthy weekend!

Don't Forget!

The Official Grand Re-Opening of the West Loop Chiropractic Family Wellness Center is tomorrow, Thursday, September 23 from 5-7 p.m.  Everyone everywhere is invited to attend and enjoy live music, partake in some delicious appetizers, take a tour of our expanded office, meet our doctors, staff, and our special guest! 

See you tomorrow at 1000 W. Washington Boulevard (between Morgan and Carpenter Streets).  For questions or directions please call 312.850.2225.

Hand Sanitizers Don’t Help Cut Down On Colds Or The Flu

Hand Sanitizers Don’t Help Cut Down On Colds Or The Flu

Avoid Getting Sick...from the Gym?

You may think you're doing your immune system a favor by going to the gym for a good workout, but be sure you don't forget to protect yourself from disease by following these simple steps:

*Wear flip flops or other shower-friendly shoes in the shower, locker rooms, and near the pool to avoid fungal infections.

*Wipe down equipment before AND after you use it.  Be sure to take advantage of cleaning products and anti-bacterial wipes your gym provides.

*Use a towel or other clothing as a barrier between yourself and surfaces in the sauna.

*Shower and change your clothes as soon as you are finished working out.

*Cover any cuts or blisters with a band-aid.

*Don't share towels, ointments, etc. with others.

*Wash your hands (please!).

*Get regularly checked for subluxations and adjusted by your chiropractor.

As one of our office's own triathletes said, "You guys helped get me to the starting line."  Let us help you achieve your own fitness aspirations.  Call West Loop Chiropractic today to embark upon your road to wellness - 312.850.2225

Official Announcement

Doctor Michael Rosen and Doctor Ashley Neumann are excited to announce the expansion and grand re-opening of West Loop Chiropractic.  The official event is open to the public and will be held Thursday, September 23 from 5-7 p.m.  West Loop Chiropractic will be providing office tours, live music, and refreshments.

A recipient of Integrity Management’s prestigious Five Star Quality Service Award, West Loop Chiropractic is located at 1000 W. Washington Blvd. and is open Monday through Saturday.

Integrity Management’s CEO, Keith Maule, remarked, “West Loop Chiropractic [is] a great example to look to for quality care.”

In addition to their award winning facilities, Dr. Rosen and Dr. Neumann are members of the American Chiropractic Association, the Illinois Chiropractic Society, and the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

Dr. Rosen said that while chiropractic care is the foundation of this practice, they also provide other services such as nutrition, wellness care, allergy elimination, pregnancy care, children, sports care, and rehabilitation.  “A lot of people suffer needlessly from back pain, headaches and other ailments,” he said. “That’s why I encourage the public to visit a doctor of chiropractic to find out if chiropractic care can benefit them.”

West Loop Chiropractic is currently accepting new patients. To learn if chiropractic treatment can benefit your overall health, call the staff of West Loop Chiropractic today at (312) 850-2225 or email adjustme@westloopchiropractic.com and schedule a new patient exam.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

http://www/westloopchiropractic.com

http://www.twitter.com/westloochiro

Email: adjustme@westloopchiropractic.com

How to Add More Fruits & Vegetables to Your Diet

Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that may help protect you from chronic diseases.  Do you wish you were eating more fruits and vegetables but aren't sure how to work them into your daily routine?  Here are some easy tips from www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov:

• Add fruit to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal (not just bananas, but also try apples, grapes, berries, peaches, or mandarin oranges).
• Snack on mini-carrots or dried fruit at work instead of candy.
• Add to your take-out dinner with fruits and vegetables from home.
• Microwave a vegetable to add to your dinner or eat some fruit for dessert.

For more information on the nutritional benefits fruits and veggies can have on your health, talk to the experts at West Loop Chiropractic - 312.850.2225, www.westloopchiropractic.com, and follow us on Twitter: @westloopchiro

Brain Exercises for All

Just like exercise is good for our bodies, the same is true for the brain.  Help your brain get in shape, be strengthened, and develop with "exercise" and regular use by following these suggestions.

*Do Neurobics*
A term for mental exercises with are used to increase the range of mental motion by activating different parts of the brain.  Any exercising of the brain may help stave off brain degeneration and, in many cases, reverse memory loss and improve mental agility.

*Have Fun!*
We all are more willing to participate in something fun, rather than something that is just beneficial.  Sudoku is a perfect brain game because it requires discerning, deciphering, and decoding while still being challenging and compelling.  Crossword and jigsaw puzzles are other great options for working out your brain and are still beneficial and entertaining.

*Switch it Up*
Wearing your watch on the other arm or brushing your teeth with the opposite hand can stimulate the brain by causing it to do mundane activities differently.

As with any muscle or organ, if you don't use it, it won't perform at it's optimal level.  Research published in the Journal of Neuroscience in 2008 revealed that if a neuron doesn't receive sufficient stimulation through active synapses, it will eventually die.  Don't let that happen - exercise your brain today!

Official Grand Re-Opening

The Official Grand Re-Opening of West Loop Chiropractic will be held Thursday, September 23 between 5-7 p.m.  Come meet the doctors, check out our awesome technology, enjoy some live music and refreshments, learn about the benefits of chiropractic treatment, and get entered into our fabulous raffle!  We will even have a special featured guest you won't want to miss...

See you then - and bring a friend!

Back-to-School Lunches

As parents begin the back-to-school rush of shopping for school clothes and school supplies many will forget one of the most important necessities for the school year – a healthy lunch.

It’s common knowledge that the school cafeteria has become just another franchise; foods aren’t healthy and well-balanced. Vending machines offer chips, cookies, sodas and all kinds of other junk foods that children shouldn’t be eating. This creates a challenge to parents that many have decided to ignore.

Accepting that it’s a lost cause many parents have rationalized that the rest of their children’s meals are healthy and nutritious so they can be lax regarding lunch. This is a misconception, considering what is being served in the majority of school cafeterias.

What’s being served?

Although programs have begun to appear over the past few years addressing the problem, the fact is that not much has changed. The majority of entrees served on school campuses include pizza, Sloppy Joes, cheeseburgers, spaghetti, hotdogs and corn dogs.

It’s rare that you will see anything made with fish and chicken; unless it’s fish sticks and chicken nuggets, which contain processed meat that is breaded and deep fried. This is not nutritious. Unfortunately it’s time to accept the fact that raising healthier children means they won’t be eating school lunches, but instead will need to be provided lunch from home.

Perfect Packing

Part of putting together a healthy packed lunch is having the right storage containers. Be sure to use an insulated lunch box that will hold up to four small food containers and a thermos.

When purchasing the containers you should buy at least two sets; this will help you to avoid having to wash them each night. As for the thermos, be sure that it is the wide mouth variety; this will be necessary if you wish to use it for beans or soup.

The Beverage

When it comes to healthy lunches, milk, juice and soda should be avoided at all cost. The American Academy

of Pediatrics says that juice consumption is contributing to cavities and gastrointestinal issues for children while milk has proven to be a common food allergen.

Your best option is to encourage your child to drink water. This can be done by providing water for them in their lunch box using a stainless steel thermos or by placing ice cubes in their thermos in the morning. By lunch time they will have begun to melt and, in the meantime, they have helped to keep the other items in the lunch box nice and cold.

The Entrée

Great sources of protein that can be put in a small lunch container are cubes of baked chicken, turkey or fish. This does not include processed meat that you

buy at your grocery store; but should be prepared at home and cut into bite sized pieces. Remember that you can freeze these in small portions and use them randomly over several weeks.

A hard boiled egg is also a great source of protein. And don’t forget that wide mouthed thermos you purchased; beans are an excellent source of protein and can be served in a thermos with organic tortilla chips for dipping. Alternatives to beans can include meat or vegetarian chili or stew.

The Traditional Sandwich

Commonly found in the packed lunch is a sandwich; the problem is that bad choices can be made here as well. White bread bought at the store contains bleached flour. And don’t be fooled by the word “enriched”, as adding back a portion of the vitamins removed during the bleaching process doesn’t undo the damage.

Better sandwich choices include whole wheat bread with a lot of grains, and almond butter instead of peanut butter. Also, be creative. Try to put vegetables into a sandwich as much as possible.

Another great sandwich option is a healthy wrap. This can be done by purchasing whole grain tortillas and wrapping up healthier protein and vegetable sources.

For instance, baked turkey or chicken with lettuce, cucumbers, sprouts, red peppers – maybe even some beans sprinkled inside make a tasty protein.

The Side Dishes

Most children don’t consider a meal as lunch unless there are chips and cookies. These must be avoided at all cost. The best side dish choices for your children should be tasty cut vegetables; remember that greener is better.

Fruit is also a great side dish, but while it is healthy, it is also a source of sugar and not as rich in vitamins and minerals as vegetables. Serve fruit just once for every five servings of vegetables. Remember that it should be fresh, organically grown fruit; fruit roll-ups are not fruit.

Also invite your child to help you prepare vegetable soup or vegetarian chili. These can be put in a thermos and taken to school over the span of a week.

Consider putting together a grain salad. This can include couscous or steamed long grain brown rice with chopped cucumbers, red peppers, baby carrots, or any other similar vegetable. You may also choose to marinate the chopped vegetables in a salad dressing for a few days prior to preparing the salad. Drain the vegetables and then mix them in. This will add moisture to the salad without having to add excess dressing.

Going Organic

Organically grown foods are slightly more expensive but worth it. The price of providing foods that are free of pesticides, growth hormones, hydrogenated oils and artificial additives and preservatives is high.

It’s important to note that organic foods are also more filling. By providing your child with smaller portions of healthier foods you’ll be spending the same amount of money without providing them with the cheaper foods. These cheaper foods are not just less expensive, but they lack nutrition. You’re paying less but you’re getting less in return.

Create a Menu

No one knows better than your own child what they’re going to eat, so let them help you prepare their lunches. Remember that if they like what their eating they will bring home an empty lunchbox.

The best way to accomplish this is to insure that their options are only healthy choices but with variety. This can be made easy by creating a mix-and-match menu. Using a white board, poster board or similar display, draw out five columns and label them for each day of the week.

Then using color-coded post-it notes, index cards or by printing on colored paper, create a square for each lunch option. For example, their protein options would be on blue, vegetables would be on green and fruits would be on yellow.

Every Sunday, let your child help you prepare their menu by picking the appropriate cards and placing them in the column for each day. You and your child can then begin prepackaging those options that can be frozen or stored for a few days.

In Summary

It’s important that your children like their lunches but it’s more important that their bodies get the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need to develop and grow properly. A balanced diet is more than just a healthy recommendation it is the building blocks of your child’s growing and developing body.

Labor Day Weekend Announcement

YES WE ARE OPEN!

Dr. Rosen will be in the office tomorrow - yes, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend - and wants to see YOU between 9 and 11 a.m. Call the office to schedule your adjustment - 312.850.2225.

Don't delay! Get your adjustments now because the office will be closed on Monday in observance of the Labor Day.

Have a healthy, safe, happy holiday!