Dr. Rose Paisley, ND

Empowering Health and Wellness

Category: Mindful Parenting (page 2 of 2)

Buy Whole Food and Save Money

Everything is getting more expensive today. From gas to groceries, our dollars don’t seem to go quite as far as they used to. Rising gas prices often encourages us to ride a bicycle to work or take the bus instead of putting gas in our cars, which is wonderful for so many reasons. What is the solution for rising food prices?  We have to find ways to spend less on groceries while still getting the things that we need to nourish ourselves and our families. We also must recognize that increasing prices raises awareness and often creates positive changes for you, your family and your community. Here are eight money saving tips to try.

  1. Consider a local farm market or CSA (community supported agriculture). Once you start you’ll never go back. The taste of your vegetables, the experience of buying from the farm and the money that you will save is worth the shift into the unknown. Further, you are increasing your children’s awareness of food and where it comes from as well as contributing to a healthier planet. I’m sold!
  2. Plant a Garden. The benefit of this first step far exceeds the cost savings. See my article Plant Two Seeds and Call in the Morning. Save money, get exercise, have fun, eat healthy and reduce stress…what could be better!
  3. Buy whole food NOT prepared foods. A common misconception is that it easier and cheaper to buy a frozen or boxed meal like macaroni and cheese, but is it more economical? A large box of macaroni and a block of cheese will make more servings for your family than one box of prepared macaroni and cheese. The next time you go shopping and pick up a box or bag of an already prepared item, ask yourself if you can make that at home for less. If you can, then put that item back. Start dreaming about how you could modify that dish to make it tastier and healthier by adding some vegetables. My kids have never had mac and  cheese without peas and carrots. Simple, satisfying, and cheap.
  4. Shop the perimeter of the market. You will immediately save money and increase the health of your diet buy shopping for produce, protein, dairy, eggs. By eliminating the center aisles you remove processed foods, which is the first step to improving your health!
  5. Buy in bulk. Consider the food items that you use most often. Grains, meats,  olive oil and vinegar, and paper and cleaning products can be bought in bulk usually at a lower price at food warehouses like Costco.  More and more we are seeing more earth conscious and health conscious products on the shelves. If you have a coupon, you’ll save even more money.
  6. Don’t shop when you are hungry. This is a definite no-no. Shopping on an empty stomach means that you will pick up more things than you need. You are more likely to pick up that bag of chocolate chip cookies or that box of donuts when the growling gets underway.
  7. Take a grocery list with you. This is another protection against picking up things that you do not need. Check your cabinets and the fridge to see what you have, plan a menu, and write a list. Remember, the goal is to stick to the list as much as possible.
  8. Clip Coupons. The news paper is an old traditions that still offers great savigns. Have you checked out Internet coupons. Go on line and type in the product you want and coupon. Surprise!  The list of links is long. Have fun! People report an average of a $10 dollar savings. The reality is that products are marked up extremely high to ensure the enormous profit that most food companies are making.

Rising prices don’t have to mean a lean dinner table. There are ways to make your food dollar go further and if you take the time to implement the ideas listed above as well as others of your own, you’ll see savings each and every time you shop. Remember, it’s never to late to RESET!

Peace in Health!

Dr. Rose

Balance for Bones and Mind

I always get excited when the information that Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners have been teaching for years shows up in medical research. However, immediately after reading the headline I often hear myself say “DUH!”

Quickly my condescension passes and I remember that every little bit of information that supports living a more active and healthy life helps. Evidence based research in the field of CAM enlightens skeptics, supports the CAM practitioners and most of all, motivates more people to get on board with moving their bodies and opening their minds to CAM practices.

A recent study, T’ai Chi May Prevent Fall, Improve mental Health In the Eldery, Br J Sports Med. Published online May 16, 2011 concludes:

“Our overview showed that t’ai chi, which combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements, may exert exercise-based general benefits for fall prevention and improvement of balance in older people as well as some meditative effects for improving psychological health,” the study authors conclude. “We recommend t’ai chi for older people for its various physical and psychological benefits. However, t’ai chi may not effectively treat inflammatory diseases and cardiorespiratory disorders.”

Why does this excite me? Continue reading

Plant Two Seeds and Call Me In the Morning

Gardening – A Prescription For Health

Hi there, welcome to Natures Cures Clinic, how can I can I help you today? Oh, what’s that you say? Those seasonal allergies, tension head aches, achy joints and muscles, fussy digestive system, excess fatigue, slowly rising cholesterol and blood pressure, and the few extra pounds that have crept up this winter have been bothering you?

Well, fret no more. I have just the thing for you, I want you to get into the dirt and plant some vegetables, herbs and flowers. Oh, you’re concerned about side effects? Well, you may experience more productivity, feel peaceful, rejuvenated, proud, and restored. I also expect with in three months of 30-60 minutes per day that your blood pressure and cholesterol will come down a bit, you immune system to be stronger, you will have lost a few pounds, your headaches will decrease, and your overall energy and sense of well being will have improved. The long-term effects should include a deeper connection to the earth and your food, and increased consumption of veggies, and stress reduction. I know, pretty great medicine isn’t it!

Truly Preventative

Currently obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer are among the most likely causes of death in our country. These conditions are also among the largest contributors to health care costs and can all be reduced, alleviated and often treated with lifestyle changes.

What sort of changes you may be asking? Continue reading

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