Happy New Year!!!

I have a brief message to send this day, I hope to read this every day this year. I cannot take credit for it, I used it years ago when speaking and looked it up again this early New Years Day. I hope you find it encouraging and inspiring too:

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another.

Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough
and we'll be more content when they are.

After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now.

If not now ... when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza ...

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin.
But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time ... and remember that time waits for no one ...

So stop waiting until you finish school ... until you go back to school ... until you lose ten pounds ... until you gain ten pounds ... until you have kids ... until your kids leave the house ... until you start work ... until you retire ... until you get married ... until you get divorced ... until Friday night ... until Sunday morning ... until you get a new car or home ... until your car or home is paid off ... until spring, until summer ... until fall ... until winter ... until you are off welfare ... until the first or fifteenth ... until your song comes on ... until you've had a drink ... until you've sobered up ... until you die ... until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy ...

Happiness is a journey ... not a destination!!

Thought for the day:

"Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching."

Until Next Time, Be Well!
Dr. Bruce

Keeping The Routines

Here we are 3 days before Christmas. How's it going for you on keeping up your wellness routines? I am fighting hard, am up 1-2 pounds since Thanksgiving, and am going to a spin class this morning, as well as a 1.5 hour spin class on Christmas eve. I can't find any other time for more cardio but at least I am getting that done.

I have patients bringing me goodies every day it seems lol. Guess they think I need a few pounds? I appreciate their thoughtfullness, and the treats are tasty (thus the 1-2 pounds). I just try to minimize the quantity of what I consume.

I want to encourage everyone to enjoy this season and it's flavors, but still stay focused on keeping as many of the normal healthy habits as possible. I am with ya!!

Until next time, Be Well!!

Dr. Bruce.

A New Christmas Poem, (A Worthy Read)

New Christmas Poem

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'

In The Midst Of The Insanity.....

that occurs this season, remember a couple of important things.

1. Your health is your greatest asset while walking planet earth.

2. Remember to recharge your battery.

3. Remember to eat well while you can, because the next opportunity to eat Christmas treats is just around the corner.

4. Remember to increase your H20 intake.

5. Remember to keep on moving by exercising. I know sometimes you just "don't have time", but we may have to MAKE time for it.

6. Remember to rest. Don't let your immune system suffer by not resting well!

7. Remember the reason we celebrate this season. Peace on earth, good will to men.

Until next time, BE WELL!

Dr. Bruce

A Wellness Plan For The Holidays

We are officially in the holiday season. What are your plans for staying healthy? Parties, dinners, desserts and crazy schedules take us out of our routines and leave us open to ill health and weight gain. We need to make sure to plan our weeks and eat, move, think and rest well when we can, knowing that there will be plenty of opportunity to NOT make the proper choice. Planning can keep us healthier, and help us keep the "Holiday 5" off!

Remember, people don't plan to fail. Rather, they fail to plan! Make your plans now for a healthy holiday season. Accept that there will be more parties with unhealthy choices. Before you go to the party, eat some fruit and nuts to get your stomach partially full. Then you can still enjoy some tasty treats without going overboard. Make sure to plan for rest when you can too. Sometimes our schedules get so hectic, we don't rest like we should. Schedule some down time for physical and mental restoration. And don't forget to keep up your exercise schedule. Not only will it keep some pounds away, but will help you de-stress from the hustle and bustle!

Until next time, BE WELL!

Dr. B

Even The YOU Docs Agree

I just happened across an article on boosting your immunity naturally by Drs. Oz and Rosen. I know sometimes you guys all look at me and say "yea, yea, yea" or "blah blah blah" when I speak about how you can boost your immunity. Some of you roll your eyes when you hear me speak about "Eat Well, Move Well, Think Well and Rest well". So, it was somewhat comforting to hear it said by the "big wigs" so to speak. Not that I need THEIR validation! Maybe they've been reading MY stuff huh!!

Well, they don't use the same terms but they do speak about eating, resting, de-stressing and exercising as ways to boost your immunity. Here's a link to the article I mentioned: http://www.realage.com/blogs/doctor-oz-roizen/boost-your-natural-immunity

Until next time, Be Well!

Dr. Bruce

Even The Best Laid Plans..........

sometimes go awry.

Here I am, always promoting health and wellness. And yet, Friday afternoon, I started having sore throat at work, no biggie I thought. By Friday night, I had NO, and I mean NO voice. I got up Saturday morning, and still had no voice, and my throat was bad. I was going to try to go in to see patients because at 7:00 in the morning I had no fever at all, and there was a full schedule on the books.

By 8:30 I had a slight fever, called the staff to get them to handle phone calls etc. After all, I always preach not exposing others to one's illness, and I can't focus on patients if I am feeling that poorly.

By noon my temp had reached 100, and by 3 pm it was 101. Oh boy I thought.....Swine flu??? I recalled 3 or 4 patients this past week that came in, and when I touched their skin they were hot, and I asked if they were sick, and they all said yes. In my business, I touch people physically 25-45 times/day, so it's hard to not get exposed to whatever they may be carrying.

What did I do for myself to combat being ill? Here it is: 3 (maybe 4, I forget) servings of NanoGReens (8-10 servings of ORGANIC fruits and veggies/serving). 2 Fruit Smoothies. TONS of water, and doing nothing but laying on the couch (resting extra). I took time to practice some deep relaxation techniques as I lay there. I remember thinking I might be very sick, and probably be out of commission 3-4 days since my fever was SO high (usually means a viral issue, and most likely the flu considering the season). I let my fever keep on, taking no anti-fever meds, letting the fever do its thing to cook the bug in me.

Now here it is, Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after a 101 degree temp. I sit here feeling MUCH better, almost normal except for being tired, and a voice that is cracking like a pre-teen as it attempts to come back to life. My temp has been no higher than 97.0. Feels like I have come out of the illness with little to no problem, knock on wood, and I'll be able to be back at the office serving people at 9:00 a.m in the morning.

I don't say this to brag, but it's a great example of what I teach to my patients: being healthy does NOT mean never getting sick, everyone gets sick on occasion. It does mean bouncing back quickly, like the old blow-up punching bags with the weighted bottoms that you could punch and they'd bounce back up. It's what we've done with our kids (not the punching them part) by not filling them full of antibiotics at every turn etc. They're little immune systems are quite the killers after being brought up the way we have.

If everyone would do more of this, eating, resting, thinking, and moving well, now THAT would be some true "health care reform" in my opinion! We'd have a LOT less of those diseases of lifestyle like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer etc, and we'd spend a LOT less time at the doctors spending our hard earned money there and on the inevitable prescriptions that follow.

Hope you find this little anecdote beneficial......and until next time.....

Be Well!!

Dr. Bruce