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Windsor, CA 96592
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Pull your head out of your kazoo and save your life!

Know what drives me nuts? Well, if you have been reading this newsletter for a while now, you have a laundry list of Rodger's nut drivers (can I say that?)! But for this month I will focus my "Laser", (read in the voice of Dr. Evil), on people who walk around in a fog of total "ignorance is bliss". We should just stamp "VICTIM" across their foreheads in large red font, but there are so many people in this frame of mind we'd probably run out of ink. Today's world is absolutely primed for the predator looking to make an easy kill. There are so many sheep out there it's not even sport.

But why are so many people unaware of their surroundings and danger. Well, we are living in one of the safest times in human history. Don't believe me? We have medical technology that saves lives at unprecedented levels. We have stamped out most of the serious diseases from the 20th century, so much so that lifestyle diseases like obesity are now the #1 killer of our citizens. In most communities in the U.S., the assault rates and homicide rates are actually declining. We put warning labels on everything, like the one I read on a Batman costume that stated you can not actually fly by wearing the suit. What the waffle?!? Bottom line, technology has made our lives so easy we don't even have to think much, or take responsibility for our own safety.

Hate to burst your bubble, but that kind of thinking is exactly what lead me to meet scores of victims over my 18 years of police service. No one...no one is going to hold your hand or wipe your biscuits in this life. A police officer, Good Samaritan or guardian angel is NOT going to be there for you in your moment of crisis the vast majority of the time. Your safety is up to you. For God's sake, let's all start pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps and take some responsibility. Step up your awareness, stay present, pull your head out of your kazoo and you just might save your own life!

Terry Fox was an amazing man. He lost a leg, above the knee, to cancer. To promote awareness for the disease and to raise money for research, he decided to run across Canada. Terry created a media firestorm as he managed to log over 3,000 miles in 143 days, running the equivalent of a marathon...every single day! Mind you, this was while using a prosthetic leg. And not one of these really fancy jobs we see today. Nope, this was a heavy, bulky contraption that was state of the art back in the 80's. Basically Terry kind of limped, lunged and hobbled his way through a marathon every day for 143 days straight.

When a reporter asked how he accomplished this amazing feat Terry told him that him simply ran to the next telephone pole. Terry was a man who truly understood being present and setting realistic, obtainable goals that could be quickly realized. Terry had the mind set of a survivor. A victim complains about how out of shape they are, looks at all the work needed to get into good physical condition and then promptly heads for a couch and a bag of pork rinds. For the victim it's just too much damn work. A survivor however only looks toward the next easily obtainable goal. By taking a smaller bite out of the whole elephant the survivor crates victory after victory and this success fuels the motivation to reach the end objective.

So, next time you are running down your laundry list of reasons not to exercise ask yourself; "what's my next telephone pole".

We never step into the same river twice.

Life is an amazing experience that changes quite literally every single moment. Like a river, life flows along and each day brings us new opportunities for reflection and personal growth. So often we find ourselves in the trap of thinking we are stuck in our situations or that the negative events in our lives are making us miserable. However, the truth is really just a matter of perspective. If you can first acknowledge that difficult events are providing new opportunities you can begin to ask the key question to all life events; "What is the good that this could bring". It may not be obvious at first, but knowing that each day we step into a different "life river" will provide us with a fresh perspective that life may indeed give us more amazing gifts...if we just take the time to really look.

Are You on a Slippery Slope to Cardiovascular Disease? By Lynn Ravazzini - Owner, Nutrition Within. (707) 292-1284

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and high blood pressure are among the world's most prevalent health concerns. In the United States alone, nearly 81 million people suffer from some type of CVD. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly a third of all deaths worldwide are attributable to CVD.

These staggering numbers are in large part the result of our modern lifestyles, characterized by high-fat, nutrient poor foods, sedentary lifestyles, and high tobacco use. In fact, the WHO estimates that as many as eight out of 10 cases of CVD are attributable to those modifiable risk factors.

The good news is, you don't have to become a CVD statistic! A wealth of research shows it's possible to avoid developing CVD by making healthier lifestyle choices. For example,

• Daily, moderate exercise can reduce the risk of CVD by improving blood circulation throughout the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for every 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) reduction in systolic blood pressure, the risk for complications related to diabetes is reduced by 12%.
• A healthier diet, particularly a Mediterranean-style diet rich in whole grains, legumes, and vegetables is not only nutrient-dense, but also lower in calories. Additionally, research shows that a Mediterranean-style diet may help fight conditions related to chronic inflammation, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
• Incorporating targeted nutrition with a therapeutic lifestyle change program can produce even greater results. According to a recent clinical study, the use of a medical food especially formulated to support cardiovascular health, in combination with a low-glycemic-load diet, regular moderate exercise, and phytonutrients produced greater results than diet and exercise alone. (See "Remarkable Clinical Breakthrough" below.)

Remarkable Clinical Breakthrough. In a recent 12-week study conducted at the Functional Medicine Research Center* of 44 subjects who had metabolic syndrome** those who participated in a program consisting of a low-glycemic-load diet, regular exercise, a medical food, and phytonutrients to help fight inflammation displayed:

• Statistically greater reductions in lipid parameters
• Statistically greater reduction in serum homocysteine
• Significant increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol
• Persistent lowering effects on apoB and apoB/apoA1 ratio
• ApoB may be a better indicator of CVD risk than total cholesterol or LDL
• ApoB/apoA1 ratio is a newly recognized, increasingly significant indicator of CVD risk

*The Functional Medicine Research Center is the clinical research arm of Metagenics, Inc.
**Metabolic syndrome is defined by the American Heart Association as the presence of three or more of the following: elevated waist circumference, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or elevated fasting glucose.

If you'd like to know more about how to incorporate targeted nutrition and therapeutic lifestyle changes for long-term health and fitness, please contact my office to set up an appointment. We'll work with you to design a program that will help you avoid CVD and gain long-term health.

This month's mantra for your affirming pleasure: "In each and every possible way my life gets better and better every day."

Now, sit or lie back comfortably. Take three deep breaths, pausing after you inhale and then exhale fully and completely. After you have taken your first three breaths, just breathe normally. Close your eyes and let any tension you may be holding in your muscles just begin to melt away. After you feel centered and your breath begins to quite down, repeat the mantra; "In each and every possible way my life gets better and better every day." Say this mantra with conviction and visualize yourself living your life in harmony and peace!

As many times as you can throughout your day, stop what you are doing, take one deep breath and repeat this mantra. You can do this when the phone rings, or when you look at your watch, or anytime you feel the need to just slow down for a brief moment and focus. The power of setting a positive intention throughout your day should not be underestimated. It can literally change your life. Make this short time commitment everyday and begin on the path of empowerment.

For those of you who live locally in the Sonoma County area I thought I would feature one new business each newsletter where I know the person involved and have done business with them in the past. The people featured in this section are so exceptional; they come with my highest recommendation. A different service will be featured each month for your review.

Massage for Health. Need a good massage? Someone who really knows how to work the knots out, who knows many different types of massage, including hot stone massage? Well, I've got the person for you. Hilary Tillinghast is a CMT extraordinaire. In addition to the traditional massage choices she also specializes in hot stone massage and massage for people who are going through cancer treatments. Give yourself or someone you know the gift of massage, you won't regret it!

Hilary Tillinghast
www.massageforhealth.com
hilary@massageforhealth.com
2323 Fourth Street,
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 280-6381

Well, that's all for now. May the Warrior Spirit guide and protect you always!

Rodger.

The contents of this monthly article are not to be considered as medical advice. Always consult a physician before beginning or changing any wellness program.