Children's Total Wellness

Is Dark chocolate as beneficial as "they" say? Not all chocolate is created equally. So what should we be looking for in a quality piece of chocolate? Follow this link to find out: http://www.openhand.org//hearth-healthy-chocolate-and-fl/

Happy Valentine's Day!!! This "Sweet Holiday" is just around the corner and children tend to look forward to the classroom parties and exchanging of valentines. Along with the fun are usually mega amounts of sweets. Get your child's day off to a healthy start with a good solid breakfast to minimize the chances of over-indulging later in the day. If your school allows homemade treats tryout some new recipes just for Valentines Day. Here is a link for some ideas: http://parentables.howstuffworks.com//healthy-valentines-d

This is a good article on Constipation by Dr. Hodges. http://www.parents.com//is-miralax-safe-for-kids-an-exper/ CONSTIPATION is more prevalent that we think. Lets start increasing our vegetable intake to at least a serving with each of our meals and when we are doing it, we can increase to 2 servings with lunch and dinner. We want to make it at least a total of 5 servings a day. I want to challenge all of you to do it. I want you to be eating of all the kinds of vegetable...s possibles, all shapes, all sizes, all colors. Lets invite our little ones to go to the produce market with us, lets see what vegetable they want to try for that week. We can team up with them, pick up couple of recipes and have them involved in the preparation. They will be more willing to try a new vegetable if they are involved in the whole process. Remember our taste is learned, we can learn to eat any thing we want. We just have to try, and try and keep on doing it. Here is to healthy eating and healthy tummies!!! Dr. Sonia See more

Children's Total Wellness welcomes Rina Ojeda as our Medical Assistant! Rina has many years of experience in the field and her soft and warm heart will make your precious ones at ease.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Thanksgiving often brings thoughts of "over" feasting, football on TV, and napping after overindulging. Here are just a few guidelines to help you have a HEALTHIER THANKSGIVING. 1. Exercise in the Morning: a morning workout will help you feel better throughout the entire day and you will be in peak fat-burning mode as you enjoy the turkey and the trimmings. Take a brisk walk after your meal to keep your energy and digestive system moving alo...ng. 2. Eat Healthy Foods First: Go first with the Greens. When you fill up on nutrient dense foods you will have less of an appetite for the "crash-causing" carbs and simple sugars. 3. Drink Lots of Water Between Meals: This will keep you hydrated and prevent fatigue. Avoid drinking lots of liquids during meals to avoid problems with digestion. 4. Use Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics. Optimize the "good bacterias" in your gut using these supplements. 5. Be Grateful: And not just on Thanksgiving Day. Stresses of life can be minimized by counting your Blessings on a daily basis. Start a Gratitude Journal, be it mental or written. Identify 3 things a day for which you are grateful. 6. East Slowly: Your nervous system needs approximately 20 minutes to let your brain know you are full!!! 7. Serve Others: Service to others can give your life meaning and fulfillment. This is one of nature's greatest anti-depressants. Let us keep in mind "the reason for the season". See more

It's that time of year again! Halloween has arrived! Read this safety checklist to have a safe and fun night!

This week Dr. Pinzon is in San Diego attending the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine conference, titled Science and Connection: A New Era of Integrative Health and Medicine. Attached is part of the event schedule, listing some of the topics that will be covered. If you see a topic that interests you, feel free to ask her about it the next time you come in for a visit!

http://www.vcstar.com//wildfire-risk-to-stay-high-into-dec Experts say that fire danger will stay high throughout October to December for Ventura county. Refresh your fire-prevention safety tips (photos) and remember to watch the air quality for adverse health effects, especially to children who are particularly susceptible.

Drop, Cover and Hold On! Thursday, October 16, is the Great California Shake Out drill. Participate with the VCFD when, at 10:16 a.m., all department personnel will practice protocols for a major earthquake response. People in our offices will drop, cover and hold on! Engine companies will go through their earthquake emergency procedures. You can practice with us at home, work or school. At 10:16, drop, cover and hold on! Then take a few minutes to check your earthquake supplies and make sure everyone in your family knows what to do and who to call. We never know when the big one will hit, so take the time to prepare now.

Fun Friday Fact! Did you know that ancient Greeks developed and practiced spinal alignment therapies all the way back in 500 BC?! Here is a link from the National Osteoporosis Foundation on how you can implement simple steps to help maintain proper body alignment. http://nof.org/articles/549

The Internet is a defining characteristic of the 21st century, affecting our lives daily. This thought-provoking article from ABIHM provides an interesting take on the ways the Internet affects us. Read and enjoy! http://www.abihm.org/digital-dementia-and-internet-addiction

Come join us at the Health Expo for children with special needs. The Expo will be held at the Hyatt Hotel in Westlake on October 5th. Please read flyer for additional information.