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Seminar looks at creating total health, naturally
By Lee Roberts
We've all heard of people drinking a shot of whiskey for "medicinal purposes," but what about a glass of mixed vegetable juice? While the vegetable juice may not have the same lulling effect that alcohol does, it can help to lower a person's blood pressure, which is a definite medical advantage, according to Arthur Shattuck, director of the Wisconsin Institute of Chinese Herbology.
"Forty percent of all people in the United States who have high blood pressure do so because of a potassium deficiency," Shattuck said. Because V8 juice is high in potassium, by adding Low-Sodium V8 to their diet, some people can reduce the amount of medication they take for high blood pressure, he explained.
This and other healing foods (including wild salmon and dark chocolate) will be the topic of a presentation called "Food as Medicine" that Shattuck will give Saturday during A Day of Health at the Siena Center. The day-long seminar of interactive health and wellness workshops is being presented by Holistic Health Professionals, a Racine-Kenosha area consortium of practitioners and instructors.
Sour cherries are another food with healing properties, Shattuck said. People suffering with the pain of arthritis may find relief by eating 20 sour cherries a day because the cherries contain a Cox-2 enzyme, similar to that in medications like Celebrex and Vioxx, he explained.
"And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot of research being done in this area."
Like these, many healing food solutions are simple ones that don't require a lot of cooking or preparation and use ingredients that can be found in most grocery stores, said Shattuck, who travels to China each year to study Chinese medicine.
"One of my teachers in China told me that unless a person eats right, medicines are just band aids," Shattuck said. "When I sit down to eat at a restaurant in China, waiters ask me, `What is wrong with you?' I tell them and 20 minutes later, they come back with a meal that will help me feel better."
As part of his presentation, Shattuck will be preparing a version of chicken soup that is served in China's hospitals because it has been found to be beneficial to those recovering from surgery, he said.
While Shattuck will talk about foods to include in our diets, Karen Carnabucci will help participants figure out how to eliminate at least some of the sugar from their diets. Research has shown that refined sugar not only adds empty calories to our diet, but can affect some people's behavior.
"Everyone's body is different, and just as some people are allergic to strawberries, some people may be more sensitive to sugar than others," said Carnabucci, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist.
Even those who aren't particularly sensitive may find that consuming too much sugar can compromise their immune systems, making it easier to catch colds and the flu; trigger cravings for more sugar and encourage overeating; or put them at risk for adult diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and more, according to Carnabucci. Refined sugars can also affect a person's energy levels and ability to concentrate, as well as causing headaches, she said.
On Saturday, Carnabucci will help participants figure out how to break the sugar habit with simple steps such as careful label reading; keeping a food diary and learning to enjoy naturally sweet foods.
Food will be one of many aspects of holistic healing presented at the seminar. A total of 16 interactive and informational programs will be presented, ranging from Tai Chi Chuan and Feldenkrais movement to Tarot reading and healing through art and creativity. Both small and large group workshops will be offered, along with lunch, information booths and entertainment including music and folk dancing.
"We will be looking at a total mind, body spirit approach," said Carnabucci. "There are many ways to heal, and more and more people are becoming aware of the alternatives that are out there."
The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that almost 42 percent of Americans have used natural medicines in recent years. And Carnabucci, who publishes "Guide to Health, Wellness and Creative Living in Racine, Kenosha and nearby Wisconsin," said the number of holistic practitioners in this area has grown tremendously in the last 10 years.
"I have people coming to me all the time, wanting to be in the guide," she said.
And even some traditional, Western medicine-based area health care facilities are offering patients holistic choices, including yoga, massage and acupuncture.
"Traditional Western medicine is great for certain things. If I'm having a heart attack or have a serious illness, I want to be treated by a Western medicine practitioner," Carnabucci said. "But there are also many simple things we can do to prevent illness and improve our health. And with the price of health care as it is, people are looking for other solutions and choices."
The Holistic Health Professionals, who have been working together for about a year to find ways to educate the public about alternative health care treatments, hope to be able to present more programs like this one, both in public and corporate settings.
"This program is our first attempt to really go public," said Joe Mayer, a certified yoga and Tai Chi Chuan instructor who has been coordinating the event.
"We want to be able to give people an idea of what they can do at home to help themselves be healthy," Shattuck said.
WHAT: A Day of Health
WHERE: The Siena Center, 5635 Erie St.
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. for registration.
COST: $30 includes all workshops and programs, lunch and entertainment. Advance registration is strongly recommended.
INFO: To register, call Joe Mayer at (262) 752-9882. For more information, visit the Web at: http://www.companionsinhealing.com
Creating Community: Karen Carnabucci
Tai Chi Chuan: Joe Mayer
Food as Medicine: Arthur Shattuck
Kundalini Yoga with Gong Meditation: Joe Mayer
Tarot, A Tool for Self Discovery: Karen Carnabucci
Pranayama and Mindful Yoga: Pamela Grubb
Keys for Lasting Happiness: Amy Sprague Champeau
The Joy of Nia: June Scott Nettles
Feldenkrais, Movements for Living: Laura Kern
Simple Tricks to Encourage Kids to Exercise: June Scott Nettles
Mantra Chanting: Joy Mayer
My Best Face! Removing Wrinkles Without Surgery: Laura Kern
How to Beat the Sugar Habit: Karen Carnabucci
Mindful Yoga Stretches: Pamela Grubb
Healing Yourself Through Art: Amy Sprague Champeau
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| Health and Fitness File - updated 09-15-04 |
