The Smith Clinic for Physical Therapy
----------------------------------
November 2018
|
|
Thanksgiving: A Way of Life
There’s a man named Butch who lives in a nursing home. Each morning, he wheels himself outside and down to the stoplight at a busy intersection nearby. There he sits in his wheelchair for hours, smiling and waving at cars, hollering a friendly “hello” to familiar faces driving by.
Can you guess why Butch does that? It is because he wakes up and makes a choice
every day.
He knows he can sit in his little room and think about all the things he wishes were different about his life
. Or,
he can get up, do what he’s still able to do, and find ways to give thanks for what he
does
have: a healthy mind, a way to get around, a wonderful ability to make people smile.
In
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
, we are reminded:
“Rejoice always, pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
The challenge to live gratefully is for all of us, no matter what situation we find ourselves in. We can always find a reason to say,
“Thank you”
to the One who gives us every breath.
It’s important to remember that we aren’t being asked to give thanks
for
all circumstances – but to find ways to be grateful in the
midst
of them. There is joy to be found, not only in the good times, but in the challenges too.
Here are a few ways to help make gratitude possible in our day-to-day lives:
Put up a few
sticky notes
, wear a
special bracelet
, light a candle or two – whatever reminds you to pause now and then amidst the daily grind to lift your heart in thanks.
Begin to pay more attention to the words you speak. Do complaints come out easily? Do you hear yourself lamenting about what “woulda, coulda, shoulda” happened? Challenge yourself to turn that grumbling into gratitude. Not only will it help you lighten up, but those around you will be inspired to do the same.
When our days are filled with grateful moments, our lives will shine with joy. Little by little, as we let go of negative thoughts and words and begin to focus on all the good God has placed in our lives right here, right now, the people around us will encounter the presence of Christ within us in beautiful, new ways. In the end, that’s what living gratefully is all about. The joy we seek, the peace we hope for, the difference we want to make in this world – it all falls into place when our focus changes from our circumstances to our Creator, from what we
wish
we had to what we’ve already been given. That’s when “thanksgiving” becomes much more than a season; it becomes a vibrant way of life.
This Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for each of you, the joy you bring into our lives and the ability to do what we love alongside you each day! We are praying for you this Thanksgiving and always and hope your holiday is full of joy and His many blessings!
|
|
Avoid Aches & Pains This Thanksgiving
Family, food and festivities . . . the ingredients for great Thanksgiving memories! If you’re not careful, however, these memories may turn into aches and pains.
As we get ready to give thanks and kick-off the holiday season, we have some tips that can help keep you pain-free:
- While cooking, be sure to stand on a padded surface and maintain even weight on each leg. If needed, use a stool to prop-up one foot and give each leg a turn. It’s best to stand when carving or chopping, so choose a workspace that is level with your forearms when elbows are bent at a 90° angle.
- When it’s time to get the turkey out of the oven or grab dessert from the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, lift with your knees and avoid bending at the waist or twisting your trunk. Keep the load close to your midline (bellybutton) and your body. If it seems too heavy, ask for help.
- In addition to muscle aches and pains, injuries to the hand are all too common during the holidays. Always remember to use a cutting board and keep your free hand away from the knife. In addition, be sure to never carve towards yourself and keep your free hand opposite of the side you are carving towards.
Unfortunately, as much as we try to avoid them, accidents do happen. If your aches and pains last more than a few days, call The Smith clinic for an evaluation. We will address your concerns, evaluate your injury and provide you with options for continued care!
|
|
Thanksgiving Options You Won't Believe are Healthy!
|
Between the
stuffing
, mashed potatoes, rolls and
green bean casserole
, it’s quite the feat when you manage to leave room for
pumpkin pie
after a Thanksgiving feast. Luckily, dessert options that are healthy AND delicious run rampant, and you’ll want to make sure to save some room for a bite of each. From Paleo pies to gluten-free desserts, here are a few recipes to please everyone at your table, regardless of their diet.
Spiralized Apple Crumble
:
Instead of spending all your time chopping apples for a Thanksgiving dessert, cut your time in half by spiralizing them for a quick and healthy apple crumble. It’s sure to be a huge hit and is *totally* Instagram worthy. (via
The Healthy Maven
)
Paleo Pecan Pie
: You won’t be in a sugar coma after a slice (or two!) of this paleo pie. Coconut oil and almond flour make this a grain-free and dairy-free dessert. (via
Bakerita
)
Do you plan on making a healthier dessert for Thanksgiving this year? We'd love to hear about your yummy ideas!
|
|
 |
Here's some serious food for thought: People often
consume
3,000 to 5,000 calories around the Thanksgiving table. Yikes!! While eating often takes center stage during the holidays, that doesn't we have to give up on good health. Check out these tips for a fit and healthy holiday, without sacrificing any flavor or fun:
- Get outside! Go for a walk or run to enjoy some pre-festivities alone time. For something a bit more competitive, round up a group of family or friends and hit the backyard or local park for some flag football.
- Eat in the a.m. Skipping breakfast in order to “save your appetite” for dinner probably isn’t the best idea. Not breaking the fast ‘til the afternoon may lead to binging later on (read: four servings of mashed potatoes).
- Hydrate. Make sure to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Not drinking enough H2O could spark hunger pangs, which may actually be thirst.
- Go easy on the apps. Cheese and crackers can happen any day of the year. Save your appetite (and calorie consumption!) for dinnertime.
- Use a smaller plate. Stick all those Thanksgiving sides on a smaller plate. Research shows it'll help you eat 22 percent fewer calories, while a bigger plate of food may be licked clean, even if we’re not hungry.
- Dim the lights. Studies suggest that eating in softer light may lead to consuming less food. So create a nice intimate ambiance that everyone will love.
- Chew slowly. How quickly we eat really does matter, research shows. In one study, fast eaters consumed around three ounces of food per minute, while slowpokes only ate about two ounces. Chewing slowly could mean less calories consumed.
- Beware of dangerfoods. Be careful with foods that aren’t as healthy as they seem. (Green bean casserole, anyone?) Gratins, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce may hide some sneaky ingredients high in fat and sugar.
- Skip the seconds. Wait 20 minutes (the amount of time it probably takes to feel full) before filling up the dinner plate again. Unless you’re really hungry, save some food for leftovers—the best part about Thanksgiving, right?
- Don’t deny dessert. The holidays shouldn’t be about restricting certain foods—just try to enjoy them in moderation! Stick to one slice of pie (or try one of these healthy dessert recipes) instead of going cold turkey at the dessert table.
Remember: Listen to your body! Stop eating when you are slightly satisfied even if it seems to go against the spirit of “stuffing” on Thanksgiving. At the end of the day, Thanksgiving should be enjoyed with loved ones. Don't stress about enjoying some good food with even better company!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
