Hello Everyone!  I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing July 4th holiday.  I wanted to let everyone know well in advance that I will be out of the office from August 3rd to August 21st.  Please plan ahead if you have been thinking about scheduling an appointment so that we can get you in before I go away.  July is a great time to schedule Well Child Visits, Sports Physicals, Women’s Annual Exams, etc.  Call the office if you would like to put something on the calendar!  

We all know that sun exposure can be a double edged sword due to that warmth and sense of well being that we get from the sun but also the possibility of skin damage and skin cancers.  In addition to avoiding sun exposure at mid-day and wearing hats, protective clothing and non-toxic sunscreens, there are some dietary additions that can reduce sun damage and help the skin to become more resilient. 

1.  Blueberries and other dark berries:  Rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from damage. 
2.  Hemp, Chia and Flax Seeds and Cold Water Wild Fish:  Sources of Omega-3 fats which reduce inflammation in the skin and keep it smooth, strong and supple. 
3.  Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Red Bell Peppers:  Sources of Beta-Carotene which protect the skin from sun damage and aid in skin repair. 
4.  Tomatoes and Watermelon:  Rich in Lycopene, an antioxidant which protects the skin from sunburns. 
5.  Dark Leafy Greens:  Source of antioxidants such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin  which prevent wrinkles and skin cancer. 
6.  Green Tea:  Rich in polyphenols which may inhibit skin tumors. 
7.  Sunflower Seeds:  Rich source of Vitamin E which is an antioxidant that protects against skin damage.  

This is a lovely, fresh salad to take to your next summer picnic.  Add feta cheese and/or garbanzo beans to make it a whole meal! 

Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
1/2 tsp. salt plus more
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large English cucumber cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2/3 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
2 scallions, thinly sliced

Recipe Preparation
Bring quinoa, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.  
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 10 minutes.  
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.  Fluff with a fork.
Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl.  Gradually whisk in olive oil.  Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
Add cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs and scallions to bowl with quinoa; toss to coat.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Drizzle remaining dressing over.

Courtesy of Bon Appetit

What is the big deal about juicing?  Having always been a fan of vegetable and fruit smoothies for a quick summer breakfast, I never thought that juicing was necessary or superior in any way since smoothies are chock full of fiber and nutrients.  I just completed a cleanse involving daily juicing and I would have to say that I can see the benefits of taking in highly concentrated nutrients in the form of fresh juices either alone in the form of a short cleanse, or in addition to a healthy diet.  This could be particularly beneficial for those who simply do not like vegetables or cannot eat many of them due to a digestive condition.  I recommend juicing primarily vegetables rather than fruits as some fruit juices contain more natural sugars than soda!  Below is a recipe to get started with juicing. 

Fresh Green Juice 
Serves 2 
4-6 large leaves of kale, stems removed 
3 celery stalks 
1 large cucumber, seeds removed 
1/2 lemon, peeled 
1 medium apple, core removed 
1 inch piece of ginger root, peeled 
1 large handful of parsley 

Wash, prep and chop produce into large pieces. 
Add produce to juicer one at a time. 
Juice tastes best if enjoyed right away!

Just a reminder that I will be offering the Health Fair Lab Special prices through the end of June!  These tests check red and white blood cells, blood sugar, liver and kidney function, thyroid, cholesterol, iron and more.  We can fit you in if you would like to take advantage of this offer.  Remember to fast with water only for 12 hours prior to your appointment.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!  This is a perfect time to remind men and the women who love them that men require specific health screenings in order to detect health problems early when they are more treatable.  In my experience many men tend to put off health care and doctor’s visits which means that many conditions are ignored until they have become more advanced and harder to treat.  Below is a list of the most important health screenings for men:

1.  Height, Weight and Body Mass Index:  Yearly for all men. 
2.  Blood Pressure:  Yearly starting at age 21. 
3.  Cholesterol:  Yearly starting at age 35. 
4.  Prostate Cancer Screening:  Discuss with your doctor. 
5.  Colon Cancer Screening:  Colonoscopy at age 50 or earlier if family history. 
6.  Diabetes:  Discuss with your doctor. 
7.  Depression:  Men tend to be under diagnosed and under treated for depression. 
8.  Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm:  Men ages 65-75 who have ever smoked tobacco need to be screened for this with an ultrasound. 
9.  Infections:  All men under 65 should be screened for HIV and all men born between 1945-1965 should be screened for Hepatitis C. 

A great place to start with some of these screenings is a visit to check height, weight, body mass index and blood pressure and a blood draw to check blood sugar and cholesterol along with any other pertinent tests.  Please contact me if you or your loved one is interested in scheduling an appointment! 

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is a therapy that developed out of Osteopathy. The focus is on the subtle movements within and around the body. In a session the practitioner uses gentle intuitive touch and deep listening skills to be in support of the inherent health of the client.  The aim of a session is for the client to connect with the vast resource of their health. The practitioner does not manipulate the system. She allows room for the client to deeply relax and reset their own nervous system.  In listening, the practitioner watches and feels for the potency in the fluids, particularly the cerebrospinal fluid.
Holds are at the base of the skull and the base of the spine, in particular, because these are places where the spinal fluid pools. Other holds are at the feet the joints and places that call for attention.  As the client relaxes and notices their health, their system begins to reorganize as needed. Usually this leads to a reduction of symptoms such as pain, discomfort or imbalance.  A premise of this work is that the body is intelligent and knows how to self-correct. The client and practitioner work together to appreciate the body, especially where there is pain, as a way to learn what the body is communicating.

To learn more about this remarkable therapy go to energyschool.com. The
Colorado School of Energy Studies.  This is the school in Boulder where I
studied and received my certification in 2013.
I am passionate about the benefits, beauty and depth of this work. Feel free
to give me a call if you have questions. 970 250-7066.
I come to Dr. Seaver’s office on Fridays once a month. I have standing
appointments at 10 am,12 noon, and 2 pm. I may restart these sessions in
the end of July. I will keep you posted.

Molly Z Willard, 8BCST

I continue to recommend general immune support supplements and anti-viral supplements during this time of re-opening and increased exposure to others.  Please see the COVID-19 page on my website for general immune support advice.  For more specific anti-viral support I am carrying Mountain Peak Viral Immune and Plantiva Immune Dx.  Either one could be used ongoing to support the immune system to prevent and fight viral infections but the Immune Dx is unique in that it combines adrenal supportive herbs with anti-viral herbs.  This could be useful for those who are under stress or feeling run down or needing adrenal support due to another health condition.  Please let us know if you have questions about either one of these products!  

Many of you have asked me which air purifier I recommend and due to concerns about maintaining clean air in my office during COVID-19 I have finally done the research and discovered the highest quality air purifier on the market. 
I have purchased the EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System with UV Light which combines advanced technology for toxic and noxious chemical and odor removal with HEPA filtration and ultraviolet germicidal radiation (UVC) to remove airborne particulates and allergens and inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses and mold. 
I have become a distributor for EnviroKlenz so that my patients can get the best prices on their products.  The same model that I purchased is available for $725.00 (Retail cost is $799.00)  The company also has the same system without the UV Light which is available for $600.00 (Retail cost is $699.00). 

I think the air purifier with UV Light would be incredibly beneficial for those who need to work in an enclosed space with other people or who have had mold in their home and the regular model without UV Light would be appropriate for those with allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivity or for those who have recently moved into a new home or remodeled a home and are concerned about exposure to chemical fumes from paints, carpets, cabinets, etc. 

Please call the office if you would like us place an order for you!  

As some of you know, I am seeing patients again in person as of last week and it is going well.  It is so nice to see you all again, albeit through a mask!  These visits are most appropriate for those who need a physical exam or a blood draw/urinalysis.  I am honoring the Health Fair Lab Special prices through the end of June.  We are following a new protocol in the office to keep both of us safe and appreciate your patience and cooperation with the changes.  Kiva will call you the day before your appointment to review some health questions with you and describe our protocols.  Telemedicine and phone visits are also available and are preferable if you do not need a physical exam or a lab test.  Please call us if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment!

I am in the process of developing an exciting new program and would greatly appreciate it if you would fill out the following survey which will take 3 minutes of your time.  It is anonymous and will help me to hone in on the type of program that will be most helpful for everyone.  Click here for the survey!

This chicken marinade is incredibly flavorful! 

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 
Juice of 1 lemon 
3 cloves garlic, minced 
2 tsp. kosher salt 
1 tsp. ground cumin 
1 tsp. ground coriander 
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric 
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon,
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts 

In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and all seasonings.  Add chicken and toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray.  Remove chicken from marinade and place on prepared baking sheet.  Bake until chicken is golden and cooked through, 30 minutes.  The chicken is also excellent if cooked on the grill.  This is often served sliced in warm pitas or flatbread with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and a yogurt sauce.  I also like to serve it sliced on top of a salad.  Enjoy!

I am excited to announce that I will begin seeing patients in person again on Monday May 11th.  I have been carefully considering how to do this safely and have put some new protocols in place to enable me to see you in person while keeping us both healthy.  I will be doing blood draws as well and will honor my Health Fair Lab Special pricing through the end of June.  These appointments are only for those who have not had symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, chills, etc. within the last 14 days or have not been in close contact with people have those symptoms.  If you are symptomatic, please schedule a telemedicine visit with me instead.  Kiva will contact you by phone the day before the appointment to ask you some safety questions and explain our procedures.  I look forward to seeing you in person again!

Now that Colorado is cautiously opening up after sheltering at home for many weeks, we will likely see cases of COVID-19 rise due to increased exposure to others.  This is the time to pay very close attention to your general health and immune function.  Those who are over 65 years old or who have a chronic health condition are advised to continue to shelter at home and be very cautious with any exposures.  I see this time, and likely the coming year as the most important time to keep your immune system strong.  Please schedule a consult with me if you have specific health considerations that you would like me to advise you on.  For those who are generally healthy, see my web page on COVID-19 prevention and treatment.  We are now well stocked with immune support supplements such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, Probiotics, Viral Immune, Ashwagandha, etc.  so let us know if you need anything! 

This is a fun, fresh recipe inspired by a restaurant meal in Mexico (although this is not Mexican!).  Infinitely versatile, all ingredients can be substituted for whatever you have on hand in the refrigerator.  
Serves 2-4 depending on size of bowl

1 cup uncooked brown or white rice
1 lb. raw shrimp ( can substitute any cooked protein such as chicken, tuna, hard boiled eggs, tofu, edamame, etc.)
3-4 cloves of garlic
2 Tbsp. oil
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded jicama
1 1/2 cups shredded carrot
1 1/2 cups shredded raw beets
Additional garnishes:  fresh cilantro, pickled ginger, sliced scallions, salted peanuts, black sesame seeds, tamari, hot sauce or sriracha

1.  Cook rice according to package instructions.
2.  While rice is cooking, saute garlic in oil over medium heat in a large frying pan until fragrant, about 30 seconds.  
3.  Add raw shrimp to garlic and oil and saute until pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.
4.  Compose bowls with rice on the bottom and shredded vegetables and shrimp arranged artfully on top.  
5.  Serve the bowls with additional garnishes offered separately at the table so that everyone can add what they like. 
Tip:  Bowls have the most flavor if all garnishes are used!