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!  

Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, recommends that we change our diets to reflect seasonal changes so that we can stay in balance and prevent disease.  During the transition from winter to summer it is best to reduce heavy, oily, fried foods and transition to lighter, easier to digest foods such as freshly cooked vegetables, fruits, beans and lentils.  Bitter and astringent foods are recommended such as spring greens, fresh herbs, broccoli, endives and radishes.  Lemon water is very purifying in the morning.  The main meal should be at mid-day with a lighter meal in the evening. 
Spices recommended at this time of year are aimed at reducing mucous congestion and stimulating digestion.  These include ginger, clove, cardamom, black pepper, turmeric and saffron. 
Spring is an excellent time to consider a cleanse, particularly if you suffer from allergies.  Contact me if you are interested in my Two Week Cleanse program! 

I have been hearing from many of you that you are having trouble falling asleep or waking in the night recently.  I wanted to share my favorite “Sleep Hygiene” recommendations with you as these simple strategies typically help a great deal. 
1.  Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.  I recommend aiming to be in bed by 10 pm each night and setting an alarm if necessary to wake no later than 7 am. 
2.  Exercise daily, preferably outdoors. 
3.  Expose yourself to bright light first thing in the morning.  Go outside or sit next to a sunny window.  On cloudy days, open the shades and turn on lights. 
4.  Avoid electronics for at least an hour before bed.  This includes phones, computers, tablets, TV, etc.  The blue light emitted from electronic screens can prevent sleep.  I recommend reading a book, doing a puzzle or working on a craft project instead. 
5.  Keep the lights dimmer during the hour before bed to signal to the body that it is time to go to sleep.
6.  Avoid eating late at night and limit alcohol which can disturb sleep.  
7.  Take a warm shower or bath before bed to relax your muscles. 
8.  The bedroom should be dark, cool and quiet.  If you find it too quiet, try using a fan. 
9.  Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow before bed to calm your nervous system. 
10.  Massage your feet with warm sesame oil ( not the toasted sesame oil which has a strong odor) before bed.  This works like magic and is great for kids too! 

If you need more help, let me know.  I carry several natural sleep aids including Melatonin, Passionflower, 5-HTP, Sleep Easy and Tranquility which can be useful when additional support is needed.   

As we have all been hearing in the media, those with chronic medical conditions seem to be at higher risk of serious complications or death from COVID-19.  These chronic conditions include heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, obesity, neurological disease and those who are immunocompromised due to chronic infections, cancer or certain medications. 
Keeping this in mind, I have created a program for those who have chronic health conditions who would like to bring their health to a higher level not only to prevent COVID-19 complications, but to improve quality of life and longevity in general.  The program is highly individualized, but in general will incorporate nutrition, nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes to help each person achieve health goals that we will set in our initial consultation.  The program includes an initial one hour consultation followed by three 30 minute consultations over a six week period.  The cost of the program is $497.00 which can be split into two payments if desired.  The visits can be scheduled as telemedicine or phone visits until it is safe to see each other in person again.  Please contact us for more information if this is something that interests you! 

I would like to share a list of my top immune boosting foods.  Please include at least 3 to 4 of these in your diet daily and try some new ones that are not in your usual rotation! 

1.  Dark Chocolate (!) 
2.  Fatty Fish (wild salmon, anchovies, sardines) 
3.  Turmeric 
4.  Ginger 
5.  Garlic 
6.  Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts) 
7.  Matcha Green Tea 
8.  Kefir 
9.  Chili Peppers 
10.  Apples 
11.  Citrus Fruit 
12.  Cranberries 
13.  Fennel 
14.  Sage 
15.  Shitake Mushrooms 
16.  Nuts 
17.  Oats 
18.  Olive Oil 
19.  Beans