by Dr. Cynthia Bye
Naturopathic Physician

Spring is here and it is time to do some spring cleaning.

Its spring and most of us do some sort of spring cleaning around the house. All that trash that blew into your yard and the branches that feel down, the things that accumulated in the garage and the house. All of that needs to be cleaned out. Well debris has collected in your body as well. Between all the goodies over the holidays and the weather impacting our exercise routine, we have accumulated a bit of junk in our body too. So it is time to do a spring cleanse/detox.

We all have toxins in our body, some more than others. Do you have any of the following symptoms?

Sugar cravings, fatigue, itching, hives, heart burn, gas, bloating, bad breath, constipation, irritable bowel, don’t sleep well, acne, weight gain despite diet and exercise, joint pain, muscle cramps, PMS.

These are just a few of the symptoms I see as your toxic load builds up.

Come join me for my biannual detox. I do this detox twice a year myself. If I don’t detox in the spring and the fall, I start craving sugar and gain weight.

To learn more, contact Dr. Bye at 360-695-8800.

Cynthia Bye
Dr. Bye enjoying a relaxing day kayaking.

VANCOUVER, WA – 110 years ago, the English Family traveled from Michigan in search of a new life and began potato farming in Southwest Washington. Now the Estate is still farmed by the English Family – growing, harvesting and producing a unique selection of wines. The public is invited to enjoy their wines and hospitality, on April 20 from 12-6 p.m. April 20, as English Estate celebrates 110 years of farming in Vancouver.

The day will be filled with events, including tours at 1 and 4 p.m. conducted by Carl S. English, fifth generation. Live music throughout the day will be provided by local musicians, Northwest Pan Man and Tom Mann.

Visit www.northwestpanman.com and www.myspace.com/tommanncountry . Tasting will be conducted in two different tastings rooms, the Pump House and the Loafing Shed, which is located in the Barn built in 1915 by the English Family.

English Estate Winery will also be celebrating 10 years of marketing its Bag-in-a-Beautiful Box, with a contest for designing or decorating a “beautiful” box to dispense your English Estate boxed wine. Carl D. English, founder of the winery, started boxed wine for the tasting room in 2003 to slow down waste. Eventually the customer’s demand created a whole new way of selling wines out of a tasting room. Boxed wine, BIBB as the English Family calls it, is now 80 percent of the Estate’s wine sales.

English Estate Winery is located at 17806 SE 1st St., in Vancouver.

Clark County’s oldest winery is known for its pure Estate Pinot Noir and their sweet fortified desert wines.  English Estate’s The Loafing Shed tasting room is open Friday, 12-9 p.m. Sat-Sun 12-6 p.m. and Mondays 4:30-7 p.m.

In 1980, the late Carl D English planted Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the gravelly ridge located at the mouth of the Columbia River.  The Gorge winds keep the vineyard dryer and sunnier than the Pinot growing lands to the North and South. This unique micro climate gives the grapes a character all of their own. The wines are now being crafted by Carl’s children Carl S. and Jennifer English Wallenberg.

English Estate
The English Estate Winery celebrates its 110th anniversary
with celebrations on April 20.

 

 

Box
Boxed wine, or BIBB, is now 80 percent of the
English Estate Winery’s wine sales.
 
Wine enthusiasts
A tour group sees the grounds of the English Estate.
 

ASK SUSIE is a regular Lacamas Magazine advice column.

Dear Susie:
What do I do if a guy I really like is rude to me when his friends are around, but when he’s along he’s kind and considerate?

Stephanie
Vancouver, WA

Dear Stephanie:
I’m sorry to hear that boys like calculus — once you think you have figured it out, then you realize you forgot to take other formulas into consideration. It sounds like this kind and nice boyfriend of yours has an ego problem. Do you really see a future with some guy who wants to keep a relationship wiht you low-key because he wants to please his friends? Girl, you are a precious gem, worth much more than what this guy has to offer. So, keep your standards high and realize that this boy is not as great as you’d like him to be. It is hard, but in the end, you’ll be grateful you overlooked him.

Susie


Dear Susie:
How do you tell your best friend he’s really a slob?

It is hard to point out any imperfection on a friend, let alone a best friend. I have a friend who is a real slob and I just finally told her when she wanted to live together after night school, that I couldn’t live with a slob. It had to be said.

Feelings weren’t hurt, and she was well aware of the problem. You friend may know of his uncleanliness, but it grosses you out, you should tell him. Maybe you can offer to help him not be such a slob. Help do weekly checks on his room or car, or whatever is a pigsty. Encourage your friend to change his habits in a kind way so no one gets offended. Your friend will understand that you want to help him rather than be disgusted by him.

Susie

The Camas Educational Foundation is preparing for a major April event called “Taste of Camas.” As part of this fun event, CEF is preparing to publish a Kids Cookbook, with profits benefitting the organization and local schools. CEF is currently accepting recipes from the public through March 21. To submit your recipes, print off the attached form and send it to kidsinknw@hotmail.com
It’s a great opportunity to share a great recipe and be published.
Jordan Tortillas
Jordan plans on submitting his family’s flour tortilla recipe
for the CEF Kids Cookbook. Making flour tortillas with a freshly-made pot of pinto beans is one of his family’s favorite meals.

 

ASK SUSIE is a regular advice column at Lacamas Magazine.
Dear Susie:
The are girls at school I hang out with sometimes ask me to do things I don’t feel comfortable doing, things that just aren’t part of who I am. How can I let them know that I don’t do that stuff without embarrassing myself and losing my friends?
Jenny
Camas, WA
Dear Jenny:
It’s hard to find friends with the same standards. I should know, I went through numerous groups of friends until the third quarter of my junior year, when I finally found gal pals like me. Do your friends uplift and edify you? Because real friends make you feel good about yourself and care for your well-being. You should tell your friends that you’d rather not do what they’re doing because you just feel it isn’t right. If they are friends, I mean real friends, they will respect you more for the quality of morals you possess. If they aren’t real friends, they will be insulted. After you tell them where you stand, it is up to them to demonstrate if you should remain friends. And if you have to leave that group, remember you’ll have a new chance to form better friendships among people with your standards.
Susie
Dear Susie:
How do I tell a really nice girl who likes me that I just want to be friends? I really do just want to be her friend.
Brandon
Camas, WA
Dear Brandon:
I think you should set this sweet friend of yours straight. You should tell her that you’d just like to be friends, but remember to consider her feelings. Remember, if she likes you, how can she hate you for being kind and honest?
Susie
Feel free to submit your questions to lacamasmagazine@gmail.com and remember last names are withheld.

This Friday, visit Downtown Camas businesses for chocolate delights and wine tastings (at select locations) and a chance to win the Valentine gift basket.

The City of Camas has also just given consent to closing one block downtown for S’More roasting in front of Navidi’s.

The events begin at 5 pm and last until 8 pm.

Special First Friday Features include:

  • Navidi’s hosting S’More roasting in the street in front of their shop at 322 NE Cedar St. We are hoping for a special visit from a Camas Fire Truck for kids to climb on.
  • Caffe Piccolo, 309 NE Birch, is hosting Truly Scrumptious treats and selling Choffey, which is distinctively flavorful ground cocoa beans prepared in a French Press. Stop in to try some! You can pick up a complete February First participation list here at Caffe Piccolo. 
  • Camas Antiques is having a Vintage Fastion show at 7pm.
  • Enjoy “Have a Heart” mini concert by special guest GraceLyricMusic, sidewalk music by a songbird to benefit the awareness of child abuse.

Some locations will also have a container of candy for you to guess the amount to win the candy! Guesses will also be entered for a Valentine themed basket. (Need not be present to win.) Begin your stroll at Caffe Piccolo, 309 NE Birch St, to pick up a participation list.

Downtown businesses will also be selling wonderful chocolate delights and other romantic gifts so you can take care of your Valentine’s Day shopping early.

First Friday Camas
 
 

 

The Seared Prawns speciality plate is one of many exquisite meals offered at the Hearth Wood Oven Bistro in downtown Washougal. The two-year-old restaurant is one of Clark County’s restaurant treasures and is a must-stop for foodies.

Stay tuned for an upcoming video feature and article about the Hearth. It’ll be an experience.
The restaurant is located at 1700 Main Street, Washougal. 360.210.7028.

Prawns

 

Tonight is First Friday in Downtown Camas. Be sure to visit vendors, see new artwork and have a night out with your significant other. First Friday begins at 5 pm tonight.

First Friday
First Friday is a fun social event that happens on the First Friday of
every month. Be sure to see new artwork on display.

 

Presented by Dr. Marc Davis, Wellness Expert

Marc+Davis.jpg

Dr. Marc Davis

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard a lot about Parkinson’s disease (PD) lately.  In recent years, this formerly obscure disorder has captured the media spotlight.  Much of this attention is due to high-profile personalities with the disorder, including actor Michael J Fox, United State’s Attorney Genera Janet Reno and boxing legend Mohammed Ali.

Parkinson’s disease involves the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain region that control muscle movement (substanita nigra).  Destruction of these cells causes a drop in levels of dopamine, a brain chemical that transmits information between nerve cells.  Insufficient coordination problems, frozen facial expression, speech impediments and tremors.  Rigidity, memory loss and depression are also associated with this condition.

Although scientists have yet to discover the exact cause of PD – two out of 1,000 people are afflicted with the disease – genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors all appear to play a role.

Parkinson’s, like many others, affects members of every race and walk of life.  Although PD is more common in people over the age of 50, its afflicting younger adults at a rapidly escalating rate (as highlighted by Fox’s highly publicized struggle with the disease, which struck when he was 30 years old).

Despite the recent high profile cases, there is little published material on how to ward off the disease.  In contrast, most people remain unaware of research revealing that PD may be preventable.  As a wellness specialist, Dr Davis constantly strives to share information about disease prevention with patients.  One way that Dr Davis accomplishes this is by presenting weekly research based Optimal Health University handouts on various wellness topics, including this one on PD.  Read on to learn about how specific lifestyle changes may slash your odds of developing Parkinson’s disease.

New Research Suggests that Chiropractic Care May Quell Parkinson’s

Although additional studies are needed before a firm link is established, preliminary research supports what many patients report: chiropractic care alleviates the symptoms of PD – and may help to prevent the disease altogether.  For instance, a just published scientific case study followed a 60 year old man with PD who underwent chiropractic care.  Physical examination revealed that the patient had a common condition of the spine called vertebral subluxations (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:573-7).  These dysfunctional spinal segments result when movement is restricted or bones (vertebrae) are out of alignment.  Dr Davis corrects vertebral subluxations by applying a gentle, specific, force of the spine – a procedure called a chiropractic adjustment.

After nine months of receiving chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck, the patient in the study experienced a dramatic reduction in rigidity, tremor and speech difficulties.  These findings were confirmed by improved scores in the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, a standard test used to measure PD progression (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:573-7).

How may chiropractic adjustments avert PD? The spine houses the spinal cord, the lifetime of the central nervous system.  Experts speculate that vertebral subluxations may disrupt spinal cord activity, in turn restricting nerve flow back and forth from the brain to the limbs.  In PD, inhibited nerve flow may aggravate symptoms like tremor and rigidity.

Watch the Waistline

A trim physic isn’t the only reward of calorie counting, say scientists.  According to recent studies, watching you’re far and calorie intake may keep PD at bay.  Mice that consumed 24 percent fewer calories, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, were less likely to experience the brain destruction associated with PD – compared to mice that are a higher calorie diet.  Specifically, the restricted diet inhibited genes that encode for brain degeneration.   Because the brain chemistry of mice resembles that of humans, scientists speculate that people who follow low calorie diets also slash their risk of PD.

Go Organic!

For decades, researchers studying PD have noted that the disease is more rampant in agricultural regions.  What accounts for this phenomenon?  Exposure to pesticides, say scientists.

Research with animals supports what geographic trends indicate: pesticide exposure is one cause of PD.  For instance, investigators in one experiment injected 25 rats with rotenone, a widely used pesticide.  Half of the rats exhibited Parkinson like symptoms immediately.  Scientists also observed the gradual degeneration of dopamine producing cells and the formation of brain proteins associated with disease (Nature Neuroscience 2000;3:1227).

f44c8ba1206849a3f2_kam6bnqux

And, if you think that the pesticides used for home gardening are too mild to trigger PD, think again.  Even the common pesticides found at neighborhood garden supply stores increase a green thumb’s risk of PD, according to a report presented in May 2000 at the American Academy of Neurology’s 52nd annual meeting in San Diego.  The study, which compared 541 healthy people with 496 PD patients, found that people with Parkinson’s were twice as likely to have use pesticides for home gardening or pest control compared with healthy individuals.

“Certain chemicals that an individual is exposed to in the environment may cause selective heath of brain cells or neurons,” explained chief investigator Lorene Nelson, PhD, a neoroepidemiologist at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, Calif.

In addition to pesticides, many workplace solvents are linked with PD.  In one study of 990 Parkinson’s patients, Italian researchers discovered that subjects exposed to solvents found in common petroleum based products, such as paints and flues, were an average of three years younger at the first sign of PD.

Curl up with a Cuppa Joe

Here’s a good excuse to sneak an extra coffee break into your daily routine: drinking java may prevent PD.  A small, but swiftly mounting, body of research reveals that people who curl up with a daily ‘cuppa Joe’ are significantly less likely to develop PD, compared with their peers who avoid coffee.

One article in the Journal of the American Medical Association compiled data on the 8,004 Japanese American men between ages of 45 and 68.  Over thirty years of follow up, 102 subjects developed PD.  Coffee drinkers enjoyed a 3 to 6 fold reduced risk of the disease, compared with non coffee drinkers.  Caffeine intake from non coffee sources was also associated with a reduced risk (JAMA 2000;283:2674-9).

Another study, conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., enrolled 196 patients with PD and an equal number of healthy control subjects.  Findings showed that java drinkers were considerably less likely to have PD that non coffee drinkers (Neurology 2000;55:1350-8).

As with most things, moderation is key when it comes to coffee consumption.  Although coffee may avert PD, too much java is linked with an increased risk of other disorders, including esophageal cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Antioxidant Attack Helps Prevent Parkinson’s

Scientists theorize that exposure to chemicals called free radicals may spark the deterioration of brain cells in Parkinson’s patients.  Free radicals have also been shown to initiate the cellular reactions associated with cancer and heart disease.

Free radicals are produced as byproducts of chemical reactions in the brain.  They are also associated with fried foods and high in saturated fat.  The good news is that specific “antioxidant” nutrients have been shown to quench free radicals, before they have the opportunity to wreak havoc.  Antioxidants include vitamins A, E and C, selenium, green tea, grape seed extract, coenzyme Q10 and plethora of nutrients in fresh fruits and vegetables.  Interested in giving some of these supplements a try? Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about what antioxidant combination is right for you.

(One note of caution: patients taking medication for PD should avoid supplements containing B vitamins, as they interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications.)

Take Charge of your Health Today!

Find out more about preventing PD and other conditions by visiting your doctor of chiropractic for regular checkups.  Don’t wait to take charge of your health – schedule an appointment for a chiropractic evaluation today!

Optimal Health University™ is a professional service of PreventiCare Publishing®. The information and recommendations are appropriate in most instances. They are not, however, a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider such as Dr. Davis. Copyright, 2013.

Dr. Marc Davis adjusts patients at Davis Family Chiropractic, a thriving wellness-oriented office located next to Fred Meyer in Fisher’s Landing. For FREE monthly tips and community events subscribe to Dr. Davis’ blog “Life Naturally” by going to www.davisfamilychiro.com and clicking on “Blog”. To schedule a time to meet with Dr. Davis, or to get information about having him speak at your club, church group or workplace, call (360) 823-2225. Mention “LacamasMagazine” and “Free Scan” to get your Computerized Back and Neck Scan (regularly $210) for FREE (limited time offer).

Dr. Marc Davis

DAVIS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC, PLLC

“For a Lifetime of Standing Tall!”

2415 SE 165TH Avenue, Suite 103

Vancouver, WA 98683

(360) 823-2225

By Seth Sjostrom

Choffy.

Jason Vanderhoven awoke one morning following a vivid dream. He wasn’t being chased by a serial killer, he hadn’t inserted himself into a spy thriller, he wasn’t even waking in a start from that horrible falling kind of dream. Nope. He dreamt of cocoa beans. Roasted cocoa beans. At the time, he wasn’t entirely sure why.

Perhaps his subconscious had worked its way through the complex networks of his REM state brain. As an athlete training for the Olympics (Jason was highly competitive in the luge), he and his compatriots were well-versed and disciplined in nutrition. Yet, he was taken aback by how many of his fellow athletes downed caffeine-laden drinks before an event. This flew in the face what they had been taught of performance nutrition.

Coffey

 

As he mused about his dream, Jason couldn’t help but wonder if the concoction would actually work. His initial attempts, sheet pans of cocoa beans roasted in his oven, produced less than ideal results. Handing a cup of his brew to his father-in-law, he waited eagerly for a response. After a few sips, a glance across a mug was followed with, “Hmmm. You’ve made a bad cup of coffee.” Undaunted, Jason forged ahead with tweaks and trials. Three years later, he arrived at the selection, roast and grind of a delicious cup of Choffy. While the Aztecs and Samoans have Jason beat by a millennia, Choffy is certainly a ground-breaking invention as the modern roasted coffee bean drink.

What does Choffy taste like? When you have your first sip, you need to exorcise any pre-conceptions of what you think it might taste like in your head. It is not hot cocoa, it is not coffee. It is a slightly bitter, slightly creamy, genuinely satisfying flavor that hits upon a unique combination of taste buds. It satisfies the bit of sweet-tooth as well as the warm, invigorating yearn for coffee.

Why Choffy at all? First, the cocoa bean (correctly cacoa) has tremendous potential health benefits with very few of coffee’s detriments. Let’s start with what it does have. The cocoa bean has been revered for its high antioxidant content. In fact, a serving of Choffy has nearly the antioxidant power of two cups of superfood blueberries. Cocoa is packed with theobromine (similar, yet different than chemical cousin caffeine), a mild stimulant that increases heartbeat while acting as a vasodilator, actually reducing blood pressure. This buys you a boost without the crash.

Almost as important as what cocoa beans have in them is what they don’t. A cup of Choffy has less caffeine than a cup of decaf coffee. Courtesy of its other properties, you get the lift without the addiction and jitters of coffee. Choffy comes with only 20 calories and 3 carbs, with the reduced need for creamer (if you are so inclined), your diet is going to mind less too. In fact, Choffy is safe for children to drink, pregnant women and diabetics alike.

I love a cup of coffee, but I have been perplexed with the split reports on the praises and evils of my beloved cup of joe. For every positive article, I read a negative. With Choffy, there aren’t the confounding  reservations. Choffy is 100% premium cocoa bean. That’s it. Have yours straight up or with a splash of vanilla creamer (a little goes along way here, not like your old latte!)

How do you make this yummy (is it a stretch to call it health food) drink? The folks at Choffy recommend French press style. This simple process extracts the perfect amount of cacoa goodness in your drink. No press in your cabinet, no worries. You can use a regular drip coffee maker too. Serve it cold or hot, on its own or with a splash of cream.

Choffy is based right here in Vancouver. Inventer Jason Vanderhoven called up longtime friend Jason Sherwood to help develop and market Choffy, while Jason S’s wife, Andi, implemented the distribution strategy. A direct selling guru, Andi has enlisted a small army of Choffy lovers to not only distribute Choffy to consumers and independent businesses, but to create a viable business for their families. As Jason S. says, “Choffy’s purpose is to champion healthy living – beyond the product, but to impact life overall for families.” Utilizing independent distributors allows them to nurture a Choffy family that likes to share “Try this great tasting, healthy drink” to the world.

While a local phenomenon, Choffy has found success nationwide, being highlighted on the Dr. Oz show and in several food and health publications. Haven’t tried Choffy yet? It is worth finding. I am nearly a coffee to Choffy convert myself. Love it already? Become a distributor and make an extra few bucks a month for your family.

Choffy is located in Hazel Dell. You can get more information at www.drinkchoffy.com

About the contributor: Seth Sjostrom is  local resident and author of the thriller Blood in the Snow and holiday title Finding Christmas. Seth is also co-producer of children’s magazine Kids Ink NW. For more information on Seth or his books, visit www.wolfprintpublishing.com.