“Wellness is Beauty – Beauty is Wellness”

Now Showing: Livin’ the Summer’s Dream
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Artists: Autism Rocks by Kind Tree, and Fairy Woodland by John Crawford

-music by Bliss

“This little gallery (more info below the video) is one of the best places to view art in Eugene, with its inviting walls and contemplative atmosphere. This show is engaging and asks the viewer to participate by writing their own story in the Journals provided. The intergrated Health Clinic brings together beauty and wellness in and unsual ways that help us all see the world from a new perspective.” -Rhiah Clachir

Village Health Gallery from Rhiah Clachir on Vimeo.

One of the newest and least known places to view art in Eugene is at Village Health Clinic, which features a group of health practitioners focused on integrative medicine and wellness.  The clinic was founded on the principle “Beauty is Wellness, Wellness is Beauty” which is why it brings art to the community by exhibiting local artists’ work.  The work is changed seasonally, as administrator Dawn Gandalf  says, to honor “living congruent with the seasons”.

The art is for sale, “but Village Health does not take a commission in order to altruistically support the artists without attachment to financial gain,” states Dawn.  Dawn defines healing as “A practical, simple way to align persons with the totality of who they are: mind, body, spirit and emotion. At our clinic, art is the focal point and not just a wall decoration.  When an individual comes Village Health, their healing begins by being stimulated with what they see and what they feel… by their senses. It’s nice for the practitioners too.”  Dawn is very selective and discerning of what hangs on the walls at Village Health.

The Gallery is not without approval from influential members in the artist community.  The executive director of Lane Arts Council says this about the gallery: “This space is extraordinarily well designed. It offers excellent quality space to display art and allows the art to be presented clearly as art. If you look at what is available in Eugene, there are only two or three commercial spaces and there is very little that would be comparable.”

You can view our spring 2011 art gallery video.

Rhiah Clachir- Assemblages
Wes Geisbrecht- Acrylic painting
Renee Manford- Oil Painting
Ellen deWerd – Watercolor Painting
Joann Sheen – Etching

Dawn, administrator at this integrated health clinic defines healing as “A practical, simple way to align persons with the totality of who they are; mind, body, spirt and emotion. When an art gallery is the focal point and not just wall decoration, when an individual comes to our clinic, their healing begins by being stimulated with what they see and what they feel… by their
senses. It’s nice for the practitioners too”.

Here is the Link: http://vimeo.com/18862314

TOPIC OF THE MONTH: DETOX!

Everyone talks about Spring cleaning and most people think about the annual ritual of cleaning up the home. We at Village Health would like to encourage you to consider an internal cleansing of your body as well. You will look and, more importantly, feel better. Our staff have some recommendations on how to do a “Spring Cleaning” of a more personal variety!

Detoxification

Carrie Janes, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

Detoxification is essential for life!  Our bodies’ must effectively eliminate toxins on a daily basis in order for us to survive.  Our environment today is much more toxic then it was only 50-100 years ago; we are literally living in a “toxic soup” so to speak.  Our liver is the main detoxification organ in our body and it is being bombarded with many environmental toxins on a daily basis.  Of these numerous toxins, there are not many that we have much control over.  That being said, there is one thing that we DO have control over…the foods we put into our mouths each and every day.  The best way to avoid toxins and to ease the burden on the liver is to eat a whole food diet consisting of organic fruits and vegetables, free-range, grass-fed animal products, and lots of good clean filtered water.

Our lifestyle choices determine a lot about our overall health and how well our liver is able to process toxins. Detoxification is a natural and easy process IF we eat a wholesome, natural, organic diet and live life in a natural way. This includes not only the foods we put into our mouths, but also the products we use on our skin.  After all the skin is absorbing nutrients, just like our digestive pathway absorbs nutrients, so…if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin!!

For those who want their cake and eat it too, detoxification may be compromised. A change in lifestyle may be needed and then detoxification can be improved. Nature has afforded us the chance to live in a toxic environment, thanks to our liver and all the wonderful things it does.  Taking care of ourselves will reward us with many years of good health.

Good health CAN be achieved AND maintained.  An annual cleansing of the body, along with a wholesome natural diet that provides us with maximal nutrients and fiber, will keep us on the road to optimal health.  There are many herbs that can help stimulate the liver, lungs, kidneys and bowels when needed, but diet is always the first priority in any detoxification program. Be cautious about becoming overly dependent on herbal laxatives. During a detoxification protocol more toxins are being released and it is common for one to feel bad for a day or two.  However, once our good health is restored we will experience a sense of renewed energy.  Many people living today have never known what “good health” feels like, instead they have somehow survived with an abundance of toxins and an existence less than healthy.

Different Detoxification Techniques

Skin Cleansing
Detoxification should include some type of skin cleansing, afterall, our skin is one of our best elimination organs. Heavy metals are released through the skin’s pores when we sweat. Sauna baths and steam rooms are great for removing toxins from the skin and regenerating one’s health and energy. To achieve maximum detoxification, it is crucial that we open the skin detoxification pathways.  Staying hydrated during this time is very important as well.

The use of skin care products loaded with chemicals and additives is not wise. These chemicals may be absorbed into our circulation and provide more “toxins” for our liver to deal with.  Even the chemicals in our soaps and shampoos will make a difference when it comes to our health. Most people do not see the ill effects of these subtle chemicals, because their liver is able to metabolize them, but individuals who are environmentally toxic will see a great change in their health when using natural soaps and shampoos.

Skin Brushing
Skin brushing can be very beneficial because the skin is a primary avenue for detoxification – along with the lungs, kidneys, liver, and colon. Use a very fine brush (vegetable brush), which  can be purchased at a health food store, to use during this process.  It is important to brush your limbs from the most outer extremities (hands and feet) toward the heart. This technique is best done in right before taking a shower.
Rebounding
With the use of a mini-trampoline, bounce for 10-15 minutes, this is a great way to promote lymphatic drainage, which in turn, promotes the elimination of toxins.  Put on some great music and bounce away, knowing that you will feel great after and your body will be grateful.

*Detoxification may produce symptoms of headaches, nausea, and lowered energy, know that this is typically short lived.  If this becomes too intense, you should back take it easy, rest often, and proceed slowly (be gentle on yourself). Proceeding too fast with a detoxification protocol can have disastrous results when toxins are released too quickly into the circulation.  The idea is to feel better not worse.  Making sure our elimination pathways are open and being supported will ease any discomfort we may encounter.

Emotional Detoxification

 Detoxing or giving up anger is something to consider in the detox process. 

 According to Bradley P Barris, Ph.D, who wrote WHEN CHICKEN SOUP ISN’T ENOUGH..MANAGING YOUR ANGER IN AN INCREASINGLY ANGRY WORLD

 He states, ”What does all this mean? It means that trying to control your anger involves asking yourself to give up what is likely your most frequent, intense and long lasting emotional experience. It’s suggesting that you abandon an emotion that gives you a feeling of power and potency. It means giving up on the almost addictive quality of anger which like other addictions, feels–at least for the moment–so good.”

Dietary Guidelines For Detoxification – Carrie Janes, NTP

1.   Avoid or eliminate all artificial, processed and packaged foods and beverages. Choose organic produce and organic, grass-fed, free-range meats and dairy when possible.  

 

2.   Reduce, avoid or eliminate all insulinogenic foods and stimulants including sugar, cakes, cookies, candy, bread, pastas, potatoes, starchy grains and vegetables, sodas, chocolate, coffee, caffeine containing teas, and alcoholic beverages.

 

3.   Identify and eliminate food allergens.

 

4.   Eat breakfast. Protein is best early in the day, and carbohydrates later in the day.

 

5.   Avoid eating anything other than a light snack near bedtime.

 

6.   Eat large amounts of whole or juiced green and brightly colored vegetables daily.

 

7.   Use healthy organic oils liberally. Include raw butter and cream, as well as flax, hemp, coconut, olive, walnut, sesame oils, etc. Supplement with high-quality fish oil.  

 

8.   Include plenty of traditional foods such as fermented foods, slowly cooked soup broths made with fish, chicken or beef bones, and traditional culinary spices and condiments. 

 

9.   Consume fewer calories in general and select foods with the highest nutritional density.

 

10.  Drink one quart of pure water daily for each 50 pounds of body weight.

Spring Detox from Heath Whitney, Lic Ac

 Hey spring cleanse time Eh?   An easy liver cleanse for spring is 1 cup grated beet to 1 tblspoon olive oil and 1 tablspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice.  This proportion is eaten at 1 tablspoon every hour of your waking day for 3 days.  Then take 2 days off, then on another 3 days.  Continue 3x if you like.   Maintain your regular diet and chew the beets well.  One note: your bm will turn red! Do not be alarmed, as beet eaters already understand this colorful veggy! Urine may also turn red. Please pass this on too anyone trying this wonderful liver/blood cleanser that tastes great!   Thanks and happy spring, 

Heath Whitney Lic. Ac.

Practitioner of the Month-  Dr. Michelle Wyatt, MD

Village Health Practitioners would like to welcome YOU the patient, to our Integrative
Approach to Diabetes. Below you will find many different articles and recipes from
various practitioners on this topic.
Village Health Clinic strives to educate YOU the patient in how Integrative Medicine
works, by our practitioners sharing how they work together on various conditions
that they are faced with on a regular basis. Village Health Practitioners use
their expertise to “cross pollinate” (referrals within our clinic) to create “WHOLE”
health care for YOU the patient.
Village Health Clinic would like to help you know us better so each month we will
be highlighing a different practitioner. This month we are highlighting the newest
member to our team- Dr. Michelle Wyatt, MD. She specializes in Internal Medicine and
you will be able to read more about her below.

Topic of the Month-Diabetes

Healthy Eating Guidlines – Dietary Recomendations

Here is some great information about eating guidlines put together by Carrie Janes,
Nutritional Therapist. These are great for Type 2 Diabetics as well as anyone who
wants to be more healthy. Please enjoy reading about how to eat healther, which
will allow YOU to be healthier.

Dietary Recommendations- Diabetes

For the complete article click here.

Bradley Carpron, LAc has put together a great article on how the different acupuncture
meridians are affected by Type 2 Diabetes, as well as different things that can
help support those meridians. Enjoy reading his informative article about acupuncture
and Type 2 Diabetes.

Acupuncture and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes and Acupuncture

For the complete article click here.

Carrie Janes, Nutritional Therapist has come up with a few quick and easy recieps
that will be crowd pleasers in any house. Please feel free to print them off and
make them.

Different Recipes

Recipes

For the complete article click here.

Dr. Michelle Wyatt has put together an great informative sheet that everyone needs
to read. Included are things to check, to pay attention to, as well as Do’s and
Don’ts when it comes to foot care. Enjoy reading more about the do’s and the don’ts.

Do’s and Don’t Tips

Do’s and Don’ts

For the complete article click here.

We here at Village Health hope that you have learned more about what our practitioners
have to offer YOU. We also hope you have enjoyed learning more about Dr. Michelle
Wyatt, Internal Medicine.

Your gifts of information and nurturance of our minds, bodies and souls are deeply appreciated. The opportunity you provided not only helped us learn about ourselves, but also to “pay it forward” to the parents and families of Birth To Three. You are the BEST!

Staff of Birth To Three

Thank you so much for volunteering your time and expertise to the LEAD staff members! We appreciate it so much. Every one of us came away from this experience more relaxed, appreciative, and with more knowledge of how to take care of ourselves. Thank you also for regularly giving back to the community at large. It is very needed.

LEAD staff

On behalf of the Relief Nursery direct service staff Thank You! The special attention and care provided to direct service staff on your Day of Service was valued and deeply appreciated.

Relief Nursery Staff

My massage therapist at Village Health really surprised me during our last session. I came in complaining about leg cramps. During my massage, she says to me, “So what is it about tomatoes and you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I don’t know why your body is telling me to ask you about tomatoes, but intuitively, I am getting this sense that tomatoes are an issue for you. So what’s with tomatoes?”

I told her I had a history of being allergic to them and then she says, “Did you know sometimes nightshade vegetables like tomatoes can cause leg cramps? When did you last eat them?”

I got very quiet as I said, “Last night.”

I was amazed by her intuition. My massage therapist is talented in massage but also knowledgeable in plant medicine as well. I don’t know what that fully means, but I do know I got called out for not paying attention to my tomato allergy.

Karl in Veneta, Oregon

Thank you so much for volunteering your service to the CASA staff. What a wonderful gift. You guys are awesome!

CASA staff

When my business was about two and a half years old I was struggling to make a profit. While I was doing what I loved, I wasn’t charging enough for my services because I took for granted the value that my services represented to my clients. I also was peppering my work with quick money opportunities that made me unhappy. After a few business coaching sessions, once or twice a month with Justine Michaud, I was realizing my value and increasing my bottom line. She encouraged me to ask for what I was worth, and in turn clients respected me more. Now, I am approaching my fourth business anniversary, I am finally making a profit, working less hours, and am able to afford to have a baby for the first time in my life. I highly recommend the coaching services available at Village Health.

Denise M. Cawley, Pizzazz Studios, West Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We also want to send a big bear hug out to the woderful folks at Village Health Services. Our staff was recently treated to Jin Shin Jyutsu, table massage, chair massage, Reiki, reflexology and deep listening. We are grateful to Dr. Ananda Stiegler, Fen Dawn Jessica, Justine, Mischa, Shali and Valerie for donating their time and gifts of service to us.

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