When most people think of chiropractic care, they think of back pain relief—and while that’s certainly one benefit, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Chiropractic adjustments support so much more than spinal alignment. In fact, they can have powerful, whole-body effects that enhance your overall well-being in ways you might not expect.

As someone who’s incorporated regular chiropractic visits into my own wellness routine, I’ve noticed huge improvements in my energy, sleep, and focus. Here’s a look at 10 surprising, science-backed benefits of chiropractic care that go beyond just pain relief:


1. Reduces Stress & Supports Brain-Body Connection

Your nervous system controls everything in your body. Misalignments in the spine (called subluxations) can disrupt that communication, leading to stress, tension, and imbalance. Chiropractic adjustments help clear the pathway between your brain and body, reducing stress and improving mental clarity.


2. Promotes Better Sleep

Tossing and turning at night? Chiropractic care helps relax the body and calms the nervous system, making it easier to fall and stay asleep—without the need for sleep aids.


3. Improves Joint Function & Mobility

Adjustments help restore range of motion, reduce stiffness, and improve flexibility—not just in the spine but throughout the body. If you’re feeling tight or limited in your movement, regular chiropractic care can be a game changer.


4. Reduces Inflammation Naturally

Chronic inflammation is linked to a wide range of health issues, from joint pain to fatigue. Chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation by realigning the spine and relieving pressure on irritated nerves and joints.


5. Relieves Headaches & Migraines

Many tension headaches stem from misalignments in the neck or upper spine. Chiropractic adjustments target the root of the problem, not just the symptoms—offering lasting relief for many who struggle with frequent headaches.


6. May Boost Immune Function

Your immune system is closely tied to your nervous system. Some studies suggest chiropractic care can enhance immune responses by improving communication between the brain and immune organs.


7. Encourages Relaxation & Grounding

There’s something incredibly calming about a chiropractic session. Realigning the spine and releasing tension can leave you feeling grounded, balanced, and deeply relaxed.


8. Supports Injury Recovery

Whether it’s a sports injury, accident, or strain from everyday life, chiropractic adjustments help your body heal by restoring alignment and reducing compensation patterns that slow recovery.


9. Improves Posture

From screen time to poor ergonomics, many of us suffer from posture problems. Chiropractic care helps correct misalignments, making it easier to stand taller and move more freely.


10. Enhances Overall Vitality

When your spine is in alignment and your nervous system is functioning properly, everything feels easier—from digestion and circulation to mood and mental focus.


My Personal Take

Since adding regular chiropractic adjustments into my self-care routine, I’ve felt more energized, less tense, and better able to focus on my work and family life. It’s a simple shift that’s made a big impact—and it’s not just about treating pain, but truly supporting wellness from the inside out.


Looking for a Chiropractor?

If you’re in the Squamish, BC area, I highly recommend Dr. Lori Broker. She brings a warm, holistic approach to care and works with people of all ages and lifestyles.

She also practices Network Spinal Analysis (NSA)—a gentle, powerful form of chiropractic care that helps the body release stored tension and reorganize from the inside out. I’ll be sharing more about NSA in an upcoming blog post, so stay tuned!

Visit her website here

13 Healing Powers of Lemons

by You Be Healthy

Lemon Benefits for HealthLemons are a bright, refreshing fruit that may offer a wide range of wellness benefits. Here’s a look at how adding lemon to your daily routine might support overall health:

    1. Digestive Support
      The bitter taste of lemon may help stimulate peristalsis—the natural movement of the bowels—which can support regular elimination. Try adding the juice of one lemon to warm water first thing in the morning.

    2. Nutrient-Rich
      Lemons are a source of vitamin C, citric acid, flavonoids, B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fiber.

    3. Immune Support
      The vitamin C and flavonoids in lemons may work together to support a healthy immune response, especially during cold and flu season.

    4. Liver Function
      Drinking fresh lemon juice in water in the morning is a popular wellness practice that some people use to support liver health and gentle detoxification.

    5. Body Chemistry Balance
      Although lemons are acidic, they may have an alkalizing effect on the body after digestion, which could help support pH balance.

    6. Antioxidant Properties
      Vitamin C in lemons may help neutralize free radicals, which are associated with the natural aging process and cellular stress.

    7. Allergy Support
      Lemons contain hesperetin, a phytonutrient that has been studied for its potential to ease allergic symptoms in some individuals.

    8. Brain and Nervous System Support
      Tangeretin, found in lemon peel, has been researched for its potential role in supporting brain health, including in conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

    9. Eye Health
      Rutin, a compound found in lemons, has been shown in some studies to support healthy eye function, particularly in conditions like diabetic retinopathy.

    10. Potential Anti-Viral Effects
      Certain compounds in lemons, such as terpene limonoids, have been studied for their potential antiviral properties.

    11. Blood Sugar Support
      Lemons contain hesperetin, which may help support balanced blood sugar levels, especially when they are elevated.

    12. Gallbladder and Kidney Support
      The citric acid in lemon juice may help reduce the formation of certain types of stones, such as gallstones and kidney stones.

    13. Overall Wellness
      Thanks to their antioxidant content, including vitamin C, lemons may support overall vitality and help the body manage everyday oxidative stress.

Tip – drink with a straw to protect your teeth!  I use a metal or glass straw.

Dr. Christiane Northrup I absolutely love Dr. Christiane Northrup!  She is an incredible writer, speaker and doctor (OB/GYN).  Her views on the mind/body/spirit connection to good health are empowering and inspiring.  “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom” and “The Wisdom of Menopause” are just two of the fantastic books she has written.

In the video below, Dr. Northrup speaks to Jorge Cruise, author of “The Belly Fat Cure”, about the dangers of sugar to women over 40.

After 40, we can’t get away with what we did in the past as sugar intensifies the hormonal shifts that are going on in our bodies. It is time to clean up our poor eating habits ASAP!

Dr. Northrup states that the top dangers of sugar to a woman over 40 are:

1) Intensification of heart disease
2) Increased risk of cancer
3) Increased risk of hormonal imbalance

She says that all the above can be reduced dramatically by simply reducing the amount of sugar in our diets.  Simple!

Loss of bone mass is a concern in women over the age of 40 and Dr. Northrup explains that a diet high in sugar creates an acid condition in the body which is the real cause of osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis has almost nothing to do with dairy products and calcium (wow!!!).

She also says that fat doesn’t make us fat, sugar makes us fat and explains why.

Please watch the great video below to learn about many other health issues:

Reference: http://jorgecruise.com/freeemailclub/2010/1/29/the-special-dangers-of-sugar-to-women-over-40.html

coq102094_4672103_1703404_n I am full of energy! Eating healthy, exercising regularly and supplementing all help!

You may have seen CoQ10 on the shelves at your local health food store and wondered what all the hype is about. It turns out, it’s not just hype—many cardiologists consider it a “wonder supplement,” despite being completely natural.

In fact, my own anti-aging doctor prescribes high doses of CoQ10 for patients with heart concerns and recommends a daily preventive dose for the rest of us (myself included).

So What Is CoQ10?

The form your body can actually use is called ubiquinol—the active, antioxidant version of Coenzyme Q10. According to Dr. Mercola, if you’re over 25, your body has a harder time converting regular CoQ10 into ubiquinol, so supplementing directly with ubiquinol is key.

Ubiquinol plays a critical role in cellular energy production and helps limit free radical damage, making it a powerful ally in aging well, supporting your heart, and improving overall vitality.

Top Benefits of CoQ10 (According to Dr. Mercola):

1. Increases Cellular Energy

  • Helps your body produce more energy at the cellular level

  • Supports stamina and overall energy levels

  • Acts as a catalyst in key biochemical reactions

2. Boosts Heart Health

  • Strengthens your cardiovascular system

  • Supports energy levels in your heart muscle

  • Promotes healthy circulation

3. Powerful Antioxidant Protection

  • Defends your cells from oxidative stress

  • Recharges other antioxidants (like vitamin E)

  • Supports healthy aging

4. Anti-Aging Support

  • Helps maintain alertness and mental clarity

  • Supports vitality and resilience over time

5. Maintains Healthy Blood Pressure

  • Encourages healthy blood flow

  • Research shows it may help regulate blood pressure levels naturally

6. Strengthens Immune Function

  • Boosts your body’s natural defenses

  • Helps protect against free radical damage

7. Supports Brain & Nervous System Health

  • Fuels your brain’s high energy demands

  • Encourages mental sharpness and balance

Bonus Benefits

  • Supports healthy gums

  • Helps stabilize blood sugar levels

  • Aids muscle recovery after workouts

  • May assist in weight management

  • Replenishes CoQ10 levels if you’re on statin medications

If you’re thinking about incorporating CoQ10 into your daily wellness routine, ubiquinol is the form to look for—especially if you’re over 25. As always, check in with a qualified health practitioner to find what’s best for your individual needs.

Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, diet, or wellness routine.

Did you know that you can make your own coconut milk in no more than a couple of minutes? I was buying organic coconut milk, both the tetra pack and canned (BPA-Free) versions, and  did some investigating into what was in the lining of BPA-Free cans.  I didn’t like what I found, but that’s a discussion for another blog post. I figured that it couldn’t be too hard to make myself, and I was right. This version isn’t thick like the canned variety. If I need a thicker version for recipes, I add more Coconut Manna (pureed coconut) to thicken the sauce.

Ingredients:
Coconut Manna (Coconut Butter/Pureed Coconut)
Water

Put 4 tablespoons of Coconut Manna per 1 cup of water in a blender. Blend for one minute. Strain the mixture using a nut milk bag or cheesecloth. Voila! Your own coconut milk with only 2 ingredients!

Health and Juicing

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead - Inspirational Film!

Dave and I watched an inspirational video documentary last month called ‘Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead’.  It both inspired us and moved us to get juicing ASAP!

100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross (an Aussie with a great sense of humour!) is at the end of his rope and is looking to make some serious lifestyle changes. ‘Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead’ is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe’s personal mission to regain his health.

He leaves Australia, trades in his junk food and hits the road in the USA with a juicer and goes on a 60 day juicing tour, regaining his health and also educating people about food, health and longevity.  He comes across a amazing soul, Phil Staples, who is a truck driver suffering from the same rare condition.  It is an inspiring story of healing and human connection.

A truly uplifting story which I hope you all take the time to watch.  It is available on Netflix!  You may also check out the Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead website which has great juicing and health tips.

Joe Cross provides an excellent free 3-day Quick Start Reboot plan filled with all the details about a Reboot including a meal plan, juice recipes, exercise tips and more!

FYI, I wrote this while sipping on a big glass of fresh green juice….yes, I am definitely inspired and motivated to make juicing a daily part of my life!  Thank you to Joe and Phil for helping so many people get well and get many off their meds!!

Sooooo…get juicing!! :O)

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PS Stay tuned for a blog post on the health benefits of juicing!

I just discovered my new favourite ‘Greens’ product!  It is organic, Non-Gmo AND Gluten Free!

Sunwarrior Ormus SuperGreens
is a nutrient-dense greens product with ingredients sourced from ‘pristine ancient sea beds’ located in a volcanic region of Utah and Arizona.  They use a special cold-drying process which protects the phyto-nutrients making it a raw green super food drink that is both alive and bio-available. Sunwarrior adds their own probiotic culture making it easier to digest.


Not only is it healthy, but it is tasty!  The peppermint and dash of stevia makes this the best tasting greens drink I have tried to date.  That being said, I drink many not-so-great tasting greens drinks no problem, so if you are new to greens, you might want to ease into it and add it to freshly squeezed juice.

This is the ingredient list:

  • Probiotic Cultured Greens
  • Alfalfa
  • Barley
  • Wheat and Oat Grass
  • Spinach
  • Parsley
  • Yucca
  • Peppermint
  • Whole Leaf Stevia

And that is IT!  No fillers, additives etc.

It isn’t cheap but you get what you pay for!  This is a high quality product with locally (USA) grown, organic ingredients.  I found the lowest price on Live SuperFoods if looking to buy online.  Otherwise, you can check out your local health food store!

Enjoy going Green!

Kim

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You Be Healthy - pH Strips and Litmus Paper

pH Strips

Our body’s pH – is it acidic or alkaline –  seems to be the new catchword these days when it comes to health.  This is why the pH testing strips (litmus paper) caught my eye at a health food store.  I knew there was a healthy pH balance needed in our body for optimum health, so I thought it would be a great idea to keep an eye on it everyday!  If I find that my body is too acidic, I can do something about it and be proactive.  After doing some research, it appears that our blood should have a pH of 7.35 – 7.45 (1).

To perform this simple test, all you need is a roll of testing pH paper, a plastic spoon and some fresh saliva.

Step 1:

Wait until 2 hours after your last meal before testing.  Swallow a few times to stimulate new saliva.

Step 3:

Spit fresh saliva into a plastic spoon.  Don’t do as I did the first time and stick your tongue on the paper – it is covered in chemicals!

Step 2:

Tear off a strip of pH paper and dip into the saliva.  Compare the colour of your saliva pH paper with the colour coded chart (will come with the pH paper).  And you are done!

Happy pH testing! 🙂

Kim
You Be Healthy
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Resources:
(1)  http://www.naturalnews.com/027280_alkaline_body_balance.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/88456-test-body-ph-levels/

Disclaimer: Opinions about what is an ideal pH (acidic and alkaline) range vary and this is just one opinion.

Kim Duess uses the infrared sauna for detox and many other health benefits.

I use the infrared sauna for detox and many other health benefits.

My preventitive health doctor encourages routine body detoxing as we live in a toxic world and we’re all exposed to heavy metals and toxic chemicals.  He suggests using an infrared sauna at least twice a week to help with detoxification.

An infrared sauna is different to a dry sauna in that it uses the same rays which are emitted from the sun. Infrared frequencies are very long wavelengths which can penetrate deeper into the body.  The infrared sauna warms the body instead of the heating the surrounding air, like traditional saunas.  The deep penetration of the infrared energy allows the cells to eliminate better.

Benefits of Infrared Heat

  • Purification reduces stress
  • Boosts immunity
  • Removes toxins
  • Increases circulation
  • Burns calories
  • Pain and injury relief
  • Beneficial for low and high blood pressure
  • Skin purification
  • Relaxation
  • Helps balance body pH levels

I use the infrared sauna at my local yoga studio twice a week.  When I was doing rehab for my ACL knee surgery, I used the infrared sauna 4 times a week once my surgeon gave me the ‘a-ok’.  It really helped with my speedy recovery!

Wellness Centers in your area may have infrared saunas which you can pay per session or you can also buy your own personal sauna.  Sauna models are available in a wide range of sizes (some are closet size!) and within all price ranges.

Sauna Tips

Be sure to wait at least an hour after eating before entering the sauna.  Also drink lots of water before, during and after your session.  Pregnant women should avoid saunas.  My doctor recommends starting with short sessions to start and increase over days/weeks as your body adjusts to its tolerance level.  As always, consult with your health care provider before starting any new health program.

To your health,

Kim
You Be Healthy
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Resources:

http://www.naturalnews.com/026833_toxins_oxygen_sweating.html
http://www.theqewcentre.com/

FlorEssence Tea Cleanse

Tea Steeping and Sterilizing Jars

You probably all know of someone who has done a cleanse or have seen different cleanses advertised online or in health magazines.  There are so many out there, it can be hard to decide which cleanse to choose.  The big issue for me is being hungry when doing liquid type cleanses.  I do a lot of sports and am always out riding my bike, going to CrossFit, etc – I need calories!

I did one liquid cleanse (was supposed to be 12 days) and lasted a day and a half…I regularly do my own green veggie juice cleanse which I find works great for myself.  I’ll have a fresh green veggie juice first thing in the morning and eat my regular, healthy organic meals the rest of the day.

Floressence Tea

Straining Tea

That being said, I was excited to find the FlorEssence tea cleanse because you can still eat what you normally eat, you just add the tea to your routine.  I tried this cleanse for the first time last summer and really liked it.

This powerful Native American tea was a recommended treatment for decades by legendary Canadian nurse Rene Caisse, Dr. Charles Brusch, and health educator Elaine Alexander. It’s ingredients include certified organic Burdock root, Sheepshead sorrel, and Red Clover, as well as Slippery Elm, Watercress, Turkish Rhubarb, Kelp, and Blessed Thistle.

A tip from my local health food store was to buy the FlorEssence dry tea and brew it at home.  If you are tight on extra time, you can buy the tea already brewed and in a bottle although it is much more expensive to do this.  When brewing yourself, there are 3 packages of tea which brew 5 cups of Floressence per package.

Floressence Tea Healthy Cleanse

Final Product! Ready to Cleanse!

The instructions are in the box but the process basically goes like this:

  1. Add 5 cups of water and 1 packet to a big stainless steel pot.  Bring to boil, lower heat to medium and let boil for 10-15 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and steep for 12 hours.
  3. Sterilize canning jars and lids in hot water.
  4. Heat the tea again.
  5. Strain tea into measuring cup and then pour into sterilized jars.
  6. Seal the jars, cool on counter and then keep in fridge.
  7. Write the date on top of jars.

I personally take 2 oz per day a half hour before eating or drinking anything else first thing in the morning.

You may buy in your local health food store on online. See links below to purchase online via eVitamins (they offer 20 – 70% off health products!):

Buy Flor-Essence Detox Formula, Dry Herbal Tea Blend 2.2 oz Buy Flor-Essence Detox Liquid Formula 17 oz
Flor-Essence Detox Formula,  Dry Herbal Tea Blend 2.2 oz Flor-Essence Detox Liquid Formula 17 oz

Always be sure to check with your health professional before doing a cleanse of any sort. Also be sure to read all instructions/precautions on label and in the box.

Happy Spring Cleansing!

In health,

Kim
You Be Healthy
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PS. I am doing a liver cleanse in a week or so…stay tuned!