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Happy holidays, patients and friends,

Christmas is here as evidenced by the lights, carols, sweets, colored ribbons and cute cards we receive. I have always loved the Christmas season.

The office will be closed between Dec. 22 and Jan. 1 while I visit my family in Kansas.

Below is a picture of the whole family. The boys are David, my son, and Dawson, my newest. The girls are (from the left) my granddaughter Jennifer, me, my daughter-in-law Deborah and my granddaughter Angela.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Dr. Hawkins

STRESS

As you prepare to celebrate the holidays, consider giving yourself a gift that no one else can offer...the gift of better health. Just small changes in your habits and lifestyle can make lasting, meaningful improvements in your well-being.

EXERCISE
Taking brisk walks or climbing a few flights of stairs after meals can help burn off excess calories from feasting. This will also increase energy levels.

EAT HEALTHFULLY
It seems as if cookies, candy and pies are everywhere during holiday seasons. Limit your intake of sweets. They drain your energy and can cause depression. Keep on hand healthy snacks, like fresh fruit and veggie munchies — food that your body and mind will appreciate.

PAMPERING
Do something fun and healthy for yourself. A facial, massage or even a hot bubble bath are all great stress relievers that give you time to think about your "to do" list and work through unexpected issues that have arisen.

OF COURSE, VISIT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR
Stress is the most common cause of holiday depression. Because certain stresses are unavoidable, your nervous system needs to be functioning at its best to help your body respond to any additional holiday challenge. Finding the "weak links" (subluxations) in your nervous system and correcting them will help restore better function and make a profound difference in your response to stress.

HOLIDAY RECIPE

AGAIN, THE SUGAR-FREE, WONDERFUL CRANBERRY RELISH MY MOTHER USED TO MAKE FOR US.

6 oz. frozen apple juice concentrate
1 pkg. fresh cranberries
15 oz. Can crushed pineapple
1 pkg. frozen strawberries or cherries
1 pkg. Knox gelatin
1/2 cup pecan pieces

Cook everything except the gelatin and nuts over medium heat. Stir occasionally, until the cranberries pop. Remove from heat. Dissolve gelatin in the cold apple juice. Add the juice and the nuts. Cook a little longer. Pour into a bowl or jelly jars and chill until firm. Enjoy!

KIDS CORNER

Hyperactivity is a serious problem affecting 3-10% of all children. Ritalin and other "downer drugs" are often prescribed without much investigation for the underlying cause. Two well-designed studies from Cornell Medical Center report a definite improvement in hyperactivity after utilizing a markedly restricted diet eliminating artificial food, colors, flavors, etc.

Sugar plays an important part in this, because the refinement removes the B vitamins; to be able to use sugar, your body must use B vitamins from its own supplies, leading to a deficiency and many neurological disorders.

Other names for sugar are: corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, honey, concentrated fruit, glucose, maltose, lactose and sucrose.

Read labels carefully to prevent your children from getting too much sugar.