Foster Family Chiropractic & Associates
16945 Leslie St # 17 L3Y9A2 Newmarket, ON, Canada

For the month of January FFC has partnered with Chris Volpe to join our community in giving back to two very important organizations in York Region. Both the Newmarket Food Pantry and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) York Region, work year round to provide for people in need in our community and we want to help support their efforts by encouraging all who can to make a donation. We have put together and amazing Giveaway Draw for those who choose to join us! The ...Giveaway Prize Pack includes an FFC Wellness Basket (featuring all of the goodies we have to offer) and a Canadian made portable HEPA unit generously donated by Chris Volpe. This prize pack is valued at over $600! Steps to be entered into the Giveaway Draw: 1. Make an in-person food donation to the Newmarket Food Pantry or an online donation to either the Newmarket Food Pantry and/or CMHA York Region. Click here to make your donation: CMHA Donation https://cmha-yr.on.ca/get-involved/donate/ The Newmarket Food Pantry Donation https://newmarketfoodpantry.ca/donate/ 2. Take a picture of yourself making the donation or a picture of the receipt from your donation. 3. Post your picture on social media 4. Tag the following organizations: @fosterfamilychiropractic, @cvolpe.expert, and whichever organization you choose to donate too.

Eat less and exercise more. Is losing weight really that easy? If it was, we wouldn’t be facing a global obesity epidemic. Managing your weight successfully goes way beyond how much you eat and exercise - we are all unique individuals with many biological differences. Head over to our blog to learn 4 surprising factors that affect weight and metabolism. ... https://fosterchiropractic.com/stubborn-weight-gain/

Fresh Herbed Avocado Salad INGREDIENTS Herb-pepita mix cup raw pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)... teaspoon chili powder teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil Pinch of salt cup chopped radish (about 3 medium) cup chopped green onion cup chopped fresh cilantro, parsley, basil, dill or any combination thereof 1 medium jalapeño, seeds and membranes removed, chopped (omit if sensitive to spice) Everything else 4 large just-ripe avocados cup lime juice (about 1 to 2 limes) 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup teaspoon fine sea salt, plus flaky sea salt for finishing (optional) Lime zest for garnish, optional INSTRUCTIONS Since avocados start browning once they’re cut, we’re going to prepare everything else first. Toast the pepitas in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often (don’t let them burn!), until they’re starting to turn golden on the edges and make little popping noises, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chili powder, olive oil and pinch of salt. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, combine the chopped radish, green onion, herbs and jalapeño in a bowl, and set aside. To prepare the dressing, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. You can slice or dice the avocados however you’d like, but for the prettiest slices (like mine), first cut the avocados in half and remove the pits. Then cut the halves in half again to make long quarters. Peel the avocado skin off each quarter and carefully slice it into long strips. To assemble, place the avocado in a medium serving bowl or platter. Drizzle the dressing all over them. Stir the toasted pepitas into the herb mix, then spoon it over the avocados. Finish the salad with optional flaky salt and/or lime zest. With thanks to Cookie + Kate https://cookieandkate.com/fresh-herbed-avocado-salad-recipe/

What you focus on, you move towards. When we live in a state of lack and negativity, we tend to see more of that - more proof that our life is not how we would like it to be. But the solution is not just about being a positive person.... things are topsy turvy right now. This is not the time to try and ice a mud pie. Nonetheless, practicing gratitude can help to infuse a little positivity into everything we do. And we could all use a little more of that.... Here's the challenge: Set an alarm on your phone to go off once each day. Label it "What am I Grateful For?" When it goes off, whatever you are doing (even if you're on a Zoom call!) take a moment to think of something you're grateful for. That's it. Daily gratitude the smartphone way.

Have you ever wondered why you tend to bloat as your period starts each month? Even though this very real symptom manifests itself in the gut, its roots are often hormonal. Right after ovulation, your progesterone levels are at their highest, causing the muscles of your digestive system to work more slowly. This delays transit time, increasing the risk of constipation as well as bloating. However, when progesterone decreases and your period begins, you may experience an incre...ase in bowel activity. That means some women may get diarrhea and... more bloating. Does this mean that you can't win? Not at all! There are many ways to help ease those hormonal ups and downs so that you can button up your jeans, whatever part of your cycle you are on. Give us a call and we will help you find the right practitioner for you! 905-898-8098

Parsnips are a root vegetable closely related to carrot and parsley. When harvested after a frost, they develop a sweet and earthy taste that, combined with their high fibre and nutrient content, makes them a great replacement for potatoes. Parsnips are famously delicious mashed or roasted in the oven and make a great addition to soups, stews, and casseroles. Will the humble parsnip make it onto your dinner table this holiday season?

Mommy Brain is real. In fact, both pregnancy and menopause are potentially accompanied by wild hormone fluctuations that affect a woman's ability to focus. Head on over to our blog to learn the role hormones play and how you can regain your mental edge. https://fosterchiropractic.com/cutting-through-brain-fog/

The use of ice-cold dips in a lake (or more reasonably, cold showers) to promote health has been part of traditional medicines for centuries. More recently, research has shown that cold showers oxygenate your blood and make you more alert, improves circulation, reduces muscle soreness, calms itchy skin, and gives you an all-over healthy glow - cold water even closes your hair cuticles, strengthening your hair over time. Get started by gradually turning your warm shower to c...old for a few seconds at a time, increasing the cold portion for as long as you can stand it. If you are sick or feeling cold, cold showers are not recommended, but for everyone else... who's in?

Common weed or valuable medicinal herb? Maybe it’s time to stop overlooking the humble Dandelion. Used medicinally through the ages as a health and detox tonic, dandelion is a veritable one-plant medicine chest. In fact, the Latin name (Taraxacum officinale) comes from the Greek words for disorder and remedy, and it's no wonder! This miraculous plant can lower inflammation and blood pressure, improve immune and digestive function, and protect the liver and heart. It has ...even been linked to a reduction in cancer risk! Dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fibre. The greens can be eaten cooked or raw and taste slightly bitter, similar to arugula (although they are many times higher in nutrients, especially magnesium and iron). For a milder flavour, pick them in spring before they flower. Alternatively, roasted dandelion root makes a dark and satisfying tea that many use as a coffee substitute. Check the coffee aisle of your health food store!

Here are some of the top ways you can actively work to slow down your immune system: - Stay indoors all the time - Stay up late staring at a screen - Drink alcohol & pop... - Eat food from boxes - Binge on candy - Don't exercise Sound familiar? Who's ready to join us in a fresh start? STEP 1: Keep your nervous system functioning optimally and get adjusted regularly!

Are you considering going gluten-free "just because"? When you make a drastic change in how you eat, make sure you have all the facts. While many people are sensitive to wheat and gluten, cutting these items out of your diet without careful consideration isn't always going to provide the results you may be looking for. Take weight loss, for example, many people cut gluten in an effort to lose weight, but you have to remember that most people with an inability to handle glute...n, such as those diagnosed with celiac disease, often lose weight due to malabsorption. They will put on weight after switching to gluten-free because they start absorbing their food properly. Many store-bought foods labelled as "gluten free" are low in fibre and contain high GI carbohydrates such as corn and starches, as well as gums and stabilizers which can be difficult to digest. Reducing how much bread and pasta you eat can be beneficial for many reasons including blood sugar and insulin balance, however, that doesn't have to mean cutting out all bread. Sourdough bread is often easier to digest than bread made with regular yeast granules. 100% rye bread is another great option that's high in B vitamins and fibre, making it more filling and affecting blood sugar levels less than white bread. If you suffer from regular painful gas, bloating or other digestive issues and suspect celiac disease, gluten intolerance or IBS may be the reason. It is important to see your healthcare practitioner for testing to uncover the underlying reasons for your symptoms.

A hidden food sensitivity could be messing with your ability to make decisions! But which foods are the most likely suspects, and how can you identify them? If you feel the need to sharpen your thinking, head over to our blog where we're discussing why you might be feeling a little fuzzy lately, and how you can improve your mental clarity. https://fosterchiropractic.com/cutting-through-brain-fog/

How do you know when it's the right time to seek professional advice? You have been feeling unwell and have not done anything about it, and it's not going away. You've been to a professional and still are not where you'd like to be. You've googled, you've tried different things and are still no further ahead.... Professional help with your health is about dialing in on the core issues and creating a customized plan just for you. Helping you reach your goals, eliminating the barriers that are not allowing your body to heal itself, and replenishing your system with the nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals that it needs. Health is all about balance and once you can clear out the issues causing your health concerns, you can then look forward to knowing how to prevent it in the future. This is what working with a health practitioner is all about. Ready to check your health off your to-do list for good....we should chat!

Australian sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo has come up with a new way of categorizing your sleep type, have you heard about this? Bear More than half of us are bears. Getting up with the sun, going to bed when it sets, and perhaps benefiting from a little nap after lunch.... Wolf If you prefer to get up late and have lots of energy at night, you may be a wolf. Lion Move over early birds! Lions get up early, work furiously in the morning, tail off after midday, and are in bed just as the wolves are coming out to play. Dolphin About 10% of the population are dolphins, and the reality is not as fun as you might think. Dolphin types are very light sleepers who are often irritable as a result. They have a hard time concentrating, find time management a challenge, and find it hard to work in the afternoon. Arezzolo suggests that, although you can't change your underlying sleep type, a healthy diet, meditation, and putting your smartphone away in the evening will give you a better night’s sleep. Which sleep animal are you? Or perhaps, more importantly, which sleep animals are the people you live with? https://www.theguardian.com//bear-wolf-lion-or-dolphin-how

What happens to your body when cells age? It turns out that they don't always go quietly! Tune in to our blog to learn about the issues that cell aging can bring up, and how to encourage your body to take out the cellular trash! https://fosterchiropractic.com/9-ways-to-reduce-inflammati/

What's the best movie you have ever watched?

When you can't control what's happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what's happening. That's where your power is.

Is your home affecting your health? If you avoid obvious pollutants like cigarette smoke, you may be pretty certain your home is not toxic. And if you clean regularly, you might even be slightly offended by the suggestion! However, indoor pollutants are much more common than many people realize. The sources of many pollutants are everyday objects and products we don’t consider harmful. The media devotes a lot of attention to outdoor pollution (and it’s a valid health concern...). However, indoor air pollution is a growing concern, in part because we spend about 90 percent of our time inside. Many commonly used chemicals within the home can negatively impact our hormones when we’re exposed to them. Check this list of indoor pollution sources: -Cleaning products -Nonstick cookware -Air fresheners -Antibacterial products -Plastics Many household "conveniences" lead to long-term negative health effects. Consider replacing toxic household items with their natural counterpart.