Author: Dr. Erica Peabody

Fenton, MI is a great place to be from and to move back to. Serving this community the "Exceptional Chiropractic Experience" at Cafe of LIFE Chiropractic is my favorite way to spend my days. Cafe of LIFE (www.cafeoflifefenton.com) is a Family Wellness Chiropractic Center located in the heart of this great little town. When I am not at my chiropractic practice, you will find me at the yoga studio, the gym, in my running shoes, with my family, on my snowboard, on my mountain bike, surfing, on the lake or some local restaurant or hiking trail. My ultimate goal and life purpose is to make a small difference in this crazy world...and have some fun while I am doing it.

THE WANDERER

Chiropractor Fenton Michigan - The Wanderer

Choco, the wanderer.  Yesterday at 6:15pm, while Victoria and I were finishing up with things here at the Cafe of LIFE, we are startled by a big chocolate dog (that would be Choco) charging in through our opened front door. We both just looked blankly at each other as our brains began to run a few obvious panic questions; “Where was he?”, “When and how did he get out without one of us noticing?”, “How long has he been gone?” and “How many cars did he have to dodge to make it to and from where ever his destination was?”. This was the very first time he has ever pulled a stunt like that. YIKES!!! It was an interesting “mothering” moment for me and needless to say I am so grateful to his angels for watching over him on his expedition.

 

“Dear Angels,

 

Instead of watching over him during his expeditions, please convince him not to go on them in the first place.

 

Thanks,

 

Choco’s Mom.”
Choco, the wanderer.

 

A REAL TRIBUTE

As many of you know, I spent the last 6 days in Colorado, one of my most favorite places on the planet. I was fortunate to be able to spend a couple days this time around in Aspen. If you have never been to Colorado, you need to take the time to get there, and while you are there, make the drive to Aspen. It is so beautiful, wonderful and amazing there. The crowd is super down to earth the shops and restaurants have something for everyone (a special shout out to the restaurant “Wild Fig”, a restaurant not to miss). Anyways the plan was to stay just Friday and head back to the ranch where I was staying 2.5 hours from there. The plan didn’t quite work out that way and we spent the night and woke up there on Saturday, of course, the Fourth of July. We had a plan to head out early in the morning but if there is a parade happening, I want to watch it. We at an amazing breakfast at “Lu Lu” (yet another not to miss spot) and the wandered down the street to find a place amongst the thousands of people lining the streets to watch the parade. The Air Force Academy is about a 4 hour drive from Aspen though probably a 15 minute flight by fighter jet and so there was a fly-by to start the parade. Then right at noon 75+ motorcycles start the parade, some fast, some slow, some young, some old, some cruisers, some street bikes, some motorcross, some trick riders, amazing and wild energy to kick it off. The next group in the parade were the Veterans. There was about 50 or so and each carrying a sign for the war that they were in. Some walking, some in wheel chairs, some on golf carts, some old, some young, some missing body parts, some sad, some happy, but all were very inspirational and what a tribute. I have seen Veterans in many parades before, but something about the signs they were carrying that made it different. After the race of motorcycles through the streets and then the Veterans, I have to say that I was joined by many in the crowd that welled-up with tears of appreciation and gratitude for those who served and currently serve. We are truly a blessed nation, we have freedoms that many in this world cannot even fathom. As we all celebrated over this past weekend with friends, family, food and fireworks, I hope something along the way inspired gratitude in your being. As the parade continued in Aspen, it was entertaining, and energetic, and fun however nothing could have possibly been more touching than that type of beginning and it will forever been a super fond memory for me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!

(the picture is me standing amongst one of the largest Aspen groves I have ever seen. It is along the road from Independence Pass down into the city of Aspen. Unfortunately the battery on my camera died so I don’t have any pictures of the parade, though maybe I should try to google it…)

THE FATHERS

What an important job. Parents, both the mothers and the fathers, have the biggest job in the world. They teach and educate and raise the children and I do not know a CEO at any company that has a job that is bigger than that no matter how large the corporation is that they run. Thank goodness for parents. My dad lives here in Fenton and I get to see him quite a bit. We have had our challenges through the years but I have grown to have a deep appreciation for him and who he is as he is part of the reason I am who I am today and I wouldn’t change it for anything. Ultimately we are all here to teach one another and we learn a lot from our parents. The good, the bad and the ugly…it is all part of life and so important that no matter what relationship you have with your parents, there is always a place for gratitude. Let’s count our blessings…thank you dad! Happy Father’s Day!

GOOD LUCK KATHY!

One of the greatest roles I have taken on as of late is Extension Faculty Member of Life University, the Chiropractic College in Atlanta, GA. In the beginning of April, Kathy Whitmore came to my office to spend the last three months of school learning how to run and grow an office. Not only has she mastered a lot of skills here at the office, I really have a lot of faith in her ability to be able to open and run a successful office. You see, not many choose to open an office right out of school. Rather, new Doctors of Chiropractic work in someone else’s office for a year, sometimes two, sometimes more. I was not one of those and hats off to those who want to start from scratch right out of the gates. It is scary at first but incredibly rewarding. I would never do it any other way. Kathy and I walked around downtown Rochester, MI last Friday afternoon and came across the most perfect location for her new office. It is open, and airy, and bright, and absolutely perfect for her. In fact, if that same space came available here in Fenton, I would move in a heartbeat! So good luck to you, Kathy! You have what it takes to make it out there. Just keep serving from the heart, stay open and THRIVE!!! (and of course, I will be just a phone call away or 45 minute drive when you are wrestling with some stumbling blocks:). For those of you out there with friends and family in the Rochester area looking for a chiropractor, I know a good one!

PROSPECTIVE CHIROPRACTORS

I have the greatest job. I really do. I am blessed everyday being able to work with people to promote and educate about health. It is awesome and I have so much gratitude for being led down this path to become a chiropractor. One of my greatest joys is getting up in the morning and knowing that I get to serve people in a beautiful office with an awesome team. One of my other greatest joys is turning other people on to such an amazing and rewarding career. Last night, I had the good fortune of introducing 2 young, wonderful ladies to the inside world of being a chiropractor. After I closed shop here at the Cafe of LIFE, I jumped in my car and made my way down to O’Dell Chiropractic Clinic in Walled Lake where there was a Life University prospective student night. It was wonderful and I left there feeling really complete that these two ladies got what they needed in order to be confident in taking their next step towards a rewarding future in serving chiropractic care and teaching health to the masses. Its awesome, wonderful, super exciting, and such an honor to be a part of their process. Anyone else interested? Let me know!

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES

In my chiropractic office, we stay busy seeing lots of people every week. It is a wonderful career and I enjoy owning and running my own business. I am, I think, the 10th chiropractor in city of Fenton out of 10 and we are all staying very busy. One of the things that is different about the Cafe of LIFE is that I, as a doctor, really look at myself as a partner in health, one of your teammates in you quest to live a full, healthy life. It seems like I just talk and talk all day long, but what I strive to do is educate. I do my best to educate everyone that I come in contact with about the amazing ability of the body to take care of itself. In saying this, the body has an amazing ability to care for itself…GIVEN THE PROPER BUILDING BLOCKS, ENOUGH WATER, REST, AND POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE! So keep your body balanced and connected with itself through regular chiropractic adjustments, drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day, eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, avoid processed foods at all cost, get the sleep your body requires, and stay happy. Happiness is a choice. Situations are brought into our lives to teach us something. Step back during the highs and lows so that you can take a moment to realize that your precept ion of the situation is what creates the energy around it. Life is so super short. And as my yoga instructor says so eloquently “Every moment in life that you are not completely present is essentially a moment that you have abandoned and can never get back”. Be present, LIVE THE LIFE YOU LOVE and LOVE THE LIFE YOU LIVE !

THE FLU

Did you know that Iowa was the first state to license chiropractic? The reason was that during the influenza epidemic in the 1918, it became apparent that people under chiropractic care were “magically” not affected by the epidemic. We know now that the nervous system directly strengthens your immune system, and allows you to live at your maximum potential! Yet, many people died from this strain because not enough people knew what to do at this time.Then, in 1976, there was a vaccine campaign with the second outbreak of the swine flu, which was heavily advertised, many millions of dollars were put into creating this vaccine, and it took months to prepare. By the time it was ready, the flu had taken its course, but what to do with all of the vaccinations that they had just put so much money and time into making? Well, they had to make use of it, so through advertising, the country was scared into believing their lives were still at risk. It was mandated that EVERYONE be vaccinated at this time. The harmful side effects from these vaccines cost more money to clean up than did the money in making the vaccine. However, the government learned that when scared, people will do almost anything…”The 1976 vaccination campaign is now considered to have been an overreaction based on mistaken fears that the swine flu outbreak would pose the same risk as the Spanish flu pandemic that followed the First World War, claiming the lives of up to 50 million people.” And this is when the “oh too commonly known” flu vaccine was created, and has escalated into what it is today. The side effects are still real, and often more harmful than the virus itself. Educate yourself before you quickly follow the trends. It could make a huge difference in the quality of life that you live.

NEWS & MEDIA

There is a lot going on these days and because of the news and media, many people feel like they are on a virtual roller coaster hanging on for life. That is an incredibly stressful way to live. There is news about the automotive industry, the economy, the job market, pirates, swine flu, weather, our government, and so much more that easily hooks our attention. Once our attention is hooked, there is this thing they do that puts us on this virtual roller coaster and it is hard not to go for that ride…and they do that for a reason, to get you to tune back in. Now I am by no means saying don’t listen and don’t be informed. Be aware, stay on top of the stuff that effects your lives, but know that they are taking you on a roller coaster that you didn’t necessarily sign up for. It is their way of keeping you watching what is coming next, keeping the TV on and letting their advertisers fill your minds with products to buy and drugs to look into because your body doesn’t know how to handle itself. And this swine flu thing…I have heard the word over 50 times in the last two days. It is a flu and the body can handle it. There have been a few cases, 20 as of the other day, in the US and no one has died from it here. The very best thing you can do in these times is keep yourself healthy and keep your immune system boosted. How do we boost the immune system? Eat a balanced diet full of fresh, unprocessed foods, get enough rest (3-4 hours doesn’t cut it for most people), drink plenty of water (half your body weight in ounces), exercise regularly, keep a positive attitude, and get your nerve system checked. The nerve system and the immune system are directly related and keeping the nerve system clear by chiropractic adjustments allows the body to work at it’s full potential. So stay informed, stay healthy, and enjoy the ride called LIFE instead of the roller coaster ride the media is taking you on!

MY BEARTHDAY

I love sharing my birthday with Earth Day. I love the idea of it and I have become really clever and write it bEARTHday, or at least I think it is pretty clever. So yesterday was my bEARTHday and it was a good one. I pretty much did my regular Wednesday stuff, wake up early, work, massage or acupuncture (massage yesterday), clean up my house, do laundry, go back to work, hot vinyasa yoga class, come home, eat and sleep. But it is Earth Day as well and Mother Nature has her ways of letting us know that maybe she isn’t so hot with what we are all doing to the Earth. Most of you probably noticed that there was sunshine, rain, hail, wind, sunshine, wind, rain, and ended the day with sunshine and 35 degrees. That is Michigan weather for ya however I think there was a message in the madness yesterday. I caught something online about Oprah asking everyone to go one day without using a plastic bag. Try that as a challenge. Lets be more conscious. We need to be in order to have a safe and healthy Earth for all of us and future generations to live on. Recycle, reuse and reduce our waste products. Make a difference, it just takes being a little more aware. And thank you for all the bEARTHday wishes. I look forward to many more trips around the sun!