A Healthy & Healing August Starts Here
Prioritize Your Wellness This August
As August unfolds, it brings an ideal moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your personal well-being. Remember that at any season of life, it’s about more than just staying busy. It’s about making sustainable choices that support long-term vitality.
Here are a few ways to make August your healthiest month yet:
🏃♀️ Move with Intention
You don’t need to run marathons—just move consistently. Morning walks, gentle stretching, swimming, or even dancing in the kitchen can improve circulation, mobility, and mood. Do what feels good for your body.
🥗 Eat to Nourish
August offers plenty of fresh produce—farm fresh berries, tomatoes, greens, corn, peaches. Incorporate more whole foods, drink plenty of water, and notice how your energy shifts when you fuel your body with purpose.
🧘 Protect Your Mental Space
Life gets noisy. Make space to unplug, breathe, and check in with your mental health. Whether it’s journaling, reading, or simply doing nothing for a few minutes, rest your mind.
🌙 Prioritize Sleep
A solid night’s sleep is a pillar of health—especially after a long warm day. Consider winding down with a routine that supports deep rest: avoid screens before bed, cool off your bedroom, and maybe a decaffeinated, calming tea.
This August, let wellness be your quiet revolution. Small, intentional steps lead to lifelong benefits. You’re not just surviving this season—you’re investing in the healthiest version of yourself. Wishing you strength, balance, and clarity all month long.
Move With The Tide . . . It's Easier!
What is Osteopathy in the Cranial Field?
Craniosacral osteopathy (also known as cranial osteopathy) is a form of osteopathic therapy developed By Dr. William Garner Sutherland – a student of Dr. A.T. Still. Dr. Sutherland was a student at the America School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri (Dr. Mercuro’s alma mater) when he had a thoughtful revelation when studying the surfaces of the cranial bones. The shape of the bones prompted years of further study and self-experimentation where he developed the principles of osteopathy in the Cranial Field.
Osteopathic Treatment in the Cranial Field is a powerful treatment modality. If you have ever been on a river or in some type of water current, you know that it is much easier to move with the tide than against it. In the same way, cranial osteopathic treatment works with . . .
Osteopathic medicine can be beneficial year-round, but there are some specific advantages to seeking treatment in August:
- Seasonal Activity Strain: Summer activities like hiking, swimming, and sports can cause musculoskeletal stress. Osteopathic treatments can help relieve joint and muscle tension.
- Vacation Recovery: If you’ve traveled, especially long flights or road trips, osteopathic care can address posture-related discomfort.
- Preventive Care: Mid-year is a great time to reassess your health goals, and osteopathic medicine’s holistic approach can help maintain balance and prevent issues before fall activities ramp up.
- Allergy Support: Some regions experience late-summer allergens, and osteopathic manipulative treatment may help support respiratory function.
Considering these factors, August can be an ideal time to optimize your health with osteopathic care.
While our Functional Medicine panel is full, Osteopathic Treatment appointments are available on a limited basis monthly.
Call and discuss if this may be a good option for you.
Online Courses ~ Only $10
Now Available Anytime!
Take an hour to empower yourself through health education. Each course is led by Dr. Elisa Mercuro, DO, Functional Medicine Certified Doctor. You can walk away with the understanding needed to make healthy lifestyle adjustments and seek the proper health assistance you may need. Adding new courses each month . . .
Members Only In-Person Classes
Learn With Gina Toce, LMT, NH#7888
2 classes per month, complimentary to members of Sparkle Health.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
2nd Monday of each month, 6 pm
3rd Wednesday of each month, 12pm
Classes expected to be 60-90 minutes.
Topics: Stress, Calm App, Breathwork,
Meditation, EFT tapping, & More
CALL OR EMAIL TO ATTEND
Best Blueberry Jam/Filling
Making Your Own Blueberry Jam
Ingredients
½ cup fresh organic blueberries
1-2 tablespoons water (optional, to aid blending)
Optional sweeteners: honey or maple syrup.
Optional flavor enhancers: vanilla extract, vanilla bean, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, orange juice, and/or zest.
Optional thickener: tapioca starch
Instructions
Simmer Blueberries: In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries and water (if using). Cook over medium-high heat until the berries begin to burst and soften, stirring occasionally. (3-5 minutes).
Sweeten (optional): Taste the blueberry mixture and add your preferred sweetener if desired. Stir until dissolved.
Thicken (optional): If a thicker compote is desired, mix a small amount of cornstarch or tapioca starch with water to create a slurry before adding to the blueberry mixture. Simmer for a few more minutes until the desired consistency is reached. Cornstarch generally creates a clear, glossy texture.
Enhance Flavors (optional): Stir in any desired spices, extracts, or citrus zest for a more complex flavor profile.
Cool: Allow the blueberry compote to cool completely before using.
What Patients Have To Say
Special Days In August
Mark Your Calendars
Observed in the Month of August
American Adventures Month
American Artist Appreciation Month
Back to School Month
Black Business Month
Family Fun Month
Intersectionality Awareness Month
MedicAlert Awareness Month
Motorsports Awareness Month
National Cheer Safety Month
National Civility Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Minority Donor Awareness Month
National Traffic Awareness Month
National Water Quality Month
National Wellness Month
Summer Sun Safety Month
Weeks Observed in August
1-7: National Minority Donor Awareness Week
1-7: World Breastfeeding Week
3-9: International Assistance Dog Week
3-9: National Farmers Market Week
3-9: National Health Center Week
3-9: Stop on Red Week
7-17: The World Games
11-17: Safe & Sound Week
24-28: World Water Week
25-31: Be Kind to Humankind Week
24-Sep 1: Burning Man
25-Sep 7: US Open Tennis
Days Observed in August
1: DOGust 1st (Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs)
1: National Minority Donor Awareness Day
1: Woman Astronomers Day
1: World Wide Web Day
3: National Watermelon Day
4: Assistance Dog Day
4: Coast Guard Day
5: National Night Out
5: Work Like a Dog Day
6: Farmworker Appreciation Day
6: Hiroshima Day
7: National Lighthouse Day
7: Purple Heart Day
9: Book Lovers Day
9: International Day of The World’s Indigenous Peoples
10: National S’mores Day
10: World Lion Day
12: International Youth Day
12: World Elephant Day
13: International Left Handers Day
14: National Navajo Code Talkers Day
14: World Lizard Day
15: National Back to School Prep Day
15: National Relaxation Day
16: International Geocaching Day (Look it up!)
16: International Homeless Animals Day
16: World Honey Bee Day
17: National Nonprofit Day
18: Discovery Day (Canada)
19: National Aviation Day
19: World Humanitarian Day
19: World Photography Day
20: National Radio Day
20: World Mosquito Day
21: International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
21: Internet Self-Care Day
21: National Senior Citizens Day
22: International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
22-24: X Games
23: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
25: National Park Service Birthday
26: National Dog Day
26: Women’s Equality Day
29: International Day against Nuclear Tests
30-31: International Bat Night
30: International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
30: National Beach Day
30: National Grief Awareness Day
31: International Day for People of African Descent
31: International Overdose Awareness Day
31: National Zoo Awareness Day
