We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying the season!
Wishing you the ability to weave mindfulness into your lives. Allow space in daily living for your own special self-care practices ~ be intentional about it!
Mindfulness is most effective when it is woven into the fabric of our lives and not just brought out when we feel like we need it. When mindfulness becomes routine is when you feel it’s benefits the most. Pause, check in with yourself, shift your focus, become curious, manage expectations, and praise yourself. Consider this when moving through the holidays and contemplating the coming year.
Looking to Nature For Support
Herbs For A Healthy Winter
As winter is quickly approaching, so are the health challenges that come with it. There are many great herbs that we can use during this time of year to support our health. Enjoying a hot cup of herbal tea is one of my favorite ways to do this. Just the act of making a cup of herbal tea forces us to slow down and relax while we wait for it to steep.
The winter holidays can bring about increased stress for many of us. Stress has a negative effect on our immune system as does lack of sleep. There are herbs that can help support a healthy stress response as well as improved sleep. Nervines are herbs that are able to produce a calmness. Herbs in this category include Chamomile, Milky Oats, Skullcap, Passionflower, Lemon Balm and Valerian. Another benefit of these herbs is that they are rich in nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium and magnesium. These nutrients are very beneficial to our nervous system as well. Another category of herbs is Adaptogens. These herbs help our body to adapt to stress. They are also supportive to our immune system. Examples of these herbs are Holy Basil, Ashwagandha, Licorice, Eleuthero and Schisandra.
Using any combination of these herbs regularly can help us stay healthy and limit the negative effects of stress. Adding some more flavorful herbs like Cinnamon, Spearmint or Hibiscus to any of these teas can help in adding a nice flavor to your tea.
Tea To Reduce Stress & Improve Sleep
1 tsp dried Holy Basil leaves
1 tsp dried Spearmint leaves
1 tsp Chamomile
1 tsp Lemon Balm
12 ounces boiling water
Pour boiling water over herbs in a pot. Allow herbs to steep for 15-30 minutes. Strain and add honey if desired for sweetness.
Benefits of Being a Member
We Offer A Variety of Options After Your Initial Visit!
As a Certified Functional Medicine Doctor and Doctor of Osteopathy my team and I dig deep to find the root cause of your health challenges. Our partnership with you is a journey of discovery that leads to your optimal health. Knowing that this can take time, we do our very best to make it affordable, so that you can find long-lasting health and wellness.
Initial Visit Includes:
~ One hour with Dr. Mercuro
~ Map your health biography, discuss your symptoms, and create a personalized health plan designed to identify and treat persistent symptoms and conditions
~ Functional Nutritionist Session (60 Minutes)
~ Comprehensive Electronic Medical Intake
$499
During your initial visit, Dr. Mercuro will assist you with choosing which of our yearly treatment plans is right for you.
STANDARD
$900 or 12 payments of $75/month* (5% pre-payment discount)
ENHANCED
$1800 or 12 payments of $150/month* (5% pre-payment discount)
PREMIUM
$3000 or 12 payments of $250/month* (5% pre-payment discount)
* Renewing Sparkle Members Save 5% on any plan
Lymph Massage Or Drainage?
Note from Gina Toce, LMT, NH#7888, Reiki Master, Certified IET® Master Instructor, and CLT
Call 603-328-8101 to schedule an appointment.
Lymphatic Massage
Do you have a tight, swollen feeling in your legs, feet and/or hands? If so, you could have a sluggish or compromised Lymphatic system. Our lymphatic system is a key part of our immune system. The goal of this light, relaxing technique is to help restore normal Lymphatic flow within your body. It can also assist to detoxify your body. 60 minutes – full body technique
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
This light systematic & rhythmic technique works to purposefully (and lightly) stretch your skin with a goal to produce an increase in the volume of the flow of your lymphatic fluid and decrease edema. Can be helpful for those struggling with Lymphedema or those experiencing edema while recovering from cosmetic or general surgery. Results can include detoxification for the body. 60 minutes – Lower or Upper Extremity
*Compression bandaging is available for additional fee
Give the Gift of Wellness, the Gift that Keeps on Giving!
Massage Gift Certificates Available!
Brighten everyone’s holidays with a gift of relaxation and healing.
Upcoming Events
Cultivating JOY – The research on Joy and Happiness
Led by Dr. Elisa Mercuro, DO
Date: Mon, December 12, 2022
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EDT
Cost: Free
Discuss how we can invite more joy and happiness into our lives and the influence of these emotions on health and wellbeing.
About this event
Filling the daily prescription of “Vitamin J” or Vitamin JOY is essential for our wellbeing. Discussion of the science of joy and happiness and how it influences not just mental health but also physical health.
Coconut Blondie
Looking for a treat without a lot of sugar?
Kate Swords, Functional Medicine Nutritionist, brings you this delicious holiday recipe! These gluten/dairy/egg-free blondies make for a tasty snack and provide protein + fiber + healthy fat! Let Kate know how you like this Coconut Chickpea Blondie Recipe.
16 servings
Ingredients:
1 tsp Coconut Oil
2 cups Chickpeas (cooked)
½ cup Almond Butter
¼ cup Maple Syrup
½ tsp Cinnamon
¼ tsp Sea Salt
¼ tsp Baking Powder
¼ tsp Baking Soda
⅓ cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (plus extra for garnish)
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and brush a baking dish with coconut oil (use an 8×8 pan for 16 blondies).
2. Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth.
3. Spread the batter evenly into the pan. (The batter will be very sticky, so brushing a spatula with coconut oil first will help.) Sprinkle extra coconut over the top and press in gently.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and edges are slightly browned. Let cool for 20 minutes, then cut into squares. Enjoy!
Special Days In December
December 1: Rosa Parks Day, World AIDS Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, National Pie Day
December 2: Special Education Day, National Mutt Day
December 3: Make a Gift Day, National Roof Over Your Head Day, Let’s Hug Day, National Apple Pie Day, Coats & Toys for Kids Day
December 4: Santa’s List Day, National Cookie Day, Wildlife Conservation Day
December 5: International Volunteer Day, National Communicate With Your Kids Day
December 7: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Letter Writing Day
December 8: Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, National Brownie Day, National Christmas Tree Day
December 9: Christmas Card Day
December 10: Human Rights Day, Nobel Prize Day
December 11: Unicef Day for Change, World Choral Day
December 12: National Poinsettia Day, Gingerbread House Day
December 13: National Violin Day, Ice Cream Day, National Cocoa Day
December 14: Roast Chestnuts Day, National Energy Conservation Day
December 15: Bill of Rights Day, International Tea Day
December 16: Boston Tea Party, National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, Ugly Sweater Day
December 17: Wright Brothers’ First Flight Anniversary, National Maple Syrup Day, National Wreaths Across America Day
December 18: Bake Cookies Day, National Twin Day, First Night of Hanukkah
December 19: Look for an Evergreen Day, National Oatmeal Muffin Day, Holly Day
December 20: Go Caroling Day, Games Day, National Sangria Day
December 21: First Day of Winter/Winter Solstice, Crossword Puzzle Day, Look on the Bright Side Day, Don’t Make Your Bed Day, National Short Story Day
December 22: National Date Nut Bread Day, Forefathers’ Day
December 23: Festivus, National Roots Day
December 24: Christmas Eve, National Eggnog Day
December 25: Christmas Day, National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 27: National Fruitcake Day, Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day
December 28: National Card Playing Day
December 30: National Resolution Planning Day
December 31: New Year’s Eve, Make Up Your Mind Day, National Champagne Day
Fun Fact
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll see the least amount of daylight during December. Winter Solstice in December is the year’s shortest day in terms of daylight hours. That specific day can give as many as six hours less sunlight than the longest day that occurs in June depending on where you live.
