Healthy non-alcoholic holiday drinks - sparkling water

Are you looking for a healthy, non-alocholic drink to enjoy this holiday season? Especially with my wife being pregnant, this has been a priority for us this year.

I was recently on NBC 25 with different, delicious drinks and a few of our favorites.

Cascade Ice comes in four flavors, citrus twist, lemon zest, lemon lime and mixed berry. It is organic and has a very short ingredients list (always a good thing!). In Michigan, it is available at Kroger, click here to see where it is sold in other states.

Perrier sparkling water is available at most grocery stores and served in some restaurants. Plain sparkling water is delicious and you can add your own flavoring through fresh or frozen fruit, but they also offer a variety of flavors. Pink Grapefruit is Jen's favorite. The ingredients list for their flavored sparkling water contains "natural flavors" which is very broad and undefined, but it still makes this drink a better option than the majority of other holiday drinks. And Perrier is often easy to find in glass bottles, which is always the best option (safer than plastic). There are a variety of other healthy sparking water brands available, these are just a few of our favorites. 

Earlier this year we went to Europe, and many of the restaurants we went to for dinner served water in wine glasses and sparkling water was always available. This simple change of glassware made drinking just plain water more fun. Add some fruit to garnish the drink, and you have a very healthy and easy to make non-alcoholic holiday drink!

ACHOO! Relieving allergies the natural way [NBC 25]

As seen on NBC 25, written by Joel Feick 

Local honey at the Saginaw Farmers' Market

It's more than just a tasty treat to put on your toast. Honey may have medicinal benefits, especially when it comes to allergies.

But it has to be local honey.

That's according to Dr. Dan Kehres, a Saginaw area chiropractor and natural living advocate. Dr. Dan preaches a healthy lifestyle and has long been an advocate of locally grown food. He feels it's better for you if it's grown near you.

Which brings him to honey. He loves it and feels it can help you if you suffer from allergies. He talked about it during a segment on NBC 25 Today.

Although there is no scientific research linking honey consumption to reduced allergies, Discovery Health agrees there appears to be a link.

"Local honey is produced by bees usually within a few miles of where the person eating the honey lives. There's no real rule of thumb on how local the honey has to be, but proponents suggest the closer, the better. This proximity increases the chances that the varieties of flowering plants and grasses giving the allergy sufferer trouble are the same kinds the bees are including in the honey they produce. After all, it wouldn't help much if you ate honey with spores from a type of grass that grows in Michigan if you suffer from allergies in Georgia."


Read more about natural allergy remedies, see other NBC 25 segments with Dr. Dan Kehres.
 

Prevent heart attacks through diet [NBC 25]

As seen on NBC 25, written by Joel Feick 

Dr. Dan says these foods can lead to good heart health
 
Saginaw chiropractor Dr. Dan Kehres says the quickest way to good cardiovascular health is through your stomach. What you eat can lead to great heart health.

Dr. Kehres, who appears regularly on NBC 25 Today, says blueberries, almonds and dark chocolate are foods you should include in your diet. He calls it part of a Polymeal. He says following it can reduce heart disease by 75%. He also loves anything that's homegrown. He's even printed up some t-shirts that read "Eat Local."

He also says red wine in moderation is good for your heart.

Check with your doctor before changing your diet dramatically. But the Polymeal diet is packed with nutrition. It's something to consider.

Watch the July 30, 2013 NBC 25 segment: 
 

Dr. Dan Says Get a Juicer [NBC 25]

As seen on NBC 25, written by Joel Feick, with Liz McFarland


Remember Jack LaLanne, the uber-fit health guru, who was always telling us about juicers? Well Mid Michigan's version of Jack LaLanne, Dr. Dan Kehres, says ol' Jack knew what he was talking about.

 

Dr. Dan Kehres is a Saginaw chiropractor with a passion for nutrition. The former college football running back leads an extra-healthy lifestyle and urges you to consider doing the same. He's a regular contributor to NBC 25 Today.

Dr. Dan is all about eating things that aren't processed and that's where juicers come in. They are a great way to add fruits, vegetables and fiber to your diet. He suggests getting the fruits and vegetables from your local farmers market.  The only downside, cleaning juicers can be a hassle. But it' the way to go, says Dr. Dan. It's one way he adds kale to his diet. Kale is considered by some to be a "superfood," much like blueberries.

Dr. Dan usually brings his shakes to the set with him. OK, they look kinda gross. But they are packed with nutrients and can be quite tasty. He also likes to sneak ginger in there, another one of his favorite foods.

Dr. Dan says get a juicer. Buy one at a garage sale if you have to. You will feel and look better if you add it to your lifestyle of healthy eating.

To learn more about the doctor: www.drkehres.com

Sugar: The Rodney Dangerfield of Sweeteners [NBC 25]

As seen on NBC 25, written by Joel Feick, with Liz McFarland



Poor poor sugar. It get's no respect. But a local nutrition expert says if you have to sweeten up your coffee (or iced tea or whatever), it's not a bad way to go.

Dr. Dan Kehres is a Saginaw chiropractor with a passion for nutrition. The former college football running back leads an extra-healthy lifestyle and urges you to consider doing the same. He's a regular contributor to NBC 25 Today. 

Dr. Dan is all about eating things that aren't processed and sugar products are no different. He showed us a host of artificial sweeteners: aspartame, sucralose, etc. He says these products aren't good for your body because they're hard to digest.

Instead, stick with the all natural sweeteners: honey, fruit and yes even sugar. It's better than the pink stuff: all chemicals. He also likes a product called SteviaPlus. It's all natural.

Dr. Dan's advice: be good to your body. Skip the food that contains chemicals. Stick with food that's all natural. 

Pretty simple advice.

Natural Spring Cleaning Tips [NBC 25]

Saginaw chiropractor, Dr. Dan Kehres, as seen on NBC 25


True health is total health. One aspect of total health is reducing the toxins in your environment.

A recent study by the EPA stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.

One of the best all-natural cleaners is white vinegar as it is non-toxic and inexpensive. It can be used to clean almost anything!

For general cleaner mix half water, half white vinegar and a few drops off essential if you want a scented cleaner.

To mop your floors, we use the same mixture. It is safe for kids and pets too!

Another simple way to create a healthier home is to remove two common sources of chemicals from your laundry room -- fabric softener and dryer sheets.

Here are some of the chemicals found in commercial fabric softeners and dryer sheets you want to avoid:

•  Alpha Terpineol: can cause central nervous damage and respiratory problems

• Benzyl Acetate: linked to pancreatic cancer
• Camphor: causes central nervous disorders, is easily absorbed through skin
• Chloroform: a carcinogenic neurotoxin that warns inhalation can be fatal

To reduce toxins in your laundry, replace dryer sheets with dryer balls. Plastic dryer balls can be found at many home good stores, but wool dryer balls are your best option. They help reduce drying time (saving money) and help soften clothes too. To find wool dryer balls locally, visit Sweet Peach Baby Boutique in Bay City, Mich.

Also, try swapping out fabric softener for white vinegar. Fill a Downy Ball with white vinegar and throw in the wash on top of the laundry. It works great, is a natural antibacterial cleaner and fabric softener. And it doesn't leave your laundry smelling like vinegar.

Incorporate some of these natural spring cleaning tips for a healthier home!

Saginaw Chiropractor on Balance: Use it or Lose it! [NBC 25]

Saginaw chiropractor Dr. Dan Kehres, as seen on NBC 25 with Joel Feick:



Balance is something many of us take for granted – until we lose it. An indication on how well your brain is communicating with the rest of your body, balance typically gets worse with age. But you can improve your balance, it just takes practice like any other skill.

Most people sit for the majority of the day which is one of the worst things you can do for your balance. Standing and moving around activates the muscles in your legs therefore improving your coordination and balance.

According to The Gerontologist, falls are the leading cause of injury death for people over 65 years of age. Also, on average one in three people age 65 and older fall one time per year. Being proactive and preventing falls is very important for this age group. Especially when it is slippery outside, always take smaller steps as the larger steps you take, the worse your balance gets!

Many falls actually happen at night when it is dark. When you aren’t able to use your eyes, it completely changes how your body balances. Now imagine getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, your vision is not very good and your leg muscles are not as strong as they used to be. Practicing balance exercises with your eyes closed is a great way to prevent falls and injuries.

Practice these balance exercises daily: 

• Stand on one leg: alternate every 30 seconds, five times on each side. This helps the connection between your brain and the rest of your body improving balance.
• Stand on one leg, eyes closed: alternate every 30 seconds, five times on each side. Be sure to hold on to a wall or chair when you start practicing! This helps to prepare your body for walking when it’s dark. If you get really good at this, buy a balance disk and practice on that.
• Chair squats: Use a chair and practice getting up from a sitting position, 20 times with no hands. Squats help strengthen your legs and hips, creating a strong foundation to prevent falls. Weak leg strength is the main reason people their lose balance and fall. 
• Up and down: Practice getting on the ground and getting up. If you have trouble with this, make sure you practice with a friend to help you. Many elderly people struggle getting off the ground without something to grab or lean on. If they fall in an icy parking lot and nobody is around to help it could mean big trouble! This is a very simple exercise to practice, but very important.

Start doing these exercises on a daily basis to improve your overall balance. Injuries from falls could greatly be reduced by doing them.

NBC 25: Tips for Meditating

by Joel Feick, NBC 25

NBC Reporter Brittany Shannon and Dr. Dan Kehres

Our lives are full of stress. Work. Money. Family. Stress. Stress. Stress.

Local chiropractor and healthy living advocate Dr. Dan Kehres says after a while, all that stress takes a toll on your overall health. On NBC 25 Today, Dr. Kehres says we all need to take steps, everyday to relax. Perhaps meditation is your way to do it. There are breathing techniques you can learn. You can consider yoga. Anything that takes you away from reality for about 20 minutes to find your quiet place.

For more on Dr. Kehres: drkehres.com

NBC 25: Sleep Tips for Reducing Stress

Saginaw Chiropractor Dr. Dan Kehres, seen on NBC 25. Article by Joel Feick, NBC 25

Need some beauty sleep? A Saginaw chiropractor says forget the beauty. Proper sleep helps with overall health. Dr. Dan Kehres, a regular contributor to NBC 25 Today, says there are ways to help you get better sleep. One is by taking melatonin, which you can find in a health food store. The other is to create a dark environment, blocking as much sunlight as possible that comes into your bedroom.

Dr. Kehres' website also says "in order to allow your body full recovery time during the sleep cycle, reduction of cortisol is essential. Stimulants such as caffeine, sugar and tobacco all increase cortisol. It has been shown that caffeine has a half life of six hours. So, if you drink a cup of coffee at 4 p.m. with 400 mg of caffeine you will still have 200 mg of caffeine in your system six hours later at 10 p.m. Due to caffeine’s long lasting effects, try to avoid it after lunch and in the evenings."

He also showed us a cool alarm that features a light that slowly wakes you up (see video above).

More on his website at www.drkehres.com 

Here's a video he made about sleep http://www.drkehres.com/2011/12/simple-sleep-tips.html

Recipe: Crockpot Lemon Parsley Fish [paleo recipe]

As seen on NBC 25 News

Crockpot recipes are easy to make, leaving no excuse not to eat healthy! Enjoy this crockpot fish recipe:

• 1 1/2 lbs fish fillet (I used cod)
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp parsley
• 4 tsp olive oil
• Grated rind of 1 lemon
• Grated rind of 1 orange
• Dash of salt and pepper

Put fish in a buttered crockpot, place ingredients on top. Cook on low for 1 1/2 hours. 

Click here for healthy crockpot chicken recipes. 

NBC 25 - Working out with the Saginaw Athletic Club

They're Out to Pump You Up
by Joel Feick, NBC 25
 
With Ryan McGraw, owner of the Saginaw Athletic Club, and Joel Feick, Jason Adams and Brittany Shannon of NBC 25, www.minbcnews.com 

Two former athletes in Saginaw are really out to pump you up.

Dr. Dan Kehres is a chiropractor and former college running back. Ryan McGraw is a personal trainer and owner of the Saginaw Athletic Club. He's a former outfielder with Coastal Carolina. Ryan says he was a runner not a hitter!

Both say people need to get off the couch and move their rear end (and every other part) to gain maximum fitness.

Dr. Kehres asks if you're getting in a rut with your workout. "Have you ever noticed someone at the gym on the treadmill day after day but who doesn't seem to be getting in any better shape? They are probably stuck in a workout rut" says Dr. Kehres.

Different types of exercises and workouts cause your muscles to develop differently. For example, sprinters are typically very muscular as they are built for speed and power, whereas marathon runners are thin and lanky since their muscles are built for endurance.

We have been told over and over that to get in shape you need to exercise for an hour a day, but more isn't always the answer—especially if it is a repetitive exercise (unless you are training for a marathon).

Dr. Kehres and Ryan put our NBC 25 Today morning crew to the test. If you'd like to contact him: www.drkehres.com

For more information about the Saginaw Athletic Club visit www.saginawathleticclub.com or call (989) 401-5009.

NBC 25 - Forget Mary Ann, add Ginger to your diet

From NBC 25 with Joel Feick

The Joys of Ginger, by Joel Feick of NBC 25

Do you remember the show "Gilligan's Island?" Two of the ladies on that show were Mary Ann and Ginger. Ask any man which one he prefers. A local wellness expert says go with ginger.

Actually Saginaw chiropractor Dr. Dan Kehres may be a little too young for Gilligan's Island. 

But he knows all about the health benefits of the root known as ginger. Perhaps you've seen it in the produce section of the grocery store. Dr. Dan says chop it up and add it to tea for a soothing drink. Ginger or ginger root is consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric another one of Dr. Dan's favorites.

For more information on healthy alternatives check out his website at: http://www.kehreshealth.com

Click here to watch the video from NBC 25.

You might also like:

• NBC 25: Incredible Protein Shake for Fall
• NBC 25: Want to lose weight? Eat eggs.
• NBC 25: Healthy Halloween Treats
• NBC 25: Coconut Oil lotion 

NBC 25: Healthy Halloween Treats

Looking for a healthy Halloween treat? Give out glow sticks this year instead of candy! Learn more in NBC 25 Liz MacFarland's interview with Dr. Dan Kehres:



Read A Healthy Halloween Treat and see other NBC 25 segments featuring Dr. Kehres. 

NBC 25: Incredible Protein Shake for Fall by Saginaw Chiropractor

By Joel Feick, NBC 25

NBC 25 Anchor Joel Feick enjoying a
Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake by Dr. Kehres

Saginaw chiropractor Dr. Dan Kehres loves protein and feels you should, too. Maybe you're bored with your protein shake choices. Here's a great way to zip up your shake, while adding protein to your diet. As with any eating plan, check with your doctor before you make any drastic changes in your diet.

The fall pumpkins are in. Pumpkin has a lot of potassium in it, which can help lower blood pressure and help reduce the risk of a stroke.

Great as a healthy, protein breakfast or the perfect snack for a fall day, try this Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake!

Recipe:

• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder*
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 1/2 banana
• 1/3 cup ice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp local honey

Mix in a blender and enjoy!

If you are a fan of Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte, try adding 1 scoop of instant coffee grounds and increasing the amount of almond milk (or coconut milk) to this recipe to make a pumpkin spice protein latte.

This recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free.  

For more information, check out: Kehres Health in Saginaw

NBC 25: Want to lose weight? Eat eggs.

By Joel Feick, NBC 25

A Saginaw chiropractor and wellness expert loves eggs and feels you should, too. Check with your doctor if you want to change your diet. But Dr. Dan Kehres says adding eggs to your daily meals is a low-cost way to add protein. Dr. Kehres says it's true, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day.

Dr. Kehres says a recent study found that people who ate two eggs for breakfast reduced their waist circumference by 83% more than people who didn't have protein for breakfast (Pennington Biomedical Research Center). 

He prefers cage free eggs if you can find them at the grocery stores.

The recipe for Mini Egg Muffins is at drkehres.com. 

The Mini Egg Muffins can be stored in the refrigerator and enjoyed throughout the week!

This recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free. 

Watch previous NBC 25 segments:
Homemade Coconut Oil Lotion
Eat Breakfast Like a King
Avoid Sugary Breakfast Foods for Kids

NBC 25: Coconut oil - you can cook with it, rub it on your skin and put it on bug bites

By Liz MacFarland, NBC 25

"Throw out your vegetable oil! The only oils you need in your house are olive oil and coconut oil!" That's what Dr. Dan Kehres says, a wellness physician and chiropractor in Saginaw.

Dr. Kehres says If you are cooking something that is so hot it will smoke, use coconut oil. Anything that will not be heated or only lightly sautéed, you should use olive oil.

Experts say to look for expeller-pressed, organic coconut oil. If the coconut oil is expeller-pressed, it is less likely to taste like coconuts. Dr. Kehres uses it to cook eggs, chicken, vegetables and more.

You can also use coconut oil on bug bites to stop itching and to help it heal. For dandruff even! You can rub the oil on your scalp, let sit for 15 minutes and wash out. It also works as hair conditioner, there are a variety of uses for coconut oil.

Coconut oil can also easily be made into a lotion for your skin. The easy recipe be found by clicking here. 

Coconut oil is available at Kehres Health & Chiropractic in Saginaw or can be found at your local health food store.

Watch previous NBC 25 segments:
Eat Breakfast Like a King
Avoid Sugary Breakfast Foods for Kids

NBC 25: Breakfast -- Eat Like a King

From NBC 25 with Liz MacFarland

We've all heard the famous saying, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Dr. Kehres, a wellness physician and owner of Kehres Health & Chiropractic in Saginaw, has a challenge in his office this month called "eat breakfast like a king."

Dr. Kehres stresses the importance of eating healthy and it doesn't have to be time consuming or difficult. And it can have a large impact on your health. 

People who ate two eggs (protein) for breakfast lost 65% more weight than people who ate a bagel (carb) for breakfast. 

He taught NBC25 viewers Thursday morning how to make a healthy shake to kick start your day. 

It's a great idea to make for your kids as they are heading off to school as well.

Chocolate Banana Protein Shake

Recipe:

• 1 tablespoon almond butter 
• 1 banana 
• 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder 
• 1 cup ice 
• 3/4 cup water, almond milk or coconut milk 
• 
  

Blend and enjoy! 

See previous NBC 25 segments. 

Avoid Sugary Breakfast Foods for Kids

Morning health tip with Liz MacFarland of NBC 25, Michelle Mersy of Great Lakes Bay Moms and Dr. Dan Kehres of DrKehres.com. 

Do you know how much sugar you are feeding your kids for breakfast? Whether it be in their cereal, in their juice or in a snack you give them as they run out the door. 

Dr. Dan Kehres, a wellness physician in Saginaw says most kids are taking in too much sugar in the morning at breakfast time and it is causing them to crash in the middle of their day. Dr. Kehres suggests whipping up a healthy shake in the morning for your kids. It may be difficult for kids to eat their veggies, but if they are whipped up together with some fruit, most kids are more likely to indulge.

 

Great Lakes Bay Moms featured our veggie shake recipe and some other tips in this article, Shake it Up For Breakfast. 

Look for a breakfast that includes healthy protein, healthy fats and fruits and veggies if possible. Eggs, veggie shakes and whey protein shakes are all healthy options for kids and adults, without the sugar of Pop Tarts and breakfast cereals. 

Mid-Michigan's Biggest Loser

Saginaw and Flint's local tv station NBC 25 hosted Mid-Michigan's Biggest Loser contest this year. Kehres Health & Chiropractic was proud to be a sponsor and supporter of the contestants.

The winning team was announced last night, congratulations to Warden's Warriors, Arnette Darby and Stacy Goss! And congratulations to MVP Chris Kovach! The winners received a LifeFactory reusable water bottle, Vitamin D and two months of personalized nutritional counseling from Dr. Kehres. Click here to see more on NBC 25.

Are you trying to lose weight? Come to Dr. Kehres' free health class Wednesday, June 15th, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Learn how to lose weight naturally by exercising less and eating more! Sign up by calling 989-607-4322 or email drkehres@kehreshealth.com.

Diet Tips From Sumo Wrestlers

Eat like a sumo wrestler, look like a sumo wrestler!

Almost everyone in the world is constantly trying to lose weight, except for sumo wrestlers. Their goal is to gain as much weight as possible and to keep it on. By studying the diet of a sumo wrestler, if someone truly wants to lose weight they should do the exact opposite of what the sumo wrestlers do.

How to train like a Sumo Wrestler, tips from the Takasago Sumo stable, sumo training facility in Japan:

Step 1: Skip breakfast
According to Dr. Wayne Callaway, obesity specialist at George Washington University, skipping breakfast can not only trigger overeating later in the day but can also cause a drop in metabolism. Be sure to not eat anything in the morning so you can slow your metabolism as much as possible, eating anything in the morning will boost your metabolism causing you to LOSE weight, which you definitely don't want to do.

Step 2: Drink high calorie drinks with your meals
Drinking high calorie drinks with no nutritional value allows you to consume many more calories throughout the day because your body doesn't register the calories as fast when you are consuming them together. Be sure to drink your Big Gulp WITH your Happy Meal for maximum calorie intake.

Step 3: Move as little as possible after you eat!
Movement burns calories and you really don't want to do that if you are trying to gain weight. So after you eat a large meal, be sure to sit on the couch, kick your feet up and move as little as possible, or you can even go take a nap (think Thanksgiving every day).

Step 4: Eat while watching T.V.
Eating while watching T.V. or using the computer is called brainless eating. It allows you to eat more food before your body tells you that you are full. So be sure eat potato chips while watching T.V., and always eat meals at your desk to gain as much weight as you can.

Step 5: Eat only two meals everyday!
By eating only two meals a day and skipping breakfast, it will help slow your metabolism as much as possible. Avoid healthy snacks during the day. Eating two large meals a day helps your body store all the food you eat as fat. Be sure not to eat every few hours, as this could boost your metabolism and cause you to lose weight.

If you are training to be a sumo wrestler and want to gain as much weight as possible, remember to follow the action steps above! If you are actually trying to lose weight, be sure to do the exact opposite of what Sumo wrestlers do!

Dr. Kehres was featured on NBC 25 providing health tips we can learn from sumo wrestlers, click here to see the interview.
Sources:
intermartialarts.com
cnngo.com