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It may be nice to see the price of gas going down at the pump; however, the sad thing is that we think $3.60 per gallon is a good price. Yes, I’m showing my age since I can remember filling up the tank for less than $10.00—something our kids will never experience! With that said, the automotive manufacturers are giving us options including going all electric. One of the options from Japan is the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

The 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the least expensive all-electric car on the market. It is small in size at just a little over 12-feet in length, and the four-door hatchback can carry four adults. The i-MiEV is a plug-in vehicle that runs only on electricity unlike some of the gas/electric hybrids. I plugged the i-MiEV into my110-volt outlet for between 12 to 15 hours and woke up the next morning to a driving range of 60 to 68 miles. However, Mitsubishi claims the care has a maximum range of 75 miles. I found the range drops quickly if you choose to run the A/C or use too many electric devices. You can run in Eco-mode to help achieve the maximum range.

Personally, I felt very comfortable driving around our local Tri-Valley without fear of being stranded. However, when I had to cruise up to Walnut Creek and Concord in traffic, I elected to grab the keys to my gas-driven vehicle.
After spending one week driving the i-MiEV, I found that it drove much like any other conventional car minus the limited range. It handled fine for a small car and had sufficient pick-up-and-go.

The i-MiEV has two charging outlets – your standard 110-volt and a 240-volt quick charge port. The quick charge port using the CHAdeMO standard will allow drivers to use properly equipped public charging stations to recharge the car’s battery pack to about 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

The 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV comes in rear-wheel drive and is available in one trim level, ES. It’s starting priced is $22,995. Power is produced from a 66 HP AC synchronous permanent magnetic electric motor with a regenerative braking system. The automatic transmission is a single speed, fixed reduction gear. I found the shift pattern as challenging as driving down Lombard Street—that is the one-block section that consists of eight tight hairpin turns. The iMIEV Shift Selector has three modes: Drive, Eco and Brake.

The styling is both cute and funky with a jellybean or egg-like reflection. It definitely turned heads as I drove by on-lookers. Mitsubishi pushed the wheels out as far as they could to create the maximum wheelbase of 100.4-inches with minimum bumper overhangs on this subcompact electric car. The windshield is heavily raked back with the arch following through to the rear hatch. The small 15-inch wheels help create that mini-feel. The front disc/rear drum brakes with ABS operated fine. Despite its small size, it was comfortable to drive.

The interior is basic with no flashy items that would weigh the iMIEV down. Forget navigation or backup camera extras, but you can order a foldable cargo tray and USB adaptor kit for an i-Pod. I was surprised to see a driver-side heated seat. With that said, you are exchanging a car full of tech-gadgets for an eco-friendly electric car with technology-only systems.

Room for improvement:
• I would like to see the addition of a backup camera

Cool Features:
• Standard 240-volt quick charge port

Safety on the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV comes standard with an advanced air bag system, dual-stage supplemental front air bags, driver and front-passenger seat mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental airbags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant protection, Active Stability Control (ASC) with traction control logic (TCL) and a high voltage cut-off system.

In Summary – The 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV offers buyers the option of avoiding a gas station to help the environment. If you aren’t heading too far, the i-MiEV works great for the local trips around town. It appears to be well-engineered and I enjoyed driving it. You might want to check into the federal tax credits for buying an electric car.

Specifications
2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Base price: $22,995 as driven: $23,845 (including destination and
optional features)
Engine: AC synchronous permanent magnetic electric motor
Horsepower: 66 @ 3,000 – 6,000 RPM
Torque: 3145 @ 300 RPM
Transmission: automatic transmission is a single speed
Drive: Rear-wheel Drive
Seating: 4-passenger
Turning circle: 30.8 feet
Cargo space: 13.2 cubic feet
Curb weight: 2,579 pounds
EPA mileage: 62-mile range
Wheel Base: 100.4 inches
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles powertrain limited
Also consider: FIAT 500e, Ford C-MAX Energi , Honda Fit EV, Kia Soul
EV, Nissan LEAF, and the Smart

Dear SSHS,
I’ve been dating this seemingly nice guy for about a month when he sent me an email saying he’s just not emotionally available right now and needs some time to reflect. I really like this man and wonder if I should be waiting around for him. ~Olivia, Walnut Creek

She Said: In my experience, people who are emotionally unavailable usually don’t know it and certainly don’t label themselves as such. It sounds like this guy heard this phrase somewhere and thought he’d try it on. We’re going to have to turn this over to Shawn to translate the guy-speak for us. In the meantime, I have a request for the grownups out there. Electronic breakups are cowardly. Let’s say we’re not going to email, text, or social media message our way out of relationships anymore, even if we are “emotionally unavailable.”

He Said: First off Olivia, let me apologize on behalf of all men out there who have ever said this to a woman. This is simply guy-speak for “I’m just not that into you.” This “nice guy” you’ve been dating has definitely taken the cowardly way out and didn’t want to plainly tell you his real feelings, which I’m sure he knew weeks ago. When a guy says things like this, he is making himself out to look like the victim so you don’t get mad at him for wasting the last month of your life. Do you really think if a super model crossed this guy’s path tomorrow that he’d still be emotionally unavailable? Hmmm…..I don’t think so.

Dear HSSS,
My oldest is a senior in high school and I find myself feeling really melancholy about the idea of his leaving for college next year. Is this normal?  ~Kathy in Orinda

He Said: I clearly remember the day my parents dropped me off at college and my mom crying for about an hour before they left my dorm room. And trust me those weren’t tears of joy. What you’re feeling is definitely normal, but look at the bright side…your kid is going to college! Do you know how many parents out there wish this same opportunity for their kids? Consider yourself lucky that your child has a bright future ahead of him and the first step is higher education. And don’t worry, kids always come back home.

She Said: We all feel like this, especially if we’re close to our children. Let me assure you, the last year home anticipating their leaving, is worse than their actual leaving. Once they do leave, it’s a little tough the first three weeks, but then it becomes the new normal, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you and the rest of your family adapt. Someone once said to me there’s only one thing worse than our children growing up and moving away: their NOT growing up and moving away.

Robin Fahr and Shawn Shizzo host Conversations and He Said/She Said seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30. Send your questions to www.AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

I saw a Facebook post yesterday; actually one of my Facebook friends. Just kind of a muse; a short, simple question, really. Should we just close our borders?  I’ve heard the thought before from folks that I considered “radical whack jobs.” This person isn’t.

And now, I’m hearing it more and more. And when I saw it this time, I didn’t know whether it made sense or even to give it a second thought. But, I have.

Why can’t we just close our borders? Why can’t we just be happy here? We live in the greatest country in the world. Shouldn’t we just circle the wagons and take care of our family, the United States of America?

Can we afford to be the world’s savior any longer? When did it start anyway? World War I? It continued through WWII and Korea and Vietnam. It ostensibly did thru Gulf War I and Gulf Wars II. But has it? Has it lost its meaning? Is the world a more complicated place now than it was when we knew we had to stop Adolph Hitler? We had to stop him from putting more Jews in ovens, and taking over Europe. That seems pretty simple.

But, haven’t we created some of the problems we are now fighting in the Middle East? Do we want to be helping save the people ISIS is brutally murdering …beheading? Or should we be minding our business here?

What would happen if we brought home the Americans who want to live here and then closed our borders? Would ISIS come here; find a way to fight us from within?

What about disease? Can we close our borders and not help people with deadly disease like Ebola? Do we want to do that? On the other hand, can we afford to help and risk our collective health?

Can we just close our borders with the interconnectivity in our world? Our companies do business in every corner of the world. How would we manage that if we close ourselves off?

As I write this, I’m still trying to shake off some nasty virus, so my thinking is very fuzzy, but I have to admit the feeling of being the independent, sovereign, giant that we are, closing borders sounds a little attractive.

John Lennon wrote“Imagine there were no borders.” Wouldn’t it be nice if the world worked that way? On the other hand, could we imagine our country taking care of its own, becoming energy independent, taking care of our families and those who need help here, and closing our borders?

I KNOW. I know it can’t / won’t happen and this is probably a waste of space and time. Probably better suited back in one of my old Philosophy / Poly-Sci college classes?

Can we turn our backs on the millions of people who need help in the world? There are so many people who need help.

I’m probably just tired. But when I saw the post, it obviously made me think for a moment.

Should we close our borders, in and out? Does it make any sense?

Q. I’m looking to plant several Blueberries as I’ve read they grow well in the Bay Area. However, I’ve received some conflicting information about their exposure. I’ve been told that Blueberries do nicely in a sunny location. And another opinion says, they should be in the shade by one or two o’clock in the afternoon. I’ve several areas, where I can plant the bushes. One spot gets sun from about 10:30 a.m. into the evening. In the other location, they would be in the shade by about two p.m. So, where should I plant my Blueberries?

Ans. Depending on where you live, both answers are correct. Along the coast, they grow in full sun all day, while in the San Ramon Valley, they prefer shade in the afternoon, April through October. Blueberries prefer mild temperatures and a marine influence, compared to hot, dry conditions and they don’t produce well in dark, shady areas. I’d plant your Blueberries in the second location, where they’re shaded after two o’clock and avoid the leaf burn on those really hot days. This should give you plenty of direct sunlight for a good crop of berries. I wouldn’t be concerned if a few of the leaves burn on those really, really hot days.

With today’s low chill varieties, Blueberries are a must in today’s garden. A couple of plants produce a good size crop with little effort. Bare root or packaged Blueberries will be available in January with container plants in March. Bountiful Blue and Sunshine Blue are self-pollinating. All the other varieties require a second variety that blooms at the same time for cross-pollination. Blueberries are a fabulous container plant. In the landscape, they’re the perfect companion plant to Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Camellias as they enjoy the same water, acid soil, and fertilizer. During winter months, an acidifier such as Aluminum Sulfate, GreenAll pH Adjuster or Soil Sulphur should be applied to keep the soil acid. Blueberries truly are easy and carefree to grow.

Q. Could you tell me what I need to do in order to keep my Poinsettia plants from dying? They seem to wither away so quickly each year.

Ans. Poinsettia leaves turn yellow, curl and shrivel quickly because of warm temperatures. Poinsettia plants like to be kept in a cool room, preferably under seventy degrees. They need to be kept away from heater vents, operating fireplaces and drafts, especially inside doorways as the sudden change in temperature causes problems. The flower and leaves of the Poinsettia plant collapses when the plant is excessively wet. They like to be kept uniformly moist. Before watering, stick your finger down an inch in the soil. If it feels moist to the touch then skip the watering. After watering, always dump the excess water that collects in the saucer and punch a hole in the decorative foil so the water can drain away.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional. His web address is www.dirtgardener.com and you can send questions by email at dirtgarden@aol.com or to 360 Civic Drive Ste. ‘D’, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 94523 and on Facebook at Facebook.com/Buzz.Bertolero

I do most of my Thanksgiving shopping in the fresh air at the farmers’ market—where the just-picked produce is both healthy and locally grown. I also take comfort knowing the money I spend there goes directly to the people who grow the food we eat, instead of some mysterious multi-national conglomerate. It’s just one more way of giving thanks.

This month I’ll stock up on freshly-harvested walnuts and almonds to enhance everything from appetizers to desserts; plump raisins, dried apricots, and other dried fruits; just-picked lettuce; pure fruit juices; sugar pumpkins and crisp apples for pies; acorn and other traditional winter squash for roasting; artisan bread, aromatic extra-virgin olive oil, sweet onions, celery, parsley, and garlic to make the best turkey dressing ever; tender young carrots; broccoli; Brussels sprouts; sweet potatoes; locally-produced honey; russet potatoes and Yukon Golds for mashing; beeswax candles and all other matter of flora, fauna, fruits, and veggies to make a spectacular yet affordable still-life centerpiece for my table. (After being admired for their beauty, all the produce will be consumed over the next week or so.) Inevitably I’ll also add a few more gourds and pumpkins to the welcoming displays on my front porch and mantel. It’s time to splurge. Thanksgiving comes only once a year!

The traditional feast means more than turkey and sides. Even if appetizers are not part of your usual game-plan, the leisurely pace of Thanksgiving requires a little something extra to quell hunger until dinner is ready. Forget the greasy potato chips and the ubiquitous plastic platter of icy, overcooked shrimp from the supermarket. C’mon folks. We can do better than that.

I happen to think a tray of crunchy farm-fresh crudités is the perfect answer, made all the better with a creamy dipping sauce. I’ve included the recipe for such a dip below, and guarantee it is going to taste better than anything you buy in a plastic tub at the warehouse store.

If you want to get a little fancier, “Figs in Blankets” may be just the right thing. I like to serve these yummy morsels on a bed of baby arugula leaves, so guests can grab a leaf or two along with a warm fig to add a peppery bit of freshness to each bite.

And if time is of the essence, I’ve added a few quick-fixes that should keep everyone happy. Even if your team is losing the game on television.

Fresh Spinach Dip with Feta and Dill

6 cups (loosely packed) fresh baby spinach leaves (about 5 ounces)
1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta or goat cheese
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill weed, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
Dash of cayenne pepper

1. Rinse the spinach in a large bowl of cold water. Drain but do not dry, so some water still clings to the leaves. Place the damp spinach in a large heavy nonreactive saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring once or twice, until the spinach is bright green and wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a colander to drain. When cool enough to handle, squeeze dry with your hands.

2. In a food processor or blender, combine the garlic and salt. Process until the garlic is finely chopped. Add the ricotta and process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Add the feta, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and cayenne. Process, pulsing the machine on and off, until blended. Transfer to a small serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight to blend flavors. Makes about 1 3/4 cups, to serve 8 to 10.

Figs in Blankets

6 to 8 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into 24 strips about 2- x 4-inches
About 4 ounces California goat cheese (or brie, Cambozola, or other soft cheese), well-chilled
12 small fresh figs (any variety), halved lengthwise; or 6 large figs, quartered
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons local honey
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
Arugula leaves, for serving
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚. Working in batches if necessary, arrange 24 prosciutto strips on a work surface. Place a fig half, cut-side-up, toward the bottom of each strip and top with about 1/2 teaspoon of cheese.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, and thyme. Drizzle a bit of the sauce lightly over the cheese and roll to enclose the figs in prosciutto. Secure with a toothpick and arrange 2-inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until the prosciutto is very lightly browned at the edges and the cheese is soft but not melted, 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Arrange the Figs in Blankets on a bed of arugula and drizzle each with a bit more of the remaining balsamic-honey mixture. Sprinkle lightly with freshly ground pepper and serve warm, not hot. Makes 24.

5 Almost-Instant Appetizers for the Harried Host

1. Serve tiny mild “breakfast” radishes alongside crusty slices ofartisan bread, best-quality unsalted butter, and a tiny bowl of coarse salt. Leave the greens on the radishes to use as a “handle” for grabbing.

2. Roll a log of fresh California goat cheese inchopped toasted almonds and dried cherries. Serve at room temperature with baguette slices.

3. Unmold a tub of mascarpone or cream cheese onto a small plate and top with fresh pomegranate seeds, finely chopped crystallized (candied) ginger, a finely chopped green onion, and a drizzle of honey.

4. Compose a fall fruit-and-cheese platter with store bought cheeses, wedges of Fuyu persimmon, apples, or pears; fresh figs, grape clusters,dried apricots, and/or toasted California walnuts.

5. Cut a cucumber into 1/2-inch thick slices. Pipe or spoon a bit of cream cheese onto each cucumber round and top with a piece of smoked salmon and a tiny sprig of fresh dill.

If you’d like to expand your entertaining repertoire—and have a lot of fun in the process—check out Peggy Fallon’s upcoming class at Draeger’s Cooking School at Blackhawk on Thursday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m. For more information go to www.draegerscookingschool.com, orcall 1-800-642-9463 ext. 261.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad and Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.com. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well.

Friends, I feel like a change is in order. Give me a minute to find my soapbox.

By now you are familiar with the eating patterns my family has adopted. The shift happened in our household upon the addition of our littles, coupled with a smattering of mind-jarring movies.

As our minds were peeled back, we seemed to find the perfect media that served as visceral reminders of why we were making the change. These movies we not propaganda, but truths about how we eat as Americans, and our generational inevitabilities, if something isn’t done now. These movies included: Fast Food Nation, Forks Over Knives, Food Inc. and most recently, Fed Up. The bottom line is that we are an overweight and over-medicated society and it all has to do with what we put in our mouths for “nourishment.”

The concerning realization has been the lack of restaurants in our immediate area that cater to the solution without making you feel overwhelmed and on-your-own as you peruse a foreign menu. How then are we supposed to “baby step,” without our hand being held, into a better tomorrow? We need that.

Look no further! Choice Kitchen is your guide and promotes learning at your own kitchen table.

Some back-story: Choice Lunch was established in 2003 by Justin Gagnon (son to the Gagnon Empire), to provide healthy and delivered lunches to our children in school. Today they deliver 40,000 lunches a day. (I reserve the right to explore this business more in the future).

In January of this year, Choice Lunch saw the shift occurring, or rather primed and ready to do so. They devoted their Danville location as the kitchen for this new endeavor and enlisted the nutritional moxy of Sophie Johnson to oversee the operation. In March they brought on the talented Executive Chef, Harold Sena-Okoto, formerly of Ruby Hill Golf Club, to make Sophie’s vision become a reality.

With Justin’s business savvy, Sophie’s educated passion and now Chef Harold’s culinary prowess, Choice Kitchen was born. But how does it work? Go to choicekitchen.com and peruse their menu items, fill your cart for the meal you want your family to have delivered to your home (order by noon for a same day delivery 3-5pm to your front porch) and spend far less than eating out and without the burden of burning valuable family time or your fingers.

Choice Kitchen is organic and whole-food based. All produce is local and a partnership with the Danville Farmers Market and Hodo Tofu are evident. (You can visit Choice Kitchen at the Farmers Market every Saturday.)

Sophie eats well for health. Her menu items are Paleo, vegan and gluten friendly. There are sustainably-raised seafood and meat dishes. Sophie puts any misconception to bed with one comment: “This is not a take-out alternative. This is how you would cook if you had the time. These are busy parents that care about diet spending time enjoying their families.”

I have been in their kitchen and it smells like grandmas house at Thanksgiving.
Their Beta Testing was unprecedented. Prior to launch, Sophie gave 20 families in Danville, Alamo and San Ramon $500 dollars credit and then met with each family individually for feedback.

Currently these are the only towns being delivered to, but Walnut Creek and LaMorinda are on the horizon. There are no membership fees and free delivery for orders over $50. My family and I (four people), spent $47 and ate to our fill with left-overs.

I know that wanting to eat well, and actually doing it, is daunting. Sophie has bridged that chasm simply because she cares.

She even gave us our own coupon code. Go to www.choicekitchen.com and cook dinner. Use the code ALIVE and get 10% off your whole order and free delivery regardless of how much you spend.

This is how we are supposed to eat!

569 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville
925-418-7748
www.choicekitchen.com

You know that feeling you get when someone tells you that they’ve never done or experienced something and you can’t help but think, “but wait, WHY NOT”? That’s often the feeling or thought that crosses my mind when people tell me they’ve never had a massage or facial. It’s shocking to me. Absolutely shocking!

Having been lucky enough to grow up in a household where spa treatments were introduced early on in my life, I’ve always felt the need to advocate for their importance in everyday life to those who have yet to (or even refuse to) experience a body or skin care treatment.

I get it, massages and facials can seem like an extravagant extra purchase, that money can go elsewhere, right? Well, where else are you spending it? When you take a look at the benefits of receiving regular massages and/or facials, combined with our incredibly affordable prices, you might be able to understand why it is that I am somewhat flabbergasted when people say, “I don’t need that”. I say this because, well, everyone does!

At Healing Hands Day Spa, we offer not only affordable massage, facial and skin care treatments, but unforgettable ones at that. It’s not just a cute joke that our name is Healing Hands! Working as the manager here, I am not exaggerating when I say that nearly every person who leaves their treatment room can’t help but express (in their incredibly relaxed state) just how happy they are that they came in. I often hear, “I can’t wait to come back”! People have even commented on how relaxing just sitting in the waiting room is!

We offer more than just treatments, we offer a soothing, relaxing escape from your daily routine – we know how important “me time” really is. Being a regular client here myself, I am less than happy when I need to miss one of my regular appointments, especially massages. But facials as well. Okay fine, I hate missing any appointment that I have.

As someone who suffers from spinal issues, my regular massages are what keep my body going. Not only do our massage therapists customize the treatment to fit your needs, they actually listen to you. The same goes with our estheticians as well, they listen to what you want and need in regards to your skin care. I’ve visited many other “spa” settings while living out of state and other cities in the Bay Area where I couldn’t even relax. A lot of the treatment sounded like this: “a little more pressure there… Okay yeah, can you add a little more pressure there… So if you could increase the pressure there that’d be great…” Do you know how many times that scenario has run through my head at other places? I don’t even want to talk about it.

If you’ve never experienced a skin care treatment or massage, or even if you have but just haven’t made your way to our side of town, give us a call at 925-362-9892 or book online at www.healinghandssalon.net and we’ll be happy to set you up for a blissful experience!

If you are suffering with neck pain from a pinched nerve or herniated disc, you know how debilitating it is and how the pain slowly leaks the vitality from your life. At Align Healing Center we specialize in treating pain naturally. It is our mission to help relieve pain without the use of drugs or invasive procedures and without inducing more pain! If you or someone you care about suffers from pinched nerves or disc related pain, it is worthwhile to explore the natural therapies that are available today.

What is cervical disc herniation?
The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by round, flat discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. If they become damaged, they may bulge abnormally or break open (rupture), in what is called a herniated or slipped disc. Herniated discs can occur in any part of the spine, but they are most common in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) spine.

A herniated disc is usually caused by wear and tear of the disc. As we age, our discs lose some of the fluid that helps them maintain flexibility. A herniated disc can also result from injuries to the spine, which may cause tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. The jellylike material (nucleus) inside the disc may be forced out through the tears or cracks in the capsule, which causes the disc to bulge, break open (rupture), or break into fragments.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck?
Herniated discs in the neck (cervical spine) can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and hands. In some cases, a very large herniated disc in the neck may cause weakness or unusual tingling affecting other parts of the body, including the legs.

Arm pain from a cervical herniated disc is one of the more common cervical spine conditions. The arm pain from a cervical herniated disc results because the herniated disc material “pinches” or presses on a nerve in the neck, causing pain to radiate along the nerve pathway down the arm. Along with the arm pain, numbness and tingling can be present down the arm and into the fingertips. Muscle weakness may also be present due to a cervical herniated disc.

How can I heal my pain without drugs or surgery?

1. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a state of the art treatment that has been helping thousands of patients with chronic neck or lower back pain, sciatica, and herniated, bulging or degenerated discs. This is an entirely different treatment from traditional chiropractic adjustments. Many of the patients who are candidates for this procedure have already tried chiropractic, physical therapy, injections, and/or were told they would need surgery.
This breakthrough treatment works by gently separating the vertebra which decompresses the disc, thus causing the bulging material to be drawn back into the disc. Non-surgical spinal decompression is very effective, has a high success rate, and can be utilized for both cervical and lumbar disc injuries.

2. Class IV Laser Therapy
Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser 1200 Class IV Laser. Class IV Laser therapy gets to the root of the injury and treats it at the cellular level, providing energy to the cells so they can heal. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During each painless treatment, laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen, and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.

There is hope!
We have found that a combination of Class IV laser therapy and spinal decompression offers outstanding results in healing stubborn neck pain due to a pinched nerve, bulging discs or spinal degeneration.

This unique combination of non-invasive therapy offers a chance for realizing a permanent cure for neck or back pain. This eliminates the long-term care commitment forced upon patients by other symptomatic low-back pain treatments such as: drugs, injections, and surgery. With proper care and rehabilitation of your spine you can be back to your healthy self quickly!

For more information about Dr. Niele Maimone, DC or to set up a complimentary consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

Other than consciousness, which is arguably the most important aspect of being human, memory is what provides the mental structure for a meaningful life. After all, without memory, all of our thoughts would be in isolation, separated from the past without context. It would be a constant stream of thought generated from our immediate surroundings, or would simply percolate up from our subconscious— of which we have no control. We couldn’t understand jokes, drive a car or recognize a friend.

We take our memory for granted, but when it starts to fail we know that it’s a problem—a big problem. It’s very much a disability, but just not as evident or as obvious as a limp or a tremor. You know it’s happening; you’ve gone into the bedroom to get something and then forgotten why you went in there, or you are reminded of an important conversation with a friend that you can’t fully recall, or you can’t remember a paragraph you read right after you’ve just finished reading it. “It’s not a silly little moment,” as the John Mayer song goes, it’s as substantial and life changing as it gets.

When memory is mentioned in the media, it’s typically associated with a disease like Alzheimer’s or Senile Dementia. Most of what we know about memory has accumulated only in the last five years. Before then, the brain was thought to be “set,” in other words, non-changeable, which colored our view about its processes, and especially about memory. Since we didn’t know how memory was formed or where it was stored in the brain, strategies to improve it were based on conjecture and hope. This is not a good recipe for success.

With the progress of neuroscience came a clearer formulation of memory science. I can’t cover the neuro-chemistry of memory in depth in this short article, but I’d like to discuss some of the concepts of how memory works and talk about a few therapies that have worked in my office to improve brain function and restore memory.

Early theories thought of memory as a time-related progression, moving from sensory memory (1 sec.) to short term or working memory (up to 1 min), and then to long-term memories. A more recent theory suggests that it’s actually the depth of mental processing that creates long term memory. We have all experienced the effectiveness of giving an idea special meaning by associating it with something else. Having the brain take a more in-depth look at an idea requires neurons to fire in a particular pattern which forms a neuron “circuit” that actually alters brain tissue. When this happens your brain is never the same again.

A part of the brain called the hippocampus, along with the prefrontal cortex, is believed to be the transition point to long-term memory. If the hippocampus is functioning too low, memories simply peter away. This area of the brain also controls the adrenal glands that produce cortisol (the stress hormone), which, if is too high or too low, will decrease long-term memory. It should be said that memory is actually stored in many areas of the brain and so, to some extent, a healthy brain leads to a good memory. The prefrontal cortex is important because that is where the organization of memory occurs.

Next month, I’ll go over the approach I take for increasing overall brain health and improved memory, but for now remember that any improvement in nutrition, like decreasing carbohydrates (grains), fast food, increased omega 3s, and exercise will go a long way to making you remember the date of your partner’s birthday and where you put your keys. To really get into the specifics of your individual memory/brain issues, a full assessment of your biochemistry with blood and hormone tests (and possibly others) is needed so we can find the specific cause of your problem and issues that have developed over time.

Dr. Don Davis, D.C., DACNB is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek. He has been serving individuals with chronic pain for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Davis, call (925) 279-4324 (HEAL).

Just for comparison, let’s pretend that we are building a supersonic fighter. When several of the parts come in they don’t meet specifications. Due to a lack of titanium several were made of aluminum. Even with no knowledge of engineering, we all know this plane would fail. But isn’t that the way we have been building our bodies? Due to our own actions, to the medical industry and to our lack of leadership, the specifications for an adequate immune system cannot be met, thus our defense is down.

Wait, there is help! The Drug Cavalry is coming, just in time, to hide our deficiencies and cover the symptoms. Now, with their special drug, our plane is able to fly with aluminum parts. We can even get AMA and FDA approval that the “standard of care” was followed and those parts are fine, although, with a serious challenge, those parts are more like paper.

What can we do to make up for this disaster? The purpose of this series of articles on the immune system is to help find an answer. The immune system is so complex that we are only just beginning to discover its many intricate and interrelated activities. Just last year the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was given for the discovery of how cells communicate allowing cellular cooperation in the destruction of invaders.

What can you do to help these heroes, aka your cells, keep defending your body? Give them the supplies they need. Even if you follow all guidelines for ideal nutrition, you could easily be missing critical minerals that are necessary in order to provide your immune system with what it needs.

Over 75 years ago a health agency for our government warned our country that, due to farming methods, the soils were being seriously depleted of essential minerals. So far, science has found that we need Copper, Zink, Magnesium, Selenium, Iodine and Iron. The reason I say “so far,” is that we need more research.

When given rare earth minerals, the life span of laboratory animals greatly increases. Certain areas of our planet have human societies with incredible health and longevity. In these areas they get the minerals naturally because their crops are irrigated with glacier water or their diet includes ocean products, such as seaweed. We have idiot regulators in California that will not allow glacier dust to be brought into the state because it contains asbestos, a substance found in the soil throughout our state. I bought Canadian Glacier Dust in Oregon which contained 76 minerals and my vegetables grew faster and bigger and were bug resistant.

There are several very good supplement companies that provide these minerals in a chelated form, but nothing is as good as the colloidal form found in vegetables. It should be so obvious to all of us that even with all the incredible advances in industry and science, the USA is one of the world’s leaders in degenerative diseases.

As I explain in my book Why?, to have the best chance for a wonderful, healthy, still active and youthful life when others your age, and younger, are in rest homes or passed on, you must be proactive. The more you can educate yourself on the subjects of nutrition, exercise, stress control and happiness, the better chance you have. You can bet big Pharma will do everything it can to keep from losing customers. Their loyal followers will try to convince you that it’s easier to take drugs to feel good than to go to all that trouble of careful shopping and food preparation.

On my website, www.drbrownwhy.com, there will be regular blogs on new findings and health tips I come across in my research for my next book. I have also made myself available for talks to groups and organizations.