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Q. My huge crepe myrtle tree used to bear beautiful, deep fuchsia flowers, but twelve years ago, the tree broke in half. Since then, it has never flowered again; instead, the leaves of the whole tree turn a bright red. What must I do to get it to flower again? What do you think happened to this tree?

A. Crape Myrtles do not stop blooming just because the structure of the tree has been damaged. They bloom only on the terminal ends of the new growth formed in the spring. This is why the trees are so colorful because all the color is at the end of the vegetation and in many cases covering the foliage. You’ll never find any flowers in the interior area of the canopy. Once it finishes flowering, the seed develop in the form of a green, round, structure that then turns brown when mature. The structure shatters, distributing the sterile seeds which are then pruned off in the winter. Thus, when a tree produces little to no growth you get little to no flowers. To stimulate the growth, fertilize in March and late May with 16-16-16. I’d apply a half a pound of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter measured two feet off the ground. It should be applied around the drip line of the tree. The first application could be made earlier after the tree has been pruned. The red foliage indicates there other problems influencing growth, but I’m not sure what they might be. The red color should only be seen in the fall prior to leaf drop. I’d have an arborist evaluate the situation to determine what other problems are occurring. 

Q. I’m about to empty my compost bin as it’s nearly full. If I dig the compost into my garden now, will the winter rains leach out the valuable nutrients? In addition, should I mulch my roses now or wait until after they have been pruned?

A. The winter rains shouldn’t leach the nutrients from your compost. Compost is organic matter that is broken down by the soil microbes or organisms into nutrients that plants can use. The activity of the soil microbes is slowing down with the shorter days and the soil cooling off. Right now, you have several options. You could dig it in now or spread the compost over the top as mulch and dig it under in the spring. If you don’t have the time to do either, save the compost by storing it in plastic bags or large garbage can. With roses, I wouldn’t be inclined to spread it around until after they have been pruned at the earliest. You end up losing a portion of the material when you clean up the left over debris under the bushes. Mulching roses is usually done in May.

Q. I have been successful in growing papaya from seeds. One of these trees is now quite large and has fruit on it. When will the Papayas turn a yellow/orange color? Also, will the winter frost kill Papayas?

A. Yes, Papayas are damaged with our winter temperatures. They’re an evergreen, herbaceous plant, growing to twenty-five feet. Papayas are herbaceous because their trunks contain no woody tissue. The trunks are straight, hollow and rarely branched. This makes them more susceptible to freezing temperatures than other sub-tropical species like Citrus and Guavas. Often the foliage is just burnt by the winter cold. Eventually, we’ll have a very cold period that kills them. Our last killing frost was in 1990 so we’re due for one. For cold weather protection, I’d spray your Papayas with Bonide Wilt Stop or Cloud Cover. This also applies to Citrus, Hibiscus, Bougainvilleas, Mandevilleas and other cold sensitive plants. Wilt Stop and Cloud Cover puts a protective barrier on the leaf surface. I think of it as Chap Stick for plants. The next time freezing temperatures are forecast, cover them with a plant blanket at dinner time and remove it at breakfast. What happens next is up to Mother Nature. Papayas bear fruit at and early age. Flowering and fruiting occurs near the top of the plant in the leaf axils. The fruit turns a yellow/orange color in about eight months after pollination. Papayas are picked early because they bruise easily when ripe, much like pears. This is called the green mature stage. The fruit then has three additional ripening stages, evidenced by an increasing amount of yellow, beginning at the bottom of the fruit and working its way to the top. A ripe Papaya is predominantly yellow, has a light fragrance and yields slightly to pressure, much like an Avocado. A green papaya takes seven to ten days to ripen. You can increase the ripening time by putting them in a paper bag along with an ethylene-producing fruits such as apples or bananas. However, keep those fruits away when the papaya is fully ripe. Ripe papayas will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week but freezing them is not recommended as they lose their flavor when defrosted.

We all understand that diet and lifestyle are immensely important for a healthy life, yet many of us seem to go out of our way to close our eyes, shut off our minds, and avoid our responsibilities. One very big factor is that we can go to the doctor and get something to cover the symptom or kill the germ that we have invited into our body.  Some might reply, “I don’t invite germs into my body,” but that is exactly what you do when you get lazy or splurge with unhealthy foods.

The germ theory of disease is incorrect. If germs caused disease all by themselves, we would all be sick. The plagues of the past would have killed everyone. As science is finally admitting, inflammation can be the initial cause of most diseases. In addition, inflammation in one area of your body can focus your immune system on that area, allowing neglect and degeneration in another area, thus opening the door and giving an invitation to whatever germ may be around. Malnutrition can greatly affect the immune system, further exacerbating the problem.

Malnutrition can occur in the midst of plenty. Sugar, rice, and alcohol deplete the B vitamins bringing on cirrhosis and diabetes. Instead of changing to nutritious foods we grab a handful of supplements hoping to cover the effects of our destructive behavior.

When properly cared for, our bodies are magnificent and quite capable of remaining in wonderful health and vitality to a very old age.  Medicine’s habit of suggesting pills with side effects that should frighten most, just to relieve a symptom, is an insult.  I have had patients with as many as 25 prescriptions causing unbelievable side effects and degeneration.

There are many populations that do not have access to modern medicine. They eat nutritiously, haven’t heard of cancer and live to be quite old; in some cases over 100 years with no doctors to help. One ugly side effect of current practices is that these procedures are creating a whole population of elderly that are not healthy and are suffering multiple disabilities, such as hearing loss, loss of eyesight, arthritis, cancer, diabetes and many other problems that likely could have been avoided.

One of the benefits my patients have is, I too, have suffered.  I used to take a medication to cover an illness while I had my stack of pancakes, cake and ice cream. My enthusiasm comes from no longer having arthritis, psoriasis, allergies or colds.  My diet and lifestyle changes have resulted in the best health of my life with better memory, good hearing and good eyesight, without even one medication. 

Many of my patients have followed my recommendations and are also experiencing similar results. As I mentioned in previous articles, we are now entering the so called flu season. It is more correctly called the deplorable diet season. Those flu bugs would love to share the holidays with you and your family, but you must invite them in.

 

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is an irritation and swelling of the thick tissue (plantar fascia) on the bottom of the foot.The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot toward the five toes. The plantar fascia helps hold up the bones on the bottom of the foot, creating the arch. When this fascia becomes inflamed it makes walking painful and difficult. The pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. Plantar fasciitis is commonly thought of as being caused by a heel spur, but research has found that this is not the case. On x-ray, heel spurs are seen in people with and without plantar fasciitis.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:

• Foot arch problems (both flat foot and high arches)
• History of low back pain or sciatica
• Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
• Obesity
• Running, extended amounts of driving or repetitive stress to the foot or leg
• Sudden weight gain

What treatments are available for Plantar Fasciitis

Western medicine typically treats Plantar Fasciitis with oral and/or injectable anti-inflammatories. These may temporarily reduce the pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis but they do not treat the cause of the problem, and by no means heal it.

Long term correction of Plantar Fasciitis is a two step process.

First:  Heal the Damaged Fascia

Ending the pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis requires stopping the cycle of inflammation. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously.  Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser 1200 a Class IV Laser.  This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue.  During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health.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.

Second: Correct the Foot and Gait Mechanics

This involves rehabilitation of spine as well as the arch of the foot.  Arch rehabilitation is achieved by utilizing specific insoles and/or specific taping of the foot in order to re-establish proper motion of the arch while walking, then specific strengthening and stretching exercises are used to rehabilitate of the musculature of the foot and lower leg to ensure lasting results.

At Align Healing Center we are having great success treating plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even if it’s long-term residual pain. Even ar­thritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers can see long term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications.

Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. To set up a complimentary consult call 925.362.8283 or visit alignhealingcenter.com

5 Things You Should Know Before Getting Your Holiday Make-up Done

Whether you’re a beauty lover or not, getting your make-up professionally done is not only a positive experience but it saves you time and money. Whether you’re aiming for that Kardashian glam look or looking for a more subtle, Gigi Hadid-inspired natural look, your make-up is just as important as your hair and dress. The things you should know before getting your make-up done for the holidays may seem obvious, but they’re definitely still important. Whether it’s good skin care or using the right colors of the season, a lot of thought goes into what your look will be and how you’ll achieve it.  Going shopping for cosmetics for a holiday look can be stressful with all the thousands of choices, plus how often are you going to use those products again. It can be very expensive buying make-up for a couple of holiday events, getting your make-up done at a professional beauty boutique is not only educational, but cost effective.

While some women do their own make-up for their events, many choose to have their make-up done professionally. They do so because they know the artist will know the latest trends in fashion and that alone can save you hundreds of dollars in make-up mistakes. The professional will also be knowledgeable in colors that are in and what colors are out. You will have more confidence attending that special event while trending the latest style with that new movement in color shift. Some ladies don’t realize they can’t wear a coral lipstick with a red dress, just as you wouldn’t wear a pink lipstick with burgundy dress. A professional will keep you true to yourself and select colors that are perfect for you and the dress you’re wearing. 

Whether it’s the scrubs and masque’s you’ll be using the week before an event, or what types of looks you want the make-up artist to do, being informed is the best thing you can do. So what are the things you should know before getting your make-up done for the holidays?

1. Book Ahead Of Time: Just like you, others in the area will be booking for their make-up sessions. You’ll want to plan ahead and book in advance.
2. Have A Look In Mind: Whether you want a dark smoky eye or a more neutral look, knowing what you want before your appointment is a great idea. Communication is key when it comes to having your make-up done.
3. Talk About Foundation: Between the professional photos being taken or selfies, the likelihood of flash being involved is high. Flash can easily create a flashback in pictures that can completely wash you out. Make sure the make-up artist does not use a translucent powder; it’s better to use a powder that is the same color as your skin so you will look good no matter the camera lighting.
4. Prep Your Skin: Be sure to keep your pre-event skin care in mind before you get your holiday make-up done. The week before the event start using a good masque, like an organic scrub, perhaps a deep exfoliation masque or a hydrating treatment. While make-up artists are incredibly talented, having a great base will make your face look even more flawless and smooth.

5. Be True To Your Style: While something dramatic is great for holiday events, be true to your style. Don’t’ be so concerned about having a Pinterest-worthy make-up that will leave you fidgeting the whole night.

The team of highly trained professional make-up artists at The Rouge Cosmetics are excited to assist you and will give you the look you will love from on-trend, to super-all-out-glam or a natural youthful glow. They offer holiday make-up for all types of events. Please book your appointment early and in advance for best availability.