Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Steamboat Springs: Work Retreat

I recently went to Steamboat Springs on a work retreat with my 100% Chiropractic Team. (if you missed why I love chiropractic, check out my last post)  We have 3 offices in Colorado Springs and 1 in Denver (our Atlanta Team and San Jose Team weren't able to make it).  I count a lot of my co-workers as friends so it was great to get together with everyone and spend time team building and just having some fun!  Craig and I went to Steamboat Springs last fall for our anniversary, but I had never been there in the summer and it was such a treat.


Steamboat Springs is a ski destination in the winter but in the summer the slopes turn into some awesome mountain biking trails and they set up the "alpine slide."  Prior to this trip, I had never heard of the "alpine slide" but it's pretty self explanatory- it's a slide that goes down the mountain.  So when I heard that we were going alpine slide RACING I got excited.  I love competition!  I am  not saying that I love to win and hate to lose- I just love a healthy competition whether I win or lose (of course, I would rather win : ) ).  I love the adrenaline pumping and the excitement that comes along with it.

The gondola that takes you up the mountain
Courtney and I on our way up and up and up
Here's my bestie (can grown adults still say that? ) Joy at the end of the slide
Ryan speeding his way to the end!
Race #1- Dr. Ryan and I were paired up and he beat me by quite a bit.  But since it was my very first time, I say that I just need to get the lay of the land and get more comfortable on the alpine slide.

Race #2- Courtney and I were paired up and I was ready for the challenge!  I threw all caution to the wind and went down the slide as fast as I could, taking the turns a little dangerously, heart pumping out of my chest, and screaming the whole way down.  Courtney and I were neck and neck the entire race- she would pull in the lead, then I would take the lead and then she would break away and I would catch up....

Here we come...

and I am VICTORIOUS!!!!  I absolutely loved the alpine slide experience!

In the afternoon we hung out at the pool and played cards when it started to sprinkle (it usually sprinkles everyday up in the mountains).  And at the end of the day we all went out to dinner.  Here are a few fun pictures from our night out in Steamboat:

Dr. Darby, Courtney and me (and Megan in the background)
Rebecca and Joy
Joy and Megan

Me and Courtney
Me and Leana

Me and Dr. Ryan
I had a great time in Steamboat Springs at my work retreat, which was more like a mini-vacation : ) 

My parents had planned a 2 week vacation to Colorado and they just so happen to be in Frisco while I was in Steamboat, which was just a couple hours away.   So Craig drove up to Frisco to meet up with them and all three of them came to Steamboat for a day hike so stay tuned for pictures from our family hike!

Friday, August 19, 2011

100% Life

I work at 100% A Chiropractic Wellness Center and I LOVE it!  I really have a passion for chiropractic and I want to share it with you!  I know you are thinking chiropractic is for neck and back pain- but I challenge you to think outside the box... chiropractic is for true optimal health.  If I have caught your interest I encourage you to read more...

The premise of chiropractic is very simple:  Your brain is the control center of your body and you brain communicates to your body via the central nervous system- this is simple anatomy that we learn this in elementary school.  Your nerves exit the spine and serve function to every part of your body and your spine's job is to protect the delicate nerves that exit.  Because our bodies are designed to move, your spine cannot be a solid bone but is made up a individual bones aka vertebrae. Those vertebrae can misalign even by a little bit, and can start to put pressure on those nerves (we call this subluxation).  When there is pressure on the nerve, the nerve flow is decreased and the message your brain is trying to send to the body isn't getting there correctly and that causes your body to malfunction.  A simple analogy of this is watering your garden.  If you step on the hose and decrease the water flow to your garden, what happens?  The garden will start to wither and die.  Now, the solution to the dying garden is simple right?  Just take your foot of the hose and allow the proper water flow back to the garden!  The same is true for your body- take the pressure off the nerves and allow proper nerve flow back to the body!  That is exactly what a chiropractor does.  They gently, safely, and naturally adjust the misaligned bones taking pressure off the nerve, restoring nerve flow and proper communication to the body.  When you body is subluxation free, it has the opportunity function at it's optimal level.

A misaligned bone that is putting pressure on the nerve (subluxation) robs your body of true health and it's ability to function to it's optimal level.  Are you asking: "How do I know if I have a subluxation?  I don't have any pain and I feel fine."  Subluxation can occur with minor slips and falls, during sports or other hobbies, or in car accidents, from poor posture, and even during the birth process.  You can't feel subluxation only the effects.  The effects of subluxation are a lot of the symptoms people experience everyday: headaches, allergies, asthma, thyroid issues, ear infections, migraines, poor immune system, high blood pressure, sinus problems, digestive issues (IBS, ulcers, acid reflux, heart burn), reproductive issues, tingling in arms and hands, tingling in legs and feet, sciatica, muscle spasms and the list goes on and on.  These are the ways that your body tells you something is wrong.  Research shows that these common (but not normal) symptom's root cause is a problem in the spine and nervous system.  So if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and your body isn't functioning correctly, the root cause could a subluxation. 

This is a Spinal Nerve Function Chart- it tells you where your nerves exit your spine, where they serve function to, and if you have a subluxation, possible symptoms you can experience.



I know that some of you may be thinking, "Yes, I have (symptom) but I take (symptom) medicine and they go away."  Let's go back to the garden analogy.  We could spray miracle grow to help the dying garden grow- but that only helps for a little while and you have to keep spraying the garden.  Eventually, you need more and more miracle grow, more and more often just to keep the garden simply from dying.  You may even switch to another brand of miracle grow because the real miracle grow stopped working.  This process is time consuming and expensive.  It seems silly right?  The obvious solution to the dying garden is to remedy the root cause and take your foot off the hose.  Give the garden the best chance to thrive by giving it what it naturally needs.  Why treat the symptoms of the problem instead of the cause of the problem?


Chiropractic doesn't claim to cure or treat any symptom or disease but gives your body what it naturally needs- nerve flow.  This allows your body to function the way God designed it, to heal naturally and express health from the inside out.  And therefore, we see amazing results with common symptoms everyday in our offices, including neck and back pain : ).  Chiropractic is for everyone because everyone has a spine and nervous system and everyone deserves true health, which is much more than the absence of pain and feeling fine, it's about living life to your God-given potential and absolutely thriving.  That is why Craig and I and hundreds of our practice members (and I really mean hundreds) get adjusted on a regular weekly basis.  Not because we have pain or feel bad, but because we want to continue to feel well and more importantly function well.

So, if you are wondering if chiropractic can help you or your family, I would love to talk to you more about it.

I encourage you to try chiropractic... it may just change your life!



Sunday, August 14, 2011

Adventures in Iowa Part 6: Adventureland

I loved going to Adventureland when I was a kid growing up.  I remember thinking that all the rides were so fast and went so high- and I loved the thrill of it.  We would always go early in the morning and run as fast as we could to all the best rides so we wouldn't have to wait in long lines.  And of course the food was delicious!  Adventureland was one of 2 places I would eat corn dogs and funnel cakes- any guesses for the other place?  If you are from Iowa you probably guessed right- the Iowa State Fair!  When I got a little older, maybe around 16 or 17 I started getting motion sickness from the all the spinny rides, but I still loved the roller coasters.  I haven't been back to Adventureland for at least 5 years (since we moved to Colorado) but it may be even 7 or 8 years.  Craig and I did go to Busch Gardens in Denver a couple years ago and I wasn't impressed, I actually thought Adventureland was better : )  Maybe it because of my fond memories of my family being together.  One of my favorite memories is that my mom would laugh so loud whenever she would be on a ride.  You would always hear people screaming but through the screams you could hear my mom laughing!

I was able to partake in the fun at Adventureland with the Brubaker Bunch.  It was a blast watching Lorelai, Amelia, and Hudson go on rides and just seeing their faces, I know that they were having the best time- just like I did when I was a kid.

It was so hot- and I mean HOT that day so we all have a nice "glow" in the pictures.

The Brubaker Bunch ready for a fun day!

Amelia refused to take a picture with me- but photo bombed my picture with Hudson : )
a little boat action
Lorelai riding all the "little kid" rides between hitting up the "big kid" roller coasters
Hudson's ride
The Frog Hopper was Amelia's favorite ride and she rode it at least 5 times.   And she screamed the whole time every time : )
And a sister picture just for the fun of it
Hudson's first train ride.  It started like this then he got a little more adventurous...
and he got to be right up front and loved it!

Adventureland was so fun and it was a fabulous way to end my Iowa vacation (doesn't everyone vacation in Iowa?!)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Adventures in Iowa Part 5: Hudson Turns 1

We had Hudson's official 1st Birthday Party a week prior to his actual birthday but he was born on July 9th and we celebrated on that day as well!  I was really glad that I could be there on his actual birthday (even though I know he doesn't know I was there, the pictures will be the proof!)

However, Hudson is such a busy little boy that it is near impossible to get a good picture of him and I...








It looks a little forced : )

We broke out the birthday hats and ate an ice cream cake and it was a great little celebration.

This year went by way too fast and I know it's totally cliche, but they grow up so fast!!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Adventures in Iowa Part 4: Jethro's BBQ

I think this is a first for me, blogging about a restaurant... but this restaurant deserves it!  After my week with the Brubaker Bunch, my mom and dad thought I might need a rest. (I didn't want to admit it, but they were right.  3 little ones can really wear you out!)  So I went over to my parents house on Friday night, slept in on Saturday morning, and enjoyed a lazy morning at the farmers market- which I might add, was very impressive.

After our day of just chillin' together we decided to go to dinner at Jethro's BBQ which was featured on Man vs Food.  It is the classic Iowa food and it was delicious.

Because it was all of ours first time, we all ordered something different so we could try more of the menu...divide and conquer!

Mom: the Pork Tenderloin


Dad: the Melt Sandwich


Lizz: a Beef Brisket Melt Sandwich

And we washed it down with a jar full of beer... (only in Iowa)


Jethro's BBQ was delicious and I can't wait to take Craig next time we are in Iowa! 

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Adventures in Iowa Part 3: A Week with the Kiddos




When my sister called and asked me if I would be interested in hanging out with her kids for a week during the summer, I instantly said shouted "YES"!  I was thrilled!!!  I didn't know exactly what I was saying "yes" to, but I jump at any opportunity to spend time with my nieces and nephew.

I am a little type A, ok, type A+.... which means I like to plan and be organized, so about 6 weeks out I started planning my week with the kids.  I had a bunch of great grandiose ideas of craft projects we were going to complete, and songs we will going to learn, treats we were going to make, and games we were going to play!  I let Katie in on my preliminary plans and she gave me a reality check of life with 3 kids... I guess things get a little crazy and plans get thrown out the window.  I realized I had to reel it in a bit and be a more "go with the flow", after all, Katie's only requirement was that the kids were alive and well when she came home from work (really? I could do better than that, but she didn't want any pressure)

After the weekend full of celebrating Hudson's baptism and 1st Birthday Party, Craig left with Trooper back to Colorado, and time had come... I had prepared and I was ready... FOR A WEEK ALONE WITH THE KIDS!!!!

I settled on a small game plan and thought it would be really fun for the girls to decorate birdhouses throughout the week (during Hudson's morning nap time).  We also spent a lot of time riding bikes, playing games outside and cooling off in the pool!

Day 1: Painting the Birdhouses





Day 2: Embellishing the Birdhouses


The birdhouses look awesome and the girls did a outstanding job working on them all week!


I also made good use of Katie's extra baby food that Hudson refuses to eat by making smoothies for the girls.  I added squash and peas to the fruit smoothies and put sprinkles on top and the girls thought they were fabulous...

a classic Lorelai pose : )

and a classic Amelia pose : )
And we spent time cooling off in the pool in the backyard!  We had a splash contest- judged on technique, landing, and of course the SPLASH...


And momma Katie got in on the action as well ...
AND SHE WINS BEST OVERALL!!!

I had an absolute blast hanging out with my sister and her family.  I realized that I don't have many pictures of Hudson during my week with the kids.  I think it's mostly because if I was taking pictures, Hudson would take full advantage of me not paying attention and get into mischief... he is a VERY busy boy and he kept me on my toes at all times!!

Thank you Brubaker's for sharing your life with me, I am truly blessed by all of you!