by Kay Lucas

With spring budding all around you, you might be checking to see if your plants have come back from hibernation. When a tree is sick, you might notice the leaves aren’t growing or the branches are brittle. Is there any green left in there? Any good gardener will tell you to check the soil and fertilize and treat the roots to ensure the tree has the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Just like a tree, humans need to assess their symptoms and find the root cause of the problem. That’s what
LivingWell Integrative Healthcare is all about. 

While most medical practices will treat your symptoms, often prescribing one pill after another, LivingWell looks at the bigger picture to treat the problem, therefore, relieving you of the symptom. By digging deeper to find the root cause, they strive to provide “healthcare” instead of “disease care.” 

In January 2006, Clif Caldwell, MD, and Cheryl Middleton, PA-C, opened the doors to LivingWell Integrative Healthcare with a shared goal—a better approach to treating patients. They wanted their practice to be set apart from general primary healthcare options. 

The team at LivingWell Integrative Healthcare strives to give one-on-one care, developing a relationship with you. They are a small practice with three practitioners: Caldwell, Middleton, and Tracey Schofield, Jr., NP-C. LivingWell is always accepting new patients and scheduling appointments so that you spend more time with your care provider and less time waiting in the lobby. 

At LivingWell, by focusing on finding the cause of your symptoms, they’re able to personalize a whole-body treatment to meet your individual needs. You build a relationship with your practitioner since you see the same provider at each appointment, unlike in many larger healthcare offices where you see whichever doctor is available that day.

Because LivingWell Integrative Healthcare offers a full spectrum of advanced laboratory tests that are not always easily obtained elsewhere, they can identify the root cause of your problems and build a holistic treatment plan.

“Balance is key,” Middleton says. “When I was practicing before [opening LivingWell], you basically traded a symptom for a pill. For example, your knee hurts, here is an anti-inflammatory; you can’t sleep, here is a sleeping pill.” Middleton explains how LivingWell’s Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy helps their patients. “What the hormones do, is restore things back to physiologic optimal. And so, a lot of those things naturally get better, [especially] if the person is willing to not eat junk like fast food or packaged/processed food.”  

Along with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, LivingWell offers a long list of services, such as management of thyroid dysfunction including patients who have Hashimoto’s Disease, management of adrenal fatigue, and weight loss programs using an HCG diet. To find the best treatment services, LivingWell provides various screenings such as saliva hormone testing; thermography for breast and other areas of the body, including full body; micronutrient testing for vitamin and mineral levels; Cleveland Heart Lab testing for advanced lipid, metabolic, and fatty acid levels; heavy metal testing; food sensitivity testing; and neurotransmitter testing with other specialized tests upon request.

“Neurotransmitter testing will help with treatment of things like anxiety, ADD, etc., by helping to determine WHERE the imbalance is so we can help know what someone is lacking (or overproducing) in order to restore balance,” Middleton explains.

You do not need to be a patient at LivingWell Integrative Healthcare to use their testing services, but you will need someone to read the results and provide treatment if necessary. This means you can come in just for their advanced technology, such as thermographic breast imaging, instead of getting a mammogram. This less invasive exam shows the physiologic changes before a mass forms—which can take years—therefore, catching cancer earlier.

“Our goal is to get to the root [of the problem],” says Middleton. From their holistic approach to the relationships they are building, LivingWell Integrative Healthcare is a step apart from general healthcare.

LivingWell Integrative Healthcare is the area’s pioneer of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Recently celebrating their 17th anniversary, LivingWell is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, integrative healthcare practices in the Upstate. 

LivingWell Integrative Healthcare is located at 838 Powdersville Road, Suite G, in Easley. For more infomation, call 864-850-9988 or visit: LivingWellHealthcare.com.

by Kay Lucas

Survey says: 86% of Americans take supplements regularly. And there is no doubt why; between studies proving that our foods are less nutritious than they used to be and our poor diet choices, many Americans are deficient in the vitamins and minerals that count. Swallowing pills, mixing powders, and drinking teas may be the traditional methods of taking your supplements, but there is a new way to get the nourishment and hydration your body needs: IV therapy. 

Hydrate Health is a mobile healthcare service offering IV therapies for hydration, liquid fuel, anti-aging, weight loss, immunity boosters, and general health and wellness. Owner Carl Stecker, medical director Dr. Daniel Tran, and registered nurse Rebecca Gray opened Hydrate Health in 2020. They started off doing their IV therapies remotely, traveling within a 15-mile radius of downtown Greenville. It became so popular they had to open an office location, so they wouldn’t have to turn people away due to overbooking or distance. Some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own homes to relax while receiving treatment, so mobile appointments are still available and quite popular. 

IV therapy is just what it sounds like: a remedy given intravenously—just like when you go to a hospital, and they immediately hook you up to an IV. You can receive it in just about any vein you prefer, such as in your elbow or wrist. Most treatments take about an hour to receive but can vary anywhere between 30 minutes to three hours, depending on which infusion you choose. 

The duration of benefits from IV therapy fluctuates too. Rebecca Gray, RN from Hydrate Health, says, “When a patient comes in with hopes of getting over an illness quickly, their body may be depleted from fevers, and dehydration. Your body has to work really hard to get you better when you are sick, quickly using up your stores of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. Replacing these can definitely help you feel better, but you may need more than one drip to get back to where you were before getting sick.”

Treatments aren’t just for those who are sick. This is the perfect aid for athletes, whether in training or recovery from a big event.  Even the average Joe, who believes he or she is healthy, should consider IV therapy. Not only are our diets lacking for many reasons, but the low quality of many over-the-counter vitamin brands isn’t doing your body good. “When you take your regular multivitamin, you only are able to absorb a small portion of what is listed. But when you receive vitamins, minerals, amino acids intravenously, you receive 100% of it, and your body is able to utilize that as it needs,” says Gray.

The team at Hydrate Health has come up with clever names for their IV therapies. One of the most popular, The Bodyguard, is their biggest immune drip. The After Party is great for hydration, and Skinny Jeans contains MIC. Hydrate Health offers anti-aging drips, such as Forever Young. Or, if you prefer (after a consultation), you can personalize a bag with a combination of nutrients to fit your needs. 

The Hydrate Health team strives to meet the needs and wants of the community by providing services that Greenville doesn’t already have. Because of this, Hydrate Health also offers Ozone Therapy. Gray explains, “It is an oxygen therapy. We draw the patient’s blood out, put O3 (ozone gas) into it, agitate it, and re-infuse it. What ozone does is kill off any bacteria, viruses, or fungus that is in your blood. By making your organs more oxygenated, those things can’t live in an oxygenated environment; they can’t thrive in that space—too much oxygen kills them.” 

Watch for more new therapies coming from Hydrate Health. They have some big plans on the horizon, but it is too early to spill the beans!

Hydrate Heath is located at 721 Lowndes Hill Road in Greenville. For more information, call 864-523-8002 or visit: IVHydrate.com.

(Serves 4)

Every part of this nutrient rich salad is going to nourish and detoxify your liver!

Our liver is working tirelessly to process all the toxins of everyday living, so it’s always a great idea to fill your diet with some liver-loving foods and avoid overloads of heavy metals, alcohol, caffeine and chemicals. This recipe is a delicious way to cleanse and regenerate!

Let’s start with the dressing so it has time to marinate.

Ginger Grapefruit Dressing:

1/2 Cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

1/4 Cup Extra virgin olive oil 

2 TBSP Hemp seed oil

1 TBSP Apple cider vinegar

3 Brazil nuts

1 Garlic clove

1/2 tsp Fresh rosemary

 1-2” Knob of ginger 

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

1 pinch of Himalayan salt

Add ingredients to blender and mix until smooth. Add chopped parsley. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes before adding to salad.

Liver Love Salad:

2 Cups spinach greens

1 Cup shredded purple cabbage

1 cup of dandelion or mustard greens (depending on availability)

1 medium carrot thinly sliced

1/2 Cup cucumber thinly sliced

1 stalk celery thinly sliced

2 Radishes thinly sliced

2 Green onions thinly sliced

1 small beet thinly sliced

Toss ingredients together in a bowl. Top with sliced avocado and a few crushed Brazil nuts for crunch. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

Atir Sveska-Sharpe is a licensed and certified natural health professional at Pure Health and Wellness. Always the student, she spends her leisure time researching health, frequency healing, and human potential. She adores being a wife and mom, and is here to serve all of God’s creation in every capacity.

by Liz Liokumovich

My latest exciting adventure brought me to the brand new Danita Clinic in Greenville. This would be my first time trying microneedling.  Prior, I have seen the “do it yourself” at home versions of microneedling (the small handheld rollers you would see sold in stores). This one was going to be a little different. 

Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a cosmetic procedure that uses sterilized needles to prick the skin. The tiny punctures help the body produce collagen, which in turn minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, acne scars and the like, as well as minimize appearance of large pores. Microneedling can be done with peptide gel, hyaluronic acid serum, or Platelet-Rich Plasma or PRP. The additional benefits of PRP is that it uses your own plasma which is full of proteins and helps heal wounds and stimulate collagen production. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but based on the benefits of microneedling that I’ve read about, I was definitely very interested to give this treatment a try.  

At Danita Clinic, I met Anita and Victoria, the two Registered Nurses who would be doing my procedure. I was instructed to wash my face with a facial cleanser and was given a topical anesthetic (lidocaine gel) to apply on my face, avoiding eye and mouth area for obvious reasons. It took about 45 minutes for my face to be fully numb. I decided to try microneedling with PRP. Victoria painlessly drew my blood and ran it through a centrifuge machine to separate red cells from plasma. This was my magic sauce. 

I laid down comfortably and just relaxed as these two lovely ladies did all the work.

Danita Clinic uses the SkinPen as the preferred choice for micro needling. SkinPen is the first microneedling device cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of acne scars. The treatment felt like exfoliation with a pumice stone, so I’m thankful for that topical anesthetic! Besides the slight buzzing noise of the pen and minor sensitivity on my nose, the procedure was very relaxing and painless. The PRP was applied topically and gently massaged along the freshly pricked surface. It was like my own natural moisturizer. 

Microneedling treatment takes about 20 minutes. Afterward, I was given some facial serum to bring home that would lock in moisture and protect the skin. The first 24 hours following the procedure, my face looked like I was sunburned. To my surprise, I was not in pain at all. It is advised after the procedure to protect your skin from the sun while it heals, and to avoid make-up and your typical facial routines for 48 hours. On the third day, I was cautioned to be ready to possibly start peeling, which it did, for about 2-3 days. I kept drinking plenty of water and moisturizing. 

Although it takes about 2-4 months to fully see the benefits of microneedling, just one week post treatment, I was able to really see improvement in my skin! It appeared to be more radiant and not as dull as before. I started seeing the enlarged pores shrink in size, as well as noticeable changes in the texture of my skin. As a bonus, I received quite a few compliments on the appearance of my skin. I look forward to seeing the full results, truly a so worth it experience! Thank you, Danita!

For more information about microneedling, contact The Danita Clinic at 864-419-7896.

Liz is a wife and homeschooling mom of four by day, and a self-proclaimed “Researcher-Hawk” by night (hopefully with some sleep in between). She’s looking forward to discovering more natural therapies to keep her life in balance.

by Leila Scogin, C.N.H.P.

Joi Natural Wellness

Our bodies have many systems in place to remove toxins and waste, and our health often depends on how well your body is able to do this. The liver is the body’s filter, removing toxins from the blood, turning them into waste, and working to metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, among other functions.

There are many factors that can impact liver health, such as alcohol use, certain medications, high-fat diets, and processed foods, but thankfully, there are also many preventative measures to take care of and support your liver.

HYDRATION – Drinking enough water is an excellent place to start. Water helps to support both the liver and kidneys, aiding them in filtering toxins from the bloodstream and removing them from the body. If it’s accessible, filtered water is ideal for this, as tap water can sometimes have heavy metals and other toxins.

EATING – Being conscious of the foods we’re putting into our bodies is also important. While foods with hydrogenated oils, processed foods, and refined sugars are notoriously toxic to our systems, foods that can help detoxify the liver include raw fruits and vegetables such as berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower.

HERBS– Herbs and other botanicals can also be great additions to support liver health. Milk thistle has been widely studied to help regulate liver enzymes, reduce fatty liver, and support detoxification. Reishi mushroom is rich in antioxidants and triterpenes, and works as an adaptogen to protect the liver and support the immune system. Other herbs to support the liver include dandelion, green tea, and turmeric.

CONSCIOUS LIVING– At the end of the day, fancy liver cleanses can be a good jump-start into detoxification, but making consistent and committed changes to your lifestyle, making sure you are staying hydrated, and being aware of what you are putting into your body—giving it the tools it needs to be supported, and eliminating exposure to toxins where possible can help put you on the path to better wellness and well-being.

Joi Natural Wellness is a local apothecary that provides natural health and wellness herbal remedies, educational classes, and resources in the Upstate. For more information, call 864-747-9404 or visit: https://www.joinaturalwellness.com.

Simple stretches to do before a spring walk.

Now that the temperature are starting to rise and the days are getting longer, many of us are going to be feeling the call for the outdoors.  This might mean a stroll downtown Greenville, a walk on the swamp rabbit trail, or a hike up in the mountains.  Whatever your outdoor activity may be, a simple stretching routine is not only a healthy habit, but can add hours of enjoyment. 

Over the winter months most people become less active causing their muscles to get tight. This increases the likelihood of an injury when first getting out there to enjoy spring.  Here are a few quick stretches to help avoid those injuries.

The lower back commonly gets tight after sitting for prolonged periods of time. You may use a dining room table or sturdy piece of furniture for assistance if needed. An easy way to stretch this out is to stand with your feet shoulder width apart, place your hands on your hips and start to bend forward at the waist until you feel a slight stretch in the lower back. Be careful not to over stretch, stretching should never hurt. Continue bending forward for 7 to 15 seconds then return to a neutral normal stance.  After completing this while looking straight ahead at eye level with the horizon, lean back slightly, you should feel a slight stretch in your lower back there as well. Continue this for 7 to 15 seconds and then return to a neutral normal stance. Repeat leaning to your right and to your left; not leaning too far or stretching too much. Repeat 5 times. 

Enjoy that spring weather! – Dr. Mike Robles Caroline Spine and Health. 

by Nourish By Rebecca

PREP TIME: 5 MINCOOK TIME: 10 MINTOTAL TIME: 15 MIN

Rich, smooth and delicious…this dairy-free sauce is incredibly easy and quick to make..a great recipe to make when you need something extra to serve with a stack of pancakes or waffles.  It’s also delicious as a dip for fresh fruit too.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup (65g) cacao powder

• 1/2 cup (125ml) dairy-free milk

• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. (90ml) maple syrup

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

• 15g dairy-free chocolate chips (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Place all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a saucepan and warm gently while whisking together.

Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth.  As soon as the sauce comes to a simmer, remove from the heat.

Whisk in the chocolate chips, if using, until the sauce is smooth. 

Place in an airtight container and allow to cool fully before storing in the fridge for up to 5 days.

The sauce will thicken in the fridge, to loosen it, gently warm the sauce in a pan before serving.

To keep the sauce dairy-free

To keep this chocolate sauce dairy-free, you could use any dairy-free milk; coconut, almond, oat, etc.

Use Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips; It’s always worth checking the ingredients list when buying chocolate to be sure it contains no dairy ingredients.

How to store the chocolate sauce

This chocolate sauce stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.  The sauce will thicken in the fridge.

To make the sauce runnier after it has been in the fridge simply warm it gently in the microwave or pan to loosen it.

(Electro-Dermal Stress)Testing?

by Liz Liokumovich

This time around I ventured out to learn and experience a new type of modality very unfamiliar to me; this was Electrodermal Stress Testing or simply EDS, a non-invasive biofeedback test. Now let me be honest with you, I have never even heard of this! Prior to my adventure to Eternal Wellness, I was recommended to watch a couple of videos on EDS and its use and get a little familiar with it. At Eternal Wellness, I was introduced to Amber Walczuk who would perform my EDS. Amber is the owner of this brand-new facility and is a wealth of information and an amazing educator. She is a registered nurse and an EDS technician with over a decade of hospital and other medical industry experience. She truly is a gem.  

At the onset of my exam, I was asked questions about my health as this would lay out the basic foundation into the biofeedback results. This is common practice for such a comprehensive exam. As I sat back comfortably, I was given a brass probe to hold onto with my left hand. This is one of two brass probes attached to the biofeedback machine. The other probe was used by Amber on my right hand to touch points along acupuncture meridians. It was explained to me that the purpose of this is to create this biofeedback loop which would measure certain frequencies within the body. I was informed that the machine would use about one volt of electricity, and that I would not even feel it. Well, that was good! At this point, I kept asking myself, “how does this work?” It turns out that the frequencies the EDS machine picks up then gives a complete “picture” of what systems and organs are out of balance. A more in-depth, secondary look shows what is actually creating these illnesses and imbalances. Since everything in our body has measurable frequencies, these numbers are read against the system’s catalogue.

For example, the scoring is from 0-100, a score of 50 would be considered a no issue and a healthy balance. Anything below 50 means the organ/system is not functioning, anything over 50 would mean there is an issue and an imbalance with that part. What was even more amazing to me was that the program took a tertiary look, by finding the solutions! These were recommendations and dosages of certain homeopathic tinctures and supplements that were pinpointed to the imbalances. I can see how this test is very highly individualized. It was very impressive to me as I have never had a biofeedback exam of this sort.  

The average duration of the test is between one to two hours long. With that, the main goal is to determine the right path to detox. Detoxing helps the body to drain toxins and ultimately support the body’s healing process. Honestly, I was very impressed with the results! Just three days after taking the recommended supplements, I noticed a big improvement in my issues. I just felt so much better on multiple levels, and I am grateful for having been introduced to this easy, non-invasive method, and a path to feeling better and healing. 

To learn more about EDS Testing, contact Eternal Wellness at 864-921-9272.

Liz is a wife and homeschooling mom of four by day, and a self-proclaimed “Researcher-Hawk” by night (with hopefully some sleep in-between). She’s looking forward to discovering more natural therapies to keep her life in balance.

by Kay Lucas

What do you imagine when you hear the phrase “Date Night”? An outing of some sort, like dinner and a movie? Perhaps you hear “Cha-Ching” instead. Romance doesn’t need to be fancy or pricey. Whether you are on a first date or in an established relationship, it’s about making a connection with someone else and finding common interests.

Here are some ideas to help you think outside the box.

A Walk in the Park

Don’t rule out outdoor dates just because it is winter. Take a walk hand-in-hand in one of the area’s beautiful parks. It should be no surprise that you can find lasting love walking along Falls Park in Downtown Greenville; it has happened before. Plan ahead and pack a picnic. Not only is it extra romantic, but it might save you money too!

Afternoon Delight

Looking for a little more adventure? Kick the walking-in-the-park idea up a notch and hit the trails for a day date. There are some fantastic views and waterfalls out there for you to discover! Paris Mountain State Park in Greenville is a nearby option, but if you are up for a drive, try Table Rock, Caesars Head, or Jones Gap (all state parks). You will find trails for all experience levels.

Dance the Night Away

Search for local events, especially with live music. Dancing is a great way to fall in sync. There is just something about the way you connect through music and movement. It’s known to reduce anxiety and release endorphins. You don’t need a natural rhythm to have fun cutting a rug. No one has ever complained about spending an evening laughing, even if it is at themselves.

Stargazing

Escape the city lights to find a dark place to enjoy some star gazing. Start by watching the sunset with a fire pit and a warm beverage, and have plenty of blankets because it is going to get cold. Mother Nature will show off a bit this winter with amazing meteor showers! Although you can still catch sight of a falling star most of December and early January, peak nights are Dec.13-14, Dec. 22-23, and Jan 3-4. Go to TimeAndDate.com for night sky information, including an interactive map.

You don’t need to break the bank to get out of the dating rut. Once you start looking, the possibilities are endless. Get creative, share your passions, and try something new.

Kay Lucas is a local romance novelist, massage therapist, wife, and mother of four. When she doesn’t have her nose stuck in a book, she loves to dance while cooking and tend to her many fur and feathered friends.

by “Woobie” aka Lyn-Dee Eldridge

Tis the season to get up and go! From the moment you wake up, choose to find joy because it isn’t a gift that someone can give you. You may need to remind yourself that opening your eyes to a new day is a blessing not to be taken for granted. With that in mind, stretch to rejuvenate your muscles while simultaneously flooding your brain with endorphins. This will help elevate your mood and give you feelings of gratitude and joy to set you on your way. Playing music while dressing in your favorite warm weather wear will comfort you and prepare you for everything you‘ll face for the day. 

Baby, it’s cold outside, but don’t let the low temps and short daylight hours bring you down. Embrace the fresh breeze that hits your cheeks while you walk down the sidewalk or out to your car. Breathe in the crisp, delicious air, allowing it to flow in and out of your body, and give thanks for the pure beauty of the season. 

The Upstate doesn’t stop during the winter, and neither should you. There are plenty of events and activities, both indoors and out, for you to delight in. Here are some tips for finding joy in the season:

Venture outside

Join Meetup.com, put in all your likes, hobbies, activities and find like-minded new friends. 

Check out your town’s website and fan pages on what to do in your surrounding area. 

Brighten up your home 

Decorating can be so much fun just by putting out a few things you love and it always makes it a pleasure to be home in a joyful place.

Open those windows. Allow your curtains to flow and let the fresh air in. It makes your home smell fresh and new. Have your favorite blanket close by so you always feel comfy, warm and delicious. Enjoy a cup of warm tea, hot cocoa or your favorite beverage. Take in the gift of the things you have that make you happy.

Enjoy the gift of nature.

Go for a walk or a bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Take a break and browse the wonderful shops and eateries; don’t forget there is the fabulous Greenville Zoo. 

Park your bike and go for a wonderful stroll around nature and animals. Pack a picnic basket and blanket and sit with the animals.  

Homemade gift giving

Enjoy your hobbies. Make your gifts this year. There is no better time than to pick up a craft and create gifts for the holidays. 

Bake and share. Everyone will enjoy all the deliciousness that comes from your thoughtful kindness, not to mention how it will make you feel.  

 Bottom line, you are not going to find joy until you give yourself permission to spend every day knowing you are more than enough and that your positive attitude, smile and laughter are a blessing to yourself and others.

©copyright 2022 Woobie aka Lyn-Dee Eldridge/Happiness Jungle LLC/Cuddle Me Love LLC

“Woobie” aka Lyn-Dee Eldridge is an Author, Motivational Keynote Speaker, Life Coach Mentor/Company Trainer/Creator of the Cuddle Me Love Body Pillow®. For more information, visit CuddleMeLove.com and/or HappinessJungle.com.