Is Winter Over Yet?

I think I speak for everyone, except a skier or two, when I say that we’re ready for winter to be over. The cloudy days, the cold temperatures, the snow and slush; it’s not for us sun and heat loving Okanaganers. It’s only March and we’re already wishing for June. Today’s article is about squishing a little more winter fun into the next few weeks while we wait. There are the obvious winter fun escapes like Mexico and Hawaii, but I’m talking about taking advantage of the natural surroundings here in Kelowna and the surrounding area. We all know there’s great downhill skiing and snowboarding nearby, but did you know you can get out for some cross country skiing or snowshoeing just up the road at Telemark? Unfortunately Lake Okanagan doesn’t freeze over to give us the romance of skating on the pond, but the new ice rink at Stuart Park is a great way to get out, enjoy a little winter atmosphere and get your exercise. For those of you who like to get out for your hikes, but avoid it in the winter because of ice and snow, consider picking up a pair of snow cleats to put over your hiking boots – you can pick up a pair at Costco for cheap and continue to get out for your walks. The winter trails are a lot quieter giving you the feeling of being at one with nature, and you don’t have to worry about running into any bears.

If you’re more of an indoor activity kind of person, put your thinking caps on to get yourself moving and in a great mood. Take a dance class, or head over to Johnson Bentley for a swim (it’s nice and warm in there!). Take up Hot Yoga, or get yourself signed up for a healthy cooking class. There are a ton of ways to keep active and in turn keep happy in the winter. By learning new things, and getting your daily dose of exercise you can combat the winter blahs, and think about how interesting your water cooler talk will be if you’ve got something new on the go.

Get your friends together for an activity that you enjoy, maybe a snowball fight, or a book club or a competitive game of capture the flag. Being with people that you love and that make you laugh will also help you get through those days that are gray and make you feel a little down. Start planning your St. Patty's Day party, with themed foods you can serve, what games you can play and what the prizes might be. Making a plan to come together, being creative and getting a little silly will be just the antidote for the end of Winter blahs.

Oh, one last thing. Take your vitamin D. It’ll give you a mood lift, help to energize you and get you through this final push before spring arrives. Get moving, and the warm sun will be here before you know it.


Dr. Travis Pillipow DC, BSc.
Dr. Sarah Tremblay, DC BHPE
Health In Hand Family Chiropractic
104-1195 Industrial Rd.
Kelowna, BC VIZ 1G4
250-454-9474
http://www.healthinhand.ca/
Adjusting you for a better life!

Touching base

I'm sitting here at my desk thinking about you. I don't really have a specfic topic to discuss today, but you were all on my mind and I wanted to reach out to you in some way. Maybe it's because I've been away in Vernon helping out another Chiropractor up there three days a week and I'm feeling a little disconnected from my Health In Hand Family.

Being away from our office and into someone else's has been a really interesting experience for me. I'm still doing the same work to help people achieve their health goals, or maybe get back to work, or even help some kids get through the night without an "accident". It's extremely gratifying to hear that someone was able to heal because of something that I contributed to their life. I guess because I see so many of the members of my practice so regularly and I truly do feel that we are a family, that the nice things you say to Dr. Travis and I are akin to your mom telling you you're smart or that she thinks you're handsome. Stepping outside of the warmth of our West Kelowna office and heading out into the unknown had me excited, nervous and a little worried. Would the new people like me? Would they think I was as good as their regular Chiropractor? Would they embrace me as warmly as you all have?
Well, I'm 2 weeks in and my experience there so far has been great, and although I guess none of us really ever know what people really think, they seem to have good things to say. More importantly, I have learned a few amazing tips and tricks from a 20 year veteran that you can expect to experience in our office in the near future. It's incredible really what spending a little time with someone who does what you do in a professional capacity. Yes, Dr. Travis and I spend lots of time together, but that doesn't count. We also have lots of friends who are Chiropractors, but as with most people we really try to leave our work at work. If only schedules and salaries and time allowed us all to spend a little time with other people in our professions. Observing the person who does your job, but has been there a few years longer than you, or shadowing your boss for a day. Most people are eager to share their knowledge and their little tricks to get the job done all the more efficiently. Think about how much better you would be at your job, heck, at life, if everyone just pooled all their "get it done" tips. Do yourself a favour this week, spend 20 minutes following one of your co-workers or bosses around and see what you can learn.

Dr. Travis Pillipow DC, BSc.
Dr. Sarah Tremblay, DC BHPE
Health In Hand Family Chiropractic
104-1195 Industrial Rd.
Kelowna, BC VIZ 1G4
250-454-9474
http://www.healthinhand.ca/
Adjusting you for a better life!

Learn About Right To Play And Support Our Drs WIth A Heart Fundraiser

For those of you who haven't been reading our newsletter, we're doing a fundraiser on Tuesday February 15th that we're calling Drs with a heart. We're collecting donations for a charity organization called Right To Play, and for your donation of $37.00 or more, we're going to give you or your loved one a FREE full examination in our office. That's a $125 dollar value for your donation and in honor of your gift, we're donating our services. We're also going to have some fun snacks in the office between 8:30am and 11:30am and then again in the afternoon from 3pm to 6pm. This is a patient appreciation day in honour of February being Heart Month and us coming together as a Chiropractic family to help put a stop to heart disease worldwide through PREVENTION! Right To Play is an international organization that sets up, delivers and supports sporting education programs in third world, war torn, and underpriviledged areas. These programs get children who might not othewise have the opportunity to get out and play! They also teach the core values of sportsmanship and teamwork and breaks down the barriers of race, religion and even language. If you'd like to learn more about Right To Play, please visit their website at http://www.righttoplay.com/
If you would like to take advantage of the fundraiser and book a spot for an examination, do not delay. We only have 2 spots left. So call the office today at 250-454-9474
If however, you would like to pop by just to make a donation, we would love to see you and share some tasty treats with you on the 15th!
See you there.

Dr. Travis Pillipow DC, BSc.
Dr. Sarah Tremblay, DC BHPE
Health In Hand Family Chiropractic
104-1195 Industrial Rd.
Kelowna, BC VIZ 1G4
250-454-9474
http://www.healthinhand.ca/
 Adjusting you for a better life!

February is Heart Health Month, What Are You Doing For Your Heart?

We're having a heart health workshop right here in our office on Wednesday February 9th at 6pm. The workshop is going to assess your current heart health knowledge, give you a little more info on what you can do to make 2011 your healthiest year yet, and put you to work on the steps to get there. We're working in groups to come up with some heart healthy recipes and shopping lists, even ways to squeek that 30 minutes of activity in every day. So bring a friend and dress comfortably. Spots are almost full, so register today by calling 250-454-9474 or by sending an email request to info@healthinhand.ca

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Dr. Travis Pillipow DC, BSc.
Dr. Sarah Tremblay, DC BHPE
Health In Hand Family Chiropractic
104-1195 Industrial Rd.
Kelowna, BC VIZ 1G4
250-454-9474

http://www.healthinhand.ca/

Adjusting you for a better life!

6 Week Weight Loss Challenge

This January we're helping our practice members, their friends and family get 2011 off to a great start by issuing a challenge. If you want to lose a few pounds, kick your sugar cravings to the curb and start yourself on a path to better health and wellness, we're here to help you.
On Wednesday January 19th at 6pm at Health In Hand Family Chiropractic we are hosting a kickoff party to the 6 week challenge. Registered participants will compete to lose weight and make the biggest change in their lives for cash! The winner takes home 40% of all registration fees, and others will win prizes too along the way.
The party will be a quick info session with Dr. Travis and Dr. Sarah as well as Gordon Palmer. We'll be swapping some healthy recipes to get you started. Gordon will demonstrate and hand out home exercise routines to help you reach your goals. And we'll be here to keep you motivated and on task to get results.
We'll be checking in with you again in February to see how you're doing at the midway point and to encourage you to keep your eyes on the prize for the last 3 weeks.
Even if you're not a current chiropractic patient and you want to get on the wellness wagon, give our office a call and we'll give you all the details, or just come on by on the 19th and join in the party!
Registration in the challenge is $25 per person and we'll be weighing, measuring, and taking your "Before" photo at the Kickoff, so wear something form fitting!
Looking forward to seeing you there!



Dr. Travis Pillipow DC, BSc.
Dr. Sarah Tremblay, DC BHPE
Health In Hand Family Chiropractic
104-1195 Industrial Rd.
Kelowna, BC VIZ 1G4
250-454-9474
http://www.healthinhand.ca/
Adjusting you for a better life!