For those of you who don't know, March is National Nutrition Month. It's been a couple months since most of us set resolutions to eat different and make healthier choices. The perfect place to start making changes is by improving what we put on our plates and in our mouths.
Since opening my office in Casa Grande, there is something that has been weighing on my mind. This has to do with food choices in the city. Within a 5-mile radius of my office, there are more than 20 different fast food restaurants, including three separate McDonald's locations. That is A LOT of fast food.
Within that same distance, there are also four Walgreens, one CVS Health, two Fry's Pharmacies, a Walmart Pharmacy. I realize that one of the first rules of statistics is "correlation does not imply causation", but I can't help but wonder if these two are connected. In October, we shared a post about how prescription medications may be robbing your body of nutrients. I am a firm believer that food is medicine. If we improve the way we eat, we will inevitably improve our health.
To celebrate National Nutrition Month, I wanted to share three of my favorite food options in Casa Grande.
- Chipotle - Despite the bad press it has received in recent months, this is still one of my favorite restaurants. They are leading the way in the restaurant industry regarding eliminating GMO ingredients. The meats they serve are from animals that have not been treated with antibiotics or hormones. They are fast, convenient, fresh, and delicious! My favorite menu item is a carnitas burrito bowl with black beans, brown rice, and veggies.
- Two Brothers Farm Fresh - Every Tuesday from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, you can find John and his friends selling their organic produce at the farmer's market in our parking lot (click for map and directions). They have a wide variety of fresh organic vegetables, straight from their farm. Come support local Casa Grande agriculture. They sell at other venues around the valley - visit and like their Facebook page.
- P.O.W.W.O.W. - Herbalicious of Arizona hosts the non-profit organization Produce On Wheels With Out Waste from our parking lot every fourth Friday from 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM. You can get up to 60 pounds of produce for $10. Not all of it is organic, but this is certainly better than french fries from the drive-thru. Bring your bags and boxes and load up on farm-fresh produce. The items are different each month. Past offerings have included organic watermelon, various types of squash, pickling cucumbers, organic tomatoes, and eggplant.
Our digestive tract is a major site of immune system health. Digestive problems can be the source of many health conditions. Some of these include:
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Bloating or excessive gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Anxiety or depression
- Joint pain
- Behavioral changes
If you are experiencing any of these, I can help! Make an appointment today and start feeling better.