Meet Dave!

 Hello everyone!  My name is Dave Knott and I am pleased to be the Assistant Manager here at Apple Wellness.  About myself, I have been working in the Health and Wellness industry for almost eight years now.  I began my journey working at GNC where my interest propelled me into management for seven of those years.  Having a positive impact in the lives of others has been the single most rewarding part of sharing my knowledge, and really what drives me to learn more.  As an athlete my whole life, I became interested in nutrition health once I noticed the significance it had for my overall well being.  For this reason, I excel in the exercise science category, where I believe in proper training and supplementing.  Throughout the years I've developed training programs from endurance fitness through strength training.  My knowledge has helped everyone from high school sports athletes through major lifestyle transformations.  On top of my career track, I began school at the University of Wisconsin Waukesha and will have an Associates of Science Degree this year.  I've also been enrolled in the University of Wisconsin system for Business Management as a transfer student.  For the past five years I've switched my athletic focus to the sport of triathlons; swimming, cycling and running.  My wife and I enjoy hiking, cycling, sight seeing, traveling abroad, and above all serving in the community and with our church.  Look for ongoing posts about specific supplements, and feel free to stop in for evaluating your program.  I'm always amazed at how the smallest changes can result in exponential results!

Welcoming Our Newest Employee!

Product Review: Phosphatidylserine

     My favorite time of the day is often bedtime. Is that silly? I can't help it. I just love to get in my jammies, snuggle beneath our enormous downy comforter, fluff our enormous pile of downy pillows, and go to sleep. Bedtime means snuggles, warmth, and dreams.

     Perhaps my joy over bedtime is directly tied to the fact that I dream every single night. These aren't just any humdrum dreams, either. I always have epic good vs. evil hero dreams. They are always vivid, brilliantly colored, and thrilling. When I wake up in the morning, I feel like I read a novel the night before, and finished it when I opened my eyes.

    My friend has vivid dreams too. She doesn't dream about fantasy battles, or historic pivotal moments. She dreams about gardens. She dreams about oceans, about walks in the forest, about calm, quiet, peaceful things. Her dreams are also dazzlingly vivid, and feel entirely real.

    I tell you this, because I have recently discovered that there are others in life who love to dream, and want to be able to dream well, dream deeply, and dream the dreams that best refresh their spirit in preparation for the morning. One day, just last week, I recommended a new combination for a lady who was having difficulty sleeping.

   "We use phosphatidylserine for sleep primarily due the fact that it is a wonderful brain food, recharging and resetting neurotransmitters in your brain. It also helps to give a calming effect on 'racing brain' when you're trying to go to bed. But I love it because it's gives you epic dreams!" I said. She tried it. A friend who happened to overhear us decided to try it. Both ladies came in this morning, and with excited smiles, reported their dreaming adventures!

    It was then that it occurred to me, I am not the only one out there who truly loves bedtime and dreaming. Others out there besides we starry-eyed three, would love to hear about phosphatidylserine!

    For those of us who look forward to the adventures we have beneath our covers, I give you my personal recommendation. Sweet dreams!

Tea Party: Pau d'Arco Tea

image source

How To:

Loose Leaf/Bark: Use approximately 1 tablespoon of loose bark chips per 8oz of water. Pour approximately 8oz of water into a pot and allow to come to a slow rolling boil. Add the bark, and boil for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool with the bark still in the water until it is at a comfortable temperature to drink. Strain and enjoy!

Tea Bags: You won't need to measure anything when using tea bags. Pour approximately 8oz of water into a pot and allow to come to a slow rolling boil. Add the tea bags and boil for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool with tea bags still in the water. Once it is at a temperature comfortable for you, drink and enjoy!

You may have a cup of this tea up to 3 times per day. It is recommended not to exceed this amount daily, as overuse may cause stomach upset or diarrhea. Also, you may continue the regime of 3 cups per day for as long as six weeks. After that, it is recommended by Pau d'Arco specialists to allow a four week hiatus. You may resume use after this break for another six weeks. 


Flavor: This has a gentle earthy taste. Be sure you're buying from an excellent source, because if the tea is poor quality or has become a little rancid it will taste foul. A good Pau d'Arco tea, however, I found to be very mild and soothing. It isn't a floral tea, so unsurprisingly, it is reminiscent of twigs. Add a teaspoon or two of honey, and you'll be happy as can be!


Good For:
     As I was preparing this post, I became almost overwhelmed with the volume of information regarding the health benefits of Pau d'Arco. It has been used for centuries, and is amazingly healthful. Listed below are just some of the benefits of Pau d'Arco tea.

   1. Anti-viral--this tea is exceptionally useful in boosting your immune system to hold out against all            those quickly approaching seasonal colds and flu. It is especially powerful for the weakened                  immune system due to chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia,                  cancer, tumors, human immunodeficiency virus, and those who've used antibiotics or steroids.
 
   2. Cancer--There have been many studies performed indicating the benefits of Pau d'Arco tea for                cancer victims. These patients have experienced alleviation of chemotherapy symptoms to                      complete remission of tumors. The active nutrient, lapachol, was touted by Dr. Daniel B Mowrey          as "producing clinical anti-cancer effects without side effects."

  3. Candida-- Candida is an overgrowth of intestinal fungus. This typically manifests as a yeast or               thrush infection. If not treated properly, or if the infection keeps recurring, it may become a                     systemic problem.  One of the properties of the lapachol found in Pau d'Arco is that of an anti-               fungal. It has proven very effective and is widely used for treatment of Candida.
 
  4. Anti-bacterial-- This can be used to assist in treatment of any type of bacterial infection. This can           include pneumonia, strep throat, tuberculosis, h. pylori, infected wounds, and staph infections.

  5. Lupus-- This is particularly helpful for the skin issues that often arise from lupus.

  6. Parasites-- Pau d'Arco is wonderful destroyer of parasites! It may even be used to help treat serious         diseases such as malaria, schistosoma, and trypanosoma. 

  7. Lymes Disease--There is a growing number of people with Chronic Lymes Disease. This tea is a           powerful tool in healing the body from those damaging spirochetes.

Cautions:
     Pau d'Arco, when used internally, has the potential to strengthen the blood-thinning effects that are seen in certain medications known as anticoagulants. Do not take Pau d'Arco if you are taking these medications or if you suffer from a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia. 
    It is also recommended that you do not take Pau d'Arco tea if you are or may become pregnant. It is wise to avoid while breastfeeding.
    As with any herb or medication, some people may experience side effects due to a sensitivity or overuse. If taken in excess, this herb may cause nausea, diarrhea, or possibly vomiting. Consult a naturopathic or homeopathic physician before giving to a child. 

Product Highlight: Speak

            

Watching your child develop and learn is one of the greatest gifts in life. We rejoice over our little ones the first time they learn to roll over. We coach and cheer them on as they lift themselves to their hands and knees and totter across the floor, learning to crawl. We hold their hands and encourage as they step from the couch to the coffee table, and then with proud hearts we gloat as they figure out how to climb those stairs-and then perhaps later wish we’d thought better of allowing that…

And finally, every parent, grandparent, and aunt anxiously listen for their darlings first words. But what if those don’t come? What if, despite our chanting like parrots, “Mummy! Daddy! Puppy! Bye-bye!" the words don’t come?                                                  

We have recently encountered some concerned parents who expressed worry about their children’s late speech development.  Tim, the store owner, determined to investigate this dilemma.

Several days ago, a new brand called Speak: Speech Nutrients was delivered. Speak combines seven key nutrients needed to support normal speech development and maintenance. The primary ingredients in this product are vitamin E and omegas. Omegas provide metabolic support for proper nerve and brain function, as well as structural support and reduced inflammation. They are also a necessity for proper intestinal function, and may reduce food allergies which, according to pediatric studies, appears to have a direct correlation to speech impairments. Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant that works in the lipid portion of the cell membranes with other fats. Without it, the cells function is diminished, resulting in less cognitive retention.

If you have concerns about your child’s speech, or even an adult you know, stop in the store, give us a call, or shoot us an email! We will gladly help you overcome these obstacles, and join your family's cheerleading team!

Local Organic Love

        This was last weeks CSA share. Glorious, right? All veggies are certified organic, locally grown by my NEIGHBORS. This is the bounty of the earth. GLORIOUS. 

       Because the fact is, our food is not what it once was. Despite all this genetic mutations that are supposed to enhance our crops, protect against crop destruction, and induce higher yields, our food is becoming chronically nutrient deficient. But I don't want to get started on the dangers of GMO's--in this post, anyway. 

        It starts with dirt. Soil wasn't created to be farmed relentlessly year after year after year with plants that deplete, not enhance, the soil itself. This nutrient consumption is not effectively replenished through fertilizers. There should be dozens of minerals and other nutrients in healthy dirt, but fertilizers and soil enrichment products contain maybe five or six of these essential trace minerals. Even when farmers fertilize with manure, this is often contaminated with antibiotics, growth hormones, and various other chemicals from the cows that actually damage the soil further. In addition, plants are sprayed with herbicides, pesticides and fungicides, which wash off into the soil and cause even further damage.

      Herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and waxes coat supermarket groceries, reducing their permeability to pests and disease. But it is this that we later ingest when we finally get this food home and into our meals. The last thing our chemically bombarded bodies need is to be ingesting and absorbing these poisons off of our food. 

      Additionally, we don't eat fresh food anymore. Think about it-- lets say there's an orange farmer in Florida. He picks his oranges and puts them into crates. He then ships them out. They travel for a day or so, maybe more, then arrive at their destination. They are unloaded and put out onto shelves. A day or so later, you show up to buy your oranges for that summery fruit salad you've been craving. At BEST, there is a four day gap between when the fruit was picked and when it arrives at the supermarket. Your groceries will travel an average of 1300 miles. 

     The fact is, if the vegetable or fruit is no longer attached to the plant, it has begun decaying. Enzymes inside the food begins to slowly die. The longer the time it takes to get from the plant and into your mouth, the less nutrients there are. 

     So...what do we do? Well, we absolutely need to be taking a good multi-vitamin to make up for the depletions. No matter how well you eat, our food does not have the nutrient pack that it used to, and we have to restore this somehow. I know that a lot of you are making every effort to eat well for yourself and for your family. I know that a lot of you struggle to afford good, organic, healthy food. And a lot of you come in and say, "I'm eating organic, lots of raw food, I'm exercising, and I still don't feel right." Often this can be resolved with a good multi-vitamin. 

     We are so blessed in Madison. There are farmers markets on almost every day of the week, spread throughout the capital and all the suburbs! There are many CSA programs you can get signed up with, and many local restaurants that support local organic farmers. We have access to good healthy organic food--lets take advantage! You'll find that if you buy organic local food it tastes better (I PROMISE you, it truly does taste better!) and you need less to eat because you'll be getting SO MUCH more nutrients in the food! You won't be ingesting chemicals and poisons. You'll be eating food that can nourish and heal your body. You'll be eating to live well. 

Just to help you on your way, here are some links to the various CSA share programs and info on farmers markets in the area. 

   

FairShare CSA Coalition: http://www.csacoalition.org/

Full List of CSA Farms: http://www.csacoalition.org/our-farms/full-list/

Harmony Valley Farm: http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com/csa.php

Tipi Produce: http://www.tipiproduce.com/csa/

Troy Gardens Community Groundworks: http://www.communitygroundworks.org/what-we-do/troy-community-farm/csa

Madison Area Farmers Markets

Mondays: 2524 Rimrock Rd., 2-6pm

Tuesdays: 953 Jenifer Street, 4pm-7pm; Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., 2pm-6pm

Wednesdays: City-County Building, 215 MLK Jr. Blvd., 8:30am-2pm; Hilldale Mall, Segoe  Ave. off  of University, 7am-2pm; Gilbert Rd. at United Church of Christ, 3pm-7pm

Thursdays: The Villager Mall, 2300 S. Park Street 2pm-6pm; Agora Pavilion on Cheryl Parkway, 3-6pm; Greenway Station (Middleton) 8am-1pm

Saturday: Capitol Square 6am-2pm.; Labor Temple, 1602 S Park St 9am-2pm; Hilldale, Segoe Ave off University, 7am-2pm; Hill Farms DOT 4802 Sheboygan 7am-1pm.

Sunday: Town Center, Northside and Sherman 8:30am-12:30pm; Ahuska Park on Broadway 9am-1pm; Labor Temple 1602 S Park St 11am-3pm. 

You can find more in your area at: http://thealvaradogroup.com/2010/06/08/looking-for-a-farmers-market-in-the-madison-wi-area/#sthash.Tgeymjmb.dpuf

SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE!

This weekend only, buy 1 beauty product at 10% off and get the 2nd 20% off! 

Time to beautify!