Soothe, Nourish, and Rest in 2022. Our wish list plus added FREEBIES...

Early Christmas morning we watched NASA’s live coverage of the James Webb telescope as it launched towards deep space. It was a thrilling and unique way to start this holiday, reminding each of us that we are reaching for the stars as we look ahead to 2022. The 2022 Resolution Wish List of our team includes things like wanting to meditate more often, de-clutter our homes, and improve our relationships with ourselves and others. To accomplish these goals we are writing them down, making those goals achievable, and sharing what we’ve written to our accountability buddies. We’ve also found additional resources that align with our goals - Scroll down to see these added freebies. They might interest you as well!

Who we are…

Anderson Therapeutics is a virtual space offering FREE resources, tools, and tips to help those managing chronic conditions and/or living with artificial joints. This website was first launched in 2016, and has been the self-funded enterprise of our founder, Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES.

At the heart of our website are 3 Key Concepts to Improved Health; which are to Soothe, Nourish, and Rest. The founder of Anderson Therapeutics practices these three key concepts as a way to better manage her own chronic conditions, and were invaluable tools in 2010 as she was recovering from life threatening illness and underwent three life changing surgeries. This journey to recovery led our founder to write and publish the book, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide to Hip Replacement Surgery. (7/2017)

At Anderson Therapeutics we prefer a simple and non-invasive approach to health and overall well being paired with traditional Western methods as they are needed.

What we’ve done…

Securing a trusted healthcare team and investing in regular medical exams is an important part of our preventive approach. This demonstrates our willingness to partner and practice self-care, seek and apply complementary care, and meld this with our medical care. This partnership is much like a mechanic and maintenance tools that you might seek out while repairing your car or getting regular oil changes. A partnership of care supports our ever changing bodies and minds, and the results have improved our health in ways we hadn’t believed possible. Read these success stories for yourself - highlighting the experiences of others and of our founder.

What we hope to accomplish…

The year of 2022 holds promise and hope. A period of hibernation, quiet, and reflection are in store for Anderson Therapeutics. The resources shared in the list below are a few of the tools that we will be incorporating into our 2022 Wellness Plan - remember, each of them are free. Investigate these options, take what is useful, and leave behind what is not. We feel that is the beauty of choice as we continue our journey to improved health…the team of Anderson Therapeutics do our best to practice what we preach and accept the consequences of our behaviors.

*This advice is not meant to replace medical care. Always speak to your physician before making any changes that can impact your health.

Best wishes for the New Year. We wish you well. ~The Anderson Therapeutics Team

  • Rest on New Year’s Day - Tap with Brad Yates on January 1, 2022 12:00PM (PST). A free one hour virtual event, register here.

  • Dr. Gustavo Tolosa’s First Book Club of 2022 - On January 3, 2022 4:00PM (PST), Dr. John McDougall will appear as the club begins reading his book, “McDougall’s Medicine: A Challenging Second Opinion”. Dr. McDougall is generously offering a free digital copy for those who register by December 31st. You will need to click on "Register to all dates below" as the system doesn't allow you to register for individual dates.

  • Nourish and detox your physical space. We discovered the website of Jen in 2019; her Household Organization Diet is becoming an annual tradition. Check out the details here: 31 Day Home Detox De-cluttering Challenge. Scroll down for the free printable and enjoy seeing just how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes.

  • Relax and soothe your mind: Visit the Temple of Sacred Sound, a sound healing project from Jonathan Goldman. You’ll find a visual and audio pairing that we’ve enjoyed for reflection, meditation, and relaxation.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Happy Boxing Day...

Charitable giving is an important aspect of the holiday season, and is an annual ritual that became much more significant when I became a parent. Introducing my child to volunteer work through words and action played an important role in his development. This in turn challenged me to look in the mirror more often and ask…how can I improve myself and better serve those in need? These are reasons why I entered the field of health education and why my family supports charitable giving year round.

Looking back, I recognize that as a Utah native it took some time for me to understand and learn about holidays such as Boxing Day. This lack of knowledge was due to a number of factors related to myself, my family, my community, and the school system I attended. Over the years I have felt incredibly naive and a bit embarrassed to admit that Boxing Day was something I hadn’t heard much about as a child or even as a young adult.

The success I have achieved and the successes my son has achieved in his career and life are a tribute to the spirit of Boxing Day. The gift is in the giving…pay it forward in actions, words, or goods in thanks for all that you have.

Becoming a single parent ignited a sense of urgency in me to further my education. This drive was sparked and encouraged by local libraries, my fascination with PBS programming, listening to and learning from a local community radio station (KRCL), and expanding my horizons tuning into NPR. These organizations and non-profits helped me find the courage to enter college at age 30. Earning a degree in Health Education and Promotion took place the year I turned 40 and coincided with the year that my now grown son graduated from high school. Time and experience has enabled me to grow…I am grateful for what I have, and know firsthand that it’s never to late to learn, or improve ones circumstance. Without resources and education, my life would no doubt be very different.

In gratitude for what I have received, the Anderson Therapeutics website will remain active and follow it’s mission throughout 2022 - offering free resources, tips, and tools for those managing chronic conditions. Donated and loaner copies of the book, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery, will continue to be offered by request to rehabilitation facilities, assisted living centers, physicians, caregivers, book clubs, and those in need. (See website for details.)

A special thank you goes out to my employers, since without a regular income, the ability to self-fund these resources would not be possible. Happy Boxing Day.

Be Well. ~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES

Author and Founder, Anderson Therapeutics

Morning Meditation Gift From a Friend...

Father Martin shared this daily meditation with me nearly two decades ago and I was reminded of this message today. In the spirit of giving, I am sharing it with you. Be Well. ~Tiffany

Shed peace, not discord, wherever you go.

Try to be part of the cure of every situation, not part of the problem.

Try to ignore evil, rather than to actively combat it.

Always try to build up, never to tear down. Show others by your example that happiness comes from living the right way.

The power of your example is greater than the power of what you say.

From: Twenty-Four Hours a Day, December 23rd AA, Thought of the Day

Festive Holiday Hash Browns

These healthful holiday hash browns are a family favorite.

What makes these hash browns festive? They are packed with the vibrant white, red, and green colors that I associate with the December holidays. The batch pictured (*image mine) also includes chopped red onion and was served with a splash of hot sauce making it a colorful, tasty, and highly nutritious* meal. Here’s how I make them:

  • Prep: I start by placing a thin layer of frozen oil free hash brown potatoes into a dry 12-inch nonstick frying pan. Then I add crumbled frozen spinach, frozen chopped broccoli, and sliced grape tomatoes. A final layer of potatoes covers the added veggies (sandwich style) and a sprinkle of chopped red onion finishes the mix. I also add 1 to 3 Tablespoons of water (distributed evenly) before placing a loose fitting lid on the pan…the water and lid helps to steam, brown, and crisp the ingredients.

  • Heat: I use a gas range and cook the hash browns on medium-high for 11 minutes, flip the potato and vegetable mix over, then cook for another 7 minutes or until the potatoes are brown.

  • Eat: The results are crispy, veggie packed hash browns that are easy to make, satisfying, and economical.

Are you a fan of hash browns? I make this dish often and will add a variety of vegetables depending on what is in season. Not a fan of potatoes? My motto is…eat what you like. There are of course consequences to any dietary choice - potatoes are one of many whole foods that works for me.

Disclosure - I am an author and Health Educator, not a dietician, nor am I a professional chef. This information is provided as advice and not meant to substitute medical care. This meal is an example of how my everyday meals align with The Starch Solution.

Dine Well, Happy Eating, and Happy Holidays!

~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES, Founder of Anderson Therapeutics & author, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery

*Unable to see image? See it on social media and follow the Anderson Therapeutics blog.

*The nutrition of this meal is based upon the guidelines of a whole food plant-based oil free diet. I follow The Starch Solution which offers dietary recommendations by Dr. John McDougall and his wife and retired nurse, Mary McDougall.

Pain Reduction: Music Reduces Need for Post-Surgery Opioids

Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, have found that receiving music therapy can significantly lessen a patient’s need for opioids and other painkillers after invasive surgery. The researchers tested 161 patients; 49 in the music group and 112 in a control group. After their surgery, both groups were offered painkillers intravenously at doses requested by the patient. Of those engaged in music therapy, 86 percent avoided the painkillers (emphasis mine), compared to only 26 percent of the control group (1).

Skeptical? Surprised? Many can attest to these results. In the resource guide, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide for Hip Replacement Surgery I share a personal experience as I faced life threatening illness that ultimately lead to joint replacement.

Pain is a personal experience. Most healthcare providers recognize there is no one-size-fits-all treatment plan for pain. Thankfully, I have secured a medical team that helped me formulate a pain management plan to fit my personal needs.

Music therapy, guided imagery, and positive affirmations are examples of impactful audio tools that can manage pain. A wide variety of methods such as these were my choice to avoid and minimize the need for prescription painkillers, such as highly addictive opioids (Chapter 4, Pain Management: Before, During, and After Surgery). The results I experienced impressed my physician, my surgeon, and most importantly…myself, the patient experiencing the pain. Are you seeking better ways to manage your pain? I believe this guide, companion website, and additional FREE online resources may assist you. The resources, tools, and tips outlined in this book apply to nearly any type of surgery.

Free excerpt from the guide, Butternut to Bionic on the topic of pain management:

Describing and measuring pain is a challenging task for patients and medical providers. Managing pain is a priority when you have a chronic condition and become the owner of an artificial joint. Minimizing your pain helps you gain quality sleep, keep your sanity, and improve your quality of life. Each and every one of us handles pain a little differently, experiences it differently, and will tolerate pain in differing degrees. (p.65)

…Listen to soothing music, say a prayer, or listen to guided imagery to relieve any anxiety or preoperative jitters…(p.48, Chapter 2, Preparing for Surgery)

…Both guided imagery and meditation harness your mind’s abilities and can help with pain relief, stress management, and restorative sleep. Using these techniques for pain management is an affordable option. They have no (adverse) side effects, co-pays, or restrictions…(p.74)

My preference to access a wide variety of methods to manage pain has worked well for me. Every patient is different and as already mentioned, pain is a personal experience. I have sought and continue to seek a less invasive approach…this provided me with a sense of control over my recovery and has improved my quality of life.

My mission as a Health Educator, Wellness Coach, Reiki Master, Patient Advocate, and Author is encouraging others to, Be proactive patients and actively participate on their journey to improved health.

The information provided here is advice only and not meant to replace medical care. Speak to your physician before making changes that can impact your health.

Be Well. ~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES Founder, Anderson Therapeutics

Review credentials.

Caregivers, healthcare providers, and patients have found it intriguing, useful, and insightful. Butternut to Bionic is my story and was nominated for the 2018 AARP Purpose Prize and 2018 Health Literacy Award, received 4/4 star reviews on GoodReads, and holds 4.7/5 star reviews on Amazon.

Post first published 12/12/2019, edited for content 12/09/2021 by staff @ Anderson Therapeutics.

Source: (1) Southern Idaho Edition NAsoid.com, October 2018, p. 8

Living Wills - An Act of Generosity

In my December 6th, 2018 wellness blog I discuss estate planning and end of life care. Some may find this topic a bit inappropriate during the holiday season, though I disagree. Families and friends tend to spend more time together this time of year. What better time to have candid discussions with those closest to you? Plus, depending upon your spiritual and/or religious beliefs…this is a time that the acts of birth, death, and renewal are on the minds and hearts of many.

The last task I completed on my estate planning to-do list was to finalize what will happen after I have passed away. I decided to donate my body to science, specifically, to the University of Utah medical school anatomy lab. I am an alumni of the University of Utah, understand the importance of research, and received some of my own training in a cadaver lab. Coincidentally, the December 2018 edition of the University magazine Continuum included a 6-page article discussing the importance and purpose of the body donor program. The article speaks of this type of donation as a “final act of generosity”, and I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. My family and I know that by donating my body to science I am providing future health practitioners a vehicle to learn from. In exchange I receive free embalming, cremation, and requested that my ashes are returned to my son after the work my body provides is complete. The final option is a decision that may or may not be a fit for you. If you are interested and wish to learn more, follow this link:

https://continuum.utah.edu/features/a-virtuous-circle/

Be Well!

~Tiffany Anderson, LMT, RMT, BS, CHES

Founder, Anderson Therapeutics & Author of, Butternut to Bionic: A Resource Guide to Hip Replacement Surgery