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A Letter from Dr. Phillips

How are you? I’m burned out. I have a to-do list growing faster than I can tackle it, and I end the day too exhausted to read even a few pages for pleasure.

Amidst the chaos, I find however that I always have energy for you, my patients. It’s a joy to come to your home, adjust your spine, and see your progress. When I leave having given my all to you, I somehow find my cup refilled. Being your chiropractor invigorates me and inspires me. I hope you feel the same after our visits, energized and hopeful for whatever the day holds.

Yours in health,

Announcements

Sequoia Chiropractic’s home visit hours are MTWF 9am-3pm. Established patients may also schedule home visits on Tuesday and Thursday 7pm-8:30pm. If you have a new injury that needs urgent care outside of these hours, call or text 626-346-0977. Feel free to leave a voicemail or text ANY TIME and Dr. Phillips will return contact as soon as possible.
Care to share a few words about your experience with Sequoia Chiropractic? Leave a review on Google or Yelp. Even a sentence or two helps others feel confident choosing Dr. Phillips as their chiropractor.
Need a health and wellness speaker for your local event? How about a guest article or blog post? You can email Dr. Phillips at drphillips@sequoiachiro.com.
Did you know Sequoia Chiropractic has special rates for families and groups? Leave a voicemail or text at 626-346-0977 to get started.

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Book Recommendations

To find the list of current and previous books featured in the newsletter, head to Sequoia Chiropractic’s bookshop.org storefront.

The Future

Naomi Alderman

“The end of the world is only ever hastened by those who think they will be able to protect their own from the coming storm.”

Have you ever heard the saying that fiction lies to tell the truth? That’s what The Future, a novel by Naomi Alderson, does. Alternating perspectives from a handful of characters, some powerful, some power-adjacent, Alderson explores the impact of concentrated wealth, AI technology, and fractured society on the future of humankind. It’s uncannily similar to the world we live in now. While action-packed and plot-driven, the characters ring true, and the writing bends toward the philosophical. This was one of a handful of 5-star novels I read in 2024.

Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

Tricia Hersey

We live in a society that demands working oneself into the ground. You’ll sleep when you’re dead, right? Hersey has had enough of it. She touts rest as a form of resistance against capitalism and white supremacy. Her message is especially geared toward Black women, but she makes a point to say this message is not exclusively for Black women. It takes changing everyone’s perspective to reimagine a society that does not rely on overworking people for the benefit of the powerful. Hersey explains that liberation from such thinking starts in our bodies–in rest.

Yes, she calls herself the Nap Bishop, but it’s about more than naps. It’s about making room in your day, every day, to imagine, invent, and heal. That could mean napping, but whatever you find restful counts. Her manifesto explains how she developed her framework for her ministry creating collective nap space installations for attendees to come and rest. The philosophy behind this ministry is outlined here. It’s a book I want to press into the hands of everyone I know, because I think we could all afford to hear that we are enough, that we are divine, and that to rest is our right.

Health Affirmation

This month I bring you words directly from the Nap Bishop: the time to rest is now. You don’t have to earn it. It is your right. So put aside your to-do list and resist the grind. Rest.

What does rest look like? Here are a few of Hersey’s ideas:

Closing your eyes for ten minutes.
Daydreaming by staring out the window.
Not immediately responding to texts and emails.
Laughing intensely.
A long bath.
A walk in nature.
Knitting, sewing, a craft.
Playing a musical instrument.
Deep listening to a full album of music.

Nutrition Spotlight

A decade ago, I advised patients to avoid many kinds of vegetable oil, steering them toward coconut oil or olive oil as the healthiest options. I am now oil-agnostic. Yes, vegetable oils have omega-6 fatty acids, but that’s not really the problem when it comes to consuming healthy fats. A Harvard Health article explains that only a very small amount of omega-6 fatty acids one consumes converts to inflammatory compounds, while more of it is used in pathways that reduce inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids can even improve one’s cholesterol profile.

Nevertheless, we still want to be mindful of one detail when it comes to consumption of fats and oils: your body benefits from consuming a low ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. You’ve probably heard of omega-3 fatty acids since they are venerated for their anti-inflammatory power and for their benefits to brain and eye health. The typical American gets plenty of omega-6, but not much omega-3, producing a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. Eek!

The best way to improve that ratio is to increase your consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. For the omnivores out there, fish is your best source: salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, cod liver oil if you are brave (I’m not). Plant-based sources include flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, walnuts, and chia seeds.

I’ve taken to enjoying a batch of flaxseed pudding every morning to start the day with omega-3 fatty acids. Here’s the recipe to try for yourself.

You’ll need:

A jar, approx 8 oz. in size, with a tight lid

½ c milk
4 TBSP milled flaxseed
½ tsp chia seeds, optional
Toppings of choice

Pour in the milk, then the 4 TBSP of flax, close tight, and shake to mix. Leave in the fridge for at least an hour, or up to 7 days. When ready to eat, mix in some tasty toppings, such as something fruity or sweet in combination with something nutty.

Wondering whether you need to supplement with omega-3? Or how to choose a brand of omega-3 supplements? Sign up for a free nutrition consultation. Start by filling out the intake form, and then you’ll receive a text to schedule the consultation over video or phone call.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

One More Thing

When I want escapist entertainment, I turn to the podcast Normal Gossip. Created by Kelsey McKinney and Alex Sujong Laughlin, each episode features a juicy comedic story of gossip told by the host to a guest who provides commentary. It is the epitome of fun, well-produced, and just *chef’s kiss*. You’ll gasp, you’ll LOL, you’ll want your friends to listen so you can gossip about the gossip. Wondering where to start? Go with Season 3, Episode 1: Righteous Lesbian Energy with Samantha Irby.

We’ll be taking a newsletter break in April, so see you in MAY!