I have supported the Organic Consumers Association for years and have benefited from their newsletters and website when it comes to choosing safe, truly organic brands. This article about Driscoll’s “organic” strawberries is an eye opener–no wonder many people don’t trust organic labels! Fortunately, we have people like those at the Organic Consumers Association setting the record straight. My advice to the berry lovers out there, if you can’t grow your own, find a local grower and pick enough during the season to freeze for the winter. If you buy frozen berries, research the brand and be sure the berries are not grown the way Driscolls grows them. Remember, you vote with your dollar and every purchase you make! I grow strawberries and blueberries organically so I know it is easily done. We need more local, small farms to bring regenerative agriculture back. Support them whenever and however you can and consider supporting the Organic Consumers Association if you care!
Do The Homework
Please explain why you came to our office.
“I was having several areas of discomfort. A friend recommended Dr. Burgoon with high praise. I echo that praise!”
Please describe your response to treatment.
“My posture is much improved, a lot less discomfort! The homework is well worth doing.”
71 year-old female
World of a Difference
Please explain why you came to our office.
“I suffered an episode with my back while travelling and did not experience much relief over the next week. A friend took pity on me and suggested I give Dr. Burgoon a call. I did…and it has made all the difference in the world!”
Please describe your response to treatment.
“Dr Burgoon took the time with me to learn my history of back trouble, gave me adjustments, and provided me with some very helpful exercises that have helped, along with his treatment, tremendously. I’ back to 100%!”
68 year-old male
Lemon or Lime SuperDrink
There are compounds that we absorb from eating common foods which are protective and act as sunscreen for the eyes and are associated with decreased risk of developing cataracts. Citrus fruit, blueberries, papaya, and goji berries are all foods that have high amounts of these compounds. Vitamin C powder and quercitin can be taken or added to the drink for more anti-oxidant power. This drink provides some or all of these foods–and it is delicious and refreshing especially in summer heat! Use carbonated instead of plain water for the bubbly version.
Serves 2
1 lemon or lime, peeled and quartered (do not remove the white “skin” underneath the peel but remove the seeds)
1/2 tsp. vitamin C powder (1000 mgs per serving)
2 tsp. maple syrup
monk fruit powder to taste for your level of desired sweetness
1/2 cup blueberries (frozen or raw) or cut up papaya, optional
2 Tbsp. goji berries soaked in 2 Tbsp. water for 15 minutes, optional
2 cups of purified water or carbonated water
Place all ingredients in a blender except monk fruit. Do not overfill the blender container especially if you use carbonated water. (Only place 1 cup of the water in the blender initially if necessary and add the rest of the water after blended.) Blend until smooth. Strain if desired–some blenders may not totally pulverize the lemon inner skin and you may want to remove it. If not strained the drink will be more like a smoothie. If strained, the drink will be more like a lemonade but be sure to press out all the liquid from the pulp when straining to get as much nutrition out of as possible. Stir in the monk fruit powder if desired. Serve immediately adding ice if desired.
Kidney Stone Help
Wise Traditions Spring 2026 publication had an excellent article on kidney stones and the connection to gut bacteria, “The Gut Microbiome, Oxalate Intolerance and Your Kidneys”. The microbes in the gut can be protective or harmful even to the kidneys, and the diet, medications, and the environment can all affect the variety, quantity and quality of the microorganisms inhabiting the gut.
According to the article, within the last 30 years in the US, kidney stone disease has increased by 70%. Currently 1 in 10 US adults will have a kidney stone incident with 50% of these having a recurrence within 10 years. What is causing this? It appears to be connected to increased gut microbe disturbance in the US population. The article explores this topic and an interesting point it makes is that 97% of kidney stones contain bacteria! Also, antibiotic use is correlated with an increased risk of kidney stones. We know that antibiotic use can be associated with microbial imbalance in the gut. While not known for sure, it appears that a presence of “bad” microbes and absence of “good” microbes may be a cause or contributing factor of kidney stone formation. Of course, there are dietary/lifestyle factors also involved as described below, but this microbe association is an important piece of the puzzle that may result in better recommendations for prevention!
Eighty percent of kidney stones are made of calcium oxalates and 20 to 40% of the body’s oxalates are from the diet. This is why a low oxalate diet has been a standard dietary recommendation for preventing kidney stones for decades. There are some gut bacteria that are capable of breaking down oxalates but most people do not have this type of bacteria as they are associated with a healthy gut that would have a wide spectrum of healthy bacteria present. In fact, high blood concentrations of oxalates are associated with increased intestinal absorption that occurs in a “leaky” unhealthy gut common in people with various gastrointestinal diseases. Also, healthy kidneys can eliminate 90 to 95% of oxalates that are in the blood so it is a good idea to support good kidney function with a healthy, clean diet and good hydration.
Here are some recommendations that will help reduce the risk of formation of kidney stones:
- Focus on healing the gastrointestinal tract. A healthy gut works well from top to bottom without the need of medications. In other words, if you are on GERD meds or laxative medications or you have a history of kidney stones, you have work to do! You may need help making the right diet changes and that is when a nutrition consult is important. We have helped many people not need these meds to digest and eliminate well.
- Good hydration is required. Drink half your weight in ounces of purified water every day. This includes fresh juices, herb teas, soups, and broths. If you sweat a lot you may need more. If you eat a diet that is high in water (raw fruits and vegetables are mainly composed of water), you may not need as much. The important thing is not to get dehydrated. Also, mineralizing your water with trace minerals (we use Concentrace for trace mineral supplementation) is our recommendation. Concentrace is high in magnesium (a natural stone inhibitor) and is excellent for relieving constipation and muscle cramps. Ask us for a dose recommendation. Consider adding apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon in 2 cups of water, which will suppress stone formation.
- Avoid high oxalate containing foods. Again, a nutrition consult will help with this.
- Take a good probiotic to balance the microbes in the gut. We recommend a spore-based probiotic, especially when and after taking an antibiotic.
We sell a variety of nutritional supplements at our office some of which are mentioned above. Schedule a nutrition consult to learn more!
Dairy/Sugar-Free Chocolate Pudding
No cooking with this one–a very easy way to make “pudding” with few ingredients and no dairy. You just need to soak the prunes ahead of time and you need to use a food processor. And you will have to melt the chocolate chips if you include them–gently warm them in a small metal cup or bowl over low heat until just melted.
The prunes provide the sweetness along with the gentle laxative effect for which they are well known. The chocolate could be left out for children if you wish to avoid the caffeine-like effect. Be sure to buy the very low-sugar chocolate chips. Also, one or two tablespoons of finely-ground flax or chia seed can be added for increased fiber intake–another strategy for addressing constipation.
Coconut milk is a good substitute for milk in pudding recipes and the thickness is achieved here with the prunes and the chocolate chips.
Serves 2
10 organic prunes, cut in quarters into a bowl and covered with 1/4 cup of water to soak for 4-12 hours.
1/2 cup of organic full-fat coconut milk (“classic”), (empty contents of the can into a glass jar and stir well to mix the thick cream that settles on the top with the “milk” underneath)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1-2 Tbsp. finely-ground flax or chia seeds, optional
1/4 cup of 85 % chocolate chips, melted
Place soaked prunes along with any soak water that has not been absorbed into food processor. Add coconut milk and vanilla and process until smooth. Add melted chocolate chips and ground seed if desired. Process again until smooth. Transfer to serving bowls. If not as thick as desired, place in refrigerator for 30 minutes until set before serving.
Quick GF Bread
Thanks to Dr. Eric Berg for posting this interesting bread recipe which is non-yeasted and uses separated eggs as the liquid ingredient. I am posting it here because I made some changes. I like it because it is quick and not crumbly when you slice it. Also, it is higher in protein than most breads because of the eggs. However, it is best eaten when it is hot, right out of the oven, with some butter or ghee. You could use different gluten-free flours but best to use half arrowroot so that it is not too dense. The other half could be almond flour, rice flour, or tiger “nut” flour. Dr. Berg uses all almond flour but I wanted to avoid nut flour. If you like almond flour, use it but be sure to buy the very finely ground almond flour–not almond meal. Also, I have added ground flax seed and chia seed because flax is such a great fiber source that is hard to get into the diet. Soak the ground seeds in water for 10 minutes or so until the water is absorbed by the ground seeds. This helps moisten the bread which can be on the dry side depending on the flour you use. My other change was adding a tablespoon of maple syrup but this is optional.
1 loaf
1 cup arrowroot flour
1 cup organic sprouted brown rice flour or other gluten-free flour of your choice
1 rounded tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sea salt
3 Tbsp. flax seed and 1 Tbsp. chia seed ground in blender (can be ground together) and then mixed with 1/2 cup of water
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
4 eggs, separated (be careful not to get any yolk in the whites or they won’t fluff when you beat them)
optional sesame seeds
In a small bowl, stir water into the ground seeds until water is all absorbed and let sit a few minutes. Meanwhile, mix all dry ingredients in a food processor. Add the soaked ground seed mix. Process well until a “meal” is formed.
In two separate bowls, separate egg whites and egg yolks. Beat egg whites first with a clean electric beater until white, stiff peaks form. Set aside. Next, use the beater (no need to wash beaters) to beat egg yolks briefly and add the maple syrup if desired and beat enough to mix well. Add the egg yolk mixture to the food processor. Process until mixture appears homogenous. Now fold in the egg whites and pulse briefly until a uniform dough forms. No need to knead! Dough will be sticky so transfer with a spoon onto a parchment paper-lined baking pan. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired. Bake 30 minutes in 350 degree F oven until lightly browned. Best served fresh out of the oven–with some butter or ghee!
Just Say NO to the BAYER
Please call your Congressional representative and tell him/her to support HR7601, the “No Immunity for Glyphosate Act” introduced recently by Representative Thomas Massie. As long-time organic gardeners and supporters of regenerative farming, we strongly oppose the use of this herbicide (round-up)/agricultural desiccant that destroys microbial health of soils and human/animal gut microbiomes. The people need to speak out on this one–no legal immunity for a big corporation solely motivated by money.
Learn more in this article.
Wanta Work Out Again
Please explain why you came to our office.
“Severe back pain, that I’ve had for years and being able to work out again.”
Please describe your response to treatment.
“It has helped a lot, less back pain . Can do simple workouts. Trying to do more cardio and weights.”
~38 year-old female
Pain Free in Three
Please explain why you came to our office.
“Right before the holidays, I experienced some lower back discomfort and pain that seemingly came out of nowhere.”
Please describe your response to treatment.
“I had never been to the chiropractor before so I had no idea what to expect but Dr. Burgoon educated me on how to correct my posture and was able to treat me immediately. In three sessions I had zero pain. 5/5 stars-recommended.
~32 year-old female
