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This issue's topics:

Here comes 2008--what are your health goals and how will you reach them?

Join Dr. Marcantel in Sedona for a virtual hike in this new video!

2 great new seafood recipes

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You Can't Hit a Target You Can't See!

Okay, the title's become a cliché by now, but its message is still just as true today as it was when the first motivational-speaker caveman used it to inspire his audience. New Year's resolutions--and how fast we drop them--are the most popular subjects of jokes this time of year. And yet, we all still look longingly toward the new year as a chance for a fresh start and as the time we'll actually begin that exercise program, lose that extra weight, eat better, cut back on the alcohol or cigarettes, get those hormones under control, or (fill in your own goals here).

So what's the disconnect between having the desire to achieve these things and actually accomplishing them? Here are a few things the experts tell us are crucial for meaningful goal setting:

1) Goals must be specific and measurable. "Lose weight" is not a goal. How will you know if you've accomplished what you've set out to do? "Lose ten pounds by February 1" is specific and measurable.

2) Goals must be reasonable and achievable. Don't set a goal to run a marathon in six weeks if you can't walk around the block today. Conquer the block first, then a mile, then two. After you've reached those goals, you'll realize you can do anything you set your mind to--in the proper increments.

3) Goals must be written down. There's something powerful about the act of simply writing down what you plan to do.

We can all get this far easily enough. But Step 4 is the most important one of all and the one most of us avoid:

4) Goals must be shared with another person. When we actually tell someone else that we trust, "I am going to do thus-and-such," we have made the goal a true commitment. We now will be held accountable for following through with our plan because someone else knows about it and wants us to succeed.

This accountability factor is one of the most powerful motivators that Dr. Marcantel sees in her practice. New patients have come to her time and time again with stories of failed diet plans and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness when it comes to achieving their health needs. When Dr. Marcantel works out a specific, achievable, and written down health plan with them and then holds them accountable for following that plan, remarkable things happen! Patients who once thought it impossible find that they CAN take control of their own health (just check out our testimonials pages for some specific examples).

So don't be afraid--pull out some paper and start setting those goals for 2008. And if your goals are health-related, give Dr. Marcantel's office a call for a January appointment so she can partner with you to help you achieve better health in the coming year.

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We've added a new video to the site

Speaking of goals, do you need a little inspiration to start that new exercise program? Join Dr. Marcantel in the fantastic red rock country of Sedona in this new video we've added to the site. While you enjoy the great scenery Dr. Marcantel will share with you some of the many great health benefits that come with regular exercise.

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Two new seafood recipes

It's been pretty chilly here in Arizona lately--even in the desert country of Phoenix!--and nothing goes better with cold weather than a good Louisiana gumbo. If you prefer, you can try the seafood Italian style, also.

Seafood and Okra Gumbo

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

As we Cajuns would say, "Talk about good!"

3 lbs. frozen chopped okra                                    

3 tablespoons canola oil                                        

1 large chopped green bellpepper                          

3 cups chopped white onion                                  

2 cans Rotel chopped tomatoes                             

2 lbs. crabmeat (I like Trader Joe's in the can)

1 small can of tomato paste

1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

4 quarts water

Creole seasoning to taste (I use Tony Chachere's)

Sauté onions, bellpepper, and okra in oil for 20 minutes over medium high heat. Transfer to large pot. Add tomato paste, tomatoes, water. Mix well. Add tobasco, Worcesterchire sauce, and Creole seasoning. Bring to boil, then add crabmeat and shrimp. Simmer for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Spoon over brown rice to serve.

Creamy Shrimp Pesto Rotini

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

The whole wheat rotini helps prevent blood sugar spikes that you might experience from refined (white) pasta, the garlic contains antibiotic properties, and the basil in the pesto can help relieve gas (see below). What more could you ask from a delicious Italian recipe?

10-12 oz. pack whole wheat rotini (cooked)               

2 cloves of garlic finely chopped                               

1/2 onion finely chopped                                         

1 cup milk                                                             

1/4 cup olive oil

1  1.2 oz. pack Knorr Creamy Pesto sauce mix

1  4 oz. jar pimentos (drained)

1 lb. shrimp (boiled and peeled)

fresh basil leaves

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil until tender. Stir in milk and sauce mix and bring to a boil. Add pimentos and cooked shrimp. Reduce heat and simmer approximately 5-10 minutes. Season to taste. Remove from heat. Add rotini and mix with sauce. Top with fresh basil to serve.

Eating healthy meals doesn't mean you have to give up all the good stuff--check out our recipes pages for these and plenty of other good-and-good-for-you menu suggestions!

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We love testimonials!

We want to hear from you about your experiences with Dr. Marcantel's services. Patient feedback is extremely important to us because it tells us how we're doing in providing you with the quality care we strive for. We would really appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to print the Patient Feedback Form, fill it out, and drop it in the mail to us. You can print it directly from the pdf file link above or, if you prefer, you can download the text file and copy it into Word and fill it out on your computer.

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Lots of our patients are spreading the word to their friends and taking advantage of the discounts we're offering through our patient referral program. Find out how you can qualify for a $200.00 gift certificate to a Valley day spa by simply referring 5 new patients to Dr. Marcantel!

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Have you tried IV therapy yet? A growing number of Dr. Marcantel's patients are reporting great results from their IV therapy treatments. Read Dr. Marcantel's article on How IV Therapy Can Benefit YOU and give her a call to see if this program might be right for you to give you more energy, supply your body with much-needed vitamins and nutrients, and boost your immune system.

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Dr. Tina Marcantel

5416 East Southern Avenue #110

Mesa, AZ 85206

480-985-0000

Newsletter written by Peter Marcantel, webmaster for DrMarcantel.com.