Sowing the Seeds of Health

Just as a gardener carefully selects seeds to plant for a bountiful harvest, sharing health knowledge involves passing down valuable insights and practices that can benefit the next generation. These seeds of health include:

• Nutritional wisdom: Modeling and encouraging the consumption of whole foods and teaching the importance of fruits and vegetables, and the impact of various food types on health.

• Fitness and exercise routines: Modeling and involving children, friends and family in your exercise routines; Incorporating physical activity into your family’s lifestyle.

• Mental well-being strategies: Modeling techniques for managing stress, nurturing resilience, and seeking emotional support.

• Preventive healthcare measures: Share information about vaccinations, model getting regular check-ups, and screenings for early disease detection. Regularly schedule them for your dependents.

Nurturing the Seeds

Planting seeds is just the beginning; they also need proper care to grow into healthy plants. Sharing health knowledge is similar in that it requires ongoing support and guidance. This care may involve:

• Role modeling: It always begins with you; set a good example for younger generations by maintaining healthy habits and routines.

• Education: Feed their curiosity, teach younger generations about heritable risk factors and ways to mitigate those risks, and don’t keep health struggles a secret.

• Encouragement: Providing positive reinforcement and support for healthy behaviors, such as eating well, exercising, and seeking medical advice when needed.

Harvesting the Fruits of Good Health

As the seeds of health knowledge begin to grow, they bear fruit in the form of healthier, happier individuals. This fruit is both immediate and long-lasting, resulting in a better quality of life, reduced healthcare costs, and a legacy of generational health.

Passing Down the Wisdom

Just as gardeners save seeds from one season to plant in the next, the sharing of health knowledge perpetuates a cycle of well-being. This wisdom can be passed down through:

• Stories and personal experiences: Sharing anecdotes about health-related challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned.

• Family traditions: Incorporating health practices into family traditions, like an annual 5k walk/run, planning physically active vacations, and teaching healthful cooking practices.

• Ongoing communication: Keeping an open line of communication with younger generations to ensure that the knowledge is continuously transferred.

Conclusion

In the realm of health, sharing knowledge from one generation to the next is a profound and enduring act of love. By sowing these seeds, nurturing them with wisdom and guidance, and reaping the fruits of good health, we can create a lasting legacy of wellness for our descendants. So, let us embrace the role of health gardeners, tending to the seeds of knowledge that will bloom into a healthier future for all.

Embrace the Joy: Top 3 Tips for a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season

'Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to celebrate than by prioritizing your health and well-being? The holiday season brings joy, laughter, and gatherings with loved ones, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. From tempting treats to hectic schedules, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a bit challenging. Fear not! We've got you covered with our top three pieces of advice for a happy and healthy holiday season.

1. Savor the Flavor, Mind the Portions

The holiday season is synonymous with delicious feasts and treats, and it's perfectly okay to indulge a little. The key is moderation. Instead of depriving yourself, savor the flavors of your favorite holiday dishes and treats. Be mindful of portion sizes, and try to balance indulgent treats with healthier options. Load up on colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure you're getting essential nutrients, and opt for lean proteins to keep you feeling satisfied. By enjoying your favorite holiday foods in moderation, you can savor the season's joy without compromising your health. Enjoy the holiDAY, not the HoliMONTH.

2. Stay Active, Spread the Cheer

Between festive parties, family gatherings, putting out “fires”, shopping, and preparing meals, finding time for exercise might seem challenging. However, staying active is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental well-being. Make physical activity a family affair by organizing fun holiday-themed games or walks. Whether it's a brisk winter stroll through a decorated neighborhood or a friendly snowball fight, find ways to incorporate movement into your holiday celebrations. Not only does exercise help combat holiday stress, but it also provides an opportunity to bond with loved ones while staying active and healthy.

3. Prioritize Self-Care, Manage Stress

The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activity, and taking time for self-care is essential. Amid the shopping, decorating, and festivities, make sure to schedule moments for relaxation and reflection. Practice deep breathing, and meditation, or engage in activities that bring you joy and peace. Setting realistic expectations and boundaries can help manage stress levels, ensuring a more enjoyable holiday experience. Remember that it's okay to say no and prioritize your well-being. By taking care of yourself, you'll be better equipped to spread joy to those around you.

In conclusion, this holiday season, focus on balance, activity, and self-care to ensure a healthy and happy celebration. By incorporating these tips into your festivities, you can savor the magic of the season while maintaining your well-being. From all of us at Seeds of Health, we wish you a joyful and healthy holiday season!

Top 3 “Non-medical” Insights for Patients

The medical world is more than just a place of diagnosis and treatment. At its core, it revolves around the human connection between doctors and their patients. At Seeds of Health, we emphasize the significance of deeper, more meaningful doctor-patient relationships. These connections go beyond the standard appointments and allow physicians to understand their patients' lifestyles and underlying health issues. However, this deep connection requires time - a resource often in short supply in today's fast-paced healthcare industry.

In addition to focusing on their patients, physicians must also prioritize their wellness. A doctor's well-being directly impacts their practice and their ability to provide effective care. Therefore, taking the time to understand their health and lifestyle is as important as understanding their patients.

For patients, I often point out that life transitions, such as moving into retirement or becoming an empty nester can be daunting or even overwhelming. However, this stage of life is also an opportunity for reinvention and finding a new purpose. I underscore the importance of finding purpose during these major life transitions. Most of us are guilty of defining ourselves by the work that we do or the people that we care for. Jobs and careers don’t last forever, children grow up and loved ones pass on. If you haven’t already identified your purpose in more lasting terms you will find yourself feeling empty when you are no longer “needed". In a recent podcast, I shared the story of a gentleman who since retiring has been considering donating a kidney. I encourage you not to wait until retirement to discover a sense of purpose but to actively seek it out and cultivate it now.

However, while finding a purpose is crucial, so is striking a balance between self-care and caregiving. Many individuals struggle to find time for themselves while caring for others. I address this common challenge by offering practical advice and strategies for incorporating self-care into one's life. This begins with setting boundaries and prioritizing one's well-being. To set boundaries you must know what you value and what you do not value, then distribute your time and energy accordingly. - be that family, integrity, health, serving others, etc. whatever that may be. Also, know that other people will only expect of you that which you are willing to give.

Another topic I often discuss is holding grudges, which can also take a toll on one's mental health. I encourage patients to let go of anger and resentment, as these negative emotions can often hinder personal growth and well-being. Instead, I once again suggest setting boundaries and seeking help when necessary

With these insights, patients can be better equipped to embark on their journeys towards better health and a fulfilling life.

What is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is the primary care doctor's answer to the traditional fee-for-service insurance-based healthcare model that predominates today’s healthcare system. 

Healthcare can be confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the different models of care. In this post, I will break down the concept of Direct Primary Care (DPC) in simple terms, contrasting it with the traditional fee-for-service, insurance-based healthcare model. By the end, you'll have a better grasp of how DPC works and how it can benefit you as a patient.

Traditional Healthcare: The Fee-for-Service Model

The traditional healthcare system operates on a fee-for-service model. In this system, you visit a doctor or healthcare provider for sick/well care and they bill your insurance company or you directly for each service or procedure they perform. This includes office visits, tests, medications, and more. If you have insurance, your insurance company is billed and then you are billed for whatever costs they didn’t cover - copayments, deductibles, and any costs outside of your coverage plan (like an out-of-network provider or test that was not approved by our insurance or did not receive prior authorization). It could be months before you get a bill, your bill may be incorrect, or you may have paid a copay when you didn’t need to. 

The Challenges with Traditional Healthcare

• Lack of price transparency: You seldom ever know what a visit will cost you ahead of time and bills take forever to show up.

• Limited time with doctors: Doctors may have limited time to spend with each patient due to the volume of patients they are REQUIRED to see. The average appointment length is about 17 minutes. 

• High administrative costs: A significant portion of healthcare spending goes toward administrative overhead, further inflating the costs.

Direct Primary Care (DPC): A better choice for most

Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model designed to provide more accessible, affordable, and personalized care to patients. It operates on a different premise:

• You pay a fixed monthly fee directly to your DPC provider, often called a "membership" or "subscription" fee.

• In return, you gain access to various primary care services, including office visits, preventive care, and even some basic tests.

• You can see your DPC doctor as often as you need without worrying about additional costs, copayments, or deductibles.

• DPC doctors focus on building long-term patient relationships, allowing for more personalized and comprehensive care.

The Advantages of Direct Primary Care:

• Price transparency: With a predictable monthly fee, you know exactly what you'll pay each month, eliminating surprise bills.

• More time with your doctor: DPC physicians can spend more time with each patient (30 to 60 minutes) addressing their concerns and providing personalized care.

• Increased Access: You can easily get same-day or next-day appointments with your DPC doctor.  Sometimes an appointment isn’t needed, so you can communicate with her directly instead

• Affordable: DPC can be more cost-effective, especially for those with high-deductible insurance plans or no insurance at all.

The Bottom Line

DPC is characterized by its simplicity, price transparency, and patient-centered care, while the traditional model involves complex billing systems and often higher costs for patients. Not only is DPC better for patients, it is better for doctors.  We get to spend time doing the things we trained and love to do…take care of you!

Interested in learning more? Visit seedsofhealthdpc.com to sign up for my email list or join our practice waitlist today.  Our practice opens its doors in February 2024!

Our Story

Seeds of Health is not just a name for our practice, but a reflection of our unwavering commitment to your well-being. Our journey is deeply rooted in the personal experiences of Dr. Angela, whose parents, paternal grandfather, and maternal grandparents were all dedicated farmers and gardeners. They instilled in her the wisdom that a thriving garden can parallel a flourishing life, and this philosophy is at the heart of our practice.

Dr. Angela's love for gardening was instilled in her since childhood, as she witnessed the beauty of nature and the joy of nurturing plants both indoors and outdoors. She grew up observing her mother's care for household plants and her father and grandfather's meticulous attention to their city gardens. They found solace and happiness in the fruits of their labor. Moreover, her maternal grandparents taught her the art of canning and preserving their harvest for future use. Little did Dr. Angela know that these early lessons in gardening would shape her healthcare philosophy and influence her future medical practice.

Gardening for Health and Wellness

Dr. Angela discovered the remarkable health and mental advantages of gardening on her journey. As she continued to explore this age-old pastime, she recognized the striking similarities between nurturing a garden and promoting wellness.

1. Nurturing Growth: Just as our gardens require care and attention to flourish, our bodies and minds need the same kind of care to thrive. At Seeds of Health, we believe in providing comprehensive healthcare that addresses your unique needs and encourages growth, just as a gardener tends to her plants.

2. Mental Well-Being: Gardening is a natural stress reliever. The act of planting, nurturing, and watching your garden bloom brings peace to the mind. We incorporate this philosophy into our healthcare practice, fostering an environment that promotes mental well-being and a sense of tranquility.

3. Preventive Care: In gardening, early interventions can prevent issues from taking root and spreading. Similarly, our approach to healthcare is built on the principles of prevention and early detection, ensuring that your health garden remains vibrant and disease-free.

4. Generational Health: Just as Dr. Andrews has drawn inspiration from generations before her, we seek to pass on our knowledge, expertise, and a legacy of health to future generations. At Seeds of Health, we believe that, like gardening, health is a continuum that benefits from the wisdom of those who came before and it is our duty to pass it on.

A New Kind of Healthcare

Seeds of Health is committed to providing patient-centered and holistic healthcare that takes inspiration from the timeless lessons of tending to plants and crops. We understand that health is not just about physical well-being, but also about nurturing your body, mind, and spirit to achieve overall balance. Whether it is sharecropping, gardening on an empty city lot in Detroit, cultivating a corner spot of a suburban backyard, or bringing the indoors to life with plants, we believe that the key to good health lies in the relationship between people and nature.

It's not a coincidence that our primary brand color is Mustard. The Parable of the Mustard Seed gave Dr. Angela the courage to take a leap of faith in starting this practice. This parable conveys a powerful message of the strength of faith and the potential to accomplish the impossible with the aid of God. Dr. Angela hopes that although Seeds of Health is a lot smaller than other well-known healthcare systems in the area, it will grow and produce branches that will positively impact the way we practice healthcare in West Michigan.

Our healthcare practice is more than a destination, it's a sanctuary of health where we sow the seeds of well-being and nurture them into flourishing lives. We cordially invite you to join us on this journey and experience the profound advantages of healthcare that draws inspiration from nature and is rooted in generations of knowledge and wisdom.

Thank you for visiting Seeds of Health, and we look forward to growing together towards a healthier and happier future.