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Dr. Ben Kim's blog

An Introduction to 90/90 Hip Mobility Exercises

90/90 hip mobility work is highly effective for improving functional range of motion of your hip joints.

Before beginning 90/90 work, I suggest warming up your spine, particularly your lower spine, as sitting in the 90/90 position can put some strain on your spine and surrounding soft tissues, and thoroughly warming up your back will decrease risk of straining muscles and ligaments in and around your spine. Read more

 

Soba

soba

Photo above by Shelby

If you strive to avoid gluten-rich wheat noodles but find yourself missing the occasional bowl of pasta, you may find the perfect fix in soba noodles. Made mostly with buckwheat and long used in East Asian cuisine, soba noodles are very easy to prepare and are readily available in Asian markets and grocery stores in larger cities.

Most varieties of noodles that are low in or devoid of gluten require constant attention while boiling and leave a gooey mess of cooking water to deal with after. Not with soba. Three to four minutes and they're ready to go, and unlike grainy whole wheat pasta, soba noodles have a delightfully clean and smooth feel about them. Read more

 

Warm Weather Reminder For Parents

Just a reminder that it's never a good idea to leave a young child in a car, even for a minute. Children are not able to regulate core body temperature and tolerate heat and cold to the same extent that grown-ups are; if left in a car in warm weather, young children are at risk of quickly experiencing hyperthermia - stroke, seizures, and even death can occur if hyperthermia is severe enough. Read more

 

Ana Roš of Hiša Franko

Ana and Hiša Franko are featured in Season 2, Episode 5 of Chef's Table on Netflix.

Though I don't have an actual bucket list, it is my hope to one day visit the Soča Valley in Slovenia and take in this emerald-green river and the majestic mountains that surround this rural community: Read more

 

A Fun Way to Work on Front and Back Levers

This is a look at how to use a simple resistance band to provide enough support for most people to have fun with gymnastics holds like the front and back lever.

Both levers are excellent for developing core, scapular, and grip strength.

When doing the back lever, the goal is to keep your abs and glutes engaged while your scapulae are protracted and depressed. Read more

 

Roasted Tomatoes, Creamy Avocado Slices, and Lightly Scrambled Eggs

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Sautéed or roasted tomatoes add wonderful flavour and substantial nutrient value to any meal, and they’re super simple to make. Read more

 

Raw Egg Over Steamed White Rice With Ivan Orkin

The Korean version of this simple meal is calls for a drizzle of soy sauce and sesame oil over steamed white rice and a raw egg, all mixed together.

For more on the fascinating journey of Ivan Orkin and the ramen that he's known for throughout Japan and the New York food scene, see episode 4 of Season 3 of Chef's Table on Netflix. Read more

 

How To Cleanse Without Greens

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In response to recent posts on cleansing with freshly pressed juices and green smoothies, a number of people have written to me (benkim@drbenkim.com) asking for a way to cleanse without a small mountain of leafy greens.

As long as you don't have issues with blood sugar and insulin regulation, you can experience a solid colon cleanse as well as a systemic cleanse of all of your cells with a number of regimens that aren't "greens-centric" - our Apple Cleanse would be one such protocol if you skip the small amount of greens with your dinner meal as suggested.

But for those who want a super simple cleanse to follow, I have long found a 2 or 3 day mono diet of fresh papaya to be highly effective and easy to get through. Read more

 

Variations of Squats to Improve Balance, Core Strength, and Lower Body Mobility

A deck squat is the name for the movement pattern of rolling gently onto one's back, then using the momentum of rolling forward into a body-weight squat. Read more

 

Daily Release For Tight Hips

For those looking to address or prevent hip pain and stiffness without having to get on the ground, this is a simple and highly effective way of improving hip health daily. Read more

 

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