February 13, 2024

Beginner’s Guide Explains Ayurveda

When Susan Weis-Bohlen came across the Ayurvedic cleansing technique of panchakarma, she could not have imagined how the wisdom of Ayurveda would take shape in her life. What began as the release of damaging toxins and personal difficulties eventually grew into an impassioned vocation to guide others in their journeys towards a healthier state of mind, body, and spirit. Ayurveda is a profound science with wisdom spanning so wide that it can be difficult to know exactly where to begin. As an Ayurvedic consultant, Weis-Bohlen helps those who are new to Ayurveda address this exact issue. In Ayurveda Beginners Guide […]
January 29, 2024

CBD: A Natural Remedy for Beauty & Health?

Though it’s long been used in ancient and traditional medicine, in recent years, cannabidiol (CBD) has become an increasingly popular natural remedy, attracting the attention of health and wellness experts in the U.S. and worldwide. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is psychoactive and causes the “high” associated with marijuana. See our new article on THC here! CBD is known for its potential health and beauty benefits, making it an appealing alternative to traditional treatments with chemical additives. It has been studied for its ability to reduce symptoms like anxiety, chronic pain, […]
January 29, 2024

Mark Bittman on Food: Sustainable to Suicidal

The story of humankind is usually told as one of technological innovation and economic influence—of arrowheads and atomic bombs, settlers and stock markets. But behind it all, there is an even more fundamental driver: Food. In Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal, trusted food authority Mark Bittman offers a panoramic view of how the frenzy for food has driven human history to some of its most catastrophic moments, from slavery and colonialism to famine and genocide—and to our current moment, wherein Big Food exacerbates climate change, plunders our planet, and sickens its people. “You can’t […]
January 17, 2024

Unlocking the Health Potential of THC

The Cannabis sativa plant produces different chemicals that might play a role in improving your health. Three of these chemicals stand out for their possible medical uses: terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. The two cannabinoids that scientists have studied the most are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) for health and beauty benefits. Unlike THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD doesn’t get you “high.” It’s become increasingly popular as a natural remedy for various health and wellness concerns. For more information on CBD, check out this article. THC is the more psychoactive — and perhaps controversial — compound, but it has […]
January 16, 2024

5 Delicious Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Recipes

Gluten-free eating and cooking can be difficult, and once it gets cold outside, your options are even more limited. What’s an (aspiring) gluten-free chef to do? Break out your slow cooker. This is your secret weapon to tackle 3 of the biggest problems about making meals at home: convenience, health, and taste. Well, guess what: the slow cooker can make anyone look like a good chef. To show you the power of a slow cooker when it comes to gluten-free cooking, here are 5 of our favorite gluten-free slow cooker recipes, broken down to savory meals and sweet treats… Savory, […]
January 16, 2024

How To Age Backwards: Look and Feel Younger

With the scientific breakthroughs of the last decade, we now have a choice as to how we age. We have the ability to prevent and reverse many of the signs of aging, such as stiffness, chronic pain, arthritis, and sluggishness. A 30-day anti-aging program for rapid results using the fundamental movements and principles of author Miranda Esmonde-White’s bestselling Aging Backwards, featuring an accelerated program for turning back the clock. In Aging Backwards: The Fast Track, 6 Ways In 30 Days to Look and Feel Younger, Esmonde-White offers readers systematic workouts to supplement and accelerate the original program, along with new […]
January 2, 2024

The Health Benefits of Peppermint

‘Tis the season for all things peppermint. From lattes to candy and baked goods, refreshing, sweet yet herbaceous peppermint takes the stage in the winter. A hybrid of spearmint and wild mint, peppermint boasts a rich history, valued by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Peppermint has also been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2000 years. By the 18th century, it gained recognition in Western Europe, and in the 19th century became popular in the United States, particularly as peppermint oil. It’s easy to grow indoors, too, and after we discuss the great […]
December 19, 2023

15 Tips To Avoid Those Pesky Holiday Pounds

I just recently read a survey that the average person gains approximately 5 pounds during the holiday season. I don’t know if it’s one hundred percent accurate but if you’re worried about being part of that statistic, don’t despair. Here’s my holiday gift to you on how to avoid weight gain over the next few weeks! Below are 15 easy, all-natural tips you can use right now to stay slim, healthy and joyful through the holidays and into the New Year: 1) Don’t leave home hungry If you show up at a holiday party feeling absolutely ravenous, you are likely […]
December 5, 2023

Trust Your Gut: The Mind-Gut Connection

The mind-gut connection: What is it and how did it evolve? Chances are, at some point in your life, you’ve noticed the connection between your brain and your gut. If you’ve ever felt queasy as you walked into an uncomfortable situation or based a life decision on a “gut feeling,” then you know that sometime our bodies react faster than our minds. Digestion and emotion have long been treated separately in medicine and science, like dots far apart on a map. Despite the phrase “gut feeling” that implicitly connects the belly and the brain, the reality is that gut physiology, […]
November 17, 2023

Stay Healthy with Immune-Boosting Foods

In the midst of cold and flu season, it’s good to know what we should eat to bolster our immune system. Believe it or not, your digestive tract is a huge part of your immune system. Keeping it balanced with just the right bacteria mix is essential to staying healthy. The FoodTrient probiotics in yogurt encourage good gut flora to grow, so eating yogurt every day is a good way to keep your immune defenses strong. Be careful about eating yogurt with sugar, however. Refined sugars, yeast, and alcohol encourage bad bacteria to flourish in your digestive tract. Your best […]
November 17, 2023

EWG’s Guide to a Healthy Holiday Season

This year, give thanks with less–fewer pesticides, greenhouse gases and maybe less money. Small turkeys can be tastier.  And when you cook just what you need, you don’t waste. Try an organic, local or heritage turkey or one raised without antibiotics.  Or embrace a seasonal, climate-smart, stuffed winter squash centerpiece instead. Cranberry sauce is super easy, delicious and even more nutritious to make from scratch.  Opt for organic cranberries if you can, because conventional berries are heavily treated. Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving tradition, with good reason.  Pumpkin is packed with nutrition, widely available locally and generally low in pesticides.  Baked pears are simple and delightful. White potatoes […]
November 7, 2023

What To Eat At Any Age to Fend Off Alzheimer’s

Put down the fork. Step away from the buffet table. UC Davis nutrition expert Liz Applegate wants us to think about exactly what we’re shoveling down our throats. Not just to lose weight but to protect our brains. “Brain food is real and it really does matter,” said Applegate, an author, professor and director of sports nutrition at UC Davis. She’s an advocate of the MIND diet, a combination of two long-studied diets that have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. We talked with her recently about so-called “brain foods,” their impact on […]
November 6, 2023

The Superstar Benefits of Quinoa & Kale

I like to frequently use an ancient Socrates quote to my patients when I try to drive home the importance of eating the right foods to both preserve and heal their health.  The saying, roughly, goes, “Let your food be your medicine” and with these 2 nutritional powerhouses, that I’m going to tell you about here, old Socrates couldn’t be closer to the truth.  These 2 simple foods are quinoa – an ancient super-grain – and the beautiful kale plant.  They not only taste great but I’m going to tell you how they can actually save your life. The Amazing Health Benefits […]