Playing with Purpose

The Coachella Valley is a uniquely special place, and much of that has to do with our longstanding fervor for fun and philanthropy. Early on, our ever-shining sun and spectacular landscapes set the stage for our “playground to the stars.” Today, those same elements attract a variety of world-renowned events that entertain and support us. … Read more »

The Why and How of Living Grain-free

If you are a fan of Desert Health, you’ve probably heard many top docs say that the healthiest way to improve overall wellbeing is to cut sugar and carbs, leading culprits in today’s chronic disease and obesity epidemics.  One of the easiest means is to remove processed sugars and grains, key principles behind Paleo and… Read more »

Welcome 2023!

What words come to mind for you as we enter the new year? Fulfillment, peace, contemplation and excitement swirl through my head creating a warm and content feeling in my belly. Much of this stems from enjoying a “holiday season of old” with family gatherings, parties and events that have allowed me to feel connected… Read more »

Mobile Clinic to Serve and Educate

The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation (DHCD) and community partners have launched a new mobile clinic to deliver medical and behavioral health services to underserved communities throughout the valley.  Doctors from Desert Physicians Medical Group (DPMG), nursing faculty and students from CSUSB’s Nursing Street Medicine Program and Desert Regional Medical Center residents are providing quality… Read more »

Long COVID: Is it a “Thing”?

As the pandemic morphs on a regular basis, with new case numbers ebbing and flowing, many people are still recovering from COVID. Whether infected once, twice, three times or more, a subset of patients feel they never fully recovered as their COVID symptoms appear to linger. For some, symptoms may include chronic fatigue and malaise… Read more »

The STEM Impact in Cathedral City

When it comes to education, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is a pivotal aspect. STEM continues to grow at Cathedral City High School (CCHS) and has had a positive impact on the student body.  As a member of CCHS’s Health and Environmental Health Academy of Learning (HEAL), I was given the opportunity to create… Read more »

Head Injuries in Children

Seasoned parents Jesse and Nicole Rodriquez aren’t surprised when their adventurous kids get hurt. When they took their youngest son, 10-year old Samuel, to the doctors to get stitches after an accident, panic set in as the doctors called a medevac to transport him to a highly trained pediatric neurosurgeon, Tanya Minasian, DO, FACS, at… Read more »

Hair Loss Options Grow

Hair loss is one of the most significant concerns for both men and women and affects over 50 million men and 30 million women each year.1 Male pattern baldness accounts for 95% of hair loss, especially in those over 50 years of age.2 It is estimated that men alone spend nearly $4 billion on hair… Read more »

Clarifying Hospice vs. Palliative Care

When you think of hospice care, what comes to mind? For many, it is associated with the end of life – a time when a loved one is close to death and receiving special care in their final days or weeks. However, hospice care can also be received long before the final days of life.… Read more »

Diabetes and Your Oral Health

Maintaining your oral health is essential to your overall wellbeing and can help prevent pain and infections in the mouth. However, did you know that people with diabetes are at a higher risk for both early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) and advanced gum disease (periodontitis)?  Diabetes affects the body’s overall ability to process sugar. In type… Read more »

Nature AND Nurture: Epigenetics

We are all familiar with the old-time debate of nature versus nurture. Well times have changed. When it comes to your genetics, we now know health outcomes are not set in stone but are a combination of the genes you have from inception (nature) AND environmental influences on you since that moment (nurture). Environmental exposures… Read more »

The Restorative Theory of Sleep

We can all agree that we feel much better and refreshed after a good night’s sleep. The restorative theory of sleep provides a scientific explanation of that special feeling. Scientific evidence from both animal and human studies has proven our body literally heals and renews itself as we slumber. The majority of restorative functions in… Read more »

Experimenting with Cannabis

With cannabis now readily available in California, many are experimenting and with that may come the fear – or unpleasant experience – of becoming too high. While there is no getting “unhigh” quickly, several things can help you relax and ride it out. Know that this will pass The feeling of discomfort or panic has… Read more »

Skin Care: Making Sense of Scents

Have you ever noticed that the first thing you do when considering a skin care product is to smell it? The second is to spread a bit on the back of your hand and feel it. The skin is tied to human emotions1 and those two bits of sensorial information are often enough for many… Read more »

Is it the Journey or the Goal?

My friend Ashley and I were talking about the new year and something she said really resonated with me. “Winter is not the right energy for renewal.” It is so true! Winter is a time to reflect, let go, get cozy and rest. Spring is the perfect time for resolutions, goals, intentions and action. So,… Read more »

Keep Your Nose Clean

Winter is back with a bang, along with all the colds and flu the season brings. The CDC has reported the highest levels of influenza in more than a decade, with 13 million cases since early December 2022. Rising cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) along with this year’s variation of influenza are in the… Read more »

Acupuncture for Mental Wellness

A good friend and I were discussing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the role it plays in the health of veterans. During the conversation, we did not mention the possibility of other individuals experiencing the condition. The unfortunate reality is, however, that PTSD is more common in society than what popular media may portray. In… Read more »

Experiment with Prioritizing Protein

Many use this time of year to make lifestyle changes to look leaner and feel healthier. To help, I thought I’d propose a “planned food experiment” to inspire readers to prioritize meals and snacks around protein.  Protein is the most filling macronutrient and, in the right amount, keeps cravings and hunger at bay for hours.… Read more »

Living Wellness with Jennifer

Siempre Mejor

Since June of 1940, guests looking to enhance wellness arrived on a land originally belonging to the Native Kumeyaay at the base of Mt. Kuchumaa, a sacred peak historically protected by shamans. This earthly temple rises above Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. In those early days, guests traveled to listen to Edmond Szekely who… Read more »

Dr. Robynne Chutkan’s The Anti-Viral Gut

In The Anti-Viral Gut, integrative gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan, MD builds upon her previous books, especially The Microbiome Solution (2016), to provide an update for maintaining a healthy gut and immune system. This is an important book for our times as 70% of the immune system is in the gut and the health of our gut… Read more »