Last January, I was celebrating a new start after a year of cancer treatments. 2019 had been rough, but I made it through with a renewed appreciation for life and a strong sense of fearlessness. Life is short, and I can do anything. So, I decided to start riding horses again. I tried 10 years… Read more »
With COVID-19 forcing schools into distance learning and the tremendous amount of additional social and emotional trauma in today’s world, teachers Jason Tate, FMCHC of Indio High School and Jodie Capper, CTE from Coachella Valley High School created an online program that helps educators help their students to cope and heal. The program, called Mindfully… Read more »
The fact that humans are multi-parted beings is nothing new or trendy; it is quite old, and yet, our disregard causes so much pain and disappointment. There is a positive movement in the western world towards treating illness in a more holistic way. But are we ready to accept and act upon the fact that… Read more »
As I was walking through the forests of Big Sur during the holidays, taking a socially-isolated reprieve from work and daily life, I was struck by the magnificence of how light expresses itself in the forest. In some areas, sunlight illuminates the burnt orange leaves of Oak trees. Around another corner, it reveals itself in… Read more »
There is a new non-profit in the Coachella Valley serving all of Riverside County by offering wellness and sport opportunities for those with disabilities. Palms to Pines Parasports (PPP) was founded in June of last year with the purpose of providing competitive and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities while instilling a lifelong passion for… Read more »
These are trying times, not just for Americans but for the entire world. Since the first outbreak was announced in February of last year, many businesses have been shut down, and fear and uncertainty have placed millions at home, affecting most people’s mental, emotional, financial and physical health. With many gyms compromised or closed right… Read more »
Pandemic fatigue is setting in, and for many, so is apathy. Frustration at the limitations imposed on us as individuals and the world at large can be harmful, especially when we let it affect the way we treat ourselves and others. Apathy can lead to unsafe behaviors and disregard for those around us, which will… Read more »
This year has taken a toll on us all. Many feel out of balance, and anxiety, stress, fear and depression are on the rise. Amidst the chaos, more people than ever are turning to meditation, yoga and other calming practices to help restore balance while adding peace and tranquility to their day. When considering self-care… Read more »
So much has changed. The world has changed. I have changed. Those around me have changed. And life in the desert has certainly changed. While we each found our way to this unique place for different reasons – some to escape city life or retire in the sun, others to take care of parents or… Read more »
Many have been following my cancer journey, which began with a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma in January 2019. As most who share the journey will agree, the entire experience is life-changing and shouldn’t be traveled without the support, knowledge and encouragement of those who came before us. I am now on the other side… Read more »
2020 has been a monster of a year, with shelter-in-place orders and constant, head-spinning policy changes. It’s no wonder people fall back to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as poor eating and drinking habits. In April, the World Health Organization issued a press release warning against alcohol consumption. At the same time, according to Nielsen ratings,… Read more »
Let’s get the depressing part over with…then we’ll get to the hopeful stuff! When it comes to diabetes, we know the stats; they aren’t great. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 34.2 million people in the United States have diabetes, and one in five don’t know they have it. Over… Read more »
The invitation read, “Zombies and Vampires are not welcome, but the dead are invited to dine with the living at a Dumb Supper on All Hallows’ Eve.” Was it trick or treat? Think about it… Rather than mourning our deceased with tears, why not celebrate their memory with love, because love never dies? And, under… Read more »
“However the seed is planted, in that way the fruit is gathered” is a Buddhist saying which seems particularly pertinent to being steady in our practices. It’s about showing up consistently and it’s during challenging times, such as this global pandemic, that we become aware of what we have harvested based upon choices we’ve previously… Read more »
Suicide has surpassed car accidents as the number one cause of injury-related deaths in the United States, especially for cancer patients and teens.1,2 What if we could change that? Integrative medicine expert Deepak Chopra, MD and a collaboration of mental health experts and activists have launched the Never Alone Summit to bring awareness and solutions… Read more »
Sleep is important for many reasons. During sleep our brain is hard at work cleaning up and organizing all of the activity from the day. The ideal amount of sleep for longevity, decreased risk of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia is 7 to 9 hours. Many people struggle with sleep issues… Read more »
How are you doing? During this time we’ve been thinking of you, dear readers, and eager to present this special issue inspiring health and hope from our local wellness community. There has never been a more important time to build and maintain a healthy immune system. But how do you focus on good health when… Read more »
Every human on our planet is struggling right now. For some, it’s simply getting through the day; for others, it’s coping with mortality in unimaginable circumstances. If the challenges we are facing are taking their toll mentally, you are not alone. Many psychologists agree that the ability to comprehend the magnitude of what is going… Read more »
Hello, Friends ~ My goodness! Who would have ever thought 2020 would find us so far apart, yet so close at heart in circumstances beyond our wildest imagination? The sign above sits on our counter as a constant reminder of the patience and compassion we all need to have with each other right now, and… Read more »
Since the beginning of 2020, many of us have felt the symbiotic balance between humanity and Earth as more fragile than ever. The moment a highly contagious virus took the hurried pace of our lives and slowed it down, we started to pay attention. When our nomadic ancestors migrated with the seasons, animals, and weather… Read more »