There are many luscious and mysterious chemicals that become activated in the body when we fall in love. These chemicals create a magic potion of sorts that bypasses the radar of our rational mind and creates a timeless state of euphoria. When we’re in love, we look brighter, happier and palpably more youthful. The key… Read more »
What’s the foundation for a vibrant and inspired life? Balance. A return to homeostasis is the key for optimal functioning. This is no easy task in our busy culture, and especially difficult for working women. In honor of Women’s History Month, I looked at how women and work have evolved over time and what simple… Read more »
I first became interested in the concept of workplace wellness in college when I read Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia. Patagonia’s policy of allowing employees to work flexible hours, as long as the work gets done with no negative impacts on… Read more »
Personal genetic testing has been available on the direct consumer markets for several years. Companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com use a simple cheek swab to collect DNA data. The data can then be instantly uploaded and analyzed by other websites for genetic mutations related to potential health issues. While this seems like the utterly… Read more »
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) is the main calming neurotransmitter released to keep our brain relaxed and balanced when we need it. GABA controls the actions of the excitatory neurotransmitters, so understandably, a person with low GABA may have anxiety, racing thoughts, insomnia, addictions, or even weight gain. Deficiency of GABA levels can be genetic, but more… Read more »
It’s easy to forget how much we depend on our bones, but if you’ve ever fractured one, then you know better than to take them for granted. Building and maintaining healthy bones is extremely important. Bone is a living tissue, constantly breaking down and rebuilding. If the rate of breakdown exceeds the rate of formation,… Read more »
Recently I attended a symposium called “New Solutions to Acute and Chronic Pain.” There were many things of interest throughout the 4-day event, but I especially want to share the nutrients holistic doctor Wally Schmitt, DC, discussed to specifically target connective tissues and pain management following a joint injury.1 As a nutritional consultant I have… Read more »
“Music gives soul to the Universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” –Plato Wow! Plato said this circa 500 BC, well before Mozart, Edith Piaf, Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Sam Cooke, Don Ho, The Beatles, Billie Holiday, Lady Gaga, Mp3 players, unlimited streaming…and… Read more »
For most of us, work priorities fill our day and finding time to eat, drink and sleep can be quite a chore. It just seems easier to pull up into a fast food restaurant and grab something on the go, instead of taking the time to shop for the week and bring a healthier alternative… Read more »
Because Death Valley is considered one of the hottest places on earth it never elicited a call to visit. After seeing the striking beauty in a friend’s recent pictures of this national park, I became intrigued and decided to lead a group of 25 hikers there. Little did I know that my experience of looking… Read more »
We know that what you eat can affect your heart health, and new research indicates that the same is true for your brain. The MIND diet – which stands for the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay – takes foods from the Mediterranean and DASH diets that medical literature and data show to be good for… Read more »
Sleep is the foundation on which we build and maintain our health and is the best way of guarding against stress and age-related diseases. Is the concept of beauty sleep a myth or reality? Science tells us that a good night of sleep is essential for repairing, regenerating and restructuring the skin. Several studies suggest… Read more »
It’s important to focus proactively on health and wellness, such as eating better and exercising regularly; however, as we age we also pay the price for the activities in our younger years. Aches and pains, whether from old injuries or new sports, exercise routines and illness, are challenges that can stop us from continuing on… Read more »
As rates of stress, depression, and teen suicide have soared in the past decade, the Health and Nutritional Sciences (HANS) Academy at Indio High is piloting a new curriculum called Mindfully Resilient. Units in anger management, the science of stress, anxiety, depression, healthy relationships and more are taught to bring mental health awareness and education… Read more »
There’s no denying it—having cancer (or any other life-threatening disease) definitely changes the way one looks at the future. So it’s only natural that, after a diagnosis of cancer, the nature of patients’ New Year’s resolutions changes as well. I can say that from my own experience (diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2016, treated… Read more »
Music is wonderful. It is often referred to as the universal language. We may listen to music for sheer joy, to dance, to change our moods, to enhance fond memories and to exercise. Music therapy, however, is much more. As an allied health profession, music therapy is defined as the focused and intentional use of… Read more »
Are you ready for a “new you” this year? It may be no surprise that the all-time leading resolution is to lose weight and get healthy. After indulging in festivities for the past four months, all those tasty, sugary treats and drinks have probably found their way to your waist line. We all tend to… Read more »
The lymphatic system is often referred to as the “river of life” as it flows with nutrients and substances that bathe our cells and flood the interstitial spaces under our skin. This vital system is key to sustaining homeostasis throughout our bodies, working silently and consistently to maintain fluid balance while serving as a main… Read more »
For many affected by high glucose levels, the A1C is a familiar blood test that measures the amount of glucose that attaches to or binds with hemoglobin found in red blood cells. High glucose levels in the blood stream are often indicators of pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes (T2D) and greatly impact a person’s overall… Read more »
We all feel it! The turning of the page. A new beginning. And with the New Year often come resolutions; a focus on what we don’t want and a goal to change it. Last New Year’s Eve, when the clock struck midnight, my client Pamela resolved to lose 10 pounds. Like many of us, she… Read more »