This summer I cycled 100 miles in the northern California countryside for an organization called “Best Buddies,” which raises funds for individuals with mental disabilities. This year, the event provided critical thinking related to goals, motivations and how each of us sees the finish line – not only on the bike, but in any physical… Read more »
Eating healthy is crucial for our body and overall well-being. It becomes even more challenging when the holiday season is upon us. Holidays come with a never-ending list of party invites, activities, and entertaining which often leads to over indulgence. As we gear up for the holidays, meal prepping (or meal batching) is a great… Read more »
These past few months have been intense and it feels like everything has been happening all at once: hurricanes, fires, mass shootings – all public events – without mentioning our own personal challenges. It’s enough to create a feeling of inundation. I know that if this had happened 25 years ago, I would have survived… Read more »
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is actually a group of more than 150 related viruses. HPV commonly presents as papillomas, or warts, commonly found on genitalia, but sometimes elsewhere. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S. and Canada. About 79 million Americans are currently infected with… Read more »
Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat infertility. Recently several studies from Scandinavia, the U.S. and Israel have confirmed the positive role acupuncture has in combating infertility. Stress is a recognized factor in reducing fertility. Because of the delicate balance between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and reproductive glands, stress can… Read more »
According to the 2016 Yoga in America Study, conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, over 36 million people are currently practicing yoga in the U.S. with 34 percent (more than 80 million of us) reporting they are “somewhat or very likely” to do yoga in the next 12 months. However, with so many options… Read more »
Yoga is a spiritual science that has been practiced for thousands of years in India and for over a century in the United States. While the ultimate goal is to achieve a transcendental state, the tools of yoga can be used to alleviate ailments of the body and mind and to improve the day-to-day lives… Read more »
Summer adventure led me to one of the youngest islands in the world – Iceland. This frontier land of fire and ice, as Icelanders call it, is also a land of wonder and astonishing silence. The absence of trees covering most of the volcanic land mass results in few birds chirping, creating a void that… Read more »
Acupuncture has been used for more than 3,000 years to treat eye disease. By inserting tiny needles into the skin (not in the eyes or eyeball), the therapy can help preserve vision for those with a wide range of eye conditions including dry eyes, eye floaters, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. When the macular begins… Read more »
One of the most important questions asked by patients when they start a course of treatment is how long the regimen will take and how many sessions they will need to get the relief they seek. Naturally, this depends on what condition is being treated, whether it is headaches; neck, back, shoulder or foot pain;… Read more »
In your mind’s eye, is the grass greener at times in your neighbor’s backyard? Do you get green with envy thinking about someone else’s car, spouse, partner, wealth, or happiness? I recently observed a holiday called Shavuot, or the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai a mere 3,329 years… Read more »
Helicobacter pylorus (H. pylori) is a bacterium of the stomach also known as Campylobacter pylori, which can be a factor in the development of ulcers in the stomach. Gastric acids begin to erode the stomach lining causing inflammation and creating an open sore (ulcer). H. pylori infection is a strong risk factor for certain types… Read more »
Do you know someone who uses hemp oil and touts its health benefits? Have you heard of CBD oil and wondered if it would be good for you? If so, read on to learn more about this herbal agent and its wide range of benefits. Hemp is a plant in the cannabis family. It is… Read more »
When I was a young girl my mother worked with pottery. Glazed bowls and vessels that looked earthy and imperfect adorned countertops. She stressed the importance of finding imperfect beauty in art and nature. I vividly remember a time she purchased a vase from an artist while a customer next to us was looking for… Read more »
As of 2016, the dietary supplement industry hit $122 billion and it continues to grow. You can get supplements just about anywhere now, from Amazon and your grocery store, to your pharmacy and doctor’s office. It is becoming more and more difficult to differentiate what you need, if it is safe for you, and if… Read more »
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are areas of energy that surround electronic devices. Your body has electrical and magnetic fields so it can conduct nerve and muscle impulses. Because of this conductive potential, EMFs generated by electronics are attracted to the human body and affect people by increasing voltage beyond the optimal range. These invisible currents provide… Read more »
As a recent desert transplant, I have been surprised about the routine and conventional approaches to pest management in our area. Many of us are subject to monthly exterior spraying in our communities and have monthly contracts with exterminators, regardless of whether extermination is actually needed. Conventional pesticides and insecticides contain toxic ingredients that can… Read more »
Each season, I place framed quotes in my workplace employee breakroom that are motivating or thought provoking in nature. Last November I was in a hurry to get everything in in order, so I didn’t spend significant time in choosing these new quotes which I framed and displayed on the walls. Ironically, one quote had… Read more »
A snowbird friend recently returned home from a shorter than usual season here in the desert. I asked her how their season was and she replied, “It felt short. It’s the transitions that kill me!” The statement really struck a chord as to how changing locations can hold so many challenges. As I thought about… Read more »
A couple of years ago 28 students and staff at Coachella Valley High School were evaluated by emergency crews after reporting symptoms ranging from stomach aches and nausea to headaches and sore throats. The culprit was an organic herbicide used on nearby agricultural fields. We have been told over and over that organic is better… Read more »