Too often we hear the words, “I’ve been diagnosed with cancer.” We increasingly hear about new research, new clinical trials and different types of chemotherapy or radiation. These words are heard more and more today than just 30 years ago. Some statistics show that in the 1960s, cancer rates were one in 80. Today, those… Read more »
Spring is a season of reawakening and renewal in the never-ending circle of life fueled by love. How does this renewal of life work in the dream realm? Let’s consider the unconditional love we receive from our pets. It can be a love like no other, and as French poet Anatole France famously said, “Until… Read more »
Our emotions can rule our lives. Imagine wearing a backpack full of rocks. Each rock has an emotion written on it that ranges in size and significance. This “mental satchel” may carry resentment, anger, anxiety, fear, despair or embarrassment – emotions that create stress and tension and can manifest in the physical body as headaches,… Read more »
For the fourth article in this series, I’ll discuss a plant with a striking red bloom, Calliandra californica (aka Baja Fairy Duster, Fairy Duster, Zapotillo, Powder Puff). Despite its name, it is not native to the state of California, but Baja California of Northern Mexico. Over 150 species in the Calliandra genus are found in… Read more »
In the serene confines of the Aegean Sea lies the island of Ikaria, where residents embrace a lifestyle that keeps them vibrant well into their golden years. This special place is one of only five known blue zones where people live approximately a decade longer than the average and have lower rates of chronic disease,… Read more »
The start of a new year is the ideal time to ask ourselves what we want to change about ourselves or our lives. There is something about a new year that gives us that extra motivation to start fresh and change our lives so we can experience something better. The usual resolutions are weight loss,… Read more »
While health conversations predominantly revolve around weight loss, there is a frequently overlooked group whose goal is to achieve healthy weight gain. This includes athletes or fitness enthusiasts, patients recovering from illness or surgery, some elderly individuals, people with medical conditions that contribute to weight loss (e.g. cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, hyperthyroidism) and those who are… Read more »
Do you remember “Puff the Magic Dragon” who lived by the sea in a faraway land called Honah Lee? The 1963 song by Peter, Paul, and Mary is about the ageless dragon playmate for little Jackie Paper and his imaginary dragon daydream adventures. Well, you may hear more of Puff as we enter 2024, the… Read more »
The sun sets with a beautiful orange pink glow as it is sitting closest to the earth this time of year. We can see and feel that early yin evening is upon us, as it now gets dark and chilly at 4:30 p.m. This is the time of year when nature retreats to build up… Read more »
What keeps golfers from reaching their potential and hitting more good shots? Most of the time, the problem is interference from intrusive thoughts and emotions. Golfers have a lot going on in their head. For example, while standing over a simple short putt, golfers may think, “Do I have the right line? The last thing… Read more »
By now, many of us know that making small dietary and lifestyle changes can have transformative effects on our overall health and well-being. One of these transformational changes, which has been gaining popularity in recent years, is “Dry January” – the act of abstaining from alcohol for the whole month. While many may undertake this… Read more »
As we usher in 2024, let this be the year that the rhythm of life is not dictated by its pace but by our deliberate actions—where each step is a conscious choice. By embracing “Stop, Challenge, Consider, Choose,” we create thoughtful intention guiding us towards a more purposeful and hopefully, more peaceful existence. Stop: The… Read more »
There is considerable discourse these days about longevity and its correlation to how we manage stress. Stress seems like a conditional part of day-to-day living. It is natural to have intermittent tension in life, yet incessant stress seems the new norm and ultimately creates risks for health decline. When chronic stress elevates, we find ourselves… Read more »
In this series on the medicinal value of local vegetation, I have discussed Fouquieria splendens (Ocotillo) and Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush). Now, we’ll look at Bougainvillea, one of the most decorative plants in the area. Unlike the previous two plants, Bougainvillea is not native to the desert. This shrubby vine comes from South America and… Read more »
As we age, many parts of our body wear out. Bones become more brittle. Muscles aren’t as malleable as they used to be. We ache after playing pickleball. We hurt after a round of golf. We pull muscles just getting out of bed or bending to pick up something. And our choices to relieve the… Read more »
As the calendar turns to a fresh year, many of us take the opportunity to reflect on our lives and careers. For those experiencing a career transition, this period of introspection is particularly emotional. Whether the transition was voluntary or the result of a layoff, the new year presents a chance to redefine goals and… Read more »
I love this time of year. As November draws near, I start thinking about my holiday menus, invite lists and the flurry of activity and travel that are sure to ensue. It’s time for cooking, entertaining and all the merrymaking of the season. But with that also comes the temptation of veering off course from… Read more »
In the vast world of health and wellness, the gut is recognized as a substantial component in influencing our overall well-being, from our immune system to our mental health. One less talked about, but equally significant, connection is the relationship between gut health and hormones in both women and men. This bond offers a deeper… Read more »
The art of pivoting is an act of shifting performed in most sports and throughout our daily life. When we pivot effectively, it opens the opportunity to change direction and pursue a beneficial forward trajectory. I grew up ice skating competitively. There is a fond memory of the elegant practice of a pivot creating the… Read more »
In the July/August edition of Desert Health, I wrote about one of the impressive plants native to the Southwestern United States, Larrea tridentata (aka creosote bush). In this edition, I’m going to discuss yet another plant that is not only native to the South-Southwest, but also exclusive to it. Fouquieria splendens (aka ocotillo) is a… Read more »