It’s easy to mistake addiction as a condition that a person develops all by him or herself. “He made bad choices.” “She can’t put the bottle down.” “He uses heroin because of low self-esteem.” But no man is an island; rather, we live in a world that is truly a web of relationships, where each… Read more »
Constipation and weight gain are common complaints during the initial transition to a gluten-free diet. Most don’t realize that merely changing to a gluten-free bread or grain may result in lowering your dietary fiber intake. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of fiber is 28-35 grams, but the average American’s intake is only 10-12 grams,1 and… Read more »
Health and wellness is traditionally viewed as the absence of disease while feeling vital, energetic, happy, and content. However, the complete absence of all signs of illness is not always an adequate measure of a stronger immune system or complete vitality. In fact, it is good for a body to get sick. Getting sick for… Read more »
Reiki is a complementary health approach in which practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above a person and channel energy with the goal of facilitating the person’s own healing response. It is based on an Eastern belief in a universal energy that supports the body’s innate or natural healing abilities. Although the therapy… Read more »
Seamus (“Jim”) McDonnell will spend Mother’s and Father’s Day giving over 100 hugs and bouquets of flower to gracious recipients in retirement homes throughout the Coachella Valley. Many won’t even know his name, but will lovingly refer to him as “The Flower Man.” For 13 years, Seamus has been bringing flowers, and much joy, to… Read more »
Emotions are a beautiful part of human nature. Our ability to feel makes us perfectly human! Stress, from all sorts of challenging situations and events, can significantly shorten your life, particularly in the form of a heart attack. Emotions such as depression, anxiety, anger, hostility, as well as social isolation, significantly affect heart health. Negative… Read more »
How can a traumatic event or set of events from earlier in life create a present desire to scarf down cookies, drink wine every night, or partake in other obsessive behaviors? The answer lies in how our brains and bodies record experience and respond to life situations. Researchers and addiction specialists are finding more and… Read more »
We all get tired, but sometimes “tired” is insufficient to describe a serious condition. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is far more than just being tired. This baffling and little understood affliction is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue, often associated with muscle and joint pain. It may worsen with physical or mental activity and… Read more »
You’ve heard the term “knee jerk reaction”? Well, our brains do the same type of thing. Throughout our lives, our brains create neurological pathways which connect thoughts to reactions. These reactions manifest as emotions and physical experiences. Until recently, it was generally accepted by medical professionals that once the brain was formed, these neurological pathways… Read more »
Gluten often takes the blame when it comes to health concerns these days. Unfortunately, gluten isn’t the only problem with your whole-wheat bread. Americans essentially traded fat for wheat when we started the low fat craze. This diet change, not so coincidentally, marked the beginning of our obesity and diabetes epidemic, both of which are… Read more »
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic approach to health and regards illness as a sign that the body is out of balance. Unlike western biomedical science, TCM does not make a distinction between the physical, mental, and emotional components of life. Acupuncture indirectly stimulates the central nervous system (CNS). When an acupuncture needle is… Read more »
When it comes to medical care, transportation is the second most common barrier to cost. And if your means are limited, the specialist hundreds of miles away that you or your child needs may feel out of reach, creating loss of hope and despair. This is when Angel Flight West (AFW) may swoop in to… Read more »
During the last decade, there has been increased focus on foods and chemicals thought to be harmful to the body. Of particular controversy are Genetically Modified Organism (or GMO) foods. Despite all the attention, many people are still unaware of exactly what GMO foods are, and why are they potentially harmful. The term “GMO food”… Read more »
Tired of traditional dieting? Mindful eating is a truly natural, conscious alternative that works. How often do you eat in a really unconscious state, with your attention in conversation or TV? By “unconscious,” I’m referring to having attention somewhere other than on the food and the thoughts, emotions and sensations that arise around food. When… Read more »
Are you a “stuff-aholic”? Many people collect stuff. Some even pay for storage units to house their extra stuff. Answer this honestly…when you walk into your home, is there a sense of overwhelm and frustration as you see piles of clutter from papers, magazines, clothes, gadgets and dishes? Don’t feel badly if this describes you.… Read more »
It has taken us over 200 years to discover and prove that gluten, introduced late into the human diet, can – and is – producing disease. Gluten, the protein in wheat, normally associated with gastrointestinal problems, is now clearly linked to dysfunction of the brain along with other systems of the body. It is eye… Read more »
Working in the spa and fitness industry has definite benefits. It is an environment that allows one to feel inspired by individuals focused on health, wellness and personal motivation. I am constantly feeding off the energy of four personal trainers and other health professionals at Toscana Country Club where I work. It is with motivation… Read more »
People often think that reflexology is simply a gentle foot massage, when it fact, it’s not a foot massage at all. Reflexology is a therapeutic approach used to complement treatments for illnesses and to relieve tension. It focuses on pressure points in your feet, hands and ears that are connected to other parts of your… Read more »
Someone recently told me they were going to the cardiologist for a stress test. This got me thinking that stress really gets to the heart of the matter; pun very much intended. Stress just seems to be part of our society today with technological advances, multitasking, deadlines, double income families, kids’ busy schedules, staying afloat… Read more »
Over the last several decades, a search for a cure for cancer has largely been focused on developing new chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy and surgical interventions. Nonetheless, the incidence and mortality of cancer, in general, are increasing. The number of cancer-related deaths is expected to double in the next 50 years in spite of current… Read more »