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 »

If our dreams are a microcosm of our waking world, is it any wonder we dream of living and deceased loved ones during the holidays? Dreams of people, parties and gatherings – whether soothing or stressful – can have many meanings and messages filled with hope and love. An email in my inbox read: Why… Read more »

As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, Live Well Clinic is proud to support the growth of the naturopathic profession by providing medical residencies. This year, we welcome our second active resident, Dr. Annissa Ceja, a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon. We would like to share Dr. Ceja’s unique… Read more »

It is true that change is the eternal constant. The average human body is replacing over 3.8 million cells a second, approximately 140 million babies are born every day and 275 million stars are born every year. And each moment of our lives is completely and uniquely different than any other moment that ever was… Read more »

When a toddler has a meltdown because they didn’t get the Skittles they had to have, they are seeking autonomy and a sense of independence by stating, “I am me! I am here! Listen to me!” However, an adult losing it with a loved one, impulsively reacting with insults or sarcasm, can be a sign… Read more »

Do nighttime dreams actually come true? According to groundbreaking, peer-reviewed breast cancer dream research published in the National Library of Medicine,1 the answer is a resounding “Yes.”  While ‘dreams come true’ standardly elicits positive emotion, some precognitive dreams can actually predict illness, which was the basis for the aforementioned study where dreams were validated by… Read more »

Autumn, with its traditionally referenced vibrant foliage and crisp air, provides a perfect backdrop for cultivating gratitude. As nature prepares for a season of rest, we also can mirror this process in our own lives by embracing mindfulness and appreciation, and spending time in reflection and letting go.  Yoga, a practice that harmonizes the mind,… Read more »