One of my deepest intentions is finding a peaceful heart. The inspiration has, in part, stemmed from my dad, who passed away in 1982 but not before leaving an indelible imprint on the person I am today. He was a metallurgical engineer and researcher in aerospace back in the day when it was an emerging… Read more »
Through the Generations
An Awakening Walk
- By Lauren Del Sarto
- November/December 2018
Jennifer Johnson was looking for something to lift the weight of negative self-image that had plagued her most of her life. As a desert resident, she had a successful catering business, was a practicing yogi, and had many close friends, but was seeking something more. In March 2015 she first heard about the walk of… Read more »
The holiday season, a season of giving and receiving, is an excellent time to instill the essential life value of gratitude in children and adults. It can be so easy, and fun, to buy kids an item they have been waiting months to receive and share that moment of joy when they open their long-awaited… Read more »
It’s Not Black And White, But the Gray That Matters
- By Amy Austin RN, PsyD, LMFT
- November/December 2018
Recently, I was at a social gathering with two other women. They were busy talking about their academic achievements, employment specialties, and other professional areas of interest. I noticed that both women seemed to exclude me from the conversation. There was no eye contact, no questions, nada, zip. I asked myself whether I was being… Read more »
Home for the Holidays
- By Pamela Bieri
- November/December 2018
The holidays can bring both great joy and great stress. It’s often a time when family members who live elsewhere come “home” – with expectations and extra demands associated with preparations for and celebrations of the holiday season. Being a family caregiver of someone with dementia can bring an even greater level of stress. For… Read more »
Sunburns from intense or excess sun exposure can cause immediate pain and long-term skin damage. Treating sunburn immediately can limit unnecessary discomfort and harm. Sunburn begins with excess sun exposure but can continue to worsen even after the sun exposure is over, so it is important to treat sunburn early to reduce inflammation and pain.… Read more »
To Know You Is To Love You
- By Amy Austin RN, PsyD, LMFT
- July/August 2018
You look across the room and there they are…the person of your dreams…your soulmate. The One! In the movie Moonstruck Cher says, “Snap out of it!” Good advice, as it is often wise to step back and take a breath before jumping into those initial feelings, which may be simply lust versus true love. Love… Read more »
Supplementing daily with a multi-nutrient for children is essential, as whole food products have decreased in nutritional content and quality. In addition, the toxic body burden acquired from the state of the environment calls for more fundamental nutrients to assist in normal functions of the body. Children of all ages need a daily nutritional supplement… Read more »
Over the last several months, Desert Healthcare District/Foundation has teamed up with teachers, students and the school principal at Bubbling Wells Elementary in Desert Hot Springs to design, create, build and fund a school garden. “Two of the District/Foundation’s areas of community health focus are healthy eating and active living,” said Herb K. Schultz, CEO… Read more »
Your Health Begins at Home
- By Paula Schofield
- May/June 2018
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that the indoor air pollution concentrations in our homes are typically 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor pollution levels.1 The sad part is most common pollutants in your home are from chemicals you bring in from conventional cleaning, laundry and self-care products. How often do we look at the… Read more »
Prescriptions for acid reflux in young infants and babies have risen significantly over the past decade as physicians are choosing to treat more extreme cases of ‘spitting up’ or acid reflux-induced vomiting with medication. While it is normal for a young baby or infant to regurgitate some amount of food while he or she is… Read more »
Your Emotional Legacy
- By Amy Austin, RN, Psy.D., LMFT
- March/April 2018
When we think of leaving a legacy to loved ones, we often want to ensure that our loved ones are financially secure and that every legal “t” is crossed and every “i”is dotted. We assign a power of attorney and have a health care directive signed and inserted into our medical records. What about an… Read more »
Infants and young babies with regular colic tug on our heart strings as they cry, sometimes endlessly, leaving us with few options to relieve it. Any parent with a child that has colic can become desperate to help stop the tears. Colic is most often caused by issues with poor digestion and elimination, although it… Read more »
The Emotional Impact of Bladder Disorders
- By JoAnne Lake with Julia Parker
- January/February 2018
A few years ago, despite my happy circumstances, I was enveloped in a cloud. A lovely family, loving husband, yet where was my joy? Why was I anxious? My body ached. When I ate food, I felt full and unsatisfied. I had other tell-tale signs, of course, but they crept up so gradually, I did… Read more »
You and #MeToo
- By Amy Austin, RN, Psy.D., LMFT
- January/February 2018
It’s been a long “quiet before the cultural storm” and now, a distinct shift is taking place. Barring the etiological causation, rhymes and reasons, perspectives and opinions, there exists the potentially positive development of a new norm in society coming out of the #MeToo movement. A highly observable movement of stepping outside of one’s comfort… Read more »
It is rumored that Americans gain an average of 5-7 pounds each year, and some just never lose it. To avoid the dreaded pounds this season, here are few tips to keep you slim but still allow for the pleasures of good food: Before: Keep your exercise routine. You may have a more hectic schedule… Read more »
Weighing the Health Benefits of the Flu Vaccine The flu vaccine has become a ‘must have’ in health media campaigns and conventional medical doctors’ offices. The vaccine is meant to prevent the annual flu which can cause physical discomfort, lost days at work or school, and inconvenience. These reasons alone are cause to consider an… Read more »
You Are Not Your Thoughts
- By Amy Austin, RN, Psy.D., LMFT
- November/December 2017
I have to say that I don’t think anything I’m going to share with you in this article is going to be new, unique or awe-inspiring. With this said, please forgive the negative turn my mind just took and I’ll re-frame my message into a more positive light and mindset. Here goes…With gentle compassion and… Read more »
Years ago when Desert Health’s Publisher, Lauren, lost the horse she loved, it touched memories in my heart about the departure of an equine companion. Horses rank high as the most sublime of all animals, wild and domestic. These magnificent creatures combine strength with grace. Horses became a symbol of power and royalty. I expressed… Read more »
Fertility for men and woman can be affected by a range of factors – age, lifestyle, and genetics. However, natural fertility enhancement is easily attainable with diet, nutrition, stress management, and specific nutraceutical supplements. Addressing fertility concerns can be daunting, but with a few simple changes many couples are able to conceive healthy babies without… Read more »