Essential oils have been used for centuries in spiritual and religious traditions with references in ancient and biblical texts. Although methods of extractions were cruder then today’s modern distillation techniques, the impact of smell and plants’ healing properties were highly respected throughout history and gaining in popularity today. The evidence of aromatherapy...
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How Weight Obsession Can Lead to Disease and Harm Your Health
Our society views disease as the enemy and the body as an object to beat into submission. The media has demonized any amount of fat, labeled it as “unhealthy,” and waged war on the “epidemic of obesity.” This has led to stigmatization in the name of “science” and dysfunctional, obsessive, and disordered relationships...
Waging War on the Body… What if Compassion and Aligning with the Body’s Needs Was the Answer Instead?
My Hope-Filled Musings What if we replaced our all-out attack and fatphobic approach to health with advocating for nurturing choices that rejuvenated the body? What would it be like to live in a world where another starvation diet and combative body battles were no longer in vogue? What if we could wake up to...
Three Holistic Health Reasons Why Gratitude is Something to Be Thankful For
Listen to this blog in 9 minutes here. I discussed last week various factors involved in holistic health ranging from self-compassion, relationships, joyful movement, and nurturing food choices. This week, it seems the most appropriate time to focus on another state of mind that can positively influence our overall wellness, gratitude. What...
More on Impacting the Gut-Brain- A Focus on Neurology and Why No Two Microbiomes May Be the Same: Part I
Listen to Part I and Part II of this blog in 13 minutes here. (Note: post recording there’s an addition of the brain microbiome and infectome below) Last week, I discussed the role of the microbiome on brain and whole-body health. I also explained that we could use this information to empower our...
More Than a (Gut) Feeling: How the Critters That Live Inside Our Bodies Influence Our Minds
That “Gut Feeling” Gone Bad Many have used the expression, “I have a gut feeling about…” to explain an intuitive sense of a situation or an impeding sense of danger. Although not a fully explored or understood topic in research, it appears that this “sense of knowing,” combined with experience/expertise, is an effective...
Emotional Regulation and Processing- The Truth in “Healthy Communication”
You can find the link to listen to this blog in 4.5 minutes by clicking here. Most everyone has heard of the old adages, “She wears her heart on her sleeve,” or “His face gave it away.” The sayings refer to how easily it is to “read” the emotions someone displays. Why is...
Don’t Eat 12-18 Hours a Day and Weight Loss Will Ensue- Is This the Right Message for Everyone? Part II:
The Latest Dietary Health Advice- Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss Click here to listen Part II of this blog in 8.5 minutes. Intermittent fasting is becoming popular in the health and diet industry. Rather than restricting how much to eat, food intake is allowable only for a limited period. This...
Gluten- The Evil-Doer or Guilt by Association?
Is Gluten Always Bad? Gluten has become a dirty word in the diet and health culture industry. There’s reason for this. I’ve written previously on how this protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other related grains may indeed trigger a negative response in certain individuals. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Under specific...
Healthism vs. Health- Living to Avoid Death, or Striving for a Well-Lived Life Part I
Last month, I started a series on healthism. In it, I discuss making health a priority as a means to live a happier, more vibrant life. Unfortunately, taken to an extreme, a focus on health can result in an unnatural preoccupation with body perfectionism and/or disordered eating patterns. I have witnessed, and have even...