Although there is a lot of turmoil and trauma coming at us in today’s world, there also exists some tenderness and means to regain our balance. With the world events exerting a large amount of mental and physical toll on all of us, I’ve made it a priority to provide resources to you so...
Resources for Integrative Mental Health Support & Coping with Back-to-School Stress
In the previous article, I explored the extreme stressors children and adults are up against this school year. Due to current events, the economy, and shifting technology, parents, teachers, and kids are dealing with so much more than the usual back-to-school jitters and academic pressures. Unfortunately, these chronic, excessive pressures have negative emotional, mental,...
The Many Benefits of Elemi Essential Oil
Elemi essential oil is often overlooked because it is not well-known. Unlike members of its botanical family (Burseraceae), such as frankincense and myrrh, elemi doesn’t get the attention to its benefits it deserves. I tend to befriend the underdog essential oils, and elemi oil is no exception. In my latest post and video, I...
Some Less Common Eating Disorders & A Holistic Approach to Recovery from Eating Disorders
Understanding Eating Disorders Educational Series (Part 6)
Over the course of this series, I have discussed a wide range of subtopics surrounding one’s relationship with food. First, I started with an overview of diet culture. This is because it is important to understand the underlying psychology of our society’s beliefs around food that affect eating behaviors. Concerningly, diet culture’s harmful messages...
Two Types of Eating Behaviors that Look Healthy, but Could be Dangerous
Understanding Eating Disorders Educational Series (Part 5)
Here I go again… In this post, I’m continuing the topic of eating disorders (ED). It may be an unpopular subject and not very trendy, but I’m still going to talk about it. Why would a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor who specializes in mood, women’s health, and gastrointestinal issues still be so focused...
The Different Types of Eating Disorders: Do You Recognize Any of These Symptoms?
Understanding Eating Disorders Educational Series (Part 3)
We live in a time where “health” marketers and influencers have used destructive dietary memes to manipulatively, or unintentionally, reinforce their protocols and restrictive nutritional practices. Concerningly, these current popularized approaches to nutrition, health, and fitness, if not scrutinized, could be perpetuating and fueling health anxiety, false anxiety, and eating disorders. The rise in...
Are You at Risk for the Most Underrecognized Mental Health Disorder?
Understanding Eating Disorders Educational Series (Part 2)
We are living at a time where “health and wellness” marketing preys upon our insecurities. By worshipping thinness, portraying unattainable beauty standards, and promoting purification of the body as a sanctity, restrictive food practices are being manipulatively and dangerously applauded. What is even more damaging is that many health influencers, intentionally or unintentionally, are...
Is That Potato Chip A Drug? Could You Be a Food Addict?
Unlike alcohol or drugs, food is essential for life. Though some diet culture enthusiasts may disagree, we need a balance and variety of all foods in our diet to thrive physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Previously, I discussed the damage that diet and wellness culture have had on healthcare and society. I purposely covered...
When Living in Wellness Culture Becomes a Sick Society
What if striving to be healthy was actually making you sick? If you are: living with the belief that you have to eat perfectly, or close to perfect, to avoid disease and/or operating within a wellness and diet culture mindset … you may be doing more harm than good to your mental and physical...
How Mind-Body and Integrative Medicine Can Change Your Genetic Destiny for Better Health
Did you know that meditation, yoga, and mind-body practices can make you healthier? The evidence has been exploding on the many associations between mindset, lifestyle, and mindfulness-based practices and better brain and body functioning, so this is probably not surprising. Now, for a not-so-obvious connection: Did you know that these techniques can also change...