"Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country." Thomas Jefferson   Aside from the whole soy controversy, hemp might just be the other topic tied for number one as being the most misunderstood thing to consume! I am constantly receiving questions about hemp, what it is exactly, where it comes from exactly, what the health benefits of it are exactly, etc. So hopefully I can clear up some things for you with today’s blog… The...

  Mushrooms are yet another one of those foods that get missed during conversations about “super foods” or getting in your “fruits and veggies”. This is why I want to highlight them today because whether you like them or not, you simply cannot deny their powerful health benefits, especially when it comes to boosting your immune system, reducing chronic inflammation, preventing and fighting cancer, preventing and fighting heart disease and increasing overall...

  “Extra olives, please!” is a direct quote from my regular life. Those who know me well also know of my borderline addiction to olives…and I use the term “borderline” loosely haha. I love how they taste, and how their flavors seem to enhance anything that they are in or on. I also love their delicious oil, especially as a yummy salad dressing base. I especially fell in love with them after learning about all of the amazing health benefits they possess....

Let the sea of pink ribbons begin! It’s officially October, and we all know what that means…pink ribbons on clothing items, food items, accessories, social media posts and profile pictures, etc. We use this symbol annually to increase awareness of breast cancer and its impact on those around us. We also use it to celebrate those who have battled the cancer and won; as well as to remember those who have battled the cancer and are no longer with us. We also use it to encourage...

Black seed oil is one of those oils that can help you in almost any way, whether you are trying to lose weight, increase your hair length and thickness, reduce inflammation, etc. It’s one of my favorite oils and definitely a must-have in your household. Let’s explore why… Oil History When considering the plants in nature that have incredible healing properties, black seed oil (also known as black cumin seed oil) falls amongst the most effective on the planet! Black seed...

As many of you may already know, I’m always speaking and writing about the importance of eating a COLORFUL diet. This is something that’s very important to me because I know so many people (including myself in the past) who eat the same vegetable or same color vegetable for dinner night after night; or the same fruit or same color fruit for breakfast morning after morning. It’s wonderful that you are incorporating fruits and veggies into your daily diet, because I do...

IV Nutrient therapy is definitely one of my top favorites in the realm of natural therapies. It is also gaining popularity quickly within the Integrative Medicine community. Now, you may be wondering what exactly is involved in IV Nutrient Therapy, but it is much simpler than you think. It is just what its name conveys…vitamins, minerals and other nutrients being administered directly into your bloodstream (intravenously infused) through an IV drip. I bet now you’re wondering...

I get so excited about nutrition, because the saying that “you are what you eat” is definitely not just a cliché. It bears so much truth, and deserves this month to get that point across to as many people as possible. No matter what you are trying to do, whether it’s lose weight, gain weight, fight disease, prevent disease, etc., what you put into your mouth will govern well over 50% of that outcome! Every facet of your health is affected by what you eat…your...

  Those who know me know that I spend a considerable amount of time studying, applying & enjoying Eastern medicine (particularly that of China and Japan). There’s just something about the use of natural energy to promote healing, balance and wellness that I love! Within traditional Chinese medicine, a few of my favorites that you can also receive within my practice include acupuncture, Chinese herbs and cupping. However, the main thing to consider with these is that they must...

People who know me are always wondering how I “never” get sick! In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I had to deal with a cold, sinus infection, allergies, etc. I’ve never had the flu, and intend to keep it that way. No, I wasn’t born with a super-human resistance to viral and bacterial infections. I just use my food as medicine to prevent certain health conditions from sneaking into my life. Catching a cold in the winter does not have to be the norm!...

I’m going to go ahead and assume that most of us are very familiar with the cycle: You're ambitious and determined in January, only to find yourself off track and unmotivated within a few weeks. You begin the process of beating yourself up for failing to achieve your full potential despite your best intentions…and then cycle begins again a few months later. Before you know it, several failed resolution attempts have passed you by. So, why is it that most New Year’s...

With the Thanksgiving holiday being later this week, I know what you’re thinking: “All of your clean eating habits will need to be placed on hold...time for cheat week number one…there’s no possible way to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the U.S.’s most gluttonous part of the year…” Well, before you set yourself back, let me step in and offer some words of encouragement: All of your clean habits do not need to be put on hold; you do not...

I can’t tell you how many times I have spoken about using food as medicine. This topic always sneaks its way into most all of my presentations, lectures, webinars, etc. I spend a lot of time educating and promoting the consumption of whole organic fruits, veggies and grains; making sure to incorporate as many colors on your plate at a time as possible. This is because each color carries a different nutritional benefit for your body, and it is therefore very important for you to not...

Now that you understand the power behind meditation, let’s dive into just how you can begin to incorporate it into your daily routine! While I’m not saying it’s easy, you can start small and get better and better as you practice. Don’t expect to be good at first — that’s why it’s called “practice”! These tips aren’t aimed at turning you into a meditation master overnight…they should help you get started with then provide the...

I’d have to say, the most impactful habit I’ve sharpened in the last five to ten years of forming habits would definitely have to be meditation! In fact, meditation has helped me beyond all of the ways that I studied it would. It has helped me to become a more peaceful person, more aware, more appreciative of life and everything in it. It’s helps me worry less, especially about those things that were already out of my control in the first place! Probably most importantly,...

In the previous blog, you learned about how essential breathing is to life, despite it being regularly overlooked as a necessity for good health. In fact, you now are aware of the fact that conscious breathing is one of the most powerful keys to enhancing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. As promised, you will now be exposed to specific tips and guidance on how to begin incorporating conscious breathing into your daily life! How Do I Begin? The first thing there is...

No, today’s blog has nothing to do with my favorite Toni Braxton song. Yes, I do apologize to those of you who now have that catchy love song stuck in your head. Today, I’m asking you to "breathe again" so that you can become aware of your breathing pattern. Once you become aware of it, you can then address any flaws within it, as well be able to manipulate it so it works for you rather than against you. All of this I've just described is what's commonly referred to as...

It seems like everywhere I go someone is either talking or asking me about the benefits of apple cider vinegar. It’s been around for centuries, yet for some reason now it’s gaining rapid popularity. Do I endorse this product? Absolutely! To be specific, I endorse the natural (un-distilled) raw and organic version of it, most familiarly recognized as the Braggs brand in stores. Let me share a little with you about this magical product… History Research worldwide supports...

  Now that you are equipped with tips on how to stay hydrated on a daily basis from the previous blog post, let’s talk about the variation between nine different types of water. Learn which ones hydrate the body better, and which you may want to avoid consuming from here on out.  Here’s a list of the most popular types of water available today, and a little about each of them…   1. Tap Water Tap water contains heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine, medicines...

  After reading part one of this water blog series, you should now understand why water is so much more important to us than other beverage; why we must replenish with it regularly; ways we constantly lose water and how much we should be consuming of it each day! Whew! NOW, let’s talk about just how to get in the ounces you calculated in part one of this blog series that you should be drinking each day… Begin each DAY with water hydration! Within 30-45 minutes of waking...