MY BLOG

Keeping the immune system strong is a vital part of overall health and wellness. As the natural defense system against pathogens, it’s crucial that this system remains functioning and in balance. Here are five herbs that can help support your immunity.

Plan ahead, batch your time, think variety, and make extra food for the week.

When school is back in session, having healthy, grab-and-go snacks on hand is essential. When you wait too long to eat, or go extended periods between meals, your blood sugar can drop, leading to headaches, anxiety, low mood, agitation and hormonal imbalances. 

When we are present in the moment, our nervous systems can come out of the sympathetic, fight-or-flight response and back into the parasympathetic, calm state.  When we are relaxed and present, we naturally begin to make choices that better serve our health.

Summer is a time when we can enjoy the plentiful foods that are in season, and often the best summer meals are the ones that are the most simple. Here are a few recipes to spark some inspiration next time you’re at your local farmer’s market picking up groceries for the week.

Summer is a great opportunity to detox from coffee.  Ayurvedic Medicine, the oldest medical system in the world with roots in India, suggests that summer is the time when our fire element, also known as pitta, is at its peak. Since coffee is pitta-aggravating, meaning it can push us out of balance at this time of year, it’s a natural time to wean off coffee and try a healthy substitute.

Our skin is considered the body’s largest organ, and is one of the most important ones for the physical barrier it provides the rest of your body. As a naturopathic doctor, I believe in approaching skin health in a holistic way.

Choosing the right sunscreen can feel overwhelming, especially with all of the different options on the market. My advice is to keep it simple, and look for a few key indicators that will help to reduce premature aging and protect your skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. 

Unfortunately, many insect repellents are full of harmful chemicals, solvents, fragrances and preservatives. Here are some concerning ingredients found in most insect repellents, and instructions on how to make your own.

Eating according to what’s in season allows us to have year-round variety in our diets. When we eat according to what’s grown in each season, we can prevent developing allergies (which often occur when we eat the same foods year-round), eat more nutrient-dense foods, practice environmental sustainability, and even save money.

Testosterone is a male hormone that plays a vital role in men’s sexual and reproductive function, as well as contributes to muscle mass, hair growth, bone density, red blood cell production, and even emotional wellness. When men hit approximately 30 years old, their testosterone levels begin to naturally decrease. While this is a normal part of the aging process, men with decreased testosterone are at a higher risk for hair loss, prostate enlargement, and cancer.

When we are chronically stressed, it takes a toll on our bodies and causes them to be either over-functioning or under-functioning. This often leads to illness, mood disorders, physical ailments, weight gain, and chronic inflammation.