As the back-to-school season approaches and summer is coming to an end, a robust immune system is key for warding off common illnesses and ensuring a successful academic year. Paying attention to proper nutrition, hydration, and sleep, while minimizing stress, will provide the best foundation needed for a successful school year. Get Proper Nutrition Whole foods, healthy meals and snacks …
Healthy Homemade Tomato Sauce
Serves: 4-6 This gluten-free, oil-free, sugar-free tomato sauce is made from fresh, whole tomatoes naturally sweetened with grated carrot. Use it in any recipe that calls for tomato sauce! Ingredients (organic/biodynamic): 2 lbs. (about 6-8 medium) whole ripe tomatoes 1 medium red onion, finely chopped 1 medium carrot, finely grated 1 celery stalk, finely chopped ½ cup water or vegetable …
The Gut-Brain Connection: Understanding the Convergence of Digestive Health and Mental Health
In recent years, scientific research has increasingly highlighted the intricate relationship between digestive health and mental health, often termed the “gut-brain connection.” This connection underscores the bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, influencing various aspects of physical and mental well-being. This blog post explores the mechanisms behind the gut-brain connection, its implications for health, and practical tips …
Integrative Approaches to Pain Management
Pain can be debilitating and can negatively affect quality of life. According to the CDC, an estimated 51.6 million Americans (21% of the population) experienced chronic pain in 2021. While most sufferers turn to pharmaceutical solutions, there are holistic approaches that can help alleviate the causes of discomfort and restore well-being. These include nutritional supplementation, along with practices that combine …
Chickpea Salad with Fresh Herbs Recipe
Serves 2-3 This delicious spring and summer salad combines garbanzo beans, aromatic herbs, crunchy bell peppers, and refreshing cucumber in a tangy lemon-cumin dressing. Enjoy as a flavorful main meal or a nutritious side dish to brighten up your day. Ingredients (organic/biodynamic) 2 c. cooked chickpeas (soak dried garbanzo beans overnight, boil until tender, and cool to room temperature) ½ …
Science of Sleep and Dreams
Sleep is a normal biological process that allows the brain and body to rest and renew. Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep per night, which is typically broken down into 4-5 “sleep cycles” comprised of distinct stages, each with its own unique characteristics and functions. In this article, we will discuss sleep, dreaming, and the best ways you can …
Three-Ingredient Sleepy Tea Recipe and How it Works To Lull You to Sleep
This delightful sleepy tea recipe contains three sleep-promoting ingredients to help you relax. Lavender, tart cherry juice, and chamomile all work via different mechanisms to ease you into a nighttime of restful slumber. Tart Cherry Juice: Tart cherries are a nutritionally dense type of cherry that is rich in anthocyanin antioxidants which help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, …
Marcona Almond Butter Chocolate Muffins
Homemade Marcona almond butter, cocoa powder, and dates combine to create a mildly-flavored and nutritious chocolate treat that is great for breakfast, snack time, or anytime! Serves 5-6 Muffin Ingredients (organic/biodynamic) 3/4 c. Medjool dates, soaked in warm water 10-15 minutes to soften, drained, pitted and chopped 1 c. Marcona almond butter (See below for recipe) 1 duck egg or …
Microplastics and Obesity
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in diameter, are present throughout our environment. Because they are not degraded, they persist indefinitely, and can be found in the air that we breathe, the food that we eat, and the water that we drink. Approximately two thirds of all plastic ever created can be found as ocean debris, or …
Which Quercetin Combo is Nature’s Safer Solution to Inflammation Repair Deficit?
By Russell Jaffe MD, Ph.D., CCN Nature provides us with thousands of bioactive compounds to help us achieve optimal health, but there is one that truly stands out for its anti-inflammatory activity, and that is a compound known as quercetin dihydrate. When combined with another powerful compound- soluble OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidin) these flavonoids and flavanol polyphenolics are powerful, safer, inflammation …