Heal

“Almost one-third of Americans drink at least one sugar-laden soda or other sweetened drink every day,” according to a recent CDC report (source below).

I have been a Paleo eater for the past eight years, and it has completely changed my life.

For those of you that don’t know, the Paleo diet is short for “paleolithic”—also known as the “caveman” diet -- and includes grass-produced meat, fish/seafood, fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, nuts and seeds, healthful oils (olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, coconut), and eliminates/minimizes sugars, grains, dairy and beans.

This new way of eating came as a result of discovering my inability to process sugars and starchy foods.

Tea is, and has always been, far more than just something to quench the thirst and please the palate. For thousands of years, tea has been one of the go-to medicines for many ancient healers. Not only can different teas provide healing properties, they also provide preventative means for the body. For instance, green tea is packed full of antioxidants, which oxidize and help repair any damaged cells that could cause potential health issues.

Peppermint is in the genus Mentha which includes more than one hundred species, and is thought to be a natural hybrid of spearmint and forest mint. Its origin is believed to be in North Africa and the southern Mediterranean basin, and has been used in recipes and as a medicinal herb since 1500 B.C.E.  It found its way as far north as Scandinavia and was mentioned in the Icelandic Pharmacopoeias in the mid-13^th Century.

Magnesium deficiency can be hard to detect. Common symptoms can easily be mistaken for a myriad of other health concerns. Responsible for more than 300 chemical reactions, magnesium is hard at work maintaining proper body function. Getting the daily recommended amount is crucial to health. Yet roughly 80% of healthy adults have a magnesium deficiency.

When heaters go on, sniffles come out. Everyone's reaching for tissues and calling in sick, and as much as we all love an excuse to stay in bed and watch TV, being sick is no fun. Luckily, there are some easy routines that can help slash your risk that most people just aren't doing well. Use these tips on sleep, stress, nutrition, and activity to save your sick days...for playing hooky. (Shh, we won't tell.)

1. Eat warm foods.

Everyone knows, but doesn’t want to believe, that a diet consisting of too much sugar can eventually lead to all kinds of negative health consequences. It’s hard to tame a sweet tooth when said “sweet tooth” is undoubtedly the biggest tooth in that candy craving mouth of yours. However, it can be done. I promise that cutting back on the sweet stuff, and reaching a healthier you, is possible, which is why I have a few tips for how to do just that.

When cold and flu season strikes Chicken Noodle Soup is usually on the menu. If you look at some of the good old-fashioned, and even more modern versions, you will see these 4 herbs. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme are all very well-known herbs used for holistic and ancient healing. Each of the herbs contains healing benefits on top of great taste. If you don’t already have these 4 herbs in your arsenal – whether it is the kitchen cabinet or the medicine cabinet – I suggest you add them! These aromatic herbs are wonderful for aromatherapy too.

As someone living in Boulder, Colorado, consulting a Naturopathic Doctor for health issues (be they acute or chronic) is as common as going for a hike, seeing an acupuncturist, attending a yoga class, or attending a meditation retreat. We as a city tend to lean towards natural and holistic healing as a rule.

Healing our spirit is just as important as healing physically and mentally. Our spirit can get injured, sick, and tired just like our body and mind can. It is important to know what you can do to help heal yourself in all aspects.

The Indigenous and Native peoples of North America, as well as other those from other regions around the world, used what is referred to as The Four Sacred Medicines. These medicines consist of Tobacco, Sage, Cedar, and Sweet Grass. All of these plants are considered to be spirit medicine.