Sorry friends for being MIA the last month. A few things have shifted in my life this past month and I was feeling the need to re-evaluate my blog and what I was doing with my nutrition practice. The summarized conclusion is that though I LOVE herbs and all they do, right now I need to focus more on nutrition from a whole foods basis. And while herbs are part of that Whole, they are just that, part of it. I want to focus more on the larger whole and writing more about that, example, good fats and proteins, why calorie counting is no good, what exercise does for our bodies and when it can be in our best interest to NOT do that HIIT workout. Those kinds of things.
Read moreHerb of the Week # 14 :: Ashwagandha
This week's been a busy one and I have had a bit of a hard time focusing, feeling like I was spinning my wheels and doing it all but still doing nothing. Do you ever feel like that? So I found myself drawn back to this wonderful plant, Ashwagandha. I could have written an entire research paper on it. THere's so many studies out there on it and it's so fascinating at the range it can do to the body. I hope you enjoy reading about as much as you do using it! It's almost one of those herbs that's wonderful for everyone at some point in their lives.
Read moreHerb of the Week #13 :: Dandelion
I just got back from an amazing ski trip with a few old friends and I am definitely feeling the effects of a not-so-clean eating life ;) But it was worth it and I didn't do all that bad. I think it's also good to not have restrictions and rules ALL the time. So, between the glasses of wine and skiing (not in that order, I promise) I had fun and am ready to get back into it, these seasonal allergies are kicking my butt the last few days. So starting in a few days I am going on my Nutrition. Designed. elimination diet. This weeks' plant is great for kick-starting that process, getting off coffee and help with a healthy functioning liver and kidney's.
Read moreHerb of the Week No. 12 :: Lemon Balm
When I moved from Los Angeles to Denver in early 2015, I went from apartment living my entire adult life to what I like to call a "grown-up" house. It’s not anything huge, just perfect for two people and two dogs, including a yard for gardening and of course lots of room for dog-play. Of course when we moved in it was during a freak blizzard that left more than 2 feet of snow on the ground. So, it wasn’t until a few months later that I realized what had already been planted in our yard. Coming from the desert and beaches of southern California coupled with apartment living, my knowledge of plants was limited to succulents, herbs for the kitchen and a few potted indoor house plants.
Read moreHerb of the Week #11 :: Eleuthero
I'm not sure about you, but I have started looking ahead at this year, making travel and work plans, and boy, it's filling up FAST! It's not even March yet! Whew! Additionally, I am studying to take a board exam in nutrition, that is totally optional, but being the type A personality that I am, if it's out there and I can... I must and I will. So... I am definitely feeling the pressure lately. On top of that I recently started upping my workout game a little. Before I get into that, I feel I have to share a brief history of why I took a break from working out, cause I am one of those weirdos that LOVES to workout and sweat. Back in the day, I used to be a high preforming, award-winning athlete through college, from high school volleyball where I made all-conference and represent Southern California in Amsterdam for an international conference to varsity crew at Georgetown and winning the big-east as a freshman.
Read moreHerb of the Week #10 :: Calendula
f you're anything like me, you see the word "anti-inflammatory" everywhere. It's become quite trendy. Everything is anti-inflammatory this and anti-inflammatory that. And I have found lately that trendy in nutrition isn't quite the same as say trendy in something like fashion (and I don't mean that in a negative way). Simply, meaning that in health and wellness trends happen for a reason that is bigger than just a trend. See, in nutrition school, I learned quickly that most health issues can be traced back to inflammation. Of course, this is a longer blog post in itself. But for now, this week herb is one of THE anti-inflammatory plants: Calendula
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