The past many months have shown us with a variety of stressful situations. Take inventory of your tool box to pursue wellness.

Take Inventory of Your Tool Box

The past many months have provided us with a variety of stressful situations. We’ve dealt with quarantine, loss of jobs, illness, riots, political upheaval, isolation, children’s school disruption and more. All of these represented stressors. Yet our individual perceptions classified some of these situations as a challenge to overcome, and others as insurmountable. As we pursue wellness on a daily basis, I want to encourage you to take inventory of your tool box so you know what’s available to help. Read more

Many are frustrated by weight gain during the holidays. Before you start another diet, there are some important tips I'd like to share.

Before You Start That Diet ….

It’s the beginning of a new year. Across the US, there are many who are frustrated by the bigger number on their bathroom scale and are choosing the diet they will use this time around. Would this be you, too? Before you start that diet, there are some important tips I’d like to share.

Losing weight is more than eating less and exercising more. When the body can’t eliminate toxins, it stashes them in adipose tissue – fat cells. Weight loss releases not only fat, but toxins too. That’s often why you feel sluggish when dieting. Read more

I'm sure you have your health and fitness goals already pegged for the new year. Have you given any thought to resolutions that inspire life?

New Years Resolutions That Inspire Life!

Are you ready for another year?  I think it’s safe to say we are all ready for a different year, right? I’m sure you have your health and fitness goals already pegged. I’m wondering … have you given any thought to resolutions that inspire life?

Let’s change things up by breaking out of our resolution rut and putting things on our list that inspire fun, pleasure, and growth! Read more

As you work to maintain holiday traditions, the pressure can build inside. Before your kettle starts to whistle, you can use CPR.

Before Your Kettle Starts To Whistle

We are fully in the holiday season and I’m sure you are working to maintain what holiday traditions we can. Some of our treasured traditions must be set aside, while others can be enjoyed with modifications. What are you still scrambling to keep track of, to grasp, to process? When the pressure builds inside, before your kettle starts to whistle, you can use CPR.

No, I’m not referring to the chest compressions that are used when the heart is in cardiac arrest. I want to offer a different meaning for the acronym – confess, press, relax. Read more

We have come through a holiday which is focused on giving thanks. Have you discovered the power of words on your life? Gratitude and praise lift the spirit.

The Power of Words on Your Life

We have just come through a holiday which is focused on gratitude, on giving thanks. Have you discovered the power of words on your life? Gratitude and praise lift the spirit. And do you remember the effect of hurtful words when you were a child … or even recently? Did they crush your spirit?

In his book, Love as a Way of Life, Gary Chapman uses an effective metaphor for words as being either bullets or seeds. When we speak with condemnation, our words act as bullets, tearing down relationships. Yet when we use our words as seeds, spoken in a supportive manner with good will for our audience, we are building relationship in positive, affirming ways. Read more

Thanksgiving was established in gratitude for overcoming challenges. With Thanksgiving approaching in this very challenging year, an attitude of gratitude is healthful.

An Attitude of Gratitude is Healthful

The Thanksgiving holiday was established to commemorate our gratitude for overcoming challenges as people settled America. With Thanksgiving approaching in this very challenging year, isn’t it even more appropriate to be grateful? After all, an attitude of gratitude is healthful.

In fact, gratitude may be one of the most overlooked tools for wellness that anyone can access. Cultivating gratitude doesn’t cost any money and it certainly doesn’t take much time, but the benefits are enormous. Read more

Many women and men don't realize that what we put on our skin is absorbed. Yes, it's more than just skin deep!

It’s More Than Just Skin Deep!

I’m sure that you’ve heard that your skin is your body’s largest organ. What many women and men don’t realize is that what we put on our skin is absorbed. Yes, it’s more than just skin deep!

Why is this important? Because of the ingredients that may be hiding in your personal hygiene and makeup products. There are many that are troublesome to your body. Read more

How Stress Affects Your Health

Unless you are hidden away in a mountain retreat, I’m quite certain that you are feeling the effects of stress. We are aware of those moments when stress hits, and the physical and mental feelings it brings. Yet there’s a good chance that you are not aware of how stress affects your health.

You may think that decreased productivity at work, trouble sleeping, anger, headaches, and your frequent trips to the bathroom are separate issues. In reality they are all common signs and symptoms of stress. Read more

When faced with uncertainty related to disease risk, how do you respond? I believe you need vitamins to boost your immune function.

Vitamins Boost Your Immune Function

When faced with uncertainty related to disease risk, how do you respond? Most of us follow recommendations to wash our hands and isolate from others and wear face masks when in public. Is that enough? I believe you need vitamins to boost your immune function.

Washing your hands is very effective against bacteria and viruses. You don’t need antibacterial soap – the traditional form will work quite well. In fact, I don’t recommend using a lot of antibacterial products because they destroy the microbiome on your skin. That microbiome is part of your protective barrier, and exposure to your environment informs your immune system. Read more

Flavor And Health Benefits From Autumn Herbs

One of my favorite parts of autumn is the aromas that are specific to the season. The warming spices, curries, and pumpkin — there’s something so comforting about these scents. Interestingly, the herbs and spices we rely on for flavoring our fall cooking have some incredible health benefits. Flavor, aroma and health benefits from autumn herbs – that’s a win! Read more