Environmental toxins may be a serious threat to our health, as they have the ability to suppress immune function, disrupt hormone and metabolic processes, and may even lead to cognitive decline. Anything that the body tags as an antigen, or foreign invader, has the capacity to add stress to our bodies and disrupt essential metabolic pathways. Environmental toxins are often found in schools, buildings, golf courses, and even on certain food items. Toxic chemicals in pesticides, household products, and other sources that were once deemed safe may actually cause inflammation and dis-ease.

It is no wonder that about 1 in 3 Americans suffer from autoimmunity, as our immune systems can become overburdened from excess toxin exposure. This leads to an overacitve immune system that may cause our own immune cells to mistake our own tissue/cells as an antigen.

Fortunately, there are steps we can take to limit our exposure to these harmful substances. Some simple changes in our...

Are sugar cravings getting the best of you this holiday season? Most of us have or will struggle with sugar cravings at some point. Sugar is so sneaky in the way that it impacts our chemistry, hormone balance, cravings, and metabolic function. It is the number one endocrine disruptor, yet it is so prevalent in so many foods produced in the U.S. Sugar itself is not the main issue.. We believe that everyone should have a healthy relationship with their food and enjoy sugar moderately, to whatever degree suits their goals and health concerns. However, it is the over-consumption of sugar in our diets that leads to many issues down the line because of its impact on insulin.

Insulin is a critical hormone that plays an important role in inflammation, hormone imbalance, and cravings. While Insulin resistance is often associated with conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, it can also occur independently and contribute to other metabolic disorders as well. In order to understand the...

Our inner world of emotions is beautifully complex, having the ability to shape our physiology for better or worse depending on what we do with our emotions. Unfortunately, most of us were not taught emotional regulation techniques or emotional coping skills growing up. When left to our own devices, most of us will either adapt behaviors to distract ourselves from painful emotions, suppress or feelings, or develop very poor ways of expressing them. These defense mechanisms and coping strategies are often learned at a very early age and become ingrained into our subconscious, based on what we witnessed growing up.

We do the best we can with what we know at the time, but sometimes what we assume to be a healthy way of coping is actually detrimental to our physical and emotional well-being. We have to be careful to not confuse "normal" with healthy. It takes courage to confront ourselves, our emotions, and our coping strategies but it is so worth it for the betterment of...

Trauma is an injury to our mind, body, and spirit. It's quite evident that trauma can change the way we process emotions, the state of our mind, and our mental functioning. However, many are not aware of just how much trauma impacts our physiology. When we undergo trauma, it causes changes to the structure of our brain, cellular performance, epigenetic expression, hormone and neurological balance. Most of us associate trauma with extreme tragedies, such as war, abuse, natural disasters, etc. These are indeed quite obviously traumatic. However, there are other forms of trauma often referred to as "little 't' traumas" that have impacted or will impact all of us at some point. These could include traumatic experiences such as being raised in a dysfunctional home, growing up with a parent who struggled with addiction, managing a chronic illness, experiencing loss, etc.

When we undergo trauma, whether the experience was a major or minor traumatic experience, it can manifest in...

Many of us struggle to set boundaries in our lives, whether it be with our friends, family members, or coworkers. This is because many of us have trouble understanding the true benefits of having healthy boundaries. At their core, boundaries are simply a way to take ownership of our own mental, physical and emotional well-being by setting limits on what we will and will not allow ourselves to be subjected to.

While establishing boundaries can seem intimidating at first, there are many ways that we can do so in a kind and compassionate manner. This will definitely be a challenging and maybe even messy process, as it will feel quite uncomfortable for you and others initially. You may not be used to communicating assertively, and others may not be used to you speaking up for yourself or saying "no" when you do not have the capacity to take on their request. One key mistake that many people make when trying to start setting boundaries is expecting others to immediately adapt to...

At the core of every cell in our bodies lies the mitochondria, a beautifully complex organelle responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP. This crucial cellular process relies on a steady supply of oxygen, as its greatest nutrient to exchange for energy. It is through this process that we are able to carry out every and any biological process.. the beating of our heart, the division of cells for regeneration, DNA replication and revision, digestion, movement, and the list could go on and on. Breath is something that the majority of us do not pay close attention to or know how to take advantage of for our healing. Yet it is a free way to promote energy and vitality!

In addition to its critical role in energy production, oxygen also plays an important role in many other aspects of health and well-being. It is for regulating nitric oxide levels, enhancing blood circulation, and maintaining healthy brain function. When we breathe shallowly, with our chest, we are...

Meditation is a powerful tool for healing and self-awareness. By focusing on the present moment, meditation allows memories and emotions to come to the surface, engaging all of our senses and promoting body awareness. This can help us better understand our triggers and address any underlying issues that may be causing issues in our physical or mental health. It allows us to confront the problems in our mind and body that are impeding our growth toward physical and mental health.

In addition, there is growing evidence that meditation can improve both mental and physical health by reducing stress levels, improving memory and cognitive function, and even affecting gene expression. With regular practice, meditation can truly become a transformative force in our lives, helping us achieve greater self-understanding and well-being. So if you're looking for a way to promote emotional healing and self-awareness in your life, consider incorporating meditation into your daily...

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with loved ones, and engage in meaningful conversation around a table while enjoying delicious food. However, some struggle with guilt over eating certain foods, or worry about sabotaging their health goals that they forget to actually enjoy the food and precious moments. This is definitely not an outcome we wish for ourselves or our community!

Here is our philosophy on food and the holidays- We believe that it is important to honor our bodies, minds, and spirit by making choices that support both our physical and mental well-being in the long term. This means focusing on our values first and foremost, and adjusting with occasions to make sure we are living up to those values. For many, this means focusing on gratitude, relationships, rekindling connections with family and friends, and enjoying great company during holidays. This leaves less room for food fixation or guilt for enjoying an extra slice of your grandma's apple pie.

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Most people who are serious about weight loss, and improving their metabolic and cardiovascular health will eventually try following a specific diet with the intention of improving their health. However, as soon as they begin their quest to discover the "best diet," they are left even more confused. If you google search a diet for weight loss, you will find so much conflicting advice. Some will push a vegan diet, claiming that animal products will cause obesity and cholesterol issues. Others will inform you that all carbohydrates are the enemy, and you should definitely try a high-fat ketogenic approach. And then there are those who eat whatever they wish and swear by intermittent fasting. The list of fad diets and trends seems never-ending - Atkins, carnivore, pescetarian, Whole30, Paleo, vegetarian. People often feel more confused about food than any other health-related topic because of all of the conflicting guidance. Where do we even start? And how do we reach our health goals...

Light is THE most important information for our bodies to determine wakefulness and sleep quality. Light exposure feeds our cells the data that controls our circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle. By avoiding and allowing light exposure at specific times of the day, we can manage the quality of sleep we achieve, our level of wakefulness and alertness in the day, and support our natural body rhythms!

How does this work? Here is a glimpse into the intricate and brilliantly designed mechanisms involved! It begins with the eyes. The suprachiasmatic nucleus contains neurons, located in the back of the eye, which function in tandem with our internal body clock. When we are exposed to light, especially blue light or sunlight, these neurons signal a cascade that promotes alertness. Part of this cascade involves releasing cortisol, a stress hormone, which should peak in the morning to get us going for the day. Another major facet of this biological mechanism is the control of...