It seems like every few months, there is a new diet fad. Let’s talk about the most recent popular fad diets. Ketogenic Diet A healthier way to do a modified version of the ketogenic diet would be to eat a very reduced amount of carbs, say 50 grams, for short periods of time, periodically. But, in the counting of carbohydrates, be sure not to count non-starchy veggies, such as leafy greens and celery. Helpful products, such as MCT oil or supplemental ketone salts, that can help mimic ketosis and those can be helpful for some. There are also some...

Growing up in Yorkshire England, Chef Paul Pearson knew exactly what he wanted to do by the age of 12. He became fascinated with food and enjoyed eating out because of how special everyone felt. “I was keen to learn cooking and my grandmother taught me in the beginning,” he said, as we sat enjoying a plate of New England cheeses at Community Table, a favorite local restaurant known for its acclaimed food, cocktails and chic relaxed environment in New Preston, CT. For his first job, he worked for the renowned Chef Raymond Blanc at Le Petit Blanc in...

As a reader of Natural Nutmeg magazine, you are most likely a seeker of information on health and wellness, spirituality or our environment. You just love reading about these topics. In fact, it makes something stir inside of you. This is your Soul agreeing that what you are reading is truly in alignment with what you know to be truth for your life. This happens because you are a Soul Being having a Human Being experience and your Soul has been leading you on your unique life journey. How has the journey with your Soul been so far in...

The CDC stated recently that women are at an all-time high for heart disease, cardiovascular disease or CVD, and that men were actually on par or lowering their relative risks for CVD. This might be associated with how well known the symptoms are and how far the public education reached. The American Heart Association states that between 2013-2016, 44.7% of women aged 20 years old and older had some form of cardiovascular disease. In 2016, 49.0% of women made up the total deaths of related CVD in women. Specifically, in Connecticut according to CDC, CVD is listed as number...

It is common for many individuals to see over 5 doctors before being diagnosed with a Lyme infection and is why it is known as the “great imitator.” When diagnosed and treated early, Lyme is easy to fix, however, if not treated, it can lead to a multitude of symptoms including joint and body pain, fatigue, headaches, cognitive issues, neurological and sleep disturbances. Unfortunately, these are common symptoms I see in my practice daily and clinical judgement is needed to decide on timely treatment. Diagnosis Lyme disease diagnosis continues to grow annually. There are about 3,000 cases of Lyme...

According to the National Headache Foundation, approximately 60% of women suffering from migraines get menstrual migraines. Menstrual migraines can start 2 days before the period begins and up to three days after the period ends. Hormones can trigger menstrual migraines during ovulation, menses, perimenopause and menopause. Menstrual Migraine Symptoms One-sided, throbbing Nausea inducing with or without vomiting Sensitivity to light and sound Typically are not accompanied by an aura Migraine diaries are a great way to evaluate the cause of your migraines. Common triggers for migraines that are not hormone related include: poor sleep, alcohol, high tyramine foods, smoked...

Menopause is defined as the cessation of your periods, which is caused by the body’s decreased production of sex hormones; estrogen and progesterone. This event could happen naturally by age or could be a result of surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. Most women will experience the beginning of peri-menopause and menopause generally in their late 40’s. Typical estrogen production will start decreasing around age 50. There are three phases of menopause: 1) the climacteric phase in which the periods become irregular; 2) actual menopause which is the last menstrual cycle, diagnosed only in retrospect; and 3) post-menopause...

Spring is here and a perfect time to do some spring cleaning. This year focus on cleaning the toxins out of your body in addition to your closet. Begin thinking about where toxins might be in your home so you can decrease daily exposure and nourish your body in a way that supports its innate ability to detoxify, regenerate and thrive. What happens when our bodies are overloaded with toxins? Our immune system becomes compromised because the liver is using up many important nutrients to filter out these toxins which leaves us run down, susceptible to infection and at...

Eileen Fisher, the clothing designer, is sharing something meaningful for the good of all women; a space for them to connect with each other either online or at the Eileen Fisher Learning Lab in Irvington, New York. She calls it Women Together. Women Together is designed to help women listen, share and connect with one another so that they can ignite true change in themselves and each other. It is born out of the belief that our revolution begins within and that a collective power emerges when women bond with other women. Each event in the Women Together Series...

Each year, mental illness affects 43.8 million or 1 in 5 adults nationwide. A growing body of evidence suggests that poor nutrition contributes to this epidemic. What’s more impressive is the nutritional research supporting the management of mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive, schizophrenia, eating and many mood disorders. Outside of counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy, medication has been first line of intervention for those suffering from a mental disorder. It’s far too easy to alleviate symptoms with medication than to address underlying cause of mental disturbance. Naturopathic medicine excels in addressing the underlying cause of mental health...

Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer in the United States is: The most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity. The most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women. The second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women. ~ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/ There is no one right formula for preventing breast cancer in every woman. The key to prevention . . . is being aware of the various factors that cause the disease and avoiding them as...

You know the drill. Every time you go to your doctor’s office for a consultation, there are certain vital signs that are always measured: your weight, your blood pressure, and your temperature. Whenever I am at the doctor’s office waiting my turn to be checked, I follow the same routine. I de-layer as much as possible, breathe deeply, and imagine rocking gently in a hammock swaying in the coastal breeze. I hope that the readings will reflect all my efforts to be as healthy as possible. I admit it. There are few things that I can do in that...

More and more people are being diagnosed with autoimmune diseases in our country every year. An autoimmune diagnosis may feel grim and confusing because the cause is often unclear, and the treatments are unappealing. The American Autoimmune and Related Diseases Association states that over 50 million Americans live with an autoimmune disease. It is accepted that there are 80-100 distinct autoimmune diseases and the causes of most autoimmune diseases remain unknown. It is thought that genes in combination with infections and other environmental exposures are likely to play a role. By definition, autoimmune diseases are those in which the...

Anxiety is at an all-time high. People are overwhelmed with their everyday lives, activities of children, overwhelming jobs, caring for aging parents and over extending themselves with volunteer work. People just don’t have enough “down time.” Add the issue of clutter and chaos in your home to the overwhelm, or health issues that make you feel worn out, exhausted and downright yucky. You then go down memory lane and look at all your regrets from the past. How are you going to get peace into your life? How are you going to have more enjoyable days? Daily you try...

If you think about it, most if not all skin creams are white. Ever wonder why? You see, base creams are used to initially make it feel like you are applying moisture to your face but skin creams are stripped down of their natural qualities and man-made chemicals are added to the formulation, instead of natural enzymes found in rare plant extracts. This is why you are left with a white, lifeless skin cream. These chemicals actually dry out your face and make you more reliant on their products. Immortal Opulence is a small company based right here in...

With a career that spanned more than 30 years, Lisa Lampanelli was a constant on the comedy scene. With numerous tours, Grammy nominations, and national TV guest appearances and specials under her belt, Lisa made headlines in 2012 when she lost more than 100 pounds with the help of bariatric surgery. The comedian went on to speak with unflinching honesty about her lifelong food and body-image issues, and has since gone from insulter to inspirer. I had the pleasure of talking with her about her new direction in life. Lisa will perform at the Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, April...

Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. This is incredibly true, even in your small business. I recently received a call from a prospective client who needed advice on how to open a successful holistic business. I suggested that we create a business plan using my Planning for Success™ business planning model. She replied, “I don’t think I need a business plan, can you just tell me what to do?” That response made me realize that most new entrepreneurs don’t know the high level standard business concepts that it takes...

Do you or anyone you know suffer from diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus, Hashimoto’s, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome? At first these conditions seem very different from one another, some involving muscles, joints and nerves while others seem to affect the digestive system and skin. What could these complex and very different diseases have in common? They are among the 80-100 different autoimmune conditions that have been identified by researchers. Autoimmune conditions are categorized by a dysregulation of the immune system whereby the immune cells begin to attack the body’s own organs...