If you’ve been diagnosed with Lyme disease, chances are good you’ve been prescribed antibiotics. That may be fine, but it may not be enough to keep symptoms at bay. You may find the problems you were having return a few weeks, months, or even years later. This happens because the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria (which causes Lyme disease) likes to “hide out” in tissues where blood flow and therefore oxygen is reduced, such as in connective tissue. Borrelia has also been found to create biofilms, which are like a walled-in city, and the bacteria can survive there in safety until...

It is so amazing to have the opportunity and desire to create a family with the one you love. I had the great privilege to be very intentionally pregnant twice, and give birth to two beautiful boys, who continue to be happy and healthy. And I will admit that if I knew what I know now, I likely would have prepared differently! Now I simply have a very directed purpose of sharing what I have learned to provide some beginning guidance on how women and men can prepare themselves, their bodies and minds, to co-create happy and healthy children....

Synthetic pharmaceuticals prescribed as “hormone replacement” therapy are among the most widely prescribed medications in this country. They are most often used for women in menopause for symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Unfortunately, even when effective for symptom relief, there is concern regarding the long-term safety of taking these “hormones”. Many women fearing the consequences of being treated with hormones, refuse therapy they might otherwise benefit from. With Bioidentical hormone replacement the benefits of hormone replacement therapy may be enjoyed while minimizing safety concerns. When hormone imbalances are present there is a long list of associated...

Look no further than the nonsurgical face lift which uses microcurrent technology. Supported by over 30 years of research, microcurrent produces electrical signals like those naturally occurring when the body is repairing damaged tissue and has been shown to stimulate cell growth and rejuvenate aging skin. It is truly a safer alternative to riskier and invasive procedures like Botox or plastic surgery. As we age, our skin gets thinner and less elastic, facial muscles weaken and there is reduced production of collagen and elastin. Studies on microcurrent therapy indicate a 14% increase in the production of natural collagen, a...

Our bodies are incredibly resilient and capable of fighting microbes, which are constantly bombarding us. We can ward off harmful bacteria, viruses, and even parasites and typically bounce back with relative ease. However, many people are keenly aware that this isn’t always the case with Lyme disease. People can be infected with the borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme, and remain ill despite standard treatment. When a holistic approach is taken, supporting the entire body, people are more likely to overcome the infection and reestablish health. Forms of Borrelia Burgdorferi When exposed to an infection, our immune system...

One of my favorite things to do in the summer and early fall is head to a dinner on the farm. Luckily, right here in Connecticut we have plenty of opportunities to do so as there are more and more restaurant groups partnering with local farms to showcase culinary skills and local foods. I was so excited to attend the DORO Restaurant Group’s September farm dinner at Sub Edge Farm in Farmington – being a big fan of Treva and all of Dorjan Puka’s restaurants, I knew it would be phenomenal. Every dinner begins with a farm tour by...

Dear Robin: I have always been searching for my true Soul Mate. I am a deeply spiritual person, fulfilled at work and volunteer my time for causes important to me, but I still struggle with feeling like my life would be more complete if only I found my Soul Mate. What can I do to attract my Soul Mate into my life?     ~ Ellen from CT. Dear Ellen: The desire for both women and men to attract in their true Soul Mate activates two self-limiting beliefs. The first limiting belief is that our true Soul Mate must be a...

“Rather than use estrogens to artificially counteract the symptoms of menopause, the natural approach focuses on improving physiology through diet, exercise, nutritional supplementation, and the use of botanical medicines.”      ~ Michael T. Murray, ND,      & Joseph Pizzorno, ND –      The Encyclopedia of      Natural Medicine (3rd Ed.2012) Are you over age 40 and noticing that your body has been changing? Are you confused about how to address those changes? No two women experience menopause in exactly the same way, and very often other health issues are present that can complicate treatment. If you prefer to rely on holistic means of...

‘Tis the season for sneezing, congestion, headaches, and itchy eyes. As the beautiful trees begin to bud and flowers push up through the ground, people return to the drugstore for over-the-counter and prescription remedies. As one dutifully takes medication to control annoying allergy symptoms, they may wonder if there are any alternatives to this expensive solution with varying effectiveness. It is not just outdoor allergens like pollen and grasses that cause allergy symptoms. Inside the house there are a variety of allergenic particles such as dust, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. The symptoms are the same except that...

Our bodies respond to what we put in them. Drink a frozen beverage too quickly? Brain freeze! Consume lactose or sugar? Get ready for potentially gassy conditions and energy spikes. The same holds true in the garden: plants respond to inputs including temperatures, sunlight, soil composition, and adjacent plants. Entire books are written on each of these topics. This article strives to provide some general context and simple advice to help beginning do-it-yourself gardeners make good choices for their landscape. Temperature When growing vegetables, take note of the temperature of the soil. I personally do not bother with a...

Spring is in the air! Temperatures are rising and forecasts for rain are replacing predictions for snow. When you think about your spending and saving behaviors, are you confidently springing forward with strategies for growth, or are you soaking in April showers? Sowing Seeds that Grow The Wall Street Journal article, “Americans Are Spending More, Saving Less” claims more Americans are not saving as much as they have in the past. What’s the “right” amount to spend and save? The most accurate answer is, “it depends on your specific situation” because different factors like your financial goals, your income,...

Autoimmune (AI) diseases are becoming more common in developed countries. Physicians agree this problem is currently intensifying, some using the language of epidemic proportions. There is not a well-defined mechanism of action behind these diseases. AI disease is an umbrella term for a disease in which human pathophysiology turns on oneself and begins to attack itself. The immune system is described as hyper-active. This can happen anywhere in the body. In fact, there are 100+ autoimmune diseases, from rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, to more rare diagnosis’ such as antiphospholipid syndrome. Hygiene Hypothesis The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ questions if...

Allergies…have you been affected by them at some point in your life? Have you had to curtail outdoor activities during certain seasons lest you suffer with watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, sneezing or other discomfort? Does contact with animals transform you into a sniffling, itchy blob? Are your friends and family members impacted by your allergies? Your symptoms might be as mild as sniffles or as serious as anaphylaxis and they have prevented you from enjoying life completely and fully. You’ve likely explored different treatment options, traditional and non-traditional, without relief. It is possible that shamanism might be perfect...

You’re probably thinking…”this sounds way too good to be true.” And over the years, you’ve probably seen and tried many “miracle” cures for cellulite, but none of them worked. Liposuction or plastic surgery is an option, but both are very expensive, invasive and carry medical risks. Finally, an alternative is here and it’s called the Synergie® Aesthetic Massage System (AMS). Not only is it proven safe and effective by the FDA, but there is research behind the technology to boot. So, what exactly is cellulite and how does it form on the body? Cellulite is mostly made up of...

For many parents, the process of packing school lunches can be tiresome at times as we try to think up creative ways to get veggies into our kids’ mouths. And for the rest of us adults, it’s a frequent inevitability that we won’t meet our veggie quota for the day. Here is a fun and yummy recipe for dressing up those green beans and it makes a great addition to a healthy lunch. Ingredients: Green beans, washed and trimmed, enough to fill a mason jar ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1 ½ cup water 1 TBS sea salt ½...

It’s spring…the trees are green, the grass is lush after a wet winter, and the flowers are blooming beautiful colors. With this being so, your allergies may be blooming too! If this is you, you know the drill: red, itchy, watery eyes, sinus congestion, trouble sleeping, loving the looks of the outdoors, but having to keep your windows closed to keep that pollen out, and…having to minimize your time spent outdoors to keep your symptoms at bay. What a hassle! Allergic Rhinitis That’s the technical term for all those lovely allergy symptoms. It is what happens when inhaled allergens...

Do you have an adversarial relationship with food and eating? Has weight become an insurmountable preoccupation for you? You are not alone. Our frenetic lives have made us wage a war on ourselves and many of us live without joy and self-awareness. We suffer constant anxiety. More often than not, to deal with our stress, we use food as a palliative, a way to soothe ourselves. Mindful Eating (ME) helps people re-establish a healthy and joyful relationship with food and eating. The approach does not advocate diets or focus on weight but guides individuals in the practice of self-awareness,...

I haven’t been feeling well since last Fall. I was under a lot of stress in September so I thought it was just remnants of that, but as time went on and I continued to develop more and more symptoms, I knew it was time to visit my doctor. Now you would think that my being involved with ELM™ | Maine for the past couple of years would mean that I would go to a Naturopath or at least an Integrative Doctor, but to be quite honest, I just hadn’t made finding another practitioner a priority. So, in November...

Does eating make you feel tired, bloated or in pain? Do you feel certain that you are having food reactions but don’t know what to call it or where to start? We can start by classifying your reaction as sensitivity or an allergy. Food Allergy The word “allergy” is confusing because many people use it as a fully encompassing generic term for true allergic reactions and non-allergic adverse reactions, also called sensitivities or intolerances. Immune reactions can result from the different types of food allergies or food sensitivities you may possess. The most common foods causing allergic reactions are...

There are many reasons to hire a coach. The International Coach Federation (ICF), the foremost authority on setting high coaching standards, has a precise definition of coaching. The ICF defines coaching as, “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Simply, your coach is your partner who helps you develop awareness of your natural strengths. Your coach is your advocate and the person that will hold you accountable to your commitment and your actions during the coaching process. Ask yourself these questions to determine if you need a...

For thousands of years, spring and love have been linked. They just go together like peanut butter and jelly. Spring is a time for rebirth when the earth awakens from winter dormancy. As the month of April arrives, the bees buzz, the birds sing and we fall in love. Turns out there is actually a biological reason behind this long-time phenomenon. According to Dr. Helen Fischer, a professor at Rutgers University and neuroscientist, it’s all about dopamine. What is dopamine? It’s a brain chemical that creates desire for something new and causes a sense of euphoria…like love. Think about...

It’s a good two months after the holidays, but many of us are still struggling with an addiction to sugar. High sugar intake can deplete your body of vital nutrients, increase your risk of disease, affect your mood, and suppress your immune function. Drinking 2 cans of soda, which contains approximately 20-24 teaspoons of sugar can suppress immune function for up to 5 hours after consumption! One of the main issues with sugar is that it competes with vitamin C in our immune cells, which lowers the ability to fight infection. Before we delve too far into our discussion...