We usually think of sight and hearing as our main senses, but what we smell has the strongest impact on our emotions. The olfactory receptors in our brain connect directly to the limbic system, where emotions begin. This may be why essential oils — the distilled essence of various plants and flowers ...
We’re well into spring up here in the Northern Hemisphere and it does the heart good to hear those birds chirping again outside! Today I want to talk about one springtime flower that grows in almost every state and contains highly medicinal qualities, but is often considered a ‘weed.’ Ever wondered ...
Sometimes this quest for lost healing medicines can feel kind of like an Indiana Jones movie. We come across amazing cultures with such fascinating traditions… and the promise of new medicines that could save lives. You just can’t make this stuff up! And today’s piece is no different. Do you know what ...
Twenty years ago, the term “autoimmune disease” was virtually unspoken of. It certainly wasn’t something you would see in the big news headlines – like cancer, Alzheimer’s, or heart disease. Well, the world now knows better… according to the National Institute of Health, “approximately ...
Have you ever noticed that most of the ingredients in traditional dishes also possess significant health benefits? How did our ancestors know? The truth is that our primal taste buds are naturally programmed to crave certain spices, oils and nutrient-rich vegetables that are good for us. If you think about ...
The renowned martial arts master Bruce Lee once said: “Be like water, making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it.” Wise words. Water itself is the guest of honor for today’s piece. We’re going to get into the ...
Two days ago, I was having a tough afternoon. Without any thinking, I found myself walking into the kitchen, pulling out a bunch of vegetables and herbs, and filling a large metal pot with water. Sometimes the heart knows what the mind does not. Cooking is one of the most grounding and satisfying practices I ...
There are a handful of go-to herbal remedies that my wife Michelle and I keep around the house at all times. Plants are super powerful and our ancestors knew it — thankfully they’ve handed many of them down to us. Today I want to share 3 of these recipes with you! With these medicines on hand, ...
Ready for something personal? Gulp! Here we go. Late last year, I began to hit a serious dip in my energy levels. Each day, I would wake up feeling like I had been beaten up in my sleep, rolling out of bed with pain in my muscles and zero energy. Walking up the stairs felt like a herculean effort—and ...
A few years ago, I took a trip up to the coastal wilderness of Northern California to meet with Native American elder, Dennis Martinez. Born of O’odham and Chicano heritage, Dennis has spent his life educating both native and non-native people in the practices of indigenous reforestation and the wild ...
Today I’m excited to share a delicious condiment idea with you. This must-have concoction is not only a family favorite, which I learned from my Italian grandparents, but it also includes one of the most powerful herbs on the planet. An herb that has been used for thousands of years to enhance flavor, ...
For many folks, the best part of waking up is a warm cup of joe. Coffee drinking has become so embedded in our culture that we don’t think twice about it. I mean, a lot of us were practically born with a coffee cup in our hands! But when it comes to optimizing our health and happiness, it’s sometimes ...