Essential Oils

A look back at our ancestor’s lifestyle and diets will help you understand why you are suffering from anxiety and depression – and why they didn’t. Like everyone, our ancestors experienced anxiety and likely bouts of depression. The issue is that generalized anxiety disorder as well as well as depression has and continues to rise at an alarming rate. Generally speaking, our ancestors did experience anxiety and depression, but not to the disordered extent that many people do today. What was once necessary and built-in mechanisms to protect us from danger have become a constant for some people. Anxiety disorder wasn’t even diagnosed until 1980, not so long ago in the scope of medical diagnoses. While the root cause of anxiety and depression (which are often both present) is different for everyone, there are several dietary factors that contribute to these mental disorders. Food: Fat, Inflammation, Toxins, Soil Depletion Our…

Plant-based diets for environmental protection are too short-sighted. They aren’t effective. No issue as big as environmental destruction is black and white, and going meatless one day a week is not a step in the right direction. Why is there no emphasis on organic, local and sustainable food? Why do the Meatless Monday recipes promote refined carbohydrates, inorganic tofu with no emphasis on GMO-free, low-fat dairy (which is extremely unhealthy) and refined vegetable oils? Today I’m going to wade through the BS claims that the Meatless Monday foundation makes, and provide a more sustainable and healthy alternative. LIMIT CANCER RISK: Hundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Colon cancer is associated with red and processed meat consumption. What are these mysterious hundreds of studies? Where are they? Because there are absolutely no links to support this very broad claim on the Meatless Monday website.…

At the end of the month Scott and I are heading to Roatan, Honduras. I am beyond excited and thought I would share some tips I use to stay healthy while on vacation. Come Prepared I recently wrote a post on all of my travel essentials. Make sure to bring your non-toxic bug spray and suncreen. The first year I really traveled, we went to Panama and I neglected to bring my own bug spray and sun screen. We needed bug spray, I mean it was a necessity. We ended up buying the spray that contains DEET, as well as regular old toxic sunscreen. When people think of staying healthy on vacation, they often forget that what is applied to the skin is absorbed by the skin and can be a huge source of toxins. Come prepared! Call Ahead We are staying at an awesome little beach resort right on the…

This is an open letter to one of my favorite artists, Jay-Z. I grew up listening to Jay-Z and can rap every word to Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life. I read this article in Rolling Stone about Jay-Z adopting a vegan diet until Christmas. And I get it. I’ve been there and done that. Like a lot of people, we’re led to believe that a plant based diet is healthier, it’s better for the environment, it’s SPIRITUAL. Except…it’s not and it isn’t. No one tells you that a vegan diet eliminates necessary fats and vitamins. No one tells you that grain and legume production is destroying American (and Brazilian) farmland. No one tells you that it’s more spiritual to buy local, organic animals that were raised on a nearby farm with love and sunshine; to know where your food comes from and develop a relationship with it. I don’t know about you,…

Despite studies, evidence to the contrary, traditional cultures and plain old common sense, low-fat foods are societally accepted as healthy. People are often shocked to find out the majority of the calories I consume come from fat. And despite what you’ve heard about cholesterol and saturated fats, both are absolutely essential for the body to properly function. Not only are low-fat foods processed, they are robbing your body of essential fats, vitamins and minerals. To make naturally fatty foods like dairy products low-fat, they undergo a lot of processing and the fat is often replaced with unhealthy additives like canola oil, soy oil, skim milk powder and artificial sweeteners. Let’s compare butter with margarine. I buy Kerrygold butter, which is grass-fed butter that is full of vitamins and healthy fats. Here is the ingredient list for a popular margarine, Earth Balance: It contains genetically modified ingredients, trans and hydrogenated fats and other processed ingredients.…

I haven’t worn inorganic, regular, aluminum filled deodorant in years (the aluminum and the effects of antiperspirant are really damaging to your health). And let’s be honest here, the organic hippie deodorant doesn’t work so well. If you’re anything like me, you sweat. It smells. And it’s not cute. There are only two deodorants that I have found work for me. The first is Primal Pit Paste, and the second is my homemade deodorant. Ingredients (roughly): 1 cup hardened coconut oil 3/4 cup baking soda 25 drops lavender oil 25 drops tea tree oil Directions: In a bowl combine the hardened coconut oil and baking soda. Do not melt it! If it melts, the baking soda will sink to the bottom. Mix the coconut oil and baking soda until fully combined. Add the essential oils and combine. Store in a cool, dry place. I store it in my medicine cabinet. It’s…

What Are Benzodiazepines? Benzodiazepines are a class of physchoactive drugs that depress the central nervous system. They are often prescribed for anxiety, as they enhance relaxation. You may have heard of Valium, Xanax or Klonopin. These are all benzodiazepines. My Experience With Benzodiazepines My experience with benzodiazepines begins with my mom. She has been taking them in the form of Xanax and Klonopin since before I was born, during pregnancy and to this day she takes them. She is addicted. Joanna gave me my first Xanan when I was three years-old. I was sick and vomiting. My grandmother was taking care of me. She stopped by and decided it was a good idea to give a 3 year-old a dangerous prescription drug as a cure to the flu. Growing up, when I was upset, when I was stressed out, when I would stay up too late because I wasn’t tired,…