Wellness

One of my favorite childhood cartoons was a propaganda piece that taught kids how to make healthy food choices. A squatty, smart aleck named Ol’ Timer proselytized “you are what you eat from head down to your feet!” The tune was catchy and I’d find…

Ever notice that stressed spelled backwards is desserts? Coincidence or not, many of us turn to sweets as a means for self-soothing. Unfortunately, the relief is temporary and invariably causes more trouble down the road. Here are some helpful ways to tame the crave the…

My husband is a trooper. A few months after we met, I house sit while he was way. During that time I planted a garden, hid his stockpile of soda and put his microwave in solitary confinement. My tactics could have been softer, but the intention was pure

Vibrant health is dynamic and multifaceted. Research shows a connection between body, mind and spirit, yet they continue to be treated separately. For example, soul is thought by many to be the exclusive province of religion. When in fact it extends beyond that to include…

The basic gifts of nature – water, sunlight, rest, movement, healthy foods and air – are the fuel for life. Without having to read it on-line or in a book, our grandparents were intuitively connected to these wellness building resources. Unlike our elders, we can…

Did you know about the importance of magnesium? This little mineral is used by every organ in the body. Inadequate intakes have been linked to various forms of depression as well as PMS. Magnesium levels can also be lowered by prolonged stress, heavy menstrual periods,…

I used to laugh about being addicted to sugar, but the fun drained when I realized it wasn’t a joke anymore. Sugar has the same addictive properties as tobacco and alcohol. The more you eat, the more you crave. And the withdrawal, which includes irritability…

Here in the states our Declaration of Independence guarantees “the pursuit of happiness,” yet messages abound that it’s located in the acquisition of goods, the quick fix of addiction or the high of achievement – to name a few.

As soon as sugar hits the tongue it sends signals to the brain which activate a series of electrical and chemical pathways known as the reward system. It’s a complicated network that helps us answer a simple question: “Do I want more?”

This will come as no surprise. Sugar is addictive. What may startle you is that according to a study by James Cook University refined sugar is more addictive than cocaine – one of the most addictive and harmful substances currently known. An astonishing 94% of the rats…