Our bodies are made up millions of bacteria as well as fungi and yeast that also live on and in the body. For the most part, these microbials aren’t bad until they get out of balance. Candida is an example of what can go wrong when there’s a yeast overgrowth in the body that can ...read more
We’re hearing more and more about adaptogens; those healing herbs that are meant to bring the body back to homeostasis. While many adaptogens have been used for thousands of years in both Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), and traditional Chinese medicine, today they’re ...read more
You’ve heard the term “the eyes are the window to the soul” and while that may be true, they also help us to get through life and like the other organs of the body, they need to be taken care of daily. Diet and some supplements can have real impact on the health of your eyes both ...read more
For the majority of human history, the sun has been the only source of blue light. At night, while we may have enjoyed the voluminous glow of a fire, we sat in relative darkness. This meant that melatonin, better known as the sleep hormone, naturally began to release after ...read more
If you’ve ever been to Fiji you’re sure to have tried kava. It’s the national drink and it’s sold and consumed everywhere. It’s used in Fijian ceremonies and drank daily by locals. On the island, it’s known as yaqona, or by its colonial nickname “grog," but no matter what you ...read more
Chanting has long been an important aspect of religious and spiritual activities dating back to the beginning of time. The practice recently gained popularity when an album of Gregorian chants by Benedictine Monks in Santo Domingo, Spain became a best seller. The world could ...read more
Besides Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, I can’t think of very many people who enjoy being unhappy. Most of us strive for the opposite which isn’t always an easy thing considering that the nature of emotions is to change. Sometimes we’re happy, sometimes sad, sometimes angry and ...read more
Apple cider vinegar should be a staple in both your pantry and medicine cabinet. It has so many benefits for whatever ails you and also serves as a fabulous acid addition to all your favorite recipes. But not all brands are created equal. In fact, the quality can vary like that ...read more
Body odor can be downright embarrassing and it seems to always come out at the worst times. Whether it’s an important meeting, job interview, or you’re out with your special someone, smelling less than fresh and clean just isn’t an option. At the same time, the idea of wearing ...read more
It’s no surprise that red wine is one of the more popular way to get your antioxidants. It’s delicious, enjoyable, and it makes food even more delicious. Knowing that it may extend your life is an added bonus to the millions of people that enjoy a glass or two regularly. But the ...read more
Water makes up 60 percent of your body. Every cell, tissue, muscle, and system requires water to run effectively which is why you should drink between eight and ten glasses of water daily. When you’re putting something in your body that often, quality matters. But yet even though ...read more
Insomnia doesn’t just ruin your night, it ruins your next day. It causes you to drag through the day just waiting for the next moment that your head will hit the pillow. One in three Americans doesn’t get enough sleep often due to sleep disorders like insomnia. Still, the idea ...read more
I don’t have years of experience practicing kirtan, a call-and-response mantra-based chanting practice that’s often included in yoga classes. I do, however, frequent a Jivamukti-inspired yoga studio in Charleston, South Carolina that includes some kirtan, but it’s never been a ...read more
It’s no secret that eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables is good for your health. But blue and purple foods, especially the most famous among them, blueberries, are perhaps the most potent antioxidant-laden food group. But why are blue foods so beneficial and what ...read more
We often go to acupuncturists to fix a problem that already persists. Once an imbalance has been present in the body for some time, it can create a deeper health problem. But according to experts, getting acupuncture on a regular basis can stop imbalances before they begin to ...read more
Fine lines and wrinkles on the face are one of the most visible signs of aging. They happen as we age because collagen and elasticity which hold the skin in place begin to breakdown causing sagging and wrinkling of the skin. And while we’re told to go old gracefully that doesn’t ...read more
By now, must of us are well aware that fiber is good for your gut health. It’s been shown to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and constipation. Not to mention that it helps you to stay fuller, longer which can help with weight loss. Fiber, which ...read more
Headstand (Sirsasana) has been called the "king of all yoga poses" because it's so beneficial to those who practice it daily. But for yogis that do it incorrectly, it can cause immediate or gradual damage to the neck and spine. Learn to correct your alignment mistakes and ...read more
For many of us, the holidays are a difficult time of year to start off, and this coupled with a near-constant holiday hangover can be too much. But not to worry, you can take steps to prevent it from happening and in the event that you have a bad night, here’s what to do to feel ...read more
Ayurveda is a science that balances the body's life energies, known in the practice as doshas called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Rather than focusing on individual symptoms, by living a balanced life tied to your particular dosha or doshas, you can keep your body and mind healthy and ...read more
From Leo to Taurus to Aries, each astrological sign reacts differently to stress, and the tension that can sometimes surround the holiday season is no different. We spoke to two expert astrologists about how to find peace and thrive this December and how to avoid energy blockers ...read more
It’s easy to pinpoint cultures that value napping. In Spain, the siesta is engrained in society. Stores, restaurants, and businesses close daily for a midday break so that citizens can take a snooze after lunch time. The same is true of Italy, where, as a result of the riposo, ...read more
It’s a running joke amongst many women, you laugh too hard, sneeze unexpectedly, or go for a run and you may spring a leak post-baby birth. Once you open up the flood gates, it’s hard to close them back up again. But for many women it’s not funny. It’s a real problem that leaves ...read more
Regular meditation can come with a host of benefits. But just like certain yoga classes are more appealing than others depending on what you’re looking for in a practice, the same is true of meditation class. Luckily, with guided meditation showing up in everything from podcasts ...read more
From the outside looking in yoga can seem a bit mysterious, exotic, and even intimidating. But once you hit your mat, you’ll find a lot of what you thought prior to practicing wasn’t true at all. You don’t have to twist yourself into a pretzel to be a yogi. And you don't have to ...read more
Some 75 percent of women experience symptoms associated with their period, both mental and physical. For the most part, they're mild and even difficult to notice. But for some women, anxiety associated with their menstrual cycle can be debilitating. As hormone levels change ...read more
If you’re looking to energize your body and relax your mind all at the same time, it’s important to make sure that pranyama, or intentional breathing, is an important aspect of your yoga practice. Ujjayi breath—a rhythmic breathing technique that uses throat constriction to ...read more
Do you yearn for a good night’s rest but can’t seem to relax? Wake up for no reason in the middle of the night and can't fall back to sleep? A new sleep bracelet from Philip Stein may be just the thing you need. But does it really work? When I'm busy or stressed, sleep is the ...read more
We form a small semi circle around the teacher. I close my eyes and sit cross-legged on a blanket as I would in meditation. Our teacher is playing the harmonium, a hybrid between a piano and harmonica that’s popular in the Hindu-based devotional mantra music called kirtan. ...read more
According to India's healing systems of Ayurvedic and Yoga, within each and every one of us is a chakra system made up of seven spinning energy centers, each governing a different aspect of our physical, mental, and spiritual health. And it should come as no surprise that two of ...read more
Coconut oil has been highly sought after in recent years because its medium chain fatty acids are thought to increase metabolism and aid in weight loss. The oil is also credited with helping with digestion, balancing hormones, balancing blood sugar, and the list goes on. Not to ...read more
Like many people, I practice yoga for so many reasons—my mental health, fitness, focus, and sense of community—not to mention that I want to be strong and limber for years to come. The yoga lifestyle is an all encompassing way to keep your mind, body, and spirit fit as you age. ...read more
Charcoal doesn’t seem like something that would be beneficial to your health. After all, regular charcoal is a known carcinogen. But activated charcoal — a product that’s made from the byproduct of slow burned peat, wood, and coconut shells — is much different than barbecue ...read more
When I first heard about the monk morning, I just couldn’t wait to give it a try. My schedule is flexible and I definitely do my best work first thing in the morning. What’s more, I’ve been struggling with distraction now more than ever. I have a two-year-old, a husband, and a ...read more
Celery is one of those vegetables that we often forget about. It sits in the bottom of the crisper and only gets used as the base of soups or as part of a crudite platter. But celery is so much more. Celery and more specifically, celery juice, is loaded with beneficial nutrients ...read more
In the past three decades the sun has become the cause of so much alarm due to its association with skin cancer. The more you get burned, especially earlier in life, the higher your risk of skin cancer. But on the other end of the spectrum, not getting outdoors often enough or ...read more
What running lacks in flashiness it makes up for in ease and availability. Beyond a good pair of shoes, running requires no equipment. Not to mention that it’s free, an excellent cardio workout, and a fabulous way to enjoy the outdoors. For running addicts, a daily run is about ...read more
Thrive Market is a membership service that provides the best in organic, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, raw and otherwise healthful products at a deep discount. You pay a $60 membership fee annually and receive 25 to 50 percent off of products delivered to your door. ...read more
When the time comes to roll out of bed, some of us can’t help but to press the snooze button over and over again. But there's good reason to get in the habit as being an early bird has a number of benefits. From fitting in that exercise routine to having time to enjoy a hot ...read more
The benefits of meditation are well known. From reducing stress to increasing focus, happiness, memory, and reducing blood pressure and dementia, meditation is loaded with benefits. While eight percent of the population has tried the practice, many have not, and even more of us ...read more
Plants are an inexpensive and effective tool for improving indoor air quality. Not to mention that all the added greenery makes a house feel more like a home. But for those of us brown thumbs of the world, keeping plants alive can be a difficult endeavor. Not to worry, we’ve got ...read more
Nearly everyone is going gluten-free these days, or so it seems, and as a result, it’s easier than ever to find gluten-free options in grocery stores and restaurants. Enthusiasts believe strongly in the benefits of the diet, but there are some concerns, most recently about ...read more
It may seem far fetched and even a bit kooky to discuss the theory of past lives. I’ll admit, I was at first a little skeptical. But speaking with Ann Barham, certified Regression Therapist and author of the new book "The Past Life Perspective" was nonetheless fascinating. What ...read more
You are who you surround yourself with. If your friends, coworkers, or even your family members are toxic, it’s likely that some of that nasty vibe will rub off on you. It’s hard to find peace when all the people you surround yourself with contaminate your energy. Are you ...read more
It’s one of the most acceptable forms of alternative medicine. And for those of us who suffer from allergies and don’t want to take strong allergy medications, neti pots are a savior. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration just released a consumer update that warns neti pot ...read more
Rose water can be traced back to the 10th century, during the Persian empire where rose petals were used to decorate and flavor Persian cuisine. During the time of the Crusades, rose water made its way through Europe where it was used to wash hands before large Medieval feasts. ...read more
Life coaches are all the rage right now for a number of reasons. The strict constraints that used to be present in traditional careers and life paths have loosened. We get married and have children later and we move from job to job with more ease than ever before. And above all ...read more
Nothing is more warm and inviting than cozying up into a beautiful wool sweater. Paired with a comfy scarf, mittens, and that fuzzy beanie, it’s an essential component of your cold season wardrobe. Your favorite wool sweaters, when properly cared for, can bring you years of ...read more
We’ve been told time and time again that vegans and in some cases, vegetarians, are at risk of consuming too little B12 because they don’t eat enough (or any) animal products. This comes with a list of symptoms including exhaustion, fatigue, memory loss, nerve sensations, and ...read more
Most of us are aware of the dangers of trans fats, sugars, and generally over processed junk food. But what if one of the most unhealthy foods was still turning up in 25 to 45 percent of our diet without us even realizing that it was bad? That’s exactly what Dr. Catherine ...read more