With another two fires raging in California, the air pollution from the fires in Northern California is at an all time high. Some reports claim that the air quality in Northern California is the worst in the world at this time.

I just returned from two days in San Francisco with my daughter and the smog was so bad that it literally burned the throat and eyes. Both my daughter and her friend came back with hacking coughs and sore throats.

After this recent experience in the city, I left extremely concerned about those will be dealing with long term effects from the smoke inhalation of the debree from the destruction of the fires. Even with the new falling rain, its important to remain diligent with ones health and put in proper measures to ensure your body is detoxifying properly.

Most people interested in growing old gracefully agree that supporting brain health and preventing cognitive decline is a priority if they want to live a long and healthy life.

In this day and age, neurodegenerative disease is at an all time high, making it a necessity to put in place as much cognitive support as you can, as early as possible, to offset the chances of developing neurodegenerative disease. While most people reading this may feel too young to have to think about Alzheimers or Parkinsons, research shows that neurodegenerative disease can plague a person for up to 20 years BEFORE they even receive any traditional

symptoms of neurodegeneration. My experience has taught me that an ounce of prevention is much better than a pound of cure!

Thanks to the groundbreaking research that has been done in the field of neuroscience, it is now a well known fact that some of the first telltale signs of poor cognitive health show up with poor sleep patterns.

Did you know that you have

a wandering nerve in your body that is

the boss of your nervous system?

Did you know that inflammation, and the ability to bond, and go to the bathroom is directly influenced by this nerve function?

In functional medicine, research now shows that this nerve may be a missing link to treating chronic inflammation, and new medical technologies are creating a field of treatment using vagal nerve stimulation that leaves the use of medication in the dust. 

“You can’t pour from an empty vessel,

take time to fill yourself with acts of self care”.

This evening as I forced my aching bones into a bath tub filled with epsom salt and essential oils, my mind drifted to earlier days before endless tasks involving raising kids, cooking, cleaning, driving and working. There was a time before children when I prioritized my need for quiet and and took to writing and contemplation and reading. These days when I forget to practice self care, I “pay the piper” physically, and I doubt I am alone in this.

In this day and age, self care tends to be captured on Instagram and social media and displayed in the cliche form of luxuries such as spa treatments and vacations. But what if the bones of self care are less grandiose than that and more simplistic yet meaningful?

Flu season is like the energizer bunny,

it keeps going and going.

I’m finding that along with the spring rain comes a new deluge of viral and bacterial illnesses. As a parent with three children in school, our family get an extra large dosage of germs so I have to be diligent in supporting my families immunity from winter through the spring.