Naturally Savvy

Winter is a great time to enjoy a nice cup of hot tea.Winter is a great time to enjoy a nice cup of hot tea.  January is "Hot Tea Month," and Cindi Bigelow, President and CEO of family-owned Bigelow Tea, joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to share more about her family's business and the many health benefits of tea, including its high levels of antioxidants. Bigelow also discusses some of the company's newest flavors, as well as tips for brewing the perfect cup of tea (hint: use fresh water every time, not water that's already in your kettle).

Can your body truly heal itself, even from serious diseases like MS?In 1990, Christine Albright was diagnosed with her greatest fear, multiple sclerosis. After being told that it was incurable and she would live with it the reset of her life, but “knowing” there was an answer and listening to her instincts, she began healing the MS. After four years of intense inner healing Albright completely healed herself from the disease. She has been symptom-free for 21 years and established the MS Alternative Healing Center in Arvada, CO, which has been active for the past 13 years. Albright joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to explain the steps she took to heal her own body, as well as tips you can incorporate into your own life.

Instead of resolutions this year, perhaps you can take a hard look at some of your lifestyle choices.Immediately after the clock strikes midnight on January 1, many people are geared up for their New Year's resolutions. It's evidenced mostly at your now-busy gym. If you're a regular gym-goer, have no fear... it's predicted to be back to "normal" as soon as January 17. Why do so many people fail at resolutions? For one, resolutions present a great deal of pressure. If you're not ready to actually make adjustments in your life, you're not going to change.  If you're resistant to change, you need to discover why you're experiencing that resistance. Are others sabotaging your health goals? Are you fearful of change? Are your goals just a bit too lofty? Instead of resolutions this year, perhaps you can take a hard look at some of your lifestyle choices. You don't have to wait for January 1 to start, either. You can take note of certain behaviors at any time, and then make the decision to work on them. Listen in as Naturally Savvy hosts Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis present some tips for making better lifestyle choices this year and beyond.

Whether you're making dinner, commuting, or brushing your teeth, every moment of your life offers an opportunity to uncover happiness.Happiness is already here in this moment, just waiting to be discovered. Mindfulness expert Tzivia Gover joins Naturally Savvy hosts Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis to offer an inspiring treasury of small, creative ways to shift your perspective and uncover surprising bits of joy over the course of your day. Whether you're making dinner, commuting, exercising, working at the computer, or brushing your teeth, every moment of your life offers an opportunity to uncover happiness. In her book, Joy in Every Moment, short essays are accompanied by practical exercises to try (as well as exquisite illustrations by artist Olaf Hajek). Listen in to learn how to increase your daily experience of joy.

What does a "perfect life" look like to you?What does a "perfect life" look like to you? Did you meet the man of your dreams? Get married and have beautiful children? Land the best job in the world? Even if you've achieved everything you'd dreamed of earlier in your life, you may not be truly happy. Even worse, you might feel "trapped" in a life you thought you wanted, but no longer do.  You might want something more than the boxes you've checked off. You may want to walk your own path... not the one you've been walking down. Lisa Henriksson, author of I Was Supposed to Be Happy, joins Andrea and Lisa to share her own journey to help others find their true choice and happiness.

There are so many hidden toxins that you bring into your home during the holidays, from artificial trees to synthetic fragrances.There are so many hidden toxins that you bring into your home during the holidays, from artificial trees to synthetic fragrances. Even the cookware you use to make all your holiday feasts and goodies can contain harmful chemicals. Lisa Beres, Certified Green Building Professional, joins Naturally Savvy hosts, Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis, to discuss which toxins are infiltrating your home and how you can avoid them.  Here are her best tips: Artificial trees are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which contains lead and other dangerous chemicals. These chemicals can get into the dust in the air, so even if you're not constantly touching the tree, there is a residual effect.  While real trees are a great option, they can harbor pollen, mold and other airborne irritants that some individuals simply cannot tolerate. In that case, you can look for a "PE" tree, made with non-toxic polyethylene. Remember to continually damp dust and wipe any ornaments or decorations that you're pulling out of closets or the attic... again, dust is the main conduit for indoor air pollution. Poinsettias are exceptional at removing formaldehyde from indoor air, so make sure you place a few of them around your home. Watch out for scented fragrances (candles, scented sprays) and avoid paraffin wax candles, which are petroleum-based. Look for candles made of soy or beeswax, and ones that are scented with essential oils. Don't forget to change your furnace filters as well and invest in an air purifier; both are quite affordable. Listen in as Beres shares even more tips for creating a healthy holiday home.

While some individuals can follow through with New Year's resolutions, research shows that certain people are more susceptible to failure.The new year is a time when many people make promises to "do better" or "work harder." While some individuals can follow through with these resolutions, research shows that certain people are more susceptible to failure. For instance, people who don't like exercising or eating healthy and who may be in recovery from an addiction will fall off the wagon when they've had a close encounter with someone who gives them grief.  Mark Goulston, MD, author of Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life, says there are ways to combat both the negative people and the tendency to fail. It's a very simple plan. Take a sheet of paper and put a line down the middle. On the left side, list the people who drain the life out of you. On the right side, list all the people who give you energy. Then, make a commitment for 30 days (and eventually for a lifetime) to minimize your exposure to the people on the left and maximize the time you spend with the people on the right.  A key part of the success of this plan is to thank the people on the right. Dr. Goulston explains the three parts of a "power thank you." When you contact the recipient, take these steps: "You did this for me." (be specific) "You went out of your way." Explain what it personally means to you.  Listen in as Dr. Goulston shares more ideas for keeping those resolutions and minimizing the negative people in your life.

Since you can't dis-invite a difficult relative or employee to your holiday party, what can you do?The holidays bring celebrations of all kinds, from family get-togethers to office parties. Unfortunately, there always seems to be one or two people who come with a negative attitude and are intent on bringing others down with them. Instead of putting up with their behavior this year, what are some tricks you can use to turn their frowns upside down? Mark Goulston, MD, author of Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life, joins hosts Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis to share his expertise in the field of negotiation Dr. Goulston says you can actually train these people to be positive. One tactic is to call them ahead of time (or, if you're a female, have a male call... men asking for help is often received better) and say something like, "I need your help with something. You're an important person. We don't know who of the other party attendees has been suffering throughout the year. We need you to be the person to welcome people, take their coats, get them a drink." Essentially, you are giving them a positive task. The worse they will come back with is, "I don't know if I can do that." What they're NOT going to say is, "I can't do that, I was planning on ruining the party!" Remember, difficult people often feel like the world has mistreated them, and being difficult is their way of saying "screw you!" Another thing to keep in mind, says Dr. Goulston, is that job burnout and stress are often caused by dealing with difficult people, not from too much work. You constantly have to put a lid on how you'd like to respond, which causes you even more stress. You certainly don't want to take that attitude into your office holiday party. Listen in as Dr. Goulston shares more tips for dealing with difficult people, as well as why they are so difficult in the first place.

Taoist philosopher Chuang Tzu claimed that those who wander are not only on the right path, they are also often the happiest.It’s been said before that not all who wander are lost. Such a statement says a lot about how we perceive wanderers. However, revered Taoist philosopher Chuang Tzu claimed that those who wander are not only on the right path, they are also often the happiest. When Tzu lived twenty-four hundred years ago, he asserted that carefree wandering, the art of moving through life with a free and happy heart, regardless of how turbulent the journey might be, was the Tao of true happiness. Award-winning author and Taoist teacher, Derek Lin, joins Naturally Savvy hosts Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis to share some of the Chuang Tzu's most beloved parables. Some of the most illuminating lessons show you how to: Enjoy the life journey, even when it’s turbulent. Use Tao cultivation to help choose wisely at the crossroads of life. Follow the Tao to become a people lover, not a possession lover. Remove obstacles and complexity to discover one’s true potential. Use intuition to discern and remain on the right path. Celebrated for their accessible, down-to-earth examples, Chuang Tzu’s teachings demonstrate that the Tao is everywhere, not just in holy places or in meditation.

How can you make sure you stay on track this holiday season?The holidays wouldn't be the holidays without yummy treats and festive feasts. Even the healthiest of healthy people would likely agree that everyone needs to indulge from time to time. The problem occurs when you partake in too many of these indulgences.  How can you make sure you stay on track this holiday season?  Dr. P.K. Newby joins Naturally Savvy hosts, Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis, to share her top 10 tips for healthy holiday eating: Monitor your weight. Know your schedule and plan meals accordingly. Smaller plates, smaller cups, smaller portions. Chew slowly, consume mindfully. Eat your veggies and fruits. Don’t forget to exercise. Count your beverages. Drink water. Beware of buffets. Employ restraint, but not complete denial.

Inflammatory bowel diseases can be extremely debilitating and even deadly if not well controlled.Food Network star and chef, Sunny Anderson, has lived with ulcerative colitis (UC) for 22 years. UC is just one disease that falls into the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) category (Crohn's disease also is included). It can be extremely debilitating and even deadly if not well controlled. Sunny, along with IBD expert and gastroenterologist, Dr. Lindsey Albenberg, and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), have created the website, "Get Your Full Course," which serves up useful insights and resources to help you understand the paired role of nutrition and appropriate therapy in managing IBD. Sunny joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to share more about the site as well as to encourage you to share it with your family and friends, and of course, start an open and honest conversation with your gastroenterologist.

Registered Dietitian, Ashley Koff, shares three simple things that can keep you healthy and happy during the holiday season (as well as all year round).You can't live in a bubble in order to stay healthy... you wouldn't even want to, because part of optimal overall health is being mentally and socially stimulated. Registered Dietitian, Ashley Koff, believes there are actually three simple things that can keep you healthy and happy during the holiday season (and all year round). She joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to share these top three tips. Sleep No pill, no food, no exercise can replace what sleep can do for you from a health perspective. Try to stick with a reasonable bedtime, and aim for five out of seven nights of good sleep. More than two nights out of your routine will throw you off. Remember, it's about quality, not just the amount of hours you get. You might get into bed, but your brain could still be buzzing. Finally, do things during the day that will engage your energy or energize you more. Hydration This is probably the easiest tip to incorporate, but the one that's forgotten about as the weather gets colder. Instead of an iced tea for your caffeine break, you may be doing a latte. People also tend to turn towards soups or other high-sodium foods this time of year, which causes you to retain water. Your body cannot do its proper detoxification and elimination when you're dehydrated, nor can it effectively use the nutrients you're ingesting. Focus on your water consumption and get plenty of vegetables. Incorporate Elderberry Elderberry engages the whole spectrum of your body's immune system and can actually work very quickly to cut off the "triggers" of illness. The best way to get elderberry is either in liquid or capsule form; both will get you highly-concentrated results (just make sure you are buying organic versions).

The brain has its own "eye." You may think you see with your eyes, but you actually see with your brain.Belief is a powerful thing. The brain has its own "eye." You may think you see with your eyes, but you actually see with your brain. What you believe largely determines what you see and don't see, mainly because you've already predetermined where you'll look and where you won't look for answers. If you keep looking in the same places you've always looked, you're not going to get anywhere. True, belief is intangible. But, scientifically, when you choose to believe (rather than fear), positive changes happens chemically within the brain. Dan Castro is an award-winning author, an attorney, and serial entrepreneur. He joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to discuss how your beliefs help determine what you see and don't see, as well as share very specific, scientific reasons as to how this phenomenon works. Belief stimulates the prefontal cortex (our problem solving center) with blood, nutrients, and oxygen. Fear robs the prefrontal cortex of blood, nutrients and oxygen and shifts them to the pons and the medula (at the base of the skull). Belief stimulates creativity and problem solving skills. Belief floods your system with dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, all of which give you confidence and courage to act. Belief gives you the ability to embrace the absurd and the impossible. It allowed Columbus to sail West in order to find a way to the East. Belief allows you to see things with the brain that you can't see with your eyes. Belief gives you the incentive to keep looking for solutions long after everyone else has given up. Belief stimulates cell growth and the creation of new neural connections. Fear generates cortisol, which shrinks your cells and weakens your immune system. Belief affects your chemicals, your hormones, your breathing, your heart rate, and the way your brain functions. Belief affects the way your taste buds work (five bottles of wine at different prices; the most expensive and the least expensive were exactly the same wine).

The winter months bring dryness to your skin, hair, and even nails. However, winter isn't the only culprit.The winter months bring dryness to your skin, hair, and even nails. Your lips get chapped, your hands might crack and feel raw, and your nails may become brittle and break more easily.  However, winter isn't the only culprit. As you age, certain compounds in your body decline, especially collagen.  Collagen is the second most abundant substance in your body, and is found in most of your tissues. Supplementation of collagen can help rebuild some of these tissues, both in your skin and the connective tissue in your joints.   Hyaluronic acid is another compound that can help moisturize your body, inside and out. It works very quickly, sometimes within a day or two. And, biotin is a compound that can strengthen your hair and nails. Finally, avoid sugar as much as possible, as it can also add to dry, wrinkling skin. Listen in as Tim Mount, CN, CCMH, the National Educator for NeoCell, joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to share ways to look your best this holiday season and beyond.

"Festive food is always fattening." -Carol AltThe holidays present an opportunity to over-indulge. Holiday parties are a big part of the problem. As Carol Alt puts it, "Festive food is always fattening." Carol suggests eating a snack or small meal before heading out to the party, even something small like raw cheese and flaxseed crackers can give you that "base" so you don't immediately reach for the fatty, salty options.  Another big issue in terms of over-indulgence is alcohol. When you get to the party, don't hit the hard stuff first. Start on seltzer with cranberry and lime (or orange and lime), and don't have an alcohol beverage until you have had two of those. If you haven't eaten before you get to the venue and start drinking right off the bat, your inhibitions are lowered and you might end up pigging out. Listen in as Carol shares some of her top picks for holiday snacks and dishes, as well as other tricks she uses to prevent over-indulgence.