Naturally Savvy

Are you one of those people who wants the holidays to be "perfect"? Might that make you more stressed than happy?Are you one of those people who wants the holidays to be "perfect"? Do you aim to cook that perfect dinner or buy the perfect gift, and your worth is based on the success of those goals? While admirable, does that really make you happy or bring you peace? Shaman Isabella Stoloff has a better idea... She says, "Enough with the consumerism." Put aside the money you'd spend on gifts and travel next year with your loved ones. Cherish memories, not stuff. Stoloff also advises to approach the holidays from an essence of love, instead of focusing on them being religiously-based or consumer-based. Listen in as Stoloff joins host Lisa Davis to share more about this consciousness shift and how it can bring you joy, peace and happiness.

When you're in pain, exercise may seem like the last thing you want to do.One out of three people suffer with chronic pain, and upwards of six million individuals in the U.S. suffer from fibromyalgia. When you're in pain, exercise may seem like the last thing you want to do. But, if you remain sedentary, it could lead to weight gain, which causes even more pain.  Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum has been working with fibromyalgia and chronic pain patients for many years. He joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to share some tips for performing healthy and safe exercise if you're suffering from either of these debilitating conditions. Start off with doing water exercises in a warm-water pool. The weightlessness is easy on your joints, and the warm water helps loosen your muscles. When you stretch, put heat over the areas that give you the most pain. If you have widespread pain, all throughout your body, soak in a hot bath with Epsom salts before you stretch. When you're comfortable to ramp up your exercise, get a pedometer to track your steps. Dr. Teitelbaum suggests increasing your steps by 50 each day. Don't go too hard... "no pain, no gain" is not the mantra you want to live by. Take the supplement ribose after exercise. This will help ease any discomfort.  Being intimate with your partner can seem like a lot of work, especially if you're in constant pain. But, it's one of the best ways to get some exercise and boost your "feel good" hormones. Listen in as Dr. Teitelbaum shares more about these methods, as well as other simple ways to reduce your pain.

You wouldn't paint your nails with paint used in the automotive industry, would you?You wouldn't paint your nails with paint used in the automotive industry, would you? Well, that's how nail polish came about, based on the lacquer used in that same paint.  Unfortunately, with pretty, polished nails comes toxic exposure.  Lisa Beres, Certified Green Building Professional, says you need to watch out for the "toxic trio" which includes: formaldehyde: a carcinogen toluene: a toxin that may cause birth defects and developmental problems in children of pregnant women who have had extended exposure dibutyl phthalate (DBP): has been linked to birth defects in studies involving lab animals Beres says you should be looking for polishes that are "3 Free" or "5 Free" (in addition to the toxic trio, nail polishes can also contain camphor and formaldehyde resin). Now, a new chemical in nail polishes, TPHP, is ending up in human bodies. TPHP is an endocrine disrupting chemical commonly used in plastics and in foam furniture. Even products labeled "healthy" aren't necessarily free of dangerous chemicals, so you have to truly investigate the brands you use. Beres joins host Lisa Davis to share more about the dangers of nail polishes and polish removers. She also lists specific brands that are the safest to use, as well as ones you should stay away from.

Eating vegan can be yummy and delicious, especially with the Jazzy Vegetarian on your side.Not everyone has access to natural food stores or markets, especially if you live in a remote area.  That doesn't mean you can't eat healthy and organic... or that you can't make tasty, vegan or vegetarian meals. The key is getting creative with what you DO have access to. This is something Laura Theodore, the Jazzy Vegetarian, has been perfecting for years. No organic or fresh kale at your disposal? Substitute collard greens, Swiss chard, baby spinach, or any other dark, leafy green. But, eating vegan is more fulfilling than just eating a salad every day. For instance, some of Theodore's favorite dishes make use of quinoa. This grain provides a dense mouth feel with all the protein, just as if you'd been eating meat. There are also many creamy dishes you can whip up without dairy by using nut milks and other plant-based milks (i.e. coconut milk). You can also steam white potatoes or cauliflower. All of these options give you the same creamy consistency, with all of the taste. Tune in as Theodore joins host Lisa Davis to share more about The Jazzy Vegetarian and her book Laura Theodore's Vegan-Ease: An Easy Guide to Enjoying a Plant-Based Diet, how she came to be such an expert, and some yummy vegan recipes.

Did you know that you can take aloe internally for benefits such as improved digestive health and reduced toxins?Aloe vera isn't just for treating your sunburn.  In fact, it can be taken internally to improve digestive health (especially for addressing acid reflux), support your immune system, reduce harmful toxins, increase nutrient absorption and soothe occasional muscle and joint discomfort. Acid reflux is a problem for many individuals, and our fast food, processed food society doesn't help much.  Pharmaceutical and OTC acid reducers work to eliminate acid reflux, but they can have unwanted side effects, including destroying and blocking the necessary acid in your stomach. Aloe balances your stomach acid naturally and doesn't inhibit your natural digestive acid. It brings your digestive pH back into balance. Another benefit is that when taken orally, aloe can coat your esophagus and start to heal it. Listen in as Jack Brown of Lily of the Desert joins hosts Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis to share more about the benefits of aloe, both externally and internally.

Negative thinking can have just as big of an impact on health as eating a decadent piece of chocolate cake.How you eat and how you move are often thought of as the two biggest baselines of overall health. But, how you think is also extremely important in how you express health. According to Dr. Jay LaGuardia, negative thinking can have just as big of an impact as eating a decadent piece of chocolate cake. Plus, mental and emotional angst can manifest as physical ailments. In his practice, Dr. LaGuardia would often see in his patients that an underlying physical ailment was resolved, but the emotional component was not being dealt with and so the patient still suffered. How can you start thinking more empowering thoughts? It's not easy, especially when many of the negative internal thoughts and dialogue were "programmed" into your brain at an early age. That early programming (that you've accepted as "truth") has to be addressed and changed. Meditation, mindfulness, and prayer can be extremely helpful in order to filter out the negative clutter. Affirmations are also quite effective. A whopping 80 percent of your daily thoughts are negative; thoughts of what you're NOT. Affirmation helps re-program your mind by creating intentions of what you want. It recharges and reprograms your positive mind. But, make sure you're affirming what you want, as opposed to what you don't want. "I am healthy and fit vs. I am not fat." Also, use both words and emotions; say your affirmations out loud with vigor and excitement.  Finally, Dr. LaGuardia advises to embrace the discomfort of being so positive (because it's going to feel awkward at first). It really will work, once you accept it as truth. Listen in as Dr. LaGuardia explains more about what negative thinking does to your physical body, as well as ways to turn off that internal dialogue.

Do you really have to give up your bacon for good?The World Health Organization (WHO) recently came out with a report suggesting a link between meat/processed meat and cancer; specifically colorectal cancer.  Before you ditch your bacon and turn to an exclusively plant-based diet, there are some things about this study (and others) to consider. Registered Dietitian Ashley Koff says the key, no matter what kinds of food you're eating, is to eat less. Define exactly what an "appropriate portion" is. For meat, that's typically the size of the palm of your hand. The second factor of importance is to look at the quality of the meat you're eating. Is it grass-fed? Organic? Or, chock full of antibiotics and other preservatives? Processing used to be a good thing; a healthy thing in fact. You wanted to be able to preserve that slab of meat so it would not go to waste. Now, manufacturers are processing food to be readily available, in large quantities, and so that they last a really, really long time on the shelf. Finally, Koff says it's essential to maintain a healthy digestive system. If you don't, you're not able to break down those meats and it can lead to any number of health issues.  In the end, studies like these are needed, and the research will continue. But, says Koff, don't get too wrapped up in the details. Eat less, eat well, and maintain a healthy digestive system and you'll be well on your way to overall great health.

As a kid, Halloween may have been your favorite holiday. As a parent, it may be your worst nightmare.As a kid, Halloween may have been your favorite holiday. As a parent, it may be your worst nightmare. All that candy, with all that sugar and other unhealthy ingredients, especially artificial food colors and dyes.  Food coloring has been considered a neurotoxin, causing hyperactivity and other attention issues in children. But, it's the holiday... how can you say "no" to your kids when it comes to eating their favorite loot? Kathryn Guylay says the worst thing you can do is just take the candy away with no real explanation. Kids don't always understand what "unhealthy" means, or the long-term consequences eating bad foods can have. Instead, learn what motivates your child. In Guylay's own experience, she discovered her son really does not like to be taken for a fool. So, she explained to him how many of the food manufacturers paint a "pretty picture" on the front of a food box but by reading the ingredient label, the deception can be detected. Every child is going to be different, so try to find something that will speak to your child.  Perhaps you can relate it to physicality... How does your child's body feel? How does eating badly impact their athletic or academic performances? The key is to educate and empower your kids. The more they can learn, the better able they are to make choices. Listen in as Guylay joins Andrea and Lisa to share more tips and ideas for making sure your kids learn to eat health on holidays, as well as all throughout the year.

Cleansing is not a one-time event. You're taking in toxins just as fast as you eliminate them from your body.With the holidays approaching, you might be in a cleanse conundrum. Do you detox and cleanse now, so you're all ready to eat those indulgent holiday foods? Or, do you say "forget it" until after the holidays, when the damage has been done? Actually, special guest Dr. Stewart Lonky says if you're thinking about cleansing that way, you're thinking about it all wrong. Cleansing is not a one-time event. You're taking in toxins just as fast as you eliminate them from your body. Dr. Lonky says that the majority of toxic chemicals in your body that impact the way your body manages fat come in through the foods that you eat. When you understand this, you can take a conscious approach to eliminating the bad foods and adding in more of the good ones. You can also do things to prevent the absorption of the toxins. Dr. Lonky advocates his process of AIPE: Accept that you're exposed to toxins. Identify the toxins that are entering your body. Prevent those toxins from causing your harm. Eliminate the toxins. Eating organic is a great way to prevent toxic load. Even though there's no such thing as completely toxic-free, even if it's organic, it's a tremendous improvement. Another thing you can do is learn to read food labels. Avoid as many processed and canned foods as you can. And, learn which foods and elements have "special powers" in helping your body eliminate toxins. For instance, cilantro binds to heavy metals, organic toxins, insecticides/pesticides. Clay products like activated charcoal, as well as activated zeolites, all bind toxins and prevent them from being absorbed. Dr. Lonky says that if you make these habits a daily practice, you'll be doing far more good than an occasional cleanse or detox.

Why are people more susceptible to colds and flu during the winter months?People think of cold and flu season lasting from October through February. But, it's not like the virus is just hiding out from March to September. It's always present. So, then, why are people more susceptible to colds and flu during those months? Carol Alt has a very good explanation, something that she learned from her doctor, Dr. Timothy Brantley.  Think about what you're doing during those winter months... eating bad foods at holiday parties (comfort food too), trying to keep up with hectic schedules, stressing about the holidays. You're also probably not getting as much exercise as the summer months because of the changes in weather. When you're not eating properly and you're constantly stressed, of course your immune system is going to break down. Listen in as Carol joins Naturally Savvy host, Andrea Donsky, to share ways you can keep your immunity up and stave off those colds and flu.

While social media has been blamed for detrimental behaviors like bullying, it does have value in your personal health and success.There are so many avenues of social media today, and new ones are constantly popping up... it's hard to keep track, much less keep up. And, while social media has been blamed for detrimental behaviors like bullying, it does have value in your personal health and success. For instance, author and motivational speaker, Cornell Thomas, says it really doesn't matter how many followers you have. Your focus should be on your connections and friends and building an organic community where you can help each other, inspire people, and grow together. There are a few things to consider when working on your "community," says Thomas. Post when you feel there's something truly important to share, not just for the sake of posting. Also, ask yourself this question: what will your audience take away from your post? Is it helpful? Or harmful? Thomas joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to share how social media can be of value in inspiring others, as well as yourself.

All painkillers, both prescription and over-the-counter, have potentially serious consequences.All painkillers, both prescription and over-the-counter, have potentially serious consequences. Opioids are highly addictive, even for medical patients taking them as directed, and result in tens of thousands of fatalities a year. All NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen and Celecoxib (Celebrex), significantly increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in as little as a few weeks of use.  Aspirin can cause GI bleeding and up to 3000 deaths a year. Acetaminophen can cause liver failure. According to Cindy Perlin, LCSW, pharmaceuticals don’t work that well for chronic pain because they don’t get to the root of the problem. Perlis says that safe, effective, non-drug treatments for chronic pain include: Mind/body approaches including relaxation, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma resolution techniques, emotional expression techniques, somatic experiencing Body-based practices including chiropractic, physical therapy and massage Nutrition, vitamins and herbs Exercise Acupuncture Homeopathy Low level laser therapy Energy healing All of these treatments address underlying causes of pain. A multidisciplinary approach works best for most people, especially when you keep in mind that pain is not a pharmacological deficiency. Listen in as Perlin joins hosts Andrea and Lisa to share more about these non-drug options, as well as how truly effective bio-feedback can be in reducing your pain.

Even if you haven't been diagnosed with a food allergy, you may still suffer from a food intolerance.Even if you haven't been diagnosed with a food allergy, you may still suffer from a food intolerance, such as to wheat or dairy. The difference between the two arises in how the body reacts to the "trigger." With an allergy, your body will revolt quite suddenly; an immediate reaction. An intolerance will impact your health and wellness long-term. Special guest, Lisa Cantkier, is a passionate holistic nutritionist who is committed to helping others live well with food allergies and special diets. She understands the importance of special diets, as she has been living with celiac disease all her life. Celiac disease, in particular, can be difficult to diagnose, because it can have up to 300 different symptoms that range from mild to severe. These symptoms can include abdominal issues (bloating, gas, chronic diarrhea), fatigue and brain fog... all symptoms of other medical conditions. When treating her own condition as well as helping others, Cantkier uses a functional medicine approach (as opposed to "modern medicine"). Functional medicine looks at the whole person (mind, body, soul). Diet is taken very seriously and is a huge part of the treatment plan. Despite the rising awareness, there still seems to be a lack of understanding surrounding celiac and other allergies and intolerances. Cantkier and others are working to change that. Listen in as Cantkier explains the basis of celiac disease, how an allergy differs from an intolerance, and why functional medicine is such a huge part of effective treatment.

Like food, your body needs some stress to function optimally. The problem arises is when you have too much of it.We all experience stress, whether it's good or bad. Unfortunately stress is seemingly more present than ever in today's society. As special guest Jan Bruce puts it, "stress is the new fat," in that how it affects your well-being has become of utmost importance. Like food, your body needs some stress to function optimally. The problem arises is when you have too much of it, especially too much of the bad kind. To address this increasingly problematic issue, Jan created meQuilibrium, a "digital resilience platform," which helps both individuals and corporations achieve measurable results in emotional well-being, stress management and performance optimization. “Stress and overwhelm are the new norm, so today’s workforce needs resilience as a front line defense, not strictly when crisis occurs," says Jan. "meQuilibrium delivers high impact, including extremely high engagement, so everyone can experience the power of more resilience and every company can benefit from the promise of a more resilient workforce." When creating meQuilibrium, Jan looked more at the way individuals react to stress, rather than the individual stressors themselves.  Listen in as Jan joins Naturally Savvy hosts, Andrea Donsky and Lisa Davis, to share how meQuilibrium works and why it's so essential to manage the stress in your life.

How can you best teach kids kindness and respect for others, as well as kindness and respect for themselves?Confidence is often rooted in what other people think of you, rather than what you think of yourself.  It's an unfortunate problem in many adults but perhaps impacts kids even more, because they really haven't had a chance to discover who they are yet. Kids who do choose to "shine," often receive negative feedback, even bullying behavior, from other kids (and sometimes even adults). Joshua Coburn is a motivational speaker, mentor, and author who has spent his life and career redefining stereotypes, living his passions, and assisting others to dream big, believe big, and succeed big. Joshua travels the country with this Manners & Motivation speaking tour, in which he helps teach kids kindness and respect for others, as well as kindness and respect for themselves. Three big tips Joshua offers during his speaking engagements are this: Communicate. If you don't understand, ask. Be vulnerable and take a chance; be willing to break down barriers. Understand that not everyone is going to understand. Listen in as Joshua joins Andrea and Lisa to share more about the work he's doing, as well as how you can have an open dialogue with your own kids to help teach them kindness, understanding and respect.