We live in a cultural climate that looks to alcohol for stress management, sleep initiation, and social bonding. As a stress management tool and a sleep inducer, alcohol is undoubtedly a suboptimal choice, and ethanol is undoubtedly a toxin.

The last time a Great Conjunction occurred this close to Earth was in 1667. The last time it was this observable was 1226. What's even more significant, though, is that the Conjunction is happening in Aquarius, an Air sign, which ends a 200-year cycle of Great Conjunctions in Earth signs. Astrologers in the ancient Middle East (modern-day Iran) were the first to overlay these 200-year cycles of Great Conjunctions onto correlated changes in ruling Dynasties. As an Aquarian, every cell of my being is quaking with excitement for this new age to take root.

Despite my counterculture inclinations, I still crave the warmth of connecting to people I love over a table of dishes that have shaped who we are. This year, in particular, I craved the sight and hassles of an overstuffed fridge and being sick to my eyeballs of turkey. There is a communal making and sharing of history when we come together over food. It’s been critical to our evolution as humans, and it's a behavior we all share – across the globe, in all cultures. We are without it now, and navigating that emptiness requires conscious strategies.

Informed and purposeful supplementation is important regardless of how healthy your diet and lifestyle are. Even those that go to great lengths to eat a high nutrient diet consistently (and are successful in doing so) often struggle to get the nutrients they need. As an American, that’s not your fault. I’ll say that again – it’s not your fault. If there’s one thing the Covid pandemic has taught us, it’s that America is one of the unhealthiest first world countries. Our food system is at the core of that problem.

Low stomach acid can have serious consequences on your digestive comfort, your overall health, as well as other coincident chronic conditions such as allergies and asthma. This list of symptoms is not complete, but definitely common. If you only resonate with one, that may not be indicative of persistent low stomach acid. If you have several symptoms, then low stomach is likely a factor in your digestive health and overall wellness. Good news is - it’s usually resolvable! How many of these symptoms do you experience?

What is acid reflux and GERD? What are its repercussions? Are antacids helpful? What can I do to resolve it?

Acid Reflux is the sensation of stomach acid that has found its way out of the stomach cavity and into the esophagus, creating a burning sensation (as you can imagine). The esophagus does not have the protective mucosal layer that the stomach does, so we feel it. That's all Acid Reflux is – stomach acid in a place it's not supposed to be.

Coaching is a conversational process for creating change. The coaching process facilitates change by helping you focus, calling forth your wisdom and experience, infusing quality information when needed, making realistic plans, and sticking to them. Coaching bolsters experience, a sense of accomplishment and confidence in new skills and disciplines as you progress toward your goals. Your efforts are not for you alone. Your positive changes ripple outward to affect other areas of your life, your family, your community, and our global society. 

Functional Medicine is a philosophy and method of addressing dis-ease with attention and dedication toward identifying and resolving the root cause. While Functional Medicine does address symptoms and strives to reduce the discomfort they create, this is not the ultimate objective. A Functional approach looks beyond the symptoms to identify and resolve their root cause, because only this can prevent recurrence and escalation in the future.

I coach because coaching changed my life. I have over ten years of experience in the fitness and wellness industries and have walked my own mental and physical healing journey. There was a point when painful hips, knees, and back, emotional suffering, and depression seemed endless. A ruthless cycle of overwhelming stress and destructive coping mechanisms seemed unstoppable. Having the space, time, and support to see myself and my life differently was what I needed most to heal.