Welcome to science-informed home baking 101! Here are some facts you should know about sugar. Sugar acts like a street drug: Sugar activates the same pleasure and reward pathways in the brain as cocaine and heroin. Similar to other addictive substances, people develop tolerance to sugar, and need increasing amounts to feel satisfied. Sound familiar?…
Category: anti-inflammatory diet
The anti-inflammatory diet uses food as medicine and is a good choice for people who have auto immune and inflammatory disorders.
Sleep: It’s Not A Luxury
In our face-paced, technology-centric, global society, sleep is equated with luxury. Some people actually wear sleep deprivation like a status symbol, or a badge of honor. But science backs the benefits of adequate sleep as a mechanism to allow your body to recover after a day on the go. Sleep deprivation not only makes you…
Winter Herbs, Kidney Yang, Evidence-Based Medicine…and Chicken Soup?
Woody, wintery herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme (thank you, Art Garfunkel!) can add delicious depth of flavor to a dish, but they are more than just tasty. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these plants play an important role in normalizing digestion, and Western medical evidence suggests that these plants have antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties….
Garlic: Aromatic, and Good for You
Westernized countries have significantly higher rates of autoimmune disease, and this rate is more than genetics and bad luck. Diet, environmental toxins, and the composition of one’s personal gut microbiome may strongly influence our chances of developing an autoimmune disease. Of these factors, food, is the biggest, actionable trigger for autoimmunity, and choosing wisely can …
Nonstick Cookware: You Deserve Better than PFAS!
It has been said that you should not eat food cooked by angry people, as their food contains the toxic residues of their emotional state. It turns out that toxic residues come in many forms-even your favorite nonstick cookware! These pans are coated with per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS, which make cleaning…
Hygge ( Danish for self-care, bad-ass style)
Hygge ( pronounced hoo-guy) is a Danish term for coziness that encompasses contentment and wellbeing through enjoying the simple things in life. The key ingredients are relaxation, togetherness, presence, comfort and the pursuit of everyday happiness. In essence, it should feel like a hug. And, like a hug, appreciating the simple pleasures of life can…
Magic Mushrooms ( No, not those magic mushrooms….)
Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and, its no wonder, as they are a powerhouse of nutrition. Mushrooms are low in calories and fat, contain fiber and have high levels of antioxidants, including selenium and glutathione, which reduce chronic inflammation. They are the richest source of the antioxidant ergothioneine, a chemical that…
Ginger: An Ayurvedic Herb with Modern Sensibilities-A Rheumatology Perspective
Ginger root is used all over the world for spiritual enlightenment, as well as for its pro-mobility, thermogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In Ayurvedic medicine, the ginger plant is considered to be “sattvic,” or infused with a divine energy leading to mental clarity, empathy, and wisdom. Ancient Ayurvedic texts explain that the act of ingesting ginger…
How Safe is the Water We’re Drinking?
We all need water to survive; in fact, we can’t last more than five days without it. Water regulates our body temperature, flushes out waste, and transports nutrients to vital organs and joints. Water is a daily necessity, and up to 60% of the human body is water. But how safe is the water we…
Wei Qi: Can an Ancient, Eastern Philosophy Lean into Modern Medicine?
Wei Qi is a defensive energy shield that protects our bodies from external insults. It is an important concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine, a whole system of medicine that emphasizes nutrition and herbs, as well as acupuncture and meditative practices to maintain health. Wei Qi is propagated by energy from the lungs, and nourished by…