Reconnect with Nature by Allison Brooks (guest post)

Reconnect with Nature

In today’s world it is easy to get lost in the definition of nature. With technology interfering with

everyday bodily functions, it is getting harder and harder to figure out where human-beings fit in nature. If there is something wrong with the body, there is a machine or a pill to fix it. There are pacemakers, defibrillators, metal hips, and so on. Pretty soon, RoboCop won’t be so far-fetched.

But what I question is, where did Nature do wrong? Interactions with the human body and nature are timeless. Before “white-coat” doctors, there were herbs, plants, and other natural bounties that could offer a cure. This is why it is so important to reconnect with nature and fully examine the human body as a part of nature.

To spike the curiosity of sorts, there follows a list of some natural therapies and integrative medicines that are being incorporated with western medicine.

Echinacea- This popular spring-time flower has not only aesthetic beauty, but has been used for medical purposes. It has been proven to improve immune system function, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. Many use this plant, to help treat acne, ear-infections, ring worm, and the common cold.

Turmeric - This humble spice is known for its bright orange-yellow hue, and is responsible for the color of foods like of mustard, yellow rice and curry. It contains a chemical called curcumin, which has been proven to destroy cancerous cells and prevent them from spreading. One study from the University of Chicago found that this chemical killed Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that is responsible for ulcers, and has been liked to digestive and colon cancers.

Mistletoe - This is one of my favorites. Iscardor (http://www.iscador.com/index.aspx) is a complimentary treatment that is used to stop cancer cell growth and promote immune system function. It is a direct derivative of the mistletoe plant and has been studied and used for over 90 years. Over 35,000 patients have used this treatment either alternatively or complimentary to assist cancer treatment. Many that have used Iscador therapy have claimed to fell more relaxed, healthier, and have gained a better sense of well-being. Many doctors promote this therapy for patients with aggressive forms of cancer, such pancreatic cancer (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001283/), mesothelioma (http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/pleural-mesothelioma), or higher-stages of breast cancer.

Though these are only a few examples of the vast realm of natural remedies, it is a good sample of what is out there. These natural treatments, promote life and health in a more enjoyable sense. Many of these natural therapies can be used in an alternative manner, but many doctors working with patients diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, promote the use as an integrative medicine. In studies, patients with aggressive cancers, like non-hodgkin’s lymphoma (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/non-hodgkins-lymphoma/DS00350), pleural mesothelioma (http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/pleural-mesothelioma), and higher-stage breast cancers (http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/alternative-medicine-integrative-medicine) have shown positive results when using integrative and natural therapies.

Raw Milk Cheese - The Food of Champions (guest post)

The ancient Greeks would often eat a diet rich in cheese before competing in the Olympic games. The Isle of Delos, which was the home of many Olympic games and was also the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, was a place that valued the nutritious quality of this food. So strong was their affection for cheese that, according to Anita Pearl in her book Completely Cheese, they had engraved an image of cheese on their currency. Parents also used cheese as a reward to their children for excellence in sports and academics. Because a diet of cheese was a staple in ancient Greek culture, it is fair to postulate that the Spartans were a people whose diet consisted heavily of cheese as well.

But it was not just the Greeks that would eat cheese for its nutritive value; the great Mongol leader Genghis Khan and his men subsisted on a diet rich in cheese and other dairy products. They would often travel with herds and would make cheese in order to have a more shelf stable food product to take into battle. Some of their best warriors were the most adamant about their diets of fermented milk products. In her book, Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon comments about cheese, saying it is, “one of those highly nourishing foods that has gotten the human race through history to this point in time.”

Cheese has played a vital role in health and fitness for many years and will continue to do so in the future. But not all cheese is created equal. We live in a Velveeta society and this type of processed cheese is very different from what the Greek Olympic athletes and the mighty men of Genghis Khan had eaten. They would have consumed a raw milk cheese product and the animals would have been fully pastured and grass fed. Raw-milk cheese from grass-fed cows is the optimal type of cheese to eat for nutrition. Raw-milk cheese from grass-fed cows contains essential trace minerals and enzymes that promote life and yield vitality. Hear this fascinating story from Dr. Ron Schmid in his book The Untold Story of Milk:

“Many stories relate longevity to the consumption of fermented milk, but that of Thomas Parris is perhaps the grandest. “Old Parr” was an English peasant reputed by some account to have lived 152 years, though modern researchers argue that 102 may be closer to the truth. He died in 1635, having lived a ribald life on a diet of “sub-rancid cheese and milk in every form, coarse and hard bread and small drink, generally sour whey,” William Harvey wrote. Harvey, the physician who discovered the circulation of the blood, performed an autopsy on Parr that was said to have verified his great age. Parr’s legend includes stories of extraordinary sexual endowment. At the alleged age of 105, he was ordered to do public penance for indecent sexual overtures to a woman, and 17 years later, he married a second time. After a suitable interval he was said to have become the father of a child.”

Whether or not the legend of “Old Parr’s” age is completely accurate, cheese has been associated with health and longevity for a long time. Recent studies are even finding that the ratio of vitamin A to D in products such as cheese can help fight autoimmune disease. Chris Masterjohn discusses the finding of a Japanese study showing synthesis of vitamin A and D suppressing the production of Th17 cells, the ones that elicit a negative immune response. The right ratio of vitamin A and D will keep these cells from creating dangerous chemicals like interleukin-17, which yield unnecessary damage to the body from an improper immune response. I believe that in the future the manifold benefits of a nutritional approach to health will be elucidated by the use of technology and that many will regret deviating from the wisdom of our ancestors. You can check out Chris Masterjohn’s article here http://www.westonaprice.org/blogs/cmasterjohn/2012/01/22/new-evidence-of-synergy-between-vitamins-a-and-d-protection-against-autoimmune-diseases/#more-629

Cheese contains calcium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin b2 and more, just as raw milk does. The difference is, however, that cheese is a concentrated form of milk. I often refer to cheese as the espresso of milk. Therefore cheese is a more nutrient dense food per calorie and is a great substitute for those that have trouble digesting milk because it does not contain the milk sugar lactose. Cheese also has many of the enzymes present in raw milk and some medical practitioners will argue that enzyme presence in the body directly correlates to health and longevity. For more information on the importance of enzymes see Dr. Edward Howell’s work. (http://sites.commercecreators.com/folder1402/listing/EnzymeNutrition.pdf)

Cheese also contains large amounts of high quality protein. The process of fermenting actually increases the bioavailability of protein so your body synthesizes cheese protein more efficiently than it does other forms. Cheese protein is a complete protein just like milk protein. This simply means that all of the necessary amino acids for building muscle and cell tissue are present in cheese. Some evidence suggests that the concentration of protein in cheese is the most heavily concentrated form in a food. A single ounce of raw-milk cheese has on average 10-12 grams of protein (depending on style of cheese).

The reason grass-fed is so important is because it actually enhances the nutrient value of the food. Cheese from grass-fed animals contains significantly higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids than factory farmed cheese. Omega 3 fatty acids are very important for many physiological processes in the human body, especially the brain. As Ron Schmid writes,

“The human brain is a storehouse of omega-3 fatty acids, and adequate amounts of these fats lower the risks and alleviate the symptoms for a number of mental disorders, including dementia, depression, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia. Heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms are much less likely to occur in people with diets rich in omega-3s. In one French study, women with the highest levels of omega-3s in their tissues were least likely to have early metastasis in breast cancer; the authors also reported decreased breast cancer incidence was associated with diets high in omega 3s. Most Americans do not consume adequate amounts of these nutrients; 20 percent have levels so low as to be undetectable.”

So now you may be left wondering, how does one get their hands on good quality grass fed raw milk cheese? In our culture it can be a little more challenging than meets the eye depending on what part of the country you live in. Out of a passion for great quality raw-milk cheese from grass-fed cows and a desire to get it to as many people as possible our online cheese shop was born. We work closely with an Amish farmer in Pennsylvania that produces some of the most delicious cheese we have ever had and it is all from 100% grass-fed jersey cows. We offer it at a competitive price so that it is affordable for everyone. Lets eat as well as our ancestors did.

Kane Holbrook

Real Milk Cheese

www.Realmilkcheese.com

The Context of Healthy Eating - In memory of Kirsten Swanz

On March 30^th, 2010, my sister Kirsten passed surround by loved ones. She was 28 years old. Kirsten’s memory is vivid with me now having just crossed the 1 year anniversary of her passing and her liberation from the prison that was her physical existence during the last 3 years of her life. With the emotions so raw, I am reminded how her mental suffering stretched back so much further.

My sister died from complications from diabetes and an eating disorder. Her body and her soul were literally starving for nourishment. Looking at my sister, the deprivation was obvious. She was young, her mind was sharp, but her body had succumbed to the ravages of aging well before her time. Her kidneys had stopped functioning and dialysis was an every other day occurrence. She battled high blood pressure and Kirsten’s vision was qualified as legally blind. She had two toe amputations and her bones would fracture under the slightest stress. Anyone looking at my sister knew her health was degenerating. My sister was in the minority. For the majority of our population we don’t see the decline until the health situation becomes dire. As we look around today the disordered eating behaviors aren’t so obvious. Rest assured it is there.

I share my sister’s story to honor her memory and hopefully inspire others to avoid a similar journey. The issues that burden our culture regarding food, nutrition, and health are immense. There is no magic pill that will suddenly resolve this dilemma. As a society, we are over-fed, over-supplemented, over-medicated, and well under-nourished. The nutritional starvation we experience isn’t simply a description of the void found in the nutrient content of industrially grown and processed food. In fact I contend that it is equally the result of the emotional, or lack thereof, connection we have with our food and the people we eat meals with. The beauty of this problem is that it doesn’t require money to resolve. It simply necessitates a shift in the way we think about our food.

Healthy eating isn’t all about organic food. The term organic has become a buzz word exploited by industry to advance the sales of more of the same. Just because it is “organic” is no guarantee that it will support healing and sustenance. And in addition to the words describing a food, the context in which we consume it is crucially important. An all organic meal eaten while driving 60 miles an hour down the highway rushing from one appointment to the next while stressing out about how overwhelmed we are can’t possibly nourish our body the way food is suppose to. Conversely, a non-organic, non-local meal prepared with mindfulness and intent, consumed with those dearest to our hearts, and reflected on as a blessing to our body and soul will give us exactly the nourishment we need.

I am not saying the quality of our food doesn't matter… it absolutely does. The diseases of the past, those things that killed the most people even just 75 years ago were infectious diseases. The times have changed and people are still dying. Today though, entire cultures are dying from lifestyle diseases – cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. So the food does matter and we must realize the context from which we consume our food is a simple area that deserves serious attention.

Food has the potential to be the most powerful medicine we have. Greater than any drug now and any we may ever find. The context, the manner and means with which we consume our meals defines our relationship to the food. Food itself isn’t good or bad, organic or not. The benefit or detriment to our health from food is based primarily on the quantity, frequency, and context from which we consume it, our relationship with it. We must stop ascribing human qualities like good or bad to the food itself. It is just food.

Relationships on the other hand can be good or bad and I am sure most of us have experienced examples of both. Relationships of all sorts provide the opportunity for personal growth and betterment. Relationships are built on the foundation of the behaviors and the habits we as individuals bring to them. These behaviors and habits can be observed, understood, and replicated by those we hold most dear. Health is contagious. Build a solid foundation for yourself and your family by slowing down and eating together. Focus and cultivate a healthy, mindful relationship with food and eating. This will carry over to every meal we consume; with every person we break bread. This is the space from where true nourishment and genuine health will come. It will help propel us all into our most healthy future. It is a simple step with profound effects that we can all start embracing today.

Spring Time Allergies in Kentucky

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when imaging the beckoning of springtime in the Ohio River valley? I am sure many immediately want to talk college basketball and the madness that is March and the NCAA tournament. Others will drift to the Kentucky Derby and all the related festivities leading up to the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. Some may be eager to simply get outside the house and explore the beautiful scenery that is Kentuckiana (Indiucky from my side of the bridge). The burgeoning spring is many things to different people, regardless of your passions it can inspire and motivate us all to embrace this wonderful time of year.

Growing up in this region, the arrival of springtime has also always suggested the arrival of seasonal allergies that are unmatched in other areas of the country. Hay fever (not necessarily related to hay and seldom associated with a fever) can be incapacitating and the number of individuals affected in the spring is staggering. Allergic rhinitis – inflammation of the nose and/or sinuses – is accompanied by sneezing, nasal mucus discharge, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and watery, itchy eyes, and affects countless individuals. The increased mucus creates an environment that is an ideal place for bacteria to grow and lead to sinus infections and sinus pressure. This process is a hypersensitive reaction to the increased pollen count in our environment as the new grasses, trees, and weeds begin to grow.

It may seem as if we are helpless against this increased pollen count since when we walk outside we are exposed. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to help minimize our overall inflammatory burden which will subsequently decrease the severity of our inflammatory response to the pollens. The at home solutions we will talk about today include monitoring the foods we eat, increasing omega 3 consumption, as well as washing out our sinuses.

The first way to address allergies of all types is to examine what we consume. What we put into our body on a daily basis has a lasting effect on how we feel each and every day. Seasonal allergies are no exception to the rule. In order to address allergies with diet modification, it is vital to explore the individual’s sensitivity to particular foods. Often we consume foods that we are sensitive to without noticing any direct reaction from the offending food. The food sensitivities we are concerned with will not cause our nose to drip or our eyes to itch. It is not the type of allergic food reaction that requires an EpiPen and a quick trip to the emergency room. Instead, it is a low-level sensitivity that cumulatively contributes to our overall inflammatory burden and hence produces a hypersensitive response when we are exposed to something non-threatening like plant pollens. In my experience, food sensitivity is a completely unique response. I have seen it repeatedly in my office that even within families there is a totally independent reaction to particular foods. Eliminating a particular food for one person will not necessarily work for another.

It should be noted that a diet that is high in omega 6 fatty acids and deficient in omega 3 fatty acids increases systemic inflammation. Both essential fatty acids (omega 3 and 6) must be acquired through our diet. The standard American diet (SAD) is extremely high in omega 6 fatty acids and extremely low in the omega 3 fatty acids. Both essential fatty acids are crucial for healthy inflammatory pathways in the body. When the omega 6 pathway is activated, the body experiences a more exaggerated inflammatory response. The omega 3 pathway is activated it produces a less inflammatory response. When the body has a healthy ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids, the resulting inflammatory response is likely to be appropriate to the offending agent. When the body has an excess of omega 6 fatty acids, it is more often the case that there will be an extreme inflammatory response to an offending agent, regardless of the severity of the particular antigen. This is a simplified description of the phenomenon happening at the cellular level in the majority of Americans, children included, on a daily basis. It is important to strive to bring our body back into balance and reestablish a healthy ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids. I generally recommend that patients supplement with 500 to 1000 mg of EPA from a high-quality pharmaceutical grade fish oil. My favorite product is MorEPA by Minami. You can also increase your omega 3 levels by eating grass fed meats and avoiding any grain fed products.

In addition to avoiding food sensitivities and increasing omega 3 consumption, it is also important to consume as many fresh, local vegetables and fruits as possible. This local produce is grown in the same environment where we live. It thrives with exposure to the same air and water pollutants that we must deal with in the spring. The natural defenses and bountiful phyto-nutrients offer us the same protection that they provide for the growing plants. These nutrients and bio-flavenoids have natural anti-inflammatory properties and the volume of benefits from a diet high in variety and colorful vegetable and fruit consumption is too vast to include in this article.

One other simple method for reducing allergic symptoms is to utilize a neti pot saline wash throughout the spring to wash the pollens directly from the nasal passage. A neti pot is a device used for flushing out excess mucus, pollen, bacteria, and foreign agents from the nose and sinuses. This technique is becoming more and more popular, even within the conventional medical system. Neti pots are available for purchase at many drug and retail stores. A neti pot is a safe, simple, and effective tool for supporting healthy sinuses.

The techniques described above are painless and inexpensive, and the benefits can be enormous. By incorporating these suggestions into your healthy daily routine you will be more able to enjoy time planting a garden, watching the horses run, or doing any other activities you enjoy in the springtime.

Poultices - part 2

A poultice is a topical application to the body to create a specific healing response. It is a simple technique that can be incredibly effective when the proper substances are applied in the appropriate manner. It is an economical approach that often utilizes foods/medicines that are already in the kitchen. Poultices involve few other materials and can be used in a pinch alone or in conjunction with conventional or alternative treatments.

The procedure for preparing a poultice is rather simple and relatively the same regardless of the substance applied:

Grate, chop, dice, muddle, etc. the substance and wrap it in a cheese cloth. If the substance is a grain or some other dry material, it may need to be combined with water to create a paste. Position the cheese cloth directly over the area for treatment and cover with a piece of plastic wrap and then a towel or other article of clothing to hold the application in place. The duration of treatment is typically 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the application immediately if there is any stinging, burning, etc. Depending on the applied substance, there may be varying degrees of redness during and following a treatment.

Following is a list of the frequently recommended poultices.

Honey Poultice – Applied directly to the skin, honey is good for burns and cuts, antiseptic, and it is anti-inflammatory. Honey helps prevent bacteria from growing while sealing off the damaged tissue from the air, reduces pain, and rehydrates the tissue.

Mustard Poultice – Use powdered mustard and mix with water to make a paste. Use a wooden spoon to mix and spread the paste. Do Not Apply Directly to the Skin. Be sure to wrap the paste in a cheese cloth. Do not leave on the skin longer than 10 to 15 minutes. Do not use a mustard poultice on sensitive or broken skin. A mustard poultice is good for arthritic joints and any condition that requires increased circulation. It can be applied to the chest to help relieve congestion, aid asthma, relieve coughs, and assist in getting rid of colds and flu. It can also be used alternating on the chest and back for chest/lung conditions. If left on too long a mustard poultice can cause blistering on the skin. Parents should absolutely not leave a mustard poultice on an unattended child.

Onion Poultice – Sautee chopped onion in olive oil until soft and translucent. Place the onion in a cheese cloth. Onion is high in sulfur and great for drawing out impurities and decreasing inflammation. Onion poultices are excellent for ear infections, boils, and sores that have difficulty hearing.

Potato Poultice – Grate raw potato and mix with boiling water. Place the soft, translucent potato in a cheese cloth. Potato poultices are soothing and cooling, they are ideal for inflammation such as experienced in arthritis.

Poultices are simple, cost effective, procedures for supporting the body’s healing response. When utilized with other immune supports and healing techniques, poultices can speed up recovery time, decrease discomfort and pain, and encourage rest while healing. Consider using a poultice the next time you need a little extra healing boost.

Poultices Part 1 - Home Healing from the Kitchen

A poultice is a topical application to the body to create a specific healing response. It is a simple technique that can be incredibly effective when the proper substances are applied in the appropriate manner. It is an economical approach that often utilizes foods/medicines that are already in the kitchen. Poultices involve few other materials and can be used in a pinch alone or in conjunction with conventional or alternative treatments.

The procedure for preparing a poultice is rather simple and relatively the same regardless of the substance applied:

Grate, chop, dice, muddle, etc. the substance and wrap it in a cheese cloth. If the substance is a grain or some other dry material, it may need to be combined with water to create a paste. Position the cheese cloth directly over the area for treatment and cover with a piece of plastic wrap and then a towel or other article of clothing to hold the application in place. The duration of treatment is typically 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the application immediately if there is any stinging, burning, etc. Depending on the applied substance, there may be varying degrees of redness during and following a treatment.

Following is a list of the frequently recommended poultices.

Bran Poultice – Make a paste with hot water and bran, apply as hot as can be tolerated. Used for inflammation, strains, sprains, and bruises.

Cabbage Poultice – Use raw or cooked cabbage. A cabbage poultice has a warming, detoxifying, and stimulating effect. Apply over varicose veins, shingles, eczema, gout, and rheumatism. A cabbage poultice can also be applied to the lower abdomen to promote pelvic circulation and dissolve small fibroids and cysts in pelvic cavity. It also can be used over the liver to support detoxification.

Carrot Poultice – Grate the carrot and place in a cheese cloth. Carrot poultices are ideal for sore throats and swollen glands. Place the poultice directly over the throat and wrap with a scarf (orange preferably).

Dandelion Poultice – Use dandelion root, leaves and flowers. A dandelion poultice is fantastic for skin disorders such as acne, eczema, itchy and dry skin, psoriasis, and rashes.

Poultices are simple, cost effective, procedures for supporting the body’s healing response. When utilized with other immune supports and healing techniques, poultices can speed up recovery time, decrease discomfort and pain, and encourage rest while healing. Consider using a poultice the next time you need a little extra healing boost.

Healthy Habits

Habits are incredibly powerful. Without even recognizing it, there is an unconscious influence exerted on our daily activities and general actions. Habits are the behaviors that have become latent to our conscious thought process. We are simply going through the motions. I no longer have to remind myself to buckle my seatbelt when I get in a car. My mind and body have been habitually programmed to repeat the same action over and over again every time I sit in an automobile. This is a beneficial habit to have, one that has the potential to save my life in an auto accident. We develop habits because there are things that are worth repeating without expending the energy and concentration that new tasks require. It is a manner of creating efficiency and allowing our mind and body to address new tasks without distraction. Habits are worth having because they simplify the process of living our daily life. But inadvertently they may also be decreasing the quality and longevity of that life if we are repeatedly and mindlessly performing behaviors that collectively will be detrimental to our health and wellbeing. Fortunately we can break bad habits and initiate new behaviors that over time will become habits themselves, supporting us on our journey to health. So where do we start?

We start with breakfast! Our mornings are full of habits. We hit the alarm button and kick it into autopilot to get ourselves and the family out the door. We tend to trade our long-term wellbeing for convenience with our morning routine. Making changes here are difficult, especially in the beginning. But with consistency, our changes transform into new habits and a new morning ritual that benefits ourselves and our family. After constant application it is no longer a burden to wake 30 minutes earlier, it is simply what we do on autopilot every day. An extra 30 minutes in the morning is likely all you need to tackle the biggest challenge for the majority of the population in the morning… actually eating breakfast. Preferably this is done within the first hour of climbing out of bed while still at home. Even if you don’t typically feel hungry when you wake up, it is important to consume a protein focused meal to jumpstart the body’s metabolism for the rest of your day. Eggs are ideal. If you are worried about the time to prepare them, simply hard boil a dozen on the weekend. Protein provides a more lasting energy throughout the morning and has been shown to support weight loss when compared with a similarly portioned and caloric breakfast comprised of grains and cereals. Individuals that eat breakfast have been shown to regularly consume fewer calories throughout the rest of the day. This may seem too simplistic to actually provide significant changes, but that is the beauty of healthy habits; over time the synergy of the routine creates an improvement that exceeds the results of the actions from any one day.

Sandwiching the “rest of our day” in between a healthy morning and a healthy evening is an effective way to improve our overall wellbeing and build momentum towards making other improvements and habits that normally require more effort simply because the middle parts of our day tend to have less routine and consistency. Things just always come up at work or at home that will tend to interfere with our best intentions. But if we can start the change with a focus on the morning and on the evening, the middle portions inevitably fall more in line with the standards we are creating for ourselves around the “rest of the day”.

A healthy habit routine at night should primarily focus on preparing for sleep. Begin by turning off the TV or computer at least an hour and a half before your desired bed time. Television, the news, the internet, etc. are not relaxing and do not help us decompress before bed. This is an ideal time to connect with family and friends through conversation, board games, or maybe a shared yoga practice. It is also an excellent time to read a chapter from whatever book you are interested in, or maybe write down your objectives to accomplish for the next day. Use this time to be productive and present with yourself or your family. Parents will be amazed at the how quickly this practice of unplugging at night improves the children’s bedtime routine. Even though the children may fight this new routine more at first, the changes are ultimately harder on the parents. Breaking habits is more difficult the longer we have been practicing them. Don’t sell yourself short and plug back in after the kids have gone to bed. Commit to this changed behavior for at least a month and see how much better you feel. If you are still suffering from sleep issues, it would be worth the effort to look into natural sleep supports that can be used short term to help reset the body’s natural circadian rhythms. Prescription sleep aids do not help the body recalibrate and instead create a cycle of dependency and continued poor sleep. I know the stories are amusing, “so and so was raking leaves in their underwear at 3:30 in the morning”. The reason this happens is the most commonly used medications are hypnotics, not sedatives. They create an unconscious individual with an active mind. This is a bad combination in general and a real detriment when we should be resting at night.

It is still early in 2011 and we have this entire year ahead of us to begin creating healthy habits that will ultimately improve the health of ourselves and our families. What are you waiting for? Start today.