Published in Know Thyself, Heal Thyself·1 day agoMy Chronic Illness Healed My LifeHow transformation can emerge from the depths of despair — When I got sick seven years ago, all I wanted was a quick fix. I was an 18-year-old journalism student suddenly thrust into a world of unpredictable symptoms, doctor’s visits and tests. I was diagnosed with POTS, an autonomic nervous system disorder that turned my life upside down with symptoms…Healing3 min read
Published in getHealthy·May 17My Journey Through the Four Realms of HealthEveryone’s healing journey starts somewhere. Mine started on my first visit to a holistic practitioner, desperate for relief from Postular Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS is an autonomic nervous system disorder I was diagnosed with at 18. It drastically impaired my quality of life with symptoms ranging from pre-fainting spells…Healing4 min read
Feb 17The Case for Real FoodWalk to the edges of the grocery store, and you’ll find food that our ancestors would likely recognize: fresh food like apples, carrots, fish and eggs. The rest of the grocery store is filled with food that our ancestors probably wouldn’t recognize: ultra-processed foods like chips and soda formulated in…Nutriton10 min read
Dec 21, 2020What My Chronic Illness Taught Me“When you have your health, you have everything,” writes American author Augusten Burroughs. His words ring true today as I reflect on our current global health crisis and my personal healing journey. For the first 18 years of my life, I took my health for granted. I ate whatever I…Chronic Illness5 min read
Apr 19, 2020Hindsight Really is 20/20As I struggle to cope with the new reality of COVID-19, I can’t help but feel an odd sense of deja-vu. The anxiety, the uncertainty, the loss — they all feel strangely familiar. I remember a time not too long ago when I was also stuck inside, unable to plan…Covid 197 min read
Apr 7, 2020Struggling with Corona Blues? Diet Might HelpIn recent years, there has been much discussion about the poor state of mental health in the United States — and worldwide. There’s nothing like a global pandemic to make matters even worse. For many of us, anxiety levels are reaching all-time highs as we struggle to cope with the…Covid 194 min read
Mar 22, 2020A Letter from the Home FrontDear Corona, I must say you are quite the impressive foe: invisible and silent with a mind-boggling global reach. It feels like you snuck up on us in the middle of the night. We had heard nervous whispers about you for months, yet most people shrugged them off and carried on like…Health5 min read
Jun 23, 2019“Fresh Food is a Basic Human Right”How an innovative nonprofit fights for justice in the heart of Kentucky’s food deserts — In our sea of processed food and soaring chronic disease rates, it can be hard to believe that the tides will ever change. Yet change is coming, evident by the brave individuals and organizations across the country fighting for a healthier tomorrow. …Food5 min read
Jun 13, 2019Unmasking America’s Food SupplyVolunteers wanted for sugar research supporting groundbreaking food-scanning technology — Dr. Robert Lustig and a team of researchers have invited the world to join an innovative citizen science project working to map out all of the sugar in America’s food supply. The independent, volunteer-driven initiative — called the Sugar Matrix Project — was born when Lustig realized his initial “56…Health4 min read
May 19, 2019Flying HighHow I Rewired my Brain and Reclaimed my Health — “All passengers with disabilities are welcome to pre-board,” the TSA officer announces over the intercom system. I smile to myself as I gaze out the magnificent windows in Jacksonville International Airport, watching the sun climb higher and higher in the spring morning sky. Up until now, I gladly accepted the…Health4 min read