BBC Radio Food Show Talks Turmeric, Cancer and Food as Medicine

Kill Your Cold With Super Spicy Veggie Soup

Long-time readers of the Mind-Body Shift blog know that I am a huge fan of turmeric, and I'm certainly not the only one touting its benefits. The deep orange rhizome related to ginger and known colloquially as "The Golden Root," turmeric contains a bioactive compound called curcumin, which has been used medicinally throughout Asia for hundreds–if not thousands–of years. I've personally experienced … [Read more...]

Revamping My Perspective on the Path Not Taken

Revamping My Perspective on the Path Not Taken

Through much of my adult years (and much of life, in truth), I've spent far more time than I'd like looking back on the past and wondering 'what if'? That really didn't change until the last few years when I finally learned how to breathe and stay in the moment with meditation–and when my romantic relationship solidified, gaining permanence. In retrospect, it truly is sad how much of the present I … [Read more...]

The Unexpected Gift of Community While Living With Chronic Illness

The unexpected gift of community while living with chronic illness

It would be an unequivocal understatement to say that the month of January has been a momentous one for me in my health journey. It was during the second week of January some 17 years ago, when I got into the bike-car accident that resulted in muscle tears, bone bruises and a vicious cycle of chronic pain, insomnia and stress that eventually triggered the full-blown manifestation of autoimmune, … [Read more...]

How to Combat Chronic Pain Without Dependency On Drugs

Image courtesy of tiverylucky at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

During this past week’s Recovery 2.0 online conference, founder and addiction specialist Tommy Rosen interviewed Peter Przekop, D.O., Ph.D. about the growing chronic pain epidemic in the face of a medical establishment ill-equipped to manage long-term pain without the use of potent pharmaceuticals, like opioids. The doctor of osteopathy developed and directed the pain management program at the … [Read more...]

Heaven and Earth Oasis Holistically Heals Vets With PTSD For Free

PTSD Awareness for Veterans

When veterans come home from war, it can be mentally and physically challenging for many to move beyond the traumatic experiences of combat. It is not uncommon for war veterans to return with chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSFD). To help heal war veterans of combat-related illness, energy healing practitioner Valerie Heath founded Heaven and … [Read more...]

How To Fend Off The Flu By Diffusing Essential Oils

Essential Oil Diffuser

After one of the most brutal winters in northeast United States, we’re finally seeing the light of spring at the end of the tunnel. With a February that was the coldest month on record in Connecticut, we pushed through roughly six weeks of snowstorms and bitter freezing temperatures. Not surprisingly, people I knew in the area were felled by flu and colds left and right—including myself. Loath to … [Read more...]

Former Ballerina Battles For Grace in Face of Complex Chronic Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Cynthia Toussaint was a promising, 21-year-old ballerina when she was struck by a seemingly simple hamstring injury that ultimately led to a lifetime of widespread pain. After being a performer for so many years, Toussaint was accustomed to the bright lights and action of the stage. Now she would have to learn to manage the burning heat and immobility of chronic pain. “I had just had gotten a … [Read more...]

How Aromatherapy Treats the Common Cold and Other Fall Ailments

The health benefits of essential oils

This is a guest post by Kelli's Gifts for Aroma Home In this first week of November, reality is setting in that autumn is truly here and winter is approaching. Mood and sleep quality may be affected as the hours of daylight grow shorter. For those with joint and muscle concerns, dropping temperatures frequently signals an increase in pain and stiffness. For many, this change in seasons also means … [Read more...]