Does your doctor listen to you?
Does your doctor listen to you? Read More »
This morning I woke up tired. As a working mother of two, I’ve figured out a way to function, but it wasn’t always that way. When I went back to work after my second daughter was born I was so tired I didn’t know how I would make it through each day. That’s when remembered
This is an audio recording of the Sufi practice of remembrance. It is a simple non-denomination meditation to connect with your heart and with the divine. I hope you find it helpful.
I see a lot of patients who are sick, but were told my their medical providers that they are “fine.” Perhaps you have had this experience as well. You’ve had physical exams, blood work, and maybe even imaging. It’s all normal, or almost normal, and no diagnosis can be made. This would be good news
Should you get tested for Lyme disease? Read More »
For years I shied away from using hemp products for medicine. Honestly, I just didn’t like the controversy, and felt like I had plenty of good tools under my belt. However, with the wider acceptance of hemp based products, and CBD now all the rage, I knew it was time to look into it. It
Should you take CBD? Read More »
First year acupuncture students often give themselves away by asking: “what’s a good point for relieving a headache?” After a couple of years of training, students know better: headaches can be as varied as the people that experience them, and no one treatment works for everyone. While this may seem like common sense, all too often
My three year old loves sugar! Cookies, candy, ice cream. If it’s sweet, she wants it. This leads to predictable tantrums: “…But I NEEEED something SWEEEEET!” Of course, for her health and our sanity, my husband and I can’t feed her only sugar, and we’ve developed various strategies (some more effective than others) to talk
Making Peace With The Cookie Monster Read More »
Beginning in September I will be returning to my practice! As many of you know, I have been on maternity leave this summer. I have thoroughly enjoyed the special time I’ve spent with my daughters, the baby and the pre-schooler, and now am looking forward to working with patients again in pursuit of health and
“You’ll do great in this town!” a friend told me when I first moved to the Pioneer Valley. “Everyone has allergies!” Allergy Valley I love this little slice of the country. The way the seasons take hold of the Valley, and turn it into a totally new place every few months is astounding.
I live in the woods at the corner of two dirt roads. I was drawn to this area by all the fun outdoor activities right in my back yard. Being outside makes me happy. It nourishes my soul. And yet… I’m concerned about ticks! When it comes to tick born diseases, knowledge is power. Lyme disease can feel scary. However,
When will the bill go into effect? We don’t know exactly, but it will likely be a year or more. Will my insurance cover my visits now that bill has passed? The bill does not contain any provisions regarding insurance coverage. Once it goes into effect it will be up to individual insurance companies to
Massachusetts Licensure – Frequently Asked Questions Read More »
I’m not going to lie to you; it was pretty hard to get out of bed this morning. And then when I heard on the radio about the record breaking low temperatures… Let’s just say it feels like a miracle that I made it into the office rather than scurrying back under the covers (side note:
Beating The Winter Blues Read More »
The supplement industry, with its lack of regulation, is a bit like the Wild West. A bottle may say it contains a certain herb, but how do you know if that is actually true? This problem was brought home for me by some recent news from New York. On Monday the New York State Attorney
What’s In That Supplement? Read More »
I want everyone in Massachusetts to have access to high quality naturopathic health care. The first step towards this goal is getting naturopathic doctors licensed in Massachusetts. All of the New England states except for Massachusetts and Rhode Island license naturopathic physicians, and it is high time we joined the club. If you live in
Let’s Join the Club Read More »
Sometimes, despite your best efforts and intentions, colds and flu sneak up on you. In my last article, I talked about things you can do to prevent colds and flu. Today I’m going to give you some tips for what to do if you do get sick. Here’ s the first trick: don’t wait until you
Cold and Flu Part 2 Read More »
“Should I get the flu shot?” I get asked this question a lot. Let’s face it, the flu can be scary. And it seems that everywhere you turn there are advertisements that subtly (or not-so subtly) imply that you are putting yourself and your family in danger should you choose not to get this vaccine.
Should I get the flu shot? Read More »
This is a re-post of an article I wrote last year. If you are interested in learning more, please join me for a free workshop on overcoming chronic stress with natural medicine. Running out of Fuel? When I was twenty one I moved into an old and rather ramshackle farmhouse. The house was heated with a
If you think the idea of morphine and oxycodone combined into one pill sounds a bit like a recipe for disaster, you are not alone. A key government panel voted unanimously last Tuesday against the approval of this powerful new drug, known as Moxduo. A Nation In Pain Perhaps you are one of the 100 million Americans (and that
Pain and Possibility Read More »
Our Grandmothers Lately I’ve felt a lot like a grandmother. Not my grandmother, Nanette, per se, but a kind of stereotypical character. One who would recommend chicken soup for almost any ache and pain. Two of the most common things I see in my practice are digestive issues and musculoskeletal problems (back pain, knee,
What’s In Your Medicine Cabinet? Read More »
The general rule of thumb, according to the Institute of Medicine, is that women need 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) and men need roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of fluids per day. You’ll need more if you exercise a lot, live in a place that is warm, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Much Water Should I Drink? Read More »
The Super Bowl Have you heard the jokes about the upcoming Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos? The “Stoner Bowl” the “Weed Bowl” the “Super BOWL.” With teams from the two states who recently legalized marijuana facing off, the puns abound. Marijuana is in the news these days, and on
The Marijuana Question Read More »
The information contained in this blog post is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. When you have a headache, backache, knee pain, menstrual cramps, or any other type of pain, you want it to go away NOW. You’ve seen the commercials for pain medications telling
Is it ok to take Advil? Read More »
I once ran into a bear on a backpacking trip. There I was, walking along a trail, minding my own business, when I turned a corner and came face to face with a large black bear, who was none to pleased to see me in her blueberry patch. I was not pleased either. In fact,
The One Thing Everyone Who Wants to Eat Healthy Needs To Do Read More »
In Chinese Medicine, the Summer is associated with the Fire Element, and the Heart. When I learned about the Heart in Chinese Medicine, what it is, and it’s implications for my life and for all of humanity, it was nothing short of revolutionary. I’d like to share a little here about the Chinese concept of
What is the Heart? Read More »
I know that it is not spring yet. I can see the dusting of snow on my car, and feel the chill as the wind dips the temperature into the teens. Yes, it is February and it is clearly still winter. And yet, I am starting to feel Spring in my body. It is a
There are many ways in which the holiday season can make us feel crazy. We all have our own individual ways in the which the combination of family, consumerisms and various social situations can bring us to our knees emotionally. What I want to tell you about in this blog post today is a way
Sanity in the Holiday Season Read More »
I could hardly believe my excitement last week as I glanced out my treatment room window and saw the first snowflakes falling. It was a funny kind of excitement, because it came with feeling of profound peace. I always feel this way at the beginning of winter. The deep quiet and opportunity for rest that
Winter Immune Tonics Read More »
Does anyone want any summer squash? Does anyone else have this problem? You planted zucchini and now it seems to be taking over. You are up to your ears in these vegetables, and they seem to be getting bigger by the hour! Well, of all the problems one might face in the world, this is
Pioneer Valley residents and Vermonters are a hardy folk. The temperatures are creeping up into the 90’s this week, and I’m sure I won’t be the only one who will head to the garden to do some weeding and planting in the late afternoon sun. Or go for a jog. Or take advantage of any
This is a great on the go breakfast or snack. Packed with protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatory herbs and even some iron. Oh, and it’s delicious! Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk 2-4 Tbs of hemp protein powder 1/4 tsp turmeric 1/4 tsp ginger 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 Tbs molasses If you have blood
Gingerbread Smoothie Read More »
It’s that time of year again. The weather is getting warmer, the flowers are starting to pop out of the ground and all over the valley allergy symptoms are coming out of hibernation. What are allergies? In order to understand allergies, we need to understand the immune system. The immune system is a complex array
What is Fibromyalgia? What is Chronic Fatigue? For most medical doctors, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are diagnoses of exclusion. This means that a patient is said to have one of these conditions when we can’t figure out anything else that is wrong with them, but they are clearly in pain. There is a value
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Read More »
In India, chai is the word used for tea with milk in it. Masala chai refers to tea with milk and spices. The spices that are traditionally used in masala chai are warming and can be used to help fight off a cold, or to warm you up when you feel chilly. They are also
Bone broth is delicious, comforting and nutritious. This recipe uses chicken bones, but you can use bones from other animals as well. Lamb and beef bone broth are also very tasty and nutritious.
Medicine in a bowl Read More »
Banana Nut Muffins These muffins are gluten and dairy free, with lots of protein and no refined sugar. Oh, and they are delicious!
Banana Nut Muffins Read More »
Hot Chocolate This hot chocolate makes a wonderful wintertime dessert or snack. It has all the taste and health benefits of chocolate, without the sugar or dairy. With the richness of coconut oil and the natural sweetness of the almond milk, most people do not need to add extra sweetener.
A feast to warm you up on a cold winter night!
Chilli Rubbed Salmon Read More »