Have you ever wanted something so badly you willed it to happen? The power of the brain to create a deep focus is very powerful. We can set the wheels in motion to create the life we want -- it just takes some practice.
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For several weeks, cases and outbreaks of COVID-19 have continued to increase in Fairfax County and across Northern Virginia. Several jurisdictions in the region have transitioned from low to medium COVID-19 Community Level, as defined by CDC, including Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Health Department is one of the recipients across the nation receiving funding from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). NACCHO is the voice of the country’s nearly 3,000 local health departments, and with support from the Centers for Dise…
Do you want to make a difference in the health of your community?
One nutrition argument I hear over and over again is the controversy over whether or not one should cook with olive oil. I would like to dispel this myth. The answer lies in the quality of the oil.
As summer approaches, it’s important to find a good quality sunscreen to use on days when you’ll be outside more than usual.
Brain Injury Services advocates and educates in the community
The COVID-19 pandemic solidified just how important Fairfax Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers are to local public health when they stepped-up to provide testing, vaccines, and vital health and safety information. Since February of 2020, more than 1,400 MRC members volunteered more than …
When your weeknights are busy and you don’t have much time to prepare a full dinner, these recipes will get you through the week powered with nutrient-dense meals. The key to fast dinners is to be prepared. Stocking your pantry with pre-made sauces, curries, rice noodles, kelp noodles and he…
If you’re seeking inspiration to take mealtime from bland and boring to new and vibrant, look no further than these at-home fiesta recipes. With options ranging from tongue-tingling spice to smooth, creamy and simply delicious, you can call on global flavors to bring life to your kitchen.
Spring is finally here and I’m craving a fresh salad with loads of flavor, so I created this fun dish. You can make it with shrimp, chicken, or flank steak. The cilantro adds a nice punch of flavor and it
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Specialists share the method and madness in getting rid of indoor mold
There are so many “shoulds” these days. We “should” eat less processed food. We “should” get more sleep. We “should” reduce the time we spend looking at a screen. All of those “shoulds” point to areas we think we need to improve, but we’re also experiencing internal resistance to change. But…
Sleep is restorative, necessary, and impacts every aspect of our health, but it is often elusive for so many people. Try these tips this week and see if you have a better night’s rest.
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Two local practitioners share their experiences with mold illness
Most people think any inflammation is a bad thing, but this is not necessarily true. Inflammation is part of the body’s healing process. It’s the body’s response to pathogens, damaged cells, injury, infection, or irritants. Your immune system sends white blood cells to surround and protect t…
This is the time of year when tulips and daffodils are poking out of the ground in search of sunlight and buds on the trees are starting to open. But, it’s also a time of year that many people dread because of the high pollen counts in Northern Virginia.
Most of what we hear about cholesterol is bad news. That’s because high cholesterol levels in your blood can contribute to heart disease, which kills more Americans than all cancers combined. But your body actually needs a certain amount of cholesterol.
If you’ve been following my articles for a while you know that I used a Continuous Glucose Monitor for four months last fall and winter. The information I received was invaluable in determining which foods were spiking my blood sugar and subsequently, not benefiting my health. In the end, I …
Our bodies have a unique way to communicate with us via symptoms. These cues can let you know what may be missing or what is in excess in the body. Some of those deficiencies could be related to nutrients. A nutrient deficiency of Vitamin C leads to scurvy, which is fairly dramatic and consi…
The positive effects of gratitude have gained traction over the last 10 to 15 years. While we’re only beginning to understand the profound connection between mind and body, cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is built on the idea that what you think about affects your behavior. By changing…
In March 2020, as the pandemic hit and the world adjusted to a new normal, Lama Hamideh, a 31-year-old single mother from Centreville, decided it was time to make a dramatic change.
You’re busy and the thought of having to plan out meals for the week may feel like just one more chore to add to your already long list of things to do. I know! To be honest, it has not always been my favorite thing to do either. What I found, though, is that taking time to plan for meals…
“Heart failure” is something of a misnomer. Although many people think that heart failure means a person’s heart abruptly stops beating, heart failure is not the same as cardiac arrest. Heart failure simply means that a person’s heart is not pumping optimally, to keep up with the body’s needs.
Approximately 60-70 million people are affected by digestive disorders annually in the U.S. There are about 14 million people with ulcers and 25 million doctors office visits related to digestive dysfunction. I see many clients with IBS, constipation, gas, bloating, gallstones, Crohn’s, Celi…
February is National Heart Health Month so there is no better time to discuss how exercise benefits your heart. It has long been known that the heart is a muscle and thus requires exercise. The old adage “use it or lose it” applies to this muscle the same as it does to the muscles in your ar…
A savory nourishing soup is medicine for the soul these cold winter days. It has a touch of sweetness which makes it quite comforting, but still very healthy. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and contains curcumin. Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases th…
I am sure if you are reading this article with any interest outside of sheer boredom, you may have asked yourself this very question. The internet, social media feeds, TV ads and magazine articles are covered with images of different people being “mindful”. Why is there always a source of li…
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Furthermore, one person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
Each year there are millions of cases of the common cold. They tend to occur in the winter and early spring, with adults averaging two to three colds per year.
Wanting to stop smoking is easy—approximately 68% of adult smokers say they want to quit. Around half of adult smokers even attempt to quit each year. But it’s finding a way to be successful with smoking cessation that’s hard.
According to the American Psychological Society, resilience is the “process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors.” Put simply…
Anxiety is very common in our lives and is quickly becoming an epidemic of its own. Unfortunately, anxiety disturbs our quality of life and is one of the chief causes of chronic illness. Instead of consuming pharmaceuticals, there are several nutrients that can be just as effective in reduci…
At this time of the year, with the weather being cold and the daylight short, we all know that it’s hard to get yourself up out of a chair and start moving. Many of us have even started the year with resolutions and great big goals to finally get into the shape that we have always wanted. We…
For many of us, the holidays are filled with sugary treats, comfort meals, and perhaps a drink or two. Now that the holidays have come and gone, we may feel fatigued, have gut issues, or simply that some of our health habits have fallen by the wayside. Perhaps it is time then for a post-holi…
Disease in its proximity can travel throughout various parts of the body according to many traditional systems of medicine. Generally, in modern times, disease is viewed as a condition which is usually bound within a set of symptoms without a hierarchy or an established pattern. The skin, wh…
For many of us, the holidays are filled with sugary treats, comfort meals, and perhaps a drink or two. Now that the holidays have come and gone, we may feel fatigued, have gut issues, or simply that some of our health habits have fallen by the wayside. Perhaps it is time then for a post-holi…
During the colder weather and being in places with central heating, our skin becomes more dry and often more sensitive.
No-Bake Sweet potato Coconut Ginger Energy Bites
As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, many people often look at making resolutions to improve their health. The best place to start is your diet or way of eating. It’s not the easiest place, but the food we take in is information to our cells, our blood, and our organs and if we take …
In adjusting to the constraints of the pandemic, many Americans had to improvise where and how they work out. After months of adapting to a “gym anywhere” mentality and learning to accommodate more flexible workout schedules, this new fitness mindset is inspiring some larger trends for healt…
Having your teeth checked and properly cleaned regularly is one of the most important things you can do to support your overall dental health. Professional cleaning is included in a normal dental checkup, which should be performed twice a year.
These cookies are my new holiday favorites because they are easy to make and contain no gluten, dairy, or refined sugar. The key is to find an all-fruit spread or make one yourself by cooking down some fresh berries with monk fruit or stevia.
Have you ever been told your labs are “normal,” yet you still feel crummy or have unexplained symptoms? The reference ranges used in conventional medicine are broad ranges based on the average population….which is a mostly sick population.
How to maintain your weight during the season of indulgence and merriment
One thing that Americans don’t eat enough of is fish. I often test my clients for their Omega 3 fatty acid index and every time it is low. There are three types of Omega 3-fatty acids: ALA, EPA and DHA and they have numerous health benefits.
Chinese medicine has a unique perspective on lifestyle, diet, and health. It follows the theory of yin and yang, which is the universal theory of relationships based on opposites and the observation of natural phenomena. Chinese Dietary Therapy is a part of the medicine that characterizes ce…
Giving thoughtful gifts always brings such a deep feeling of gratitude to our friends and family members. But it can be hard to figure out what to get someone, especially if they “have everything.” Sometimes giving experiences can be even more fun than a tangible gift. I’ve compiled a list …
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