Radio Naturopath Episode 168: Stress Drinking In the Gray Zone, Green Tea, Acai, and Antioxidants

This week it's about the antioxidants, but also about the wine. Some people are in the gray zone with drinking. We focus on stressed out moms who use a little too much wine as a coping mechanism. It's a MEME, but if you're drinking 2-3-4 drinks most nights of the week, even if you're functioning, it's probably affecting your health. It affects energy, sleep, thyroid function, weight, and sex drive. We explore how! Also, part of a series on antioxidants. Why tea (white, green, black) is good for you, and why acai berry, that great fruit from the Amazon, is also good for you!

acai, alcohol, alcoholism, antioxidants, drinking, energy, Fran Storch, gray zone, green tea, Megyn Kelly, mommy burnout, ORAC, Ron Manizza, Sex Drive, Sleep, thyroid, wine

Radio Naturopath Episode 167: Interview with Jessica Tracy: The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Parkinson's Disease, and Running Rock the Ridge

Today we had Jessica Tracy, who's the recreation director at the Mansfield Community Center on, and is a  Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Her dad has Parkinson's disease, so finding a cure has become a passionate cause for her. She is working to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation's work in finding a cure. This organization uses 100% of its funds to do research. We talked about the disease itself, symptoms, existing treatments, and some naturopathic adjunctive therapy.  We also talked about Rock the Ridge, a 50 mile adventure run that Jessica is doing for the fourth time this year, with her family running as a team, and how people can support them. They can use this link: https://fundraise.michaeljfox.org/rock-the-ridge-2018/todandthekits. It's a great organization and a great cause, and I was thrilled to have Jessica on to talk about helping to heal Parkinson's disease! 

Radio Naturopath Episode 166: Second Flu Wave, Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, Acrylamides in Coffee but It's Still Good For You

Unfortunately, there's a 2nd wave of flu, so I had to alert everyone. I have to remind you to wash and santize your hands, use neti-pots with sea salt and xylitol, nasal sprays, and gargle, and get the shot if you must. Also, some info about antibiotic resistant bacteria, and how natural medicine can help! But probiotics can be a double-edged sword. Then we find out that coffee contains acrylamides! But the level those in even the blondest roast, French-pressed cups still pale in comparison to potato and other kinds of chips. There really isn't enough to write home about, and coffee's benefits far outweigh the acrylamides. Of course, you still have to be careful if you get headaches, achy muscles, high blood pressure, or heart rhythm abnormalities from too much coffee.But it helps with diabetes, exercise performance, and cognition!

Bicycle Talk Episode 93: Where in the World is Amber Pierce? Periodization and Rest Too!

Ron was away at an interview, so I filled in for Bicycle Talk, I interviewed the INSANELY AWESOME Amber Pierce, who is our friendly local world renowned professional bicycle racer! She dropped some knowledge and some sage advice.  She talked about currently racing for Mavic and Cannondale. She is also active in Bike Mansfield, a local bicycle advocacy organization. She is working with the Network for Advancing Athletes, an organization to advance women in cycling. She is helping with Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program, which supports kids getting into cycling, and has teams connected with schools and also independently, for all sorts of cycling disciplines! She's also working with Homestretch, a foundation that supports professional and aspiring elite women cyclists to train in the warmth of Tucson, Arizona, with free housing, medical, dental, physical therapy and other services. . AND, we talked about periodicity and the importance of REST in training, how you integrate the benefits of your training during times of rest during the workout, during days off in the week, during weeks off in the season, and during months off too!

Radio Naturopath Episode 165: Interview with eaglemoon raes: Avatar, Hypnosis, Reiki, and Customized Energy Healing

Today I had eaglemoon raes on to talk about her amazing work. She is trained in Avatar, a way of helping people be more aware in their lives. She also does Reiki, a way of helping people make healing changes through energetic shifts in their lives. And she is trained in hypnotherapy, so helps people with healing through that, and is working at Mind Matters in Avon and Guilford. She is also making these great audio files with healing meditations geared to specific people! Fascinating stuff.

Radio Naturopath Episode 164: IUD's Post Partum, Storrs (and other) Farmers' Markets, What's Stopping Your Weight Loss

I went on a rant about why you shouldn't use IUD's post partum and while nursing. If you use the progestin ones, they block progesterone receptors and can lead to/aggravate post partum depression! They  and the copper ones can also just cause inflammation, which you don't need right after giving birth. Time for barrier methods!

Salute to the STORRS FARMERS MARKET, which was SUPER FUN last week. We talked about who was there, and the other markets everyone should check out. 

And what's stopping your weight loss? Part of it is TIME. Suddenly it's March and people haven't been paying attention, and the weather gets nice and they notice. It's going to take time, and by this time next month you'll be a little lighter, because the light, more activity, and less heavy food. So be patient!

Radio Naturopath Episode 163: Natural Healing After Surgery, Healthy Eating While Traveling

Today we answered a great question, about natural help for after surgery. All about homeopathic and herbal arnica, St. John's Wort, proteolytic enzymes like bromelain from pineapples and papain from papaya, antioxidants, and topicals like calendula. Also, eat good food and rest, and follow doctor's orders! Common sense.

Also, more health tips for travel! I introduced the ACAI BOWL. My new favorite thing!  It's basically a smoothie in a bowl. It has a bunch of banana and acai, and then you can top with whatever you like! Nuts, seeds, chia, fruit, coconut, you name it. I encouraged people to find healthy choices on the road. Find the produce wherever you can, and don't overdo the heavy starchy stuff. How about just 1 slice of pizza with an antipasto?

Radio Naturopath Episode 162: Interview with Sue Cote: All About Essential Oils!

The brilliant and delightful Sue Cote of Everyday Harvest joined us to show us the joys of essential oils. She taught us about how some companies connect with their herbs in a spiritual way, and tend them with loving care in small batches. She had Ron and me try out some oils and find one that suited each of us. Mine was white sage, since I need relief from dampness, and Ron's was mugwort, because it's a local plant and he's rooted locally and it helps him to be grounded. When she told us about their healing properties, we decided they were well chosen! This is the first Radio Naturopath episode to smell really good. If you focus and inhale, you'll experience it too!

Radio Naturopath Episode 161: Saag Paneer, Hemochromatosis, and Protein Powder, Liquids and Chewables

We talked about a good recipe for SAAG PANEER, which Ron made, an easy way to make it, and why it's so good for you. My favorite Indian dish! Because spinach is a vegetable that is thought to be higher in iron, we talked about hemochromatosis, iron storage disorder, and how to diagnose and treat it. Then I looked it up and found that per cup, kale actually has a bit more iron than spinach, and dandelion greens twice as much! It seems like for mineral content. dandelion greens are way up there. Now I know. So when they have them at the store, or when they're young and fresh in a clean part of the field, EAT 'EM!

Meanwhile, protein powders. We started with the not-vegan ones, and whey and micellar casein are really great for building muscle and supporting immunity. We also talked about the benefits of a few others, such as beef, bovine serum albumin, and bone broth. THEN on to VEGAN! Of the vegans, my personal favorite is yellow pea, because if its diverse amino acids, taste, low allergenicity, and support to the kidneys. But there's also rice, mixed grain protein, and hemp, all good choices; pick your favorite! Also GREEN POWDERS. I like the ones that mix greens, superfruits, chia and flax, and probiotic. We also talked about why liquid fish oil is better than caps, and why gummy supplements are NOT SO GREAT: sugar, and low yields of the nutrients you're trying to get!

Radio Naturopath Episode 160: Ow My Aching Back: Natural Help for Back Pain!

Today I discussed back pain. Ow! Why it happens, and how, and the different conditions that cause it. I talked about core exercises that I do to prevent it. Also ergonomics in the office. And great supplements! Magnesium, esterified fatty acids, fish oil, collagen, curcumin, ginger, bromelain. Also, making sure to stay hydrated! That can help ANY muscle pain. And don't forget the hands-on practitioners: chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, physical therapist! NOTHING like good physical medicine.