Radio Naturopath Episode 172: Interview with Gerald Berkowitz, Ph.D: Cannabinoids in Horticulture

Enter the very wise Gerry Berkowitz, PhD, horticultural molecular biologist! He told us all about the complex legality of cannabis in the United States, but that nobody's likely to get prosecuted for selling CBD. He talked about hybridizing cannabis plants to maximize CBD content, and also growing CBD from yeast. Lots of very interesting stuff about cannabis!

Radio Naturopath Episode 171: Naturopathic Principles: The Healing Power of Nature, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds

It's time to get back to basics! Let's review naturopathic medicine, and the six basic  principles. We'll start this week with The Healing Power of Nature, Vis Medacatrix Naturae. I realize I like food, so I've been talking about it lately. I had no idea that chia seeds were SO high in antioxidants, but there you have it! They are energizing, help with regularity, and have omega-3 fatty acids, mostly alpha-linolenic acid. Flax seeds on the other hand, are high in lignans so they're the ones to help with women's hormonal issues. Unlike chia, they need to be ground, and are not as high in antioxidants. BOTH seeds are very beneficial for health, and you get somewhat different benefits from each! 

Radio Naturopath Episode 170: Naturopathic Medicine is Great, Antioxidants in Cocoa, Berries, Cherries and Weight Loss

Berries really can save lives. Eat more berries, live longer! They help clear your mind and make it work better, prevent diabetes, help with weight loss, give you energy, and improve circulation. Cocoa flavanols too! Also, a reminder of why naturopathic medicine is so great.

Radio Naturopath Episode 169: Protect Yourself: Rest, Natural Sunscreen and Bug Spray; ORAC, Elderberry, STILL The Flu?, and Yogurt Parfaits!

It's suddenly summer! You CAN overdo it with the SUDDEN arrival of summer-like weather, that too much yard work or exercise can be too much of a good thing. Take good breaks in between! Stretch, drink water, tea, and fizzy stuff, relax. Also remember to break out the sunscreen and bug spray! I've got some ideas for some good natural ingredients. Plus, antioxidants and that ORAC value, elderberry and the Late Flu Season, and how to make a yummy yogurt parfait! HINT: VEGAN yogurt is AWESOME, especially coconut and my new fave, CASHEW! 

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!