Are you missing something? When it comes to elevated blood pressure, typically patients will be prescribed one or more medications to lower blood pressure back into a healthy range. This is important because elevated blood pressure introduces health risks such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, vision loss, kidney disease, and sexual dysfunction. Achieving healthy […]
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The Top 3 Nutrients You Might Be Missing
In functional medicine, our aim is always health optimization and learning about your unique nutritional needs. Micronutrient status changes person-to-person depending on dietary intake of nutrients, antioxidant needs, digestive health and function, presence of inflammation, genetics variations, and even environmental exposures. While there are many personalized factors that affect nutritional needs, there are some common […]
How to Have a Non-Toxic New Year
If you’ve been looking for ways to clean up your environment, let this new year be renewed effort for non-toxic living! We encounter many harmful and toxic substances in our everyday lives, some avoidable and some harder to limit. Although we cannot always avoid contact with these toxicants, our home environments are within our control […]
December 2020 Updates
To Our Patients, As we approach the end of 2020, we wanted to take the time to extend a note about changes at IHM. We are growing and adapting, and we have some big announcements on how we intend to bring even more quality healthcare to East Texas. Provider Updates It is with sadness […]
Healthy Skin from the Inside Out!
If you’ve suffered with a chronic skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, or intermittent skin issues like rashes that come and go, you know that this can be a frustrating area to resolve. Typically, skin concerns are dealt with via topical or oral medications that aim to decrease inflammation or modulate the immune system. At […]
Trouble Losing Weight?
In functional medicine, we understand that weight loss is often not as simple as calories in, calories out. We encounter weight loss goals commonly when we work with patients on chronic health concerns. If you have been struggling with your physical health due to excess weight, you have probably sought many different strategies and diets […]
What is “adrenal fatigue”?
“Adrenal fatigue” has become a popularized term for symptoms related to chronic stress. In a healthy stress response, our bodies release cortisol from the adrenal glands, enabling us to activate or mobilize in order to meet a challenge in our environment. This could be a physical demand like going to the gym, or an emotional […]
Let’s Talk about Sexual Health
Orgasms are an important part of your health! There we said it. Sexual health and satisfaction has too long been a taboo topic. We are passionate about bringing this subject to light at IHM because it is just too impactful to your overall health to be ignored any longer. Do you know the health benefits […]
Make Prevention Personal
At IHM we are all about creating healthy lifestyles that can offset preventable disease. From a functional and integrative medicine standpoint, optimizing health today means the potential for better health in the future. Maybe you are curious about preventative medicine due to conditions that run in your family. Heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, […]
Anxiety
Cover your bases when it comes to anxiety! Anxiousness day in and day out can cause some major turmoil in the body. Restlessness, muscle tension, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and even digestive issues can all share a similar trigger. If you are struggling with anxiety, it can feel impossible to […]
Antioxidant Status and Glutathione
If you are a patient at IHM or you have looked into your antioxidant status, you know about the importance of glutathione! Glutathione is the body’s major antioxidant. Our bodies make glutathione by putting together three amino acids: glutamate, glycine and cysteine. If you’ve heard about illness stemming from oxidative stress, this means that free […]
When Viagra and Cialis Don’t Work
If you’ve tried medications such as Viagra and Cialis and didn’t get the response you hoped for, this article sheds some light. The study authors looked at men who tried PDE5 inhibitors (medications like Viagra) and followed them for 3 months. A total of 466 men completed the study. They determined whether the men […]
MCTs and Mental Status
In this video, Dr. Carmack discusses recent research on the effects of supplementation with MCT oil or powder on cognitive function. The two linked articles below are reviewed: https://academic.oup.com/jn/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jn/nxaa186/5870321?redirectedFrom=fulltext https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31027873/
A Promising Option for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
In this video, Dr. Carmack discusses a promising therapy for recurring urinary tract infections, available at Integrative Health Matters now. Platelet-rich plasma is a treatment using concentrated platelets from your own blood, which stimulates healing. When we place platelets where we want them, growth factors are released in that area. The use of platelet-rich […]
Hormone Therapy at Integrative Health Matters
Balancing your hormones can be a key adjunct to restoring your health! At IHM, we frequently see patients with hormone disturbances causing a variety of symptoms, and we often see accelerated recoveries in patient with complex conditions when their hormones are rebalanced. At IHM, we exclusively use bioidentical hormones because decades of research have shown […]
New Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Test
We are excited to announce that coronavirus testing is improving by the day! We now have access to a rapid covid-19 antibody test, which will show whether you have been exposed to SARS-Cov-2. The test results in 10 minutes, and the cost is a fraction of that of prior tests. This test has a sensitivity […]
Oatmeal Recipes
Here are some fantastic and healthy ways for you to use those oats sitting in your pantry. Healthy Gut Oatmeal 1 cup organic rolled oats 2 cups water 1 tsp fenugreek seeds ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ cup dried fruit of choice (optional) 1 tsp slippery elm powder ¼ tsp sea salt 1 tsp ground […]
Build Your Resilience
I want to give you an update about the services we are offering for COVID-19. We are updating these frequently as new information comes out. We have two options to help support you as you work to minimize your risk from COVID-19. One is a risk assessment lab package, and the other is an immune […]
Coronavirus Tests
Clearly, more widespread testing for coronavirus, both active infections and past infections, will be invaluable as we work to reopen our economies as safely and quickly as possible. At IHM, we are monitoring every test as it comes available, and evaluating it for efficacy. Testing for Active Infection At this time, we are not […]
Reduce Your Exposure and Boost Your Immunity
With the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease in the news, The Institute for Functional Medicine would like to remind you that there are several steps you can take to reduce your chances of being exposed to respiratory viruses and to boost your immunity in the event of exposure. The following information outlines what you […]
Breaking news: Antiviral Nutraceuticals
Breaking news! Institute for Functional Medicine publishes new guidelines on anti-viral nutraceuticals! IFM has put together a task force with some of its most experienced and brilliant minds. They are providing health professionals and the public with guidance on options for supportive care during a COVID-19 infection. Again, the #1 defense is social distancing, #2 […]
IHM Services during COVID-19
Hello IHM patients and supporters! We hope you are all healthy and at peace. Right now, your #1 defense against COVID is social distancing. Your #2 defense is being healthy! We very much want to respect social distancing but feel now is a crucial time for functional medicine. We have been working hard to […]
At-Home, No Contact Lab Options at IHM
During the COIVD-19 pandemic, we have worked closely with our favorite labs to determine the best labs available to be collected at home that require no other person to collect the sample. You may do all of these on yourself without leaving your home! Please DO NOT submit a sample if you suspect you have […]
Current Service Availability at IHM
Supplements We can make arrangements with you to meet at our office to pick up supplements. We will make a no contact delivery to you in your car (no charge). We can ship from office ($15 fee). We can arrange shipment from Fullscript or WholeScripts (charges depend on company and order volume). Labs We […]
Integrative Health Matters Updated Response to Coronavirus, 3-16-2020
Integrative Health Matters Updated Response to Coronavirus, 3-16-2020 Our physicians are diligently monitoring local and worldwide situations and learning from what has happened in other countries. At this point, your number one best defense is social distancing. Here are our specific tips based on our review of worldwide news and health authorities’ recommendations. How this […]
Our Current Approach to Patient Care Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
We encourage our patients to be smart and to do all you can to keep you and your family healthy, but not to panic. In efforts to help our patients reduce risk of exposure, we are offering and encouraging telemedicine visits. A telemedicine visit is a great option to still receive great functional medicine care […]
Notice Regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Due to the growing concern of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), IHM physicians will not be seeing patients experiencing respiratory symptoms at the IHM clinic. All patients who are experiencing respiratory symptoms and wish to make an appointment will be scheduled for a telemedicine visit via Zoom or phone call. The seriousness of this epidemic requires a higher […]
DNAge: Checking Your Genetic Clock
Perhaps you’ve read the New York Times bestseller Lifespan: Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To by David Sinclair, PhD, a genetics researcher at Harvard Medical School. This is a brilliant book that reviews in depth what’s been learned about aging and how we may be able to slow the process. […]
Healing Therapy Spotlight: MedPax
We are thrilled to introduce IHM’s Core MedPax. MedPax are a month-long box containing supplements prescribed by your doctor in packages for different times of day. Xymogen produces these boxes for us. Xymogen is one of our chosen pharmaceutical-grade supplement providers because they produce research-based supplement formulas and engage in high-level quality testing. Our Core […]
Health Coaching at IHM
Most medical guidelines for treatment of chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes say to start with diet, yet most physicians are simply unable to provide these services due to time and insurance reimbursement. At IHM, our strongest desire is to help our patients find the food and lifestyle choices that support their […]
Healthy Eating: Sugar and Spice
The holidays are here, and this is the perfect time of the year to the many delicious spices we associate with this time of year. Spices heal! Check out this list of some of the known health benefits of nutmeg, photographed from the book Healing Spices: How to Use 50 Everyday and Exotic Spices to […]
Using the Ketogenic Diet to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
“In contrast to pharmacological attempts to mitigate glucose absorption or accelerate glucose excretion, a rational paradigm is to simply reduce glucose consumption.” Often, when a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, they are started on metformin until it worsens and eventually more medications and/or insulin injections are added to their list. In this […]
Healing Therapy Spotlight: Myers’ Cocktails
At Integrative Health Matters, we are pleased to offer a variety of therapies that enhance healing and wellness. One of these is a Myers’ cocktail. A Myers’ cocktail is an intravenous infusion of nutrients. Performed in our infusion room, an IV is started and the formula is infused slowly. A Myers’ cocktail contains many vitamins […]
Healing Therapy Spotlight: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Did you know our Integrative Plus Members get one free wellness hyperbaric oxygen therapy session a year? We brought hyperbaric oxygen therapy to IHM because of countless studies showing that it improves many medical conditions. Our machine is the type known as a mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy tank, or mHBOT, which has similar benefits to […]
Healthy Eating: Local Menu Spotlight
AM Superfoods Bowl (sub gluten-free bread) with Kale Tonic Fresh Juice First Watch, 150 E 9th St, Tyler AM Superfoods Bowl: Coconut milk chia seed pudding with fresh bananas, berries, blackberry preserves and housemade granola. Served with whole grain artisan toast topped with almond butter and Maldon sea salt. Kale Tonic Fresh […]
Healthy Meals at Home: Fat Bombs
Maybe you’ve heard about fat bombs! Maybe you’re wondering what in the heck they are and how they can be healthy. This photo shows a chocolate peanut butter fat bomb, which tastes like a Reese’s peanut butter cup, only better, and coconut strawberry fat bombs. Fat bombs are desserts made to supplement […]
Anxiety: Condition or Symptom?
Roughly 40 million Americans are suffering from anxiety disorders. That is 18% of the population. If you are sitting in a room with 5 other adults, chances are at least one of you is struggling with this condition. So what exactly is anxiety? How should it be treated? Is it a stand-alone condition or a […]
Karol’s Journey with BioTE
Hi, Everyone! I’m Karol. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m one of the health coaches here at Integrative Health Matters. I am so passionate about nutrition, health, and wellness. In my own medical care, I prefer to take a more holistic approach. When Dr. Kevin May joined us at our clinic, we […]
The Elimination Diet: Top 5 Fails
This day in age, people have handheld computers for phones and access to unlimited databases of information that can often be overwhelming… and inaccurate. Here at Integrative Health Matters, we often have people contacting us and saying they have put themselves on the elimination diet due to health issues—and they are MISERABLE. “I’ve been on […]
Meet Carmen Keith, MD
We have some very exciting news here at Integrative Health Matters. We have expanded our team of medical providers! We want to introduce you to Dr. Carmen Keith. We know you will absolutely love her—and all that she will bring to Tyler, TX—as much as we do… possibly even more. Who is Dr. Carmen Keith? […]
Neuropathy Treatment Without Drugs, Surgery, Injections
Do you have sharp pain, prickling, or numbness in your feet, legs, arms, or hands? Have you been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, but haven’t been offered any real relief? Have you been told you have to deal with it, live with it, and rely on drugs that can have serious side effects? What if we told […]
Treat Allergies with Functional Medicine
The changing of the seasons can also bring changes to your body’s primary defense – the immune system. A huge influx of pollen and other environmental irritants can result in sneezing, itchy eyes and throat, and sinus infections. While these symptoms are certainly uncomfortable, functional medicine may help you finally find relief from severe allergies. […]
Defend your Body with Phytonutrients
What if the key to preventing chronic diseases could be found in the produce aisle? What if an apple a day really did help keep the doctor away? The answer could be found in the natural chemicals of plant-based foods. These chemicals are called phytonutrients. One of the most important factors of finding the root […]
Integrative Health Matters Offers Free Events in Tyler
A genuine concern for effective health care motivates Integrative Health Matters to offer free events to the community. Our clinic, Integrative Health Matters (IHM) in Tyler, Texas, offers free weekly educational events for the community in their state-of-the-art kitchen and large classroom. Their class topics are centered on health, lifestyle, cooking, and the latest medical […]
What is an elimination diet and should I do it?
The foods we eat greatly determine the status of our health. If you’re looking to finally find relief from negative health symptoms and remove the foods that are causing those issues, an elimination diet may be right for you. What is an elimination diet? Essentially, an elimination diet consists of two parts – elimination of […]
Heal Your Autoimmune Condition with Functional Medicine
Have you been told that if you have an autoimmune condition, your only option is to manage the symptoms with medications and hope for the best? Are you stuck with fatigue, pain, and a life you didn’t sign up for? In reality, you can get to the root of why you feel so bad, begin […]
Lose Weight the Functional Medicine Way
39.6 percent of Americans are obese. Overall, there are over 100 million obese people in this country. As these numbers continue to climb, experts estimate almost half of the world’s adult population will be overweight or obese by 2030. Obesity doesn’t discriminate among demographics: Studies show we have a global epidemic of obesity in all […]
What do your genes say about your health?
Your genes say a lot about you. They can determine certain traits in appearance and behavior. Your genes can also tell you your risk of developing Alzheimer’s, celiac disease, and other health risks. That’s why taking genetic tests can be so valuable. Genetic testing provides important clues that aid in personalizing diet and lifestyle protocols. […]
7 Ways to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution
Many people make New Year’s Resolutions — but few people keep them. When we fail to keep our resolution, we feel just that…failure. Not following through can leave us giving up on any healthy habits as a result. This year, stop the cycle of resolving to make a change, but then not following through. The […]
8 Tips to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
Staying healthy during the holidays can be hard, especially during 2020. With cookie swaps, cocktail parties, or special meals with loved ones filling up your calendar, and pressure to have ‘the most wonderful time of the year,’ the holidays can be more stressful than fun. Staying up late to shop online, wrap gifts, and prepare […]
6 Steps to Reversing Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is looming as the biggest epidemic and public health issue in human history. Close to 300 million people are affected worldwide and another 150 million are forecast to be diagnosed by 2030. One half of Americans are diabetic or pre-diabetic and suffering from various side effects. These side effects can include blindness, […]
Healthy Pecan Pie Recipe
Pecan Pie is a Thanksgiving classic and has been made many different ways. Try this healthy pecan pie recipe sweetened by honey and orange zest instead of sugar. Ingredients: -1/2 cup raw honey -2 tbsp coconut oil, melted -3 eggs -1/2 tsp fresh orange zest -1/8 tsp sea salt -1 tbsp unsweetened almond […]
Boost Your Immune System With IV Nutrient Therapy
The human body requires a number of vitamins and minerals in order to function properly. Most of the time a person is able to maintain and use the optimal level of these nutrients through a balanced diet full of organic fruits & vegetables, good organic protein, and complex carbohydrates. The body’s cells take what they […]
Gluten Free Pecan Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Ingredients 2 ½ cups blanched almond flour ¼ tsp. sea salt ¼ tsp. baking soda 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped 5 tbsps. honey ½ cup salted butter, melted 1 tbsp. vanilla extract Instructions In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and pecans. In a smaller bowl, mix together honey, butter, and […]
Lower Your Risk of Dementia with Your Life Choices
There is so much information out there about genetic reasons for developing Dementia. However, there will never be just one Alzheimer’s gene, and genetic predisposition for a disease is not your destiny. Although getting older is the biggest risk factor for dementia, evidence shows there are things you can do to help lower your risk. […]
Reduce Your Anxiety With Mindfulness
Are you constantly feeling anxious, irritable, or tired? Do you have restless sleep and trouble concentrating during the day? In a world where our schedules are jam-packed with commitments and our brains are overloaded with stress, it’s no wonder most Americans feel this way. On a bad day — and those can come one after another […]
Is a lack of sleep causing your headaches?
In a culture where stress levels are high, exposure to natural sunlight is less, and we constantly stare at digital screens, it’s no surprise that so many people struggle to get enough sleep. A third of US adults report that they usually get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Many more struggle with occasional sleep-related […]
New Treatment Options for Arthritis
Over 8% of the population in the United States live with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints and results in limited motion and severe pain. It is the most common form of arthritis, followed by Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a health condition more closely associated with swelling, […]
12 Signs That Your Gut is in Trouble
At Integrative Health Matters, we frequently discuss leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is associated with dozens of related conditions and diseases. Poor diet choices, chronic stress, toxic overload and bacterial imbalance all contribute to the prevalence of leaky gut in our country. Why should leaky gut syndrome concern you? Recently a leaky gut has been […]
Are You at Risk for Dementia?
Dementia is a big problem and growing every day. Ten percent of 65-year olds, 25 percent of 75-year olds, and 50 percent of 85-year olds will get Alzheimer’s disease — at a cost of $60 billion a year to society. Worse, the number of people with Alzheimer’s is predicted to triple in the next few […]
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Lifestyles When Cooking for Small Households
Many people have a hard time cooking for two or for just themselves. Sometimes it’s an older individual or couple who once cooked for their whole family when their kids were still living at home. There are also younger singles and couples without children who feel like they waste so much food and time cooking […]
Avoid Digestive Issues with an Alkaline Diet
Our digestive system is constantly working to balance our bodies. One very important thing to keep balanced is the pH level in our systems. pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline something is and our blood pH needs to maintain a slightly alkaline level to keep us healthy. We help our bodies to […]
Heal Leaky Gut With Bone Broth
In Functional Medicine, we treat the root causes of your symptoms. Many of the chronic health issues plaguing so many people can be traced down to the health of their gut. When your gut is out of whack, the rest of your body follows leading to leaky gut, acid reflux, autoimmune disease, and many others. […]
Weight Loss Solutions – Tyler, Tx | Integrative Health Matters
There are two common reasons people give for not eating healthy: “It’s too expensive.” “I don’t have the time.” Let us help improve your health. Call 903-595-8077 to schedule a visit! These are misconceptions the processed food industry would be happy for you to believe. In reality, eating healthy doesn’t need to be difficult or […]
Reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes with a plant based diet
Have you considered transitioning to a plant based diet? A plant based diet is a diet based on foods derived from plants, including vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and fruits – but with few or no animal products. The goal is to focus on consuming more fruits and vegetables throughout the day. That’s it. It’s […]
The Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet
Olive oil, cheese, yogurt, whole grains, beans, wine, fruits and vegetables—sounds good doesn’t it? These Mediterranean diet staples may reduce your risk for heart disease and some cancers, improve weight loss, reduce inflammation and even possibly add years to your life. What’s more, a Mediterranean diet is linked to a lower risk of Type 2 […]
Thinking of going Gluten Free?
You can’t go into any grocery store these days without seeing food products, and even entire sections, labeled ‘Gluten Free.’ There is so much information out there about going Gluten Free that it can be difficult to tell what to believe. When considering a Gluten Free diet for yourself or your family, you need to […]
Alzheimer’s: Did you know…?
Did you know that Alzheimer’s is the 7th leading cause of death worldwide? It has become a global epidemic with over 30 million symptomatic individuals, and many more who are likely unaware they are in the decades long, pre-symptomatic phases. In the United States alone, over five million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and that’s […]
Eating Healthy on a Budget
We all know that fresh fruits, vegetables and good quality protein are keys to having a healthy body. By buying fresh, real food you won’t find yourself eating “foods” full of chemicals and additives which injure your body – and can make you incur potentially hefty medical expenses at some point. Instead, you will actually […]
Should I Buy Organic Produce?
We are often asked… is it really that important to buy organic produce? Many people do not buy organic because the price is usually somewhat higher. However, studies have shown that organically grown produce is far less likely to have damaging pesticides on it. On the other hand, most conventionally grown produce contains high levels […]
Mindful Yoga and Yoga Classes
Each week, we offer free Mindful Yoga classes and Yoga classes here at Integrative Health Matters. In these classes, we use variations of gentle, mindful movement which are intended as “meditation in motion.” Stress plagues every one of us, so it’s vitally important to our mental and physical health that we take time out of […]
Karol’s Famous Cookies
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring! Every now and then a treat is definitely in order! Our Holistic Health Coach Karol Spence has an amazing cookie recipe which will appease your sweet tooth without a bunch of fake ingredients. Chocolate Chip-Walnut Cookies (Gluten Free & Grain Free) Ingredients 8 Tbsp. grass-fed unsalted butter ¾ […]
What Causes Hardening of the Arteries? By Dr. Peter Langsjoen
On April 27th, 2018, Dr. Peter Langsjoen, a Cardiovascular Disease Specialist in Tyler, Texas, visited us at Integrative Health Matters to discuss heart health, and give his professional opinion about what causes hardening of the arteries. Basically, the heart pumps blood out and delivers it to the body as it divides into main arteries leading […]
From our kitchen to yours! Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms, Detox Pesto and Easy Baked Chicken recipes
Vegan Quinoa Stuffed Mushrooms 4 containers of button mushrooms 1 cup cooked quinoa juice from 1 lemon 1 large tomato, chopped 3-5 cloves of garlic, chopped 1 shallot, chopped 2-3 Tbsp olive oil 1 bunch of fresh basil, chopped ⅓ cup pine nuts salt & pepper to taste vegan parmesan cheese Instructions Follow directions to […]
Fertility Diet: Do’s and Dont’s when you want to get Pregnant
Regardless of whether or not we are currently being treated for infertility, or whether we have sought medical advice because we aren’t getting pregnant – most of us want to know if there is something we can do on our own to make it easier for us to get pregnant. Changes to diet that can […]
Detoxing Your Home
A healthy body doesn’t only involve what you put into your mouth. In many cases, health issues stem from what we put on our skin or breathe into our lungs. Our twenty-first century lives are saturated by the hundreds of thousands of synthetic chemicals in our homes and businesses. Popular cleaning products, personal care products, […]
Tips for Cooking with Fats & Oils
“Fat” has been designated as bad for our bodies. Since that time, our culture has turned to more refined sugars, carbs and processed foods – often hidden in foods labeled ‘low fat.’ But fat isn’t always the enemy. The right types and amounts of fat are actually great for you. Getting enough healthy fats into […]
Ending Alzheimer’s!
There are an estimated five million Americans who have Alzheimer’s, and the cost for treating the disease continues to rise. In 2016 the costs for Alzheimer’s care had already reached about $236 billion, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The number of Americans with the disease is expected to continue to increase in the years ahead. […]
7 Tips for Simple and Healthy Weight Loss
There is a myth that says losing weight has to be difficult. Our culture tells us that eating healthy is expensive and takes too much planning. On the other hand, the market is full of terrible food that is cheap and very easily accessible. In reality, there is no secret fad, diet or “magic” way […]
Boosting Your Fertility
Making the decision to start a family is huge. Having children changes everything about your life. Sadly, many people struggle more than they thought they would when trying to conceive. In 2016, the fertility rate in the United States was the lowest it’s ever been. There are thousands of people struggling with the label of […]
What are your food cravings?
When your body has cravings, it’s often simply craving the nutrients and minerals that it lacks. What does it mean if you have cravings for sugary things one day then salty things a few days later? Here are some of the most common cravings along with healthier alternatives to satisfy each need. Chocolate When you […]
Eating to Balance Your Hormones
Hormones affect every aspect of your body’s health. You need them in specific and unique amounts for your body to function optimally. Hormonal imbalances may increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and many other health problems. Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can include: infertility PMS low libido weight gain or weight loss fatigue hair […]
Alternatives to Dairy
The number of non-dairy options available, even in traditional grocery stores, is soaring! People stay away from dairy for a variety of reasons, including allergies, lactose intolerance and concern over the environment or over the way animals are raised and treated. While organic grass-fed dairy products can be a healthy option in moderation, some people […]
10 Tips for Raising Children to be Healthy Eaters
Children aren’t born knowing what is healthy for them and what is not. It’s natural to want to give children foods they like, and also to be worried when they don’t eat the food placed in front of them. Many habits form by ages 5-9, and, just like other habits, healthy eating has to be […]
Tips for Cooking Meat in your Slow Cooker
A slow cooker is a great way to create savory meat dishes with rich flavor and delicious sauces and gravies. Here are a few easy tips for incorporating meat into your healthy slow cooker recipes! The key to using meats in any recipe is to ensure that you’re using good quality meats. Grass-Fed Beef, Pastured […]
Crock Pot Black Bean, Butternut Squash & Quinoa Chili Recipe
A vegan-friendly recipe for chili cooked in the slow cooker – with black beans and quinoa! Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 large white or yellow onion, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 3 cloves garlic, diced 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 1/2 tablespoons jalapeño pepper, chopped 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon […]
10 Healthy Fats & Oils
1. Avocados Excellent source of monounsaturated fats which help the heart, lower bad cholesterol, and raise good cholesterol Rich in Vitamin E Offer more protein than any other fruit (Yes, avocados are fruits!) High in Folate, which makes them a great food during pregnancy 2. Butter Grass-Fed butter contains many fat soluble vitamins – this […]
Build a Superfood Salad
A salad is an incredibly delicious way to get superfoods into your diet! The options and combinations of colors and flavors are endless. You can mix your salads before serving or set up a fun and creative “Build it Yourself” salad bar! Salads are also a great way to add a meat-free meal into your […]
Cook with a Doc – Salad, Squash and Steak
Have you ever wondered what a doctor eats at home? People are naturally curious about what their doctors recommend by way of a well balanced diet. A little over a year ago, Tyler cardiologist Dr. Hector Ceccoli and the Smith County Medical Society launched their Cook with a Doc series to help residents of Smith […]
Probiotics and Your Gut
There are trillions of bacteria in your gut. So many, in fact, that we don’t know the exact number of different types of bacteria. Bacteria isn’t necessarily a bad thing to have in your gut. We need both good and bad bacteria to keep our bodies in balance. For your gut to function properly, the […]
The Dangers of Stress
Work, children, significant others, sleep patterns, exercise habits, diet, finances, health conditions, family dynamics and many other things can affect our stress levels. Stress is unavoidable. Things that happen to you, around you, to those you love, and some things you do to yourself can all add strain to your body. The human body is […]
Sneaking Veggies into Your Diet
We all know picky eaters. Whether it’s your spouse, your children, or even you, picky eaters are out there. Even for those who like eating veggies, it can be a challenge to eat the recommended servings each day. Thankfully, there are ways to get vegetables into all types of meals with all kinds of sneaky […]
Veggies You’ll Crave
Do you find yourself craving sweets, chips, and pasta? Are you hungry only an hour or two after eating a big meal?
Adaptogens and Stress Management
Adaptogens are a unique class of healing plants that help balance, restore and protect the body from the effects of stress and disease.
Superfood Showcase: Dark Chocolate
Recently, we posted about the benefits of adding Superfoods into your diet. Dark chocolate (not loaded with sugar) is a nutritious…
Stress and Superfoods: What’s the Connection?
Our lives are overrun with stress. Job security, workload, relationships, responsibilities – the causes of stress are numerous and most of them are unavoidable. We will always encounter stress, but how our bodies react to it is different for each person. A short temper, muscle tension, and fatigue are just a few of the possible […]
Kitchen Talk: Slow Cooker Soups
We all live exceedingly busy lives. Whether you are a stay-at-home parent, working a full-time job, a student, or an empty nester, your life is full from the time your feet hit the floor in the mornings until you roll into bed in the evenings. Hectic schedules can make eating healthy difficult, but it doesn’t […]
What is a Plant-Forward Diet?
A plant-forward diet is different from a strictly plant-based diet. Plant-forward diets start by including more plant-based foods and fewer animal ones in your everyday eating. While those choosing a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle would not want to follow this diet, plant-forward eating doesn’t mean you need to shun meat entirely. It’s really about adding […]
Mindful Movement
Are you suffering from anxiety, depression, or chronic pain? Do you tend to procrastinate or distract yourself in order to avoid stress in your life? Stress reduction through Mindful Movement might be just what you need to start a road to healing. Most people are so lost in the story and the stress of their […]