Chronic Lyme disease can be a medical mystery illness that affects people’s health over many years. Over time, this low-grade infection can suppress the immune system, causing muscle aches, fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, chronic pain, anxiety, and various other neurological, somatic, and gut-related issues.   In this blog post, we will explore the different treatment options and considerations used to address chronic Lyme disease.     Diagnosis and Lab Testing One of the first steps in addressing chronic Lyme disease is diagnosis, however this can be difficult due to confoundi ..read more

Meal Planning in Real Life   How to Get Healthy and Tasty Food on the Table More Efficiently Meal planning is a frequent topic of conversation in health coaching sessions. How can you get in the 9-12 servings of vegetables AND hit your protein goals without turning cooking into your full-time job?   I asked you, the RIFM audience, that question and you had great ideas! So, if you’d like some inspiration to get into (and out of) the kitchen, while cooking healthy meals in less time with more joy, this post is for you!   If food is medicine, then our refrigerator is our medicine c ..read more

Understanding Chronic Lyme Disease and Its Connection to Other Conditions   Introduction Mystery illnesses are pervasive and often difficult to decipher. From POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and autoimmune issues to gut problems and heart blocks, some illnesses can seem to appear out of nowhere. One crucial aspect of autoimmune diseases that is often overlooked is the presence of a chronic infection.   Tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, are emerging as a leading cause of chronic infections that can exacerbate autoimmune issues and other chronic conditions. I ..read more

Understanding Lyme Disease: The Burden, Diagnosis, and Controversy It’s surprising that one of the top infectious diseases in our country – chronic Lyme disease – has more annual incidences recorded by the CDC than breast cancer. Lyme is also overlooked in medical school and education about infectious diseases. In this post, we will discuss the burden of Lyme disease in our country, how it’s often misdiagnosed, and the controversy surrounding it.   The Burden of Lyme Disease in the US The number of Lyme disease cases in the US is greater than that of breast cancer, which is a staggering s ..read more

Health Benefits of Turmeric Ginger Tea   A Delicious and Nutritious Daily Ritual Do you know what my daughter Abigail’s latest obsession is? It’s a little cup of tea, (or really more like multiple cups) made with turmeric and ginger, and it’s become part of her daily routine. As a parent, I couldn’t be happier that she’s chosen tea over sugary drinks, but what’s even better is that it’s packed full of health benefits.   This tea isn’t just healthy; it’s also delicious. With a rich aroma and a spicy kick, it’s the perfect companion for a cozy afternoon or a moment of relaxation.   ..read more

Is Bread Healthy? Clients frequently ask me about bread and wonder whether they should eat it regularly – or at all. So, I’m about to wade into a somewhat touchy subject and discuss some of the pitfalls of bread and what to look for in choosing bread that supports your health goals.     Four Problems with Today’s Conventional Bread 1. Gluten It might surprise you to know that this is actually the least of the concerns that I have about bread. Yes, gluten IS problematic for everyone. But the other issues below are more concerning.   We know that gluten causes mild leaky gut in E ..read more

Hibiscus   The Benefits of Hibiscus Tea My son, Khalil, loves hibiscus tea and it’s saving his life.   Now, I know that sounds like a crazy statement. We talk about food as medicine, but can an herbal tea actually have such incredible healing properties?   Today Id like to do something a little different. This post is the first in a series on herbals that I’ll be writing over the next couple of months.   I’ll share some of the teas that my kids love and we use at home. Our kids’ proclivity and enjoyment of tea is actually preventing cancer, preventing heart disease, helping ..read more

The Connection Between Hypermobility and Autoimmune Disease   Autoimmune disease is a condition that I frequently see in patients with hypermobility spectrum disorder. In today’s post, I’ll discuss the chain of conditions that lead from hypermobility to autoimmune disease.   Hypermobility Contributes to Leaky Gut You might wonder how it’s possible for loose joints and ligaments to affect gut health. Did you know that many people who are hypermobile also have something called visceroptosis? This is a medical term that describes the sinking or prolapse of the abdominal organs. Because ..read more

Hypermobility and Fatigue   Why am I so tired?   10 Ways Hypermobility and Chronic Fatigue Can Be Linked and What You Can Do About It We’ve recently been discussing hypermobility, also known as being double jointed, and its effects on the body. I often see patients who have chronic fatigue and are also hypermobile. There is indeed a link between fatigue and hypermobility. It’s not just all in your head.   What is the difference between fatigue and just being tired? Many people deal with fatigue, which is actually much different than simply being tired. Tiredness is usually relat ..read more

Are You Afraid of Carbs? Carbohydrates are a frequent topic of conversation in coaching sessions. My clients often want to know: How many and what kinds of carbs should I eat? If I remove processed carbs from my diet, won’t I experience low energy? Should I avoid carbs?   The answer to that question relies on their goals, preferences, underlying health conditions, and doctor recommendations. However, if our goal is to optimize our health, there are some general guidelines that we can consider in choosing the kinds of carbs we eat on a regular basis.   There is much to be seen onlin ..read more