Blog Category: advocate

Inflammation is a natural process that occurs in our bodies when we are injured or ill. But it can also be an indicator of something more serious. It's important for holistic moms to know the signs of inflammation so they can take action if necessary and keep their families healthy. Let’s take a look at five key signs of inflammation. 

1.  Redness

One of the most obvious signs of inflammation is redness. Redness can range from mild pinkness to bright redness, depending on the severity of the inflammation. When an area of the body becomes inflamed, the blood vessels in the area dilate and cause the skin to appear red. This is often accompanied by warmth, as increased blood flow to the area causes the temperature to rise. This is often one of the first signs that something is wrong and can be a sign of a variety of different conditions.   Keep in mind that redness doesn't always mean there's an injury—it could be inflammation in other forms, such as a rash. 

2.  Swelling

Swelling is another common sign of inflammation. When an area is inflamed, fluid and white blood cells (immune cells) accumulate in the tissue, causing it to swell. Swelling can often be painful, as it puts pressure on the nerves in the area.  This can often be accompanied redness as well. When inflammation occurs, swelling is usually present. Swelling may cause the affected area to appear larger than normal, due to fluid buildup in the tissue surrounding it. This can cause impaired mobility and difficulty performing normal activities.

3.  Heat

Another common sign of inflammation is heat. When an area of the body is inflamed, the blood vessels in the area become more active and this often causes an increase in temperature in the affected area. The increased blood flow to the area (which is part of the healing process) brings more heat with it. In some cases, the skin may even feel hot to the touch. This can often be accompanied by redness, as well. Heat may also indicate an infection or abscess which requires medical treatment, so don't ignore any sudden changes in temperature around an inflamed area!  

4.  Pain

Pain is a common symptom of inflammation, as the increased activity of the blood vessels and swelling puts pressure on the nerves in the area. Inflammation can also cause pain by releasing chemicals that sensitize nerve endings. Additionally, inflammation can lead to muscle aches and joint pain. When an area of the body is inflamed, the pain can also be due to tissue damage. This pain can range from mild to severe, depending on the intensity of the inflammation.  Inflammation often causes pain, whether it’s localized or radiating throughout the body. That’s why it often feels like throbbing or burning—your body is trying to alert you that something isn’t right. Pain can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), and can range from mild to severe.

5.  Loss of function

Inflammation can also cause a loss of function in the affected area. When an area of the body is inflamed, it can often become difficult or impossible to use that part of the body properly. This is due to swelling and pain, which can make it difficult to move the affected body part. In some cases, inflammation can also lead to organ damage, which can cause a loss of function in that organ.  This can range from mild (such as joint stiffness) to severe (such as paralysis). If left untreated, this may lead to long-term impairment or disability due to muscle atrophy and other complications resulting from prolonged lack of activity or movement in the affected area(s).  

Knowing these five signs of inflammation will help holistic moms protect their families and seek appropriate treatment if necessary. Remember that while some forms of inflammation are normal and will heal on their own over time with rest and proper nutrition, prolonged inflammation should not be ignored as it can lead to more serious issues down the road if left untreated! Make sure to consult your physician if you experience any signs of inflammation lasting longer than three days!

 As parents, we strive to give our kids the best tools possible for success. However, sometimes they struggle with their focus in school or their brains can’t seem to get on track. It’s easy to blame the teacher if you send your kids to public school, but we must look at our own actions first. Are you providing your child with the right foods that will help them stay focused throughout the day?  Food is medicine for your body, and breakfast is essential to set up a good learning environment. Read below for some tips on how to get your kids focused with holistic brain-friendly foods. 

Start With Breakfast 

Getting your kids off to a great start begins with breakfast that fuels their minds, not distracts it. Sugary cereals, breads, and processed snacks should be avoided because they lead to an energy boost followed by a crash which can affect concentration levels when learning during the day. Instead of giving them these types of processed cereals for breakfast, feed them whole grains such as oats, millet, or quinoa and add in some nuts and fruits for extra nutrients. Also adding in healthy fats like almond butter can help provide lasting energy throughout the morning hours. 

Incorporate Brain-Boosting Superfoods 

Certain superfoods are known for their ability to improve brain health and functioning in children. Incorporating these into their diets can really help increase focus and concentration levels while also boosting memory recall and cognitive skills. Some examples include blueberries, salmon, chia or flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, walnuts and dark leafy greens like spinach or kale. These are all packed with vitamins and minerals that promote brain health while also providing long-lasting energy without any sugar crashes or spikes which can disrupt concentration levels throughout the day. 

    

Find Healthy Alternatives To Snacks & Drinks 

Snack time is inevitable but it doesn't have to be unhealthy! Swap out sugary drinks like soda or juice for water or herbal tea. Instead of candy bars opt for slightly sweetened granola bars or trail mix containing dried fruit pieces and nuts such as almonds or walnuts - both great sources of Omega 3 fatty acids which are essential for optimizing brain functioning in children. If you find your kids reaching for chips try substituting vegetable sticks like carrots, peppers, or celery served with hummus instead - this provides great nutrients AND flavor! And if all else fails chocolate covered nuts are always a great option too!  

Feeding your children brain-friendly foods helps make sure they get off on the right foot each morning at school and is key in helping them stay focused throughout the day despite whatever distractions may occur around them! Start incorporating these holistic approaches into meal planning today so you can rest assured that when it's time to learn they have everything they need inside of themselves (and what's on their plate)to achieve success!

Have picky eaters?  Grab this guide: 7 Strategies to Help Picky Eaters Eat!

Do you feel like your stomach is always on fire or bloating is an every day occurrence? Does it seem like no matter what you do, no amount of medicine or diet changes can make it go away? Dairy products may be the culprit. Let’s explore why dairy could be causing inflammation in your body, and how reducing consumption can help. 

Inflammation is a natural response from the body when something is wrong. It happens when the immune system senses something—a virus, bacteria, or allergen—that doesn’t belong in the body and launches an attack to get rid of it. The problem with inflammation is that it can become chronic if it goes unchecked for too long. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a variety of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even cancer. 

One link between dairy products and inflammation comes down to a hormone called IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1). This hormone is found naturally in dairy products and research has linked increased levels of IGF-1 to increased levels of inflammation in the body. Another concern with dairy products is their high cholesterol content; consuming too much cholesterol can also lead to chronically elevated levels of inflammation throughout the body. 

 

The good news is that reducing your consumption of dairy products can help reduce inflammation in your body. Cutting back on dairy won’t just mean cutting out ice cream; even things like cheese, butter and yogurt should be avoided if possible - anything that is derived from cow's milk is dairy. If you focus on eating nutritious whole foods instead, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains, you will have taken a giant step towards reducing inflammatory triggers in your diet.  

Dairy products are one of many sources of inflammation in our diets; other sources include processed foods containing additives and preservatives as well as unhealthy fats like trans fats or saturated fats from animal sources. Reducing our intake of these foods can help reduce overall inflammation levels in our bodies. If you think that dairy may be contributing to your chronic inflammation issues, try cutting back on your consumption for 1-3 months to see if there’s any improvement in how you feel! Good luck!

If you have ever experienced inflammation, you know how uncomfortable it can be. But many of us carry inflammation and don't even know it.  It can be within our organs and tissues affecting many different functions of the body. It’s often hard to pinpoint the exact cause of inflammation, but one cause may be due to the consumption of animal products. Let’s take a closer look at meat and inflammation. 

First, let’s quickly define what inflammation is and why it occurs. Inflammation is your body’s response to an injury or infection. It’s a natural defense mechanism; when your body senses something needs healing, it sends out white blood cells to help fight off the invader and repair the damage. This process can cause swelling, pain, redness, and heat in the affected area—all signs of inflammation.  Although inflammation is a natural, needed response in our bodies, it can also cause harm when there's too much, too often, too long.  In this way, inflammation is an insidious enemy-- often hidden and silent, yet capable of wreaking havoc on our health if left unchecked. It rears its head as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, and much more.  Understanding its dangers can serve as a potent defense against the development of chronic illness.

So how does meat fit into this picture? Meat can be linked to inflammation due to its high levels of saturated fats, cholesterol, and arachidonic acid which clog up our arteries and trigger heart disease and cancer. Many processed meats contain nitrites and nitrates which are known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Some studies have indicated that animal proteins may stimulate an inflammatory response in our bodies because they contain certain types of amino acids like arginine and cysteine which can act as pro-inflammatory molecules.   Also, meat stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) which promotes the growth, proliferation, and spread of cancer. (End of Dieting, Joel Fuhrman, MD.)

But if you do find yourself suffering from chronic inflammation or other health issues, reducing or eliminating meat from your diet might be one way to help reduce those symptoms. Additionally, incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants into your meals can also help reduce any underlying inflammation in your body. 

 

At the end of the day, everyone has unique dietary needs—but for those experiencing chronic inflammation or health issues related to their diet, considering reducing or eliminating meat from their diets could potentially make a difference in their overall health and wellbeing. Incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods like fruits and vegetables can also help reduce underlying inflammation in the body while providing essential vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health. 

*I highly recommend finding a plant-based doctor who knows the science to guide you on your journey.  Too many doctors are uninformed when it comes to food and health.  

 Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9

Looking for ways to set goals as a family? Whether it’s planning activities to do together or working on long-term projects, there are a few key steps you can employ to make goal setting fun and rewarding. Here’s how you can get started with family goal setting today. 

When it comes to brainstorming ideas, the focus should be on being creative and having fun. Try not to criticize any of the ideas that come up; even if they seem far-fetched, let everyone have their say! This is also a great opportunity to introduce new skills or hobbies that your family may not have tried before. Write down all of your ideas on a whiteboard or piece of paper so everyone can see them, then move on to Step Two. 

After you have come up with some great ideas for things your family wants to accomplish this year, it’s time to prioritize those goals. Make sure everyone has a chance to voice their opinion about which goals are most important and why. This will help ensure that your plans align with everyone’s interests and expectations. Make sure that each goal is realistic and achievable within the timeframe you have planned for it. 

Once you have prioritized your goals, break each one down into smaller actionable steps so that the tasks don't feel too daunting or overwhelming. For example, if one of your goals is to go camping together as a family this summer, break it down into manageable tasks such as researching campsites in the area and purchasing essential camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, etc.). This will help keep everyone on track and motivated as they work towards achieving their goal!  

Family goal setting is an excellent way for families to bond while also staying focused on achieving their shared objectives. It’s important to remember that goal setting should be fun—not frustrating—so make sure everyone has an equal say in what goes onto the list of priorities for this year! With clear targets in mind and achievable action steps laid out ahead of time, you can ensure that your family accomplishes something great together this year!