Skip to main content

Posts

Jane Goodall: A Remarkable Life

She stepped into the forests of Gombe and stayed for forty-five years, listening, watching, learning- not as a conqueror, but as a guest among the chimpanzees . With no degree, only patience, wonder, and courage. The world would later give her a PhD from Cambridge, but the chimps had already given her her calling. She saw a twig become a tool and with it, she shattered old beliefs, proving that humans were not the only toolmakers. She named her companions- David Greybeard, Flo, Goliath- refusing to reduce them to numbers. Each was a friend, a life worthy of being known. The critics scoffed. They called her too emotional, too unscientific. But Jane trusted her heart. She knew from her childhood dog, Rusty, that animals have minds and feelings. And she was right. She showed the world that chimps laugh, that they grieve, that they love. And in their eyes, we glimpsed ourselves. The spark had been lit long before - a toy chimpanzee named Jubilee , a gift to a little gir...
Read more
Recent posts

Astaxanthin in Studies: From Eye Health to Lifespan

Winter is coming, and it's time for an algae tan! Meet astaxanthin. The carotenoid that has been the focus of extensive research over the past 20+ years, and is recognized as one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. It’s shown to be up to 500 times stronger than vitamin E and 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C in neutralizing free radicals! It’s also the natural pigment that gives flamingos and salmon (and humans that consume it) their distinctive pink hue, since they consume algae rich in astaxanthin.  Astaxanthin food sources include wild-caught salmon, lobster, shrimp, crab, or the very best source, which is algae .  Eye Health Astaxanthin supports vision by reducing eye strain, improving retinal blood flow, and protecting against light-induced damage. Study : Nagaki et al. (2002, Journal of Clinical Therapeutics & Medicine ) found that 6 mg/day for 4 weeks significantly reduced eye fatigue in people who regularly used computer screens. Skin Health It ...
Read more

After Studying 200 Kids, Parenting Coach Found 7 Keys to Emotional Intelligence

Parenting coach Reem Raouda , creator of FOUNDATIONS (8 weeks to heal, break the cycle, and become the safe parent your child needs) studied more than 200 children and discovered that parents who practiced these seven key habits were more likely to raise kids with stronger emotional intelligence. 1. They understood the power of silence They gave their child quiet space to process feelings and listened quietly. Sitting in silence offered comfort and taught their child to reflect and trust themselves 2. They named emotions early and often. By sharing their own feelings, they taught kids to recognize, express, and normalize emotions 3. They apologized to their child By owning mistakes, they built trust, respect, and taught empathy and repair. 4. They didn't force 'please', 'thank you' or 'sorry' They modeled kindness and respect, trusting kids to learn naturally 5. They didn't dismiss small worries They validated small concerns, showing kids their feelings...
Read more

Flow Restored: 6 Substances That Really Work

Many women know that stressful periods in life can sometimes mean "stressful periods,"-  in more ways than one!  Sometimes they become irregular, and other times they disappear entirely. A slow or absent cycle can trigger a cascade of physical and emotional challenges. While reducing stress is step number one, that alone isn’t always enough to restore menstrual balance once it’s been disrupted. Here are six tested substances that do an amazing job at restoring the balance! Myo-inositol Myo-inositol is a natural compound (sometimes called vitamin B8, though it’s not technically a vitamin) that supports insulin sensitivity and ovarian function.  Studies show that  myo-inositol  can play a significant role in restoring menstrual cycle regularity, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Clinical  trials  using 2 g daily for several months have found that many women resume spontaneous ovulation and achieve more regular cycles, with some s...
Read more

The Surprising Science of Touching the Earth

Who knew the secret to stress relief was all this time hiding in your socks? In a world dominated by the artificial, heating, air conditioning, electronics, and endless hours of sitting, when was the last time your bare feet touched the earth? Once a year at the beach?  We didn’t always live this way. Think back to those childhood summers - running barefoot across grass, rolling down hills, collapsing into sleep   completely spent. There’s a reason for that. It’s called  earthing , or  grounding , and it may be more than just nostalgic; it could be profoundly beneficial or, as some say, even "life changing ."  Earthing is far from a modern fad. For millennia, indigenous cultures understood the value of direct contact with the earth - sleeping on the ground, walking barefoot, and constructing homes from natural materials that allowed the body to harmonize with the earth’s energy. Scientific studies now suggest a compelling mechanism: the earth carries a negative ...
Read more

Was CK a Racist?

The term racist,  along with many other -ist labels, has become a reflexive accusation in today’s discourse. It is too often used as a heavy hand, leaving little space for nuance, neutrality, or complexity. Instead, we are encouraged to sort people into stark categories: good or bad, moral or immoral, racist or not, and in the case of Charlie Kirk, I would argue that such framing is overly simplistic. He was not, in the strict sense, a racist.  Instead, his language and approach often veered into racial insensitivity (which is obviously problematic, too). I share this opinion based on my research, while remaining open to thoughtful dialogue. At its most basic definition, racism means believing that one race is inherently superior to another. By that standard, Kirk didn't appear to fit the label. His criticisms were aimed not at race but predominantly at policy - most notably Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Whether one agrees with his position or not, ...
Read more

Sniff This Herb for a 15% Sharper Memory, Says Research

Whether you sprinkle it on dinner, brew it into tea, or simply take a whiff, rosemary has some pretty stunning science behind it when it comes to brain health. (Full disclosure: I sniffed some before writing this, so you can thank rosemary for what you're about to read). Several human studies suggest rosemary can sharpen memory, lift mood, and ease stress. In one  trial , people who sat in a rosemary-scented room before taking memory tests scored  15% higher on prospective memory tasks  compared with those in an unscented room. They also reported feeling more alert. Rosemary contains compounds that  interact with the brain’s neurotransmitters ,   such as  1,8-cineole , which slows the breakdown of acetylcholine — a key neurotransmitter for learning and memory. By protecting acetylcholine, rosemary may help keep cognitive performance strong. It’s not just about memory, either. Rosemary has shown  anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects  i...
Read more

You Know The Rapture Happened If...

My dad called today out of the blue and said, “The rapture is happening today. If you wake up tomorrow and someone’s missing, that’s why.” Apparently, he’d been listening to the new Pope speak, and something about the way he talked made my dad think a little deeper. Now, he’s on a personal mission, calling all his kids to make sure we’re aware and maybe start looking into the whole rapture thing. Meanwhile, as an agnostic leaning toward athiesim, the rapture has barely even crossed my radar—and suddenly, it’s front and center in my dad’s universe.   It's the end of the world, right? Or is it something more that I'm not aware of? So naturally, I poked around for a few facts:  -What is it exactly? The rapture (also known as the secret rapture) is a future prophetic event that says that one day Jesus will take all Christians off earth, disappearing in an instant to meet him in the sky in heaven.  - The modern rapture doctrine is not Biblical. It was developed in the 1800s by...
Read more

L. Reuteri: Your Health and Happiness Ally

Cardiologist and author Dr William Davis is the leading champion of  Lactobacillus Reuteri,  highlighting its potential to heal the gut, reduce inflammation and cholesterol, boost oxytocin (the "feel-good" hormone), support collagen and muscle production, and even strengthen bones - and the science backs him up.  One  trial found that taking L.Reuteri for a year reduced inflammation and increased bone mineral density in participants. Other  studies  suggest that it may reduce wrinkles and boost collagen levels. Then other  studies  have shown  that it increases muscle mass, decreases muscle atrophy, and reduces exercise fatigue. However, most fascinating of all, research  indicates that L-Reuteri can increase oxytocin. While oxytocin is often associated with love, trust, and bonding, it also plays a role in mood regulation, pain and stress relief, tissue repair, heart and bone health, gut function, and sexual health.  Interesting...
Read more

2 Years Of Exercise Reversed Heart Aging By 20 years

Turning 50-year-olds into 30-year-olds with just a few kicks and jumps! The fountain of youth is once again confirmed, and the answer is the same: exercise.  In a 2-year randomized controlled trial , researchers studied 61 healthy but sedentary adults in their early 50s, assigning half to a progressive exercise program and half to a control group. The exercise regimen included regular interval training sessions alongside moderate activities such as cycling or hiking, averaging 4–6 hours per week. After two years, the exercise group displayed dramatic improvements in how their cardiovascular systems regulated blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output. Specifically, their hearts became more responsive to filling pressures and more efficient at adjusting heart rate in response to blood pressure changes. Overall, the integrated cardiovascular regulation gain improved by about 34% compared to no change in the control group. This research led to the development of an  exercise...
Read more

Give Peace a Chance

Shirin Donia  Hey you, nobody wins in war.  I f everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace - John Lennon Y ou can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake - Jeannette Rankin W ar is what happens when language fails - Margaret Atwood W ar does not determine who is right - only who is left -Bertrand Russel  If there is to be peace in the world,  There must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, There must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart. Lao Tzu   I t isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it - Eleanor Roosevelt  T here was never a good war, or a bad peace- Benjamin Franklin  P eace cannot be kept b...
Read more

The Brain Can Change The Gut In 2 Hours!

Exciting  research this year illustrates how powerful the brain really is!  Until recently, it was widely assumed that meaningful changes to the gut microbiome required months or even years , but this new research shows that in just a rapid two hours, the mind can modify the composition of the gut microbiome! We already know that the gut makes 90% of the serotonin used by the brain, and this new research shows that the gut-brain axis- the communication network between these two -goes both ways!  Which makes sense, because the body works as one team… even if the stomach sometimes acts like the diva of the group! The researchers from the University of California used techniques to selectively activate or inhibit specific neurons in the hypothalamus, specifically AgRP and POMC neurons (these can be increased by fasting, exercise, and protein and fiber rich meals ).  They then checked how gut microbiota composition changes in different gut segments (duodenum, jejunum,...
Read more

Rooibos Boosts Glutathione

Vibrant in color and rich in flavor, rooibos is a South African plant cherished for its naturally sweet, nutty taste. Often enjoyed as a soothing tea or latte, it’s also known as bush tea or red tea . While traditional red rooibos is fermented, the green variety is unfermented and offers a lighter profile with equally impressive benefits. Studies  have shown that drinking rooibos can increase the glutathione ratio by 87.47%! A remarkable boost for one of the body's most powerful antioxidants, essential for immunity, detoxification, and cellular repair.  A recent  meta-analysis  further suggests that rooibos helps protect against the complications of   diabetes and insulin resistance .  Its unique compound,   aspalathin ,   plays a key role in balancing blood sugar.    Animal   studies  even indicate that rooibos may protect the heart against oxidative stress, and with its ability to help regulate  histamine  produc...
Read more