sleep

Two years ago, after several years trying various birth control options and failing to find one that felt right for me, I came off the pill for good. Before leaving hormonal contraceptives behind, I did my research, arming myself with books, courses, and information that would help me make informed decisions about how to maintain my fertility while preventing pregnancy. Beyond finding a method that works for me and my life, I finally started to understand what a healthy cycle was supposed to look like and why it mattered. 

In today’s fast-paced world it is so easy to get distracted by competition, stress, and goals. While mindfulness has been around for ages, it is now the hot trend that helps busy professionals, parents, and students better navigate life by being present and aware of where we are and what we’re doing.

By now in this Ayurveda 101 series, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the Mahabhutas, their archetypal qualities, and how they show in every single aspect of our lives.

The holidays are creeping up on us and now is a good time to get to work on some sweet herbal gifts for your loved ones…or for yourself. Homemade botanical gifts add a wonderful personal touch to holiday (or any time) gift-giving.  Here are a handful of popular and easy-to-put-together projects.    

Exploring our ancestors’ use of natural remedies is a fine way to rediscover the forgotten traditional uses for several herbal combinations and tonics.

The human body is truly a wonderland. Our bones are one of the strongest substances known to man, along with granite and concrete. Our heart pumps one million gallons of blood in our lifetime and our largest artery is capable of building enough pressure during each heartbeat to shoot blood 30 feet into the air.

Last summer, I spent my 26th birthday at a glamping resort in Lake Bled, Slovenia. We slept in a tent, sure, but this tent sat on a deck above a glimmering stream with bright red fish; to reach it, we crossed a hanging bridge.

Mints are easy-to-grow perennials that are a beautiful and (usually) lovely-smelling addition to your garden—even if your garden is limited to a balcony, like mine is.  They do well at sea level. They do well at mountainous elevations. They can hack cool, damp summers or hot, intense summers. They are fine being buried in snow and will be there waiting for you in the spring.   While mints generally prefer rich and well-drained soil, I’ve grown them in heavy clay soils.

Menopause can trigger uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. The following recipes contain essential oils to provide some relief in balancing emotional stress, surges of heat, and sleep deprivation.

Icing may help with acute pain, but recent research confirms that icing actually reduces inflammation—in the case of injuries, this can actually be detrimental long term. In fact, many of these methods actually hinder blood flow and prevent the body from healing itself. Not sure what you should be doing for recovery (and why) and what you should avoid?