Holistic Wellness | Exploring the Science & Metaphysics Of Health

We spend so much time looking at external influences on our health. The secret is, our body's it's own environment, and we have the power to change our internal state by learning how to communicate with our body. Your body's seeking one message to begin restoring health... I am safe. Let's talk about how to make sure your body hears that message in today's episode. The two ways to signal safety with your body: 1) reduce stress in your mind (this improves your ability to digest everything you take in) 2) reduce the physical stress (toxins) your body has to process (digest) each day Download your guide to easy ways to detox your day here. Curious about Rain Organica's self-guided program to avoid pregnancy naturally? Click here to learn more.

Looking for the podcast episodes mentioned in today's show? Listen to them here:

Does birth control increase your risk of autoimmune disease?

Yes. In this episode, author and women's health advocate Mike Gaskins pulls back the curtain on the sordid history, shoddy approval process, and health effects of hormonal birth control.

Regardless of how you're exposing your body to this potent endocrine disruptor and xenoestrogen/xenoprogesterone (whether IUD, intravaginal ring, or pill), if you're on hormonal birth control, rest assured, this is the biggest endocrine disruptor in your daily life.

This episode is part 1 of 7 exploring how hormonal birth control impacts every single system within your body. In this episode, we're talking about 5 ways that hormonal birth control's been shown (through peer reviewed scientific studies) to alter certain blood markers related to inflammation and how quickly your blood clots.

Find the full shownotes here.

Have you ever had (or... let's be real, currently experiencing) period problems? Whether you have:

learning how Ayurveda sees your body (as composed of layers rather than separate systems like the Western medical view), will support you in achieving a healthy menstrual cycle. What's a healthy menstrual cycle look like? A pain-free period that's regular and that you can't feel coming, and yes, it's possible to achieve this without hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy.

Have you ever wondered how to properly select your menstrual cup size or how long it's okay to wear your cup before cleaning?

This episode covers:

Dolphins as it turns out are also vulnerable to developing non-alcoholic  fatty liver disease (NAFLD) despite not eating carbs or sugar.  And,  dolphins with a diet higher in C15:0 (a newly discovered essential fatty acid) had correspondingly healthier  livers (i.e. an inverse relationship between dietary intake of C15:0 in  relation to fatty areas within the liver was found), and this has led to  some breakthrough research in the use of C15:0 in reversing/preventing  the development of NAFLD in people.

In this episode, Drs. Stephanie & Eric Venn-Watson, the co-founders of fatty15 take us through the discovery of C15:0 (pentadecanoic acid) and its potential for improving/preventing a variety of health conditions (from fatty liver disease to diabetes and obesity).

Despite the hype, your body needs PUFAs.  In fact, two polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for health.  One of these essential PUFAs is an omega-3 and the other is an omega-6 fatty acid.

So, if PUFAs are good for you and necessary for health, why are these fatty acids (and especially omega-6 and seed oils) getting such a bad rap these days?

Well, because there's an optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 that's most beneficial for health, and here in America, most of us are eating too much omega-6.  You'll discover what that ratio is and how to boost omega-3's in your diet in today's episode.

As for the myth that your cellular membranes need to "detox" from PUFAs?  Yeah, there's some basic science that proves that ludicrous idea wrong.

Even when you're first drawn to yoga as a mode of exercise, chances  are, at some point, you've experienced some of the mental &  spiritual benefits of yoga as well.

Yoga's often the gateway practice into a more mindful & conscious life.

And, indeed yoga is one of the three sister sciences, a trinity of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Jyotish. 

On  today's episode, Elora Herberick, founder of EVOLVE Mindset Yoga shares  how yoga's influenced her own life.  We talk about the importance of  breath, the benefits of restorative yin yoga, and the power of yoga  beyond the mat.

In this episode, we’re exploring the Ayurvedic view of herbs (looking at the 5 properties of herbs that determine their action on your body and your skin).  

After we've established what those 5 properties are, we'll do a deep dive into the 4 categories of herbs according to Ayurveda and discuss herbs frequently used in Ayurvedic skincare like: 

By the end of this episode, you'll understand why herbal blends are so beneficial compared with a single herb and discover the benefits of these Ayurvedic herbs. 

Like all things, Ayurveda takes a holistic view of your skin, skin  conditions, and your skin's health.  As one of the 4 main detox organs,  your skin's appearance and overall health may reveal deeper lying  imbalances within your body.  In this episode, we talk about:   

1) the stages of life from an Ayurvedic perspective and how these stages  mean certain skin conditions are more common for certain age groups  (example: acne, eczema, large pores, etc.) 

2)  an overview of the classes of Ayurvedic herbs used to support  and balance the doshas (energies) within your body  

3)  a layered approach to viewing your body, with your blood being the foundational layer that supports all the other layers

4)  what detox really means... we're mostly talking about the metabolic  exhaust created during normal cellular processes and also real toxins  like fragrances and fumes from your environment  

5)  how overburdening your body's natural detox processes can gum up the  works and result in your skin bearing the brunt of these taxed systems  

6)  how to support your body's natural detox processes  

Hit that play button to listen.

Other episodes you may enjoy:

What's the need for preservatives in skincare?  We talk about how skincare products are manufactured, the difference between sanitary and sterile manufacturing conditions, FDA regs for preservatives in your skincare, and hacks for ciphering just how much preservative is in your skincare (check out that link below for a walk through three different ingredients lists). 

In today's episode, founder of Wag Theory, Jenny Ostoj Singh shares  how adding a couple of fur babies into her life has helped her manage  anxiety.

She also shares some of her other favorite tips and tricks for  managing anxiety including decluttering (and offering advice on how to  get organized and tips for reducing clutter in your life... hello  minimalism!) and tapping (aka emotional freedom technique or EFT).

Jenny also shares a few things that didn't work (or haven't worked yet) for her.

Animals, kiddos, aging parents, best friends, and anyone and anything (like plants) else you may be a caregiver for offer lessons for better caring for your own health and wellness. Today's episode is part therapy for me (thank you for listening) and mostly sharing some of the lessons learned from caring for dogs. Go ahead and share this with a fur mama in your life.

Stephanie Center, founder of The Holistic House and host of Revolutionary Health podcast, joins me for a conversation around Round-Up, and how a weed killer just might be responsible for an uptick in digestive problems.  Stephanie also shares her health journey and why she's so outspoken for non-toxic food choices and a toxin free lifestyle.

Why is Celiac Disease on the rise (and why are so many of us with autoimmune conditions sensitive to wheat)?  The wheat of today is not the wheat of our ancestors.  Listen in as we discuss how today's wheat is genetically different from ancient wheat and how this impacts the structure of the gluten proteins in wheat.  

Have you ever been told your vitamin D levels are low?  Have they been low for years despite vitamin D supplementation?  In this episode, we're talking about:

Hit the listen button and let's get started.

How can a 10,000 year old view of how your body functions possibly help you improve your quality of life when you struggle with autoimmune conditions? In this episode, Angela Perger, host of Simple Ayurveda, shares how this ancient wisdom is helping her navigate two heavy autoimmune conditions, specifically ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangytis (PSC). You're invited to this revealing conversation.

Why is Dead Sea mud so great for your skin?  The skin benefits of Dead Sea mud are so renowned that Queen Cleopatra claimed the exclusive rights to the region where this mud is found (the Dead Sea of course :).  With its rich variety of minerals and micronutrients like humic acid, Dead Sea mud is purported to soothe skin and reduce the appearance of redness.  Its superior adsorption properties mean it deeply cleanses to leave you with bright, vibrant skin.  Listen to this episode to discover the other skin benefits of Dead Sea mud.

Ayurveda, an ancient system of wellness, sees your body as more than just its physical form. You are matter and energy, a tiny ecosystem reflecting the nature of the entire universe. So, the things you consume alter your internal state. In this episode, we'll explore an Ayurveda diet from 10,000 feet... and you'll discover the connection between your health and how and what you eat.

In today's episode, we talk about how  it's possible to "cure"/treat 60% of most issues through diet and  lifestyle changes alone.  Bernadette references autoimmune and  anti-inflammatory diets, and throughout today's episode she shares how  she elevates her client's awareness of their food choices and their  physical symptoms. You'll hear how Bernadette's personal  struggle with melasma ignited her passion to help other women  struggling with hormone imbalance, and Bernadette works with clients to  tackle everything from PCOS and estrogen dominance to hormonal acne and  melasma with a balanced approach that unites both Western and holistic  medicine. Learn more about working with Bernadette for your own hormonal struggles by reaching out to her on IG @nurseb_wellness

Ayurveda is so much more than just a food list or set of herbs that were used in ancient times and are regaining popularity today.   This holistic health system considers the entire body plus the mind and the spirit and views disease as a result of an imbalance between your current state and your state of being at conception.  Ayurveda perceives all things in the universe as made up of 5 elements, and these elements aren't just matter, each element has its own unique energy. In this episode, you'll find a brief history of Ayurveda along with a plain English description of what Ayurveda is, and the 20,000 foot view of an Ayurvedic lifestyle.

Have you ever been on a diet?

Maybe a fairer question... how's your relationship with your weight?

Chances  are, if you identify as woman, you have a complicated relationship with  your weight regardless of the number on the scale and the reflection in  the mirror.

And,  metrics like BMI and numbers on a scale do nothing to help clear up any  confusion.  I've struggled with weight and body image (one of the main  reasons I make skincare) and Jenn Trepeck is pretty much ninja level  diet expert... one who's figured out that diets don't work.

In  today's episode, Jenn shares the 5 fat factors or rather she breaks  through some of the myths around dieting, numbers on a scale, and how to  really achieve a "healthy" weight... and what exactly that means  anyways.

Who's Jenn?  Jenn Trepeck is described as a “force of nature" in the wellness space.

Why don't children get acne?  And, how is your skin's pH linked to acne?  We're talking about skin pH and how it relates to a number of skin conditions from acne to psoriasis to eczema plus how your skin changes throughout your life.  What's covered in today's episode?  A plain English conversation around: sebum, what it is and what it has to do with acne and dry skin skin pH through the layers of your epidermis (pH gradient) and how this is messed up in a number of skin conditions why chemical exfoliation may be doing more harm than good ways you can help your skin when it's struggling with breakouts Share this episode with a friend and listen now.

Have you ever wondered why the "sensitive skin" deodorants still cause irritation?  And, just how are deodorants different from antiperspirants anyway?  In this episode, we're answering all the questions about deodorants.  How do they work?  What to look for in a pH balanced natural deodorant.  What's the deal with probiotics in your natural deodorant, and what's the best natural deodorant to use when the baking soda free formulas don't work for you either.

If phytoestrogens mess with your estrogen levels are they also endocrine disruptors? And, if phytoestrogens are enodcrine disrupting, why aren't they bad for your health like synthetic endocrine disruptors? We'll answer those two questions in today's episode.

Of the 16 sunscreen ingredients the FDA allows into sunscreens sold in America, the FDA is reclassifying 14 sunscreen ingredients.  Find out what prompted the FDA to make this bold move, when the proposed order goes into effect, and what that means for your summer in this episode.

We're talking about two common endocrine disruptors... one, almost all of us are exposed to on a daily basis, and the second... if you're a woman, chances are high this one's been in your medicine cabinet.

Whether natural or man-made, endocrine disruptors alter your normal hormones. We'll talk about why that's a good thing sometimes (using aromatherapy to reduce cortisol levels) and why it's so problematic at other times.

Since the days of Cleopatra, aloe has been coveted for skincare.  Battles have been fought over aloe.  It's been so widely used by so many cultures that tracing its origin required DNA testing.  So, why is aloe so great for your skin?  And, why is it on the Prop 65 list in Cali?  We're diving into all those topics in today's episode.  So, strap in, and get ready for a quick and mind-blowing episode where you'll find out what the FDA is really doing to protect consumers and why humanity has over a 6,000 year love affair with aloe.

What's the difference between a sunscreen and an antioxidant, and which one is better?  Plus, why don't skincare products containing antioxidants contain an SPF number on the label?

Looking for more sunscreen episodes?  Check out these:

Today we're talking all things aromatherapy... it's history, and why aromatherapy is so great for your body, mind, & soul.  Check out today's shownotes for a list of plants & essential oils recommended for a variety of conditions.

Other episodes you might enjoy:

Have you ever wondered why rose water and rose hydrosol are different?  We're talking about essential oils, absolutes, floral waters, and floral hydrosols (hydrolats) today using rose as the example.  You'll learn how they're different, and which ones better for your skin and your hair.

In today's episode we're talking about why vitamin C is so great for your skin (hint: it's a multifunctional ingredient providing antioxidant protection, enabling collagen synthesis, and even helping to brighten your skin).  There are some formulation challenges around Vitamin C, so we'll talk about why you'll often find vitamin C derivatives in skincare products rather than ascorbic acid (the technical name for vitamin C).

Are you looking for more juicy tips on simply caring for your skin?  Sign up for Rain Organica's newsletter for your dose of healthy and simple skincare tips.

We're talking about reactive oxygen species and antioxidants (including one you may not be familiar with) in today's episode.  You'll learn why using antioxidants in your skincare is so important (in addition to including plenty of antioxidants in your diet).

In today's episode we're taking a look at what your skin needs and how to meet those needs with your skincare in just 3 steps. Get ready to declutter your counter with a simpler routine.

In this inaugural episode, we're talking about the layers of the epidermis, the Hayflick Limit, and cellular senescence. These concepts tie into skincare and set a solid foundation for future episodes.  We'll explore these together, so dive in with me.