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We often think of exercise as something we do to look a certain way or hit fitness goals, like losing weight or getting stronger. But what if I told you that exercise is actually the secret to a better life, not just a better body? I’m here to share why, beyond its physical benefits, moving your body regularly can improve your mental and emotional health too.

Let’s start with something simple: walking. Remember the last time you took a walk outside? Chances are, after you finished, you felt more energized, your mood lifted, and your mind was clearer. It’s not just in your head—there’s science behind this! Studies show that any form of physical activity, no matter the intensity, can make a positive difference in how we feel. In fact, research from Harvard highlights that just 7,500 steps a day can boost your longevity and reduce your risk of heart disease. Another study found that any amount of physical activity can elevate your mood and energy levels afterward.

With benefits like the...

As I've been very open about, my son has been having health challenges. Another layer was added and then thankfully removed this week, thanks to a sweet beagle named Bagel. He's a mold-sniffing dog who stopped by our home this week. 

Another Week, Another Challenge

I’m sure we are also getting to the core of my son's health problems, and we're leaving no stone unturned. We recently had him tested for mold toxicity and the results were shocking! One mold toxin was about 20 times what a normal kid his age would test for. A second was a little high, as well. His doctor already started treatment for mold toxicity right after he took the test so that we didn’t waste any time.

She also told us about a mold sniffing dog named Bagel. He's a cute little beagle that has been trained to sniff out mold in the same way that dogs are trained to sniff out drugs or bombs at the airport. He was going to be in our town the day after we called so we jumped right in and invited him over. 

Sniffing Out...

Right now, I’m busy working on my first gut health book to help you improve everything from your digestion to your immune system. Before I get to all that, though, I thought I would share why I’m so passionate about gut health: It’s been a key part of my family’s well-being (and not-so-well-being) over the past decade. 

Where It All Started

Up to eleven years ago, I wasn’t really concerned about gut health other than I knew to avoid antibiotics if I could and that it wasn’t a bad idea to take probiotics. But then my almost seven year old son was diagnosed with osteomyelitis (a bone infection) in his femur. He had been really sick for a few days and finally the doctor on call at the emergency department tested him for staphylococcus aureus (staph infection). When she got the results, she told us to go directly to the nearest children's teaching hospital.

Within about 24 hours, they confirmed that the infection was in his bone. They put him on IV antibiotics and he quickly started to ...

It’s been awhile since I wrote a blog post, and I should really be packing for our family’s two-week trip to The Netherlands, but I’m just too excited about my next project. Life has been full of ups and downs for our family the past year or so, and it’s inspired me to write a book filled with all the health knowledge I’ve expanded on and learned over that time. But wait - I think I may be getting ahead of myself, here. Let me explain how I got to this place in the first place. 

A Lifelong Health Journey

I’ve always been interested in the science of health, which makes it so frustrating when my family or I’m not well. Being diagnosed with high cholesterol was a big surprise to me early this year, and I’ve also been suffering from many symptoms of early menopause. It’s even worse when one of my kids is unwell, and my teenage son has been navigating his own health challenges this year, too. 

I was supporting him with the things I knew best, but it took six months before we were finall...

We all know by now that stress affects your health, sneakily affecting your body’s internal functions to get ready to fight or take flight. But have you ever thought about how stress also changes how your body looks and feels? When chronic stress is messing with your digestion, sleep, and other processes, it’s inevitably going to take a toll on everything else. But don’t fret - once you know what’s happening, you can make changes for the positive. 

Understand How Stress Changes Your Body

Knowledge truly is power, and when you know better, you can do better! Learning how your body responds to stress can be a huge “aha!” moment, and empower you to take back control of your health. It can be tempting to “power through” stressful days, or simply get used to them. But over time it takes a real toll on how you look and feel. 

Here are a few ways stress changes your body: 

1. You Gain Body Fat. When you’re stressed, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. Chronically high levels ...

Maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional energy is crucial to successfully pursuing your dreams. If you've been experiencing sluggishness in any of these areas, this post is for you. Often, women are enticed to find the best detox method to boost their energy, only to stumble upon questionable detox diets or "cleansing teas" that leave them feeling physically depleted and gross.

To detoxify and enhance your energy levels effectively, it's essential to steer clear of fads. Instead, focus on cleansing your body, mind, and environment so that you can feel your absolute best and make progress towards your dreams each day. Trust me, this approach is far superior to subjecting yourself to a week of cayenne pepper and lemon juice!

Your Body's Natural Detoxification Process

Contrary to what supplement companies and paid endorsements may claim, the truth is that you don't need to eliminate toxins from your body. This is because your body possesses an intricate and remarkable built-in...