Walkie Talkie

With ecotherapy, a prescription for anxiety includes 5 trips to the park

This is just super cool, but they forgot to include health coaches, like me! I take my local clients outside on the trail. It’s an inspiring environment to talk about and plan to get healthy!

With ecotherapy, a prescription for anxiety includes 5 trips to the park Doctors are now prescribing prescriptions to the park to help patients cope with anxiety and depression among other common illnesses.

Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for MortalityPerspectives on Psychological Science - Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Timothy B. Smith, Mark Baker, Tyler Harris, David Stephenson, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving to all my beloved family members and friends. Is there someone in your community that you think may be lonely? I'm listening to Brene Brown's Braving the Wilderness audio book this morning and was struck by some statistics that I want to share from the meta-analysis I'm attaching here. Air pollution increases our risk of an early death by 5%, obesity by 20%, excessive drinking by 30%, but LIVING IN LONELINESS INCREASES OUR RISK OF AN EARLY DEATH BY 45%. On this day and every day, if we see someone who looks like they are lonely and needs connection, can we smile? start a conversation? invite that person for dinner? Human connection is one of our basic needs - right along with food, water, and air. I've been lonely and I bet you have been, too. We need each other and the best part is that what we have to give is ABSOLUTELY FREE and may save someone's life. xoxo

Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for MortalityPerspectives on Psychological Science - Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Timothy B. Smith, Mark Baker, Tyler Harris, David Stephenson, 2015 Actual and perceived social isolation are both associated with increased risk for early mortality. In this meta-analytic review, our objective is to establish t...

For Exercise, Nothing Like the Great Outdoors

Yes! The mountains are calling and I must go...who's with me?!

For Exercise, Nothing Like the Great Outdoors Long walks can improve moods and reduce anxiety, but the benefits may be greatest if the walks take place outdoors.

Almost Savory Raw Chocolate - Golubka Kitchen

Would you like a chocolate treat packed full of minerals, probiotics, protein, and adaptogenic herbs? Here's a homemade raw chocolate recipe with nori, miso, mesquite, h**p seeds, and maca! YES! Such a creative combination of flavors. Golubka Kitchen even has a video showing you step by step how to make chocolate in your own kitchen. I am going to try this!

Almost Savory Raw Chocolate - Golubka Kitchen This almost savory raw chocolate is a healthy treat for those chocoholics who don't want to load up on too much sugar but still enjoy a daily treat.

"Scientists are discovering at this very moment that to live as if to live and love were one is the only way of life for human beings, because, indeed, this is the way of life which the innate nature of man demands."
-Ashley Montagu

Do you ever have...Feelings that you just don't understand? Emotions that are coming from somewhere, but you aren't quite sure where? As emotional beings, sometimes we need a little help to figure ourselves out, embracing positive feelings and working through negative feelings. The Feelings Wheel, created by Dr. Gloria Willcox, is a fun tool to help you get to the root of your feelings and explore them. Throughout this process, remember that we are worthy of love no matter what and that you are not alone.

Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy

It's time to work that soil! For many of us, it's been a long winter and we need all the natural antidepressants we can get. So stick those ungloved hands in your garden! The soil microbes stimulate immune cells to produce cytokines which travel to your brain to produce seratonin. If you must wear gloves, that is fine...you'll still inhale some of the microbes. Taking a walk in the woods? Stop and put your hands in the dirt! Interested in coaching in the forest with me? I'll make sure we get our hands dirty!

Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy Soil microbes have been found to have similar effects on the brain as Prozac without side effects and chemical dependency. Learn how to harness the natural antidepressant in soil and make yourself happier and healthier in this article.

Everything you Need to Know About Vegetable Gardening in One Graphic

Calling all gardeners -- check out this very cool infographic!

Everything you Need to Know About Vegetable Gardening in One Graphic The guy who wrote this, Brett James, lives in Liverpool so the planting dates are for that region of England. The dates aren’t the same but all the other info should transfer. If ya want to know the planting dates for the US, go to http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ Enter your zip code and....

Love this!

Are you ready to leave behind the stories of who you thought you were and write a new chapter?

"There is no statute of limitations in starting over. Re-invent yourself every day. Be the girl who walks barefoot and listens to the blues. Tomorrow wear a trench coat and speak fierce truths. Be a phoenix. Be ashes. Burn down. Resurrect. Let go of the idea you must always be who you've always been." -anonymous

Will Health Coaching Save the Modern World?

"A health coach is a supportive mentor and wellness authority who works with clients to help them improve their overall health through dietary and lifestyle changes."

Have you thought about partnering with a health coach?

Will Health Coaching Save the Modern World? Will Health Coaching Save the Modern World? It’s an unfortunate reality that healthcare costs are rising at rapid rates. According to the ...

When I'm outside, especially in this one spot, the world disappears as I know it. I feel happier than a child, gliding along the trail, reaching my hand out to feel the soft moss or the stiff bark. Usually I leave my earbuds behind, but this day was different. I needed my music. I've been listening to a lot of violin lately...sounds from my daughter's room, Paganini's violin concertos on Spotify, and Andrew Bird's Tiny Desk concert on NPR (please go listen!). And I realized this: violins and trees are quite the lovely pair AND having a little music on actually helped me be more present in the forest. I was still able to hear the birds chirping during the diminuendos. The chatter inside my head was quiet. A beautifully rejuvenating experience of movement and nature. Healing. Inspiring. Just perfect. (If you are local and interested in functional medicine coaching outside in the green, I'm ready when you are. 😊)

Surprising Tylenol Side Effects - Kelly Brogan MD

Tylenol --- it's something most of us have grabbed over and over for aches and pains or to reduce a fever, right? There's some very compelling scientific evidence that we may want to find an alternative because it can be damaging to our bodies by depleting a very important antioxidant, glutathione, and may affect liver, kidneys, and mood. Functional medicine practitioner and holistic psychiatrist Kelly Brogan, MD explains more in this blog.

What are some things you can do as an alternative to Tylenol?
You can try anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich curcumin capsules (concentrated turmeric). I have used these when I had extreme sunburn and back pain and they really helped reduce inflammation.

And, as a longer term way to promote a healthy body with low inflammation, an elimination diet is always helpful to identify foods that are causing inflammation in your body. Once you find the foods that work for you, a long-term anti-inflammatory diet is key.

Stress reduction techniques can also help with pain relief such as walking in nature, yoga, massage, and/or meditation. If you have access to quality herbal tinctures (find a local herbalist in your area), a few that may work for pain relief are willow and devil's club and fireweed is helpful in reducing fevers, when necessary.

Surprising Tylenol Side Effects - Kelly Brogan MD Discover some surprising Tylenol side effects and learn what you can do to avoid taking this risk.

This is How You Step up Your Guacamole Game

Do you like guacamole? How about this Indian-spiced guacamole? It sounds wonderful and I'm going to try it today!

You get high quality fats from the avocado (and ghee or coconut oil, if you prefer) and powerful anti-inflammatory compounds from the spices. The capsaicin from the spicy chili pepper raises your body temperature to boost metabolism.

To get the potent antibacterial effects of garlic and allicin, chop that first and let it sit 15-20 minutes before it hits the heat! If you are sensitive to FODMAPs foods, you may want to sit this one out until you work on healing your gut. Or, just try a little and see how it works for you!

Think guacamole is just good on chips? Not so, not so! :) How about as a topping for your salad, roasted veggies, steamed broccoli, spiralized zucchini or cucumbers, or straight from the bowl! Yum!

This is How You Step up Your Guacamole Game Imagine guacamole topped with fragrant, Indian-spiced onions and garlic, green chiles, and mustard seeds. It's great with chips, toasted naan, or toasted pita.

As a thank you to all the beautiful faces who visited our table at the Bellingham Public Market Health & Fitness Fair, I am sharing my Sunflower Coconut H**p Brittle recipe! I had brought four batches to the event and left with crumbs because everyone loved it so much. Enjoy making this in your own kitchen, or send me a PM to purchase it if you are local to Bellingham. (recipe in comments)

It's now easier to send Walkie Talkie a message.

It's now easier to send Walkie Talkie a message.

What Is Functional Medicine and How Can It help You - Interview With Sandra Scheinbaum

Are you wondering what a functional medicine certified health coach does?

Do we write prescriptions? Nope!

Do we diagnose your health issues? Nope!

Do we tell you what you need to do to live your best life? Nope!

Check out this interview with Functional Medicine Coaching Academy Founder to learn more about how I can help YOU! :)

What Is Functional Medicine and How Can It help You - Interview With Sandra Scheinbaum Train to become a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. Program is an Institute for Functional Medicine collaboration. I interview the founder of The F...

Welcome all my friends to the new Facebook home of:
Walkie Talkie - Functional Medicine Forest Therapy.

My mission here is to serve and support you as you contemplate and then take steps to make changes in your life.

In addition to explaining just what I do and how I may be able to help you in private or group consultation, I will be posting articles that support a healthy lifestyle, as well as recipes, photos, and inspiration. I hope you will find something that supports you on your journey.

And, if something strikes you, tell me how it makes you feel! I want to hear from you.

I love this quote by Audrey Hepburn,
"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible!'"

You are possible.

xo, Jennifer