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Self-care. What a loaded buzzword! What does it mean to you? To me, it’s not about getting manicures or facials. To me, self-care is tending to your needs and truth. Self-care is protecting yourself and making sure you’re safe. If you are used to chaos, this may seem boring initially and throw

Excerpt from Newsletter: Well, January came and went at lightning speed! I’ll say that was a record (for me, at least!)   You didn’t hear anything from me last month! What happened? I realized late last year that I am constantly teaching and coaching others: my 3 teenagers, my clients,

Final Research Project, Bauman College for Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts by Christine Engen July 18, 2018 INTRODUCTION Nutrition is a grossly neglected area in traditional recovery programs designed to treat alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction. Research has shown that the majority of addicts suffer from biochemical, nutritional,

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT Let's focus on the desired outcome rather than the negative symptom. Humans have the need for comfort (absence of distress, emotional and physical pain). There is one amino acid that can really help support your natural painkillers - endorphins - so you are comforted, feel

We have everything we need, NATURALLY, to live a happy, joyous existence. The way to get there is by strengthening our ability to cope with stress. Optimal GABA levels mean you are calm, relaxed, physically resilient, and can cope with negative situations. You do not experience stress-related cravings. GABA is “The

Optimal Catecholamine levels mean you are focused, energetic, have drive and enthusiasm for life. You do not experience cravings for “uppers”. The catecholamines are Dopamine, Adrenaline and Noradrenaline. Think of the Cats as the “Spark of Life”! If you want to be able to focus, complete a task, wake up

When we miss a meal or have a very low protein or high sugar meal, our blood sugar levels become dysregulated. To manage blood sugar fluctuations, the pancreas releases adrenaline/cortisol to bring levels back up to normal. This release can feel like anger, anxiety, fear, or dread! It can also

​Optimal Serotonin levels mean you are flexible, cheerful, have a positive outlook, self confidence, a sense of humor, very little worry and rumination, and you sleep like a log! You also probably do not experience afternoon and early evening cravings for substances like alcohol or sugar. Think of it as

Here's an example of the Mental Health SYMPTOMS that drive CRAVINGS for substances.  I use Julia Ross' The Craving Type Questionnaire to determine which neurotransmitter systems are depleted and causing symptoms and cravings.  Take a look and check off the symptoms below that best describe your struggles with mood. What's

BYE BYE BAD FAT!  If the food is fried, it likely has unhealthy, oxidized oils. Skip it! Stick to good, clean fats like coconut oil, avocado, salmon and olive oil.   SKIP THE LATE NIGHT SNACKS The liver’s regenerative cycle is between 11p and 3am . If your body is