Learning the Aloha Spirit? Every time we pick up a newspaper or watch the news, the lead story is always about some person-to- person horror with the foundation being centered around race, culture or religion always resulting in bloodshed, mayhem, chaos or oppression. Seeing this we become fearful and anxious and struggle to remain optimistic and positive. Somehow, in Hawaii, we seem to find a way through this with tolerance, civility and being observant. Coming to Hawaii in the 70’s, in the laid back town of Lahaina, which has now been burned down by a**holes to remodel it,  I was defini ..read more

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects somewhere between 5-10% of the population. This digestive condition is uncomfortable and intrusive upon daily living. Those who suffer from IBS must be careful of certain foods that trigger disruption to digestion. Although having a complete list of possible foods to avoid for a person with IBS is practically impossible, at least eliminating foods that could pose problems is a proactive measure to keep IBS at bay. Attempting an elimination diet is a way to pinpoint what does and does not strike IBS issues to occur. The goal is to maintain regular bowel mo ..read more

In an era where our interactions are increasingly digitized and our social circles can feel cramped by the walls of our own minds, the vibrancy and pulse of a summer festival can be a great antidote. The Pull of Shared Passions Festivals are the embodiments of shared passions, diverse yet united under a common thread, and an undercurrent of belonging. Be it the melodic hum of a music festival where genres transcend barriers and time, or the breathing chants of a yoga retreat that connect breath to movement and hearts to one another, the power of a collective passion is undeniable. In these mom ..read more

Respiratory issues in dogs can be a cause for concern for any pet owner. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from a variety of respiratory conditions that affect their airways and lungs, which are essential for breathing. Some of the common respiratory problems in dogs include infectious diseases like kennel cough, inflammatory conditions like bronchitis, and even more serious ailments such as pneumonia. It’s important for dog owners to recognize the signs of respiratory distress and seek veterinary care promptly. Recognizing the symptoms of respiratory issues in dogs is key to providing timely ..read more

Cold therapy, termed cryotherapy, has become a popular form of self-care for the body. It can be done in one or more areas of the body and some people have it done on their whole body. The idea behind cryotherapy is that immersing the body in cold temperatures produces several benefits. The most popular approach is called WBA, which means whole-body-cryotherapy. This is when the person puts their whole body in a chamber that has an opening for the head and the water is nearing 200–300°F. The process is quick and lasts only two to four minutes. For best results, this should be a repeated p ..read more

What if someone or a group of someone’s wanted to keep the people in a state of ill health? How do you suppose they might go about that? What about producing and strongly promoting high fat, highly processed, high caloric, devitalized, highly chemicalized, and genetically modified foods? That would work, wouldn’t it? Do you think that if the land and the oceans were raped and left barren to feed livestock and overfishing, if the air was polluted and the drinking water was poisoned with fluoride, that that could contribute to ill health as well? If hypothetically, someone or a group of  so ..read more

Iliotibial band syndrome (IT) is a pain many workout enthusiasts, runners, and cyclists can experience. The area affected is near the outside of the hip and/or the outside of the knee. The IT is a band of strong tissue that runs from the hip to the tibia which is below the knee joint and at the top of the shin bone. The responsibility of the band is to stabilize the knee when you move. However, excessive training, poor biomechanics, tight muscles and little flexibility, and/or repetitive unbalanced exercises, can cause pain to the IT area. When the IT band is aggravated, the person will feel p ..read more

Migraine relief is a highly desired practice among the 42 million Americans who experience them. Most people (52%) go undiagnosed and attribute their headaches to their sinuses, so the cycle of chronic migraines that strike from time to time continues. 70% of those people who have migraines are women. Migraines are a real issue for most of those who have them (51%) because they do report the impact on their daily productivity be it work/school/household responsibilities. Migraines vary in duration, frequency, and symptoms so treatment modalities can also vary. There are non-drug options to pro ..read more

On October 16, 2022 my brother fell 8 feet off his back deck into the outside concrete basement stairwell. It was dusk and it was 38 degrees and the only witness was Sheldon—the neighbor’s dog.  Sheldon barked furiously but his owner thought the coyotes were after him and promptly brought him inside. My 77-year-old brother laid out there at the bottom of the stairwell all night. When Sheldon came out the next morning, he once again started barking and staring over toward my brother’s house. Sheldon’s owner came out to look and saw both rails off the deck, the glider overturned, flower pot ..read more

Tofu is a popular soy product that originates from China. It is made by condensing soy milk and pressing it into blocks (very similar to how cheese is made). To keep in this solid block-form, nigari is used which is a type of salt that comes from seawater. One of the more recent debates regarding soy is that soybeans are mostly grown in the U.S. Their production is widely from the use of GMO’s. The effects of genetically modified crops on health are still in need of long-term research. Tofu is a protein choice among those who practice a vegan/vegetarian diet. Eating tofu can be part of a healt ..read more