One change that I often urge with all my new patients, and even many of my recurring patients, is to think about starting off the year with a Liver Detox. I like to explain to my patients that the liver is like the CEO of your body's operations. Like a CEO, it oversees critical functions, manages resources, and keeps everything running smoothly. The liver itself filters toxins and waste from the bloodstream, including environmental pollutants, chemicals from processed foods, alcohol, and medications. 

The liver also produces bile, which breaks down fats from your foods and absorbs the fat-soluble vitamins (A, K, E, and D) found within your foods. It also aids in metabolizing your hormones, such as estrogen, and helps keep things balanced within your system. The importance of the liver and all that the liver does to keep things running smoothly cannot be understated. This hardworking CEO certainly earns the big bucks by keeping out the unwanted and allowing our bodies to absorb nutrients efficiently and effectively.

But when it’s overloaded with toxins, it gets overworked and sluggish, like a boss buried under too many tasks. You can trace so many different system malfunctions back to an overwhelmed, backed-up liver. 

If you haven’t heard of it before, the 80/20 rule is a simple but effective approach to maintaining balance in your diet. The idea is that 80% of your food choices should come from wholesome, nutrient-dense foods—fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats—while the remaining 20% can be reserved for indulgences, like those festive holiday treats or a glass of wine. It’s not about restriction, but about making conscious choices that nourish your body, while still allowing room to enjoy the pleasures of the season without guilt.

The end of December is coming up quickly, and seems to come quicker every year. Many of us are either in the midst of purchasing presents or are frantically trying to finish up their holiday shopping. There are meals to plan, gifts to wrap, cultural traditions to observe, religious services to research and make accommodations to attend, and family members - oh heavens, all the family members! - to visit, make plans with, and set up the guest room for. 

When the big day finally comes, it’s a wonder we feel so burnt out rather than present (pun intended) in the moment. 

Why is such a magical time of year so stressful?

There’s nothing inherently wrong with having a cozy night in after a long day at work. There’s nothing wrong with hot tea, soft blankets, or even the occasional DoorDash.

But when you lock yourself inside every day after work —no movement, no interaction, no time outside of your home in nature— you begin to cut yourself off and silently strip away the things that make us feel happy, healthy, and truly alive. Sadly, the effect that this takes on our physical and mental health can be devastating. Over time, the lack of movement, social connection, and time outside can lead to a sense of isolation, increased stress, and a decline in overall well-being. Our bodies and minds are designed to thrive on activity, fresh air, and human interaction, and without these, we risk becoming disconnected from the natural rhythms that keep us balanced. 

It certainly can be challenging to grow a grateful spirit, let alone maintain it, amidst the overwhelming tasks and challenges of life. This mix of life’s standard stressors and the extra stress from the holidays can quickly cloud our sense of appreciation. After all, how is one supposed to be grateful when you’re paying bills, answering calls on your lunch break, and you have to listen to Great Aunt Doreen criticize your cooking at Thanksgiving again?

What is the organic section? Is that just where the overpriced fruit and veggies are kept? Is it a scam by the store to make more money? Or is there something about the organic section that’s actually helpful and healthful?

The simple explanation is that organic produce is grown and harvested without synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, biotechnology, synthetic ingredients, or irradiation. The standards of growing produce organically is much different than the standards used to grow regular produce. Organic produce is also required for their operations to conserve biodiversity, cycle their resources, and preserve ecological balance. In short, organic produce is as close to nature’s original and unchanged creation as we can get to.