Shedding some "light" on alternative therapies in the news

Drinking Lysol? That IS crazy! But while the country is buzzing with comments on the President’s recent remark, let’s talk about light and disinfectants. While - understandably so - there’s much frustration and confusion about the topic, quite frankly I am diggin’ the questions I’ve received from inquiring minds! Modalities I have used personally and now professionally are getting some attention! I’m hoping this will shed a little light (😉) and provide validity, clarity, and hope for other therapeutic options. 

A little background for those who don’t know. In 2006, I was misdiagnosed with Lupus and “treated” it conventionally for 10 years, only to find it was Lyme plus 15 other infections. When I started treatment for Lyme I was hospitalized due to a severe case of antibiotic toxicity. That was my wakeup call and I turned to natural therapies to heal. The main forms of healing I used? Light and natural disinfectants! For the full story, please click here for my blog.

Light has been used for thousands of years to heal, think sun, and heat. The type of light therapies mentioned last week have been around for years too. I have used UBI (a UV IV treatment) as well as other forms (see below) and can, without a doubt, say they saved my life and finally brought optimal health after 31 years of dysfunctional health.

• UBI (Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation) - There are different forms of UBI but the simplest is when they draw your blood, run it through a UV machine and inject that back in through an IV. The idea is that the UV light heightens the body’s immune response to kill infections.

• Biontology - This is the main form of healing I used during my recovery. It’s a gentle form of light therapy that does not require injecting nor ingesting anything. In very simple terms, it works to identify where biophotons (light) are chaotic versus coherent (i.e. dysfunctional versus functional) and works to amplify the coherent light and neutralize the chaotic light. As a result, your cells can finally communicate and get back to doing what they’re designed to do so that your body can heal (read two blog posts here and here). 

• Infrared - Infrared is a specific wavelength that’s invisible to the eye but we can feel as heat. Also known as Red Light Therapy, infrared supports our mitochondria (cell powerhouse) to make more energy which leads to cell repair and can lead to decreased inflammation and increased circulation for faster healing, skin regeneration, hair growth, decreased body pain and more. One of the pics of me below is using a VieLight. This device administers infrared light through the nasal cavity and helps with brain health, immunity, blood oxidation and more. I bring this with me whenever I travel and use it when I'm feeling rundown.

Groovy, now let’s talk about disinfectants. Should you drink bleach? Please don’t, that would be silly. But when you broaden your lens, friends, we are constantly injecting/ingesting both natural and chemical (or in my opinion, safe and unsafe) disinfectants.

A couple of examples of chemical disinfectants we’re already exposed to. Tap water contains disinfectants (research chlorine dioxide). Vaccines contain disinfectants (research formaldehyde, Thimerosal and Triton X-100 to name a few). Pesticides sprayed on our food (research glyphosate).

There are also natural disinfectants. One I used to fight Lyme was Ozone. Ozone (O3 gas) is used to disinfect and eradicate pathogens like viruses, bacterias and parasites. Ozone is administered in various ways. I used Ozone IVs and have included the blog post I wrote about my experience here. Other natural disinfectants? Herbs and medicinal foods!

It goes without saying, please do not ingest Lysol, bleach or other products designed for disinfecting your laundry room. My intention in sharing this info is 2-fold. 1, your gut instinct is right - ingesting household products is unsafe and yet we are already doing it (🤔). And 2, from a health perspective, there are safe disinfectants that have medicinal benefits and light heals!

So, what can you start doing? Get outside for at least 10 minutes a day (sans sunscreen for these 10 minutes). Look into local infrared sauna studios. Buy organic. Read food/household product labels to identify chemicals. Download EWG’s Skin Deep app to research toxicity levels in skin and household products. And lastly, be courageous, have an open mind and learn to become your own health advocate - always but especially now. Blessings.

P.S. I am also not a medical doctor and do not recommend any of these therapies without consulting a physician.

Wiser tips to try while traveling

Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, being on the go and away from your home can impact your health and overall wellbeing.

One of the most common questions I get from clients is how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on traveling. I’ve pulled together a few of my travel go-to’s that you too can implement while you’re away from your routine, kitchen and food!

Bring your own food.

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success while on vacation is by bringing some “safe” food options with you - that way, if you run into a situation when you don’t have access to clean(er) food options, you have something on hand. Some of my favorites include: The New Primal turkey jerky, Bulletproof bars, Primal Kitchen bars, Artisana nut butter travel packets, Vital Proteins collagen travel packets, raw nuts and seeds...the list goes on!

I also bring a nutrient-dense meal with me to the airport to enjoy pre-flight, flight or post-flight depending on the length of flight. This tactic saves money, uses up food so it doesn’t spoil while you’re gone and provides important nutrients to set your body up for success on the front end of your trip.

Stick to plant-based alcohol. Stay away from sugary drinks.  

Try 100% agave tequila, Tito’s vodka or gin with soda water or on the rocks with a twist. These are all plant-based liquors - they’re clean, refreshing and your body will thank you the next morning!

Plan ahead.

Before your take off, take on the role of a personal travel agent and plan a few meals at restaurants you know will have options you can enjoy.  

Airplane Hygiene.

There are several supportive supplements to bring with you and take on the plane. Prevention is key, especially on the front and/or back end of your trip! A few of my favorites include: colloidal silver nose spray, essential oils, vitamin D/K2, probiotics and elderberry.

Bring activated charcoal.

Charcoal is a binding agent meaning anything that enters the body (food, supplements, alcohol!) binds to the charcoal and is eliminated through your bowel movements. After a night of fun, take a couple of capsules of activated charcoal...you’ll thank me the next morning. Note: take charcoal at least 2 hours away from your other supplement - like I said, charcoal binds to any and all things, including the good stuff!  

Bring your walking shoes.

One of the best ways to explore a new destination is by walking. Not only do you have the opportunity to sightsee but you also get some exercise in - a win, win!

Enjoy yourself!

There are lots of ways you can set yourself up for success but at the end of the day, when you’re away from your kitchen and home, sticking to you a healthy lifestyle is more difficult. That said, do the best you can. If you have a “slip”, quickly forgive yourself and move on!  

Reposted from Dr. Erika Horowitz. For more health-related topics, click here.

The skinny on fats

For decades we’ve been fooled by fat fallacies but the truth is, fats can be good! In fact, they’re essential nutrients necessary for good health. Did you know the brain is 65% fat? Not only that, every cell in our body is fat, our hormones are made from fat and fats are carriers for certain vitamins and minerals. Consuming healthy fat lowers our risk of diabetes and high cholesterol levels, keeps our skin thriving, supports immune function and even enhances our prevention of cancer.

We’ve been conditioned to think fat makes us fat and to avoid it because it causes disease. However, research has disproved this theory, explaining that consuming fat helps us maintain a healthy weight or even lose weight!

Don’t believe me? Here’s some additional color. It was around the 1960’s when fat started getting a bad rap. New studies claimed that saturated fats (i.e. butter, animal products, whole milk, etc.) increased the cause of cardiovascular disease. Coincidentally, a few years before, the food industry began manufacturing a new form of fat called hydrogenated fat (fat pumped with hydrogen). This new fat quickly became popular because it a) was cheaper to produce and b) had a longer shelf life.

All that said, a crucial piece the studies did not include is it wasn’t the fat that was causing health complications, it was this newly developed processed fat that was doing so! Hydrogenated fats (as well as trans fats) are unnatural. They are terrible and detrimental for our health, leading to heart disease, cancer, immune dysfunction, pain and obesity.

So, my best advice is to pass on the fat-free and low-fat products and enjoy the read deal! When you remove an ingredient as flavorful as fat, you have to add in another one. The typical ingredient of choice? Sugar and fake fats. Knowing this, as you roam the aisles of grocery store, ignore the nutritional claims that advertise low-fat and fat-free alternatives. Instead of compromising on flavor, enjoy full fat options!

To help you to distinguish between the good and bad fats on your next trip to the store or out for dinner, here’s a guide.

Unhealthy Fats to Avoid:

• Corn, soybean, cottonseed, canola, safflower and sunflower oil

• Trans fats

• Margarine

• Fat-free and low-fat products

• Processed and fast foods

Healthy Fats to Enjoy:

• Avocados, nuts and seeds, nut butters, coconut products, coconut or nut milk yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, ghee, grass-fed butter, olives, avocado, kefir and coconut oil.

To start your new relationship with healthy fats, enjoy a serving with each meal or snack. Below are some ideas to get you started.

• Raw nuts and seeds (almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts)

• Dairy-free yogurt with raw nuts/seeds

• Celery with almond butter

• Avocado with sea/himalayan salt and pepper

• Raw veggies with guacamole

• Bulletproof coffee

• Hard boiled eggs
  

Reposted from Dr. Erika Horowitz - for additional wellness-related articles, click here.

A Wiser approach to Thanksgiving dinner

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!

It was four Thanksgiving's ago when for the first time finished my meal feeling satisfied and comfortable, both mentally and physically. I remember sitting in my chair, surrounded by my family, and was surprised - I genuinely enjoyed my Thanksgiving dinner without leaving the table feeling stuffed with a stomach ache!

It took a lot of work to achieve this win, especially on such a food-focused day. I had been working hard for months learning to eat more intuitively and consciously - to get curious, not judgemental about my food choices. I remember feeling anxious to apply the tools I had learned on that Thanksgiving day but the feeling of satisfaction and compassion after dinner outweighed the feeling of regret and discomfort of overeating and I have been applying these tools ever since. 

This Thanksgiving I wanted to share some of my favorites with you so you too can approach your Thanksgiving meal(s) consciously and curiously.  

Enjoy and be kind to yourself this Thanksgiving holiday!

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Thanksgiving Year-Round.
In our house, we roast a whole chicken nearly every other week and it’s just as delicious as the turkey we eat on Thanksgiving day. My point is if you’re craving turkey, stuffing or an apple pie on a random day in March, by all means, eat what you’re craving! We live in a time when we can either cook or buy just about anything at any time - there is no need to restrict ourselves of the foods we enjoy eating simply because they’re categorized as “Thanksgiving-Only Foods.”

Eat breakfast.
On a day that’s focused on eating, it might sound counter-intuitive for a nutritionist to advise you to eat more but this tip is one of the best ways to set yourself up for a food-focused day. Why? Your eyes and stomach size will be more inline if you aren’t ravenous while plating your Thanksgiving dinner and you’ll be less inclined to overeat. This year, start your holiday off right with a fun workout and balanced breakfast!

Take 5.
Somewhere along the way, it seems Thanksgiving became an annual food competition around our own dinner tables. Who can eat the most and finish the fastest? This year, I challenge you to take a 5-minute break towards the middle or end of your meal. Put your fork down, take a breath and have a quick check-in. Am I still hungry? Am I full? Am I craving something else? Depending on what you find, make your next move! And remember, the food will always be there for you to have at a later date if you’re not hungry at the moment.

Forgive yourself and move on.
It’s about 30 minutes after Thanksgiving dinner when the stomach aches and food coma hit, and if you’re like me the regret and negative self-talk start barking as well. Did I really need that third helping of mashed potatoes? Trust me, I’ve been there - it happens! But the best thing you can do is forgive yourself quickly and move on. Overindulging on Thanksgiving could very easily carry over and become a pattern for the next 6 weeks until the New Year but why let it? You have the power to make new, conscious and curious food and lifestyle choices at any time, why wait?

You've got questions, I've got answers - Wiser Eating FAQ's

Thank you so much for all of your support with the Wiser Eating launch! The sign ups and positive feedback have been exhilarating and I'm so excited for you to experience what I believe to be the first step toward lifelong health and happiness! 

Since launching, I've received a few questions about Wiser Eating. I picked out the top four FAQ's and have provided answers below. If I didn't cover your answers please feel free to email me at ali@wiserwellness.live.

And remember, the discount expires this Wednesday, September 13th so sign up before then for only $55.
Discount code: GETCURIOUS

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Question #1: Why did you develop Wiser Eating?

I began seeing clients when I was in school receiving my nutritional consultant certification. We were taught to implement the following procedures when seeing clients: conduct an initial visit, follow up with a meal plan and a long list of food, supplement and lifestyle recommendations, check in two weeks later and continue doing so until no longer needed. So, without knowing any better that’s exactly what I did. What did I find? No one was able to implement the recommendations long-term.

I realized the traditional approach I was taught in school wasn’t enough. There was a (big) step missing: "the how." Healthy habits are tough to form, especially when there’s an emotional element as there typically is with food. I realized I needed to develop and teach clients how to build a foundation before providing specific recommendations - without doing so, I was setting them up for failure.

Fortunately, developing "the how," what is now Wiser Eating, came naturally and was a total blast! The material is a combination of the approaches, exercises and tools I learned throughout my education and own recovery from an eating disorder, “Lupus” and Lyme. Over the years, I have invested an insane amount of time, money and energy into discovering the best of the best approaches. Wiser Eating is stripped down to include the best of the best so that my clients can begin to reach their own goals without having to invest the same amount of time, money and energy that I did.

Once the bones of Wiser Eating were developed, I started to implement the material with all of my clients. No matter what they were seeing me for - autoimmune disease, weight loss, Lyme, Candida, pregnancy - they all experienced great success and have agreed, this is a life-changer.

Question #2: Is Wiser Eating different from the Lyme consulting you were doing before?

Yes and no. Although the name Wiser Eating may sound limiting, this is an approach to health that goes beyond food - it empowers you to develop a lifelong healthy and healing relationship with food and your body.  At the end of the day, I developed Wiser Wellness to empower any and everyone to know that good health is possible. So whether you're suffering from Lyme Disease, an autoimmune disease, trying to lose weight or even get pregnancy Wiser Eating is the foundation work to help you get there. 

The core elements of Wiser Eating are what lead me to identify my misdiagnosis from Lupus to Lyme. When I was trying to recover from “Lupus” I was implementing the elements of Wiser Eating by listening to my body and the cues (i.e. symptoms) it was giving me. At the time I was eating the cleanest diet, I was saying “no” to social events to maximize rest and I even quit a job I loved to reduce stress. Yet my health continued to decline. By getting real with what my body was trying to tell me, I realized that there was something else going on. That’s when I found out about Lyme Disease and decided to get tested.

But the success of listening to my body didn’t stop there. While I was treating Lyme, I used my body as a guide more than ever. Here’s an example. I initially started treatment with antibiotics and within two weeks, I was hospitalized for toxic drug exposure. Although it was recommended by several doctors that I continue on the antibiotics, I trusted my gut and my body cues saying, “hell no you won’t continue taking antibiotics - this is not the route we’re going down!” It was at this time I decided to treat the Lyme naturally and alternatively.

I was initially told it would take 7-9 years to recover from Lyme on antibiotics. But, I am fully recovered from Lyme and at least 15 co-infections after only a year of treatment. These are just a couple of examples of ways I used my body as a guide to lead me to good health - I have plenty more if you’re interested!

Without the ability to listen to and trust my body cues, who knows where I would be today. I truly believe this approach saved my life.

So to answer the question, Wiser Eating is not specifically focused on Lyme but I believe it is one of the most important elements towards a successful recovery from Lyme, no matter if you’re taking an alternative or conventional approach to treatment.

Question #3: What’s the goal of Wiser Eating?

To help you learn to develop a healthy and healing relationship with your body and the food you feed it. What does a healthy and relationship look like? I believe it’s when you feel connected to your body - when you’re able to listen to the cues (i.e. symptoms) your body is giving you that either say, “I’m happy and functioning well” or “hmm, something's not right, pay attention.”

Let’s take acid reflux for example. The next time you experience this symptom, instead of reaching for a bottle of TUMS take a moment to recognize a couple of things.

1. This is a cue your body is giving you saying, “Hey, something’s not right. I’m having a hard time digesting the food you just ate."

2. Now think about why your body is having a hard time digesting the food. One possibility is low stomach acid or another possibility could be a sensitivity to the food you ate.

Wiser Eating helps you to recognize these cues so you’re able to make smarter food and lifestyle choices. Wiser Eating teaches you to see the root cause of various symptoms. It provides you with the platform to develop a different type of relationship with your body so you can approach current health problems and prevent future health problems from further developing.  

Question #4: What if I want more specifics (i.e. meal plans, do’s and don’ts, etc.)?

I do not provide specifics throughout the course because specifics for one client will look different from the next. When it comes to health, one size does not fit all. That said, I do offer 1:1 nutritional consultation if you’re interested in that option. Together, we will take a closer look at your health history, goals, lifestyle, etc. to develop a plan that’s right for you using Wiser Eating as a foundation.

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As I mentioned above, if you have additional questions not covered here, please feel free to email me at ali@wiserwellness.live. I'd love to hear from you! If you haven't had a chance to check out the Wiser Eating sales page, click the button below. Be well! 

The death of dieting. The birth of Wiser Eating.

The New York Times' The Daily published a podcast in August 2017 about Weight-Watchers discovery that people no longer want to diet nor talk about losing weight. Why? The media and weight-loss industry have continued to tell us we’re too fat and need to be thinner but we’re not able to reach their ideals.

The main takeaways:

• Weight Watchers was founded in 1963 and has had millions of sign-ups over the years.

• 2015 was the 4th consecutive year of a decline in sales - 5 billion dollar decline to be exact, from 2011 to today.

• The evolution of the weight-loss industry is discussed and how it developed into what it is today. It’s fascinating - listen for yourself!

It concludes by saying...

"The problem with dieting is that it doesn't work, but the other problem with dieting is that we haven't invented anything better."

Coincidentally, I listened to the podcast as I was building out the content for my newest curriculum, Wiser Eating, and folks I’m eager to say we do have something better!

Last week I wrote about the importance of being curious, listening to and trusting your body cues. These skills are the foundation of Wiser Eating. This approach - a “non-diet” diet if you will - is bulletproof and what I believe to be the solution to our current problem.

Then why is no one discussing it? Well for one, it’s inexpensive and doesn’t fund the nearly 64 billion dollar industry but I’ll get off that soapbox :). Additionally, it’s hard work! It is more difficult than avoiding this food, eating that and exercising daily. Wiser Eating requires you to break down mental blocks, combat previous beliefs and approach uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. You’re asked to focus less on your food choices and more on your relationship with food.

Whether we like it or not, our relationship with food has changed over the years from a practical one to an emotional one. Without approaching the emotional element, lasting changes won’t occur.

“If you don’t deal with your feelings, they’re going to come back and deal with you”
...in this case in the form of food!

As a culture, we spend too much time, money and energy thinking about weight. It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions that typically results in deflation, disappointment, shame and failure. Life is too short. I’m tired of seeing people fail and being debilitated by it. 

As a woman with a history of disordered eating, I use and loved this approach. As a nutritional consultant, I use this approach and my clients love it! 

Wiser Eating is what we’re missing. It goes beyond dieting. It’s a life-changer.

How I changed a destructive relationship to food into a loving one

Food and I...we go way back.

The first sign of my destructive relationship with food started in either 1st or 2nd grade when I threw away my entire uneaten lunch after recess. Next was closet eating which became a daily habit and eventually turned into a game - how sneaky could I be without getting “caught” eating? Over the years I became a master of sneaking food and hiding my traces...or so I thought. I was called fat several times - ironic in fact because looking back, I was far from it! Starting at a young age I was very aware of my body. I was ashamed of what I saw in the mirror and became obsessed with what it was I thought I wanted to look like. 

Diets seemed to be a constant growing up - no matter what my weight was I felt like I needed to lose more. If I wasn’t on a diet, I was thinking I should be...probably while eating something “bad” and body checking all at the same time! I joined Weight Watchers in high school and was by far the youngest member there, I did various cleanses and went through several bouts of anorexia followed by binge eating. Arguments with my parents about being unhappy in my body, having “nothing” to wear and worrying about what other people thought of me defined our relationship. My relationship to food was destroying not only me but also my family and it certainly got in the way of my friendships and confidence around the gents.

It all came to a head my junior year of college when I came home for spring break. My eating disorder was at an all time high and I (finally) hit rock bottom. My parents and I decided it would be best if I took the term off to begin my recovery. The following week I enrolled in an in-patient program in San Diego. This marked the start of my six-year recovery. I ended up going back to school the next fall term where I found a team of psychologists because we realized the root of my eating disorder was emotional, as it typically is.

We made several breakthroughs over the next few years but my relationship to food continued to be a roller coaster ride and past behaviors showed face. Patterns included measuring my food out of fear of overeating or undereating, restricting myself followed by bouts of binging and I even joined Weight Watchers again.

It wasn’t until I started seeing my therapist, Dr. A (if you follow my From Lupus to Lyme blog her name might sound familiar) that my relationship started to change. She taught me the power of changing judgement to curiosity. Initially, she introduced this idea to help me connect to my body while treating “lupus” (which we later found out was a misdiagnosis for Lyme Disease but that's a whole other story!) but soon after, I started to apply it to food. 

Being curious about my food choices allowed me to explore the relationship in a non-judgemental way which in turn took fear, anger and anxiety out of the equation. If I reached for a handful of M&M’s, instead of getting down on myself I started to get curious about that choice. Why was I reaching for them? Was it a physical craving or an emotional one? How intense was the craving? Was I even conscious of it?

So, while I was bringing curiosity to my food choices I was also exploring how “lupus” was affecting my body and suddenly the dots started to connect. By removing the emotional element I was able to physically feel the influence food had on my body. For example, if I ate ice cream, I noticed my tummy would be in knots for two days, bread would cause my hands would swell up and be in pain and sugar made my anxiety and stress levels go through the roof. These symptoms had always been there but I was finally in a conscious state of mind to feel them. This was the turning point in my recovery from not only an eating disorder but also from “lupus,” later turned Lyme.  

My relationship to food became more practical and less emotional. I was now dedicated to listening to my body and giving it the food it was asking for, which was surprisingly easy to read. Once this clicked there was no turning back and my destructive relationship with food turned into a loving one. My relationship changed so much so I decided to become a nutritional consultant! 

Friends have asked if working so close to food ever triggers past behaviors. Old thoughts and behaviors will pop up every now and again but instead of succumbing to them and being judgemental, I get curious and incorporate self-compassion. In fact, I would argue that becoming a nutritional consultant was the final stage in my recovery. My professional education has taught me the practical and scientific element of food while my personal experience has taught me the emotional element. 

This approach to food is the best “non-diet” diet I have found. By getting curious, listening to and trusting what it is my body needs, I’ve been able to maintain a healthy and healing relationship with food for almost 5 years. I feel more connected to myself now than I ever have and truly feel this approach helped me recover from an eating disorder, nearly fifteen chronic illnesses as well as chronic Lyme Disease.

Unfortunately, our culture relies on diets and a number on the scale to bring happiness. It seems nearly every other day we’re told to eat this or avoid that to lose weight. Even as a nutritionist, it’s hard to keep up with all of the trending information! But the surplus of information has been successful at one thing: further disconnecting us from our bodies. Instead of trusting our body cues and listening to what we need, we put our trust in fad diets that get us further away from our goals. When it comes to dieting, one size does not fit all. What may work for me, might be destructive for you. It’s silly to assume the latest and greatest diet will work for the general population.

You may be throwing your hands up and thinking, “but I want to lose weight or achieve X goal. How can I do so without dieting?” The answer is “simple,” let your body be your guide.

I say "simple" because it’s quite the opposite and it irks me when I see this open-ended advice. If it were simple, we’d all be doing it! It sounds lovely but we're left in the dark on the next step: how to let our bodies be our guide.

I’m thrilled to say I have developed "the how:" Wiser Eating.  

Wiser Eating is an online course that covers the what, the why and the how and I can’t wait to share it with you very soon! 

"The how" takes time, commitment and emotional vulnerability, all things that require more energy and investment than avoiding this food or eating that.  But speaking from personal experience, it’s worth it and truth be told may not be as scary as you think.

By applying the Wiser Eating approach, you can say sayonara to old and limiting beliefs, find ways to make the emotions more approachable and take your time as you begin to combat old habits to form new ones.

As a nutritional consultant, I recognize I am going against the grain by focusing less on the food and more on the relationship to food. But if you’re like me and have been tied down by diets, negative self-talk and the inability to reach your goals then you know deep in your heart that the change you're craving must come by approaching the root issue, not ignoring it.

Establishing a healthy and loving relationship with food and your body is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. What are you waiting for?

If you're interested in learning more about Wiser Eating, email me at ali@wiserwellness.live. 

Lyfe after Lyme

This summer has been different from the past. I am healthy and Lyme-free, and with that comes a new lifestyle and opportunities. I’ve been traveling, visiting friends, growing my company, Wiser Wellness, and familiarizing myself with this foreign and strong body I’m now living in.

While on a road trip from Washington to Montana this July I had some time to kill and found myself reflecting on my new lifestyle. I kept pinching myself thinking, “Is this really how I get to live my life going forward?” We - me, my family and my boyfriend - have worked hard to get to this point and have so much to be grateful for. And at the same time, we continue to find life after Lyme is an adjustment with a new set of challenges.  

Challenge 1: Breaking old habits.

When you live with a chronic illness you’re constantly making lifestyle choices to simply get through each day (if you’re not familiar with the Spoon Theory, I highly recommend checking it out!). That could mean going to bed earlier to get more rest, packing your own food if traveling, changing your diet to avoid trigger foods, learning to say “no” to social outings or even quitting a job you love because you’re too sick to perform. Every choice you make revolves around your health and every decision is either a benefit or a sacrifice towards feeling ok.

For 11 years I was constantly making these lifestyle choices. I had formed deep-rooted habits, thoughts and beliefs about my everyday actions. While living with “lupus” and Lyme I never would have been able to experience the summer I've had this year without facing major consequences. On our drive through Montana, leaving a fun-filled weekend with friends and feeling the “normal” amount of tired was a completely new experience. I realized that I now have the liberty to make healthy lifestyle choices because I want to, not because I'm forced to.

It’s taking me some time to fully wrap my head around this new reality. Admittedly I’ve been hesitant to live life to it’s fullest out of fear and deep rooted habits and beliefs. I am learning my new boundaries but even more so, I’m learning to combat old ones. With anything new, it takes time to acclimate. That said I’ve had a wonderful time acclimating myself to this new life and am thrilled to have the opportunity to face these new “challenges.”

Challenge 2: Getting to know my new body.

Life after Lyme has been a transformation from the inside out. Physically, I no longer feel pain, inflammation, brain fog, digestive discomfort or fatigue. Visibly, my skin is clearer and glowing, my hands and joints are no longer red or swollen and my hair is thicker than ever. Even my anxiety, concentration and sleep have drastically improved. Overall I’m feeling durable and strong.

I started working out again after a year and a half of resting and let me tell you, it’s been rough! Physically, my muscles are sore and weak but happy to be moving. Emotionally, I’ve been battling critical and judgemental thoughts about being out of shape. Why do they always seem to kick you when you’re down?! But I’ve been practicing what I preach and turning the harsh judgemental thoughts into curiosity - digging deeper and understanding where these negative thoughts are coming from. I’ve had some breakthroughs and other times I end up simply repeating, “be kind to yourself, Al.” It’s amazing how this simple reminder can bring peace.

Living Lyme-free means that I’m developing a new relationship with my body. Right now it feels unfamiliar but I am committed and eager to get to know it as I would a new friend.  

Challenge 3: Re-exposure.

Yep. I got re-exposed to Lyme, meaning I contracted it again after being healed. This past May, Alex and I were hiking in Napa and about three hours later my throat started to hurt, my joints blew up, I had a massive headache and painful body aches - all symptoms that were out of my new norm. I turned to Alex that night and said, “I think I got Lyme.” So, I booked an appointment with my Lyme-literate doctor for the next week and sure enough, that’s exactly what it was (FYI, I did not contract it from a tick but from a mosquito and did not develop a bullseye rash - ticks are not the only way you can contract Lyme!). Fortunately, my body was strong, we caught it early and I knew the exact treatment plan to implement immediately: Biontology, natural supplements, an anti-inflammatory diet and plenty of rest.  

It took about three months to heal from this bout of Lyme and it was a totally different experience from my first time around. Although I’d love to say I’ll never get it again, I can’t. Being re-exposed brought on a new reality for me: I am sensitive to Lyme and this is a disease that will most likely come in and out of my life forever. Some people are sensitive to it while others are not and for reasons researchers are still trying to understand. This reality could bring on anxiety, it could provide limitations on where I go or what I do but I’ve made the decision to not give Lyme that power!

The biggest lesson that was reinforced after being re-exposed was the importance of listening to my body. Over the course of the last 4-5 years, I’ve been incorporating mindfulness into my daily routine and learning how to use it as a tool to make wiser decisions (pun intended). In the beginning, it was difficult and required a lot of time and energy. As a culture, we’re typically taught to ignore the cues (aka symptoms) our body gives us and instead reach for the "quick fix d'jour" to mediate the symptoms. Through mindfulness I have learned the importance of approaching my health in a holistic way and I now look at my body cues with a different lens - not for what they are but what it is my body is trying to tell me.

Here’s a practical example. When my body is healthy and functioning optimally, I do not have any pain, swelling or redness throughout the joints in my hands. The other day, I indulged myself in some wine and bread and woke up the next morning with swollen joints (aka the body cue/symptom). Instead of ignoring the swelling and grabbing some Aleve, I thought about my diet from the previous day and recognized that the wine and bread most likely caused some inflammation. In hindsight would I have avoided the wine and bread? Probably not - they’re two things that are rarely incorporated into my diet and why not live a little! But it was a cue telling me I should stick to an anti-inflammatory diet for the next few days to help flush out the toxins and return to normal functioning.

Mindfulness protected me against another serious case of Lyme this time around. After our hike and feeling the symptoms I experienced, I was able to recognize that something was off, reflected on where I was and what I had been doing and was able to connect the dots before it was too late.

You don’t need to have Lyme to integrate mindfulness into your daily routine. It can be used at any time to help you make smarter decisions when it comes to your health. This week, make it a goal to get curious about the cues/symptoms your body is giving you. Be mindful of your thoughts, behaviors and habits when approaching various symptoms and if judgement creeps in, get curious about it. Enjoy the process and celebrate what you find!

Over the past few months, I've realized that life after Lyme is richer because of my experience with Lyme. As they say, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Lyme has made me stronger! It has provided me with a new approach and outlook on my life and health and for that, I am grateful and better for it. 

My secret weapon: healing with light

Now that I’m Lyme-free, I’ve received a lot of questions about the methods I used to heal from Lyme and the many other chronic infections I was fighting. The answer is a complicated one - I used several different natural and alternative therapies all of which I believed played a huge role in my (relatively) quick and successful recovery. But there was one form of therapy I believe had the biggest impact, Biontology. In fact, I had so much success with it that I will begin training in the next couple of months to become a certified Biontologist so Wiser Wellness clients can benefit from it as well!

As I’m ramping up to that I thought it would be helpful to write a mini-series about Biontology and my experience with it since it is v. alternative ;). To kick off the series, let’s start with the basics. If you read my other blog post on alternative treatment and Biontology this might sound familiar!

What is Biontology?

Essentially, Biontology is light therapy that helps to improve the quality of light within your body. As research has proven, our DNA (cells) communicate through Biophotons, ultraweak photon emissions (aka light particles/waves).

Picture this: when your body is healthy it has nice balanced light waves communicating between your cells. When your body is sick those light waves become chaotic and weak, making communication between your cells very difficult and leading to an array of problems.

Biontology helps to balance those chaotic light waves so your cells can communicate more efficiently and your body can ultimately heal itself. It is a non-intrusive therapy that identifies and focuses on healing the root of the issue .

Instruments needed:

• Chiren machine (used to measure ailments and delivers light remedies)

• Crystal probes (used to transfer light into the body)

• Crystal footplates (used to transfer light into the body)

• Electro-acupuncture pens (used to measure ailments)

What to expect during an appointment.

There are two phases to each two-hour session: measurement and therapy. During the measurement portion, the practitioner uses a form of electro-acupuncture (sans needles) to identify the chaotic light waves throughout the body. From the measured acupuncture pressure points we’re able to identify what specific organs are affected.

Electro-acupuncture you ask? It is essentially acupuncture when the instrument carries a mild electrical current. In the case of Biontology, there are two tools used to facilitate electro-acupuncture. The first (blue) looks like a pen with a fine tip on the end with a cord that connects it to the Chiren machine. The tip is pressed into the pressure points of the hand and feet for measurement. The other tool (gold) is held in the hand during the measurement portion of the session by the client receiving therapy.

Tools used to facilitate electro-acupuncture during the measurement portion of each session.

Based on ancient Chinese medicine, there are pressure points throughout the body that are linked to organs and body systems. Biontology focuses on using these pressure points, specifically the points in the hands and feet. When the tip of the blue tool is applied to a pressure point, the machine gives off a pitch and the sound of that pitch will tell you the health of that organ. A steady pitch means balanced (healthy) light waves and a pitch that drops means chaotic (unhealthy) light waves. So as a practitioner works his way through the pressure points, the pitch tells them where the chaotic light is, ultimately leading us to a potential ailment.

Have I lost you yet? No? Good.

The second half of the session is dedicated to rebalancing the chaotic light waves. The Chiren machine contains over 600 homeopathic light remedies specific to different ailments like lyme, bartonella, small/large intestine inflammation, arthritis, sinus infections, dysbiosis, adrenal fatigue and candida. If a chaotic light wave is detected, the practitioner tests it against a specific homeopathic light remedy to determine if that information changes the chaotic light wave to a balanced wave. If it does, that remedy is selected and is then transmitted into the body through crystal rods held in the hands and crystal plates that the feet rest on. The balancing portion of the session takes anywhere from 20–45 minutes and is completely non-intrusive, pain and drug free!

Crystal rods held in hand to receive light remedies.

What was my first Biontology experience like?

Frankly, I didn’t know what to think. Keep in mind that before this I had stuck to relatively conventional forms of treatment so this was out of my comfort zone. I was completely weirded out by the entire process yet felt immediate relief in certain places throughout my body that I could not ignore. It was different yet intriguing and most definitely unconventional.

Leaving my first session I had a difficult time wrapping my head around how exactly this would help me and I found myself asking the question, “if it’s really that simple, why isn’t everyone doing it?” But I knew in order for me to fully jump onboard I had to be open-minded so I made the commitment to better understand this newfound therapy over the next few months and go from there. It still remains one of the best decisions I made in my journey towards good health.

Here’s what others I’ve personally referred have to say about their experiences.   

“I tried Biontology this last May. I was having episodes of getting incredibly sick to my stomach and could not figure out the root of the problem. Conventional doctors and blood tests provided me with no information and with a big international trip looming I wanted to not only figure out what was causing said episodes but stop it from reoccurring. I am a very literal person, Biontology is not something I could wrap my head around, it made no sense to me but I watched a friend visibly get better in front of my eyes and the one thing that she changed on her quest for help: Biontology. I went to a two-hour session and we talked a lot about my episodes (which my Biontologist healed) but the thing that surprised me most was him bringing up a lower back injury from 20+ years prior. I hadn't mentioned it at all but within 30 minutes of my session my Biontologist asked about it - this blew my mind. My episodes of getting sick stopped that day and I have relief in my lower back for the first time in two decades. Biontology truly was a life changing experience.” - Female, 30’s

“I have suffered from psoriatic arthritis for 15+ years. It's an autoimmune disease that attacks organs as well as joints. Supposedly there is no cure for it. The medications prescribed are almost as bad as the disease itself. I jumped into Biontology with full faith and went off the meds. Within 4 months, my life completely changed! This disease is very visible. My family cannot believe the change they have actually seen. I now live drug-free and pain-free. Now, Biontology is definitely my treatment of choice.” - Female, 50’s

“I am an active, (relatively) healthy 58 year old woman, who has relied on traditional medicine, diet, exercise, and occasional acupuncture over the years to maintain a high quality of life. I have spent my share at health food stores on supplements for the 'ailment de jour'…digestive issues, hormonal imbalance, sleep deprivation, brain fog, and joint problems, you name it! When I was told I needed hip surgery because of pain from overuse, I decided it was time to follow Ali’s advice and try Biontology. The threat of surgery finally compelled me to make an appointment. Within my first two sessions I had relief from my hip pain, better balance and brain clarity, and significant improvement in my overall health. Biontology revealed that some of my problems resulted from whiplash suffered during a car accident that I had totally forgotten! Now, we are addressing horrible Tinitis, and it is improving. The Biontology sessions have changed my life: I am a believer. In this time of increased diagnosis of various autoimmune illnesses, concerns about dietary disease, poor food quality, and other random environmental effects, we are fortunate to have alternatives to traditional treatments that have been proven to be worthless, or even dangerous. I recommend Biontology for people searching for answers to health questions, frustrated by nagging problems that can’t be identified by traditional medicine, or those who are eager to make improvements in their overall health.” - Female, 50’s

To wrap it up...

I'm really looking forward to sharing more with you about my experience with Biontology in the coming months. Although therapies like Biontology are alternative and "out there", I hope the testimonies from today encourage you to have an open mind about your approach to your health. Biontology taught me the importance of taking a step back to focus on healing the root issue versus the symptom. Next up in this mini-series I will be talking more about my skepticism, experience and decision to pursue Biontology. Stay tuned! 

How I'm becoming a body lover this summer season.

When I think of summertime I think of BBQs, summer vacations, late summer nights spent outside, swimming and soaking up some much-needed vitamin D. You know, happy thoughts.

But for me, the arrival of summer almost always brings an underlying sense of anxiety, judgement, anger and disappointment. So how can something that sparks such joyous thoughts also be so self-destructive? Ah yes, because when I think of summertime I also think of bathing suit season. The prime opportunity for judgement and exposure both physically and emotionally. 

Like clockwork the last few weeks have been filled with body checking, criticism and even thoughts of dieting, which is the total opposite of my M.O. This judgemental state of mind has been uncomfortable, exhausting and frankly counterproductive. So this year I am ready to change my approach to the dreaded bathing suit season. I am ready to embrace my body and the way it is right now, not the way I think it needs to be when I put on a bathing suit or more revealing summer clothes.

If this resonates with you then please join me in embracing our bodies starting today! Below are some ways I am embracing and if you have tips of your own please share, I would love to hear!  

What inspired my new approach is the documentary Embrace. I encourage any and all of you to watch it, especially moms and dads. The documentary follows Taryn, founder of The Body Image Movement, as she travels across the globe meeting with women who are redefining and rewriting the ideals of beauty. It was the exact inspiration I needed to help me move from being a body hater to a body lover. Here’s a link to the trailer.

I’m getting curious and replacing judgmental thoughts with self-compassion. This is a key principle of Wiser Wellness and one of my favorite techniques to use when working with clients - #practicewhatyoupreach. For many of us, self-criticism becomes a crutch purely out of habit. In order to change a habit, we must bring consciousness to it, and this is where curiosity comes in. I have found that being curious of a critical thought takes some of the pressure off and that thought then becomes more approachable to explore. After you get curious you have a decision to make. You can either respond to that thought with judgement or with compassion. Here’s an example I used just yesterday.

Thought: You know 4th of July is coming up. You haven’t worked out in weeks. Get outside and go for a run you lazy POS.”

When this thought popped in my head I got curious about it. I reflected on where this thought came from, what triggered it and why there was so much anger behind it. Then I had two choices to make: I could either succumb to the judgement or I could respond to it with self-compassion.

Compassionate response: “Yep, 4th of July is coming up and you will have a great time regardless of what you look like. You have not been feeling well and have been listening to your body, giving it the rest it needs. You will be able to move and enjoy it soon enough. Embrace, Al, embrace.”

These thoughts may pop up all the time for you and you may have to fake it till you make it! When I first started getting curious about my self-talk a few years ago, it was a daunting task because of the amount of negativity going on in my head. But start slow. Maybe make it a goal to combat one judgemental thought a day. Getting curious and responding with self-compassion may be the perfect motivation to explore this new relationship with yourself.

I’m doing what I can and learning to appreciate the current state of my body. I’ve been under the weather the last couple of weeks which has prevented me from working out, being outside and working towards that ideal “summer body,” whatever that means! Although frustrating at first, I am now grateful for being forced to press pause. It has given me a chance to truly listen to my body and be proud to give it the nourishment it currently needs. When you truly listen to and give your body what it needs through food, movement, rest, healing ailments, etc., trust in the work it’s doing.

I have heard so many times, “Ok, I have three weeks to lose 10 pounds. I’ll go to the gym every day and only drink 2 smoothies.” Sound familiar? When we do this type of future planning, we’re setting ourselves up for failure and not taking into account instantaneous hurdles that may pop up. So instead, I have been planning for one day at a time. If my body is feeling good to move, I’m moving! If it’s needing food as fuel, I’m giving it fuel. To expand on this idea, here is a fabulous article on finding your body’s healthy set point. Check it out!

Facing my fears. One of the most powerful exercises I have found is standing naked in front of a full-size mirror for at least 5-10 minutes. During this time you’re looking at yourself, sticking with it and seeing what comes up. I started doing this exercise a few years ago. I remember the first time I did it I looked at myself I had an anxiety attack - that’s how disconnected I was...ugh, breaks my heart. But I forced myself to sit through the discomfort and in the end I found it to be so moving I now do it whenever I am feeling disconnected and you better believe it’s a part of my “embrace” regime!

Some tips: make sure you have the house to yourself and leave your phone in another room - you deserve your undivided attention. If being naked is too much at first, start with taking off one piece of clothing at a time. If you ever become too overwhelmed, simply go back to your eyes - stay with your eyes.

Purchasing bathing suits and clothes I feel my best in. I hate bikinis but for whatever reason I’ve been forcing myself to wear one all these years. I just bought my first one piece and I feel fantastic! So whether you feel your best in a bikini, one-piece, tankini get one and rock it!

In conclusion, some "Words from the Wiser." How to get a bikini body? Put a bikini on a body :) 

What do climate and Lyme Disease have in common? Here are some ways to protect yourself this summer.

Research is finding warmer climates can extend the life of a tick which leads to an increase in reproduction. Others believe it’s not the warmer climates that are causing the spread of Lyme. They argue it has been here all along and the increase is a result of people finally connecting the dots. But no matter the cause, numbers show the cases of Lyme disease are rapidly increasing nationwide.

Traditionally, it’s thought that Lyme is only contracted on the East Coast. And while there is a higher concentration of Lyme on the East Coast, it has now been found in all 50 states. The California Department of Public Health explains “that the tick species that carries Lyme disease on the West Coast, Ixodes pacificus, the Western black-legged tick, is active for a far more extended period than previously recognized, posing a year-round risk in northwestern California.” FYI, the same species of ticks are found in Oregon and Washington.

And not to continue being the bearer of bad news but ticks are not the only way to contract Lyme. Studies show it can also be transmitted through mosquito bites, breast milk, blood transfusions, placenta and even sexually transmitted. With all of the rain we had this past winter, officials are warning that this year might bring a record number of mosquitos and other insects to the region. Swell...just swell. 

But living in fear of contracting Lyme and restraining yourself from doing the things you love to do should not be an option. With the warm summer months upon us, below are a few tips on how you can protect yourself.

1. If hiking or gardening, cover up. Wear white or light colors so you can easily spot a tick or mosquito. Also, wear smooth and lightweight clothes as that material tends to be more difficult for ticks to latch onto.

2. Use bug repellent. For those who prefer something natural, my personal favorite is Herbal Armor or a citronella-based repellent. For those who are impartial, I recommend two options: DEET (best for repelling) or permethrin-treated clothes. Permethrin kills ticks within seconds of touching the clothes.

3. Do a tick/bite check if you've been outside. Keep in mind, you do not need to go camping or hiking for a tick/mosquito to find you. They can easily be living in your backyard. Don’t forget to check those warm crevices where bugs love to snuggle up...behind your ears, under your armpits...those dark corners below the belt ;)

4. No matter if you do or do not find a bite, have daily check-ins with yourself. You’re looking for any of these common acute Lyme symptoms: a sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, swollen/achy joints and/or brain fog. Lyme mimics flu-like symptoms which is why it’s so difficult to diagnose. If you’re feeling icky don't risk it, make an appointment with a Lyme-literate doctor.

5. If you suspect you may have contracted Lyme, feel free to contact me at ali@wiserwellness.live or get in touch with a Lyme-literate doctor. This step is very important so you’re working with someone who is familiar with Lyme and knows how to properly diagnose and treat you.  

 Bottomline: be smart and protect yourself, be aware, listen to your body and seek out a Lyme professional if you suspect you've contracted it.

Additional reading materials:

• https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23431195-800-lyme-disease-is-set-to-explode-and-you-cant-protect-yourself/

• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/has-climate-change-made-lyme-disease-worse/

• http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/03/06/518219485/forbidding-forecast-for-lyme-disease-in-the-northeast

• http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/04/21/523066394/-curiousgoat-will-climate-change-help-ticks-and-mosquitoes-spread-disease