By Kathy Abascal As we move through summer, fleas multiply, and many pets end up with hot spots. Hot spots are skin infections caused by an imbalance of bacteria. As the dog licks an itchy flea bite, the pH of the saliva disrupts the normal skin flora, creating an environment that suits the “wrong” microbes…
By Diana Diaz I think it’s fair to say that we all have our personal reasons for practicing yoga in its many forms. Hatha Yogis enjoy moving the body, while Raja Yogis gravitate toward the calming and clarifying effects of meditation. Japa Yogis immerse in chants and prayer. Karma Yogis take it into the world…
By Kathy Abascal Do your ankles sometimes swell? Do you have varicose veins or hemorrhoids? Personal questions, but important ones. Because, if you do, you could end up with chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI. I am sure you know that the heart pumps blood out to the hands and feet. But have you ever wondered…
By Diana Diaz Pins and needles, needles and pins, a happy man is a man that grins. You know how we get those physical signs of stress and anxiety? We might feel tired or have random aches and pains that we can’t really pinpoint? We stretch, we breathe, and we feel rejuvenated right afterwards. But…
By Dr. Leigh Siergiewicz Shortly after I finished my naturopathic degree at Bastyr, I took a 45-hour course to become a certified lactation educator to round out the women-focused practice I planned on starting, as well as for my personal future plans to have children. Two years later, I had my first child and learned…
By Jane Valencia Summer wild fires have become more common in recent years. Whether we’re traveling through areas where fires are raging, or encounter smoke billowing over our Island from elsewhere, poor air quality can irritate and inflame our bodies in many ways. Luckily, plants abound that can help. Here are some of my favorites…
By Michelle Reed and Sandi Silagi Here’s how it begins. Parts of your body start to work just a bit differently. But the changes are small, and you’ve adjusted to them. Things like: You’ve started to sit down when you put on your shoes. It’s so much easier to wear slip-on shoes, you never wear…
By Kathy Abascal Blueberry plants are nothing short of amazing. They produce luscious berries that most of us love to eat and are rich in a type of omega 3 fat that we do not get enough of. In addition, blueberry leaves and berries have useful medicinal properties. They grow well in the Northwest, and…
By Caitlin Rothermel New information is now coming out quickly regarding myocarditis caused by the mRNA vaccines. On April 16, 2024, the United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM – formerly the National Academy of Science) released an expert report finding a causal relationship between the SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccines and myocarditis. The language is…
By Kathy Absascal The elders have just started blooming on the Island. Each spring, I am a bit surprised by how many elders grow here, as they only become noticeable when their flowers appear. In the Northwest, we mostly have red-berried elders (Sambucus racemosa). The red berries are not toxic in small amounts, but are…