May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so of course we need to discuss how this ties into our gut! The Gut-Brain-Mental Health Connection The gut and brain are connected through the “gut-brain axis”, a communication network that allows for the exchange of information between the two. Read more…
Irritable Bowel Syndrome I can just hear you saying, “Ah, but I already know my bowel is irritable, Amy, do I really need more awareness about this???” An irritable bowel is unpredictable, uncomfortable, and at times, can be downright embarrassing. So yes, you’re definitely already aware of Read more…
My toxic trait is Perfectionism. If I’m not doing it 110%, I’m not doing it sufficiently. And I have been this way for as long as I can remember. So you’re probably not surprised to hear that my doing it 110% is no different when Read more…
The year is drawing to a close and I’m finding that amidst the frenzy of consumerism, school parties, sick kids, wrapping of loose ends, and other attention thieves, a few moments of quiet reflection time is blissful. As my sick toddler naps feverishly with her Read more…
Halloween can be a time of excitement and anticipation for children, and outside of dressing in costume, one of the key highlights is often the delicious candy they collect while trick-or-treating. As parents, we may be entering into a controversial space here: should we let Read more…
Our body contains a super-highway, the vagus nerve, the connection between the entire digestive system and the brain. Emerging research has highlighted that this “gut-brain axis” consists of two nervous systems: the central nervous system (housed in the brain) and the enteric nervous system (housed in the Read more…
At last, the heat of the summer has broken. All the children have returned to their various learning environments, the days are starting to shorten as we transition into fall, and new rhythms are getting established for this new season. As the children make new friends, adjust Read more…
And it’s not from that watermelon seed you swallowed! Last month we talked about taking good care of your gut microbes to keep them in beneficial balance, and one way to really nourish them and keep them quite happy is by feeding them well. Think Read more…
Hey. You have a big responsibility. A giant one, in fact. You are the host to an entire ecosystem of microorganisms. A variety of bacteria and other microbes line nearly every surface of your body, with each organ hosting a distinct mix of these microbes. These Read more…
The gluten free diet has been trendy for years now. All over the world, people have been ditching gluten, hoping to lose weight and live healthier lives. However, this diet isn’t for everyone and it could even be causing harm, along the lines of gut Read more…