Author Archives: Maria Atwood, CNHP

Why You Should Pamper Yourself:
A Profound Physiological Remedy

Merriam defines the word “physiology” as: “A branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (such as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved.” What a perfect word to help discover the reasons for discovering why you should pamper yourself. This is […]

Ever Hear of Antimicrobial Herbs?
Powerful Allies for Gut Cleansing and Pain Relief

In my recent blog post “New Thoughts on Arthritis,” I wrote that more and more evidence is pointing to the fact that arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders may, in reality, be caused by long-standing infections. I would like to suggest that you go back and read that blog post before continuing here, as this will […]

Synthetic Vitamins vs. Whole Food Supplements: Which Is Best?

I’ve sometimes been stunned on the first visit from a new client. I generally ask that they bring in all of their medications, along with any vitamins and other health-related products, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that many of them would bring in twenty or more substances! And oftentimes they didn’t understand the […]

Some Spicy Suggestions:
A No-Waste Method for Keeping Spices Handy and Fresh

You’re in the middle of preparing a favorite dish, and company is set to arrive in forty-five minutes. But then you realize—you’re missing that one must-have spice in the blend you need for your recipe, and all because you threw out your old spices! Suddenly, the wind goes out of your sails. Hopefully, some of […]

GLA and HCL for Sudden Joint Pain: What Is GLA and HCL? Read On to Learn More!

It seems to me that even when we purposely research healthy foods and natural remedies, it’s sometimes just as easy to stumble into a unique healing solution as the result of a sudden illness. This is the situation I ran into recently after a sudden, unexpected episode of joint pain that made me feel like […]

Spotlight on Limonene: For Superior Breast Health and Much More!

Every once in a while, I run across some information that reminds me how there are so many special plants and/or foods that do so much more than look pretty. Then again, once you embark upon the study of plants and foods, you realize that very few of them are just pretty. They all contain […]

New Thoughts on Arthritis: Could the Real Cause Be Long-Standing Infections?

A few months ago I suddenly experienced a great deal of joint pain and stiffness, even though this has been a mild winter and I’ve never been prone to arthritic–type pains before. I wondered if it was just my imagination, but I still went to see my favorite chiropractor, Dr. Joe Givan, and his adjustment […]

CARB CYCLING: Adrenal Reset, Lower Cortisol, and Weight Loss

Can you identify with any of these symptoms: struggling to lose weight, anxious and/or fearful, not sleeping well, tired but wired? And do you feel all of this despite last year’s resolution to give up carbs in a last-ditch effort for more energy or to feel calmer and slimmer? Perhaps you became disillusioned after seeing […]

Exploring the Second Brain:
Gut Signals and What They Mean

When my clients describe the following, I immediately know what they are talking about: “gut signals.” A sudden and anxiety filled awakening that often comes in the super early-morning hours, approximately 3 AM—though symptoms may also come at other times of the day, depending on many factors. Since I frequently hear more about the 3:00 […]

Buttery Festive Delights: Healthy Desserts for Special Occasions

I can just imagine all the groaning and the shaking of heads as you think to yourselves: You must be kidding. There’s no such thing as a healthy dessert! Nevertheless, healthy desserts are possible. Although you should eat anything containing sweeteners with some reserve. Sugars should not be consumed to the extent that they are […]

The Mystical Side of Nutmeg: Legend, Reality, or Something In-Between?

Every once in a while, I go to my spice rack only to see spices that have been there seemingly for years! (Sigh) As I rummage through my vast collection, looking for a few favorites for some dish I’m making, I’m always left with a little guilt that some of my spices have been there […]

Disturbing Facts About Melatonin: What We Don’t Know Can Hurt Us—Keep Reading

There’s no denying the fact that many people in our modern culture experience serious sleeping problems, which accounts for why so many of us are ingesting a potent and possibly dangerous synthetic hormone, melatonin. You may be thinking to yourself, What? I only take natural melatonin. This is a harmless sleep aid, and I won’t […]

The Quest for Superior Nutrition: Our Desperate Need for Whole Food Supplementation

It’s a certain truth that dynamite comes in small packages. I want to discuss just such a shot of dynamite in the form of a powerful, 52-page booklet that was hidden among my favorite health reads: Why Your Doctor Offers Nutritional Supplements by Stephanie Selene Anderson with Mark R. Anderson. Above the title of the […]

FREEDOM FROM ANTIBIOTICS: An Easy Guide to Safer Alternatives

After the last few weeks of working alongside my garden helper, cutting down all my ornamental grasses, and harvesting the rest of my herbal treasures (heirloom hyssop, boneset, oregano, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, and others), it occurred to me how diligently we get our yardwork done in preparation for yet another winter, yet we often don’t […]

The Death of Brain Neurons (Sad News: Ted Turner Recently Diagnosed with Dementia)

Although my time for perusing the latest entertainment news is relatively limited, I nevertheless saw an article announcing that Ted Turner had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. My first thought, after a genuine sense of sorrow for him, was to ask myself if the rest of us might be able to deter, prevent, or […]

Endorphins for Happy Moods and Pain Control

Possibly since the dawn of our humanity, hidden yet very real energies have existed that can generate instant physical healing, help control chronic pain, and give us the power of metanoia (the instantaneous changing of our minds or overcoming damaging habits). What would you think if I said you could access the phenomenal effects of […]

Detoxing the Villi: Why? So You Might Be Able to Eat Gluten and Wheat Again!

Looking at the vast number of articles, podcasts, and blog posts out there about gluten, it seems that our flight from this substance is becoming more and more of the “in” thing. I wonder if this trend is just a temporary craze or if there’s something more to be understood here. Unfortunately, not enough of […]

Anxiety and Fear: What If They’re Caused by Bad Habits?

I can just see every psychiatrist, psychologist, and even many holistic practitioners wondering if I’ve gone off the deep end by introducing the idea that maybe, just maybe, the excessive and sometimes irrational anxiety and fear experienced by millions of people in our society could be caused by a set of really bad habits. Yes, […]

My Favorite Edible Weeds: A Lesson in Nutrient Dense Wild Foods

Are you one of those eccentric people who’ve earned the title of “health nut” or some other such name that puts you outside of the mainstream? If you are, your eating choices probably include whole grains, grass-fed beef, and pastured eggs. And if you’re a true health nut, I guarantee that at some point in […]

GRIEF: There’s Sunlight After the Storm (Healing Remedies for Sadness)

We often regard conversations that deal with sorrow, sadness, or grief as negative and unpleasant. However, we all experience grief at one time or another. And although it’s no bowl of cherries, it’s nevertheless a normal part of an emotionally healthy life. Yes, understanding and processing this emotion properly is vital to an overall happy, […]