What Is the Residue from COVID?
A Social Work and Functional Nutrition Perspective The COVID-19 pandemic did not end when infection rates declined or restrictions lifted. Instead, it left behind a complex residue—biological, psychological, and social—that continues to shape individual lives and collective well-being. From a social work and functional nutrition perspective, this residue is not just about lingering symptoms; it […]
How the Amygdala and Thinking Work Together
A Functional Nutrition & Social Work Perspective Have you ever reacted instantly to something—your heart racing, your thoughts spiraling—before you had time to “think it through”? That moment is a perfect example of the dynamic relationship between the amygdala and your higher thinking brain. From a functional nutrition and social work perspective, understanding this partnership […]
Identify: Is Your Fear Real or Imagined?
Fear is one of the most powerful human emotions. It can protect us from danger, sharpen our instincts, and prompt life-saving decisions. Yet fear can also become distorted—magnified by stress, trauma, or biochemical imbalance—until it no longer reflects present reality. From both a functional nutrition and social work perspective, understanding whether fear is rooted in […]
How the Amygdala and Thinking Work Together
A Functional Nutrition & Social Work Perspective Have you ever reacted instantly to something—your heart racing, your thoughts spiraling—before you had time to “think it through”? That moment is a perfect example of the dynamic relationship between the amygdala and your higher thinking brain. From a functional nutrition and social work perspective, understanding this partnership […]
The Wellness Industry: Promise, Pitfalls, and Mental Health Support
A Functional Nutrition and Social Work Perspective The wellness industry has exploded over the past decade. From supplements and detoxes to breathwork apps and biohacking routines, wellness is now a multi-billion-dollar global movement. At its best, the industry has helped normalize conversations about mental health, gut health, trauma healing, and nervous system regulation. At its […]
Understanding Health Canada Food Labelling
A Functional Nutrition & Social Work Perspective In today’s complex food environment, reading labels is no longer just a skill — it is a protective health behaviour. From a functional nutrition lens, labels help us identify ingredients that influence inflammation, blood sugar, gut health, and nutrient status. From a social work perspective, they are also […]
The Art of Being Present
The Art of Being Present is increasingly recognized not only as a philosophical or spiritual practice, but as a scientifically supported foundation for holistic healing. In contemporary health research, presence—often discussed through the lens of mindfulness, interoception, and self-regulation—is linked to measurable improvements in mental, emotional, and physical well-being. From a holistic perspective, being present […]
What Is Transparency? A Holistic Perspective on Truth, Healing, and Wholeness
Transparency is often spoken about as honesty, openness, or clarity—but from a holistic healing perspective, transparency is much deeper than simply telling the truth. It is a way of being. Transparency is the alignment between what we feel, what we think, what we say, and how we act. It is the gentle courage to let […]
Trust as a Healing Practice in Relationships
Trust is often spoken about as something we have or don’t have in a relationship. But from a holistic healing perspective, trust is not a static state—it is a living practice. It is shaped by our nervous systems, our past experiences, our attachment patterns, and the stories we carry about safety, love, and abandonment. Trust […]
Seed Oils and Inflammation:
A Functional Nutrition Perspective Seed oils have become a central point of discussion in nutrition and inflammation research. As a Functional Nutritionist, my role is not to create fear around food, but to examine how dietary patterns interact with human biology over time. Inflammation is not inherently harmful—it is a necessary immune response—but when it […]
Cloned Meat Through a Functional Nutrition Lens:
What It Means for Health, Aging, and the Nervous System As a Functional Nutritionist, my role is not to label foods or technologies as “good” or “bad,” but to ask better questions. How does this affect the body as a system? What are the long-term implications for metabolic health, inflammation, and the nervous system? And […]
Understanding the Work Habit
This week’s blog post is printed with permission from Dr. Michael M. Newman, DNM, Ph.D, HHP, FAIS, Doctor of Natural Medicine, Author, Researcher: Neuroscience coach; Stress and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Understanding the Worry Habit Loop From a neuroscience perspective, worrying is a habit. Our brains often see worry as a way to protect us. Even […]