This week, I talked about how ultraprocessed foods really aren't good for you, and ow and why. Surprise. A:so, why whole, unprocessed foods ARE good for you. Your health will be a lot better if you eat less chemicals, more produce, fiber, clean protein, legumes, nuts and seeds! I also have a bit about some life habits that can keep you healthier. I started talking about blood triglycerides, why it's important to keep them low, and how to do that.

This week, I talked about yummy taro root, which can be used like a potato in soups and salads, or as a powder for part of your favorite latte. It has resistant starch and fiber which are great for gut health! I also talked about electrolyte drinks and their pros and cons. Mostly, I think drinking some is a good idea! I also talked about the bumper crop of ticks and how to make some natural insect repellent.

This week, I talked about the heatlh benefits of ube, the purple yam, and how it's NOT taro. They're similar, but ube is ALWAYS purple and taro is not. We'll discuss taro next week! Then we talked about the benefits of carbohydrates and protein for peri- and post-menopausal athletes, taking from Selene Yeager and Stacy Sims, two terrific researchers. We started with supplements for fat loss. Hint: it's the LEAST important thing to do. This week, we discussed conjugated linoleic acid, CLA.

This week, I talked about my experience with having a lumbar spinal cortisone shot at UConn. Spoiler alert: it was a great experience! Just waiting for it to take full effect, but I already have a lot less overall nerve pain. It's exciting! Maybe I'll be back on the bike next weekend! I talked about the health benefits of acetyl-l-carnitine, an amino acid that can help with nerve pain and function. I'm taking it for my nerve pain, and I'll see if it helps! I started to discuss peri- and postmenopausal women and nutrition. Low energy availability and relative energy deficit are totally a thing, and women tend to arrive their because they undereat due to a fear of gaining weight! We get some expert opinions on why older women, especially athletes, should eat more.

This week I talked about my spinal stenosis, how I'm managing, what the MRI said, and how it'll be treated. Let's hope for the best! I also talked about the loneliness epidemic, how and who it's affecting, and how to help. We finished with natural progesterone and other things to help with menopause symptoms.

This week, we talked about two essential amino acids that are harder to obtain in a vegan diet, but not impossible: leucine and lysine. They can be found in beans, nuts, seeds, and pseudograins like quinoa and amaranth. They're both important for building muscle and collagen. Lysine is also important for immune function. We also got started on whether it's really necessary to take estrogen as part of a natural hormone replacement protocol. Hint: maybe not! We continue to make estrogen into our menopausal years, even if you can't see it in blood work. It's in the organs!

This week we talked about WHY we're all seeing those massive clouds of yellow blowing off trees. There is more pollen! Blame climate change, warmer temperatures, longer warm season, more light. Did you know that the wind blowing pollen is much less efficient for pollinating trees and plants then animal pollinators? Pollen in the air is much less likely to land on the specific plant for which it's intended. However, a bee or dragonfly or butterfly will hop from flower to flower, carrying pollen to other flowers within a species. SAVE THE POLLINATORS! We also talked about how people on a vegan diet may not be getting enough protein, and how they can improve that.

This week we talked about how THE OTHER SHOE DROPPED for me. I am having a femoral neuralgia/spondylolisthesis flare! If you have nerve pain in your back and leg, like sciatica or femoral neuralgia, you'll want to hear what I'm doing. Supplements, pharmaceuticals, chiropractic, acupuncture, even a visit to the spinal surgeon! Plus how weight training can delay or halt cognitive decline, even Alzheimer's.