Travel Immunity

Almost 2 million people fly every day and some people arrive feeling worse than when they left. Flying is very taxing to the body; it messes with its natural rhythms, puts a strain on the immune system, causes dehydration, increases stress hormones, and (sadly) accelerates aging. It puts you at high risk of feeling under the weather as the air isn’t really filtered but instead simply blown to the back of the plane and re-circulated.

Our bodies were never designed to be confined to be at high altitude, especially in such close proximity to so many people breathing the same air. Flying exposes you to environmental toxins and pathogens that you aren’t routinely exposed to. You’re exposed to radiation, toxic cabin air and new people. If you have a robust immune system then your body will handle these toxins by using its amazing detox pathways. However, if you’re not in optimal health these things can hit you pretty hard.

We want to arm you with all the correct defenses so that your immune system becomes Superman and can battle these not-so-ideal environments. Here are the top 6 defenses to protect your body and kick the immune system into gear!

Stay hydrated. It’s vital you stay hydrated, especially before the flight. The cabin air is very dry causing dehydration, drying up your mucus membranes, throat, eyes and weakening your immune system. Stay away from any alcohol and coffee before the flight and make sure to get in lots of good filtered water. Coconut is a great pre- flight drink with high electrolytes will keep you hydrated longer.

Avoid X-ray airport scanners. These machines give off a lot of electromagnetic field radiation, wreaking havoc over the body and weakening the immune system. I recommend avoiding these if at all possible, to prevent this toxin from affecting the body and making you more susceptible to the toxins on the planes. They say that they are safe but won't allow children and pregnant women through.  So that's something to think about.  Ask to opt out of the scan or apply for the TSA pre-pass that lasts for 5 years.

Pack your snacks. Diet is always key and being on the right nutrion program will make sure you have all the correct vitamins and minerals that will ensure the immune system is in full gear. Packing your own food and snacks will allow you to know what you’re eating. Pack foods that boost your immune system and be sure to stay away from the unhealthy packaged and prepared food at the airport.

Get extra immune support. Being on a nutrition response testing program will protect your immune system by making sure they body has the correct nutrition to keep you healthy and full of energy. Because flying can add a lot of stress to the body extra immune support is vital to make sure we feel great when we land. Immuplex and Wellness Blend are our go-to products for flying to make sure to keep the bugs away, energy levels high and immune system boosted. 

We are coming out with our own Healing Arts immune support supplement so keep your eye out for it when in lands in the office.

Exercise. Make sure to keep the body moving. Get up and stretch your legs on the plane and be sure to get some exercise in before and after your flight. This will allow the body to get adequate blood flow and detoxifying movement of the lymph system. 

Cover your ears. This may sound odd but the noise pollution form planes is actually a lot higher on the decibel range than what we are used to, which can actually will trigger a stress response in the body. This stress response links long flights to hypertension, cardiovascular disease and anxiety. So, protecting your ears is protecting your body against stress.

Try earthing. Yep, you read that correctly. Walking around outside barefoot can really have a huge impact (whether you travel often or not). This is one of my favorite ways to destress my body, as the Earth’s energy reduces inflammation and keeps blood and lymph flowing. It’s best at the beach if you’re on vacation but any contact with the earth with get you destressed and calm in no time. Here's more info on Earthing.

Many dread the experience of flying or some know they aren’t going to feel good afterwards (not to mention the jet lag). These tips will equip you with all the right tools to keep the body and immune system healthy and in superman function so you can feel and perform better when traveling by air.

Why Organic Eggs Are Not The Healthiest Eggs

If you are reading this blog, you are probably someone who invests more energy in your health and who takes care to buy higher quality foods for yourself and your family. If so, you may think that buying organic eggs is the best you can do… but there’s more! Organic eggs are really just a single step up from regular eggs.

If you see the word “organic” on a label, including eggs, you might think that the hens who laid the eggs lived in better conditions and enjoyed happier lives than their battery cage friends, but even certified organic eggs can come from birds who are subject to living in inhumane factory conditions.

Most industrial egg-laying operations get by following the minimum standards required. They are allowed to do this by simply including a small porch area attached to a two-story building where their chickens are housed, and they can call this “outdoor access.”

Certified organic eggs come from hens that are raised on hormone-free and antibiotic-free organic feed, and have “access” to outdoor areas. But with those living conditions the chickens are not at their healthiest to produce the healthiest eggs.

So What Kind of Eggs Should You Buy?

If you can’t even trust a certified organic label for eggs, which eggs can you buy? Here are some other terms used to label the various conditions under which eggs are produced and what they mean:

Cage-free: This is a loose, unregulated term describing eggs which could be from hens confined to a barn, OR from chickens with access to outdoor space. There is no specific regulation for the term cage-free and there is a big difference between these options! Cage-free egg producers are not audited by independent inspectors, unless they are also certified organic.

Many people buy cage-free eggs thinking that these hens have access to outdoor pasture, but the truth is that they usually live inside dark enclosed sheds. The chickens are free to roam around within the confined space and to stretch and spread their wings, which is a significant improvement over cage conditions, but they still don’t typically have free roaming access to outdoor pasture.

Free-range: Even though it sounds good, “free-range” doesn’t mean pasture-raised any more than “cage free” does. Free-range hens, you would think, should have access to the outside, but again, there is no regulation that guarantees how long they need to be outside, how much room they are given, or any other standards that would make them “free-range.”

Free-range hens can still be fed GMO feed, given antibiotics, and other animal by-products. They often live in overcrowded conditions, and they may or may not have access to more comfortable nests and perches.

Omega-3 Enhanced: Omega-3 enhanced eggs come from chickens that consume significant amounts of flax, which contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Most omega-3 enhanced egg laying hens in battery cages. The amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in these eggs is unregulated and can be quite variable.

Pasture-raised: Authentic free-range eggs come from hens raised on grassy pastures. These eggs are visibly more nutritious than eggs obtained from cage-free, or confined environments. Free-range producers are not audited by third parties unless the eggs are also certified organic so make sure you talk to your supplier about the eggs, but pasture-raised would be your best bet for the best eggs ever.

The color, flavor and texture of a pasture-raised egg is distinctively noticeable, and due to high amounts of Vitamin A, D, E, K2, B-12, folate, riboflavin, calcium, zinc, beta carotene, choline, and loads of omega 3 fatty acids, a pasture-raised egg is a true superfood. If you’ve never eaten an egg from a hen raised on sunshine, bugs and grass, then you are in for a treat!

Note that some eggs are labelled “pasteurized” and this means something different from pastured. Pasteurized eggs have been treated to eliminate bacteria such as salmonella so they can be eaten raw.

If you are not sure how the eggs you buy rate, use the Organic Egg Brand Scorecard to learn more about the source of eggs available to you and to help you choose a healthier, and more humanely raised egg!

Healing Arts Lifestyle: NYC Restaurants

There is no question about it: ditching bad habits and adopting healthier ones can get challenging. Here at Healing Arts we are all about lifestyle changes that help you get your health back on track and allow your body to heal itself. Food changes like cutting out grains and sugar or switching to organic produce can allow the body to cleanse itself, but sometimes this leaves patients unsure about where to go if they want to eat out or grab a bite on the run. Well, stress no more! I have eaten my way through a small fraction of New York City to come up with a list that can help you navigate what can sometimes feel like a maze, so you can feel comfortable and healthy when stepping outside your kitchen.

For lunch and snacks:

Minigrow

Brought to you by honeygrow, they have wonderful zucchini noodles and organic greens with delicious homemade sauces 

Hu kitchen

I love their hot bar and they make the best grain-free and sugar-free pancakes. Not to mention their chocolate (which we sell at the office)!

Dr Smood

They have tasty treats and great salads to grab if you on the go. Their Greek salad with cashew feta is delicious!

Ancolie

Thoughtful meals prepared in glass jars. Their menu is constantly changing so you’ll never get bored at lunch.

Inday

Indian-inspired nourish bowls. They make yummy cauliflower rice.

Juice Press

Organic juices and soup—how can you go wrong? Tasty salads, too.

By Chloe

Vegan, plant-based meals with full flavor. Their air dried sweet potato fries are seriously good.

Spring Bone

Organic bone broth with no additives. I love their broth with zucchini noodles as an option for lunch.

Brodo

Homemade organic bone broth that packs a flavor punch. My favorite is their oishi oishi.

Cafes:

Café Clover

Local, organic and elegant. Their quinoa tagliatelle is delicious.

Dimes

Californian vibes with yummy fruity and savory breakfast options.

Hearth

Local, organic meals. Try their beef tartare—extremely tasty. Think meat, veggies, fish, broth.

The Butcher’s Daughter

They have great avocado toast and it’s a great place to sit and work with mint water on tap!

Abracadabra

Organic and sugar free. They make tasty homemade chocolate and nourishing savory plates.

Restaurants:

ABC V

Vegan/vegetarian share plates exploding with flavor—in my top 5! Try the avocado dosa, whole roasted cauliflower and the slow roasted beets. They are rocking the breakfast scene.

ABC Cocina

Local and organic. Their salmon and charred octopus is a must-try.

Mulberry and Vine

Clean eating with lots of salad and snacks. Try their Thai curry.

L’estuidio

Local Mediterranean and Latin cuisine. Their scrambled eggs and potato rösti is a must-try for breakfast.

This is the beginning of what will soon be a long list of healthy options that will make you feel satisfied and comforted. These options offer meals and snacks that are healing and in line with your new lifestyle changes. Don’t be afraid to go out and adventure yourself—you may just find some on your own.