Do you feel unusually thirsty, dried out, do you have tight and sore muscles? Do you sweat sometimes and not know why? Poor sleep, fatigue, agitation? Despite hydrating, I am seeing this more and more in my clinic not only with older patients but young as well. 

Why is this bad? Lack of fluids in the body can cause many conditions that are uncomfortable. Night sweats, fatigue, cramps, dry skin, blurry or poor vision, ringing in the ears to name a few. 

Of course, intense activity isn't the only thing which causes this condition, but I am seeing more and more young athletes with similar symptoms and issues that you would expect in say, someone creeping into their 40's. Intense activity burns up a lot of fluids in the body (yin). To keep going strong, we need to replenish that source. While there are many herbal formulas to help us achieve that balance, most of us just need to pay attention to our diet. It's not a quick fix, but a lifelong one. 

If any season is the time to back off of training for a bit and regenerate, it's now. But…since I know you won't, be sure to nourish your skin, blood, bones, and fluids with  dense, energy filled, nourishing winter foods. 

It's not something I advertise, but I had cancer last year. My family on either side has had no history of cancer until my generation. I am the third cousin so far to have cancer (and the only survivor so far) and I can't help but think that our food and environment was/is a major factor.

I didn't come to alternative medicine easily. I was in my 30's before I really started learning about nutrition, wellness, and therapies like massage and acupuncture. No joke. I was a late bloomer! My father had been diabetic for at least 20 years, but all that diet information he was given in the 80's was really really really not beneficial. And I cannot believe today how much diet Pepsi's and packets of Equal I went through in the 90's. Is food the only factor in ill health? Probably not. But I do believe it's big enough to make a significant impact. 

So please watch this video  No joke, it's important for your health and the health of your families. As U.S. citizens, we are NOT educated about these things. We assume that because it is on the shelf at the grocery store, it must be okay. It's not. 

At least if we know, we have a chance to influence our own health and the health of those we adore.

Due to popular demand I am posting my two go-to recipes for energy bars. I primarily use them as fuel for my long runs and they seem to work very well for me. Most if not all of these ingredients can be modified to fit your dietary requirements so experiment away.