SHANNON HAGEL

I know, I know. Meditation is the secret sauce to take your wellness up to the status of the elite gurus. It’s the “be all, end all” for the health of your entire mind-body-spirit. It’s the absolute must-do that is the only path to beating the infamous health-buster called “stress.” At least that’s what all my Facebook sponsored ads tell me. The trouble is – I hate meditation. Don't get me wrong; practicing meditation is an excellent approach and it can surely amp up your h

Most people know that migraine headaches can be terrible, but for some reason there still seems to be such a stigma around them. “Becky called in sick because she has a headache?... Really?” But if you suffer from migraines or know someone who does, you know that they are debilitating! The pain, vision problems, nausea, can leave people curled up in the fetal position praying for the sweet release of death - especially if they stick around for hours or even days. Migraines

Water is essential for life. You can only survive a few days without it. If you didn’t know that before then the movie 128 Hours sure solidified that for all of us #shudder. Being hydrated is essential for health. I could argue that water is the most essential nutrient of them all. Water is needed for every cell and function in your body. Water is a huge part of your blood; it cushions your joints and aids digestion. It helps stabilize your blood pressure and heart beat. It h

Turmeric is the bright yellow spice that stains your counter tops when your making curry – but have you ever seen it in its natural form? It is a rhizome that grows under the ground and looks a lot like ginger but it usually much smaller. It has a rich, bright orange color and is used in many foods. Originally used in Southeast Asia, it’s a vital component for traditional curries. You can find dried powdered turmeric in the spice aisle of just about any grocery store. Someti

Protein is not just for great skin, hair, and nails; it's critical for health. Without it, you wouldn't be able to repair damage, digest food, fight infections, build muscle and bone, create hormones, and even think and have good moods. Without it there would be no more “swole” and then where would all those juice monkeys the Bachelorette be? Higher protein diets can help fight high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Not to mention protein's great benefits for metabo