Live Strong & Age Well

Moringa tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea made from the dried leaves of the moringa tree (Moringa oleifera), a plant native to parts of India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. It’s often called the “miracle tree” because of its dense nutrient profile and many traditional medicinal uses. It has a mild, grassy, and earthy — a bit like gr een tea but without the bitterness.  Smooth and clean, sometimes with a slightly nutty or peppery finish.   Packed with vitamins and minerals: A, C, E, iron, calcium, magnesium.   Rich in antioxidants like quercetin and chlorogenic acid Benefits of Moringa Tea: Rich in nutrients: High in vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, and antioxidants. Anti-inflammatory: May help reduce inflammation and joint pain. Supports blood sugar control: Some studies show it may help lower blood sugar levels. Heart health: May help lower cholesterol. Antioxidant: Fights oxidative stress and supports immune function. Hormonal balance.

Early Signs of RA in Hands & Joints 1. Morning stiffness lasting more than 30–60 minutes. Especially in the fingers, hands, or wrists. Improves as the day goes on 2. Swelling in multiple joints. Often small joints first: fingers, wrists, toes. Symmetrical (both hands or both wrists, for example) 3. Pain or tenderness in joints when touched. Especially at the knuckles or wrists 4. Warmth or redness around joints. May not always be visible but can be felt. 5. Difficulty making a fist or gripping objects. 6. Fatigue and general achiness. Can feel like having the flu or being unusually tired. 7. Symptoms lasting more than 6 weeks. RA symptoms persist and gradually worsen. 8. Numbness or tingling in hands (occasionally). Due to inflammation near nerves (like carpal tunnel symptoms). If you're noticing any of these signs, especially in combination, it’s a good idea to: Track symptoms daily (how long stiffness lasts, which joints hurt) Get a blood test (e.g., RF, anti-CCP, ESR, CRP) S...

BAM Is a Mechanics Issue, Not a Microbiome Issue (At First) BAM happens when your bile acids aren’t reabsorbed in the small intestine like they should be — so they “spill over” into the colon, where they irritate the bowel and cause diarrhea or fat malabsorption. This has nothing to do with bacterial balance in your colon at first — but over time, excess bile acids can damage or alter the gut lining and affect microbes too. In my case, because I've eaten plant-based for years: Likely supported a diverse gut microbiome Had no issues until recently... It’s very likely my microbiome is still in good shape. The issue may lie in: How bile is being handled or recycled A change in digestion or absorption ability (e.g. hormone shifts, thyroid, age-related enzyme/bile output)  You Can Have Both: A healthy microbiome And digestive dysfunction (like BAM, SIBO, or mild pancreatic insufficiency) What You Can Do: 1. Temporarily modify meals to reduce fat and fiber load just enough to ease digest...

Polymorphic Light Eruption or Sun Allergy Your immune system reacts to sunlight as if it’s harmful. Polymorphous light eruption is a rash caused by sun exposure in people who are sensitive to sunlight. Polymorphous means that the rash can have many forms, such as tiny bumps, raised areas or blisters. The condition also is called sun allergy, sun poisoning and polymorphic light eruption. The reaction usually happens during spring and early summer when exposure to sunlight increases.  The rash that results from polymorphous light eruption can look different from person to person but typically includes inflammation, itching and small bumps that may be densely packed together. Symptoms: Itchy, red blotches, often on chest, arms, or legs. Sometimes hives. In polymorphous light eruption, eruption refers to the rash, which usually appears 30 minutes to several hours after sun exposure. The rash usually appears on areas of the body that are covered during winter but exposed in summer such ...

Fasting 70 to 90 normal 80 to 130 diabetes 1 to 2 hours after meal: less than 140 normal less than 180 diabetes Pre-Meal (Baseline Glucose) 72 to 90 non-diabetic A1C: less than 5.7 normal less than 7.0 diabetes Normal Post-Meal Blood Sugar Levels for Non-Diabetics 1 hour after eating: Below 140 mg/dL 2 hours after eating: Below 120-130 mg/dL 3 hours after eating: Close to fasting levels (~80-100 mg/dL) What High Post-Meal Glucose Could Indicate 1. If 2-hour glucose is still above 140 mg/dL → Possible impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes) 2. If 3-hour glucose is still above 120 mg/dL → Your body might be taking longer than normal to clear glucose, possibly indicating: Mild insulin resistance (even if fasting levels are normal) Slower glucose metabolism due to thyroid function or stress hormones A higher glycation rate, contributing to your slightly higher A1C

I'm vegan because I care about animals and don't want to contribute to their suffering. Once I learned how even eggs and dairy often involve harm or exploitation, I realized I didn’t want to be part of that system anymore. It just feels right for me to live in a way that matches my values of compassion and respect for all beings. My thoughts on honey.  I rarely use honey as a sweetener. I mainly use maple syrup and coconut sugar. Some vegans choose to make exceptions like local honey from responsible beekeepers, especially when: It's not industrially produced, The bees are well cared for, and It supports local agriculture and pollination. I really believe that if a lot of people were aware of how their food is processed when it gets to their plate, they would be vegan too.  Many people are conditioned to believe that it's just the way things are.  For others, they may care but feel overwhelmed by the idea of change, or they justify it because it’s convenient, tastes goo...