As we celebrate Christmas, I want to wish you and your family a season filled with peace, rest, and meaningful time together. There is something deeply grounding about slowing down, gathering with loved ones, and remembering what truly matters much like the quiet wisdom found in Little Women or the gentle awakening in A Christmas Carol: care for one another, especially when life feels heavy. Our family has a tradition of watching I Heard the Bells the movie about the history of that carol that is so touching. This year, our family time came with a timely reminder. While visiting relatives, one spouse had to stay home—taken down hard by the flu while the other was recovering. Though improving, the other spouse's voice was still raspy, coughing lingered, and energy was clearly depleted plus had an injury. I pulled out homeopathy to help the injury and gave her remedies for the sick loved one at home. Another relative, working in healthcare, shared how severely the flu has impacted staff and patients alike—longer hours, increased patient load, and wave after wave of symptoms coming through the doors. After chatting with this person last night, I woke up this morning noticing some extra mucus myself. Nothing major—but a reminder of how easily our bodies respond to exposure, especially during this season. Add to that the reality of the holidays: more parties, more gatherings, and let’s be honest—not eating as cleanly or consistently as we normally do. All of this can lower our resilience and make us more susceptible. I grabbed a homeopathic remedy for myself as soon as I jumped out of bed and am already feeling back to normal. It’s a strong reminder: flu season is here, and preparation matters. Why Being Prepared Matters When illness hits, especially suddenly, having supportive remedies on hand can make a meaningful difference—for yourself, your family, and even those you love who may not be with you physically. I was grateful to have homeopathy available and was able to send remedies home with the sick spouse to support recovery that night and the following day.

Hey im Lionel im 25 years old and excited to start my Journey to a healthier life with you! I play soccer and I love dogs and traveling with my family!

Looking for simple foods that help keep blood sugar steady and energy smooth all day? Here are some of the best choices to add to your routine: 🍎 Apple cider vinegar before meals 🌱 Chia seeds for fiber + slow digestion 🌿 Cinnamon to support glucose balance 🥑 Avocado for healthy fats 🍳 Eggs for protein and satiety 🍠 Lentils for steady, slow-burning carbs 🥬 Leafy greens packed with nutrients 🫐 Blueberries full of fiber + antioxidants 🥜 Nuts to stabilize spikes 🫘 Beans for protein + fiber 🐟 Salmon for omega-3 support These nutrient-dense foods help your body avoid those mid-day crashes and keep your blood sugar more stable. Small shifts can make a big difference.

The vagus nerve is one of the most important communication highways in the body. It connects the brain to the throat, heart, lungs, and digestive system. When it’s functioning well, we feel calmer, our digestion works better, our voice is stronger, and our whole system communicates more smoothly. When it’s stressed or irritated, it can show up as voice loss, hoarseness, swallowing trouble, anxiety, gut issues, or that constant “on edge” feeling. The encouraging part? The vagus nerve responds extremely well to gentle stimulation. A few simple techniques can help shift the body from “fight or flight” into a more balanced, grounded state. Simple ways to gently stimulate the vagus nerve :• Slow belly breathing: Inhale through the nose, let the belly expand, then exhale slowly. This calms the body and steadies the nervous system. • Humming or soft singing: Vibration in the throat activates vagal pathways connected to the voice box and breathing muscles. • Gentle neck/upper-chest stretching: Loosening the muscles around the throat and collarbone reduces tension along the nerve’s pathway. • Warm, mindful movement: Walking, stretching, or slow rhythmic exercise supports vagal tone and helps regulate stress. • Cold splash on the face: A quick splash of cool water can stimulate a natural vagal reflex and reset your system. • Slow, extended exhalations: Breathing out longer than you breathe in is one of the fastest ways to activate the calming response. • Neck and behind-the-ear massage: This area is rich in vagal branches. Gentle massage can calm the system and loosen tension that affects voice and swallowing. How to massage the neck and behind the ears: • Use your fingertips, starting just behind the earlobe where the soft tissue meets the skull. • Apply light, circular pressure—just enough to feel the muscles soften, but not enough to cause pain.• Slowly trace your fingers downward along the side of the neck, following the line behind the jaw and toward the top of the shoulder.• Move in small circles or slow downward strokes