Eileen, Author at Phoenix Helix

Episode 71: Trying to Do It All – Work, Family, and Autoimmune Healing

Following the paleo diet and lifestyle is a time commitment for anyone, but when your life is already intensely busy, how do you fit it all in? This is a question I’ve gotten from podcast listeners, and in this episode, I have invited three people in this exact situation to share their best tips. My guests are all mothers with autoimmune disease who also work outside the home. In spite of the multiple demands on their time, they have found ways to make a healing diet and lifestyle work. Let’s learn from each other!

How and Why to do a Paleo AIP Sugar Detox

Even when sugar is natural and unrefined, our body still processes it as sugar, and too much sugar in any form is inflammatory. That’s why the leaders of the paleo community warn against eating too much (no more than 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per day). The problem is that moderating sugar can be hard. You start within the limits – a tiny taste here and there – and before you know it, paleo AIP desserts have become a core part of your daily diet and you’re eating dried fruit by the handful. Suddenly, you notice your healing progress has stalled or even started to move backwards. This doesn’t happen to everyone, but if it’s happening to you, it might be time for a “reset”. In this article, I talk about my own experience with sugar and autoimmune health, and I teach you how to do a sugar detox, including handling your cravings and boosting your mood during the process. I also share the times when a sugar detox isn’t healthy.

Episode 70: Functional Blood Test Analysis with Andrea Nakayama

When we think of functional medicine testing, we often think of expensive tests not covered by insurance. But there’s actually a lot we can learn from the regular bloodwork commonly ordered through our conventional doctor’s office. Andrea Nakayama is a world-renowned Functional Nutritionist, educator and speaker, whose mission is to change the way we do healthcare by empowering patients to reclaim ownership over their own health. In this podcast episode, she walks us through two blood tests that are very common: a CBC with Differential and a Complete Metabolic Panel, and tells us how she interprets these from a functional perspective.

The Healing Power of Humor and 25 Things to Make You Laugh

If you subscribe to my newsletter, you know that I often include a “Belly Laugh of the Week” – for good reason! Even in our darkest moments, laughter can take us by surprise and soothe not only our soul but also our body. How does this work? The physical act of laughing releases endorphins – chemicals in our bodies that are called “nature’s narcotics.” They can give us a feeling of euphoria and even relieve pain. Laughter also reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), and even makes our memory sharper. Goodbye brain fog! Living with autoimmunity is hard, and sometimes laughter feels out of our reach. Yet, those are the moments when we need laughter the most. So, today I offer you a laughter roundup.

Episode 69: Healthy Deviance with Pilar Gerasimo

In the modern world, the cards are stacked against us. From grocery stores filled with foods that aren’t real food, to being bombarded by environmental pollutants, to a culture that takes pride in being busier than ever and wears sleep deprivation like a gold star. When we take steps to recover and enhance our health, we are going against this tide, stepping outside the norm, and it’s not easy! We’re doing it in a world that encourages unhealthy life choices, and sometimes even our closest friends and family try to sabotage our efforts. My guest, Pilar Gerasimo, is a healthcare journalist who has been writing about healthy deviance for decades. In this episode, we talk about the many obstacles we face and strategies for being successful revolutionaries for our own health.

Episode 68: Personalized Nutrition with Robb Wolf

It would be wonderful if one diet worked for everyone, and it could be handed out like a prescription in doctor’s offices worldwide. Unfortunately, human beings are more complex than that. This is one of the messages of Robb Wolf’s new book, Wired to Eat. In this podcast, we talk about our own health journeys, the 7 Day Carb Test that’s taking social media by storm (and how to adapt it for the AIP). We also talk about why it’s hard to change, letting go of shame, and strategies for prioritizing health in our modern world.

Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life – Cookbook Review & Sample Recipe: Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash

The first Wahls Protocol Cookbook is here, written by Dr. Terry Wahls herself! Curious about what’s inside? Today, I share all the details, including a sample recipe for Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash.

Episode 67: Building Effective Doctor-Patient Relationships with Dr. Cynthia Li

With autoimmune disease, the quality of our healthcare practitioners makes a huge difference in the course of our illness and our quality of life. In this podcast, we’ll be talking about what makes a good doctor, what makes a good patient, and how we can create the best relationships for our health. My guest is Dr. Cynthia Li, who has the unique ability to speak to us from the point of view of both doctor and patient. A conventionally trained MD, she became chronically ill with autoimmune disease that left her housebound for 2 years. Her personal journey back to health changed the way she practiced medicine.

50 Low-Sugar Paleo AIP Dessert Recipes

Honey, maple syrup, and dried fruit may not be refined, but our bodies still process them as sugar. Sometimes we forget this when we’re following a healing diet. We scan an ingredient list, and if it’s on the “yes” list, we think we can eat as much as we want. Not so! Too much sugar in any form is inflammatory, which is why the leaders of the paleo community warn against eating too much. So, this recipe roundup is designed to help us make healthier choices when our sweet tooth beckons. Every recipe on this list has just one tablespoon (or less) added sugar per serving. And here’s another secret: for many of us, the less sugar we eat, the less we crave. Our taste buds begin to change, until simple fresh fruit starts to taste decadently delicious.

Episode 66: Mind-Body Nutrition with Marc David

Did you know that digestion starts in the brain? That relaxing before a meal releases more digestive enzymes? Why do we sometimes tolerate a wider variety of foods on vacation, and tolerate fewer foods when we’re under stress? When we’re using food as medicine, how do we navigate feelings of fear, grief, and deprivation and find joy in eating again? The mind-body connection is real, and nowhere is that more clear than when it comes to diet and nutrition. In this podcast, we answer these questions and more.

Episode 65: Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter

We are in the midst of a brain health epidemic. Millions of people around the world are suffering from Alzheimers disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, ADHD, mental illness, migraines, and more. It’s Dr. Perlmutter’s mission to prevent these numbers from rising and help people improve their health if already diagnosed. A board-certified neurologist with over 30 years experience, he’s also the author of four bestselling books. This podcast episode is one of the most popular ones from my archives. Tune in for a detailed Q&A on brain health.

Episode 64: Epigenetics 101 with Bailey Kirkpatrick

Epigenetics is the science of how our experiences and behavior interact with our genes. We aren’t purely our DNA. Our genes are constantly getting turned on and off. This is one of the reasons why the paleo diet and lifestyle can have such a powerful influence on our health. It’s beautifully empowering, but it’s not a magical path to a cure. Once upon a time, people thought our health was 100% determined by our DNA (which we’ve learned isn’t true). Today, some people are claiming that our DNA doesn’t matter at all (also not true). In this episode, we dive into the real science of epigenetics and separate the myths from the truths and discover where we can make a difference! My guest is science writer and research expert, Bailey Kirkpatrick.

Is a Healing Crisis Really Healing?

In theory, a “healing crisis” is when your symptoms get worse before they get better, and this is a sign that you are healing. But what if the opposite is true, and pushing through causes an autoimmune flare? In this article, I explain how to tell the difference between a healing crisis and a harmful one.

Episode 63: Exercise and Autoimmune Disease

The right exercise has the potential to improve our health, but the wrong exercise can cause an autoimmune flare. Our needs will often change from month to month, maybe even from day to day. In this podcast, I share my own experience of how my exercise needs have changed since being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I also interview 3 other people about their exercise experiences as well. One guest has multiple sclerosis, one has Crohn’s disease, and the other has Hashimoto’s.

The Great Paleo AIP Book & Cookbook Roundup

When I first started the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) on 1/1/13, there were no books for me to reference. A few people like myself had found some basic information on the internet and were figuring it out as we went along. It’s amazing how much has changed since then. There are now 40+ resources created specifically to help people succeed on the AIP. It’s an abundance of choice! In this blog post, I give descriptions of each cookbook to help you find the style of cooking that works best for you. Which ones are your personal favorites, and which ones are you adding to your wish list?

Episode 62: Preventing Autoimmune Disease with Dr. Tom O’Bryan

I have rheumatoid arthritis – a diagnosed autoimmune disease, and most of my readers have autoimmune diagnoses as well. But what if you have symptoms with no known cause? You’ve gone from doctor to doctor, and they simply tell you: “Your lab tests are normal.” While in some ways this is good news, it can also be incredibly disheartening. You have no answers and no direction about what to do next. Dr. Tom O’Bryan is an expert on the development of autoimmune disease, and he writes about the autoimmune spectrum. The autoimmune process begins in our bodies long before enough damage has occurred to warrant a diagnosis. His goal is to help people intervene at this point (or even before they have symptoms) and prevent autoimmune disease before it takes hold. That’s what today’s podcast is all about.

The Paleo AIP Cold & Flu Survival Guide

Sometimes a cold or flu is inescapable, no matter what we do to try to prevent it. It’s happened to all of us, and it’s definitely not fun! Thankfully, there are things we can do to soothe ourselves while we heal. In this post, I share natural health tips for a sore throat, runny nose, cough, sinus congestion, aches/chills, fever, nausea, and the best foods to support healing. I also share some advice for nipping a cold in the bud before it fully blooms. Wishing us health at every level, and comfort for those times we fall ill.

Episode 61: Healing Stories 4

If you’re a regular listener of my podcast, you know that I often start my shows with personal stories, where my guests share their health journeys from rock bottom to reclaiming a vital life. But at a least once a year, I dedicate an episode to back-to-back healing stories, and I make an effort to speak to people with different autoimmune diagnoses each time. In this episode, we’ll be talking about Diabetes, Alopecia, Lupus, Scleroderma, Myositis, Sjogren’s, Raynaud’s and Hidradenitis Suppurativa. And If you want to hear the prior Healing Stories podcasts, check out episodes 1, 14 and 30. Let’s inspire each other!

Episode 60: Transitioning from Vegetarian to Paleo

Many people come to the paleo community after years of veganism or vegetarianism. The reason is usually a health crisis, which can be shocking after eating a diet you thought was healthy for years. Some people embrace meat again without difficulty, but others struggle with ethical concerns, taste and texture issues, and even a loss of identity. In this podcast, I interview Registered Dietitian Diana Rodgers on the nutritional difference between these diets, and how to be an Ethical Omnivore. I also interview nutritionist Kinsey Jackson on her personal journey transitioning from vegetarian to paleo. It was a difficult change for her, but led to dramatic improvements in her autoimmune health.

50 Paleo AIP Holiday Gift Ideas

I’ve always been someone who loved finding the perfect gift, whether small or large, homemade or purchased. This blog post covers all of those categories, with a focus on autoimmune health. I had so much fun putting it together, and found some great items for my friends and a few wish list items for myself as well. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Episode 59: The Power of Self-Inquiry with Byron Katie

This is one of my favorite mind-body techniques. When I feel stuck in fear, anger, or grief with no way to move forward, this technique transforms those feelings into peace. Does that sound too good to be true? That’s why I love this technique – it’s that powerful for me. Autoimmune disease and suffering often go hand-in-hand, physically, mentally and emotionally. The Work of Byron Katie is a process for questioning stressful thoughts and the feelings they feed. In this podcast, I offer myself up as a guinea pig with Katie as my guide. At the time of this recording, I wasn’t in remission and feeling frustrated because I was “doing everything right”. Can you relate? Listen to our conversation, and learn how to apply this technique in your own life.

Episode 58: Supplements with Kamal Patel

A lot of us in the autoimmune community take supplements. Sometimes they help, sometimes they harm, and sometimes they do nothing at all. Today, Kamal Patel from Examine.com teaches us how to make informed choices. When are supplements appropriate? What’s the best supplement for pain? How much vitamin D does a person need? Are probiotics beneficial? How rampant is supplement fraud? We answer these questions and more in this information-packed podcast.

What Is Gluten Cross-Reactivity?

You have probably seen lists on the internet of foods that are said to “cross-react” with gluten. What does this mean? Where did this list come from? And is it even accurate? I answer these questions and more!

Episode 57: Living an Empowered Autoimmune Life

Getting an autoimmune diagnosis often leaves us feeling traumatized and overwhelmed. This podcast is about finding hope again. My guests are Mickey Trescott and Angie Alt, authors of The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook. We talk about everything from getting emotional support from loved ones, to putting together a healthcare team, to defining resilience and learning how to face chronic illness from a place of power instead of feeling like a victim.

Paleo AIP + Low-FODMAP Recipe Roundup (45 Recipes!)

Both the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) and the Low-FODMAP diet are a challenge to do on their own. Combining their restrictions is incredibly hard! So, why do it? Honestly, most people shouldn’t. We want to eat the widest variety of foods possible, because nutrient-density is essential to reversing autoimmune disease. However, there are two health conditions that sometimes accompany autoimmune disease: Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). A Low-FODMAP diet can be part of the treatment plan for these conditions. If you’ve been prescribed this dietary protocol by your healthcare practitioner, I compiled this recipe roundup to make it a little bit easier, and a lot more delicious!

Episode 56: Healthy Detoxification with Torea Rodriguez

Our bodies have natural detox pathways, but they are overwhelmed by modern life. More than 80,000 new chemicals have been released into the world since the industrial revolution 150 years ago, and most of them within the past 50 years. These chemicals have never been fully tested for their effects on our bodies or the environment. We are asking our bodies to detoxify far more than they were designed to handle, and this is an important element in reclaiming our health. That said, there are a lot of scams out there related to detox cleanses, powders and programs. Many people who try these end up feeling worse. So, in this podcast we’re going to learn how to detoxify in a healthy, sustainable way. My guest is Toréa Rodriguez. She is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and a Transformational Life Coach. She’s also a fellow autoimmune warrior.

Episode 55: Saving Time in the Kitchen

Life on a healing diet means preparing most – if not all – of your own food. So, that’s a lotta cooking! Anything that saves us time and makes the process more efficient is a lifesaver. It’s also an important part of being able to stick with a healing diet. In this podcast episode, I have 3 wonderful guests. Together, we share our best tips for making the most food in the least amount of time, without sacrificing nutrition or flavor. This includes our beloved Instant Pot and the magic of batch cooking!