SWIHA Blog

In 2013, Carol Gardner was in hospice care from a lifelong battle with lupus and a twenty year battle with a rare form of Multiple Sclerosis. It was a fight she was determined to win, and says: “I researched nutrition on my own and created a meal plan that reversed the damage caused by both illnesses.”

Two years later, she decided to enroll in SWIHA’s Holistic Nutrition Wellness Practitioner diploma program to learn more about nutrition for herself. Carol tells us: “Dee McCaffrey's course convinced me that I could help others with this newfound knowledge.” Carol says that the greatest lessons she learned in her program were how to write articles, how to speak with clients, and the vast amount of nutrition information she gained.

There are many aspects to consider when choosing an eco-conscious lifestyle, and one of the most simple changes you can make is with your diet! The carbon footprint and water usage of our foods is often overlooked, however the U.S agriculture industry emits almost six-hundred million metric tons per year and accounts for eighty-percent of our nation’s water usage annually.

Today we’ll explore some options that are nutritious, delicious and gentle on the environment!

Many health-conscious eaters seek to eliminate most added sugars from their diet. However, sometimes you need a sweet treat! Today, we’ll be looking at substitutes for refined, white sugar and how to use them in baked goods.

It’s likely you know someone who’s chosen to follow a gluten-free diet, whether it’s due to Celiac’s disease, a wheat sensitivity or just in an effort to live a little healthier. There are many reasons to consider reducing or removing gluten from your menu, including:

• Wheat is a common allergy, and a sensitivity to it may go undetected for years.
• Gluten rapidly converts to glucose in the body, which can spike insulin levels.
• Wheat has little-to-no nutritional value, due to it’s highly processed nature.
• Gluten may reduce the production of digestive enzymes needed for nutrient absorption.

Today, we’ll be looking at how to make a universally-loved food gluten-free and vegan: Pizza!

This recipe can be modified in many ways to fulfill any craving. It’ll surely be love at first bite!

We’ve all seen the numerous water options available in stores now, touting various health benefits and promising to deliver results with regular consumption. How do they stack up to just plain, old water? And should you shell out the extra cash? Today, we look at some popular options and dive in to the science of their benefits.

Alkaline Water

When Alexa Moody arrived at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts she describes herself as “on fire with changes” and eager to share her journey to help others.

“I had made dramatic changes in my life,” explains Alexa, “Especially with my food choices, which dramatically changed my health. I wanted to share this with the world and needed an outlet.”

She once struggled with numerous weight-related health issues such as acid reflux, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and diabetes. Within months of committing to her health, Alexa eliminated her need for medications for these conditions! Today, Alexa has successfully lost 188lbs through a nutrition-focused diet and committing to an active lifestyle.

“How blessed am I?!” exclaims Amanda Martin, “I'm excited to wake up every day knowing that I get to assist clients with their personal journeys of discovery.”

Amanda recently graduated from the 100-Hour Life Coaching program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and is currently working on completing her Reiki certificate. She says that since stepping in to her power as a Wellness Coach, she has found her life’s true passion: being an active partner for those on their journey to uncovering their best selves.

Full of fiber and packed with nutrition, green smoothies are a staple in any health-conscious diet. Making this delicious drink is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

• 1 cup of fruit
• 2 cups of liquid
• 3 cups of greens

Step One: Choose Your Liquid Base

To ensure even blending, add two cups of liquid to your blender first. Be mindful of the sugar content of liquid bases, and feel free to choose more than one!

Every year, the EWG (Environmental Working Group) analyzes the chemical residue on fruits and vegetables widely available in the average grocery store. Their report notes things such as the average number of pesticides found on a single sample and the maximum number of particles detected.

Here are their findings for 2019:

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts has been celebrating National Nutrition Month by inviting you in to our teaching kitchen for informative Facebook Live sessions with Becca Briley, Lead Admissions Coordinator, and Janet Lee, Online & On Campus Holistic Nutrition Instructor.

In case you missed the Facebook Live Videos, enjoy these replays below, and check out the next opportunity to join us on March 26th at 5PM (AZ) for a discussion about eating right for your blood type!