kbarnes 
OK–so it is seasonal allergies or COVID-19 or something else? Those of us who live here in the American South are well into the throes of allergy season. Even those of us who never had allergies when we lived in other parts of the countries find ourselves laid low by the abundance of pollen this … Read more
All of a sudden, CBD oil is everywhere. It’s being touted as a panacea, curing everything from cancer to hangnails. The oil, formally named cannabadiol, is a product of cannabis plants, primarily marijuana and hemp. Marijuana-based CBD oils are only legal in states that have legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana because they contain THC (tetrahydrocanabinol), … Read more
Let’s take a little mental journey in preparation for a physical one: It’s a bright summer morning. The air is fresh. You lace up your sneakers and embark on a mindful walk, through your neighborhood, a nearby park or, if you’re as lucky as I am, through the woods where you live. At first, you … Read more
Most of us think of sage as a savory addition to the kitchen spice rack. But now researchers say this herb’s silvery little leaf can help you stay healthy throughout your life by sharpening your memory, preventing heart disease and strengthening your immune system. Sage has been used for centuries to treat everything from snake bites … Read more
“Home-grown tomatoes, home-grown tomatoes, what would life be without home-grown tomatoes? Only two things that money can’t buy, that’s true love and home-grown tomatoes…” I hummed this favorite John Denver song to myself throughout the spring when I planted my seeds indoors, tenderly transplanted those little plants into my garden in May after the danger … Read more
Do you have a big belly? Does someone you love? It’s been known for quite some time that green tea helps raise metabolism and assists in weight control. Now a growing body of research confirms that powerful antioxidants in green tea called catechins actually target belly fat. Belly fat is notoriously unhealthy. It’s been linked … Read more
If you’ve been reading these posts for any period of time, you’ve probably figured out that I am an enthusiastic coffee drinker. I don’t drink tons of it—maybe two or three cups a day—but, where once I couldn’t stand the taste, I’ve now become an aficionado. As it turns out, there is a growing body … Read more
by Robert Thompson, M.D. and Kathleen Barnes Authors of The Calcium Lie 2: What Your Doctor Still Doesn’t Know Do you regularly take Vitamin C? Just for starters, please take a look at the label on your bottle. I’m willing to bet it says you are getting Vitamin C as ascorbic acid. Am I right? If … Read more
Note from Kathleen: This is the final entry in the stress management month series, based on my book, Ten Best Ways to Manage Stress but it is far from the last we will be talking about stress, since stress is unquestionably the greatest threat to health. Stress is almost always related to time pressure. You’ve … Read more
This is an excerpt from my book, 10 Best Ways to Manage Stress. It’s good to remember these skills in stressful times! Breath is life. Quite literally without breath, life ends in just a few minutes. Some Eastern traditions believe that we are born with a finite numbers of breaths allotted to us, so the more … Read more