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Susan M. Brooks, PhD

Health Educator

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Vibrant Living

Read on … to learn everyday simple actionable practices and wellness wisdom for optimal health and vibrant living.

Transition Into Spring

March 6, 2018 By Susan M. Brooks

Blustery Boulder winds are ushering in beautiful warming spring days, replete with apple buds swelling, crocuses up, and daffodils on the cusp of blooming. As an enthusiastic but impatient gardener, I’ve often planted bulbs in too shallow holes, resulting in their shooting prematurely up to the surface during the winter months.

Similarly, we humans tend to transition too quickly from the cold of winter into springtime. [Read more…] about Transition Into Spring

Filed Under: Blog, Vibrant Living

Boost Your Immunity

December 15, 2014 By Susan M. Brooks

Now that cold and flu season is stalking us, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get serious about boosting our immunity. Here are reminders of the basics we all know, yet need to hear again and again. Most of the people incorporating a significant number of these wise lifestyle choices into their daily lives simply don’t get sick. And when they do, it’s mild and short-lived.

Eliminate Added Sugar
Do you notice the pronounced increase in school absences the week after Halloween and on through the holiday season? Eating and drinking sugar (syrups, honey, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, table sugar) decreases the ability of the white blood cells to kill germs by 40%. Also, consuming sugar decreases the responsiveness of the key infection fighters of the immune system, the neutrophils.

Stress
Emotional stress predisposes us to viruses because it is harder to fight off germs. Finding ways to manage our reactions to circumstances beyond our control will contribute to a strong and resilient immune system.  Studies in mind-body research (psycho-neuro-immunology)  have found that all aspects of immunity are diminished with both short term and chronic stress. Many colleges bring in puppies during final exams to help students relax and thereby boost their immunity. Some of my favorite stress relievers? Baths, cooking, yoga, listening to music, nature walks, being with friends, 5 minute micro-rests throughout the day. [Read more…] about Boost Your Immunity

Filed Under: Blog, Vibrant Living

Be Healthy: Simple Self-Care for Vibrant Health

February 17, 2014 By Susan M. Brooks

Let’s begin! For years I’ve wanted to create a vessel for sharing the compilation of my incessant and passionate health research, lifelong health practices for boosting energy, and inspiring personal stories that motivate you to get healing. Eckhart Tolle, a renowned personal growth author, purported that the higher the ‘pain body’ (mental, emotional and physical challenges and obstacles), the greater the likelihood for transforming our lives.

Most of you already have a treasure trove of practices for improving daily health. So what prevents you from implementing them?  Confusion about the latest conflicting health advice? Too busy? Inflicting self-guilt for taking too much time for your own needs? [Read more…] about Be Healthy: Simple Self-Care for Vibrant Health

Filed Under: Blog, Vibrant Living

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Susan’s new cookbook now available!

Cooking with Grace is a treasure trove of everyday, simple and delicious recipes. 130 pages of healthful recipes, without gluten or refined sugar.

Cost: $30 – makes a great gift. Buy now!

Free JSJ Yoga Class

Saturday, June 29, 4:30-6:00 pm at Kelly’s Barn

Join me for a free class, combining Jin Shin Jyutsu® (JSJ) with Restorative JSJ Yoga. Learn more …

Self-Care Retreat in Baja

December 8-13, 2019 • Prana Del Mar resort in Baja Relax, restore, and rejuvenate in an intimate, revitalizing retreat with deeply restorative Jin Shin Jyutsu and yoga. More …

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From Susan’s Blog

Holiday Chai Latte

Holiday Chai Latte One of my favorite cold weather brews, for celebrating special occasions, or just because…Enjoy its enticing morning aroma while simmering! ingredients 4 cups water 2 ...

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Connect with Susan  •  susan@susanmbrooks.com