Scientific evidence has been growing that indicates when our need for social relationships is not met, we fall apart mentally and even physically.  An article from Psychology Today proclaimed “Social connection improves physical health and psychological well-being. One telling study showed that lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure. On the flip side, strong social connection leads to a 50% increased chance of longevity.” Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, a book by Robert Putnam, discusses the social... Read More

Last week, I highlighted Surna whose products are aimed at cannabis cultivators, and I must’ve caught the green thumb (I know, I know, I should try harder but my Sunday ritual consists of a wake and bake and me sitting down to write this… plus you know the recent spring weather has me all a flutter) because this week’s review focuses on Bolder Cannabis and Extracts.  Bolder Cannabis and Extracts is “the purveyor of Colorado’s finest, most artisanal cannabis and extracts.”   That’s a pretty powerful statement, but as I come to find out it’s a very accurate one for the Boulder... Read More

As we approach bathing suit season, many Americans are planning to drop some winter weight. Changing when and what you eat could be the edge you need to see weight loss results that you aren’t seeing from just following a healthy diet. Fine tune your eating habits with the following tips to help you dump the plump this spring. Have dinner earlier. Stop eating around mid-afternoon, and don’t start again till morning. “Restricted feeding” cuts appetite and ups fat burning at night, researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center say. Go low carb once a week. Eating just three low-carb... Read More

Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have led to more potent pollen. Warmer temperatures have led to earlier springs and longer allergy seasons. If you suffer from spring allergies, that means a longer period of time being just plain miserable. The good news is that natural allergy relief is as close as your local grocery store. Foods rich in vitamin C and folic acid help reduce the inflammation associated with allergic reactions. Chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth, you’re gonna love this! Cocoa has been found to have some anti-allergy properties by reducing the body’s ability... Read More

Welcome to Canna-Business Review!  A weekly blog that will focus on researching the different cannabis companies in and around Boulder, Co.  Each week we will highlight a local cannabis company, and share what makes that company unique – be it their products, services, employees, or what they give back to the community.   As a Colorado citizen or even a visitor to the state, it’s easy to see dispensaries popping up on every block (move over, Starbucks!), but what other companies are out there in the area that are contributing to this new industry?  That’s what I want to find out. Why... Read More

Even though spring in Colorado typically involves snow, it seems this spring will be warmer, earlier.  March is usually the snowiest month in Colorado and yet, here we are, halfway through the month with no snow.  As the longer, warmer days of spring unfold, you may still be feeling the heaviness of winter.  Since we spend more time indoors in the winter, coupled with less time moving and often more time eating, it is common to feel a little sluggish, sleepy, and possibly a few pounds heavier.  To energize yourself and prepare for the season ahead,  make some adjustments to your current routine.   Eat... Read More

What if a device could give you proper health advice based on your age and weight? Amazon, the American electronic commerce and cloud computing company, has launched a new KidsMD skill that can help parents decide to call a doctor on symptoms like fever, cough, headache, rash, vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea, fatigue or shortness of breath.  If you currently ask “Alexa”, the intelligent personal assistant made popular by the Amazon Echo, to assist you with music, lights, shopping lists and more, then you already have the hardware to enjoy the KidsMD application. The Boston Globe recently... Read More

March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s theme, Put Your Best Fork Forward, is an opportunity to improve your eating habits by improving your overall habits.  Have you ever noticed that when there is an abundance of choices it is harder to make a good one?  That’s because we have less stress about decision making when there are fewer choices to make. When you visit your local grocery store, you see the phenomenon of too much choice in action.  There is one entire aisle devoted entirely to breakfast cereal!  If you want to eat cleaner and healthier, one way to do so is to strategically... Read More

Exercise can seem daunting, exhausting or downright impossible if you are busy…and who isn’t busy? Time and gym access are the two biggest excuses Americans cite for not working out.  Research conducted at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, suggests that taking the stairs 30 minutes a week can give our body adequate exercise for good health. Stair climbing is a rigorous activity and previous research has found climbing stairs can burn calories two to three times faster than just walking. In the McMaster study, 17 healthy men, average age 64, were asked to walk, lift weights, and climb... Read More

Ever heard of laughter yoga?  It’s a real thing that, evidence suggests, is beneficial to your health.  Laughter yoga, or Hasyayoga, is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. Laughter yoga is done in groups, with eye contact and playfulness between participants. A handful of small-scale scientific studies have indicated that laughter yoga may potentially have some health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and mood. A study by Oxford University found that pain thresholds become “significantly... Read More