When my grandmother passed away last year at 100 years old, I sat with the truth of her life and her legacy. Aside from being a wife, a passionate teacher, a mother of five, a grandmother of 22, and a great grandmother of 17. What really struck me was how she thrived.No chronic illnesses, no prescription pills, no confusion about what to eat. She ate from the land. She cooked from home.She trusted what she knew. Wisdom passed on from generations before her. Her quality of life got me thinking, when did some ...

Health & Wellness Industry Trends - Chronic preventable diseases are becoming the new norm, often attributed to genetics and age [2] - Poor diet is now the leading cause of early death worldwide, according to a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association [13] - A 2024 study in the Lancet shows that a plant-rich whole food diet can add up to 13 years of life expectancy [13] - Diets high in processed food and refined sugar are directly linked to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline, according to a study in nutritional neuroscience [14] Dietary Recommendations & Gut Health - Ancestral wisdom emphasizes eating real food, trusting food, and respecting it as medicine, survival, and sacred [3][4] - The gut is a lush living sacred ecosystem with trillions of beneficial bacteria that protect immunity, elevate mood, sharpen the mind, manage cravings, and influence thoughts [17][18] - Individuals who ate over 30 different plant foods per week had a more diverse and resilient gut than those who ate 10 or fewer plants, according to the American Gut Project which studied over 10,000 individuals [24][25] - Ultra-processed food, refined sugars, toxic oils, and chronic stress are soil killers that destroy the gut microbiome [28][29] Practical Steps for Healing - Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, sending a message of safety to the body and promoting healing [20][21] - Regardless of diet, eating more diverse plants is essential for a vibrant gut [23] - Focus on crowding out toxic elements from the diet, such as ultra-processed foods and refined sugars [28][30]