Where are the peer-reviewed research papers when I need them the most?!
Hiya! My name is Alexandra Walker-Jones.
You know, people aren’t half kidding when they say it’s ridiculously difficult to write about oneself! Where to begin? What to include? How to be first and foremost authentic when my job is usually to be creative?
“I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within.” — Gustave Flaubert
And then comes the deeper stuff, like who I am? What do I value most in life? How did I get here? And what even is authentic? I swear, I can’t be the only one who feels as though as soon as they try to exact these answers, the more surreal and unfamiliar they become! …
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any weirder
As it turns out, humans being are awfully strange and complex creatures when it comes to topics such as love, forming relationships, and having sex. What’s seen as run-of-the-mill and standard practice to one individual, might be downright shocking to another — with experiences relating to these subjects existing on a spectrum as diverse as the differences between the individuals themselves.
In attempts to unravel some of the mystery behind why we are the way that we are, researchers within the field of Psychology have been hard at work creating experiments, and developing theories to help better explain the various intricacies of human behavior. …
Discover the science-backed benefits of these hydrating fruits and vegetables
The eternal daily struggle to stay hydrated…tell me about it!
While we’re all (hopefully) aware of the important role water plays in regulating the various functions that take place within our bodies, it can be surprisingly challenging to ensure we’re staying on top of our hydration needs.
A study from 2002 found that even after controlling for other factors such as lifestyle, diet, and exercise, people who drink 5 or more glasses of water per day, had about a 50% lower risk of dying from heart disease, compared to those who drank 2 or less (1).
While adequate water intake is associated with all good things, such as improved digestion, positive mental health, clear skin, and overall better quality of life, there are some serious issues that can arise from not getting enough of this super liquid. …
A Johari window to the soul, if you will.
Blind-spot (noun) — an area in which a person lacks understanding or impartiality.
“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” — Unknown
As illustrated by the definition at the beginning of this article, a blind-spot is an area that is obstructed from clear view, leading to an explicit deficiency in understanding or impartiality. In other words, blind-spots are the parts of your personality, and general modus operandi, that are unbeknownst to you.
We all have them — whether we believe we do, or not — and they can be both positive or negative qualities. At its core, the Johari Window represents the collective value of our individual's experiences, feelings, views, attitudes, skills, thoughts, intentions, and motivations. The benefit to becoming aware of these areas of our life is that a more well-rounded comprehension of our personal strengths and weaknesses provides us with the information we need to better navigate our relationships to others and to ourselves. …
Take control of your well-being, your relationships, your habits, and your professional goals using this proven and scientifically-researched methodology for change
Amidst the consumption and creation of content that’s designed to promote improvement in areas such as nutrition, overall well-being, and mental health, there exists the problem of ignoring one key reality.
That key reality being that personal change, (and the act of, personally, encouraging others to change) is one of the most painstakingly challenging things to accomplish in life — FULL STOP.
There’s a reason Alan Deutschman published a book called, “Change or Die,” and, I’ll give you a hint, it’s not to talk about how effortless, and easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy the process is.
As it turns out, people (myself inevitably included) will largely do everything within their power to resist change — that is, unless they’re faced with a severe enough of a consequence akin to death. …
And how not to under-estimate the power of the vegan veto
To say that plant-based business is trending, is not only an understatement, but would also incorrectly lend itself to the notion that an end to this phenomenon is anticipated.
In reality, what we are witnessing is not a fad, but a societal shift in the way consumers think about food, purchasing power, and the relationship between the two. Not convinced? Here are some stats to consider:
- By 2026, the plant-based food market is globally expected to reach around €22 billion and will experience a compound annual growth rate of over 9% between 2019–2026 (1).
- Between November 2019 and November 2020, vegan food orders via Deliveroo shot up 115% (2). …
Strengthening our body’s friendly bacteria holds the key to preventing disease and fighting a viral infection
They say that the road to health is paved with good intestines — or, something along those lines — and as far as overall well-being is concerned, they would be absolutely right!
With as many microbes in the human body as all the stars in the milky way times 1000, the community of living organisms that resides within our ears, between our toes, and for the most part inside of our gut, has more control over the state of our well-being than most people have ever thought to give it credit for.
Referred to as the microbiome, we are practically carpeted in a collaborative system of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, that have evolved with us since the beginning of our existence. They exist in every corner and crevice of our bodies, and they make up an unbelievable 99% of the total genetic information we contain. …
What was tried (mostly my patience), what was learned, and what I recommend for dealing with your controversial family members
All I can say is that I should have known.
On August 21st, 2017, when a solar eclipse prompted my mother to walk barefoot around our front yard, sipping on rose-water and attempting to convince us of the energetic properties of this astronomical phenomenon — I should have known she would only get worse with time.
In all seriousness, no-one could have possibly predicted the events of 2020 — and that is, suffice to say, that when I moved back home in March of last year, due to the closure of my university and a nationwide lockdown, I was not adequately prepared for the consequences of co-habitating with a covid-19 conspiracy theorist, aka my mother. …
A scientifically steeped article on the health rating of different teas, with evidence-based advice on how to reap the best benefits
As the single most popular — and healthiest — beverage after water, tea has long been established a staple fixture in the routines of many, with people from all different cultures and backgrounds averaging an incredible 2.16 billion cups per day.
Dating as far back as the 3rd century AD, tea drinking is often touted for its medicinal value and range of impressive side effects within the body — and with over 20,000 different teas to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong!
When it comes to choosing your tea based on the benefits it has to offer, however, there are a few key things to take into consideration. …
Being aware of these common potential pit-falls will help you make your transition as smooth as (non-dairy!) butter
“Veganism is not about giving anything up or losing anything; it is about gaining the peace within yourself that comes from embracing nonviolence and refusing to participate in the exploitation of the vulnerable.”
― Gary L Francione
Welcome to Veganism! The bad news is that if you’ve just gone vegan, or you’re currently in the stages of considering giving it a go, you have a bit of a learning curve ahead of you, my friend. The good news, however, is that the longer you do this for, the easier it gets!
And fear not, because — as a well-season vegan, and someone who’s been doing this whole plant-based eating thing for over half a decade — I have some tips, tricks, and insights that are guaranteed to help you navigate the beginning of this beautiful…
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