Sweet Summer Harvests

Written By Amber Barone

All those fruits and veggies that you’ve nurtured now provides some real sustenance, and that deserves some celebration and gratitude!

Despite all the variables (weather, soil, pests… your plants have persevered and that feeling of surprise and delight to see and EAT the bounty never gets old.

Taste and nutrient content are arguably superior with home grown goods and we know physically people tend to maintain optimal weight, have less inflammation and improved digestion with increased whole food consumption. AND if that’s not enough to encourage everyone you know to start gardening it also lowers the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. So, no time like the present for you and all your family and friends to start getting your hands dirty!

Gardening is an antidepressant too!

It’s considered a Nature Based Therapy/Intervention that evidence has shown as being “statistically significant” in improving both affect and mood among people diagnosed with depression. In other words, a good majority of people in these randomized controlled trials responded favorably with regular garden activity.

Gardening, the lifestyle intervention that helps people eat better, feel better, prevent chronic disease and improve mood AND it’s an activity suitable for all ages.

Raised beds and potted plants/herbs are all a great way to start.

Salads don’t have to be dull. Check out these 40 salad recipes I’ve put together for you to peak those tastebuds and use up that produce!

Huckleberry and Yukon Golds

Huckleberry and Yukon Golds!

Buttery smooth and DELICIOUS!! No the purple variety doesn’t taste any different but purple fruits and veggies have higher polyphenols that benefit overall brain health and cognition.

Yukon’s are also high in vitamin C, Iron and Potassium boosting immune, building blood and lowering blood pressure all in one.


References:

Coventry PA, Brown JE, Pervin J, Brabyn S, Pateman R, Breedvelt J, Gilbody S, Stancliffe R, McEachan R, White PL. Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SSM Popul Health. 2021 Oct 1;16:100934. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100934. PMID: 34646931; PMCID: PMC8498096.

Bikomeye JC, Balza JS, Kwarteng JL, Beyer AM, Beyer KMM. The impact of greenspace or nature-based interventions on cardiovascular health or cancer-related outcomes: A systematic review of experimental studies. PLoS One. 2022 Nov 23;17(11):e0276517. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276517. PMID: 36417344; PMCID: PMC9683573.

Amber Barone

Amber is a Holistic RN and Functional Medicine Practitioner who supports whole body integrative health and uses primarily diet changes, whole foods, herbs along with lifestyle tools and supplements to help clients restore balance and align with their highest sense of well being.

Amber started her nursing career in the clinic setting where she built a solid understanding of disease progression and contributing factors along with pathophysiology, biochemistry, psychological and trauma aspects. From there she became a travel nurse, working in various settings including cardiac rehab, med surg, psych, long term care, ICU’s and ER’s. These ever changing environments satisfied her ferocious appetite to learn and grow through challenging and inspiring case loads in diverse settings. It was through all of this that she realized her true passion and where she could serve at her highest capacity was working with patients on how to prevent and reverse chronic disease.

As a functional medicine, holistic RN Amber strives to bring in the best evidence based tools and resources from both conventional and alternative schools of thought. She is dedicated to continuing her learning to stay up to speed with the latest research and trends and has built her practice around educating and empowering patients to be proactive with their health.

Most patients come to Amber through a referral network of practitioners in various medical and alternative settings including MD’s, FNP’s, Acupuncturists, Dentists, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists and Yoga Teachers… who wish to support their patients in this way but don’t have the time, education or resources to do this effectively.

The functional medicine addition to client care seems to be the missing piece of a true wellness model. It becomes a collaborative movement too, working together to promote wellness in our respective communities. It expedites healing through deep understanding and promotes life long transformation. Win! Win!

Functional medicine is a deep dive into root cause correlations contributing to one’s current state, it views each patient as unique and in so doing, more fully supports patients on their road to wellness by nourishing unique pathways effecting body systems, organs and glands. Much like regenerative farming and soil health, our bodies are designed to be resilient they just need the right inputs and tools to mitigate cumulative stress, toxins and burdens of our time. Feeling empowered with your health starts here.

EDUCATION / TRAINING

BS Nursing Montana State University-Registered Nurse

BA Psychology and Sociology University of Montana

Equine Veterinarian Technician-Penn Foster

Clinicians Mastermind Circle a one-year Functional Medicine Intensive

Functional Nutrition Alliance 10-month Full Body Systems Immersion

Yoga Motion 240 hour RYS teacher training

http://www.bar1wellness.com
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