Travel as Therapy: Why a Trip to Maui Can Be the Reset You Didn’t Know You Needed

For centuries people have been drinking freshly extracted fruit juice as one of their daily health kick ups. There are many reasons for this, and some of them are health benefits, taste, and many others. No matter which method of juicing and whatever the fruit used, without the fruit there comes nothing for you!

There is no doubt about it – fruit juice is the best source of vitamin C to be found anywhere on earth! This fun fact will no doubt come as a surprise to many people. However, what is even more interesting is the fact that the juice we now drink every day is not nearly the total amount needed to get our body healthy. As a matter of fact, in the day’s best living situations, most of us would greatly benefit from reducing our daily intake of fruit juice to below twenty or thirty pieces per day. The good news is that you don’t have to go through this drastic change all at once, and if you start drinking less fruit juice on a more regular basis you will notice a great reduction in your weight loss and keep it off.

The first thing you should know about fruit juice is that it contains the richest source of antioxidants of any food or drink today! This makes it a great source of helping us lose weight, especially the bad kind. But before we get into the bad stuff, let’s look at what is actually in juice and why it is so good for you. Pure juice is just that: 100% juice with nothing added. In other words, there are no fruit juices added (unless it is raw) in this delicious beverage, so it is always healthy.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of this wonderful beverage, and how you can use it to eat fewer calories. Since fruits and vegetables are very filling, consuming them on a regular basis is a great way to make sure you eat less and feel healthier. Juices are particularly helpful in “storing” these nutrients as you won’t be swallowing tons of water, making it harder to count those calories. Another plus of drinking juices is that the fiber content is very high, which also helps to keep your digestive system moving along and getting rid of all the toxins that contribute to weight gain. So take a small sip smarter and stay full, and you are on your way to losing weight!

Of course, drinking fruit juice is not the only way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. For example, if you cook fruits and vegetables with a bit of sugar (such as in a dessert) then you will be decreasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you can ingest. Therefore, the whole fruit is always the best choice, as it provides the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals for every serving.

However, you don’t need to limit your intake of fruits and vegetables. Even a diet consisting entirely of “white” foods can benefit from a little fruit juice here and there. One of the biggest misconceptions about fruit juice is that it has no fiber, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, studies have shown that having at least one glass of fruit juice per day can actually help you add more fiber to your diet. This leads to regular bowel movements, which are another contributing factor in losing weight.

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection spread primarily by the bite of infected black-legged ticks, also called deer ticks. It is most common in wooded or grassy areas, especially in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest regions. The illness is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and can affect multiple systems in the body, including the skin, joints, nervous system, and heart.

How Lyme Disease Begins

After a tick bite, the bacterium enters the bloodstream. The first sign in many cases is a circular rash that resembles a bull’s-eye, known as erythema migrans. This rash typically appears 3 to 30 days after the bite and may be warm to the touch, but not usually painful or itchy. Some people may never develop this rash, which makes early detection more difficult.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

The early symptoms of Lyme Disease can be similar to the flu. These may include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

As the disease progresses, additional symptoms may develop, such as:

• Severe headaches and neck stiffness
• More rashes on other areas of the body
• Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling
• Facial drooping (Bell’s palsy)
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Dizziness or shortness of breath
• Nerve pain or shooting pains in hands and feet
• Memory problems or confusion

These symptoms can appear weeks or even months after the tick bite and may persist for a long time without treatment.

How Lyme Disease Is Diagnosed

Doctors often diagnose Lyme Disease based on physical symptoms, a history of possible exposure to ticks, and laboratory tests. Blood tests can check for antibodies to the bacteria, though they may not be accurate in the early stages. The most commonly used tests include the ELISA test followed by a Western blot test for confirmation.

Medical and Holistic Treatment Options

The standard treatment for Lyme Disease is a course of antibiotics, such as doxycycline or amoxicillin. Most people who receive treatment in the early stages recover quickly and completely. However, some individuals experience ongoing symptoms even after completing antibiotics. This is sometimes called post-treatment Lyme Disease syndrome.

Holistic approaches to care are often used alongside medical treatment. These strategies may include:

Nutritional Support

Anti-inflammatory diets, hydration, and gut-friendly foods help reduce stress on the immune system and support recovery. Some patients benefit from supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and vitamins C and D.

Physical Therapy and Movement

Gentle movement helps maintain joint mobility and reduce stiffness, especially for those experiencing Lyme-related arthritis. Low-impact exercises like yoga or tai chi may improve circulation and energy.

Herbal Remedies

Some practitioners recommend natural antimicrobials like cat’s claw, Japanese knotweed, or andrographis. These herbs are thought to support the immune system and help reduce microbial activity.

Stress Reduction and Mental Health Care

Ongoing pain and fatigue can affect emotional well-being. Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or talking with a licensed therapist may help patients better cope with symptoms and stress.

Detoxification Practices

Some people seek therapies that support the body’s natural detox systems, such as infrared saunas, dry brushing, or Epsom salt baths. These practices are often used to manage Herxheimer reactions, which are temporary symptom flares during treatment.

Lifestyle Changes for Better Symptom Management

Making small adjustments to daily routines can help people with Lyme Disease manage fatigue, pain, and cognitive challenges. These might include:

• Prioritizing sleep and rest
• Breaking tasks into smaller steps
• Pacing activities to avoid symptom flare-ups
• Staying hydrated throughout the day
• Keeping a symptom journal to track changes

Support from friends, family, or online communities can also be valuable. Sharing experiences, tips, and encouragement can make it easier to stay motivated and informed.

Prevention Strategies

Avoiding tick bites is the most effective way to prevent Lyme Disease. Precautionary steps include:

• Wearing long sleeves and pants when in wooded or grassy areas
• Using insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
• Checking for ticks after outdoor activities, especially on the scalp, underarms, and behind the knees
• Removing ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers
• Keeping lawns trimmed and clearing brush from around homes

In areas where Lyme Disease is common, awareness and early action are key to reducing risk and ensuring quick response if symptoms appear.