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📌 Episode Summary:

Welcome to the Healthy California Podcast, where we explore practical, holistic approaches to well-being. I'm your host, Linda Brown, and my goal is to educate and empower you to make better daily choices for a healthier life—because you, your family, your neighbors, and your entire community deserve to live well.

In today’s episode, we dive into a topic that affects nearly everyone: stress.

We’ll explore:

• What stress really is
• Why it’s not always the enemy
• How it impacts your body—from digestion to hormones to reproduction
• The difference between helpful and harmful stress
• And most importantly, what you can do about it

Whether you're juggling too many responsibilities, struggling with sleep, digestion, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you understand the physiological effects of stress and how to bring your body back into a “rest and digest” state.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Stress is not just emotional—it's a biological response that can either help you grow or break you down, depending on duration and intensity.
• Chronic stress impacts every system in your body, from your gut and immune system to your reproductive health and mental well-being.
• Recognizing perceived stress (especially from past trauma) is just as important as identifying physical stress.
• Practical strategies for managing stress include breathing techniques, adaptogenic herbs (with professional guidance), exercise, nutrition, counseling, journaling, and even something as simple as taking a bubble bath.
• Delegating, eliminating, and prioritizing are key tools in reclaiming your time and reducing daily overwhelm.

📝 Homework Assignment:

• Look at your calendar and identify what you can delegate or eliminate.
• Reclaim some of your time.
• Take at least one step to reduce stress this week—whether it’s a walk, a relaxing bath, or turning off your phone for an hour.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Breathing technique: 4x4 Box Breathing
• Adaptogens: Ashwagandha, Passionflower (seek personalized guidance)
• Functional testing for adrenal health
• Blue Zones and community well-being
• Nutritional recommendations: omega-3s, B vitamins, colorful fruits/vegetables

📞 Connect With Linda:

Have questions or need personalized help managing your stress?
🗓️ Schedule a free 15-minute consultation — details in the show notes below.
📱 Follow me on social media and turn on notifications to never miss an episode!

To sign up for my Spring Cleaning Liver Detox starting June 2nd, go to my website. Enter code: Detox2025 for an introductory discount

www.heal-throughfood.com

Thank you for listening to Healthy California.

If you have tried all my suggestions and are still having trouble with your health, and would like an appointment with me, please email me, text, or call me via the contact information below.

My contact:

Linda Brown, MPT, Doctoral Candidate Functional Nutrition

916-426-2543

linda@heal-throughfood.com

www.heal-throughfood.com

Send us a text

Welcome to another episode of the Healthy California podcast! I’m your host, Linda Brown, and I’m here to help you make empowered, informed decisions about your health, your family’s well-being, and the wellness of your community. Every week, we explore practical, science-backed solutions to help you thrive.

In this episode, we dive deep into a growing environmental and health concern: plastics and microplastics. These synthetic materials are everywhere—from food packaging and makeup to clothing and car interiors—and they’re silently disrupting our hormones, overwhelming our detox systems, and contributing to a wide range of chronic illnesses.

🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What plastics and microplastics really are, and why they don’t break down
• How “forever chemicals” like PFAS and BPA disrupt our endocrine system
• How plastics enter our bodies and the alarming amount we ingest weekly
• The serious health risks tied to plastic exposure, including hormone-related diseases, inflammation, and developmental concerns
• Why children carry an even heavier toxic burden than adults
• What’s really happening to your recycling—and why only 9% of U.S. plastic is actually recycled
• Simple steps you can take to reduce your plastic exposure at home
• Why supporting your liver is key to reducing your toxic load

🌱 Actionable Tips Shared:

• Switch to glass or stainless-steel food storage
• Avoid heating food in plastic containers
• Choose BPA- and phthalate-free personal care products (check out ewg.org)
• Eat more high-fiber, colorful foods to support detox
• Stay hydrated, prioritize sleep, and keep moving

💚 Join the June Liver Detox!
I’m hosting a liver detox next month to help reduce your toxic burden and boost your overall health. Sign up through my website and use code Detox2025 for a discount.

🎧 Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the environmental health concerns or just looking for a place to start, this episode will leave you better informed and more empowered. Your health journey is just that—a journey. Be kind to yourself, and take one step at a time.

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

Understanding Potency of endocrine disruptors, an infographic by the Health and Environment Alliance. https://www.env-health.org/infographic-more-than-one-potency/

Understanding How Doses Matter when it comes to endocrine disruptors, an infographic by the Health and Environment Alliance. https://www.env-health.org/infographic-low-doses-matter/

Geyer, R., Jambeck, J.R., Law, K.L. (2017 Jul 19). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances. Vol.3 Issue 7. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sc

To sign up for my Spring Cleaning Liver Detox starting June 2nd, go to my website. Enter code: Detox2025 for an introductory discount

www.heal-throughfood.com

Thank you for listening to Healthy California.

If you have tried all my suggestions and are still having trouble with your health, and would like an appointment with me, please email me, text, or call me via the contact information below.

My contact:

Linda Brown, MPT, Doctoral Candidate Functional Nutrition

916-426-2543

linda@heal-throughfood.com

www.heal-throughfood.com

Send us a text

In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of cancer—what it is, how it forms, and why it matters to your long-term health. Cancer occurs when the body’s natural cell regulation fails, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. These rogue cells can form tumors and, in some cases, spread to other parts of the body through a process called metastasis. But not all tumors are cancerous, and understanding the difference is key.

You’ll learn about the three major risk factors for cancer: genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices—and more importantly, what you can do about them. We explore how everyday toxins, inflammation, poor nutrition, and lack of sleep and exercise all play a role in increasing cancer risk, and how you can take preventative steps to reduce that risk significantly.

💡 We dive into:

• The top 5 cancers in the world and U.S.
• How free radicals and oxidative stress contribute to aging and disease
• Why maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle can cut cancer risk by over 30%
• How diet, sleep, exercise, and even stress management are powerful tools for prevention
• Bible-based encouragement on honoring your body and staying well (Proverbs 3:7–8)

We also take a closer look at specific cancers—like breast, prostate, lung, colon, and skin—and how nutrition, movement, sleep, and screening play a role in prevention. From the benefits of cruciferous vegetables and omega-3s to reducing sugar and processed foods, this episode is packed with practical tips backed by research.

🎧 Whether you have a family history or are simply focused on long-term wellness, this episode empowers you to take action now and be proactive about your health.

References:

www.EWG.org

Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Hallmarks of Cancer: The Next Generation. Cell. 2011 Mar 4;144(5):646–74.

Cosmetic Use and Increased Breast Density: Eslami, B. et al. (2024 Feb 1). Cosmetics Use and Mammographic Breast Density in Iranian Women: a Cross-Sectional Study. Source: Current Women's Health Reviews, Volume 20, Issue 1, Feb 2024, p. 52 - 61DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1573404819666230120114004

Tattoo associated with benign tumors, malignant neoplasms, and lymphoid conditions. Cohen, P. (2021). Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Tattoo: A Man With a Tattoo-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Review of Benign Tumors, Lympoid Conditions, and Malignant Neoplasms Occurring Within a Tattoo. Cureus. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21083

Join me for the Spring Cleaning Liver Detox. Go to https://l.bttr.to/dEe78 to sign up or go to www.heal-throughfood.com for more information

To sign up for my Spring Cleaning Liver Detox starting June 2nd, go to my website. Enter code: Detox2025 for an introductory discount

www.heal-throughfood.com

Thank you for listening to Healthy California.

If you have tried all my suggestions and are still having trouble with your health, and would like an appointment with me, please email me, text, or call me via the contact information below.

My contact:

Linda Brown, MPT, Doctoral Candidate Functional Nutrition

916-426-2543

linda@heal-throughfood.com

www.heal-throughfood.com