pls never stop yelling at people. I'm sending this to everyone next time they try and tell me I need [insert crappy useless wellness product here]. you are a gift!!
I love this! And FYI: Paul Stamets (creator of Host Defense) is union busting the employees at his company at this moment and has hired the high-profile and incredibly expensive lawyers who destroyed the union possibility at Starbucks and other corporations. Really shitty.
Hi!!! Thank you so much for the comment. God DAMNIT, Paul! I guess we should’ve known he had douchebag potential after doing a Joe Rogan interview… I appreciate the heads up and will seek some other options. HD is extracted in the only labs I’m aware of with patents for pure potent extractions, which is why I recommend them - time to do some more research about who else we can give our money to!
This was SO good. Couldn't agree more -- my focus first and foremost is getting nutrients from eating a healthy and varied diet, and eating seasonally for example. Also, I can't help but think of indigenous or rural communities abroad, who likely see very little money for these "exotic ingredients" that are local to them.
You’re spot on! Balance, baby! And yes, there is SO much wrong with / to unpack about some of these trades - not to mention, all that tropical shit is unregulated and so is the water that waters it. Crazy ass times - keep up the good work!
Well-washing! That is brilliant. My diabetic husband tends to be seduced by products of this nature because he’s too lazy to cook and I don’t always have time to cook his meals.
Don’t forget that getting sunlight each and every day can go along way towards healing the body. Sunlight, the last time I checked, is free. In the Occult Anatomy of Man, Manly P. Hall indicates that the spleen is the organ of subtle body energy intake. I have noticed good results when I have exposed the area under my heart (where the spleen resides) to direct sunlight.
okay i love this & you just gained a new subscriber! BUT i have a question regarding the thing you wrote about fresh food: ”I cannot stress the importance of fresh food over dried, frozen, and otherwise shelf stabilized.”
i’ve read that frozen veggies actually contain more nutrients because they’re harvested at peak ripeness and frozen, while ”fresh” vegetables (not counting locally grown) in stores are harvested too early — to ripen while they’re being shipped across the world —meaning they don’t develop as many nutrients since they’ve been removed from the plant. are you saying this isn’t true? because that made my broke ass feel much better about buying the cheaper frozen veggies 😪
Hi!!! Everything in moderation! the healthiest thing you can do is feed your body so there’s definitely no shame in your frozen game - and so many things are easier to store frozen (greens especially). I am referring to frozen meals and prepared meals you throw in the fridge and then microwave/green powders. I would encourage you to buy fresh when you can, but it sounds like you are totally rockin your food budget while still bringing in nutritious things - so keep going! Thanks for reading!
This this this this this!! I get so anxious because I'm NOT spending money on x, y, z supplements, worrying that I am not doing enough, and being ASHAMED that I can't afford what many of my colleagues invest in, but this reminds me that my plates of veggies (so many), wholefoods, nuts, seeds, meat/fish, etc. etc. are doing more for me than what so many packets of powder could. Health and wellness, or wealth and hellness? The latter seems more appropriate, sadly
There is a particularly pernicious part of social media influencing that is rife with hot idiots flogging garbage supplements. I guarantee if you excise this from your life, your anxiety levels will decrease.
Brilliant Candice. I’ve said everything you’ve just written for years. Nobody listens. Maybe I need to shout it - so much more effective. Nature, not food labs, provides everything we need to survive. I never understood the detox craze - your liver does your detoxing, that’s what it’s for but most people don’t understand this. That’s why they fall for all the propaganda.
Thank you so much for taking the words (and adaptogenic coffee creamers) out of my mouth! I've recently been on a journey to solve the root cause of my health issues, but why is it so rare for any doctor or natropath etc to call us out and say it's all in the diet! Anyway, sharing this along x
I've been an herbalist for 14 years, and ALWAYS start with the diet first. I can hear your symptoms and basically know what you are eating, then get confirmation with your food journal. Diet changes everything.
love this. thank u for yelling at me about wellness bc i have also been SICK of the well-washing but all i hear on socials is the latest fasting fad or yet another tincture that doesn’t quite tell me what it does
"If the powder is derived from a rare fruit or something that sounds like a Dr. Seuss character, or only grows in remote parts of the world you have never been to, your body absolutely does not need to consume it.
I can assure you that the carbon footprint you leave by guzzling tropical fruit derived lozenges will kill you faster than whatever it is that you’re healing."
Regarding #7 and Host Defense products - they primarily use mycelium and the material it's grown on, usually rice grain, NOT fruiting bodies of mushrooms. There's plenty of controversy and opinions in the herbalist world on this, as there is some benefit to ingesting mycelium, but it is not the same as having the fruiting body medicine. Companies that use just mycelium for extracts are also cutting corners and saving a bunch of money by not having to actually spend the time growing the mushrooms, and even worse is if you read the labels of the bottles, for capsules at least, a good portion of what is in there is the rice grain it was grown on. If we look back to ancestral uses of these they were all making medicines with the fruiting bodies, so I reckon we should do the same.
I also find it disappointing that Stamets has patented his research on mushroom extracts to save the bees from colony collapse... seems like something you'd want to share with people if you're really truly concerned about the acceleration of this huge problem. My guess is it's part of his governemnt / defense contractor work possibly? As he did name it as a national security issue.
This is an excellent Substack, thanks for writing it! But I hope you can acknowledge the benefits or supplementing with the right supplements. Many of us are deficient in Magnesium, Vitamin D3, K2 etc and in a world of rampant infection (esp Covid) could often also benefit from supplements that can improve symptoms like mitochondrial fatigue, brain fog (brain damage) etc.
Hi! Thank you very much for your comment! <3 I totally agree that deficiencies must be addressed! I'm more concerned about the self diagnosing many of us are forced into by labels on supplements that we just don't need. I had some major post covid complications, I'm sorry to hear that you might've, too - we'll get through it, the right way!
She does mention if it’s not supported by your labs…
Sadly my mad supplementation IS supported by my labs. I no longer have functioning parathyroid. I only take things as directed though, and I’m monitored. No weird green stuff or “adaptogens” STOP IT LOL
If I need weird green, I eat it. (Also recovering anorexic. Eating, full stop, is a challenge sometimes)
I. FEEL. YOU. Unfortunately, my labs are abysmal due to thyroid and some detox pathway issues from an autoimmune condition - so I guzzle the vitamins and hope for the best. And hey, I'm super proud of you - you're doing great, keep it up! Thank you for stopping by <3
Thank you for this amazing post! I am curious to hear more about this idea of recovery versus injury prevention. They kinda sound like the same thing to me, at least when it comes to athletic pursuits. I would love to hear more.
Thanks again for an absolute beast of a post against the "wellness" industry. I almost fell prey to the cute packaging of some god-awful expensive supplement in Target...but I resisted!
pls never stop yelling at people. I'm sending this to everyone next time they try and tell me I need [insert crappy useless wellness product here]. you are a gift!!
Thank you, Candice (I yelled that)!
I love this! And FYI: Paul Stamets (creator of Host Defense) is union busting the employees at his company at this moment and has hired the high-profile and incredibly expensive lawyers who destroyed the union possibility at Starbucks and other corporations. Really shitty.
https://www.thestand.org/2024/05/fungi-perfecti-workers-joining-together-with-liuna-252/?link_id=6&can_id=80d59fdcb8a1b4157e36107f966db8ab&source=email-stand-with-ibew-strikers-unity-at-fungi-perfecti-boeing-lockout-imminent&email_referrer=email_2305272&email_subject=stand-with-ibew-strikers-unity-at-fungi-perfecti-boeing-lockout-imminent&=1
Hi!!! Thank you so much for the comment. God DAMNIT, Paul! I guess we should’ve known he had douchebag potential after doing a Joe Rogan interview… I appreciate the heads up and will seek some other options. HD is extracted in the only labs I’m aware of with patents for pure potent extractions, which is why I recommend them - time to do some more research about who else we can give our money to!
Will you write a post on that if/when you find out? I’m really glad I found this because mushrooms are something I’ve been wanting to start consuming.
I tried the Real Mushrooms brand recently. The lion's mane was potent but a bad match for my system... I'll try their reishi next.
I’ve never subscribed faster
Buy the ticket and take the ride! Happy to have you 🫶🏼
This was SO good. Couldn't agree more -- my focus first and foremost is getting nutrients from eating a healthy and varied diet, and eating seasonally for example. Also, I can't help but think of indigenous or rural communities abroad, who likely see very little money for these "exotic ingredients" that are local to them.
You’re spot on! Balance, baby! And yes, there is SO much wrong with / to unpack about some of these trades - not to mention, all that tropical shit is unregulated and so is the water that waters it. Crazy ass times - keep up the good work!
Totally! Look forward to reading your next post!
Well-washing! That is brilliant. My diabetic husband tends to be seduced by products of this nature because he’s too lazy to cook and I don’t always have time to cook his meals.
Don’t forget that getting sunlight each and every day can go along way towards healing the body. Sunlight, the last time I checked, is free. In the Occult Anatomy of Man, Manly P. Hall indicates that the spleen is the organ of subtle body energy intake. I have noticed good results when I have exposed the area under my heart (where the spleen resides) to direct sunlight.
okay i love this & you just gained a new subscriber! BUT i have a question regarding the thing you wrote about fresh food: ”I cannot stress the importance of fresh food over dried, frozen, and otherwise shelf stabilized.”
i’ve read that frozen veggies actually contain more nutrients because they’re harvested at peak ripeness and frozen, while ”fresh” vegetables (not counting locally grown) in stores are harvested too early — to ripen while they’re being shipped across the world —meaning they don’t develop as many nutrients since they’ve been removed from the plant. are you saying this isn’t true? because that made my broke ass feel much better about buying the cheaper frozen veggies 😪
Hi!!! Everything in moderation! the healthiest thing you can do is feed your body so there’s definitely no shame in your frozen game - and so many things are easier to store frozen (greens especially). I am referring to frozen meals and prepared meals you throw in the fridge and then microwave/green powders. I would encourage you to buy fresh when you can, but it sounds like you are totally rockin your food budget while still bringing in nutritious things - so keep going! Thanks for reading!
This this this this this!! I get so anxious because I'm NOT spending money on x, y, z supplements, worrying that I am not doing enough, and being ASHAMED that I can't afford what many of my colleagues invest in, but this reminds me that my plates of veggies (so many), wholefoods, nuts, seeds, meat/fish, etc. etc. are doing more for me than what so many packets of powder could. Health and wellness, or wealth and hellness? The latter seems more appropriate, sadly
Yes! You have the right idea.
There is a particularly pernicious part of social media influencing that is rife with hot idiots flogging garbage supplements. I guarantee if you excise this from your life, your anxiety levels will decrease.
Brilliant Candice. I’ve said everything you’ve just written for years. Nobody listens. Maybe I need to shout it - so much more effective. Nature, not food labs, provides everything we need to survive. I never understood the detox craze - your liver does your detoxing, that’s what it’s for but most people don’t understand this. That’s why they fall for all the propaganda.
Right on, Mary!
Thank you so much for taking the words (and adaptogenic coffee creamers) out of my mouth! I've recently been on a journey to solve the root cause of my health issues, but why is it so rare for any doctor or natropath etc to call us out and say it's all in the diet! Anyway, sharing this along x
I've been an herbalist for 14 years, and ALWAYS start with the diet first. I can hear your symptoms and basically know what you are eating, then get confirmation with your food journal. Diet changes everything.
Same here! 🌿
love this. thank u for yelling at me about wellness bc i have also been SICK of the well-washing but all i hear on socials is the latest fasting fad or yet another tincture that doesn’t quite tell me what it does
This….is my new favorite piece
This….is my new favorite comment
So true!
"If the powder is derived from a rare fruit or something that sounds like a Dr. Seuss character, or only grows in remote parts of the world you have never been to, your body absolutely does not need to consume it.
I can assure you that the carbon footprint you leave by guzzling tropical fruit derived lozenges will kill you faster than whatever it is that you’re healing."
Regarding #7 and Host Defense products - they primarily use mycelium and the material it's grown on, usually rice grain, NOT fruiting bodies of mushrooms. There's plenty of controversy and opinions in the herbalist world on this, as there is some benefit to ingesting mycelium, but it is not the same as having the fruiting body medicine. Companies that use just mycelium for extracts are also cutting corners and saving a bunch of money by not having to actually spend the time growing the mushrooms, and even worse is if you read the labels of the bottles, for capsules at least, a good portion of what is in there is the rice grain it was grown on. If we look back to ancestral uses of these they were all making medicines with the fruiting bodies, so I reckon we should do the same.
I also find it disappointing that Stamets has patented his research on mushroom extracts to save the bees from colony collapse... seems like something you'd want to share with people if you're really truly concerned about the acceleration of this huge problem. My guess is it's part of his governemnt / defense contractor work possibly? As he did name it as a national security issue.
This is an excellent Substack, thanks for writing it! But I hope you can acknowledge the benefits or supplementing with the right supplements. Many of us are deficient in Magnesium, Vitamin D3, K2 etc and in a world of rampant infection (esp Covid) could often also benefit from supplements that can improve symptoms like mitochondrial fatigue, brain fog (brain damage) etc.
Hi! Thank you very much for your comment! <3 I totally agree that deficiencies must be addressed! I'm more concerned about the self diagnosing many of us are forced into by labels on supplements that we just don't need. I had some major post covid complications, I'm sorry to hear that you might've, too - we'll get through it, the right way!
She does mention if it’s not supported by your labs…
Sadly my mad supplementation IS supported by my labs. I no longer have functioning parathyroid. I only take things as directed though, and I’m monitored. No weird green stuff or “adaptogens” STOP IT LOL
If I need weird green, I eat it. (Also recovering anorexic. Eating, full stop, is a challenge sometimes)
I. FEEL. YOU. Unfortunately, my labs are abysmal due to thyroid and some detox pathway issues from an autoimmune condition - so I guzzle the vitamins and hope for the best. And hey, I'm super proud of you - you're doing great, keep it up! Thank you for stopping by <3
I enjoyed reading this a lot! Thank you! What are some examples of easily digestible foods?
Thank you for this amazing post! I am curious to hear more about this idea of recovery versus injury prevention. They kinda sound like the same thing to me, at least when it comes to athletic pursuits. I would love to hear more.
Thanks again for an absolute beast of a post against the "wellness" industry. I almost fell prey to the cute packaging of some god-awful expensive supplement in Target...but I resisted!