Happy Bones, Happy Life

Gratitude has always been a powerful practice for me, elevating my own mood and outlook every time I felt appreciation.  

But what's so fascinating is that science has thoroughly studied gratitude, and the data shows how significantly it can impact health and well-being.

Extensive research has validated what I intuitively knew and now provides concrete proof of just how effective "good medicine" an attitude of gratitude can be.

In this Thanksgiving episode, I spoke with my husband, Dr. Craig Bissinger, about the health benefits of gratitude. 

Dr. Craig Bissinger is an OB/GYN in Parsippany, New Jersey. Together, we discuss research showing that simple gratitude practices can significantly boost mood, and reduce stress and depression.

Today, you will learn specific practices for cultivating an "attitude of gratitude." These practices are simple, effective, and nearly free, yet they provide incredible value. 

If you want to enhance your health, mood, and relationships, start infusing your life with gratitude through some of the impactful (yet simple practices) discussed in this episode. Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for listening! 

“In the attitude of gratitude, stress just can't survive. That's the beauty of this. It's the antidote to stress. And, you know, we live in [an] extremely stressful society. So the more gratitude we can incorporate, the better.” - Margie Bissinger, MS, PT, CHC

In this episode:

[00:00] - Welcome to another episode of Happy Bones, Happy Life

[01:24] - What is gratitude? 

[02:28] - Scientific studies proving the benefits of gratitude

[06:03] - Effects of receiving a gratitude letter 

[09:46] - How to apply gratitude in social contexts

[13:28] - A trick to use on a Thanksgiving family gathering 

[14:39] - What is a gratitude break?

[15:42] - What about self-gratitude?

[18:33] - Gratitude practices you can implement in your life

[22:29] - More suggestions for Thanksgiving 

Resources mentioned

Brazilian study about positive psychology and gratitude 

Seligman’s study published by the American Psychological Association 

An experimental investigation of gratitude published by the American Psychological Association 

Connect with Craig Bissinger   

- Website 

More about Margie

- Website 

- Facebook 

- Instagram 

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

We all know that stress has negative effects on our bones and overall health. And we usually try to reduce it using mental strategies such as positive visualization. 

But, actually, reducing stress through physical techniques is a more helpful and practical approach. 

Today, you’ll learn some techniques from our guest, Chantal Donnelly, a physical therapist and author who will teach you how to reduce your muscle tension and, consequently, your stress levels.

Chantal explains how chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can negatively impact bone density over time. She discusses emerging research suggesting bones may even play a role in regulating stress responses in the body.

We discuss how forward head posture, slouching, and chest breathing from stress can strain the neck muscles and compress the ribcage, making it difficult to breathe deeply. 

Chronic muscle tension is linked to increased stress levels and risk of neck pain. But you’ll learn to reduce that tension in only 30 seconds daily. 

Listen in to learn easy ways to soothe stress-induced muscle tension and naturally relax your way to stronger, healthier bones!

“If you have a home alarm system, and a squirrel runs across your roof, and that sets off the alarm, and the fire department shows up, you’ve got a problem with your alarm system, not with a fire. And that’s a lot like what chronic pain and chronic stress, both, are.” - Chantal Donnelly

In this episode:

[00:00] - Welcome to another episode of Happy Bones, Happy Life

[01:57] - Chantal Donnelly’s backstory

[05:31] - The correlation between chronic stress and chronic pain 

[08:38] - Why is neck pain so related to stress? 

[14:49] - Behaviors and tendencies that may cause neck pain  

[18:58] - Why does stress have such negative effects on the bones? 

[24:21] - How to find out if you are overexercising 

[27:22] - Effective techniques for reducing neck tension

[37:49] - Settled: How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World 

[41:51] - Work with Chantal Donnelly 

Resources mentioned

- Chantal's book - Settled:  How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World 

- My Improve your Bone Health Naturally Mini-Class  

Connect with Chantal Donnelly  

- Website

- Instagram 

- Facebook 

More about Margie

- Website 

- Facebook 

- Instagram 

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Have you ever bumped into someone and can't remember their name, or rushed back into your room and forgotten why you went there? As we age, our memories can start to fade. It is also painful to see someone you love slowly fading away. Wouldn’t it be great to have the knowledge and strategies to prevent this terrible disease?

In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease. The number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060. 

Today's special guest, Dr. Joshua Helman, will help us understand the truth about Alzheimer's.

Dr. Joshua Helman is a double-board-certified physician who has worked in various settings. He developed his passion for medicine while studying for his medical degree at Harvard Medical School and has dedicated his career to helping people live healthier, happier lives. 

In today's episode, Dr. Joshua Helman discusses the root causes of Alzheimer's and provides simple tips you can do today for optimal brain health. Discover how to nourish your brain and prevent Alzheimer's while you can.

“The good news is that Alzheimer's disease is preventable and reversible. ” - Dr. Joshua Helman

In this episode:

[00:00] - Are you always forgetting something?

[02:25] - Dr. Joshua Helman's backstory

[06:19] - The surprising link between sleep and Alzheimer's 

[10:01] - Exercise as a way to improve brain function

[13:06] - The role of toxins and heavy metals in inducing Alzheimer's 

[17:09] - Mental decline in young people

[18:57] - Molds and your brain health

[20:45] - Did you know that stress is a contributing factor to developing Alzheimer's?

[23:44] - Supplements and medications that help support brain health

[28:32] - The Truth About Alzheimer's Summit 2023

Resources mentioned

The Truth About Alzheimer’s Summit: Live November 13-19, 2023 

Connect with Dr. Joshua Helman

- Website 

- LinkedIn

More about Margie

- Website 

- Facebook 

- Instagram 

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Do you ever find yourself feeling lost, disconnected, or constantly caring for others but neglecting yourself? If so, you might be facing a deeper issue that resonates within your bones.

According to Kathi Pickett, today’s guest, our bones are not just physical structures. They represent our spirit. And when we're disconnected from our spirit, our bones lack the vitality they need.

Kathi Pickett is an author, speaker, Certified Healing Touch Practitioner, registered nurse, mentor, and extraordinary energy healer.

Her transformative work as an energy healer practitioner and lecturer has touched the lives of many, including myself. 

In fact, I've had personal sessions with her, and her talent is nothing short of incredible.

In this episode, Kathi sheds light on the profound connection between our spirit and bone health. If you start plugging into your spirit and incorporating simple yet powerful energy practices into your daily life, you can initiate a significant transformation.

By the end of our conversation, you'll have a newfound understanding of the integral connection between your spirit and the health of your bones.

Ready to reconnect with your soul and transform your life? Let's dive in!

“The bones are the most dense part of this physical body that holds our spirit in Earth for this experience. And the bones hold the connection to our spirit. Lifeforce runs through the bones. The blood forms in the bones. The bones hold.” - Kathi Pickett

In this episode:

[00:00] - Welcome to another episode of Happy Bones, Happy Life

[03:44] - How did Kathi Pickett become a spiritual healer? 

[08:45] - The connection between the spiritual journey and the bones

[12:48] - How are the bones linked with your life purpose?

[15:25] - A meditation to ignite the light within and energize your bones 

[30:25] - The right way to practice grounding  

[33:05] - Kathi’s class on energy techniques for better bones 

[34:23] - Work with Kathi Pickett

[37:21] - A closing message

Resources mentioned

- Improve Your Bone Health Naturally Free Mini-Course

- Kathi’s class on Energy Techniques for Better Bones

- Book “On Becoming You: You Are a Powerful Being of Light, All is Within You” by Kathi Pickett 

Connect with Kathi Pickett 

- Website 

- Heart Tree Institute 

More about Margie

- Website 

- Facebook 

- Instagram 

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Coherence is a state where the symphony of your body's systems, particularly the heart and the brain, are working in harmony. 

But how do we get there? How do we cultivate coherence? Where do we start? 

Improve Your Bone Health Naturally Free Mini-Course | https://www.happyboneshappylife.com/improve-your-bone-health-naturally-final-mini-course 

Today's special guest, Dr. Christine Schaffner, will help us dive deep into this topic. 

Dr. Christine Schaffner is a board-certified Naturopathic physician. With her expertise, she has guided countless individuals on their journeys to recovery from chronic and complex illnesses. Through her online consultations, enlightening podcasts, and innovative online programs, she's changing lives.

In today's episode, Dr. Schaffner will unravel the mysteries behind coherence, explaining how this state of balance can transform your well-being and overall health. 

This conversation is not just an interview but an eye-opening journey into the limitless possibilities of your health and well-being. You'll grasp the concept of coherence and learn practical methods to achieve this state in your own life.

So, open your mind and heart and prepare to be inspired. As we embark on this enlightening discussion, you'll discover a world where coherence is not just a term but a transformative power.

“We are, you know, these mini-fields within a larger field, and the more that we can tend to our own field of information and energy, through principles of coherence, [...] we can access something bigger and access something greater than ourselves, and we can also connect with each other. ” - Dr. Christine Schaffner

In this episode

[00:00] - Welcome to another episode of Happy Bones, Happy Life

[02:05] - Dr. Christine Schaffner’s backstory

[13:09] - Tools for changing how you feel

[17:20] - The role of the heart in developing coherence 

[24:38] - What is coherence? 

[28:22] - Easy practices for tending to your heart hygiene 

[32:27] - The Art & Science of Cultivating Coherence Summit 2023

[34:39] - Positive changes seen in patients 

[38:16] - The connection between bone health and coherence

[41:40] - How can you work with Dr. Christine Schaffner? 

Resources mentioned

The Art & Science of Cultivating Coherence Summit 2023 

Connect with Dr. Christine Schaffner 

Website 

Clinic  

Instagram 

More about Margie

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Oxalates is a topic I get asked about all the time. There is so much confusion about it around and people sometimes are not even aware about the fact that it can negatively affect our bone health.

Improve Your Bone Health Naturally Free Mini-Course | https://www.happyboneshappylife.com/improve-your-bone-health-naturally-final-mini-course 

So in this podcast episode, we are going to explore this topic with our special guest Julie Matthews. 

Julie is a Certified Nutrition Consultant who also has a master’s degree in medical nutrition. She has a lot of experience working with oxalates and helping people with their diets.

Her approach is based on the BioIndividual Nutrition® needs of each person and she provides diet and nutrition guidance backed by scientific research and clinical experience. 

What are oxalates? Do we need to be worried about them? How can we reduce the oxalates in our diet? Julie answers all of these questions and more in today’s enlightening episode. 

“Because oxalates can bind to calcium, one of the things that it can do, besides getting deposited into all sorts of tissues and things, it can actually deplete our calcium as well as our other minerals. ” - Julie Matthews 

Timestamps:

[02:21] - Julie Matthews's backstory 

[06:00] - What are oxalates, and how do they impact bone health? 

[09:05] - How foods containing oxalates reduce calcium absorption in other foods

[10:37] - Oxalates and gut health 

[14:16] - Symptoms of oxalate issues

[18:09] - Foods that are high in oxalates 

[22:15] - Numbers to take into account if you have an oxalate issue 

[24:42] - How to start getting rid of oxalates 

[27:29] - Reasons that may explain high oxalates in your body 

[29:14] - How do you get tested?

[30:49] - Tips for reducing oxalates

[35:38] - A resource to help you 

[38:29] - How the type of cooking modifies oxalates’ presence 

[40:15] - How long does it take to reduce your symptoms? 

[43:32] - Julie’s resources for practitioners 

[48:24] - Find practitioners who work with BioIndividual Nutrition® 

Resources mentioned

High-Calcium Low-Oxalate Foods

45-Page Practitioner Guide 

Connect with Julie Matthews 

BioIndividual Nutrition® Institute  

Nourishing Hope

LinkedIn 

Instagram

More about Margie

Facebook

Instagram

Website 

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Dr. Rajka Milanovic Galbraith is a board-certified family medicine doctor and functional medicine expert in hormone replacement and peptides certified by the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). Dr. Rajka also has an expertise in longevity and performance, autoimmune disease and nutrigenetics.

She is an international speaker and mentor to hundreds of practitioners. Dr. Rajka is the author of a wonderful new book: Energized - Feel Fantastic Forever. In today’s episode, Dr. Rajka explains what peptides are and how we can use them to improve our bone health. This interview is full of new, exciting information.

Improve Your Bone Health Naturally Free Mini-Course

Dr. Rajka’s new book -  Energized: Feel Fantastic Forever Dr. Rajka’s Website

[03:32] - Dr. Rajka’s Backstory

[14:40] - Different Peptides and Bone Health

[21:04] - How To Choose Which One To Use

[39:47] - How To Work With Dr. Rajka

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Maya Shetreat, MD is a neurologist, herbalist, urban farmer, and author of The Dirt Cure and The Master Plant Experience: The Science, Safety and Sacred Ceremony of Psychedelics. She has been featured in the New York Times, The Telegraph, NPR, Sky News, The Dr. Oz Show and more. Dr. Maya is the founder of the Terrain Institute, where she teaches earth-based programs for transformational healing, including professional training programs for psychedelic-assisted approaches. 

She works and studies with indigenous communities and healers from around the world, and is a lifelong student of ethnobotany, plant healing, and the sacred. 

In today’s enlightening episode, Dr. Maya shares the latest information on plant medicine and psychedelics and how we can use these tools to improve our health and enhance our lives.

 Improve Your Bone Health Naturally Free Mini-Course

The First 3 Chapters of Her Book - FREE

Dr. Maya's Book - The Master Plant Experience

[02:28] - Begin Interview

[10:03] - How YOU Can Use Master Plants

[24:58] - Concept Of The Drops

[42:00] - Dr. Maya’s Book

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Dr. Eric Osansky is a chiropractor, clinical nutritionist, and a certified functional medicine practitioner who has over 20 years of experience in health and wellness. He has been helping people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions since 2009.

He is the author of the books "Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease" and "Hashimoto's Triggers", and is the host of the Save My Thyroid podcast. Dr. Osansky was personally diagnosed in 2008 with Graves disease, and after taking a natural treatment approach has been in remission since 2009. After seeing how well natural treatment methods helped with his condition, he began using these natural thyroid treatment protocols to help others with different types of thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, including hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease, and hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

In today’s episode, Dr. Osansky discusses the relationship between hyperthyroidism and osteoporosis. He shares the natural approaches he has used successfully to help people with hyperthyroidism.

Improve Your Bone Health Naturally Free Mini-Course

Dr. Eric’s newest book - Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease

Dr. Eric's Websites |

https://savemythyroid.com/

https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/

Timestamps

[02:11] - Begin Interview

[06:30] - Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism

[11:41] - Conditions Under Hyperthyroidism

[21:55] - Is It Ever Too Late To Reduce Medication

[29:13] - Dr. Eric Osansky’s Book

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

Anna Cabeca, DO, OB/GYN, FACOG, is best selling author of The Hormone Fix and Keto-Green 16 and MenuPause. Dr. Anna is triple-board certified in obstetrics/gynecology, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine.

She holds special certifications in functional medicine, sexual health, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. She lectures frequently on these topics throughout the world to large audiences and is known nationally as The Girlfriend Doctor and is host of The Girlfriend Doctor show. She has personally developed natural products to help women balance hormones and thrive through menopause and beyond.

In today’s talk, Dr. Anna discusses the importance of hormone balance. She  gives us some great practical strategies we can easily put into our lives.

 Improve Your Bone Health Naturally Free Mini-Course

 Julva Free Trial

 Julva Tube

 Mighty Maca Plus

 Balance Cream

MenuPause | Keto Green 16 | The Hormone Fix

[02:00] - Begin Interview

[05:01] - Improve Hormone Balance In Everyday Life

[10:40] - Keto-Green

[21:53] - A Peek Inside Dr. Anna’s Books

[29:01] - Easy Tweaks You Can Do Right Now

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

*In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about links on this site: Some of the links going to products are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you (sometimes, I even get to share a unique discount with you).

If I post an affiliate link to a product, it is something that I personally use, support and would recommend. I personally vet each and every product. My first priority is providing valuable information and resources to help you create positive changes in your health and bring more happiness into your life.

I will only ever link to products or resources (affiliate or otherwise) that fit within this purpose.