Optimal Health 360 - You Eat What Your Food Eats

Spaghetti Squash and Angel Hair Pasta

Charmene M. Vega3 years ago3 months ago05 mins

Spaghetti squash is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that provides a range of health benefits. It is known for its unique stringy texture, which resembles spaghetti when cooked. Here, find some of the health benefits of spaghetti squash with a recipe.

A close up of some sandwiches with vegetables

Spring Vegetable Salad With Mint Pesto

Charmene M. Vega3 years ago3 months ago04 mins

Bring a whole new dimension to your palate with a vibrant spring vegetable salad, featuring a medley of crisp, garden-fresh delights, artfully arranged in a bowl bursting with color and flavor. The verdant symphony of seasonal vegetables, adorned with a refreshing mint pesto, not only celebrates the vitality of the blue zone diet but also harmonizes perfectly with crumbled feta sheep cheese, creating a tantalizing fusion of textures and tastes that beckons you to savor the essence of the season in every wholesome bite.

Fermented Honey Recipe

Charmene M. Vega4 days ago4 days ago09 mins

How to Make Fermented Honey for Health and Wellness
Unlock the benefits of fermented honey, an age-old remedy known for boosting gut health, enhancing skin elasticity, and supporting overall wellness. This probiotic-rich superfood not only improves digestion but also promotes collagen production, making it a natural ally against aging. Learn how to make your own fermented honey at home with simple ingredients like ginger and lemon, and discover how this powerful elixir can be added to your daily routine for long-lasting health benefits.

Fight Sagging Skin: Super-Ager Secrets

Charmene M. Vega4 days ago4 days ago012 mins

As we age, our skin begins to lose its firmness, becoming more prone to sagging and dryness, especially during menopause. According to Dr. John Layke, renowned plastic surgeon and co-founder of Beverly Hills MD, maintaining youthful skin isn’t just about surface-level treatments—what you eat and how you care for your body plays a vital role in how you age.

The top three habits that can make you a “super-ager” include hydrating your skin from the inside out, boosting collagen production with estrogen-encouraging foods like wild yam, and incorporating dietary hyaluronic acid and MSM into your routine. But there’s one simple thing you can do at home to tackle sagging skin: adding wild yam to your diet. Wild yam helps increase estrogen, which promotes collagen production, giving your skin that youthful elasticity.

Holistic Empowerment Strategies for Women at The New Empowerment Summit

Charmene M. Vega2 weeks ago2 weeks ago05 mins

Are you ready to tap into your inner strength? Are you prepared to thrive as the powerful woman you were…

JAMA Study Blood Test for Alzheimer’s

Charmene M. Vega2 weeks ago2 weeks ago011 mins

Recent studies have demonstrated significant advancements in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease using blood-based biomarkers, particularly the phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) protein. Research published in JAMA Neurology highlights that these blood tests offer diagnostic accuracy comparable to traditional methods like cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, achieving accuracy rates around 80-92%(
JAMA Network
)(
UCL
). This makes them a promising tool for early intervention, particularly as they are less invasive and more cost-effective than lumbar punctures and imaging. However, the generalizability of these tests across diverse populations remains a challenge, necessitating further research to ensure their efficacy across different demographic groups(
Neurology live
).

Eldercare Disparities: A U.S. Perspective vs. The World

Charmene M. Vega2 weeks ago2 weeks ago05 mins

Caring for Our Seniors: A Global Lesson for the U.S.

In the United States, we often place our elderly in assisted living facilities, a decision that can inadvertently convey the message that they are no longer valued. In contrast, countries like Japan and Italy integrate seniors into their homes and communities, showing respect and reverence for their wisdom. It’s time we shift our mindset and adopt principles from the Blue Zones—regions known for longevity and quality of life—where seniors are active, connected, and valued. By incorporating these practices into our homes and senior care facilities, we can ensure our elders live with dignity and purpose.

Whether it’s through improving nutrition, supplementing cognitive health, or creating environments that foster independence, we must find ways to honor our seniors and help them thrive.

The Psychology Behind How Food Tastes Based on Presentation

Charmene M. Vega3 weeks ago3 weeks ago010 mins

When we think about food, we usually focus on flavor, but how it looks can be just as important as how it tastes. The brain starts forming opinions about food before it even hits your taste buds. The presentation of a dish triggers expectations that influence your experience and can even enhance or diminish the flavors.

Think about a beautifully plated meal versus one thrown together carelessly. The elegant arrangement, vibrant colors, and balance on the plate communicate a level of care and quality. This sets your brain up to expect something delicious. On the flip side, when food looks unappealing, even if it tastes good, you’re more likely to perceive it as less enjoyable.

Gratitude for a Wonderful Collaboration with Blue Zones & Links for Life

Charmene M. Vega4 weeks ago4 weeks ago03 mins

Cooking for Health with Links for Life & Blue Zones

I’m deeply grateful to the Blue Zones Project for inviting me to collaborate on a cooking demonstration for the ladies of Links for Life, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting those affected by breast cancer. It was a joy to showcase ingredients with cancer-preventing properties and share how they can promote long-term health. The gratitude from the women was overwhelming, and I’m honored to support such a powerful organization that provides mammograms, diagnostic testing, and crucial emotional support to the community.

Face Your Fears and Break Through Summit

Charmene M. Vega4 weeks ago4 weeks ago01 mins

Turn It Into a Powerful Tool for Your Success Journey
Fear doesn’t have to hold you back; it can be the key to unlocking your potential. Join us at the Accountability & Success: Face Your Fears and Break Through to Freedom Summit to learn how fear affects your GUT, mindset, and overall well-being. Discover holistic strategies to transform fear into FUEL for growth and success. With practical accountability tools, you’ll empower yourself to break through barriers and nurture lasting positive change in both your health and life. Don’t let fear stop you—use it to propel you forward!

Pumpkin: Empowering Your Health

Charmene M. Vega4 weeks ago4 weeks ago11 mins

Packed with vitamin C, fiber, and powerful antioxidants, this seasonal pumpkin stew is more than just a comfort food—it’s a great choice for cancer prevention. Pumpkin’s natural richness in beta-carotene helps protect cells, while the high fiber content supports digestion and gut health. Best enjoyed when pumpkins are in season, this stew delivers warmth and wellness with every spoonful, making it a nutritious, healing meal for both body and soul.

Holistic Health and Economic Leadership: Empowering Women in Business

Charmene M. Vega4 weeks ago4 weeks ago06 mins

The Power of Health in the Workplace

When women feel energized, clear-minded, and supported, they bring their best selves to work. Imagine a workplace where your health is a priority—where team-building exercises aren’t just about business but about fostering well-being. That’s what I helped create with the Department of Human Services, through the Blue Zones Project Bakersfield. By incorporating holistic health practices like nutritious food demonstrations and wellness workshops, we saw a transformation. Employees were more engaged, had more energy, and their attendance improved. When your health is thriving, so is your work.

Empowering women to lead with vitality starts with creating spaces where they feel their well-being matters. When work becomes a place where you’re encouraged to be at your healthiest, going to work each day isn’t a chore—it’s a chance to grow stronger, more confident, and more fulfilled.