The Trail To Health

  • Home
  • The Trail To Health
Directions Website Contact the practice

The Trail To Health Health Coach, Blogger & Cookbook Author of
Recipes, Travel & Hi! Welcome to The Trail To Health!

I am Erika and am here to be your trail guide on the unpaved trail to healing. I am recovering from Lyme Disease, Multiple Autoimmune Diseases and a myriad of other conditions from food allergies to detoxing from heavy metals. I have chosen the unpaved path for my healing journey and am hoping to help and inspire anyone else out there that is willing to step off the main trail and really explore different ways to heal and recover. Check out my website to see some of the conditions I have experienced and can provide information on what I learned on my trail to wellness. I also explored several alternative healing modalities that I would like to share my experience on. There are plenty of ways to heal from chronic illness and I encourage you to not be afraid by how “out there” or “unconventional” a treatment is. You never know what will really resonate with your body and work.

29/10/2026

Not all stem cells have the same potential.

The term “stem cells” can make very different treatments sound interchangeable. But the type of cells being used, how they’re prepared, and the evidence behind their use all matter.

Dr. Adeel Khan .akhan of Eterna Health .health explains what makes MUSE cells a distinct area of research. They’re a rare, naturally occurring subset of mesenchymal stem cells being studied for their ability to withstand severe stress and develop into different cell types.

We get into why those properties have drawn interest in tissue repair and how MUSE cells differ from other cells used in regenerative medicine. Understanding those differences is part of knowing what a clinic is actually offering, beyond the broad label of “stem cell therapy.”

Episode 127 of is out now. Comment MUSE for the link.

What should clinics explain more clearly about the cells they use?

27/10/2026

A stem cell infusion isn’t a shortcut around the conditions that made your body struggle to heal in the first place.

Dr. Adeel Khan, .akhan, founder of .health and a physician trained in sports medicine, joins us to unpack MUSE cells, a rare population of stress-enduring cells being studied for their regenerative potential.

We get into why the source and processing of cells matter, how MUSE cells differ from conventional cell therapies, why a single infusion may not produce lasting effects, and what banking your own cells could mean for the future. We also discuss why hormones, inflammation, metabolic health, and gut health deserve attention before treatment.

Not everyone responds the same way, and important questions remain unanswered. Understanding what a clinic is using, what evidence supports it, and how results will be measured should be part of the conversation before an infusion.

This is the episode for anyone exploring regenerative medicine who wants to know what to ask beyond the promises.

Episode 127 of is out now. Comment MUSE for the link.

Should every regenerative medicine clinic explain how it measures results before selling a treatment?

27/10/2026

In killer whale pods, menopause marks a chapter of leadership.⁠
⁠
Females that have gone through menopause help guide the group to food, drawing on years of experience that matter to the pod’s survival.⁠
That’s a very different picture from the messages women receive about this stage of life. So much of the conversation focuses on what we’re losing, how to look younger, and how to keep the changes hidden, while the knowledge and perspective we’ve gained barely get mentioned.⁠
⁠
Deanna Latson, of , shares this example as a way to rethink the story we tell about menopause. Years of experience have value, and reaching this chapter shouldn’t make women feel less visible, less capable, or less worthy of being heard.⁠
⁠
Embracing that perspective doesn’t mean pretending the symptoms are easy. We can acknowledge the disrupted sleep, physical changes, and difficult days while still recognizing this as a time for confidence, leadership, and better support.⁠
⁠
For World Menopause Day, let’s make room for conversations that help women understand their bodies and recognize the authority that comes with knowing themselves.⁠
⁠
Episode 126 of is out now. Comment CLOVER for the link.⁠
⁠
What would change if we talked about menopause as a stage of leadership rather than decline?⁠
⁠

18/10/2026

It’s World Menopause Day, and women still get more preparation for their first period than for the hormonal changes that can reshape decades of their lives.

Deanna Latson, , Chief Product Officer at with over 30 years of experience in health, wellness, and nutrition, is back to discuss the symptoms women dismiss, the questions we should be asking, and the options beyond simply pushing through.

We get into why the conversation needs to go beyond hot flashes to include brain fog, disrupted sleep, joint pain, and changes in digestion, how the 3 a.m. wake-up can become its own exhausting cycle, why the doctor who supported your pregnancies may not specialize in menopause, and what it means to make an informed choice about hormone therapy and botanical support. We also unpack Immunotec’s new She Plus formula, the black cohosh and red clover it contains, and why two supplements listing the same herb can have very different levels of active compounds.

Recognizing a life transition as normal shouldn’t mean accepting every symptom without answers. Women deserve to understand what’s changing, know which questions to ask, and have conversations that lead to support.

This is the episode for anyone noticing unfamiliar changes in their 30s and 40s, navigating perimenopause, or tired of hearing that everything is just part of getting older.

Episode 126 of is out now. Comment CLOVER for the link.

Why do we prepare girls for their first period but leave women to figure out this chapter on their own?

15/10/2026

Testing coffee for mold toxins should be a basic standard, not a selling point.

Coffee is grown in humid climates and can spend months in transit, creating opportunities for mold to develop before the beans ever reach a roaster. Preventing contamination starts with how coffee is grown, handled, and stored, followed by testing to verify what’s actually in it.

Andrew Salisbury, founder and CEO of , explains that testing an entire container for mycotoxins costs the company just a few hundred dollars. The testing is accessible, and consumers shouldn’t have to seek out a premium brand just to get that transparency.

Episode 125 of is out now. Comment ☕️ for the link.

Should mycotoxin test results be listed on every bag of coffee?

13/10/2026

You wouldn’t eat moldy food, so why should mold toxins be acceptable in your coffee?
Andrew Salisbury, founder and CEO of , joins us to unpack what actually determines coffee quality, from how the cherries are picked to what survives the roasting process.

We get into how mold can develop during harvesting, storage, and shipping, why specialty-grade coffee is judged on taste rather than contaminant testing, how soil quality and shade-growing influence antioxidant levels, why roasting changes more than flavor, and what to look for when buying coffee away from home. Andrew also explains why testing an entire container for mycotoxins can cost just a few hundred dollars, yet still isn’t something consumers know to ask for.

Testing for contaminants should be the starting point, while preserving the beneficial compounds in coffee deserves just as much attention. A great-tasting cup doesn’t tell you whether either of those things happened.

This is the episode for anyone who reads every food label but has never looked beyond “organic” on a bag of coffee.

Episode 125 of is out now. Comment ☕️ for the link.

Should coffee companies publish their lab results alongside their tasting notes?

08/10/2026

Your 3 AM wake-ups may have more to do with your hormones than your bedtime.

If sleep gets worse during the same weeks each month, that timing is worth paying attention to. The stretch after ovulation, known as the luteal phase, can reveal a pattern that a bedtime routine alone doesn’t explain.

Dr. Beth Westie explains how progesterone supports the calming activity of GABA, a chemical messenger involved in relaxation and sleep. Changes in that hormonal support may help explain why falling asleep or staying asleep feels easier during some parts of your cycle than others.

Tracking disrupted nights alongside your cycle can give you something more useful to discuss with your practitioner than “I’m not sleeping well.” A recurring pattern is a clue to investigate, though sleep symptoms alone don’t confirm low progesterone.

Episode 124 of is out now. Comment MIDLIFE for the link.

Did you know the timing of sleep changes throughout your cycle can offer clues about what’s disrupting your rest?

06/10/2026

Why are you exhausted all afternoon but suddenly wide awake at 3 AM?

Dr. Beth Westie works with women’s hormonal health and brings a background in acupuncture and Chinese medicine to the conversation about interrupted sleep, especially when it changes throughout the month.

We get into how cortisol patterns and overnight blood sugar changes can contribute to waking up alert, why sleep may get worse in the weeks before your period, how progesterone connects to relaxation and rest, where gut health and histamine enter the picture, and why trying another sleep supplement may leave the underlying issue unanswered.

The timing matters beyond the hour on the clock. Tracking when sleep gets worse within your cycle can reveal patterns that are easy to miss when every restless night is treated as a separate problem.

This is the episode for anyone dealing with recurring 3 AM wake-ups, noticing sleep changes during perimenopause, or wondering why the supplements that help with falling asleep haven’t helped with staying asleep.

Episode 124 of is out now. Comment MIDLIFE for the link.

Did you know comparing sleep at the same point in your cycle each month can reveal a pattern?

Traveling with chronic illness can feel overwhelming before you even pack your bags. Finding food that works for you, ch...
03/10/2026

Traveling with chronic illness can feel overwhelming before you even pack your bags. Finding food that works for you, choosing accommodations, and planning around your energy can take a lot of preparation.

I’m excited to share what I’ve learned at the Tick-Borne Illness Global Summit hosted by Lyme Disease Awareness!

My talk, “Traveling With Chronic Illness: From Overwhelmed to Prepared,” covers how I approach long flights with dietary restrictions, what I look for when booking accommodations, and how I prepare for unexpected changes along the way.

Whether you’re traveling for a vacation, work, or treatment, I’ll share practical strategies to help you feel more prepared and confident leaving home.

October 8–11
Free and online

Comment ATTEND and I’ll send you the link to register!

01/10/2026

Bowing wood and uneven floors can be warning signs of water damage.

Mold isn’t always the first thing you’ll see during a home tour, which is why knowing how to recognize moisture damage matters. Looking under sinks, checking ceilings and corners, and examining bathroom tiles for microbial growth can help you identify areas that need a closer inspection, even when the rest of the house looks clean.

The exterior is just as important, since poorly installed stucco can allow water into the building. Asking specifically about past dishwasher leaks, overflowing tubs, or shower leaks can reveal more than simply asking whether the house has mold, especially when previous water damage was never investigated.

Dr. Jill Carnahan explains what to look for yourself and why involving a qualified mold inspector early can help uncover concerns before you make an offer in episode 123 of .

Comment MYCO for the link.

Did you know a past leak can matter even if there’s no visible mold?

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Trail To Health posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to The Trail To Health:

Shortcuts

  • Want your practice to be the top-listed clinic?

Share