Woodford Files: On Healing the Post-Holiday Bloat; Three Things I Learned in 2025; and Root Cuisine that Sticks to Your Ribs

Here's three things I learned in 2025 that are game changing health hacks for the new year.

Wow, that was fast. Seems like only yesterday I was ringing in 2025!

Before charging headlong into the New Year, I’d like to pause and share three things I learned last year that I consider game changing for anyone who wants to optimize their wellness.

1. Lymphatic drainage sounds sophisticated but it’s a simple and easy way to flush toxins. It can be done anytime, anywhere by simply massaging the lymph nodes. I learned about it from Dr Perry Nicholson’s videos where he demonstrates how to do the big six lymph reset As well, in his latest Vitality article Dave Scrivens describes the value of rebounding to clear the lymph system for cancer prevention and weight loss. https://vitalitymagazine.com/the-lymphatic-system-gateway-to-immunity-and-optimal-health/
2. According to Dr. Eric Berg and others, when we eat is just as important as what we eat. For example, consuming only water (with lemon or cider vinegar) in the morning and delaying breakfast to later in the day, or even skipping it, helps the body to complete its morning cycle of elimination. And eating supper earlier (like 5 pm instead of 6) gives the body more time to digest the evening meal before bed, allowing for better sleep.
3. Exercise is the single most important thing we can do for our health. Once again, timing makes a difference. A short walk after meals can reduce blood glucose levels which helps to prevent insulin resistance and diabetes. And longer walks between meals have a strong anti-aging benefit by strengthening the body and increasing blood flow to the brain. (Yes, it’s harder to get out for walks in winter, but even just slogging around the block is beneficial.) It’s also a good cure for constipation.

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Since we tend to overindulge on festive food and drink during the holidays, we often feel heavy, bloated, and gassy after the party is over. So this month we revisit Zoltan Rona’s classic advice on “Best Natural Treatments for Heartburn, GERD, and Indigestion”.  https://vitalitymagazine.com/article/best-natural-treatments-for-heartburn-gerd-and-indigestion/  Here we learn about garlic, oregano oil, probiotics and more for healing our guts and restoring the microbiome.

Now that the full force of winter is upon us, our bodies crave heavier comfort foods. In this month's feature entitled Return to Your Roots herbalist Pat Crocker shares recipes for sturdy dishes that stick to your ribs. Here we discover the savoury flavours of Sweet & Sour Burdock, Turnip Gratin, and Roasted Root Vegetables. These were the kind of hearty foods eaten by our ancestors to nourish and sustain them through the harsh winter months.

In other news, we had originally planned for Helke Ferrie to write an extended obituary this month in honour of our dearly departed Dr. Jozef Krop. But life has intervened and so her writing will appear next month.

Okay, now I can say Happy New Year and we'll see you in February!

Julia Woodford, Editor, Vitality magazine