The Lifestyle Herbalists Podcast--A healthy dose of happiness

The Lifestyle Herbalists
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Welcome to The Lifestyle Herbalist Podcast. We are Dabney Vaccaro, a dental hygienist, herbalist, and wellness coach, and Sabrina Cooper, a dental hygienist, herbalist, mindful eating coach.  We are so glad you're here. For years, we've have worked with people who were struggling with things like fatigue, poor sleep, digestive issues, weight challenges, chronic stress, and oral health concerns. What we have learned is that these issues rarely exist in isolation. The body is always communicating with us, and often the mouth is one of the first places those messages show up. That's why this podcast exists. Here, we'll explore the fascinating connections between oral health, mineral balance, herbal medicine, nutrition, and whole-body wellness. We'll talk about how everyday habits influence our health, how herbs can support the body's natural healing processes, and why addressing root causes often leads to better outcomes than simply chasing symptoms. Our goal isn't to give you all the answers. It's to help you ask better questions, become more connected to your body, and discover practical tools that support your health in a sustainable way. Whether you're a health professional, an herbal enthusiast, or someone simply looking to feel better, you're welcome here. Reach Dabney at www.herbalhygeinist.com and Sabrina at www.nurishwell.com

  1. 1 day ago

    The Way You Breathe May Be Telling a Story

    Breathing is automatic, but the way we breathe can change when we are stressed, congested, overtired, or carrying more than we realize. Those changes may leave clues in the mouth, including dryness, morning breath, irritated tissues, jaw tension, and an increased risk of cavities or gum inflammation. In this episode, Dabney explores the connection between mouth breathing, saliva, sleep, stress, and the nervous system. She shares questions that can help you recognize a larger pattern, explains when persistent symptoms deserve professional evaluation, and guides you through a gentle breath-awareness practice. You will also learn why simply forcing the mouth closed may not address the reason it opens during sleep, how herbs can provide comfort without correcting an airway concern, and why rest should not be something we must earn. Dabney also shares an invitation to the Breath. Rest. Restore. Retreat on October 6, a supportive gathering centered on breath, nervous-system regulation, nourishment, herbal support, and intentional rest. Listen, take a comfortable breath, and consider what your mouth may be asking you to notice. Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalhygienist.com Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com

  2. 13 Sept

    The Blood Sugar Roller Coaster

    The Blood Sugar Roller Coaster: Finding Steadier Energy Throughout Your Day   Do you ever feel energized after eating, only to crash a few hours later—leaving you tired, irritable, unfocused, and craving something sweet? In this episode, we explore how blood sugar affects your energy, appetite, mood, sleep, and overall well-being. Discover simple ways to create more balanced meals, pair carbohydrates with protein and fibre, move after eating, and support your body through better sleep and stress management. This isn’t about fearing food or striving for perfection—it’s about making small, compassionate choices that help you step off the blood sugar roller coaster and enjoy steadier energy throughout your day. Reach Dabney at www.herbalhygienist.com or dabney@herbalhygienist.com Reach Sabrina at www.brewjablends.com or sabrina@nurishwell.com Our Sponsors: Defender Shield - https://defendershield.com/HERBALHYGIENIST Survival Garden Seeds - https://survivalgardenseeds.com/?ref=HERBALHYG Great Ghee - https://greatghee.com/?ref=HERBALHYGIENIST

  3. 7 Sept

    The Mouth As Part Of the Immune System

    When you think about your immune system, your mouth may not be the first place that comes to mind. Yet it is one of the body’s busiest protective environments, continually interacting with food, air and microorganisms. In this episode, Dabney explores how oral tissues, saliva and the oral microbiome participate in immune defense. She also explains how nutrition, sleep, stress, hydration and breathing patterns can influence the environment of the mouth. You’ll learn where supportive herbs such as calendula, chamomile and marshmallow may fit—and why herbs should complement, rather than replace, appropriate oral care and professional treatment. The mouth cannot diagnose everything happening within the body, but it can offer information worth noticing. Whole-person wellness does not begin somewhere beyond the mouth. The mouth is already part of the whole.   Reach Dabney - dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com Reach Sabrina - sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com   Our sponsors:  Defender Shield - https://defendershield.com/HERBALHYGIENIST Survival Garden Seeds - https://survivalgardenseeds.com/?ref=HERBALHYG Great Ghee - https://greatghee.com/?ref=HERBALHYGIENIST

  4. 30 Aug

    Knowing Isn't the Same As Doing

    Knowing what supports our health does not always mean we do it consistently. In this personal episode, Dabney shares why she decided to rejoin the gym and how creating structure and accountability became part of her recommitment to herself. She explores the difference between motivation and commitment, why discipline is not punishment, and how identifying the real barrier can help us build behaviors that last. She also connects her experience to oral health, where patients often know what to do but need realistic tools, supportive routines and an environment that makes daily care easier. This episode invites you to choose one health behavior, give it a specific time and place, and create a minimum version you can complete—even on a difficult day.   Defender Shield - https://defendershield.com/HERBALHYGIENIST Survival Garden Seeds - https://survivalgardenseeds.com/?ref=HERBALHYG Great Ghee - https://greatghee.com/?ref=HERBALHYGIENIST   Contact Dabney -- dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com Contact Sabrina -- sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

  5. 23 Aug

    What Is Your Dental Hygienist Really Looking For?

    In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of a dental hygiene appointment to explain what we’re looking for, why we’re looking for it, and what those findings can tell us about your health. We walk you through the appointment from beginning to end—from reviewing your health history and examining the mouth to periodontal measurements and the different types of dental X-rays we may recommend, including bitewings, periapical images, a panoramic X-ray, and a full-mouth series. We also explore how dental diagnostics are evolving beyond what we can see on an X-ray. Salivary testing and other emerging tools can give us additional information about the oral environment and help us better understand a patient’s individual risks and patterns. Our goal is not simply to look for cavities or scrape teeth. It’s to gather the pieces of the puzzle so we can recognize changes earlier, ask better questions, and help you understand what your mouth may be telling us. If you’ve ever wondered what your dental hygienist is actually looking for during your appointment—or why we recommend certain tests—this episode is for you.   Our Sponsors: Defender Shield - https://defendershield.com/HERBALHYGIENIST Survival Garden Seeds - https://survivalgardenseeds.com/?ref=HERBALHYG Great Ghee - https://greatghee.com/?ref=HERBALHYGIENIST   Reach Dabney at dabney@herbalisthygienist.com or www.herbalhygienist.com Reach Sabrina at sabrina@nurishwell.com or www.brewjablends.com

  6. 16 Aug

    Garden to Table more than Nourishment.

    There’s something special about stepping into your garden and coming back with a basket overflowing with food you’ve grown yourself. In this episode of The Lifestyle Herbalists: A Healthy Dose of Happiness, we head from garden to table to explore the incredible nourishment found in fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, peppers, beans, lettuce and kale. We’ll uncover some surprising “Did You Know?” nutrition facts, simple ways to enjoy and preserve an abundant harvest, and why eating a variety of colourful plants can be so beneficial. But this episode is about more than what’s on our plate—it’s about the joy of getting our hands in the soil, slowing down, connecting with nature and appreciating where our food comes from. And when the garden gives us more than we need, there’s perhaps no greater reward than sharing the fruits of our labour with friends, neighbours and our community. Because sometimes the most nourishing thing we grow is connection. Reach Dabney at www.herbalhygienist.com or dabney@herbalhygienist.com Reach Sabrina at www.brewjablends.com or sabrina@nurishwell.com Our Sponsors: Defender Shield - https://defendershield.com/HERBALHYGIENIST Survival Garden Seeds - https://survivalgardenseeds.com/?ref=HERBALHYG Great Ghee - https://greatghee.com/?ref=HERBALHYGIENIST

  7. 10 Aug

    Training the Brain: Building Stronger Cognitive Skills at Any Age

    What if struggles with learning, attention, memory, or processing aren’t simply something a person has to accept? In this episode, we talk with Sandy Zamalis, a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist and owner of LearningRx Staunton and Harrisonburg. Sandy explains how cognitive training can strengthen the foundational skills the brain uses to learn, including attention, memory, processing speed, reasoning, and auditory and visual processing. Although Sandy primarily works with children who need additional support to succeed in school, cognitive training isn’t only for young learners. She also works with adults experiencing cognitive changes or recovering from events such as a stroke, helping them strengthen skills and regain function. Our conversation offers an encouraging look at brain health, neuroplasticity, and the brain’s remarkable capacity to adapt and grow throughout life. You can find Sandy at the following places: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_brain_trainer_lady https://www.instagram.com/learningrx_shva/ https://www.thebrainymoms.com/ LearningRx Staunton | LearningRx Harrisonburg Schedule an Appointment   Reach Dabney at www.herbalhygienist.com or dabney@herbalhygienist.com Reach Sabrina at www.brewjablends.com or sabrina@nourishwell.com Our Sponsors: Defender Shield - https://defendershield.com/HERBALHYGIENIST Survival Garden Seeds - https://survivalgardenseeds.com/?ref=HERBALHYG Great Ghee - https://greatghee.com/?ref=HERBALHYGIENIST

  8. 3 Aug

    In This Body We Live: Choosing the Kind of Old Age We're Creating

    A single lyric stopped me in my tracks: "In your body you will live. In your body you will die." It reminded me of something we rarely talk about. Our body is the one home we'll never move out of. While we can't control every diagnosis or every circumstance, we can influence the environment we create within our body each day. In this episode, I share why the small choices we make with food, movement, sleep, mindset, herbs, and oral health matter more than perfection—and how they quietly shape the quality of the years ahead.   To work with Dabney or contact her--email dabney@herbalhygienist.com or www.herbalhygiensit.com To contact Sabrina go to www.brewjablends.com or email her at sabrina@nourishwell.com   Defender Shield - https://defendershield.com/HERBALHYGIENIST Survival Garden Seeds - https://survivalgardenseeds.com/?ref=HERBALHYG Great Ghee - https://greatghee.com/?ref=HERBALHYGIENIST   MUD/WTR – 20% savings link: https://fbuy.io/mudwtr/z2rqh68x   Test Don’t Guess HTMA link: herbalhygienist--testdontguess.thrivecart.com/instant-htma-professional-affiliates/

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Welcome to The Lifestyle Herbalist Podcast. We are Dabney Vaccaro, a dental hygienist, herbalist, and wellness coach, and Sabrina Cooper, a dental hygienist, herbalist, mindful eating coach.  We are so glad you're here. For years, we've have worked with people who were struggling with things like fatigue, poor sleep, digestive issues, weight challenges, chronic stress, and oral health concerns. What we have learned is that these issues rarely exist in isolation. The body is always communicating with us, and often the mouth is one of the first places those messages show up. That's why this podcast exists. Here, we'll explore the fascinating connections between oral health, mineral balance, herbal medicine, nutrition, and whole-body wellness. We'll talk about how everyday habits influence our health, how herbs can support the body's natural healing processes, and why addressing root causes often leads to better outcomes than simply chasing symptoms. Our goal isn't to give you all the answers. It's to help you ask better questions, become more connected to your body, and discover practical tools that support your health in a sustainable way. Whether you're a health professional, an herbal enthusiast, or someone simply looking to feel better, you're welcome here. Reach Dabney at www.herbalhygeinist.com and Sabrina at www.nurishwell.com

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