Everyone thinks about food.

It is essential for life, vital for our health and energy needs. It is a source of enjoyment. Food is woven into our culture, our celebrations and is a way we come together to bond as family and friends. But thoughts of food for some can become excessive, harmful and an intrusive chatter.

Open, honest and transparent conversations are the key to bridging ideological divides. As a traditionally trained, conventional medical doctor, I adopted the symptom-based approach to medicine with drugs and surgery as first line treatment for disease. But I now understand that the paradigm we learned in medical school is only part of the equation for healing and creating optimal health.

Nurturing the power trio of the Mind, Body and Spirit has been the pillar of traditional Eastern medical culture for a millennium. Physicians clearly understood the importance of the holistic approach and how vital the balance was between the mind, body and spirit for health and well-being.