Dr. Joel ND

🍋 Green almonds are a fleeting 🌱 spring delicacy.

These fuzzy, unripe almonds feature a tart, grassy flavor and a tender, jelly-like center & get harder the more mature they are. Best eaten whole drizzled with fresh lemon juice & dipped in sea salt or sliced into salads, they offer an unforgettable, refreshing crunch that food lovers are obsessing over.

The Internet’s Best Kept Food Secret: Green Almonds!

🤯Have you ever seen almonds like THIS?! Before they turn into the dry, crunchy nuts you know and love, they go through a magical, fuzzy stage known as Green Almonds.

Think of them like a tart, crunchy stone fruit mixed with a hint of green apple. When you bite into them, you get a rush of juicy, grassy flavor with a tender, almost jelly-like core.How to eat them:Wash them thoroughly (they have a velvety peach-like fuzz!).

Slice them up and throw them into a fresh herb and arugula salad.

The viral favorite: Dip them whole into a little bit of sea salt to cut the tartness! 🍋🧂These little beauties are only around for a few short weeks, making them the ultimate seasonal flex.

If you spot them at a local farmers market or specialty grocer, RUN, don’t walk! 🏃‍♀️💨Tag your foodie bestie who NEEDS to try this!

👇

Throwing it back to an unforgettable cooking adventure in Hanoi, Vietnam. 🇻🇳❤️

My hubby, our friends, and I spent the day wandering through vibrant local markets, meeting friendly vendors, and gathering the freshest herbs, crisp vegetables, fragrant spices, and other incredible ingredients before learning how to turn them into authentic Vietnamese dishes.

One of my favorite wellness reminders from experiences like this is that it’s not just what you eat—it’s how you eat. Before your first bite, take a few slow, deep breaths. Relaxing your body can help lower cortisol and encourage your parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system to become more active. This state supports vagus nerve activity, helps stimulate the release of digestive enzymes, and prepares your body for more efficient digestion and nutrient absorption.

Travel has a way of reminding us that the best meals begin with fresh ingredients, wonderful people, and taking the time to truly savor the moment. ❤️

Have you ever taken a cooking class while traveling? I’d love to hear where!

🇻🇳 HANOI—where every street tells a story. ❤️

📍Ha Long Bay
📍Hotel du Lac Signature

OLD QUARTER
✨ D**g Xuan Market
🍻 Tạ Hiện Beer Street
🚆 Train Street

FRENCH QUARTER
🌿 Hoan Kiem Lake
☕ The Note Cafe
🌉 The iconic red Húc Bridge
🏯 Ngoc Son Temple
🛵 Scooters!!!! Scooters!!!! Scooters!!!!
🌇 Skyline Hanoi Rooftop
🚶 Streets of Hanoi
🌃 Hanoi Night Market
🌉 Long Bien Bridge

📚 Temple of Literature
🐕 Dogs of Hanoi
🎊 Tet Celebrations

💡 Health Tip: Your body depends on NAD⁺, a molecule essential for turning food into energy and supporting DNA repair. NAD⁺ levels naturally decline with age, but research suggests regular physical activity helps support healthy cellular metabolism and the enzymes that rely on NAD⁺. One more reason to explore cities on foot instead of rushing through them.

Sometimes the healthiest part of travel isn’t the destination—it’s all the steps you take getting there. 🇻🇳❤️

Don’t just live longer. Live stronger.

Longevity isn’t measured by the number of birthdays you celebrate.

It’s measured by how much life you can still experience.

The ability to hike the trail.
Carry your own luggage.
Play with your dog or kids
Wake up energized.
Say “yes” to adventure instead of wondering if your body can keep up.

That’s the kind of wealth worth building.

The foundation isn’t complicated:
• Lift heavy weights at least 2–3x per week- you’re stronger than you think:)
• Prioritize protein at every meal- 30 + grams the size of a deck of cards
• Sleep 7–9 hours consistently.
• Spend time outdoors daily.
• Build meaningful relationships.
• Walk for 20 minutes after your largest meal. It’s one of the simplest ways to reduce the post-meal glucose spike, improve insulin sensitivity over time, support metabolic health, and increase daily movement.

Small choices, repeated consistently, become extraordinary years.

Because longevity isn’t about adding years to your life.

It’s about adding life to your years.

Live Stronger. Live Longer.

What’s one habit you’re committing to this week that your future self will thank you for?

Colours of Vietnam…

Vietnam is a country painted in vibrant hues, where every colour tells a story of culture, tradition, and connection. During Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, these colours come alive in a celebration of renewal, hope, and wellbeing.

❤️ Red symbolizes luck, happiness, and vitality. Adorning homes and streets, it reminds us that wellness begins with intention—a chance to embrace fresh beginnings and positive energy.

💛 Yellow represents abundance, joy, and gratitude. The golden apricot blossoms of southern Vietnam encourage us to appreciate the simple moments that nourish mind, body, and spirit.

💚 Green reflects growth, balance, and harmony with nature. From lush rice fields to tranquil landscapes, it reminds us that true wellness is rooted in connection and presence.

💙 Blue inspires calm, reflection, and inner peace. Like the gentle rhythm of Vietnam’s coastline, it encourages us to slow down, breathe deeply, and restore.
Much like Tet itself, these colours remind us that longevity is about more than time—it is about living with purpose, nurturing wellbeing, and embracing each new season with optimism and gratitude.

🇻🇳 Days in Saigon: A Masterclass in Longevity, Laughter & Living Well
One of the most underrated longevity habits is having fun.
The laughter that catches you off guard. The conversations that turn into memories. The excitement of discovering somewhere new. These moments create the kind of dopamine boost that makes life feel vibrant and meaningful.
The kind that comes from getting lost in a new city, spotting dogs cruising on scooters, sharing coffee with friends, and exploring places you’ve never seen before.
Saigon delivered plenty of those moments.

Day 1
📍 Saigon Port
The historic gateway that helped shape modern Ho Chi Minh City. Watching the river traffic and constant flow of people was a reminder that movement is life.
📍 Pink Church (Tân Định Church)
One of Vietnam’s most recognizable landmarks. Bright, colorful, and impossible not to smile at when it suddenly appears among the city streets.
📍 Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
Built in the late 1800s using materials imported from France. A stunning piece of history in the heart of the city.
📍 St. Francis Xavier Church
Located in Chợ Lớn, Saigon’s Chinatown, this church reflects the city’s unique blend of cultures and traditions.
📍 Streets of Saigon
A sensory overload in the best possible way. Endless scooters, street vendors, and yes... dogs confidently riding shotgun on motorbikes. 🐶🛵
Instant dopamine boost.
📍 Ba Thien Hau Temple
One of the oldest Chinese temples in the city, known for its giant hanging incense coils and peaceful atmosphere.
📍 Cafe Miền Thảo Mộc
A cozy herbal café that felt like a pause button from the energy of the city.
Day 2
📍 Book Street (Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street)
A charming pedestrian street lined with bookstores and cafés. A reminder that staying curious may be one of the best anti-aging habits.
📍 Central Post Office
An architectural icon and one of Saigon’s most beautiful historic buildings.
📍 Chinatown (Chợ Lớn)
Bustling markets, vibrant streets, incredible food, and generations of culture woven into daily life.

Longevity…
More than chance or genetics..

It takes being Proactive VS Reactive

✨One of the biggest blind spots I see in longevity medicine is that we spend a lot of time talking about lifespan, but not nearly enough time talking about the health of the brain’s smallest blood vessels.

✨While planning future adventures from the deck of a ship, I found myself reading PubMed research on cerebral small vessel disease—a topic that deserves far more attention in conversations about healthy aging.

🧠 Cerebral small vessel disease affects the tiny blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout the brain. Over time, dysfunction in these vessels has been associated with cognitive decline, white matter changes, and increased stroke risk.

✨What I find particularly fascinating is the growing body of research examining the relationship between estrogen and neurovascular health.

Emerging evidence suggests estrogen may influence:
✓ Cerebral blood flow
✓ Endothelial function
✓ Nitric oxide production
✓ Neuroprotection
✓ Inflammatory pathways involved in aging

✨Yet many women enter perimenopause and menopause without a comprehensive evaluation of the biomarkers that may impact long-term vascular and cognitive health.

✨As a naturopathic doctor, these are some of the questions I often ask:
• What is your ApoB?
• What is your fasting insulin?
• What is your hs-CRP?
• What is your homocysteine?
• What is your Lipoprotein(a)?
• What is happening with your estradiol during the menopause transition?

✨Because longevity isn’t simply about adding years to life. It’s about preserving the ability to board the plane, explore a new city, learn something new, remember the details, and fully experience the moments that make life meaningful. The goal isn’t just a longer life.
It’s a healthier brain for the entire journey.
📚 What biomarker do you think is most overlooked in the conversation around brain health and longevity?
’sHealth Oceania Cruises

🌴 Discover the Best of Sihanoukville, Cambodia 🇰🇭✨

From breathtaking viewpoints to serene beaches and untouched nature, Sihanoukville offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

📍 Independence Park – A beautiful landmark celebrating Cambodia’s history and independence.

🛕 Wat Leu Temple – Perched on a hilltop, this peaceful temple offers stunning panoramic views of the city and coastline.

🌿 Ream National Park – Cruise through enchanting mangrove forests and enjoy a short nature walk surrounded by Cambodia’s incredible biodiversity.

🏖️ Sokha Beach Resort – Unwind with a delicious lunch and exclusive access to a pristine private beach, where crystal-clear waters meet soft white sand.

✨ Wellness Travel Tip:
Kick off your shoes and spend a few moments barefoot on the beach. Known as “grounding” or “earthing,” this simple practice is embraced by many wellness enthusiasts for its calming effects and connection to nature. Emerging research continues to explore how direct contact with the Earth’s surface may support overall well-being, energy balance, recovery, and even cellular health. While more studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved, many travelers find grounding to be a refreshing and restorative part of their wellness journey.

Whether you’re seeking culture, nature, wellness, or a tropical escape, Sihanoukville has it all. Who would you bring on this unforgettable journey? 🌊☀️

Bangkok in a day 🇹🇭✨
Some cities impress you. Bangkok completely pulls you in.

📍 Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
Started the day above the city skyline, surrounded by golden temples, ringing bells, and panoramic views that instantly set the tone for the adventure.

📍 Jay Fai for lunch 🔥
Yes, the legendary Michelin-starred street food spot is absolutely worth the wait. The famous crab omelet is every bit as good as people say—crispy, packed with fresh crab, and unforgettable.

📍 Grand Palace 👑
One of those places that reminds you why Bangkok is one of the world’s most fascinating cities. The intricate architecture, rich history, and vibrant energy are incredible to experience in person.

📍 Chao Phraya River Cruise 🚤
Seeing Bangkok from the water gives you a completely different perspective. Ancient temples, modern skyscrapers, and local riverside life all come together in one stunning view.

📍 Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok 🏨
The perfect place to recharge. Incredible river views, an unbeatable location, and a breakfast buffet that deserves its own spotlight—fresh tropical fruit, made-to-order favorites, authentic Thai specialties, and enough choices to fuel a full day of exploring.

📍 Heitz Rooftop 🌇
Ended the day with dinner overlooking Bangkok’s sparkling skyline. Amazing food, unforgettable atmosphere, and the kind of view that makes you want to stay just a little longer.

Bangkok isn’t just about temples and street food.
It’s a city where history, culture, wellness, luxury, and adventure all blend together. One moment you’re exploring centuries-old temples, the next you’re cruising the river at sunset or dining above the city lights.
Every corner feels like a new discovery.

Who’s adding Bangkok to their travel bucket list? 👇🇹🇭

Fire…
Jay Fai
Michelin Thai Food
Bangkok