Hemp never ceases to amaze us with its versatility and ability to solve many of the earth’s problems. One such problem has affected many farmers in a region of Italy.

Let’s take a journey to Taranto, Italy. This gorgeous region faces the Ionian Sea and is known for its three natural peninsulas. Population 200,154. A massive steel plant sits in Taranto, claiming the future of some hard-working farmers.

Vincenzo Fornaro, a farmer in this region, owns a large strip of land that once played home to 600 sheep. In 2008, his ricotta and meat business was shattered when dioxin, a toxic chemical, was found in his sheep by Italy’s government. His herd was slaughtered and there was no immediately foreseeable way to get back in business.

The culprit? Contaminants leaking from Europe’s largest steel plant.
Fornaro decided to take an unusual path towards solving his soil contamination problem. He planted industrial hemp plants in hopes they would filter out the heavy metals.

​This idea isn’t as far-fetched as you may imagine. Hemp plants have already been planted in Chernobyl to remove radioactive compounds strontium and cesium.

General Savings Tips

Build an emergency fund. It can make all the difference. Low-income families with at least $500 in an emergency fund are better off financially than moderate-income families with less saved up. Learn more about emergency funds here.

Establish your budget. Are you looking for an easy way to begin? On the first day of a new month, get a receipt for everything you purchase. Stack the receipts into categories like restaurants, groceries, and personal care. At the end of the month you will be able to clearly see where your money is going.

Budget with cash and envelopes. If you have trouble with overspending, try the envelope budget system where you use a set amount of cash for most spending. And once the cash is gone, it's gone. Learn more about the envelope budget system here.

Don't just save money, save. There’s a difference between saving money and saving money for your future. So don’t just spend less, put the money you save into a savings account to plan for college expenses, retirement, or emergencies that can leave you financially better off. Learn more about what you should be saving for here.

In my 12 years as a practicing mental health clinician, hundreds of patients have walked through my door suffering from depression. This is not surprising given that the National Network of Depression Centers has found that one in five Americans will be impacted by depression during their lifetimes. Indeed, depression is the leading cause of disability among those between ages 15-44.

While Major Depression Disorder (MDD)—often biochemically based and with genetic roots—can be extremely difficult to navigate and often requires psych meds, here is an encouraging statistic: within four to six weeks of starting treatment 80% of depression sufferers show improvement.

​This doesn’t mean that there is a quick fix as in “Boom, you’re cured and will never again be beset by the blues.”  However, there are techniques that can help lift the emotional paralysis and ruminating that often accompany depression. Both of which make it much more difficult for the patient to focus on implementing the behavioral changes necessary to prevent a relapse. Luckily, there are ways to punch holes in the curtain of unrelenting darkness.

With continued research, fans of cannabis - both old and new - are coming to realize how useful CBD can be as part of an overall wellness regime.

​Cannabis is not just something that "stoners" use on a recreational basis in an effort to get high. While it certainly can be consumed for recreational purposes, cannabis has so many more uses.


In fact, science continues to show us how the various cannabinoids in cannabis - including CBD - play a key role in health and wellness and serve as a natural alternative to traditional remedies for various ailments.


With continued research, fans of cannabis - both old and new - are coming to realize how useful CBD can be as part of an overall wellness regime.
How CBD Helps Your System


CBD - or cannabidiol - may have some incredibly promising cannabis health benefits to the mind and body, but how exactly does it work to do this?

You’re rushing around to get Christmas gifts, the house needs cleaning, you have five-holiday parties to go to, and family is in town; does this sound familiar? The holidays can be a very stressful time, and excess stress has been known to weaken the immune system, thus making us more susceptible to falling ill. This paired with the fact we are exposed to more germs due to family visiting from out of town, it’s no wonder we are all getting sick during this time of year. Fortunately, there are several preventative measures you can take to make sure you’re doing the best to maintain overall well-being during this busy time of year.

CBD Health Benefits for the Immune System

As we have talked about previously, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for regulating most functions in the human body. One of these functions is our immune response. Cannabinoids (like CBD) interact with our ECS. When our ECS is active, it helps to aid our body in bringing itself back into balance (homeostasis). When our body is in balance, it is more likely to make sure proper immune function and regulation is occurring.

Have you ever gotten stumped by a problem, decided to take a break, and then later found that the answer magically came to you in a burst of inspiration? If so, you know the power of strategic breaks to refresh your brain and help you see a situation in a new way.

​A “break” is a brief cessation of work, physical exertion, or activity. You decide to “give it a rest” with the intention of getting back to your task within a reasonable amount of time. But when you “give it a rest,” what part of your brain actually needs that break?

For “think-work,” it’s the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the thinking part of your brain, according to an eye-opening blog by author Nir Eyal here. When you are doing goal-oriented work that requires concentration, the PFC keeps you focused on your goals. The PFC is also responsible for logical thinking, executive functioning, and using willpower to override impulses. That’s a lot of responsibility—no wonder it needs a break!