About Our Foodie: Joyous Health
Joyous Health
Joy McCarthy is a Holistic Nutritionist, Clinical Detoxification Specialist, and the founder of Joyous Health, an award-winning blog focused on healthy living. She is a two-time bestselling author of Joyous Health and Joyous Detox — both of which are focused on healthy living combined with delicious and nourishing recipes. She is also the author of several ebooks including the Eczema Healing Guide and the Natural Beauty Guide. She is a trusted nutrition expert and has been featured in hundreds of publications both online and in print; and is a regular health expert on TV. Joy lives in Toronto with her husband Walker and their daughter Vienna. Joy loves social media and shares her passion for food, family and fun as a way to channel positive energy into the lives of others.
I always cringe a little when I hear people say to me “I was told that my forgetfulness is just my age”, because it doesn’t have to be this way! There are research proven lifestyle habits and foods that keep your brain healthy, your memory strong and prevent degenerative diseases of the brain, regardless of your age. Your biological age (your health at a cellular level) is a far better indication of your brain health than your chronological age. Meaning, you may be 50 years old but you have the brain health of a 30-something because of your healthy lifestyle.
Living and eating well will always be a priority for me because I have brain degenerative diseases in my family and not only this, I’ve got a toddler to keep up with! Both my great aunt and my grandmother suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease and I never want to personally experience another family member go through this again. Nor do I want to go through this myself because of the emotional stress it causes to everyone involved. In my grandmother’s case, it’s possible that years of working in a factory with dyes absorbing into her skin when she was younger was a contributing factor in her disease but I can’t help but wonder if the knowledge I have now as a holistic nutritionist on brain health could have slowed down the progression of her disease. She passed away when I was in my twenties and she had amazing care at a nursing home and the love and support of my whole family but I still miss her and think of her often.
For me, brain health is a daily priority. I wake up, nourish my body for the morning ahead usually by making a smoothie to share with my daughter and husband. I take all my natural health supplements including fish oil, probiotics, vitamin D and a multivitamin. Most importantly, before I head out the door, I make sure that I spend some quiet time with my daughter Vienna – even if it’s just five minutes snuggling with her, or my husband and I share a 20-second bear hug (sometimes it’s a family hug). Love is one of the single most important nutrients for the health of our entire being! Throughout the day, I make sure I move my body often whether power walking, riding my bike, doing a barre class, yoga or pilates.
I’ve been a holistic nutritionist for almost 10 years but I feel like I’ve been a student of nutrition my whole entire life. When I started by blog back in 2008, my main goal was simple, I wanted to inspire others to live happier and healthier lives. I live by the same mission today. Whether I’m teaching an in-person workshop or a webinar, doing a TV segment or creating a recipe for the blog, I always want to inspire people to take the best care of themselves. When we take care of ourselves, we create a healthy environment for others to thrive in too, especially if we have children. I want my daughter Vienna to see that her mama takes care of herself by exercising, eating right and practicing loving kindness towards others. These are the habits that will build a healthy and happy brain.
