Wellness Blog

Health Inspired

Our health and wellness blog is a great way to stay informed and be inspired when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. Blog posts are added regularly.

The Importance of Integration from a Mental Health Professional

The Importance of Integration from a Mental Health Professional

For those of you who may have read our professional introduction blogs, some of this may be a review.  For those who have not dug into our blog archive this story will help you understand why I believe integration is so important and how I ended up at Ampersand....

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Feeling Gratitude during a Trying Time

Feeling Gratitude during a Trying Time

It’s December 2020 and there are plenty of memes out there talking about what a train wreck this year has been. Some of them are very true and others very funny, but one thing that is certain is that it's been very different from what we are used to. In my opinion, I...

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Shit or Manure? The Art of Resiliency

Shit or Manure? The Art of Resiliency

Last month we talked about the real and comprehensible struggles that the holidays can bring; coupled with the stress COVID has weaved and the layers it has added, the gravity of havoc is serious. And also ripe with opportunity. Before I go on, let me preface this by...

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Is it Possible to Have Gratitude during the 2020 Holiday Season?

Is it Possible to Have Gratitude during the 2020 Holiday Season?

Starting in November, we enter our holiday season that is typically filled with gratitude for family, friends, and the year we just experienced. We are often looking forward to time off from work and getting to travel and celebrate. For most, moods are lifted and...

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Recovering After the Loss of My Father

Recovering After the Loss of My Father

On November 14, 2018, my father, Joseph Sarge, passed away. During the last 6 years of his life, my dad suffered through strokes, comas, was taken on and off ventilators, and when he was not staying at his nursing home, he was in the hospital. While he had some...

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Stress & Trauma Response During the Holiday Season

Stress & Trauma Response During the Holiday Season

This year has certainly brought a lot of challenges with it. Many have lost jobs or lost businesses that they may have worked their entire lives to build or that they had just started to build.  Some may have lost a loved one or some may have lost relationships with a...

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Golden Squash Drop Biscuits

Golden Squash Drop Biscuits

Golden Squash Drop Biscuits Recipe Adapted from https://fieldnotesonhealing.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/golden-squash-drop-biscuits/ Servings: Makes 6-8 small biscuits.   Ingredients 1 cup roasted squash, mashed 2 Tbsp tapioca starch
 1/4  tsp baking soda
 1/2 tsp...

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Plantain Flatbread or Pizza Crust

Plantain Flatbread or Pizza Crust

Plantain Flatbread of Pizza Crust Recipe Adapted from https://www.organicolivia.com/2018/02/5-ingredient-plantain-pizza-crust-recipe-vegan-gluten-free/   Ingredients 4 cups peeled and cubed GREEN plantain pieces (3 or 4 green plantains)
 1-3 cloves garlic
 1/3...

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Sautéed Collard Greens with Garlic

Sautéed Collard Greens with Garlic

Collard Greens Recipe   Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 10 cloves garlic, peeled, coarsely chopped, smashed 2 bunches collard greens, rinsed, cut into thin strips 1/4 tsp each salt, more to taste  Juice of ½ lime   Instructions Take collards, slice down the...

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Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower Recipe Mashed cauliflower is a great alternative to the high-starch traditional mashed potatoes! Ingredients 1 head of garlic 1 large head of cauliflower 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoons dried chives (or 2 teaspoons fresh chopped) 1/2-3/4...

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Sautéed Kale with Cranberries

Sautéed Kale with Cranberries

Sautéed Kale with Cranberries Recipe Adapted from the Moosewood Restaurant Sautéed kale is the perfect addition to any meal, especially if your looking to increase your leafy green intake. The sweetness of cranberries completes this dish, making it not only healthy,...

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Savory Stuffing

Savory Stuffing

Savory Stuffing Recipe Adapted from Katie Wells www.wellnessmama.com   Ingredients 2 large turnips (not sure how big they normally are, but mine weighed about 2 lbs each, so 4 lbs total) 1-2 bags of cubed butternut squash (or 1 large butternut squash cubed) OR 2...

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“I met Jesse in 2014 when he was teaching speed and agility at Body Zone to my girls when they were 9 and 13. He was so in tune with their form and making sure they were doing the drills properly. When he left and started personal training it was a no brainer that we would follow him wherever he went. For the past 5 years my girls have been with him and he has truly become part of our family. My husband and I are so blessed to have him in our lives. We know that when our girls are performing at their best, that he has had a major role in that. Jesse supports our girls at soccer games and track and cross country meets. I even use him to stretch my girls for cross country at Wyomissing High School. We appreciate all Jesse has done with our girls and will continue to follow him in his next adventure.”

Adriane Hoke

Mother of Two

"Jesse Hershey is so knowledgeable about how our bodies work. He is a pleasure to work with and my sessions are so effective."

M. Doleniak

"Whitney was more than helpful in helping me prepare for my first half and full Ironman. She first pointed out issues to address that would allow me to properly absorb nutrients, and then helped me to make those specific changes to my diet. As a result I had more energy for training and gained more lean muscle mass than I ever have in the past. I was successful in both events (including placing 5th in my AG in my first half Iron and 18th in my first full). The help she has continued to provide allows me to be much more aware of how my body responds to what I consume, allowing me to fuel in the best ways that I can. Overall I can’t say enough about what working with her has helped me to do both performance-wise and on an everyday nutrition level."

MD

“I have worked with Jesse for two years and am amazed at my improved strength and overall feeling of wellness and enhanced energy. He inspires me to do more but also encourages rest and recuperation. My golf game has improved as my overall strength and endurance have
increased. I consider Jesse a friend, and am grateful to have found such a knowledgeable and compassionate trainer.

Sarah R.

This is an amazing team! I have worked with Jesse, Stefano & Gabby for years. You won't find anyone better. I can't say enough about how they have helped and continue to help me..”

Ryan O.

"As we all know...COVID put a damper on a lot of people's physical / mental health, and both Ariel and I fell right into that category. After we got engaged in April, we made a pact that we were going to get back in shape and be our best selves for the wedding. I heard about Ampersand through a family friend and immediately signed us up for a preliminary meeting with Whitney, where she did a deep dive into who we are as an individual and where we would like to see growth.  From there, she built a separate plan for both of us to follow and then scheduled regular check-ins to see how we are doing.  Whitney is beyond passionate about her occupation and does an amazing job coaching you through the journey. We couldn't recommend Whitney and the rest of the Ampersand team more!!"

Ariel & Brian

“I met Whitney about four years ago. I had GI issues that were not resolving after seeing a gastroenterologist for about 2 years. I was diagnosed with irritable bowel with constipation. My doctor had prescribed two different medications which were ineffective. There was little nutritional counseling at this practice and I was instructed to avoid broccoli and beans and possibly take an enzyme if I wanted to eat these foods. My symptoms persisted and I was uncomfortable daily. I felt that some of my issues were from food because it seemed to correlate with eating. I just couldn’t figure it out.
A colleague recommended Whitney to me. He said his wife had worked with her and she was feeling much better.

I had a consult with Whitney. She was extremely thorough. We broke down my food intake and then made a plan. She suggested an elimination diet. At first I wasn’t sure I could do it! After 2 weeks I was feeling so much better! At 6 weeks my issues were more improved. I had intolerances that were unknown to me. Once we figured out what was best for my gut, my symptoms went away. I had been on Prilosec for 20 years for reflux and did not need it anymore. I was having regular bowel movements and GI pain and bloating were gone. I learned what was good for me and have felt well ever since. It took work and commitment on my part but with Whitney’s help I felt so much better! It is a daily commitment to eat what is right for me but the reward of a pain free, healthy gut is worth it! I could not have not done this on my own. Whitney’s counseling helped me immensely. I am so grateful I met her and know her!”

Anonymous

“I started to have gastric issues in March of 2020. After a colonoscopy, endoscopy, and a lot of useless tests I was diagnosed with a mild inflammation of the stomach lining. The doctors did not provide a solution. Luckily for me, Whitney George was recommended to me as a nutritionist. With her expertise, knowledge, compassion, and devotion she got me back from 95 lbs. to my normal weight of 108lbs. It has been the biggest challenge of my life. Whitney and I meet on Zoom, she is in PA and I am in NC. She provided me with a wonderful website called Cronometer. There I can enter daily what I eat and do. Cronometer breaks down my food letting me know if I need more or less of something. Based on her recommendations with supplements I got rid of some bacteria the medical systems only treat with antibiotics. Whitney has been holding my hand since May 24th, when I first met her on Zoom. When I panic, she is right there for me via phone or email, late at night or even on the weekend. I am extremely lucky to have her as I have no idea where I would today without her help.
Thank you, Whitney, for being such a caring human being.

Madeleine K.

“I have been working with Laural Miller for a few years now. First as a life coach, where she helped immensely in my healing from marriage and continued healing from childhood trauma. She is now my trauma touch practitioner, and has created such a safe space for me to bring even more healing.

If you are local to Berks County and are looking for trauma informed healing, reach out to Ampersand and get in touch with Laural. God truly has gifted her in many ways.”

Fatima

"The level of experience spread among the practitioners of this building is incredible. I'm able to get my physical therapy, personal training, massage, cupping, nutrition, and my career and goal orientation planning in one place. The best thing about this is that this place is truly the model of integrative health where every practitioner speaks with every other practitioner to give you the best chance for success in ever evolving goals.
I assure you you can't go wrong working with any or all of these individuals! Truly a gift to Berks county and surrounding areas."

Josh T.

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