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.

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Soup Recipe   Ingredients 1 large butternut squash, cut length-wise and baked on 400 until tender (60 – 75 minutes)  1 yellow onion, chopped 2 teaspoons garlic granules or 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 large carrots, chopped (about 2 cups) 1/2 can...

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Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Rosemary Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe Adapted from Birmingham Wellness Center Serves 4-6   Ingredients 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces 1 large sweet onion, chopped into similarly sized pieces as potatoes 2-3 tablespoons olive...

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Honor and Transform Grief

Honor and Transform Grief

One of the most insightful gifts I received from my TTT training was uncovering my grief and learning to honor and work with it in a transformative way instead of staying stuck by it. As my Pap said, “Gab, grief is the price tag to love.”    Coping with Loss He...

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Surrendering to the Natural Ebb & Flow of Life

Surrendering to the Natural Ebb & Flow of Life

The Ebb and Flow of Life My undergraduate degree was in psychology. My hobby and passion is psychology. I have friends in the therapy world, and I’ve seen a therapist or two myself… One thing in the therapy world that is very much agreed upon is that life ebbs and...

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The Importance of Self Care & Restoration During the Holidays

The Importance of Self Care & Restoration During the Holidays

Loss and Restoration During the Holidays This whirlwind of a year is reaching its end, and the holiday season is upon us. The season tends to stir up all kinds of emotions (good and bad). Holidays are a nostalgic time full of traditions, but with the climate we live...

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Loss and Restoration During the Holiday Season

Loss and Restoration During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a weird time in my eyes when it comes to fitness. Some people let their fitness go in favor of engaging in holiday activities (with the chance to start back up in January). Other people keep their fitness routines intact during the holiday...

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Ushering in the Holidays During Social Distancing

Ushering in the Holidays During Social Distancing

It’s no revelation that 2020 has been a really rough year for everyone, and that we are all hoping 2021 rings in something better. But before we get there we must head into the holiday season.  Every year while there are families looking forward to their holiday...

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Collaboration and Resiliency is More Important than Ever

Collaboration and Resiliency is More Important than Ever

Education has always been very important to me.  My father was a public school teacher for 37 years, my uncle a principal and then Superintendent, and my aunt an elementary school teacher.  I have heard many stories about my dad in the classroom from his former...

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Promoting Peace of Mind While Educating Children During a Pandemic

Promoting Peace of Mind While Educating Children During a Pandemic

It’s clear to us all that the current state of our world due to the pandemic has had a huge impact on… well… just about everything and everyone. Having a younger niece and nephew and friends that have children, I’ve been reflecting on how teachers as well as students...

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Teachers, Educators, Professors: THANK YOU.

Teachers, Educators, Professors: THANK YOU.

  Where would we be without our teachers? Our teachers care for and coach us from a young age all the way into adulthood. There are many teachers that go out of their way to care for their students like their very own children. I personally know many that have helped...

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Who Needs Sex Education?

Who Needs Sex Education?

If they have a body and the ability to comprehend, they probably need sex-education. This isn’t to say we talk to 3 year olds about birth control, rather that there is developmentally appropriate information to provide each age range. (For instance, for a 3 year old,...

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What is Sex Education?

What is Sex Education?

 “Sex education is high quality teaching and learning about a broad variety of topics related to sex and sexuality, exploring values and beliefs about those topics and gaining the skills that are needed to navigate relationships and manage one’s own sexual health. Sex...

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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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