Canopy Wellness

10/20/2025

1987. Infants undergoing painful procedures without pain relief was the norm. Until a landmark study change the trajectory.

It’s staggering to realize that it wasn’t until 1987 that medicine officially recognized infants and newborns feel pain. Before then, surgeries were often performed with paralytics only. No anesthesia.

We now know that early physical experiences, along with Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), can leave lasting imprints on the body and contribute to higher risk for chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and chronic pain.

As a healthcare provider, this reminds me to always look beneath the surface. When someone presents with high blood pressure, blood sugar or unexplained pain, it’s not just about physical imbalance. It may well be a decades old story written deep within the emotional body.

True healing requires curiosity, compassion, and the courage to question old paradigms.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2020.00030/full

10/17/2025

Pharmacists are Caring for Our Communities every single day, but this Pharmacy Month, please give your love and thanks to a pharmacist near you 💜

Did you know that medication errors have been listed as the 3rd leading cause of death in the US?

When your pharmacist is verifying orders behind the counter or at the hospital, they are evaluating doses, interactions, allergies, lab values, clarifying orders with providers and making sure that you are getting the right medication, for the right reason.

It’s the invisible work that keeps patients safe every single day.

10/07/2025

If you are in the Atlanta area, I would love to have you join as we talk all things hormones!

📣 Hey Ladies!

Are you noticing changes lately that seem to have your body out of alignment? Could it be a shift in hormones? If you’d like to better understand your body, your hormones, and the lifestyle shifts that can bring you back into balance, join us for this informative workshop! ⚖️

Christa Russie with has over 20 years combined experience as a registered nurse and pharmacist - she’s here to share what functional medicine is all about, and how you can create a personalized approach to give your body what it needs to move forward. 🌱

Curious? This event is fast approaching THIS weekend, so register TODAY to get one of the last few spots remaining.

Take control of your hormone health in a way that brings you harmony - Christa can show you how!

Saturday, October 11 at 2:00pm - find it on our mobile app or website for booking. 📲

09/16/2025

So grateful for the opportunity to connect with Pfeffer talking about Canopy Wellness and all things functional medicine. Please take a listen to her Holistically Heal-Thy Self podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/014fNtmCxlw7446QdEoyw0?si=_lvHAW0KTLWk2oFz_Y_UwQ

09/16/2025

September is Healthy Aging Month. Let this be a reminder that it’s never too late to make changes that support your health. Whether you’re 35 or 75, your body responds to care, nourishment, and movement. Let’s grow stronger together.

09/06/2025

Hi Canopy Community,

Curious About Fasting... but not sure where to start? Join me Sept 22nd - 25th as we do another round of the Prolon Fasting Mimicking diet together with group support, daily tips and details about what is happening to your body below the surface. **Registration recommended by Sept 14th to allow time for shipment of ProLon kit**

https://l.bttr.to/bur5x

You've seen me post before about the Prolon Fasting Mimicking Diet. I've raved about the results to my energy level, mental clarity and my blood sugar levels (I often wear a continuous glucose monitor and follow my A1C). Seriously - this stuff is like magic.
I’m now gearing up for my 7th (or is it 8th?) round of ProLon, and I'm opening it up as a FREE group experience so we can go through it together. Bonus, you'll get access to my provider discount for the 5 day kit.

What is ProLon exactly?

This is a 5 day Fast Mimicking Diet kit, specifically designed to mimic fasting while still allowing you to eat. It’s designed to trigger cellular cleanup (autophagy), reduce inflammation, support fat loss, and give your metabolism a gentle reset, without the deprivation. *Clinical Data based on 3 consecutive monthly cycles
What You’ll Get in the Group
✔️ Private group chat with daily check-ins and tips
✔️ Personalized support from me throughout the fast
✔️ Educational materials on the science of fasting and metabolism
✔️ A chance to reset in community with no pressure and no cost to join the group
This is NOT a cleanse or weight loss challenge. FMD is a powerful wellness tool supported by real science. Whether you're new to fasting or ready for a structured reset, this is a gentle way to explore what your body is capable of. *Not recommended for those with eating disorders or who may be underweight*

If you're interested in joining or learning more, comment below, send me DM or sign up with the link. I’d love to have you join our circle.

— Christa, Pharm D
Canopy Wellness | Functional Medicine Consultant

08/23/2025

Are Hidden Chemicals Sabotaging Your Hormones?

Every day, we’re exposed to tiny compounds in plastics, personal care products, and even our food that can mimic or block hormones. These endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can contribute to sleep disturbances, weight changes and mood swings, and can subtly impact your health over time.

The good news? You can reduce your exposure and support your body’s natural hormone balance. Small swaps in your daily routine can make a big difference.

Curious to learn more about the sneaky chemicals that could be affecting your hormones and how to protect yourself? Read the full blog here: https://canopy-wellness.com/hormone-balance/

Take control of your hormonal health today!

08/21/2025

I'll be bringing a hormone health workshop to Gruvn Yoga this October!

This 90 minute session will cover key hormones shaping women’s health and addressing imbalance naturally, functional testing options, and mind-body practices for stress and resilience.

It’s designed as a holistic and empowering space for anyone wanting to learn more about their body.

Each participant will leave with a small take-away for stress support and hormone harmony.

Details and registration here:
https://www.wellnessliving.com/rs/event/gruvnyoga?k_class=840985&k_class_tab=22541

08/18/2025

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the “in between” - those small moments that fill our days. I've put my intention toward regular journaling and mindfulness and shockingly (to me), I've even come to find joy in the small mundane tasks like emptying the dishwasher and folding laundry.

That same attention to the in between has been weaving its way into my healthcare routine. We all know the big ones: get 7+ hours of sleep, manage stress, eat your veggies. But our environmental exposures are just as important.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) - commonly found in plastics, artificial scents, and pesticides - can have a significant impact on our hormone system. And because hormones influence nearly every part of our health, the ripple effects are wide-reaching:

Hormonal imbalance

Brain fog & mood changes

Fatigue

Fertility concerns

Weakened immune health

So here’s my question for you:

✨ What changes have you made to reduce your exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals?

07/22/2025

Back in the mid 90s, I worked in the cafeteria of a Seventh-Day Advenist hospital. What stands out to me most was the emphasis on fresh food, vegetables, beans. The entire model was based on vegetarianism. Food was seen as foundational medicine and a part of their healing philosophy.

Today, while visiting a local hospital, there was a pizza bar. And a Chick-Fil-A rack. One of those fancy soda machines where you could select 1001 different combinations of sugar and dye.

This isn't to say there weren't healthier options. Or that my old hospital didn't serve junk. We did. But what is highlighted matters.

Why is it that in spaces dedicated to healing, food so often feels like an afterthought? Or worse, why does it continue to contribute to the very conditions we're treating: diabetes, heart disease, inflammation?

As a healthcare provider, I have to ask: If we’re truly committed to prevention and whole-person care, shouldn’t that conversation begin with what we serve - on the tray, in the vending machine, in the break room?

Because if food is medicine, then every bite should reflect the mission.

07/19/2025

They’ve normalized smoking and made it sexy.
They’ve normalized eating “food” from a box full of words we can’t pronounce.
They’ve normalized working 40+ hours a week for every adult, every parent, down to our infants in daycare.
They’ve normalized endless extra-curriculars for our kids so they can compete in the same rat race we’re trying to escape.

This constant frenetic energy is killing us.
We’re eating in our cars, sleeping in short bursts, and spending every waking moment rushing to the next thing.

Here's what I'm learning:
Sometimes you have to let go to move forward. I say it’s time to buck the system.

Lets rest without staring at a screen.
Eat food that comes straight from the tree.
Touch grass and dig in the dirt.
Go to bed and wake up when our body, not our alarm, tells us to.

I’m slowly learning how much more living there is in doing less. In living a life where I make the rules.

What changes have you made to Buck the System?

07/15/2025

https://canopy-wellness.com/drug-nutrient-depletions/

Are your medications robbing you of essential nutrients?

Many commonly prescribed medications can quietly deplete key vitamins and minerals your body needs to thrive.

In my latest blog, I break down which nutrients are at risk and how to support your body through a functional lens.

Read more → https://canopy-wellness.com/drug-nutrient-depletions/