Road Dog Health & Wellness

Hello, everyone! Well... it's been a "minute" since I've posted on here, while taking a long Facebook break. So thrilled to see wellness in the music industry finally become "a thing", and happy to continue serving you all in this new paradigm. Currently accepting clients for in-person consults, outdoors in our lovely botanical sanctuary space in Far South Austin (where we will be hosting classes soon!), and as always, remotely from wherever the road may take you. Looking forward to seeing you. Be well!

*TPA Kitchens this week!*
Austin, SF Bay Area, & Nashville all start up tomorrow, April 20th! ⬇️
SF:
Austin:
Nashville:
…
Be sure to register for these amazing, chef-made meals, created specifically for Touring & Venue Crew!
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AUSTIN NOTES; There are available meals at Emmer & Rye and Franklin Barbecue. Please be sure to register now…
(Apr 21) & (Apr 22)!
Registration for Week 2 (next week) opens Tuesday, April 20th @ 12 Noon CST.
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BAY AREA NOTES; Week 2 meal registration is NOW LIVE for the Bay Area for next week’s meals.
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NASHVILLE NOTES; a small amount of reservations are available for this week (Week 1), so sign-up quickly to reserve your meals!
Registration for Week 2 (next week) opens Wednesday, April 21st @ 12 Noon CST.
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For Registration, Dates, & continued updates, visit ⬇️
www.touringprofessionals.com

If you know me at all, you know animal rescue is my other great passion. So thrilled to see this offering from Miranda Lambert's MuttNation, helping cover needed medical expenses for family pets of music community members, whose incomes have been devastated by the pandemic.

Pets are family. Their presence and love is so special and comforting, especially during these times. Inability to cover costs of care is a common reason for making the heartbreaking decision to surrender a beloved to a shelter or rehome with another person. Thank you, Miranda Lambert, for helping to keep our furry families together, and for all the love and light you put into the world. ......
Posted • ’s Fund is here to help music community members impacted by Covid-19 with medical bills for their dogs and cats. 🐶💙 If you are in need, apply now at wagglefoundation.org/muttnation.

repost@tourhealthinitiative ...
Since March, we at THRIV have shifted our resources as mental health advocates to supporting the industry through the initial phase of the COVID crisis. It's now time for us to return our focus to the research that will help us prepare the music industry for a healthier future - one in which mental health will be prioritized. Over 1,000 touring professionals have already completed the survey. The first and most comprehensive, ethics-board-approved, fully anonymous, large-scale international study of mental health in the touring music industry. If you haven't done it already, take the survey, share the survey with your touring friends, help lend your voice.







Link in bio

Thank you for the shoutout and lovely new practice space Earth Commons!

There is an opening in my consult schedule tomorrow afternoon that will accommodate either one new client or two established clients, virtually.
•As always, sliding scale rates and trade/barter arrangements are available.
•All creative industry members are encouraged to pay what you can, without need for explanation, knowing I understand what we’re all going through. I am here to support, and we will get through this together. DM or email at link in bio if you’d like to book. I look forward to seeing you!
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Repost from :
Darlene Starr is an Herbalist & Nutritional Therapist practicing out of Earth Commons. She is also the owner of Road Dog Health & Wellness. Having spent decades in the music industry, she has a specialized cultural competency in serving the health needs and challenges of touring entertainment and business professionals; providing coaching and personalized protocols for wellness and self-care, which can be implemented within the realities of busy lives on and off the road; and addressing the acute and chronic issues that repeatedly arise. This is a much needed resource for our Austin community.

She is a member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, President of the Central Texas Chapter of American Herbalists Guild, and long-time board member/ recent Board Chair at The SIMS Foundation, which provides mental health and addiction recovery services to Austin-area music industry professionals and their immediate family members.

You can read more about her and schedule a consultation by visiting the Herbal Consultations page on our site.

https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/convalescent-plasma-therapy-fda

Convalescent plasma therapy: What to make of the FDA's announcement The FDA has issues Emergency Use Authorization to convalescent plasma therapy an experimental treatment for Covid-19. The designation leavesa major question open.

This.
So many people (like nearly everyone in our creatives community) are personally hurting, can't do their work in the world, have lost their income, have lost friends and family members, and are grappling with their own fears, depression, potential homelessness, etc. And yet, almost without exception, they are doing something to help others. I love you all. Thank you all. Thank you, Jazz Mills.

Jazz Mills Provides Free Lunch for the Houseless Fresh fruit goes a long way on 100-degree days

Senators Introduce Bill to Fund Independent Venues Struggling During COVID-19 “Save Our Stages Act” from Amy Klobuchar, John Cornyn would provide funding for six months

Helpful wisdom for these times. Love these writing prompts! 😍

*What am I grateful for spiritually, financially, physically, mentally, intrapersonally, interpersonally and professionally? How do I show others my gratitude?

*Who are the members of my healthy support systems? What healthy support systems am I a member of?

*When a vaccine is approved, what can I do to dismantle the systems that didn’t serve humanity or my community during this pandemic?

*What is my hope spiritually, financially, physically, mentally, intrapersonally, interpersonally and professionally?

*How are my spiritual/religious beliefs directing my thoughts or actions during the pandemic?

*What are some of my personal strengths that I have displayed during this pandemic? Where did I get them from and what new strengths have, I developed?

The silver lining does exist, and it’s called Post Traumatic Growth. | SIMS Foundation Licensed Professional Counselor and SIMS Provider Ashley Logan, discusses the emergence of Post Traumatic Growth, a process of positive changes that result from life crises or traumas.

Global Relief Fund For Live Music Crews - Live Nation Entertainment Live music inspires millions around the world, but the concerts we all enjoy wouldn’t be possible without the countless crew members working behind the scenes. As COVID-19 puts concerts on pause, we want to extend a helping hand to the touring and venue crews who depend on shows to make a living.

Coronavirus: State-by-State Resource Guide for Music Professionals Who Need Help To help music professionals and their loved ones navigate the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Billboard has compiled a list of resources at national and state levels.

10 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Austin Monthly Magazine We reached out to Julie Burke, LPC at Austin Family Counseling, for tips on how to deal with our new isolation, and take care of your mental health.

MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund: Read more about this and other MusiCares news at GRAMMY.com

🎄When you go out into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these
different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and
some of them are whatever. And you
look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of
understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And
you don’t get all emotional about it.
You just allow it. You appreciate the tree. The minute you get near
humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying ‘You’re too this, or
I’m too this.’ That judging mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means
appreciating them just the way they are.
~Ram Dass💗🙏

The Cold, Hard Truth About Icing Your Injuries It doesn't help muscles heal—and it might actually do damage.

Thank you, Justin , for the shoutout and support and for sharing your time and passion today. Thank you also to , , and , and our own for your passion for helping others. Love makes the world go ‘round. I am so privileged and honored to continue serving and to be associated with such beautiful, giving souls.

・・・
Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with the at to discuss how to help more people struggling with substance abuse problems. Everyone should follow and really take a look at what they are trying to do in the Austin area to help as many people as they can. Thank you for your amazing facility. I am in love with people that reach out and raise a hand for those who can’t.

It’s normal to feel grief & emotional distress after the traumatic events in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. If you need to talk, SAMHSA offers counseling & support: go.usa.gov/xUr5D

A great idea I hope catches on!

Legends Salvage $36,000 Of Abandoned Festival Gear For Refugees A crew of kind-hearted charity workers has salvaged $36,000 worth of abandoned camping equipment from the trashed grounds of England’s Isle of Wight Festival this week. Seeing an opportunity to do …

Road Dog Health & Wellness updated their business hours.

The show must go on!..Which is why I make house calls.

In Europe and the United States, Papaver rhoeas (red poppy, Flander’s poppy, corn poppy) is recognized as the symbol of remembrance of fallen soldiers.

Therapeutically, some bioregional Herbalists work with it similarly as its well known relative, California Poppy (second photo). California Poppy may be called upon when there is need for a mild sedative to help with anxiety, agitation, and certain kinds of insomnia. Often used in formula with other herbs, it also has mild pain-relieving qualities, and is non-narcotic. .

Thank you for the shoutout@moonflowerherbfest!
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We 💚 our sponsors! provides holistic solutions for pros on the go ✈️ Founder Darlene Starr is a practicing and , with a long history working in the music industry. She understands firsthand the health challenges a rigorous and irregular schedule can present, and works with her clients to design protocols for wellness and self-care that can be implemented within the realities of their busy lives on and off the road 🚙 Road Dog Health & Wellness specializes in applied herbalism and nutrition to support the way we live - no matter how crazy it gets! 😅

Once one understands the actions and energetics of particular herbal allies, they can be applied in a wide range of healing ways.

Spring brings a vibrant variety of young wildlife to our yard. Sadly, that sometimes means an unfortunate collision with a window. This young painted bunting took a header into the living room window this morning. Luckily, I was seated nearby and heard it. When I looked out the window, it was struggling to keep its eyes open and falling beak first into the dirt, with erratic breathing, as ants lined up in wait. As I’ve learned to do, I watched and assessed for a moment from the window, as not to create further panic, but soon knew time was of the essence.
I’ve come to know that animals read our energy and know our intentions. Approaching slowly and speaking softly, I let the little one know I was coming near to help.

I applied the tiniest amount of a formula I created and keep for this purpose- a blend of flower essences for shock and trauma, blended with herbs for trauma, whiplash, disc injury, calming heart rate, etc, along the base of the bird’s neck, allowing it to naturally flow down the length of its spine, then massaging SO gently. A fraction of a drop also on the tip of its beak for internal dosing.
The bird’s eyes opened, breathing regulated, and it calmly allowed me to touch it and talk with it. After a few minutes together, it started to move its head again, eyes got brighter, it regained stability, and ever so calmly rejoined its family for another day of flying lessons.

Artist to artist on how to turn anxiety into art:
“The first thing you must understand for your own sanity, and in order to be objective enough to create great art, is that YOUR THOUGHTS ARE NOT INHERENTLY TRUE”

How to Turn Anxiety Into Art We’ve been conditioned to believe that being sensitive and emotional are personality flaws- that being vulnerable is weak, and that those who are unfeeling are strong. This is a myth. Even something like anxiety can be an incredible tool if you channel it correctly, redirecting the mechanisms that

THANK YOU to all who tuned in for my talk, “A Road Dog’s Guide: Herbal Wellness for the Traveling Kind” during Plant Medicine Summit today, and for the kind messages about the info shared!
🥰 If you missed it, it’s available free of charge until Noon CDT on Wednesday, at the link here: https://plantmedicinesummit.com/?&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=infusionsoft&cookieUUID=19865cc8-1767-4043-836e-271c8a4ecd78
and in the post below (which also includes the session description). Travel well, my friends.

I'm honored to be speaking at this year's FREE ONLINE Plant Medicine Summit (Monday, 3/18-Friday, 3/22), alongside leading natural medicine experts, herbal health practitioners, and inspiring educators — including K.P. Khalsa & IIEI School, Lupo Passero, Dr. Trupti Gokani, Sara Crow, Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, Pam Fischer, Mark Blumenthal, Dr. Jifunza Wright, Nicholas Schnell, Michael Tierra, Nicole Telkes, Mary Ayodele, and others, and hosted by plant medicine pioneer, David Crow. Many of these people have been my teachers and mentors. I am humbled to be in their midst. We’re sharing with you practices and insights for working with medicinal herbs, flowers, mushrooms, aromatic ceremonial plants, and essential oils to revitalize your health, your community, and the Earth.

Details about my talk "A ROAD DOG'S GUIDE: HERBAL WELLNESS FOR THE TRAVELING KIND" are in the pics.
RSVP FREE OF CHARGE at:
https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/pmd19a19197/a19197

****(P.S.>>>If you are in the Austin area, I will be teaching an expanded class on this topic in April at Mosaic Sound Collective)****

There are many other great free talks on the schedule. I hope you can take advantage of this offering of self-empowering education for self-care.

All sessions are FREE during the live time slot, and for 48 hours thereafter.

Ah...SXSW Sunday. This one’s in the books for my household, which means I’m spending St.Patty’s day with this green and others, to restock throat teas and sprays consumed at a high rate by clients over the past 10 days of marathon performing, interviewing, and networking. Also, watching and catch up on sleep and cuddles. 💕❤️
Salvia Officinalis (Common Garden Sage) is an abundant, sustainable, and affordable ally for soothing throat inflammation, hoarseness, laryngitis, and drying up the drip, which I regularly include in vocal formulas with other herbs. It is also helpful for increasing the ability to adapt to stress, as well as for colds and fever.


@ Austin, Texas

I will be teaching a short workshop this week on herbal allies to support recovery at . This class is part of their SHINE Wellness program (all classes are free). Please join us if you feel called. Btw, C4R hosts a regular meeting for music industry pros in recovery. Check out their website for details. Have a great week everyone!

New Year's resolve starting to dissolve? You're in good company.
It’s estimated around half of us make New Year’s resolutions about improving our health and reducing stress, but the majority fall short of meeting our goals. The problem usually lies not in will power, but in goals that are non-specific or too big to tackle at once. Set yourself up for success by picking 1-3 nourishing changes (specific and measurable, so you know when to high-five yourself!) and resolving to do for one month. After a month, add another 1-3, and so on…..
Lifestyle changes need not be complicated, exotic, or expensive. They must be sustainable and affordable. It’s helpful to focus on what we gain through changes, rather than on the idea of denying ourselves.
Read my latest blog for a more detailed version of the article shown, including some simple ways to start building a daily wellness-supporting routine, which you can do at home or on the road: http://ow.ly/1hSS30nktly