How and Why to Make Fermented Okra
How and Why to Make Fermented Okra for Improved Gut Health Written and Photographed by: Dr Frannie Koe, MD If you have ever grown okra, you have probably struggled with what to do with the overabundance of this veggie during the...
Persistent Illness and How to Manage It
Persistent Illness and How to Manage It Written by: Dr Frannie Koe, MD, MPH This season has been especially hard on our community because many people have gotten illnesses that just keep hanging on! Our clinics have seen so many...
Snake Rescue in the Garden!
Written by: Dr Frannie Koe, MD, MPH As a doctor who farms, I’m no stranger to having animals, both wild and domestic, on my property. This includes snakes! The accompanying video shows my rescue of a black snake found in my...
Echo Ridge Coffee Powder
Echo Ridge Coffee Powder Recipe Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD, MPH I always try to eat a wide variety of plants every day to reap the nutritional benefits, especially for my digestive system and gut. But fitting so many plants...
Water Glassing Eggs: One Year Later
On my farm, I raise laying hens and Muscovy ducks. I had so many eggs last year I tried my hand at water glassing eggs! Water glassing is a technique which helps preserve eggs for up to 18 months. The eggs (clean and unwashed)...
The 15th Anniversary of Wills Valley Family Medicine:
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale October 1st, 2022, was the 15th anniversary of opening my clinic, Wills Valley Family Medicine, in Collinsville, AL. I can hardly believe it has been almost 17 years...
Dumping Rheumatoid Arthritis
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale Some of you may already know that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, which is an autoimmune disorder. Besides being a doctor, I am also a person and a patient. I share...
Farming Over Age 60
A Rural Farming Physician Over the Age of 60! Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale I began farming in my 40s after I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis; I received my diagnosis at 45 and bought my...
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Personal Story Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale The blog today is a little more personal. This past winter, I didn’t feel quite like myself for a few weeks. It is...
Why DPC
Why I Chose Direct Primary Care: Valley Care DPC. Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale I have a family practice clinic in Collinsville, AL called Wills Valley Family Medicine. I opened a Direct Primary...
Supporting the Immune System and My Article in The Groundhog
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Edited by: Breanne Brazeale One thing I love most about being a physician in a rural area is being able to support small, local organizations and to interact with the community. During the early...
Low Inflammatory Diet Do’s and Don’ts
Low Inflammatory Diet: Approved Foods and Foods to Avoid The following is a very strict low inflammatory diet. It does not have to be followed exactly if you are not a diabetic or you don’t have any major health issues that...
An 11-Day Fast, Part 1: Are you Crazy?
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MDEdited by: Breanne Brazeale This spring, I attempted to fast again, but life got in the way. I have, however, completed successful fasts in the past, one of which lasted for 11 days. Undoubtedly,...
An 11-Day Fast, Part 2: The reasons for a long fast
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD What motivated me to fast for eleven days? For many years, I have read about folks who had fasted for 20 to 30 days, or more, and completely got rid of symptoms of several illnesses. Because I...
An 11-Day Fast, Part 3: My personal fast challenges
Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD Fasting for such an extended period is not without challenges. So, what were the hardest parts of fasting? Most people usually experience some hunger the first two days and the second day is...