St. Patrick’s Day Health Food??

March 17, 2019

Homemade Corned Beef And Cabbage

“The luck o’ the Irish!” you hear. But are you really so lucky with the food? Let’s see! 🙂

Potatoes

“Boil ’em, mash ’em, stick ’em in a stew!” Purple, yellow, red, sweet, russet. So many different kinds of potatoes, and so many different ways to eat ’em! 😉

Benefits:

Potatoes contain a large variety of nutrients including potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, copper, vitamin C and B vitamins. They are gluten free (hooray!), full of fiber and can help with blood sugar. Purple potatoes are good for helping to regulate blood pressure. Sweet potatoes can enhance immunity, vision health and weight loss.

Cons:

As with everything, use in moderation. Don’t go overboard. Potatoes are often deep fried, doused in oil and salt which can deplete their nutritional value. Instead, opt for baked, or you can make your own homemade fries.

Cabbage

Red cabbage is different from green cabbage… in more than just color.

Benefits:

Red cabbage contains a more powerful nutritional profile than green cabbage. It helps boost the immune system, can fight inflammation and, when fermented into a great probiotic such as kimchi (both red or green), it helps promote a healthy gut. 🙂 It also contains even more Vitamin C than oranges!

Green cabbage does contain about twice as much Vitamin K as red cabbage.

Cons:

Again, too much of a good thing could turn into too much of a bad thing. 😉

Corned Beef

Benefits: 

If it is made properly, corned beef can be a good source of protein, zinc and iron.

Cons: 

You can run into problems with a lot of the store bought cuts of corned beef meat, as you can usually find it full of artificial additives, chemicals and lots of sodium (but not the kind you want in your diet).

However, you could opt for a healthier corned beef recipe to make your Irish feast complete!

 

Happy cooking and…

HAPPY SAINT PADDY’S DAY!!!!! 

 

Health Benefits of Your Valentines

February 14, 2019

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The gifts we give and receive on Valentines day have great benefits for us emotionally (they make us happy and help show the love we feel for the special people in our lives, and their love for us). But did you know they could have physical benefits, too?

 

Health Benefits of Chocolate:

Dark chocolate. The darker the better. It is a great source of magnesium. It can help improve the health of your heart and your brain and aid in balancing blood sugar. Plus, it is full of antioxidants to build up your body’s defense system!

 

Health Benefits of Roses/Rose Oil:

Roses are worth more than we give credit for. They are more than just a pretty smell or to look beautiful. It can be a wonderful perfume, of course, but it can also improve your mood and attitude and help with hormones.

Using rose oil on the skin can have some great health and beauty benefits, as well.

 

Health Benefits of Strawberries and Cherries:

Just a couple of the favorite Valentines day treat flavors!

Strawberries – Full of antioxidants that help fight inflammation in your body. They are a great source of Vitamin C, can help support your hormones and they are very good for your brain health.

Cherries – High in antioxidants and can also help your body fight inflammation. They can improve heart health and they contain chemicals that can help improve your sleep cycle.

 

And that is just a brief look at a FEW benefits of a FEW things we can enjoy on this day! Kind of gives you a different perspective on your valentines traditions, doesn’t it? Enjoy your treats and have a happy, and HEALTHY, valentines day!

6 Great Smelling Oils for the Holidays

December 20, 2018

Bottles Of Essential Oil On A Wooden Christmas Background With M

Diffusing oils can have a dual purpose. Not only does it get your house smelling lovely during the holidays and get you all excited for all the Christmas festivities, but certain oils can also help keep you healthy and improve your mood during all the craziness and running around these days.

So, without further ado, here are some holiday favorites to pop into your diffuser and start smelling! 🙂

1. Cinnamon

Apple pie, pumpkin pie, snickerdoodles, sweet potatoes, etc. Many of our favorite holiday dishes contain cinnamon. It’s one of the top smells that remind us of Christmas and the holidays. It is also a good cleaning agent and can help support the immune system.

Caution: This is a hot oil that can cause skin or nose irritation if inhaled direction from diffuser or bottle. Also, if you want to apply this topically, avoid putting it on your skin without a carrier oil (coconut oil is a favorite carrier).

2. Pine

Smells like a Christmas tree AND can support and help the respiratory system? Great combo! This is also a good one to mix with a few drops of cinnamon or orange.

3. Orange

It may not seem like orange would be a holiday oil, but this not only can help give your immune system some support… it also mixes wonderfully with Cinnamon or Wintergreen oil for a delicious holiday blend. 🙂

4. Peppermint

I think we can all agree that peppermint is a smell that reminds us of Christmas time. This is a favorite to diffuse, not only for its wonderful smell, but also for its immune boosting and mood lifting abilities. It may also help improve respiratory issues.

5. Four Thieves Blend

This one has so many benefits! This already smells like the holidays, plus it has other great benefits… but I think that helping to  support the immune system should be right at the top of your list during Christmas and all of the related events. 🙂

6. Wintergreen

What a perfect name for the wintertime! Mix a few drops with a few drops of Orange oil for a great immune booster and a nice comfortable winter smell. OR… it can stand on its own feet, as well. 😉

 

Happy diffusing and Merry Christmas!!

Welcome Autumn!

October 5, 2018

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The days are getting shorter. The air outside feels lighter and you can almost taste cinnamon and apples on the breeze. You know what that means?…

It’s time for sweaters, boots, soup, pumpkin spice, and orange, red and yellow leaves on the trees.

Though we here in Texas may not experience all this yet (if at all), we can expect to experience many of the changes that fall brings. And we should be prepared, because not all of them are pleasant changes… you know, the ones we wait all year to experience. 😉

Immune System Support: What to Do

  • Eat foods in season – God had this great idea to have different foods grow at different times during the year! Before our modern day food processing system, people had to eat food ONLY when it was growing. So I think we should probably adhere to that practice. Food is medicine and can do wonderful things for our bodies… but only if we use it in the time that it was intended.

 

  • Essential oils – Diffuse them into the air, apply them topically or spray them on your bed or couch. There are several oils that help keep toxins and all the nasty things at bay. Peppermint, Lemon, Rosemary and Lavender are some favorites for supporting the immune system. And Cinnamon and Clove are also great for the fall time! 😉

 

  • Supplements – Vitamin C and Probiotics are pretty popular and well known when it comes to supporting the immune system (and the gut). Now… Elderberry is also a great supporter of the immune system. It helps to protect the cells from damage and activate the immune response. Echinacea (aka the purple cone flower) is another one that may enhance immune system activity in the long run.

 

  • Herbs – Plants are so useful! 😀 Echinacea and Elderberry, Ginger and Garlic... and Calendula are some of the top 10 herbs to help keep up a strong immune system defense.

 

  • Water – Keeping hydrated, yes even when the weather is cooler, is still key to good health. It helps keep your body in good fighting condition… and it helps to flush out  the bad stuff that gets in your body.

 

Immune System Busters: What NOT to Do

 

  • Stress – It’s not fun, and it’s not good for us. Unfortunately, we cannot get rid of every little bit of stress in our lives every day… but we can limit it. Unnecessary stress in a huge enemy of good health. The stress you do have control of… control it.

 

  • Sugar – It’s sweet and we love it… TOO MUCH! We Americans consume so much sugar it breaks down our bodies natural defenses against illness, and most of the sugar we consume nowadays does nothing for us. Try substituting some organic raw honey when you get a bit of a sweet craving.

 

  • Caffeine – A cup on coffee now and then is not a bad thing… and sometimes it can be a good thing. But if that is your biggest liquid intake it can weaken your immune system. Though it is a favorite for keeping one’s eyes open at work or school, it should not be your first line of defense.

 

  • Processed foods – Should be taken out completely. It masquerades as something beneficial and delicious… but all it does is damage.

 

  • Late-nighters or all-nighters – How many of us, when we are suffering from lack of sleep, are at our very best physically, emotionally or mentally? A good night’s sleep is essential for your body to be able to defend itself against everything trying to take it down. We all struggle with this, and I know it’s hard (boy do I know!). But sometimes it is best to put away your work, school or that unfinished project for the night… and go to bed. You will be more productive after a good sleep anyway. 🙂

 

Now I do want to point out one thing: just because you do these things, or not do these things, does not mean that you will never get sick. There is always the chance, while we are here on this earth, that we will catch something nasty. But if you take care of your body and give it the fuel it needs to defend itself… you have a better chance. 🙂

Have a happy fall, everyone! And may it be full of chilly weather, pumpkin spice and LOTS of pretty colors!

4 Simple Ingredients to Replace the Toxins in Your Home

August 14, 2018

Bucket With Sponges, Chemicals Bottles, Mopping Stick, Rubber Gl

Our cleaning products are some of the most toxic products we use on a daily basis. From bleach in the bathroom to the soap on our dishes. While we think we are making things cleaner for us and our loved ones and making our homes more pleasant to live in… we are actually making it worse.

Slowly harming ourselves, we are, hmm. 🙂

Here are FIVE natural products you can use to replace your old toxic cleaners:

Natural cleaning products: 

  • Baking Soda – It’s gentle, but it works great for picking up dirt and grim. Great for tubs, appliances, sinks, plastic and even teeth! It also can help get rid of smells because of it’s ability to neutralize odors instead of just masking them.
  • Vinegar – The acidity in vinegar makes it very effective for counteracting lots of icky buildup (soap scum in the bathtub is one of my favorites). Though it is effective, vinegar can have too strong of a smell for many people, which brings me two the next two products! 🙂
  • Orange oil – Can be a great help against stubborn grease stains, and it smells really good while it’s working, too. ;P
  • Lemon oil – Eliminates odors and gives off an invigorating fragrance. Cutting up some lemons and running them through the garbage disposal can make your sink smell pretty nice. 🙂

 

Cleaning is not always fun. How many of us can say we wake up every day super excited for a day of cleaning? No one? Thought so.

But having the better products, for your house and body, CAN actually make it a bit more enjoyable. So gather your products and go… have fun cleaning! 😀

Natural Sugar Alternatives That Still Give You the Sweetness You Crave

July 20, 2018

Different Kinds Of Sugar In The Spoons

Sugar is a real problem in our country today. We put it in everything – our average meals are packed with it, even without us knowing it.

When we cook or bake we heap more sugar into our bodies, not realizing the damage it is doing. Though some sugar is needed for proper brain function, diets high in sugar can hurt the brain and make stress much easier to attain. Regular sugar is toxic to the body. It comes from genetically modified beets and GMO corn. Americans take in 400 calories from added sugar a day. HFCS is pushed as a natural sweetener. It is produced from genetically modified corn. It is believed to lead to increased storage of fat in the liver, resulting in Fatty Liver and digestive upset.

This is not to put a damper on your life and tell you you can never have sugar. On the contrary! There are alternatives to regular sugar that you can use to satisfy your sweet tooth AND that are actually nutritious for your body! 🙂

These are much easier for your body to digest and process:

Healthy Sugar Alternatives

  • Honey – Raw honey has many health benefits, so you really want to be sure the label says “raw”. You don’t want to cook with raw honey. To make sure you are getting as much nutrients from raw honey as possible you want to keep it away from heat.
  • Coconut Sugar – Comes from coconut juice, which is full of potassium electrolytes and nutrients. This is great for baking because it is an equal comparison to sugar… without the toxins. 🙂
  • Maple Syrup – Maple syrup is higher in antioxidants than regular sugar, making it one of the healthier sugar substitutes. You want to look for Grade B or Grade C USDA-certified organic.
  • Stevia – A low-calorie, all-natural sweetener. It comes from the leaves of a flowering plant. AND, there is no sugar involved at all 🙂 . Stevia is 200 times sweeter than sugar, so be careful and don’t use the same ratio in your cooking! 🙂

 

I have a sweet tooth as much as anyone, but even with nutritious natural sweeteners, too much a good thing can be too much of a bad thing. Here are just a few foods you can try to help keep those sugar cravings at a healthy level.

Help Cut Sugar Cravings

  • Probiotics – Candida yeast in the body feeds on sugar. Consuming probiotics can help reduce those yeasts. Kombucha, Kefir and Greek Yogurt are some favorites.
  • Protein – Helps stabilize blood sugar levels
  • Healthy Fats – After eliminating sugar, the body turns to fat for energy. Eating healthy fats is a much better way to fuel the body. Avocado, nuts, coconut oil… just to name a few.
  • Herbs and Spices – Ginger and Tumeric have anti-inflammatory properties and can help with blood sugar.

In Summeeeerrrr!!!

June 22, 2018

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Summer is such a fun time! Lots of things to do… lots of sun… and all things hot… 😉 But amidst all the fun and games, comes some very important things to remember to make this a wonderful, fun and healthy summer for everyone! So how about some warnings, tips, and some ideas to get the summer fun started out right?

Warnings:

  • Dehydration – With the heat and all the outdoor activities this season it is very easy to forget to drink enough water, and we sweat off more than we take in.
  • Sunstroke – Along with dehydration comes this risk. Not drinking enough water has a lot to do with it, but other factors include not eating the right foods, eating the WRONG foods and drink and not allowing your body to cool down in intense heat.
  • Sunburn (Sunscreen) – I think we all would like to avoid getting hot, crispy, red skin, so sunscreen is needed (especially around water). But we also need to be mindful of the sunscreen we use, since that can cause just as much damage as sunburn.
  • Bugs (bug spray) – Bugs are a pest this time of year, aren’t they? Mosquitoes ESPECIALLY. So keep bug spray handy. Again, be mindful of the kind you use. I’ll talk more about this a little further down. 🙂

 

Tips:

  • Drink plenty of water – One of the best things you can do during the summer. If you are sweating a lot, you need to be putting that water back into your body.
  • Food (watermelon, strawberries, salad, chicken) – Eating foods in season is very delicious! And the summer season has some very wonderful choices to choose from to make these hot months a little easier on our bodies!
  • Essential Oils – Many EOs have wonderful health benefits for the summer months: Tea Tree and Citronella help REPEL the bugs before they get to you, but if some manage to sneak past and bite you (the little devils 😛 ) Lavender helps soothe those itchy bug bites and also for sunburn relief, Orange and Lemon brighten up your day and can help you feel refreshed and ready for each hot day ahead, and Peppermint helps to keep away mosquitoes AND is a great cooling agent. 🙂
  • Sunscreen (Don’t let the clouds fool you) – Keep in mind, even if the sun is hidden behind the clouds all day, you can still look like a tomato the next day. 😛
  • Drinks – It’s important to stay hydrated during the hot summer months. However, along with getting enough good hydrating liquids, you should also avoid the liquids that can DEHYDRATE you: Soda, Fruit Juice and Iced Coffee are some popular summer drinks that make it on the “Avoid It” list.

Fun Events: 

  • Camping – Nothing like spending a few days in God’s beautiful nature! Remember to pack your bug spray!
  • Swimming (keep a clean pool!) – A favorite summer pastime is getting into the water. Maybe swimming laps, having a water fight with your friends or family, or even just relaxing in the nice cool gentle waves.
  • Picnics – Get the kids in car, pack the basket with lots of delicious healthy food (make sure the lemonade is ice cold), and let’s head to the lake!
  • Sports – Summer is a great season to spend time outdoors. There are a lot of sports to play with friends, but be sure and bring water! 😉

 

Tell me what some of your favorite summer past-times are, and what you like to do to stay healthy and active when the heat gets super intense! 🙂

Have a fantastic summer!

 

 

For Your Information

May 8, 2018

Vaccine in vials with syringes on grunge background

It’s a sensitive subject. People have strong opinions about vaccines and usually tip the scale to one side or the other. There is so much out there about what is the right choice. Everywhere you turn it seems like there is someone who is telling you how to think.

True, this is a subject you should have convictions on, but I am not here today to stand on one side or the other. I’m not here to point fingers and say one side is wrong.

This is not a “my choice is better” post. I just want to really stress the point that we need to pay better attention to what we are having shoved our way. This is YOUR body and YOU should be the one to decide what goes into your body. So you need to have all the necessary information to make the right choice.

We own our own blood. A lack of informed consent is as if we hand our blood over rather than being good stewards of it. The current CDC vaccine schedule is UNTESTED for safety. Only we can experience what we do inside our bodies. We cannot be a one size fits all society.

Most people aren’t informed about that.

And that is the bottom line. Not whether you should or shouldn’t vaccinate, but be INFORMED! Don’t just accept what is handed out, no questions asked. When it comes to your body’s health no question is too insignificant. It’s OK to do your own research before jumping right in.

If you want the best for your body, and for your children, you need to have all the information (both risks and benefits). So get out there and dare to ask questions!

How to Get a Better Workout Into Your Busy Schedule

April 14, 2018

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Being active is a good thing, right? I mean, if we weren’t active our bodies would get all bent out of shape, we would lose energy and our muscles would be super weak. Not to mention we would go stir crazy. 🙂

Be Specific

Working out goes beyond just being active. It is important to remember that our body is made up of many parts, and each part needs to be worked and used correctly. They help support each other. That is why, when we work out, we need to work out specific areas of our body. Don’t just pick one form of exercise and stick with it, though that is not all bad. You can have your favorite exercise, but it is also a wise idea to add in a few more that target some specific areas that can be problems and cause some pretty popular pain. 😀

Here are a few favorites that don’t take very long, and you can do them just about anywhere:

  • Squats – Targets the glutes and thighs… and even a little bit of your back (feel the burn!).
  • Planks – Targets the glutes and abs, even arms and shoulders.
  • Sit ups – Targets the abs
  • Push ups – Targets abs, chest and arms
  • Lunges – Targets the legs. Pulsing to this one adds a little extra “feel good burn”. 😉

At Work

  • Desk stretches – 1. “Shrug” bring your shoulders up to your ears and roll them back down.
                                2. “Reach for the Sky” stretch both arms as high as you can and hold for several seconds.
                                3. “Roll the Head” from side to side, back and forth, and in a circle.
                                4. “Open Chest” stretch your arms behind you and clasp your hands together. Hold for a                                         few seconds.
  • Sitting on an exercise ball – This helps you keep better posture and helps to strengthen your back and core. Plus… you can bounce in place and roll! Just don’t have so much fun you keep falling off!

How Much?

Your daily workout routine does not have to be all at once. Sometimes you should break it down into smaller time spots… spread it throughout your day to keep you energized and feeling great.

Remember, you don’t have to go and fast and do as much as you can whenever you exercise, that can tire your body out more than keep it strong.

Keep your movements strong and focus on the muscles you are working to avoid injuring yourself and to make the most out of your quick workout.

And… Finally

The most important thing is that it be fun. If it isn’t fun, it’s stress and can actually be detrimental to your health… instead of improving it. We have been trapped into the lie that things that are hard and take time have to be boring. BUT… exercise doesn’t have to be “not fun”. That is all in our minds.

Turn on some of your favorite music. Music that gets you pumped up and feeling like you can take on anything. Try working out in a place that makes you happy, whether that is outside, the gym, or a favorite room in the house. Workout with someone, your best friend or a family member. The added accountability (and friendly competition) helps to keep you pushing on. Diffuse or wear some of your favorite oils. Peppermint is a great one to get you motivated. 🙂

 

Delicious Green Foods for Springtime!

March 14, 2018

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It’s spring time… and St. Patrick’s Day in the same month! It’s time to bring out the green! Green shirts, green decorations, green food… wait, what?

Yes, your first thought of green food MAY not be a pleasant one, but let me reassure you: Green is such a delicious color! There are so many great healthy foods and recipes you can make. So when you plan your next St. Patty’s day party (or even just a spring get together) and you want to go all out with color of the season… you’re covered! 🙂

  • Avocados – A great source of healthy fats, protein and fiber, there are so many delicious dishes you can make with avocados. From smoothies, to brownies, to chocolate mousse, to the ever popular guacamole. 🙂
  • Broccoli – Raw or cooked, this green vegetable is high in calcium and good for your eyes. Place them on a vegetable tray to serve to guests or serve them cooked with a little bit of sea salt sprinkled on top.
  • Cucumbers – This green vegetable is great for hydration and detoxification. Throw some slices of cucumber and limes in some water for a nice hydrating drink.
  • Green Apples – Top the slices with cinnamon and you have a sweet and nutritious dish that can help your heart and digestive system.
  • Green Cabbage – Cabbage feels like a must-have on St. Patrick’s day. It is also very good for you, giving your body some much needed iron and vitamin C.
  • Green Tea – There is more than one type of green tea… but whatever kind, and whether you drink it hot or cold, it boosts your heart health, brain health and helps weight loss. So make a cup, try adding lemon or orange juice for a refreshing burst of flavor… or, if tea is not your thing but you still want the benefits, you can try adding some chilled green tea to ice cream, or make a green tea and mango smoothie.
  • Limes – Boost your immunity and enjoy some refreshing drinks (limeade is a favorite) AND dessert. It’s a win win!
  • Spinach – A fresh garden salad on a spring day is so refreshing. Toss in some fresh kale for some added antioxidants and detox ability.

Now that we have had our daily dose of fruits and vegetables, it is time for dessert. Have some mint… and add it to your ice cream! 🙂

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

 

A few other delicious green foods you can add to the list are honeydew, kiwi, green beans and asparagus. 🙂