Chlorophyll is the plant pigment that gives plants their green color but its real claim to fame should be that it is chock full of vitamins and minerals. This emerald green superstar is found naturally in plants like spinach and kale, but you can also find it in a liquid dropper form at the health food store. Chlorophyll barely has a taste so it can be added to water, smoothies, cocktails... or made into this deliciously refreshing detox limeade. Cheers!
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I'm sure you've heard it before, but a healthy gut really is paramount for a healthy body. One way to foster a happy gut microbiome is to eat fermented foods. Fermented foods are rich in probiotics which support digestive health, immunity, detoxification and overall well-being. One of my favorite ferments is water kefir which is a probiotic beverage typically made using sugar water, coconut water or fruit juice. Water kefir is rich in amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals so having a small cup each day is a delicious way to boost gut health! This suped-up version contains powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients, ginger and turmeric, for a truly medicinal and delicious bevvy!
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The little organs that sit on top of your kidneys called the adrenal glands have the major role of managing your body's stress response. When you experience stress, your fight or flight mechanism gets activated which makes your eyes dilate, your heart race, your face flush, and your palms sweat. This system is literally preparing your body to fight or flee. It expends energy, increases heart rate, and causes blood to flow to the muscles in preparation to run away. This is meant to be an acute response, meaning it should only last in the short-term. The problem is that, in our modern world, we are faced with constant stressors. And consistent, chronic exposure to this kind of stress and adrenaline can wreak havoc on your body. Specifically, it’s our adrenals which take a big hit, leading to issues related to adrenal overdrive or burnout. In today's post, I give you the signs and symptoms to look out for that your adrenals need some love, as well as walk you through the steps of healing adrenal dysfunction using nutrition, supplements/herbs and lifestyle techniques.
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Having beautiful glowing skin is an inside job. While good clean skincare products are definitely part of the equation, if you're not eating healthy and staying hydrated, your skin will show it. One of my favorite skin-foods is TOCOS which is a super rich source of vitamin E. Tocos is a light, fluffy and mildly sweet powder that can be easily added to lattes, smoothies, sorbets, healthy desserts, etc. Here are two delicious glowing skin recipes using this antioxidant-packed ingredient. Enjoy!
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CBD (aka cannabidiol) is the new kid on the block getting tons of attention for its benefits on sleep, stress, pain, anxiety, inflammation and more. Despite all the buzz, there is still a bit of confusion around what it is, where it comes from, what its used for, if it's legal, safe, etc. In this post, I fill you in on everything you need to know about CBD, plus a delicious way to use it... CBD Bliss Balls!
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In my experience, having clear, radiant skin is an inside job. We can slather our faces with the best topical treatments out there, but if there is hormonal imbalance, liver congestion, and/or gut inflammation brewing beneath the surface, those fancy creams can only get you but so far. If you are struggling with acne and sense that something about your diet and lifestyle is inflaming your skin and causing your breakouts, start with implementing some of the tips outlined in this post.
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I know this is crazy, but before a couple weeks ago, I'd never been to Trader Joe's! Whole Foods has everything I need so I haven't needed to venture out of my cozy grocery store bubble....until I was asked to write a blog post about what I buy from Trader Joe's!
I must say, I was pretty impressed by TJ”s! First of all, it's pretty darn cheap! I got a ton of stuff and my bill was under $100 which rarely happens at Whole Foods. I found their private-label products to be high-quality overall and the layout of the store makes for an enjoyable experience. It's worth going there, at least every now and then, to see what fun new products they've released and pick up some great finds. If you're a regular at TJ's or a newbie like me, this post includes my top 10 picks!
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Intermittent Fasting, aka IF. You've likely heard of it but may be thinking it's just another wellness fad. While it may seem that way, IF really it isn’t a fad at all. It is what our ancestors naturally did before electricity, refrigeration, food delivery and microwaves! They would naturally go periods of time without food and their digestive systems would get a nice long break from the energy-intensive process of digesting food. In our modern world, food is never scarce. Actually, quite the opposite - we've got access to food around the clock! Eating late into the evening and again first thing in the morning doesn't allow our digestion/detox systems to work on removing metabolic junk and toxins that build up in the body over time so health problems, like weight gain, insulin resistance, inflammation, increased oxidative stress, impaired cognitive function, accelerated aging, etc. can ensue. In this post, I've outlined everything you need to know about intermittent fasting - including why and how to do it if you decide it sounds right for you. I also discuss gender differences and how to make it work with your exercise routine.
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Spring is the time when the earth comes back to life; everything gets green again and hundreds of beautiful plants begin to bloom. It is also the time when seasonal allergy sufferers have to stock up on their go-to allergy remedies. Symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, sneezing, headaches and fatigue can put a real damper on the season and negatively affect quality of life. Antihistamine medications can provide some relief, but often come along with other unpleasant side effects like drowsiness. The good news is that allergy symptoms can be kept in check without medications. Read the full post for my natural allergy remedies!
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Mid-morning and mid-afternoon can be particularly challenging during the work-day. My clients tell me that these times are usually when they feel tired, bored, fidgety, frustrated, stressed and often get the urge to snack (even when they’re not hungry). One of my go-to suggestions is to get up from your desk and make a cup of tea. By choosing one that offers stress-relieving benefits, this ritual becomes even more productive! Fve medicinal teas for helping you cope with stress are up on the blog!
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Going out to eat is a great way to socialize and spend time with friends and family. It can be a bit anxiety-producing if you're working hard to clean up your diet and reach your health goals because you never know what's really in your food (was it sauteed in canola oil? was flour added to a sauce? was corn syrup in the salad dressing? etc.)! So how do you find balance and freedom while eating out without totally derailing your health and weight loss goals? Check out my newest blog post to learn how to navigate menus and eat healthfully when dining out...while still enjoying yourself!
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JERF. Just Eat Real Food. That's my motto and I hope it is yours too! Travelling can make JERFing pretty challenging. I've put together a list of my top 15 snacks that are as minimally processed as packaged food gets. Before your next trip, I recommend packing your bags with some of these so you’re never caught hangry and forced to resort to airplane fare!
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