How Often Do You Prepare Home Cooked Meals?

Home-cooked meals offer so many benefits:

  • A reduction in process food consumption — Processed foods generally contain higher levels of unhealthy fats, sodium, dyes, preservatives and added sugars.
  • An increase in the use of fresh produce and whole grains — This can lead to a diet rich in essential nutrients and lower in harmful additives.
  • A greater awareness of portion control and mindful eating — The process of cooking makes us slowdown and make us more aware of how much we put on our plates.
  • Cultivation of life skills — Involving our children in meal prep teaches them healthy eating habits and important life skills they will need as adults.
  • Enhanced mental health — Research shows that creating a meal can positively enhance mood as the creative process helps one experience a sense of achievement.

But there’s a bigger picture. Studies suggest that frequent family dinners help prevent issues such as eating disorders, alcohol and substance use, depression, and suicidal thoughts in teens.

We live in a world where we are less connected than ever before, so why not use cooking as a way to build friendships and family relationships!

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴.

I never thought I would look in the mirror and love what I saw looking back ever again. I thought those days were far behind me. Guess what? I’m looking better than ever! Stay tuned as I will be sharing in the near future.

By the way, why plan has a six week challenge beginning on Monday, June third. I can help you get registered. Give it six weeks, I guarantee you will love seeing the changes.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Conditions That Change Your Brain 

Mental Health is a HUGE topic, and yet most don’t realize how many different conditions can impact your Brain Health.

  • Alcohol — Over time, drinking too much can damage your brain. Research shows that alcohol can shrink
    certain parts of your brain, too.
  • Migraines — Research shows that chronic migraines might cause you to lose some gray and white matter.
  • Concussions — With an impact to the head, the brain slides and bumps into the inside of the skull. This bruises the brain and tears nerve tissue. Concussions shake up the balance of chemicals in the brain, harming nerve cell function and triggering inflammation.
  • Meditation — One study found that meditating for two months increased gray matter in parts of the brain that control emotions and learning. It can reduce inflammation in the brain and protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Exercise — Exercise pumps blood to the brain, and that delivers oxygen and nutrients. It stimulates the release of proteins keeping brain cells healthy and help grow new ones.

The list goes on: PTSD, Depression, Strokes, Aneurysms, MS, ADHD, BiPolar Disorders and more. But knowing the impact helps us be more motivated to be proactive in taking care of our brain!

Want to Slow Down the Aging Process?

AVOID THESE 8 HABITS

Often, we are attracted to products that will help us slow down the aging process, such as anti-aging skin care. But what about taking a proactive approach to staying young by AVOIDING habits that ACCELERATE the aging process?

When you read the Fox News article , overall, none of this should be new to you by now, except #8. That might be a surprise. But the two habits that you have the most control over are #3 and #4. 

  • “A nutrient deficient diet has been shown to accelerate aging, experts agree.” That’s why we need to supplement. Several essential minerals are missing from our food these days.
  • “A diet high in processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats can cause inflammation, damage collagen and accelerate skin aging.” A recent study claims that eating a hotdog reduces life expectancy by 38 minutes, and eating salmon could extend it by 70 minutes. So it’s a good idea to watch how often you eat processed foods
  • “Lack of exercise contributes to aging by causing muscle loss, bone density reduction, weight gain and cardiovascular issues.” No surprise here. We all have been repeatedly told exercise is foundational to our health—so what will be you’re exercise of choice. Mine is rowing..

Which habit can you most easily improve upon?

Click here for the Fox News Article

Why did I change my house to a safer and greener environment?

It goes beyond the fact that I fell in love with my online Wellness store.

I love having nutrient dense shakes made especially for children to offer to visiting grandchildren.
Most kids love the flavors that the shakes come in and they enjoy them as part of breakfast or a snack.
This is a sure way to know that they will get the minerals and vitamins that they are lacking daily in their foods.

These Koala Pals shakes also have a patented process called, 𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑶. 𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑶 is a patented technology that binds minerals to proteins and fibers just like plants do to deliver the right nutrients in exactly the right amounts.

Oligo addresses two critical flaws in modern-day mineral supplementation:
•Proper absorption.
•Excess free radical creation.
•Made in the US
•Delivered to my door
•Affordable
•Nutritional

Shakeables are just one of the many children’s products in the Wellness Store. You should see all the rest.
Comment SEE MORE and I’ll send you the link for you to view the store and more than 400 items to choose from.

Do you do FiberWise?

I do! Why? Because FiberWise contains a unique blend of multiple fiber sources along with vitamins, antioxidants, soothing herbs, and probiotics that gives a broad spectrum of full-body benefits.

I like it because it promotes digestive health. According to research, a high-fiber diet helps reduce the risk of many serious health concerns in the digestive tract.
It promotes healthy weight loss. I know it helps me feel fuller longer helping to reduce overeating, which in turn helps prevent weight gain and makes it easier to shed excess pounds. Plus there is an added benefit that it helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.

How? Well, soluble fiber may help lower total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, which may in turn help lower the risk of heart disease. Supposedly it helps do this by “sweeping away toxins and waste throughout the body. Fiber helps keep toxins from recirculating in the bile and blood, and speeds the passage of waste from the body. another benefit is that it supports immunity by providing food for the “friendly” bacteria in your large intestine that fight the growth of harmful bacteria and contribute to immune support throughout the body. who can forget the primary selling benefit of fiber? It improves regularity. According to research, a high-fiber diet may help promote a healthy digestive tract.

How does it work? Well, fiber is a component of plant food that is never broken down and absorbed by the body—allowing it to perform important functions that no other food can. The two forms of fiber, soluble and insoluble, both play important roles in maintaining optimal health. 

One of the most treasured forms of fiber is psyllium husk. A flowering annual shrub-like plant, psyllium is a rare, unique ingredient that delivers the perfect balance of soluble and insoluble fiber in small, almost tasteless doses.

Psyllium is 68% soluble fiber and 32% insoluble fiber. Just seven grams of this precious fiber a day may reduce the risk of heart disease. Two servings of FiberWise drink a day will provide 7.0 – 8.0 grams! Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include those seven grams of soluble fiber per day from psyllium husk may reduce the risk of heart disease. One FiberWise bar provides 1.7 grams and one serving of FiberWise drink provides 3.5-4.0 grams of this soluble fiber.

SOLUBLE FIBER. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance during digestion. In this form, it traps excess sugars, fats, and cholesterol as it moves through the intestines, helping sweep them out of the body. It also plays an important role in lowering LDL blood cholesterol and reducing blood glucose levels after eating.

INSOLUBLE FIBER. Insoluble fiber is never dissolved. Instead, it acts like a sponge, soaking up to 15 times its weight in water. Its primary benefit is to provide bulk, which can help promote feelings of fullness while also speeding up the movement of food through the digestive system, promoting regularity.

HOW FIBER HELPS CLEANSE YOUR BODY OF TOXINS. The liver begins producing a substance necessary for digestion called bile. Bile is made of acids as well as cholesterol. Bile is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder until foods that contain fat are eaten. After eating, the bile is dumped into the small intestine, where it breaks up fat, grease, and food particles. At the lower end of the small intestine, the bile is broken down into its individual component parts—cholesterol, fat, toxins, and wastes. If there is an adequate amount of fiber in the intestines, the fiber binds up the cholesterol, fat, and toxins and sweeps them out of the body. If there isn’t enough fiber in the intestines, the toxins reenter the bloodstream and are recirculated throughout the body. These toxins will eventually reach the liver. This forces the liver to process them again and dump them into the intestines in the next batch of bile. That’s a lot of work!

To help my system run in peak condition, I use Fiberwise either in the drink form (Orange or Raspberry) or, in the newer powder that is tasteless and can be added to my foods, such as home baked muffins, pancakes and waffles or even soups and gravies. FiberWise is formulated with a unique, proprietary fiber blend of psyllium, oat, apple, rice bran, chicory root, maltodextrin fiber, and fructooligosaccharide (FOS). FiberWise also contains a proprietary blend of soothing herbs, antioxidants, and probiotics to make each one a truly one-of-a-kind health supplement.

Soothing herbs such as ginger help reduce occasional intestinal gas and bloating, while peppermint and licorice root help balance intestinal flora and soothe mild indigestion. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E help fight free radical damage during digestion and throughout the entire body. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus are “friendly” bacteria that help break down food in the intestines as well as create an environment that keeps “bad” bacteria in check.

On a daily basis, 95% of Americans are only getting about half as much fiber as they need. A single glass of FiberWise provides 13-15 grams of healthy fiber to help you meet your optimal daily fiber. To read more click here.

FiberWise Chart Description

Things Magnesium can do for you

Magnesium is a key factor in helping your body run smoothly.
It may:

  • Boost exercise performance
  • Combat depression
  • Support healthy blood sugars
  • Promote heart health
  • Lower inflammation
  • Prevent migraines
  • Improve PMS
  • Promote bone health
  • Support better sleep

FUN FACT: More than half of the magnesium in our body is stored in bones, and the remaining in various tissues throughout the body!

I Love Cinnamon

Why you should too! 

Cinnamon has been used as a natural medicine for thousands of years. This aromatic spice helps to regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and fight the spread of cancer cells. 

Cinnamon has potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties that can help to reduce tumor growth. 

A test-tube study done on cinnamon extract demonstrated that the spice not only reduced the propagation of cancer cells, but it also killed them. More human research is being done to understand exactly how cinnamon fights against the spread of cancer in human cells. 

TIPS:

  • Enhance your breakfast cereal or oatmeal by adding half a teaspoon of cinnamon 
  • Add some to your coffee or tea to give it a lovely warm flavor. 
  • Enjoy a cinnamon stick with your herbal tea or spiced cider for a cozy treat 
  • Add cinnamon to roasted butternut squash, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes

When I smell cinnamon, it reminds me of holiday and warm fall days and cozy times. I also love how it’s supposed to help regulate blood sugar That’s why I sprinkle it on lots of great foods and drinks!

Did you know your body sweats just as much in cold weather as it does in warm? 

You probably don’t notice it as much because sweat evaporates faster when it’s cold. The air is also more dry because the cold climate has less humidity, and that can easily lead to dehydration. In the winter, air is typically more dry because the cold climate has less humidity, and that can easily lead to dehydration.

Research shows that feeling anxious can cause you to sweat more and dehydrate more easily. Also, dehydration can lead to physical ailments like headaches, fatigue, and weakness.

If you start to feel the symptoms of dehydration (such as dry mouth or low energy), you may want to replenish with electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. They help with bodily functions including balancing blood pH and blood pressure, helping fix tissue damage, regulating nerve and muscle function.

Fresh juices containing ingredients like beets, cherries, spinach, or kale are naturally full of electrolytes. Try coconut water as it is full of potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. 

So just because it’s cold outside, don’t let your guard down on staying hydrated!

Five Benefits of Green Tea 

Green Tea has always been an iconic health drink and for good reason. Check this out:

1. It can provide calm, sustained energy

Green Tea has both caffeine and L-theanine, an amino acid. When caffeine and L-theanine combine, they have a synergistic effect that is powerful for brain function.

2. It Protects You from Cognitive Decline 

Research shows how drinking green tea daily lowers the risk for cognitive impairment, while green tea extract enhances working memory.

3. Green Tea Is Good for Your Skin 

The polyphenolds in green tea helps to eliminate free radicals caused by pollution and UV radiation. It can also help with DNA repair and even help prevent skin cancer.

4. It Can Help with Weight Loss 

One study found that both the catechins and caffeine in green tea help support energy metabolism, which can lead to weight loss. Another found that the synergistic effect of catechins and caffeine is what drives weight loss for tea drinks.

5. Green Tea Can Protect You From Type 2 Diabetes 

It may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. Plus, evidence shows that it lowers the risk for diabetes by 18%.

This year, try rotating green tea in your morning routine!