Naturally Healthy To Make You Happy

Healthline.com talks about how the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, and other major civilizations liked to use garlic for its medicinal properties. Healthline says:

Scientists now know that most of its health benefits are caused by sulfur compounds formed when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed or chewed.

Garlic is native to Siberia but thousands of years ago when it became more popular it began to spread to other parts of the world and pretty soon became an essential part of numerous meals. In fact, Webmd.com says:

Garlic is most commonly used for conditions related to the heart and blood system. These conditions include high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood, and hardening of the arteries. 

Personally, I love to add garlic to almost anything. The nice thing about it as a compound that provides healing properties is that it is so tasteful and so easily added to your food and lifestyle. Health.clevelandclinic.com claims:

 Boosts immunity: Who knew boosting your immunity can be as simple as eating more garlic? According to one study involving 41,000 middle-aged women, those who routinely ate garlic, fruits and vegetables had a 35% lower colon cancer risk. Keep in mind that benefits came from raw and cooked garlic – not supplements.

2. Works as an anti-inflammatory: Research has shown that garlic oil works as an anti-inflammatory. If you have sore and inflamed joints or muscles, rub them with the oil. The Arthritis Foundation even recommends it to help prevent cartilage damage from arthritis. 

3. Improves cardiovascular health: Research indicates that it can have a positive impact on your arteries and blood pressure. Researchers believe red blood cells turn the sulfur in garlic into hydrogen sulfide gas that expands our blood vessels, making it easier to regulate blood pressure. The good news is that you may be able to put your blood pressure medication away, so consult with your doctor if adding more garlic to your diet could be helpful for you.

4. Gives you better hair and skin: Garlic’s antioxidants and antibacterial properties can clear up your skin by killing acne-causing bacteria. One study shows rubbing raw garlic over pimples can clear them away. Be aware, though, that it could cause a burning sensation on your skin. Consult with your dermatologist first before putting acne on your skin if you are using any other products, too.

5. Protects your food: Those same antibacterial properties in fresh garlic can kill the bacteria that lead to food poisoning, including salmonella and E.coli. Don’t use garlic as a substitute for proper food sanitation and food handling, though. 

6. Treat athlete’s foot: Garlic also fights fungus. If you have athlete’s foot, soak your feet in garlic water or rub raw garlic on your feet to attack the itch-causing fungus. 

Fun fact, since I played many sports in high school, one of the things I did was up my intake of garlic. This I believe really helped prevent athletes’ foot and other possible fungal bacterias from building up. Overall it is not a bad thing to add a dash to your diet and see if it provides you with more benefits than you possibly thought! A Happy You is a Healthy You

If you work a regular job or maybe you’re just a caffeine addict like the rest of us, then you understand the need for energy drinks. Myself personally I always worry about what is actually inside of the drink. I hear so much about how it is bad for me or going to make my heart speed up too fast to the point where I become paranoid and just end up drinking coffee or tea, but sometimes those aren’t quite enough to keep my eyes open. This is when I began to look into different organic options with no sugars or at least a lower sugar count.

Best Energy Drinks?

According to Healthline.com ‘s 2020 list, they labeled a few drinks as their top 10 best natural energy drinks.

• Sound Sparkling Organic Yerba Maté with Citrus and Hibiscus 
• MatchaBar Hustle Matcha Energy (Sparkling Mint)
• Vital Proteins Collagen Energy Shots 
• Mati Unsweetened Sparkling Organic Energy Drink (Unsweetened)
• Toro Matcha Sparkling Ginger 
• Proper Wild Clean All Day Energy Shots
• Ora Renewable Energy  
• Your Super Energy Bomb Mix
• Laird Superfood Instafuel (Unsweetened)
• Guayaki Unsweetened Yerba Maté

In-Depth With The Top 5

Sound Sparkling Organic Yerba Mate with Citrus and Hibiscus is a naturally sweet drink with the use of botanical extracts that although not technically classified as a energy drink, contains at least 70mg from green tea, yerba mate (“mate or maté also known as chimarrão or cimarrón, is a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink. It is made by soaking dried leaves of the yerba mate plant in hot water and is served with a metal straw in a container typically made from calabash gourd”), and white tea.

The MatchaBar Hustle is slightly different in its approach as it is a powered green tea packet that is filled with antioxidants. Matcha itself is proven to aid in the protection against chronic diseases and various cancers.

Now the Vital Proteins Collagen Energy Shots, are a concentrated dose of caffeine which is extracted from the coffee fruit. As the name suggests, they are high in collagen, B vitamins, and also hyaluronic acid, which is a dietary supplement known for treatment of wounds or ulcers let alone a pain killer for arthritis when injected.

With the Mati Unsweetened Sparkling Organic Energy Drink (Unsweetened), has been known by the name of runa tea as it has leaves that come from an evergreen tree found to of been growing in various rainforests such as the Amazon. It has for centuries been consumed by the indigenous Amazonian people and became well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to not only produce caffeine but also healing aid.

To complete our top 5, we have the Toro Matcha Sparkling Ginger which if you’re a lemon lover, like me, this will be right up your alley as this drink is packed with those natural flavors. It actually reminds me more like caffeinated tea, especially since compared to its friends listed above, it contains a much lesser amount of caffeine – even less than one cup of coffee!

Another great alternative, that is very natural and in my opinion, more safe for your body, is SunWarrior, who’s site says:

Sunwarrior is a small, growing health food company dedicated to making quality vegan, plant-based products for a better you, and a better planet.

They believe that in this age of processed foods that are stripped of their nutrition, what the body needs most is to get back to nature with the purest, most, nutrition the earth has to offer through plants.

At Sunwarrior, they marvel at the way plants harvest solar energy to pass on to us. With the nutrition of this natural, energizing source, Sunwarrior believes everyone can become a warrior – a warrior for their health and the health of the planet.

All of their products are raw, vegan, and eco-friendly and are free of GMOs, allergens, soy and dairy for ultimate purity.

If you’ve been looking for plant-based products from a company that cares about the planet just as much as your health, you’ve found it. Find your warrior roots and reconnect with nature with Sunwarrior.

One of their products called Warrior Blend Organic Protein

combines 3 potent protein sources – pea, hempseed and goji berries into a smooth, delicious, and nutrient-dense superfood rich in BCAAs. Medium chain triglycerides from coconut enhance this dynamic fusion to create a unique, plant-based protein unlike any other!

Contains all essential amino acids

Promotes muscle function

Supports increasing metabolism to burn fat while building muscle

Supports energy

USDA Certified Organic

Soy-free. Gluten-free. Dairy-free. Vegan. Non-GMO Verified. 

No synthetic or artificial ingredients

Made in the USA

Warrior Blend fuses and multiplies the power of several rich protein sources into one great-tasting formula that’s overwhelmingly superior to the individual components alone. Medium chain triglycerides then joins this dynamic fusion to create plant-based protein with a complete amino acid profile exceptionally rich in Arginine, Lysine, Leucine, and branched chain amino acids.

The next generation in raw, plant-based protein is here, breaking through the constraints of other protein powders. Warrior Blend is an easily digestible, nutrient filled superfood perfect for anyone who wants to amplify their health and fitness.

https://www.nhc.com/warrior-blend-protein-by-sunwarrior

If you think any of these drinks will provide you with the energy you need to get through the day I would suggest trying them out! If you’re new to the world of energy drinks I would definitely start with the ones mentioned directly above, or the options that contain lesser amounts of caffeine.

A Happy You is a Healthy You

When I first heard of golden milk I thought of how cool it is they make a milk with a gold color and wondered why I had never seen it! Turns out upon research I was oh so wrong. golden milk is a nickname given as it is made from turmeric, and not actually created with a gold artificial color of some sort.

Background

Golden milk is traditionally an Indian drink used with the warming up of cows milk or also plant-based milks. Seasonings were then placed into the milk to give it a new use that was claimed to aid in various health benefits such as boosting and fighting against illnesses. Because of curcumin, a component in turmeric known for its use in ancient medicines, this milk ends up being packed with antioxidants. Not only is curcumin an active ingredient but golden milk also calls for both cinnamon and ginger which are also popular for their high antioxidant properties as well!

Health Benefits

I wanted to know more on what specifically this milk has been proven to do, and Healthline.com says

“Chronic inflammation is thought to play a major role in chronic diseases, including cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. For this reason, diets rich in anti-inflammatory compounds may reduce your risk of these conditions. Research shows that ginger, cinnamon and curcumin — the active ingredient in turmeric — have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Studies even suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin are comparable to those of some pharmaceutical drugs with none of the side effects.

These anti-inflammatory effects may reduce joint pain from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For instance, one study in 45 people with rheumatoid arthritis found that 500 milligrams of curcumin daily reduced joint pain more than 50 grams of a common arthritis drug or a combination of curcumin and the drug. Similarly, in a 6-week study in 247 people with osteoarthritis, those given ginger extract experienced less pain and required less pain medication than those given a placebo”

Curcumin is also linked with improving memory and brain functions, mood swings, heart disease, lower blood sugar, reducing the risk of cancer, and even digestion. The list is expansive of things golden milk has been shown to improve and aid in, which is why it has become more and more popular in Western culture. Luckily, its also easy to create or supplement.

Supplementation or in the Kitchen

Medicalnewstoday.com gives the step by step guide so you can prepare it in your own kitchen. They say:

“Golden milk is available online, in health stores, and in some grocery stores. However, a person can easily make golden milk at home.

To make golden milk, a person will need:

½ cup nondairy milk, such as coconut or almond milk

1 tsp turmeric

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp ginger powder

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 pinch ground black pepper (optional)

1 tsp honey

Combine all the ingredients in a pot. Next, bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes or until it is fragrant.

To serve, strain the mixture through a fine strainer to remove the spices. Golden milk will keep in the refrigerator for around 5 days.”

The nice thing about this milk is that it can also be used as a powder in the form of a protein, or you can also use it like a normal vitamin. Garden of Life is a great brand that has numerous organic or probiotic supplements that pertain to golden milk. Their mission is to help chronic obesity or diabetes giving nutritional value to their products and promote overall wellness for our bodies. They even offer a supplement especially catered towards golden milk called Garden of Life’s Mykind Organics Golden Milk Recovery & Nourishment. This supplement states it is:

“ideal for bedtime recovery and nourishment. Delicious Golden Milk has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic tradition. Garden of Life added organic coconut water to enhance hydration, a powerful blend of organic ginger, black pepper and Ashwagandha together with organic fermented whole turmeric root and 44 mg of curcumin – the key bioactive compound found in turmeric.”

Recovery and nourishment

Fermented organic turmeric with ginger

Organic black pepper & probiotics for digestion

Certified USDA Organic & Non-GMO Project Verified

Certified Gluten Free by NSF, Certified Vegan & Kosher

mykind Organics entire line of Herbals is Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified ensuring these herbals are clean and grown without toxic pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. They also use an Organic, Non-GMO Verified extraction method so no harsh chemicals or conventional corn alcohol are used.”

Overall

Clearly this milk holds a ton of power when it comes to benefitting the body and promoting health and awareness towards healthy working joints, a healthy mind, and a healthy immune system. A Happy You is a Healthy You!

As I am in the process for preparing for my wedding, I am hoping to lose weight by July, so that I may fit better in my dress and feel better about walking down the aisle. As I have planned and prepped for beginning to eat healthier meals, and exercise more, intermittent fasting was brought to my attention as a potential booster within this journey as well.

Health.harvard.edu gives us the background on when intermittent fasting really came around and made its way into the spotlight

“Intermittent fasting as a weight loss approach has been around in various forms for ages, but was highly popularized in 2012 by BBC broadcast journalist Dr. Michael Mosley’s TV documentary Eat Fast, Live Longer and book The Fast Diet, followed by journalist Kate Harrison’s book The 5:2 Diet based on her own experience, and subsequently by Dr. Jason Fung’s 2016 bestseller The Obesity Code. Intermittent fasting generated a steady positive buzz as anecdotes of its effectiveness proliferated.”

Benefits

As one of the most popular fitness and health trends in the world, intermittent fasting has become a popular weight loss tool but also contains extreme benefits for your body and mind as it is fund that it continues to be more natural for the body to eat no more than 3 meals a day and maybe a few light snacks in between. Intermittent fasting doesn’t restrict your diet but more so restricts when you’re able to eat. For instance, Healthline.com talks about the different methods into intermittent fasting that seem to be the most popular

“The 16/8 method: Also called the Leangains protocol, it involves skipping breakfast and restricting your daily eating period to 8 hours, such as 1–9 p.m. Then you fast for 16 hours in between.

Eat-Stop-Eat: This involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week, for example by not eating from dinner one day until dinner the next day.

The 5:2 diet: With this methods, you consume only 500–600 calories on two non-consecutive days of the week, but eat normally the other 5 days”.

During your fasting times you are able to snack a little bit, but the idea is to thoroughly let your body digest. The periods where you actually do get to eat, they say to stay away from over eating as that would make the whole process besides the point. When we fast, research suggests that

“Human Growth Hormone (HGH): The levels of growth hormone skyrocket, increasing as much as 5-fold. This has benefits for fat loss and muscle gain, to name a few…

Insulin: Insulin sensitivity improves and levels of insulin drop dramatically. Lower insulin levels make stored body fat more accessible.

Cellular repair: When fasted, your cells initiate cellular repair processes. This includes autophagy, where cells digest and remove old and dysfunctional proteins that build up inside cells…

Gene expression: There are changes in the function of genes related to longevity and protection against disease…”

Does it really work

Most people I know who participate in this have truly lost great amounts of weight. They make sure they don’t overeat the first week as your body will take time to adjust to the newness of the situation, but once you find yourself within that rhythm you will start to see changes in your overall wellbeing. Although there are methods in which you can follow for fasting, you can always change the time schedules so they fit your overall routine during the day, as long as you incorporate around 10-12 hours for fasting.

Recently the pattern that I have done is no breakfast until 9am. I then go about my day as usual with lunch around 11-noon and I then try to eat dinner before 7pm which keeps me within at least 10 hours. This works best for me and my normal schedule since I work very early mornings and am not off until mid afternoon. You definitely want to incorporate a schedule around when it is convenient for you otherwise you wont hit your marks and will become frustrated with not seeing the results you want.

Remember to have patience with yourself and your body especially during this difficult year and the months to come. A happy you is a healthy you!

Background

Melatonin is a hormone found within our bodies. Used as medicine, it is synthetically produced inside of laboratory’s for human use. Normally used as a pill it is then digested with water, or can even be placed within your cheek or placed under your tongue. At this point you’re probably asking yourself what in the world people use melatonin for and why anyone would want to take more of what the body already produces naturally, so here is how it works:

According to Webmd.com,

“Melatonin’s main job in the body is to regulate night and day cycles or sleep-wake cycles. Darkness causes the body to produce more melatonin, which signals the body to prepare for sleep. Light decreases melatonin production and signals the body to prepare for being awake. Some people who have trouble sleeping have low levels of melatonin. It is thought that adding melatonin from supplements might help them sleep.”

Is melatonin safe? I would say yes per research I’ve done, but I would be careful because there is the possibility for side effects from any medication. and this is no different. Melatonin is said to possibly cause “headache, short-term feelings of depression, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, stomach cramps, and irritability. Do not drive or use machinery for four to five hours after taking melatonin”. Most will want to use melatonin in short-term period as most research suggests this seems to be the safest way to avoid any addictions or dependences on the drug.

Dosing

My good friend has used melatonin for a small period of time but she swears by it! Its effects really help her at night to be able to relax and truly fall asleep and stay asleep without any issues. She experiences little to no side effects and takes it in the form of plant-based capsules. Some of the best capsules, in my opinion, are the Premier Research Labs (Melatonin-ND Melatonin) the reason I love this brand so much is because of their push towards natural products. Most of their products are a plant base with botanicals supporting it, non-GMO, and support a variety of joint and immune system needs.

Taking melatonin its suggested that you start at smaller doses before taking larger ones, but that in adults it normally is fine to start more at the suggested amount, even if you are a first timer. Remember to ask your doctor and be mindful of the way it can contain major side effects if mixed with other medications or alcohol.

Health.clevelandclinic.org says

My general recommendation is “less is more,” or 0.3 milligrams to 1 milligram taken several hours before bedtime. 

This way you will be more likely to avoid complications since most over the counter doses give you an amount larger than what your body usually needs. Although this method is not deemed unsafe, it can be more beneficial to start smaller, as I said above, to therefore build up to it and not overwhelm your body. Be mindful of what you allow to enter you body, do your own research and always take precautions.

A Happy You is a Healthy You

I’ve mentioned before the benefits of apple cider and how for our pets this really improved their overall health just by incorporating it into their meals, which you can read about here. But what about other natural ways to take care of your pets and insure they’re just as happy and healthy as you are?

Plant-Based

One of the best practices for animals is using plant-based products. This is because the natural capabilities are endless and usually feature little to no chemical compounds such as other companies that incorporate many of those into their products to appeal more to their desired audience. Thesprucepets.com lists:

Best Overall: Organix Organic Adult Canned Dog Food at Amazon “All of the ingredients in this wet food—chicken, brown rice, fruits, and veggies—are organic and preservative-free.” “Best Dry: Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food at PETCO”Full of high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients like meat and veggies, this pick has everything your dog needs to stay in shape.”Best for Large Breeds: DIAMOND NATURALS Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food at Amazon”This large breed-friendly formula is high in glucosamine, a nutrient that’s key for joint health, particularly for older dogs.”Best for Small Breeds: Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food at Amazon” Formulated to cover small breed dogs’ needs, this brand goes so far as to list its first five ingredients on the front of the bag.”Best Budget: Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Premium Dry Dog Food at Amazon”The top ingredient on this wallet-friendly, natural dog food is meat from chickens that have been raised in the U.S.”Best Dehydrated: Sundays Food for Dogs at Sundaysfordogs.com”This pick is dehydrated to preserve the nutritional benefits of raw food, without the increased risk of food-borne illnesses.”Best Fresh Food: JustFoodForDogs Daily Diets Frozen Dog Food at PETCO”The food is cooked in California, frozen, then shipped—and it’s developed with input from veterinary nutritionists.”Best Raw: Instinct Frozen Raw Bites Grain-Free Recipe Dog Food at Chewy” Despite being frozen, this protein-packed raw food is easy to serve and for dogs to eat—it doesn’t freeze into a brick.”

Natural Products

Another great brand is wondercide, which claims

“Let’s face it – people love their pets – Stephanie Boone, the founder of Wondercide is no different.

In 2008 Stephanie found her dog, Luna, deathly ill from pesticide poison. Luna had been treated with traditional flea and tick treatments and at the age of 10 developed pesticide poisoning.

Most veterinarians Stephanie spoke with recommended that she put Luna down. Stephanie, however, refused and she began researching pesticide formulations, their impacts on animal health and human health. She was shocked by what her research uncovered and after some consideration Wondercide was born.

Wondercide is committed to community, sustainability, and natural ingredients. They believe that we should “treat nature with nature,” and they offer a complete line of natural pest control and holistic care products for people and for pets. Their innovative products include natural flea and tick control, natural skin care for pets, natural pest control and natural mosquito repellents too.

Instead of turning to chemical-laden products, why not try Wondercide? You won’t be sorry!”

Wonderside is great as it offers a lot of alternative shampoos, conditioners, and even yard and garden control so they don’t run around outside and digest anything dangerous. PetAlive on the other hand, is a similar natural brand yet offers oral sprays and boosters for immunity support, itch control, bladder support, and brain health. Personally, I have had dogs who have suffered from fleas and other joint pains. When we got our puppy Charlie, we took him in and he was absolutely covered in fleas and aching all over. It was so sad as he would just yelp and cry constantly from being bitten over and over. We took him to numerous vets who tried giving us medicines or would simply tell us there’s nothing we can do because he was too young. After awhile he gradually was rid of the pesky fleas but it was something we never wished on anyone or their poor animal! This is why we began to incorporate more natural remedies such as apple cider to begin boosting their overall health, and why the natural products such as these, can have even safer and more prominent health benefits.

Try these healthy alternative methods next time you find yourself in a bind with your pets! They depend on us, so remember to treat them and care for them like you would yourself. Stay healthy and happy.

With these winter months, I’ve written a few blogs already about great ways to keep yourself healthy with the cold getting closer and closer. Recently, I decided to join a weight loss program, and although this seems off topic, one of the things you have to be very careful about when starting a new regimen is the side effects. When beginning a new diet, I notice that I tend to fall into a sickness – one that mimics a cold and is never severe, but with the world as it is right now, I knew I didn’t want that period. Therefore, I wanted to share a few of the things I have been doing to keep myself up to snuff!

Routine

Sounds pretty basic, right? But truly having a set morning and night routine can really make a difference for our bodies. I make sure to set my alarm for the same time each morning during the week days and also weekends. When I do this, my body will fall into a routine for making me tired, or making me more alert. This is why avoiding going to bed and waking up at different times every day can also improve your overall sleep schedule and patterns. Our bodies begin to anticipate when we are going to do things and if we change this up, our brains may send alerts throughout our body worried something is wrong, when in reality we’re just changing what we normally do – but by doing this, it disrupts our daily patterns. Setting my alarm for the same times helps me stay on track. By the time morning comes, I roll out of bed and I begin my morning with my daily vitamins. I personally like to take vitamin c in the form of a capsule and/or gummy chews. Webmd.com says

“vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective nutrients… the benefits of vitamin C may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and even skin wrinkling…”

Don’t Skip!

Because I don’t always feel I am eating the correct amount of fruits or veggies to support myself, its extremely easy and effective taking vitamin c to give the nutrients and antioxidants needed. Once I am done with that I move onto drinking a full glass of water. Now adding lemon definitely has amazing benefits which you can read about here, but just being able to provide your body with water when you first are waking up really helps to refresh your mind and is also beneficial in starting up your metabolism. I also make sure I eat breakfast in the mornings, even if its something small such as over medium eggs (my favorite!) or an English muffin with jam, making sure you start your morning off right by giving fuel to your body that’s been fasting for hours overnight, is crucial. Skipping meals can aid in weight GAIN most of the time, instead of weight loss, and creates an overall imbalance to your system. Betterhealth.gov breaks it down for us stating that

“The body’s energy source is glucose. Glucose is broken down and absorbed from the carbohydrates you eat. The body stores most of its energy as fat. But your body also stores some glucose as glycogen, most of it in your liver, with smaller amounts in your muscles. 

During times of fasting (not eating), such as overnight, the liver breaks down glycogen and releases it into your bloodstream as glucose to keep your blood sugar levels stable. This is especially important for your brain, which relies almost entirely on glucose for energy.

In the morning, after you have gone without food for as long as 12 hours, your glycogen stores are low. Once all of the energy from your glycogen stores is used up, your body starts to break down fatty acids to produce the energy it needs. But without carbohydrate, fatty acids are only partially oxidized, which can reduce your energy levels.

Eating breakfast boosts your energy levels and restores your glycogen levels ready to keep your metabolism up for the day.

Skipping breakfast may seem like a good way to reduce overall energy intake. But research shows that even with a higher intake of energy, breakfast eaters tend to be more physically active in the morning than those who don’t eat until later in the day”.

It even mentions how this can reduce the risk of illness which is exactly what we are hoping to avoid!

Compared with people who don’t have breakfast, those who regularly eat breakfast tend to have a lower risk of both obesity and type 2 diabetes. There is also some evidence that people who don’t have breakfast may be at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Betterhealth.gov

Overall

These little things seem so simple but can be crucial in keeping your body safe from illness and wearing down. Being able to go about your day with energy and class is essential for most of our daily routines. Whether you are working or staying at home, there are numerous activities we participate in that if not for proper support from our bodies or immune system, we wont make it for very long.

A Happy You is a Healthy You

Okay, here me out, there are so many cool things in this world that we may have no idea may truly serve dual purposes (or more!). I had no idea that every October as the seasons are changing and the leaves are falling, as I get excited about the cool weather, sweaters, hot cocoa, and pumpkin patch, that the very pumpkins I bring home to carve, I could use for even more than that!

I think we all know you can take the pumpkin seeds from inside, put a little yummy cinnamon and or salt and pepper, roast those babies up, and have a delicious season-themed snack! Though do you realize how jammed packed pumpkin seeds truly are with nutrients? According to Healthline.com “pepita” is a Mexican-Spanish term for pumpkin seeds that contain:

Benefits

Along with being high in nutrients, they’re also rich in antioxidants which aid in reducing a lot of harmful diseases our body tries to defend against and deflect such as cancer, improved prostate, and bladder health, lower blood sugar levels, and may even help improve sleep. Webmd.com even claims it may help in hair growth due to the oils that are produced.

Ways to Consume

Overall, adding it to your diet can be extremely easy and low stress, as it can be used as toppings for various meals such as yogurt and granola, pumpkin bread, or just by itself. You may also buy pumpkin seed extracts which can be especially helpful if you are someone who isn’t a fan of seeds or nuts (or if you are allergic). Life extension offers some great options for their seed extract as it is non-GMO and obviously vegetarian as well.

Background

Pbs.org went more in-depth into the origin of pumpkins and where they’re from saying:

“Archaeologists discovered the oldest domesticated pumpkin seeds in the Oaxaca Highlands of Mexico. Pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America over 7,500 years ago. The first pumpkins held very little resemblance to the sweet, bright orange variety we are familiar with. The original pumpkins were small and hard with a bitter flavor. Rather than using their nutritional and readily available seeds, pre-Columbian natives grew pumpkins for their flesh. They were among the first crops grown for human consumption in North America. Thanks to their solid, thick flesh, pumpkins proved ideal for storing during cold weather and in times of scarcity.

One of the first American pumpkin recipes was included in John Josselyn’s New-England’s Rarities Discovered, published in the early 1670’s. The recipe was for a side dish made from diced ripe pumpkin that had been cooked down in a pot over the course of a day. Once the pumpkin was cooked butter and spices were added, much like the recipes for mashed squash or sweet potatoes we see today. During the 17th century, women challenged themselves in the kitchen by developing unique and tasty new ways to serve pumpkin.Today, the most popular way to prepare pumpkins is undoubtedly pumpkin pie. This trend first began during the 1800’s when it became stylish to serve sweetened pumpkin dishes during the holiday meal. The earliest sweet pumpkin recipes were made from pumpkin shells that had been scooped out and filled with a ginger-spiced milk, then roasted by the fire.”

Activity Idea

Personally, I love waiting until the fall months to then grab a bunch of pumpkins, and do a full-on pumpkin seed grabbing, cooking, roasting party! This can be such a fun activity to do with your friends or your family. To spend a day at a local farm, participating in hay rides, drinking cider, and eventually picking out the pumpkin for you – you can them come home and establish this wonderful activity to pull out those seeds and create some fun memories as well!

A Happy You is a Healthy You!

During this season, I’m sure most of you have thought of different ways to create products safe for your home and environment. I know that when I head out to go shopping one of the biggest things I notice is that all of the antibacterial products or just surface cleaning products are sold out! I happen to be a little pickier when it comes to these products, as I only want to use what is natural and organic on my home surfaces. Luckily, I don’t beat myself up when this happens, as I know just how many wonderful cleaners exist in this category!

What kind of cleaner do I use?

With so many different ways to chose what to use, it can be extremely helpful to look at a few basic, but important details such as:

Types of ingredients in products, their cleaning abilities, what cleaning experts say, and any feedback you can find. According to Healthline.com, it is also important to think about what kind of cleaner you want whether that’s all-purpose, degreaser, multi-surface, biodegradable, pet stain, and odor remover, glass cleaner, dish soap, window cleaner, bathroom cleaner, carpet and laundry remover, and so many others. Understanding what you need is important for moving forward to find the perfect product for your own home.

Essential Oils + Cleaners? BONUS

Personally, I love products that smell good, but in a safe way, and by that I mean organic or natural products giving off a naturally clean smell or products that incorporate essential oils into their work. I feel the use of essential oils in a cleaning product helps me know that what I’m inhaling is actually safe for me and my family, along with actually boosting/helping my senses in fantastic ways. See more about how great essential oils are for you, here. Another great aromatherapeutic household product is Mrs. Meyers, which is an amazing brand that uses essential oils in their products, while also providing natural options.

One thing I’ve learned while using household cleaning products is that you really need to pay attention to what you use on your surfaces so you can be sure no bacteria is getting left behind. Most antibacterial products kill 99.9% of germs. That extra, though small, percentage can truly cause a huge problem should it go untreated. This can be resolved easily simply by using other antibacterial killing agents ontop of the surface to double up and create a barrier that will not allow the bacteria to withstand or get used to the cleaning product.

Remember in a time of uncertainty with germs or virus, to let yourself breathe and keep calm. With all the options and varieties out there for how to keep you and your family or friends safe, you can feel safer and more at ease knowing products exist that want to help you in your daily activities and make things easy on you in the long run.

A Happy You is a Healthy You

A previously mentioned in my last blog (see here), emergen-c is something I prefer to take every morning. This I feel truly boosts my immune system and helps me to feel like I’ve given my body the proper nutrients it needs for the start of my day.

The Numbers

According to Healthline.com, emergen-c contains more vitamin C than 10 oranges! The original emergen-c contains 35 calories, 6grams of sugars, 1,000 mg vitamin C of the Daily Value, 10mg of the DV for vitamin B6, and 25mcg of the DV for vitamin B12. Each serving of Emergen-C contains 1,000 mg of vitamin C, which is much more than the RDA of 90 mg per day for men and 75 mg per day for ladies. Emergen-C holds numerous B vitamins, counting thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic corrosive, pantothenic corrosive, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. B vitamins are required for our bodies so they can metabolize nourishment into vitality. Zinc as well is just as important as it is needed for the “normal development and function of immune cells”. And we all know that good ol vitamin D and how great that is for our body and needs! Which is also a huge feature in emergen-c.

Get in the Habit

Personally I find it really helps to create a routine for yourself that you follow religiously every morning to start forcing yourself to remember to take certain vitamins or doses of things so that you can better kick start your days. Specifically emergen-c is taken by a lot of people during the flu or cold seasons since it helps boost your immune system, but don’t feel shy to take it every and any day! There’s nothing wrong with taking safe amounts of vitamin C, D, or B. Webmd.com also speaks highly of such a powered substance saying “This medication is a multivitamin product used to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency due to poor diet, certain illnesses, or during pregnancy. Vitamins are important building blocks of the body and help keep you in good health”.

Try it! Try mixing up your morning routine. We all know that extra 30mins or even 5mins of sleep feels way better than just getting up earlier, but waking ourselves up and incorporating success into our lives before we even get in our cars or head to the bus stop to start that normal morning routine we become so used to.

A Healthy You is a Happy You!