Tag: health

  • Reach out – don’t “man up”

    Reach out – don’t “man up”

    Reach out – don’t “man up”

    Why stress is different for men

    Men are no less immune than women from the effects of stress. But it’s the manifestations of that stress and how men deal with them that often differs dramatically. Here are some effective ways for men to manage that stress.

    What are the consequences of chronic stress?

    A certain amount of short-term stress can be a good thing: it boosts alertness and primes the brain for enhanced performance. Chronic stress, on the other hand, can lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and anxiety, among other conditions. In men, high stress can also contribute to erectile dysfunction.

    What are the expectations for men versus women?

    Society places different, if outdated, expectations on men and women as to how they should deal with stressful situations. Men commonly feel that not revealing emotion is a show of strength. “A lot of times guys will revert to this or think it’s taboo,” says professor and research chair John Oliffe. Traditional expectations of “manning up” can affect men’s abilities to deal with stress in meaningful ways.

    Often, the way things unfold can be summed up by what Oliffe refers to as the “three I’s.”

    1. Injury (a major life transition such as a breakup or job loss), with men feeling as though they should be able to push through it until it goes away
    2. Interiority, with men looking internally to deal with a major stressor rather than reaching out to others, possibly turning to substance use to blunt their emotions
    3. Isolation—social isolation, Oliffe notes, is the biggest predictor of male suicide: “If you’ve got an injury and look internally—you’re not dealing with it and you’re isolating to conceal the injury—there’s a great amount of shame in not being able to solve problems or even in just having problems.”

    What can men do to effectively deal with stress?

    Exercise

    Physical activity boosts the body’s production of endorphins, or feel-good neurotransmitters; it improves mood, focus, productivity, and sleep.

    Reach out

    Reaching out to a partner, friends, or other trusted people in your life is another way to manage stress. “Think about it as mutual help: a lot of times if you have a conversation with another guy, they’ll have things that affirm you in your experience. There’s a reciprocity there. We do better with people around us, especially good people.”

    Consider professional help

    Accessing professional help can go a long way in handling stress, and more men are accessing such services, Oliffe says. Speaking with someone who’s outside of their personal situation can help men debrief with a view to seeing things from another point of view, ultimately giving them back some control.

    Supplements for stress

    Remember, always check with your health care practitioner before trying a new supplement to make sure it’s right for you.

    • B-complex vitamins
    • L-theanine
    • Lemon balm
    • Magnesium
    • Ashwagandha

    By Joanne Peters

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Why we love Aura Bora Herbal Sparkling Water

    Why we love Aura Bora Herbal Sparkling Water

    When Aura Bora founders Paul and Madeleine Voge started experimenting with real herbs, flowers and fruits with their soda maker at home, they knew they were onto a great idea. After their friends and family were raving about their flavors, they decided to try to launch their business on Season 12 of Shark Tank! There were already a lot of sparkling waters out there, but Aura Bora had something special right from the beginning. 

    The constantly refreshing varieties include Lemongrass Coconut, Peppermint Watermelon, Cactus Rose, Lavender Cucumber, and Strawberry Basil, Ginger Meyer Lemon, and Grapefruit Elderflower. Each can of Aura Bora is crafted with carefully selected herbs, fruits, and sparkling water purified using reverse osmosis, resulting in a clean and crisp beverage that’s guilt-free and hydrating

    You also need to try “Dry Guys” Olive Oil Martini! Graza’s Extra Virgin Picual Olive Oil with Aura Bora’s yuzu and juniper-laced herbal sparkling water, the non-alcoholic Olive Oil Martini is unlike any flavor that the company has released in the past.

    One sip and you will realize why their slogan is “earthly tastes and heavenly feelings”! They can all be enjoyed on their own straight from the can, or as a mixer in cocktails and mocktails.. 

    We love Aura Bora as a company because they remain committed to using natural ingredients without any artificial additives or sweeteners. If you’re looking to cut down on sugar and artificial ingredients, Aura Bora offers a satisfying alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste. All their flavors are made from real herbs, fruits and flowers. There’s no added sugar, sweeteners, citric acid or artificial ingredients. 0 Sodium, 0 Calories, and delicious natural flavors you’ll love.

    If that wasn’t enough, Aura Bora are part of 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of their revenue each year towards environmental causes like wildlife relief, conservation, and ocean cleanup.

    Basil Bandwagon’s exclusive May offer, you can get all varieties of Aura Bora for just $1.49 per can! Stock up for the warm weather.

    Don’t forget to enter to win a super cool retro cooler at each of our locations! No purchase necessary. The raffle will be drawn on May 31st. From picnics in the park to cozy nights at home, Aura Bora sparkling water is the perfect companion for life’s everyday moments.

    Print Pin

    Mint Refresher

    Ingredients

    • 4 ounces watermelon juice
    • 1 1/2 ounces alcohol or non alcohol of your choice
    • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
    • 3 ounces Aura Bora Peppermint Watermelon
    • juice of one lime
    • ice
    • fruit of choice for garnish

    Instructions

    • In a cocktail tin add alcohol or non-alcohol option, watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup and ice. Shake and strain into your favorite glass. Add ice, top off with Peppermint Watermelon and add a fruit of your choice on top! 

    REFERENCES~

    https://aurabora.com/

    https://aurabora.com/blogs/recipes/mint-refresher

  • Your menopause journey

    Your menopause journey

    Your menopause journey

    Tips to help you navigate

    Somewhere in our fourth decade of life, our bodies start acting up—hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, and irregular periods. Ditto for depression and mood swings, joint pain, bloating, memory issues, low libido, hair changes, and weight gain, particularly in the midsection.

    It’s a rollercoaster, and it starts with perimenopause around the age of 40 (or earlier) and it can last between six to eight years.

    Menopause is the one-day milestone women reach once they have gone without a period for a year (tracking makes sense!). After that, it’s all post-menopause. Many symptoms subside, but the risk of some chronic diseases can go up.

    Behind the scenes

    Estrogen and progesterone work together to orchestrate the menstrual cycle, and they start fluctuating during perimenopause. So does testosterone, which can cause depression and lower libido, and may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and insulin resistance during post-menopause.

    Estrogen keeps almost everything running smoothly in a woman’s body: menstrual cycles, glucose balance, brain and heart health, temperature control, immunity, bone and muscle health, pelvic floor health, and skin and hair, too. Low estrogen means hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and incontinence, among others. Too much of it leads to breast tenderness, bloating, and heavy periods.

    How our bodies change

    After 30, we lose approximately 3 to 5 percent of our muscle mass each decade, which is due to aging (so is fat tissue accumulation), but menopause can add to it due to dwindling estrogen levels.

    We also lose bone tissue (20 percent of bone loss happens during menopause), more so after 50.

    Both menopause and the aging process have impacts on metabolism. Postmenopausal women often have higher blood glucose and insulin levels, which can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and heart disease.

    Not exactly hot news, but it’s not all gloom and doom either. Science has answers!

    Eat better for a better journey

    • Consider following the Mediterranean diet
    • Get enough protein
    • Eat fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi
    • Consume calcium-rich foods
    • Don’t forget vitamin D

    Lifestyle matters, too

    The menopausal journey overlaps high stress times for many women: parenting, work demands, caring for aging parents, and/or dramatic life changes.

    Slash stress levels with yoga and meditation and prioritize sleep with good habits: early dinners, choosing books over screens, reducing alcohol, swapping out beverages for soothing herbal teas, and staying social.

    Two to three sessions of resistance exercise weekly may help prevent muscle loss and bone loss, improve body composition, and boost cognition.

    Supplements to consider

    Remember, always check with your health care practitioner to ensure a supplement is right for you.

    flaxseedssource of fiber, omega-3s, and lignans (help eliminate excess estrogen)
    probiotics and prebioticsmay help with gut imbalances, including bloating and gas
    omega-3 fatty acidsanti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, increase insulin sensitivity
    vitamin B12red blood cell and DNA production, cardio- and neuroprotective

    By Daniela Ginta, MSc, NNCP

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Support your immune system

    Support your immune system

    Support your immune system

    Sift through the hype and learn the truth

    Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, collective awareness of our immune system has increased. Once an invisible ally, our immunity is now the topic of Tiktok videos, news articles, and endless product recommendations. Sifting through the hype represents a monumental task.

    To boost or not to boost?

    Pandemic-driven Google searches focused on strengthening the immune response, but that may not be the best course for everyone. Indiscriminate immune boosting could be harmful in people with autoimmune disease, creating more damage than support to the body, overall.

    Research literacy 101

    If you’re going to use online resources, avoiding the pitfalls of misinformation can be overwhelming. Dr. Ellen Conte, ND, has a passion for teaching her patients to make informed decisions. “Be wary of statements that sound too good to be true,” she cautions. She guides people toward evidence-based resources like PubMed.gov as well as university and hospital websites.

    Supplements

    Understanding the specific immune influences of individual supplements can help you put reliable research into action. Always ask your health care practitioner if a supplement is right for you—especially if you are immune suppressed or have an autoimmune condition.

    Probiotics

    Beneficial strains of bacteria coat our bodies inside and out, creating a living shield to protect us from infection. Probiotic bacteria, both supplemental and naturally occurring, interact directly with our immune system, influencing its function.

    Elderberry

    Elderberry is an important traditional medicine, long used by the indigenous peoples of North America. Elderberry may boost the immune response by interacting with our dendritic cells—helper cells that spur other cells into action against invaders.

    Garlic

    In addition to banishing certain pointy-toothed figures of folklore, garlic is equally offensive to fungal and bacterial pathogens. Taking aged garlic extract may reduce the intensity and duration of colds while gently enhancing immune function.

    Turmeric

    Similar to probiotics, turmeric can dampen the inflammation that accompanies an immune response.

    Foods

    Include the following nutrients in your diet for ongoing immune benefits.

    Fats

    Avoid low-fat diets unless you have been otherwise instructed. Fat-containing foods help us to absorb key immune nutrients like vitamin A and vitamin D.

    Omega-3 fatty acids

    Polyunsaturated fats found in fish, chia seeds, flax, and omega-3 eggs can reduce inflammation and allow for balanced immune function.

    Mushrooms and seaweed

    These foods contain beta-glucans, soluble fibers that feed our gut flora and gently promote immune activity.

    Protein

    Amino acids such as arginine, glutamine, and tryptophan form the building blocks of cytokines and other immune factors.

    Vitamin C

    This well-known immune support cannot be made in the human body. Eat your fruits and veggies to stock up on this nutrient.

    Other nutrients

    Zinc, from pumpkin seeds; selenium from Brazil nuts; and B vitamins from grains, root veggies, and chickpeas support a wide range of immune functions.

    By Dr. Gillian Flower, ND

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • A quick guide to botanicals

    A quick guide to botanicals

    A quick guide to botanicals

    What they are and what to be aware of

    Botanicals are any part of a plant that can be used medicinally and are attractive due to their tendency to be safe, have minimal side effects, function holistically, and even act preventively.

    Nearly 26,000 plants have been documented globally to have therapeutic uses—a vast store of potential medicine! Our growing desire to treat health more holistically, combined with our ability to assess the evidence critically, bodes well for a future where botanicals are integral to our well-being.

    What’s new?

    Science continues to investigate medicinal plant uses, sometimes confirming anecdotal evidence, sometimes setting the record straight.

    Adaptogens—botanicals that help the body adjust to stress and maintain balance—are of particular interest since our burden of stress has been mounting. Holistic nutritionist and health coach Sheena Huculak has seen the public increasingly seeking this class of remedy: “One that stands out the most for me is ashwagandha and other adaptogens like rhodiola, holy basil, and mushrooms.”

    Proof meets promotion

    But the popularity of plant remedies sometimes has the science scrambling to keep pace with marketing. For example, if consumers perceive acai as having health benefits, a chocolate-coated version of it becomes an easy sell even though the research is lacking and the product may be more sugar than anything else.

    In good measure

    Once you’ve gone beyond the marketing and landed on a botanical that has the weight of science behind it, its efficacy is still going to depend a great deal on the dose and consistency with which you take it.

    Sprinklings of widely tolerated botanicals may be a fine thing, but for medicinal effect you will need a medicinal dose. So go ahead and enjoy the health properties of a turmeric latte, but don’t expect it to cure your arthritis.

    Playing it safe

    How much of a botanical you take and for how long also become questions of safety; just as too little can be ineffectual, too much can be risky.

    Huculak cautions, “It is important to know there can be negative interactions between some natural health products and medications.” Botanicals can pose a risk in scenarios such as pregnancy or surgery, too, so it’s well worth running it past a health care professional and heeding the product label.

    Quality control

    Plant material is extremely complex and chemically diverse, making the task of identifying and standardizing particular botanical constituents very challenging. In the case of a blended supplement, interactions between the ingredients also need to be considered.

    Upping the standard

    Seeing this gap in the potential quality and safety of their offerings, many botanical supplement companies choose to have their products tested and certified by an independent lab and display that certification on their labels. But the natural health industry recognizes this is still an imperfect system, and there are initiatives underway to integrate better quality and safety controls into the market as a whole.

    By Jackie Skrypnek

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Kick seasonal allergies to the curb

    Kick seasonal allergies to the curb

    Kick seasonal allergies to the curb

    Magnifying the immune response

    Seasonal allergies plague sufferers with aggravating symptoms, which can reduce productivity, incur expenses, and have a negative impact on health-related quality of life. Having seasonal allergies also increases the risk of developing related conditions, such as asthma, chronic sinusitis, and nasal polyps. Those with seasonal allergies may wonder, why me?

    Staying immune

    The immune system is overworked and underpaid. It’s constantly responsible for scanning the body for precancerous cells, sensing and fighting infection, and regulating inflammation. The immune system must also maintain tolerance to the body’s own cells and tissues, as well as to antigens from food and the environment.

    Immune tolerance is the prevention of an immune response against a certain antigen. This is important for maintaining overall balance in the body and preventing autoimmune and allergic reactions. But when it comes to seasonal allergies, tolerance to a normally harmless environmental antigen, such as grass or birch pollen, is lost.

    What’s in a name?

    Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, frequent sneezing, and itchy nose and eyes. Allergic rhinitis may result from both seasonal and perennial allergies.

    Seasonal allergens are airborne particles from the environment that, in those who are hypersensitive, trigger allergic rhinitis upon inhalation. Symptoms wax and wane with the season. Common seasonal allergens include pollen from grass, trees (including birch), ragweed, and mold.

    Perennial allergens are unrelated to the season and may cause allergic rhinitis in hypersensitive individuals all year long. Common perennial allergen sources include pet dander, house dust mites, and cockroaches.

    Treatment options

    If over-the-counter allergy medications just aren’t cutting it, consider asking for help. Allergists may offer skin prick testing and other forms of assessment. Treatment may include an intranasal, oral, or ocular antihistamine or corticosteroid, or a combination of both.

    Allergen immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) may be indicated for patients with persistent symptoms. This involves administering a small amount of allergen into the skin or under the tongue to stimulate an allergic response, with the goal of building tolerance over time.

    Acupuncturists and naturopaths can also provide individualized treatments for seasonal allergy sufferers.

    Lifestyle strategies

    • Wear a hat, glasses, and nasal filters when outdoors.
    • Shower upon return from work or a walk.
    • Irrigate nasal passageways via neti pot with distilled water and salt.
    • Keep windows closed.
    • Wash curtains, carpets, and bedding regularly.
    • Mop floors regularly.
    • Use HEPA air filters.
    • Eradicate mold.

    Supplements for seasonal allergies

    The following supplements may reduce symptom severity:

    • quercetin
    • green tea
    • propolis
    • bee pollen
    • probiotics
    • vitamin c

    Remember, always check with your health care practitioner before taking a new supplement.

    By Dr. Cassie Irwin, ND

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • How foods help us detoxify

    How foods help us detoxify

    How foods help us detoxify

    Nutrition for spring cleansing

    Have you ever tried to do a detox or cleanse that left you feeling weak and irritable? You might not have had your nutritional basics in place!

    Without sufficient key nutrients from foods, the body can’t fully recruit its own pathways of metabolic detoxification. When this happens, our detoxification organs—mainly the liver, kidneys, colon, and skin—can’t do their jobs to the best of their ability.

    Compared with doing a three-week crash diet, regularly eating foods rich in nutrients that naturally activate detoxification pathways is far more effective for keeping the body’s toxic burden low and overall well-being high.

    Biotransformation

    More commonly known as metabolic detoxification (or “detox”), biotransformation is the process of converting toxicants from the environment and from the body itself into compounds that can be safely mobilized and excreted from the body.

    A properly functioning detoxification system maintains a proper balance of hormones, metabolizes medications, and processes harmful substances from the environment to ensure overall health and well-being. An accumulation of toxins is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

    Nutrients for detoxification

    Since our regular food choices affect the activity of detoxification pathways to help with toxin biotransformation, they also affect the body’s sensitivity to toxic substances.

    • New research suggests that diets rich in phytonutrients (nutrients from plant-based foods) may offset toxicity from pollutants and reduce disease risks associated with environmental toxicity. Polyphenols are one type of phytonutrient and are particularly high in berries, cloves, cacao, nuts, and vegetables such as artichokes.
    • Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, have been shown to increase the activity of enzymes used in the detoxification process.
    • Glutathione is the master antioxidant of the liver. Vitamin B6, the minerals selenium and magnesium, and the amino acid cysteine are key building blocks for producing glutathione. For the richest sources of vitamin B6, opt for chickpeas, skipjack tuna, wild salmon, and chicken breast. Pumpkin seeds, almonds, legumes, and leafy greens provide ample magnesium. Cysteine is found in protein-rich animal meats such as pork chops, beef, and chicken breast.

    Sleep for detox support

    The glymphatic system provides the brain and central nervous system with a deep cleaning of metabolic waste. Impaired glymphatic function has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

    Since the glymphatic system is most effective during sleep, consider prioritizing sleep as a key pillar for supporting full-body detoxification. Resist binging on your favorite show and instead cultivate a calming bedtime routine to make sure you clock enough hours.

    Supplements for detox support

    Always ask your health care practitioner before trying a new supplement, to make sure it’s right for you. Likewise, always check with your health care practitioner before embarking on any cleanse or detox program.

    Here are a few supplements that may help support our bodies’ natural detoxification systems.

    • n-acetylcysteine
    • probiotics
    • fiber
    • spirulina
    • milk thistle
    • turmeric
    • ginger
    • whey protein

    By Dr. Cassie Irwin, ND

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Salads, reimagined

    Salads, reimagined

    Salads, reimagined

    Warm salads to bowl you over

    Like their cool counterparts, warm salads can be packed with the nutrient-dense ingredients you’re trying to eat more of. Pivot to these cozy early spring salads that are, without question, hot stuff. They’re most certainly not your standard bowl o’ greens!

    Bistro Salad with Caramelized Vegetables

    This virtuous salad is reminiscent of what you’d be served at a well-reviewed bistro. For a special finishing touch, garnish egg with a pinch of smoked salt.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 1
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 large carrots cut into ½ inch chunks
    • 2 large parsnips cut into ½ inch chunks
    • 3 cups cubed celery root
    • 1 tbsp grapeseed or avocado oil
    • 4 large eggs
    • 3 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tbsp grainy mustard
    • 1 garlic clove peeled and grated or very finely minced
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 8 cups frisee and/or tender salad greens torn into bite-sized pieces
    • ⅓ cup almonds preferably toasted, coarsely chopped

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 425°F and place rimmed baking sheet in oven as it heats.
    2. In large bowl, toss carrots, parsnips, and celery root with grapeseed or avocado oil and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread out on hot baking sheet and roast until vegetables are golden and tender, about 30 minutes, stirring once halfway.
    3. Meanwhile, in large saucepan, bring 3 inches of water to a simmer (the point when you see bubbles coming up to the surface, without full rolling bubbles). Into small bowl, crack an egg, then gently ease egg into simmering water. Repeat with remaining eggs, waiting until white of egg in water is opaque before adding the next egg (about 30 seconds apart). Poach until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer eggs to paper towels as they are done.
    4. In small bowl, whisk together olive oil, cider vinegar, mustard, garlic, and salt.
    5. In large bowl, toss frisee or salad greens and roasted vegetables with dressing. Divide salad among 4 plates and top each with a poached egg. Sprinkle with chopped almonds.

    Chicken Farro Salad with Chunky Blueberry Dressing

    The blueberry dressing is a wonderful counterpoint to the earthy elements of this simple yet satisfying salad. If farro is not available, other grains, including spelt berries, sorghum, or quinoa, can be used.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 2
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup farro
    • 2 tsp olive oil
    • 1 shallot peeled and chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves peeled and chopped
    • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
    • 2 tsp lemon zest
    • ½ tsp dried thyme
    • ¼ tsp dried red pepper flakes
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 8 cups baby spinach or mesclun mix
    • 1 large red bell pepper thinly sliced
    • 1 lb cooked chicken sliced
    • ½ cup chopped parsley

    Method
     

    1. In medium-sized saucepan, place farro and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, or until grains are tender. Drain well.
    2. In small saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; heat for 30 seconds. Add blueberries, 2 Tbsp water, lemon zest, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, and salt; heat for 3 minutes, or until blueberries have softened and released some of their juices. Stir in balsamic vinegar.
    3. Divide greens, farro, bell pepper, and chicken among 4 serving plates. Top with warm blueberry dressing and scatter parsley overtop.

    Broccoli Confetti Lentil Salad

    Black, pearly lentils serve as a springboard for a highly nutritious salad that seems more sophisticated than its ease of prep would suggest. French green lentils also hold their shape with cooking, so they would be an adequate substitution for black lentils.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup black lentils
    • 2 tsp grapeseed or avocado oil
    • 1 cup chopped onion
    • 2 garlic cloves peeled and chopped
    • 1 large head broccoli florets finely chopped
    • Juice of ½ lemon
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp dried red pepper flakes
    • 1 cup sliced roasted red pepper
    • ½ cup chopped dill
    • 2 tbsp capers
    • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds

    Method
     

    1. In medium-sized saucepan, place lentils, 4 cups water, and a couple pinches of salt, if desired. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, until lentils are tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Drain well.
    2. In large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion and heat until softened and beginning to darken. Stir in garlic and heat for 30 seconds. Add broccoli and heat, stirring a couple of times, for 5 minutes. Pour in 2/3 cup water; cover and heat until broccoli is bright green and liquid has absorbed, about 3 minutes. Stir in lentils, lemon juice, salt, and red pepper flakes; heat for 1 minute. Stir in roasted red pepper, dill, and capers.
    3. Serve topped with pumpkin seeds.

    By Matthew Kadley, MSc, RD

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Unlocking the Power of Ancient Nutrition

    Unlocking the Power of Ancient Nutrition

    Unlocking the Power of Ancient Nutrition

    In the quest for optimal health and wellness, many individuals are turning back the clock, seeking solutions rooted in ancient wisdom. One brand at the forefront of this movement is Ancient Nutrition, spearheaded by the renowned Dr. Josh Axe. With a focus on harnessing the power of traditional remedies and modern science, Ancient Nutrition offers a range of products designed to support holistic well-being.

    Dr. Axe, a certified doctor of natural medicine, chiropractor, and clinical nutritionist, founded Ancient Nutrition with a vision to revive ancient healing traditions for modern health challenges. Drawing inspiration from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and other time-tested practices, Dr. Axe and his team have developed a comprehensive line of supplements, superfoods, and protein powders.

    One of the key principles driving Ancient Nutrition is the belief in the importance of quality ingredients. Their products are crafted using only the finest, ethically sourced ingredients, free from artificial additives, fillers, and GMOs. Whether it’s bone broth protein, collagen peptides, or herbal blends, each formulation is carefully curated to deliver maximum potency. By demystifying ancient healing practices and providing evidence-based insights, Ancient Nutrition helps consumers make informed choices about their well-being.

    Their products offer a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern lifestyles, supporting our quest for vitality and longevity. And now, there’s even more reason to explore their offerings.

    For the entire month of February, Basil Bandwagon is delighted to offer Ancient Nutrition brand products at a special discount of 25% off. This exclusive promotion provides an opportunity to experience the transformative power of Ancient Nutrition’s supplements and superfoods at a great value. Don’t miss this chance to nourish your body, mind, and spirit with the wisdom of the ages, brought to you by Ancient Nutrition.

  • Wondrous walks to try

    Wondrous walks to try

    Wondrous walks to try

    Discover the beauty and health benefits

    Who says that walking has to be boring? The truth is, walking can be whatever we want it to be: fun and exciting, relaxing and soul-nourishing, social, or even a great workout. For a change of pace, consider one of these creative walk ideas.

    Soundwalks

    Sometimes we focus on scenery but pay less attention to our other senses. Take a walk with natural sounds in mind. Plan a walk that features sounds such as waves or birds, and immerse yourself in your beautiful-sounding surroundings.

    Labyrinth walks

    Commonly mistaken for mazes, labyrinths don’t have dead ends. Instead, there is only one path to walk, which leads to the center and then back again. Many people find the ancient practice of labyrinth walking calming and meditative. Look online to find a labyrinth near you.

    Nordic walking

    Walking with poles originated as a summer training regimen for cross-country skiers. Now people all over the world employ Nordic walking poles to help them use more muscles and burn more calories than with regular walking. As an added bonus, the poles help stabilize walkers.

    Litter cleanup walks

    Make an already eco-friendly practice even more eco-friendly, and earn some good karma in the process by picking up litter on your neighborhood walks. (Safety first! Use protective equipment and don’t pick up anything dangerous.)

    Guided nature walks

    A wonderful way to learn more about the plants and animal species near you is a guided nature walk. Look for programs offered by your local community center, nature center, or botanical garden. You may even be able to get involved in restoration initiatives and invasive species removal.

    Walks for charity

    Don’t feel like running a 5 K for charity? No problem! Many charity walks exist across the country. Grab some friends or create a workplace team and fundraise while walking for a great cause—and having fun.

    Historical, architectural, or cultural walks

    Many of us enjoy guided historical, architectural, or cultural walks on vacations, such as when we’re exploring a new city. But what about at home? There’s a good chance you’ll learn something new and have a fantastic time on a walking tour in your city.

    Forest bathing walks

    The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (translated into English as “forest bathing”) means fully immersing oneself in the forest to reap the healing benefits of nature. It’s about being present and mindful, taking in the atmosphere of the forest, and it can be deeply restorative.

    Geocaching walks

    Geocaching is a hobby that involves using GPS coordinates to find hidden items called “geocaches.” Think of it as a treasure hunt, but with more technology.

    Walk and talk

    Bring the benefits of walking to your workplace with walking meetings! Suggest the idea to your supervisor as a fun way to boost creative problem-solving, collaboration, and healthy fun as a team.

    By Leah Payne

    Article Courtesy of Alive Magazine