Tag: wellness

  • 8 amazing health benefits of mushrooms

    8 amazing health benefits of mushrooms

    8 amazing health benefits of mushrooms

    A delicious food that is functional too

    Whether added to a salad, soup, or stir-fry, or taken in supplement form, there are a myriad of ways to add mushrooms to your diet—and why not? In addition to mushrooms’ delicious taste, their polyphenol, polysaccharide (a specialized type of carbohydrate), vitamin, and mineral contents can provide you with a bounty of health benefits.

    1. Boost immune system

    Research has shown that mushrooms help to stimulate the activity of microphages—white blood cells within the immune system—to help fight off foreign bodies more effectively. At the same time, anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms can work to enhance the immune system’s overall efficiency.

    2. Fight inflammation

    Rich in antioxidants, mushrooms offer significant anti-inflammatory effects. Research indicates that eating mushrooms regularly can help reduce inflammation associated with the development of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

    3. Offer anti-cancer properties

    Polysaccharides, contained in mushrooms, have been found to induce apoptosis—cancer cell death. Further, anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms can help reduce chronic inflammation that can lead to the development of cancer.

    4. May help fight diabetes

    Mushrooms have been found to help lower blood sugar levels. Their bioactive metabolites, such as their polysaccharides and proteins, have been found to work as successful anti-hyperglycemic agents in diabetes treatment studies. Still, more research is needed to discern how mushrooms may be effectively used in the fight against diabetes.

    5. Support gut health

    Mushrooms can help support your gut health in two ways. First, they provide your body with prebiotics—nutrients that act as food for the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Second, mushrooms, such as cremini mushrooms, provide your system with helpful bacteria that can help populate your gut to improve your digestion and immune responses.

    6. Offer antifungal and antibacterial effects

    Mushrooms possess both antibacterial and antifungal compounds that help them survive, making them a natural source of antibiotics and antifungals that can be utilized by humans. Some mushrooms have been found to offer compounds with considerable activity against bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.

    7. Protect the liver

    Some mushroom extracts have been found to provide liver-protecting properties. Study findings suggest that eating mushrooms on a regular basis can alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These findings are believed to be linked to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of mushrooms.

    8. Reduce allergies

    While mushrooms have been found to stimulate the immune system in certain circumstances, they have also been found to help suppress immune response in other instances—making them potentially beneficial in the battle against allergies. Beta-glucans, which are contained in mushrooms, have been found to help reduce the severity of symptoms in those with ragweed allergies by 52 percent when taken as a supplement.

    Article courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Beauty fruits

    Beauty fruits

    Beauty fruits

    Fruit recipes to get the glow

    Bountiful, beautiful, and bursting with flavor, these fruit-filled recipes deliver your body what it wants without sacrificing great taste. Incorporating fruit into meals with a variety of colors, textures, and flavors keeps you feeling satisfied so you can focus on enjoying every bite. How sweet is that?

    Berry and Rhubarb Granola Crisp

    A one-dish solution to busy mornings, it’s fruit and granola in a single delicious bake.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 8
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Topping
    • 1½ cups quick-cooking rolled oats
    • 1 cup blanched whole almonds
    • ⅓ cup lightly packed brown sugar or coconut sugar
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 7 tablespoons coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted
    Fruit filling
    • 3 cups fresh or frozen sliced strawberries
    • 2 cups fresh rhubarb, sliced into 1/2 in pieces
    • ⅓ cup maple syrup
    • 3 tablespoons orange juice
    • 3 tablespoons arrowroot starch

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. For Topping: To blender or food processor, add all topping ingredients except coconut oil and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Pulse in coconut oil until combined; the mixture will stick together when pressed between two fingers.
    3. For Filling: In large bowl, mix to fully combine all filling ingredients. Tip into 8 x 8 in baking dish or 9 to 10 in round baking dish, spreading fruit evenly. Distribute topping loosely over fruit.
    4. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until rhubarb is tender when pierced with knife, and filling is bubbling around edges. Cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
    5. Enjoy!

    Grapefruit and Fennel Salad with Chicken and Avocado

    A riot of textures and flavors, this salad offers something new in every bite.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Dressing
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    Salad
    • 4 cups baby arugula
    • 1 Small bulb fennel, cored and shaved or thinly sliced
    • ½ Head radicchio, cored and torn into medium pieces
    • 2 cups cooked chicken breasts or thighs, shredded
    • 1 Ripe avocado, flesh cut into cubes and scooped out
    • 1 Large grapefruit or navel orange, peeled and segmented or sliced
    • ¼ Red onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

    Method
     

    1. In medium glass jar, shake to emulsify all dressing ingredients.
    2. In large bowl, toss together arugula, fennel, and radicchio with two-thirds of dressing. Transfer to platter or divide among 4 shallow bowls. Top arugula mixture evenly with chicken, avocado, grapefruit, and red onion, and then drizzle over remaining dressing. Sprinkle each serving with sunflower seeds and dill, and serve immediately.
    3. Enjoy!

    Whipped Yogurt with Lime and Fruit

    Lime, vanilla, and soothing honey turn Greek yogurt into a special occasion-worthy dessert.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 4
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (at least 2% milk fat, without thickeners or gums), cold
    • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream (at last 35% milk fat) or chilled coconut cream, cold
    • 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, plus more for serving
    • ½ teaspoon lime zest, plus more for serving
    • 2 teaspoons lime juice
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
    • Pinch of salt
    • 2 cups fresh fruit such as diced kiwi and mango, blueberries, and cherries, cold

    Method
     

    1. To stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, add yogurt, cream, honey or syrup, lime zest, lime juice, vanilla, and salt. Begin whisking on low to incorporate ingredients, then slowly turn the speed up to high and whip until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Cover and chill completely for 2 hours or up to 1 day, or serve right away (it will not be as thick if you skip the chilling).
    2. To serve, spoon and swoop whipped yogurt into small bowls and top with fruit. Drizzle with additional honey and top with an extra sprinkle of lime zest. Serve immediately.
    3. Enjoy!

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine

  • Find fitness joy

    Find fitness joy

    Find fitness joy

    You don’t need to choose function over fun

    By round of applause, who’s excited about their daily (or intended daily) workout? Crickets? But do you get excited about beach volleyball, pickleball, dancing, hiking …? Hobbies can be fun and physical!

    Fitness-life balance

    The buzzwords in today’s workplace include “work-life balance.” The phrase refers to the need for workers to have enough personal time outside of work so they are effective, engaged, and motivated workers while at work.

    The same balance is necessary for your workouts to be effective, when considering fitness and your life. In fact, the stakes are perhaps higher when it comes to your workout and fitness choices, because unfocused and disinterested workouts can result in injury.

    Find strength in sport and health in hobby

    It’s a commonly asked question: “What is the best exercise to keep you heathy?”

    Well, what do you think the answer is? CrossFit? Barre class? Yoga? High-intensity interval training? Low-impact steady-state training? The real answer is simple: the best exercise to keep you healthy is the exercise that you’ll actually do!

    There is a well-established and commonly understood connection between exercise and positive mental health. Less studied and understood is the significant positive correlation between positive mental health and exercise adherence. But, sure enough, it works both ways!

    This means that just as some people can spiral downward into negative mental and physical health, they can also lift themselves upward toward positive mental and physical health! The key is to find an activity that you enjoy doing and that still gives you bang for your buck.

    Healthiest hobbies

    Here’s a taste of some fun activities, caloric expenditure, and physical benefits (which, as we know, also carry mental health benefits).

    Gardening

    Gripping, bending, walking, lifting, stretching: gardening has it all, not to mention the mental benefits of taking care of plants, the mental exercise of planning over space and time, vitamin D, and fresh air. And you can burn a similar number of calories as you would at a fitness facility—“… there is a gym outside many a window,” as Sir Richard Thompson, past president of the Royal College of Physicians in London, UK, once said.

    Golf

    Depending on your sex, whether you walk or ride a golf cart, and how many holes you play (not to mention how many balls you have to go looking for), you can burn between 531 and 2,467 calories, on average, per 18 holes. Include hand-eye coordination, core strengthening, and “one-with-nature” benefits, and you’ve got one heck of a healthy hobby!

    Pickleball

    The average 65-year-old burns about 350 calories per 60-minute doubles match. Not only that, but cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, and hand-eye coordination are all challenged in this most enjoyable tennis adaptation.

  • 5 steps to setting the best resolutions ever

    5 steps to setting the best resolutions ever

    5 steps to setting the best resolutions ever

    Find your way in 2023

    Many of us are wary about making New Year’s resolutions for fear that we may experience failure. But here’s an approach to change that involves designing your own path forward—one that puts your own dreams first.

    What do you want?

    From a young age, many of us got into the habit of doing what’s expected of us rather than following our own dreams. Getting an education, getting a marriage partner—even making resolutions—are things that we’re told we should do.

    No wonder we may occasionally feel like we don’t fit in or that we’re failing miserably at things that everyone else seems to do easily. You may be surprised how much easier your path becomes when it’s one you design yourself.

    1. Take time for self-reflection

    On a day when you’re feeling reasonably relaxed, find a time and place where you won’t be disturbed—even if that means hiding in the car or the bathroom.

    Take some deep breaths to release tension and clear your mind. Ask yourself what you want and simply notice what comes to you. You might get words, or a picture in your mind, or a feeling. Write down (or type) what comes to you with as much detail as possible.

    Build a home gym? Fabulous. Move across the country? Write it down. Start a business? Of course. Don’t let the critical voice in your head start debating you and telling you why you can’t do it.

    2. Set clear goals

    Vague goals, like taking better care of your health, provide very hazy guideposts, whereas the commitment to exercising twice a week or eating five servings of vegetables a day are clear, specific, and measurable.

    3. Set short-term and long-term goals

    If goalposts are too far away, people are more likely to procrastinate or avoid sticking to the plan, because they knew they had lots of future time to get things done.

    If there are too many strict short-term deadlines, however, a resolution-maker could feel like a failure for missing a mini-goal and throw in the towel. Creating stepping-stones toward the big goal makes room for set-backs while still moving forward.

    4. Set approach-oriented goals

    It seems that people who create approach-oriented goals are more successful than those who have avoidance-oriented goals.

    Approach-oriented goals energize emotions and behavior toward something you want (achieving good grades so that you can enjoy feeling competent).

    Avoidance-oriented goals , on the other hand, are those in which you move away from something you don’t want or you perceive as a punishment, threat, or risk to health (you make the decision to reduce your sugar intake, so you don’t have a heart attack).

    5. Find reliable support systems

    Rather than focusing blame on people who don’t give you what you need (and shifting energy from your goal), find a person or group who can be your cheer squad.

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine

  • It’s Time for Digestive Enzymes!

    It’s Time for Digestive Enzymes!

    It’s Time for Digestive Enzymes!

    Do you experience the following after eating?

    1. Digestive distress

    2. Reduced energy

    3. Irregularity

    Well you’re not alone. Nearly 1 in 3 people in the U.S experience some kind of digestive problem.* And Enzymedica’s digestive enzymes can help!

    What are digestive enzymes?

    Enzymes are the super-efficient worker bees of your digestive system. They facilitate the chemical breakdown of foods, so that your body can send its nutrients off to cells to be converted into usable energy. Different enzymes work on different types of foods, and sometimes your body needs a little extra support making them depending on your diet.

    Take the quiz below to find out which enzyme is right for you!

    (You may need to refresh the webpage for the quiz to pop-up)

    Take the Digest 360 Quiz

    November 2022 SALE – All Enzymedica products are 25% OFF! Sale ends November 30, 2022.

    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

    Resources:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CkQ8BYJJ1XG/

    https://enzymedica.com/blogs/ingredient-science/enzymes-vs-probiotics

    https://enzymedica.com/blogs/digest-this/what-are-digestive-enzymes-and-what-do-they-do

    https://enzymedica.com/collections/all?limit=60

  • Power Your Immune System with MegaFood

    Power Your Immune System with MegaFood

    Power Your Immune System with MegaFood

    Looking to power your immune system? Look no further than Immune Defense by MegaFood 🎉 Loaded with Vitamin C, Zinc & Black Elderberry, and herbs like Echinacea and Andrographis – your immune system will be locked and loaded, ready to go! Go ahead and show your immune system some love ❤️

    Immune Defense

    Starting to feel a cold coming on? Take two tablets three times per day for five days to get that immune boost you need!

    AND it checks ALL of the boxes:

    ✔️Powered by Elderberry
    ✔️Made with real food and added nutrients
    ✔️Non-GMO Project Verified
    ✔️Glyphosate residue free certified
    ✔️Gluten free
    ✔️Dairy & Soy free
    ✔️Vegan

    CLICK HERE to order online!

    Blood Builder Liquid Iron

    Did you know their Blood Builder Liquid Iron is clinically shown to:

    ✔️ support overall immune health*
    ✔️ increase iron levels and reduce fatigue*
    ✔️ help maintain healthy red blood cell production*
    ✔️ support optimal iron absorption*

    CLICK HERE to order online!

    OCTOBER 2022 BOGO – With the purchase of ANY MegaFood product, you’ll receive a FREE Blood Builder Liquid Iron supplement!*

    *While supplies last. Promotion ends 10/31/2022.

    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

    Resources:

    https://megafood.com/blogs/all/blog-product-edu-acute-defense-immune-system-boost-html?q=acute%20defense

    https://megafood.com/products/blood-builder-liquid-iron-once-daily?_pos=3&_sid=254ff4a57&_ss=r

    https://megafood.com/products/immune-defense?_pos=1&_sid=db72b83f8&_ss=r

    https://megafood.com/blogs/all/blog-product-edu-lets-talk-immune-health-html

    https://megafood.com/blogs/all/blog-elderberry-winter-immune-herb-html

    https://megafood.com/blogs/all/the-health-problems-caused-by-low-iron

  • How to maintain muscle and bone health

    How to maintain muscle and bone health

    How to maintain muscle and bone health

    Let’s be proactive

    It’s a natural part of the aging process: degradation and loss of our cartilage, bone density, and muscle strength. So, what can be done throughout those intervening years? How can we manage joint pain and bone and muscle loss before they become unbearable? Read on.

    A lifetime of wear and tear

    Dr. Pascal-André Vendittoli is an orthopedic surgeon with a sub-specialty in hip and knee replacement. He says that past the age of 40, we lose about 1 percent of our bone density annually. He adds that for many people, the degradation can be more severe.

    “We know that in the general population there are about 15 percent of people who will really suffer from wear and tear on their knees and hips throughout their life. They will need to receive treatments to try to improve their condition. This can be a medical treatment, or a surgical treatment to replace the joint with a prosthetic,” says Vendittoli.

    Vendittoli emphasizes that surgery is a last resort, to be considered only once the chronic discomfort and lack of function interferes with daily tasks such as walking, standing, or being able to perform your job.

    Managing joint pain and bone and muscle loss

    Manage stress

    Naturopathic doctor Amanda Capasso says that one of the most important steps in managing bone loss is managing stress. This will reduce your body’s natural hormonal reaction to anxiety and worry, which can be damaging.

    “Having long, chronic elevated cortisol is not great for bone health. It creates a lot of inflammation, and it just changes … your bones, how much calcium they release back into your bloodstream, and how much they take out.”

    Capasso says that stress reduction can be as simple as reorganizing your priorities and giving yourself a little bit more time for a walk, or yoga, or meditating.

    She says that your stress reduction should not be an additional burden to your already busy life. “Some people are going to hate meditating, and some people are going to hate yoga … So it’s just individualizing care and finding what works for them. For a lot of people … it’s just taking a bath or going to get your nails done.”

    Consider your diet

    Diet also plays a big role in bone and muscle health. Capasso has seen a lot of success with patients who have switched to the Mediterranean diet—reducing red meat and adding more vegetables, oils, and fish.

    Exercise

    Both professionals agree that there is no substitute for regular exercise. Vendittoli says, “When it comes to hips and knees, you cannot stop moving. Quite the opposite … It could become a vicious circle. When you have pain from wear and tear in your joints and you stop moving, it becomes worse and worse.”

    If you are experiencing joint or muscle pain, Vendittoli suggests switching to a less impactful activity such as walking instead of running, or swimming instead of tennis.

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine

  • Seasonal changes are coming… LifeSeasons is here to help!

    Seasonal changes are coming… LifeSeasons is here to help!

    Do you ever feel like when the seasons change, you change slightly, too? First of all, that’s totally normal! But you can help yourself feel more like yourself again. Check out a few of our favorite LifeSeasons products to help you get back to feeling like yourself again.

    Anxie-T

    A better you starts with a better mood – staying cool, calm, and collected should be a part of your routine. A massage, facial, and Anxie-T is a great way to start your self care stress relief – and all it takes is 30 minutes!

    Breathe-X

    With cooler outdoor temperatures, means warmer indoor temperatures. This can cause some stress on your sinuses and respiratory tract. Breathe-X helps manage that healthy tissue and promotes normal immune function. Keep those germs out and good vibes in!

    Inflamma-X

    Maybe you’re feeling a little sore and achey? Inflamma-X helps soothe discomfort and inflammation from everyday aches and pains. Made with Meriva® Turmeric, your body can absorb the all of the healthy benefits of turmeric without the harsher effects some people feel from black pepper.

    Digestivi-T

    The holidays are coming and you know what that means – the holiday bloat is upon us! Digestivi-T focuses on balancing your gut microbiome and helps ease digestion. So you can enjoy your pie and not worry about unbuttoning your pants to make room for your food-baby afterwards.

    All LifeSeasons supplements are 25% OFF all month long!

    Resources:

    https://lifeseasons.com/product/inflamma-x-intestinal-anti-inflammation-supplement/

    https://lifeseasons.com/product/anxie-t/

    https://lifeseasons.com/product/breathe-x/

    https://lifeseasons.com/product/digestivi-t-digestive-enzymes-probiotic-supplement/

    https://www.instagram.com/lifeseasons/

  • 7 health benefits of echinacea

    7 health benefits of echinacea

    7 health benefits of echinacea

    There’s more to this herb than meets the eye

    Echinacea isn’t just a pretty purple flower. It has some impressive healing properties. You may already know it helps the common cold—more on that below—but there are a lot of other health benefits of echinacea.

    1. Shortens the common cold

    A lot of people turn to echinacea at the start of a cold and with good reason. Research shows that echinacea possesses chemicals that may help increase the number of white blood cells in your body. White blood cells support your body while you fight off infections. Echinacea is a great immune-boosting supplement to keep on hand when you start to feel under the weather.

    2. Reduces inflammation

    Chronic inflammation may lead to illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. In one small study, participants who were non-responsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs experienced reduced pain and anti-inflammatory results using a ginger and echinacea extract.

    3. Helps to reduce respiratory illness after travel

    When we fly, we encounter countless people and their microbes. However, echinacea may act as a defense against the germs we encounter when we travel. In one study, participants were asked to take either echinacea or placebo tablets before and during air travel. The echinacea group reported that they had lower respiratory symptoms compared to the placebo group.

    4. Boosts antioxidants

    When antioxidants are introduced to the body, they can delay or stop the damage from oxidative stress. Certain species of echinacea contain high levels of cichoric acid, which is a powerful antioxidant. By taking echinacea, the boost in free-radical fighting antioxidants may decrease the damage caused by oxidative stress.

    5. Protects against cancer

    In one study, researchers discovered the cichoric acid from Echinacea purpurea extract decreased colon cancer cell activity and eliminated some cancer cells. In another study, echinacea extract caused the death of lung cancer cells. Researchers need to conduct more research on these effects.

    6. Reduces the need for antibiotics

    Bacterial infections linked to ear infections, pneumonia, and sinus infections may require antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are used too frequently, it can lead to antimicrobial resistance and wipe out the “good” bacteria in our bodies. In a search to discover alternative treatments, scientists administered echinacea or vitamin C to a group of children. The children given echinacea were less likely to have respiratory illnesses that could develop into bacterial infections thus reducing the need for antibiotics.

    7. Relieves sore throats

    Although sore throats are often thought to be associated with strep throat, most are caused by viral infections. With a virus, you must wait for it to run its course and find symptom relief in the meantime. As a natural treatment option, echinacea has proven to be effective in relieving the symptoms of sore throats.

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine

  • 8 tricks for staying focused

    8 tricks for staying focused

    8 tricks for staying focused

    Squash that brain fog

    We’ve all had trouble focusing before. It’s natural for our minds to wander now and then, but it can be frustrating when it happens often. Take a few minutes to find out how you can stay focused and defeat that brain fog.

    1. Get more sleep

    When we don’t get enough sleep, we can’t concentrate, our thought process slows, and our memory is impaired. It’s recommended we get about seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t dedicate enough time to sleep, but it’s something we should all prioritize.

    2. Exercise

    Another step you can take to improve focus and concentration is to exercise. One study showed that participants increased the size of their hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning, after aerobic exercise.

    3. Meditate

    There are many great reasons to meditate, including improving focus and concentration. Researchers say our mind wanders about half of the time, which makes it hard to concentrate on just about anything. Meditation can help us reset and bring our attention back to the task at hand.

    4. Play cognitive training games

    A decade-long study tracked participants as they performed cognitive training exercises. Those participants who participated in cognitive interventions either maintained their level of cognitive function or experienced improvement in brain function. Examples of cognitive training activities that may train your mind to focus are completing crossword puzzles and playing video games.

    5. Spend time in nature

    When we spend time outside in nature our anxiety levels decrease, our immune systems get a boost, and our focus improves. Researchers asked study participants to spend 50 minutes walking in either an urban or natural environment. Those individuals who spent time in nature had better cognitive function than those in the urban setting.

    6. Add some caffeine to your diet

    Caffeine can block adenosine receptors, which results in the release of several neurotransmitters responsible for healthy cognitive function. One of those neurotransmitters, dopamine, helps the brain focus. In moderation, caffeine can help you focus and increase your concentration.

    7. Have breakfast every morning

    While we often associate blood sugar levels with diabetic patients, low glucose levels can affect just about anyone. Keeping blood sugar levels up is also key to optimal brain function and will help you to maintain your focus. Eating full meals and snacks can help, especially after fasting all night while you sleep.

    8. Eat a brain-boosting diet

    Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish, nuts, and supplements. They play a crucial role in the body by fighting off heart disease, joint pain, and even depression, though more research is needed. Omega-3s can also help you focus. In a study performed with healthy adults, omega-3 supplements improved cognitive performance compared to the placebo group.

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine