artsoccupychi - Tumblr blog

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Natural Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely common, especially among women. In fact, if you are a woman, you are 8 times more likely than your male counterpart to get this type of infection.

Fortunately, there are several natural treatments for UTIs–treatments that leave you healthy and without the many side effects that can occur with the mainstream treatment of antibiotics.

In this post:

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection

Antibiotics as the Treatment of Choice

The Alternative: Natural Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections

Food as Medicine for Urinary Tract Infections

Prevention is the Best Medicine for UTIs

First, let’s take a look at what one of these infections feels like.

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection

The symptoms associated with urinary tract infections are usually unmistakable—from pain or pressure in the lower back or stomach, to feeling a constant need to urinate with little results, to a strong smell and cloudy, discolored urine.

In some cases, the associated symptoms may be so subtle that they are barely noticeable. This type of infection is known as a “silent UTI” and, if left untreated, can spread to the kidneys and bloodstream. The symptoms associated with this type of urinary tract infection include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and confusion.

UTIs can be super painful, and in some cases, require visits to the hospital.

Up to 80% of women will get at least one UTI in their lifetime, with 20-30% of these women suffering from recurrent bouts. 1

Antibiotics as the Treatment of Choice

Typically, many UTI sufferers feel symptoms coming on and run to the doctor for a prescription of antibiotics. In fact, over 8 million people a year do just that.

While this form of treatment may kill the bacteria (typically E. coli) that has caused the infection, it comes along with a host of side effects that can cause long-term diseases—much worse than the imbalance they were trying to cure in the first place!

These side effects range from headaches or nerve damage to altering the gut’s microbes which then leads to systemic Candida infections and leaky gut—a syndrome that may ultimately result in an autoimmune disorder.

Studies show that children treated with antibiotics are also at a greater risk for developing several diseases, like diabetes, asthma, allergies, and other autoimmune disorders as they age. In 2010, the 74.5 million prescriptions for children averaged to one prescription of antibiotics for every child in the U.S.! 2

According to a report in BMC Medicine, broad-spectrum antibiotic prescriptions doubled from 2000 to 2010. Even worse? Studies have shown that 50% of outpatient antibiotics prescribed are unnecessary.3

And the more we use antibiotics, the more the ever-present bacteria adjust to the onslaught and either alter their makeup in order to become impenetrable or take the offense and attack and kill the antibiotic before it kills them. An example of this adjustment is MRSA or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium now known as a “super bug” due to its resistance to antibiotics. It causes mild infections on the skin to serious infections in wounds, lungs, and the urinary tract.

There are a lot of bacteria out there that are resistant to antibiotics.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria one of the three greatest threats to human health.2

[Related: What To Do When You’ve Taken Antibiotics]

The Alternative: Natural Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections

Fortunately, there are natural treatments that have been shown to successfully treat UTIs, with studies to back their use. Each of them are good preventatives, as well:

1. Garlic. This powerful plant, which is closely related to the onion, was revered by Egyptians who used it to cure over 22 illnesses from loss of energy to heart disease and tumors.4 The father of western medicine, Hippocrates, used it to treat cancer, pneumonia, and other infections. It is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal and has been shown to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA.5

Researchers at the Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences in India determined that “even crude extracts of garlic showed good activity against multidrug resistant strains where antibiotic therapy had limited or no effect.” Over 80% of antibiotic resistant bacteria were susceptible to an extract of garlic.

2. Cranberries. Many turn to cranberry juice at the first signs of a UTI. While they may not know the properties or chemical compositions of this berry, they do know that their symptoms are alleviated after drinking several glasses of this juice.

Cranberry works by inhibiting the bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract, reducing the bacteria’s ability to grow and multiply.

Studies show that cranberries can prevent E. coli’s ability to grow and multiply, and that it can work in as little as 8 hours after drinking juice from this berry.7 Keep in mind that you do not want to drink commercial cranberry juice that is loaded with sugar and high fructose corn syrup–make sure what you’re buying is 100% cranberry juice, and organic if possible.

3. Vitamin C. Linus Pauling, a biochemist and educator, first touted the benefits of vitamin C in the 1960s, claiming it to be a cure for heart disease, cancer, and infections. While many in the medical communities branded him a quack, studies conducted after Pauling’s death have validated his theories.

Oranges have the most vitamin C out of all of the citrus fruits.

A study conducted at the University of Colima in Mexico found that taking just 100 mg of a naturally-occurring form of vitamin C every day played an important role in reducing the number of urinary tract infections.8

4. Probiotics. The presence of “good” bacteria in the gut is crucial to controlling the overgrowth of pathogenic or “bad” bacteria. Unfortunately, antibiotics do not differentiate between the two and destroy both harmful bacteria and the normal, beneficial bacterial flora.

This “good” bacteria is responsible for helping us digest our food, creates neurotransmitters and vitamins, supports our immune system, and repels pathogens. Probiotics, meaning “for life,” contain live strains of good bacteria that helps us maintain balanced intestinal microflora.

But what do probiotics have to do with UTIs? By establishing healthy gut flora, you prevent the growth of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, restore a balanced microbial flora, and support the body’s immune system, helping it to establish an effective immune response against the pathogenic bacteria that is contributing to the UTI.9

There are many probiotic supplements available. Be sure to choose a high-quality probiotic with at least 15 strains, and one that contains prebiotics (a soluble fiber which probiotics feed upon).

I believe the best way to establish your body’s healthy intestinal flora is to include fermented foods in your diet. These types of foods include kefir, Rejuvelac, sauerkraut, beet kvass, and kimchi. I am such a proponent of these foods that I place their importance and impact on our health right up there with drinking your daily green smoothies!

5. D-Mannose. D-Mannose is a naturally-occurring sugar and the active ingredient in cranberry juice. It works by sticking to E. coli, removing it from the walls of the bladder and urinary tract, and allowing it to be rinsed away with normal urination.

One study separated over 300 women into 3 separate groups. One group received 2 grams of D-mannose, the other received 50 mg of an antibiotic, while the third received no treatment. Fifteen women in the group that received D-mannose had recurring UTIs over a six-month period–the lowest recurring rate of UTIs in the study.10

While I advocate eating (and drinking) whole foods to support health, instead of supplements derived from food, helping your body direct an attack on invading bacteria by taking a potent supplement to rid yourself of the invader is an important step in creating a healthy body. But remember that a whole foods diet will promote your health on a long-term, daily basis.

6. Oregano Oil. Oregano is a hardy perennial herb and a member of the mint family. The oil is derived from its leaves and flowers and has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties and is loaded with antioxidants. It is commonly put in capsules and used to treat nail fungus, thrush, sinus infections, yeast infections and, yes, you guessed it, UTIs.

A study aimed at investigating the antibacterial properties of oregano essential oil against E. coli found that it was effective in treating these bacterial infections.11

Taking this oil internally is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, children, or those who are allergic to plants in the Lamiaceae family which includes mint, lavender, sage and basil.

Food as Medicine for Urinary Tract Infections

Of course, I’m all about whole foods and a proponent of the philosophy that food really is our best medicine when it comes to UTIs or other ailments. And science backs me up.

A team of researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine found a protein called siderocalin in the urine of people with UTIs. Siderocalin can help stop the E.coli bacterial growth that typically causes UTIs, but only if the urine it’s in has a pH higher than normal (which means it is less acidic, and closer to neutral or the pH of water).12

The nutrients that they found the most effective in raising pH toward more alkaline levels were polyphenols, and the best way to get these antioxidants into your diet is by increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables. Blueberries, elderberries, strawberries, raspberries and flaxseed are particularly rich in polyphenols.

Foods to avoid include refined carbohydrates and sugar, which acidify your urine and don’t activate the body’s defensive siderocalin proteins.

Prevention is the Best Medicine for UTIs

As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” There are a few habits you can begin implementing in your life that will help prevent urinary tract infections. These habits include the following:

Drink water! Preferably, alkaline water. Not only will you keep your body hydrated, you will flush out toxins, including bacteria. Keeping your body alkaline and increasing urine pH increases the activity of siderocalin which inhibits bacterial growth. Drink at least 2 liters per day and add a touch of fresh lemon juice which also alkalizes your urine

Eat a diet that promotes an alkaline internal environment—this means a whole foods diet rich in fruits and vegetables. And don’t forget your fermented foods!

Be sure to urinate after sex. This precaution helps flush out any bacteria that may have entered your urinary tract.

Avoid using spermicides which can increase irritation and have been linked to bacterial growth. One study found a high correlation between UTIs and the use of a diaphragm with spermicide.13

If you do take a dose of antibiotics, be sure to reseed your gut with healthy bacteria by taking a high-quality probiotic and eating fermented foods.

E. coli likes moist, warm environments. This means that those who are prone to UTIs will benefit from wearing loose cotton clothing. Cotton, as compared to nylon, is a natural fabric that allows for airflow.

Avoid feminine products that contain chemicals and synthetic ingredients such as those found in powders, sprays and douches. Natural is always better.

[Related: Toxic Cosmetic Ingredients To Avoid]

A Quick Recap

Urinary tract infections, usually caused by E. coli, are one of the most common bacterial infections, accounting for more than 8 million patient visits to physicians each year in the U.S.

While antibiotics are the usual UTI treatment of choice among these practitioners, natural treatments are available. Not only are these alternatives successful in curing UTIs, they also do not come with the side effects associated with antibiotics. A few of these therapies include:

Garlic

Cranberries

Vitamin C

Probiotics

D-Mannose

Oregano Oil

As prevention is the best medicine, I recommend daily habits like drinking two ounces of alkaline water for every pound of body weight, eating a whole foods diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods, and wearing loose clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton.

Other articles related to knocking out infection:

7 Natural Immune-Boosters and Viral Killers

Before You Give Your Child Antibiotics, Antacids, or ADD Meds: What A Holistic Pediatrician Wants You To Know

Oral Surgery With Natural Antibiotics (Narcotic- And Steroid-Free)

Mum’s Magic Antiviral Hot LemonAid Tonic

Home Remedy For Colds: 5 Soothing, Healthy Drink Recipes

Robyn Openshaw, MSW, is the bestselling author of The Green Smoothies Diet, 12 Steps to Whole Foods, and 2017’s #1 Amazon Bestseller and USA Today Bestseller, Vibe. Learn more about how to make the journey painless, from the nutrient-scarce Standard American Diet, to a whole-foods diet, in her free video masterclass 12 Steps to Whole Foods.

Resources

Urinary Tract Infections Send Millions of People to the Doctor Each Year. The Washington Post. 11/2013. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/urinary-tract-infections-send-millions-of-people-to-the-doctor-each-year/2013/11/11/185c4748-c944-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_story.html?utm_term=.74c8b43160b4

Vangay, Pajau. Antibiotics, Pediatric Dysbiosis, and Disease. Cell Host & Microbe. 05/2015. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(15)00164-X?_returnURL=http%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS193131281500164X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue.

Lee, Grace et al. Outpatient antibiotic prescribing in the United States: 2000 to 2010. BMC Medicine. 06/2014. https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-12-96

The Long History of Garlic. Antioxidants-for-Health-and-Longevity. http://www.antioxidants-for-health-and-longevity.com/history-of-garlic.html

Guoliang, Li et al. Fresh Garlic Extract Enhances the Antimicrobial Activities of Antibiotics on Resistant Strains in Vitro. Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology. 05/2015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4458355/

Universiti Putra Malaysia. Using Garlic to Combat Antimicrobial Resistant Urinary Tract Infections. ScienceDaily. 07/2015. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150710101332.htm

Woznicki, Katrina. Cranberry Juice Fights Urinary Tract Infections Quickly. WebMD. 08/2010. https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20100823/cranberry-juice-fights-urinary-tract-infection-quickly

Ochoa-Brust, GJ. Daily intake of 100 mg ascorbic acid as urinary tract infection prophylactic agent during pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 07/2007. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17611821

Borchert, D. et al. Prevention and treatment of urinary tract infection with probiotics: Review and research perspective. Indian Journal of Urology. 04/2008. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684288/

Kranjcec, B. et al. D-mannose powder for prophyulaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a randomized clinical trial. World Journal of Urology. 02/2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23633128

Sienkiewicz, M. et al. The antibacterial activity of oregano essential oil (Origanum heracleoticum L.) against clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Medycyna Doswiadczalna I Mikrobiologia. 04/2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23484421

Patz, Aviva. Foods That Fight UTIs. Prevention. 07/2015. https://www.prevention.com/health/a20467787/foods-fight-uti/

Hooton, TM et al. A prospective study of risk factors for symptomatic urinary tract infection in young women. New England Journal of Medicine. 08/1996. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8672152

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which allow you to support our mission without costing you extra.

[Read More ...] https://greensmoothiegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/bigstock-Women-Have-Abdominal-Pain-251756911-300x200.jpg https://greensmoothiegirl.com/natural-treatments-uti/

#infrared saunas #healthy

1 note · View note

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Blend technology and the traditional to get a better night’s sleep

March 1 ,2019 – SLEEP! I don’t know about you, but it seems the older and busier I get, the more this precious commodity eludes me.

I mentioned in one of my recent blogs that I had just been in Europe for two weeks. I have never been in another time zone for that long before, and my body certainly let me know it! The first 3-4 days I was in Italy, I struggled to get acclimated to the current time zone. I flew home from London this past Friday, and I THINK I’m just now finally getting to normal in terms of sleeping through the night. It’s been a three-week period of hoping to get four hours of uninterrupted sleep…certainly not enough in my book!

The Centers for Disease Control notes that a third of adults in the U.S. feel they don’t get enough sleep. It’s recommended that adults get at least seven hours of sleep a night. This seems to be the magic number to allow our bodies to recharge, feel rested, keep our immune system bolstered, and have the energy and mental acuity to go about the day.

With all the technology out there in this 24/7 world, it stands to reason that there might “be an app for that”. Well, as it turns out, I was watching Good Morning America this morning and voila! They had a segment on a couple of apps available to help you get that all important slumber. I have nothing invested other than to share what I heard. (I have, however, already downloaded one of these apps and intend to give it a try!)

Calm This app has a bend on bedtime stories. Being an avid reader, this piqued my interest. The stories you listen to on the app are based on cognitive behavioral therapy to encourage sleep. It’s all about the timbre of the voice you’re listening to (one of the voices you hear reading to you is Matthew McConaughey, for example), cadence, and the actual story itself. Aside from the bedtime stories, there are also breathing exercises to help you relax and ready your body for slumber, and meditation segments as well.

Sleep Cycle This was the app I downloaded already and intend to try. One of the keys to good sleep is waking up on a regular schedule daily. My body tends to have conditioned itself to do this already over the last 5-6 years. Regardless of when I do go to bed, it seems I always wake up sometime around 7 a.m. Sleep Cycle tracks the time you go to bed, the quality of your sleep, and the amount of time you spend in bed. It will give you percentages on tasks you perform that will help increase sleep quality, like drinking tea or working out, as well as tasks that will hinder sleep—drinking coffee, having a stressful day, or eating too late in the evening. This app uses the mic on your phone to listen to your breathing as you sleep. Why? Breathing rhythm when you sleep is also connected to when you’re in REM “deep” sleep. One of the things the app will do is monitor the right point around your normal target wake-up time to gently waken you during the point where you’re in light sleep vs. REM sleep. This allows your body to emerge from slumber at the best time to start your day. There are a lot of other functions on the app that are fascinating that I intend to explore.

Given that it’s well documented that hot tubbing an hour or so before your scheduled bedtime helps ready your body to relax and get ready for sleep, it stands to reason that incorporating use of the Calm app and its breathing exercises, meditation and bedtime stories after a hot tub soak might actually improve your chances of falling asleep quickly and getting to that precious REM sleep faster. It would also be interesting to head out to the hot tub for your pre-bedtime soak and use Calm’s breathing exercise and meditation functions during your soak. It would seem that doing one or both of those would help your body further reap the benefits of a soak, and really set you up for a terrific night’s sleep.

On the flip side, the Sleep Cycle app could help you track your ongoing sleep patterns, help you identify behavior you should modify or curb to get a better night’s sleep, and see how hot tubbing on one night vs. another is benefitting your body’s ability to get that all important seven hours of shut eye.

Sometimes, technology can work in our favor when it comes to our health & well-being. If you’re one of those folks who, like me, would love to capitalize on a little more of that much-needed slumber, try downloading one or both of these apps and give them a try.

Other tips for a good night’s sleep

Avoid TV and computers for an hour prior to bedtime

Eat nothing after 7 p.m.

Skip caffeine and alcohol in the hours before you hit the sack

Increase physical activity/exercise during the day

Make your bedroom a quiet dark relaxing space

Lower the temperature of your room for sleep

Have your head hit the pillow for slumber at roughly the same time each night

Consider aromatherapy made of essential oils to mist your pillow with prior to sleep. One that looks especially good to me is L’Occitane en Provence’s Aromachologie Pillow Mist

Sweet dreams!

[Read More ...] http://olympichottub.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2013-03-29-soak-yourself-to-sleep_0-300x200.jpg http://olympichottub.com/hot-tubs-sauna-blog/2019/03/blend-technology-and-the-traditional-to-get-a-better-nights-sleep/

#infrared saunas #healthy

1 note · View note

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Winter Skin Tips

During the winter months, skin can dry out, leaving you feeling itchy, blotchy and uncomfortable. Lathering on moisturizers and lip balms isn’t always effective and can even leave you feeling less hydrated than before. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite winter skin tips to keep your skin happy all winter long.

Turn on the humidifier

Dry skin is never fun and waking up with a bloody nose or lip in the morning is the worst symptom of winter. If that’s you, try purchasing a humidifier for your bedroom to keep things comfy. The humidifier will keep your skin hydrated– and it can keep you healthy throughout the winter.

Limit shower time (and keep it cool!)

We get it– there’s nothing we love more than a long hot shower full of steam when it’s frigid outside. But this winter, you might want to stay away from those hours in the shower and keep things quick and cool. Hot water dries out your skin, so try to keep the temperature as lukewarm as possible — and don’t spend too long in there.

Choose the right products

During the winter, you know you need to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. But choosing the right products is key! Our favorite hydrating ingredient is hyaluronic acid, so look for that highlighted on your moisturizer. Don’t forget the SPF this winter either! The sun is still out and you need the protection. Check out our full list for the perfect dry skin routine this winter.

Try dry brushing or other forms of manual exfoliation

Dead skin can flake off during the winter and leave your skin rough, bumpy and itchy. Exfoliation is an important way to get rid of that dry skin, but some chemical exfoliants can dry your skin out even further. That’s why we recommend a manual exfoliation technique for the winter — either a body scrub or dry brushing. Search for dry brushing spa treatments in your area here.

Choose a hydrating, soothing facial at the spa

Our favorite way to treat our skin every season is at the spa! If your skin is feeling dry and your face is revolting, choose a hydrating, soothing facial at the spa. The esthetician will work with you to create the perfect treatment for your skin type and concerns. Whether you need a soothing jelly mask or a thorough exfoliating treatment, this is the perfect way to treat your skin to whatever it needs this season. Search for facials in your area here.

How do you prevent dry skin in the winter months? Let us know in the comments below!

[Read More ...] http://blog.spaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/light-2812881_1920.jpg http://blog.spaweek.com/2019/03/01/winter-skin-tips/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Have You Heard? Can’t-Miss February Podcasts

Each Wednesday, I interview one of the world’s leading experts in holistic health.

This month, we talked about:

food as a way to change the world

reclaiming your hormone health

mental wellness

the importance of liver health in metabolism

Here’s a quick roundup of the high vibes you might have missed:

Prefer reading to listening? A link to the transcript is in the show notes for each podcast!

Change the world in 31 days

Food is power — and not just for your cells. Good nutrition can change communities, economies, and even the world.

If not for his father’s brave decision to decline the Baskin Robbins legacy, Ocean Robbins would been heir to a life paved with gold and ice cream. Instead, he founded the Food Revolution Network, where he helps people make the world a better place through the power of food.

“Thirty-one flavors of ice cream have brought a lot of smiles to a lot of people’s faces and a lot of joy. But at the end of the day, there’s more pleasure and more joy in a healthy body and a clear mind.”

-Ocean Robbins

Listen to Episode 118: The 31 Day Food Revolution to Transform Your Life and World with Ocean Robbins

Hot hormone mess? We’ve got you.

Dr. Snyder Mariza describes her previous life as “hot-mess hormone chaos.” She was putting on weight, had horrible mood swings, couldn’t sleep, felt anxious all the time, and had excruciating periods.

Sound familiar? Make today a turning point in your journey toward hormone health and happiness, and tune in to find out what Dr. Snyder wishes she’d known 10 years ago.

“One of the most unexpected solutions to self-healing is self-awareness. There were so many years I was stressed and I didn’t even realize it. I didn’t one day just wake up and not be able to lift my head up off the pillow. It took years to get there. I had to not pay attention for a long time.”

-Dr. Mariza Snyder

Listen to Episode 119: Essential Hormone Health and Happiness with Dr. Mariza Snyder

Let’s get personal about mental illness

Whether it’s depression, anxiety, an eating disorders, bipolar disorder, or ADD/ADHD, the stigma around mental illness makes it extremely difficult to get help.

That’s why today I’m opening up about my own personal struggles, alongside Dr. Christina Bjorndal, one of the leading experts in mental health. There IS hope. And healing is absolutely possible.

“I think we have come a long way from the 1950s through to the 1980s; I can tell you, when I was diagnosed, there was no conversation going on. It was something that was hushed. It was something that, if this happened in your family, this was not a public display. Whereas now, there’s definitely more support, been more conversation for sure, which is great. But I think the rates of suicide have not changed. In fact, they’ve gotten worse. So we need to shift from just talking about this, to actually, what are we doing to help people?”

Listen to Episode 120: Finding Hope and Healing in Mental Illness with Dr. Christina Bjorndal

Metabolic mythbusting

I like to call Dr. Christianson the “influencer’s influencer.” You can take his advice about hormone health to the bank every time.

Today we’re talking metabolism — common myths, little-known facts, and how you can start burning fat without counting calories or getting caught up in the latest bizarre food fad. You do NOT want to miss this episode!

“There’s all kinds of ways to drop a few pounds on the scale, but if your liver is not getting healthier, you’re getting set up to have your weight come back and then some.

“The part that excites me most about this is that people have the opportunity to retire from living life as a chronic dieter. Because it’s not about bringing the scale down for a few weeks. It”s about transforming your body in ways to where it will work for you and stay naturally thin and healthy again. ”

-Dr. Alan Christianson

Listen to Episode 121: Reset Your Metabolism with Dr. Alan Christianson

Remember, you can join us every Wednesday for a new episode of Vibe with Robyn Openshaw for tips on living a high-vibration, happy and healthy life.

Make sure you don’t miss another episode! Subscribe on iTunes, I would love a rate and review if you enjoy my show–and follow us on Facebook!

[Read More ...] https://greensmoothiegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/118-robbins-300x203.jpg https://greensmoothiegirl.com/have-you-heard-february2019-podcasts/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

How To Make Creamy Smoothies Without Yogurt Or Dairy (Plus Recipes!)

Before most people get on the green smoothie train, they usually think smoothies consist of two ingredients—fruit and yogurt.

While those two ingredients can be components of a smoothie recipe, there are many other better ways to add flavor, smooth texture, variety, and nutrition to your drink, especially if you want to make it into a meal. In fact, greens and superfoods are the very best things you can throw in your blender.

In this post:

Creamy Smoothies Without Yogurt

Green Smoothie Recipes Without Yogurt

I love fruit in smoothies, but only in a minor way, as eating a lot of fruit at once can be a sugar overload. I prefer to use mostly low-sugar, whole foods ingredients as the crux of the smoothie.

As for yogurt, if you’ve been reading my website for a while, you’ll know dairy isn’t on the menu here. First, the yogurts you often find in the store are sweetened, contain carageenan and other toxic additives, and third party testing shows that few of them even have active probiotic cultures. Homemade yogurt contains gut-healthy probiotics, but the ones on grocery store shelves are not a healthy food, despite the marketing.

Yogurt has a reputation as a healthy snack, but it often has unnecessary sugar and toxic additives.

In addition, dairy is a very common allergen and irritant, leading to leaky gut, skin breakouts, mucous production, and other inflammatory responses. With 65% of the US population being lactose intolerant, it’s simply not an ingredient that makes sense to put in our smoothies (or any other meal).

[Related: Don’t Get Your Calcium From Milk]

So how do you get the creaminess of a yogurt-based smoothie without the yogurt?

Creamy Smoothies Without Yogurt

1. Add a banana to your smoothie–frozen, even better!

I love adding ripe bananas to my green smoothies, not just for their natural sweetness to balance the flavor of the greens, but to add thickness and creaminess as well. You can add it in fresh, but what I often do is slice up the banana and put it on a baking sheet in the freezer, then once it’s frozen, place all of the cut pieces into a container for use in my morning smoothies.

Bananas add such creamy texture to your favorite smoothies. Try them fresh or frozen!

Freezing the banana on the pan first keeps it all from sticking together so when you’re making your morning blend, you don’t have to wrestle apart pieces of the banana, you can simply add in what you need. Frozen banana will make your smoothie even thicker, which I love, especially if I’m leaving with it in the morning, to drink later.

2. Blend in some avocado.

Avocado thickens smoothies as well, and in my experience makes them even creamier than a banana. Because it includes amazingly nutritious monounsaturated fats, and is really high in soluble fiber, avocado really makes your smoothies filling and satisfying.

Since they go brown so quickly once they’re cut, you can freeze avocados as well—but only if you’re blending them into smoothies; otherwise, you’ll lose their perfect texture. Simply pit and peel the avocado, cut into fourths, and freeze on a plate or pan separately, placing them in an airtight container when ready to store. Use a quarter to half of an avocado per serving.

3. Mix in soaked oats.

You can also achieve a similarly thick texture by blending soaked, organic rolled oats into your smoothies. Not only do oats they provide lots of fiber and minerals to help round out your breakfast, but soaking them makes them super soft and plump and ready to make your smoothie nice and creamy.

To soak the oats, add them to a bowl and cover them with water for a of couple hours or overnight, until the oats are soft, then rinse in a mesh sieve until the water runs clear. Add a half-cup to a cup of them to your smoothie for their creaminess and to amp up the volume of your recipe—they can help stretch out the amount of smoothie to make a couple of extra servings.

Make sure you use regular rolled oats, as “instant” oatmeal is highly processed, with some of the fiber gone.

4. Get friendly with the whole coconut.

I love using the whole coconut, from the meat to the oil to the milk. It’s such a great ingredient! But if we’re talking how to replace yogurt and get that same delicious creaminess, coconut meat is the way to go. It’s soft and silky and adds brain-loving nutrients to your smoothie in the morning.

If you don’t have access to coconut meat, try using canned coconut milk for your liquid; it’s thick and smooth and also contains the medium-chain triglycerides that help you burn fat1, improve brain function2, and boost metabolism3.

If you want to take it a step further, you can also use coconut kefir, which is a fermented version of coconut milk that adds healthy probiotics to your smoothie along with its creamy texture.

5. Sprinkle chia seeds into the mix

Chia seeds are a fantastic superfood to blend into your smoothies because they help make them into a full meal, thanks to their protein, fat, and fiber content.

Chia seeds are chock full of protein and omega-3s, so they’re a smart way to make your smoothie creamy and nutritious.

They’re high in essential omega-3 fatty acids, and the fiber in chia helps keep us satiated till our next meal, and contributes to a well-functioning digestive system.

Aside from their amazing health benefits, chia seeds are also highly absorbent, so they soak up moisture and help thicken your smoothie to the creamy consistency you’re looking for.

[Related: {Demo} The Only Green Smoothie Recipe You’ll Ever Need: The Green Smoothie Guide]

Green Smoothie Recipes Without Yogurt

To get you started, here are a few dairy-free smoothie recipes with these ingredients that you can whip up in a flash:

1. Creamy Sunny Berry Smoothie (from Readers’ Favorite Healthy Recipes Vol. 1)

This bright smoothie yields enough for a few servings, so you can pack them up to freeze for days ahead, or make them for the whole family in the morning. It’s got plenty of fruit, but also contains a good amount of leafy greens like spinach, collard greens, chard, and kale.

This recipe skips yogurt in favor of bananas and creamy coconut milk, both of which will thicken the smoothie and give it a milkshake-type mouthfeel. The Creamy Sunny Berry Smoothie is a great meal thanks to the addition of nuts and seeds for protein, coconut for healthy fat, and fruits and veggies for gut-healthy fiber.

INGREDIENTS

1 large handful spinach

2 kale stalks, with largest part of stalk on the end removed

1 apple or pear (fresh or frozen)

1 peach or mango (fresh or frozen)

1-2 bananas (fresh or frozen)

Several large spoonfuls frozen blueberries (or other berries)

1 cup fresh pineapple juice (or other juice)

1 cup creamy coconut milk (make it at home by blending 1 cup hot water with 1 cup dry shredded unsweetened coconut)

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

6-8 drops liquid stevia

Sesame seeds, flax seeds, almonds, etc. (as much as desired)

Combine and blend for 1-2 minutes, til smooth.

2. Great-Tasting Green Shake (from Readers’ Favorite Healthy Recipes Vol. 1)

This shake may include several ingredients, but it makes a huge amount that you’ll be able to meal prep for the week if you want to. What makes this smoothie so creamy is the whole avocado (pit and skin removed, of course). Despite the avocado’s soft texture, it’s actually quite high in fiber, so that covers two of the three bases you need to make a complete meal (fiber being your carbohydrate piece of the puzzle).

For protein, choose a protein powder that is free of preservatives and filler to ensure you’re getting a totally clean product. Our protein powders, for instance, are tested regularly before packaging to ensure that there are no heavy metals that will overload your system.

INGREDIENTS

8-inch English cucumber

1 lime, peeled

1 avocado

1 large handful baby spinach leaves

3 celery sticks

6-7 strawberries or raspberries

1 grapefruit (meat and juice only)

1 handful raisins

6-8 drops liquid stevia

1 1/2 scoops protein powder

1 tbsp almond butter

1 handful blueberries

1 tbsp extra-virgin coconut oil

5 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients and blend until creamy and smooth.

3. Chocolate Oatmeal Smoothie (from Big Book of Green Smoothies)

This smoothie is pretty simple and straightforward, using oatmeal to provide a milky quality to the final product. For an even creamier result, remember that you can soak the oats for a few hours beforehand and then blend with the rest of the ingredients.

Flax seeds also provide some thickness in this smoothie, especially if you’re meal prepping and allow it to sit overnight––they have similar absorbent qualities to chia, though not as high, but they still soak up some of the liquid to make a thicker drink.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup oatmeal

1 cup water

3 tbsp chocolate protein powder

1 large handful spinach

1 sliced apple

1 sliced banana

2 tbsp freshly-ground flax seeds or sprouted ground flax

Blend and enjoy!

4. Chocolate Goji Smoothie (from 101 Healthy Lunch Ideas)

You’ll go nuts for this coconut-based breakfast! Using both the water from a fresh, young coconut as well as its silky smooth meat, this smoothie is as creamy as they come, and has superfood qualities to boot.

Besides coconut’s health benefits, this smoothie features goji berries, cacao powder, and raspberries, which are incredibly rich in antioxidants. In fact, cacao powder is one of the most highly concentrated sources of plant-based antioxidants! I think that’s reason enough to get your chocolate fix with this morning blend.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup young Thai coconut liquid

1/2 cup young Thai coconut meat

1/4 cup goji berries (if dried, preferably soaked in the coconut liquid 30 minutes)

3 tbsp raw cacao powder

1/2 cup frozen raspberries

1/4 cup raw honey or real maple syrup

Crushed ice to achieve desired consistency

Puree all ingredients in a high-powered blender and enjoy!

5. Rita’s Favorite Green Smoothie (from Readers’ Favorite Healthy Recipes Vol. 1)

This recipe contains a quarter cup of chia seeds, which are loaded with antioxidants, protein, fat, and a TON of fiber! Just one ounce (or two tablespoons) of chia seeds contain almost half of your fiber intake for the day, so this is a great smoothie to start you on the right foot.

Chia is also the star ingredient for making this smoothie super thick, so the longer you let it sit to absorb liquid, the more it will thicken up. For even more creaminess, you can swap the hemp seeds for flax seeds, which will help absorb some of the extra liquid as well.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb spinach

1 bunch cilantro

1/2 lemon, peeled and sectioned

1/2 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned

1/2 orange, peeled and sectioned

1 cup frozen blueberries

3 frozen bananas

4 tbsp chia seeds

4 tbsp hemp seeds

4 cups filtered water

4-8 drops liquid stevia, to taste

Place chia and hemp seeds in a high-powered blender and grind to a powder, stirring if needed, and then grind again. Add water, all citrus, blueberries, and bananas, then blend again. Add all greens and blend again. Top off with water if needed for desired consistency, then blend one more time.

Check out these other popular posts about green smoothies:

9 Ways To Get Kids To Drink Healthy Green Smoothies How Many Calories Are In A Green Smoothie? Healthiest Smoothie Recipes For Each Season Of The Year 10 Easy Green Smoothies Kids Of All Ages Will Love Green Smoothies For Diabetes: Mistakes, Tips, and Recipes

Sources

Baba, N; Bracco, EF; Hashim, SA. “Enhanced thermogenesis and diminished deposition of fat in response to overfeeding with diet containing medium chain triglyceride.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1982 Apr; 35(4):678-82.

Cunnane, SC, et al. “Can ketones compensate for deteriorating brain glucose uptake during aging? Implications for the risk and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2016 Mar; 1367(1):12-20. doi: 10.1111/nyas.12999. Epub 2016 Jan 14.

St. Onge, Marie-Pierre; Jones, Peter J.H. “Physiological Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides: Potential Agents in the Prevention of Obesity.” The Journal of Nutrition. Volume 132, Issue 3, 1 March 2002, Pages 329–332, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/132.3.329

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which allow you to support our mission without costing you extra.

[Read More ...] https://greensmoothiegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/bigstock-Beautiful-Woman-Eating-Yogurt-254325376-300x200.jpg https://greensmoothiegirl.com/smoothies-without-yogurt/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Five tips to help avoid cloudy hot tub water

2018 Hot Spring Limelight Pulse Lifestyle Images

February 26, 2019 – You head out to the hot tub, weary from your long day and looking forward to that hot tub soak. You lift the cover off the hot tub and—waaaah! The water’s not looking crystal clear and ready for a soak. What to do?

There are a number of reasons that hot tub water starts to look less than stellar. Here are a few things to consider to keep your water looking perfect.

Keep your water balanced. WAY too often we talk to customers about their water care and find out they rarely test their water. Yikes! I don’t know about you, but I think we hear enough stories in the news about how much harder it is to keep disease at bay and develop antibiotics to conquer them. Why put yourself into hot tub water that’s not properly balanced?? Balanced water allows your sanitizer avoid getting destroyed by low pH, leaving it available to kill the crud we leave behind after a soak. Test strips are inexpensive and take seconds to use.

Don’t introduce extra “stuff” into the water. It’s a bore to think about showering before a soak, and often it’s unnecessary. BUT—if you’re someone who wears a lot of lotion, makeup, or hair product, all those things can not only make your water cloudy, it can also cause significant foaming in the water. At the very least, taking some of that off with makeup remover will help alleviate the chance those products could impact your water’s clarity.

Sanitize your tub’s water after every soak. Again, I’m always shocked at how many folks tell me they go out for a hot tub, soak, and then DON’T add anything to kill bacteria when they’re done! Here’s a newsflash: Every time we humans go into a hot tub for a soak, we leave “crap” in the water. You must add something after soaking to kill any bacteria/germs left behind!! This is not an option—it’s a requirement as a responsible hot tub user. Be sure you set yourself (and others!) up for safe soaking every time. Sanitize!

Regularly clean your filters. Your filters are key to the cleaning equation of your hot tub and have a significant impact on water clarity. Filters should be cleaned monthly—and not just by rinsing them with a garden hose. You need to use a filter cleaner to degrease the sleeves of the filter and make sure those sleeves are able to properly clean and filter your tub’s water. Filters should also be replaced every couple of years. Limping along with old filters that can’t keep up with cleaning your tub’s water properly is not a smart idea. Safe clean water requires good clean filters.

Regularly add clarifier. Adding a weekly dose of clarifier is an excellent way to help keep your water looking crystal clear. Clarifier works at binding up anything that can make your water cloudy and getting it captured by your filters, leaving your water sparkling. We like Natural Chemistry’s Clarifier, as it’s non-toxic and organic.

Take the necessary steps to keep your water looking terrific! That way, when you head out to the tub to take that all important soak, you’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief and say “Aaaahh!” when you step into the tub instead of “Waaaah!” when you lift the lid.

[Read More ...] http://olympichottub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/HotSpring-Limelight-2018-Pulse-AlpineWhite-CoastalGray-Lifestyle-couple-002-SMALL-300x200.jpg http://olympichottub.com/hot-tubs-sauna-blog/2019/02/five-tips-to-help-avoid-cloudy-hot-tub-water/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

When you see what’s new in 2019 on Hot Spring Spas, you’ll say “Yes, please!”

February 22, 2019 – With most of the winter weather (I hope!) behind us, it’s time to truly look forward to spring, which is just around the corner. I know many of you have had hot tub dreams for so long, and you’ll be looking at your backyard at that spot you visualize your dream hot tub to reside.

Well, 2019 is absolutely the year of Hot Spring Spas, and you should absolutely make it the year to make the investment into your health & wellness! The upgrades made to the 2019 Hot Spring Highlife Collection elevate it to a whole new level of healthy safe soaking, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness. There really is nothing else like it in hot tubs today.

Here are some of the exciting features now standard on Hot Spring Spas:

A substructure that’s eco-friendly. Say goodbye to tubs built with a wood frame and base. The wood sub structure in Highlife Collection Spas has been changed to a polymeric one made of recycled materials. No wood to ever worry about degrading over time. One of the hidden things that will increase the durability of your hot tub.

Increased energy efficiency. The new substructure also features a base pan. This is the surface that comes in contact with your yard, deck, concrete pad, etc. Engineers designed this to avoid any moisture absorption into the bottom of your tub. And, it’s been created with a honeycomb design, so the entire base doesn’t even meet the ground, reducing the transference of cold from anything your tub sits on and reducing energy usage. Innovative, durable, and smart.

The healthiest water for soaking. The exciting new FreshWater Salt System takes salt water soaking to a whole new level. This new system has easy-to-replace cartridges that require no maintenance and operation from the control panel that is very simple. There’s no reason to continue with dinosaur water care using bottled products added over and over and over. AND—with proper attention from you, water changes can be reduced to only once a year! Better for your skin, better for your health, better for the environment.

Wireless Controls. Hot Spring introduced this state-of-the-art control system five years ago on limited models. It’s now standard on all Hot Spring Highlife Collection Spas. Large display icons and temperature readings make it easy for anyone (even a sight struggling guy like me) to see it easily. The LED screen is bright and intuitive. While it nests in the front of the tub on the bartop when not in use, it can be easily handheld for operation anywhere from the tub once you’re in for a soak.

Tri-X These filters are amazing assistants for crystal clean water and further support Hot Spring’s effort to be environmentally conscious hot tub providers. Forget tossing old poly-sleeve filters every couple of years! These filters, made of a porous rigid material, last 4-5 years and clean easily in the dishwasher! With each containing 65 square feet of filtration, you have amazing cleaning capacity for safe soaking and peace of mind.

New luxe cabinet and shell color options. A design team re-imagined the cabinet styling of the Highlife Collection to perfectly complement outdoor furniture. The result is a sleek sophisticated exterior with six color options to perfectly synch with your design ideas. The shell colors perfectly align with the cabinets for a high design look not found anywhere else in the hot tub industry.

Whew! Is that enough? Actually, it’s not! Because, along with all of these amazing updates, you still have tried and true exclusives that really make Hot Spring the hot tub to own: Moto-Massage DX jets that sweep up and down your back for a full massage; 100% no-bypass filtration for ultimate safety and clean water; whisper quiet cleaning and filtration with the SilentFlo 5000 circulation pump; floor drain for easy cleaning when it’s time for a water change.

But that’s not all! There’s also a wonderful new addition to the Hot Spring Collection for 2019. The Triumph is a thoughtfully designed tub for four that has enjoyed great success for Hot Spring internationally. By offering this model in the U.S., we have a wonderful answer for those that desire two lounges in their hot tub. This tub will definitely make you feel like you’re living the Highlife!

There’s much to be excited about, and it’s absolutely the time for a Hot Spring Highlife Collection tub! As Alice, our co-founder used to say, “A house is not a home without a Hot Spring”.

Visit one of our showrooms today and find out why!

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

What You Need to Know about Heart Health and Your Risk

Heart health month is here! Each February, we partner with the American Heart Association to raise awareness about heart disease. We’re giving away a pair of Louboutins and a Motiv Ring to two lucky winners! For each entry, we’re going red and donating to the American Heart Association. Enter for a chance to win here.

Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women and there are a lot of factors that affect your risk. We’ve rounded up some of the major risk factors that you can and can’t control – and what you can do to decrease your risk for heart disease.

Risk Factors

Age: Unfortunately, age is one of those factors that we can’t do anything about, but it’s an important one. As we age, our chance at developing heart disease becomes more likely, so be aware of your risk and ask your doctor if you should consider getting a stress test.

Smoking Tobacco: One of the biggest risk factors in developing heart disease is being a smoker. Even if it’s a casual habit, stop smoking today. Another tip: avoid secondhand smoke like the plague. This is one of the largest risk factors in developing heart disease.

High Blood Pressure & High Blood Cholesterol: High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two major risk factors when it comes to having a healthy heart. If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, talk with your doctor about dietary changes you can make to lower your risk.

Obesity & Being Overweight: Being obese or overweight is another major factor when it comes to heart disease. Stick to a healthy diet and develop an exercise plan to lose weight, stay active, and decrease your risk for developing heart disease.

Stress Levels: Another big factor? Stress levels. If you work in a stressful job or have a high-stress lifestyle, try to find a way to relax and decrease stress levels: like practicing yoga, writing in a journal, or taking a hot bath.

Ways to Decrease Your Risk

Stop Smoking: If you’re a smoker, the biggest way you can decrease your risk is to quit smoking as soon as possible. Talk with your doctor about how you can quit today.

Be physically active: Exercise doesn’t have to mean committing to an intense, rigorous routine everyday. Any amount of physical activity helps your heart and lowers your risk of heart disease. Start by going on a long walk in your neighborhood a few day a week.

Enjoy a variety of nutritious, heart-healthy foods: We’ve rounded up some of our favorite heart-healthy foods here, so get cooking! Vary your diet and stick to healthy, low-calorie, heart-healthy foods.

Look after your mental health & get enough sleep: Take care of yourself! As we mentioned, stress levels can lead to an increase risk for heart disease, so take care of your mental health and make sure you’re getting enough sleep.

Get up throughout the day and don’t stay seated for too long at one time: We get it – if you work a desk job, it can be hard to keep moving and getting up throughout the day. But when you can, make sure you stand up, stretch, and go on a short walk. Sitting for too long is another risk factor for developing heart disease, so try to keep your blood flowing throughout the day.

Show us how you’re going red for heart health month! Tag us in your posts with #MySpaWeek and don’t forget to enter our 7th annual Heart Over Heels Giveaway!

[Read More ...] http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png http://blog.spaweek.com/2019/02/22/need-know-heart-health-risk/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

How to Use Coconut Oil for Wounds, Cuts, Burns, And Scabs

You probably know that coconut oil has amazing benefits – but did you know that it can actually help to heal wounds and cuts? Scientists agree that using coconut oil for wounds is an effective way to promote faster healing.

In fact, there are many research studies that have found applying coconut oil to a cut or scrape on your skin can help you heal more quickly – and it works on all sorts of skin issues, from diabetic wounds to burns to dry skin. If you remember, coconut oil even came in handy for helping my concrete-mangled face shed its scabs and get back to smooth in just three days!

I often use it as a nighttime moisturizer, and in fact, it’s helped me heal after burning off about 10 pre-cancers, and a deep cut on my lip two years ago (tennis racket to the face) that no doctor wanted to stitch up.

[Related: Top 11 Benefits of Coconut Oil, and How to Use It Every Day]

In this article:

What is Coconut Oil?

Can Coconut Oil Help Heal Wounds?

How Do You Use Coconut Oil for Wounds?

When to Use Coconut Oil for Wounds

Coconut Oil for Scars

Final Thoughts on Using Coconut Oil for Wounds

Of course, using the right kind of coconut oil in the right way is crucial for reaping the wound-healing benefits and maximizing your results. From which type of coconut oil works best to heal wounds to when, where, and how to apply it, find out everything you need to know about the powers of coconut oil to heal your skin:

WHAT IS COCONUT OIL?

You’ve probably seen jars of coconut oil at your local grocery store, but you may not know exactly what it is – or more specifically, how it’s created. Coconut oil comes from coconuts that are found on the coconut palm tree – or the Cocos nucifera. The coconuts are harvested from the tree when they’re mature, and then coconut oil is extracted from the kernel or meat.1

Coconut oil can be extracted after the coconut milk has been removed while the meat is still wet, which results in what’s called virgin coconut oil. It also can be extracted from the copra2 – or dried coconut meat – which results in more refined coconut oil. I’m a fan of using the “whole food,” or as whole as possible, for both food and for skin application, so I always buy organic, virgin oil.

Coconut oil is loaded with saturated fats, with nearly 90% of fatty acids in coconut oil being saturated fats.

Another product that’s similar to coconut oil and has been found to offer many of the same benefits for skin healing is cultured coconut extract, which is virgin coconut oil that undergoes additional bacterial fermentation.3

This may be useful in helping the skin maintain its own microbiome. (Yes, like the gut, the skin has a wide variety of beneficial bacteria that keep it healthy and young-looking and quick to heal.)

Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid and a number of other fatty acids, which research suggests have a positive effect on wound healing.4 Scientists have found that the high levels of monolaurin in coconut, which is derived from the large amounts of lauric acid, are particularly important because monolaurin has the ability to disintegrate the membranes of lipid-coated harmful bacteria. In short, monolaurin is thought to be what gives coconut oil its antibacterial and antifungal properties.5

CAN COCONUT OIL HELP HEAL WOUNDS?

When it comes to research about using coconut oil to heal open wounds on your skin, there’s no question: Using coconut oil can help cuts, scrapes, and scabs to heal more quickly. In fact, multiple research studies have found that coconut oil has a wide range of healing properties.

In animals, wounds treated with virgin coconut oil healed more quickly than untreated wounds. The coconut-oil treated wounds also showed a significant increase in pepsin-soluble collagen and increased antioxidant enzyme activities.6

Burns treated with coconut oil had significant improvements in burn wound contraction – or the body’s efforts to close up the wound – as well as a significantly decreased period of epithelialization – or new tissue growth that covers a wound to heal it.7

Coconut oil was found to be more effective than silver sulfadiazine cream at treating diabetic ulcers.8

The monolaurin in coconut oil can make it an effective antibacterial and antifungal treatment. Both bacterial and fungal infections can slow down the ability of wounds to heal.9

Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

In addition to helping heal wounds, coconut oil has been shown to have excellent skin benefits. It can help with a variety of skin conditions and offer added protection from damage caused by the sun.

Coconut oil was found to be just as safe and effective as mineral oil for treating dry skin.10

Coconut oil decreased the severity of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients.11

Coconut oil in the form of cultured coconut extract provides better barrier functions for the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect after skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation.12

Coconut oil can even help protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV radiation.13

HOW DO YOU USE COCONUT OIL FOR WOUNDS?

To harness the power of coconut oil for healing wounds, start with virgin coconut oil – which is the pure oil that’s extracted from fresh coconut meat before it’s been dried.

Most of the research involving coconut oil for wound treatment has been conducted using virgin coconut oil, and several studies have shown that, compared to refined coconut oil, virgin coconut oil has more inflammation reducing anxtioxidants and is better able to fight free radicals.14

You can find virgin coconut oil online. (My readers love to stock up on discounted buckets of the highest quality oil I’ve found, during our annual wholesale-price Group Buy on a variety of whole-foods pantry staples–so get on our newsletter list so you hear about it in October every year).

It will be whiter than refined oil and have a more coconut-y smell and taste. Just make sure it says “virgin” and “cold-pressed” on the label. This same kind of oil I use for my skin is what I use for baking or frying as well.

Wounds respond best to coconut oil when they’re treated while still fresh, so it’s smart to keep a jar of virgin coconut oil in your pantry and in your medicine cabinet. You can treat a wound using coconut oil with the following steps:

Immediately after getting a cut, wash it with running water and pat it dry.

Then, apply a generous amount of coconut oil to the cut using sterile gauze.

Cover the cut with a bandaid or sterile bandage if you prefer.

Re-apply the coconut oil to your cut several times a day, and continue to apply coconut oil to your scabs until the wound is healed.

You can treat burns using coconut oil in a similar way. When I blended some boiling turkey drippings in a blender, for a friend, to make gravy, the blender jar exploded and I ended up with one arm covered with second-degree burns. I used raw honey, wrapped it with an ace bandage, and later, coconut oil.

As soon as your skin is burned, immediately run the burn beneath cold water, which will stop the burning process.

Then, apply coconut oil to the burn using sterile gauze.

Cover the burn with a sterile bandage, and repeat the process several times a day until the burn has healed. [Note: If you have it, I prefer aloe vera or raw honey, or alternating the two, to treat the initial burn for a couple of days, then coconut oil to help speed the healing process.]

Of course, if your wound or burn is large or severe, please get professional medical attention.

[Related: 12 Proven Aloe Vera Benefits (Plus Uses & Precautions)]

WHEN TO USE COCONUT OIL FOR WOUNDS

Using coconut oil as soon as possible after you receive a cut, burn, scrape, or small open wound can provide a wide range of benefits. Along with helping you to heal more quickly, it keeps your skin moisturized and boosts collagen production, both of which may help to reduce scarring.

Because coconut oil also has anti-inflammatory effects, applying virgin coconut oil to your burn or cut may help to reduce swelling and relieve some of the pain.

COCONUT OIL FOR SCARS

While research hasn’t shown that using coconut oil for scars (or any other kind of cream for scars) will necessarily help to minimize or eliminate existing scars, some anecdotal evidence shows that coconut oil could help. Because coconut oil is moisturizing on the skin and boosts collagen production, there may be benefits if you apply coconut oil to existing scars regularly.

There is anecdotal evidence that coconut oil can help reduce the harsh appearance of scars.

Plus, treating scars with coconut oil hasn’t been shown to have any negative effects, so it’s worth trying. Most skin care products are full of chemical additives to preserve it for years.

At the very least, the moisturizing effects of coconut oil will help to keep your scar from getting dry and becoming uncomfortable.

Final Thoughts On Using Coconut Oil For Wounds

Next time you get a cut, an open wound, or a sore on your face (or any other part of your body), skip the chemical medicinal creams and head for your pantry.

By using coconut oil on your wound several times a day and continuing to apply it to scabs, you can cut down on your healing time, prevent scarring, and give your skin a little pampering – all in one fell swoop!

Read Next: Top 11 Benefits of Coconut Oil, And How To Use It Every Day

SOURCES

Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. Published 2017 Dec 27. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070

Encyclopaedia Britannica “Copra” Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/copra

Kim S., Jang J.E., Kim J., Lee Y.I., Lee D.W., Song S.Y., Lee J.H. Enhanced barrier functions and anti-inflammatory effect of cultured coconut extract on human skin. (Pt A)Food Chem. Toxicol. 2017;106:367–375. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.05.060.

McDaniel JC, Belury M, Ahijevych K, Blakely W. Omega-3 fatty acids effect on wound healing. Wound Repair Regen. 2008;16(3):337-45.

Nevin KG, Rajamohan T. “Effect of topical application of virgin coconut oil on skin components and antioxidant status during dermal wound healing in young rats.” Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2010;23(6):290-7. doi: 10.1159/000313516. Epub 2010 Jun 3.

Srivastava P, Durgaprasad S. Burn wound healing property of Cocos nucifera: An appraisal. Indian J Pharmacol. 2008;40(4):144-6.

Amro M. Soliman, et al. “Virgin coconut oil and diabetic wound healing: histopathological and biochemical analysis” Eur. J. Anat. 22 (2): 135-144 (2018)

Agero A.L., Verallo-Rowell V.M. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis. 2004;15:109–116. doi: 10.2310/6620.2004.04006.

Evangelista M.T., Abad-Casintahan F., Lopez-Villafuerte L. The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Int. J. Dermatol. 2014;53:100–108. doi: 10.1111/ijd.12339

Korac R.R., Khambholja K.M. Potential of herbs in skin protection from ultraviolet radiation. Pharmacogn. Rev. 2011;5:164–173. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.91114.

Marina AM, Man YB, Nazimah SA, Amin I. Antioxidant capacity and phenolic acids of virgin coconut oil. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2009;60 Suppl 2:114-23. doi: 10.1080/09637480802549127. Epub 2008 Dec 27.

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which allow you to support our mission without costing you extra.

[Read More ...] https://greensmoothiegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/bigstock-natural-coconut-walnut-oil-27495446-300x225.jpg https://greensmoothiegirl.com/coconut-oil-wounds/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

How Fermented Foods Save You Money & Improve Your Health

You may be hearing more and more about gut health, the microbiome, and probiotics lately. Everyone seems to be on a probiotic and eating probiotic-rich fermented foods–and while it may seem like just another fad, this trend is actually a good thing! Most of our immune system lives in the gut, so when the gut is happy, the rest of our body is happy, both mentally and physically.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial, living bacteria that promote healthy gut flora and protect you from illness. Although the word “bacteria” might not sound so beneficial, we do need these positive strains to help keep our digestive system functioning well, our energy up, our skin glowing, and our brain thriving. We can get probiotics in pill or capsule form, but ideally we want to start with whole, fermented foods that are naturally rich in probiotics before moving onto supplements.

What Is Fermentation?

Fermentation, also known as culturing, has been used historically as a way to preserve food dating back to ancient times. During the process, natural microbes or cultures essentially take over the food, feeding on its natural sugars in an anaerobic environment (meaning, without air). This type of environment is important because if it were aerobic, meaning exposed to air, there would be more susceptibility to mold, and we don’t want that! The result of anaerobic fermentation can manifest as different textures, flavors, and even carbonation.

The main idea behind fermenting food or drinks is to let them sit at room temperature for a certain amount of time to let the microbes get to work. The length of time will depend on the fermentation project, along with the temperature of your home. Fermentation happens more quickly in a warmer environment, so things might take a little longer in the winter than they do in the summer.

What Are Fermented Foods?

There are hundreds of types of fermented foods, and you might already enjoy some of them in your diet without realizing it! Here is a list of some popular probiotic foods:

Yogurt

Cheese

Miso (fermented soybean, chickpeas, or rice paste)

Tempeh (fermented soybean)

Kombucha (fermented tea)

Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage — check out my recipe here)

Kimchi (fermented cabbage)

Kefir (fermented milk or coconut water)

Rejuvelac (fermented grain water)

Pickles and other pickled vegetables

Sourdough bread

Wine and beer are the products of fermentation, too, but there aren’t any probiotics in those, so we’ll leave them out!

Should I Buy Fermented Foods or Make Them Myself?

You can find all of these fermented foods at grocery stores, but not all of them are properly fermented. To tell the difference, you’ll need to take a look at the label.

Take pickles, for example. The pickles you find at the supermarket are often sitting in brine and not properly pickled through lacto-fermentation. The brined version will simply have the taste without the extra gut-healthy benefits and probiotics.

Another product to examine closely is kombucha, which often contains lots of sugar to flavor the drink and make it palatable for grocery shoppers. If kombucha is fermented correctly and the sugars are eaten up during the fermentation process, it should be tart, not sweet! Brands typically add sugar in to the final product, but I think that defeats the purpose of drinking kombucha for your health.

Even when you can find products that are properly fermented, handling the fermentation at home is still a good idea just based on cost alone. Store-bought fermented foods are often expensive and don’t contain as many amazing benefits as homemade ferments will have. A head of cabbage will cost you a couple bucks and will give you at least two or three jars full of sauerkraut, for instance, whereas buying at the grocery store could cost you up to $30 for that many containers! Same with kombucha. The cost of enough loose tea to make a gallon brew is barely on the radar compared to purchasing a gallon of kombucha, which could run you upwards of $40.

Generally speaking, your best bet is to ferment foods in your own home (for most of the foods on this list—miso and tempeh can be difficult to do at home!). I go into this process in more detail in Chapter 8 of 12 Steps to Whole Foods. It’s a great resource if you’re looking to try fermentation for the first time or expand your knowledge.

Benefits of Fermented Food

Improved Digestive Health

Probiotics add more diversity to your gut flora and help your digestive system thrive by outnumbering any potential bad bacteria that might be in there. They also help increase your digestive enzymes, which in turn allow you to break down and digest food more easily, meaning less gas and bloating for you.

Weight Loss

Weight loss may be a naturally occurring side effect of proper digestion, if it’s something you need to lose. If we’re not moving our bowels regularly, toxins and hormones can get reabsorbed back into our systems, which can impair our ability to lose fat.

Improved Immunity

A major reason why we want to add probiotic-rich foods to our diet is because of the prevalence of antibiotics in our country. They are, of course, an amazing advancement in medicine and can be life-saving, but they’re also often overprescribed, and if you’re eating conventional meats, you can get traces of them in your diet that way as well. Antibiotics can’t specifically target illness-causing bacteria, so all of our gut bacteria gets wiped out, including the good guys. Because most of our immune system lives in our gut, it can really take a hit when going through a course of antibiotics, and probiotics offer us a way to rebuild our immune strength.

Financial Savings

As I mentioned earlier, the savings come mostly when you decide to do the fermentation yourself. It may seem like an intimidating task, but I promise you: if I can do it, anyone can.

Long-term Food Storage

Because this is a method of preservation, fermented foods can last quite a while if stored properly, which is another point for dollars saved. If you find that your food is perfectly fermented to where you want it to be, put it in the fridge to drastically slow the rate of fermentation and increase its shelf life dramatically.

***

Just remember to start small if you’re not used to these foods in your diet; otherwise it may be a little too much for your gut to handle all at once. Have a couple tablespoons at a time to build up your tolerance.

As you can see, fermented foods have some pretty great perks, and I love that you can make most of them right in your own home. All it takes is good-quality storage and a little patience! This just goes to show how much control we still have over our health and well-being, even in today’s processed-food, technology-addicted world. Adding probiotic-rich foods into your diet, homemade with love and care, is one simple step towards improved mental and physical wellness.

What are your favorite fermented foods to have in your diet?

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which allows you to support our mission without costing you extra.

[Read More ...] http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png https://greensmoothiegirl.com/fermented-foods/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Eat These Foods for a Healthier Heart

February is Heart Health Month! Every year, Spa Week goes red for heart health by giving away a free pair of Louboutins! Enter to win here – for every entry, we donate to the American Heart Association to fight back against heart disease.

Taking care of your heart is so important, so we’ve rounded up 10 of the best, most heart-healthy foods you can get.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Full of vitamins and nutrients and light on calories, leafy green vegetables are an important part of any healthy diet. For heart health, they’re a great source of vitamin K, which can help reduce blood pressure.

Dark Chocolate

Yep, dark chocolate is on this list! Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and has been shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Whole Grains

Add some brown rice to your taco bowl! Whole grains are a great source of fiber, which is an important part of your diet and can help reduce the risk of heart disease while lowering your bad cholesterol.

Berries

Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, oh my! These berries are full of antioxidants, which are important in preventing heart disease and keeping your heart strong and healthy.

Salmon

Omega-3, or good fat, is an important part of a healthy diet and a crucial way to keep your heart healthy. One of the healthiest fatty fish you can eat is salmon. It’s full of omega-3, which decreases blood pressure and other risk factors associated with heart disease.

Almonds

Almonds are full of a ton of great nutrients, fiber, and healthy fats. In addition to being great for your body and a helpful snack while trying to lose weight, almonds reduce bad cholesterol, lowering your risk of heart disease.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is full of the good kind of fat and antioxidants, so add this delicious ingredient to salads, veggies, and pretty much anything else you can think of! One study showed that those that add olive oil to their diet have a 35% lower risk of developing heart disease.

Green Tea

Green tea has ton of health benefits and is a great way to help you lose weight and burn fat. For your heart, green tea can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, two major risks in developing heart disease!

Chickpeas

Chickpeas (and some other lentils and beans) are a great source of fiber – that magical ingredient that lowers your bad cholesterol. Just make sure you look for cans that are low-sodium or no-salt-added!

Red grapes

You may have heard that red wine is good for your heart — in moderation — and that’s because of the benefits of juicy red grapes. They are full of resveratrol, which keeps your blood flooding and benefits circulation.

What foods do you eat to take care of your heart? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to enter our 7th annual Heart Over Heels Giveaway!

[Read More ...] http://blog.spaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/petra-cigale-128139-unsplash.jpg http://blog.spaweek.com/2019/02/20/eat-foods-healthier-heart/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Are hot tubs covered by health insurance?

February 15, 2019 – We get the question from customers inquiring if they might be able to get a hot tub purchase either partially or completely covered by their health insurance provider. I know in years past I’ve had a few customers that were successful at this. But truly, I hope you’ll never be ill enough or suffer chronically from a condition that would make it viable.

Still, there could very well be instances where a doctor might think about recommending a hot tub as part of your strategy to deal with a condition or illness.

Hot Spring Spas, the brand of tub we’ve offered since 1982, has written a very comprehensive article about things to think about if you’re in a situation where this question arises. We’re reprinted it below with their blessing in the hopes it can help!

Whether you suffer from intermittent aches or chronic pain, you might be wondering: are hot tubs covered by health insurance? The answer depends on a few things: your health insurance company, your specific health insurance policy, and the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.

A hot tub may be covered by your insurance company if your doctor prescribes spa hydrotherapy as treatment for a specific medical condition. When filing your claim, be sure to include all relevant medical documentation—X-rays, MRI results, and other test results that support your doctor’s diagnosis.

Be aware, however, even with a prescription and thorough documentation, your claim may be rejected because some policies specifically exclude hot tub coverage. Many health insurance companies deem home spas personal care equipment rather than necessary medical equipment. As a matter of recourse, you can always consider changing providers or coverage. A new insurance provider or policy might cover your hot tub. Before taking that step, though, you’ll want to evaluate the cost of a new policy and consider the many benefits of hot tub ownership. The costs of owning a hot tub may outweigh the cost of changing policies. Also consider any waiting period that might be involved in new coverage.

If you were injured as the result of the actions of another person or entity, such as a business, the insurance company of the party at fault may cover the cost of prescribed hot tub therapy. If you were injured in an automobile accident seek coverage for doctor-prescribed therapy from the party at fault, consult your lawyer for advice. If the other party’s auto insurance company denies your claim, your own auto insurance policy might cover treatment.

Disclaimer: This information should not be construed as medical or legal advice. For advice on which treatment may be best for your condition consult a licensed medical professional. For advice concerning insurance claims, consult a licensed attorney.

[Read More ...] http://olympichottub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/mpd-accessories-img-ht-steps-cover-lifter-1-248x300.jpg http://olympichottub.com/hot-tubs-sauna-blog/2019/02/are-hot-tubs-covered-by-health-insurance/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Our Favorite Healthy Winter Snacks

Winter is in full swing. With temperatures dropping and snow falling, it can feel like the perfect season to order-in. But if you’re looking for something tasty and quick that you can whip up at home, we’ve got you covered. We rounded up 5 of our favorite healthy winter snacks to get you through this chilly season.

Cocoa Cinnamon Popcorn from Popsugar

Ingredients:

1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1 ½ tablespoons organic sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon canola oil

¼ cup popcorn kernels

Click here for the full recipe.

Roasted Sweet Potato Pie Bits from Food Faith Fitness

Ingredients:

1 Lb Sweet potato, peeled and sliced about ⅓ inch thick 1 ½ tbsp Pure Maple Syrup

Salt

¼ cup + 2 tbsp pecans, finely chopped

1 Package The Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss Light Cheese Wedges

Click here for the full recipe.

Fresh Apple Pie Granola from My Food Story

Ingredients:

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup almonds

2 teaspoons cinnamon powder

½ teaspoon clove powder

¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder

Pinch of salt

1 large Apple (diced)

⅓ cup melted coconut oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

⅓ cup maple syrup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Click here for the full recipe.

Lemon Pepper Roasted Chickpeas from The Healthy Maven

Ingredients:

2 15 oz. cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 lemons, juice and zest

2 tsp olive oil

½ tsp sea salt

1-2 tsp Pepper and More

Click here for the full recipe.

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kale Chips from Gimme Some Oven

Ingredients:

1 bunch kale

2 tbsp vinegar

1 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp coarse sea salt

Click here for the full recipe.

What’s your favorite snack to munch on in the winter? Send us the recipe in the comments below!

[Read More ...] https://media4.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/yoHdZni9pXXBk8UyFOecrQJpYUc/fit-in/2048xorig/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-/2016/02/08/866/n/1922398/d76e2af595ea6be4_cocoa-popcorn.jpg http://blog.spaweek.com/2019/02/14/favorite-healthy-winter-snacks/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Homecare Recommendations From Top Massage Therapists

Let’s talk home-care and what every client should do post massage. We’ve interviewed some of the industry leading massage therapists at The Flowering Almond Spa to offer you some tips on how to ease muscles tension, calm joint pain, and extend your relaxation! Here are some of our favorite tips:

“A nice stretch session is perfect post massage” says Danielle Lambert, Lead Massage Therapist.

“Use a tennis ball on your glutes! This will release tension in the hips and lower back. It can be done on the floor, or if too intense, in the bed.” -Shari Rivers, Massage Therapist

“Focus on your breathing by breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, thinking about filling the lungs fully and fully exhaling. You’ll be bringing oxygen into your muscles and releasing any stress and pain out of the body on the exhale.” -Brooke Martin, Lead Esthetician & Massage Therapist

“Drink extra water to keep your muscles hydrated and pliable until your next massage treatment.” -Suzanne Clugston, Massage Therapist

“Never underestimate the power of a hot epsom salt bath!” -Evie Leitmeyer, Massage Therapist

“It’s important for clients to use a scent or aromatherapy at home that relaxes them. Room sprays are actually perfect for promoting relaxation!” -Sharon Shockley, Massage Therapist

“For massage clients who work out regularly I always recommend stretching 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after each workout.” -Sony Bayona, Massage Therapist

“Lemon water to detox and muscle repair balms are the best!!!!!!!” -Kayla Lockett

“My favorite home care recommendation is to continue relaxing at home by dimming your lights, adding a few drops of essential oil to your diffuser, and snuggling up with a good book.

Let the relaxation from your massage flow into the rest of your day!” -Erica Little

Remember to enjoy these home care tips between your monthly massage treatments, they truly make a wonderful difference for your mind and body.

[Read More ...] http://blog.spaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/image1-2-300x218.jpeg http://blog.spaweek.com/2019/02/13/homecare-recommendations-top-massage-therapists/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Make your hot tub part of Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2019 – I don’t know where January went! And, with the snow we’ve been experiencing in the greater Seattle area the first part of this month, it’s hard to imagine that Valentine’s Day is not just a couple of days away. But it is!

If you have a hot tub, one of the easiest things you can do to make the night special is incorporate the hot tub as a terrific finish for your valentine. And, how often is it that we can enjoy Valentine’s Day and a soak in the tub with the possibility of some snow still on the ground to enhance the view and make the hot tubbing even more delicious?

Here are a few ways to get things ready for your special soak.

Make sure the tub is ready! Check the hot tub now to be sure the water level is right, the water is perfect, and the filters are clean. You don’t want to head out to a tub that’s not ready to welcome you both with wonderful clean inviting water!

Think about aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is a great way to heighten the senses for a Valentine’s Night soak. We have a full array of Spazazz Aromatherapy in terrific scents that will surely be a hit.

Mood lighting is important. A few candles lit and sitting on the filter lid of your tub will add some welcome ambient glow. If you have a Hot Spring Spa, the Luminescent Lighting can be set to red for Valentine’s Day! Drop the intensity of the light down a notch or two with the dimmer on the tub’s control panel to get it the right hue and not detract from the glow of the candles you place nearby.

Music! Favorite relaxing music wafting through the air, either from a portable system or from the Bluetooth Music System on your Hot Spring Spa will serve as a nice way to help you both relax and enjoy the time together.

Foot rubs! When you’re in the hot tub, the heat and jets will do wonders to get your muscles relaxed. It’s also a wonderful time to offer your partner a foot rub. And, the hot water and jets will have done part of the work for you!

Heated towels & robes. Before you head to the tub, be sure to pop some fluffy towels and robes into the dryer and heat on low while you’re soaking. (If you need some robes, our Olympic luxe robes are fabulous.) Then, head in and bring them out toasty to wrap yourselves in before heading into the house.

The hot tub is an outstanding place to reconnect, have meaningful conversations, and get quiet one-on-one time with that special someone in your life.

[Read More ...] http://olympichottub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Envoy_Couple_400x400-Quiet-1-300x300.jpg http://olympichottub.com/hot-tubs-sauna-blog/2019/02/make-your-hot-tub-part-of-valentines-day/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

The Best Spa Treatments for Couples

Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day and there’s no better place to celebrate than the spa. Spas throughout the country are offering specials and deals for Valentine’s Day and we want you to spread the love this week! We’ve rounded up 5 of our favorite spa treatments for couples below. Search spaweek.com to find a location near you.

Couples Massage

The couples massage is an oldie but goodie in the spa world: it’s the perfect way to relax with your partner. Couples massages are available at many spas across the country – search for one in your area here – and are a great way to relax, soothe your muscles and enjoy time together. This Valentine’s Day, tons of spas are offering discounts on couples massages – search your area today!

Mud Baths

Feeling adventurous? Take a mud bath together and cover yourselves in the rejuvenating power of mud. This treatment is a fun way to spend time with your partner while enjoying the skin-softening effects of a mud bath.

Pedicures

Pedicures are a great way to treat yourself and your partner while spending time together. You can sit together, be pampered and spend the whole time catching up about your lives. Pedicures are offered at tons of spas and salons across the country, so it’s easy to find a location near you! This Valentine’s Day, some spas will offer pedicure specials that come with champagne and chocolate.

Sauna or Steam Room

Looking for a quiet way to unwind with your loved one? Rent out a sauna or a private steam room and relax together. The steam room is a great way to sweat out toxins while spending time with your partner and relaxing.

Reiki or Crystal Healing

With this spiritual treatment, you’ll feel more connected than ever. Reiki and Crystal Healing treatments are a great way to naturally unwind and connect your energy with your partner’s. With crystal healing becoming more and more popular in the world of wellness, it’s easier than ever to find a location near you. Search for a spot near you here.

What are you doing this Valentine’s Day? What’s your favorite way to relax with your partner? Let us know in the comments below!

[Read More ...] http://blog.spaweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/iStock_000017573854XXLarge-300x200.jpg http://blog.spaweek.com/2019/02/12/best-spa-treatments-couples/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes

artsoccupychi · 5 years

Text

Why You Should Chew Your Green Smoothies

Adopting the habit of drinking a daily green smoothie comes with plenty of benefits. Obviously, it’s a surefire, easy way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet, and many green smoothies provide your entire recommended daily allowance of vitamins and nutrients!

With so many amazing benefits to drinking your greens, you probably feel pretty proud of your decision to include green smoothies as part of your healthy lifestyle.

However, you may be missing out on some of the nutritional benefits swirling around in that glass of goodness. There’s one surprising simple step you could add while enjoying your healthy green smoothie that would boost the nutritional effects even more: Chew them!

Chewing your green smoothie has added health benefits.

In this article:

Closer to the Diet Nature Intended

The Crucial Role of Chewing

The One-Two Punch: Blending and Chewing

More Health Benefits of Chewing

This tip can especially help folks with digestive problems who don’t absorb much nutrition. These increasingly common maladies include leaky gut, SIBO, Crohn’s disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

That’s right! Chew your green smoothie. Right about now, you’re probably thinking, “How on earth could I chew a blended smoothie?” and that part is easy:

You just take a sip of your healthy green smoothie.

Move your teeth in a chewing motion multiple times.

Swallow your green smoothie.

Repeat.

The more complex question is why you should chew your smoothies, and the answer requires a little bit of a biology lesson.

CLOSER TO THE DIET NATURE INTENDED

We all know that we shouldn’t be eating refined sugars and processed foods, but with so much conflicting advice – Go Paleo! Go Keto! Avoid all carbs! – it’s hard to know exactly what we should be eating.

To answer that, Victoria Boutenko, renowned green smoothie pioneer and authority, studied the dietary habits of large primates, our closest relatives. Because we share almost 99% of our DNA with our primates, she observed what they do in nature.

Of course, primates are largely vegetarian and eat a diet primarily consisting of greens, but gorillas don’t just chow down on a whole tree everyday. Instead, they eat a wide variety of greens, consuming each one in small amounts on a daily basis.

Of course, as our society has created more and more processed foods, we’ve moved away from greens and have started eating an increasing amount of soft foods.

In fact, many parents today protect their children from having to chew anything, peeling apples and cutting the crusts off white bread. As we (and our kids) chew less, our species has devolved.

Even the open-minded kids and adults who are willing to eat salads often barely chew them before swallowing. While the insoluble fiber is still beneficial, the body simply cannot break down and utilize the nutrition in the greens without them being fully chewed.

THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF CHEWING

To be digestible, greens need to be fully broken down into the tiniest particles, or “creamed” like wide-palate primates with strong jaws are able to do easily, any observable “chunks” of green.

However, if you chew up your salad and then right before you would normally swallow it, you instead spit it out and look at it, you’re likely to see a mouthful of torn-up greens, nowhere near “creamed” and ready for digestion like it needs to be.

That’s because over several generations of eating increasingly more refined foods, the human body has adapted by developing ever-narrower palates. (This helps to explain the meteoric rise in orthodontic work; more and more orthodontists are widening children’s palates.)

A lot of children have to go to an orthodontist to get their palates widened.

Our jaws have weakened. We no longer chew food to the extent that we need to in order to extract nutrition from denser foods like raw green vegetables, as primates with wide palates do. We are no longer capable of breaking down the most important foods in our diet: greens.

THE ONE-TWO PUNCH: BLENDING AND CHEWING

While you can’t rewind the “devolution” of the jaw, drinking a healthy green smoothie every day solves this problem. Your blender does all that breakdown work for you – pulverizing those leafy greens into tiny particles that your body has no problem digesting. It’s essentially “creaming” the greens, or predigesting them for you.

In fact, blended greens have been shown to increase nutrient absorption.1 Your blender breaks down greens so completely, it actually crushes the cell walls – which makes the nutrients highly bioavailable if you consume the greens right after processing them in your blender.

There’s only one caveat: To digest food, your body needs the important digestive juices and enzymes from your saliva to mingle with your food before it goes to your stomach. Since our digestive processes started long before blenders existed, chewing is the natural way in which saliva is produced.

Chewing produces saliva, which has natural enzymes that help digest food properly.

So, if you chew your green smoothie fully in your mouth (even though it is smooth and liquefied), you’ll create saliva – along with the necessary enzymes and digestive juices – you’ll need for your stomach to digest all the nutrients from the greens in your smoothie.

MORE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHEWING

Along with creating saliva and enzymes, scientists have actually found a wide range of benefits associated with chewing, giving you even more reasons why you should chew your green smoothies. According to studies:

Chewing longer and more thoroughly could help you combat obesity. 2 One study found that participants who chewed food 40 times before swallowing ingested nearly 12% less than those who chewed just 15 times. They also ate fewer calories and had lower levels of the “hunger hormone” (ghrelin) after meals.

Chewing can help to reduce stress. 3 The grinding and clenching involved in the physical process of chewing helps to soothe the body’s the limbic system and autonomic nervous system. It also increases proteins and hormones in the brain and blood – all of which strongly suggests chewing can relieve stress.

Chewing can make you feel less hungry, helping to control your appetite. 4 Five different studies found that when people chewed more, they reported feeling more satisfied after eating. Two additional studies found that adding more chews per bite also resulted in participants feeling fuller after eating.

There you have it: why you should chew your green smoothies! Adding this simple action to your favorite healthy habit can help you take it to the next nutritional level.

Looking and feeling amazing, are just one of the many benefits of chewing green smoothies.

Not only will it allow your body to digest all of the vitamins and minerals in your green smoothie, but you’ll blow off a little stress and may even eat a little less while feeling a little more satisfied. In no time at all, those little benefits can add up to a big difference in how you look and how you feel – and that’s something worth chewing on!

Read Next: Top Proven Ginger Health Benefits, And My Favorite Ways To Use It

SOURCES:

(1) Kuntz, Sabine et al. “Uptake and bioavailability of anthocyanins and phenolic acids from grape/blueberry juice and smoothie in vitro and in vivo”British Journal of Nutrition. Volume 113, Issue 7 14 April 2015 , pp. 1044-1055 (2) Jie Li, Na Zhang, Lizhen Hu, Ze Li, Rui Li, Cong Li, Shuran Wang; Improvement in chewing activity reduces energy intake in one meal and modulates plasma gut hormone concentrations in obese and lean young Chinese men–, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 94, Issue 3, 1 September 2011, Pages 709–716, https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.015164 (3) Sato, S. & Slavicek, R. J. Stomat. Occ. Med. (2008) 1: 51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12548-008-0010-8 (4) Sophie Miquel Kergoat et al. “Effects of chewing on appetite, food intake and gut hormones: A systematic review and meta-analysis” Physiology & Behavior Volume 151, 1 November 2015, Pages 88-96

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which allow you to support our mission without costing you extra.

[Read More ...] https://greensmoothiegirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/bigstock-Green-smoothie-breakfast-detox-259000765-300x200.jpg https://greensmoothiegirl.com/chew-green-smoothies/

#infrared saunas #healthy

0 notes