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Ways to Stay Healthy During Covid-19 Social Distancing

healthy

Social-distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine. These will be the terms associated with the year 2020. We have been asked to stay home by our respective local health officials, and only venture out for essential services such as trips to the grocery store or pharmacy. With these restrictions, our physical and mental wellbeing have become affected in ways we may not have experienced before. Even though these restrictions on our daily life are temporary, we need to keep positive and in control of our physical and emotional states. Staying physically active and eating our usual nutritious foods are imperative to our present situation. 

Eating Healthy Meals at Home

While some aisles have limited supply right now, we can still create healthy meals with what is on the shelves at the grocery store. There are foods that we can eat from frozen if fresh is unavailable, or meals that can be frozen after we’ve cooked them to limit waste. Remember your plate should be 1/4 protein, 1/4 grains and 1/2 vegetables. Perhaps a little fruit for dessert too. Here are some examples of packed food that will stay fresh for a week, if not longer.

Breads

Bread, bagels, wraps 

Whole Grains

Oatmeal, pastas, rice

Fruits

Some fresh (apples, oranges), dried, frozen or canned, fruit juice

Vegetables

Some fresh (broccoli, potatoes), frozen, canned

Soups and Sauces 

Dairy

Milk, eggs, cheese

Meat

Cooked or frozen

And limit junk foods like cookies and chips.  Even though they taste good, they will leave you sluggish and unmotivated.

Regular Exercise

Keeping your regular workout routine, although modified since we are at home, will help to keep us burning calories and manage our stress levels. And since we have the time right now, starting a regular exercise routine is definitely something to consider. There are a multitude of social media accounts that you can follow that have great beginner workouts to try. We need to get outside too! Enjoy the fresh air of a walk, run or bike ride by yourself, or with your kids and spouse. Physical and emotional health go hand in hand. If you feel good in one regard, odds are you’ll feel good in the other. So, get moving!

We, as a worldwide community, are relying on each other more than ever before in our lifetime. To be able to restructure and rebuild our future, we need to keep healthy, in all regards. Let’s do our best to come out of this pandemic stronger and wiser to be able to enjoy all life has to offer. And lastly, please remember to WASH YOUR HANDS.

Let’s Connect

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone. And as always, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers!

Till next time,

Phyllis

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Best Detoxifying Foods

detoxifying

In the beginning of every year, many of us make resolutions such as wanting to work out more, not drinking alcohol as often, boosting our water intake, etc. Basically, detoxifying our bodies. Some of the industry’s detoxifying ideas may have validity. However, the best way to detoxify is to stop consuming toxins in the first place. Today, we eat & drink a multitude of processed foods, the most in the history of humanity. Luckily, our body has its own detoxification system consisting of our liver, kidneys, skin, lymphatic system and respiratory tract. To keep these organs in tip-top condition, we need to feed them nutritional chemical-free foods and beverages. The following are the top detoxifying foods for today.

Vegetables

Your mother always told you to eat your veggies! Cruciferous and leafy greens are among the top detoxifying foods. These consist of broccoli, cabbage, and spinach among others. These types of foods are known anti-inflammatory, anticancer and excellent sources of fiber and chlorophyll. They boost liver function and aid in excretion of chemical toxins.

Fruits

Many different fruits provide an abundance of support to our detoxification. Blueberries protect our lungs, fight cancer, lower blood pressure and are a great antioxidant. Apples are rich in a specific type of fiber called pectin. Pectin lowers LDL cholesterol and helps to eliminate toxins like lead and mercury. Lastly, lemons, also known as the “Superfruit”. Lemons contain citric acid that protects our liver function and prevents damage. It is proven that daily walking in combination with daily lemon consumption helps to regulate our blood pressure too!

Green Tea

Green tea has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal aid and is probably the healthiest beverage on the planet. It reduces inflammation, fights cancer, primarily colon, prostate and breast. It is an antioxidant, is fat burning, and boosts our metabolic rate. Green tea drinkers have better dental health too. Catechins, bacteria killers in green tea, lower infection risk in the mouth and reduce bad breath. So, get your teeth and drink up!

Spices and Others

Other compounds that we add to our recipes in the kitchen are beneficial detox foods as well. Garlic kills many consumed carcinogens, is antiviral, antibacterial and helps produce white blood cells. A bright yellow spice called turmeric has been used medicinally for thousands of years for its detoxifying properties. It is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and helps protect the heart, brain and digestive tract. Ginger is hugely beneficial to our digestion and helps eliminate toxins. It helps our intestines in their detoxification work, and also has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant effects.

Keep it Consistent

Cleansing our bodies of toxins isn’t about jumping on the latest fad program or diet. It’s about consistently consuming detoxifying foods and beverages to help keep us healthy and functional. We need to protect ourselves from diseases and viruses as best to our knowledge to live a long, happy, healthy life. If we take care of our body, our body will take care of us.

Let’s Connect

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone. And as always, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers!

Till next time,

Phyllis

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6 Foods That Resemble the Body Parts They’re Good For  

woman drinking red wine a perfect pinky aurora spa

Check out these 6 foods that remarkably look like different parts of the human body – giving us clues regarding their health benefits.  

Interestingly, many of the healthy foods we eat physically resemble different parts of our bodies. And even though they are beneficial to our overall health, they do seem to directly benefit the body parts they mirror. Cut up carrots, for instance, look like our eyes! And brain boosting walnuts even look like our brains! Perhaps it’s just a coincidence but regardless, this is a fun way to look at the food we eat. Below is a short list of 6 superfoods we consume that target different body parts. 

Tomatoes 

Not only do tomatoes resemble the human heart, they are quite important for our vascular health. Tomatoes are chock-full of important nutrients, including vitamins A, B, C & E, potassium, folate and lycopene. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Incidentally, lycopene specifically has shown to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) which is super important to keep your blood from clotting – thus lowering your risk of stroke. So, add tomatoes to your salads and top your turkey burger with them and enjoy! 

Walnuts 

Walnuts (in smaller quantities to keep calories low) are a great addition to many dishes like summery salads or a warming bowl of oatmeal. Walnuts also look very similar to our brain – and for good reason. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which lowers cholesterol levels. They are also known to have positive effects on our mood since research has shown that they boost serotonin levels. If you enjoy an added crunch to your salads, try replacing croutons with walnuts. Your brain will thank you! 

Celery 

Celery juice is the latest craze, and for good reason. This vegetable has an astounding similarity to the shape of our bones. Celery is a wonderful addition to any diet as it is low in calories and provides an excellent source of fiber. It also contains vitamin K which is crucial for bone building and repairing. A few other vitamins and nutrients for bone health include vitamin C (essential for collagen), vitamins B2 and B5, magnesium, and boron. Scoop up a couple tablespoons of peanut butter with a stalk of celery and you have yourself a delicious and bone-strengthening afternoon snack! 

Ginger 

Eating ginger when you have a sore tummy can sometimes be a lifesaver. In many cultures, the root of the ginger plant is known as a remedy for an upset stomach. Not to mention the incredible flavour it adds to a dish is simply unmatched. The active ingredient in ginger is called gingerol. Not only does it provide your immune system with a ton of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but it’s also delicious with sushi! Furthermore, ginger can be an excellent addition to teas, soups, and curries.  

Avocados 

Avocados are an excellent and healthy source of fat. If you cut it in two, the shape of each half of the avocado is very similar to the silhouette of a woman’s uterus. This is quite interesting since healthy fats are an integral part of a woman’s fertility. Avocados help the cervix and uterus to function at their best. Not to mention that avocados are extremely versatile. They can be consumed in fruity smoothies, as a dip, spread on top of toast, tossed into salads, and the list goes on!  

Red Wine 

Researchers suggest that red wine can be healthy for our blood and our bodies (in moderation of course). It is high in Resveratrol, which is a compound found in certain plants as well as red wine that has many antioxidant properties. Although grapes and berries are a better source of Resveratrol, it is known to possibly boost our health and protect us against some types of cancer. So, a glass of red wine a day really can be beneficial to our overall health! 

There is no doubt that a well-balanced diet, paired with daily exercise, will always be our best choice for optimal health. We recommend eating a varied diet of whole grains, protein, healthy fats/oils, and a broad range of fruits and vegetables – to keep our organs and bodies working at their finest. 

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers! 

Till next time, 

Phyllis 

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