Healthy Life Stuff

Add a little lemon!

April 24, 2012 by julie Comments

Add a little Lemon…

We all know how important drinking water is throughout the day. I have to admit that sometimes I find it difficult to get my full daily requirement of around 8 glasses a day. My trick that I find works really well is to squeeze some lemon in my water. I actually end up craving it!

Did you know?

1) The body is comprised of up to 75% water

2) Studies show more than 75% of the population in civilized countries are clinically dehydrated.

3) Adding lemon to your water has great health benefits.

Some of the benefits of lemon water:

1) Lemons have an alkalizing effect on our bodies when we drink it.

2) Great digestive aid

3) Helps to purify and detox the body, having powerful anti-bacterial qualities

4) Contains Vitamin A and C

I figure it is important to drink it, so why not add a little flavour but also a great amount of health benefits. I also make a point to squeeze a little in my kids water for overall health.

A helpful tip we do in our family is have a pitcher of water in the fridge with lemon. For our teenage kids this has really helped them increase water intake and decrease juice because they like the cold refreshing taste.

References:

http://www.earthincommon.com/nutrition_01-article.html

wikipedia.org

http://www.waterbenefitshealth.com/benefits-of-drinking-lemon-water.html

Filed Under: Fit & Fab, Food, Healthy Life Stuff, Uncategorized

A Healing Bath at Home

March 10, 2012 by julie Comments

 

A Healing Bath at Home

One of my favorite things to do is bring a little spa experience home. The best way to do this is light some candles and run a hot bath with Epson salts. I also add essential oils depending on the mood I am in.

The combination of Epson salts and essential oils is sure to cure many aches and pains. I also love doing this if I am having trouble sleeping at night. I find a hot bath will really help you get into a deep sleep.

 

Benefits of Epson Salts:

Relives the lactic acid build-up in your muscles. This is great for after an intense workout or deep tissue massage.

Some of my Favorite Essential Oils:

• Eucalyptus – great for sinus and over all breathing and common cold.

• Lavender and Chamomile – great combination for calming and relaxing before bed.

• Grapefruit or Sweet Orange – up lifting essential oils. If you want a take a morning bath these are great.

Helpful tips:

• Have a cold compress on your head when in the tub to help regulate your body temp. This will also help so you do not feel dizzy after the tub. I use a cold wash cloth.

• Always have a tall glass of water

• Try to soak for at least 15 minutes to get the full relaxing benefits.

• Play some soft, pleasing music to enhance the experience.

Filed Under: Fit & Fab, Healthy Life Stuff

Two great natural remedies for Cold and Flu season

November 16, 2011 by julie Comments

Yuk I hate cold and flu season.  I especially hate it now being a busy working mom where I simply don’t have time to get sick.

My pantry essentials for this time of yearThese are two of my favourite killer combos to fight cold and flu.
1) Echinacea tea
2) Manuka honey

At first sign of the dreaded sore throat, I brew some of this tea and add a spoon full of Manuka honey.
Manuka honey is known for its medicinal properties, one of them having high antibacterial properties.
All I can say is it has worked wonders for me.  The other day i felt like I got hit by a truck.  I drank my tea with honey and felt after a good night sleep that my symptoms started to pass.  I thought I was going to be out for days.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I felt really bad so I took a spoonful of honey as well put it in my tea. 

Tips:
1. Make sure you buy active Manuka honey – works better as it has a higher content of anti-bacterial properties. 
2. When steeping your tea – cover and let steep for 10 minutes.  This lets the essential oils stay in the tea instead of evaporating and makes the tea more effective.

Filed Under: Healthy Life Stuff

Getting Kids in Touch with their Food

October 4, 2011 by julie Comments

Our daughter picking her carrots from the garden

Getting Kids in Touch with Food.

One of my biggest motivations to have our own vegetable garden (other than the healthy benefits), was to get my daughter in touch with her food.  I feel many kids today are so out of touch with food because a lot of things come out of a box or can.  In our family, eating whole foods (meaning foods in their purest form) is a priority.  Whenever possible we use fresh fruits and vegetables, and having a garden is the best way to do that. 
There is something so rewarding about planting a seed and then watching it actually grow into a vegetable.  And it is surprisingly way easier than you think.   In the spring I get my daughter involved in planting the seeds.  The best part is when she can pick & eat some of her favourite foods such as carrots, in minutes, out of the garden.

This not only cultivates healthy eating habits but really gets kids in touch with their food.  For my daughter having a garden is all she has ever known, so to her it is normal.  I love that kind of normal.
And honestly if I can grow a garden so can you. 

Tips for a Garden
• Start small (you can use planter boxes on your deck to grow almost anything)
• Raised garden beds are the best.  (4 x 10 or 12 is great because you can reach all around)
• Plot out a spot now on your yard for the spring
• You will be surprised how much yield in vegetables you can grow in a small space.
• Look for organic non GMO, seeds to plant.

More about how to build a garden in the spring…………

Filed Under: Food, Healthy Life Stuff

Raw Food Snack

September 27, 2011 by julie Comments

Healthy Food Energy

You ever have those days where you realize it is past 2:00pm or later and you haven’t stopped to take a breath, never mind eat lunch?
That was me today.
I am working with major deadlines however, and at about 2:00pm my tummy is rumbling and I realized I haven’t eaten.
For me when I am hungry it is like my brain shuts off.

So I took a time out (kind of) and brought a plate of raw veggies and dip to my desk.
After minutes of munching I felt way more productive.
Raw Veggies are power foods full of nutrients.  Great for lunches or snacks when you need a pick me up.

Tips to save time and eat healthy:
- on the weekend take time to wash and cut a whole load of veggies. (you will thank yourself later)
- veggies like carrots and celery do great in water to keep their crunch.
- have dips on hand in the fridge to give it some extra appeal. (I love hummus and yoghurt ranch)
- easy peasy and healthy.

Filed Under: Food, Healthy Life Stuff, Snacks

My New favorite Tea

September 23, 2011 by julie Comments

Really Good Tea

 I never used to be a fan of herbal teas, yet I know how healthy they can be, especially when buying organic.  After trying literally tons of different herbal teas, I began to acquire a taste for them.  They are wonderful to drink when you need that little pick me up in the afternoon.  Something warm and soothing to get you through the day without grabbing the caffeine  filled coffee or worse POP!.
I love the ‘Traditional Medicinals’ brand.
This Chamomile with lavender is my new Favourite!  Give it a try, you will love it.
 

 

 

Tea Tips:
-Great before bed to relax and calm
-When you feel like coffee, give this a try instead.
-I love to make tea time, me time; a moment for you in the day. Take a break and have a tea.

Filed Under: Food, Healthy Life Stuff

The best way to eat …….

September 1, 2011 by julie Comments

Fresh, Organic and Delicious

The best way to eat is local and fresh.  Living in Canada I take advantage of our summer and fall harvests as much as possible. The best way to do this is to seek out farmers markets or markets/stores that serve local as much as possible.  The distance from farm to table is shortened and much more of the nutrients stay in the food.

Check out these beans that are in season now.  I love this local market they have their own organic farm that they pick from plus they work with the local farmers to bring in other produce.

The food tastes so much better when it is local.  My daughter can eat these beans by the dozen.  We often do bean races to make it fun!

The best best way to eat is local and organic.  Next time you are at your market or store as questions; Is it organic? Where does it come from?   I do all the time because it is important to know more about the food we eat and what we put in our bodies.

Filed Under: Food, Healthy Life Stuff Tagged With: