Eating healthy can be hard in our fast paced world. What if you could whip up a healthy meal or snack FAST?Check out these ready to make foods with just two ingredients!

Pizza
GREEK YOGURT + FLOUR = PIZZA DOUGH
Mix 1 c. plain Greek yogurt and 1.5 c self-rising flour in a bowl.  Knead dough for 8-10 minutes.  Top your pizza bake at 500 degrees 10-12 minutes.

Pudding
CHIA SEEDS+ ALMOND MILK = PUDDING
Soak 2 TBSP Chia seeds with 1 C Almond milk for 10+ minutes.  Make it smoother by blending or sweeter with a little honey for this omega-3 and protein rich snack.

Pancakes
EGGS + BANANA = PANCAKES:  Blend a ripe (but not too ripe) banana + 2 eggs with a hand mixer until slightly frothy.  Batter will be thin.  

Pancakes - Version 2
BANANAS + OATS = PANCAKES: Blend 1 ripe banana + 1 cup rolled oats (and ¾ c of water) and cook up some thin fluffy and healthy pancakes.  Change up your toppings or roll them up with Greek yogurt, sugar-free preserves, fruit, and more!

Taco Chicken
CHICKEN + SALSA = DINNER
Layer 3-4 chicken breasts in a slow cooker with a jar of salsa on top.  Cook on low for 4+ hours to have chicken ready to serve with tacos, rice, or your own creative idea!

Healthy Snack Bars
DATES + OATS = SNACK BARS:  Pulse 1 part dates to 1 part oats in a food processor.  Combine until jam like (add a little hot water if too dry).  Press into a pan, ½” thickness, and freeze 1-2 hours.  Cut into bars for a quick, whole-foods, snack.

One-ingredient recipes?  REALLY!  “Clean eating” can be as simple as foods without a laundry list of ingredients.  It can be as simple as one ingredient and taking a spin on it.  We often get in food ruts.  Check out these simple foods the next time you need a new quick idea!


EGGS
Don’t forget about the simple hard-boiled egg when looking for a quick and healthy snack.  1 whole egg contains 7g of protein and 5g of fat (70 calories).  Take some fat out of the equation by incorporating just whites.  Two egg whites contain 7g of protein and 0g fat (34 calories).  Great for on the go snacking - pre-mix some salt and pepper in a snack bag and dip your egg right in. 

BANANAS
Take 4-5 ripe, or over-ripe, bananas and put in a bag to freeze over-night.  Cut into 1/2“ chunks and add to a food processor or blender.  Blend for 1 minute until blended into a smooth, creamy, and light frozen dessert.  Add variety by adding in blueberries, cocoa powder, a little peanut butter, or your own favorite.

GRAPES
Flash freeze (put on a cookie sheet and freeze for 10 minutes or so just until firm so they don’t stick to the other grapes, and toss into a bag.  Grab a few at a time for a frozen treat.  Let them sit out for a few minutes if you like a slushier treat.

CHICKPEAS
Preheat your oven to 450.  Blot chickpeas with a paper towel to dry.  Toss the chickpeas with olive oil and salt.  (Yes, technically you use a couple extra ingredients to get the best result 😊 )  Spread on a baking sheet and bake 30-40 minutes until browned and crunchy.  They taste best freshly baked.

DATES
Unlike processed sugar, dates are a natural and whole sweetener rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, potassium, and magnesium.  Try snacking on a chilled date to satisfy a sweet tooth.  If you like a sweetness to a shake, try adding a date.  Bring a few dates along with you for a run. They’re great for re-fueling along the way.

WATERMELON
Cube a watermelon and spread on a baking sheet to freeze (about 2 hours).  Puree, in batches, in a food processor.  Pack into 1-2 loaf pans packing it in.  Freeze for 1-2 hours for scoopable sorbet.

Do you like knowing exactly what is in your beauty products?  Ready to try to make your own lip balms, hand lotions, etc?  Believe it or not, with a few simple ingredients on hand, these can be done quickly and with ease!  Many recipes include coconut oil.  If you don’t like coconut oil, olive oil can be used in its place but it is not as well researched for being an effective skin moisturizer.

LIP SCRUB

Mix/mash all ingredients.  Store in a small glass container.  To use, gently rub on lips and rinse off with a warm wash cloth.

BODY BUTTER

Shea butter comes from the seeds of the fruit of the Shea tree and is rich in vitamin A, E, and F.  Shea butter has been used in Africa and other countries for years to improve skin and hair.  Shea butter provides ~6 SPF protection and nutrients for collagen production.

Melt 1 C shea butter & ½ C coconut oil in a double boiler.  Cool for approximately 30 minutes.  Stir in  ½ C olive oil or sweet almond oil along with your favorite essential oils.  For a fluffier effect, blend/whip with a hand mixer.

HAND LOTION

Beeswax is used in lotions and lip balms to create a barrier to hold moisture in the skin and helps thicken the mixtures.  It has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties that also protects from environmental toxins and irritants while still allowing the skin to breathe.  

Melt/combine ingredients. Optional - Add 30+ drops of your favorite essential oils.  Pour into container to cool/harden.

MOCK BURT'S BEES LIP BALM

Beeswax contains vitamin A which is thought to help soften and hydrate skin.  The Mayo Clinic even recommends using lip balms with beeswax during the cold winter months.  

Melt ingredients in a double boiler.  Add around 30 drops of peppermint.  Use a dropper to fill lip balm containers or add to a small container.

SALVES AND MORE

Beeswax has been shown to have anti-bacterial properties to fight/treat bacterial skin infections like diaper rash.  Try your hand at making your own salves!  As you get comfortable making salves, try experimenting with infusing herb bundles to make salves for bug bites, burns, and more!  

Have fun!

Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical salt (a crystal actually) that occurs in its natural form as the mineral nahcolite (Na-Co-Light) and neutralizes the PH of both alkaline and acidic substances.  There are deposits of pure nahcolite which occur naturally in the Green River Formation, which spans a few states in the Central US that has enough to supply the entire world with baking soda for many hundreds of years.
 
Check out a few ways to incorporate more baking soda into your life!

We do our fair share of kickboxing at Ellipse Fitness.  If your kickboxing gloves are less than fresh...
Put some baking soda in an old sock and store inside your gloves or sprinkle baking soda directly in the glove.  It will not harm your skin and will absorb the moisture.

Baking soda is actually crushed/refined crystal, which makes it a great mild abrasive.  Try this natural toothpaste!

Have glass stovetop stains?
Drop spots of dish soap on, sprinkle top with baking soda, then pour on some hydrogen peroxide.  Start scrubbing.  Wait a few minutes before washing it off.  Now you can toss all those expensive commercial cleaners.

Have tea stains? 

Ice tea or regular, storage containers can take a beating and have permanent brown look…or not?!  Pour some baking soda on the stains and scrub right off!  Really, that easy!

Add 1 TBSP of baking soda to your normal amount of shampoo you use for a single wash. Wash and condition as normal.  You can also clean your hairbrushes and combs by soaking them in a small container with 1 tsp baking soda.  Rinse them off and air dry.

Combine 1TBSP baking soda, 5-6 drops (your favorite) essential oil, distilled water in a spray bottle.  Shake and spritz away.

It's easy to get into a food rut.  We're here to KISS (Keep it Simple Silly!) that rut good-bye!

Here's your shopping list:  cottage cheese, plain greek yogurt, eggs, chicken, tuna, lemons/limes and raw vegetables!  P.s. These should be staples in your kitchen.

Here are some simple recipes that are worth memorizing for those times you need a quick snack, a fresh idea for dinner, or a dish to pass.

Classic Cottage Cheese Dip
Some love cottage cheese, some not so much.  Lover or hater, give this protein packed recipe a try!  In a blender, combine: 1c cottage cheese, 1c plain greek yogurt, dill weed, onion powder, celery salt, and a tiny pinch of sugar.  Dip your favorite veggies in for a quick protein packed snack! (Full recipe here.)

Cottage Cheese Dip SALAD
Try chopping up your veggies and toss them in some of the Classic Cottage Cheese “dip” for a quick protein packed salad on the go!  

Classic Protein Pancakes
3 ingredients:  ½ c rolled oats, ½ c cottage cheese, 3 eggs.  Blend.  Cook.  Jazz it up with toppings and/or add in’s like:  berries, cooked apple, peanut butter, raisins, cinnamon, honey, etc.  (Full recipe with additional ideas here.)

Easy Chicken Salad
Toss together Avocado, plain greek yogurt, chopped chicken, onion, juiced lime/ salt/pepper/garlic.  Make it a full salad by throwing in chopped veggies like peppers, cauliflower, & celery. (Full recipe here.)

Easy Tuna Salad
This salad includes the same base ingredients as the Easy Chicken Salad – simplify by shoping once!  Toss together avocado, plain greek yogurt, tuna, onion, juiced lemon/dill relish/salt/pepper/garlic.  Make it a full salad by throwing in chopped veggies!  (Full recipe here.)

The therapeutic benefits of lemon are hard to dispute.  Lemons are high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function, helps control blood pressure, and provide relaxation to the mind and body.  You may want to start a new routine of having a glass of warm lemon water daily.  Worried about your tooth enamel?  Try drinking it through a straw!

Drink lemon water every day and you’ll reduce your body’s overall acidity. Lemon is one of the most alkaline foods around and helps dissolve uric acid which reduces joint inflammation. Yes, lemon has citric acid but it does not create acidity in the body once metabolized.  Lemon juice also helps replenish body salts, especially after strenuous workouts.  Drink up!

Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster.  It blocks the absorption of sugar.  

Try a cup of warm water with lemon and a pinch of Himalayan salt.  Himalayan salt is mined by hand directly from sea salt deposits and has not been stripped of minerals like table salt.  Himalayan salt is known for possessing 84 trace minerals and offers up many of the same health benefits of lemon!  

Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that required for digestion and also help fight kidney stones. Efficient digestion reduces heartburn and constipation.

And, well, what goes in, must come out!  Lemons increase the rate of urination in the body, which helps purify it. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate keeping your urinary tract healthy. Drink a glass, every morning, of warm lemon water with a pinch (~1/2 tsp) of salt for an easy way to make your body healthier.  

When life gives you lemon, juice them and drink up!

For many the holidays are filled with feasts and treats that can challenge the best of healthy intentions.

Tip 1: Substitute low-fat or nonfat plain Greek yogurt or nonfat sour cream for regular sour cream. This works for dips, appetizers, creamy dishes, and more!

Tip 2: Skip Candied Yams, Eat Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Instead of serving candied yams, which have 215 calories per half-cup, try oven-roasted sweet potatoes. A 3/4-cup serving of sweet potatoes brushed with a little olive oil is only 100 calories plus you’ll a dose of healthy monounsaturated fat from the oil.

Tip 3: Skip Cranberry Sauce, Eat Cranberry Relish. Canned cranberry sauce packs 24 g of sugar in ¼ cup (and 110 calories) with high fructose corn syrup. Cut the sugar with homemade cranberry relish or save even more calories by using sugar substitutes such as Stevia (1/3 cup of relish would have just 25 calories).   

Tip 4: Skip the Casserole, Eat Fresh Green Beans. To make your green bean casserole a healthy holiday choice, instead of using full-fat cream of mushroom soup, use a reduced-fat version of the soup and you’ll save at least 40 calories per half-cup serving. Better yet, skip the soup and French-fried onions — just cut and steam fresh green beans and sprinkle them with slivered almonds before serving.

Tip 5: Replace White Flour with Whole-Wheat. At 100 to 200 calories each, dinner rolls are an easy item to skip if you’re aiming for a healthy holiday, especially if you’re eating carbohydrate-packed stuffing. If you’re doing the cooking and still want bread with your meal, consider replacing the white flour in your favorite recipe for whole wheat.  Need something quicker?  Try Angelic Sprouted grain rolls for even more health benefits (many Angelic brands can be found at Costco).  https://www.angelicbakehouse.com/products/sprouted-grain-buns-rolls/

Tip 6: Skip Eggnog, Drink Cider or Tea. A glass of eggnog can have 250+ calories and excessive saturated fat.  Instead try hot apple cider or tea. Celestial Seasonings make Sugar Cookie and Gingerbread flavored tea that can have unsweetened almond milk added for that creamy taste.  If it’s just not a holiday without eggnog, make your own with egg substitute rather than eggs, fat-free milk in place of whole milk, and sugar substitute in place of sugar.

 

 

– Jack LaLanne

Holiday lights, party invites, cookies, and recipes abound. Ready or not, the holidays are here! Tips for good health and nutrition need to become part of your holiday schedule, unless you plan to spend another January playing catch-up. Time is one commodity where everyone holds equal shares. To suggest that one is too busy to plan is, at best, an easy excuse to use this time of year. We like to say, “a failure to plan, is a plan to fail.”

• Start with eating breakfast. Studies show those who eat breakfast, compared to those who don’t, can lose 27% more fat just by eating breakfast all other things equal (don’t forget the protein!).

• Make exercise a priority! No duh, right? Here is a concrete way to take action on this front: Make appointments on the calendar at least 3 times each week. These appointments should be treated as a top priority – non-negotiable. Do not reschedule any of these 3 workouts. There are four other days of the week to allow more flexibility. Thanksgiving Day is the greatest day of the year to exercise. Do NOT skip it. Run a 5k or come kickbox at Ellipse Fitness! It is something of a tradition worth experiencing!

• Snack…smart! Saving your appetite and caloric intake for that one large meal only leads to a painful, bloated trip to the couch or throne of another kind! Eat two small meals/snacks throughout the day. Suggestions: veggies and Greek yogurt with seasoning mix to use as your dip; cottage cheese with tomatoes or berries; protein shake; a piece of fruit and almonds.

• Choose wisely. Make appropriate meal selections. Turkey, veggies, and sweet potatoes (skip the marshmallow and brown sugar-they are sweet all by themselves. HINT: cinnamon with a little butter). Ask yourself: How bad do I really want _______ (i.e. crescent rolls, green bean casserole, etc.)? Is it worth it? Start filling your plate with turkey and veggies FIRST, then choose one small serving of your favorite guilty pleasure side.

• Eat dessert! That’s right. Not “just a little piece” or the infamous “bite of his” either. Eat a full serving of dessert. Do not eat a whole pie, but indulge in a piece of the very best available. If your grandma makes the greatest apple pie in the whole world, savor every piece of that apple pie. Pass on the so-so cookies bought at the store because everyone ‘had to bring something.’ Those end-of-the-aisle sales are not special order for a reason. There is nothing special about it. If dessert isn’t your favorite, then of course don’t eat it just because…but if you spend the entire meal dreaming of what comes next, then make choices on the front end so you can indulge in what you love most. Healthy eating is not about recusing yourself from every pleasure, but about being smart and savoring what you value!

Charged with bringing a dish to pass? Bring the veggie tray with a healthy option you can munch with confidence!

Fiesta Ranch Dip
2 c plain Greek yogurt (or 1 ¾ c of cottage cheese + ¼ c of water-pureed)
1 package Fiesta Ranch salad dressing mix

Or make this delicious version of the sweet potato casserole and skip the tired ol’ marshmallow topped canned yams

Sweet Potato Crunch
Cut, boil, and mash 4-6 sweet potatoes. Place potatoes in a casserole dish.
Melt 4-6 tablespoons of real butter and stir in 2 tablespoons of cinnamon (apple pie spice or pumpkin spice makes for a nice twist as well) to coat 3 cups of plain corn flakes.
Top mashed sweet potatoes with corn flakes and bake for an additional 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Plain and simple, our bodies need dietary fat. Did you know your BRAIN is made up of nearly 60% fat? A diet too low in fat robs your brain of the materials it needs to function properly. It’s not just the essential fatty acids and omega 3’s either (fats found in food like salmon, avocados and nuts) but also some of the saturated fats which we have been told for years to avoid, including natural animal fats!

Why You Can’t Eat “Fat-Free”

Essential Vitamins
Vitamins such as A, D, E and K are not water soluble and require fat to get transported and absorbed by the body. These vitamins are crucial for brain health and many of our vital organs.

Healthy Fats keep your lungs working properly
Our lungs are coated with a substance composed almost entirely of saturated fat. Premature babies who are lacking this substance are given something called “surfactant” to keep their lungs functioning properly. Without enough saturated fat, our lungs can be compromised. Some studies are now looking at the link between the low consumption of saturated fat and Asthma as a result of the breakdown of this fatty layer.

Healthy Fats for a Strong immune system
Saturated fats such as those found in butter and coconut oil play key roles in immune health. Loss of too much saturated fatty acids in white blood cells hampers their ability to recognize and destroy foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. A great source of saturated fat is from animal fats like grass fed dairy and butter or fatty fish like salmon (wild is generally a better choice).

Healthier Body Composition
One benefit of eating healthy fats is better body composition! This refers to your % of fat-weight versus % of lean-weight. Eating healthy fats help you lose body fat by improving metabolism, balancing hormones (hormones that help you feel full longer) and eliminating constant cravings.

Tips for Putting it in Action

Fats: What and how much?
You should include healthy fats at each meal, but there is no need to pull out a measuring spoon every time you eat…a portion size of healthy fats is the size of your thumb! Nuts and seeds are a great source of fats. Certain oils are also excellent sources, like extra virgin olive oil or extra virgin coconut oil.
PRO TIP: Have you tried using avocado oil spray? A great option to get the healthy fat in without overdoing it!

Balance and Variety
Balance your diet with a variety of fat types (saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated) from high quality foods like: seeds, nuts, seafood, coconut, avocado, olives. Avoid the processed foods that contain the unhealthy fats like “Hydrogenated” fats or Trans Fats

Source and more info at: http://www.precisionnutrition.com/all-about-healthy-fats 

Many people have heard the term "healthy body, healthy mind", but there is a very real correlation between physical activity and mental health. From dementia to depression, regular physical activity has been shown in several studies to be as consistently effective of a treatment as traditional prescription medications. Let's talk about all kinds of ways your health and fitness can affect your mood and mental health.

 
Catharsis 
Catharsis is defined as the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. It is a necessary process to maintain mental health, and while some express themselves with art, or talk-therapy, rigorous exercise (especially boxing!) is a proven method for releasing pent-up emotions, and it can be done in a way that doesn't bring any outside party into your "venting" process.

Endorphins and Norepinephrine
Physical activity and exercise releases endorphins into the body which improve natural immunity and reduce your perception of pain, and it is easily argued that this alone improves your mood, disposition and sense of well-being. But that's not all, exercise also stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine - which may also improve mood directly.

 

Meditation or Quiet Relaxation
Take a short bit of time...whatever you can spare; 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and just be quiet. Put your phone aside. Close your eyes. Draw your attention to your breath. Breathe deeply in and out. Meditation and relaxation are one of the most effective ways to promote mental well-being. Not only is it good for the mind, but taking time to actively breathe deeply can have a significant impact on the volume of air you are able to take in to your lungs which directly relates to aerobic capacity. 

 
Eat Well-balanced, Complete Meals
Be sure to eat through the rainbow of colors at least weekly, and don't neglect major food groups. Carbs, Fat and Protein all serve a major purpose in our body. Without the proper building blocks (nutrients, vitamins, minerals, etc.) hormones and neurotransmitters get out of balance and your mental health absolutely is affected by this.

 
Positive Outlook & Goal Realization
Stay positive! It sounds cliche, and really it IS cliche, but that is because it is so universally true. It's been widely demonstrated that people who BELIEVE in their ability to accomplish a goal are much more likely to actually achieve it. Take a look at where you started, appreciate how far you've come, and then set your sights on where you are going!

There are piles of different tools/toys that we can use for fitness.  Why?  Is it just for variety?  No!  Each toy provides different training advantages.  Let's take a look.  Maybe it's time to try something new!

TRX (aka: Total Resistance Exercises)     
1)   Given that you can boundlessly adjust your body position to add or decrease resistance, this workout is safe and effective for people of all fitness levels.

2)   CORE!  The TRX, when performed properly, forces core engagement through every exercise.

3)   It’s portable!  Going on a trip?  TRX straps package up into a small transportable bag and can be clipped just about anywhere (trees, posts, etc).  Hit every muscle group with this single tool!
 

Kettlebells
In contrast to dumbbells, kettlebells further develop grip strength due to the larger handle (called the horn of the kettlebell).  And yes, it’s kettlebell, not kettleBALL. Kettlebells take the center of gravity 6-8 inches away from your hand creating more instability, forcing you to further stabilize. Kettlebells also add important feedback to exercises like the Turkish Get Up.  Because the weight sits on the back of the arm and changes the balance point of the lift, you get constant feedback about where your arm is.  Kettlebell’s have definitely earned their position as a “standard” piece of equipment.

Dumbbells 
Unlike kettlebells, dumbbells have their weight equally distributed on each side which make them more stable.  This can make them a go-to for traditional exercises like bicep curls, triceps extensions, and chest presses.  In daily life muscles constantly turn on and off as we twist, bend, and reach in 3 dimensions — free-weight exercises allow us to strengthen our body in a way that respects those natural movements vs traditional “machines” that direct our range of motion.

Resistance tubes/bands
Resistance bands stimulate the muscles in a manner that is near impossible to do with the use of free weights by allowing you to perform much more controlled movements, keep constant tension on the muscles, and really emphasize on the concentric and eccentric portions of the movement—increasing your “time under tension”.   All of this results in better range of motion, muscle adaptation, increased flexibility, and more complete muscle stimulation. And best yet, bands are another super easy to travel with for those times you just can’t make it into the gym! 

Battle Ropes 
Ropes are more than just a great upper body workout.  Ropes combine muscular endurance with cardio conditioning  -  they develop explosive power, joint strength, and core strength/stability. Ropes are unique because as your wave size changes with size and speed, they increase the force through the rope requiring a stronger grip.  The next time there are rope “waves” in a workout, consider taking the intensity up a notch by adding plyo lunges, walking in and out from the anchor point, or change up your speed and size of waves!  No access to ropes?  Grab a lighter set of dumbbells, set up in an athletic stance and mimic the rope waves.

Slam Balls 
Whether a "soft toss" or "jam" ball, slam balls are especially useful for developing your ability to generate a lot of force/power quickly.  Slams are a total-body movement with a lot of emphasis on bracing the core.  Try out a different weight the next time you use the slam balls.  If it’s a lighter one, try adding more reps!  Grabbed “the heavy one”?  Stabilize and power up and give it everything you’ve got!  There are benefits to both options!

It's happened to all of us!  Sometimes even with the best prevention, soreness happens.

Why Do We Get Sore?
For some time muscle soreness has been mistakenly attributed to a buildup of lactic acid in muscles during exercise. Although this is likely to coincide with muscle fatigue during the workout, it's been debunked as the reason for muscle soreness. The consensus among researchers is that it is due to the repair process that occurs after muscle fibers are torn during a workout.

The Role of Eating
There are many ways to combat muscle soreness, but perhaps the most important one is by making sure to fuel your workout and recovery properly! Eating a well-balanced meal roughly 2 hours before a workout ensures that you have the proper fuel to not only get the most out of your workout, but to provide your body with the nutrients it requires to recover effectively! Side note: BCAA supplements can be helpful in reducing muscle soreness by ensuring there is a steady supply of amino acids in your bloodstream during and after a workout to allow quicker recovery.

Foam Rolling
Use that foam roller before and after a workout - and other times of the day as well! If you have one at home, make use of it! Foam rolling helps to physically release the muscles and acts like a massage, giving you relief from pain and reducing muscle tightness.

Yoga/Stretching
Active stretching and/or sustained muscle lengthening can feel great when suffering from muscle soreness! Try some light yoga or stretching on your own - remember to stretch to mild discomfort: not to numbness or pain!

Massage Tools
The market has figured out that we need a little extra help in recovery!  Search massage gun online and you'll find a lot of options.  If you can't get to a massage therapist, this could be the next best thing!  Our favorite?  Check out the options at LifePro:  https://lifeprofitness.com/?ref=_XLCGaBU2Qj6

Epsom Salt Bath
Add 1-2 cups of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) to your bath to reduce muscle soreness AND stress! It's also great for skin and joint health. Find time to relax after busting your butt in the gym.

Natural Homemade Icy Hot Muscle Rub
- 1/2 cup coconut oil - or 1/4 coconut and 1/4 shea butter
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 10 Drops Eucalyptus Oil
- 10 Drops Arnica Oil
 
  'Melt' coconut oil in a double broiler on low - medium heat. Stir in Cayenne Pepper. Remove from heat and stir in Eucalyptus Oil and Arnica Oil. Store in a cool place.

 

This week we have tips on how to clean up your pantry foods that you may not have thought twice about.  Get started by taking inventory of what is in your cupboard.  If it will not bring you closer to your goals, donate it!  If it’s an item you use often, take a look at the nutrition label.  Was it what you expected to see?  Get to know your food!

SOBA BUCKWHEAT NOODLES
Swap out your standard noodles for soba noodles, made from buckwheat.  With 3 grams of fiber per 2 ounces they are more filling and also a better source of plant protein than traditional noodles. Buckwheat is also loaded with magnesium; choline (brain health); and antioxidants!

BBQ SAUCE
Have you ever looked at the ingredient list and SUGAR content of your BBQ sauce?  Many have SUGAR listed as the very first ingredient.  If you are looking for clean ingredients and lower sugar options, try Annie’s organic original BBQ sauce (sugar is the 4th ingredient and comes from molasses) or Stubb’s original with just 4g of sugar per serving.  Both can be found at your local Target store!

Annie’s has 6g carbs and 4g sugar in 2 TBSP….INGREDIENTS: Water, *Apple Cider Vinegar, *Tomato Paste, *Molasses, *Cane Sugar, *Stone Ground Mustard (*Apple Cider Vinegar, Water, *Mustard Seed, Sea Salt, *Clove), *Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil (*Canola, *Soy, And/Or *Sunflower), *Cornstarch, Sea Salt, *Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, *Soybeans, Salt, *Alcohol), *Celery Seed, *Garlic, *Chili Pepper, *Allspice, Xanthan Gum, *Black Pepper, *Clove.
*Organic Ingredients.

RICE
During processing, white rice is stripped of up to 90 percent of its B vitamins, 60 percent of its iron, and most of its fiber and essential fatty acids. In addition to brown rice, try bulgur, wheat berries, and farro. Cooks up just like rice (even in your rice cooker)!

SPROUTED GRAIN WHEAT BREAD
Trade in your traditional whole wheat bread for sprouted grain wheat bread.  Although the overall nutrient content between the two types of bread are the same, sprouted grain bread often contains more protein and fewer carbs because carbs are lost during the germination process.  This loss occurs due to enzymes being released which also gives the bread a lower glycemic index and makes it more easily digested.  Try the Food For Life Ezekial brand.  They also make wraps, buns, etc!

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
We hope, at a minimum, you’ve started taking a little closer look at your ingredient lists and are learning more about your food. Next up, Instead of regular apple cider vinegar try organic; like Bragg RAW organic apple cider vinegar.  Raw organic apple cider vinegar has a cloudy appearance and is referred to as the “mother of vinegar” where all the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes come from.  Pasteurization of the vinegar is believed to destroy the health benefits.  Give it a try!

This guest blog is written by Dr. Lina Velikova of Supplements 101, find more on the immune system from her at:
https://supplements101.net/immune-system-facts/

 

Working out makes you feel refreshed and invigorated. After you’ve successfully burned some calories, you feel lighter, faster, and generally more healthy. It turns out that some things that we do during and after a workout can actually be unhealthy and crash the immune cell count.
The biological complexity of the immune system is something to be admired. It is a vast network of organs and bodily fluids that acts in beautiful synchronicity, breaching all tissue boundaries to detect and eliminate threats.

Medical scientists have determined its most delicate mechanisms. Yet, the immune system has been intensively studied, enriching our lives with useful tips with each new discovery.

It turns out that there are some little things that we can do around workouts to help our immune system do its diligence and provide inherent protection.

1. Train Your Immune System
According to the latest immune system facts, humans have between 4,500–11,000 white blood cells in each microliter of blood, with every single one of them programmed to do its healing work. 

The same way the immune system cells are tuned to recognize and fight off the potential infection, they can be encouraged to produce more.

One way to train the immune system is to embrace cardio workouts, which increase the blood flow to the peripheral tissues, thus aiding the elimination of old and the influx of new metabolites, which feed and support the growth of new immune cells.

Stress is the immune inhibitor, and by providing the body with enough oxygen for a prolonged period of time, we relieve stress and tune-up our immune cells.

2. Go Mild on Your Post-Workout Washes
There’s nothing more refreshing than a nice shower after a sweaty workout. However, aggressive chemicals—when used consistently—can lower the immune response of your skin, and lead to autoimmune diseases.
It’s always good to keep clean, but making smart choices about which cosmetics we use can certainly impact our immunity.

3. Do Regular Stretches to Keep Your Immune System Young
Immune system ages as we do. Over the years, immune cells tend to lower in the count or even disintegrate due to lower body functions.
Evidence has shown that regular mild intensity muscle workouts, with a fair amount of stretching, increase your blood flow through the muscles, thus increasing their oxidative potential. Regular stretches relax our body, give it more stamina, relieve tension, and increase the immune cell’s longevity.

4. Mind the Vitamin D Intake
Vitamin D is a hormone that modulates immune functions, and its deficiency is associated with energy loss, susceptibility to infections, and poor bone health.
It’s imperative that those who love regular workouts replenish the deposit of this essential nutrient.
Plate or capsule, the choice is yours. Just try to keep up with vitamin D in the long run.

5. Take Proteins to Boost the Natural Immunity
A diverse source of protein in your diet is essential for the production of antibodies, which are the key immune system’s “warriors” against infections.
Protein-restrictive diets are not recommended for those that like to train. Whether it’s a piece of lean meat, protein powder, or a vegetable-based protein supplement, our body needs the nutrients for more than just bulking up. 
Diverse sources of protein are, therefore, strongly recommended for those that exercise regularly, as they are needed for basic immune functions.

6. Never Over-Exercise
Sure, professional athletes can indulge themselves in long and intensive training. But the fact is they have been training for most of their lives and have adapted their immune systems to follow their exercise rhythm. The elderly should be cautious, though.
Intensive workouts can exhaust the metabolic potencies of the body, which in turn increases stress and decreases the body’s immune potential. Regular sleep, nutritious food, and post-workout rest can keep injuries and long-lasting infections at bay.
So try not to beat yourself up too much, or you just might end up fighting against your immune system.

Conclusion
The immune system is our fountain of rejuvenation and long-standing guardian of health. However, in some cases, it can become our worst enemy.
Although it’s here to protect, we must give it the proper incentive not to overreact. Every workout enthusiast should know not to overlook those small pre- and post-workout rituals that might seem unimportant but can fortify our health and produce better training results.

Nutrition tips: Coffee

1)      Do you enjoy coffee? Do you enjoy naps? Have you ever tried them together? It may seem counterproductive but studies have shown that combining the two may be more beneficial than doing them separately. Caffeine in coffee can take up to a half an hour to show effects; hence the "short (15-20)" naps, so having coffee before your nap will not influence the quality of your sleep during your power nap.

 

2)      We all know that coffee has a wide range of benefits such as protection from type 2 diabetes and heart disease, prevention in depression among women, and it being a great source of antioxidants. One study done out of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health showed that drinking four or five cups of coffee daily cut risk of Parkinson’s disease nearly in half compared with drinking little or no caffeine. 

 

3)      An article from the Journal of  Pain stated that two cups of coffee can cut post-workout muscle pain by up to 48%, particularly after multiple ECCENTRIC movements. So, after those tough eccentric style workouts we do, make sure to grab a couple cups of jo. 

 

4)      Coffee can protect against periodontal disease! The Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study tracked coffee consumption and dental health among 1,152 men from the years 1968-1998 and found that coffee did not promote gum disease and actually showed a protective barrier by preventing cavities. 

 

 

5)      Do you or anyone you know drink energy drinks as a source of caffeine? Kick the habit! Not only do most energy drinks have a ton of sugar (one can of Monster has 54 g of sugar which is equal to 13.5 teaspoons!), contrary to belief they actually have less caffeine than coffee.  

 

 

6)      Did you know that coffee is actually a fruit? Coffee beans are actually the pits of a cherry-like berry that are gown on bushes. Though coffee is actually a seed, it's called a bean because of its resemblance to actual beans. 

Strength training not only build stronger muscles but also better balance, increase bone density, and increase resting metabolic rate.  In turn that means, less injuries from falls, less osteoporosis, and improved body compositions.

MYTH:  Muscle weighs more than fat.  

FACT:  Muscle is more DENSE than fat, thus has less volume/takes up less space.  Even at the same body-weight, you’ll look slimmer with more pounds of muscle when the equal amount of fat is lost.

MYTH:  Weight lifting is bad for your joints/knees. 

FACT:  Strength training will produce healthier joints by strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support the joint.  Strength training breaks down muscle fibers creating tiny tears in each fiber.  As your body repairs those tears with amino acids, your lean mass becomes stronger, tighter, and more compact.

Myth: Weight lifting makes women bulky.

FACT: 90% of women are physiologically unable to build muscle to where they would be considered "bulky".  Unless a woman is using anabolic steroids, she will not develop bulky muscles (because of lower testosterone than men)
strong muscles. Weight lifting WILL build muscle so nutrition is still key to have that muscle look lean.


Myth: Muscle turns to fat If you stop weight lifting.

FACT: Muscle never turns to fat. They’re different tissues. If you stop weight lifting, you also have to eat less than before otherwise you’ll get fat.  If you have been strength training and have had to take time off, don’t be too hard on yourself.  Due to muscle memory: it’s easier to regain muscle than to build it from scratch.  Just get back to it!

MYTH:  Strength training is just about muscles.  

FACT:  Strength training also promotes brain health.  Studies have shown when sedentary older adults began a progressive strength and cardio program, their cognitive function improved significantly compare to the cardio activity alone.  In addition to brain health, strength training can reduce anxiety, fatigue, and depression.