Tag: stephanie morrison

7 Reasons Why Apple Cider Vinegar Needs To Be In Your Daily Routine

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A glass of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar with "mother".

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been a part of my daily routine for a few months now and I know Sam loves recommending this gem to many of her clients as well. I originally started consuming apple cider vinegar to help with my candida and then soon learnt the several other health benefits. 

Here are 7 reasons YOU need to start incorporating Apple Cider Vinegar into your daily routine:

  1. Eliminates Candida – For anyone who has experienced or is experiencing candida- like symptoms, you know it’s not pleasant. Symptoms of poor memory, brain fog, fatigue, irritability and intense sugar cravings are not fun. You need to be consuming foods that are going to help eliminate these symptoms so you can feel your optimal best. The naturally occurring enzymes in apple cider vinegar actually help flush the overgrowth of yeasts from your body making it an ideal candida eliminating ‘supplement.’ 
  1. Reduces Congestion and Stuffy Nose – Apple cider vinegar thins mucus and helps break up any congestion. So next time you have a stuffy nose, try taking apple cider vinegar repeatedly throughout the day to help loosen the mucus. 1-2 teaspoons in warm water throughout the day should do the trick. 
  1. Improves Digestion – Consume a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and water before a meal to help aid in digestion and breakdown food. It stimulates the digestive juices and get’s everything flowing the way it should.
  1. Improves Low Stomach Acid – In today’s world this is a bigger problem than we think. So many people have low stomach acid that studies suggest up to 90% of people suffer from this in North America, which means they are having serious issues with constipation and indigestion. As we age, our stomach acid naturally decreases causing issues with digestion. Top that with the high consumption of dairy products, low quality meat, processed foods, nicotine exposure, antibiotic usage, drinking chlorinated water and stress and you’ve got yourself an impaired digestive nightmare! Apple Cider Vinegar helps correct low stomach acid problems, so drink up.
  1. Boosts the Immune System – Apple cider vinegar has a component called malic acid, which is anti viral. Consuming it regularly is going to boost the immune system, therefore reducing your chances of catching a cold. Improving the friendly bacteria in your gut through continuous usage of ACV also increases the body’s immune function. 
  1. Beautiful Skin – Apple cider vinegar helps balance the skins pH. We tend to be more on the acidic side due to environmental pollutions, consumption of low quality dairy and meat, chemical exposure etc., so it is important to incorporate alkalinizing foods into your diet, ACV being one of them! 
  1. The Liver Loves it – Think detox! The liver simply loves apple cider vinegar and the liver has huge responsibilities in the body. Its job is to practically filter out all of the toxins and waste products from the blood. That’s a big job when we come in contact with the high amount of toxins in any given day. We can give our liver a bit of loving help by consuming apple cider vinegar, which will help cleanse the liver and enhance the detoxification process.

Apple Cider Vinegar should be diluted in a ’10 to 1 ratio’ (10 part water and 1 part vinegar). It is important to use raw, organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the “mother” to receive the full benefits that this vinegar has to offer. We love and trust the Omega Nutrition Brand, Bragg’s and Eden Organic which you can find at any health food store. 

Stephanie xo

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Are Toxins Lurking in Your Personal Care Products?

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some cosmetics isolated on white background .

Chemical awareness and how it all started – A while ago I took a course called Nutrition and the Environment. It was from that course, that I began to make changes in the everyday toxins that were surrounding me. I replaced my aluminum filled deodorant with natural deodorant, my perfume with essential oils, my moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and facial cleanser with natural ones and opted for an every day mascara free from toxins. Throughout the course I had the opportunity to write a paper that looked at all of my personal homecare products, the chemicals in them and the health impacts. It was one of my favorite papers to write and I gained invaluable insight that will last me a lifetime. I had no idea the number of chemicals I was putting onto my skin daily! I hope to now share some of this insight with you and inspire you to make some positive changes too.

What worked for me – This may seem like a ton of changes at once and the last thing I want to do is overwhelm you! So, instead I wanted to share with you what I did and am still doing. I have by no means eliminated everything from my environment yet, as it truly is a process. But, I am in the midst, and am getting closer and closer every month. I made a goal that I would pick one thing a month that I would replace and that anything purchased in the future would be free from toxins!

Dirty Dozen – David Suzuki was one of my favorite resources to use as he has a ton of information on the toxins that exist in our products. There is a list of “Dirty Dozen Cosmetic Chemicals to Avoid” and they include BHA, BHT, coal tar dyes, DEA related ingredients, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde releasing preservatives, parabens, parfum, PEG compounds, petrolatum, siloxanes, sodium laureth sulfate and triclosan. Basically, these ingredients are potentially carcinogenic (cancer causing) and highly toxic. Check your products for the dirty dozen! You can find the link here at – www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/

Daily Exposure – Just think for a moment… how many times a day do you use toxin filled personal care products? Let’s map it out; your toothpaste twice a day, perfume once a day, makeup once a day (including mascara, foundation and blush), shampoo and conditioner once a day, mouthwash once a day and hairspray once a day for example.   That means your body is coming in contact with at least 10 different personal care products a day and not to mention each product contains thousands of chemicals. This is called your barrel effect. I hear so many people say, “well, it is just a small amount, it’s not going to kill me.” However, this small amount is in hundreds of products you put on your skin or that are stashed in your home emitting dangerous chemical compounds into the air. You’re coming in contact with these daily! That is NOT a small amount anymore, now is it? Each of these “small amounts” adds up to your total barrel effect. The higher the barrel effect the higher the health risk.

Environmental and Health Impact – The impact is not only on you, but these chemicals also go into the environment and affect everything around us. These are incredibly tough chemicals that do not easily degrade and can remain in the biological environment for a very long time, having a negative impact on the environment and leaving us to reabsorb them. These nasty chemicals deposit in our bodies and are tough to get rid of. Dangerous long-term effects are really unknown at this point.

Resources – So why not commit to changing one product a month, or perhaps changing a product as soon as you run out of something? You’re probably thinking, how do I know what to buy? And, whether it’s a good healthy option? I was in the same boat. I felt overwhelmed and if I was going to be spending money on “healthier” options I wanted to make sure it honestly was free from chemicals! So, I used these resources:

  1. The Think Dirty app – I downloaded this free app onto my iphone and anytime I was making a purchase I scanned the items barcode. This app rates products in three different categories: carcinogenic, allergens and development and reproductive toxicity. It shows you what chemicals, if any exist in the product and rates it on a scale from 0-10 with 0 being safe and 10 being toxic.  
  1. EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database – Not every item is on the Think Dirty App, so I also used this site. You can type in any product which is rated on a scale from 0-10, with 0 being a low hazardous product and 10 being a high hazardous product.
  1. Buy from Locally or Organic Sourced Companies – Source out different companies in your city or neighbourhood that make a conscious effort to source out quality ingredients. Check out The Holistic Wellness Shop for many clean beauty products you can trust! From dental products, to body care, you’ll find non-toxic, all natural products that will not harm you or the environment! When choosing products, the ingredient list should be clear and concise. Can you even pronounce some of the ingredients? Are there loads of fillers and binders? If so, you may want to think twice about purchasing them.  

Here are a few great all natural beauty care companies that we love and trust:

1. Alfalfia – https://www.alaffia.com/

2. Zuii Organic – http://www.zuiiorganic.com/

3. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps – https://www.drbronner.com/

4. Pangea Organics – http://www.pangeaorganicscanada.com/

5. Aura Cacia – https://www.auracacia.com/

6. Sukin Organics – http://www.sukinorganics.com

7. Living Libations – https://www.livinglibations.com/

Want to know how to make your own body care products? Join the 21-Day Qualitarian Challenge and learn how! You’ll receive a complete guide listing all your essential oils + body oils and how to mix them up to create clean beauty care! Plus, you’ll also learn how to use these ingredients to clean your house! From eating better, to creating your own beauty products, you’ll receive a ton of info helping to guide you in living a better quality life! Plus, you can follow along with our 21-day meal plan + delicious recipes. The cart closes this Friday, January 16th, so sign up today at – www.holisticwellness.ca/qualitarianchallenge

So there you have it. A few healthy options to get yourself started! If you have a direct question about a brand or product you may be using feel free to ask us below and we can give you some insight. 

Stephanie xo

 

 

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7 Health Benefits of African Superfruit Baobab

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Here at Holistic Wellness we believe in always adding in a variety of foods and switching things up on a regular basis! So, I was shopping the other day and was looking for a new superfood to try out… something packed with a ton of nutritional benefits and easy enough to throw into my morning smoothie.  

I came across this superfruit called Baobab. A bit of a funny name, but besides the funny name I thought I’d do a bit of research on this African super fruit.

I have travelled to Africa and have a special place in my heart for this divine country!  I soon learned the Baobab is one of Africa’s most recognizable trees and this is where the baobab fruit grows. These trees are around 200-500 years old (some even reported of being 1000 years old!) and are often referred to as the “Ancient Tree of Life.” 

From my research, I discovered 7 health benefits of this magical little fruit:

  1. 6 times more potassium than a banana.
  2. One of the highest antioxidant levels than any fruit in the world- more than goji berries!
  3. Source of prebiotics promoting growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
  4. Contains 14 essential vitamins and minerals.
  5. High in Vitamin C, Magnesium, Manganese, B1, B2, B3, B6, Iron and amino acids.
  6. Excellent source of dietary fibre.
  7. Contains twice as much calcium as milk.

Baobab3

Not sure how to use this superfruit?

I bought it as an organic fruit pulp powder. This makes it super easy to add into smoothies, juices, salads, dressings, yogurts, ice cream or cereal. Sprinkle it in and voila, this superfruit will help protect against free-radical damage, boost the immune system, balance mood, increase energy, stress and help achieve healthy glowing skin. The powder also has a lovely sweet flavor to it, which makes a great addition to any of your smoothies, juices or dressings.  

A few questions to consider when purchasing the Baobab fruit pulp powder:

◦   Is it certified organic?

◦   Is it certified fair trade?

◦   Has it been heated or sprayed during the drying process?

◦   Has it been dehydrated naturally?

◦   Is there any added ingredients (especially sugar!)?

◦   Are there any fillers added?

◦   Is it packaged in its most purest and raw form?

◦   Has it been sustainably harvested?

◦   Has it been ethically produced?

Superfoods are packed with super high nutritional content, and adding several superfoods into your diet can contribute in improving your overall health and wellness.  

Now, go get your superfruit on!

 

Stephanie xo

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5 Natural Cold & Flu Remedies For The Holidays

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cold and flu

Both the holiday and cold and flu season are upon us and it’s hard to not get caught up in the busyness this season brings. To avoid these nasty germs over the holidays, we want to first and foremost practice prevention by boosting our immune system through eating a rainbow diet (lots of coloured fruits and vegetables!), getting enough sleep, adequate exercise and relaxation or time for ourselves. I recently came across this amazing planner called The Passion Planner, you can check it out here http://www.passionplanner.com/ and it’s free to use. If you think you don’t have time for exercise, sleep, relaxation or eating a healthy diet over the holiday season, try scheduling all these things in on a daily basis! You will surprise yourself how much easier it becomes when you simply schedule it in. If you do however come down with a cold or flu we have some amazing natural remedies for you. 

5 Cold and Flu Remedies to Get You Feeling Like New Again:

  • Ginger, honey and lemon tea – A dear friend of mine introduced this to me years ago. On the stovetop, heat up fresh ginger root, fresh lemon juice,  raw honey and some water. Honey is anti-bacterial and ginger contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon is high in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and helps soothe the throat and irritated membranes. Sip and enjoy.
  • Eucalyptus oil – This oil is magical. It clears sinuses by loosening mucous. It also has natural antibiotic properties fighting off bacteria and viruses in the body. You can add the oil to your hot bath or boil a pot on the stove, adding in a few drops of the oil and breathing in the vapor. You can get it in tea form and tincture form too.
  • Echinacea – Research has shown that this herb can shorten the duration and the severity of a cold while enhancing immune defences. If you have been exposed to someone with a cold, use this as a preventative measure. You can get it in tablet, tea or tincture form.
  • Liquorice root – Even with its sweetness, this anti inflammatory herb has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms. It is a demulcent, which is soothing to sore throats, an antispasmodic, which is relaxing to tight coughs, and an expectorant, which is expelling to respiratory mucus. You can get it in tea form or tablet form.
  • Elderberry – Studies show that elderberry contains anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Sambucol, an elderberry extract has been shown in studies to shorten the severity of flu symptoms. It has been used in traditional medicine for years to ease flu symptoms, colds and sinus problems. You can get it in whole natural food form, liquid or tea form. Plus, it tastes delicious! You can even harvest this berry yourself and make your own tinctures and teas to keep throughout the year. 

 Get Your Mind Aligned

Along with these natural remedies, I would like to stress the power that these remedies have on your body when your mind and your thoughts are aligned with the healing process. The first step when going with the natural root is the belief that it WORKS! I know many people that will try a natural remedy first, but because they don’t honestly think it works, they result to over-the-counter medication. Your mind has a unique way of triggering your body to heal when you believe that both the remedy and your body have the ability to help you recover.

Try these following mantras:

I am healthy.

I am balanced.

I am well.

I let go of any unwanted viruses and infections. I have no need of them.

I am rested and calm so I can heal.

These remedies want to work with you, so do yourself a favour and get your mind on board too, it will make the process much easier! Work with your body, not against it 🙂

Cheers to kicking the cold!

Stephanie xo 

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I mustache you a question… let’s talk prostate prevention!

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movember[Photo Credit: AussieGall]

The famous Movember movement is upon us and I really do love how much awareness this has created for men’s health over the last several years. Based on a little research I did from the Movember official website, they state that prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death in men in Canada, and 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. That is a pretty high statistic if you ask me! Too high of a number for us to not do anything about it.

Since it’s prostate cancer awareness month, let’s really dig into prevention. That’s what we aim for right? Disease and illness is not something we need to be faced with, so creating awareness and living as healthy as possible is vital for overall health. I absolutely love and am passionate about holistic medicine because it’s practices are rooted in prevention! How empowering is that? To know you have the power to prevent a potential illness based on your decisions today. I know that is a scary concept for some, but that’s really what holistic nutrition is all about!

So, let’s talk prostate cancer prevention…

There is so much convincing evidence on the role of diet in prostate cancer that Dr. William Fair and colleague from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre went so far to suggest that prostate cancer may be a nutritional disease. Wow! A nutritional disease that can be prevented if we put a bit of effort into what we choose to consume most of the time. Remember, it’s what we do most of the time, not ALL of the time. I too have my days, but it’s important to not beat yourself up over it and simply commit to choosing the healthiest options MOST of the time.

So gentlemen (and loving wives, girlfriends, partners and daughters), here are 8 tips to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce your risk of prostate cancer:

  1. Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids- wild caught fish, hemp seeds, chia, quality fish oil supplement
  2. Increase intake of isothiocyanates from vegetables in the brassica family – such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, chard
  3. Increase intake of grape seed extract or other sources of proanthocyanidins – grape see extract is a great anti bacterial and strengthens immunity
  4. Increase intake of green tea polyphenols – simple, just drink some green tea!
  5. Introduce more Mediterranean-style foods – such as wild caught fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, quality olive oil, lots of herbs and spices
  6. Increase intake of lycopene rich foods – easy! Enjoy some delicious tomatoes
  7. Eliminate or reduce intake of processed, grilled or broiled meats – unfortunately charred meats can increase cancer risk
  8. Eliminate or reduce intake of dairy products – unless you can get your hands on organic raw sources, go for it. Otherwise, most dairy today is loaded with antibiotics and hormones, so it’s best we avoid it. 

 If you have an important male in your life, share this short blog with them and maybe it will inspire them to practice prevention instead of reaction. I truly believe if we put as much effort, time and resources into prevention as we do with finding a cure, those statistics mentioned earlier would be a heck of a lot lower!

Check out our delicious Prostate Cancer Prevention Tomato Sauce recipe with mushrooms and swiss chard! It’s easy to make and loaded with cancer protective nutrients. 

If you would like more detailed information on prostate cancer and further tips for cancer prevention, check out The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael T. Murray N.D and Joseph Pizzorio N.D.

 

Happy Movember! 

Stephanie xo

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5 Reasons to Drink Beet Root Juice..like the Aussies!

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I was first introduced to the incredible health benefits of beets while living in Australia. They enjoy putting beets on everything! It is a common food that is added to so many of their dishes! Over here in North America we don’t tend to explore with beets as much as the aussies! The Australians know what’s up when it comes to beets, so here it goes… 5 reasons to drink beet root juice like the aussies!

[Photo Credit: Anna Verdina]

  1. Antioxidant Protection – Many foods contain antioxidant protection. However, what is unique about beets is the unusual type of antioxidants it contains! The colour of beets comes from the antioxidant called betalain, an antioxidant not commonly heard of. It also contains other antioxidants such as manganese and vitamin C. Research is only in the beginning stages to determine the effects of these antioxidants on eye health and nerve tissue health. 
  1. Detoxification – This same unique antioxidant called betalain supports the body in its Phase 2 detoxification process. What does that mean? Well, this is the step that our cells use to attach unwanted toxins to small nutrient groups. This link is critical as it neutralizes the toxins and allows them to pass through our urine, being excreted from the body safely instead of remaining in the body. An important link in Phase 2 is the role of glutathione (another super antioxidant). Beets trigger production of  glutathione-S-transferase, an enzyme  which hooks toxins in the body to glutathione for removal from the body. As you can see, Beets lovingly help support the bodies natural detox process!
  1. Anti-inflammatory – Betalains, along with other phytonutrients in beets such as isobetanin and vulgaxanthin (yes, those are a mouthful!) contain many amazing anti-inflammatory properties. These anti-inflammatory benefits aid in the prevention of conditions that are associated with chronic inflammation, such as eczema, diabetes, heart disease, irritable bowel disease and anything ending in “itis,” (ie. Colitis, arthritis, etc). 
  1. Anti-cancer – The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in beets makes this food a probable option for decreasing the risk of several forms of cancer. Lab studies have even proved this on human tumor cells for colon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate and testicular cancers!
  1. Fiber – Beet fiber and carrot fiber are two food types of fiber that provide unique health benefits that contributes to the health of our digestive tract, colon health and cardiovascular system. 

 Those are merely some of the top health benefits of beets. Beets are a true nutritional powerhouse and definitely worth adding to your diet!

Try our Sweet Beets & Greens Recipe or our Morning Zinger Fresh Beet & Veggie Juice! 

Stephanie xo

 

Source: www.worldshealthiestfoods.com, The World’s Healthiest Foods

 

 

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7 Ayurvedic Healing Spices that will Change Your Life!

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Spices_picmonkey

Leaves are changing and the temperature is dropping as we enter into my favourite season of the year- fall! I love how our bodies begin to crave warming foods as we come out of the summer season. As we begin to crave more warming and seasonal fall foods, it gives us the perfect opportunity to start playing around with  spices. Spices not only add many flavours to a dish, but they are incredibly healing to the body. If you look back to Ayurveda practices (eastern medicine practiced in India for thousands of years!), they use a ton of spices in their cooking. The Ayurveda philosophy uses spices regularly as their healing method or their “prescription” of choice due to the healing properties that exist in them. I would love to share with you 7 Ayurvedic healing spices that will change your life!

  1. Cinnamon – By simply smelling this wonderful scent, it increases brain activity. Meaning the scent alone of cinnamon boosts brain function! It also has anti-clotting effects in the body, anti-microbial properties and is amazing for blood sugar control. With the amount of skipped meals, and standard American diets (ie. processed foods) that are high in sugar, I think everyone could use a bit of cinnamon to aid in stabilizing blood glucose levels in the body. My favorite way to enjoy it: Adding it to my homemade hot chocolate and my morning smoothies!
  1. Rosemary – I love rosemary! It is probably my favorite of all spices, if I had to pick just one! Rosemary is anti-inflammatory, boosts the immune system, improves circulation and aids in digestion. Some studies suggest that it increases blood flow to the head and brain, boosting concentration levels. My favourite way to enjoy it: Combine lemon, olive oil and rosemary and brush it on your fish or chicken before cooking it.
  1. Ginger – Ginger has an active compound called gingerols and studies suggest that this compound may inhibit growth of colorectal cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory effects on the body and is an amazing immune booster. My favourite way to enjoy it: Ginger and lemon tea is one of my favourites, especially when I feel a cold coming on! You can make this yourself so it is more bioavailable. Add the juice of half a lemon and two 1-inch pieces of ginger to boiling water. Let it steep for maximum benefit. Or try this flu busting juice recipe HERE.
  1. Cumin – this potent herb is an excellent source of iron, which is a vital component of hemoglobin that carries oxygen to our cells. Cumin has been shown to contain anti-carcinogenic properties (ie. cancer protective substances), and benefits the digestive system by stimulating excretion of pancreatic enzymes. These enzymes are a critical component for nutrient assimilation and good digestion. My favourite way to enjoy it: In soups! This is an amazing spice to toss in your favorite homemade soup recipe, especially this spinach and quinoa soup recipe you can find HERE.
  1. Fennel – contains a host of phytonutrients with strong antioxidant properties. It is also an excellent source of vitamin C, which is the body’s main water-soluble antioxidant in the body. Vitamin C is responsible for offsetting free radicals in the body and without it, it can cause cellular damage, leading to a ton of potential illnesses. Fiber, folate and potassium are also present in large amounts in fennel, which are beneficial for cardiovascular and colon health. My favourite way to enjoy it: Salads are probably my go-to for fennel. I love tossing this in any of my quinoa, spinach or kale salads.
  1. Turmeric – this is an incredibly powerful spice that has been used in the Chinese and Indian medical systems for years to treat hundreds of inflammatory conditions. I am telling you, they know what they are doing over there! It is a safe, natural anti-inflammatory that is effectively used to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cystic Fibrosis. This amazing spice also inhibits cancer cell growth, improves liver function, provides cardiovascular protection, lowers cholesterol and is a protection against Alzheimer’s disease. All of that in one spice, I know, it is pretty incredible!! My favourite way to enjoy it: I love adding turmeric to my wild and brown rice, giving it color and a wonderful flavor! Or you can even try making this ginger turmeric lemonade. It’s delicious! Recipe HERE.
  1. Cayenne – this spice helps to fight inflammation in the body. There are high amounts of beta-carotene (or pro vitamin A) and vitamin C that when taken regularly is known to boost immunity. It can clear congestion as it helps to stimulate secretions that help clear mucous. This makes it an excellent spice to use if you have congestion in the lungs or nose. Cayenne is also known to increase metabolism, making it a great aid for weight loss. My favourite way to enjoy it: I like to put a dash in my homemade humus to give it a bit of a kick!

These 7 spices are only the beginning! In North America we tend to commonly use salt and pepper as our spices and need to begin experimenting more with all the wonderful and flavourful spices and herbs that are available to us. Not only for improving the taste of our dishes but for the healing properties that exist within these foods. Research continues to show us the many health benefits of spices, and the list above is only the beginning. Its time for you to get creative! Play around with some spices and herbs in your kitchen and have some fun with it!

Happy cooking!

Stephanie xo

 

 

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Gluten Free Banana Peach Muffins

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Ok, so banana muffins and banana bread could be one of my baking favorites! I went to buy a banana muffin at wholefoods the other day (and not to knock wholefoods cause I seriously love that store!) and I had a look at the ingredients in their freshly baked banana muffins. A whole lot of sugar added, and not the best quality oils used in the process.

So… that brings me to my seriously yummy homemade banana and peach muffins. Banana muffins with a twist! My boyfriend even liked them, so they must be a winner! These muffins are wheat and dairy free for all of you out there like me that have (or are trying) to eliminate these from their diet.

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did!

Happy baking!

Banana Peach Muffins
Yields 15
It's your classic banana muffin with a twist, adding in peaches for some extra sweetness.
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
1 hr
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup wheat free oats (blended)
  2. 1 cup almond meal/flour
  3. 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  4. 2 peaches
  5. 1 banana
  6. 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
  7. 3 tbsp coconut palm sugar (optional)
  8. 1 tbsp baking powder
  9. 1/2 tsp baking soda
  10. 1 tsp cinnamon
  11. 1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Place oats in food processor and blend until a powder-like consistency is formed
  3. Combine all dry ingredients including oats, almond meal, flax seeds, coconut palm sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon
  4. Peal peaches and cut into small cube-like sizes
  5. Peal banana, slice thinly and then cut into halves
  6. Toss peaches and banana into the dry ingredient mixture
  7. Heat coconut oil on stovetop until melted and add both wet ingredients (almond milk and coconut oil) to mixture
  8. Mix well until all banana and peach slices are covered
  9. Line muffin cups in the muffin tin
  10. Pour mixture into muffin cups and place into oven
  11. Bake for 45 minutes
Notes
  1. You can make multiple batches of these and then freeze them. They are a fantastic healthy snack you can pull out of the freezer when you are busy on the go!
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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9 Reasons Why You Need Spirulina In Your Life!

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Spirulina is a blue-green algae and is in fact probably the most well known of the blue-green algae family. There are about 1,800 species of blue-green algae, but spirulina is by far the best selling and the best known!

This powerful superfood has a pretty crazy amount of health benefits and it is indeed a TRUE superfood! This is why I believe sea vegetables and algae’s should definitely be apart of people’s diets.

spirulina

Here are my top reasons why you can’t live without a little spirulina in your life….

  1. Immune Booster – Spirulina contains chlorophyll, which is a natural energy and immune booster. It helps remove toxins from the blood and has the ability to bind to heavy metals and remove them from the body. Many people report feeling more energized once they begin introducing spirulina into their diet.
  1. High in Iron – Spirulina contains subsequent amounts of bio available iron. This is a fantastic and simple way to increase your daily iron consumption.
  1. Amino Acids – It contains all 22 amino acids, which means it is a complete protein product. Ideal for all those vegetarians and vegans out there!
  1. Other Nutrients – Some of the other nutrients present in spirulina include, high levels of calcium (26 times more than what is found in milk!), vitamins A, C, E, D, B vitamins, zinc, potassium, chromium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium and sodium.
  1. Enzymes – Spirulina has naturally occurring enzymes that are necessary for healthy digestive metabolism.
  1. EFA’s – It is high in essential fatty acids, containing both omega-3 and omega-6.
  1. Alkalinizing Effect – Every food affects the pH levels in the body. As majority of people eat a highly acidic diet (processed foods, poor quality meat and dairy), it’s important to try and consume less acidifying foods. There are many studies that explain disease can only grow in an acidic environment and the more acidic the body the greater the chance of disease. This goes to show that eating alkalinizing foods more often such as spirulina is important for our longevity and overall health.
  1. Anti-inflammatory – Some studies show the positive effects of spirulina on arthritis because of the anti-inflammatory effect. It is used in many treatments for arthritis to support cartilage production and its ability to reduce swelling.

     9.   Decreased Hunger – When you begin adding spirulina regularly into your diet, you will most likely find your hunger becoming suppressed. This is
            because of the high amount of nutrients found in the algae. These nutrients meet the nutritional and biochemical needs of the body. You are feeding
            your body what it needs which equals the feeling of satiation! How cool is that?  

How to Enjoy Spirulina?

An easy way to enjoy this nutrient dense food is to toss it in your smoothies or juices! Start with 1 teaspoon and work your way up to 1 tablespoon or more, if well tolerated. If you don’t have time to throw it into a smoothie you can simply put a tablespoon in a nice tall glass of water, mix it up and drink it (I actually enjoy the taste, but you may have to work your taste buds up to it!). You can even try putting it in your salad dressings. Alternatively, if you don’t like the powder form, you can buy spirulina in tablets.

Contraindications

There are high levels of vitamin K present in spirulina, therefore is not suited for individuals on anticoagulant medications or treatments. Spirulina does contain trace amounts of vitamin B12, however not suitable as a single only source for individuals with B12 deficiency.

How do you enjoy your spirulina? What does this superfood do for you? We’d love to hear from you. Share with us below!

Health, Happiness and Spirulina!

Stephanie xo

 

References
Staying Healthy with Nutrition, Elson M.Haas, MD
The World’s Healthiest Foods, George Mateljan 
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