Monthly Archives: January 2012
Toxic Products: Lip Balm
| January 31, 2012 | Posted by Christina under Beauty, Health Tip |
Be conscious of which ingredients are in your chapstick, lip balm, and lipsticks. We end up consuming anything we put on our lips through the process of eating and drinking, so choose lip balms made from safe, natural, and preferably organic ingredients. Given the frequency with which we apply these things to our lips, we want to avoid products that inundate our bodies with a regular dose of toxic chemicals. Avoid anything made with petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline), which is a byproduct of oil drilling, or any other mineral-based ingredients. Also avoid anything that contains Bnexophenone-3, a chemical commonly found… more
Superfood: Spirulina. What Is It? And Why You Should Eat It.
| January 26, 2012 | Posted by Christina under Nutrition |
Spirulina is an algae that grows at a high pH in highly concentrated salt lakes. It is extremely nutritious, containing, among other things, B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid. Spirulina is well known as a phenomenal source of protein, being comprised of 60-65% protein and containing all 8 essential amino acids, all in a form that is far more easily digestible and absorbable than the protein from animal products. (Meat, by comparison, is only 20-35% protein). Its naturally high protein content makes spirulina a superfood relied on… more
2 Tropical Acai Smoothie Recipes
| January 23, 2012 | Posted by Christina under Recipes |
As acai is a bonafide superfood (find out why here), here are two lovely fruit smoothie recipes using acai. For a chocolate (raw cacao) smoothie containing acai that is wonderfully and tastes like a decadent dessert, check out this delicious recipe. Tropical Creamy Pineapple-Acai Smoothie Ingredients: 3/4 cup coconut water 1.5 tbsp acai powder or 1 frozen acai pack 1/2 cup almond milk 1 cup frozen pineapple Directions: Add all ingredients to the blender and blend on high. Enjoy! Banana-Blueberry-Acai Smoothie Ingredients: 3/4 cup filtered water (or you could use coconut water if you’d prefer for it to be sweeter)… more
The Benefits of Acai, and a Chocolate-Acai Superfood Smoothie Recipe
| January 19, 2012 | Posted by Christina under Nutrition, Recipes |
The health world has been touting the benefits of acai for the past couple of years, and for good reason. Loaded with antioxidants, amino acids, and Omega fatty acids (including Omega 3s), and containing many other micronutrients, including polyphenols and flavonoids, acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is a bonafide superfood. I consider it a very beautifying food because it contains nutrients that are particularly great for our skin, and consuming it truly helps to give skin a more radiant, plump, and youthful look. It is also great for boosting energy. Acai berries are native to the Brazilian Amazon and that, in addition… more
Tips for Healthier Grocery Shopping
| January 17, 2012 | Posted by Christina under Health Tip |
Here are some tips to help you make healthier choices when grocery shopping: Create a shopping list before you go to the store. Doing so will prevent you from making impulsive, usually unhealthy purchases, and will ensure you get everything that you need to create healthy meals at home. Shop the perimeter. This is where you will find fresh, whole foods. Avoid the center aisles that always house the processed, packaged, and generally unhealthy foods. Buy fresh, rather than packaged, foods. This is not only much better for your health, but also for the environment in that it reduces waste.… more
Superfood Salad
| January 13, 2012 | Posted by Christina under Recipes |
This salad not only is extremely tasty, but also is incredibly, incredibly nutritious. With superfood ingredients like kale, goji berries, sunflower seeds, apple cider vinegar, and flax seed oil, it is truly a nutritional powerhouse. Moreover, the avocado and the sunflower seeds add healthy fats that provide the sustenance that will leave you full and satisfied for a long time. Try it out and reap the amazing health benefits! Christina’s Superfood Salad Ingredients: 1 bunch curly kale 1 avocado juice of 1/2 a lemon 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp flax seed oil 1 carrot, grated 1/4 cup raw… more
Energy Green Juice Recipe
| January 11, 2012 | Posted by Christina under Recipes |
This is a great, simple, and exceptionally nutritious juice. Low in sugar and very high in nutrients, it makes for a great way to start the day when you need an energy boost. The ginger gives the taste a bit of a kick. Ingredients: 2 leaves kale 2 ribs celery 1 green apple or pear (the apple will be more tart, the pear will be sweeter) 1 cucumber (peeled, if not organic) 1 inch of ginger root optional: 1/2 lemon Directions: Run everything through a juicer and enjoy! more
