You may have heard about the oral health fad going around, oil pulling. You may even be a little confused like I was when I first heard of it. Why would someone put a lot of oil in their mouth? Is oil just not for cooking with? Well, it turns out that swishing oil in the mouth may be beneficial...
When you think of meditation, what do you think of it? You may imagine someone sitting crossed legged with a straight back, with their hands on their knees, in silence, and concentrating intently. This is just one of the many ways that meditation can be done. Others include mindful walking,...
Staying hydrated is an important part of your overall health. As humans, we are made of 60% water as well. Since water is such a big part of who we are, we must take the time to hydrate ourselves properly. It is recommended that you drink eight 8-oz cups of water a day. This is great for your...
They say that abs are made in the kitchen. Meaning, you can work out all you want, but if you are not eating well, you will not make progress as quickly or at all. It can be tough for people who are very busy to be in control of what they are eating, often resorting to unhealthy food on the go....
Our backs are an important powerhouse. Having a strong back allows us to support our neck and head, lift things, and helps us function. Because we utilize our back so much in our daily living, it can become easily irritated, and even worse, you can experience immense pain. Many exercises help...
Working out intensively, for example, in the gym, big hikes, and long runs can be a fantastic way to get your body moving, burn calories, and build muscle. But when we are consistently working out and straining these muscles, it may cause soreness. This soreness can range in intensity from mild...
Going to therapy, or some sort of counseling may be a lot more common than you think. More than 59 million people in America alone regularly seek out the help of a professional in the mental health field. Despite this rather large number, there remains a huge taboo around seeking mental health...
Have you ever gotten a whole new working out wardrobe, bought new workout equipment, or signed up for a gym membership, only to stop a couple of weeks later? Committing to a workout regimen can be tough. We know that being active is great for our minds and bodies, but sometimes sprawling out on...
Do you have trouble getting to sleep each night? If so, you are not alone. 1 in 3 people does not get enough sleep each night. Catching those coveted Z’s is not just about getting that beauty sleep. Getting adequate sleep helps us focus, provides energy and allows your body and mind time to...
We all know that incorporating fruits and vegetables into our diets is beneficial for our health. However, we sometimes do not have the time to prepare or, maybe would prefer an easier way to get the recommended servings into our diet. And although juicing can be a great way to do this, you do...
Fermented foods have been around for decades, providing sustenance for months after the food was prepared. The use was mainly for survival, as certain crops were not available year-round. During the process of food fermentation, bacteria, yeast, or fungi convert into organic compounds and convert...
Sweets and candy can be a great little treat to add to your day. Especially if you are someone who craves that little sugar pick-me-up midday, but does not feel like drinking coffee. But with candy being so high in refined sugar, it may not be something that we should over-consume. Eating sweets...
Popularized by the Medical Medium, the celery juicing phenomena has taken over the globe. Stores have seen a massive increase in celery sales, making it harder for people to purchase this newly desired vegetable. It can be bought at fresh juicers, or made from the comfort of your home. But what...
So you want to get started running, but do not know where to start? Running is a fantastic way to work out, it helps keep your cardiovascular health in check, helps with weight loss and management, tones muscles, and not to mention the coveted “runners high” is an incredible thing to experience....
If there is one thing that brings humans together, it is the needs and wants for connection. When we surround ourselves with friends and family, it triggers a feel-good hormone that makes us feel loved, and attached. When we do not have the ability to be with each other, we lose that sense of...
Growing up, perhaps you were told that you have to drink your milk, or you will not grow. Or, you may have heard that your bones will become brittle if you don’t drink at least a cup of milk every day. But is this true? Or is this something this billion-dollar industry leads us to believe for...
In the last couple of years, there has been much debate about whether carbs are good for you or not. With diets such as Keto and Low Carb, the anti-carb agenda has been heavily pushed. So much so, that a lot of people have begun to fear eating any carbs at all. But do carbs live up to their...
The main argument that die-hard meat eaters always come back to when critiquing the vegan diet, is the lack of protein. Typically meat such as chicken, pork, beef, etc, have higher amounts of protein. With meat depleted from the diet, perhaps meat-eaters can not fathom the idea that there are...
Taking care of your hygiene is crucial to feeling good, and maintaining your health. The majority of us have learned from a young age how to take care of ourselves. These habits typically include bathing/showering regularly, brushing our teeth, and wearing clean clothes, just to name a few. So...
If you have a typical 9–5 job, chances are that you are sitting hunched over your desk for hours on end. To counteract this sedentary lifestyle, movement should be added throughout the day so that your muscles can be activated. If after work you are feeling too tired, and before work you do not...
Kombucha has been around for thousands of years but has only recently become extremely popular in the last ten. If you take a look at the beverage cooler in pretty much any grocery store, you will find an array of flavors and companies producing kombucha. More and more kombucha “breweries” have...
When traveling, we sometimes forget to pack enough food for the trip to keep us going. While we would like to always be prepared, things happen, and we have to adapt. Sometimes, the only options on long trips are stopping at gas stations or convenience stores. And the name says it all — it is...
Teeth play a major part in our lives. They allow us to chew and mash foods, and serve as the buffer before digestion. Additionally, we like to take care of our dental hygiene to feel like our best, confident selves when we smile. We go to the dentist for cleanings, and fluoride treatments. But...
There is no secret surrounding the positive effects of working out. Not only does it affect our physical bodies (increase muscle density, losing weight, etc), and our mental health (an increase in endorphins, and feel-good hormones). So it is no wonder getting in a great workout is important to...
Establishing mindfulness practices as early as childhood can be great for emotional and cognitive development. More and more, mindfulness training is being implemented into the school curriculum, and for good reason. Mindfulness has been linked to self-regulation and self-awareness. For those...
You may have heard some buzz around the fitness community about HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training. You may have even done this in a workout class already. Especially if you’ve taken a class with a lot of burpees, lunges, increased heart rate, and a whole lot of sweating.
Taking showers/baths every day is normal in the US, however, in other places of the world, such as Europe, showering as frequently is not normal. Although showering every day is not medically needed, it is a great hygiene habit that you may want to stick with. Or at least every other day. There...
Our muscles and joints help support our movements, they grow and strengthen during workouts, and help us in complete workouts altogether. Because of the constant tension being placed on them, whether from every day walking or putting a strain on them from working out. Taking care of our muscles...
The Macrobiotic Diet pulls from the concepts of Buddhist spirituality, using the notions of yin and yang, coupled with foods to produce a way of eating. It is claimed that certain foods fall closer to the side of yin (associated with earth, dark, and cold) and others fall closer to yang...
Are you someone who just got diagnosed with Celiac Disease? Did you just adopt a gluten-free way of eating? Excluding gluten from your diet may seem like a hard feat if you’re not used to it. If traditional bread, pasta, and grain options of the like are a normal staple in your diet, you might be...
Maybe for you, drinking a big cup of steaming hot, or iced coffee right when you wake up is a must. Stopping at a cafe or coffee drive-through takes priority, so much so that it often results in being late for work or class. Having caffeine run through your body is essential for you to even begin...
Hot and humid temperatures are decreasing, and cool crisp air is taking its place. Fall weather is beginning to peek through, and soon the foliage will begin, lighting up the trees with arrays of orange, and red, and all the beautiful colors in between. With the introduction of fall, comes all...
There are a variety of ways of eating to implement into your daily life. Some thrive on Keto, Gluten-Free, Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian, and so on. Of course, what works for one person may not work for another. One diet that has increased in popularity over the last couple of years is the Paleo Diet....
The feelings of anxiety and panic are no joke. They can feel overwhelming, all-encompassing, and like the feel will never surpass. When these feelings of worry and panic start to fester, they are usually coupled with the idea that you are not in a safe situation, and as a response, your fight or...
If you’ve seen the new documentary series titled (Un)well, you may have been educated about the other side of essential oils, the side that is hidden from society. Big essential oil companies make billions of dollars a year in this industry, claiming that their products will increase the health...
When you think about the quintessential sandwich, what do you think of it? It is big with mounds of deli meat, lettuce, tomato, and mayo? Because that sounds pretty good to me. Deli meat, among other processed meats, is an easy way to get in protein and provide a flavorful experience for the...
PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder that affects people who have difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Most common, PTSD affects those who serve or have served in the military, where trauma is more prevalent. However, it is not limited to just...
The gluten-free diet has increased in popularity over the years. Maybe it is because of the many celebrities who have posted “what I eat in a day” videos that showcase an all organic, low carb, and gluten-free lifestyle. This may lead others to believe that this is the best way of eating. But is...
Have you ever heard of the Raw Diet, and interested in what it’s all about? The Raw Diet, also known as Raw Foodism or Raw Veganism, is a unique way of eating. Because of the unadulterated aspects of the food, it is claimed that this way of eating is the healthiest, clean form. However, as with...
You may have heard the advice that “red meat is bad for you” and that you should avoid it at all costs. Even more so, you might have heard that you should avoid ANY type of meat, and adopt a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your life is indeed quite...
It’s pretty common knowledge that sugar is not good and can literally rot your body. What you may not be aware of is sugar consumption, especially in high quantities, can lead to health issues like heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Food manufacturers have come up with some pretty tricky ways of...
Using your smart phone and especially looking at a bright screen can increase your risk of insomnia, or at least lead to not getting a restful, good nights sleep. If you do need to use your phone at night, at least put it into “dark” mode. This will help you brain wind down rather than stimulate...
Why is cardio an important factor in maintaining good health? The purpose is to increase the heart rate to improve circulation and increase metabolism. The benefits of this are far ranging, but you need not be a super athlete to achieve this. If you find an exercise that fits your life style,...
If you find yourself frustrated by trying to lose weight, don’t give up so fast. It can certainly be a challenge and will take some effort, but in the end it will be worth it. The best way to start is to look at not only what you eat, but how much. Have you ever seen a thin person eating? They...
Can losing weight really be as easy as keeping track of what you eat? Whether you need to lose a few pounds for health reasons, or just to feel better about yourself, keeping a closer watch on what you eat and when you eat can help shed some weight. Keeping a food journal is a good way to better...
It’s common to hear you should drink 8 glasses of water a day. Most of us have heard this advice from health experts at one time or another. The reason is, water is necessary for our bodies to function properly. Our bodies begin to lose hydration through sweat and can reduce proper functions with...
Getting a full 8 hours of sleep can be challenging for most people. It's not impossible, however, if you develop a pattern your body can get used to. Some people seem to be able to function on less 8 hours, but that doesn't make it healthy. Lack of sleep has been linked to health issues including...
The old expression, you are what you eat, may be true. But you are also how much you eat. The easiest way to practice portion control is to simply slow down and chew thoroughly. If you’ve struggled with eating too much, or often dine with those who eat fast, take a step back for a moment.
We live in a fast-paced world where sometimes it never seems to slow down. Finding some peace and ways to unwind can be challenging.
Taking care of your teeth is not just about showing off your pearly whites. Oral hygiene can have an impact on your health for good or for ill. Dentists recommend brushing and flossing after every meal.
With the fast-paced lives most of us live on a daily basis, it’s easy to neglect the most important things we should do for our own wellness. Skipping breakfast is one of the most common. If you ever watch an old movie or television show, breakfast was like a feast. The mom was calling the family...
If you’re not in optimal health, or just feel like you’re not in the greatest shape, keeping track of what you eat on a daily basis is a way to assess where you can make some needed changes. One way to do this is to keep a food diary.
A recent study by MIT concluded eating a heavy meal or snacking on too much of the wrong foods can definitely lead to weight gain.