Now that we are coming into the cooler months and the kids are kinda going back to school it's also time to get our healthy habits back on track.

With everything that is going on in the world today, I can sometimes get overwhelmed and I decided to write this post with this in mind.

What can I do that only takes a few minutes that will improve my health and keep me on track? Here are 5 things to get you started.

1. Eat more plant-based WHOLE FOOD. - If this sounds like a big, more than 5-minute step to you, well, It can be. It doesn't have to be though. Let's break it down. What is plant-based? This is eating food that does NOT come from animals. So no meat, dairy, eggs. Now, What is WHOLE FOOD? This is eating food that is unprocessed, foods that come from the earth with no ingredient label, or a very limited ingredient label. By eating a plant-based whole food diet you are fueling your body with vitamins, nutrients, fiber, protein, and healthy fats. There are no...

Food as Medicine - Garlic

Hey there everybody! We have heard and read a lot about medicinal herbs and how they’re useful for our health. So here’s a little piece about garlic as one of the best essential herbs that you can grow at your home. It is one of the most commonly used herbs in recipes to enrich it with a delicious flavor and taste as well but the herb works stupendously for certain health care aspects.

Known by a range of names globally, garlic is believed to be native to Siberia but had a global widespread about 5000 years ago. However, it had been essential in medical practices since ancient times. The words of the well-known ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, also widely known as the Father of Western Medicine claimed ~ “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food”. He had incorporated the practice of prescribing garlic as a medicine to those in need which almost tells us that it has always been crucial to medicine and health.

Benefits...

Food As Medicine – Basil

Today we are going to be talking about basil. This is just growing like crazy in the garden right now and I've been making vegan pesto and freezing it to enjoy in those winter months so I figured this would be a great topic to cover since home gardening seems to be very popular this year.

Most people don't think of herbs as being very nutritionally dense, but they are packed with nutrients! Adding them daily when you cook can very beneficial to your health. Learn some of the benefits below.

Basil is loaded with goodness and contains:

• Vitamin K

• Manganese

• Copper

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin C

• Calcium

• Folate

• Iron

• Omega 3 fats

• Magnesium

Benefits for your health:

• The flavonoids in basil provide protection on a cellular level against radiation and oxygen-based damage.

• Basil provides protection from unwanted bacterial growth.

• Basil is an anti-inflammatory that can provide healing benefits for people with inflammatory health problems.

• ...

Most people don't realize that zucchini is surprisingly healthy and packed with nutrients. If you've ever grown zucchini in a garden you known it can be extremely abundant, so I do believe we take it for granted.

Zucchini is a member of the gourd family that originated from Central America and is now enjoyed all over the world. It has zero fat and is high in fiber and water content.

Zucchini is loaded with goodness and is high in:

• Fiber
• Water
• Vitamin B6
• Riboflavin
• Folate
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Potassium
• Manganese

Some of the benefits you can experience are:

1. Improved Digestion - Because zucchini is high in water and fiber content it can significantly improve digestion and constipation.
2. Slows Down Aging - Zucchini is rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients which can help reduce toxins in the body and protect you against free radicals and inflammation.
3. Helps Balance Blood Sugar Levels- Because of your increased fiber intake when eating zucchini it can help balance your...

The Ultimate Guide To Eating A Plant-Based Diet

 In this guide, I will go through the steps needed to successfully start eating a plant-based diet. I hope you enjoy and congrats to you for doing something healthy and positive for yourself and the planet!

-What does Plant-Based Diet mean?

 Removing all animal foods from your diet

Eating plant-based means removing all animal food products from your diet. This can be quite challenging once you learn some of the strange things that have dairy and some seemingly random animal-based ingredients in them. It's all about reading labels and learning what some of those ingredients are. Of course, it's a lot easier if you're eating mostly whole foods.

 Eating whole foods

 A lot of you might have been drawn to a plant-based diet for health reasons. The key to improving your health with a plant-based diet is eating whole foods. I'll talk more about what whole foods are later in this guide. Just keep in...

I love how something so small can be so powerful and beneficial!

What is flaxseed? 

Flaxseed also is known as linseed, are the seeds that come from the flax plant. 

Most all of the flax plant is used. The flax fibers are used to make linens and rope and the seeds are used for food and also to make linseed oil used in woodworking.

Flax has been grown and cultivated for over 30,000 years, so it has been around for a while and the benefits for your health are amazing.

The whole flaxseed is not able to be fully digested so if you want to get all the wonderful benefits of this tiny powerhouse you have to eat it ground.

You can also buy it ground but it does spoil a whole lot quicker this way. I store mine in the fridge for this reason.

Flax is loaded with nutrition goodness and contains:

• Omega 3's - Well known as a healthy fat with heart-healthy effects.
• Lignans - These contain both plant estrogen and antioxidants to help with hormonal balance.
• Fiber - Supportive for digestive...

Food As Medicine – Broccoli

Today we will be talking about Broccoli

Broccoli is in the cruciferous family and is enjoyed worldwide in many different cultures. Some of its close relatives are bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, collards, kale, mustard greens, and turnip greens. One thing all these veggies have in common besides being related is that they are all nutrition powerhouses!

Broccoli is loaded with goodness and Its top 10 nutrients are:

• Vitamin K

• Vitamin C

• Chromium

• Folate

• Pantothenic Acid

• Fiber

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin E

• Phosphorus

• Choline

Some of the health benefits of Broccoli are:

1. Anti-inflammatory – The glucosinolates that are found in broccoli and other cruciferous veggies have been known to shut down the inflammatory response. Broccoli also contains low-level amounts of Omega 3's which also help balance the inflammatory response. Who knew? Broccoli has a little healthy fat! It also contains phytonutrients that...

 Food As Medicine – Maca Powder

I wanted to talk a little bit about maca powder because a lot of people ask me what it is and why people use it. I don't use it very often but I do put it in my smoothies sometimes. It has a kinda caramel flavor which kinda goes well with....anything.

What is Maco Powder – Maca is a Peruvian plant grown in the Andes Mountains. It is considered a cruciferous plant so that means its related to broccoli, cabbage, and kale and a few more. The root is roasted and dried to make a powder. 

It's a source of:

• Protein

• Fiber

• Vitamin C

• B 2, 3, and 6

• Calcium

• Iron

• Potassium

• Copper

• Manganese

The benefits of Maca Powder (A lot of the studies done on the benefits of maca root have been small studies and it would be nice to learn more about this powerful superfood):

• Increases libido

• Helps with erectile dysfunction

• Increases male fertility

• Improves mood

• Helps to balance hormones

• Helps boost...

Food As Medicine - Chia Seeds

In this Food As Medicine Post, we are going to explore why Chia Seeds are considered a superfood and how they can benefit our health.

A great source of:

• Polyunsaturated Fat, Omega 3's

• Fiber

• Protein

• Calcium

• Phosphorus

• Zinc

Benefits:

• Chia seeds have a high content of linoleic and alpha-linoleic acids 60% of the oil in chia seeds comes from these omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3's are beneficial to cardiovascular health.(1)

• The soluble fiber in chia seeds may help lower LDL cholesterol, they can also help slow down digestion which helps control blood sugar spikes and makes you feel full longer. This can also help with weight control. (1)

• Chia seeds contain antioxidants that help fight the production of free radicals that can contribute to aging and diseases like cancer. (2)

• They are a great source of plant-based protein with a minimal amount of calories. A great addition to any plant-based/vegan diet. (2)

• ...

It can seem so overwhelming to stay on track with your health especially with some of the added stress we have today. I know from personal experience that it can feel like a roller coaster ride going back and forth from super health freak to off the health wagon rebel.

Here are five ways to set yourself up for success for a healthier you!

• Stop buying all that crap! You know what I'm talking about. Crappy cookies, chips. Instead, op-in to making some homemade treats with whole food ingredients. Freeze some so you don't eat all that yumminess in one sitting. You have control over the ingredients and most importantly you can pronounce them.

• If you have a sweet tooth keep delicious fruit all washed and ready for you to enjoy in your home at all times. It's not always what you might want but it helps control the craving for sweets. Fruit also has fiber included so when you eat it you don't have those extreme sugar highs you get from cookies and candy. This helps...