Healthy Lifestyle Archives - Page 2 of 9

Why losing Weight Is Hard (And What You Can Do About It)

What is the one thing you might be missing that could lead to long term, healthy weight loss. For years, dieters have been told that less calories equal more weight loss. But the truth is a lot more complex than that (you already know that!)

Set Point Weight... Have you heard about this concept? Set Point Weight is a concept that believes that each person’s brain fights to keep a pre-determined weight where the body functions at an optimum or comfortable level. It’s like a thermostat, that different people keep at different temperatures to stay comfortable.

Learn more in the video and follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Change the structure of your diet.

2. Change the structure of your gut.

3. Change your background.

What do you think about this concept? Does it make sense? Are you willing to try just a wee bit harder to reach those weight loss goals? Let me know in the comment section below the video.

Vegan Keto Diet – Is it possible? Is It Healthy?

My clients keep asking me about the ketogenic diet and whether it is healthy.

More importantly, they (and I) want to know if you can do keto and still follow a plant-based, whole foods, vegan diet.

Here’s my take on the keto craze and a vegan version of a keto diet.

1^st effect

Anyone eating a plant whole foods diet with no white crap, sugars and junk will get into a mild ketogenic state

2nd effect

Intermittent fasting – can also put you in a mild ketosis state

13-16 hrs without solids

3rd effect

Exercise can help you achieve a mild ketogenic state

fat moves faster out when moving regularly

less free radicals = more longevity

The Poopy Fish Tank – Dr Romeo, Part II

Dr Romeo (founder and CEO of Roots Nutrition) – www.RootsNutrition.com sat to chat a few days ago and I had such a great time learning and sharing healthy truth bombs that I decided to make a second video with just a few more healthy living tips.

Check out part one of this interview here.

Do you have any questions for Dr Romeo? Make sure you share it here and I’ll make sure to pass it on and get you an answer ASAP.

The Poopy Fish Tank | Interview with Dr Romeo

A few months ago, I met the owner of a supplement company that specializes in green powders and other herbal blends for detox, cleansing, reducing inflammation and restoring balance in the body.

Dr Romeo is the founder of Roots Nutrition, a true character and someone that teaches people in the most logical of ways how to transform their bodies and feel incredible again.

I had a chance to pick Dr Romeos in his training studio in LA and wanted to share what we talked about here. There are a ton of anecdotes and life-changing healthy living tips on this one, so don’t miss it.

Whiter Teeth At Home In 5 Minutes A Day

You love teas and herbal remedies as much as I do… but after months of drinking teas, coffee and other drinks, your teeth are looking a bit yellowish… what do you?

Whitening gels bought in stores can be very abrasive and irritating to your gums. And similar procedures at the dentist office can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. What to do?

Check out my one-two teeth whitening routine that will get you a beautiful smile in a giffy.

1. Coconut swish / oil puling

3-10 mins TOPS per day

You don’t want to aspirate some of the oil into your lungs

Always spit out the oil in the trash, never in the pipes

ALWAYS brush your teeth immediately after oil pulling.

2. Activated charcoal

Gets rid of free radicals and pollutants too

Use a thin layer of charcoal

Brush LIGHTLY, never too harsh

Do it 3-4 days in a row, then rest for 3-4 days

After brushing gently, I follow with another brush and clear water, to remove the charcoal excess from my tongue, gums, etc.

Copper Vessel Water Benefits

Storing water in a copper vessel creates a natural purification process. It can kill all the microorganisms, molds, fungi, algae and bacteria, present in the water that could be harmful to the body and make the water perfectly fit for drinking. In addition, water stored in a copper vessel for a few hours acquires some quality from the copper. Copper is an essential trace mineral that is vital to human health. It has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps neutralize toxins.

Unlike some nutritional elements, the body cannot synthesize copper, so you need to get it from dietary sources. The best dietary sources of copper include seafood, organ meats, whole grains, lentils, nuts, seeds, chocolate, cereals, potatoes, peas and some dark green leafy vegetables. Or you can drink water stored in copper.

According to Ayurveda, drinking copper-enriched water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach helps balance all three doshas (Kapha, Vata and Pitta). This also ensures proper functioning of different organs and several metabolic processes.

In addition to that, here are 10 reasons why drinking water from a copper vessel is beneficial for you.

1. Helps the digestive system perform better

2. Aids weight loss

3.Helps heal wounds faster

4. Slows down aging

5.Helps reduce high blood pressure

6. Can reduce the risk of cancer

7. Protects you from infections

8. Helps arthritis and inflamed joints

9. Boosts skin health and melanin production

10. Beats anemia

Drinking 2 to 3 glasses of water that has been stored in a copper vessel is another easy way to supply your body with enough copper.

Have you tried this or think you would? Let me know in the comments below!

Herbs that Help Manage PMS

90% of women report having painful menstrual cramps from time to time. In parts of the world, women use fennel seeds to relieve cramps and pain during menses. In studies done with fennel versus placebo, they worked just as well as over the counter pain drugs and without the side effects.

Fennels seeds also have the added bonus of helping reduce bloat and painful abdominal gas. They’re like tiny 1-2 punches of goodness.

Note: Fennel seeds relax the uterus so you may bleed heavier than normal. Please exercise caution if you have very heavy periods.

On the other hand, ginger is one of the most effective herbs for cramps AND to reduce bleeding. Having ginger tea regularly throughout your period can just do the trick. In studies, ginger seems to appears to be a highly effective treatment for the reduction of menstrual blood loss.

And of course, it is safer than most prescription medication, and with fewer side effects

In combination, these 2 powerhouses may work incredibly well to manage PMS symptoms.

Here’s how I used them:

BENEFITS:
(1) Ginger Root
Effective for cramps
Reduces inflammation
Relieves pain
Reduces bleeding
Helps with anxiety and depression

(2) Fennel Seeds
Reduces gas and bloating
Can increase blood flow
Reduces cramps and discomfort
Anti-inflammatory
Relaxes muscles

Tea Recipe
1-2 inches of ginger root
1 Tbsp of fennel seeds
3-4 cups of water

Boil at low heat for 5 mins. Let cool and drink 1 cup twice a day at least one week prior to your period or when the first symptoms appear.

5 Tips To Stay Healthy When Stress Is High

Let’s say you’re traveling, working crazy hours or overwhelmed with school. You’re running in a million direction and can’t really pay attention to your diet or your routine. What to do?

These super simple 5 tips can make the difference between getting sick as a dog or staying healthy in the face of high stress!

Produce Market Visit

Today, my friend Raul and I went to a produce market to get fruit and veggies at dirty cheap prices….

No, not a farmer’s market. This is an outdoor produce market: the market in LA where restaurants and food markets get their produce. These types of markets exist on every major city (even mid-size cities) and it is a great place to discover amazing fruit and vegetables that you may not know about (or re-discover oldies but goodies).

Most of these markets sell in bulk and at less than wholesale prices (we got a box of 16 mangoes for $5 or about $.31 cents per mango. That’s 3-5 times cheaper than in a regular market.

Check out our tour here:

I encourage you to find them in your home town and visit your local produce market. Get a couple of friends, pool your cash together and buy enzyme-filled, super yummy foods for a fraction!

How Acupuncture Can Help Your Chronic Pain

Today I have such a treat! My friend, amazing vegan and acupuncturist / Chinese medicine man Raul Ramirez is here to show you how acupuncture can help reduce tension and chronic pain in your back, shoulders, pretty much everywhere you hurt!

I’ve been using acupuncture for well over a decade, to help with everything from balancing hormones, reduce pain and anxiety, heal and reduce inflammation.

Acupuncture is a science that’s been around for thousands of years. It comes from China and it is often part of what we know as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which includes herbal remedies, diet and other therapies to restore balance and help the body heal.

On this video, instead of needles, Raul will use known as “cups” to help bring circulation into the areas of my body who are in spasm and sore from workouts and bad posture.

Can’t wait for you to check out the video!

Have you tried acupuncture before? If so, what has been your experience? Let me know if the comments section below!

Stay Healthy While Traveling | My Top 5 Travel Essential Products

I love travel! Visiting new places, learning about new cultures, people, ways of living. I especially love trying the local foods. Even as a vegan, I rarely run out of options because almost every culture and corner of the world has a ton of plant-based dishes to enjoy.

Yep, travel is amazing…. but it can have its drawbacks.

Jet lag, eating during off hours, indulging in a lot of process and sugary treats are all part of the experience but it can impair your immune function and make you feel ill. And that’s a perfect way to ruin an otherwise amazing experience.

So today, I wanted to share my top 5 go-to supplements and herbs I take with me everywhere I go. These are packaged in small container so that they are easy to travel with and take with you while on the road.

Check out the video below:

Here is the full list and a link where you can buy them:
1. Melatonin
2. Oil of Oregano
3. Wellness Fizz
4. I Travel Well drops
5. Organifi Go

Get them all at:
https://kit.com/JovankaCiares/travel-essentials

Herbal Blend That Fights Stress, Fatigue and Burnout

Stress and metabolism play a significant role in the process of cleansing, weight loss, disease prevention and keeping your body strong and healthy.

Your immune function, your ability to absorb the nourishment that your foods provide, your emotions all stem from that “gut feeling” people talk about a lot.

When you’re stress out, you don’t feel well. You are strong, content, happy, healthy in a relaxed state.

Living in a chronic state of low level stress response impacts everything: cortisol levels, gut flora, nutrient excretion, digestion, nutrient retention, hormones (growth, sex, stress, relaxation).

That’s why I love these “adaptogens”, herbs that help your body reduce the stress response to the craziness of life. Adaptogens help your body adapt to mental, emotional, physical and environmental stress, while also help regulate your immune system. AND… they are very safe to use for most of us.

Here are the 3 I love the most plus a bonus “non-herb” that rocks my world. Check out the video here and learn more about the herbs below the video.

Eleuthero, or Siberian Ginseng

Improves normal mental clarity and emotional stamina during stressful situations
Boosts physical endurance
Helps with sleeplessness
Supports healthy immune system functioning

Rhodiola

Improves the brain’s ability to analyze and plan
Helps support the heart rate after exercise or a stressful event
Stimulates release of dopamine and serotoni.
Supports healthy immune system functioning

Schisandra

Supports normal concentration, coordination, and endurance
Calms the heart and quiets the spirit
Supports normal central nervous system functioning

Codyceps – a mushroom, a fungus

Increases Immune Function and Have Anti-Aging Effects
Improve Stamina and Athletic Performance
Act Like a Natural Aphrodisiac
Fight Diabetes
Improve Liver Function and Detoxification
Fight Respiratory Infections

Get the herb blend by clicking on this link!

Enjoy!

Cure-All Lentil Soup from Sweet Potato Soul

Today’s blog is a super awesome vegan recipe from my dear friend Jenné Claiborne’s new book Sweet Potato Soul. I love soups so decided to make one of the soups featured in the book, a “Cure-All Lentil Soup”.

This one has a ton of great spices/herbs and ingredients to boost your immunity, and comfort you on those days you feel under the weather.

I also love soups because they are an easy way to consume a lot of nourishing ingredients in a single bowl. Even for the not-so-great-at-cooking, this recipe is perfect for its ease and flavor.

Check out the recipe and more details about the book on today’s video blog

Get Jenne’s Book Here

Learn About Jenne’s YouTube channel here

Recipe

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 cup diced yellow onion

1 cup diced celery

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup diced carrots

1 unpeeled white potato, cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes

1 cup dried green lentils, sorted and rinsed

8 cups Veggie stock

Herbs/Spices

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1⁄2 teaspoon dried sage

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon pepper

Salt to taste

Instructions

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
Add the onion, celery, and garlic and sauté́ until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
Add the carrots, potato, lentils, and stock and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low
Add the fennel seeds, thyme, celery seeds, sage, and bay leaf.
Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils become tender.
Season the soup with soy sauce and pepper.
Season to taste with salt

Serve hot.

Favorite Herbs For Sleeplessness And/Or Low-Level Anxiety

When talking about lack of sleep and and low level anxiety that keeps you up at night, we always want to focus on calming our central nervous system, rather than forcing it to shut down.

On this video, I show you my go to “hacks” and a few herbs (including an awesome, yet simple remedy) to help your mind and body relax and manage your sleeplessness and low level anxiety:

Ashwagandha

Known as Indian Ginseng, Ashwagandha can increase energy to the body at a cellular level but it can also help you handle stress more effectively, helping you deal with anxiety and high levels of stress. In India it is used as an energy tonic, known to increase memory and brain power.

Get Some Magnesium

Take some magnesium with dinner (about 350 mg) as this calms your central nervous system and helps you relax. Make sure to take it with dinner, not in the morning! I prefer the powder versions, CALM is a great brand.

Massage Your Feet

Massage your feet with oil (sesame or coconut will do) before going to bed. If it’s cold, put some sock on.

My Go-To Herbal Remedy

½ cup of almond milk

½ tsp of honey (or coconut syrup)

1 tsp of aniseed

Warm and drink after dinner (7-8pm) every night

“Magic” Herb that kills STRESS + Ashwagandha

There’s a new herbal superstar in town! I’ve been using it for about 3 years and recommending it to clients with outstanding results. Why do I love it? Because it’s one of the most effective stress relieving substances I’ve ever tried. And it’s legal!

This little marble is called Ashwagandha and the people in India and those in the West who follow Ayurveda, have known about its amazing properties for decades.

It also happens to be an all-around health tonic (meaning, it helps your entire system, not just your stress levels). Learn more about it and get some of the herb here!

If you’re interested in trying this marvel herb, check out the ones from Lost Empire Herbs! I love it in tincture form and this company offers a truly high quality one!

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