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10 Recent Reads On Faith + Wellness
Hello, LSK readers! Today we are sharing 10 recent reads on faith + wellness...five for faith and five for wellness! As you know, both are topics that we are so passionate about and enjoy writing about and discussing with you here on the blog. We hope you enjoy these articles as much as we did and as always, let us know your thoughts in the the comments section below. xo
FAITH
heavenly-minded thinking via brilliant perspectives
be brave & wait via live original
finding beauty in the struggle via proverbs 31
when we can't change our circumstances via live original
growing closer to God via proverbs 31
WELLNESS
the power of a clean fringe via because I'm addicted
boosted self-confidence via cupcakes & cashmere
staying healthy when your other half has the flu via well + good
five energy-boosting morning drinks via well + good
all about adaptogens via lee from america
image by Felicia Lasala
Primally Pure Q&A
Friends! We are so excited to have Bethany & Courtney here on LSK today from Primally Pure. Bethany is the founder of Primally Pure and Courtney is the brand's natural esthetician + marketing strategist. We connected with Bethany & Courtney a while back and have since become loyal, forever fans of their natural skincare line. We have raved about Primally Pure before on the blog, specifically their deodorant and cleansing oil. Today we are sharing a Q&A that we did with them via email and let me tell you- it is packed with some serious information! If you love clean and natural skincare, you are in the right place. Enjoy the read and be sure to check our their website + follow them on Instagram.
MEET BETHANY What inspired you to start Primally Pure? I dealt with sensitive, acne-prone skin for most of my teenage years and well into young-adulthood. I tried every mainstream product you could imagine, many of which offered short-lived results but didn't truly make a difference in the health of my skin. It wasn’t until after I discovered the power of eating real food that I purged my bathroom cabinet of toxic skincare products and began formulating my own replacements made with real, recognizable ingredients. Much to my surprise, the products I made actually worked better than the dozens I had tried in the past. My acne cleared up and my skin felt (and looked) better than it ever had. But most importantly, I enjoyed using them. I started selling my creations on my family farm's website and a few months later I started a website of my own. Today, I have a team of 11 and we work out of a beautiful office/warehouse space in sunny Southern California. What is your personal skincare routine? My skincare routine is always changing! I love mixing things up based on the season and what I feel like my skin needs most at the time. Lately, I've been using our Cleansing Oil for a deep clean at night 3-4 times a week, and then cleansing with our Baby Bar on the remaining days. I'll usually follow either of those up with a few spritzes of Complexion Mist (I rotate between Neroli, Lavender and Geranium) as a light, hydrating toner. And last but not least, I've been using our Blue Tansy Beauty Cream for its calming + nourishing properties. In the morning, I usually just rinse with water and sometimes use Complexion Mist (really obsessed with Complexion Mist at the moment)!Tell us a little bit about the work environment at Primally Pure HQ! I'm extremely grateful to have a sister-in-law who is an incredibly talented interior designer, and she designed our whole space! From our "spa-ffice" where Courtney works and gives our team facials, to our sitting area, my office, our coffee bar, etc. it's really a simple, clean and inspiring place to be - which is always great for dreaming up new product ideas or visions for the brand. As for the team dynamic, we work hard and play hard. It's difficult to know exactly what to expect with a growing company, but our team has been amazing at adapting as we go along and jumping in to fill in gaps as needed. Everyone is always willing to help with whatever needs to be done. And we reward ourselves with monthly trips to a local winery, spa days and other fun outings together.We can’t help but notice how many bloggers are gushing over your products! What makes you most excited about the following of clean-beauty-lovers that you are curating? I have to pinch myself every day as we notice more and more amazing women (Lauren being one of them!) sharing Primally Pure with their followers. There's no way we'd be where we are today without them, and we're always super grateful and tickeled whenever someone shares their experience with PP!What are you most looking forward to in the future for your brand? So many things! 2018 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for us. We have plans to move into a new + bigger space this summer, launch a few new products (including a coffee mask), hire on some additional members to our team and start a subscription program for our deodorant. Owning a business has been a more challenging undertaking than I ever could have imagined, but it's also more fulfilling than any job I've had and I'm more excited than ever for what's to come.
MEET COURTNEY What do you love most about being a part of team Primally Pure? Oh my goodness, so much! But what tops my list is the people I have the privilege of working with. It’s so refreshing to be a part of a team that genuinely gets along, encourages + supports one another and enjoys spending time with each other (even outside of the workshop!). The women I’m surrounded by on a daily basis make coming to work everyday such a JOY. Plus, the people I have the opportunity to connect with through partnerships, collaborations and customers are some of the most beautiful + inspiring people on the planet (ahem, Lauren + Melissa!). My mom shared a quote with me recently that said, “Your tribe matters as much - if not more - than your task.” And I’m so deeply grateful that I get both - a career that I’m passionate about with people I dearly love. What is your day-to-day like as the holistic esthetician? Currently, I’m splitting my time between being Primally Pure’s in-house holistic esthetician and Director or Marketing. But I love how these positions actually complement each other so perfectly! As a holistic esthetician, I’m passionate about helping others experience health + balance not only in their skin, but in body, soul and spirit. A powerful way to do that is through educating and empowering others - and that’s where the marketing piece plays a big part in my day-to-day. I spend the majority of my days creating content for our blog, social media, newsletters, videos and other creative projects to share clean skincare + holistic wellness with the world. I work in our brand new “spaffice” which is beautifully designed to function as an office for content creation + communication as well as a spa for curated skincare services! A couple days a week I give our team members facials (sorry, we’re not open to the public just yet!) using only Primally Pure products and customizing masks with the pure, natural ingredients we have on hand in our workshop. Like raw + local honey, colorful clays, powdered herbs, natural exfoliants and essential oils. Our plan (hopefully in the near future!) is to open a Primally Pure concept spa offering non-toxic skin treatments, stress relieving services and a space to holistically care for your whole being. But right now I just get to play, dream and design on the daily!What inspired you to become so interested in and passionate about natural and clean personal products? As I started to learn about the science of skin and the reality of how our largest organ reveals imbalances within the body and that the products we apply can actually contribute to these imbalances, I was inspired to search for skincare that was naturally derived and delivered results. Clean skincare just makes sense to me. Why would we want to put anything less on (or in!) our body? I think that awareness first started for me as I began to cultivate my own self love journey several years ago. Genuinely wanting the best for my body, for myself and for others. On that journey, I quickly became fascinated by how food, lifestyle and product choices have the power to positively or negatively impact the state of our health - not just for our skin, but for our mind and soul, as well. This inspired me to start to take a whole person approach (including products, nutrition, lifestyle, stress levels, etc) when caring for skin. I wanted to treat more than what we simply see in the mirror - which can be merely symptoms of something so much deeper. I’ve also developed a deep belief that we’ve already been given everything we need - specifically, from nature. The colors are radiant, the aromas are intoxicating + therapeutic and the benefits are truly healing, inside and out. Life is already too short and too stressful, why add the burden of chemicals and toxic buildup? Clean skincare is a conviction I carry with me, and as a holistic esthetician (and simply, a human being!) I’m committed to caring for myself and for others with only ingredients that are life-giving, to our skin cells and entire self. Tell us the scoop about your natural deodorant- we know that it is a top-seller for Primally Pure and we are so amazed and pleased by the ingredients and effectiveness of it! Aw, thank you! That always makes us SO happy to hear. Our natural deodorant was the first product our founder, Bethany, ever formulated and she’s been on a mission to disprove the stereotypes surrounding natural deodorants (i.e. they don’t work, they’re just for hippies, etc.) ever since. And I’d say she’s doing a pretty good job at it :) It’s so incredible to be a part of a company that offers a clean and effective option to conventional, chemical-filled deodorants. Seriously, their ingredient lists (and the risks of disease + dangerous side effects) are scary! Our formula is so unique because one of its main ingredients is tallow from grass-fed cows. This vitamin-rich animal fat is full of anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to protect and nourish even the most sensitive skin. Our good-for-you, organic ingredients (fair-trade coconut oil, baking soda, beeswax, arrowroot powder, non-nano zinc oxide, kaolin clay and essential oils) work together to keep you smelling fresh all day long while leaving your skin feeling smooth + soft. And how great is it that you can actually pronounce each ingredient on the back of the tube?! As a brand, we’ve been able to show the world that it doesn’t have to be scary switching to natural deodorant. It’s actually a simple, powerful way to take control of your health (and unwanted odor!).What is your personal skincare routine? PM // First step, Baby Oil to remove my mascara (there’s no essential oils so it’s super gentle around my delicate eye area!) and then Cleansing Oil. I LOVE oil cleansing (and love that you do, too!). There’s so many benefits: facial massage, boosting circulation, deep pore cleansing, steaming with a warm washcloth and a balanced, clear complexion. After cleansing, I apply Everything Spray with an organic cotton pad which heals + calms any current breakouts or inflammation. Or if I feel like my skin needs a bit more moisture (which is definitely this time of year!), I’ll spritz Complexion Mist all over my skin. This step is a must for me before applying our Palmarosa + Mint Beauty Cream as it helps it to absorb better and hydrate more deeply. Final step, I always apply lip balm before bed!AM // I’m still training myself to become a morning person, so I keep my skincare routine super short + simple. After splashing my skin with warm water, I spritz Complexion Mist and I finish with our Fancy Face Serum to help even my skin tone and lightly hydrate. I love using this serum every morning because it gives my skin a healthy, natural glow and I feel like I rarely need makeup anymore!And of course, my daily skincare routine goes beyond the products I apply. I’ve noticed such a difference in my skin since using collagen peptides for smooth + strong skin, dandelion tea (supports healthy liver function) for clear skin and of course, water - we can never get enough of this miracle beauty beverage.
feature image by Christy Johnston + product images via Primally Pure
Jase and I are Cleansing for 21 Days: The Inside Scoop
My best friend and I traveled to Tulum in November to celebrate her big 3-0, and it was the trip of a lifetime for so many reasons. We stayed at Sanara, where the menu consists only of foods and ingredients that restore gut health. With that said, her birthday cake made quite a statement since it was covered in shredded coconut and lined with bananas. LOL. Nykki came up to our table to ask what it was and mentioned that she had just turned 40. I could not believe it. She had #bodygoals. I asked her how she looked the way she did, and she told me she detoxed her body three to four times a year. Her credibilty and her story were so fascinating, and after asking her one million questions, I was so thrilled to cleanse as soon as we arrived back in LA.So the journey begins...I convinced Jase to do this cleanse with me, and he was a little nervous but excited. Ditto to that! Side note: my parents are doing it at the same time as us, which makes it extra fun. My dad has been calling me with the coolest improvement stories (even though he is an active, health nut), and he is only on day 5 out of 21. It is so fascinating what the body does when it is encouraged to heal itself from the inside + sometimes we don't know how badly we were feeling until we feel amazing. We are surrounded by toxins on the daily, and it is so necessary to cleanse them out of our bodies.To summarize, we are eating completely plant based for three weeks. Jason was extra nervous about eliminating meat, but it has not been nearly as hard as he imagined. It takes extra thought and effort to make appropriate smoothies, follow the daily schedule filled with powders and tonics, and to make and prep each meal. Jase takes a packed lunch to work every day, since there are no healthy options near by, and homemade dinners are a win + we get extra creative if we are out and about AKA we ask lots of questions and make a few adjustments. The worst part: the taste of the tonics. They are a bit potent, but they are only for a few seconds of each day with major benefit, so we power through!
This Cleanse in a Nutshell21 Cleanse is a therapeutic grade, organic herbal cleanse system that can help you remove the toxins, chemicals and environmental pollutants from your body so you can feel better and start to make healthier food choices. Combining the products with a strategic plant-based nutrition program, 21 Cleanse can support you in getting the harmful substances out of your body, repairing your liver and gut, rebalancing your hormones, and reversing the damage of living in our modern world.The Best PartYou will not starve while on your cleanse. Nykki advises eating 3 plant based meals a day and includes a complete vegan nutrition program to eliminate the guesswork. You receive food lists, shopping lists, recipes so you always know what to do and never get bored. While on your cleanse, you receive 30 days of email support with how-to videos that walk you through the entire process. All your questions will be answered so you feel clear, motivated and inspired every step of the way.
The Clean Stuff Instagram Account
These last few years, it has been so fascinating to research how powerful the toxins in products we use every day are to our health. It seemed overwhelming at first to clean out our house, make toxic to clean changes, and throw out some of our favorite products that had everything from formaldehyde, propane, and fragrance. The response, interactions, and questions I was getting from you guys inspired me to start an Instagram page for that conversation. I am so excited to have you guys join this community and work together to improve our health!
So, LSK readers, meet The Clean Stuff Instagram account which you can easily find on IG, @thecleanstuff. It will function as a library of my favorite clean, safe, toxin-free products including home cleaning products, personal care products, beauty items, and more. We will still be sharing wellness posts on the blog often of course, but @thecleanstuff will have specific items and detailed product recommendations on the reg! We are really excited for this wellness-focused account and look forward to the journey. Hope to see you there! xoimages via stranded + primally pure
12 Ways To Detox Your Home With Dr. Maren
Filtering your water helps to decrease potential exposures to heavy metals like lead, arsenic and cadmium as well as a slew of chemicals and solvents like trihalomethanes, atrazine, benzene and chlorine.
The comprehensive test I recommend from National Testing Laboratories measures 20 heavy metals and minerals; 7 inorganic chemicals; 4 physical characteristics; 16 disinfection by-products; 47 volatile organic compounds; 20 pesticides, herbicides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Look for a NSF-certified water filter. My favorites are the Aquasana Reverse Osmosis with Remineralizer or Big Berkey.
2. DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR SHOWER AND BATH WATER.
A whole house filter or even a shower head filter can reduce your exposure to by-products of water treatment like chlorine - sometimes even chlorine and ammonia (chloramine) - and contaminants like organochloride pesticides from steamy vapors you and your family inhale while bathing.
I recommend the Aquasana whole house filter, or their premium shower head filter when a whole house filter isn’t possible.
3. BREATHE CLEAN AIR.
Use a high-quality air filter, especially in the bedrooms. Look for a triple element filter including HEPA, carbon and zeolite to help to minimize airborne toxins, including benzene, wood smoke, formaldehyde, mycotoxins and other volatile organic compound (VOCs).
I recommend the Austin Air HealthMate Plus or IQAir. Be sure to factor in the cost and frequency of filter replacement when you consider your purchase.
Also, make it a habit to purge the air in your home by opening doors and windows for 5-10minutes a day. House plants also help pull toxins from the air.
4. INVEST IN AN ORGANIC MATTRESS AND BEDDING.
We spend a third of our life in bed, so changes you make in the bedroom count. Organic beds help limit exposures to flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs), decabromodiphenyl oxideantimony, insecticides like boric acid, synthetic pesticides, formaldehyde and other chemical additives.
I recommend My Green Mattress and IntelliBED. My favorite low-cost bedding is Target's Threshold Organic Cotton Sheet Set.
5. DUST AND VACUUM REGULARLY.
Household dust and dirt is thought to be one of the biggest sources of daily exposure to lead, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), pesticides, and other chemicals.
Invest in a high quality HEPA vacuum from Miele or Nilfisk. Swiffers also do a good job of clinging to dust.
6. CLEAN WITH FRAGRANCE-FREE AND SOLVENT-FREE DETERGENTS AND CLEANERS.
Many conventional cleaning products expose you and your family to hazardous chemicals which are known human carcinogens and endocrine disruptors - things like phthalates, benzene and boric acid. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can interfere with the body’s endocrine (or hormone) systems, causing harmful developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects.
You can clean almost anything with baking soda or vinegar and essential oils, or consult EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning for better alternatives.
I buy my favorite household cleaners through Branch Basics and Thrive Market. I also add the Micro Balance E3C Laundry Additive to every load of laundry to help eliminate mold spores.
7. SWAP OUT PLASTIC FOR GLASS
Limit your exposure to phthalates by using glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers for heating and storing hot food. Avoid plastic water bottles and travel mugs.
Mason jars make an inexpensive alternative. I also love my glass and stainless steel water bottles from brands like U Konserve, Thinksport, S'well, Lifefactory and Kleen Kanteen.
8. AVOID NON-STICK POTS AND PANS.
Teflon exposes your food to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Lodge Cast Iron pans are a great option because they’re economical and durable. Ceramic, stoneware, and stainless steel are also good alternatives.
9. CHOOSE LOCAL, SEASONAL, AND ORGANIC PRODUCE WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
Wash all fruits and vegetables using mild additive-free soap and clean water to limit exposures to organochloride pesticides (OCs) and organophosphate pesticides (OPs),
including glyphosate.
Avoid the EWG “Dirty Dozen” list of high-pesticide produce. Consider purchasing a membership to a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box.
10. SHOP FOR ORGANIC AND GRASS-FED OR PASTURED ANIMAL PRODUCTS.
Buying clean animal products limits exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochloride pesticides (OCs), organophosphate pesticides (OPs), dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
I order grass-fed beef, bison, lamb and pork through Butcher Box and U.S. Wellness Meats.
11. WHEN IT COMES TO FISH, THINK SMALL
Larger carnivorous fish like tuna, sea bass, halibut and swordfish may contain mercury, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Farmed salmon may also contain PCBs.
Reference the NRDC Mercury in Fish Wallet Card or EWG’s Consumer Guide to Seafood.
My favorite resource for organic, wild seafood is Vital Choice. I buy the canned Redtresca salmon belly, wild Alaskan salmon filets, wild Atlantic sea scallops, and wild Portuguese sardines in extra virgin olive oil.
12. AVOID SPRAYING YOUR HOME AND LAWN WITH WEED AND/OR PEST KILLERS.
Although these poisons are easy to purchase and look almost innocuous, they are far from safe and expose your family to toxic organochloride pesticides (OCs) and organophosphate pesticides (OPs) like glyphosate. Also, removing shoes you’ve worn outside helps prevent pesticides from entering your home.
Reference the EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety for tips on prevention and safer alternatives, including “biological controls” like ladybugs.
HEALTH STARTS AT HOME.
I'm Dr. Christine Maren, a board-certified functional medicine physician and mother of three. I advocate for real food, healthy living, and clean beauty. I think physicians should be role models when it comes to nutrition and healthy living, and my mission is to empower others to achieve the highest expression of health.
These are the tried and tested resources that I recommend to my patients and use in my own home. You'll find more of my favorites - along with special offers and discounts – at drchristinemaren.com/trusted-products.
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Moon Dusts + Simple Morning Matcha Latte
We have talked about Moon Dusts before on LSK and our overall love for the Moon Juice Shop. Their dusts are unique adaptogenic blends of superherbs that promote health, wellness, and function- brain dust, beauty dust, power dust, spirit dust, and sex dust. You can visit each product page to read the specific ingredients. We love to mix these powders in our smoothies and tea.Lately, Melissa has been using brain dust in her morning matcha latte (instead of coffee!) and she has really been loving it. Specifically, she has noticed that she is more calm and focused throughout the day, compared to starting her day with coffee. Also, matcha is packed with health benefits, including promoting glowing skin, being packed with antioxidants, and it is known to boost metabolism. Below is the simple recipe that Melissa follows-
Simple Morning Matcha Latte
*serving size of matcha (from Trader Joe's) or this or this
*1/2 cup organic unsweetened almond milk
*1/2 cup hot water
*1 teaspoon-tablespoon of Brain Dust
*1 teaspoon-tablespoon of Collagen Peptides
*dash of cinnamon
*little bit of organic honey
Directions
*Heat up hot water in a kettle
*Heat up almond milk in a sauce pan
*Pour matcha powder in a mug
*Once water is heated, pour over matcha in mug
*Whisk matcha & water
*Once milk is heated (simmering) pour over matcha/water in mug
*Whisk in collagen + brain dust
*Sprinkle cinnamon on top
*Squeeze a little of honey in the latte
Enjoy! xo
10 Shocking Facts About Your Gut + Microbiome Health
About six months ago, I was posting on Instagram about my journey to discovering my stomach issues and included that the recommended doctor that tests these things was not taking new clients. Dr. Cole commented on the photograph saying he does the same tests if I needed them. I looked him up, saw him on Goop, and was amazed by his wellness knowledge.We met shortly after via FaceTime, and he was so dedicated to getting to the root of my health issues. I was so thankful, and after several intricate tests, we came to the bottom of it for the first time in years. I was so relieved that I could stop my own self-diagnosing and desperate research and start his healing plan for my gut health!That being said, we are so grateful to have Dr. Cole here on LSK today! Below he is sharing 10 shocking facts about your gut + microbiome health, as well as links to further your research on the subject. Knowledge about your gut is truly so valuable, because a lot of people do not realize the significance of the gut and microbiome in relation to overall health and wellness! We hope that this information helps you on your wellness journey. Enjoy, xo.
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine once said “All disease begins in the gut.” The wellness world is finally starting to agree with this age-old thought with science beginning to provide proof to what we have known all along – if you want a healthy body, you need a healthy gut. As a functional medicine practitioner, I often see the gut playing a pivotal role in a person's health, regardless if they are coming in with digestive symptoms or not. Here are some facts you may not have known about your health powerhouse:
- It is extremely vast
The collection of bacteria in your gut is known as your microbiome. There are approximately 100 trillion microbes living in your gut. To get an idea of how much that is, you can line up 1 trillion dollar bills back to back and they would extend from the earth to the sun and back again. That’s just a small percentage of what is living inside of you.
- It has amazing healing capabilities
The surface area of your gut is roughly the size of an entire tennis court and covered in special cells called enterocytes. These cells regenerate so rapidly you actually get a completely new gut lining every 2 to 3 weeks. As long as you don’t have any chronic health conditions like inflammation or autoimmunity studies have shown, you can heal your gut in as little as 12 weeks with gut bacteria improving in just three days of changing up your diet. Even if you do have chronic health problems, due to the nature of your gut’s regeneration, healing is only a matter of time and consistency.Running gut labs can give you a baseline idea of where you stand in order to know how to start healing. Eliminating inflammatory foods and replacing them with gut healing superfoods like bone broth, healthy fats, and supplements like probiotics and l-glutamine are great ways to jump start the process.
- It controls your weight
Studies have shown that lower microbiome diversity is associated with increased weight. People who struggle with weight loss resistance tend to have a higher amount of the bad bacteria Actinobacteria and Firmicutes and lower amounts of the beneficial bacteria Bacteroids and Verrucomicrobia.
- It plays host to your immune system
Close to 80 percent of your immune system is located in your gut. It is no surprise then that many autoimmune conditions are linked to microbiome dysfunctions.
- It is your second brain
Your gut and brain were formed from the same fetal tissue when you were growing in your mother’s womb and is inextricably connected for the rest of your life through the gut-brain axis. A whole area of research known as “the cytokine model of cognitive function” is dedicated to the connection between your gut and brain health. In fact, lower levels of Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum are linked with increased rates of anxiety and depression. Also, close to 95 percent of your happy neurotransmitter serotonin is produced and stored in your gut. If you want a healthy brain look no further than the status of your microbiome.
- It influences your entire health
You do not have to have digestive symptoms – like diarrhea, constipation, gas, or bloating – in order to have digestive problems. In reality, close to 22 percent of people struggling with underlying gut problems actually experience traditional gut symptoms. Instead, it will cause a cascade of chronic inflammation that will contribute to everything from autoimmune disease, cancer, skin problems, and even heart disease.
- It is powerfully controlled by food
The food you eat can either harm your microbiome or heal it. Certain inflammatory foods like gluten, sugar, or artificial sweeteners can actually alter your microbiome and create an imbalance of bacteria leading to an overgrowth of bad bacteria. However, eating probiotic rich fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir provide your gut with all the good bacteria it needs to thrive.
- It is more of you than you are
There are only 10 trillion human cells. When you compare that to the 100 trillion bacteria in your microbiome, we can safely say that you are actually 10 times more bacteria than human. Also, the genes of your microbiome bacteria outnumber your own genes 100 to 1.
- It plays a role in inflammation levels
When your gut lining is compromised, undigested food particles and other toxins end up entering your blood stream causing elevated ongoing inflammation throughout your body.
- It controls the health of your skin
Your skin is your body’s largest organ and one of the biggest ways your body rids itself of toxins. Chronic inflammation due to gut dysfunctions and immune-responses to different foods can appear in the form of rashes and acne. We hope that you found these facts as fascinating as we did!! Knowledge really is power and it truly does all start in the gut, so we are extremely thankful to have Dr. Cole's wisdom in our lives! We also asked Dr. Cole to share links to articles about gut-friendly eating plans, so be sure to read about an elimination diet, a 60 day reset plan, and an article on apple cider vinegar and lemon water. Also, his blog is an amazing resource, so definitely take the time to explore it! Thank you, Dr. Cole!
10 Ways To Relieve Stress
Oh, stress. We all know it at times, right? It is a real thing and some things are truly out of control, but the good news is that we are in control of how we deal and respond to stressful situations, circumstances, and seasons.One thing that always gives me peace during a time of stress is remembering that it is temporary. God doesn't want us to be trapped in stress. In a lot of ways, stress is connected to fear and worry, so keeping grounded in His Truth and committing our minds and hearts to not being fearful and not worrying is a key way to rise above stress and victoriously walk through it.Below are 10 ways to relieve stress that help us, and we hope that they help you as well. We thought that this was an appropriate post for our wellness series, because dealing with stress in a healthy way is so crucial to our well-being. Enjoy xo
*Pray intentionally, take your worries to God, get in the Word, turn on Worship music, and ask loved ones to pray for you. Talking to Him + people that you love and trust helps so much.
*Stretch or do yoga- even just doing a few poses in your home is great if you can’t make it to a class.
*Drink soothing/relaxing/calming tea- I love Yogi’s honey lavender stress relief tea.
*Schedule downtime to intentionally rest, unwind, and read a good book if that brings you joy.
*Pay extra attention to eating healthy and drinking plenty of water.
*Take a bath, light candles, turn on Worship music.
*Journal and make a list- this helps get things on paper and off your mind.
*Diffuse essential oils - lavender is so lovely always.
*Get fresh air - it could as simple as opening the windows in the house, sitting outside, going for a walk or a run if you enjoy that.
*I love binging on a happy, mindless show, like the Bachelor or Friends, ha! It takes my mind off of the stressful things.
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A Pure Home Cleaning Products Brand That We Love
We are so happy to have discovered a pure home cleaning products brand that we love- meet Branch Basics. It has been such a joy chatting with the founders: Allison, Kelly, and Marilee, and getting to know their stories and hearts for what they do. They are on a passionate mission to revolutionize the health of homes, as it is so often the missing link in people’s efforts to thrive on their wellness journeys. Allison, Kelly, and Marilee are beyond-words believers in the body's innate ability to heal if given the right food and environment- yes and amen to that! All of their products are human safe and non-toxic, plant and mineral based, not tested on animals, and are extremely versatile. Their concentrate product is especially versatile- made to be used for many different cleaning purposes and is quite powerful (yet gentle), effective, and most importantly...totally safe. They also sell empty bottles (with very precise directions about how much water to use with the concentrate), making the whole process so simple, easy to follow, and not intimidating at all.Their website, Instagram, and blog are incredible wellness resources. We are so thankful to have connected with them personally, so that we can now share their brand with you guys. Today we are thrilled to share the Branch Basics' home cleanse series; a great way to get a healthy-home in 2018 and beyond. Here are links to the simple and straightforward process: REVIEW, REMOVE, REPLACE. The story that Marilee shares in the REVIEW post is truly mind-blowing and will no doubt inspire you to seriously consider the home cleanse.Our bodies are so affected by our environments, and thankfully our home is one part of our environment that we can control. It is such a blessing that brands like Branch Basics realize the incredible impact that toxin-free homes have on our health and are actively creating products that are safe for us to be exposed to regularly- day in and day out. We would love to hear your thoughts on clean and safe home cleaning products in the comments below! xo
