You will need: 2 peeled and frozen bananas, 2 T almond or peanut butter, 2 T almond or coconut milk. Optional add ins: nuts, chocolate chips, fruit, coconut, cocoa powder. Directions: In a blender, mix the bananas and the milk substitute. You may need to cut the banana into chunks depending on how powerful your blender is. Once they are partly chopped up, add in the nut butter. Continue to blend until you get a soft serve consistency. Spoon ice cream into a bowl and stir in any additional ingredients you desire. That’s it! Enjoy this healthy ice cream alternative!
Community News
Book Club: Beyond the Label
Beyond the Label offers a unique perspective on mental health: it shares the author’s own recovery from four major mental health conditions: anxiety, depression (attempted suicide), bulimia, and bipolar disorder type 1. The book outlines a detailed, step-by-step plan for how others can achieve optimal mental health. A combination of practical clinical experience and years of lived experience, the book shares insight into how diet, exercise, and sleep can be optimized for improved mental wellbeing, as well as strategies for coping with negative thoughts and emotions, and building self-love and compassion, among other skills.
Catching Your Breath
Because breathing is an involuntary action, we rarely pay attention to the process. But did you know that how you breathe impacts your health? Deep nasal breathing can reduce stress, help you fall asleep faster, aid toxin removal, and lower blood pressure to a greater extent than mouth breathing can.
And did you know that your nasal passage serves as a biological air filter, humidifier, and air conditioner to cool the brain? So the next time you’re catching your breath, try deep breathing through your nose and note how much better you feel while going about your day.
Using Essential Oils
Aromatherapy is also referred to as essential oil therapy. It can be defined as the art and science of using highly concentrated medicinal plant extracts to promote mental and physical health. Did you know that one of the most effective ways to enjoy the benefits of essential oils is by diffusing? Breathing deeply relaxes the body and allows the essential oil molecules to be utilized very efficiently. Massage is another wonderful way to enjoy essential oils. Add 3-4 drops to 1 oz of coconut oil and enjoy. Never use essential oils directly on your skin without a carrier oil and NEVER ingest essential oils. Just breathe!
Smelly Feet?
Does the person sitting next to you have bromodosis? Smelly feet is a very common medical condition from buildup of sweat resulting in bacteria growth on the skin. Your feet have more sweat glands than any other part of your body with naturally occurring bacteria to help break down sweat. Bad odor forms when bacteria and sweat is allowed to build up. Some simple tips to prevent bromodosis includes using a scrub brush to wash your feet at least once a day, keeping toenails short and alternating between two pairs of shoes. Look for well-fitting socks made with antimicrobial fibers to keep your feet sweet smelling all day.
Sign of Intelligence…?
Which is your longest toe? If you answered “the second toe”, intelligence is not necessarily indicated, but a predisposition to certain foot ailments is. Up to 30% of the population has inherited this structure. The medical term for this is “Morton’s Toe”, and it is actually the result of a shortened first metatarsal bone and not a long second toe. This foot structure makes you more prone to stress fractures, metatarsalgia, over-pronation, and bunions. All of these symptoms can be reduced or prevented with proper support from a custom foot orthotic, designed specifically for this foot structure.
Product Review: Avena Original’s E-Fusion
This powerful Vitamin E and amino acid complex is formulated to promote energy, health, healing and longevity complete with perfectly-balanced ratios of protein, carbohydrates and fat. This great-tasting, plant-based, 100% RAW whole food provides a variety of naturally-occurring essential nutrients including antioxidants, vitamins, pro-oxidant nutrients, phytonutrients, and tocotrienols. E-Fusion helps your body heal muscles after intense workouts, injury, trauma, and boosts the vitality of your internal organs.
Avena Originals, AvenaOriginals.com
The Spirit of Plants
Spring is upon us, a time for rejuvenation, and a time to reconnect with Nature. It is imperative that we do. For centuries indigenous peoples have been in harmony with the universal spirit in plants, animals, rocks, and water. This energy is all around us and now there is a worldwide awakening for the knowledge and understanding of plant intelligence. Each of us have the opportunity to connect with plants on a spiritual level, to work in harmony with Nature and to receive their direction and healing. If you have a longing to share this energy with plants on a deeper level, “Plant Spirit Healing” by Pam Montgomery is a must read.
Sugar in Kombucha
Although its amount appears significant in kombucha, cane sugar is food for the culture. Cane sugar is sucrose, a disaccharide. Yeast converts sucrose into its monosaccharide components, fructose and glucose, resulting in a lower glycemic impact. The yeast further digests these simple sugars, producing carbon dioxide and ethanol. Most ethanol gasses off and some is food for beneficial bacteria, which produce acetic acid. There is typically very little sugar remaining by the time the sweet tea becomes kombucha. However, since sugar appears on the ingredient list in order of descending measure, regardless of its having been converted, this does cause some confusion.
Community Event
April 7, 10:30 a.m. 28 DAY Food Evolution! Yoga 10 Studio. Pre-registration required: www.yoga10studio.com
Improving Lymphatic Health
Here are five ways you can keep your lymph system working in top order and experience better health: 1. Massage – Stimulates flow through the lymphatic capillaries that are located just under the skin. 2. Dry Brushing – Boosts lymph flow by stimulating sweat glands and supporting circulation below the skin. 3. Exercise and Yoga – Movement and muscle contraction will assist lymphatic circulation. 4. Anti-Inflammatory Diet – Consuming a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and full of healthy fats is critical to support a healthy immune system. 5. Hydrate – The lymphatic system is primarily composed of water and must be hydrated to function at the highest level.
