December/January Simple Pure Whole Favorites: Health | Lifestyle | Happiness
I hope that your New Year is off to a productive, balanced and healthy start! As you stick with your intentions to actually reach your goals this year—whether to follow a gluten-free diet, take more time to rest or overcome your cravings— I am ready with lots of Simple | Pure | WholeTM inspiration to carry you through the year! I would love to have you join us as we move into the New Year by investing in you and your lifelong health.
Upcoming opportunities for Simple | Pure | Whole Wellness include:
-
Breathe: Guided Relaxation & Breathing Exercises to Help You Find Your Whole Cure is now available! This special resource will support you in bringing The Whole Cure to life! The individually-available breathing exercises and guided relaxation experiences (starting at $0.99!) can be used anywhere, at any time of day. Try using them when you feel panic, stress, anxiety or just want a few moments of calm in your day. They are also helpful for coping with pain and helping the body prepare for rest and relaxation.
The Whole Cure Lifestyle Transformation Mindset Module one of my most popular online group coaching programs for lasting transformation and meaningful stress management that can shift your entire life!
- 3-Month Simple | Pure | WholeTM Wellness Solution Essential Lifestyle Coaching Program! Get personalized one-on-one attention and transformational coaching to address your physical and emotional body, lifestyle and habits with customized virtual transformational wellness coaching!
- The Whole Cure: 52 Essential Prescriptions for Overcoming Overwhelm, Reclaiming Balance and Reconnecting with a Life You Love! Commit to yourself with 52 simple yet profound stress management techniques that you can work on throughout the year to change your mindset and find greater peace, calm and balance!
Simple Pure Whole Opportunities!
In the meantime, check out my favorite healthy recipes/foods/products/links/exercises/inspiration from the past two months. My Favorites feature is a regular part of the Simple | Pure | WholeTMBlog allowing me to share some great healthy solutions with you each month!
I only share resources that I have personal experience with and can therefore recommend without reservation. Remember that each person is unique so check with your health care provider before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle. This is not intended as medical advice. This post may contain affiliate links. Prices are the same for you and affiliate commission helps to support the maintenance of my blog so I can continue to bring you free, value-filled resources. Thank you for your support!
Here are some of my Simple | Pure | WholeTM Healthy Favorites for December and January!
Favorite Ingredient: Hemp Oil
This year, I really struggled with dry, itchy winter skin. The cold, dry air and windy winter weather can irritate sensitive skin and aggravate vata according to Ayurveda. In addition to following the strategies in my Soothe and Protect Winter Skin post, I have searched for a moisturizing option that would soothe and hydrate without chemicals or irritating ingredients.
Through research and experimentation, I have found hemp oil to be a fantastic option for keeping my skin hydrated and soothed. While warm sesame oil is traditionally recommended to balance vata, I needed an alternative as I am allergic to sesame seeds.
Like hemp food products including hemp seeds, hemp protein powder and hemp milk, hemp oil is derived from the Cannibus sativa plant, but does not contain significant amounts of the “drug” part of the plant known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp seeds are rich in plant-based omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids like ALA. These fatty acids are needed for healthy cell production and turnover and help keep the skin moist. Hemp seed oil is also rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) another type of omega-6 fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory benefits.
Simple Pure Whole Solutions
- Studies show that hemp seed oil helps alleviate dermatitis by balancing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Try applying hemp oil topically to dry, irritated and itchy skin.
- Hemp seed oil is a natural moisturizer and makes a great natural shaving oil. Try shaving with hemp oil to keep skin soft while preventing moisture loss.
- To get essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory benefits for hemp seeds to nourish skin internally, try hemp seeds to add protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids to baked goods, smoothies and other recipes! I used hemp milk in my vegan Cozy Hot Cacao for its creamy consistency that is a bit thicker than most other non-dairy milks or skim milk. Hemp seeds also provide a lovely mild nutty flavor that complements many recipes including my Gluten-Free Blueberry Coconut Pecan Granola!
Favorite Inspirational Article: Leptin Suppresses the Rewarding Effects of Running via STAT3 Signaling in Dopamine Neurons
While the title may be a mouthful, this recent study published in the journal Cell Metabolism provides a fascinating new insight into the science of the “runner’s high“.
Many of us are familiar with that addictive, short burst of post-exercise euphoria that motivates us to keep hitting the pavement or gym. Traditionally, this runner’s high has been attributed to endorphins, hormones which inhibit pain signals in the brain and contribute to feelings of elation.
Source: Fernanda et al. Cell Metabolism
Emerging evidence suggests that the motivation to run may also be augmented by a hormone secreted by our fat cells, leptin. Researchers found that mice that were genetically modified to produce lower levels of leptin chose to run on exercise wheels more often and for much longer than mice with normal levels of the hormone. They concluded that the more active mice runners were motivated by a greater runner’s high to keep on voluntarily running.
What might this mean for humans? While these studies are still in the early phases, understanding signals involved in the reward of exercise could be helpful in clarifying motivation to stay active and help us better understand the brain’s reward pathways.
Simple Pure Whole Solutions
- If you are feeling down, especially during the dark, cold days of winter, consider slow, deep yogi breathing and stretches to boost brain function and lighten mood. Studies show that those who practice yoga for an hour three times per week had less anxiety and a more positive mood, findings associated with increased levels of GABA, a brain neurotransmitters that helps reduce anxiety.
- Cycling has been shown to active brain neural pathways that make us feel more awake and energetic. Consider a desk cycle to stay active during your work day, or hitting the road for a ride on the weekends.
Favorite Farmer’s Market Find: Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are cruciferous vegetables that support the body’s detoxifcation, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems.
Gorgeous little golden organic roasted Brussels sprouts! These are one of my favorite fall/winter veggies and are delicious simply roasted to bring out the sweet cabbage flavor.
Brussels sprouts are naturally gluten-free have powerful health benefits due to their phytonutrient content. They have been shown to help protect the stability of our DNA due to the activity of sulphotransferase enzymes they contain. Glucosinolates in Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies are important phytonutrients for preventing cancer and chronic diseases and protecting our cells from free radical damage.
It is important to avoid overcooking Brussels sprouts, to maintain the optimal nutritional content and best flavor. When overcooked, these veggies tend to emit an unpleasant sulfur odor and lose their nutritional value.
Simple Pure Whole Solutions
- These 9 great Brussels sprouts recipes from Food52 offer a variety of inspiration to make these little veggies taste great!
- The Fall Action Plan Cookbook has a variety of healthy, gluten-free, vegan recipes for incorporating Brussels sprouts and other winter produce into your day!
- To go beyond the simple flavors of roasting, try these recipes from The Huffington Post for a variety of flavor options.
This Month’s Favorite Quotes
Which of these powerful quotes resonates the most with you?
The Past Two Month’s Features from The Simple | Pure | WholeTM Blog:
What is your favorite way to enjoy Brussels sprouts?
What is your favorite oil for dry winter skin?
Do you thrive off a runner’s high?
Please let me know in the comments below or on Facebook or Instagram if you have tried any of these or if you find something new you love so I can check it out!
If you enjoyed these healthy tips, I welcome you to join my free Insider’s Community for special offers, members-only opportunities, wellness news, recipes and more!
Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this email and related resources is for informational purposes only. The information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Every body is unique so be sure to check with your health care professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes taking any medication or nutritional supplement or using any treatment for a health issue.. Do not use this information provided for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you suspect you have a medical problem please contact your healthcare provider promptly and do not disregard professional medical advice based on anything in this email. This correspondence and related resources are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and do not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Jennifer Weinberg.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Prices are exactly the same for you if your purchase through an affiliate link or a non-affiliate link. I never, ever endorse a product or service that I would not purchase myself. I only share resources that I have personal experience with and can therefore recommend without reservation. Affiliate commission helps to support the maintenance of my blog so I can continue to bring you free, value-filled resources. Thank you for your support!
This post was shared with: Healthy, Happy, Green & Natur
Comments