Happy New Year! Say hello to new opportunities!!

Published on January 2, 2023January 2, 2023 by wellnessadvocate1 Comment

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. With the beginning of a new year, we begin the year with a clean slate. “I like starting projects in January. That’s the best time to start something. It’s so inward.” – Carolyn Chute

New Year! New You!

A lot of people begin the New Year by making resolutions. We’ve all been there. We take a vow to lose weight, exercise more or spend more time with our family. We start the year with great intentions, but then we quickly relapse into old habits. Why is it so hard to stick to those New Year’s resolutions?

Here’s a quote to keep in mind.

True life is lived when tiny changes occur. – Leo Tolstoy

Here are some ways you can make your intentions a reality this year:

Write down your intentions i.e. post-its and keep them in a visible place, like taped to your bedroom mirror or the dashboard of your car.
Get to the source of whatever is keeping you in a rut. Are you in a stressful relationship that causes you to eat a pint of ice cream every night? Are you stressed at your job and feel too tired to exercise after work? If you don’t tackle the root of the behavior, it will be much harder to accomplish your goal.
Be clear about what your life would look like once you achieve your goal. If you resolve to go to the gym more, how will this benefit you? Get connected to the result of your action, and you will be more likely to stick with your plan.
Share your resolutions with friends and family. Get an accountability buddy. Hold each other accountable for achieving your goals. If you want to go to the gym more, have a friend call you two or three times a week to check on you or invite them to join you.
Reward yourself with every little accomplishment. If your intention is to lose weight and you lose one pound a week, pamper yourself with a massage.

Big changes do not require big leaps. Permanent change is more likely to happen gradually than through one big restrictive plan. Allow yourself to climb the ladder one rung at a time.

Food Focus: Sea Vegetables

In Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, sea vegetables correspond to the winter season and to the kidneys, adrenal
glands, bladder and reproductive organs. The strengthening, balancing and cleansing properties of sea vegetables are known to help these organs as well as the hair, skin and nails. Sea vegetables (or seaweeds) provide a variety of minerals and vitamins, including calcium, iron and iodine, and can help balance hormone and thyroid levels in the body. Eating too many processed foods or foods grown in mineral-depleted soil can result in a lack of minerals in the body, leading to cravings for salty or sugary foods. Adding sea vegetables to your diet can help balance your energy levels and alleviate cravings.

Recipe of the Month: Mighty Miso Soup

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes
Yield: 4-5 servings

Ingredients:

4-5 cups spring water
1-2 inch strip of wakame, rinsed and soaked 5 minutes in 1 cup of water until softened
1-2 cups thinly sliced vegetables of your choice
2-3 teaspoons barley miso
1 green onion, finely chopped

Directions:

Chop soaked wakame.
Discard soaking water or use on houseplants for a boost of minerals.
Place water and wakame in a soup pot and bring to a boil.
Add root vegetables first and simmer gently for 5 minutes or until tender.
Add leafy vegetables and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Remove about 1/2 cup of liquid from pot and dissolve miso into it. Return it to the pot.
Reduce heat to very low; do not boil or simmer miso broth.
Allow soup to cook 2-3 minutes.
Garnish with scallions and serve.

Note:

Any combination of vegetables can be used in miso soup. Here are some classic combinations:
 onion-daikon: cleansing
 onion-carrot-shiitake mushroom-kale: mildly sweet
 onion-winter squash-cabbage: great in wintertime
 leek-corn-broccoli: great in summertime

Suggestions:

 Add cooked grains at the beginning of making the soup. They will become nice and soft.
 Add a tablespoon of uncooked quinoa or millet at the beginning and let it cook with vegetables for 20 minutes.
 Add cubed tofu.
 Add bean sprouts – add last.
 Season with 1/2 teaspoon ginger juice or finely chopped ginger.
 If using dry shiitake mushrooms, let them soak for 20 minutes, slice and add at the beginning of recipe.

Join my private Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/cleanlivingwithshaline to get more wellness tips, recipes, etc. on a daily basis.

To your health and happiness,

Shaline

If you’ve made a New Year Resolution to get healthy you’ve got to see this!!

Published on December 31, 2022 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

Just imagine how it would feel if you could make 2023 the year that you:

* Establish lasting, healthy habits that stick with you throughout the year

* Lose weight almost effortlessly, without feeling hungry or deprived

* Learn how to cook and eat a variety of delicious food

* Have a community ready to support you every step of the way!

✨ START HERE: If you haven’t saved your spot – Get your FREE ticket to the Whole Body Health Summit now!

This summit is a free, online event that will give you tips, motivation, and practical action steps that you can take to get control of your health once and for all.

We’re not just talking weight loss at the Whole-Body Health Summit. Whether you are trying to lose weight, lower your cholesterol, control pain and inflammation, or even regain health after cancer, the Whole-Body Health Virtual Summit will help you learn actionable steps to living a healthier and happier life.

We’re taking the confusion out of healthy living and eating.

My story is that I’ve struggled with digestive issues most of my life. I love that this summit gives you the insight on how to take care of your WHOLE body.

That’s why I’m so excited to bring this free 3-day virtual event to you!

You can learn absolutely everything you’d ever want to know about the summit over here, but as a quick overview:

The summit will run from Monday, January 9 – Wednesday, January 11.

Each day will be packed with amazing speakers who are ready to help you learn all about improving your health, increasing your energy, and getting healthy meals on the table that your family will love – and eat!

This is a virtual summit so you can attend from the comfort of your own home.

Grab your free ticket here!

See you there!

Shaline

#wholebodysummit

Massaged Kale with Fennel

Published on April 3, 2020 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

This salad is delightfully nourishing and gives you all the benefits of kale, without the digestive distress. When you massage kale you break down some of the tough fibers in the cell wall that make raw kale hard to digest.

When I started eating healthy I couldn’t digest kale very well. It upset my digestion and I didn’t get what all the fuss was about. If this happens to you the solution is to either steam your kale or massage it. This recipe is one of my favorites because you still get all the amazing benefits of raw kale: the enzymes, magnesium, vitamin C and more.

Massaging nourishing oil and lemon juice into the kale also help make the nutrients more bioavailable and easier to assimilate. Plus, it tastes delicious and can be paired with grilled chicken or fish for a classic healthy meal.

Ingredients

1 bunch kale, chopped

1 large lemon, juiced

1 large garlic clove, minced

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup chopped celery

½ cup thinly sliced fennel

¼ cup pine nuts

Directions

Add kale to a large mixing bowl along with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Using clean, bare hands, massage the kale until it is wilted (about 2 to 3 minutes).

Once the kale is ready, top your salad with carrots, celery, fennel, and pine nuts. No extra dressing is needed.

If kale is something that’s hard to digest for you, there might be a deeper issue that needs to be addressed. If you want to be able to eat whatever you want and have no digestive issues, you need to check out my gut health program. These principles have truly transformed my life as well as countless others.

Please join me in my Facebook group, where I’ll be sharing more information, tips and recipes to help you live a happier, healthier life. Sorry men. This group is for busy moms.

To your wellness,

Shaline

Poll Time!!

Published on April 2, 2020 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

Hi everyone! I hope you all are staying well and safe.

I am conducting a poll. What topics would you like to see discussed on my blog?

Relieving stress during Coronavirus
Using essential oils to help emotional health
Tips to ease Exhaustion/insomnia
Meal planning ideas

Thank you for taking time to answer my poll.

Stay well!

Love and light,

Shaline

4 Benefits of a Spring Detox

Published on March 31, 2020 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

Spring normally brings new hopes, promotes positive vibes, and brings out blooming flowers. So, Spring usually is the best time to embark on a detox plan. In winter we feel too indulged in food and drinks and it seems nearly impossible to do a detox. But there is no such issue in spring as you are full of energy and the weather is also in your favor making the whole detox plan easier on you. You need to keep in mind that detox is not a permanent weight loss plan, it just provides a jump start towards the whole process. You would still have to plan for regular exercise and follow a healthy eating routine. Here are some reasons why you might need a detox and the benefits it will bring for you.

Why Spring Detox?

We are constantly exposed to the toxins in this modern world due to the air pollution as well as the foods we intake. Even our livestock is treated with drugs and the crops are sprayed with pesticides which pose serious threats to our health with their harmful side effects. So, it is a great idea to plan for a spring detox to get rid of all these toxins and provide a fresh start to your body for a stronger immune system and an improved blood circulation. But why spring? Well, spring represents renewal and refresh – it is the perfect season to detox your body and mind and elevate your life.

Woman Spring Flowers

Benefits of Spring Detox

A spring detox has various benefits from an improved immune system to elevated energy as well as better circulation. The list of benefits continues, we can sit here for hours to be honest. But we won’t. Instead I’ve compiled a list of quick benefits a spring detox can have in your life. Check them out!

1. Weight Loss

If you are planning to lose some weight then the spring detox is the best way to start with. It will provide you with the perfect kick start towards your weight loss goals and help you achieve them at a faster rate. So, start off this spring to get better outcomes with improved energy levels and a quick metabolism.

2. Elevated Energy

Speaking of energy, yes! Detoxing can increase your energy levels. This helps you to work out twice as hard and longer for better results. The more active you are, the more you move, the more you lose weight and improve your overall health.

3. Better Digestion

There is clinical evidence that detoxing also helps greatly with the digestion. As the toxicity might lead to various health issues such as bloating, nausea, furred tongue, constipation, gas, indigestion and a toxic liver. However, all these issues can be avoided by indulging in a spring detox.

4. Improved Immune System

A spring detox is also beneficial in improving the immune system immensely. It helps to avoid colds and the flu, blemishes, cellulite, tiredness, fatigue and puffy eyes by improving the lymphatic system. It also helps to clear the sinuses by vanishing congestion and improving the lung function. It also resolves the urinary tract issues by increasing the urine output. In other words, it improves the immune system and doesn’t let the illnesses take over.

So, go ahead with and try a spring detox and see for yourself how much it benefits your overall health and well-being!

Love and Light,

Shaline

2 Ways to Loving Your Inner Self

Published on March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

Are you so stressed and being a busy mom that you don’t take time to slow down and love yourself? And do you want to make your life a happier and more peaceful one?

These two ways will help you achieve the highest level of love with your inner self and become a more confident you by using some simple techniques.

Meditation is vital for loving yourself (self-love) because it gives you quiet, alone time. Here are five meditation techniques to help you meditate and the Power of Eating Food with a high (positive) vibrational frequency.

1. Why Meditation is Vital for loving your inner self

Meditation has a positive effect on our attitude towards life because it makes us take some time to quiet our mind. This helps to soothe our nerves and make us feel stress-free. Removing the negativity of stress helps you better perceive positive vibes from others and feel happy about your life and relationships. Yoga is also effective in clearing your mind and reducing the tension of stress.

Meditation gives your immune system a boost and your mind a chance to reflect on the positive things in your life. There is a variety of meditating techniques, such as concentration meditation, which is used to focus on a single point, and mindful meditation, which is used to control wandering thoughts. Meditation can help lower your blood pressure, improve blood circulation, lower your heart rate, reduce perspiration, slow your respiratory rate, reduce anxiety and relieve stress. Meditation can also help you develop self-love in the following ways:

Meditation addresses the stress

In today’s world, stress has become our biggest enemy; it promotes negative feelings and vibes about ourselves and contributes to long-term exhaustion and mental fatigue. Meditation helps to ward off such negative thoughts by promoting a good sleep cycle, better nervous system health, and improved digestion. Meditation is great for relieving stress from your life and helping you discover and love yourself.

Mindful awareness helps us to steer clear of self-destructive habits

A meditation practice not only helps guide you into better eating habits and exercise, but it also helps you steer clear of other self-destructive habits. These can be anything from avoiding junk food to sleeping better and fending off negative thoughts. Meditation provides the mindful awareness that is required to avoid negative behaviors and maintain positive ones.

Meditation improves our self-awareness

Meditation increases your self-awareness; as a result, be become more in tune with what you should eat and how you should exercise to keep your body healthy and promote positive vibes. Practicing good self-care ultimately helps you love yourself.

Here are a few simple ways to help you start meditating:

Sit back or lie as comfortably as possible.
Close your eyes.
Breathe naturally; don’t try to control it.
Now breathe by focusing your attention on it and notice how your body moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Observe how your throat, chest, and abdomen move during breathing.
Just notice the movement without controlling the breathing process. Start doing this for 2 to 3 minutes and then increase the duration.

Including meditation in a regular routine will also help boost your energy levels.

How to start meditating with 5 simple techniques including moving meditation

Here are five basic meditating techniques. Try them all, and decide which one best fits you and your lifestyle.

1. Moving Meditation

If you don’t like sitting for long periods of time, walking meditation might be for you. You focus on your body while moving. While your arms and legs swing, feel them lifting and extending. Feel your feet as they rise and touch the ground. Keep your mind focused on the movements of your body instead of on other things.

2. Breathing Meditation

Get in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and inhale slowly through your nose. Hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale it slowly through your mouth.

3. Mindfulness Meditation

To practice this one, your mind needs to be present in the right moment. Start by focusing on your breath and continue by feeling other sensations throughout your body.

4. Mantra Meditation

This technique is conducted by repeating a sacred word or phrase, such as “aum.” To bring your mind to a state of focused tranquility. You can repeat the mantra aloud or repeat it silently.

5. Empty Mind Meditation

This meditation technique allows you to be fully aware without a specific focus. Simply sit in a peaceful place in a good posture and let your thoughts float without passing any judgment on them or lingering on any of them.

These meditation techniques are simple and effective enough to start your meditation practice or enhance your existing one.

2. The Power of Eating Food with High Vibrational Frequency

They say we are what we eat, and rightly so: food is a basic necessity and may even be one of the reasons behind making our lives great and helping us feel good about ourselves. Because we are made up of and use energy, our bodies require us to consume energy in the form of food, air, and water for sustenance and good health. To promote self-love, our inner selves require thoughts made up of positive vibrational energy. We can raise our energy vibrations by eating highly nutritious, energetic foods and eliminating unhealthy thoughts, foods, and relationships. Eating high-energy foods helps us reach a higher consciousness and better connect with our higher source. Fresh and organic foods are high in nutritional value and offer great vibrational energy benefits. Fast food and junk food, on the other hand, are of low vibrational quality and don’t add any valuable nutrients to the body. Eating high amounts of these foods can result in poor health.

To lift the energetic vibration of your food, practice gratitude and avoid negative thoughts while preparing your food. Here is a short list of high-energy foods to increase, and low-energy foods to avoid:

High-energy foods

• Fresh, certified organic fruits and vegetables
• Natural supplements, like spirulina
• Pure or filtered water — reverse osmosis or freshly collected spring water are the best choices
• Healthy oils, like olive oil and coconut oil
• Nuts and seeds
• Fermented foods
• Herbal teas
• Herbs and spices
• Raw chocolate
• Raw honey and maple syrup
• Legumes
• Grains such as buckwheat, brown rice, amaranth, and spelt

Low-Energy foods

• Genetically modified (GMO) foods, and conventional foods that have been treated with chemicals and pesticides
• White rice and flours
• Sugars and artificial sweeteners
• Coffee
• Sodas
• Alcohol
• Meat, fish, and poultry
• Processed, packaged, canned and fast foods
• Unhealthy oils, like canola, cottonseed, margarine, and vegetable oils
• Frozen foods
• Pasteurized cow’s milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Cooked foods, deep-fried foods, and microwave foods

Click here for your free downloadable guidebook.

4 Ways to Love Your Inner Self Guidebook 2

6 Ways to Support Immune Health: Does CBD Help?

Published on March 13, 2020March 13, 2020 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

Amid what is happening around the world with the Coronavirus, I wanted to re-share this blog post with you.

This is a stress time due to the uncertainty. This excess stress can weaken your immune system, thus making us more susceptible to falling ill. Fortunately, there are several preventative measures you can take to make sure you’re doing the best to maintain overall well-being.

CBD Health Benefits for the Immune System

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for regulating most functions in the human body. One of these functions is our immune response. Cannabinoids (like CBD) interact with our ECS. When our ECS is active, it helps to aid our body in bringing itself back into balance (homeostasis). When our body is in balance, it is more likely to make sure proper immune function and regulation is occurring.

The immune system is extremely complex, and there is still much to be learned about it. We are excited to see more research being conducted about the relationship between CBD and the immune system. For now, though, it appears the ECS and CBD are very much involved in the maintenance of a properly functioning immune response.

Due to the complex nature of the immune system, there are many misconceptions when it comes to staying well as the weather changes. Let’s bust some of those myths before jumping into the best preventative measures you can take to keep sickness at bay.

Busting Myths About Immune Health

Many of us have heard the phrase ‘put a coat on or you’ll catch a cold!’ Although we may associate sickness with colder weather, research suggests our increase in sickness during the winter months is most likely due to spending more time indoors (to avoid the cold) and spending more time in close contact with others who may pass a virus to us.

Having busted this common misconception, let’s dive into some effective, preventative measures to keep you healthy.

Manage stress

Stress is the single most important factor you can manage to avoid weakening your immune system. Stress wears down our immune system rapidly, making us more likely to fall ill when we are exposed to germs.

It’s not uncommon to be stressed out, it can be a stressful time! You can help mitigate this stress by meditating, indulging in regular exercise, and practicing mindfulness. There are many various ways to manage stress, so whichever option works best based on you and your schedule is great! We’re not so concerned HOW you manage stress, we’re merely advocating for you to do so!

Prioritize sleep (or make it better!)

Our bodies repair themselves while we sleep – which is why it is so crucial to make sure we’re getting enough quality sleep. When we skip out on our regular amounts of sleep, the number of infection-fighting antibodies and cells in our bodies are reduced.

Supplementing with a CBD supplement before bed will help you relax and therefore get into a deeper sleep. There are several things you can do to ensure you get a better night’s rest, and it is in your immune system’s best interest to get quality sleep when you can.

Support your body with herbs and supplements

It is recommended using a supplement as just that – a supplement to an already healthy lifestyle! Things, like sleeping well and managing stress, will always make a more significant impact than a supplement, but we listed a few supplements that can help boost your immunity nonetheless.

CBD

As mentioned before, CBD can be a powerful tool to help maintain balance in your body. Including CBD into your daily routine will be all-around beneficial – and will especially aid in activating your ECS and keeping you balanced this winter.

Medicinal Mushrooms (Chaga, Reishi)

Mushrooms are widely used in Eastern medicine and have been known to act as a powerful immune sidekick. Source high-quality reishi mushroom powder and try mixing it into your morning latte.

Echinacea

Echinacea has been shown to increase the number of white blood cells, which helps to fight off colds or infection. Try an herbal echinacea spray or a bag of tea that contains dried echinacea.

Load up on healthy foods

Vitamins can help an infection from even happening in the first place. If you are eating a healthy, balanced diet, then you should not need to take a supplement – the vitamins are already in the food we eat! We know there are plenty of treats around this time of year and we are not suggesting you don’t indulge (because we sure do!), but that doesn’t mean you have to completely ditch your healthy lifestyle altogether. You can still eat healthy meals in between your holiday get-togethers, and squeeze in workouts when able.

Vitamin D

Due to the decreased amount of sunshine, vitamin D is an important supplement to add to your regime. You can either purchase a high-quality vitamin D supplement or look for fortified milk and cereals.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is probably the most well-known immune booster. You can get your dose of vitamin C by eating citrus (like oranges, grapefruit, or lemon), bell peppers, kale, and broccoli.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that will help the body fight infection. You can get vitamin E from nuts (like sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, or hazelnuts), avocados, mango, and kiwi!

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that keeps the immune system strong and aids in healing. You can find zinc in legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products.

Prioritize eating a salad packed with vegetables, drinking a green juice, or even making your own vegetable broth before your next holiday get-together. Your immune system will thank you!

Stay hydrated

Making sure you stay hydrated aids your body in eliminating toxins and other unwanted bacteria. Soda, alcohol, and sugary drinks are not substitutes for water; if you need to, try herbal teas or add flavorings to your water to make sure you are getting enough.

As a guideline, to be properly hydrated, our bodies need ½ of our body weight in ounces per day to stay hydrated. If you weigh 150lbs then 75oz of water daily is what you need. We know drinking that much water isn’t always possible, but 35oz of water daily is better than zero. Do your best!

Wash your hands

One of the easiest tips of all, but we had to mention it! Thoroughly wash your hands, especially before handling food or after being in an environment with a lot of germs. (like grocery stores, doctor’s offices, hospitals, etc.)

These tips can help you avoid sickness anytime. This article is written to show you how easy it is to integrate a wellness lifestyle into your already busy schedule. Wellness is a choice that everyone can make!

Stay well!

Shaline

Reference: MadebyHemp

February Recipe of the Month

Published on February 17, 2020 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

I love to start each day with a positive affirmation. This is your affirmation of the month.

Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love. -Rumi

Soul Food

Think for a moment of a food from your past, one that makes you feel great after you eat it for no specific reason. Maybe it is macaroni and cheese, slow-simmered tomato sauce, ice cream cones or potato pancakes. Eating comfort foods (every now and then) can be incredibly healing, even though your rational brain might not consider it highly nutritious.

Food has the power to impact us on a level deeper than just our physical well-being. What we eat can reconnect us to precious memories, like childhood playtimes, first dates, holidays, our grandmother’s cooking or our country of ancestry. Our bodies remember foods from the past on an emotional and cellular level. Eating this food connects us to our roots and has youthening and nurturing effects that go far beyond the food’s biochemical make-up.

Acknowledging what different foods mean to us is an important part of cultivating a good relationship with food. This month when we celebrate lovers and relationships, it’s important to notice that we each have a relationship with food—and that this relationship is often far from loving. Many of us restrict food, attempting to control our weight. We often abuse food, substituting it for emotional well-being. Others ignore food, swallowing it whole before we’ve even tasted it.

What would your life be like if you treated food and your body as you would treat your beloved – with gentleness, playfulness, communication, honesty, respect and love? The next time you eat your soul food, do so with awareness and without guilt, and enjoy all the healing and nourishment it brings you.

Food Focus

kidney beans

Beans, or legumes, including peas and lentils, are an excellent source of plant-based protein. Beans are found in most traditional cultures as a staple food, offering grounding and strengthening properties that enhance endurance. They offer a highly usable and absorbable source of calcium for the body. A very inexpensive source of high nutrition, beans can be rich, delicious and satisfying,

Lack of sexual energy is often due to overtaxed adrenal glands and kidneys. Beans are known for strengthening these organs (ever noticed the shape of a bean?) and can help restore vital energy as well as sexual energy.

Beans have a reputation for causing digestive distress, but this is usually because they have been under-cooked or improperly prepared. To help reduce gas-forming properties, soak beans overnight prior to cooking, increase cooking time, add spices like bay leaf, oregano or cumin, or add kombu (a sea vegetable) when cooking.

Recipe of the Month

Easy Beans and Greens

Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Yield: 2-3 servings

Ingredients:

1 can black beans (or pinto, red, kidney—your choice) 1 bunch collard greens (or kale, spinach—your choice) your favorite toppings, such as salsa, avocado or guacamole and sour cream.

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat drained beans. Add your favorite seasonings, if desired.

2. Fill a separate medium saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and bring to a boil.

3. Wash and chop greens (you can use the stems, too) and add to boiling water.

4. Cook for 2-3 minutes until greens are bright green and tender. Drain off water.

5. On a plate, arrange a portion of the greens, top with a portion of the beans and finish with toppings of your choice. `

Have fun trying the recipe.

Shaline

What to Buy in Whole Foods to Reduce Your Anxiety

Published on September 27, 2019 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

While there is a ton of new studies that are starting to show that what you eat can have an effect on your anxiety, the real connection is between the food you eat and your brain. This means that when you eat certain foods, it has a calming effect on you that helps you to reduce your anxiety (the good foods). But at the same time, there are also foods that have a negative effect on your anxiety and actually make it worse (the bad foods).

While anybody can go online and find some foods that are supposedly going to help them reduce their anxiety, what foods can you go down to your local Whole Foods store and purchase today?

Here is a list of foods that you can buy from your local Whole Foods store to reduce your anxiety, and what to avoid buying, as it will only aggravate your anxiety.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the foods that you must have in your diet if you want to be healthy and happy. In fact, some will even say that Omega-3’s are brain food that will make your brain happy.

While most doctors prefer to prescribe you some type of medication to help treat your anxiety, the real answer is right in front of you; the food you eat. And when it comes to Omega-3 fatty acids, nothing can be better for your brain. So how does this relate to your anxiety?

When you lack certain nutrients (such as Omega-3 fatty acids), it will have a negative effect on your brain. In fact, it will disrupt your brain function and can even alter the chemistry and neurotransmitters in there as well. This is bad as it’s those neurotransmitters that control your mood, how you feel, and even your appetite.

But when you add Omega-3’s to your diet, you will be giving your brain the nutrition it needs while also reducing the symptoms of anxiety.

Some of the foods that you can add to your daily diet that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids and readily available at your local Whole Foods store include:

Flaxseed
Chia Seeds
Wild Salmon
Walnuts

Probiotics

Not commonly known by most, probiotics are another food that will help to calm you. While probiotics are for your gut, your gut is extremely important in the production of several neurotransmitters that include dopamine, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), and serotonin.

In fact, recent research has shown that using probiotics can actually work to help you treat, and even prevent your symptoms of anxiousness.

The best ways to get more probiotics in your diet are to either take a probiotic supplement or eat/drink foods that are fermented. The process of fermentation encourages the good bacteria in your gut to grow and can help calm and prevent the symptoms of anxiety.

Foods that will help increase the number of probiotics in your gut that are readily available at Whole Foods include:

Sauerkraut
Kefir
Yogurt
Pickles

More Antioxidants

There is a reason that foods rich in antioxidants are considered to be superfoods; they help to prevent your feelings of anxiousness. Antioxidants have been proven to protect your brain against stress, which eventually leads to inflammation. This can and will eventually affect your neurotransmitter production. What this means is that when you are in a state of lower antioxidants, you will feel more anxious more easily.

In fact, studies have shown that when you follow a diet that is rich in antioxidant foods, it will help to treat your mood issues and make you feel better more often.

Some of the antioxidant-rich foods that you should include in the daily diet that you can easily get from Whole Foods include:

Sweet Potatoes
Spinach
Kale
Carrots
Squash
Fruits Rich In Vitamin C
Broccoli
Red Peppers
Brussel Sprouts
Avocado
Sunflower Seeds
Almonds
Strawberries

These are the foods that are readily available at Whole Foods stores, and that is essential if you want to support your optimal brain function.

Refined Sugars And Processed Foods Are Bad

When it comes to processed foods and sweets, it is no big secret that they are bad for you. But did you also know that they are bad for your mental health too? You see, it’s the sugars and refined carbohydrates that are going to cause your blood sugar to spike extremely high, followed by a huge sudden drop.

While this may not sound like it’s that bad, this drop in blood sugar levels has been linked to a higher risk for depression and mood swings.

As if that weren’t bad enough, fried foods and processed meats have also been linked to a drop in your mood, as well as inflammation and heart disease. All these symptoms are linked to mental health problems, as well as anxiety.

While these types of foods are readily available at Whole Foods stores, your best plan of action is to steer clear of any fried foods, processed meats or refined sugars.

Instead, try to shop for the more complex carbohydrates such as the ones that are found in whole grains. These are directly linked to a lower rate of mental health conditions, as well as a lower rate of anxiety.

Alcohol Is A Major Downer

While alcohol is a natural depressant, it is even worse if you suffer from anxiety. While alcohol makes you feel ‘better’ initially, it goes hand in hand with anxiety. In fact, studies have shown that if you suffer from social anxiety, you are 4.5 times more likely to be more dependent on alcohol.

Drinking alcohol may seem to calm you down, but what it does to your body is cause massive spikes and then dips in your blood sugar levels. On top of that, it also dehydrates you, impairs your brain’s ability to function, and causes even more anxious feelings than if you didn’t drink anything at all. It is a vicious cycle when it comes to alcohol.

When it comes to what you should buy from Whole Foods to reduce your anxiety, there are many good things that you can use to help your situation. But at the same time, there are also some foods that you should stay away from as they are only going to aggravate your anxiety symptoms.

Just be sure that you maintain a healthy diet and buy the good foods that are going to help lessen your anxiety symptoms when you are shopping at Whole Foods, and you will be fine.

This article by Madeleine Taylor is originally published at SundayScaries.

CBDa: More Than Just the Precursor to CBD?

Published on July 26, 2019 by wellnessadvocateLeave a comment

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Would you consider eating a hemp leaf? It sounds very natural, but early research suggests that compounds in the raw cannabis plant may provide distinct health benefits. One of these compounds is cannabidiolic acid (CBDa), the precursor to the well-known cannabidiol (CBD) compound.

In a natural state, the hemp plant contains over 85 active compounds called cannabinoids. These compounds are secreted in a sticky resin through the trichomes (glands) of the cannabis plant.

When the hemp plant is processed, cannabinoids can be changed or removed. The final hemp product can contain one cannabinoid or all the available cannabinoids depending on how it is manufactured.

Environmental factors such as heat, air, and light can also affect what cannabinoids are present in the plant. Cannabinoids levels will vary slightly between each plant—even those that are grown right next to one another!

With the amount of emphasis that is placed on CBD, it may be surprising to learn that the raw hemp plant contains very little CBD. Instead, it contains an abundance of CBDa (the ratio is about 95% CBDa to 5% CBD at the highest.)

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Through a process called decarboxylation, CBDa is heated to break down the acidic form. What is left is referred to as “activated” CBD (cannabinoids in their acidic form have been considered “inactive”.) CBDa also converts to CBD naturally by way of time and heat.

We are familiar with CBD because of its therapeutic potential. In the past, CBD has been viewed as the more “important” cannabinoid and manufacturers have intentionally converted CBDa into CBD. Today, most CBD products are decarboxylated and contain little CBDa.

CBDa: More Than Just the Precursor to CBD?

Researchers are finding the “inactive” status of CBDa may not be entirely accurate. The compound provides its own set of benefits that are still being uncovered.

As of now, there has been far less research on CBDa than CBD. So far, all studies are at the preclinical stage, meaning they are carried out on cell cultures or animal models. In preclinical studies, CBDa has been studied for the treatment of nausea, inflammation, and epilepsy. The results are significant enough that further research is being explored.

Like CBD, CBDa is non-intoxicating. However, CBDa is used by the body differently than CBD. Studies suggest that CBDa may not interact with the endocannabinoid system; rather, CBDa affects other non-endocannabinoid receptors and enzymes.

If you are interested in the specific benefits of CBDa, we suggest performing a quick Google search for the preclinical studies. As of now, FDA regulations prevent us from presenting the specifics regarding research.

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Which is Better: CBD or CBDa?

There is no one “best” cannabinoid; however, there are cannabinoids that have been more thoroughly studied. To determine which cannabinoids are best suited for your situation, we recommend researching the benefits of each.

Oftentimes, it is a combination of cannabinoids that suit our bodies best. During what is known as the entourage effect, compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes work with one another to produce an effect greater than the compound alone. It is suggested that taking CBD and CBDa together may provide more benefit than taking the compounds alone.

As of now, research is attentive to CBD and the market will reflect such. As more research is conducted on CBDa, we predict to see a greater emphasis on this cannabinoid.

This article originally appeared on MadeByHemp.com