Lynds in Real Life

A Lifestyle Blog

Beauty Reviews

From Lackluster to Luscious; How Joico’s Defy Damage Line Transformed My Hair

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My hair is usually a huge mess. It’s summer in Las Vegas, which means daily temps are over 100°F. Take that heat, add in humidity during Monsoon Season (AKA now), and like I said, my hair turns into a HUGE MESS. My long hair becomes frizzy and unruly. I have dry, damaged hair, yet I have oily hair at the same time (what?!). Not to mention, the sun strips my hair dye at alarming rates. I need a really good shampoo, conditioner, conditioning masque, and heat protectant to manage my long locks. Luckily, I discovered the Joico Defy Damage hair care line!


Disclosure: I received a sample of Joico’s Defy Damage hair care line, in exchange for an honest review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% mine. 


I wasn’t familiar with Joico, so I was excited to do some research on this amazing company, and their life-changing hair products (that are sulfate and paraben free!). I was generously offered the Defy Damage Protective Shampoo, Defy Damage Protective Conditioner, Defy Damage Protective Masque, and Defy Damage Protective Shield. I’M IN LOVE! 


I’m pretty picky about my hair care products. I don’t like greasy heat shields, oils (usually), and well, okay, I don’t really like any hair products besides shampoo and conditioner. However, I need a masque and heat protectant. I’m being totally honest: these products are PERFECT, especially because they smell so, so good!

image source: Joico


I use the masque once a week (at night), and it leaves my hair SO SOFT. Even my boyfriend noticed the difference (he’s been brushing my hair lately, because I had neck surgery, and my shoulder is essentially useless). The protective shield gives my hair the perfect amount of protection from my straightener and the sun, in addition to strong, shiny hair, without feeling oily or greasy. 

Look how gorgeously smooth and soft my hair is in this picture!

From the Joico website: “Protect all hair types from the ravaging effects of daily heat styling, UV exposure, and environmental pollution that lead to dry, dull, lackluster locks with Joico’s NEW Defy Damage haircare system. This damage-defying breakthrough helps protect and strengthen hair bonds for a healthy-hair transformation you can instantly see and feel.” Defy Damage products have SmartRelease technology. They continually release Rose Hip Oil, Arginine, and Keratin.

image source: Joico

I’m really glad I’ve been introduced to Joico’s Defy Damage hair care line; I’ve easily become a regular customer! I bet you’ll feel the same way, too. 🙂

Buy a Joico DD Trial Kit at Ulta! And don’t forget to visit Joico’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

  • Have you used Joico products?
  • What do you look for in quality hair care? Comment below!

Thank you for reading!

Keep in touch on Instagram 🙂

Health

Family Matters – Oldest to Youngest

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No one likes to think about something terrible happening to their family, and often, that is why millions of us are unprepared. We all want to take care of our families, to provide for them in the long and short-term. With each new addition that joins your family, a lot of love follows them – but so do financial responsibilities. 

Those responsibilities aren’t just yours; they belong to everyone. However, it is essential that you do everything you can to make sure it all goes as smoothly as possible. 

Photo by Jake Thacker on Unsplash

Smallest

The beautiful thing about children is that you have a clean slate. You can start saving for them; you can start growing a nest egg. A simple savings account with a few dollars a month can help your children pay towards college, books, meals, travel, and more when they reach an age that they really need it. 

The most important thing and the one money can’t buy is, of course, time. We all have free time that we don’t always use to the best of our ability. Moreover, is there anything better than spending it on the smallest members of your family? Maybe they are your kids, and perhaps they aren’t – but spend the time, and you will feel those rewards for years to come. 

Middles

There are probably more family members in the 18-58 age bracket. Usually, this age group has the most modern pressures. The young end of that spectrum have exams, job stress, trying to afford a home, and sometimes they can feel like others are too busy being successful, or living their own lives to check-in. So take the time to say hi, grab a coffee, and just listen. 

It is nice to ask ‘Are you okay?’ it’s more helpful to ask ‘hey, do you need help with anything, what can I do?’. 

Emotional and mental support is a big deal, and all it takes is to make sure that you are there. Also, the kind offer of helping with week of grocery shopping, or even a monetary offer, usually won’t go amiss. 

Elders

The elder members of your family need just as much love and support as the younger ones – but it might need to be in a different form. The 58+ bracket sadly comes with more ailments and illnesses. If you can, start talking about their will, and if they don’t have one, it might be time to get one written up. Talk about what might happen if they can no longer care for themselves, and check out in home health care professionals so that they can stay in a place they are happy. 

It isn’t a surprise really, but the best way to take care of people is to be there for them, through the good and the bad.

•How do you and your family take care of each other? Please share below in the comments section!

Thank you for reading!

Fitness

Finding The Perfect Gym For You: 4 Helpful Tips

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While it is possible to work on your fitness at home, a gym membership undeniably has its advantages. A gym is a dedicated workout space, so your home can be reserved for relaxation; the equipment is more likely to be high-end. There’s a range of different classes available for when you feel you need to shake things up, and help will be on hand if you run into any difficulties.

However, it’s fair to say that the experience of visiting a gym can vary. Some gyms are excellent, offering a wealth of benefits to their members that more than justifies their fees. Others… aren’t so excellent, and in the worst cases, could actually harm your ability to meet your fitness goals.

If you’re on the lookout for a new gym, here are four tips that can help to make sure you find the perfect gym for your needs.

#1 – Time Your Visit Carefully

Touring a gym before joining is highly recommended. Make sure you plan your visit around the same time as you would usually be working out. Doing so allows you to get a rough idea of how busy the gym is, and allows you to assess the atmosphere and conditions based on what you are most likely to experience if you sign-up.

#2 – Check the Machines Thoroughly

During your visit to a gym you are considering, take the time to check the machines in detail. First and foremost, look at safety aspects; do the machines look modern and well-maintained, or are they in the kind of disrepair that suggests using them may result in needing to call a personal injury attorney in future? In addition, assess the cleanliness; good gyms tend to ensure that their equipment is thoroughly cleaned regularly, so any sign of accumulated dirt will make that gym a no-go.

#3 – Examine the Existing List of Classes and Ask How Popular They Are

If you are considering a gym because they offer a range of classes you are particularly excited to try, it’s important to ask a member of staff how popular each class actually is. Gyms often cancel classes that have relatively few attendees, so you’ll need to make sure that the class you want to try will actually be available. On the flip side, if the classes you are interested in are bordering on too popular, you may find yourself having to join a waiting list before each class – so it may be worth trying a different gym to see if they have better availability.

#4 – Read the Fine Print

It would be impossible to discuss finding a great gym without a discussion of the contract you will be asked to sign, especially given that gym membership contracts have a tendency for being difficult to break.

*Just ask my boyfriend: Planet Fitness will only allow him to cancel his membership by GOING TO THE GYM HE SIGNED UP AT, which mind you, is in California! We live in Nevada now. Ugh, it is so frustrating. Don’t fall into that trap.

Always ask for time to read through your contract in full before signing, paying particular attention to the clauses related to canceling the contract. Hopefully you won’t need to cancel anytime soon, but it’s always important to make sure you know exactly where you stand before you sign on the dotted line.

The four tips above should help you to find the best gym for your needs. Once you find one, come back here and share which gym you chose! I’d love to hear more about it.

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health

In Our Right Mind: Getting Free From Addiction Using The Right Tools

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Suffering from any addiction is crippling in the mind and body. When we suffer a problem that we can’t appear to overcome, is it about mind over matter? Our mindset has a lot to do with overcoming any obstacle in life, but can we use this to break free from addiction? When we have numerous bad habits in life, from biting our nails to smoking cigarettes, it’s mostly about the power our brain has. So does this mean we’ve got to put our brain into gear to get over some sort of addiction? It appears so, right? How can we use our mindset, or acquire one to ensure that we put a stop to an addiction that is harming us?

Assessing Our Current Mindset

The big problem that we have in terms of addiction is that we stand in our own way. Maybe we don’t have the ability to admit that we’ve got a problem. As is the usual procedure, when we need help, it has to be us that instigates the fact that we need some sort of support. By assessing our current mindset, it could very well be done independently. When it comes to quitting something, we have to look at which mindset we currently have. Tolerance is one of those mindsets that are connected with addiction. It’s a physical and psychological process. But what happens is, when a behavior is repeated, you become less sensitive to something. You develop a physical or mental tolerance. And on the flip side, we experience withdrawal, either in physical or mental symptoms. And it’s these two things that can get in the way of truly addressing our addiction.

Looking At Our Fixed Mindset

If we have a fixed mindset, this provides a major obstacle to overcoming any addiction. It’s about being immovable on a subject. We may embody a fixed mindset in a very black and white way. For example, if we fall off the wagon, we consider ourselves to be a failure. We may feel our abilities right now determine that they cannot be moved. This is something that provides a major barrier to overcoming any form of problem in our minds, not just addiction. Once we start to establish that we have a fixed mindset and that these things can be moved, this is when we can start to make progress.

Establishing A Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is all about progression. In a simple way, it’s about positivity, but having a growth mindset allows you to progress forward. In a biochemical sense, it can help to create extra neural pathways. It’s all about this idea of habit. We’ve learned new habits throughout our life, but it’s about breaking the ones that don’t help us. Sometimes it’s by assimilation; we could go to a group therapy practice, or involve ourselves in a sober living community so we are influenced by others that are going through the same issues. Because we stand in our own way of success, when we see others undergoing the same problems, or are just far along in the recovery process as us, it’s humbling, but it’s also a perfect way to provide stimulation and motivation. A growth mindset is vital for recovery, and it’s something that can be harnessed. Counseling is one approach; especially with counselors who provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Developing New Thoughts

Because we have specific thought patterns that we may think are fixed, this is what will lead to a more negative mindset. Issues like a self-fulfilling prophecy, negative opinions of oneself will begin to cloud our judgment. A growth mindset is not just about training yourself in terms of new thought processes; it’s about undertaking the right practices that will help you on the road to recovery. This could very well be about getting rid of certain pressures in life. It could be through social situations, or friends that are a bad influence on you. Once we start to liberate ourselves of our old thought patterns, we can begin new thoughts, and grow to become a completely different person.

Making It Work Together

Naturally, all of these things are fantastic in theory, but can be difficult in practice. The most important piece of information that we can all learn in life is that it takes as long as it takes. When we are learning a new skill, or overcoming a dependency on something, we’ve got to break free of the antiquated notion that we are “limited.” That there’s only so much we can accomplish. Time and time again, it’s been shown that the mind and body are more than able to overcome obstacles, either by highlighting the effect that neuroplasticity has on our brains, or the fact that our body is a machine, and was built for physically demanding situations. When it comes to making all of this work together, it is mind and body, but also spirit. Whether you are religious or not is beside the point; once we equip ourselves with the tools, it’s about making it all work together according to what we want.

Like they say in rehab facilities, “we provide the tools, but it’s down to you to make sense of them.” Nobody can hold our hand through a unique problem like addiction, because we are suffering from it in our own heads. We can ask for help and guidance, and we can be given the tools, but it’s down to us to make it all work. Learning as much information as possible about overcoming something, disregarding the irrelevant tools, and making the most of the relevant ones can be a lengthy practice; but it’s all about ensuring that you are going in the right direction.

Is It Mind Over Matter?

It’s such an antiquated expression, but it is mind over matter when we have the tools at our disposal. Getting “over” an addiction isn’t about taking a magic pill. Addiction is something that can stay with us long after the physical symptoms have gone. This means that we have to develop a sense of inner strength, but also equip ourselves with all the necessary information and tactics. In this respect, it is mind over matter.

•Have you struggled with an addiction? How were you able to overcome it?

•If you’re still struggling with addiction, what are some tools that would help you be successful in breaking that addiction?

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health

Is It Time For A Full Body Detox?

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Our bodies are designed to naturally get rid of all the bad stuff. However, we can often end up shoving so much of this bad stuff into our bodies that they cannot cope with the demand. Undertaking a full body detox can help to flush out the backlog of toxins in our body, allowing us to feel fresh again. Here are just several ways in which you can go about giving yourself a full body detox.

Cut Out the Bad Stuff

In order to stop all the bad stuff from piling up, you need to temporarily stop putting this stuff into your body. Some of the biggest culprits include alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, refined sugar, and trans fats. Try going a week without consuming these ingredients or try significantly lowering your intake – while the cravings may make you feel worse at first, you’ll feel so much better a few days in when these unhealthy ingredients are no longer in your system.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

It’s when we’re asleep that our body does most of its natural detoxification. If you’re not getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, you’re likely not letting your body complete this process. By upping your sleep for a week, you could help to rejuvenate your body. You’ll also recharge your energy reserves, making your brain feel much more alert and your body feel much more limber.

Drink More Water

Drinking lots of water will help to flush out all the toxins in your body. Focus on trying to drink 8 glasses of water per day. You can also try other drastic rehydration methods. To get all the toxins out of your bloodstream, you could consider IV hydration. Meanwhile, if you’re constipated and bloated, you could give colonic hydrotherapy a go.

Consume More Probiotics

Probiotics are your body’s source of healthy bacteria. These are needed to balance out the unhealthy bacteria in your gut. Too much unhealthy bacteria could be affecting your ability to digest food, your ability to absorb nutrients, and your ability to fight bugs and infections. Probiotics can be found in various foods such as yogurt, kefir, miso, and sauerkraut. They can also be taken as supplements.

Stay Active

Exercise is also important for detoxing your body. When we are active, our blood flows faster around the body, allowing antibodies and nutrients to get to the right places more quickly. Exercise helps us to get oxygen into our bodies faster and also helps to speed up our digestive system. All in all, it’s essential for a full body detox.

How do you detox your body? How often? Share below!

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health

Surprising Causes of Headaches and How to Stop Them

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Did you know that it isn’t just stress and colds that can cause headaches? Sometimes little things, like cleaning your home or even sleeping in, can cause them too. If you want to help yourself then here are the top surprising causes of headaches.

Relaxing

Do you find that headaches strike you more on the weekend? Especially on a Saturday morning? If this is the case, then there is a very good reason. As you relax, the tension from the week subsides, and your stress hormones start to drop. This can cause a release of neurotransmitters, which sends out impulses to the blood vessels in the brain. When this happens, the vessels constrict and dilate. This can cause serious headaches, and it may cause you to suffer all weekend as a result. If you want to stop this, then try to avoid the temptation of sleeping in on the weekend. Instead, go for a yoga class or a walk.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-raising-both-hands-1556691/

Pent up Anger

When you are angry, all the muscles that are in the back of your scalp and your neck really tense up. Of course, this will cause you to experience a constricting sensation around your head, known as a tension headache. If you want to try and stop this from happening, then try to breathe in deep and slowly. Also, focus on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will relax your back and your neck.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-blue-and-brown-plaid-dress-shirt-touching-his-hair-897817/

Poor Posture

Poor posture can create a lot of tension in your upper back. This can cause you to experience a headache, and you may find that you get a throbbing pain in the back of your skull. If this is the case, then avoid sitting in one position for a long period of time. If you get pain behind the eyes, this could be because of an eye problem. If this sounds like you, then check out Biotrue ONEday for astigmatism. I have astigmatisms in BOTH eyes, so I know the pain and frustration associated with it.

Perfume

If you think that housework gives you a headache, there is a high chance that you could be right. Cleaners, fragranced air fresheners, and strong perfumes can all contain chemicals which are notorious for bringing on headaches. If you want to fix this, then try and avoid heavy perfumes, and also make sure that you keep your windows and doors open as much as possible. The same applies to your workplace as well. When someone is spraying perfume, open the window and always make sure that you turn on your air conditioner where possible.

Bad Weather

If you are prone to getting headaches, you may find that they are brought on by high humidity, increasing temperatures, and even grey skies. Pressure changes can trigger electrical and chemical changes in the brain and this can irritate your nerves. This can then lead you to developing headaches and other side effects. If you want to stop this, try and take some pain relief for when bad weather does strike. I get terrible migraines, and they’re almost always due to the barometric pressure (or a change in air pressure). High humidity causes mine, as well. When in Ohio, where it’s always over 50% humidity, I get severe migraines. Here in Las Vegas, the humidity is almost always under 10%, and I get fewer migraines!

Do you get headaches? How do you combat them? Comment below!

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Fitness Health Uncategorized

Why Helping Yourself On Your Fitness Journey Isn’t A Bad Thing

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Like anything people can become passionate about, the fitness community can sometimes have those who take everything they do with utmost seriousness, and can become quite draconian when imparting advice. Of course, when this comes to matters of health and safety, or when it comes to actually promoting what works, this is completely fine. However, sometimes you may be intimidated, thinking that unless you are following ‘the perfect way,’ you’re not following a way at all.

Fitness is a metaphor for our life, in that if we want something, we have to stay committed and work for it. However, over time this can prevent you from making the progress you want despite putting work in. Fitness, like anything you do to better your life, should be enjoyable and something you look forward to when it’s at its best. If you hate every gym session, every healthy meal, and feel as though you simply have to suffer through it – you’re not going to last very long at all.

This is why, especially in the beginning, helping yourself out on your fitness journey isn’t a bad thing at all. After all, if you want to climb a mountain, it’s a good idea to bring climbing gear.

Consider:

A Shoulder To Lean On

A gym can be an intimidating place to be your first time there. You likely do not know what most of the equipment is outside of the obvious fixtures, and trying to navigate a busy gym during peak times can be a nightmare. This is why it can be important start with a gym induction, and to simply walk around the place to see what you can and can’t do. Asking questions such as what the weightlifting chalk policy can help illuminate what actions you should be taking.

Sometimes, it can be hard to simply get in a routine schedule. If you haven’t gone to the gym for some time, what makes your current need so different? Also, how might you ingratiate yourself into the fitness lifestyle well? We’d recommend that finding a shoulder to lean on could be a great idea. Perhaps you could look online at a forum dedicated to your local area, and try to find a gym buddy that way. Perhaps you might ask one of your friends to start this new lifestyle with you, if they have also suggested that they wish to become fitter.

When you have someone waiting on you as you’re waiting on them, both of you will find it much harder to let the other person down. This can help you both enjoy one another’s company and also gain a stronger and more dependable approach when helping each other overcome their lifts.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing this. In fact, it can be a much safer method of attending the gym. For example, having someone ‘spot you’ on the bench press can help you avoid being punished by gravity if placing too much weight on the bar. You can also both help each other with scheduling, your diets, observing the other’s form, and giving one another safety pointers. In fact, the more specialized an athlete becomes, the more they will have to rely on the opinions and help of other people. So as a novice, there’s absolutely zero shame in finding this for yourself, and the same goes for the use of excellent personal trainers.

Getting Active & Alert

While many of us love attending the gym, getting up at an early hour in the morning, walking to the gym in the pouring rain, and having to wake yourself up on the treadmill or by lifting weights can be enjoyable, yet a little rough to experience. Sometimes, we might wake up feeling full of energy and well rested. Other times, we might feel the complete opposite.

Does that mean we should cancel our gym session the moment we feel just a little tired? Of course not, that would be rather ridiculous. But it might also be that we need just a little help in getting active and alert each morning. For example, it might be that you decide to homebrew beautiful filter coffee to keep you alert and active each morning. You might also decide to use pre-workout to help you get in the zone. You might decide to run to the gym in order to wake up, or perhaps join a certain specialized class you must attend in order to get the blood moving. On top of that, ZMA supplements can help you feel more alert after a great night of rest.

Getting active and alert is the key to success with your fitness lifestyle. We would recommend you consider the powerful benefits of doing this. You never know just how much it could help.

Supplementation

Added supplementation can be a wonderful thing. From using Vitamin C and D supplements to help your immune system (preventing you from catching something such as a seasonal flu from gym equipment,) purchasing T5 fat burners to help you drop weight naturally, and also fulvic acid can help you gain minerals you might have lost out on before.

Protein supplements can help you repair your muscles after an intense gym session, and help you meet your daily macro requirement. On top of that, weight shakes can help you bulk up and put weight on, allowing you to exceed your daily need for certain calories if hoping to build muscle. BCAA’s can help your muscles repair even more appropriately, as they are literally providing the amino acids necessary to help you heal in the most fundamental manner possible.

If you have a fitness issue, either hard work, readjusting your schedule, sleeping, eating better, or supplementation can help it. But supplementation is often a dirty word, because of all the questionable products that can be sold, especially overseas. But enjoying the use of these, if properly vetted, can help you get to the next level of your fitness life. To that extent, this can be a net positive.

With these tips, you’re certain to help yourself on your fitness journey!

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health

The Relationship Between Work & Health

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You have heard plenty in the past about the work/life balance – but what about the work/health balance? While it is not necessarily clear cut to say that working more means having less health, there is something of a link there which is worth looking into if you want to try and make the most of your life. Your health is obviously the most important thing to you in the world, and as long as you are living in a way which pays respect to that, you should find that you are moving in the right direction. But there are many ways in which your work can get in the way of that, and it is a good idea to try and look into what you can do to stop that from happening too much. In this post, we will look at some of the ways in which your work and your health are related, and what you can do to make sure you find the right balance.

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Choosing A Job

Let’s be honest: most of the time, people choose jobs based on circumstance and chance rather than a top-down kind of objective approach. That is the nature of working in the world today, and that is the reality for most people. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t choose to try and put a little more effort into finding a job that you will hopefully love, and one which is not going to cause you too much strain or trouble with your health. If you are thinking of switching jobs or getting a job, you will want to keep your health at the forefront of your mind. As long as you do that, you should find that you are much more likely to get hold of a job that will be fairly good for you, or at least not do you too much harm. Again, this is not always possible to do, but insofar as it is, you should make sure that you are happy to make the right choice and always put your health first ahead of any job.

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Working Safely

An important way to make sure that your work is not going to negatively affect your health is by focusing on what you need to do to work safely. The more that you are able to work in safety, the more likely it is that you will keep your health where it needs to be, and that’s obviously what we all need and want. There are many things to consider here to make sure that you are working as safely as necessary. For a start, there are likely to be a number of health and safety rules which you need to adhere to in your workplace, so make sure that you are aware of these and that you appreciate what they mean and really entail. You should also make sure that you approach your work with common sense and don’t do anything unsafe on purpose, and that you don’t do anything physical which you know you probably can’t do. Remember that your employer has their side to keep up here too, and if they don’t then you should seriously consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to get their legal assistance. As long as you do that, and you work safely, you can at least be sure that your work won’t cause you any actual injuries, which is a hugely important thing to be aware of on the whole.

Taking Regular Breaks

One of the ways in which work can affect your health is if you work too much, an affliction which many people find that they adhere to from time to time. If you do work too much, then it will only mean that you are going to cause your body and mind to experience much more stress, and that will inhibit the function of your immune system to the point where you are considerably more likely to develop an illness at some point in the future. This is clearly no good for you at all, and absolutely not worth the extra working hours. Instead, you should aim to take regular breaks wherever you can, so that you can be sure you are going to keep that stress as low as necessary, and not allow it to become too much. There will be a legal requirement for break time which you should follow, and hopefully your employer will let you take a little more too, so make sure that you are happy to do that if you want to really look after yourself. Taking breaks is essential for your health.

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Eating Well

Many people fail to eat properly when they are at work. This might be because they are rushed off their feet and they don’t find it easy to get hold of good food, or it might be that the stress of the day means that they crave fast food. Whatever the underlying reason, you need to try and make sure that you don’t go too far down that hole. Instead, try to make a point of eating as well as you possibly can when you are on lunch break and other breaks. You can do this by preparing a healthy meal at home which you bring in, or simply by making sure that you make a point of making better decisions when you buy your lunch. The healthier you eat during the working day, the better off your health will be on the whole – and you will also find that it makes it much easier to carry on working without getting too overwhelmed or stressed too. Food is one of the most important parts of this whole process, and you should make sure that you treat it as such. Your diet is the central pinnacle of your health, especially when you are already stressed from work.

Understanding the relationship between work and health and taking the steps above will help you to lead a much healthier and happier life!

•How do you balance your work and health life?

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health Nutrition Reviews

Food Intolerance Testing with York Test Labs Pt 2: Results

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A couple weeks ago, I shared about Part One of my food intolerance testing with York Test Labs. Quick summary: I was given the opportunity to take an at-home food and drink intolerance test. I sent two little cotton swabs of blood to be tested for over 200 common intolerances. Note: this blood test checks for intolerances (some are possible intolerances), not allergies.

Disclosure: Lipton Publicity provided a sample, and the opinion I express is 100% my own.

I’m back to share my results with you! Via email, I received these results:

The top red ones (in the first photo) with the black dots are what my blood reacted to. The only one I’m sad and surprised by is the cocoa bean! I’ll definitely have to get more info on the specifics of that. If I can’t have chocolate ever, what kind of life would that be?! 😉

I’m not surprised by the milk and eggs (including yolk). I’m bummed about beef, because I love a good cheeseburger. With the eggs, it’s funny: exactly 5 years ago, I started eating food that only felt good in my body, even though some of the foods I couldn’t eat were considered healthy. Here’s the post:

That post was specifically talking about eggs! Eggs have always made me feel bloated, despite never feeling full. It felt good reading these results and knowing it wasn’t all in my head.

The yellow food/drinks with the black dots are things my blood sort of reacted to. Those are possible intolerances, but not a “for sure.” Everything else, I didn’t have a reaction to! Pretty awesome.

Had I taken this test a year ago, I’d be so sad about the intolerances to wine. But, luckily, I no longer drink, so it’s not a big deal to me.

•••

After receiving the results, you’re given a phone number to call and schedule TWO 30-minute nutritional therapy sessions! You’ll talk with a professional to better understand your results and ask any questions. You’ll also receive a food diary and guidebook.

I feel extremely satisfied with the testing process with York Test Labs, and the results I received. I highly recommend checking out their website to learn more, & to purchase your own kit! There’s nothing more important than your health.

PS: There’s currently a SALE happening! Use code MAY20 to receive 20% off!

Thank you for reading!

Keep in touch on Instagram 🙂

Health Nutrition

6 Simple Techniques for Eating Healthy

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Good health is one of the paramount factors in your life. To maintain a healthy body, you should put into consideration healthy eating habits. Your eating habits contribute a lot when it comes to your health. Are you curious to know some healthy eating tips? If yes, keep reading to learn six healthy eating tips!

Consume meals that are rich in carbohydrates and fiber

A third of your meal should contain starchy carbohydrates. This includes potatoes, rice, cereals, just to name a few. You can also opt for a diet with a high level of fiber, such as whole-wheat pasta or brown rice.

Fiber plays a significant role in enhancing your digestion process, mainly when it comes to excreting what you eat. You should be keen on the amount of carbohydrates in your diet, and it’s advisable to regulate the amount of carbohydrates in your food.

Mitigating sugary foods

According to medics, regular consumption of sugary food may lead to tooth decay or even obesity. These foods can give you a lot of energy, but they also may lead to gaining weight.  If you must consume sugar, it’s best to consume natural sugars, such as honey or juices, rather than consuming artificial sugars.

Reducing salt consumption

Food without salt is tasteless and bland. Medical experts recommend that you shouldn’t consume more than six grams (or 2,300 mg) of salt per day.  Excessive consumption of salt puts you at risk of high blood pressure. In extreme cases, you can experience heart disease or strokes.

You should also check the level of salts in packaged foods. For instance, if you find there is more than 1.5g of salt per 100 grams, the food has excessive salt. It’s best to avoid foods like that. Children should consume even less; between 2 and 6g, depending on their age.

Fruits and vegetable consumption

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Fruits and vegetables also aid in boosting your immunity. If possible, you should consume at least five portions of vegetables and fruits each day. They can either be juiced, dried, frozen, canned, or fresh.  Many people prefer fruit desserts instead of sugary desserts. This is mainly attributed to the nutritional value found in fruits compared to sugary desserts.

Avoiding or reducing alcohol consumption

To maintain good health, you need to eliminate alcohol. Alcohol doesn’t have any nutritional value, and it can lead to weight gain (beer belly, anyone?). You should aim at avoiding alcohol at all costs since it will jeopardize your healthy lifestyle. If anything, you can consume CLSICS products in moderation, or other natural plants.

Meat

Perhaps meat is your favorite delicacy. There is no doubt that meat is sweet; however, it should be consumed in moderation. If possible, you should strive to consume white meat (chicken, pork) since it contains a higher nutritional value compared to red meat.

Wrap Up

The above are some of the healthy eating tips that you should put into consideration if you want to live a healthy lifestyle. Always remember to consume a balanced diet when possible. Eating healthy might increase your lifespan, so it’s a no-brainer!

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Fitness

How To Get Guaranteed Results When Exercising

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It’s no secret that regular exercise is good for your health. So many studies show that exercising can prevent health problems and aid common issues like chronic pain. But, many of you want to work out to see results. As such, it’s demotivating when you try hard and see no changes in your body. From here, you stop exercising – which is a detriment to your health. 

How do you see guaranteed results all the time? Believe it or not, it’s not that difficult!

Know Your Goals

The first step is to understand your specific fitness goals. Do you want to maintain your weight? Are you hoping to lose weight or gain muscle? Do you want to be free from chronic pain? All of these goals are different and require different exercise regimes. By figuring out what you want to achieve, you can start putting together a program that targets them. This ensures you don’t waste time doing things that won’t provide the right results. 

A great example is someone who wants to gain muscle but only does cardio workouts. You won’t see the desired results, so you’ll get demotivated very fast!

Find Out What Works for Your Body

We’re all different, and some people respond to certain exercises better than others. It’s very scientific and relates to muscle fibers and all that jazz. Still, with companies like Dynamic DNA Laboratories, you can figure out what type of exercise suits your body the best. Effectively, you send a blood test to companies like this and they analyze it to see how your body responds to different stimuli. 

In essence, you learn what you should be doing. It’s a great way of making your body more productive when exercising. Again, it’s all about avoiding things that don’t bring you the benefits you’re after. 

Be Consistent

The third step is to be consistent. This relates to both your fitness routine and diet. You can’t eat healthily for a week and then go back to your old habits. It won’t provide the results you want to see! Likewise, if you exercise once a week, don’t expect to see the desired results you’re after. 

Consistency is key, which is why many people hire personal trainers or find online training programs. I definitely recommend this as you can get a program that tells you what to do and when to do it. There’s a sense of accountability there, but also a schedule. Most people lack exercise consistency because they don’t have a plan and just wing it all the time. 

It seems too good to be true – are these three things all you need to see results? Well, yes! Exercise and health are very simple things that have become overly complicated with time. If you want to see results, you need to define your goals. This lets you know what type of exercise you should be doing, and what diet you need to follow. Then, find out what your body responds best to and stay consistent with your training program. Good luck!

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Health

Tackling Your Back Pain One Ache At A Time

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One of the leading causes of disability amongst people of all ages, but significantly more likely to affect us as we age, is back pain. In some circumstances, it can be truly debilitating. Here, we’re going to take a closer look at not just how to combat the aches of back pain, but how to work on restoring the mobility and energy that back pain can take away, as well.

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Get Moving

Staying in motion is one of the single best things you can do for back pain. If you also have joint pain, you might worry about how effectively you can exercise. However, low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, and yoga can treat your joints with care, while easing the tension in your back. If you have bouts of back pain coming back, you can recover from them a lot more easily.

Strengthening Your Back

Exercise can help you build mobility and release tension in your back, not to mention losing some weight that might be putting more pressure on your spine. A physical therapist may be able to go even further, still, with an exercise program designed to strengthen the muscles in your back and abdomen. Working the muscles around the spine means that it gets more support and isn’t dealing with all of the weight of the body unaided.

Tacking Things Directly

The right professional can do a lot of good when they get hands-on with your back. Aside from massage therapists, you should consider getting in touch with a health professional that practices chiropractic care. Manipulating the back, they can release a lot of pent up tension, helping to improve blood flow to the back amongst other things. One visit isn’t enough to solve your worries, but repeat trips can have significant benefits over time.

Improving the Body’s Healing Process

One of the biggest complaints about when an individual’s back goes out is that it can take you off your feet and force you into inactivity for the rest of the day, if not longer. Applying hot water bottles and cool packs to your back can help you recover more quickly. However, there are complementary therapies like acupuncture that can also stimulate the body’s healing process, relieving your back of chronic pain.

Talk to Your Doctor About More Serious Measures

If your back pain is debilitating enough, or the tips above do not do the trick, then it might be time to talk about more drastic options. There are several paths that are more invasive, but may be able to more directly target the symptoms and cause of your back pain, from nerve blocks that reduce back pain directly at the source to spinal cord stimulators that can divert signals of pain from the back away.

Back pain is a serious issue and not one that’s easily solved by relying on one of the tips above, alone. With your doctor, work to find the combination of solutions that can help your pain ease off on you and help you restore some quality of life.

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Health

What You Can Do Today To Age Healthier Tomorrow

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Most of us understand the importance of building up healthy habits. People appreciate that some choices have long-term consequences. But we too easily fall back on a laissez-faire attitude. 

I’ve got plenty of time. I can improve my habits later. 

Therefore, there’s no time like the present to create habits that will keep you healthy in old age. Ideally, you want to focus your attention on some of the most common complaints: 

  • Chronic pain
  • Weight gain
  • Cognitive confusion
  • Depression

So, what can you do today to avoid those tomorrow? 

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Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is wrongly associated with old age. In reality, it can affect individuals at any point throughout their lives. Still, it can be a recurring issue for an aging population. Soreness and stiffness can dramatically affect your mobility. However, it doesn’t need to be the case. 

Unfortunately, our day-to-day routine is contributing to chronic pain in old age. Most individuals have a sedentary lifestyle. As such, desk jobs can facilitate strain and RSI injury. You can’t change careers to remove the desk from your routine. But you can change your approach to the workplace. Ergonomic options and standing desks can help reduce unnecessary pressure on your back and neck. Additionally, introducing regular breaks during the working day will help to keep desk pains at bay. A short walk around the office is all it takes to get your body moving again and break the curse of a sitting job. 

Sitting can be dangerous for your health. It is a position that facilitates not only chronic pain but also encourages muscle weakness. The hip flexors are the first muscle groups to become tight when you spend too much time in a prolonged sitting position. In the long term, simple motions can lead to soreness. Maintaining an active lifestyle today will help alleviate the damages that occur during a desk job. You’d be surprised to know that 30 minutes of physical activity can do wonders to lubricate joints and strengthen weak muscles. 

We are used to dealing with occasional soreness. Whether you’ve been sleeping in an awkward position or your hectic work is creating tensions in your back and neck, most people pop a painkiller and carry on with their days. However, painkillers do not remove the pain; they only stop your body from letting you know about it. Therefore, they can hide conditions you could eliminate with professional treatment. If you find yourself relying on painkillers a little too often, you need to deal with the underlying issue before it gets out of hand. 

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Understand Weight Challenges

As we grow older, the metabolism slows down. What this means is that the body is not as efficient at burning calories. Yet, your metabolism isn’t the only culprit for heavy weight in old age. More often than not, we create their weight issues early in life and fail to manage them effectively. 

Experts such as the Bariatric Experts are dedicated to teaching their patients healthy diet choices, both through targeted nutrition and workout programs and surgical options. Weight loss specialists have noticed that a lot of people fall into harmful lifestyle habits, either out of convenience or coping mechanisms. Unfortunately, when weight becomes a problem, many don’t know where to start their journey. There is no denying that losing weight is a long-term plan, but it is also a lifestyle upgrade. The sooner people seek support and guidance, the more likely they are to replace bad habits with healthy routines. 

In a fast-paced society, home-cooked meals have become an anomaly. It’s ingrained in the social mindset that you need time to cook at home. As a result, professionals can fall into the trap of processed foods and pre-ordered meals. The reason is that we believe we don’t have time to look after ourselves. It appears essential to make time for mindfulness in our lives, starting with the food you put on your plate. Hectic eating routines pile up weight and stress, creating a vicious circle in which people feel too pressured to make time. 

Rapid Cognitive Degeneration

Dementia affects up to 7% of adults aged 60 or over. While this may not seem like much, 25% to 50% of seniors aged 85 or more are likely to exhibit signs of dementia. It is a terrifying prospect, and unfortunately, one that we don’t know how to manage. But we do have tools at our disposal that can keep our brains sharp and healthy, giving us the best chances against dementia. 

We all love the comfort of not having to take school tests anymore. However, school is not all bad. Students can learn new skills, building up new connections in the brain. There is no age to stop learning. In fact, you can learn a variety of skills for free, using applications tools or online tutorial videos. Language apps, for instance, are a great way of brushing up your knowledge or learning new vocabulary. Smart brain training exercises can also make a big difference in keeping the mind trained and active. The moment you stop thinking and learning, areas of the brain can become vulnerable to damage. 

Needless to say, the brain is an organ too. As such, it requires plenty of oxygen and nutrients. The food you eat will preserve brain health. Similarly, regular physical activities ensure good blood flow. You need to think of the brain as a part of your body, and therefore it also needs fueling. 

Loneliness and Old Age Are Not A Fatality

Sadness is as much a state of mind as a response to life situations. For elderly people, mental health issues are primarily linked to loneliness and depression. Making friends and trying out new things are not skills related to age but individual personalities and preferences. Adults who maintain a small circle of friends and activities are more likely to experience loneliness and depression as they age, as they get separated from their social circles. Cultivating connections can completely transform your experience of the aging process. 

The choices you make every day will affect how you age tomorrow. While there is no denying that some health issues are likely to develop as the body ages, it is important to remember that most complaints can be avoided. The truth is that introducing positive habits as early as possible makes them more sustainable in the long term. 

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Food

Simple Ways to Improve Your Food’s Flavor

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You have the best cooking equipment and a reliable recipe, but your food comes out bland. Something is amiss, but you can’t tell what it is. Don’t worry; this happens sometimes, even to the best cooks, and it’s something that can easily be fixed (and remember that good food has a way of reducing some of life’s stresses).

The taste buds have five main components that differentiate sour, salty, sweet, bitter, and umami tastes. When trying to identify the missing ingredient, think in terms of these five flavors. Does the food need a little more sweetness or saltiness? That way, you’ll be able to reach for the right ingredient to balance the aroma.

With that in mind, here are some simple ways to bring out that tasteful flavor in every food!

Use Vinegar

Vinegar is the most versatile ingredient to boost a bland recipe. Its acidity can help balance the five tastes easily. Balsamic vinegar is a favorite in many households. It not only has a bitter-sour taste, it also increases the notes of sweetness.

Choose carefully which acid to use: it can add any of the five taste notes, and sometimes not the taste note what you want. Other recommendable vinegar types are rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and red wine vinegar. Each works uniquely to boost flavor in particular cuisines.  

A Little Citrus Will Help

Most citrus fruits can be the solution you need when your food tastes flat. You can add citrus juice to almost everything, depending on how you use it.

You know that citrus fruits have a lot of vitamin C, but do you know they’re also rich in fiber? Fiber is essential for overall digestion, and it helps to balance blood sugar levels.

The first way to use the fruits is to grind the rind and add it to anything you’re cooking. This adds some acidity and sweetness. It can come as a bonus to put on top of your favorite pastry!

You can also add lemon juice into any sauce dish to make it taste better. If you’re making anything from marinara, to alfredo, to mushroom soup, try it yourself by adding lemon.

Nuts are Not Only for Snacking

Whether you’re on a vegan, paleo, high-fat, or low-fat diet, you can hardly go wrong with nuts and seeds. They’re your best diet friends, packed with lots of protein in every little nugget. You can add nuts and seeds as toppers in your salad or stir-fry. They blend well with sweet and salty flavors.

Another option is to use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. It’s excellent in smoothies, pancakes, or when used to make a delicious butter sauce. Sunflower seeds contain Vitamin E and are beneficial to the skin. Win win!

Hemp hearts sprinkled on a chocolate spread will add a nutty flavor. They also have more protein than eggs and are great for your brain!

Garlic

Adding garlic, and a lot of it, will almost always make (savory) food taste better. Trust me on this one.

Take Away

Cooking is an art, but it can go wrong if you don’t know the right strings to pull. The trick lies in understanding the ingredients to use to make the food more delicious. Creative experimentation with nuts, vinegar, citrus fruits, and salt will definitely help make all your dishes abundant in flavor!


•What do you add to your cooking?

Thank you for reading!

Health

4 Self-Care Tips To Help You Manage Stress

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Too much stress is debilitating and can cause you a lot of worry and anxiety. You may soon find you start to have trouble concentrating and tackling your to-do list. It’s best to address and combat your stress right away before it escalates into a larger problem.

There are several self-care tips you can apply that will help you manage and reduce your stress. You’ll find you’re a much happier person for it and that life is more enjoyable when you’re taking good care of yourself. Put these ideas into practice, and you’ll be on your way to living a healthier lifestyle and leaving poor habits behind you once and for all.

1. Consume A Healthy Diet

The first self-care tip to help you manage stress is to eat well. Consume a healthy diet that provides you with natural energy and helps you function optimally. Keep in mind that too much sugar may be keeping you up at night and causing you to hang onto extra weight. It’s especially important you cut back on your sugar and monitor sugar levels if you have diabetes. In this case, learn about some diabetic snacks you can add to your grocery list to help you feel your best and ensure you’re staying healthy and well.

2. Take A Vacation

You may be feeling stressed because you’re working a lot of hours and not taking any personal time to yourself. Therefore, it may be time to take a break and go on vacation. Your vacation days are meant to be used, and you’ll likely be more productive and have a better attitude when you step away from your work responsibilities every so often. Go somewhere that makes you happy and disconnect from checking your messages and email. Have someone on your team cover for you so you can truly relax and enjoy your vacation.

3. Get Better Sleep

Lack of sleep leads to more stress, and you’ll find that you will feel tired and unmotivated. You’ll likely be moodier, and might make bad choices or decisions when you’re overtired, too. Therefore, you should focus on getting better sleep each night. Configure your room for optimal rest by purchasing a comfortable mattress and bedding and making sure the room is at the right temperature and is dark enough. Go to bed at a decent hour and participate in a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading a book or taking a warm shower.

4. Make Time for Reflection

Your mental health is another important aspect of your self-care routine. Reduce your stress by taking the time to reflect and think about your goals and future. Consider what you’ve done in the past that you want to change going forward and acknowledge any negative thought patterns or unhelpful ideas that try to take over. Meditation and deep breathing exercises are also excellent ways to slow your racing mind and can help you regroup and feel calm. You’re likely to feel more stressed out when you’re rushing around each day without a plan and just trying to survive. 

•What do you do to de-stress?

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Health Nutrition

Natural Ways To Assist Your Chronic Conditions

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The day to day can wear down the body and make us suffer. An important part of healthcare is food, as the assimilation of nutrients through food will have different consequences throughout our body. Anyone who suffers from chronic pain may be well aware that their diet can contribute to the assistance of certain ailments, or exacerbate them. Including lifestyle changes is important, as is utilizing good medicines. Natural remedies are always good, and with Stradtman Family Wellness, you can look into all of this. There are also some vitamins and supplements that you can take to assist you in other areas.

Vitamins for eyes and general health

To preserve your eyesight, you should eat foods such as dairy, pumpkin, tomatoes and vegetables. Vitamin A must be added vitamin C, with high antioxidant power, a property necessary to prevent diseases such as cataracts. The vitamin E found in spinach, avocado and some nuts is also a powerful antioxidant that could slow down oxidative stress, which occurs in cells during old age and thus prevent eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. If you have diabetes or any other condition such as this, you should be aware of how this can keep blood sugars down too. 

Aid digestion problems with good fiber

The lack of good digestion causes general discomfort, abdominal pain, and even bad breath. Fruits, vegetables, cereal, and legumes are most suitable as a source of healthy fiber. At the same time, the low-fat content of lean meats makes them ideal for light digestion. One of the best allies of the digestive system is yogurt because it protects against the natural acidity of the stomach. Olive oil also is rich in oleic acid with beneficial properties for our digestive system, protecting against acidity, constipation and regulating digestion. 

Inflammatory problems and skin diseases

A nutritional routine based on the Mediterranean diet, whose pillars are fruits, vegetables, fish, white meat, and olive oil, reduces the effects that stress and lack of rest have on the skin. Once again, the role of antioxidant substances is fundamental. The polyphenols in green tea, for example, have greater regenerative power than vitamin C and improve the elasticity of the skin. Joining the good habit of finishing lunch with a cup of tea will do a lot for the health of the largest organ in the body.

Minerals and vitamins for brain agility

If you suffer from any type of memory loss or motor disease, you can improve brain function with certain foods. Neural functions such as concentration or assimilation of concepts can be impaired if the diet is not taken care of. Iron, iodine and vitamin B12 play a major role in the development of cognitive functions. Broccoli has proven effective properties as far as memory is concerned. Greater consumption of vitamin K, abundant in broccoli, will facilitate verbal expression and retention of information. The consumption of almonds and walnuts will also be positive due to their high content of omega three and proteins that stimulate the neurons responsible for keeping the body awake. It’s time to start looking after your health.

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Food

Presentation Tricks To Make Home Cooking Look Like A Restaurant Dish

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When you’re cooking mid-week meals for yourself, you probably don’t worry what it looks like. As long as it tastes good and it’s healthy, who cares how it’s presented? But if you are cooking a special meal, maybe for a dinner party or a date night, it’s nice to spend a bit more time thinking about the presentation. 

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Restaurant food isn’t just better because of the taste, it’s about the way that it’s presented on your plate as well. If you have ever tried to mimic this fancy presentation, you will know that it’s harder than it looks. However, there are some simple things that you can do to improve your food presentation. These are the best presentation tips to make your home cooking look professional. 

Use A Charcuterie Board 

If you are hosting a dinner party and you have some great cured meats and cheeses as an appetizer, you could just stick them on a plate on the table. But if you are trying to create the full restaurant experience, you should use a wooden charcuterie board instead. You can even make your own wood charcuterie board out of some old scrap pieces, so there’s no need to spend any money. Presenting your meats and cheeses on a nice wooden board, with a bit of thought about the arrangement, immediately takes a simple appetizer and turns it into something much more elegant and classy. 

Build Upwards On The Plate 

Have you ever noticed how fancy restaurants use big plates and it seems like there’s only a tiny amount of food right in the center? This is because they create height on the plate instead of letting it spread out, which makes it look a lot fancier. If you’re cooking for your favorite pasta dish with spaghetti, for example, try twirling it around a serving fork and placing it on the plate so it has height. Even something as simple as some fries look great if you can stack them in a nice arrangement. 

Cut Back On Portion Sizes 

If you have ever tried to arrange your food nicely on the plate but ended up with a big mess, it might be because there is simply too much of it. If you are going for elegance, try cutting back on your portion sizes. Avoid big family style portions of lasagna or stew because you can’t really arrange them in a nice way. A small slice of lasagna, with some carefully placed tender stem broccoli resting on the top will look much nicer. Cutting back on portions is also great for your health too. 

Think About Color 

You think about color when decorating your home and it’s no different when decorating a plate. Consider the color of the main element of the dish and what other colors might accent it. Try to avoid too many beige foods or having everything the same color. You can use sauces and even colorful vegetables to add more variation to the plate and make it more vibrant.  

By applying these simple concepts and experimenting with your plates, you can make your home cooking look like a professional restaurant dish!

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Food

The Inexpensive Food That Keeps On Giving: Pork

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What is about pork that makes it so versatile in everyday cooking? For households that eat pork meat, it can be a staple of many dishes. Most families are familiar with the typical bacon and eggs meal that can be prepared at any time of the day and night in a matter of minutes. It’s hard to think about it without salivating! 

If you love a simple minced meat and sauce dish, such as a quick homemade tomato sauce and mince recipe to go with pasta, pork is a go-to ingredient for a low-cost recipe that can serve the whole family. But there is a lot more to it than what first meets the eye. 

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It can serve a whole family

As mentioned above, you can use pork in a variety of quick meals. It can also become the main element in your meal. While we think of minced pork or bacon, they evoke recipes in which pork acts as a supportive element to the whole dish. But with this slow cooker pork roast recipe here, you can give your pork loin the central role in your cooking. Slow-cooked meat develops flavors over time. A delicious roast can be a warm and comforting dish on a cool winter day. Pair it with some sautéed vegetables and a little gravy, and you’ve got a full meal with little effort. 

Did your pork cut have a bone?

What happens to the bones when you buy a cut that comes with pork bones? In most households, bones are either given to the dog (don’t do this! The bone can split and severely harm you dog), or put in the trash. But you can also cook them to make a deliciously nourishing broth. Bone broth is a typical base for ramen noodles. You can prepare your broth ahead and freeze it, and it’ll be ready to be used when you want a quick bowl of noodles. 

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You’ve got some uncooked leftovers: Spice them up

Spices can completely transform a dish. Pork is superbly versatile as it accommodates a variety of spices perfectly. If you want Mexican flavors, you can combine it with chili and smoked paprika spices. For an Asian twist, you can add a little ginger and garlic to elevate your pork. A warm Mediterranean meal will mix warm cinnamon and pepper for a sweet and spicy taste. For an Indian dish, you can add garlic and turmeric to your pork. There are so many variations that can elevate your pork leftovers. It would be a waste not to try them all! 

Your rendered pork fat can be useful, too

If you’re one of those people who throw away the fat that comes out when cooking pork, you are wasting delicious flavors! You can recycle pork fat into a variety of dishes as a way of seasonal or adding a flavorsome confit edge to your ingredients. You can mix your bacon fat to mashed potatoes to transform them forever. In sauces, bacon fat enhances beurre noisette or hollandaise sauces with new depth. You can even try it in a slow roast to give a confit finish to your vegetable and meat. 

In conclusion, pork is one of the most inexpensive meats in your local grocery store. But it’s also one of those miracle ingredients that can be used and reused many times and in many different ways. For pork eaters: If pork meat isn’t already a staple in your kitchen, it definitely deserves to be! 

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Health

The Power Of Honesty In All Areas Of Life

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Honesty is, quite simply, close to divinity. We say that, even though it’s quite a dramatic statement, because honesty is the most important policy in life. Of course, sometimes we might decide to bend the truth to our whims, such as when we might tell our friend their new haircut looks great, even though it doesn’t suit them.

Yet there are also schools of thought that suggest being honest, even if it causes you harm, will lead you to a better result than if you lie even with good intentions. We’re not here to define the answer. But we can talk more about honesty and just how redemptive it can be, particularly if you’ve spent a good amount of your life hiding from it.

How can being honest, or more honest, have a profound impact in your life? It’s worth asking this question, because being honest is hard. It takes effort and care to get there. So – why focus on it? Let’s consider these questions below:

Have A Bad Memory? Stay Honest!

Mark Twain once said “a man who tells the truth need not remember what he said,” which is quite a freeing and liberating aspect of staying honest. When you speak your truth, you don’t have to keep fully consistent with lies or mistruths you may have told in the past. Of course, we all change and believe different things. 

You might have told a friend two years ago that you liked their favorite movie, because you really did enjoy watching it with them, only to rewatch it years later and have your impression changed. That doesn’t mean you lied. The cognitive hygiene of knowing the difference between exaggeration and consistency in your views can help you feel more comfortable in a social setting, and more like yourself. This kind of authenticity (with certain caveats) is of course the best way to feel like you are who you are, without apology. That’s how you make real friends.

Accepting & Expressing Your Needs

Being honest to others is sometimes secondary to being honest to yourself. You need to be honest to yourself. Otherwise, it’s easy to mislead yourself and to forget what your actual opinions are. For instance, it might be that you really need your partner to pay you more respect and to treat you more fairly. It might be that you’ve accepted that this will never happen, even though you haven’t actually asked. 

You may have convinced yourself that this is okay, and that’s just what your relationship is. For the fear of conflict you have lied to yourself, and have prevented something very necessary to your continued, healthy relationship. It’s not hard to see how people become bitter and tired in these scenarios, and that can lead to a worse result than the earlier conflict. 

Admitting When There’s A Fault

One benefit of staying honest is that you’re more able to actively discuss or express difficult situations, because you’ve already done the work by understanding the truth isn’t such a bad thing after all. For instance, it might be that you’ve been struggling with an addiction or alcohol problem. This problem will continue precisely as long as you’re unable to admit it’s part of your life.

By admitting it, you immediately open the door to recovery. You may find yourself in a nurturing drug and alcohol rehab center as a natural consequence, helping you restore the life you once loved and once again finding your new, healthier normal. Admitting when there’s a fault can quite literally open your mind, heart and eyes to a new, better tomorrow, no matter where that fault may lay.

The Truth Comes Out In The End

The truth always comes out in the end, anyway. It’s impact can be devastating or expected. It will stop eating at you. For instance, consider how many people are actively coming out of the closet or expressing who they are with much less fear of recrimination thanks to society’s accepted standards in 2020 and beyond. We can only imagine how difficult it must be for some people who wish to accept themselves but struggle to. 

That truth will remain with them for as long as they live, and so it’s best for them to understand being LGBTQ – to use an example – is in no way an admission of being inferior, and in fact, is quite the opposite. It takes courage and the willingness to speak up and stand your truth. This movement only gained acceptance thanks to fearless and incredible individuals who decided to make it so, when the consequences for coming out were much more difficult. They aligned themselves with the truth. We now see the impact they had.

With this insight, we hope you too can utilize the power of honesty in all areas of life!

Thank you for reading!

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