Tag Archives: food

Sep12

Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

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Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! I have a really special treat for all of you today, compliments of the absolutely amazing Melissa of Season & Serve. Melissa reached out to me in mid August with the idea of creating an incredible fall themed dinner party menu just for my readers. Food is something that I am extremely passionate about. I am a vegetarian who loves cooking, baking, and of course – EATING!! Obviously, Melissa offered me a pitch that I couldn’t pass up and a menu, recipes, and pics that are going to make you drool buckets.

Melissa has kindly linked to all of her recipes in this post, so if you are interested in learning more about her dishes or making it for yourself, then do check it out! Now, take a look at an absolutely delicious guest post:

Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

Out of all the four seasons, fall is definitely my favorite. Not only do I enjoy wearing my cozy sweaters in the cooler temperatures, drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and watching the leaves turn a rainbow of colors, I love it because of all the delicious, seasonal foods that come along with it. Fall harvests bring us countless varieties of apples, squash, brussel sprouts, carrots, and parsnips…the list goes on…all from which we can make hearty and comforting foods. And what better way to enjoy these delicious seasonal foods than with a celebratory fall dinner party?!

When you think about it, fall is the perfect season to entertain at home. It’s not too hot, meaning that you can have your stove and oven going all day and you won’t be dying of heat in the kitchen, and it’s not too cold, meaning that outdoor entertaining is still possible. Whenever weather permits, I like to serve fun fall-inspired cocktails outside early in the evening so that my guests can enjoy the crisp fall air before it gets too cold. Once the temperature drops or the sun sets, they really enjoy coming inside and warming up by the fireplace, and maybe with another cocktail before dinner.

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Speaking of cocktails, I chose to serve one of my favorite fall cocktails for this dinner party, Whiskey & Spice Apple Cider. This cocktail will warm you from the inside out and totally get you into that fall mood. I also like to have a little snack to go along with the cocktail, just so your guests don’t get too tipsy before dinner. One really great idea that I recycle over and over again for parties is a cheeseboard. Because, really, who doesn’t like cheese?! I serve a traditional soft goat cheese, an aged cheddar, hearty Gouda, and powerful blue cheese along with whole-grain or seed crackers, nuts, dates, and red grapes to give it a fall twist. Plus, cheese is extremely portable, allowing your guests to move outdoors to enjoy the fall colors and back indoors again as they mingle.

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When your guests decide to move back inside, I like to bring the outdoor feeling with them, and my main avenue for doing so is through my table setting. The table setting really sets the mood for the party, and for fall I like to keep it relatively rustic and casual. I used a tan linen table runner down the center of my table as my base (This one happened to have pumpkins embroidered on both ends – so fall!) and I continue to build from there. I used some tree branches that still had healthy, plump, green leaves down the middle and added in some bright red and lime green Honey Crisp apples to make it pop (these happened to look the best at the farmer’s market that day). I dotted a few tea lights throughout the leaves and apples to add some sparkle and then anchored the table with a short emerald green vase filled with coffee beans and a tea candle. Of course, you can fill the vase with flowers, grasses, or anything that looks pretty to you!

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As for serving ware, I always think that simple is best. Plain large white plates for the main course, with smaller appetizer white plates placed on top, and an elegant trade show table runner is all you need. I added in my every day cutlery, silver forks and knives, to keep it simple but I went for some statement wine glasses. These wine glasses have been one of my greatest purchases to date. I am in love with the gold rims and the fact that they are stemless makes it even better – it’s so in style right now! I also added a personal touch to each table setting by writing my guests names on some extra leaves using a gold marker. It’s the little touches that make your guests feel warm and fuzzy inside!

Now, let’s get to the star of the dinner party, the main dish(es)! While there is a meat component to this fall dinner party, I also designed the menu keeping vegetarians in mind. For the appetizer, I chose to serve a simple Arugula Salad topped with sliced grapes, Parmesan cheese shavings and Maple Spice Candied Pecans. The salad dressing is very simple and is made from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. With those tasty candied pecans, you definitely want to keep the dressing minimal. This recipe can be enjoyed by both your omnivore and herbivore friends. For vegans, simply omit the Parmesan cheese and add more grapes and pecans!

I also chose to serve a white wine with this salad, particularly a Gewurztraminer as it has a slightly sweeter flavor. This one is from one of my favorite wineries in Summerland, British Columbia – Dirty Laundry.

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For the main dish, I have two variations – both of which will make your appetite skyrocket. The first is for the meat-eaters, with my recipe for Red-Wine Braised Beef. While this dish looks complicated, it is actually extremely easy, relatively affordable, and looks incredibly elegant when plated (an entertaining trifecta for hosts!). For the Red Wine Braised Beef, simply brown the meat and vegetables, add the red wine, beef stock, and seasonings to the pot and bake in the oven for 4 hours. The slow baking process will tenderize this cheap, tough cut of meat (blade roast) so much that you can cut the meat with a butter knife. You can even do this the night before and simply reheat the meat before serving. How easy is that?!

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For vegetarians, I have a great substitute: Braised Mushrooms with White Wine and Garlic. I clearly have a braising theme going on here, but braised mushrooms are delicious and very satisfying! In this recipe, I use fresh oyster, trumpet, and cremini mushrooms and saute them in a mixture of olive oil and garlic until browned. I then add the white wine and butter, and cook them on the stove top for 5 minutes, or until the wine has reduced down a bit and then serve immediately. I mean, I eat meat and I know that Red Wine Braised Beef is delicious, but I would totally go for this, and vegans would too (minus the butter)!

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I chose to serve a red wine along with both of these recipes since I was looking for a more robust and bold flavor – it is fall, after all! I chose a Cabernet-Merlot mix for its spice and currant notes and for a slightly dry finish. I really enjoy this Cabernet Merlot from Sandhill Estate Vineyard in Oliver, British Columbia. This is definitely going to be my go-to wine for the season. ❤

Finally, for the grand finale, I present my Apple Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze. This is actually my mom’s recipe, but it is so good and so perfect for fall that I had to make it myself. The batter is very simple to make and the cake always comes out incredibly moist due to the sliced apples inside and on top of the cake. Again, you can make this a day in advance BUT if you make it the morning or afternoon of the dinner party, your home will smell absolutely amazing. I like to serve this with coffee (hence why it’s a coffee cake) or tea. No dessert wine here!

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After this big, comforting, delicious meal, your guests will be completely satisfied and will be in a cheerful fall mood. And, of course, while these are just my tips for throwing a fall dinner party, just know that when you mix good people and good food together, you are guaranteed to have a successful dinner party – no matter what the season.

Have a happy fall, everyone! And thank you to Sarah for letting me guest blog for you!

Yum, yum, FREAKING YUM. Thank you infinitely to the author of Season & Serve, Melissa, for creating such a beautiful bounty for my readers. I want in on her next dinner party, and you guys can be, too! Melissa will be back on lifewithlilred in October with a how to guide for a spooky fun Halloween themed party. What would you like to see Melissa cook next? Would you consider yourself a picky eater? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep6

Getting Strong Quickly (Without The Bulk)

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Getting Strong Quickly (Without The Bulk)

It’s the most common question people ask in relation to exercise, can you get fit or ripped in a short period of time? The short answer is no, but the way to build strength is something that can be done in a short period of time. It just requires a suitable exercise regime, as well as understanding the best approaches to exercise. A lot of women like to get stronger, but think that in order to do this, they would have to bulk up to the size of a small house, but this isn’t true at all. And here is how you can do it:

Lift Heavier Weights: We all tend to think that light dumbbells will do the job but, unfortunately, the only way to gain strength is to lift heavier weights. It’s going to be tiring to lift up to double your body weight so, instead of struggling, start off with body weight exercises. Strength training is going to look different for everyone and that is why it is best to research Effective strength training equipment for all levels. Using equipment that is outside of your current level can be dangerous and cause more harm to your body than good. Remember that the name of the game is starting out small and working yourself up and that is okay!

Fuel Your Body: You wouldn’t put the wrong fuel in your car, so why would you fill your body with the wrong nutrients? The fact is, that strength and power are all made with an excellent diet rich in the key nutrients, such as magnesium, calcium, and protein. If you are serious about embarking on an exercise regime that is going to help improve your strength, you need to make sure that you have the best nutrients in your body. Putting yourself under sudden physical pressure like lifting weights can be a strain to begin with, especially if you are weak in your bones. However, resistance training has been shown to increase bone density, but it’s always worth supplementing yourself with the right nutrients to increase your bone strength and overall physical strength. There are supplements like AlgaeCal that are good for overall bone health, but some people are concerned with the side effects of supplements, especially if you haven’t taken them before. You can look up the AlgaeCal side effects online and make a decision for yourself, but if you aren’t fueling yourself with the adequate diet, then you need to have supplements, as well, to make sure that you are recovering properly.

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 Yummmm

Rest And Recovery: A common problem that people have when it comes to starting an exercise routine is that they go 9000% and burn out quickly. People will work out every morning, afternoon, and night, and this will only make you weaker over time, so make sure that you get enough sleep and take days off. When you rest, it gives your muscles time to recover and to rebuild, so, therefore, you rebuild strength.

It is possible to gain strength without gaining size, but the important thing is to lift heavy weights for a short period of time. This is where a move like a deadlift or power clean (shown in the Featured Image picture) will come in handy, because it’s an explosive move where you have to generate the most amount of strength in your body for the shortest period of time, and this is the key to gaining strength. Combining this with a great diet and additional supplements is the best way to get strong quickly. Hello, beach bod!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Sep4

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe

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Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe

Hi everyone and happy Monday! Today’s post for my Falling For Fall guest bloggers series is a delicious Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe by the darling Elle from Make It Blaine. Please be sure to check out her page and give it all the lovin! A huge steaming mug of hot chocolate is a fall favorite for many so let’s get to Elle’s recipe so that you can make some of your own the next time you get the autumn evening chills:

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Recipe

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (or however much you want)
  • 2-3 cinnamon sticks or cinnamon bark
  • whipped cream (optional)

First, pour your milk into a pot to heat on the stove and stir on low heat for 2-3 minutes. Stir in your cocoa powder until it’s completely dissolved. Next, pop in your cinnamon sticks and let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes. Take out the cinnamon sticks and pour into a mug (A cute one, if possible!).

Now it’s time for toppings! I personally like whipped cream with cocoa powder or cinnamon sprinkled on top but you can add whatever you want. I also like to make my own whipped cream by whisking whipping cream because then it doesn’t melt and tastes way better! Adorable mugs in autumnal colors doesn’t hurt and, last but not least, a straw to sip through.

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I hope you enjoyed reading!

-Elle xoxo

Thank you so much to Elle for teaching us her favorite fall hot chocolate recipe! Freaking yummm. What is your favorite fall beverage? What is your favorite fall flavor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep4

Safeguarding Your Dog’s Health

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Safeguarding Your Dog’s Health

Looking after a dog is no easy task. Even if you’ve nailed the art of showing them love and affection, given that this part always comes naturally to dog lovers and owners, there’s still the practical aspect of looking after your dog to consider. Through no intentional fault, many dog owners make mistakes when it comes to looking after their fluffy little companion and might be neglecting certain aspects of their dog’s health that will cause problems for their best friend in later life. If you don’t want to see your woofing buddy fall ill or generally suffer from poor health, then here are some tips to help stop that from happening in the first place:

Food: Dogs are just like us. That’ll be the general theme of this article and it’s true in many ways. When it comes to health, the same things that keeps our bodies in good shape are SAMESIES for dogs. One of the most important aspects of your dog’s lifestyle is the food that he or she eats. You should be feeding them a consistent diet and keeping most human foods well away from them; chocolate is a definite no-no! Healthy, natural, and organic foods are always the best way to go with dogs. You might want to check out some homemade dog foods that we’ve talked about before if you’re thinking about switching pet foods.

Disease: Dogs experience diseases, infections, colds, and other forms of sickness just like humans, but they’re definitely more prone to them than us; they don’t live a hygienic life, even if you brush their teeth and bathe them. They’re animals that are born to be wild. You might want to look into flea and tick medication from companies such as Pet Action so that you always have some on hand for the likely event that your dog gets them. Dogs are always running into problems like this because of their lifestyle spent jumping around in the garden and getting muddy on long dog walks.

It’s very important that you don’t overlook any warning signs such as itching or a general decline in their mood. These signs can all be indicative of an underlying problem, and it will usually be something like fleas or ticks. Of course, if you’ve tried all that you can to help your dog when they’re unwell and they still seem “off”, then you might have to accept that your diagnosis is wrong and head off to the vet to find out what’s actually going on with your pet.

If you notice that you dog is limping or has a specific area of discomfort, get to the vet immediately. The longer this goes on, the more serious and painful for your pet it could become. Should this problem be a fracture or dislocation, your vet will recommend an appointment at Moores Orthopaedic Clinic (or a similar practice in your local area). Remember that certain breeds of dogs might be more prone to issues with their spines or hips so do your research to ensure you are using the best preventative measures. Whatever the case, it’s important not to leave any problem unchecked; if your dog seems unwell, then don’t wait it out.

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Omg. :*)

Age: As your dog gets older, they’ll run into health problems more frequently. It’s nature, at the end of the day, but that doesn’t mean that you should let your dog age disgracefully. There’s certainly a lot that you can do to keep them in optimal health conditions. More frequent visits to the vet would be a good start. You want to keep on top of any problems that they might be having before they develop into anything serious or noticeable. You’ll also want to help them take things more easily; leisurely walks rather than strenuous ones, for example.

Looking after your dog like you would for any member of your family will surely result in a long and happy life for man’s best friend!

Adorable Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul25

Time For A Fresh Start? Here’s How!

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Time For A Fresh Start? Here’s How!

There are infinite reasons in life as to why you might need a fresh start. A new job that you want to be a brand new person for, a big move coming up, or anything that dramatically changes your life. When that time comes, making some alterations in your life might be necessary to get the full fresh start effect. If you’re ready to commit to feeling like a whole new person, follow these steps:

Have A Declutter Session:

Having too many possessions is never a good way to go when trying to get a fresh start. That means that it’s time to go through your wardrobe, the most cluttered place in most people’s houses. Get rid of the pieces that you haven’t worn in months (and probably never will again) and try to keep as few items as you will need. The idea is only to have pieces that go together, which will save you a lot of time when picking outfits! Having fewer clothes also helps you to have a tidier mind, perfect for a brand new you. As a bonus, you get to donate your unwanted items to charity.

We will talk more about a thorough cleaning in the next section, but decluttering is the first step in that process. This is especially important if you have done your research for residential cleaning services in San Antonio (or your local area) and are scheduling a cleaning. You do not want someone cleaning around your clutter for two main reasons. 1) You will not achieve a true deep clean. And 2) You will not get as much bang for your buck.

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 #declutter

Clean The House:

Another thing that you can do for a fresh start is to have a massive clean out of your house. Now is the time when you would want to get in a house cleaning service so that you can get a thorough job done. When you are surrounded by a clean and organized house, it will feel like a brand new space. It makes room for you to add new decorations, pictures, and anything else that you think would be good for your new beginning. Just try to keep it very clean for as long as you possibly can!

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Cleanliness is godliness!

Out With The Negative:

If you have some people in your life who you feel anxious or unhappy around, you might need to change that. To have a fresh start, you need to let go of any people who aren’t enriching your life. You only want to be surrounded by individuals who add to the enjoyment of your life, without taking any away. Any relationship shouldn’t be a lot of hard work with little reward. This doesn’t mean that you need to cut all of your friends out straight away. Just try to see the people who make you happy more; it doesn’t have to happen in a horrible manner.

Focus On Yourself:

The most important thing that you can do is look after yourself during your new beginning. Spend a good few days being kind to yourself. Eat healthily and exercise a lot. Make a meal plan for yourself and try not to cheat! Get some movement in, even if that is just walking home from work or taking the long walk to the shops. If you do this, you’ll feel the best that you possibly can in yourself, allowing you to have the most amazing fresh start ever. You deserve it!

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No matter how you choose to create your fresh start, be good to yourself and the rest will follow suit!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul5

Creative Summer Cooking Ideas That Are Simple And Scrumptious

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Creative Summer Cooking Ideas That Are Simple And Scrumptious

As soon as the weather warms up and the days get brighter, we all want to change our eating habits. There’s just something about an increase in heat that makes you want to go for fresher, lighter, and less indulgent food choices. But, at the same time, you still want to be able to enjoy a delicious dinner that’s full of flavor. To find that perfect balance, you’re going to want to get your creative summer cook on.

So where should you start? When you’re busy, you definitely want your summer cooking ideas to be super easy to make. But at the same time, they have to taste good and look like a small slice of summer, too. To give you the ultimate inspiration for your light evening meals and tasty long lunches, here are a few ideas to get your taste buds tingling:

One-Tray Bakes: When you want something super easy, balanced, but incredibly tasty, always turn to a one-tray bake. During the summer months, you want to be outside with your family and not slaving over a hot oven, so the tray bake is perfect for that reason. By throwing all of your ingredients into one tray and baking it all at once, your meal is done. More often than not, you’ll have veggies in the mix, but you can also serve a salad on the side if you’re feeling saucy!

Summer Pasta: For something super filling but also light, you’re going to want to pull together the perfect summer pasta. Pasta is a great ingredient to play around with. Not only can you choose from a range of different styles, but you can mix up your sauces and ingredients to create completely different dishes. For summer, try using fresh shrimp and crunchy veggies to create healthy but delicious meals.

Low Carb Favorites: Sometimes you want a really light meal that is easy to snack on and won’t make you feel bloated in the heat (Which is the literal worst.). Summer is the perfect time to go for low-carb versions of your favorite dishes. Hello, beach body. Craving pizza? Build your ingredients on a tortilla base, instead. If you want fajitas, why not go for lettuce wraps? And if you want tacos (who doesn’t?), fill them with fresh fish and shredded salad for a lighter alternative.

Rainbow Salads: Then, we get to the salads, because a summer menu wouldn’t be complete without a bunch of them! Don’t think about the kind of diet food you’d usually expect, oh no – these salads should be big, bold, bright, and beautiful. Rainbow salads packed with exciting, crunchy, and flavorful veggies are the best. Create your own dressing and serve with a protein source for a colorful and complete meal.

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YUM

Smoked Meats: When you love meats, you want to make sure that they’re packed full of flavor and are served super succulent in the summer. There’s just something about a lighter version of the tastiest meats that screams summer. And when you want to go tender and melt-in-your-mouth, you smoke. You can read the pros and cons of the Brinkmann electric smoker to see if it’s a cooking method that you can work with. If so, throw in your meats and even a few veggies and prepare for a flavor overload.

Mixed Rice: Rice is a great grain that we don’t give enough credit to. It’s always tasty and it’s a super light carb source, too. As a part of your summer meal frenzy, try making a bunch of rice based meals. Stir in your favorite meats, serve with crunchy veggies, and dress with delicious sauces to create some of the most exciting dishes around.

Ultimate Burgers: Summertime is all about the burgers. When you love a good burger, you’ll take one all year round, but there’s nothing like a hot summer day with a burger in hand to make you feel happy (Any food in my hand makes me feel happy!). But don’t just stick to a standard beef patty – pimp them up! There are so many amazing burger recipes here, just take a look. If the chipotle turkey, chicken Caesar, or even the taco burger doesn’t tempt you, you’re not a true burger fan! And if you’re a vegetarian, like me, the veggie burger is a thing!! 😀

Asian Anything: If there’s one kind of cuisine that works the best with summer meals, it’s got to be Asian. Asian cooking is full of those incredibly fresh favors that just work so well when its warm. Whether you decide to whip up a noodle dish or create a crunchy salad, sticking to Asian ingredients and flavors will always serve you well in the summer months.

Garden parties, picnics, and BBQs are essential summer activities. Create the perfect menu with the above ideas, invite your friends, and have yourself a backyard bash!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun27

You VS Aging: Be The Victor!

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You VS Aging: Be The Victor!

We seem to be getting more worried about the effects of aging all of the time. If you’re particularly worried about the aging of your skin, there is plenty that you can do to give yourself a (super smooth) hand:

Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle: One of the biggest contributors to the signs of aging? An unhealthy lifestyle! In fact, it’s undoubtedly the biggest contributor. What we usually associate with “unsightly” aging are usually just results of damaging diets and activities.

The fact is, that the things that help you live longer are also the things that help you stay looking younger. What we associate with “younger” are usually just signs of good health. So you need to put a lot of focus on what you’re doing in your life now. Are you a smoker? Smoking prematurely ages the skin in a dramatic way. Are you drinking enough water every day? Eating enough fruit and vegetables? You need all of that moisture and all of those minerals to keep your skin looking bright and healthy!

Consider Cosmetic Products & Enhancement: A lot of people want to go down a completely “natural” route when it comes to fighting the aging process. They seem to think that things like anti-aging creams are basically akin to injecting Botox. This, of course, isn’t really the case! Some of those products that you see advertised on television do actually work quite well. Something as simple as a daily facial moisturizer can help keep your skin cells feisty and fresh. After all, dry skin is damaged skin. If it contains aloe vera, that’s a good sign. You can also look into more advanced products, too.

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Smoooooth.

Of course, you should understand that everyone’s skin is different. What works for some people doesn’t always work for others. You may find yourself more interested in things like Belcara Health plastic surgery. Everyone has their own opinions about this sort of route, but it’s something that you should only consider if you feel truly comfortable with it. Many have been very happy with the results that they get!

Relax More – But Don’t Neglect Exercise: This is actually a continuation of the previous section. But it really deserves its own section because people underestimate its effects constantly. The effects of what, you ask? Relaxation. You’ve probably heard it before: stress is one of the most dangerous things that your body can be subjected to. And yet so many of us are putting ourselves under a lot of stress every day. So how does stress effect skin? You may think that it causes you to frown a lot, which exacerbates wrinkling around the forehead. And you’re actually right! But it also puts particular strain on a number of cells in your body. This all contributes to aging signs in other areas, too. Put aside some time in the evening and have some much needed R&R for your skin’s sake. 😀

Having said that, you should also spend more time exercising. Yes, I know that exercise isn’t exactly “relaxing”. And, in fact, it can often be a source of stress! That’s all short-term, though. In the long-term, exercise helps you sleep better and feel less stressed. It also promotes blood circulation. This helps to make sure that the nutrients your skin needs are appropriately delivered.

Healthier skin starts with simple changes to your lifestyle. Which one will you apply today?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun23

Connecting Health & Self Esteem To Improve Both

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Connecting Health & Self Esteem To Improve Both

For one reason or another, we can all find ourselves in stressful circumstances in life. Sometimes, we can handle them. But sometimes, they stick – and that’s when it hits us hard. When you’re dealing with stress, not only can your health suffer, but your self-esteem can, too. At times like this, you feel like you’re never going to be able to make things work and feel good about yourself again. But you can. There are so many different ways that health and self-esteem are connected, you just need to find them.

You do have the option to tackle your health and self-esteem separately, but you might find that you enjoy it better if you create a connection between them both and hit them head on. When your health suffers, it can harm your energy levels, your mood, and then eventually your self-esteem. Likewise, when you’re suffering from low self-esteem, you may find that other areas of your physical and mental health start to deteriorate. So, you’re going to want to work on boosting your health and well-being in a range of different ways to improve how you feel in life:

It’s A Mental Thing: First of all, it’s going to help you to acknowledge that your current concerns about your self-esteem are a mental issue. Your worries may not be anything to worry about, but by acknowledging them, you’re going to get yourself one step closer to feeling better. When you ignore your thoughts and try to avoid them, you’re not solving them. To push past the negativity that you’re dealing with in your own mind, you need to be able to acknowledge it first and then work past it. Sometimes, working past these issues can be way easier said than done. It might be a good idea to seek help from a professional like those at Wisemind Counseling or a similar practice in your local area. They will be able to provide expert guidance to help you to get back to feeling like yourself again.

Trying Out Yoga: To work on boosting both your health and your self-esteem, you should seriously consider trying out yoga. It’s a great workout, of course, but it is also amazing for your mind. There are so many benefits to yoga, that you’ll definitely be working on improving things like your flexibility and posture, but you’ll also be clearing your mind and relaxing at the same time.

Drinking More Water: Our bodies are made up of a huge percentage of water, so we need to be able to stay on top of that in order to improve your health. When you do start to drink more water, your body will be able to function better and that, in turn, will boost your mind. You’ll notice that you have a bit more energy and the more energy you have, the more positive you’re likely to feel.

Eating A Balanced Diet: Next up, you’re going to want to start prioritizing your nutrition. It’s okay to indulge every once in a while, but when you eat a lot of junk food, you may find that it makes you feel worse. There’s a lot to say for mood food because what you eat does impact how you feel about yourself. When your body feels sluggish, you will feel sluggish. And who wants to do anything when they’re feeling lethargic? The answer is nobody.

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Yummmm

Getting More Fresh Air: When you’re cooped up inside all day or you find yourself always heading from the office to your house and back again, you’re probably exhausted. Your mind will always be running with the things that you have to do. So, take a break. Getting enough fresh air is always good for your mind and your body. Going for walks or just sitting outside to remove yourself from stress can really clear your mind and help to keep you calm.

Accepting & Improving: Sometimes, you won’t start to feel a change in the way you feel until you encourage that change to come about. You can do that in two ways. First, it’s to work on improving whatever it is that is getting you down. Whether you need to lose weight and decide to see a fitness expert to feel happier in yourself or you want to improve your teeth with professionals like the Harrell Dental Implant Center so that you can confidently smile again, take action. Your other option is to accept who you are and what you look like, and be happy in your own skin. Either way, accepting or improving will help you to take a huge step forwards.

Committing To Exercise: Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and get healthy. No matter what it is, whether it’s a fun dance class or running on the track, by doing something, you will start to do something about how you look and feel. When you work out, you will find that you have more energy and will start to feel more positive and confident in yourself.

Trying Out Mantras: When you struggle to accept the skin that you’re in, you may need to take an additional step towards making that happen. Even if the idea makes you feel silly, you should try out positive affirmations. They can often boost your self-esteem and even train you into positive thinking. Either way, you will find that the effects work in a positive way towards your general levels of health.

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Think she’s thinking her mantra?

Switch Off & Step Back: Sometimes, you might find that your obsession with being on all of the time is holding you back. It’s something that we all struggle with at some point or another. But, the negative effects of social media are real. They can change the way you feel about yourself and your life, and drastically lower your self-esteem. So take a step back and learn to switch off. A social media hiatus might be just what you need to start focusing on yourself instead of others.

Put Yourself First: And above all else, you’re going to need to learn to prioritize your health and happiness in order to feel better. Doing the right things to boost your health will be good for your mind. Vice versa, doing things for your mind will positively effect your body. So rekindle that love you once had with a hobby and allow yourself a slice of happiness – for your body and mind’s sake.

Happy Friday!!!

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Jun20

Make The Most Of Your Diet With Natural Supplements

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Make The Most Of Your Diet With Natural Supplements

When a lot of people hear the word “supplement,” they often get pretty nervous. This is actually pretty understandable since, for a lot of people, the idea of a supplement is tied in with dangerous chemicals and things like steroids and weight loss pills. But in reality, a supplement is just something that you take in order to give your body things that your diet might be missing. Many of them are entirely natural and are very unlikely to do anyone any harm. With that in mind, here are some of the best natural supplements that you can take in order to be as healthy and happy as possible:

Calcium: We all grow up knowing how important calcium is in order to develop strong and healthy bones. Of course, for a lot of people that never really goes much beyond knowing that it’s a good idea to drink milk. However, in reality, milk is nowhere near as good a source of calcium as many people believe, and you actually need the fat that you find in things like whole milk in order to actually convert the calcium in it into anything useful. Because of this, many people aren’t getting the right amounts of calcium in their diets. Check out these AlgaeCal calcium supplement reviews to see how increasing your calcium levels can make a big difference to your bone strength and help treat things like osteoporosis. Of course, that doesn’t mean that there are no benefits to drinking milk, it’s just that you shouldn’t rely on it as your one and only source of calcium.

Iron: Iron is one of the most important things that your body needs. It supports the growth of blood cells, carries oxygen around the body, and does an infinite amount of other positive things. Anyone who has ever suffered from anemia can tell you just how damaging an iron deficiency can be. You can find iron in things like red meat as well as many grains and dark green vegetables. If you are someone who doesn’t eat meat (Like yours truly!), then taking an iron supplement may be a good idea to prevent you from becoming anemic.

Vitamin A: The old wives tale that eating carrots will make you see in the dark might be (unfortunately) false, but it does actually have some basis in truth. Vitamin A, which is found in many orange and yellow vegetables as well as many cereals and fish is vital for the development and function of your eyes. Not only that, but it is crucial for providing support for your immune system. There are many vitamins that your body needs but vitamin A is one of the ones that tends to be neglected the most often, unlike vitamin C and B which most people are fully aware of.

Supplement Drinks: If you have difficulty swallowing pills, you might want to consider using a supplemental drink instead. This can also include smoothies and shakes. Companies like Tmrw provide drinks that support cellular longevity, gut health, and inflammation along with a host of other benefits. This or a similar product could be an excellent alternative to standard supplemental pills.

It’s important to be aware that none of these things should be considered as replacements for any prescribed medicines and that you should always speak to your doctor before making any changes to your diet. The supplements are all entirely safe but if you’re unsure, then talking to your doctor about it really is the best thing that you can do!

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Jun20

Over Thirty? Time To Start Taking Care Of Your Body

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Over Thirty? Time To Start Taking Care Of Your Body

Life’s all pretty well and good when we’re in our twenties. Eat too much food (Always!)? No worries, your body is on hand to make sure that it doesn’t do too much damage. Overindulged at the work party? Somehow, you’re able to get up as if nothing happened (well, almost). However, that all begins to change as we slide towards our thirties. Once we pass the big 3-0, our body stops playing ball and starts to give us a little bit more trouble than we’d like. However, if you take of your body, then there’s no reason why you can’t feel as energetic and full of life as you did in your twenties!

Exercise:

There’s no getting around it, unfortunately: you need to start exercising. This doesn’t mean you have to start visiting the gym every day, but it does mean that you need to be making sure that you get enough physical activity each day. The key to this, is to find an activity that you enjoy. If you find that you really enjoy long distance running, then it won’t feel like work when you set off on those early morning runs: it’ll be fun!

Treating Your Body Well:

Part of having a healthy body in your thirties is remembering that you can no longer push your body to the limit. You need to be taking it at ease, and making sure that it gets everything it needs to be well. For example, you can’t go out late into the night and then expect to get up early in the morning. You’ll also need to curb the amount of alcohol you’re drinking, and if you’re a smoker, then hitting thirty is a good time to quit!

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And eating well, of course!

Nipping Problems in the Bud:

Some issues will happen to you regardless of how much you work out because they happen to everyone sooner or later. The key here, is to take steps so that the issues that might not yet have presented themselves are kept at bay. Take bone loss, which usually begins at age thirty. You should be taking supplements to keep your bones healthy. Take a read of AlgaeCal plant calcium side effects and ask your doctor for advice; if given the all clear, you’ll be able to help increase bone strength. Back pain is also common in our thirties, so avoid doing anything that might cause your back to start giving you trouble.

Happy Mind:

Our thirties can be very happy, but they can also bring with them a fair few mental woes. It’s really important that you stay on top of your mental health, and don’t let all of those freshly acquired worries build up. Make sure that you’re doing the things that make you happy, and talk about your problems should they arise.

If there are aspects of your life or body that are making you unhappy – you have the tools to fix it. This could be scheduling an appointment with a therapist or seeking a consultation with a breast augmentation surgeon in Ashburn (or your local area). A life lived with insecurities can really drag you down and there is no shame in seeking changes out if that is what you truly want. Remember, your thirties are a time to thrive and targeting the issues that make you feel insecure can set you on a far more positive trajectory.

Annual Check Ups:

Most problems can be avoided if we go for an annual check-up – teeth, hearing, and eyes, as well as screenings for any problems that might be hereditary and potentially passed down from your parents.

No matter your age, keeping yourself in good health is always important. And no better time than the present to start!