GUEST POST BY JENNA LEE SMITH

Protect Your Family’s Health with an Allergy-Proof Home

Allergies occur when your body reacts to an external substance, like dust or mold, as if it were a dangerous pathogen. When the substance enters your body, your immune system activates to surround, contain and destroy it. This immune response causes swelling, itching, and sneezing. It can also cause breathing problems, like asthma.

Allergies are hereditary, but anyone can develop an allergy at any time.  If you, or anyone in your family, has allergies, you can take steps to make your home environment as hypoallergenic as possible.

Bedroom:

The bedroom has its own criteria because most of them have a lot of cloth and upholstered surfaces that can trap dust, mold, and allergen producing dust mites.

Because we spend a lot of time in our bedrooms, and it is one of the places where exposure to allergens is the greatest.

Here are 3 suggestions of how to stay on top of the dust and mold;

1. Change your bed sheets at least once a week and use dust-mite proof pillow, mattress and box spring covers.

2. Wash your blankets in hot water at least once a week, to remove any dust, dander or other allergens.
Use bedding made of synthetic materials, instead of natural materials that can trigger allergies, like goose down.

3. If you use natural bedding, make sure it is marked hypoallergenic. You can find hypoallergenic bedding at specialty stores, or at regular department stores, like Nordstrom’s. Some hypoallergenic bedding can be expensive. You can defray the costs with Nordstrom promo codes, or discount codes to other stores that carry these products.

Entire House

1. Vacuum your carpet every week and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Better yet, remove the carpet entirely and use throw rugs instead.

2. Use a dehumidifier to reduce levels of mold-causing moisture in your home.

3. Clean and dust all floors and hard surfaces at least once a week.

4. Keep your windows closed in warm weather, to prevent mold and dust from blowing in.

5. Avoid upholstered furniture in favor of wood, vinyl or leather.

6. Change your furnace and air conditioner filters at least once per season. If you have a permanent filter, clean the filter per the manufacturer’s instructions at least once per season.

Insects and other pests can trigger allergies. If you suspect you have an infestation, take steps to remove it either on your own, or with a professional exterminator. Keep in mind that some pesticides can trigger allergies so, if you have to use an exterminator, consider staying somewhere else for a few days after the house is treated.

Avoid fur-bearing pets. Not only do fur bearing pets have dander that can cause allergies, their coats can trap dust, pollen, and mold spores.

If you already have fur-bearing pets, bathe them at least once a week. You should also clean their bedding, and vacuum up all hair and dander several times a week. Consider keeping them outside during warmer weather.

Use washable curtains or shades, instead of blinds which can trap dust. If you must have blinds, dust them and wipe them down with a damp cloth.

Install a UV light onto your air conditioning system to prevent mold growth.

You can purchase UV lights from specialty companies like CureUV. You can also find other types of UV lights designed to cut down on mold and microbial growth, both of which can cause allergies. Some UV light systems can be expensive but you can save money with CureUV coupons and discount codes. These coupons and codes are available online.

Keeping your home allergy-friendly is difficult, but it’s well worth the effort.

To read about “20 Kickass Plants to Purify your home”, click here.

What is your health philosophy and what motivates you to live this way?

To let my inner light shine!  I am a firm believer that looking good and feeling great is an inside job.  I live from the heart rather than being ruled by my head.  It’s a great way to keep those fearful thoughts in check and see things from a loving perspective.  I keep my vibrational energy high by eating clean and lean wholesome foods, and I love to workout to boost my physical energy levels.  Holistic living is way of life for me, keeps me motivated and basically ensures I keep up with the demands of being a busy working mum.

What is your favourite go-to easy-to-make-in-minutes vegetarian or vegan snack or meal?

I love making soups, my favourite has got to be sweet potato soup, but while I’m on the go there’s nothing quicker than whizzing up a green smoothie.

What is energy medicine and how do you use it to help people?

Great question!  Fundamentally at a subtle level we are all energy and vibration.  Energy medicine focuses on the relationship between the energetic body and the physical body to promote health, vitality and wellbeing.  When we use energy medicine we are speaking to our body in its native language, that is energy – wavelengths, frequencies, vibration.  Stimulating subtle energies within the body in turn governs the body’s chemistry to stimulate hormone production.  Energy medicine can support the body to clear toxins, oxygenate the blood, encourage flow of energy within meridians – the body’s energy bloodstream, and balance the chakra system.  I’ve used energy medicine to help people with sleeping disorders, depression, chronic fatigue and relaxation.

Can you tell us something about healing or what you do that is a little known fact or that most readers won’t know?

With the pressure of modern day life, our bodies are constantly expending energy and we have conditioned ourselves to be always available or ‘plugged in’ in this digital age.  Our bodies are not designed to run at high speeds continuously.  With our brainwaves running at the higher level of 22 cycles per second our bodies are unable to repair and can become vulnerable to ill health.  Physiologically we are designed to move between spending energy and renewing energy.  Our energy systems pulse and operate in a rhythmic way by contracting and relaxing.  Within my holistic approach, I encourage clients to find the balance between resting and refueling their body to align with their rhythm and vibration.  One of the ways in which I achieve this is by using coloured light therapy to bring the alpha brainwaves down to the lower level of about 10 cycles per second to stimulate the body’s natural healing process to heal the body and promote relaxation.

Who are your food heroes and heroines?

I love James Duigan’s clean and lean approach.  I have recently come across the Medicinal Chef Dale Pinnock.    I regularly follow Jessica Sepel’s blog for her latest scrummy recipes.  Not forgetting you Polly…I love the concept of The Noble Kitchen, Conscious Food for Conscious People, if only I lived closer!

 If you were stuck on a desert island and could only take 6 foods with you, what would they be?

Blueberries

Strawberries

Avocado

Spinach

Almonds

Dark chocolate

I’m making the assumption as I am stuck on a desert island there will be an abundance of coconuts J

What is your favourite way to exercise and what would you recommend someone that really struggles to exercise regularly?

I love to mix it up and challenge myself.  I use a combination of resistance training, circuits, kangoo jumps and hill walking, but my ultimate favourite is yoga.  I love being in the flow of the movement and connecting with my breath.  For me, it’s a moving meditation.

For anyone struggling to exercise, my advice would be to find the right exercise that suits your personality, something that motivates you so much that you will want to make the commitment to exercise regularly, despite how busy your day is.  When you start to notice the results and find you have more energy you’ll want to keep going back for more.

What do you hope readers will take from your blog?

I hope to inspire and empower readers to live healthier the natural way to create a healthy relationship between their mind, body and soul.

What’s your favourite quote or source of inspiration?

“Matter is densest form of spirit and spirit is the lightest form of matter.”

Dr Christiane Northup from her book Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom.  This is a great quote that sums up how matter and energy are interchangeable.

Finally, what exciting things can we expect from Diana Brook, Natural Health & Healing this year?

I’m really excited to launch of The Mind, Body and Soul Workout Guide!  It’s a complete wellness and lifestyle guide which integrates my 7 steps to natural health and healing.  My aim is to support and educate everyone who implements The Mind, Body and Soul Workout Guide to achieve balance between their physical and energetic self.  This way I can help people to Think Well, Eat Well and Be Well.

I’m really excited to be able to share my video…click here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9W3xUcVZ78

Connect with Diana here:

Website:  www.dianabrook.co.uk

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diana-Brook-Natural-Health-Healing/178864148846876

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/DianaBrook1

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/dianabrook01/

Guest Post by Emilie Williams

The best thing about the summer season is that we typically go for foods that are light and can be eaten on the go, as many of us spend the warmer months enjoying the outdoors or travelling about town. Because we are always moving in the summer, heavy foods loaded with carbs and fat, or greasy foods like chips, aren’t the best to eat when you plan to be active after your meal, particularly when it involves the outdoors. At the same time, a copious amount of physical activity and movement requires the need for constant hydration and foods and beverages enriched with the vital nutrients that’ll keep you moving.

Juices are great supplements for summer meals because they are packed with vitamins and the sustenance you need to keep moving in the heat. Within the past few years, juicing has become a phenomenon among the health conscious as well as those looking to get healthy and lose weight. Juicing raw vegetables and fruits allows your body to quickly absorb the vitamins and antioxidants that come from fresh produce. For those unfamiliar with juicing, deciding what type of fruits and vegetables to include in your juice drinks can be challenging. Here are some delicious juice recipes that’ll keep your belly full and provide you with the necessary dietary additives.

Summertime is an ideal season for juicing. Along with warm weather, summer brings some delicious fruits to bloom. In the UK specifically, there are an assortment of summer berries and fruits that make amazing goodies to throw in your juicer. From yummy blueberries and strawberries to delectable redcurrants and blackcurrants, these summer fruits can be combined to make a number of juice-infused beverages. If you have a simple palate, blend together uncomplicated fruits like strawberries and bananas. If you feel like getting creative, craft a fruity treat containing a variety of different fruits. A great mix berry drink that’s easy to make incorporates boysenberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. These fruity inspirations can be enjoyed no matter if you need a quick snack or are relaxing in the sun in gorgeous beach attire from M&S.

Juice beverages built for the summer don’t just have to contain fruits. Utilizing vegetables that pair well with your fruit can boost your juice. Try a cocktail of pink grapefruit, orange, three tomatoes, and a cucumber for an energizing beverage. Accelerate your immune system with an apple-based juice drink. Blend an apple, four to six carrots, two celery stalks, two to three cloves of garlic, and a cup of parsley to create this yummy, yet healthy beverage. Detox and cleanse your system with a refreshing green cucumber libation made from one cucumber, a cup of spinach, a cup of parsley, one stock of celery, and half of a peeled medium-sized lemon.

Vegetable-based juices are perfect supplements for meals because they fill you up and have all the vitamins and nutrients that a well-balanced meal contains. If you’re new to vegetable juices, you may want to start off with mixing vegetable combinations you know you’ll enjoy, such as carrots and celery. If you’re feeling bolder and more confident in your juicing abilities, try adding a handful of parsley (include the stems), a small chopped zucchini, half of a beet, and a quarter of peeled grapefruit.

One of the complaints or ‘excuses’ I hear most from people wanting to be healthier but struggle to actually do it, is knowing what to eat when they’re pushed for time. For those eating “normal food”, a chocolate bar or a packet of crisps normally suffices in filling a hole but when you’re on the healthy highway and staying away from processed food which I suggest you do; snacks and treats take a little more thought…but not as much as you’d think as companies like Nutribox are making life as easy as possible when it comes to being healthy on the go.

“The Nutribox is a box of deliciously nutritious snacks, all made with gluten-free ingredients and delivered FREE to your door monthly.” One of the many perks of my job is being sent delicious goodies such as these to try and review and I was not disappointed with the Nutribox. It arrived just in time for my day trip to London to see Gabrielle Bernstein speak about the principles laid out in her latest book May Cause Miracles. I always take snacks with me wherever I go as it lessens the chances that I’ll end up grabbing something less than desirable on the go. It’s not always easy to get access to what you want when you want it, so taking snacks with you is a very good idea. This week I’m going to write a blog on what healthy snacks you can take with you on the go so when it’s up, I’ll come back an embed the link here.

In this Nutribox, there were small bags of mixed nuts and seeds, an Ombar chocolate bar, nakd chocolate bar, Buziballs and a few other scrumptious things. I took a handful of items from the Nutribox for my trip to London and ended up sharing them with my friend which was perfect. What I love about Nutribox is that there are several different size options for all your needs so if you just want to start out with a small box, you can but if you want a family sized box, then Nutribox can also cater for that too. I also love how Nutribox takes the stress out of individually sourcing each item saving you a massive job of doing so. Massive thumbs up for Nutribox for I’m a fan of anything that makes my life easier and simpler!

I must admit, I’m not always a fan of dehydrated and foods of this kind, but I was really impressed with the quality and the taste of the foods.

Nutribox also makes an awesome gift for something that is interested in raw foods but doesn’t quite know where to start…raw chocolate and sweet treats never fail to convert someone to raw food!

SPECIAL OFFER

Nutribox are offering 50% off your first box – just used the code “POLLY50″. Visit Nutribox here.

Guest post by Nathalie Chantal de Ahna

There is not much emotion-wise, which tops what you feel when you find out you’re pregnant for the first time. When I held my positive pregnancy test in my hands after trying for 18 months and exactly one day before an appointment with a fertility specialist which I had dreaded so much (the appointment, not the doctor), I was so full of joy, I could have embraced the entire world. I’m pretty sure most mothers can relate to this. I went out to get every book on expectant mothers that I could find right away, and I discovered a bunch of useful information.

These books, however, did not prepare me for five common (pregnancy) troubles, some of which were so embarrassing from time to time that I just wanted to crawl under a rock. I mean, do you know what it’s like to stand in a queue at the local supermarket where everyone knows you and you have no idea how not to wildly scratch your behind because your haemorrhoids are itching so badly?! Or – have you ever been to a Fit Fight class so bloated that almost every kick made you break wind so loudly it sounded like you were actually firing live ammunition? I can tell you, this is so NOT funny!

Luckily, after becoming an orthomolecular nutritionist, I found some effective ways to deal with those kinds of problems and would like to share them with you to spare you any unnecessary disgrace. BTW – the ailments are so common, you might want to keep on reading, even if you are not pregnant and/ or male.

1) Haemorrhoids

A quick & natural fix for minor haemorrhoids is vitamin E. Get some vitamin E capsules, cut them open, squeeze out the gel and apply it to your – dry and clean – anus several times a day, especially after visiting the toilet! You’ll be amazed at the result!

2) Bloating

There are many reasons for bloating – no matter if you are pregnant or not. One reason might be that your intestinal flora is not in balance. When pregnant, there are quite a few products/ herbs you should avoid, but probiotics are an extremely safe nutritional substance which does not only counter-act embarrassing bloating but also promotes the healthy development of your baby’s immune system.

3) Acid reflux

Acid reflux is a problem numerous pregnant women are familiar with. If you do not want to take any regular meds, try eating a handful of unsalted & unroasted almonds. Or, take a tablespoon of dry chia seeds. If you give the latter a shot, wait until the heartburn is gone and then drink plenty of water.

4) Leg cramps

Sleeping soundly is so important to feel good and stay healthy. One enemy of a good night’s sleep, however, is leg cramps which can be enormously painful. In many cases, these cramps are caused by a lack of magnesium. To get rid of them, you can take 300mg of magnesium twice a day or apply magnesium in transdermal from by using magnesium oil. This is actually the most effective and fastest way to replace daily losses.

Another benefit of magnesium for pregnant women: it optimizes blood pressure levels und increases your pain tolerance threshold. This comes in very handy at the latest during delivery!

5) A weakened immune system

When you are pregnant, your immune system runs at a very low speed. On the one side, this is good for your baby but, on the other side, you can come down with a cold or the flu a lot faster. Especially the flu can be more dangerous in pregnant women, which is why it is essential to help your body fight off nasty viruses and bacteria. One of the safest ways to do so is by supplementing with vitamin C. In his Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C, the pioneer of vitamin C megadosing, Dr. Frederick Klenner explains how he gave large doses of vitamin C to more than 300 expectant women: not only had they almost no complications of whatever kind in their pregnancies or during delivery, their children were reported to be the healthiest in the hospital! Dr. Klenner routinely gave healthy pregnant women 4,000mg of vitamin C daily during the first trimester, 6,000mg during the second and 10,000mg during the third trimester. If you want to learn more about the incredible healing properties of vitamin C, read Dr. Klenner’s guide or check out my blog for more facts & figures coming soon!

Connect with Nathalie;

www.simplylivebetter.org

https://www.facebook.com/SimplyLiveBetter

https://twitter.com/ndeahna

image source

I have been itching to write this blog post for what seems like forever! I don’t quite know where to start as so much has happened since I last wrote a personal blog post. But here it goes…

So, what have I been doing and why haven’t I been writing as much? Well, I’ve been launching my own food brand called “The Noble Kitchen” which has involved a lot of recipe creation, label design, counting peppers, ordering lettuce and that kind of stuff. My very good friend Kris (who happens to be an awesome photographer and who took the photo of me on the left of this page by the way) decided six months ago to open a juice bar. This wasn’t just a random decision as Kris has worked with Jason Vale at Juicemaster for several years and has been heavily involved in opening juice bars all over the world from Dubai to Belgium to Canada (so he knows a thing or two about juice which is always handy when opening a juice bar!)

So work began on ‘The Core Juice Bar & Holistic Lounge’ a few months ago (yes there’s a very cool holistic lounge upstairs where you can get a massage, reiki, head massage and pretty much get the ultimate relaxation experience) and 2 weeks ago on 29th March, we had a VIP launch party and opened our doors to paying customers the following day. I love it. I love it, I love it, I love it. It’s JUST awesome. From the start, I loved Kris’s infectious enthusiasm and his vision of what he wanted to create. We have very similar taste so I pretty much like everything he’s done design wise and the feel of the juice bar is exactly what I would like to experience when going for a juice. I just wish it was closer to where I live (but then again if I did, I know Kris would have me working behind the juicebar if he could!) so maybe it’s for the best that I live 2 and a half hours away! Yes, we’ve opened The Core in a town called Swindon and it is going incredibly well! (not that we’re surprised in the slightest!) because obviously we serve the best juices and the most delicious raw food! ;o)

Me & The Boss Man Kris

So, on to the food side of things which is where I come in with The Noble Kitchen. Check out my logo below – like it? The website is being worked on at the moment so as soon as that’s finished, I’ll be sure to send you on over there!

Kris wanted to serve raw food so I came up with a menu with breakfast, lunch and late lunch (early dinner) options as we are open until 8pm Monday to Saturday, (10-4 Sunday). We have yoghurt, granola, chocolate granola (OMG it’s so good!), salads, noodle salads, hummus, wraps and quite a few sweet treats; The Chocolate Orange, The Healthy Carrot (&Vanilla) Cake (my bestseller), Pecan Crispy Cake, The Fruit & Nut Bar, Berry Blue Pie, Raw chocolate hearts and Chocolate Fudge. Look at my beautiful fridge! It’s only half full at the moment as with the Easter weekend we werent able to stock it with as many things as we would have liked so we are waiting on coconut water, aloe vera juice et al which will be available to buy off the shelf.

So to give you a bit of back story to this, I was due to fly out to California on 25^th March with the intention of staying 6 weeks but a whole host of things have occurred making it abundantly and painfully clear that I wasn’t supposed to go. Originally I was just planning on a 2 week holiday to see my friend Kat who lives in L.A. but when I saw that Matthew Kenney (a very skilled and talented raw food chef was opening his new raw food academy school called M.A.K.E in Santa Monica, I knew I had to go). So I got myself booked up for the 4 week course, booked my flights so I had a week either side of the course for some free time and continued to work on The Noble Kitchen menu and label design, while keeping my fingers crossed that the opening of The Core wouldn’t be pushed back any further as it had already been delayed by 1 week about 3 weeks before we were due to open (or something like that…). At the same time, it seems that my staying with my friend while in LA and doing the course could prove problematic due to a lack of parking at her flat and an issue with keys (blah blah blah). Then, I hurt my left knee running (I don’t run but I found myself running one day which resulted in me hurting my left knee.) After about 4 days I went to see the doctor who sent me for an Xray to be on the safe side given my health history, or lack thereof!, but there was no fracture; nothing which was essentially good news. THEN, a week later, the pain that was in my left knee then transferred to my right ankle and left me limping for the best part of 3 weeks. (Trust me when I say working on a building site while The Core was having work done internally when it’s arctic weather outside and the heating system has broken AND you’re limping around like a wolly, is not fun!)

And THEN, the launch of The Core had to be put back a week because certain things just weren’t going to be on time which meant that I was going to be in California when we opened and when I launched my food brand for the very first time!!! So, given that I was struggling to walk with a fat, swollen and painful ankle, there was no way I was going to be able to be on my feet at M.A.K.E for 8 hours a day AND with the opening of The Core and The Noble Kitchen being delayed, I decided to postpone my trip until later in the year when I’m physically fitter. Oh and THEN my accommodation fell through for the second time! Mmmmm, yup, I think that just about sums it up! PHEW! That was a lot to get off my chest and explain in a way that hopefully is relatively clear to you!

Basically in the end, the way I’m seeing it  is that the Universe was trying to give me signs that I shouldn’t go but I was finding it hard to decide whether to go or not so ‘it’ busted my ankle and my knee to prevent me from going and eventually I had to listen. I’ve just about caught up on sleep so for now, I’ll have to soak up the sun in Cambridge, not California.

Any UK readers or readers visiting the UK, we would LOVE to see you at The Core. Little fairies are currently working very hard in the computer to make The Core’s website so for now, you can become a fan on facebook to keep up with all the offers of free juice with every massage and other cool stuff etc etc. We are located at 4 Devizes Road, Swindon, SN1 4BJ and we hope to have a juice with you soon!

Much love from me and The Core Family xxx

P.S. I’ve just announced dates for a new retreat – A raw food and yoga retreat which I can’t wait for! Check out my retreat dates here.

As a parent we all hope our children will be “normal.” When we find them exhibiting unusual or even scary behaviours our first impulse is often to turn to discipline techniques, positive reinforcement behaviour programs, or ask our paediatrician to screen for hyperactivity.

Sometimes these things will work, but some severe behaviors may indicate that your child actually has a mental illness. In fact, half of all mental illness cases begin before the age of 14.

• Some warning signs of mental illness in children are:
• Severe, long lasting tantrums especially if they are violent
• Life threatening behaviour or threat
• Aggressive behaviour towards others or animals
• Seeming inability to understand how consequences correspond to actions
• Depression or anxiousness
• Digressing to behaviours that are not age appropriate like bed wetting

If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, they may be suffering from a biological or developmental issue called a mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.”

According to Kids Mental Health common disorders diagnosed in children include:

• Anxiety
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Autistic Disorder
• Eating problems
• Bathroom issues

Mental illnesses like these can cause serious academic, social, physical and emotional problems for children.

It can be very hard for parents to recognize the need to reach out for help, but it is critical to the long-term wellness of your child. Children with a mental illness will need medical or psychological help to get better or learn to cope with their issues. Some disorders can get better over time, but others will last for their lifetime. Getting appropriate treatment as soon as possible is extremely important.

If your child is exhibiting these types of behaviors, start with your pediatrician for an initial evaluation. He will consider possible biological causes for your child’s behaviors. If he cannot find a biological cause he will likely refer you to a child psychologist who can diagnose other disorders. Through a series of assessment tools, a psychologist will determine if your child has a mental illness and can prescribe drugs and other therapies. It is important that you are open and honest with mental health professionals.

There are varying levels of services available to children with mental illness. Outpatient care includes regular appointments with a psychologist, art therapy, animal therapy and other therapies. Schools offer services including specialized instruction and behavior plans. If a child cannot function successfully at home or in a school setting they may benefit from day treatment programs. There are also in-home services where a group of professionals work with your child in the home. In some cases serious interventions are required—most notably when the child is a danger to themselves or to others.

Facilities like schizophrenia treatment center san diego and John Hopkins Children’s Mental Health Center offer comprehensive services for ongoing outpatient treatment and residential care. Look for referrals from your pediatrician and psychologist for the best services available in your area.

It can be heart breaking to find out that your child has a mental illness and devastating to realize that they need higher levels of care. However, your child needs you to advocate for them so they can have the best outcomes possible for their diagnosis. With treatment people with mental illness can live fulfilling, successful lives.

Image source

Guest Post by Laura Thomas

OK here’s the thing, I’m a bit miffed at sugar. Why? I was your classic Miss Super Healthy growing up and the fountain of health tips to all my friends. I was onto the seeds from an early age and you’d never catch me with a white bread sandwich. However, I was living a classic low fat, high sugar, high carbohydrate diet that wasn’t doing me any favours. Without realising, I was quite emotionally tied to, and somewhat addicted to ‘sweet’ in some form or another. Whether it was cake, muesli, fruity yoghurts or even dried fruit.

Fast forward to now and I’m free of sugar, but it wasn’t just a straightforward case of ‘right, I’m not going to eat sugar anymore’. It was deeply linked to my lifestyle, my reward system and it provided that much needed fix on days when life threw me several curved balls. I had to delve much deeper to make permanent changes and come to terms with my attachment to sweet if things were going to change long term.

It was only when I got to the core of these deep rooted emotional ties and habits that I could slowly start letting sugar drift out of my life. Like a break up, I went through a variety of emotions. Sadness at the thought of not enjoying a slice of my favourite carrot cake and frustration on the days I just couldn’t control my urges. Overwhelmed at the number of social situations and scenarios where sugar reared it’s ugly head, I needed to understand root causes of my emotions so I could devise new strategies and habits.

So how can you start analysing your own sugar habits?

Ask if you give it up for 30 days - This can tell you a lot whether you have a healthy relationship with something. If the thought of not having your favorite ‘sweet treat’ actually makes you feel a bit sad, you could be slightly dependent on it.

Social or private - Are you secretly indulging at home alone or is it always out and about with friends? Analysing your habits and categorising them private or public can start to tell you some important facts about your weak moments. If it’s private, it could be a control issue or linked to very hard wired habits. If it’s public, you could suffer from peer pressure or associate sweet things strongly to experiences.

Cinema and popcorn - In today’s day and age a number of experiences are linked to sugary affair. I could devour a giant sweet popcorn before the trailers were up. Christmas, Easter and Birthdays all shove sweet stuff in your face. Asking yourself honestly if a lack of sweet will affect your happiness in these situations is the start of picking it all apart and starting to look for other forms of enjoyment to replace sugar.

So essentially you can start a healthier relationship with sugar just by giving it a little thought to things first. Asking yourself if you could give it up for 30 days, working out if it’s private or public and separating the experience from the sweet are all great starts on the required self reflection of a low sugar journey.

Connect with Laura here:

www.happysugarhabits.com

Vitamins are required in minimum amount each day for the proper functioning of the body and general well-being. Apart from providing the groundwork for the body to grow and develop, they’re also responsible for functions such as immunity, metabolism and digestion. The U.S National Library of Medicine states that a balanced diet consisting of variety of fruits and vegetables is recommended for fulfilling daily vitamin needs.

People who can’t meet their daily vitamin needs from foods alone may require dietary supplements. For example, if someone isn’t getting the minimum amount of vitamin D each day, he/she can opt for a multi-vitamin supplement or a single vitamin supplement like Pureformulas Vitamin D3.

Nutritionists, scientists and doctors keep on researching more about vitamins. Here are some new theories that have surfaced in recent times;

New Research 

1. Vitamin D lowers risk of dying in older adults

Ellen Smit from Oregon State University, US, conducted a study last year; 4300 older adults above 60 years of age were part of the study and they were divided in different groups based on their Vitamin D levels. The group with low Vitamin D levels were more likely to be frail. The study revealed that older adults whose Vitamin D levels were lower had a 30 percent higher chance of facing death earlier compared to adults with high Vitamin D levels.

2. Vitamin D supplements may help in reducing cardiovascular disease

James Vacek carried out a research with Kanas-based researchers, in which they noted Vitamin D deficiency in the group of people they examined was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, while Vitamin D supplements were associated with 61 percent increase in chances of survival in the study population. The study concluded that vitamin D supplements may help people to live longer.

. Vitamin B3 may be able to fight off antibiotic-resistant staph infections

Dr. Gorge Liu from Cedars-Sinai Medical College in Los Angeles California conducted study with his colleagues. They found Vitamin B3, when taken in doses that were far higher than a dose would be for a normal diet, increased the strength of immune cells to eliminate bacteria by 1,000 times in just a few hours. The effect was conducted on human blood samples. The result of the study indicated that nicotinamide or Vitamin B3 may have the ability to kill staph infections (which are antibiotic resistant) that have killed thousands worldwide. Supplements can aid in higher Vitamin B3 dosage.

Conclusion

The studies show the importance of vitamins and supplementing in case of deficiency. Everyone should try to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables for meeting their daily vitamin needs, and complement the diet with supplements to avoid any deficiency. Doing so will promote a healthy lifestyle.

About the Author: Sara is freelance writer who most often writes about health and fitness. In her spare time, she enjoys maintaining a healthy lifestyle through swimming and practicing yoga.