Peppermint Patty Truffles

Greetings wellness lovers!

I hope you have all been having a great month! My apologies for being MIA... it's been quite a busy month, well year... actually! My husband and I, omg... "husband" is so cool so finally say that, after almost 7 years!... just came home from our week-long honeymoon, and officially tied the knot just before that!

Photos to come...

Anyways... today I have a fun holiday recipe to share with you, by my lovely sister Alyssa, to surly put you in the mood for holiday decorating and preparations!

Peppermint Patty Truffles
by Alyssa Craft, Pure Living for Life

Hello there!

I have a special recipe to share today: peppermint patty truffles!

I decided to get a head start on my holiday recipes this year... and I have a confession. I LOVE York Peppermint Patties. I always have. However, as I am sure you can relate... I am not exactly a fan of the fact that they contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavoring and who knows what else...

These peppermint patty truffles are made with only four ingredients: coconut oil, honey, peppermint extract and dark chocolate. (For the maximum health benefits, make sure all these ingredients are organic.) I topped mine with crushed traditional candy canes, but if you are feeling extra healthy feel free to omit this or substitute with your own topping... get creative!

 

Prep time: 30 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 15

Ingredients

• ½ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ tsp peppermint extract
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 candy canes, crushed

Instructions

1. Combine coconut oil, honey and peppermint extract in a bowl. Mash until well-mixed.
2. If mixture is not easy to form into balls, then put in the freezer briefly.
3. Scoop out 1.5 to 2 tsp of mixture and form into balls.
4. Place in the freezer while melting chocolate in a separate bowl over the stove.
5. Let chocolate cool a little bit.
6. Dip the frozen balls into the chocolate, sprinkle with candy cane topping. Let cool.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and feel free to stop by and say hello anytime!

 

Happy holidays!

Alyssa

Pure Living for Life

{All Natural} Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub

Greetings wellness lovers!

Today I have a very special guest blogger... my dear sister Alyssa from Alyssa's Cooking Adventures! She has a heavenly health and beauty recipe to share with you! Mmmmm... I almost want to eat it!

Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub

by Alyssa Craft

It is officially fall! That means that we can all consume pumpkin-flavored and pumpkin-scented EVERYTHING without guilt. Or maybe you never felt guilty, but it felt wrong to me if I was craving something pumpkin-flavored in August. Fall is one of my favorite seasons so I like to indulge in it to the fullest.

To kick off fall, I wanted to create something with ingredients I already had around the house. I settled on making a pumpkin face scrub. This face scrub is very easy to make as it only requries a few ingredients. I prefer homemade face scrubs because store-bought scrubs typically have a long list of chemicals which is not good if you have sensitive skin like me. 

The benefits of this pumpkin scrub include:

Exfoliation: This helps to remove dead skin cells that can leave skin looking dry, resulting in brighter and softer skin.

Moisturization: The jojoba oil used in this recipe has a similar structure to sebum, allowing it to absorb easily into your skin.

Acne-control: Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that can help destroy acne-causing bacteria. This may help in preventing future breakouts.

***

Pumpkin Face Scrub

Prep time:  5 mins

Total time:  5 mins

Ingredients

• ¾ c. brown sugar
• ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of cloves
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp jojoba oil

Instructions

1. Bring oils to liquid state if they are cold.
2. Mix all ingredients together.

***

I hope you enjoy this recipe. If you are up to it, get creative and experiment with different oils, scents and even sugars. Also, feel free to stop by my blog for more fall recipes to come!

The Benefits of Himalayan Salt!

Greetings wellness lovers! 

Today I wanted to share with you the benefits of Himalayan salt! If you are like me, you probably heard that 'salt was bad' and may have even tried a low-salt diet for many years. However, like many other things I have been learning lately... ;) the truth is actually different than what we've been told.

(photo credit)

Despite the fact that so-called "nutritional experts" and government regulators have given salt a bad rap for decades, scientific studies have not been able to prove that low-sodium diets are beneficial. In fact, they actually have been showing the opposite.

Salt is actually an essential nutrient, and was valued as gold among early African and European explorers. However, it is important to realize the difference between natural salt and processed salt. (For more info on the difference, I highly recommend reading this article by Dr. Mercola.)

But what about the DASH Diet for reducing hypertension? You may be wondering... Well, something interesting about that diet is that yes, while it is low in sodium, and has been used to lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension, it is also low in sugar. Dr. Mercola explains how salt has actually been getting the blame for the effects of sugar here.

So what is Himalayan salt?

Himalayan salt aka "white gold" contains 84 natural elements and minerals found in the human body, inlcuding iodine, and is considered to be the purest form of salt on the planet. It is millions of years old and is mined deep from within the Himalayas, where it's been protected from contaminants of the modern world. 

The Benefits of Himalayan Salt:

• Regulates the water levels within the body for proper functioning
• Promotes stable pH balance in the cells, including brain cells
• Encourages excellent blood sugar health
• Aides in reducing the common signs of aging
• Promotes the increased absorption capacities of food elements within the intestinal tract
• Aides vascular health
• Supports healthy respiratory function
• Lowers incidence of sinus problems, promoting over-all sinus health
• Reduces muscle cramps
• Increases bone strength
• Naturally promotes healthy sleep patterns
• Creates a healthy libido
• In combination with water, it is necessary for blood pressure regulation
• Prevents cellulite, when compared to table salt
• Reduces chances of developing rheumatism, arthritis and gout, when compared to common chemically-treated salt
• Reduces chances of developing kidney and gall bladder stones when compared to common chemically-treated salt

Pretty awesome, right?!

I hope you have a great day! And happy Friday!!

xoxo,
Ashley

Sources:
Dr. Mercola "Avoiding This 'Forbidden Food' Could Make You Moody"
Dr. Mercola "Add this Seasoning to Your Food Daily, Despite what Your Doctor Says"
Natural News "Why Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt is so much better for your health than processed table salt"
The Global Healing Center "The Benefits of Himalayan Salt"

20 Health Benefits of Cinnamon!

Greetings wellness lovers!

Today I came across an interesting little gem of a pin, that I thought my fellow 'nutrition geek' peeps would enjoy! :)

Well, I am getting ready to embark on a road trip to visit my sister in Oregon... so I will keep this post short + sweet today! (Literally, haha... as cinnamon is actually "sweet!")

xoxoxo,

Ashley

Six facts you need to know about eating oils and fats

Originally posted Friday, February 15, 2013 by Jonathan Benson, NaturalNews.com

One of the most widely misunderstood food groups today, oils and fats can be both crucial and detrimental to your health, depending on what type they are and how they are processed. But with so many inconsistencies and mistruths emerging from health authorities and the mainstream media on the issue, it is difficult for many people to effectively decipher between the two. So to help clarify, here are six important facts you need to know about oils and fats that will change the way you view this food category, and hopefully improve the health of you and your family:

1) Saturated fats are important for brain health. Butter, coconut oil, lard, and various other types of saturated fat are constantly being demonized as artery-cloggers and heart-stoppers, but nothing could be further from the truth. A large percentage of your brain is composed of both saturated fat and cholesterol, which means this vital organ needs saturated fat in order to function properly. Omega-3 fatty acids, which have gained considerable attention in recent years for their importance in brain health, actually require the presence of saturated fats for proper assimilation. (http://www.naturalnews.com/027865_saturated_fat_health.html)

Similarly, your bones require saturated fats as well in order to effectively transport bone-building calcium and other important minerals throughout your body. And in the case of grass-fed animal fat and coconut oil, saturated fats impart natural antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral benefits to your body, as well as necessary lauric, myristic, and caprylic acids, all of which are crucial for boosting immunity and fighting off infections.
(http://www.naturalnews.com/026819_lauric_acid_coconut_oil.html)

2) Most vegetable oils are unhealthy, cause systemic inflammation. On the flip side, vegetable oils like soy, canola (rapeseed), safflower, sunflower, and corn, all of which are touted in the mainstream as healthy alternatives to traditional saturated fats, promote chronic inflammation throughout the body. Science continues to show that mono and polyunsaturated oils are loaded with omega-6 fatty acids, an abundance of which can lead to chronic pain and disease. Substituting vegetable oil in place of saturated fat also deprives your body of the fat it truly needs to stay healthy. (http://www.naturalnews.com/035015_PUFAs_health_fatty_acids.html)

3) Many oils go rancid when cooked with high heat. Many Americans consider olive oil to be one of the healthiest oils available, and rightly so, as this plant-based fat can help prevent heart disease and protect bones. But olive oil can also go rancid or even become toxic when heated above about 374 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) because it is in a class of oils with a low smoke point. Other low smoke point oils include macadamia nut oil (around 392 degrees Fahrenheit) and flax seed oil (around 225 degrees Fahrenheit), and most unrefined oils. (http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/collectedinfo/oilsmokepoints.htm)

4) Canola oil almost always contains dangerous trans fatty acids. Canola oil was first introduced into the American market back in the 1980s, and major food corporations like Cargill have spent countless millions convincing people that it is healthy. But what the industry has failed to mention is the fact that the processing techniques used to refine canola oil almost always produce harmful trans fatty acids as a byproduct. In fact, tests in animals have shown that canola oil consumption can lead to vitamin E deficiency.

"[M]ost of the omega-3s in canola oil are transformed into trans fats during the deodorization process," explains a Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) piece on the dangers of canola oil. "[R]esearch continues to prove that the saturates (in saturated fat) are necessary and highly protective," it adds, noting that canola oil is a monounsaturated fat.
(http://www.westonaprice.org/know-your-fats/the-great-con-ola)

5) Many of the oils recommended by health authorities are genetically-modified (GM). Another factor to consider in the pursuit of healthy oils and fats is whether or not they have been genetically-modified (GM). Many of the oils and fats recommended by health authorities as superior -- these include canola, soy, corn, and cottonseed -- are made from GMOs, which are increasingly being linked to causing organ damage, digestive problems, and cancer. (http://www.naturalnews.com/GMOs.html)

Most of the healthiest oils and fats available, on the other hand, are non-GMO, but some of them you may not have heard of as they are largely ignored by the mainstream. These include hemp, macadamia, sesame, pumpkin seed, walnut, almond, pecan, flax seed, avocado, and coconut oils, all of which have their own unique health properties. (http://www.naturalnews.com)

6) Many 'cold pressed' cooking oils have been heated, treated with toxic chemicals. The idea behind so-called "cold pressed" oils is that they are healthier and have more of their nutrients intact as a result of not being heated. But according to Dr. Udo Erasmus, author of the book Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill, many cooking oils labeled as "cold pressed" have actually been cooked or treated with toxic solvent chemicals like hexane, rendering them potentially toxic.

The best and safest cooking oils, he says, are those that are expeller pressed using low temperatures, and pressed from organic seeds and nuts. True non-denatured oils will also be protected from light, oxygen, and heat during the production process, and usually come in solid, dark glass bottles that are labeled "unrefined." (http://lifespa.com/2012/07/dont-use-these-oils/)

Sources for this article include:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7592/5-fats-that-dont-make-you-fat.html

Natural Remedy for a Sore Throat

Well, hello there wellness lovers!

Can you imagine what life was like before Pinterest?!

I know I can't!

Something I've noticed lately (and love!):

Based on my own observations, it seems like the "Millenial" generation (in general), seems to be going 'back to the basics', per se, and using our grandparents' tried and true home remedies for common situations... for an array of things ranging from cleaning to gardening to natural health care.

Not only are many of our grandparents' tips + tricks generally more natural (and safer), they will also save you a ton of $$$!

I've had conversations with many friends about this, and from what I am seeing and hearing, it really does seem to be a trend. :)

Today I thought I'd share a new pin from my "Natural Health" pin board.

It's something I have yet to try, but have "pinned it away" for possible future use. And, one day when I have kids, I'm pretty sure I will be thankful to have this on hand.

Natural Remedy for a Sore Throat

Caption said:

"If you wake up with a sore throat, and begin to feel a cold coming on, mix hot water, 2-tablespoons honey, 2-tablespoons of vinegar, dash of cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, mix well, and drink, you will feel better within the hour! Works every time!"

Just curious... has anyone tried this yet?

I hope you are having a wonderful week. :)

xoxo,
Ashley

Dr. Axe's Secret Detox Drink

Hello there! And happy 2013!

I'm back... :) After weeks of holiday festivities, I decided to finally update my blog. Haha... I know that many of you can relate that sometimes it's just necessary to unplug and step away from the computer.

And I did just that. ;)

Anyways, today I thought I'd share my new favorite detox drink that I've been loving lately!

(photo credit)

I learned about it via Pinterest, of course ;) but it's a recipe by Dr. Axe.

Let me just say, it's the best way I've ever tried taking ACV by far!

And after Christmas and New Year's... this is a perfect way to detox and balance your system.

Ingredients

• 1 glass of water (12-16 oz.)
• 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg's)
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 packet stevia powder (I use NuNaturals liquid drops)

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients together. (I just mix, since I use liquid stevia there isn't a need to blend.)

Have you tried anything similar to this yet?

I'm sure you know... but let's just remember how beneficial apple cider vinegar is!

Love this infographic from one of my favorite news websites, NaturalNews.com :)

Have an excellent day!

xoxo,
Ashley

How to Cultivate Mental Clarity with Yoga!

Greetings wellness lovers! I hope you are having an excellent week!

Today I have a special article for you by guest blogger Valerie Johnston... all about the mental benefits of yoga! 

In college, I discovered the effectiveness of yoga when it came to managing stress... and ever since my first yoga class, it's been an essential element of my multi-weekly well-being routine. :)

Cultivate Mental Clarity with Yoga

By Valerie Johnston, Healthline

Photo credit: RelaxingMusic

Yoga is an ancientdiscipline that originated in India thousands of years ago. Since the practiceof yoga was introduced to the West in the late 19^th century, agrowing number of people became familiar with the discipline until it explodedin popularity in the 1980s. Over the last few decades, yoga has become ahousehold name and is practiced by people from all walks of life.  

A growing number of peoplepractice yogaas a part of their fitness program. Yoga can be used to increase flexibility,reduce the risk of injury, boost stamina, develop strength, and many otheraspects of fitness. 

There is also a strongpsychological component to yoga. Individuals who suffer from anxiety ordepression, for example, may find that they also have difficulty concentrating.Chronic anxiety and depression have a way of causing a mental fog that does notallow a person to think clearly. Other mental health disorders can also reducebrain function and cause cloudy thinking. Even if you don’t suffer from amental health issue such as generalized anxiety disorder or depression, you maystill struggle to maintain mental clarity. In the modern world, many of us areconstantly bombarded by information and live busy lifestyles. Yoga gives us away to slow down and clear our minds.

Adopting the Yogic Lifestyle

Developing positive mentalhealth takes a well-rounded approach. Self-acceptance, positive relationshipswith other people, personal growth, a healthy diet, and regular exercise,including yoga, are all important factors that contribute to improved mentalhealth. Without a healthy balance of these benefits in your life, it can bedifficult to maintain mental clarity.

Adopting a yogic lifestyleis easier than ever. There are a number of resources people can use to beginthe practice of yoga, no matter where you live. If you have access to a yogaclass, this is the best way to gain hands-on experience in the practice. An experiencedteacher can show you how to perform poses (asanas) that result in a healthiermind and body. Many people leave yoga classes feeling a dramatically improvedsense of well-being and mental clarity. These benefits typically extend intoone’s work life, social life, and family life.

If you don’t have access toa yoga class near you, there are plenty of helpful DVDs, books, and onlineresources that will help you get started. If improved emotional well-being andmental clarity are your goals, then look for resources that demonstrate how toperform poses that assist in achieving these objectives.

Focused Breathing and Yoga

While breathing is a naturalinstinct for humans, you may be surprised to discover that you do not breathein a way that optimizes your emotional and physical health. Deep breathing andfocused breathing are a common part of yoga practice. Developing properbreathing techniques can have a dramatic affect on your ability to concentratein any given situation. Proper breathing will also ensure that an ideal amountof oxygen reaches your internal organs and muscles, which will promote youroverall fitness.

Focusing the Mind

How often do you reach fordistractions in your everyday life? While there’s nothing wrong with listeningto an iPod, watching television, text messaging, or using other modern devices,there is a growing addiction to these distractions. Overuse of devices fordistraction can cause our mental well-being to become unbalanced, which canlead to memory problems, anxiety, lack of clarity, and other issues. Throughthe regular practice of yoga and other body-mind techniques, you will be ableto achieve higher levels of mental clarity, awareness, lucidity, and emotionalwellness. As an added advantage, you will also be able to improve your physicalfitness so that you both look and feel increasingly rejuvenated.

Valerie Johnston is a health andfitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running amarathon and writing for Healthline.comensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the latest health and fitness news.

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! What's your favorite mental benefit of yoga?

Have a lovely week!!

Xoxo,
Ashley 

Integrative Nutrition and Goddard College Partnership

Greetings wellness lovers!

Today I wanted to share something that will be of interest to my fellow Integrative Nutrition peers, or anyone who is interested in becoming a student in the future.

My beloved nutrition school... The Institute for Integrative Nutrition has partnered up with Goddard College, an institution that’s been ahead of its time for over 50 years.


Graduates of the Health Coach Training Program can now apply up to 29 credits in transfer towards a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at Goddard. And, there are three majors they can choose from.

Additionally, graduates of the Immersion Program (IIN's second-year, complimentary program) may transfer an additional 11 credits, for a total of up to 40 credits! 

About
Goddard College is an internationally recognized liberal arts college that operates on an intensive low-residency model. This new partnership gives IIN alumni the opportunity to explore an enriching higher education. For more information about pursuing a higher degree at Goddard College, visitwww.goddard.edu/IIN.

This is excellent news to anyone who is considering enrolling at Integrative Nutrition in the future and who also would like to earn a Bachelor's degree at the same time! (If I didn't already have my BS degree... I would definitely be taking advantage of this offer!)

Have a great day!!

xoxo,
Ashley

Tips for Naturally Healthy Skin!

Greetings wellness lovers!

Today I wanted to share with you a complimentary guide by Integrative Nutrition... all about how to get naturally healthy skin! Also, there are heavenly natural recipes... including

• Brown Sugar Honey Scrub
• Orange Vanilla Body Spray
• Aloe Cucumber Mask
• Coconut Oil Moisturizer 
• Lemon Honey Hand Cream
• Simple Sea Salt Scrub

{click to download}

I am about to go whip up one of these delightful recipes right now! Have a lovely weekend!

xoxo,
Ashley

A Personal Experience with an Autoimmune Disease

Greetings wellness lovers!

Today I have a special guest here, Tonya Bonin... the blogger behind Happy Body Happy Life, to share with you a brief overview of autoimmune disorders, as well as her personal experience in terms of discovering foods and lifestyle changes that have helped her manage her autoimmune disease, naturally!

By Tonya Bonin
"An autoimmune disorder occurs when the immune system begins attacking cells and destroying healthy tissue. There are more than 80 types of auto-immune diseases. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteo-arthritis are two well known autoimmune diseases. Chronic inflammation plays a large role in both of these types of arthritis and may lead to irreversible damage if not controlled.

Not all inflammation is bad. Bodies need some inflammation to fight viruses, infections and help repair itself. The problem comes when there is too much inflammation leading to pain, swelling, and damage. It is imperative to get the inflammation under control right away to prevent future damage to joints and organs.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and manage my disease in a couple of ways. I take Plaquenil, which is used to treat some auto-immune diseases. However, this one medication alone does not relieve all my symptoms. Rather than having to add another medication with other side effects, I have been fortunate enough to be able to control inflammation through diet and exercise. Hippocrates said "Let food be your medicine" and I whole heartedly agree. There are many ideas out there as to what type of diet will work to control inflammation. For me, eating an anti-inflammatory diet has been very beneficial in controlling my symptoms. When I eat right, you would never know that I had a crippling disease. When I don't eat right, I cannot do simple daily tasks such as opening the door, walking down the stairs, sleeping. So I have definitely seen an anti-inflammatory diet relieve my symptoms and allow me to function at 100%.

When I talk about eating an anti-inflammatory diet, I mean every meal and every snack every day. Each meal is filled
with foods that calm inflammation in my body. Not every ingredient I use is anti-inflammatory but I do make sure that the
majority are and that the each meal has a strong anti-inflammation factor. What that means is that all foods have IF (Inflammatory Factor) Ratings:

Some food is way off the charts and totally inflammatory. I avoid those foods. (Ex. pretzels, safflower oil, coconut oil, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, white pasta)

Some food is way off the charts the other direction and totally anti-inflammatory. I eat those foods. (Ex. salmon, olive oil, canola oil, olives, garlic, chili powder, avocado, dry roasted almonds)

When foods are slightly inflammatory, I pair them with spices and other foods that bring the meal over to the anti-inflammatory side so that it has a calming effect on the inflammation in my body. Since RA is known to cause an abundance of inflammation I attack it right back with these wonderful foods and that keeps my body running normal.

The Inflammation Free Diet Plan, written by Monica Reinagel, is an excellent resource for finding out the IF Rating on food. It is packed full of recipes and great information to help in maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet. I refer to it constantly.

Exercise is also a key component in keeping inflammation and joint degeneration at bay. Stretching daily or at least several times a week is beneficial in keeping the body limber and mobile. Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates are all very gentle but effective. Pilates has a stronger focus on building muscle that is needed to protect the joints. A light weight routine is another alternative that can be started and as you get stronger you can add more weight.  Walking, swimming, and cycling are cardio exercises that are not too stressful on swollen joints. It is important to have some type of cardio exercise to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight adds extra stress to already painful joints.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis include:

• Joint pain
• Inflammation
• Redness of the joints
• Fatigue
• Flu like symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms or notice other symptoms that signal a problem, make an appointment right away to see your doctor. The sooner you begin to treat an auto-immune disease the better your chances are of stopping damage that may be occurring in your body.

This is a recipe that I love and is an example of eating to calm inflammation. As you can see, life is good eating the anti-inflammatory way. I use whole wheat pasta with added Omega-3's and olive oil to cook chicken and onions. Lemon juice is calming as are garlic and onions. Enjoy!

Lemon Chicken and Penne Pasta

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 medium onion
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 10 ounces whole wheat penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
• 1 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• Olive oil
• Parmesan Cheese

Drizzle oil over the raw chicken breasts and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Rub the
mixture into both sides and cover. Allow to marinate for 1 hour.

While waiting for chicken to marinate, saute diced onion in olive oil until tender. Remove from pan. This is a great time
to cook the pasta as well.
When chicken is done marinating, cut into bite size pieces and saute in olive oil until done. Add the cooked onions and
saute until caramelized. Then add in the white wine and let simmer so that the mixture reduces by half. Add in the
remaining salt, garlic powder, lemon juice, parsley and capers. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the cooked penne
pasta, stir well. Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled lightly over the top."

Tonya Bonin s the blogger behind Happy Body Happy Life, and is the wife of an amazing and supportive husband and the mother of two wonderful sons. She has Rheumatoid Arthritis and after having enough of the pain associated with this condition, she decided to do something about it... via optimal nutrition. She eats an anti-inflammatory diet and is passionate about finding and creating recipes to share with others. She is on a quest to find the balance in healthy eating without sacrificing great food and flavor.

 *Disclaimer: This article is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

Simple Honey-Coconut Glazed Carrots

Greetings wellness lovers!

I hope you had an excellent weekend!

Jon and I celebrated the Easter holiday by spending the day relaxing at home with family over, enjoying delicious spring-time cuisine, and enjoying the perfect weather!

Since I know most busy, health-minded individuals are always looking for easy ways to sneak more veggies into their diets without a lot of time + ingredients, I wanted to share an easy recipe with you from this past weekend!

Simple Honey-Coconut Glazed Carrots

Serves: about 4


Ingredients:

• 1 lb. organic, whole carrots
• 2 tablespoons organic unrefined coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons local honey
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme

Directions:
Wash and peel carrots, and slice into pieces of similar sizes. Fill a large pot with water, and bring to a boil. Add carrots to pot, boil until slightly tender... usually about 13-15 minutes. Drain carrots in colander. Add coconut oil and honey to pot, then add carrots back in. Cook, stirring occasionally for several minutes, mainly to just coat all of the carrots evenly with the coconut oil and honey. Add thyme. Serve and enjoy immediately.

*Holistic health bonus point: As you likely already know... enjoying local honey can be useful in remedying seasonal allergies!

Have an excellent rest of the day!

xoxo,
Ashley

What is Ayurveda?

Hello wellness lovers!

Today I wanted to share with you... my favorite philosophy for optimal wellness and healthy living! After studying 100+ dietary theories last year at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, this one really aligned with me.

Ayurveda

When I enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in January 2011, I remember being excited to learn about what I thought was, the dietary theory of ayurveda, to compliment my love of yoga and natural (real) foods...

However, what I've learned is that ayurveda is not just a dietary theory... but it is essentially a comprehensive ancient system of natural healing for optimal wellness, vitality, and balance. Basically, it's about eating with the seasons, enjoying 3 meals a day, selecting the best foods for your specific body type, and using natural remedies to heal ailments.

What is the definition of ayurveda?

In it's most basic form, it means "the science of life."

According to the Kerala Ayurveda Academy...


Ayurveda and Yoga are sister sciences and belong to the world’s oldest and most well-documented healthcare system. Ayurveda, the science (Veda) of life (Ayur), balances the body using natural therapies and herbal medicines and balances the mind. Yoga, the science of mind brings balance and purity to the body. The two complement each other and together act to achieve harmony of the Body, Mind and Spirit – which is the essence of true health. Knowledge of Ayurveda in today’s world is essential as it is aimed at the preservation of health and prevention of disease by establishing balance and harmony through nutrition, herbs, meditation, and daily routines. Ayurvedic science provides knowledge to unfold the reality beyond the physical body and achieve harmony of Body, Mind and Spirit. The World Health Organization recognizes Ayurveda as a complete natural health care system. 


Love this!


If you are interested in learning more about this ancient healing system, relevant to modern living... I invite you to stay in touch!

xoxo
Ashley
@TasteforHealthy


{Photo source}


*Integrative Nutrition® and Institute for Integrative Nutrition® are registered trademarks of Integrative Nutrition Inc.