One definition of thankful is expressing gratitude and relief. Did you know there are a number of health benefits when you regularly express gratitude? Gratitude is one of the most researched emotions so there is a lot of data available. Many societies throughout the ages have written about the benefits of gratitude and classical writings have claimed it is “the greatest virtue.” So let’s look at some of these benefits.
The holidays are upon us and along with all the festivities, there can be some challenges for our health journey. This time of year doesn’t need to derail our healthy habits. Here are some tips to healthify your holidays and still enjoy the festivities.
The elimination diet has been used for decades and is considered the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances. It is considered the simplest, least expensive, and least invasive tool.
If you read food labels, you will find cellulose gum in many foods. Foods that do have it are highly processed. Cellulose gum can be found in ice cream, beer, pie filling, jellies, cake icings, many “diet” foods, processed cheese, infant formula, cottage cheese, cream cheese, dressings, desserts, concentrated juice, and spice mixes. Wow, that is quite the list! But wait there are more: toothpaste, hair gel, shampoo, lotion, ointments, pharmaceuticals, and laundry detergent can also have cellulose.
Fall weather can be beautiful; it is my favorite season. The color, the cooler weather, and the smell of the season is the best. Unfortunately, it also brings us closer to cold and flu season which begins in October/November and then peaks between December and February. This season I could do without!
Finding locally sourced food has been a mission for me. I love connecting myself and others this way. Not everyone can get out to visit these farms but at least through these posts, you can get a glimpse of the operation.
Blessing Way Pastures is my most recent farm visit. This farm is the first farm I have visited to have raw dairy and wool; they also have pasture-raised eggs. Let’s take a look at the farm.
Check out the next food additive in the the series What is in Your Food?
A relatively common preservative that is added to our food is Butylated hydroxyanisole, commonly known as BHA. It is a synthetically produced preservative used to keep fats and oils in food and personal care products from going rancid.
Let’s look at lecithin, specifically soy lecithin.
Lecithin is a fatty substance that occurs in animal and plant tissues. Lecithin is used as an emulsifier to keep water and fat from separating in processed foods, and it can extend the shelf life of these foods. It is also used as a wetting and dispersing agent for powders, a release agent to prevent sticking of contact surfaces, and improves dough in bakery products.
Why invest in your health? Because you are worth it! I think we all want to live the healthiest life we can. No matter our age, we want to be productive, enjoy our time with friends and family, and not feel stressed and burned out, right?
We live in a world with many challenges. We are exposed to so many harmful things like food additives, toxic beauty and skin care products, the air we breathe, the water we drink, electro-magnetic fields, stress from work, lack of physical activity, and the list can go on and on. It can seem overwhelming to battle all these areas especially if you are not feeling your best to start.
Did you know that over 2,500 substances are intentionally added to food to modify it in some way; this can include flavor, color, stability, texture, or cost. That is a lot of substances!