Picture clearer skin, extra pep in your step, and a renewed sense of vitality. Our detoxifying superfoods are here to help you spring into the season feeling recharged!
But remember, keep it safe and listen to your body. Before diving into any detox adventure, it's wise to chat with a healthcare pro to ensure it's a good fit for you.
]]>As spring blooms in the coming weeks, it's time for a fresh start! Just like we tackle spring cleaning to spruce up our surroundings, our bodies deserve a little rejuvenation too.
Enter spring detox – it's like hitting the refresh button for your health! From reviving your energy levels to rebooting your habits and giving your immune system a boost, detox programs are all about helping you feel your best.
Picture clearer skin, extra pep in your step, and a renewed sense of vitality. Our detoxifying superfoods are here to help you spring into the season feeling recharged!
But remember, keep it safe and listen to your body. Before diving into any detox adventure, it's wise to chat with a healthcare pro to ensure it's a good fit for you.
Greens like spirulina, chlorella, and grass juice powders are a great way to kick start your detox journey. These vibrant superfoods aren't just colorful; they're packed with chlorophyll and antioxidants, which are key players in supporting liver function and helping your body eliminate toxins. So, as you sip on your springtime green elixirs, know that you're giving your body a powerful boost of nourishment and detoxification.
Try our Supergreens - a blend of powerhouse greens and grass juices and now available in 3 refreshing flavours, Pineapple Coconut, Pear & staff favourite, Cucumber-Melon!
Say hello to a convenient and tasty way to up your intake of essential nutrients during your spring detox!
Fruit powders aren't just delicious; they're also high in antioxidants, which neutralize harmful free radicals, supporting the body's natural cleansing processes, and promoting healthy liver function.
Fruit powders are also a great source of vitamins and fiber, supporting digestion and giving you a natural energy lift.
Whether you're blending them into smoothies or sprinkling them onto your morning oats, you're treating your body to wealth of nutrients.
Try our Antioxidant Berry Blast - a blend of Vitamin C rich berry powders supporting immunity and that heathy spring glow!
Craving something sweet but still want to stick to your detox regimen? Enter nature's candy – dried fruits!
These concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while providing essential nutrients to support your body's cleansing processes.
Unlike carb-heavy snacks, the natural sugars and nutrients found in dried fruit snacks can help sustain your energy levels throughout the day. So, snack away guilt-free and let these little powerhouses of nutrition fuel your spring detox journey.
Try our Goji Berries - revered for centuries as a rejuvenating tonic!
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR DETOX
There are other ways to support the body's natural detoxification processes and promote overall health and well-being:
Stay hydrated to support your body's natural detoxification processes, as water helps flush out toxins and keep your systems running smoothly.
Exercise promotes circulation, aiding in the elimination of toxins through sweat and boosting overall metabolism.
Quality sleep is essential for cellular repair and toxin removal, ensuring your body functions optimally.
Sauna therapy induces sweating, a natural detox mechanism, while also relaxing muscles and reducing stress, further supporting detoxification efforts.
By infusing your daily routine with these spring detox super moves, you're giving your body the VIP treatment it deserves! Get ready to power up your detoxification game, unlocking a whole new level of vitality and feeling fab from head to toe!
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Before we begin, it’s important to understand that we’re not saying that dairy milk is bad for you. In fact, cow’s milk is actually quite nutritious. It contains healthy fats, animal protein, carbohydrates, calcium and vitamin B. One cup of milk contains roughly 8 grams of protein, 25% of your RDI of vitamin D and calcium and 10% of your daily potassium. Not only is cow’s milk pretty nutritious, it’s also inexpensive.
So why ditch the dairy?
Although people have various reasons for choosing not to drink cow’s milk, one of the most common is due to intolerance. Lactose intolerance is caused by your bodies’ inability to make lactase, the enzyme that breaks down and digests lactose. A great alternative for those who suffer from dairy intolerance is lactose free milk. The great thing about lactose free milk is that it is like regular milk in both taste and texture. There is however one common misconception when it comes to lactose free milk: that is doesn’t contain lactose. It does. Manufacturing companies simply add the enzyme lactase, so your body can break down the lactose and digest the sugar more easily.
Clearly if you’re opting for a lactose free milk as your “dairy free” alternative, you’re not really ditching the dairy. This is great if you’re lactose intolerant but don’t what about if you’re looking for a plant-based alternative all together? Here are some of your options:
Let’s talk about everyone’s current plant-based milk obsession: oat milk. This alternative is a top contender these days for several reasons, the biggest being its allergen friendliness: it’s dairy, lactose, soy and nut free! Talk about a quadruple threat. Of all the alternatives it is the closest to milk calorie wise while containing more protein and fibre plus zero saturated fats. What about micronutrients? Manufacturers actually fortify oat milk with all the nutritional benefits you need. Loved by vegans, plant-based and gluten-free people alike, oat milk is always a good option (we especially love it frothed on our Focus Fuel coffee).
Another popular option you hear about often is soy milk. Fun fact: of all the dairy free alternatives out there, soy milk has been around the longest making it easy to find. It has the most balanced nutritional profile of all the options listed thus far. Like oat milk, soy milk is fortified with vitamins A, D and B12 but tends to be lower in calories and carbohydrates. Just like cow’s milk, soy milk is priced lower than most dairy-free alternatives so it won’t break the bank. One thing to note is that soy milk doesn’t do well with high temperatures and will often curdle. So, if your morning coffee needs to be steamed with milk at exactly 180 degrees, soy milk isn’t the option for you.
Next let’s talk almond milk. An alternative that took the world by absolute storm in 2011 (sales went up 79% that year) it surpasses most alternatives on our list in popularity. Being the closest in texture and taste to traditional milk with less calories, we understand why the above stats are true. Almond milk sits at an impressive 40 calories per cup with only 2 grams of fat, which is absolutely nuts. Unsweetened, unfortified almond milk offers little protein and fibre, making it somewhat lack luster from a nutritional point of view. On the plus side, almond milk is extremely easy to make at home with a little soaking and a food processor. This also helps you skip on the additives and preservatives plus you can get creative by trying out different flavour combinations!
Last but certainly not least, we have Coconut milk. Clocking in at 45 calories and 4.5 gram of fat per cup, coconut milk is great as another great low calories option. Just be sure you’re reaching for a carton of coconut milk vs canned, full fat coconut milk. The latter is full of healthy fats and should be saved for cooking and making desserts. Coconut milk is unique in that it contains medium-chain triglycerides aka MCT’s. MCT’s are known for a variety of benefits which you can learn more about here on our blog. Notably, MCT’s have shown to increase insulin sensitivity. Coconut milk is a good option if you’re looking to switch to a plant-based milk, you’re allergic to nuts or you’re gluten-free.
We don’t know about you guys, but all of those milk options sounded great to us, which can make choosing pretty hard. But who says you have to? Depending on your preference or diet your choice might be clear but if not, consider that a well rounded diet that includes a variety of milk alternatives is extremely healthy in balancing your nutritional intake!
]]>Another day, another healthy food trend that’ll change your life: Green Banana Flour! You've seen them at the store and likely opted for the riper, sweeter yellow bananas but did you know that un-ripened bananas aka green bananas are packed with beneficial nutrients? Say hello to your new pantry staple: green banana flour.
First thing is first, what is green banana flour and where did it come from? Green banana flour is an amazing flour substitute for people who are gluten free. In fact, not only is it gluten free but it’s vegan, vegetarian and even paleo friendly! Though it sounds like an uncommon substitute in North America, it is a staple in countries where bananas are grown such as Africa, Jamaica and other countries in the Caribbean. It is a direct product of unripe, dried, and ground green bananas. It’s so easy you can even make the flour yourself! All you need is green bananas, a mortar and pestle and you’re in business. They must specifically be green though, otherwise you won't be getting any of the health benefits that we’re about to dive in to.
Before we get into it, here's a chart we love that illustrates just how much the ripeness of your banana can affect the type of nutrients it contains:
As you can see, despite bananas being known for their high sugar content - in reality the sugar content as well as nutrients present vary depending on what stage of ripe-ness the banana is actually in.
Now that we've got that sorted, here’s why you should add green banana flour to your diet:
Bonus: Using green banana flour is not only good for you, but also for the planet! Green bananas are usually wasted due to their undesirability and lack of ripeness. Millions of bananas go to waste due to blemishes, bruises and more, resulting in a ton of food waste. With green banana flour, those wasted bananas are not only being used, but turned into something with a long shelf life. This reduction of waste and maximization of products contributes to increasing demand for said products as they are being used in more ways. By purchasing sustainable products, we are directly supporting the makers of these products and keeping the demand and supply chain going. The bonus? When using green banana flour, you can use 25-30% LESS than white flour. Saving money and preventing food waste? Sounds like a win-win to us!
It’s gluten free, good for your gut, makes you scientifically happier, AND it’s saving the planet. What more could you ask for?!
Now that we’ve convinced you to add green banana flour to your diet, here are a few ways to incorporate it:
MEDITATION:
It’s no secret that an amazing way to start that day is through meditation, but if you’re anything like us, you often wonder if you’re even doing it right. IS there even such thing as a “right” way? Not necessarily, but we’ve come up with some helpful tips and tricks to keep you Zen, focused and grateful for yesterday and what’s to come today. Start by finding a quiet space, closing your eyes and anchoring yourself to the present moment. Using your breath to hold your body still, feel it sinking into the ground giving you stability. Savour this moment and let your mind drift, revel in the good moments that come to mind. Next, use your senses to bring gratitude into your mediation. Recall a sight that you are grateful for, picturing the details and remembering how it made you feel. Once it’s in your mind, shift to a scent you appreciate, listen to the sounds around you and lastly make note of the textures you feel. Once you have found appreciation in sight, smell, sound and touch you can begin to open your eyes noticing and appreciating the objects around you. It's always great to end your meditation with a promise to carry this attitude of gratitude forward with you throughout your day. Another great aspect to add to this is the concept of “casting” grateful thoughts forwards and backwards, meaning you think back to one thing you were grateful for yesterday and think ahead to one you are looking forward to today.
VISUAL GRATITUDE REMINDER:
Busy schedules can often get in the way of practicing self-care. This can leave you feeling burned out and depleted. Remembering to be grateful is no exception. Research shows that people who exhibit gratitude on a regular basis are happier, enjoy an increased wellbeing, see reduced symptoms of depression and even sleep better! Seems easy enough, right? We know better than anyone that this is easier said than done, but that’s where visual gratitude reminders come in. Gratitude reminders are anything that triggers or represents thoughts about things you are grateful for, such as an inspiring quote, picture of a loved one, or even a photo of a place you’d like to go. Putting these up in places you look often (the fridge, our laptop, the bathroom mirror) can serve as friendly reminders to practice gratitude. Eventually these little reminders will become a subconscious practice in your gratitude journey.
SHARE YOUR GRATITUDE:
Sharing your gratitude is, in our opinion, a very important part of this list. As people, we often think things without saying them aloud. For example, someone holds the door open for us: do we say thank you? Well, we’re Canadian here at Organic Traditions so the answer is most likely yes but that’s besides the point. So often other people do kind things for us without us taking the time to acknowledge our appreciation out loud. Many studies have proven that expressing gratitude to others strengthens relationships immensely. In fact, expressing something you’re grateful for to another person helps our brains to replay the situation and doubles our happiness factor since our brains can’t tell the difference between the real and replayed version. It's as if it's happening all over again! Interesting right? Who knew swapping nice memories and kind moments could have such an effect?
GRATITUDE JAR
Having a gratitude jar seems like a silly thing but we promise, it’s one of those things you never knew you needed. Take an empty jar, some blank strips of paper and a pen and place them somewhere visible in your house. Each day, you write down something you are grateful for and put the paper into the jar. This can serve as a visual reminder of all of the things you are grateful for. The best part is, if you're ever feeling down you can always take a note out of the jar to remind yourself of all that you have to be grateful for.
GRATITUDE JOURNAL:
Much like the gratitude jar, a gratitude journal helps you to reflect on the past, relish in the present and be hopeful for the future. Writing down not only moments of gratitude, but also recalling ordinary moments, helps to intertwine an easily sustainable habit of gratitude into your everyday life. In fact, researchers compared two groups: ones who wrote down things they were grateful for vs those who wrote down neutral recollections or hassles. The results showed that the former, those who wrote down things they were thankful for, exercised more, had fewer physical symptoms and overall felt better and happier about their lives. Another way to work a gratitude journal into your schedule is by ending your day with an entry. By writing down roughly 3 things, or any number of your choosing, it has a proven, direct effect on your happiness. By replaying the positive moments in your life, the journal gives you something to look back on in troubling times. So, whether it is first thing in the morning, or your last thing at night, it helps you build the habit of noticing gratitude more often throughout your day and being able to identify these instances more easily.
At the end of all of this, practice makes perfect, and repetition is a friend of gratitude. It may not happen overnight, but we promise that with some dedication and consistency the positive vibes will be flowing. Soon enough you’ll be surprised by all the things there are to be grateful for!
]]>First up we have arguably the most versatile spice of them all – cinnamon. Whether it’s a savoury or sweet dish, cinnamon is always a good idea. The ultimate dessert topper, cinnamon adds a TON of sweetness to your meals without any of the added sugar. Not only does it add that sweetness you crave, but it lowers your blood sugar levels at the same time! Kinda cool right? Cinnamaldehyde, the aldehyde that gives cinnamon its signature flavour and smell, has anti diabetic and glucose lowering effects, steadying your blood sugar levels naturally. As a concentrated source of antioxidants, one teaspoon a day goes a long way, giving you a healthy boost. This boost helps slow the aging process, reduce oxidative stress and rid your body of toxins. Cinnamon is also a combater of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. As a great anti-inflammatory, it helps protect neurons in our brains and inhibit proteins connected to these diseases. So overall, cinnamon is good for both our brains and bodies! Beware – there are different types of cinnamon out there, some more beneficial than others. Click here to read all about cinnamon and find out which one you should be adding and which you should be avoiding.
Speaking of anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is best known for its ability to fight inflammation within the body. Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound known for its ability to reduce inflammation in the body as well as the brain. Specifically, it has been shown to help in reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and depression. In terms of its effects on the body, it has been proven to reduce pain and swelling with conditions such as arthritis and psoriasis. Curcumin also helps with healing leaky gut, improving digestion and addressing autoimmune issues with inflammatory side effects. An interesting fact about turmeric is that it increases your body’s antioxidant capacity as you consume it! Ultimately, this helps your body absorb as many nutrients and goodness as it can, reducing your oxidative stress, leading to a healthier you. Turmeric is also known for its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, making it a great immunity booster! These properties help protect against cancer, development of tumours and improve heart health. Fun Fact: If you consume turmeric with black pepper, you increase your bioavailability (absorption rate) up to 2000%! Keep reading as we’ll get into the other health benefits of black pepper a little further down this list. Our Turmeric Latte is a great way to get your dose in daily.
Next, we’ve got our trusty ginger, used for thousands of years to treat upset stomachs everywhere - and we don’t see that stopping anytime soon. Studies show that raw ginger reduces pregnancy nausea, severe motion sickness and can sometimes prevent the onset of these symptoms all together. Much like our friend turmeric, ginger is an anti-inflammatory which is why it is soothing to the gut. Ginger is also known to prevent and relieve menstrual cramps as well as stomach ulcers. Did we mention it also helps relieve flu symptoms? There is a nice boost of B6 and vitamin c from ginger, making it essential for supporting your immune system. It really is the one stop shop for a happy gut, but why? Raw ginger is high in potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus and iron. With that extensive resume, it is easier to get substantial amounts of vitamins from ginger (vs the other guys) especially since the root holds the most bioavailable source of these minerals.
Now we love spice as much as the next person, but who knew that it did anything for us besides setting our mouths on fire from time to time? Let’s start by telling you that chilli powder has more vitamin c than an entire orange. Yup, it’s true, chilli powder can provide up to 7x the vitamin c compared to an orange! Another benefit chili powder provides is from something within it called capsaicin. It acts as a natural pain reliever by reducing inflammation, specifically in the muscles, joints and lower back. How might you ask? Well, capsaicin binds itself to nerve endings, reducing the number of pain signals sent to your brain. This results in your body not registering it as pain, or at least not as bad - reducing the feeling of pain. Fun fact, chili can also help with ulcers! Capsaicin reduces excess stomach acid, restricts ulcer growing bacteria (known as Helicobacter Pylori), and increases the blood flow. Trying to ease into spice? Try our Chocolate Covered Almonds with Chili!
Like most spices on this list, nutmeg is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants (as you might know from previous blog posts) fight free radicals within our bodies. Elevated levels of free radicals lead to oxidative stress which could potentially lead to chronic conditions such as heart and neurodegenerative diseases. Luckily for us, nutmeg is high in essential oils, plant pigments and phenolic compounds which help stop damage being done to our cells. Again, like the others on this list, nutmeg has anti-inflammatory properties that can aid in preventing certain inflammatory enzymes from being produced. Finally, antibacterial properties within nutmeg help keep our gums from inflammation and bacteria that cause cavities! Our Chocolate Latte with Ashwagandha contains nutmeg and the following spice!
Cardamom is another tummy saver, known for its ability to regulate your digestive system, prevent gas build up and reduce uncomfortable bloating. The methanolic extract within cardamom is another powerful antioxidant and is known to relieve stomach pains such as cramps, flatulence and ulcers. Another thing cardamom fights is bad breath! The cineole in cardamom is a strong antiseptic that fights the germs that lead to bad breath. In fact, many gum companies add cardamom to their recipes for this exact reason! The spice is also known to open up the bronchi and bronchioles, increasing the airflow into the lungs, making it a great natural addition for those suffering with asthma.
Saffron, also known as the “sunshine spice” isn’t lighting up this list just because of its bright colour! Studies show that saffron can in fact increase your mood, helping to treat mild to moderate symptoms of depression. Like some other spices on this list, saffron has shown great ability to help with those suffering from chronic illnesses. An antioxidant within saffron called crocin also helps make damaged cells more receptive to therapies such as chemotherapy. Saffron has also been known to help with a vast array of symptoms from PMS physically, both physically and emotionally. It treats irritability, headaches, cravings and abdominal pains. In fact, just the smell, for as little as 20 minutes, has been proved to help ease PMS symptoms and lower your cortisol levels. Our organic saffron is a great option to add into your diet not only for its physical benefits but also its psychological ones too!
A universally used spice that is used daily all over the world, black pepper is helping your body more than you know! Firstly, when you add pepper to your meals you aren’t just adding flavour, you are helping your body absorb more nutrients into your bloodstream. This antioxidant helps fight inflammation, improve your memory, and aid digestion. Hydrochloric acid is stimulated when you consume black pepper, and its carminative properties help to defuse discomfort and gas buildup in the intestines, making for a happy gut. Piperine, the component that helps fight inflammation and increase bioavailability, is what helps lower your risk of chronic illnesses including cardiovascular disease and neurological diseases. All these active compounds have a role in increasing your white blood cells which are used to fight against bacteria and viruses, helping to keep a strong immune system.
Not only will your taste buds thank you for spicing up your life – your body will too!
]]>Even though many of us go pumpkin crazy in the fall months, pumpkin isn’t just a fall must-have. Not only do they grow all year long, but they also pack a nutritional punch. Like many other vegetables, pumpkins are low in calories and high in nutrients. On average, one cup of pumpkin clocks in at roughly 50 calories. Yup, you read that right. Being made up of about 90% water, you can consume more of it than other carb sources (like potatoes, rice or our personal fave, pasta) and STILL take in fewer calories. We’re not done. You know what else pumpkins are filled with? Fiber. You know what fiber does? Slows your digestion, leaves you feeling full longer AND curbs your hunger. Pinch us because something this delicious cannot possibly be this good for us!
With winter quickly approaching we can appreciate the importance of staying healthy. Building up your immune system in preparation for flu season is a must. Pumpkin is high in beta-carotene, which our bodies turn into vitamin A. Vitamin A is used to boost our immune systems and help fight infections. Pumpkin is so high in vitamin A that 1 cup of pumpkin puree is 8x our daily suggested intake. Not only is pumpkin a major source of vitamin A, but it is also high in vitamin C. This is proven to increase white blood cell production, helping our immune cells work harder and heal us faster.
Do you know what else beta-carotene is good for? Maintaining healthy skin! This time though, we are going to add carotenoids to the mix. Carotenoids are little molecules found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables such as, you guessed it, pumpkins! Once ingested, our bodies move them to different organs including our skin. This combination of beta-carotene and carotenoids work together to protect skin cells from harmful UV rays. Pretty cool right? The high amount of vitamin C found in pumpkin is also important for healthy skin. Vitamin C produces collagen in our bodies, a protein that keeps our skin strong and healthy.
We’ve said it once, we’ll say it 100 times. Antioxidants are SO important when it comes to overall health and guess what, pumpkins are rich in them! Antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body. Although free radicals are produced naturally, a buildup can cause oxidative stress which can then lead to chronic inflammation. This inflammation could lead to chronic illnesses such as cancer or heart disease. So, in short, pumpkin helps our bodies protect itself from cell damage while also potentially preventing further, more serious health issues.
Pumpkins, as you might have gathered so far, are a source of many different nutrients. Antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, and fatty acids specifically are great for keeping our tickers ticking. Heart health is something none of us should take lightly and should strive to protect. The great part about pumpkins is that they are rich in these nutrients in various forms. Pumpkin seed oil for example has been proven to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This reduction paired with high levels of potassium found in pumpkins appears to reduce the risk of stroke. Back tracking to the antioxidants again, they protect bad cholesterol from oxidizing, clumping along the vessel walls and restricting said vessels.
We hope we’ve converted you to a pumpkin lover! Although fall seems to be the ultimate #pumpkinszn, pumpkins are an amazing source of vitamins (and more) all year round! Not only are they delicious, but they’re also so versatile! You can have them in soups, stews, and even in a latte – as long as it's made with real pumpkin of course. Speaking of real pumpkin, don’t forget to check out our new Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Latte – here for a good time not a long time! Get yours while quantities last!
First up, turmeric! As an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is an ideal addition to your smoothies and fresh pressed juices. It helps treat uneven skin tone and restore that natural dewy glow we all strive for. Ready for a bonus? It keeps us looking young forever! How might you ask? Well, turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant that fights free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals can cause all sorts of issues within the body and outside of the body, including dulling our skin! When it comes to skin health and inflammation, two things can happen: In the short run, your skin looks puffy and constantly tired, and in the long run it can lead to wrinkles and advanced aging. Studies have also shown that turmeric supports skin tissue and collagen production helping to treat stretchmarks, reduce rosacea and eczema, and even acne scarring.
Next, we have what we’re sure will be a crowd favourite, dark chocolate! Yup, you heard us correctly, dark chocolate with 70% cocoa or higher can be a powerful source of antioxidants. Bioactive compounds in the delicious treat provide you with a thicker, firmer and a more hydrated complexion. How? Chocolate is made from cacao and cacao is packed with magnesium. Magnesium reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which reduces collagen breakdown, ultimately keeping your skin plump and healthy. In translation, chocolate keeps you lookin’ young! Flavonoids in dark chocolate can also help your skin reflect harmful UV rays and prevent them from penetrating its barrier. It’s said that they can even reduce redness by about 25%. These powerful flavanoids are also said to help reduce inflammation and reduce skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. In addition, dark chocolate is mineral enriched which helps increase cell healing of scars and skin blemishes. So, the next time someone tells you to lay off the chocolate, you tell them you’re keeping yourself youthful – well as long as you’re sticking with 70% or higher. A chocolate bar made up of 50% white refined sugar definitely isn’t helping your skin issues.
You’re about to go NUTS for the next food on our list – ALMONDS! The antioxidants in almonds help protect against oxidative damage to your cells. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an excess number of free radicals in our bodies, which damages our cells and is a HUGE contributing factor to aging. Almonds are also high in Vitamin E which nourishes and moisturizes your skin, combats inflammation and restores damaged cells. These are important factors to reduce skin dryness and fight acne. Who doesn’t want that right?!
Chia seeds have made a huge splash in the health food world recently and after we’re done, you’ll know exactly why! Don’t judge a book by its cover, or in this case, by its size! These tiny little guys are an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital to the building blocks of healthy skin. They help support collagen production, which is essential for keeping skin looking young and fighting signs of aging. In addition to being high in omega-3's, chia seeds are also high in omega-6 fatty acids which are known to restore your skin’s moisture barrier. This is what makes chia seeds a beneficial addition to the diets of those with dry skin and skin conditions such as psoriasis. They help in reducing inflammation and increasing circulation! This has got us feeling CHIA-ful for amazing skin.
Last, but certainly not least, cinnamon makes our list! If you have acne prone skin, look no further. Cinnamon has anti-fungal, antioxidant AND antibacterial properties, making it the acne solution we’ve all been searching for! It slows down oil production by supporting enhanced blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients right to the skin. This results in that soft, hydrated skin everyone aims for. Cinnamon also helps stabilize blood sugar levels. This is important because diets heavy in refined sugars and carbs stimulate oil production, ultimately causing break outs.
So, the next time you plan on stopping at the drug store to buy some acne cream or are wondering how to reverse the clock a couple years, make a stop at the grocery store instead! Feeling and looking good truly starts from the inside out!
]]>We’ve all been there – your alarm goes off, you open your eyes and your inner voice screams “COFFEE! NOW!”. You’re one hour post coffee and the anxiety and jitters that often come with it have started to set in. It seems like a constant catch 22. The good news? We’ve got you covered! Here are some tips for alleviating those caffeine jitters + a recipe for a tasty and energizing coffee alternative!
In order to know what we need to change we need to start at the very beginning. Ever wondered how coffee even works? Just as a whole? Us too, so here it is: When our bodies are using a lot of energy it produce a hormone called adenosine, which is what helps us feel tired and know when to rest. When you consume coffee, the caffeine binds itself to the adenosine receptors and masks that feeling of being tired, making us feel invincible and ready to conquer the world…. for a few hours. Caffeine masks that tired feeling for roughly 6 hours, but once it’s done, your blood pressure and heart rate both start to drop, leaving you with that caffeine “crash”. Hard.
Next let’s talk breakfast. Raise your hand if more often than not, your breakfast is just a cup of coffee on the go? (Raises our hand) Well, as much as it's quick and easy and seems like the perfect way to start your day, you’re actually setting yourself up for a MAJOR crash in just a few short hours. Caffeine is absorbed much faster when you're downing it on an empty stomach and will not so sneakily sneak up on you. In fact, most people don’t know that the best time to have a coffee isn’t when you first wake up, but is instead when you’ve started to hit that mid-day slump. Here’s why: Naturally, your body produces high levels of a hormone called cortisol in the mornings. Cortisol is what helps your body regulate blood sugar, fight infections and respond to stress. All of these things help you to wake up and get moving. So, when you add caffeine on top of that natural rush, you are sending your body into overdrive, doubling the cortisol and caffeine, causing jitters and setting yourself up for a major crash later on.
Now, you might be asking what am I supposed to replace my coffee with then?! Fear not! There is a solution: HERBAL COFFEE. Packed with tons of antioxidants and other amazing things for gut health, herbal coffee is an ideal replacement to all your coffee fixes. It has zero caffeine, adding no additional spike to your cortisol. Instead, herbal coffee works naturally with the increase and decrease of this hormone within our bodies, working to prevent the onset of over caffeinated jitters. On top of this, the cinnamon component helps to stabilize blood sugar levels helping to prevent an energy crash mid-day. For an extra boost, add grass fed butter or a quality fat source to the mix! It gives your body additional nutrients and healthy fats you need to thrive, keeping you full longer, reducing jitters and a more sustained energy flow.
Now for the fun stuff, here’s how to make this herbal coffee blend!
Ingredients
2 tsp of chaga powder
2 tsp of our Maca (check out these three incredible options!)
1 tbsp of dandelion root powder
1 tsp of our Ceylon Cinnamon Powder
1 tsp of our Cacao Powder
2 tsp of our Raw Coconut Oil
Makes two 6 oz servings
Now, we get it. It’s a huge step. We’ve suggested letting go of something that essentially keeps your world turning and your body functioning. Kind of important. So, if you aren't ready to give it up just yet, our Focus Fuel Coffee is another great alternative! Being a blend of organic coffee, lion’s mane extract, keto c8 powder, brain boosting adaptogens and cinnamon extract, you’re giving your body all it needs and MORE to conquer the toughest of days. The keto c8 powder helps to slow down the energy release of the caffeine and instead gives you a steady stream of energy while the lion’s mane and adaptogens help to nourish your brain. Cool right? You’re still getting a boost of energy but instead of being all at once, it’s a nice slow and steady pace that’ll last longer. Plus, you're nurturing your brain at the same time, what else could you possibly need?!
]]>#1 Chocolate
We know, we love it too, but even when you think you’re making the healthier choice by reaching for dark chocolate over milk chocolate, you could actually be negatively affecting your sleep. Though loaded with healthy antioxidants, dark chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine. Theobromine is a stimulant and vasodilator, which in short, opens up your vessels and gets your blood flowing. While this might be helpful before a workout or as a mid-day pick me up, it might not be something you want happening before bed. In fact, anything caffeinated before bed, such as coffee and some teas, can cause rapid eye movement (REM) to occur and leave you feeling unrested come the morning.
#2 Spicy Foods
Now, you might love a little heat in your dishes, but did you know that spicy foods can contribute to nightmares?! Yes, you read that right. Consuming things like hot sauce, curries and even mustard before bed can cause indigestion, heartburn and potentially nightmares. The high level of capsaicin can increase your body temperature and potentially result in an increase in REM. While REM sleep is important, it’s all about balance. Too much or too little REM sleep can leave you feeling restless and even negatively impact your ability to focus the next day. In this case, too much REM sleep cam actually cause you to remember your dreams more vividly. Your body also requires a large amount of energy to digest the spices which could potentially leave you counting sheep all night long.
#3 Cheese
Sweet dreams are not made of cheese. Many cheeses, particularly strong or aged ones, have elevated levels of Tyramine which is a naturally occurring amino acid. Tyramine sends the brain into panic mode releasing its “fight or flight” hormone Norepinephrine. Instead of the “flight” into a soundless sleep in your bed, you will be wondering if you have turned off the oven, locked the door or whatever else you have forgotten that is leaving you panicked and up all night.
#4 Ice Cream
Sugar rush is a real thing, not just something our parents used as an excuse for our untamable public behaviour as kids. When you eat sugary things at night, AKA ice cream and sweets, your blood sugar levels skyrocket before crashing shortly after. If you have a sugar rush late at night, your crash will occur during sleep, alerting your adrenals that something is very wrong. As a protective measure (and also a lesson for less frequent midnight ice cream treats) your body increases its cortisol levels and wakes you from the deepest of sleeps, leaving you wishing you did not eat that second bowl of ice cream.
#5 Alcohol
After a long day, sometimes a glass of wine (or two) is needed to help wind down. You may be thinking the drowsiness caused by alcohol aids sleep, but in fact, it makes it worse. Alcohol negatively affects the 4 sleep cycles our bodies need for a good night’s rest. 3 of these 4 cycles do not involve Rapid Eye Movements (REM) and is mostly comprised of a slow progression of our bodies falling asleep. You repeat these 4 cycles multiple times in a night for a healthy rested sleep. However, because you fall asleep so fast under the influence, this ultimately:
What does all that mean? You fall asleep very quickly for a brief period and then wake up multiple times all throughout the night. This is not the wash, rinse, repeat cycle you want happening when trying to get a good night's sleep.
#1 Bananas
Your body will thank you when this potassium and magnesium rich food sends your muscles into pure relaxation mode. No melatonin needed when this fruit’s natural serotonin levels which can help calm you down from your day, making your bed even more a-PEEL-ing (see what we did there?) than usual!
#2 Almonds
If you aren’t eating almonds before bed, you are absolutely nuts. Not only loaded with healthy fats, Omega-3's and magnesium, almonds are also high in something called tryptophan. Our bodies do not naturally make tryptophan, so we seek it out in our diets to help with insomnia and stress. When paired with magnesium, tryptophan helps the body relax its muscles and regulate blood sugar levels, sending our bodies into “rest and digest” mode. Our Raw Shelled Almonds are most definitely a good thing to keep in your nightstand for those restless nights.
#3 Honey
Honey is something that definitely bee-longs in your nightly routine. Just a spoon full of honey helps your body sleep in several ways. Have you ever woken up hungry and wondered why? That is because your liver is alerting your brain that your glycogen levels are low. Honey single handedly increases glycogen levels and lets your brain know not to do this, letting you stay asleep longer. The sugar in honey also causes your insulin levels to spike, releasing tryptophan, which your body turns into serotonin before becoming melatonin. As we know, melatonin = sleep. How sweet is that?!
#4 Cherries
Did you know that cherries are one of best snacks to consume before bed? That is because these little tart fruits are one of the few natural sources of melatonin, which we know is responsible for promoting deeper, longer, and more restful sleeps. Next time you’re reaching for a midnight snack, try our Dried Cherries!
#5 Oats
When we think oats, we typically think of breakfast. However, did you know that oats are a great night snack? Oats are rich in certain vitamin and minerals which result in an increase in insulin production when consumed. As this results in an increase in blood sugar levels, our bodies can relax and sleep more easily. Our On-The-Go Oats make for a great quick nighttime snack!
Now that you know the Do’s and Don’ts of late-night snacking, which one is going to be your go to?! Visit our website to get some food inspo ideas and don’t forget to tag us in your posts! Stay tuned next week for some more tips and tricks to a healthy lifestyle!
Now that you know what not to eat before bed and have an idea of what can actually improve the quality of your sleep – what will be your go-to midnight snack?! Let us know in the comments!
]]>There are two basic categories of cinnamons: Cassia and Ceylon. Different types of cinnamon grow in different places around the world and all taste slightly different from one another. Both are harvest in sheets from the bark of trees belonging to the same scientific family however they product two different products.
Although both Ceylon and cassia are harvested from the same type of tree, they differ in the ways they are harvested, their taste, smell and chemical makeup.
First let’s look at Cassia cinnamon:
On the other hand, Ceylon cinnamon is:
What is Cinnamaldehyde?
Cinnamaldehyde is one of the main active components of cinnamon and has been shown to help fight off various kinds of infections. This organic compound gives cinnamon its flavour and odor, which is why cassia cinnamon is slightly spicier and more aromatic than Ceylon, due to its oil having a higher percentage of cinnamaldehyde. Cinnamaldehyde is responsible for many of the health benefits that cinnamon has to offer including:
So why is Ceylon safer to consume regularly?
Although it would appear that cassia cinnamon is superior to Ceylon due to its high cinnamaldehyde content, it also contains a chemical called coumarin which has shown to be toxic when consumed in large doses. High doses of coumarin consumption have been linked to liver damage and even impaired cognitive development. Coumarin is naturally present in cassia cinnamon and even other foods like celery, strawberries and apricots. It’s also often used to enhance fragrances and cosmetic products.
When consumed in small doses, for example through consuming celery and strawberries, coumarin has not shown to be harmful. Cassia cinnamon on the other hand is one of the most concentrated sources of plant based coumarin and should therefore not be consumed regularly or in high doses.
Ceylon cinnamon can be consumed regularly and in larger doses because it does not contain coumarin!
So, should you ditch cassia cinnamon?
Although Ceylon cinnamon has shown to be safer, we shouldn’t rule out the benefits that cassia cinnamon has to offer. Cassia cinnamon has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as Ayurveda for thousands of years to:
Our full spectrum dual extract cinnamon powder is a great way to supplement with cassia cinnamon and reap all the above benefits – however it’s important to not exceed the recommended daily dose to ensure that you’re not overconsuming coumarin! Stick with 1/8-¼ of a tsp per day and you’ll be well within the safe levels while enjoying all the benefits that cassia cinnamon has to offer.
Looking to enjoy the flavour and health benefits of cinnamon multiple times a day? Reach for our organic Ceylon cinnamon instead! Some of our favourite ways to use Ceylon cinnamon include:
Most modern organizations have adopted proactive ways to avoid employee exhaustion and stress. After all, stress and fatigue have a direct impact on employee productivity. With that, here’s showing you five ways to beat work stress and increase productivity.
]]>Reports suggest that stress and anxiety affect 1.3 percent of the workforce and are the leading cause behind most industrial mishaps. Regardless of the position you hold on the corporate ladder, no one is immune to the pressure of daily working life. The good news is that people increasingly recognize the importance of greater awareness of mental health issues nowadays.
Most modern organizations have adopted proactive ways to avoid employee exhaustion and stress. After all, stress and fatigue have a direct impact on employee productivity. With that, here’s showing you five ways to beat work stress and increase productivity.
The importance of superfoods in our regular lifestyle is unmatched. Even though you cannot avoid stress at work, start by alleviating its detrimental impact on your work productivity. Build resilience and learn how to cultivate the body’s state of balance. However, there is one thing that you can strictly follow - a healthy diet. Consider incorporating foods like berries, green tea, boiled eggs, and avocado as they can stimulate the blood flow and oxygen to your brain. Besides, one can also consume adaptogens like Ashwagandha and meals rich in magnesium.
Speaking of which, Ashwagandha is one of the ancient medicinal herbs, comprising multiple health benefits. It can not only reduce stress and anxiety, fight depression, but can also boost brain function, which can be vital at work.
Having face-to-face conversations can help in solving issues quickly and establish a personal rapport with your colleagues. People tend to contain their emotions in particularly stressful conditions. It can cause more damage to your health than you think.
So, taking some time to have proper discussions with the ones around you can help make a real difference to your performance and wellbeing. Your colleagues will understand your situation, and they might help you with tips and ideas. There might be others who feel as stressed as you are, and maybe you can come to a solution together. Also, you might learn from the way other people cope with work stress and increase their productivity. Keep in mind that open communication can make things a lot better than you think.
Going for daily exercises and eating well is crucial for taking care of your psychological well-being. The good thing about physical activity is that it releases endorphins that improve your mood. It also helps in relieving excess energy that builds up due to stress.
Working for long hours also creates the tendency to skip meals. You keep thinking that you will eat after meeting this deadline or that. And before you know it, you have already skipped your lunch break. Research suggests that skipping lunch breaks every day amounts to an estimated loss of £50 million a day in terms of productivity. Skipping lunch might cause a severe dip in productivity that ends up affecting your performance at work.
Simple ways to increase your energy levels include low sugar foods and cutting down your daily caffeine intake. It will help you in releasing energy slowly. Also, it will keep your stress hormones under control.
Mobile technology makes it harder for people to switch off at the end of a long day and balance their priorities. There is that temptation to check your emails at weekends or late at night. This means you are constantly worrying because you are never distancing yourself from work. It is essential to be productive and dedicated to your work. But if you don’t take some time out to unwind, you will feel fatigued and burned out.
So, you need to set a particular time aside as your working hour. Beyond this time, switch off your emails and find ways to relax. You can go for a nice walk in the evening to freshen and clear your mind. You can engage in your favorite hobbies, such as gardening, cooking, or reading a book.
Seeing that an employee can manage competing priorities and pressures is an attractive quality in the eyes of any prospective employer. However, giving your nod to every request and taking on more work than you can handle is not suitable for your well-being and performance at work. You need to remain assertive because it will lessen the chances of getting overburdened with workloads. The pressure to meet surmounting and unrealistic expectations will also stay at bay.
Retaining a strong sense of your abilities makes sure that you can perform your best. It will also ensure that there is no burnout and exhaustion in the long run. Most modern businesses encourage open communication between staff and management, and it helps in fostering positive relationships. So, try to communicate better and take on the workload that you can handle with ease. You can try Canadian Anabolics to get some help in this regard.
As you can see, there are more than one ways to cut down on your work stress. The key aspect is that you need to make your health and wellbeing a priority. You can enhance your productivity only with sound health and mind. So, follow these five ideas, and you will see a positive change in your life.
]]>NAME: Lepidium Meyenii
AKA: Maca
ORGANIC REMEDY: Adaptogen, Antioxidant
PLANT FAMILY: Cruciferae aka The Crucifers/ Mustards/ Cabbage
NATIVE TO: The Andes of Peru
TYPE: Vegetable Root
SIMILAR TO: Ginseng
APPEARANCE:
~ Similar in size and shape to radishes/ turnips
~ White/ Yellow
~ Pink/ Purple
~ Grey/ Black
NUTRITION:
~ Notable amount of protein
~ Relatively high in dietary fiber
~ Rich in Vitamin C
~ High in Copper & Iron
BENEFITS:
~ Antioxidant rich
~ Energy & mood enhancer
~ Improved memory
~ Hormone balancing
~ May boost male fertility
SUPPLEMENT FORMS: Powder, Capsule, Liquid, Extract, Gelatinized, non-Gelatinized
Gelatinized VS Non-Gelatinized (Raw):
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Non-Gelatinized (Raw) |
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Pros vs Cons of Gelatinized Maca Powder:
Pros |
Cons |
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White/ Yellow vs. Pin/ Purple vs. Grey/ Black Maca:
White/ Yellow |
Red/ Purple |
Grey/ Black |
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DOSAGE: Begin with as little as ½ tsp and work your way up to as much as 2 tbsp
BEST SERVED: Raw/ Cold*
* Heating maca has the potential to diminish/ kill some of the most beneficial nutrients. It is recommended that maca is not mixed into high/ rolling boil heat. Instead try blending maca into your smoothies or used as a topping to a number of your dishes.
BEST USES: Try adding as little as ¼ tsp to your morning coffee, matcha or tea and move up from there! With maca, a little goes a long way. Adding maca to your morning smoothie is also a great way to ensure you’re giving yourself a steady stream of energy all day long. Some people find the taste of maca most closely resembles a bitter butterscotch, however most of the time you’ll find it absorbs quite well with whatever you decide to enjoy it with, which is why we call it a secret superpower. If you’re feeling adventurous you could also try making our Macaccino Truffles, a delicious treat that’ll be sure to get you hooked on this amazing adaptogen.
STORAGE: Away from heat, light & moisture
WHAT SETS OUR SUPERFOOD APART?
Organic Traditions offers a number of different organic maca products. Each of them offer the benefits of traditional maca powders, however we also offer maca that caters to your individual preference and need. Here at Organic Traditions, we carry 5 different products that contain maca!
Organic Maca X-6 Black and Red-Purple:
Our Organic Maca X-6 Black and Red-Purple is gelatinized, increasing its digestibility and is a mixture of yellow, black and red-purple maca. Unlike most other maca powders which offer ground yellow maca, our Maca X-6 offers a concentration of 80% black maca, 15% red-purple maca and only 5% yellow maca. This means that you receive a higher concentration of higher quality maca as well as a higher concentration of phytonutrients thanks to the gelatinization process.
Organic Maca for Men with Probiotics:
Our Maca for Men with Probiotics is a unique maca blend that we have formulated specifically for men. Maca grows in a variety of colors, each offering unique benefits and phytonutrients. Black and red-purple maca are the most elite of the three varieties. Our Maca for Men is a blend of black and red-purple maca, with a 2 to 1 ratio of black to red-purple. This organic blend formulated for men is gelatinized through a proprietary process in order to remove the starch from the tuber, leaving you with a higher concentration of unique phytonutrients catered to men. Our Maca for Men is also enhanced with probiotics and contains NO fillers, additives, preservatives, colors or cane sugar!
Organic Maca for Women with Probiotics:
Like the Maca for Men, our Organic Maca for Women with Probiotics is a unique maca blend that we have formulated specifically for women. Women and men are different, and therefore have unique needs when it comes to balancing hormones and handling stress inside of the body. Our Maca for Women is also a blend of the more elite varieties of Maca, black and red-purple, however the Maca for Women contains a 2 to 1 ratio of red-purple to black maca. Our Maca for Women has also undergone a proprietary gelatinization process in order to remove the starch from the tuber, leaving you with a greater concentration of unique phytonutrients that are easier for your body to absorb and digest. Our Maca for women is also enhanced with 1 billion beneficial probiotics and contains NO fillers, additives, preservatives, colors or cane sugar!
Caffeine can be a tough habit to kick to the curb. That’s why we’ve created our Macaccino Drink Mix! Our instant Macaccino Drink Mix was created using a blend of 4 incredible [for you] superfoods including Maca! The drink mix is made with 100% organic cacao powder, maca powder, coconut palm sugar and vanilla powder. It can be enjoyed hot as well as cold and can also be added to a number of different recipes! Check out how we used it to create our Macaccino Truffles!
Organic Probiotic Smoothie Mix, Luscious Lucuma Baobab:
Maca doesn’t have to be the star of your dish, instead try using it like a secret superpower! That’s what we’ve done with our Organic Luscious Lucuma Baobab Probiotic Smoothie Mix. The mixture is a combination of cold milled chia and flax seeds, hemp hearts, lucuma, baobab, acacia, ginger powder and monk fruit extract but we’ve enhanced it even further by adding 1 billion probiotics per serving AND our proprietary gelatinized maca!
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First, let’s briefly explain what probiotics are. Probiotics are the bacteria and yeasts that reside in your gut. When we think of the word bacteria, we often label it as bad, however in the case of probiotics, these bacteria are actually helpful in maintaining a healthy and happy gut. Our bodies are packed with both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics function to help balance these good and bad bacteria in your body, keeping it healthy and functioning at its best. Although probiotic supplements are on the rise, you can definitely provide your body with this beneficial bacteria through wholefoods like yogurt, pickled vegetables and other fermented foods.
Did you know that 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut? Your overall health and immunity are directly impacted by the health of your gut and the health of your gut is directly impacted by the balance of the good and bad bacteria that resides in it.
Prebiotics on the other hand are not ‘alive’. Prebiotics are types of soluble fiber that our bodies cannot digest which feed the good bacteria in your gut! For probiotics to thrive and survive, they must be fed – that’s where prebiotics come into play. Not only do prebiotics serve as food for probiotics but they also aid in creating an environment where microorganisms (like probiotics!) can flourish. Prebiotics can be found in fiber-rich foods like fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains.
When we consume prebiotics, like all other foods we eat they first go through the small intestine. The difference is prebiotics don’t get digested and instead begin to ferment once it reaches the large colon. This fermentation feeds the good bacteria in your gut. You gotta nourish [with prebiotics] in order [for probiotics] to flourish!
To supplement, or not?
When it comes to both probiotics and prebiotics, it can vary person to person whether a supplement or a wholefood source is the route to go. Probiotic supplements can be a great option for people who may not respond well to fermented foods. If you’re someone who can tolerate them, we always recommend nourishing your body with wholefood sources like kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut (to name a few).
Prebiotic supplements also exist, despite their lackluster PR teams in comparison to probiotics. However, prebiotic supplements just aren’t as necessary when you think about all of the different foods that are naturally rich in this nourishing fiber: onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, green bananas, yacon syrup, acacia fiber and more!
As mentioned, roughly 70% of the immune system is housed in the gut. More and more research is showing how hand in hand our gut health and overall immunity really is. Everything we eat and drink passes through the gut and GI tract. It’s here within the GI tract that probiotics flourish, foods are metabolized and nutrients are absorbed. The relationship between gut health and immune health can now be described as symbiotic. What this means is that in order for your immune health to be in tip top shape – so does your gut.
As illustrated above – both prebiotics and probiotics are essential to optimal gut health, which means they also play an essential role in your immune health.
Here are some other fun facts about the gut:
At Organic Traditions we offer a variety of superfood blends that have been enhanced with both pre and probiotics. Our probiotic of choice is our bacillus coagulans, a strain that can withstand high heat and is 100% shelf stable! Our go-to source of prebiotics for our superfood blends is acacia fiber, a rich soluble fiber that comes from the sap of the Acacia Senegal tree. The acacia fiber in our instant probiotic lattes also serves to add a rich creamy texture to these dairy free superfood drinks. Lastly, our organic yacon syrup is packed with fructooligosaccharides aka FOS, which is a type of prebiotic fiber. We love using our yacon syrup to sweeten our deserts without spiking blood sugar levels or to add a bit of sweetness to our coffee and matcha lattes. If that’s not your jam, it’s delicious enough to enjoy right off of the spoon!
]]>If there’s one “superfood” that has become a staple in many households in North America today, it’s matcha. You can find matcha at your favourite coffee shop in the form of a matcha latte, baked into breads and trendy desserts and even listed as an ingredient in skincare. But did you know that the traditional matcha ceremony actually lasted anywhere from 3-4 hours? Do you know how many tools are traditionally used to make a cup of matcha? Are you aware that high quality matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves and why this is the case? Below we’re breaking down a brief history of matcha and the important traditions that surround it. While matcha continues to be enjoyed in new and innovative ways, it’s vital that we learn where and who it came from in order to maintain a respectful appreciation today.
Today matcha is enjoyed and featured in a variety of non-traditional ways all over the world. You can find matcha incorporated into breads, desserts and even skincare all throughout the Western world. Even the way we enjoy our own instant Matcha Lattes is anything but traditional. While there isn’t much wrong with finding new and unique ways to enjoy something, it’s critical that we remember that before matcha lattes were available at every corner, it played an important part in cultures and civilizations hundreds of miles away. To this day, matcha carries with it spiritual and cultural significance that shouldn’t be washed away.
Your household appliances (lamps, toasters, coffee makers etc.) are still using electricity while they're plugged in - even if they're not being used. Helping the planet can be as simple as unplugging! Your wallet will thank you too.
30% of the energy being used by your washing machine goes towards heating the water. Cold water is also better at lifting and removing stains, so why not?
Take advantage of the warm weather coming up by hang drying your laundry outside – you’ll save on electricity bills and energy at the same time! Don’t have a backyard? You can still hang dry your laundry inside!
Hear us out – outside of North America bidets are actually commonplace. One study showed that Americans use 35.5 billion rolls of toilet paper every year which equals to over 15 million trees (!!!). Not only are bidets more sanitary, they’re also cheaper in the long run and can help us preserve the trees that could be better served producing more clean oxygen.
Are you still using single use plastic? Why, when there are so many environmentally friendly alternatives?!
Uses this, not that:
The faucet doesn’t need to be on while you’re brushing your teeth or scrubbing away at dishes. Even turning off the tap while you’re singing happy birthday twice to scrub away those germs can help you save on average up to eight gallons of water, A DAY!
Why opt in for mail that you’re just going to throw out? Most companies even offer their coupons and flyers online – in case you’re a bargain shopper or coupon clipper. While you’re at it, unsubscribe from those newsletters that end up sitting for too long in your junk folder. A recent BBC news article explored the carbon footprint that technology carries. You can read all about it here!
Go paperless. Everything is online and easily accessible these days. Plus you won’t have to worry about whether or not you should hold onto that bank statement for 17 months ago.
Not only is this good for the planet, it’s also good for you! Whether you’re choosing to walk to your favourite coffee shop or maybe opting to bike to work once a week, a little goes a long way for the health of yourself and the planet!
People are often deterred from going plant based because it can often sound like an all or nothing approach but did you know that even reducing your meat consumption can aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?! Starting with as little as one meatless meal a day that maybe eventually turns into a meatless Monday can benefit the environment and you guessed it, your body!
Noticing a Trend?
Surprise, surprise – when we show the planet some TLC, humans reap the benefits too! Save money on water and electricity by being mindful about unnecessary lights being on and appliances being plugged in, reduce your waste and save $$$ in the long term by upcycling and opting for reusable goods, improve your physical health and reduce your carbon footprint by leaving the car behind and fuel your body with nutrient dense plant based foods while reducing greenhouse gas emissions!
First of all, what is chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll is the pigment responsible for giving plants their green colour. Not only does it do this, but it also plays an essential role in photosynthesis aka the process in which chlorophyll absorbs light and creates energy for plants!
We know what it does for plants, but what can it do for us?
Some of the health benefits of chlorophyll for people include:
Should you start adding chlorophyll to your water?
Although we can see that chlorophyll offers many benefits for humans – it might not be necessary for you to splurge on a tincture to turn your water green. The best way to benefit from chlorophyll would be by adding wholefood sources of this powerful pigment into your diet.
Our favourite chlorophyll rich foods:
Dark Leafy Greens: Think spinach, kale, swiss chard and even herbs like parsley! Some studies have found that chlorophyll content is actually decreased when green veggies are cooked, thawed or on the verge of spoiling. Your best bet if you’re looking to get the most chlorophyll from these sources would be to add them from fresh right into a smoothie.
Chlorella: Chlorella is a type of blue-green algae that can be found in many parts of Asia. Not only is it packed with chlorophyll, but chlorella is also packed with a ton of phytonutrients, amino acids, vitamins and minerals! Many of the benefits you’ll often hear about from chlorella are largely due to the high concentration of chlorophyll found in this blue-green algae.
Spirulina: Like chlorella, spirulina is nutrient dense algae packed with chlorophyll. It’s a host to a ton of nutrients including protein, B vitamins, copper and iron.
Matcha: It’s estimated that matcha contains almost 6 times the amount of chlorophyll compared the regular green tea!
Barley Grass: Similarly to leafy greens, barley grass contains high amounts of chlorophyll and is also a source of protein, vitamin C, iron and calcium. It’s known for its alkalizing potentials as well as balancing the body’s pH levels. Beware – not all barley grass powders are created equal! Most are made by drying and milling whole barley grass, good but not great. Our barley grass powder is actually a juice powder meaning we’ve harvested our barley grass at it’s peak and first juiced it before drying it into a powder, allowing for a higher concentration of phytonutrients – including chlorophyll.
Ready to start enjoying the benefits of chlorophyll? Try adding these supergreens to your routine:
Super 5 Grass Juice Powder: A blend of chlorophyll rich barley grass, wheat grass, oat grass, alfalfa and kamut in their vegetable states. 100% juiced for optimal digestion and assimilation and sustainably grown in mineral rich ancient soil beds.
Probiotic Super Greens with Turmeric: A blend of alfalfa grass juice powder, barley grass juice powder, wheat grass juice powder, kamut grass juice powder, oat grass juice powder, chlorella, spirulina, moringa, matcha, acacia fiber, turmeric and probiotics!
]]>What comes to mind when you think of cranberries? Do you hear someone suggesting you take down a gallon to try and cure your chronic UTI’s? Do your lips purse at the thought of them sneaking their way into your trail mix? Maybe you’re hearing Fleetwood Mac playing as you envision yourself coasting with a jug of cranberry juice in hand. If you’re already a fan of cranberries - perfect! If not - we’re here to convert you. Keep reading to find out why your newest superfruit obsession needs to be cranberries.
Cranberries are one of the most nutritious fruits you can eat. This powerhouse of a fruit contains an array of antioxidants, polyphenols, fibers and vitamins. Cranberries are actually higher in antioxidants than most other fruits and berries!
Hello antioxidants!
They contain one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants found in any fruit! This means that cranberries are amazing for reducing oxidative stress within the body. We now know that inflammation and oxidative stress are often found at the root of illness and disease so eating a diet rich in a variety of antioxidants can help prevent this. Cranberries are a great source of vitamin c, anthocyanins, quercetin, benzoic acid, epicatechins and proanthocyanidins.
Anthocyanins: a class of antioxidants found in fruit like cranberries, acai berries and blueberries that help destroy free radicals in the body.
Quercetin: one of the most powerful phytonutrients, aids in reducing allergies, improving joint pain and reducing inflammation. You’ll find high concentrations of quercetin in our organic Apple Peel Powder!
Benzoic Acid: the main compound in cranberries that can reduce the risk of infection and kill off bad bacteria.
Epicatechins: you’ll also find this class of phytonutrients in green tea - they’re known for their ability to protect against heart disease and even Alzheimer’s disease
All of these antioxidants work together to help protect and defend our immune systems. What sets cranberries apart from the rest of the superfruit world is their Proanthocyanidins aka PACs content.
Proanthocyanidins aka PACs are part of the flavanol family, which are a class of polyphenols. Cranberries contain high levels of PACs which help support the body’s immune function and ward off illness and disease. You might be thinking, “don’t other fruits contain PACs?” They sure do, but cranberries are packed with A PACs. A PACs are special thanks to their unique anti-adhesion properties. This type of PAC helps prevent bacteria from sticking to cells within the body, helping to also prevent infection.
Say goodbye to UTI’s:
Most women, and some men, will experience UTI’s in their lives at one point or another, many even experience them chronically. UTI’s are caused by E. coli, a harmful bacteria, that attaches itself to the inner surface of the urinary tract or bladder. The PACs found in cranberries can prevent this adhesion from happening while offering a host of other benefits simultaneously. Rather than reaching for antibiotics, opt for cranberries, a natural solution without the side effects.
Who doesn’t love a healthy gut?
Studies have found that cranberries contain cleansing, anti-diarrheal, anti-septic and detoxifying diuretic properties. They can help the body eliminate toxins and buildup, including E. coli as mentioned earlier. Studies have also shown that cranberries can help to balance bacteria in the digestive tract. This is because they act similarly to probiotics - they create an environment where healthy gut flora can flourish. Their ability to help balance bacteria throughout the body by flushing out harmful bacteria and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria make cranberries a truly unique fruit. Issues relating to the digestive tract such as constipation and diarrhea can likely also be resolved with regular intake of cranberries.
Think you’ve got to wait until Thanksgiving to get your cranberry on? Think again.
Our Daily Probiotic Cranberry Supreme is a blend of organic whole food cranberry fruit powder plus added beneficial probiotics. This powerful formula gets you 139mg of PACs, both soluble and insoluble, per teaspoon along with a host of other beneficial antioxidants, plant sterols, phospholipids, fiber and omega fatty acids. The ideal minimum amount of PACs you’ll want from your supplement would be 36mg per serving - good thinking you’re getting almost four times this amount in just one serving of our Daily Probiotic Cranberry Supreme!
Our wholefood cranberry fruit powder contains the skin, seeds, juice and pulp of the cranberry fruit. What this means is that you're getting the full benefits of the whole fruit, including the cranberry seeds - which are one of the most nutritious parts of the plant. Seeds are typically a byproduct of cranberry juice processing - by not including the seed you’re missing out not only on antioxidants and fiber but also essential amino acids! Cranberry seeds are the only plant based source of protein that provides all of the essential amino acids.
To complete this powerful blend we enhanced it with our favourite heat and shelf stable probiotics: Bacillus coagulans. Bacillus coagulans offers excellent survivability, stability, safety and efficacy and symbiotically with cranberries to promote optimal gastrointestinal health.
If you’re a snacker...
Try adding our dried cranberries to your DIY trail mix or overnight oats! Our organic dried cranberries are neither sugar laden nor too tart to enjoy. Instead, we’ve first gently dried and then tumbled our cranberries in organic apple juice! What you’re left with are plump, juicy cranberries that naturally sweetened just enough to allow the naturally tart taste that they’re known for to shine. Our dried cranberries are delicious right out of the bag or added to your favourite snacks and recipes.
Try making these Cranberry Coconut Freezer Bars or these Cranberry Spice Balls!
]]>We’re definitely not advocating for you seeking out stressful situations that would result in chronic stress but rather, next time you’re faced with adversity, instead of suppressing the urge to fight and opting for flight, try facing it head on and even embracing the challenge – you’d be surprised what this can do for your body and mind.
]]>We’re definitely not advocating for you seeking out stressful situations that would result in chronic stress but rather, next time you’re faced with adversity, instead of suppressing the urge to fight and opting for flight, try facing it head on and even embracing the challenge – you’d be surprised what this can do for your body and mind.
You might be surprised to hear that not all stress is bad. The reality is, not all stress is created equal. Stress can be categorized three ways: eustress, acute stress and chronic stress.
Chronic stress is the worst type of stress and one that we hear about most often. It’s the type of stress that can manifest itself in some pretty harmful ways such as anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, unhealthy weight gain, illness and even disease. When you read about ways to help manage stress and learn about tools to help reduce stress, they’re typically tips that are referring to dealing with chronic stress.
Acute stress is less damaging than chronic stress. Likely you experience acute stress multiple times throughout your day. Speaking physiologically, your body experiences acute stress when it encounters an immediate perceived threat which can be physical, emotional or psychological. These encounters can be as simple as your alarm jolting you awake in the morning, receiving an unexpected phone call or being assigned an urgent work task. You’ve probably also experienced acute stress if you’ve ever been pulled over for speeding (or even thought you were) or gotten into an argument with a friend or family member. When your body perceives a threat, in real time or imagined, your body releases cortisol, adrenaline and other hormones that signal to your body that it’s time to fight or flight. You’ll experience an increase in your heart rate, a spike in blood pressure and even an increase in your breathing rate. These are all physical responses to acute stress. Acute stress mostly experienced only temporarily.
Eustress is referred to as ‘the good stress’. We know what you’re thinking – good stress?! Most people think that all stress is bad and should be avoided at all costs. However some stress, specifically eustress aka positive stress, can actually produce beneficial chemical responses in the body. The feeling of butterflies in your stomach on your way to a first date or when you’re approaching the top of a roller coaster is often characterized as ‘excitement’ but really, you’re experiencing eustress. Eustress can help you stay motivated, work towards goals and feel good about your life, says clinical psychiatrist Dr. Michael Genovese, making it an important part of your overall health.
Emotionally:
Eustress can result in positive feelings like contentment, excitement, inspiration, motivation and even euphoria.
Psychologically:
Eustress can help improve your resiliency and increase autonomy.
Physically:
Eustress can help you strengthen your body and immune system through physical exercise
This good type of stress can help to fortify the immune system, motivate you to reach your goals, accomplish tasks more efficiently and even boost your memory. You can benefit from eustress when you’re being pushed outside of your comfort zone and when you encounter and face challenges head on.
Now that you’re familiar with eustress and the ways that your body can actually benefit from it, you might be wondering what you can do about chronic stress. Click here to read about which foods can help you reduce chronic stress and anxiety.
]]>Adaptogens refer to a class of plants, herbs and mushrooms that contain beneficial properties for your body’s internal stress management system. This system is made up of our hypothalamic, pituitary and adrenal glands. They are responsible for managing how your body responds to stress, including how often hormones like cortisol aka the stress hormone are released. Adaptogens work to help your body better adapt to both short and long term stress by regulating and creating balance within this system.
There is no escaping stress. Work, family, relationships, school, deadlines, exercise (yup!), exhaustion, long nights, early mornings, pandemics... they all cause internal and external stress. While there are certain stressors that we can definitely remove from our lives (toxic relationships, toning down your workouts etc), some are harder to escape and others are downright unavoidable. Instead of running away, we can turn to adaptogens as a way of nourishing our internal stress management systems so that our bodies are better able to handle all of the stressors that are thrown their way.
When we are faced with a stressor, physical or mental, our bodies go through a process called general adaption syndrome aka GAS. The GAS process begins first with the alarm phase, followed by resistance phase and finally the exhaustion phase. Adaptogens help us stay in the second phase, resistance, for longer. Rather than heading straight to exhaustion and crashing, we are able to withstand and adapt to the stress we’re encountering.
Research on adaptogens has uncovered neuroprotective elements, anti-fatigue properties, antidepressant effects as well as properties associated with stimulating the nervous system. With all of these properties, it’s no surprise that people are turning to adaptogens to increase mental work capacity, attention and memory as well as to help in preventing stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression.
While the focus here has been on stress, the benefits don’t stop there. Seeing as stress can wreak havoc both physically and psychologically and show up in many ways, adaptogens can work to prevent and treat many of these manifestations. Here’s how stress can show up physically and mentally:
And here is the long list of benefits that come from managing our stress through adaptogens:
While there are so many adaptogens out there, each with their own unique benefits, some have recently become more popular than others. Here are some of our favourites and what they can be used for:
Ashwagandha
A popular Ayurvedic herb also referred to as “Indian ginseng.” Ashwagandha is best used for:
Holy Basil aka Tulsi
Aka the “queen of the herbs” in Ayurveda. Holy basil is best known for:
Shatavari
This Ayurvedic herb is affectionately referred to as “the one who has 100 husbands”. Shatavari is best used for:
Kapikkachu
Aka Mucuna pruriens, is a natural source of L-dopa, a precursor to dopamine. Kapikacchu is best used for:
A staple in Chinese Medicine, also referred to as the five taste berry. Schizandra is best used for:
Aka the miracle tree. Moringa is best used for:
Spirulina is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Including spirulina in your daily diet can get you a host of B vitamins including 125% of your RDI of B12 in just 1 tsp! It’s also packed with vitamin A, iron, magnesium and potassium. You know what else you can get from spirulina? Easily digestible vegetarian protein! Spirulina offers all essential amino acids along with gamma linolenic acid aka GLA, a compound found in mother’s milk.
Spirulina aids in flushing out harmful toxins from the body including heavy metals. It contains proteins and peptides that work to bind to these harmful toxins and heavy metals in order to pull them out of the body instead of being reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
Candida itself isn’t bad and our bodies actually need a certain amount of candida to stay healthy but when an overgrowth of candida starts to happen it can cause a host of negative repercussions. These negative repercussions include acne and eczema flare ups, changes to your mood, fungal infections and bowel issues to name a few. Spirulina has shown to help promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestines which can help to prevent candida overgrowth. It also can help the body eliminate unwanted candida cells.
Spirulina contains a powerful antioxidant called phycocyanin that works to fight free radicals and cellular damage. Reducing and preventing inflammation from occurring in the body is almost like taking a holistic approach to your health and overall immunity - inflammation can be found at the root of so many illnesses and diseases so ensuring that you’re eating a variety of antioxidant rich foods like spirulina can benefit your immune system as a whole.
There’s no doubt that exercising puts stress on our muscles, specifically oxidative stress. This stress causes muscle fatigue which is why it’s important to replenish your body with what was lost during your workout. Certain foods are better at minimizing the damage caused by exercise induced oxidative stress, one of them being spirulina. Studies have also shown that spirulina supplementation significantly enhanced endurance and muscle strength.
Being a rich source of phytonutrients and carotenoids, this antioxidant rich algae makes for a great addition to your DIY facemasks. We love adding a tsp of our spirulina powder to our clay masks to help reduce swelling and to prevent acne breakouts and bacteria overgrowth. The best part is you can also reap some of the benefits by consuming spirulina if you’re not a fan of facemasks (but who isn’t?!).
]]>Touted for its ability to reduce inflammation thanks to the abundance of curcumin found in this superfood, turmeric can also aid in reducing anxiety. There have been many studies that have drawn the connection between the gut and the brain (aka the gut-brain axis) and explored how one can impact the other. It has been proven that a healthy gut is directly related to a healthy mind, and vice versa. Turmeric can help combat inflammation throughout the entire body - including the gut, making it an amazing superfood for not only soothing the body but also the mind. Try winding down after dinner with a warm glass of water with some of our NEW Gold Immunity Blend, a nutrient dense mix of camu camu, full spectrum ginger and full spectrum turmeric.
If there’s one adaptogen that just about anyone can benefit from, it’s ashwagandha. Unlike most other adaptogens, science has actually linked it to a handful of benefits through various studies and research. Ashwagandha works to improve your body’s response to stress and has also shown to reduce anxiety through regular consumption. Regular consumption is made easy with ashwagandha as you’ll find a ton of user friendly ways to incorporate it into your routine. Our favourite way is definitely through enjoying a mug of our Chocolate Latte with Ashwagandha and Probiotics. An unstoppable combo for combatting stress and anxiety - which brings us to our next stress and anxiety reducing food…
Well, not just any chocolate. Some people definitely find comfort in chocolate bars, we’re specifically talking about pure, unprocessed chocolate aka cacao. Cacao is rich in magnesium, which can be a natural treatment for anxiety. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays an important role in a handful of bodily functions and has shown to help improve brain health. While the gut-brain axis illustrates the connection between the state of our gut health and its impact on our mental health - it’s still important to feed our brains everything it needs to stay in tip top shape. Speaking of magnesium…
One ounce of pumpkin seeds gets you up to 20% of your RDI of magnesium! Plus you’re getting a ton of other nutrients like phosphorus, iron, zinc and copper. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of protein, healthy fats and fiber!
Don’t be throwing it in your pesto, it’s not that kind of basil. While you should refrain from adding it to your pasta sauce, you should definitely be enjoying a cup to wind down if you’re looking to reduce your stress from the day. Holy basil is another adaptogen and is actually referred to as the ‘queen of the herbs’. It’s also considered a tonic for the mind, body and spirit. Holy basil can help reduce stress and insomnia as well as exhaustion and even forgetfulness! Whether or not you feel the stress reducing benefits you can at least feel better about the antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory benefits that holy basil has to offer!
Our Green Immunity Blend is an advanced holistic formula designed to keep you feeling your best 365 days a year! We've combined organic camu camu berry powder aka nature's richest source of plant based vitamin C, with organic apple peel powder which is an amazing source of quercetin. Together, these work synergistically to protect and defend you daily! We've also added a blend of young, nutrient dense grasses which contain an abundance of chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Don't worry - they're also free of any gluten!
Our Gold Immunity Blend contains the same powerful blend of organic camu camu berry and apple peel powder along with dual extract ginger and turmeric - both of which have been prized for centuries as herbal remedies for their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Our Immunity Blends are delicately sweetened with organic lucuma powder, a superfruit native to South America which is itself a host to many minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
Alfalfa Grass Juice Powder:
Alfalfa grass is a good source of calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin C and vitamin K. It has shown to help lower cholesterol levels and control blood sugar levels.
Barley Grass Juice Powder:
Barley grass has shown its ability to strengthen the immune system, alkalize the body, increase energy, aid in digestion and more. Barley grass is a high source of Vitamin A and K and a good source of B2 and Iron - all of which contribute to a strong and healthy immune system!. Check out our barley grass juice powder here!
Kamut Grass Juice Powder:
Kamut grass is a good source of manganese, which helps promote strong and healthy bones, as well as phosphorus, which is important to kidney function, helping the body eliminate toxins and waste. Kidneys play an important role in detoxification which is vital to immune function.
Oat Grass Juice Powder:
Oat grass contains a unique group of antioxidants called avenanthramides which have shown to improve heart health and improve blood flow. It’s also a source of chlorophyll, iron, manganese and zinc!
Wheat Grass Juice Powder:
Wheat grass is a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamins A, C, E and K as well as chlorophyll - almost everything you need to help boost your immune system! Wheat grass also helps the body eliminate toxins by supporting a healthy liver, which we’ve mentioned before is a very important role in strengthening your immune system. Check out our wheat grass juice powder here!
A: Yes! All of our grass juices and greens powders are gluten free and packed in a gluten free facility. All of our grass juice powders are harvested from plants that have not yet sprouted any seeds - therefore there is no gluten present when our grasses are picked.
Our grass juice powders (barley grass, wheat grass, oat grass, kamut and alfalfa) are made from young, nutrient-dense grasses in their vegetable states. Compared to most other grass powders, which are made from grasses that have been ground into a powder, our grass juice powders are actually made from sprouted grass which have first been juiced in their vegetable state before being dried and turned into a powder. Nutrient dense grasses need to first be juiced in order to unlock the vitamins and minerals which also helps to promote optimal digestion and the assimilation of phytonutrients.
Once our young grasses are harvested and juiced, we utilize a proprietary low temperature drying technology that allows us to retain the natural vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients of the plants. Compared to freeze drying, the temperature in our drying process never exceed 41 degrees Celsius which results in less heat degradation of the vital nutrients found in the plants.
Dual Extract Turmeric Powder:
Turmeric contains high levels of curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory with antioxidant properties. Our proprietary full spectrum extraction process gently extracts the full array of phytonutrients, offering the complete signature of the herb in its most potent and pure form. You can check out our full spectrum turmeric powder here or head here to learn more about our full spectrum powders!
Dual Extract Ginger Powder:
Spicy and warming, ginger should definitely be a go-to when you’re looking to prevent getting sick, but also for those times when it’s a little too late. Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory properties that help to prevent AND combat cold and flu symptoms. This powerful root aids in digestion, reduces nausea and helps the body flush out harmful toxins. The warming, sometimes spicy taste of ginger also helps to break down mucus trapped in the lungs, fighting off the potential for infections. Our ginger extract has also undergone a proprietary full spectrum extraction process so you’re getting the full array of nutrients! Looking to stock up on some essential concentrates? Check out the bundle here!
Camu camu is a shrub found in areas of the Amazon Rainforest, specifically Peru and Brazil. This camu camu shrub produces berries resembling cherries, however despite looking similar to these sweet berries, camu camu berries are quite tart and sour in taste. This tart, sour taste is the result of the powerful concentration of phytochemicals, mineral and amino acids found in the fruit. Camu Camu is also nature’s richest source of plant based vitamin C! In each serving of both Immunity Blends, you’re getting 250% of your RDI of vitamin C which is one of the most essential vitamins for a strong, healthy immune system. Learn more about our Camu Camu Berry Powder here!
You know what they say... an apple a day keeps the doctor away! This saying pretty much sums up our feelings when it comes to prevention vs treatment. Apples are an excellent source of vitamin C and are very rich in antioxidants. However, almost 40% of the antioxidants in apples are found in the skin! Apple peel powder contains nutrients that may assist in the prevention of chronic disease and also powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that everyone can benefit from. You can read more about the benefits of apple peel powder on our blog here!
Lucuma is South American superfruit that is more commonly found in North America in its powdered form. It’s nicknamed the ‘gold of the incas’ because of its traditional use as a remedy in South America for hundreds of years. Lucuma has a delicately sweet taste with notes of butterscotch and can be used as a healthy alternative to refined sugar, although its texture is powdered rather than granular. Lucuma is a relatively good source of double fiber which works as a PREbiotic to help feed your beneficial gut bacteria. It’s rich in antioxidants like vitamins A and C, can potentially help balance blood sugar levels and promote heart health.
While both blends can be enjoyed with water, if you’re in a rush try taking them as booster shots! Mix 1.5 tsp with 1-2oz of water and down it to start your day on the right foot. Our green blend is a great way to start your day with some greens & vitamin C and our gold blend can be a warm and soothing way to wind down and relax your stomach in the PM.
As with all of our superfood powders, our Immunity Blends can help take your smoothie game to a whole new level. Check out these smoothie recipes:
Hulk Smoothie:
1.5 tsp Green Immunity Blend
Big Bird Smoothie:
1.5 tsp Gold Immunity Blend
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
1/2 cup frozen mango
1 tbsp hemp hearts
Coconut water or water to your linking
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In February we launched our Focus Fuel Coffee, a functional coffee blend with organic instant coffee, lion’s mane mushroom extract, c8 mct powder, brahmi and gotu kola extracts and plant based omega-3’s. Rightfully named Focus Fuel for its ability to help increase focus, improve memory, boost creativity and give you a bit of extra pep in your step. You can read more about it here!
Who has time to make fresh plant mylk? All it takes is 1.5 tbsp of our cashew milk powder + 1 cup of water for instant, creamy, plant based goodness. Add it to coffee for an instant dairy free creamer, to your smoothies in place of your usual cartoned mylk or try meal prepping and adding it to your on-the-go oats! Check out the recipe here. 2020 was also a year of new bundles, which included an Instant Mylk Powder Bundle, which you guys couldn’t get enough of!
We had another successful holiday season with a new addition to our limited edition latte line, Red Velvet. Initially introduced as a limited edition Valentine’s Day blend, we couldn’t help but bring it back for the holidays along with our Holiday Spice and Mint Chocolate lattes.
We also introduced some holiday bundles to help you cross off everyone on your holiday list, which we’re happy to announce are here to stay! Check them all out here.
How To Support Your Immune System
Superfood Spotlight: Rice Bran and Germ Powder
5 Signs of Oxidative Stress + 5 Superfoods To Fight It (& How To Use Them!)
Superfood Spotlight: Focus Fuel Coffee
Goal setting can be done a handful of ways. For some people it just means setting a mental goal or intention that you aim and strive for. Others write a checklist or dial into the powers of manifestation.
Specific - what exactly are you trying to accomplish?
Measurable - can I measure or track my progress? how?
Achievable - is my goal actually possible to achieve? what steps do I need to take?
Relevant - is this a meaningful goal? is this the right time? is this in line with my long term objectives?
Time-Bound - what's a reasonable amount of time I should give myself? give yourself a firm deadline and the tools you need to ensure that you meet it.
Specific: Drink 3 glasses of water per day
Measurable: One glass before each meal
Achievable: 3 glasses a day, for one week as opposed to aiming for 3 litres per day, forever
Relevant: This is one step towards an ongoing goal of drinking more water and maintaining overall good health
Time Bound: Do this for the first week of January. It's okay to start small! This is how habits are formed.
When you consider all of the above when making a list of goals, you're setting yourself up to check everything off of your list. Don't forget, goals can be long term and short term. Rather than setting a goal to "lose x amount of pounds by 2022" try setting a smaller goal like "working out x amount of times per week" - small habits turn into big ones and before you know it, your daily, weekly and monthly goals are helping you on your way to tackle the new year.
Much like the difference between cocoa powder and cacao powder (which you can read all about here if you had no idea there was a difference), the difference between cocoa and cacao butter is both big and small. In terms of usage, they’re interchangeable. The big difference lies in how the food is processed. Cacao butter is pure and cold-pressed while cocoa butter is typically processed under high heat. In order for cacao butter to remain ‘raw’ the oil-pressing process can’t exceed a certain temperature. Ensuring that cold-pressing process doesn’t exceed a certain temperature results in fewer nutrients being lost during the process - which is what happens when cacao powder is cooked and processed into cocoa powder.
Even though we refer to it as a ‘butter’ cacao butter doesn’t contain any dairy whatsoever. It’s actually an oil that is extracted from the cacao bean by pressing the beans at a low temperature in order to separate the oil from the protein and the fiber. Cacao beans are seeds from the Theobroma cacao L. plant which are most popularly used to make everyone’s favourite food: chocolate. The cacao plant was once so revered by the Mayans and Aztecs that it was used as a form of currency.
Just like other unrefined and non-hydrogenated oils like coconut and avocado, the main benefit of cacao butter comes from it being an excellent source of saturated fats. Saturated fats have gotten a bad rep in the past but we’re seeing more and more how beneficial they can be. Consuming higher amounts of saturated fats has been linked to: reduced risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, stronger bones, liver health, brain function, regulated insulin release and an overall stronger immune system.
However, high amounts of saturated fat isn't the only thing to sing about. Cacao butter also contains polyphenols and flavanols, a class of antioxidants.
Flavanols are a class of antioxidants found in cacao products. They’re amazing for improving vascular function and reducing blood pressure. When you hear people talking about the benefits of dark chocolate, this is what they’re often referring to.
Cacao, and therefore cacao butter, is also known for its ability to increase energy and elevate your mood. This is thanks to phenylethylamine, a compound which acts as a stimulant and mood enhancer. Cacao butter is also a source of serotonin and dopamine, both of which stimulate better moods and give us those feelings of pleasure. Makes sense because eating chocolate does = happiness in most cases.
While cacao butter works to do all of that and more on our insides, it also works wonders on the outside! Cacao butter is a popular ingredient in many topical products like lotions, creams, lip balms, scrubs and more. It can act as a wonderful skin nourishing moisturizer and has been used to treat and prevent dryness and peeling. So while cacao butter works to strengthen and repair you from the inside it can also do the same from the outside.
These are some of our favourite ways to use our cacao butter, both internally and externally!
Add a piece of cacao butter to your coffee, lattes and elixirs. Not only will this give it a delicious, subtle chocolate flavour but you’ll be getting all of those brain boosting benefits too! Similar to the effects of adding coconut oil or mct oil to your high fat coffee or latte!
Make Homemade Chocolate:
Hands down one of the best uses of cacao butter is to include it in your homemade chocolate bars, barks and even fudge!. Looking to pick up everything you need to make your own homemade chocolate? We’ve got you covered with our DIY Chocolate Bundle. Plus, check out these recipes from our #otlifestylers:
Try making your own hydrating lip balm with cacao butter. Check out this recipe for DIY Coconut Pomegranate Lip Balm by The Florestic. You can also try making homemade whipped body butter by melting ¾ cup of cacao butter with ¼ cup of coconut oil and whipping it into a butter until you’ve created a light, fluffy body butter. Check out this recipe by The Little Green Dot that we just loved!
]]>Chlorella is a green, single celled freshwater algae typically found in Taiwan and Japan. Similar to Spirulina, chlorella is an amazing source of chlorophyll and a host of beneficial micronutrients. Unlike most other green superfoods, chlorella actually contains a good amount of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. One serving of our chlorella powder contains 70% of the RDI of iron, 80% of the RDI of vitamin A and 250% of the RDI of vitamin B12!
It might surprise you to hear that you have large amounts of heavy metals in your body. We are exposed to heavy metals and toxins throughout much of our days and although our bodies require small amounts of certain elements like iron, some can be toxic in large amounts. Did you know that if you have a cavity filling, it’s likely made of mercury and could be negatively impacting you in ways that you may not realize? Chlorella is able to wrap itself around toxins like cadmium and mercury to keep them from accumulating in our body’s soft tissues and organs. It also has the ability to enhance our body’s natural ability to clear these toxins.
Studies have shown that chlorella may support a healthy immune system response by providing the body with essential vitamins and nutrients while reducing inflammation due to high amounts of antioxidants and its impressive nutritional breakdown. Some studies have also pointed to an increase in antibodies in those who took chlorella vs those who took a placebo.
While this shouldn’t be your number one reason for adding chlorella to your routine, it’s worth noting that research has shown that regular chlorella intake may result in fat loss. This is likely due to the regulation of hormones that chlorella is able to promote while also improving circulation and increasing energy.
If you’re a fan of DIY skincare, you’ve likely seen a recipe that included chlorella. Studies have noted that chlorella has shown to slow the aging process by reducing oxidative stress. We can thank the high amounts of vitamin A for that!
Chlorella in its natural state has a hard cell wall that us humans cannot digest. Thankfully, chlorella that you’ll find in supplement form has first had its cell walls broken, in order to allow humans to reap all of its wonderful benefits. You can find chlorella in capsule, tablet, tincture and of course - powder form. Our favourite way to take it is by adding it to a morning smoothie - which is also probably the tastiest. At the end of the day, chlorella is essentially a seaweed and as you can imagine, it’s definitely not the tastiest superfood on the planet.Here’s our go-to smoothie recipe for enjoying chlorella, but feel free to add it to any smoothie recipe that you’d like or even try downing it in a glass of water with a fresh squeeze of lemon!
]]>
If this time of the year feels especially difficult for you, it could be that you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder aka SAD.
Here are some signs that you could be suffering from SAD + some ways we recommend treating it:
]]>If this time of the year feels especially difficult for you, it could be that you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder aka SAD.
Seasonal Affective Disorder aka SAD is a type of depression that seems to set in during the same time each year, typically during the transition from fall to winter. Although it’s most commonly experienced during the fall, some people can also experience it during the summer - but this is less common.
The most common and major symptom of SAD is a persistent feeling of sadness and despair that lasts for more than two weeks and interferes with a person’s work or school performance as well as, or their social relationships.
Other symptoms can include but are not limited to:
There is a strong correlation between the changes in the amount of sunlight we see during the winter months and the triggering of SAD. As we see less sunlight during waking hours beginning in October, our biological clocks are negatively affected and the neurotransmitters that are responsible for releasing serotonin and dopamine are also disturbed.
Well for starters, some recommend getting rid of the tradition of changing our clocks twice a year and adopting a permanent daylight saving time. This change would result in less sunlight in the morning (and more in the evening) as opposed to the sun setting while many of us only just ending our work days or school days. More studies are indicating that there are serious health implications that come with ‘springing forward’ and ‘falling back’. The idea of making daylight saving time permanent is not new and has been explored over many years. While we hold our breath on this one, there are other things that you can do and ways that you can manage your own symptoms of SAD.
Also referred to as phototherapy, light therapy can be practiced by sitting in front of a special light box upon waking up. These light boxes are meant to expose your body to bright lights firs thing in the morning and simulates outdoor natural light. Light therapy mimics natural outdoor light and sends signals to our bodies that it’s time to wake up, also causing positive changes in brain chemicals that are linked to mood. This is meant to offset the negative effects that fewer hours of daylight (especially in the morning) have on our internal clocks. Light boxes can be expensive so it’s best to speak with a doctor before making a purchase.
Also referred to as talk therapy - psychotherapy can help you identify and change those negative thoughts and emotions that are often associated with SAD. It can also be a way of learning healthier ways to cope with SAD and also learning how to manage the overwhelming stress you could be feeling.
Practicing mindfulness and embracing relaxation techniques are important all year round but they become especially important when trying to cope with SAD. Try committing to practicing yoga, breath work, medication or even music or art therapy.
Open up those blinds and let in as much sunlight as possible. If you’re working from home, try and set up your work desk near a window to soak up that vitamin D.
Weather permitting - you could try getting outside. Taking a walk or simply sitting outside can be extremely beneficial to your mental health. Research has shown that this is especially effective if done within two hours of waking up.
Physical activity is good for the mind-body and soul - in moderation of course! Daily exercise has positive effects on both your body and your mind. However, if you’re someone who already spends a good amount of time exercising, it might be beneficial for you to even take a break!
By now you’re familiar with adaptogens (we hope). If you’re new, adaptogens refer to a class/group of plants found in nature that contain medicinal properties that work to bring the body back to homeostasis. These medicinal properties can help the body adapt to stress and bring harmony and balance to the body as a whole. When taken routinely, adaptogens can help you resist and prevent common internal and external symptoms of stress. Which ones do we recommend for SAD? Our top two adaptogenic herbs for helping alleviate some of the stress that comes along with SAD are ashwagandha root powder and holy basil. You can read more about ashwagandha here and holy basil (aka the queen of the herbs) here!
]]>Name: Schisandra chinensis
AKA: Wu Wei Zi, Schizandra, magnolia-vine, magnolia berry, five-flavor-fruit
Organic Remedy: Adaptogen
Plant Family: Moringaceae
Native To: Northern China
Supplement Forms: Powder, tea
Adaptogens have become more and more popular over the last few years seeing many people turn to their healing potential in place of synthetic western medication. Adaptogens refer to a class of plants that are said to contain medicinal properties that help the body adapt to stress in a way that brings harmony and balance to the body as a whole. According to DR. Marisa Marciano, adaptogens have the ability to restore normal tone and function to the hypothalamic/ pituitary / adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympatho / adrenal (SAS) system. As the adrenal glands are responsible for so much of the body’s response to both internal and external stressors, having them balanced and functioning optimally can help our bodies resist and even prevent common symptoms of stress. Adaptogens work internally to help resist and prevent common internal and external symptoms of stress.
Did you know that stress can have negative physical implications on the body? If you’re someone who finds themselves constantly stressed, it’s likely that you could simultaneously suffer from depression, difficulty sleeping, obesity, digestive issues, autoimmune diseases and more. Prolonged stress can weaken your immune system and disrupt essential bodily processes making you more susceptible to getting sick and increasing your risk of health problems.
While adaptogens work to help our bodies better respond to stress, they’re also strengthening our immune systems and protecting us from disease.
As an adaptogen, schizandra works to harmonize and relieve stress throughout all areas of the body. According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) the five flavours signature of schizandra berries - sweet, sour, pungent, bitter and salty - allow them to access all 12 meridians of the body: lungs, large intestine, spleen, stomach, heart, small intestine, bladder, kidneys, heart governor, triple heater, gallbladder and liver.
Sweet: Nourishes and restores energy levels in the spleen and stomach
Sour: Stimulates the digestive system by strengthening the liver and gallbladder
Pungent: Awakens and stimulates the body through strengthening the lungs and large intestines
Bitter: stimulates digestion and reduces inflammation by strengthening the heart and small intestines
Salty: Stimulates the movement of fluid within the body thanks to its mineral content by strengthening the kidneys and bladder
The schizandra berries used to make our Full Spectrum Schizandra Extract are harvested at the peak of vibrancy and immediately processed. Our Schizandra Extract contains a 6:1 lb ratio of fresh berries to powder and is made from a proprietary low temperature drying process to ensure optimal nutrient, enzyme and antioxidant integrity. Grown in Certified Organic US soil, the schizandra berries used to create our Full Spectrum Schizandra Extract come from nutrient dense, mineral rich soil and are the cleanest and most vibrant of their kind.
It’s possible to find schizandra as a tincture, encapsulated, as a tea and in powder form - making it easy to incorporate into your routine. However, we recommend taking schizandra in a way that allows you to taste it. Seeing as the benefits of schizandra are rooted in it’s five flavours, we find it necessary to taste the sweetness, bitterness, sourness, saltiness and pungent flavour that is schizandra in order to access all that it has to offer. In the Ayurvedic tradition (where many adaptogens have their roots), taste is an important part of the healing process as this is what signals to the body to get ready to digest and utilize the potential of the adaptogens you’re ingesting. We recommend making a tea with your schizandra powder and sipping on it slowly to allow yourself to taste it thoroughly. Another favourite way of ours to enjoy our schizandra is in the form of pastilles. Check out this recipe for Schizandra Pastilles by The Florestic!
]]>We talk about how to get better quality sleep in our blog post here. What it comes down to though is that sleep is the time our body takes to recover. Our bodies need sleep and rest to repair, recuperate and regenerate. This is why we often feel lethargic and tired when we’re sick: it’s our body’s way of telling us we need to slow down and allow ourselves the time to get better. Quality sleep is linked to getting sick less often, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing your risk of serious health problems, reducing stress and improving your mood (among many others!).
You’ve probably heard this a ton lately: “logging off until tomorrow!” “going screen free for the weekend” “taking a break from social!”. It’s becoming more popular to disengage and spend less time in front of our screens. Although the goal here for many is to spend less time engaging online and more time being present IRL, spending less time on your phone or in front of a screen can also help boost your immunity. The screens that many of us spend countless hours a day in front of emit a blue light that can have negative effects on the quality of our sleep. We’re trying to improve our sleep quality, not make it worse! Plus, going offline has also shown to have positive effects on your mental health, which in turn can help improve your overall immunity.
Do you know why people like to sit in the sauna? To sweat and remove toxins from the body. Removing toxins is necessary in maintaining a healthy immune system. You know what else results in sweat? Moving your body! When people hear this they automatically assume that it means they have to get a gym membership, buy expensive athletic apparel or equipment and spend hours each day on the treadmill, lifting weights or in a spin studio. You know what else you could do that requires spending zero dollars and takes little to no experience? Go for a walk! Something as simple as going for a daily brisk walk for as little as 30 minutes can have serious health benefits. While you walk you’ll improve your circulation, ward off heart disease and lower your blood pressure. You’ll also strengthen your bones, lighten your mood, regulate your weight and support your joints - which if you didn’t catch on to yet, all have positive effects on your overall immunity. Plus, if we’re trying to bring this full circle, getting in some daily movement is also one way to improve the quality of your sleep!
One of the reasons that cold and flu season also happens to be during the winter is because the days are shorter and we spend less time outdoors. Vitamin D is essential for helping our immune systems stay balanced, especially during cold and flu season. Low levels of vitamin D may not directly cause issues with your autoimmune system BUT it can definitely make your situation worse. You can definitely find a vitamin D supplement but again - there’s also a way to get it for free: sunlight! The sun is the best source of vitamin D you can get and it’s free, so why not? Kill two birds with one stone and get your daily movement outside in the sun, just make sure you’re also pairing it with sunscreen because not only is the sun free, it’s also extremely strong.
You can check all of the above off your daily to-do list but if you’re not fueling your body with the right foods, your immune system will have a harder time reaping the benefits. These are our go to superfoods for building a strong immune systems:
One of the most nutritious berries on the planet, acai berries are definitely at the top of our list when it comes to immune boosting foods. Unfortunately this berry isn’t native to North America so we can’t eat them fresh but luckily we’ve got the highest quality organic acai berry powder to enjoy. Acai berries have shown to boost the production of white blood cells in the body which is key to ensuring your immune system remains in tip top shape. This antioxidant rich superfruit prevents bad cells from accumulating and improves overall cellular health.
Another superfruit with dark purple pigmentation, maqui berries are loaded with antioxidants which help prevent and treat inflammatory diseases. We’ll say it again and again, inflammation is often found at the root of illness and disease so you better believe we’re loading up on antioxidant rich foods like maqui and acai. Maqui berry powder also contains antibacterial and antiviral properties, helping to ward off bacterial infections and treat viral conditions. It’s also said to have anti carcinogen effects thanks to its strong antioxidant makeup.
The fruit so nice they named it twice. We’ve got a whole blog dedicated to this superfruit which you can read here. To keep it short and sweet, this superfruit is one of nature’s richest sources of wholefood vitamin C. One serving gets you over 200% of your RDI of vitamin C! Why would you opt for a synthetic supplement when you can get it from whole foods?
Just like maqui berries and acai berries, blueberries get their purple pigmentation from a specific type of antioxidant: anthocyanins - a powerful disease-fighting compound that aids in reducing inflammation. Phytochemicals found in blueberries positively affect our GI microflora aka our gut bacteria and in case you didn’t know, research has shown that about 60-80 percent of our immune system originates from our gut! A happy gut = a happy immune system. One serving of our organic blueberry powder is equivalent to ½ cup of fresh blueberries!
Gram for gram, what contains: two times the amount of protein of yogurt, four times the amount of vitamin A as carrots, three times the amount of potassium as bananas, four times the amount of calcium as cow’s milk AND seven times the amount of vitamin C as oranges? Moringa!! Moringa aka the miracle tree is praised for being loaded with nutrients and for its ability to help reduce inflammation, improve digestive health, balance your blood sugar, nourish your skin and protect your brain (among others) - all of which contribute to a strong, healthy immune system. Want to learn more about moringa? Check out our superfood spotlight here!