Holy Basil and Tulsi

Basil: holy Basil or Tulis "the incomparable one"  in Ayurvedic medicine, known for its health-promoting and medicinal qualities for thousands of years in India.

Holy basil is highly effective at regulating  the body's response to stress, primarily the cortisol response (Called Adaptogen ).

Stress in the 21sr century is constant, so the  hormones pour into our system all day, and our bodies have no chance to rest! One of those stress hormones is Cortisol: it increases blood sugar levels so there is plenty of fuel available for the body in a fright-or-flight situation, and maintains blood pressure during times of stress. the over stressed lives we lead, add up to excessive cortisol and therefore excessive blood sugar! Therefore being stressed out wont help you lose weight or live a healthier lifestyle, especially when added to other toxins we absorb including: pollution, cigarettes, coffee, and alcohol. 

Tulsi regulates cortisol during times of stress , helping to normalize blood-sugar levels. (Consistently high glucose levels increase the risk of developing diabetes and being overweight since excess sugar is stored as fat).

Tulsi also helps to relieve anxiety and depression. (Source: Eat Clean Diet).

Have a wonderful healthy weekend! 

Cheers,

Sarah

Brain Food

This is an excerpt from Women's Health Magazine! It's a great chart emphasizing what we should be putting in our bodies and why! Doesn't it feel like we should be making a continuous list of healthy foods we must consume! Ever changing with research, but this is a great article from the mag I wanted to share! 

To summarize this article: fat-laden foods and sugar spiked drinks can trigger health problems such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease! There is truth behind "you are what you eat", meaning eating junk food can cause brain damage and alarming facts: including links between high sugar consumption and depression, as well as damage to our memories! 

The Sugar Crash: consuming a doubt and the aftermath: fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, forgetfulness. Consuming foods high in sugar and fat may be the suppression of a brain peptide called BDNF ( brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which is involved in memory formation and learning, and the hippocampus within 10 minutes of consuming, meaning it impairs the part of the brain. And consuming simple sugars, refined carbohydrates and saturated fats may cause permanent damage by messing with the brain's insulin levels! 

Scary fact: the average American (and this is not far off for Canadians either) consumes 79 pounds of added sweeteners every year!!!

So case in point: say no and resist the temptation for Junk foods: simple sugars, refined carbohydrates and saturated fats! For your own brain's sake! For the full article checkout July/Aug 2013 issue of Women's Health Magazine! 

Have a great and healthy weekend! 

Cheers,

Sarah 

 

The Ultimate Guide to nuts!

The Ultimate Guide to Nuts!

Here is a friendly chart showing you what you need to know about nuts, including a breakdown of Fat, Protein and fibre. This is a great breakdown as it is good to know which nuts are better for you than others and which have more fat than others and what nutritional value they bring to our lives. 

Happy Healthy Tuesday!

Cheers,

Sarah
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Antioxidants and free radicals

Whether its the toxins we ingest through the foods we eat or the air we breathe, it's important to supplement your diet with antioxidants to boost your immune and be proactive towards good health! 

Antioxidants help reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers and boost your immune system. Cells need oxygen to function, use of this oxygen produces harmful by-products called Free Radicals. FR are also created from environmental pollution, certain industrial chemicals, and smoking. Certain vitamins (C, E, and beta-carotene) can help the body ward off FR and prevent oxidation.These vitamins are called antioxidants. Oxidation is responsible for browning a sliced apple, inside the body oxidation contributes to heart disease, cancer, cataracts, aging, and many other degenerative diseases.

FR can be described as unstable, hyperactive atoms that circulate in your body and damage healthy cells and tissue (Total Nutrition for Canadians). 

Chia Blueberry Spinach Smoothie:

1 Cup Almond milk

Handful Spinach

Handful Blueberries

1/2 Banana

2 Scoops HBL Meal Replacement W/ protein

Tbsp Chia Seeds 

Stay healthy and love yourself! 

Happy Monday!