holistic health

Cleansing your body can be a great way to reset your system and give yourself the opportunity to start fresh. But sometimes, when we’re cleansing, our bodies can go through some uncomfortable detox symptoms. And as a mom, you don't have time to feel sluggish, have a pounding headache, be stuck in the restroom with digestive issues, or or break out with skin issues. If you’re feeling a little worse for wear during your cleanse, here are 12 simple tips to help support and nurture your body during this time.

1. Drink More Water: Hydration is key when it comes to supporting your body through a cleanse. By drinking plenty of water throughout the day (at least half your bodyweight in ounces), you’ll help flush out toxins while also helping your organs function optimally. And if you’re feeling extra sluggish or bloated, adding some lemon or lime juice, or DiGize essential oil can further aid in digestion and detoxification.

2. Detox Baths: Relaxing in a detox bath is one of the best ways to support your body during a cleanse. Draw yourself a warm bath and add Epsom salts and baking soda to it (you can also add bentonite clay), which will help draw out toxins from the skin. Adding essential oils like lavender or bergamot will help relax the mind while you soak away all of that stress and tension.

3. Eat Fats: Cleansing can sometimes deplete our bodies of essential fatty acids, so it’s important to eat enough fats while on a cleanse. Foods like avocado, coconut oil, olives, nuts and seeds are all great options that contain healthy fats that can help keep us feeling energized and nourished. Flaxseed oil is especially beneficial because it helps reduce inflammation caused by toxic build-up in the body.

4. Sweat: Sweating is another great way to detoxify our bodies as it helps flush out toxins through our pores along with any excess water weight we may have been carrying around. Exercise is an effective way to break into a sweat but if you don’t feel up for intense physical activity then simply take some hot yoga classes or sit in an infrared sauna for 15-20 minutes each day—you’ll still reap the same benefits!

5. Go Outside: A few moments outside in nature every day can do wonders for our moods and overall wellbeing! Sunlight provides us with essential vitamin D which helps boost immunity and regulate hormones, allowing us to feel more balanced internally. Taking some deep breaths of fresh air also helps clear out any stagnant energy building up inside our systems while helping us stay grounded and connected with the earth beneath us.  

6. Herbal Teas or Tinctures: One of the best things you can do when going through detox symptoms is sip on herbal teas throughout the day such as dandelion root, ginger, lemon, and peppermint— which help improve digestion and reduce inflammation in the body due to their high antioxidant content. Sipping on herbal teas also gives you something warm and comforting to enjoy during this time of cleansing without having too much caffeine or sugar intake which could potentially work against what you’re trying to accomplish here!  Herbal tinctures can also support the bodies detox pathways.  This is one of my favorites for supporting the kidneys and bladder.

When going through any sort of cleanse program, it's important that we take good care of ourselves so that we can come out on the other side feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to tackle whatever life throws at us next! Utilizing these 6 tips will help keep your body supported throughout this process so that you can get back into balance faster than ever before! So don't forget--drinking more water, detox baths, eating healthy fats like flax seed oil, sweating regularly, getting outside for some fresh air and sunshine, as well as sipping herbal teas throughout the day--all these things together should set you up for success no matter what type of cleanse program you're doing now! Good luck!  See Part 2 for 6 more tips!

Cooking and eating healthy meals is all about finding the foods you love AND that are good for you! Don't we all crave foods that are flavorful and unique?   Isn't it better to have a clean dressing that doesn't have a lot of unnecessary or unhealthy ingredients? What if you could make your own dressing that would not only be delicious but also offer a good source of protein? Enter Pepita Dressing! If you’re looking for a way to add some zest to your salads, this recipe may be just the thing.

Making homemade Pepita Dressing is surprisingly simple, and the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen! All you really need are pepitas (pumpkin seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, fresh mint leaves, garlic, and pepper. If you don’t have fresh mint on hand, dried will do just fine. Once you have all the ingredients together, it’s time to get started!

1 cup Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) 

1-3 garlic clove(s)

1/4 cup fresh mint/cilantro leaves

 1-2 Tablespoon(s) olive oil (opt.)

2 -3 teaspoons lemon juice

1 drop cilantro vitality essential oil (opt.)

1 drop lemon vitality essential oil  (opt.)

a few dashes of pepper

up to 1 cup water

Start by soaking your pumpkin seeds in water for 2 hours (Do not skip this step!!).  Then rinse thoroughly.   Next put them into a blender (I recommend this one) along with olive oil and lemon juice. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Next, add the garlic,  fresh mint/cilantro leaves, and a pinch of pepper to taste. Blend again until everything is fully incorporated.  Add the water a little at a time until you get the desired texture. The final step is to transfer your homemade Pepita Dressing into an airtight container such as a Mason jar so that it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

There you have it—your very own homemade Pepita Dressing! It's easy enough for any home chef to whip up in no time flat and adds an extra layer of flavor to salads without being overly heavy or greasy like some store-bought dressings can be. Plus, pumpkins seeds are full of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, potassium - making this dressing perfect for holistic moms who want their families to eat healthy without sacrificing on flavor! So grab those ingredients from your pantry and get ready for some serious flavor-bombing! Enjoy!

As a busy mom, you want to make sure your family is eating healthy and nutritious meals. But you’re also short on time. So how can you make something delicious and healthy without spending hours in the kitchen? Our millet falafel recipe has got you covered! It’s packed with protein, easy to make, and ready in no time. Let’s dive right into the details!

For our millet falafel recipe, here are the ingredients that you will need:

4 cups cooked millet, chickpeas*, or cannellini beans (or 2 cups millet + 2 cups chickpeas or cannellini beans)

1 cup parsley

1/2 cup cilantro

1/2 cup dill

3 cloves garlic

1/2 cup red onion

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Salt and pepper to taste                                                                   

For the baking sheet: 1/8-1/4 c olive oil

Pita bread or lettuce leaves for serving 

Serve with cucumber, red onion, tomato, dark green leafy lettuce, Kalamata olives, bell peppers.

Hummus, Tahini Sauce, Tzatziki Sauce

*Raw and soaked overnight

Making millet falafel is a breeze!

First cook the millet. This can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to a week. I like to make the millet the day before so it is chilled, and if I am adding chickpeas, I start them soaking at the same time.

1 cup uncooked millet

3 cups water

Pour millet into boiling water and simmer for 25 minutes

Then place herbs, chunked onion, and lemon juice in a food processor.  Blend well.  Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the olive oil, into the food processor. Pulse until everything is combined but still slightly chunky. If it appears too dry, add  up to 1/4 cup of water(if needed) a little at a time until it forms a thick paste. Then scoop out tablespoonfuls of mixture and shape them into small balls or patties. Oil a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, flipping them at 15 minutes.  Serve with pita bread or lettuce leaves if desired and enjoy!

There you have it – an easy, tasty millet falafel recipe that takes only minutes to prepare. With this dish, you get all the benefits of protein from the millet plus extra flavor from added herbs and spices. Plus it’s vegan so everyone can enjoy it! For busy moms who want to provide their families with healthy meals without sacrificing time in the kitchen, this is definitely a winner. Enjoy!

Beans are packed with nutrition and are a great source of fiber, protein, resistant starch, and antioxidants. However, beans also contain lectins – proteins that can be difficult for your body to digest. But don’t worry! With the right preparation techniques, you can unlock the power of beans by removing lectins and making them easier to digest. Let’s explore how this works.

Lectins are proteins found in many foods (not just beans), including grains and legumes. They have been linked to some digestive issues, such as gas or bloating. This is why it’s important to understand how to prepare your beans properly so they are safe and easy to digest.

The best way to reduce lectin content in beans is by soaking them overnight before cooking them (24 hours is even better). Soaking can reduce up to 50-90% of the lectin content. Make sure you discard the soaking water several times during the process since it may contain toxins from the bean skins and other debris that have been released during soaking. After draining your soaked beans, rinse them thoroughly before adding fresh water to boil for about 3 hours or until they become tender but not mushy. This will help ensure your beans come out perfectly cooked every time!

In addition to soaking and cooking correctly, there are a few other ways you can reduce the lectin content in your beans:

1) Buy organic whenever possible – conventionally grown legumes tend to have higher levels of pesticides which may increase their lectin content;   

2) Avoid canned varieties since they tend to contain a lot more additives;    

3) Use pressure cookers – this method has been shown to significantly reduce lectins in food;    

4) Add spices like cumin, turmeric, ginger or garlic during cooking as these herbs may help break down some of the lectins in food;    

5) Always cook your legumes well – undercooking them may leave more active lectins in them which could be detrimental for those with sensitivities;   

6) Scoop off any foam that forms on top of cooked legumes as this could be an indication that there are still active lectins present in the food.

Eating beans can be a nutritious addition to any diet if prepared correctly. By following these simple steps on how to soak and cook your legumes properly, you can reduce their lectin content while still enjoying all the health benefits they offer! Holistic moms who want healthier options for themselves and their families should consider adding this nutrient-dense superfood into their diets today!  Try experimenting with different types of recipes featuring legumes such as soups, stews or salads - you will be glad you did!

We've all been there. You're trying to get to sleep but your mind is running a million miles an hour. It's like your brain is running a race, and it's hard to shut it off as you are staring off into the darkness. Whether you're worrying about the day that just passed or anxiously anticipating the day ahead, it can be difficult to drift off into dreamland when your thoughts are spiraling out of control. Here are some tips on how to calm your racing brain and ensure that you get a good night's sleep.

Ningxia Red is a delicious, nutrient-dense drink made with wolfberry puree, and other super fruits like blueberry, pomegranate and other natural ingredients. This drink packs a powerful punch of antioxidants and minerals that help nourish your body while calming your mind. Enjoy Ningxia Red in the morning or afternoon for added energy, and its benefits last as it also enhances your relaxation so you get better sleep.  I was surprised at the sleep benefits of this drink because I got it specifically for it’s energy boosting power.  But it packs a punch for both!

Essential oils are incredibly versatile tools for calming an overactive mind. Try diffusing essential oils such as Lavender, Peace & Calming or Stress Away for added relaxation benefits at bedtime. I have used each of these in turn.  If I just generally need relaxation, I use Lavender, if I’m feeling anxious about the next day, I use Peace & Calming, if I am super tense and stressed out, I use Stress Away. If diffusing isn't an option for you, apply the oil topically on the bottoms of your feet or behind your ears for similar effects.  You can also make a room spray with some witch hazel and a few drops of essential oil.  

When our minds become overwhelmed with thoughts it can be helpful to write them out on paper instead of trying to keep them in our heads. When we take these swirling thoughts from our heads and put them down on paper they become tangible items that we can address one by one instead of leaving us feeling like we're spinning out of control mentally. Journaling is also therapeutic because it allows us to find creative solutions to our problems that we may not have thought of before writing them out on paper. This has been so helpful for me and I often use this for ideas that pop into my head at all hours of the night. Once it is written down, my brain can rest.

Finally, try praying before bedtime. Prayer offers comfort during difficult times and can help clear away mental clutter so that you can relax enough to drift off into dreamland peacefully. Even if prayer isn't part of your regular practice this could be a great time to start! Quieting the mind through prayer can be incredibly effective in helping reduce stress and anxiety so that you can get some much needed restful sleep each night without any racing brain chatter interruptions!     Plus, prayer helps us remember to stay thankful even in moments when our minds feel overwhelmed by worry or fear - which often leads us naturally into relaxation and peace! So give yourself permission tonight (or every night!) to take some time for yourself - and then let go and let God - knowing that He will provide what you need both today and tomorrow!

A racing brain makes it difficult to fall asleep at night. If you find yourself struggling to silence your thoughts, give one of these four methods a try. These are my tried and true solutions and they make bedtime so much better! Ningxia Red helps relax your body and mind, while diffusing essential oils like lavender creates a calming environment in your bedroom. You may also benefit from journaling your thoughts before bedtime and/or spending a few minutes in prayer. With consistency and patience, you can train your brain to quiet down so you can get the restful sleep you need.  It is a journey, and some days will be more difficult than others, but getting a good night’s rest is possible!