nutrition

Are you feeling like you missed a night's sleep? Feeling lethargic, foggy-headed, and struggling to remain alert throughout the day? I understand your struggle. Poor quality of sleep has become increasingly common life problem, making it hard for many people to stay productive and energized. So if you're a mom looking for some natural ways to improve your slumber, I have some suggestions for you! Check out these 11 easy steps on how to get better sleep that won't leave any trace of fatigue or exhaustion. With these tips backed by science and real holistic solutions, prepare yourself for some uplifting shut-eye every night!

One of the best ways to get better sleep is to follow a routine. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help to regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Establishing a regular bedtime and wake time can also make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.  Your routine can include things like journaling, expressing gratitude, prayer, light stretching or yoga, an evening bath, or herbal tea, whatever you choose, try to do the same things in the same order each night.

Creating a comfortable environment in your bedroom can also help you to get better sleep. Make sure that your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. Darkness promotes melatonin production , which makes us feel sleepy. Consider using blackout curtains or an eye mask to block out light, and earplugs or white noise to reduce noise.  You can also diffuse essential oils that help your body relax and help quiet your mind.

It is also important to limit your exposure to screens before bed. The blue light emitted by screens can suppress melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy. Avoid using phones, laptops, and other electronic devices for at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you awake and make it difficult to fall asleep. Avoid drinking caffeine in the evening and try to limit your intake earlier in the day.  It is better to get your energy from natural antioxidants than from artificial stimulants and when you use foods and juices to fuel your energy, your body is better able to relax at bedtime.

Exercise can help you to sleep better at night. At least a half hour of exercise is beneficial for everyone.  Take a short walk if that's all you can do.  Your body needs movement during the day and has a harder time relaxing when there hasn't been enough movement.  However, it is important to avoid exercising too close to bedtime as this can make it harder to fall asleep. aim to exercise earlier in the day and finish at least 3 hours before you plan on going to bed.

While alcohol may make you feel drowsy, it actually disrupts sleep and can make it difficult to stay asleep throughout the night. I avoid drinking alcohol completely, but if you choose to consume alcohol, try not to consume more than one drink per day.   

Eating a healthy diet is also important for good sleep. Eating foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar can help promote restful sleep. Eating antioxidants promotes better sleep. Eating too much OR too little can disrupt sleep, so don't overindulge, but be sure to get the right amount of calories for your body. In addition, avoiding large meals before bedtime can prevent indigestion and make it easier to fall asleep.  Your body needs a rest from digestion while sleeping, so avoid all late-night snacks so your body can truly rest.

8 . Manage stress levels  

Managing stress levels is crucial for good sleep. When we are stressed, our bodies produce cortisol, which is a hormone that makes us feel alert. Cortisol is necessary for certain functions, but too much too often wear down our bodies and make it harder to sleep. Try relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation, essential oils, or consider talking to a therapist if stress levels are consistently affecting your ability to sleep. This is also a great way to regulate this hormone. 

9 . Take breaks during the day 

If you have trouble sleeping at night, it may be because you are not taking enough breaks during the day. Our bodies need time to rest and recover, so make sure to take breaks throughout the day. For some people, taking a short nap in the afternoon can also help improve nighttime sleep. 

For many people, napping during the day can interfere with nighttime sleep, so limit naps to no more than 30 minutes. If you find yourself feeling tired during the day, try taking a brisk walk instead of taking a nap, or take 10 minutes to meditate and let your body relax. (One caveat - if you have a nursing infant - sleep when they sleep.  Don't worry about limiting your naps mama - you need more sleep!)

11 . Go outside 

Getting outside during the daytime can help improve nighttime sleep. Exposure to natural light helps regulate our circadian rhythm, which is our internal clock that tells us when we should be awake and when we should be asleep. An hour outside is ideal, but a half hour will do in a pinch.  Plus, being outside is so beneficial for our body and soul!  So don't just send the kids out - go out with them - you will all benefit.  

If you’re having trouble sleeping, don’t despair. There are a number of things you can try to get better sleep. Create a routine and make sleep a priority by doing those things throughout the day that will support your sleep. You may find that you feel better rested and have more energy during the day if you commit to getting enough quality sleep each night.  Make sleep a priority, mama — you deserve it!

We are all exposed to environmental toxins in our everyday life. From the products we use to clean our homes and care for our bodies, to the processed foods we eat and the air we breathe—we are coming into contact with chemicals that can cause inflammation in the body. In this blog post, I’ll break down why environmental toxins cause inflammation and what you can do about it. Let’s get started! 

The personal care products you use every day may be doing more harm than good. Many popular skincare, haircare, and makeup products contain ingredients that could be causing inflammation in your body. For example, many shampoos contain sulfates which are harsh chemical agents used as foaming agents. These sulfates strip away natural oils from your scalp which can lead to inflammation and other skin issues like dandruff. Similarly, many beauty products contain parabens which are preservatives that prevent bacteria growth but also disrupt hormones which can lead to inflammation. 

The same is true for cleaning products—many of them contain harsh chemicals like ammonia or chlorine that can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and skin when inhaled or touched directly. These ingredients may also trigger allergies or asthma attacks if you’re prone to those conditions. But even if you aren't prone to allergies or asthma, these cause issues which to many seem unconnected until the products are removed and other health issues disappear.  These cause so many different problems! 

Throw out any and all air freshers, plug-ins, and candles today!  See why here.

Processed foods have long been linked to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease due to their high amounts of sodium, fat, sugar, and additives like artificial flavors or colors. But what many people don’t realize is that these processed foods also contain hidden toxins like glyphosate which is a weed killer used on genetically engineered crops like corn or soybeans—ingredients found in many processed snacks and meals! Glyphosate has been linked to kidney disease as well as cancer so it's important to read labels carefully when buying food items at the store (or better yet—opt for fresh veggies and other whole foods that do't have a long ingredient list!!).  

No matter where we turn these days it seems like the environment is loaded with toxins that can harm us both physically and mentally; however by making small changes in our everyday lifestyle choices we can reduce our exposure to toxins significantly! Avoiding personal care products with known irritants such as sulfates or parabens; using natural cleaning supplies like Thieves Household Cleaner, vinegar, borax, or baking soda; reading labels carefully when purchasing food items; opting for fresh (organic) produce over processed snacks—these simple adjustments will help keep inflammation at bay while still allowing us to enjoy life's little luxuries! By taking an active role in managing our exposure to environmental toxins we can all make a difference in reducing inflammation in ourselves as well as future generations!

Part 1, Part 2  

As moms, we all want to be our best selves – physically, mentally, and emotionally. But sometimes it can be a challenge to stay motivated when it comes to physical goals. After all, taking care of a family doesn't leave much time for self-care! That’s why I’ve put together this list of physical goals that will help you maintain your holistic lifestyle while also improving your overall health and wellness. 

You don’t need to hit the gym in order to reap the benefits of physical activity. There are plenty of ways that you can get moving - some without even breaking a sweat! Take some time each day to do yoga or Pilates, dig around in your garden, or go for a walk around the neighborhood with your family. If you are ready to break a sweat, taking classes is one way to get your workout in- spinning, Zumba, or HIIT are all great!  But once again, gyms are not necessary; take a bike ride with your kids around your neighborhood, run around the park, or use YouTube or other videos to pick whatever workout you like.  It’s important to remember that any kind of movement is beneficial – so don’t be afraid to try something new or get your family moving with you! We all know that kids sleep better when they get exercise, too!  Make this a SMART goal by being specific about what you will do, when you will do it and how much time you will spend doing it.  

Eat Well and Hydrate 

Physical health isn't just about exercising – it's also about what you put into your body! Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants especially from lots of fruits & vegetables, lean proteins (especially from beans, nuts & seeds), healthy fats (like avocados, nuts & seeds), and complex carbohydrates(from vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains) is essential for maintaining energy levels throughout the day. Dumping the empty calories and junk food food will go a long way to helping you feel your best.  Additionally, make sure that you're staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. If plain water gets too boring for you, try adding some fresh organic fruit slices, herbs like mint or basil, or these vitality drops for natural flavor!  Make this a SMART goal by being specific about what you will/will not consume, how much, what times, with who, etc. 

Finally, one of the most important components of physical health is taking time for yourself. This could mean scheduling an hour out of your week for yoga classes or even just taking twenty minutes out of your day for a relaxing hot bath. Taking time away from work and family responsibilities will allow you to recharge both mentally and physically so that you can take on each day with energy and enthusiasm.  Sometimes this seems impossible with everything on your plate, so get your family, and especially your spouse, on board so they can help you get some time for yourself on a regular basis.  Make this a SMART goal by being specific about what you will do, when, with who, who will help you, etc. 

As holistic moms, it's important to remain mindful of our physical health as well as our mental well-being. I know how hard it can be at some stages of motherhood, but it is do-able and necessary to prevent burnout. By setting achievable physical goals such as getting moving, eating well and staying hydrated, and taking time for yourself each day – even if it's just 10-20 minutes – you'll be able to maintain your holistic lifestyle while also improving your overall health and wellness. Try implementing these tips today – your body will thank you later!

Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8

As a holistic, natural mom, I am always looking for the best ways to stay healthy.  One of those ways is to do allergy and food sensitivity tests to determine what foods my body can handle. Recently, I found the Check My Body Health Food Sensitivities Test and was pleasantly surprised with the results. This review will break down why I found this test to be incredibly helpful in determining my food sensitivities. 

The Check My Body Health Food Sensitivities Test analyzes you for up to 970 different food sensitivities. It’s simple and easy - all you have to do is take a small sample of your hair and send it in for analysis.  No bloodwork necessary! One thing to note is that nothing is sent to you in the mail.  Your emailed receipt contains instructions on how to collect your sample and package it, a code that is specific to you, and a submission form that needs to be filled out.  I missed that the first time I ordered and didn't discover it until weeks later.  

Once you send in your sample, the test results come back within 2 weeks by email. After receiving my results, I was able to determine which foods my body could tolerate and which ones I should avoid due to possible sensitivity reactions such as bloating, fatigue, digestive discomfort, headache, or joint pain. And it was accurate!  I have several foods that I know I react to, but which never came up when testing for allergies.  These foods were all marked as highly sensitive for me!

This test worked well to give me an accurate assessment of how my body responds to certain types of food. It also provided me with personalized information about which foods are best for my individual needs based on my specific results. This was incredibly helpful in creating a diet that works for me without having to take any unnecessary risks when it comes to eating certain foods.  While I had already eliminated most of the foods I knew I reacted to, there were a few that were a surprise to me.  So I am removing those as well.

I was also happy with the customer service aspect of the company. They were very responsive and answered all of my questions quickly and effectively, which made the process even easier and more enjoyable than expected!                                   

Overall, I would highly recommend the Check My Body Health Food Sensitivities Test if you are looking for an easy way to determine what foods your body can tolerate while avoiding any potential risks associated with eating certain foods that may cause adverse reactions in your body. With its simple process and personalized results, you can create a diet plan tailored specifically towards your individual needs! Plus, their customer service team is top-notch!

Stay tuned for my kid's results!  I just ordered more tests for them! 

As holistic health advocates, we know how important it is to cleanse the body systems – not just the intestines and liver but all cells in the body. As moms, we understand that our bodies are constantly under attack from environmental pollutants, chemicals, processed foods and much more. But what exactly does cleansing involve? And why do we need to do it? Let's explore the answers to these questions and look at the importance of detoxification. 

The What: Cleaning your body systems means removing toxins from your body and giving your vital organs a break from their daily workload. This includes focusing on cleansing your gut by removing unhealthy bacteria or parasites that cause digestive issues, as well as providing support for your liver so it can process toxins efficiently. It may also involve nourishing your cells with essential nutrients like antioxidants or omega-3 fatty acids to help them function properly. 

 

The Why: Detoxifying is necessary because our bodies can become overwhelmed with toxins due to our environment and lifestyle choices. Toxins can come from many sources such as pollution, pesticides, drugs (both prescription and recreational), processed foods, alcohol consumption and more. These toxins build up in our organs over time and can have an impact on our overall health and wellbeing if left unchecked. Regular detoxification helps reduce this accumulation of toxins so you can feel better both physically and mentally. 

  

The How: Different methods are available for helping cleanse your body systems depending on which system you want to focus on (intestines, liver etc). For example, some people may choose supplements like NingXia Red which contains powerful antioxidants that help protect cells against oxidative damage caused by free radicals, Comfortone which supports digestive health and wellness, Detoxyme which contains powerful enzymes that help complete digestion, detoxify the body, and promote cleansing, DiGize which  contains antioxidants and supports the digestive system, ICP Daily maintains a healthy gut microbiome,  aids the body's natural detoxification process, promotes healthy probiotics in the gut, and helps you feel full longer, and Parafree which has powerful cleansing abilities that support the digestion and gut health.  Additional methods enhance the process, like intermittent fasting or juice cleanses which involve abstaining from certain foods while consuming only juices or smoothies for a period of time, and alternative therapies such as acupuncture or massage therapy which promote relaxation while also helping remove toxins through perspiration. Ultimately, the best way to cleanse will depend on individual needs and preferences so it’s important to find what works best for you!   Find a bundle of these supplements here.

    

Holistic moms understand how important cleansing is for maintaining good health in today’s toxic world. By understanding both the ‘what’ (what is involved in cleaning) , ‘why’ (why detox is necessary) ,and ‘how’ (how to go about it) of cleansing our body systems we are able make informed decisions about how best to keep ourselves healthy - naturally! Whether it be supplements like NingXia Red or alternative therapies like acupuncture or massage therapy - having an arsenal of tools at hand makes us better equipped with knowledge when deciding how best to take care of ourselves holistically!