Tag: health goals

Wellness Trends to Look For in 2018

I had a major crush on this boy that was way into Tai Chi and who (spoiler alert) turned out to be a totally self important tool bag. Considering he was so wrong about so many things, I started to firmly believe that Tai Chi is ridiculous because, ya know, there’s no “I” in denial. But with the new year comes the opportunity to restart, rejuvenate, and reinvent yourself. Even though I’ve come to see the practice of Tai Chi as a reliable red flag as any, this new year is already telling me otherwise. Tai Chi classes have already started making their way into a gym or park near you. Alas, this low impact exercise is perfect for reducing stress and creating calm in both mind and body. Still bitter. I probably need to work on that. Wellness is all about mind, body, and soul, right? So, what else is 2018 bringing into the world of wellness? Here are just a few things that we’ll be seeing more of this year.

Indoor Air Purification

As world leaders continue to compare missile sizes, and pretty severe weather patterns are devastating entire regions, we can’t help but notice environmental effects on our overall sense of wellness. Clean water has been a concern for decades, but this year, expect to see more talk about indoor air purification.

After you painstakingly planned your diet and really got yourself into a successful workout routine, breathing in the comfort of your own home should be a no-brainer. Sadly, dust, mold, and other pollutants have been putting a strain on that otherwise quiet existence for some time now. Searches for air purifiers and air purifying household plants have already increased by nearly 300% and we’ve only just begun.

Fortunately, there are some pretty awesome air purifiers available on amazon. For larger spaces in your home, this tower-style HEPA air purifier with a charcoal filter is a workhorse, clearing the air of allergens and odor from pets and smoke. For smaller spaces, like your bedroom nightstand, this cute purifier will filter out 99% of the allergens in the air. Best part, they’re extremely affordable.

The Importance of Self Care

Mindfulness in meditation has been trending for a while now. The idea is to be present in the moment and gradually let go of the thoughts that produce anxiety and adversely affect our mental well being. This trend is going to have some company this year as self-care becomes more and more important. Whether the emphasis is on caring for your body through restorative post workout stretches or snacks (Huel and Althletic Greens have been my saving grace), getting enough sleep, or slipping away into a spa-like bath, the principle of self care is no longer a luxury. This year, it’s a necessity.

 Well + Good predicts…

From athletic gear, to women’s health, to brain-boosting supplements, to craft Kombucha elixirs, to gut health, and beyond. Those trailblazing folks over at Well+Good have rounded up their Top 18 Trends of 2018. It’s so worth the read. I don’t know about you, but bio-hacking and high-tech sleep sound uh-mazing!

2 Yogis You Need to Follow on Instagram

2 Yogis You NEED to Follow on Instagram

I made a promise to myself at the beginning of this year that I would do yoga, no matter what, every single day. I’m proud to report that 11 months later, I’ve actually stayed true to that promise. I can’t say that it hasn’t been difficult. I had to overcome some stumbling blocks along the way. I had a pretty bad cold earlier in the year, I traveled quite a bit, and other times I was just plain exhausted. Even still, I managed to squeeze in at least 15 minutes to an hour of yoga everyday and I’m so glad that I did!

From time to time I need a little motivation. It just takes a little bit of inspiration to spark a fire in you that burns bright and makes you not ever want to quit. I turn to Instagram in my moments of weakness (don’t judge me) and I swoon over the incredible yogis that decorate my feed. Yeah. Sometimes it’s like that for sure. I don’t know which one I love more, but Christine Hewitt and Soren Buchanan are probably my top 2/number 1 favorites.

These ladies definitely find the right balance (no pun intended) between physical fitness and showcasing the human body as an organic piece of art. I’m way into the colors and movement captured by these photos and their feeds never cease to motivate me. So if you need a little bit of inspo, just check out some of these incredible photos and join the movement. #yogaeverydamnday

Follow Christine Hewitt on Instagram:

yoga-photoyogi

Follow Soren Buchanan on Instagram:

yoga-street-art

yoga-and-street-art

 

Our Healthy Kitchen: The First Five Foods

Healthy Foods

I really like cake. Seriously. I can finish off an entire two-tiered, gooey, chocolate-y, decadent cake by myself in less than 48 hours. It’s bad, y’all. I feel like crap after it’s all gone and no matter how many cavities I get or how sick my stomach feels, I just can’t help myself. There’s good news though. I’ve discovered that if I don’t have cake in the house to “snack” on, I won’t eat it. Groundbreaking, I know.

Clean eating begins at the grocery store. The ingredients you pick up at the store are the blueprint of your diet at home. Unless you’re as determined as Harold and Kumar were to get to White Castle, whatever you have in the kitchen is what you’re going to eat. So in the spirit of new beginnings, and a healthier me, I’ve started compiling a list of some of the foods every healthy kitchen should have.

1 Yogurt

Yogurt

In a previous post, I sang the praises of yogurt. Packed with probiotics, calcium, and vitamin B-12, yogurt promotes a healthy digestive system, and in turn can improve the function of your immune system. Look for yogurts that contain live cultures. If yogurt isn’t your thing, try other fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut.

2 Honey

Honey

Refined sugar is a monster. It’s super high in calories and super low in nutritional value. Honey, on the other hand, is amazingly nutritious and extremely versatile. Not only can you sweeten up your morning tea or your afternoon salad dressing, you can also use honey as a face wash.

3 Whole Grains

Whole Grains

Protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber are just a few of the benefits of whole grains (pasta, rice, oats, quinoa, tortillas, whole grain breads). They’re easy to prepare, definitely stick to your ribs, and they have a long shelf life for storage in your pantry. Oatmeal, brown rice, tortillas, and Quinoa are rapidly becoming my favorites (it took me a while to start liking quinoa, so don’t beat yourself up if you think it’s gross).

*try making a quick tortilla wrap for lunch or dinner

4 Vegetables

Seasonal Vegetables

I guess this one goes without saying. We all NEED veggies. I try to stick to vegetables that will keep fresh in the fridge, and that will freeze well. Carrots, broccoli, avocados, and bell peppers are all pretty long lasting. Some leafy greens like kale, collard greens, and spinach last a little longer in my fridge than other salad greens do. They also freeze really well without losing their texture so much in the thawing process.

5 Fruit

Fresh Fruit

You already know I have a giant, cavity riddled sweet tooth, so if I tell you that fruit can tame my cravings, you really have to believe me. Fruit is a sweet, and insanely nutritious, alternative to all the processed sugar that I have a tendency to binge on. I like to get fruit that’s in season as much as possible, but frozen fruit is a must have for the best smoothies of your life.

This list is in no way complete. It’s a work in progress, and I need your help to flesh it out.

What are some healthy foods that you have in your kitchen? I promise that as we check on each other throughout the year, this list will grow, as will the list of tips and tricks I learn from you along the way.

*******I purposefully didn’t provide a link to the movie trailer for “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.” I think it might be a little too raunchy for some readers, and I didn’t want to force my sophmoric taste in humor on an unsuspecting population 🙂