Essentials for Great Health
Turmeric Tea with Antioxidants | This turmeric tea recipe may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Two herbs touted for their therapeutic benefits are ginger and turmeric. Both of these naturally growing roots may have anti-inflammatory properties and many other benefits according to the Mayo Clinic.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… so don’t get sick. As winter approaches, so does the tide of sickness that always seems to come with it – sore throats, runny noses, coughs, and all that fun stuff…
Although this season’s sickness may seem inevitable, I’ve got five awesome tips to keep you healthy all winter long. Fall and winter are my very favorite seasons, and there’s nothing worse than being stuck in bed when outside is fresh, cool, and crisp. This is the time for coffee, thick sweaters, candles, music, and family get-togethers. You don’t want to be sick when their’s such festivity in the air. However, a weather change tends to weaken our immunity, so it’s extra important to be taking care of yourself. Here are 5 ways to stay well in winter.
Although taking vitamins is one of those obvious things that you should do to prevent sickness, I’ll still mention it because it’s important. However, some of us just hate (some of us actually can’t) swallow pills. If you are in this category, and even if you aren’t this still works amazingly well. You may just want to try using using this Heavenly Greens powder. Paired with the other tips I’ve already mentioned, you’ll have an edge over that oncoming wave of sickness that gets us every year.
There’s more to flat abs than exercise. You can do crunches till the cows come home and you still won’t have a six pack – you need to have a clean diet. Today we’re giving you the low-down on the best foods to eat for flat abs.
Now I have to ask, is anyone else a workout fanatic? I crave exercise and love getting in my sweat sesh. However, I’m not really seeing the results that I want. Have you ever felt like that? You’re working hard and you’re still like – “Where are my abs?”
I know that I tend to put way more focus on my workouts than my diet, and while I may be getting stronger, I’m not necessarily getting leaner. I was thinking about this the other day and had to analyze what results I wanted and how I could achieve them. Did you know the formula for a beautiful and healthy body is 80% nutrition, 10% exercise, and 10% genetics? I first read about this in the book, The Eat Clean Diet Recharged. It really breaks down the whys and hows of eating clean and I highly recommend it.
This formula makes it pretty clear that our diets are sooo important. If you want to slim down and lose that excess fat, then you need to eat the proper foods. What might those foods be? I’m so glad you asked… 🙂 I’m going to share with you the best foods to eat for flat abs and the ultimate flat ab food combos!
Apples are a great source of fiber and are nearly 85% water which helps you feel full. Ditch the chips and instead grab an apple for a snack. Your body will thank you.
Have you noticed that oatmeal makes an appearance on practically every slim down meal plan, or bikini competition diet? Why do you think that is? Yup. This is another flat ab super star. Don’t be avoiding this carb, it’s one of the best foods to eat for flat abs. Oatmeal helps maintain blood sugar levels and is full of fiber.
Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries… you want to fill up on these sweet things. Berries are full of fiber (are you noticing a trend?) and antioxidants. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a handful of berries and you’ll be well on your way to toned abs.
High in monounsaturated fat, fiber, protein, and magnesium, almonds are perfect for an afternoon snack. Healthy fats are essential for your body to function properly and help you feel full longer. Make sure you choose raw, unsalted almonds, and not that salty or sugar-coated stuff. Just be sure to measure out a serving and not snack on the entire bag. If you’re constantly on-the-go, I’d recommend these pre-portioned almond snack bags.
Veggies are important, especially dark leafy greens. Make sure you’re filling up on spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, and other leafy greens. These nutrient rich foods are some of the best foods to eat for flat abs. Try including veggies in as many meals as possible.
This lean protein is full of omega-3 fatty acids which help boost your metabolism so your body can burn fat faster and more efficiently.
Lemon does more than add flavor to your water, it also help detoxify your body and aids in digestion. Add some lemon slices or a squeeze of lemon to your water to reap amazing benefits.
This superfood has been in the spotlight for a reason. Quinoa is packed with protein and full of fiber. It’s an amazing grain that can help combat belly fat. Pair quinoa with your salads or alongside lean meats for a nutrient-dense meal. It can be a bit pricey if you’re buying it at your grocery store, but I’ve found that buying it online is a lot less expensive.
Instead of snacking on artificially flavored, sugar-loaded yogurts, choose a yogurt that’s good for you. Greek yogurt is a great source of probiotics that fights fat storage and prevent bloat.
Aren’t you glad peanut butter is included in a list of foods to eat for flat abs? Yeah… we had to save the best for last. 🙂 Peanut butter is not only ridiculously delicious, it’s also amazingly good for you. Just be sure to choose an all-natural peanut butter that doesn’t contain any added sugar.
These foods are amazing on their own, so just imagine the benefits when you pair them up! Here are a few ideas for flat ab food combos. These are some delicious ways you can use these ingredients to make flat belly meals to enjoy.
Have fun mixing and matching to create your own flat belly food combos. Also, if you enjoyed this post and found it insightful, would you please share it? We would so greatly appreciate it. Did you like learning how to achieve flat abs? Be sure to comment below and let us know what other topics you want us to cover. We look forward to hearing from you!
Question of the day: What is your favorite food to eat for flat abs?
So you want to know how to become a morning person? I think I can help. While I do enjoy my sleep, I also love the peacefulness of early mornings. Mornings are a prime time for productivity. I truly believe that mornings are the most important time of day, and if you lose those first few hours, you’re missing out on precious moments.
Don’t get me wrong, sleep is important, but since we’re already spending about 25 years of our life sleeping, I don’t think we want to spend any unnecessary time in bed. This is a subject I love to talk about, and I am so excited to share my best tips on how to become a morning person – because yes, you can become one. 😉
We are creatures of habit. If you want to know how to become a morning person, the first step is to change your habits. Establish a morning routine that you’ll look forward to each day. I always look forward to my cup of coffee and time spent in the Word. What is something you look forward to? If it’s not coffee, then how about some herbal teas, and meditation. Create a peaceful atmosphere so that you can wake up energized and not frustrated or annoyed. I recommend lighting some scented candles or turning on your essential oil diffuser when you wake up. Have your cup out and ready to be filled with your favorite hot beverage. Whatever it is, establish a morning ritual that will have you excited to wake up in the morning.
This ties in with having a morning ritual. You want to be prepared for the day, so I recommend laying out your outfit or workout clothes the night before. If you’ll be reading or writing as part of your morning ritual, place your journal and Bible on your nightstand. I also like writing a list of to-do’s in my planner, but a simple list is really effective as well. I feel like writing out what I need to do the night before gives me more clarity of purpose for my day.There’s nothing like being prepared and being able to wake up peacefully. It’s no fun to be scrambling out of bed and trying to clear that brain fog so you can figure out what you need to do.
I have trained myself to drink water first thing in the morning, and now it’s just automatic. I drink at least 16 ounces of water every morning. I can’t eat or drink anything else until I have my water. It is so refreshing and really helps your body to wake up. If getting up early is a struggle for you, try drinking a glass of water right away. It will clear your mind and give you a boost of energy.
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
Yeah, that’s no fun to wake up to. Why don’t you trade that obnoxious alarm for some upbeat music? This is a fun tip for how to become a morning person. I always wake up in a much better mood when my alarm is “Good Morning” or another of my favorite songs. Use your phone to set an alarm that you’ll actually want to hear in the morning. If you prefer a more gentle tune, you can do that to. Listening to upbeat music in the morning can make you feel more energized to get your workout in and really just do what you need to.
This is probably the most simple tip for how to become a morning person. Move your alarm clock from your nightstand. Even if your alarm is your phone, you still need to put it some distance from your bed. You don’t want the snooze button within your arms reach. Trust me, you are way more likely to actually get up if your alarm clock is not so conveniently close by. You should have to get out of bed to turn off your alarm. And once your already up, you might as well stay up!
So there you have all my best tips for how to become a morning person. These are all methods that I have personally tried and found super effective. I used to be way more of a morning person than I am now, and I am having to use my own advice to get back into the habit of waking up early.
I hope you found these tips helpful, and I would love to hear your tips for getting up in the morning. I also want to mention that it is definitely hard to wake up early if you’re going to bed late or not sleeping well, so check out my post on how to sleep better tonight. And… I would really appreciate it if you would take a moment to share this post on either Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or all of them. Thanks! 🙂
Questions of the Day: Are you an early-bird or a night-owl? What’s your best tip for waking up early?
Do you want to know how to accomplish any goal in life? The first step is to set SMART goals. The next step, is to establish certain habits and practices that will set you up for success.
I have found that these steps are crucial for achieving my goals, and I wanted to share them with you. I hope you find these tips helpful, and please comment below with your best tips for achieving your goals.
This is so much fun to make and really inspiring. Creating a vision board is a great weekend project to do with your friends. Once you know what your goals are, create a collage of quotes and pictures that align with your dreams and motivate you to work for them. This can be used for fitness goals, career goals, spiritual or relational goals. I recommend buying some poster board and cutting out pictures or quotes from magazines. You can put this board up on your wall to inspire you every time you see it. Alternatively, you could just cover your room with framed quotes, pictures, and all sorts of motivation. The main idea is to surround yourself with reminders and inspiration.
Write it down and make it happen. I love writing, so this is my favorite step to achieving my goals. It’s so important to write down our goals and studies show that the act of writing actually increases your effectiveness and likelihood of success. You want to know how to accomplish any goal in life? Write it down.
Use your journal to write out your goals, and record the goals which you have achieved. I always find the best journals/notebooks at Walgreens, Target, and Ross. I’ve come to realize that the cuter the journal, the more inspiration I have to write in it. You can also find some awesome journals on Amazon. I particularly loved these two, so I’m sharing those links with you. Above is the Eccolo World Traveler Journal and below is the Faith, Hope, and Love Journal from Studio Oh.
I also want to mention that your goals may change a bit over time. Take note of those changes in your journal and use it to update your goals. It’s really neat to look back at your journal and see all you’ve accomplish and the ways in which you’ve grown.
As I mentioned in the 5 Tactics for Setting SMART Fitness Goals, accountability is key to success. Sometimes you just aren’t motivated to go to the gym, or make healthy choices when you’re eating out. That’s when a friend is so valuable. Recruit your best friend or a close family member to be your partner. This will make reaching your goals much more doable and… it’ll probably be more fun.
Sometimes, rewarding ourselves isn’t something we really think to do. We focus so much on working towards our goals and we don’t celebrate the small victories. If you’re trying to lose 20 pounds, remember to reward yourself for your achievements. Keep in mind, that you don’t just have to reward yourself with food. Think of things you enjoy doing or special items you’ve been wanting. When you lose 5 or 10 pounds, maybe you buy yourself a new workout outfit, or spend a day at the beach, or go camping with friends. It’s best to find rewards that still align with your goals. When you reach your ultimate goal, it will definitely be an occasion for celebrating, but in the meantime, reward yourself for your smaller success. Those count too.
We’re not perfect people and we will make mistakes. There will be times when you fall off the wagon, get discouraged, or don’t see the results that you want. I just want to encourage you to be patient. Achieving goals takes time and dedication. If you truly want it, keep going even when you don’t see the results. Know that in time you will achieve your dreams if you truly believe. Don’t give up. And remember… the struggle is what makes the reward so sweet.
Question of the Day: What’s your best tip for achieving goals?
Happy First Day of Fall!
I thought we would celebrate the beginning of my favorite season with one of my favorite topics – goals. I’m going to share with you 5 tactics for setting smart fitness goals.
We tend to focus on goal-setting when a new year is approaching, but goals are something we should constantly be evaluating and reflecting on. As we begin this new season, I encourage you to review the goals you set at the beginning of the year, and perhaps set some new goals specific to this time of year.
When you’re setting goals, you need to be as specific as possible. If you want to increase your running speed or lose some weight, you need to get into detail. Instead of saying, “My goal is to be a faster runner,” say, “My goal is to run a mile in 5 minutes.” Your aim should be to set goals that are as clear as possible. Anyone can day dream, but when you know exactly what you want and work towards it, that makes you unique.
One of my favorite tactics for setting smart fitness goals, is to make my goals measurable. I’ve definitely learned from experience that if my goals are not measurable, I will become discouraged and give up. Don’t just say your goals, write them down. If you are specific and know what it is that you want to achieve, it will be easy to measure your goals. Continuing from our previous example, if you want to run a 5 minute mile, then you should have a notebook or journal where you can record your running time to see how you are improving. Making goals measurable is definitely important for them to be effective.
I can confidently say, that being accountable for your goals practically guarantees you will achieve them. Of these 5 tactics for setting smart fitness goals, this is one you don’t want to miss. It is so important to have an accountability partner. When I was trying to lose weight on my own, it was definitely more challenging then when my sister and I partnered up and supported each other. If you can entrust a friend or a group of friends to join you or just be your accountability, you will be much more likely to succeed.
Have you seen that quote that says, “Find your limits and push them.”?
While I definitely agree with this, I also think that when setting goals you need to be very careful. Dream big, but don’t defeat yourself. Realize that you need to stretch yourself and grow, but be realistic. If your ultimate goal is to be the fastest runner in history… that’s awesome! But you might not achieve that in a month… or even a year. By setting smaller, more realistic goals, you’ll continue to be motivated by your continuous victories. Personally, when I’ve tried losing weight and made it my goal to lose maybe 5-10 pounds, that was a lot more challenging than setting a goal to lose 1 pound each week. It may seem small, but it adds up and eventually I accomplished my ultimate goal.
If a goal without a plan is just a wish, then a goal without a deadline is nothing but a dream. Deadlines. I know, it’s a word many people may cringe at. It seems like most people have issues with time constraints. But the truth is… we need them. Setting goals that are time-bound is crucial. If you only remember on of the 5 tactics to setting smart fitness goals, this is the one I want you to remember. Make your goals time-bound. As I said before, without a deadline your goal is just a dream. It far too easy to keep blowing it off if you don’t have a specific time in mind. “Yeah… my goal this year is to lose 20 pounds.” That’s great, but when this year? By the end of the year or by summer? Give yourself a time. It’s good for you to feel the pressure and know that you are working towards something.
Alright, now that you know the 5 tactics for setting smart fitness goals, it’s time to go set them! I have a lot of goals, but right now I really want to increase my flexibility and be able to do a split again. I lost that ability and I am determined to get it back! Now it’s your turn. I want to hear what your goals are! Be sure to comment below with your #1 fitness goal.
What is a balanced diet? I think there can be a lot of confusion about what a balanced diet really is, and today I want to clear up any misunderstandings you might have. If this is what you think a balanced diet is, we have much to discuss. 😉
In all seriousness though, trying to eat more veggies can be a struggle. Let’s be honest, there are so many yummy foods that I’d rather eat. Nachos, hot dogs, ice cream… just to name a few. And it looks like I’m not the only one, because studies show that most Americans are choosing all those “tasty” foods rather than the fruits and vegetables that we need. After a while, all that junk food starts to mess with our body. Eating too much processed food is really, really bad for you. Pizza and burgers don’t give your body the nutrients it needs to function well, but it can thrive if you maintain a balanced diet.
At this point you’re probably wondering, “What is a balanced diet anyway?”
A balanced diet might sound like some scientific term, but in reality it’s nothing more than eating enough veggies, fruits, carbohydrates, and meats. Think back to your school years. Remember this chart?
Some of you might be cringing just thinking about what this means for you. No more ice cream, burgers, cakes, and all that stuff you love.
Hold up. That’s an extreme mentality which in the end will probably lead to binging or other bad habits. Just because you have a balanced diet doesn’t mean that you can’t have any of those foods you enjoy. A balanced diet simply means that the majority of your diet is whole, clean foods that keep your body healthy and well-functioning. If you are eating healthy food 80-90% of the time, then you can indulge in the treats you enjoy the other 10-20%. It’s all about balance.
Focus on nourishing your body and occasionally treating yourself, this is the key to long-lasting health. If we live in a constant state of deprivation, then we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and failure. It’s unrealistic to say that you’ll never eat sweets again. Instead aim to enjoy a small treat once or twice a week rather than every day. In a nutshell, a balanced diet is simply consuming more healthy food than unhealthy food.
One of the best ways to have a balanced diet is to meal-prep. Meal-prepping is simply preparing foods for the week on the weekends. Make some snacks and meals on Sunday that you can have throughout the week. I love prepping healthy food for the week and packing it up in containers.
This makes it really convenient for taking your meals to work, school, or anywhere else you have to go. If there are healthy options on hand, then you’re more likely to make good choices. It’s a great way to stick to healthy eating because you don’t have to spend time cooking every day. Set yourself up for success by preparing healthy foods for each week.
Another great way to maintain a balanced diet is to eat more frequently. What? Yes. When you’re eating “clean,” you get to eat more food – just the right kind of food. Eating smaller meals more frequently keeps your metabolism revved up all day long- which means your burning off the food you consume much quicker. Also, by eating more frequently, you can incorporate a greater variety of the foods you need, such as: nuts, fruits, veggies, etc. In the long run, it is a super effective way to eat clean for good. If you’re interested in learning more about “eating clean” and maintaining a balanced diet, check out The Eat Clean Diet Recharged. It was the first “health” book I read and really got me excited about health/fitness and made it all seem so simple. I definitely recommend this book if you’re new to the concept of eating clean, or want to refresh yourself with the basics.
And finally, replace your “bad” meals with healthy alternatives. There are so many recipes out there that provide you with delicious replacements for the foods you love! Just because your craving cookies doesn’t mean you have to “cheat” and eat the store-bought kind. Be creative and whip up your very batch of cookies. My go-to source for healthy (but you don’t know it) treats is Chocolate Covered Katie.
Her recipes never disappoint and never leave me feeling guilty. If you’re like me and have a serious sweet-tooth, then you need to get her cookbook. It’s awesome.
Remember, don’t be restricted by food, but relish in experimenting with new flavors, trying new things, and make your healthy-living journey an adventure.
Late nights don’t treat you right. You need SLEEP. If you’re struggling to get your Zzz’s in, then check out these 3 tips to sleep better tonight.
Did you know that your body needs sleep? Shocking, right? You’d think that lying down and watching T.V. would be enough rest but… nope. You actually need to be sleeping for your body to fully rest and recover. 😉 I know I’m not the only one who sacrifices my sleep just to scroll through my Instagram feed, right? Maybe in your case it’s not Instagram that’s getting to you, maybe it’s Netflix or Facebook. I know it can be hard to disconnect from technology, but… it’s also hard to drag yourself out of bed in the morning when you’re running on only three hours of sleep.
Let’s face it. Coffee might give us a boost, but in the long run we need more than just a few shots of espresso to keep us going. We need to get more sleep. I know this is easier said than done, but the key to change is developing new habits. Let’s take a look at these 3 tips to sleep better tonight.
Like I said, it’s hard to go to sleep when your Instagram or Twitter feed is always going off. It’s been proven that electronics (cell phones, computers, etc.) cause so many of us to lose those precious sleeping hours, so turn off your electronics before bed and see how your sleeping improves. Also, if you want to take this a step further, set a certain time that you just unplug. Maybe by 9:00 P.M. your phone, laptop, tablet, or any other devices you have are put away. Instead of falling asleep watching YouTube videos, purpose to disconnect and reflect on your day. Spend time in meditation, prayer, reading, or journaling. These are much better ways to prepare for bed.
It’s hard falling asleep when there are lights on. To maximize your time of sleep, try to make the room as dark as possible. Make yourself fall asleep more quickly and get a deeper sleep by wearing a sleeping mask. You can also shut your bedroom door, close the blinds, and cover any irritating lights. I always turn my alarm clock to face the wall because the light really bothers me. 😉 Personally, of all 3 tips to sleep better tonight, this is the most important one to me.
The last of these 3 tips to sleep better tonight, is one of my favorites. Feeling snug and cozy is one of the best things on this planet. There’s nothing else like a comfortable bed after a long day. When you’re getting ready to go to sleep, lower the temperature in your bedroom to make it cooler. Temperature affects your sleep, so try to keep your room cooled at night by setting your air conditioner to 60°-65°F.
Once you’ve got the temperature down, make your bed as comfortable as possible. Use clean, soft sheets at night, to help yourself wind down and get mentally prepared to sleep.
It has been a proven fact that using certain scents at night help you to sleep deeply and wake up rested. Lighting candles or incense may greatly help you to sleep better. One of the best scents to use is lavender, which has been tested to greatly increase relaxation. However, if you’re concerned about leaving candles lit at night, use an essential oil diffuser instead. I need to get one of these for myself! I went over to my friend’s house the other day and her house smelled amazing. She had a lemon essential oil in her diffuser and it was so refreshing. She also told me that essential oils are supposed to kill bacteria, so they’re great to diffuse during the fall/winter months, or whenever a sickness is going around. It’s amazing how simple it is to use, and in the long run it’s probably a better bargain than buying candles and incense since the essential oils last quite a while. Diffusers can range in price from around $20.00 – $80.00. I can’t personally vouch for a specific diffuser, but the Young Living diffuser is the one my friend uses, and she loves it.
There you have it! These 3 Tips to Sleep Better Tonight should help you sleep better and feel rested. If you found this post helpful, would you please share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or anywhere you want. 😉
Question of the Day: What is your best tip for sleeping better?
Staying active and healthy in summer is easy, but I’m sure a lot of you are wondering how to stay healthy in school. In summer you have the freedom to workout whenever you want to and cook healthy meals for yourself. It can be challenging to stay healthy in school if you don’t have a plan. That’s why I’m sharing with you 5 tips for preparing for the school year. If you want to know how to stay healthy in school, read on, because I’m sharing my best tips.
I know you’ve heard it time and time again, but don’t underestimate the power of a healthy breakfast.
A healthy breakfast will wake up your brain, rev up your metabolism, and give you energy for the day. You’ll need to fuel your body with a nutritious meal so you can function well at school. Skip the donuts, pop tarts, and sugar-filled cereal. These may seem like convenient breakfasts for your busy morning, but they won’t do your body any good. Instead choose lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. My favorite breakfast is protein pancakes. I love making a batch on the weekends and having pancakes for the entire week. I use the MRM All Natural Whey Vanilla protein powder. It’s perfect for making fluffy and deliciously satisfying pancakes. I’ll be sharing this recipe soon. Also, if you’d like some simple and healthy breakfast ides, comment below and we’ll share our favorite easy recipes with you in our next post.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
A lot of people wonder how to stay healthy in school with such busy schedules, but I promise you it is possible. I admit that eating clean can be extremely difficult if you are not prepared. That’s why it’s so important to meal prep on the weekends. Get into the habit of preparing healthy lunches and snacks for your week. They don’t need to be complicated, but having healthy options available increases the likelihood that you’ll make good choices when it’s time to eat.
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
One of the most crucial elements of a healthy body is water. A large percentage of your body is water, and it is essential that you drink it often. Water flushes out toxins, boosts energy, and improves mental clarity. It’s also necessary for life, so if you don’t drink water you will die. (Just so you know…) 😉
Make sure you are drinking water all day long. Start your morning with a large glass of water, and keep a bottle with you throughout the day.
If you participate in a school sport, then you’re already getting your exercise. However, if you’re not involved in a sport, you want to be sure to schedule your workouts. Just like you attend a certain class at a specific time, schedule your workouts the same way. You have to make exercise a priority. You might not have much time, but do what you can and aim to workout at least three times a week. If you can wake up 30 minutes earlier and do a quick workout, that’s great. If not, plan to exercise after school. Consider it part of your homework. 🙂
Personally, I have to write down my workouts or else I just can’t do anything. I don’t know why, but actually seeing what I have to do, or writing down each exercise as I accomplish it is the only way I can function. I love shopping for cute notebooks to record my fitness progress, but if you want something already laid out for you, the Fitbook is a compact and easy to use planner.
You work hard all week and then the weekend comes and you’re cramming to finish homework, studying for tests, or trying to escape it all and party the days away. Maintaining a healthy balance between work and play is so important. You need to give your body time to rest and refresh. You can’t go non-stop. Do your best to lay-low on the weekends and give yourself a break. Whether that means sleeping in, going for a walk, spending the day at the beach, or just lying in your backyard. Take time to just be still and do nothing. Quiet times are so refreshing and help prepare you for the week ahead.
I know school can be overwhelming at times. I remember the days when I would be up late studying and spending hours on homework. Taking care of my body wasn’t high on my list of priorities. However, when I purposed to get my workouts in and make healthy choices, I felt so much better and honestly – I did better in school. Remember that success starts with a healthy body and mind.
If you found these tips for how to stay healthy in school helpful, please remember to share this post. Also, we want to know, what are your best tips for staying healthy in school?
Since we all agree that being sick is just not fun, today I’m sharing these 5 ways to fight sickness. When cold and flu season starts making its way around I find it very necessary to gear up and gather my best immune system protectants. It might be a little cold or a raging fever, but whatever the case may be – I don’t want it. There are a few tried and true ways that I care for my body when sickness is knocking at the door. Sometimes I get the warning a bit too late and all I can do is try to speed up my recovery time. However, if I start noticing any signs, these 5 ways to fight sickness usually guarantee I’ll be feeling fine. Care to know what they are?
One really important thing to do all the time – and especially when fighting sickness – is to hydrate. Water is crucial for your body to function properly. When you’re getting sick it is important to drink up. You need to flush out toxins and make sure your body is ready to fight those germs that are trying to invade your system! I try to drink a gallon of water every day, but you want to drink at least half your body weight in ounces. I always keep my Contigo water bottle close by so I can get all the water I need. I love that these water bottles are so durable (I have broken many water bottles in my lifetime) and hold so much water. My current favorite is this one.
Apple Cider Vinegar is amazing. Whether or not your are trying to avoid illness, vinegar has so many health benefits. When I am trying to fend of any sickness, I make sure to add a tablespoon or two in my water. Drinking apple cider vinegar throughout the day is an amazing way to help strengthen your immune system! I can personally vouch for this brand as it is the best quality apple cider vinegar I have ever used. Also, many respected leaders in the health industry recommend the Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar. I’ve been using it for years and love it!
I am completely amazed by colloidal silver. I have used it time and time again, and it just continues to impress me. It’s awesome because it is antiviral and antibacterial. A few drops straight into your mouth can help fight sickness. A few drops into a plugged ear can help clear it up. A few drops into your nostrils can help with congestion and even sore throats. I promise you, this is one of the best ways to fight sickness. I feel like a lot of people don’t know the power of colloidal silver. If you’ve never tried colloidal silver before, I highly recommend the Sovereign Silver. I always get this 16 oz. bottle and use a dropper to take it. Out of these 5 steps to fight sickness, colloidal silver might be the most unknown… and most effective.
Garlic is one herb that will definitely aid in the prevention of any sickness. When anyone was getting sick in our house my dad would always roast a few heads of garlic for everyone. It really helped keep us from getting sick… and was really delicious. If you want the recipe just let me know. 😉 Garlic is a great immunity booster. So whether you are trying to stay healthy or recover faster, adding a bit of garlic to your diet is really important. An easy way to make sure you are getting the benefits of garlic without getting your hands dirty, is to take garlic supplements. Nothing can beat the real thing, but if you just don’t like garlic, these supplements are a great way to stay on top of your game. The Natures Bounty Odorless Garlic is my personal favorite.
This last point should be a given. Over exertion can lead to a weaker immune system. Get your sleep, eat well, and treat your body right- it will be for your benefit in the end. Adequate rest is beneficial in so many ways, but it will definitely help you recover faster. I know that when I am sick – or trying to prevent getting sick – I sleep a lot. Rest is essential for a healthy body.
Well, there you have it. These 5 ways to fight sickness are my best methods for staying well and preventing anything that’s trying to get me. I know I recommended quite a few products, but this is not a sponsored post. 🙂 I just really love all of these brands and this is what I personally use. I hope you found this helpful and next time you’re feeling sick, give these tips a try.