Staff Picks for February 2015

Pick of the Month for The Healthy Juice Bar

In my experience, I have found the best way to kick-start my healthy goals is with a good, old-fashioned detox. My pick of the month from The Healthy Juice Bar is the ABC Detox smoothie, (named after three key ingredients: apples, bananas and celery). Not only is it energizing & cleansing, but more importantly, it’s delicious!

-Stephen Howe Jr, Marketing Assistant

Badger Vanilla Orchid with Citrus & Jasmine Body Oil

Badger Vanilla Orchid Body Oil smells lovely and absorbs in the skin quickly for total moisture skin care. This massage oil is perfect for those rough days where your muscles need a little TLC. There are other scents, including: Lavender, Ginger Deep Tissue, Orange, and of course, Unscented. These oils are absolutely wonderful and make great gifts. The Vanilla Orchid is blended with Pomegranate, Jojoba and Olive oils, as well as Rosehip, Seabuckthorn berry, and Calendula. Each holding their own unique purpose, this particular massage oil is meant to nourish the skin with rich antioxidants.

-CJ LaRose, Sr. Supervisor

                   

Homeopathic Cough Relief for the Whole Family

The cold, windy days are bringing colds and coughs home with the kids. My favorite product to help relieve the symptoms of chest congestion, a dry and productive cough is Chestal Honey by Boiron. The natural honey base coats and soothes the throat while it calms the cough. It’s non-drowsy and good for the whole family, ages 2 & up!

-Mona Claypoole, Director of Marketing

Snacking Chocolate

barkTHINS are ribbons of fair trade dark chocolate packed with non-GMO ingredients (think pretzels, almonds, coconut and peppermint). They're thin, snackable and perfect for whenever you want. barkTHINS are one of my personal favorites. I send these yummy treats to my kids that are away from home and they always come back with a “Thank you Mom” and a smile. 

-Mona Claypoole, Director of Marketing

Yellow Squash is here to stay!

Yellow squash has a lighter, sweeter taste than most squash. Its delicate flavor is perfect for those just starting out on squash – such as babies and young children. When cooking yellow squash, I usually peel it and slice it with garlic, add a little bit of olive oil and then roast it for 15 minutes. This simple recipe is sure to bring your friends and family back for more. Especially succulent this time of the year, get your yellow squash before it’s all gone!

-CJ LaRose, Sr. Supervisor

DIY Luscious Lip Balm

“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication” – Leonardo Da Vinci

I’ve experimented with many lip balm recipes in my DIY years. The one I find that works best, one blend of 3 base ingredients. It is so simple, yet offers itself to a multitude of variations.

My most recent concoction was a blend of Beeswax, Grapeseed Oil and Argan Butter. Argan Butter is a new ingredient for me and I wanted to test its ability to hold up in my favorite recipe. The consistency is luxurious! Blending Argan Oil and Shea Butter I found the scent was so clean that I opted to not use any essential oils.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Beeswax
1 Tbsp Body Butter (Argan, Cocoa, Mango, Shea)
1 Tbsp Carrier Oil (Coconut, Grapeseed, Sweet Almond…)
8-10 Drops Essential Oil(s), if desired


Preparation: Grate or coarsely chop the beeswax. Place beeswax, butter, and oil in a small glass bowl or measuring cup and gently heat in the top of a double boiler until melted. Once melted, remove from the stovetop and add essential oils. Immediately - and carefully - pour the mixture into lip balm containers.You can purchase lip balm tubes and containers online or reuse glass jars. Allow to cool completely before placing caps onto the containers. Yields 6-8 lip balm tubes.

-Nancy Mayne, Director of Wellness

Naturally Heart Smart

High blood pressure affects nearly 1 in 3 Americans according to the CDC. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, shortness of breath and blurred vision. High blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood against artery walls is high causing excessive pressure on the artery walls which can damage blood vessels and organs over time.

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in the arteries. The American Heart Association sites the normal blood pressure range as a systolic (upper number) of less than 120 and a diastolic (lower number) less than 80. Unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle can lead to poor cardiovascular health. Risk factors may include family history, obesity and age.

Here are some heart healthy tips:

• Good sleep habits help to reduce stress hormones which can decrease blood pressure.
• Stress reduction may lead to lower blood pressure. Strong emotions (anger, sad, frustration or anxiety) can increase blood pressure and put stress on your heart.
• Omega-3 Fish Oils can help with heart health and hypertension by helping to keep the blood vessels flexible.
• Calcium has been show to regulate the tone of the muscles lining blood vessels which can help with lower blood pressure.
• Magnesium is used in enzymatic reactions and is necessary for normal muscle function in the heart.
• CoQ10 is beneficial for heart health by helping circulatory health and supporting optimal functioning of the heart muscle. 
• Sodium can contribute to high blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends consuming less than 1,500 mg (approx. ¾ tsp) of sodium per day.
• Reduce intake of red meats. Portion sizes should include approximately 3 oz of meat.
• Weight loss can immediately help lower blood pressure.
• Regular exercise can help to keep arteries elastic and help with improved blood flow.
• Relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, may help to reduce blood pressure.

-Mona Claypoole, Director of Marketing and Wellness Support