Spicing Up Your Life

Did you know that turmeric is rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients? It is known as a booster food because of the nutrients it provides to our diet. Who wouldn't want to consume something that has so many great benefits and qualities? If you don't know what turmeric is, it's a bright yellow spice that is used for flavoring and coloring foods. In other cultures, this spice has been used to treat conditions such as allergies & asthma, infections, digestive disorders, cold and flu symptoms, wounds, liver disease, and abdominal pain. Also, if you are low in potassium or iron, turmeric is a great way to get these minerals.

Now the most important component of turmeric is curcumin. It is said to have so many health benefits such as helping with inflammation and diseases. There have also been studies that it has helped individuals who have alzheimer's disease, cancer, crohn's disease, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, or diabetes. Curcumin helps the body fight against those invaders as well as helping to repair any damage in the body. 

Now that you know a little bit about turmeric and curcumin don't you agree that this should be apart of your diet? Start adding this spice to your recipes or you could even take supplements. It's easy to add to your diet and with a yummy taste it is also very enjoyable! Make turmeric apart of your life!  

Source: https://www.baumancollege.org

Moderation is Key!

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and it's important to know how drinking can affect your body. Besides getting that horrible hangover, there can also be serious consequences to your health. This includes damaging organs, getting cancer, or weakening your immune system. 

Brain: Alcohol can greatly affect your communication pathway. You will have a harder time focusing and you will not be able to think clearly. Your coordination and mood will also be affected. Do you want to be in control of your own body and remember everything you did the night before? Drink in moderation and make sure to be thinking about your brain when you take that first sip of alcohol. This doesn't mean you can't drink, just be aware of the consequences and protect your brain! 

Heart: The more alcohol you drink, the more damage there is going to be to the heart. This means drinking a lot in one sitting or over a long period of time. A lot of studies say drinking wine can protect you from getting heart disease. This may be true but it has to be in moderation! Drinking too much alcohol can cause an irregular heart beat, stroke, high blood pressure, or cardiomyopathy. Keep your heart strong and healthy. 

Liver: Most of the time when we think of drinking too much we think of the toll it's taking on the liver. The main cause of liver disease is alcohol. The result of heavy drinking is getting a fatty liver which is an early stage of liver disease. There are a variety of health problems that can occur such as liver inflammation, cirrhosis, fibrosis, hepatitis, or steatosis. Try not to over do it on the amount of alcohol you consume, your liver will thank you later. 

Pancreas: If you are a heavy drinker you have a higher chance of getting pancreatitis. Drinking too much over a long period of time will cause the pancreas to be inflamed. Once this occurs there are really no cures, just treatments to slow the process down. Don't let it get to this point!

Cancer: Drinking alcohol can cause mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, liver, or breast cancer. You are at high risk for mouth cancer if you drink more than 5 drinks each day. Drinking less=reduce your risk for cancer! 

Immune System: The more you drink the more likely you will get a disease because of your weakened immune system. Your body will be a much easier target to attack. There will be a greater risk of contracting pneumonia, tuberculosis, or even HIV. If you are already fighting some sort of infection it is highly recommended that you stay away from alcohol because your immune system will already be compromised. 

The theme here is drinking in moderation! 

Source: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov

Think Green!

Let's get in the mood this St. Patty's Day and make ourselves a Green Shake! This is super simple to make and has great benefits!

• 2 handfuls of spinach
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 large kale lead, stem removed, chopped
• 1/4 cup grapes
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1 banana

Blend all ingredients until smooth. 

Spinach: Rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, calcium, and iron. It helps with skin care, improves eyesight, provides stronger muscles and can regulate blood pressure. 
Celery: Good source of antioxidants and is full of vitamins and minerals. It helps with digestion and can keep you hydrated.
Kale: Aids in digestion and has many nutrients. Kale is a good anti-inflammatory food and can lower cholesterol levels.
Grapes: They are full of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. Grapes can help with eye problems and other health conditions. 
Apples: Aid digestion as they contain a lot of fiber. They can control diabetes, prevent conditions, and treat anemia. 
Banana: They are full of potassium and can help with digestion. Banana's contain powerful antioxidants which provides many health benefits. 

Source: https://www.standardprocess.com
https://www.healthline.com