As I've fought a sore throat and now cough, I've included a few doses of raw, local honey in my diet. Not only can honey coat the throat, but raw honey provides immune boosting antioxidants and enzymes. Raw honey is also a natural antimicrobial and antiviral. Local raw honey has also helped many people with allergies.

These natural nutrients are stripped when raw honey is processed(not raw). You may also think that honey is just sugar, but raw honey does not even compare to refined sugar. Empty calories deplete the body whereas vitamins and minerals restore the body. Additionally, honey digests itself with all it's live enzymes and spares key nutrients needed for the body's fat metabolism. Therefore honey has been known as a helpful diet aid.

So, explore the benefits of raw honey! The benefits I've listed above are just a few! Prevent and treat....another option for optimal wellness.

Gel manicures are dangerous: 
1. UV lights (skin cancer risk) 
2. Infection Risk (Staphylococcus) 
3. Acetone (toxic chemical)  
The removal process actually thins the nail by up to 50%! Several dermatologists say there is no event, vacation, or special occasion for which they would get a gel manicure. Something to think about.

If you insist upon a gel manicure, use salons that utilize LED lights instead. These are rare but possible. Also put sunscreen on prior to the UV exposure or take anti-UV gloves with you. 

A pretty, colored nail is not worth the risk of cancer, infection, or toxicity in my opinion. Educated Choices! To your health! 

Green Tea! Aim for at least a cup a day. To unwind and to rejuvenate, antioxidants are anti-aging and anti-disease. White, red, and black are also favorites. Find what you enjoy. Brew your own and avoid the sugar traps of most pre-packaged iced teas! To your health :)

As I'm listening to Brian Owens song, "I Just Want to Feel Alright",  I'm reminded that sadness, fear, nervousness, anxiety, and anger are alright as well.  These emotions protect us, help us, inspire us, and ultimately define us as a human being.  Its o.k. to "feel".  Often society nowadays tells us that we should only feel happy and sadness is not normal.  Remember to feel happy you often have to experience sadness; To be unafraid, you must feel fear; To feel confident you must overcome your nerves; To be calm you must know anxiety; And to feel peace you have to embrace anger.  Emotions are real.  You are real.  The key is to listen to your emotions and know how best to maneuver through them.  The more you fight yourself, the further away you will float from your true definition.  It has been a process called life that has enabled me to more fully embrace every emotion and to not label any one as bad or good.  It just is, simply put.  Awareness of emotion is power.  This power enables us to live our best, healthiest life.  Listen, love, and feel.  It's o.k. To YOUR health!

-Extraordinary potassium content and various other trace minerals
-Beneficial malic acid

Oxidizes the blood, promotes digestion, and neutralizes toxic substances; all which affect almost every body function. 

Look for apple cider vinegar that has froth on the bottom. This proves the fermentation is still alive. 

A glass of water with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey in the morning is excellent for our health.  

The benefits of apple cider vinegar may help prevent and treat arthritis, asthma, athlete's foot, osteoporosis, inflammation, the common cold, cold sores, constipation, cramps, diabetes, eczema, depression, eyesight, fatigue, brittle hair and nails, aging, headaches, heartburn, hypertension, insomnia, hot flashes, metabolism, high cholesterol, obesity, muscle pain, and other numerous conditions. 

Another option you have to stay and be healthy.  Explore apple cider vinegar to maintain wellness.  

Iron is necessary to ensure oxygen delivery to every cell in your body. Do you have low energy? Feel tired? Have trouble sleeping? Are you replenishing your iron stores to ensure you have oxygen for times of stress and illness? I do not have to explain why our bodies need oxygen. Low levels can manifest slowly as headaches, sexual dysfunction, irritability, swelling of the tongue, brittle nails, and lack luster hair to just name a few.

Iron can be obtained from your diet. Some examples of dietary sources include: red meat, lima beans, kale, spinach, watermelon, beets, prunes, clams, almonds, and chlorophyll. Check with your doctor if you need further supplementation.

Keep in mind just like any food you can consume it but are you absorbing the necessary nutrients? The tannins in tea, polyphenols on coffee, phosphates in soda, and calcium if taken within two hours of an iron supplement all impair iron absorption.

You subsequently can also increase iron absorption by combining foods rich in vitamin C (tomatoes, peppers, green veggies, citrus fruits) with iron rich foods.

I routinely boost my iron stores. Sometimes in the winter my lips crack in the corners. When I consciously increase my iron intake, I am able to avoid this. Women especially need to be aware of the benefits of iron very month. Your immune system will thank you. Prevention is the treatment!

One other tidbit I wish I knew earlier is if you aren't ensuring oxygen stores you will burn carbohydrates first instead of fat during exercise as it takes less oxygen to burn carbs. If you are exercising for weight loss ensure your body has plenty of iron.

Oxygen, oxygen, oxygen! The key to optimal wellness :)

A bit of information, to your health! Explore Iron! Questions welcome!

Coconut oil is the most stable oil of any known oil/butter at high temperatures. Coconut oil does not form trans-fatty acids unlike butter, margarine, olive oil, canola oil, corn oil, etc when heated. Trans-fatty acids can suppress thyroid function and metabolism; and create oxidative stress in the body leading to wrinkles and heart conditions to name a couple. Who wants any of that? I solely use coconut oil to cook with and include raw in my diet as often as i can. Coconut oil also outperforms olive oil in lowering cholesterol. Coconut oil actually stimulates the thyroid which then regulates our cholesterol appropriately. Use coconut oil that is cold pressed and found in dark glass bottles. Like most oils, coconut oil is light sensitive. Make a change today. Include coconut oil and butter in your life! Coconut oil for a multitude of positive effects in your body...and subsequently mind! To your health