 Multivitamins are exactly what they sound like: multiple vitamins. They're supplements that contain several different vitamins in each one. They can also contain several minerals and other ingredients like amino acids or fatty acids. And because there are multiple ingredients, there are low doses of each ingredient.
In fact, they are the most commonly used supplements in the world! There are 13 vitamins and at least 16 minerals that are essential to health. You need certain amounts of all of these nutrients for optimal health. In fact, nutrient deficiencies can impact reproduction, growth, and regulation of bodily processes. Lots of people say that if you follow a "balanced diet," you'll get enough vitamins and minerals. We personally would love to believe it … but it's just not true. Many people are eating way too much processed food that is devoid of nutrition. There's a lot of research that shows many people don't get enough vitamins and minerals. Period. How do you know which vitamins and minerals are in your multivitamin? Read the label, and don’t be afraid to ask questions! If there are at least three different vitamins and minerals listed, it’s a multivitamin. Do multivitamins work? Multivitamins have been studied a lot. The quality of the multivitamins studied has not been consistent. Some studies consider any supplements with at least three vitamins to be a "multivitamin." Most of the time, the multivitamins studied are ones that are very popular and are available everywhere. So, what exactly do we know about the health benefits of multivitamins? Here’s a quick summary of the science:
All in all, multivitamins aren’t magical “health pills.” They’re not guaranteed to improve your mental or physical health, or help you live longer; but, they do have some health benefits. Are multivitamins safe? Just about every study that looked to see if multivitamins were health-promoting, also looked at side effects. They have consistently shown that multivitamins are very safe. Now, we"re not talking about high-dose supplements. High doses of many nutrients can be harmful. But specifically for multivitamins where there are several nutrients included, all of which are in low doses. Those are safe. Unless you have a knowledgeable practitioner advise otherwise, you want to stick to the dose on the label. That dose should be safe for most people. However, there are many times when supplements (not just multivitamins) have been tested and found to contain different ingredients than what's on the label; this may be different quantities of vitamins or minerals. Sometimes they contain ingredients that are not supposed to be in them at all (like toxins or prescription medicines). This is why choosing supplements that are licensed, if applicable (like in Canada), and from reputable companies is so important. Conclusion Multivitamins are not a way to optimal health. There is limited evidence that they improve health for most people. But there are some benefits. Since they contain low doses of many different nutrients, they're also safe (as long as you have a quality product). Of course, taking a multivitamin is not a way to improve a poor diet. We always recommend eating a balanced diet of whole foods. There is plenty of evidence that eating a diet of whole, unprocessed food prevents many diseases. So try out our superfood salad - It’s like a multivitamin with benefits. Recipe (Nutrient Dense): Superfood Salad Serves 2 2 handfuls of greens (e.g. kale, spinach, arugula, etc.) ½ cucumber, chopped 1 avocado, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 1 carrot, grated 2 handfuls grape tomatoes 2 handfuls fresh berries 2 broiled salmon fillets (optional) ¼ cup hemp seeds Salad Dressing: 3 tbsp cider vinegar 2 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tsp honey or maple syrup 1 dash salt 2 dashes black pepper 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil Instructions Grab two large bowls and put one handful of greens each. Split all the rest of the fruits and vegetables, placing half in each bowl. Make the dressing by whisking together the vinegar, mustard, honey/maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify. Pour over salad before serving. Top with salmon and hemp seeds. Serve & enjoy! Tip: You can use grilled shrimp instead of the salmon. References: https://authoritynutrition.com/do-multivitamins-work/ http://thewellnessbusinesshub.com/yes-nutrient-deficiencies-heres-proof-can/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0022955/
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 Well...yes, they do really work. The fact is, science shows definite health benefits for people who use mindfulness and meditation.
Before we dive in, let’s just make sure we’re on the same page when we say “mindfulness” and “meditation.” “Meditation” is the ancient practice of connecting the body and mind to become more self-aware and present. It’s often used to calm the mind, ease stress, and relax the body. Practicing “mindfulness” is one of the most popular ways to meditate. It’s defined as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” Mindfulness meditation is well studied in terms of its health benefits. We're going to talk about a few of them below, and refer to it as “mindfulness” for the rest of the post. The link between mindfulness and health = stress reduction Have you heard the staggering statistics on how many doctors' visits are due to stress? Seventy-five to ninety percent! So, if you ask us, it makes a ton of sense that anything that can reduce stress can reduce health issues too. Mindfulness reduces inflammation, reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and improves sleep. All of these can have massive effects on your physical and mental health. We'll briefly go over the research in three main areas: mood, weight, and gut health. But know that the research on the health benefits of mindfulness is branching into many other exciting new areas too. Mindfulness for mood The most immediate health benefit of mindfulness is improved mood. In one study, people who took an 8-week mindfulness program had greater improvement in symptoms according to the “Hamilton Anxiety Scale.” They were compared with people who took a stress management program that did not include mindfulness. It seems that the mindfulness training was key to lowering symptoms. Other studies show that mindfulness has similar effects as antidepressant medications for some people with mild to moderate symptoms of depression. While mindfulness isn’t a full-fledged cure, it can certainly help to improve moods. Mindfulness for weight Studies show that people who use mind-body practices, including mindfulness, have lower BMIs (Body Mass Indices). How can this be? One way mindfulness is linked with lower weight is due to stress-reduction. Mindfulness can reduce stress-related and emotional overeating. It can also help reduce cravings and binge eating. Another way it can work for weight is due to "mindful eating." Mindful eating is a "non-judgmental awareness of physical and emotional sensations associated with eating." It's the practice of being more aware of food and the eating process. It's listening more deeply to how hungry and full you actually are. It's not allowing yourself to be distracted with other things while you're eating, like what's on TV or your smartphone. People with higher mindfulness scores also reported smaller serving sizes of energy-dense foods. So it seems that more mindful eating = less junk. Mindfulness about food and eating can have some great benefits for your weight. Mindfulness for gut health Recent studies show a link between stress, stress hormones, and changes in gut microbes (your friendly bacteria and other critters that help your digestion). In theory, mindfulness-based stress reduction could be a way to help prevent negative changes in the gut's microbes. Also, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) seems to be linked with both stress and problems with gut microbes. In one study, people with IBS who received mindfulness training showed greater reductions in IBS symptoms than the group who received standard medical care. The research here is just starting to show us the important link between stress, gut health, and how mindfulness can help. Conclusion Science is confirming some amazing health benefits of the ancient practice of mindfulness meditation. For moods, weight, gut health, and more. Do you regularly include it in your life? If so, have you seen benefits? If not, would you consider trying it? Let us know in the comments below. Recipe (Relaxing Teas): Relaxing Herbal Teas There are many relaxing herbal teas that would be great after meditation. Try any of these by steeping in boiling water:
Serve & enjoy! Tip: You can add a touch of honey if desired. BONUS Guided Meditation “Recipes” (videos, apps & podcasts) How to Meditate video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0y1Lu0L8nU&index=5&list=PLerdqrUWzOkd7m9HQj1yfJiI09pwVhPcD How to Meditate in One Minute or Less Every Day video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtG8No-MMOM&list=PLerdqrUWzOkd7m9HQj1yfJiI09pwVhPcD&index=10 Calm App https://www.calm.com/ Headspace App (free 10-day trial) https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app Daily Meditation Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-meditation-podcast/id892107837?mt=2 Hay House Meditations Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hay-house-meditations/id955266444?mt=2 References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation https://www.dietvsdisease.org/benefits-mindfulness-meditation/ https://nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm https://authoritynutrition.com/mindful-eating-guide/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3341916/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4454654/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26186434  If you don’t love cooking, maybe we can help to make it more fun for you?
We know that sometimes we don't find cooking to be all that fun. We can get into a rut just like everyone else. So that's why we've listed our best "fun" cooking tips for you. Fun Cooking Tip #1 Check out new recipes. Sometimes just seeing the beautiful food photos and reading the recipe can spark some inspiration and fun in your kitchen. You can head to your local bookstore. Or look up your favourite nutritionists, chefs, bakers, and other online foodies. Maybe do a quick search on Google or Pinterest to see thousands of new ideas. Perhaps you have some ingredients in your fridge that are just waiting to be eaten. Pro Tip: Searching through recipes can be so fun and inspiring, and can also end up taking waaaay longer than planned. So, consider setting your timer when you start browsing. The last thing you want is to take too much time looking, that you don’t leave enough time for cooking. Fun Cooking Tip #2 Make grocery shopping fun and inspiring. When you’re at the grocery store, try something that you haven’t had in a while. Is there a seasonal fruit or vegetable you haven’t had for months? What about a childhood favourite? Did you come across something totally delicious at a restaurant or get-together lately? Or, browse around the store looking for something you haven't had before; something that is completely new to you. Be adventurous and fun. Then you can go to tip #1 to find new and inspiring recipes when you get home. Fun Cooking Tip #3 Keep it simple! Sometimes when we see a great food picture, we immediately get inspired to make it. But if we look at the ingredients or instructions and they're too long, we stop. While there are times when we're inspired and dive into a new great recipe; when we're not all that inspired, we need to keep things simple. A few ways to keep things simple are to:
Fun Cooking Tip #4 Put on some music and invite someone to join you. Do you have kids that need to learn the critical life skill of cooking? Perhaps your partner would love to join you? What about having a “cooking party” where everyone brings something and pitches in on the process? Fun Cooking Tip #5 If none of the other tips work for you, invest in some kitchen swag! Having proper kitchen tools makes cooking so much easier and faster. When's the last time you sharpened your (our bought yourself a new) knife? Could dicing carrots with a dull knife be draining the fun from cooking? Or is blending a smoothie with a crummy blender, leaving it too chunky to enjoy, making you feel less excited to try new smoothie recipes? I know it does for me. Conclusion You know that cooking is key to healthy eating. And, yes, it does get boring from time to time. Try one (or all) of our fun cooking tips to inspire you to get over to your kitchen and cook yourself some great dishes. You already know your health will thank you. Recipe (simple and fun): One Skillet Frittata Serves 4 8 eggs ¼ cup almond milk, unsweetened 1 tsp olive oil, extra virgin 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 handful baby spinach 1 small zucchini, sliced into thin coins 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 handful cherry tomatoes, halved 1 dash herbs and spice to taste (parsley, sage, paprika, turmeric, etc.) 1 dash salt and pepper Instructions Preheat oven to 375F. Whisk together eggs and almond milk. Heat an ovenproof skillet (e.g. cast iron) on the stove with the olive oil. To the hot skillet add garlic, spinach, and zucchini. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the zucchini starts to soften. Add the tomatoes, herbs, spices, salt, and pepper. Pour in the eggs. Place the skillet into the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, until eggs are set. Serve & enjoy! Tip: Feel free to substitute your veggies and use what you have on-hand. Try diced pepper instead of tomatoes, or chopped kale instead of spinach. Have fun with this!  The odds are that you or someone you know experiences heartburn. Around half of North American adults experience it at least once per month. Somewhere between 10-20% have it at least once per week! Heartburn, also known as reflux, occurs when the strong acid in your stomach creeps up into your esophagus.
It can feel like a burning sensation; hence the name "heartburn." Other common symptoms include bloating, burping, difficulty swallowing, or a sore throat. Often there is a bitter or sour taste as well. Don't get us wrong, stomach acid is good! Stomach acid is essential for good health and optimal digestion. We need the acid in our stomach to protect us against harmful microbes (i.e. bacteria) that lurk in our food and drinks. Stomach acid also helps us break down our food, and digest nutrients. But we need that acid to stay in the stomach, and not get up to our esophagus! Stomach acid doesn't usually burn the stomach itself; this is because the stomach is protected by a layer of mucus. But your esophagus doesn't have that same protection. It has a valve that is supposed to prevent things from going the wrong way (i.e. keep food, drink, and acid down; not allow it back up). And when your esophagus is exposed to stomach acid too often, it can cause the infamous burning, inflammation, and other potential issues. We're going to share a bunch of tips that may help you overcome your heartburn symptoms naturally. Of course, if symptoms last for a long time, or get worse, it's probably a good idea to see your doctor. Tip #1 – Foods to eat (and avoid) You may notice that when you eat or drink certain things, you get heartburn soon afterward. These triggers may be different for everyone; but often include onions, garlic, chocolate, citrus, tomato, mint, spicy foods, greasy foods, coffee, carbonated drinks, or alcohol. If any of these affect you, reduce them or even try cutting them out to see if it makes a difference. Heartburn might also result from a sneaky food intolerance. Try eliminating grains, dairy, and processed foods for a few weeks and see if that helps. Now, you may be wondering: “If I eliminate these foods/drinks, then what can I put in their place?” Try increasing fiber intake. Yes, this means more whole, unprocessed foods, especially veggies! In fact, potatoes may be a great addition to meals if you suffer from heartburn. Try getting at least five servings of veggies every day. Tip #2 – How and when to eat Eat slowly. Use meal times to release stress. Chew your food very well. Don’t eat meals that are too big. And don’t eat too close to bedtime. You want to avoid lying down with a full stomach. We’re talking finishing eating 2-3 hours before lying down, so schedule your dinner or snack with this in mind. Tip #3 – Lifestyle techniques Sometimes strenuous exercise can make heartburn symptoms worse. If this happens to you, then focus on low-intensity exercises like walking and cycling. If symptoms come on as you’re lying down to sleep, try adding a pillow or two so your head is a bit higher than your stomach. Another interesting tip is to try sleeping on your left side. Lying on your left side works because the valve that prevents the acid from "leaking" into your esophagus is located on the right side of the stomach. So, when you're lying on your left, the acid is away from that valve. Conclusion Heartburn is a very common condition where stomach acid creeps up into the esophagus (where it’s not supposed to be). If you suffer from symptoms of heartburn, there are many things you can do. There are foods and drinks to avoid and veggies to increase. You can eat slower, chew more thoroughly, and don't lie down within 2-3 hours of eating. Also, try low-intensity exercise and sleeping on your left side. Try these simple, natural strategies. They can help prevent or relieve heartburn symptoms for you. Recipe (Not Too Greasy or Spicy): Baked Potatoes Serves 4 1 small bag of mini potatoes 4 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper Instructions Scrub potatoes and boil them until they're soft. How long will depend on their size, so check them by feeling how easily they're penetrated with a fork or knife. Drain the water and toss the potatoes with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Place in a roasting dish at 425F for about 15 minutes. Serve & enjoy! Tip: Don’t have mini potatoes? Use large potatoes or sweet potatoes and chop them to the size of mini potatoes. References: https://www.dietvsdisease.org/get-rid-acid-reflux/ http://www.precisionnutrition.com/heartburn-reflux-gerd https://authoritynutrition.com/heartburn-acid-reflux-remedies/  Let us ask you this: Have you looked at the ingredients on a food label lately? How about a “processed” food label; like famous brands of cookies, cereals, or junky snack foods?
Do you have those ingredients in your house? Do you even know what all of those ingredients are? There are a ton of artificial, chemical, "junky" ingredients in foods these days. If you see an ingredient called "artificial flavour," what exactly is it? For the most part, it’s a secret! Seriously! Big food companies don’t want their proprietary flavours to be known, so they’re allowed to say “artificial flavour” and leave the details out. That alone gets us upset. But what makes us more upset is what artificial flavours represent when they're in your food. We're going to give you the real deal below. Why use "artificial flavours' in a product? When you make an apple muffin at home, what gives it the apple flavour? Apples of course! Like real, whole, chopped or shredded apples or applesauce. But, let’s say you’re a big food company and you’re making thousands of apple muffins every day. In a factory. On an assembly line. How would you process the huge amount of apples that are to be chopped, grated or made into applesauce? Would you have a separate "Apple Room" where all the apple processing happens? What if one batch is slightly riper, or tastes slightly different from the rest? Will your customers notice a different taste? Apples are perishable - they go bad. So how would you guarantee the apples won't go bad? (Remember the saying "it only takes one bad apple to ruin the whole bunch?"). And what if you can have an apple flavour that tastes better than using real apples? Something that makes people want to keep buying them every week. It's true - some of the artificial flavours are engineered to give an even better taste than the real food. Companies will often opt for the easier and more profitable option like artificial flavours. Artificial flavours last longer and will be virtually identical batch after batch. In our apple muffin example, artificial flavours used to make an apple muffin are ready to go, so you don't need to peel, cut, or worry about apples going brown, or that they're not tasting "appley" enough. Oh, and it’s way cheaper than using real, whole apples. Pro Tip: If the package says "flavoured" in the description, then the flavour is artificial. For example, "apple muffin" contains at least some apple. But, "apple flavoured muffin" contains artificial flavour and no apple. Safety of artificial flavours While there are some flavours banned for use in many countries, other countries allow them. There is an approved list of flavours that are accepted to be safe, and are used by the food industry. They are considered GRAS, or “generally recognized as safe.” Even if they are 100% safe to ingest, the mere fact that an artificial flavour is in food makes it an artificial food. It's not a real, whole food. Having an artificial flavour as an ingredient almost defines that food to be a processed, "food-like product." Sometimes referred to as "junk." Artificial flavours in food indicate that the food, regardless of the marketing, or health claims, is not a healthy choice. Conclusion Big food companies use artificial flavours to reduce costs, make the manufacturing process simpler, reduce waste and even enhance flavour way beyond what the natural ingredient would taste like. They are not added to improve the “healthfulness” or nutrition of the food. Artificial flavours in the ingredient list indicate that the food is not going to optimize your health. These processed foods are most certainly “junk.” Don’t buy them. Make this recipe instead. Recipe (All-natural): Apple Muffins Serves 12 1 cup quick oats, uncooked 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup cooked quinoa 3 tbsp maple syrup 1 cup chopped apples 2 eggs, lightly beaten Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, mix the quick oats and cinnamon. Add the quinoa and mix again. Now add maple syrup, apples and eggs, and mix until just combined. Place 12 muffin liners into a muffin pan. Fill each muffin cup about ⅔ of the way Place in oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes. Serve & enjoy! Tip: Before baking, sprinkle each muffin with a touch of cinnamon for extra (natural) flavour. References: https://authoritynutrition.com/9-ways-that-processed-foods-are-killing-people/ https://authoritynutrition.com/junk-foods-chemical-engineers/ http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/labelling/food-labelling-for-industry/common-name/snack-foods/eng/1348251469504/1394902794643 https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/121-a126/ |
AuthorsRichelle and Chris. Empowering people to live positive, vibrant lives. Archives
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