Writing Portfolio

by

Use Natural Cleaning Products – Your Pet Will Thank You!

Safe Cleaning Products and Pets

Most people view their pets as “one of the family”. They spoil them as they lavish these pets with toys, special treats, or an occasional designer outfit. So much care for their little family member that they adore, and for good reason. With all this love and attention, it’s obvious that the owners care a great deal about them. If these pet parents realized they were doing something that could cause their little furry friend harm, they would most likely stop.

Most people don’t realize that the cleaning products they are using to keep their home fresh and sanitary are causing their pets harm. This article will shed some light on the reality of chemical-based products, and help guide you in the decision to make the switch to safe natural cleaning projects.

Trusted Brands Are Just As Safe As Natural Cleaning Products, Right?

Unless you seek out natural cleaning products that are guaranteed to be free of chemicals, you are taking a chance of exposing your pet to dangerous toxins. Some labels even spell it out for us, “dangerous to humans and domestic animals”. We are talking about big name trusted brands that have been a part of our lives for years! For some pet owners, it may even be difficult to accept that the brand they have been using their whole life may actually be unsafe for their pets.

Common Cleaning Products That May Cause Your Pet Harm

Let’s start with chlorine, which is found in various household cleaners and is a considered toxic to our little companions. It’s known to be a respiratory irritant and may cause damage to your pet’s eyes and skin. In addition to this, consistent exposure to chlorine, as well as bleach and ammonia, may put your pet at risk for kidney and liver damage.

Many all-purpose cleaners contain volatile organic compounds, which are not pet-friendly. In a study where these elements were measured in cleaning products, specifically Lysol Disinfectant Spray, it was found to create almost one thousands times more vapor pressure than a natural cleaning product. This translates to dangerous vapors that linger well after the cleaning is completed. The health risk from VOCs can vary with the level of exposure. Long-term exposure may cause kidney or liver damage, cancer, and central nervous system issues. Short-term exposure may cause your pet to have breathing problems, as well as irritation of the eyes and nose. Those natural cleaning products are looking pretty good right now, aren’t they?

Pets Are More Susceptible To Chemicals 

Although we share the same living space as our pets, they are more susceptible to these chemicals then we are. Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals are smaller and therefore closer to the ground, breathing in large amounts of chemical-laden dust that has fallen to the ground. They have also been known to lick or chew chemical covered items. In addition to this, our pets spend 90 percent of their time sleeping or playing on hardwood floors that have been drenched with a toxic floor cleaner, or rugs that have been sprinkled with chemical-based fresheners. Much like a small child, pets are unaware of the dangers of these chemicals, which also places them at a higher risk.

What You Can Do To Keep Your Pet Safe

Keeping your pet safe is a priority, and it can be easily accomplished by making the switch to natural cleaning products. Once all your toxic cleaners have been discarded and replaced with natural cleaners, you won’t have to think twice, you can just continue to clean as usual. The same cleaning and sanitizing can be accomplished with natural cleaning products such as Live Luv Lavishe’s Fabric Deodorizer and Disinfectant. This highly effective and healthy alternative can be used to keep your dog or cat bed and their toys in tip-top shape, as well as your other household items.

Natural cleaning products get to the root of the problem by eliminating bacteria and germs instead of just masking odors. These products are designed to work just as well as chemical-based products by using the ingredients that nature intended us to use. Ingredients such as witch hazel, and organic oils of lemon, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, jojoba, and clove, will not only keep your house clean and allergy free, it will allow you to keep your pet safe as they relax in the comfort of your home.

by

Timeless Ancient Skincare Secrets

Beautiful skin has been a timeless concern spanning over thousands of years. It has brought about an endless search for skincare secrets that can effectively preserve our youthful appearance. Our predecessor’s anti-aging techniques has its roots in such places as Egypt, Japan, and China. Even with today’s scientific knowledge and advanced technology, you will find that we are still taking advantage of these original ancient skincare remedies.

Ancient Egyptian Skincare Secrets

Some of the first signs of skincare date back to the ancient Egyptians. Evidence suggests that beauty was of extreme importance to them, men and woman alike, more so than any other culture. Therefore, various measures were taken to preserve their youth and keep up their appearance on a daily basis. This was done for the purpose of beautification as well as protecting their skin from the elements.

Evidence of Egyptian Skincare

Their beautification rituals were so significant that cosmetic items were often placed in burial tombs, ensuring they will look their best in the afterlife. Archeologists have uncovered skincare artifacts and beauty accessories such as makeup and tweezers, among other items, in these Egyptian burial chambers. Not only were these relics found in revered Egyptian ruler’s tombs, but also in the most humblest of tombs, indicating that beauty was of great significance to their society.

Common Ancient Egyptian Skincare Ingredients

Skincare products were created by professionals who included the most effective and best quality ingredients. Natural elements were prepared to create skin creams and oils deemed worthy of using by prestigious rulers such as Cleopatra. You may find that you are actually using some of these ancient skincare ingredients yourself. Let’s take a look and see.

Oils: Ancient Egyptians used sesame, olive, almond, and moringa oils to maintain clean soft skin, keep wrinkles at bay, and tighten their skin. Scholars that have translated Egyptian documentation have revealed specific skincare treatments that included these oils in their basic anti-wrinkle routines. One such treatment utilized a mix of moringa oil, cypress grass, wax, frankincense, and fermented plant juice. Even the most well-known brands of today are taking advantage of these ancient oils in their products, such as Estee Lauder’s Revitalizing Supreme, which incorporates moringa oil to help fend off wrinkles.

Aloe Vera: Used by Cleopatra herself, ancient Egyptians labeled it the plant of immortality. Furthermore, it fights the appearance of aging with its moisturizing and tightening properties.

Avocado: Egyptians left no nutrient-rich foods out when it came to their skincare treatments. Avocados were placed under the eyes to reduce puffiness and were frequently used as a mask to nourish the skin.

Watermelon: This wonderful fruit was cleverly used by the ancient Egyptians in a mix with rosewater and sugar. Watermelon is packed with amino acids which are the building blocks of collagen. This perfect mix aided in the battle against wrinkles and dry skin.

Milk & Honey: History tells us that milk and honey were used in Cleopatra’s daily bath to retain her soft youthful skin. This would have been beneficial because milk contains lactic acid that aids in the exfoliation of the skin. Even with the scientifically advanced technologies we have available today, we are still leaning on these timeless natural ingredients. A perfect example would be Lancome’s Miel-En-Mousse Foaming Cleanser, where the secret power of honey has been infused.

Rose Water: The Egyptians realized that along with its wonderful scent, rose water reduces wrinkles and acts as a great cleansing agent. It easily removes oil, dirt and other unwanted elements from the skin.

Skincare Secrets of Asian Cultures

Asia is said to be rich with timeless skincare wisdom that has been kept going strong throughout the generations. In most areas of Asia, you will notice women with porcelain-like radiant skin and you may wonder what their skincare secrets are. Let’s take a look at a few.

Mung beans: Mung bean masks have been used for centuries in Asia to maintain vibrant flawless skin. The masks are used to cleanse and exfoliate. To create a facial mask, the beans were typically ground into a paste and water was then added. The mask was left on for approximately 30 minutes.

Rice Water: An ancient skincare technique that is known to be very effective is cleansing the skin in rice water. It has been recorded being used as early as the Qing dynasty (1644). Rice contains inositol, a nutrient that stimulates cell growth and can slow down the skin’s aging process. Create your own skincare rice water by following these easy steps:

  1. Rinse 1/2 cup uncooked brown or white rice to remove impurities skincare secrets
  2. Add rice to 1 1/2 cups purified water
  3. Let rice soak for approximately 30 minutes
  4. Strain rice water and place in an air-tight glass container
  5. Store in refrigerator for only 1 week
  6. Dip a cotton ball into the rice water and gently massage into the skin

Goji berries:  These healthy berries are native to the subtropical regions of China. They have been an ancient skincare secret for centuries, and for good reason. These berries are bursting with antioxidants that are beneficial to the skin and contain high levels of vitamins that are proven to diminish oxidative stress of the skin, which reduces the signs of aging.

We hope this article has provided you with some insight into ancient skincare secret ingredients. Now you can use these natural skincare elements with confidence knowing ancient rulers deemed them worthy enough to use themselves.

by

Favorite Things to do in San Luis Obispo

Whether you live nearby or are planning an out of town getaway, San Luis Obispo is well worth a visit. Named one of the happiest cities in America by National Geographic, this must-see location is positioned between Los Angeles and San Francisco and offers something for everyone. From exciting city life activities, beautiful coastal regions, picturesque nature trails, popular attractions, fine dining, and more, San Luis Obispo is an adventure and a relaxing experience wrapped up in one beautiful location.

With its vast amount of amazing experiences to discover, we have compiled a list of our Favorite Things to do in San Luis Obispo so you will be sure to have an exceptional time visiting the hot spots that capture the essence of this sunny California coastal city. Dive in and have fun planning your San Luis Obispo gateway!

Exceptional Coastal View Hiking

With its perfect weather that California is known for, San Luis Obispo makes for a great hiking destination all year round. It can be wonderful for the outdoor enthusiast that enjoys a casual walk with breathtaking views, or the serious hiker looking for challenging terrain to explore. With that being said, SLO offers something for every level of hiking. For those of you that are determined to make it to the top of your hiking destination, the views are stunning and worth the climb! We have a few recommendations for prime hiking spots that will help you get the most out what San Luis Obispo hiking is known for.

Bob Jones Trail
Whether by bicycle, attached to a dog, or simply an easy walk, Bob Jones Trail provides a roomy path to traverse. We love heading over to the Avila Market for a delicious lunch at Woodside Deli and going for an extended walk to the beach. Plus, it’s always fun to hunt for golf balls lost along the path as you pass through the holes.

Hiking Reservoir Canyon
High School Hill is one of the most strenuous and steep hikes on the central coast, but also offers one of the most complete panoramic views of San Luis Obispo. On a clear day, you can see a number of the “7 sisters” lined up along the coast towards Morro Bay. The “7 sisters” are extinct volcano peaks that have long been know as icons of SLO. This spectacular location is so perfect that couples travel from afar for their marriage proposals. Yes, it’s that nice!

Valencia Peak Trail
This impressive hiking spot is located within Montaña de Oro State Park and offers one of the highest summit climbing experiences in the park. It is on this journey that you will find epic ocean views and scenic terrain. The Valencia Peak Trail will provide you with unforgettable 360-degree views. The peak is a 1,347-feet high and the trek is 4.5 miles round trip, so pack a few snacks for the trip, and be sure to bring plenty of water.

Bluff Trail
The Bluff Trail, also located within San Luis Obispo’s Montana de Oro State Park, features picturesque ocean views and tidepools full of crabs and other crustacean sea life right off the trail. If you have the time, take a trip to this area during different times of the day to see the various tides and surf conditions which all bring about a truly unique scenic experience. Keep your camera handy, you may just spot a seal or two.

Beach and Bay Area State Parks

If you are visiting San Luis Obispo, visit their state parks to enjoy a day of ocean views, energetic hiking, and remarkable sightseeing! This area offers some of the most beautiful state parks in California, and it will prove to be an unforgettable experience.

Montana de Oro State Park
San Luis Obispo is the home of Montana de Oro State Park, a popular vacation destination for nature lovers, as well as sightseeing enthusiasts. With 8,000 acres of land occupied by sandy beaches, beautiful coastal plains, flowing streams, rugged cliffs, coves, and tidepools, you could easily spend a few days exploring. This remarkable park offers its visitors a chance to catch a glimpse at whales swimming by any time of the year, although your chances are better December through early April.

This central coast location is also the home of many dolphins, sea otters, and seals that just might make an appearance. It provides fantastic hiking opportunities, and mountain biking, as well as equestrian trails. Make sure to stop by Corallina Cove before leaving the park to view its magnificent tidepools where you will find sea stars and other marine creatures. If you would like to make it a fun overnight experience, this park offers camping at the Islay Creek Campground.

Pismo Beach State Park
This particular state beach park is 17 miles long and provides opportunities for swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking, and camping. Need to plan an exciting afternoon, ATV rentals are available for you and your family. Additionally, if you are looking to have an exceptionally fun evening, gather with some friends around a bonfire on the beach, roast some marshmallows and enjoy the ocean air. This beautiful state park houses many marine creatures such as sea urchins, crabs, kelp and many others. For those bird watchers out there, you will most likely spot the great blue heron and a few pelicans near the beach’s tree-lined dunes. This beach is most famous for its large and stunning monarch butterfly population. These brilliant butterflies migrate from October through February. There are informative docents who will fill you in on everything there is to know about these amazing butterflies.

Morro Bay State Park
Have a fun afternoon kayaking, sailing, or fishing in Morro Bay where you may spot a dolphin, sea lion, or sea otter! This state park supports a very large bird population that also provides a world-class bird watching experience. Along with this, you can visit the park’s museum to learn more about Morro Bay’s oceanography, geology, and history. If you enjoy activities out in the ocean air, make a stop over to the park’s public golf course! Before leaving, try to catch a glimpse of the two volcanic peaks that are within viewing distance. Have fun and make sure not to get caught in the mud!

Live Entertainment

If you are looking forward to enjoying some live theater or music during your stay in San Luis Obispo, you are in luck! SLO offers fantastic live performances all year round. From sandy beach musical concerts to engaging live theater, SLO has got you covered. Take a look at the local listings and see what’s going on at the time of your visit, you might just find a must-see ballet or a comedy show to get the night started! We found that their are two live performance venues that get rave reviews and are certainly worth a visit.

The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville
While you are in the SLO area, you really should see at least one live theater performance, and the Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville is the place to see it! This intimate theater has been going strong since 1975 with standing ovation performances that keep it going all year round. Its fun performances are suitable for adults and children alike. Nightly shows offer two-act plays so you are essentially getting two shows for the price of one. Their entertaining shows are filled with music, comedy, dancing, and more. In addition to this, the theater offers an in-house pub where you can enjoy snacks, beer, and wine

The Historic Pozo Saloon Concert Venue

For those lovers of fine music and historic landmarks, we recommend the Pozo Saloon. This well-kept icon of San Luis Obispo has been around since 1858. You will get a glimpse into the old West while seeing your favorite musicians. The Pozo Saloon is considered a premier concert venue that has had the pleasure of presenting famous musicians such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson, The Black Crows, Dwight Yoakam, and so many others. The saloon offers dining and an old-style jukebox. You may even see a celebrity or two while you are enjoying your dinner. They offer reasonably priced tickets, so check out their website to see who will be performing next!

Family Fun Attractions

If you are ready to have some extra fun and see more of what SLO has to offer, than let’s take a look at three very popular tourist attractions. This would include taking a trip to an amazing Aquarium, visiting and learning about the areas extraordinary elephant seals, along with having a seat while catching a movie at a solar-powered movie theater!

Central Coast Aquarium


Located off Avila Beach of the San Luis Obispo Bay, this exciting aquarium, formally called the Sea Life Center, is an adventure in itself. The Central Coast Aquarium offers fun touch labs where you can get up close and personal with marine life such as purple sea urchins, sea stars, hermit crabs and more. You will have a chance to temporarily become a marine biologist while on their floating lab! They offer many exhibits that provide close views of red octopus, rockfish, and other unique creatures. If you feel you are brave enough, visit the shark touch tank. After all, it’s not very often that you are given the opportunity to actually touch a shark! Friendly trained staff and volunteers love to answer questions, so get ready to learn more about the San Luis Obispo ocean life.

Visit the Elephant Seals in San Simeon
Everyone should visit the elephant seals in San Simeon, it’s a San Luis Obispo County favorite! An area called Piedras Blancas is the best place to view these incredible marine mammals. The northern elephant seal openly play, as well as rest, it’s a definitely a sight to see. December through March is the peak-viewing season, so be sure to mark your calendar. Stop by the Friends of the Elephant Seal visitor center and gift shop, it’s just 8 miles south of the viewing area, and worth the short drive.

Catch a Movie at the Palm Theater
SLO’s oldest and only independent movie theater is a fun and affordable setting to see the best independent films. The Palm Theater has the charm of a small town theater with inexpensive popcorn and friendly staff. Plus, it’s run exclusively by solar power! It was actually the very first movie theater in the United States to become fully solar-powered. So take a seat and enjoy the show!

Experience the Art of SLO

Are you a lover of all things creative, if so, then you will want to visit some of San Luis Obispo’s favorite art hot spots! SLO has a thriving art community that offers a variety of mediums and subjects. Most visitors adore the local coastal art since it enables them to bring home a little reminder of the relaxing coastal life environment. We recommend stopping by the areas most talked about art event and museum, they are visited by thousands of people every year.

SLO Museum of Art
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art offers many intriguing exhibits that include paintings, photography, fine art, sculpture and more. You will even be given an orientation tour so you can get the most out of your visit. In addition to this, the SLO Museum of Art also presents lectures, films, and classes to its visitors. Check out their website for current exhibit information and hours.

Art After Dark in SLO
If you want to take a walk and experience art after hours, you won’t want to miss Art After Dark in SLO. From 6 pm to 9 pm, the first Friday of every month, a vast amount of art is displayed in the galleries and non-traditional exhibit spaces in downtown San Luis Obispo. This event showcases local artist as well as renowned artist from around the world. Complimentary refreshments are often offered, and many casual and fine dining opportunities are available if you want to stop for a bite to eat. This event will provide you with hours of enjoyable entertainment!

Stop by a Winery or Brewery – Always a Good Time

Experience the central coast’s well-known breweries and wineries that will allow you to enjoy good company and well-crafted drinks while you’re in the area. If fine beer is your specialty, then you will have plenty of options since SLO boasts dozens of quality breweries. If a glass of wine is your forte, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Oceanfront wineries are what make this wine country so favored and you will want to visit one or two for the experience of it! We have a few crowd favorites that are highly recommended. So stop on by, have a drink, and say hello to the locals.

A Few Great Breweries
Our personal favorites are Central Coast Brewing and the Tap It Brewing Company; both offer beer equal in quality and taste. Central Coast Brewing is located in the bustling downtown area of San Luis Obispo and is known for being one of the area’s premier brewing companies. This famous brewery offers outstanding varieties of handcrafted specialty ales and lagers. They always have something interesting going on, from holiday parties to great bands, so you are guaranteed to have a great time. Just as fun is the Tap It Brewing Company, a laid-back brewery that offers traditional and creative beers. They showcase their famous draft beer in the Tap Room, a social room where you can experience beer the way it was meant to be. This brewery often has live entertainment that kicks the fun up a notch.

SLO Wine Country Favorites
Edna Valley, located on California central coast, is home to many wineries that host visitors from all over the world. This picturesque area of San Luis Obispo is where all fun happens. The wineries in this coastal area provide great live entertainment and events, so be sure to check their calendars when planning your visit so you won’t miss out. Let’s start with the Edna Valley Winery, which offers breathtaking views and fine wines. Visit their tasting room to enjoy one of their award-winning wines. They specialize in crafting Chardonnay wines, but also offer a variety of other types.

Nearby is Saucelito Canyon Winery, maker of outstanding Zinfandels. This winery’s tasting room is situated in the middle of beautiful rolling hills and endless vineyards. Also worth mentioning is Kynsi Winery, a family operated vineyard that is a local favorite. Here you will experience ocean breezes, blue skies, and spectacular scenery as you sip your wine among friends and family. They often present limited-edition wines in their renowned tasting room. While you are on the Edna Valley wine trail, stop by Wolff Winery to visit their fun tasting room, complete with picnic benches. They offer several great wines and a fabulous panoramic view!

San Luis Obispo is a world-famous vacation spot and provides everything you would need for an ideal getaway! We hope our list of Favorite Things to do in San Luis Obispo has you excited about all the possibilities this exceptional area has to offer. Start making your plans and we will see you there!

by

Why Are People Eating Clean When Dirty Seems Just Fine?

You may have noticed that “clean eating” is among the more prominent buzz phrases still being used in the nutrition, beauty, and fashion industry these days. Well-known actors, fashion models, and the like, are utilizing this nutritional and beneficial way of eating to ensure they look and feel their best. It has caught the attention of people from all walks of life that want to better themselves and feel good about what they eat on a daily basis.

If you’re not familiar with clean eating, you may be wondering, “Why should I eat clean when dirty (traditional eating) seems just fine?” That’s a great question and worth looking into. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at clean eating and why it’s a good idea to incorporate it into your daily meals.

What Exactly is Clean Eating?

Simply put, clean eating is consuming food the way nature intended you to. This means avoiding processed foods and leaning towards foods that are in their natural state, or as close as possible to it. For example, instead of eating a blueberry almond muffin for your mid-morning snack, you would instead have a side of blueberries and almonds. Or, to break it down even further, avoid buying a bag of pre-chopped walnuts that have gone through a chopping facility, and instead go for the walnuts that are still in their shell waiting to be opened. This way, you are avoiding the “processed” aspect and going straight for the nutrient-packed whole elements. Now that you have a general understanding of clean eating, let’s break it down a bit.

The Steps Your Food Goes Through can Determine its Cleanness

When considering foods to add to a clean daily meal plan, think about how the food was produced, or what path it took to get to your local grocery store. The more steps, the less clean. A bag of pre-cut carrots that started out on a farm, are then placed on a truck and driven to a manufacturing plant, ran through a cutting and sorting facility, and then bagged and thrown back on a truck. By the time these carrots are within your reach, they have lost many nutrients along the way. Your best bet would be to obtain your food from your local farmer’s market, which would most likely be directly from the farm.

With that being said, think about how many more nutrients are lost in foods that are heavily processed such a frozen meal that has gone through a cooking and freezing process in a large facility. This type of meal contains many additives and preservatives that taint the food you feed your body. This also applies to food that is prepared at home, the more steps you put your food through; the further it will be from its natural healthy state. So what it boils down to is that clean eating emphasizes whole, unprocessed or minimally processed, healthy food that has not had anything added to it, along with nothing being taken away. This leaves you with nutrient-rich foods that will greatly benefit your health.

Clean Eating Quick Tips:
• Strive to eat foods in their natural state
• Eliminate or dramatically cut-down on processed foods
• Choose organic foods to avoid pesticides
• Consume unrefined whole grains such as brown rice not white
• Replace white sugar with a clean alternative such as honey
• Meats should be free-range and grass-fed – no hormones or antibiotics
• Add clean proteins, healthy fats, and carbohydrates for a well-rounded diet

Is Cooked Food Considered Clean
Yes, it is! Eating your food in its unaltered, uncooked state would be best, but lightly cooking your meals is perfectly fine also. Although cooking does alter your food and some nutrients are lost, it is also true that other nutrients are actually elevated during the cooking process. A study conducted by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry concluded that cooked tomatoes have a 35% increased level of lycopene. This nutrient fights off skin-damaging free radicals. So as you can see, minimally cooked food is actually beneficial in some cases. Furthermore, some food requires cooking, such as meats or rice.

Clean Eating – Sample Meal Plan

To give you an even better idea of clean eating, we thought it would be helpful to provide an example of a typical clean meal plan. Meal plans like this can give you more energy, keep you healthy and looking your best, as well as give you a piece of mind knowing you are taking care of yourself.

Breakfast
• No-cook overnight oatmeal with fresh blueberries
• Small glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice

Lunch
• Southwestern quinoa salad with black beans and farm stand veggies

Dinner
• Grilled wild salmon with mango-kiwi relish
• Lightly steamed green beans with lemon
• Garlic herbed brown rice with parsley

The Average American Diet – A Comparison

Now that you have a better understanding of what clean eating entails, let’s take a step back and evaluate the average American diet. Since people cook a variety of foods in their homes, a fair way to examine an unclean diet would be to layout a typical American restaurant meal since everyone is offered the same choices. Most people love to eat out because it’s convenient and there are no meal preparation or dishes to clean. Unfortunately, if you are not putting effort into your meals, it can sometimes translates into not enough effort being directed towards your health.

Typical Restaurant Lunch
• Gourmet BBQ burger with apple smoked bacon
• White sesame seed bun
• Seasoned french fries
• Large soda with free refills

As you can see, this meal is filled with heavily processed unhealthy foods that are lacking in nutrients. It’s loaded with carbohydrates, sugars, trans fats, sodium, has little or no fiber, and mostly consists of empty calories. This type of consumption, on a regular basis, can damage your health and give you an unhealthy poor appearance. It can lead to heart disease, cancer, and a variety of illnesses. In contrast, a clean eating lifestyle can have the opposite effect which will significantly improve your health.

Getting Specific – Cosmetic Benefits of Eating Clean

They say you are what you eat, and they are correct. If you are eating a typical unclean diet then your appearance will reflect that. Eating clean healthy foods that retain their maximum nutrient levels will have your body thanking you. Our bodies were meant to take in whole nutrient-packed foods that nourish our every cell. When we don’t receive it, the effects can start to show up in multiple ways, such as our appearance. This is when you realize that beauty comes from within and everything you place into your body will affect how you look and feel. It can be the difference between looking young and vibrant to older than your age and rundown.

How Big is the Link Between Nutritional Intake and Your Appearance
Cosmetically speaking, your nutritional intake plays a huge role in how you look as well as how you age. An eating clean nutrient-packed meal plan can keep your skin tighter and blemish free, your eyes whiter, bones stronger, teeth and gums healthier, hair softer, and your weight down. In an abstract presented by Dermato Endocrinology, it was shown that there is a proven link between nutrition and skin aging. It makes sense, your body needs certain nutrients to stay on top of its game, if it is deprived, your outward appearance will suffer.

What Should be Avoided to Eliminate Cosmetic Concerns
It goes without saying that to maximize your cosmetic and physical wellbeing you would need to minimize your unclean eating habits. Avoid as much as possible, refined foods such as white flour, foods high in saturated fats, pesticides, sodium, empty calories, sugars, carbohydrates, preservatives, hormones, facility processed fruits and vegetables, and processed foods in general. If consuming these elements regularly, your body will most likely let you know it does not like what you are feeding it by a decline in health and appearance. When eliminating these foods from your diet, you can easily replace them with delicious, healthy, unprocessed foods that will have you looking and feeling your best.

Clean eating is not the latest fad that will be replaced with the next one, it has been around for years, and for good reason. People around the world have incorporated this way of eating into their daily meals, and it is more of a lifestyle rather than a diet. We hope the information provided in this article has given you a clear insight into why eating clean is important to your health and your wellbeing.

by

Easy Pear Grape High-Protein Smoothie

Whether you are looking for a quick and healthy breakfast, a creative snack, or an occasional meal replacement, this Pear Grape High-Protein Smoothie recipe has got you covered! With its delicious taste, high nutrient content, and vibrant color, you really can’t go wrong.

This easy smoothie concoction features a blend of pear, grape, banana, and spinach, making it a fun way to take care of those required fruit and veggie servings you are always reading about. Also, the specific ingredients chosen for this green smoothie make it a protein-packed drink; you can thank the yogurt, almond, and soy milk for that. Additionally, smoothies are quick and easy to make; throw everything in the blender, mix, and you have yourself a healthy drink you can feel good about.

The Power of Protein

It’s essential to incorporate protein into your daily meal plan. Proteins play a major role in the development and proper function of our bodies. As a result, it can affect hormones, muscles, tissues, bones, the heart, and even our mood, just to name a few.

Let’s break it down a bit. Some of these important functions include keeping blood sugar on track, enabling the absorption of key nutrients, and allowing for a boost in muscle mass. In addition to this, protein can assist in managing weight, plays a big role in the creation and maintenance of strong bones, and it can allow for the proper upkeep of collagen for healthy skin. An adequate amount of daily protein keeps us on the path to great health, just another reason to incorporate a high-protein smoothie into your daily regimen.

Smoothie Ingredients that Make a Difference

This high-protein smoothie does more than just provide a high dose of protein; it also delivers a generous serving of many other health-promoting elements. Each ingredient provides a multitude of benefits, but we will discuss just a few for each key ingredient so you can gain a general understanding of how healthy this fruit and veggie smoothie really is.

Soy Milk: A great alternative for lactose intolerant individuals. This traditional milk replacement contains essential vitamins such as E, D, K, B12, and B6. Soy milk offers a complete plant-based protein, along with calcium and iron.

Yogurt: This popular food is a great source of high protein, vitamins, and minerals, as well as beneficial probiotics that support the digestive tract. Additionally, yogurt contains a significant amount of potassium, as well as calcium for bone health, and can assist in weight management.

Pears: This sweet delicious fruit is packed with specific antioxidants that play a role in sweeping up free radicals from our bodies. With this being said, pears protect our cells and keep our skin looking young. They also boasts beneficial vitamins, fiber, and protein.

Grapes: Studies show that the phytonutrients found in grapes protect skin cells from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light radiation. Equally as important is the fact that grapes are also known as an anti-inflammatory food that help shield our body from the damage of inflammation. This little snack contains a good source of vitamins A, C, and K.

Bananas: This super fruit is loaded with potassium, which is said to lower your risk of heart disease. Bananas are a good source of calcium, magnesium, fiber, vitamin C and B6. This yellow fruit may also play a role in protecting your body from free radicals, as well as chronic diseases.

Spinach: A leafy green vegetable that is loaded with healthy items such as iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, vitamins C, A, K, E, B2, and B6. Spinach also provides omega-3 fats, protein, and polyphenols that assist in enhancing the immune system.

Almonds: Protein-packed, vitamin-rich food that adds fiber to your diet, as well as unsaturated fatty acids. Almonds play a role in assisting in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, inflammation reduction, blood sugar control, and can improve the health of your skin. Furthermore, almonds are a wonderful source of calcium, fiber, and potassium, along with vitamins A, D, B.

Pear Grape High-Protein Smoothie

What You Will Need:
1 cup soy milk
1/3 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
1 tbs. almond meal
1 ripe pear – stem and seeds removed
10-15 green seedless grapes
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup chopped spinach – tightly packed in measuring cup
1/2 cup ice cubes
(Makes 2 servings)

Create Your Smoothie:
Step 1: Place all ingredients in the blender
Step 1: Mix on high until fruits and veggies are well pureed
Step 3: Serve immediately and enjoy

Smoothie Creation Tips:
Tip 1: Freezing your grapes and a peeled banana will allow you to skip the ice
Tip 2: If you prefer not to use soy milk, simply replace it with almond or rice milk
Tip 3: If your blender is capable of crushing almonds, create your own almond meal
Tip 4: Freeze your smoothie in individual to-go cups and grab one for breakfast

This fun smoothie recipe will provide you with the protein you need, as well as give you a boost in energy. We hope you enjoy this high-protein nutritional drink. Cheers!