A long practiced Ayurvedic treatment, acupuncture has a proven track record of holistically healing ailments in many people. From fibromyalgia to weight loss, acupuncture does it all! Keep reading to let Health Like Me give you all the details! First thing first: What is Ayurveda? What is Ayurveda?The word Ayurveda derives from the Sanskrit word “ayur”, meaning life, and “veda”, meaning science or knowledge. As a natural approach to health, acupuncture is a form of Ayurvedic medicine treatment. What are the health benefits of acupuncture?Acupuncture provides a wealth of wonderful rewards for our mental, physical, and emotional health!
Who benefits from acupuncture?
Where to go?There are many acupuncture studio locations -- local and nation-wide. Modern Acupuncture has locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida, and many other states. While in North Texas though, visit the three spots in Las Colinas, Addison, or Plano. However, there's also Hiatus Spa + Retreat in Plano and Yin's Acupuncture & Herbs Clinic in Frisco! All have phenomenal reviews and success rates! While acupuncture still mostly flies under the radar for Western medicine, its rewards can't be ignored. Most studios offer a discounted first session, or even take HSA/FSA payment.
So if possible, skip over to the nearest location to see if this is the way to go for you!
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If you thought all fats were bad, think again. We've all seen the term omega-3 fatty acids on the back of tuna labels or when shopping for vitamins. that means they have some nutritional value, right? But how much stock should we actually put into these fatty acids? According to science and health professionals, a whole lot. The Good FatsOmega-3s are powerful essential fats and nutrients that keep our body functioning properly, And because we cannot produce these fats naturally, we depend on food and/or supplements to gain the benefits of the fatty acids. There are three types of omega-3s: EPA, DHA, and ALA. EPA and DHA are found in seafood and ALA is found in plants. In the simplest of terms, these good fatty acids are a form of polyunsaturated fat. These types of fats have more than one "open slot". Meaning carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms can latch on to available slots, and therefore giving our cells everything they need to do their job! If you want a quick refresher on the saturated vs. unsaturated fat, check out this previous post Health Like Me did a while back! Benefits
Foods That are Natural in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
If any of these foods aren't your cup of tea, you can opt for taking supplements! When searching for a good omega-3 supplement, look to make sure it has DHA and EPA as main ingredients. As for dosage level, the FDA recommends taking up to 5,000 mg daily. And if swallowing capsules/pills triggers a gag reflex, try cod liver oil. Cod liver oil is a popular liquid option to obtain the necessary omega-3 nutrients. Overall, we can't beat the benefits that omega-3 fatty acids brings to our bodies. So why not get started on introducing these good fats into our diets. It's an investment our health will gladly thank us for!
1. African Black Soap Body WashThe popular African-American brand Shea Moisture has a phenomenal body wash you can buy pretty much anywhere – from Ulta, to Target or CVS, even Amazon. Infused with Vitamin E, aloe, and oat extract, the African Black Soap Body Wash soothes dry, irritated skin while also removing impurities. Bonus? It's free of sulfates and parabens and never tested on animals! 2. Bio Oil® Skincare Oil Not going to lie, this product can be the priciest out of all four items depending on the size you purchase. But if you get one of the smaller fluid ounces, it is so worth it and lasts a long time! This oil helps reduce the appearance of those pesky acne scars and stretchmarks, and it evens out skin tones for both dark and light complexions. With the help of Vitamin E, Bio-Oil is great for maintaining the look of healthy skin. Use straight on skin, mix with a favorite lotion, or make a homemade scrub! 3. Sea Breeze® Sensitive Skin Astringent
Your face will enjoy the fresh and tingly sensation of a true deep clean when used as directed. Get rid of trapped oil, clogged pores from dirt and/or makeup, or dead skin from a pure, natural cleanser. Plus, Sea Breeze ® Sensitive Skin is considered OTC at your local pharmacy. So dig out that HSA card! 4. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle CleanserLastly, a popular brand dermatologists love is La Roche-Posay and a go-to for those with sensitive skin is the Toleriane Cleanser. This one can be on the pricier and of the spectrum. But don't we want the best for our sensitive skin? The biggest benefit of this cleanser is that it helps maintain the hydration levels on our face because it's soap free, fragrance free, and sulfate free. The formula is so light and gentle, you won't even realize your skin is getting a top-notch clean! Whether it takes one product or a whole six-product regimen, taking care of your sensitive skin takes time dedication. Let's hope Health Like Me got you started in the right direction. Also, if you're more of a charcoal lover, check out our post for our favorite charcoal skin-detoxing mask!
Turmeric Is...
BenefitsNot only savory, if taken orally or eaten, turmeric is anti-inflammatory, helps digestion and arthritis, supports cognitive health, and is an immunity booster! Did we mention that it aids in wound healing, cleanses the liver, and helps control type 2 diabetes? Oh yeah, and promotes weight management. The list definitely goes on and on. UsesHow can we use this miracle root? Any local pharmacy or grocer will provide a variety supplement options. According to experts, the best supplement on shelves ranges from the affordable Nature Made Turmeric Extra Strength and Sundown Naturals Turmeric Curcumin capsules to the pricier Throne Research Meriva SF. But because this blog is geared to the average Millennial, the Nature Made and Sundown are the best for the struggling buck. In a drink, consider mixing it in a milk blend, tea, detox drink, smoothie, or, since it's still summer, concoct a lemonade! Have fun with it! There's no right or wrong way to consume turmeric. In a body or face wash, lotions, or face masks, turmeric has wonderful effects for those who suffer from hyperpigmentation, acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Turmeric also calms dry skin due to its natural hydrating and soothing properties like curcumin, as well as reducing the appearance of stretch marks! Side note: Never leave turmeric on too long when using as a mask. It can stain your skin. All of this healing marvel is because of turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components.
So now that you know turmeric isn't just a go-to for your favorite Indian dish, how do you plan on using this "spice of life"? Share your answer in the comments below!
Why is too much water bad for our bodies?Whenever we become dehydrated, it's second nature to reach for a bottle or glass of water. After all, that's one of the only ways to remedy it. But the thing about good ole water is too much of it dilutes sodium content in the blood and causes a very crucial organ -- our kidneys -- to not function properly. This condition is hyponatremia. Our body will consequently hold on to excess water causing electrolyte levels to become low. Symptoms of hyponatremia can include:
Also, without the necessary amount of sodium, which is roughly 500 mg per day for adults, we could potentially lose the ability to execute nerve and muscle function. On the flip side, sodium also helps with improving how our thyroids operate and balancing the combination of minerals and water. According to experts, how much is too much?
What Should Be Done Instead?There are alternatives to downing water when dehydrated. They include drinking coconut water, low-sugar sports drinks, Pedialyte, and even milk! Bone broths are also a good option no one thinks about. They are high in water content while also replenishing your electrolyte balance. But if all you can put your hands on is water, be sure to drink it regularly when spending time outdoors and not all at once when dehydration kicks in. Another way to trick your body into getting its necessary H2O is snacking on fruits that are high in water content such as watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, and oranges, pears, and grapes. Long story short, there can be too much of a good thing. But with the knowledge gained from this quick read, smart choices can be made when dealing with our body's response to battling the summer heat.
Take care! We listen to the experts – hop on the Stair Master and squat, squat squat. Trouble is, when the same exercise is repeated, a plateau occurs. Meaning our targeted muscle, or area of the body, has adapted and the results we saw at first are no longer happening! Never fear, though, because Health Like me is here to shed light on a few other exercises we can do to round out our favorite asset. And what's better is that all four of these can be done from the comfort of the living room floor without any equipment. 1. Plank Hip DipsAs the name so aptly describes, this easy exercise has us dip our hips from side to side while in a plank position. From the starting plank and feet together, raise up slightly on tip toes and twist your hip down without it touching the ground. Try and hold each side for about two seconds each. It's important to engage our core while doing this! 2. Fire HydrantsWhile we've previously discussed fire hydrants extremely briefly in the past, this section will dive more into this fun exercise! To start, get on all fours – knees and feet flat against the floor and aligned with hips, arms extended – while keeping the back straight. Then with your knee bent, raise it to the side as if a dog would when handling his business. Remember to squeeze your butt as the leg goes up. Want to give this workout some extra oomph? Do a pulse while the leg is up to the side! More specifically, this exercise targets the gluteus medius. This part of the booty gives it a nice round shape we all love and want. 3. Clamshells
4. Lying Hamstring CurlFinally we have the lying hamstring curl. This one is probably the easiest one on this list. This lazy girl exercise trims our hamstrings, aka back of the leg muscles, leading to a more defined derriere! While lying on your front and legs straight, slightly lift your head up with your hands underneath. Then, bend your knees while curling your legs up at the same time and squeeze, squeeze, squeeze your booty! Finish by lowering your legs back down in the starting position. Your hamstrings should be the only thing making any movement. Don't lift your shoulders back to meet your feet. For some added advantage, try these exercises with ankle weights! Now that we've added some variety to our glute workouts, we'll be filling out those bikini bottoms – and soon leggings sooner than we thought!
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