Bone broth is a rich source of nutrients. It contains protein, cartilage, gelatin, and minerals, especially calcium. It’s easy for our body to digest, tastes delicious and fills a home with an aroma of goodness while cooking. Bone broth is inherently calming, consoling, and restorative to our energy and spirit. The gelatin in bone broth also has been shown to have numerous benefits on the cartilage in our joints, the integrity of our gut membrane, the detoxification of our livers, and the health of our skin!
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BASIC BONE BROTH MAKING

1. Bones - poultry, fish, shellfish, beef or lamb
   - cooked bones from a previous meal, with or without skin or meat
   - raw bones, with or without skin and meat (can be browned first for flavour)
   ​- use a whole carcass or just parts (good choices include feet, ribs, necks and knuckles)
2. Water - cold
   enough to just cover the bones or 2 cups water per 1 pound bones
3. Vinegar - any kind
   a splash (1-2 tablespoons), or substitute lemon juice for vinegar
4. Vegetables (optional) – skins, ends and tops or entire veggie
   traditional choices include celery, carrots, onions, garlic and parsley, but any will do

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that causes significant imbalances to the hormonal system in many women today. One of the biggest concerns with PCOS is that it is widely under-diagnosed. Just in the United States alone, there are approximately 7 million women experiencing symptoms of this condition, yet around half of these women have no idea they have PCOS!

For a long time, the root cause to PCOS was believed to be a result of an overproduction of male hormones, called androgens. In more recent years, research has confirmed PCOS is in fact a condition resulting from desensitization to insulin production within the body, which in turn leads to increased production of these androgenic hormones.

In addition, studies on PCOS have revealed those with the condition are at a greater risk for heart disease and diabetes (type 2). Heart disease is the leading killer in women. Even in cases where women were young and fit, yet had PCOS, it was five times more likely they would still develop these risks if they did not seek treatment for their conditions.

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      Our skin provides us with a wonderful reflection of what’s occurring below its surface. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not a result of improper facial hygiene. It typically presents itself as the unfortunate indicator that there's an internal problem. And while most reach for the latest and greatest topical products that promise results, many forget to ask the important question of "why is this happening in the first place?"

The root to acne formation is centered on the oil gland, known as the sebaceous gland. Hormonal changes, inflammatory foods, disrupted skin pH, etc. can lead to changes in the quality and amount of sebum produced, creating low level inflammation. This inflammation can plug the follicle, creating little papule-like lesions called closed comedones. Bacteria see these comedones as honeymoon destinations, and the more overgrown with bacteria these blocked follicles become, the larger and more cystic the resulting "pimple". If the cyst ruptures below the dermis, the lesions last a lot longer and are more likely to trigger scarring.

So how do we manage it? Since lesions are most commonly the result of oxidative damage and hormonal imbalances, the trick is to work from the inside out. 

Join us for the next 6 weeks as we challenge each other to incorporate healthy habits into our lifestyles. Share with a friend to challenge them with you!
 
Health Habits Challenge: No Electronics 1 hour before bed
Our bodies are made up of millions of electrons that are constantly subjected to stimulation: more specifically, light stimulation. 
The reception of light into our optic nerve emits a signal to the brain to indicate daytime, and therefore mounts a release of our wake/stress hormones, cortisol, dopamine and noradrenalin.
This tells our brain that we should be awake and active, not restful and sleepy.

Furthermore, research out of Thomas Jefferson University shows that the light emitted from our devices is “short-wavelength-enriched,” meaning it has a higher concentration of blue light than natural light. Blue light has been shown to affect levels of melatonin (our sleep-inducing hormone) more than any other wavelength.

Instead, dim the lights, power down all the electronics, and relax in bed by listening to a podcast, chatting with your partner, or reading a good ol' fashion paperback novel. Choose relaxing reading materials that have nothing to do with work! Stop all your work-related activities at least 2 hours before bed!

And no, night mode doesn't count.

​Join us for the next 6 weeks as we challenge each other to incorporate healthy habits into our lifestyles. Share with a friend to challenge them with you!
 
Health Habits Challenge: Lemon Water in the Morning 
For the next 7 days, wake with a glass of fresh lemon water on an empty stomach. Not only is it citrusy and delicious, it's packed with health benefits you might not have known.
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#1 It aid digestion - lemon water stimulates gastric juice production, strengthening the effects of your stomach acid and building digestive enzymes. This makes it a great solution for constipation, bloating, gas, and heartburn.
 
#2 It's rich in potassium - you can skip the starchy banana, because lemon water is a great source of potassium, making it great for heart health, brain function, and the nervous system. 
 
#3 It promotes liver cleansing - waking every morning with a glass of this stuff slowly and naturally supports the body's natural ability to detoxify, since lemon water stimulates the liver and encourages enzyme production.
 
#4 It reduced inflammation - while we think of lemon as an acidic fruit, it actually creates a very alkaline state in the body. A more alkaline environment has been correlated to lower incidences of chronic disease and cancer.
 
#5 It stimulates your immune system - the acetic acid wakes up your mucous membranes, and the dosage of vitamin C helps support immune system function, especially during times of added stress. 
 
Always make sure the lemon is fresh (no concentrate), and be sure to leave some time between your glass of lemon water and brushing your teeth, to save the health of your enamel. 

If you're like me, summer sun and heat do a number on my hair. Dryness, frizz, split ends... shall I go on.
By this time of year, my locks end up looking more like straw. 

I've tried a number of hair masks... keratin, protein, paraben free, leave ins, wash outs. All expensive, and none as effective as this home remedy...

Castor oil!