Healthy foods for your teeth!

We've all had the occasional cavity once in our life, well at least I had over 6 (yikes.) This was due to my addiction to sweets and sugary foods as a kid. Now that I'm older I've learnt to maintain good oral hygiene by learning to prevent and reverse the damage 8 year old me caused. Surely you can pick up some tips and strive for that white tooth smile!

1. Water

Obvious one, yes. Water helps wash sugars and acid off teeth. It contains fluoride, a mineral that protects your teeth from eroding. 

2. Green tea

I love, love, LOVE green tea. The best part of it is that it contains antioxidants that protect your gums.

3. Cheese and any other dairy products

Dairy is naturally abundant in calcium. This mineral is essential for both your bones and teeth. Once you start lacking in this mineral, your teeth and bones will weaken. So, drink your milk and eat cheese to strengthen them bones and teeth!

4. Strawberries

We all love strawberries. Don't deny it. This yummy berry contains malic acid which is a natural enamel whitener. You could do this at home by smashing up a ripe strawberry and dipping your toothbrush in it. Afterwards, make sure to thoroughly rinse with warm water. 

Wellness Wednesday ~ Foods for Healthy Hair

What you eat reflects entirely on your body, especially your hair. Today's Wellness Wednesday, we will focus on foods that promote healthy, luscious hair. 

1. Fruits and Vegetables

This seems pretty obvious and you probably saw this one coming. Fruits and veggies are rich in vitamin C, helping your body absorb iron. Without iron, your hair will start to fall out(especially in women!!!!)

2. Spinach

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I'm not a big fan of spinach either. However, spinach is rich in iron, beta carotene(which transforms into vitamin A), folate, and vitamin C. All in all, it's great in keeping those fancy follicles healthy!

3. Blueberries

Yum! Blueberries are perfect in producing vitamin C. The vitamin that prevents hair breakage and is essential for circulation to the scalp. Plus, they're absolutely delicious!

4. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and iron. Much like fruits and vegetables, eggs will prevent hair loss.  

5.  Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Your body is not capable of producing omega-3 fatty acids, which is essential for hair growth. However, you can get it from salmon, walnuts, sardines, flaxseeds, and mackerel. 

Wellness Wednesday ~ Get that H2O

To start off Wellness Wednesday, let me fill you in on an experience of mine. On a summer day, I was battling with an excruciating headache. I didn't know what the root of this problem could be, until I realized that I hadn't had any water all day. Then, I gulped copious amounts of water. I instantly felt better and swore to myself to drink more water to avoid headaches like the one I had that day. Ladies and gentlemen, keep in mind that your brain tissue is 70% to 80% of water, and depriving yourself of water can lead to migraines!

We all know that water is great to quench your thirst on a hot summer day, and even to prevent headaches, but staying hydrated is import for many different reasons. Here are five other reasons for you to grab a glass of cold water!

First off, the largest organ of your body, skin, functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. Drinking more water will prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky and is a natural anti-aging regiment. You can wear all the creams and skin treatments you want, but it won't help you if you don't drink your water! 

Secondly, your body is made up of 60% water. It is essential that your body gets the water it needs to help out other bodily functions. The functions include digestion, circulation, creation of saliva, and maintenance of body temperature. 

Thirdly, water boosts your metabolism. At this very moment, many chemical reactions are taking place in your body. Drink water to keep these chemical reactions moving smoothly. One of the best ways to lose weight is to keep your metabolism going. So kick the soda, and replace it with a bottle of water.

Ever had kidney stones? Well, as it turns out water helps your kidneys. You probably know that, but it's important to be reminded that we can avoid those debilitating kidney stones by simply drinking more water. It is a great toxin cleanser for your body. 

Lastly, if you are reading this from work and you're feeling a little glum, you probably should gulp  a glass of water. It will make you more alert at work! 

Wellness Wednesday- 4th of July Recipes

Good morning, readers! Today is Wednesday Wellness. To begin the 4th of July with a healthy start, here are some recipes we recommend you share with friends & family! 

Vegan Tempeh & Black Bean Burgers 

To begin you will need :

1 tbsp ground flax seeds

3 tbsp unsweetened almond milk or water

1-8oz package tempeh

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp grilling or hamburger seasoning mix

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

1 cup cooked black beans

2 medium scallions, sliced thin

½ cup shredded vegan cheese 

3 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray.
2. Combine ground flax seeds and almond milk or water in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Crumble tempeh in a large bowl. Add Paprika, hamburger seasoning, salt and black pepper and toss gently.
4. Add black beans, scallions, cheese and flax mixture and using your hands, mash it all together until all the ingredients are combined.
5. Divide the mixture in 4 pieces and shape each one into patties, about an inch thick.
6. Brush both sides of each patty with olive oil and carefully transfer them to the baking sheet. Bake at 375F for 30 minutes then broil for 5-7 minutes, watching them carefully so they don't burn.
7. Serve on a bun.
8. Pat yourself on the back for achieving this delicious vegan burger!

Everyone on this Earth loves pizza and can't say no to a pizza dish. Try this Vegan Grilled Veggie Pizza recipe!

To begin you will need :

• 1 recipe for a 10-inch vegan pizza dough
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 vine-ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, thinly sliced
• 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 6 button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 3 to 4 finely torn fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup shredded vegan cheese

1. Spray grill rack or griddle with a nonstick cooking spray. Preheat grill to medium heat.
2. Put those muscles to work by rolling the pizza dough out to either 10-inch round or a rectangle.
3. Brush with olive oil and place pizza on grate or griddle. Then, close the lid and grill for 2-3 mins. 
4. Remove the from grill and add the remaining ingredients.
5. Slide back onto grill and close the lid. Grill for 4 mins or at least until the cheese is melted.
6. Cut into wedges or squares.
7. Sit back and watch as the others enjoy your dish. 

We hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July!

10 Coconut Oil Uses

The coconut, also referred to as the Tree of Life is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers. It is cheap and can be found at your local grocery store. 

1. Running late and suffering from summer beachy flyways? Dab a bit of coconut oil to tame frizzy hair. 

2. Remove eye makeup by applying coconut oil on cotton with a dab of water, and remove those panda eyes.

3. Ever have tummy troubles? Well, coconut oil improves digestion. A spoonful a day can help improve thyroid function and boost your immune system.

4. Having summer hair mishaps?  There's a way you can prevent from further damage. According to this article, coconut oil reduces the protein loss for damaged/undamaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash grooming product.

5. If you made plans to slim down this summer you can use coconut oil as a a replacement for butter and oil, when cooking or baking to achieve your beach body. 

6. Reduce your dogs halitosis(bad breath), by pouring coconut oil into their food. 

7. Feel self-conscious about razor burns or clogged pores? It's summer and you shouldn't have to feel insecure about showing off your body. Use coconut oil as an aftershave to avoid this while also achieving healthier, attractive skin. 

8. Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition that causes acne-like bumps. You can help fade it by using coconut oil. 

9. Use as hair conditioner by rubbing coconut oil in hair and leave for 30 mins. 

10. Recent studies have shown that fluoride in toothpaste and water are detrimental to your health. With that being said, there is a lot of buzz about the new phenomenon known as oil pulling. Coconut oil pulling is used to cleanse the mouth, remove plaque, and whiten teeth. Use coconut oil pulling to improve oral health.  

Karousing

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