My Top 5 for Wellness + Other Real Food Tips
Life is hard; food doesn't have to be #164 [vol5, 3.1]
Last night I shared with women at my church tips for eating better. Here’s what I said:
My Top 5 for Wellness
Meal plan on __________ (day of week). Eat at home more. [for more inspo, check out The Lazy Genius Meal Plan and How I Personally Meal Plan - Lazy Genius.]
Make sure to have a sharp knife. Three are all you need: chefs, paring, and bread knives. I have had an 8” Global Chef’s knife for 20 years. My mom cuts everything with only a paring knife.
Use butter or olive/avocado oil instead of inflammatory oils like vegetable, corn, or canola oil and margarine. Inflammation is the root of disease. Sugar also causes inflammation.
Learn to cook a whole chicken - with bones. The joints and bones bring flavor and moisture to the meat then can be used for broth. I buy a $5 rotisserie chicken most every time I’m in Costco. Pull the meat off as soon as I’m home. Endless dinner possibilities.
Learn to make homemade broth. Bonus: make soup with homemade broth; it’s nourishing and frugal.
Tips for Shopping
Shop the perimeter of the store. Inside aisles will have packaged/ processed foods.
Buy one more veggie (roasting is a fav way to prepare). Bonus if you prepare & eat it! Related: 6 Ways to Eat More Greens and Salad Isn’t One. Veggies have much needed fiber and nutrients that Americans desperately need more of.
Buy the highest quality of eggs you can afford (pastured is excellent). Eggs are an inexpensive form of protein compared to meat. Budget tips: make one dinner a week from eggs. Scrambled, boiled, quiche/fritatta, shakshuka (poached eggs in marinara), KY Hot Brown Tart.
Look for and buy cane sugar. Domino, yellow label, is cane sugar. The other white sugar is made from GMO sugar beets. GMO = genetically modified. Top 3 GMOs in America: corn, soy & sugar. If you buy organic, it cannot be genetically modified.
“Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen” Focus on buying organic produce for the dirtiest.
Ruthlessly eliminate artificial sweeteners, they’re neurotoxins. Stevia is a better option (though I do not like the taste.)
In the Kitchen
Eat homemade breakfast instead of dried cereal. Try for a nutrient dense breakfast once a week. May I recommend these breakfast sandwiches made in bulk? We’ve been enjoying this protein pancake. Another other fav is baked oatmeal.
Reduce sugar where possible (drink water not soda, sweet tea or candy coffee).
Cook in cast iron, glass, and stainless steel instead of toxic non-stick. Use parchment paper on aluminum (there’s excess aluminum in Alzeheimer’s patients), avoid anti-perspirants made with aluminum.
Store food in glass instead of plastic. Drink from glass or stainless.
Reader Asks - Clean Beauty Recommendation
Q: Wanted to hear your recommendations on products to help firm up my neck? I’m 42yo.
A: As we age, our skin loses elasticity and firmness. And usually becomes more dry. Not always but it is connected to fluctuating hormones.
I'm almost 48 and 5 years ago I started using Beautycounter's anti-aging skincare called Countertime. It has a natural form of retinol called retinatural which is derived from alpine plants. Retinol is controversial and some say it is linked to cancer. Retinol not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. However, all of Beautycounter's products are safe for women at all stages of life.
When I started using Countertime, I noticed within a few days a difference to the texture of my skin. I can't say I was super regular with ANY skincare before that -- mostly because I didn't notice a difference in the way my skin felt. Countertime was different almost immediately which motivated me to be consistent. And with consistency comes results.I use all 4 steps of the skincare line (cleansing oil, mineral essence, serum and moisturizer - there's one for AM and a thicker, more powerful one for PM.)
That said, you asked about firming up the skin on your neck. The serum would be the product I'd recommend to help with that. As you can imagine, the products were designed to work in synergy and best results will come from using all the steps.
In reality, we all sing the words of Cher, "If I could turn back time..." With each trip around the sun our skin becomes looser and more wrinkly. Botox or plastic surgery are the options for actually making a woman turning back time. I'm not convinced either look natural. Plus I'm not willing to do either.
I do feel good about Countertime - both the ingredients and results.
If you decide to splurge on the serum, I highly recommend using a toner before. Toners help the serums work better by allowing them to penetrate the skin barrier. I use the Countertime Mineral Essence (it's a big bottle and lasts me a year). Other options are Countermatch's Toner (which appears to be out of stock, due back April 8). Least expensive option is witch hazel from a drug store and apply with a spray bottle.
Does this help? What other questions do you have?
Life is hard; food doesn’t have to be.
Julie
PS - There's free shipping in celebration of Beautycounter's 11th birthday until Sunday.
If you become a Band of Beauty rewards member (one time $29), you get:
1/ free priming serum ($65 value),
2/ free shipping on all orders over $100 for a year and
3/ 10% product credit on each order, so spend $100, you have $10 waiting on your to spend with the next order within 90 days.
No obligation to use the credit. No auto-ship or auto-renew. It truly is a rewards program. Plus, also as a birthday promo, they're giving away 5 mini-perfumes to Band of Beauty members.