What Would You Do For A Klondike Bar?
Heels To Laces is on a mission to break through the clutter of health and fitness and make it easier to live healthier – and have a ton of fun doing it.
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QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
“Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible.” ~Mandy Hale
TRUTH OR DARE
Each post we will present you with a truth or dare. All you have to do is tackle it with gusto and make it happen. Often, by just focusing on one change…just one, it’s much more palpable and achievable and becomes the jump start you need.
Dare: Read the label.
We often get cravings and sometimes there is nothing we can do to stop it. How often do you just pick up a “go-to” food without thinking based on habit or an impression by the label that it’s “healthy”? It lands in your cart, then at the register, then in your cabinet or freezer then on your couch. And somehow, someway, it disappears.
Here’s a trick – read the ingredients. Let’s dissect a few of the ingredients in a Klondike bar – in order of highest to lowest amount: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Maltodextrin, Propylene Glycol Monoesters, Mono and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Cellulose Gel, Polysorbate 80, Annatto (for Color). Still want it?
Reading ingredients is the key to picking healthier choices. Try not to have blind faith in the marketing promises (“non-GMO”, “healthy”, “natural”, “gluten free”). Even “organic” isn’t always healthy (yes, they make an organic pop tart). So, no need to do a crazy deed for a bar you don’t need – chances are, once you read the label, you’ll lose interest.
ASK THE EXPERTS
We don’t claim to know everything – so sometimes we have to ask the experts. Our latest guru is Bob Roth. We didn’t exactly talk to Bob Roth, but he spoke to us through his book, “Strength in Stillness – The Power of Transcendental Meditation.”
It’s Time To Start
If you’ve even contemplated meditation – consider this your wake-up call. Bob enlightens us, that according to research, stress hits us in at least 3 distinct, often debilitating ways: On the muscular or structural level – we tense our bodies in the form of tension headaches, stiff neck or shoulders, tight jaw, grinding our teeth or constricting our blood vessels which restricts oxygen to the brain or heart (read: stroke/heart attack); On the level of cognitive functioning – reducing circulation to the brain and skewing electrical activity (our brains shut down); and stimulating the adrenal gland to secrete too much cortisol (the “stress hormone”) which feeds anxiety and becomes a viscous cycle (destroys healthy muscle & bones, slows healing and normal cell regeneration, impairs digestion, metabolism and mental functioning and weakens the immune system).
The list goes on…
Unaddressed stress can be debilitating – and slowly, over time, break your body down until it becomes much harder to reverse the damage and it takes a serious toll on your mind and body.
Meditation has an incredible impact on your approach and reaction to life’s daily challenges and helps you enjoy the moment rather than just trying to “get through it”. You do not have to sit cross-legged and chant “ohmmm”. It can be as short as 1-2 minutes in the morning and the same in the evening. Once you start, you will find you miss it when you don’t incorporate it into your day.
Transcendental Meditation is like the Rolls-Royce of meditation. The book offers valuable insight into the benefits of meditation and can be used for that sole purpose. If you want to start smaller (and faster), we suggest Insight Timer. It’s free, it’s user-friendly and you can customize it to your needs.
Cheer’s to a more Zen you.
WHAT’S TRENDING
Kick it up. For all you Italians, you know this spice all too well…Oregano Oil is the new superhero. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic. The benefits are almost too long to list. So, we’ll tackle the most prominent:
Numerous scientific studies have confirmed it’s ability to destroy infectious germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites). It has been proven to be as effective as prescription antibiotics against bacteria. It’s strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-killing) properties help alleviate pain and inflammation. It attacks invading pathogens and relieves discomfort. Oregano oil also has the ability to loosen mucus in sinuses and lungs, acting as an expectorant and helps relieve coughing. It helps relieve gas upset, settles the digestive system and helps soothe inflamed tissue in the stomach and intestines.
In addition, it is a powerful anti-oxidant, increases white blood cell activity, helps reduce fever and helps remove toxins and poisons.
Might sound too good to be true, but it works. It’s super powerful (also in taste and smell). 1-2 drops will do you (highly suggest dilluting in water or other beverage). It can be used topically or ingested.
There are two that are ranked as the purest and most effective: this is our favorite, and this a close 2nd.
WHAT WE’RE OBSESSED WITH
Sometimes, you just gotta have it.
Ah-Choooo!
Just because it feels like the middle of winter does not mean Spring is not here – it’s inevitable allergies will flare (this year they are saying 2 wks vs. 4 – so there’s that). There is a pretty amazing homeopathic remedy we swear by – originally discovered for kids, but we found an adult version. Includes Vitamin C, Quercetin Dihydrate, Stinging Nettles Leaf, Bromelain (from pineapple) and N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine. This stuff is the bomb.
Night, Night
Put down the sleeping pills. We’ve got a new, topical dream catcher to get your sleep-on. This sleep lotion gives you a deep, peaceful sleep with one swoosh. It is scientifically formulated to help you fall asleep within just minutes of use, it’s made from ethically sourced, plant-based ingredients that can give you a deeper sleep, it can improve hydration for those with dry & aging skin and oh, it’s 100% money back guarantee. Oh, and we scored you a 30% off discount. You’re welcome, for your 8 hours.
Yes, Please!
There’s a new company in town and we want to be the first to tell you about it. We all know the health benefits of coffee. Now, you can have it delivered to your home (over 350 varieties to choose from, matched to your preferences). It’s like Match.com for coffee. And because you are one of our loyal followers, we’ve scored you your first bag FREE. Just enter promo code vipnk54yave at checkout. Happy coffee’ing.
THE DISH ON DELISH
All of our recipes will always be quick, healthy, easy, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, mostly dairy-free, SCD legal and Paleo friendly. And yes, all sorts of deliciousness.
This one is addictive.
Cinnamon Coffee Cake (Elanaspantry.com)
Ingredients:
Cake
- 2½ cups blanched almond flour
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup honey
- 3 large eggs
Topping
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup raw, organic honey
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions:
Grease a 9″ cake pan with coconut oil and dust with almond flour. In a food processor, combine almond flour, salt, and baking soda. Pulse in coconut oil, honey, and eggs. Spread the batter into prepared baking dish.
To make topping, combine coconut oil, honey, cinnamon and sliced almonds in a small bowl. Drizzle topping over cake batter.
Bake at 350° for 25-35 minutes. Cool and serve.
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