avocado

It’s fall—those skinny jeans you have such a love/hate relationship with are just begging to be worn. If you attempt to slip back into them, but find that you just can’t seem to close that button, you could be bloated. Whether the holiday feasts are leaving you too full, or it’s that time of the month, bloat happens. If feeling like a balloon that’s ready to burst isn’t quite your thing, eat these five foods to avoid that unwelcome, uncomfortable belly bloat.

Working with our hands can take its toll. Especially in the colder months, our hands become prone to dryness that causes cracking, itching, and even bleeding. Finding the right lotion can be rough. It feels as though you have to apply hand cream every hour for it to work. In that case, a home remedy is in order. Before you apply your hand cream, try one of these home remedies for the optimum effect.

Coconut Oil

Whether it’s repairing damage from the summer sun or prepping for the cold, dry winter, lots of us are thinking about keeping our hair healthy right now. I know how hard it can be to invest in new products, do weekly hair masks, and give up the styling habits that can cause damage. Fortunately, a lot of hair-health progress can be made just by working certain foods into your diet.

It is sweet potato season! This yummy recipe is one of my absolute favorites for fall and is a great complement to a meal with roasted chicken or turkey or as the main course in a vegetarian meal with a side salad. The combination of the sweetness of the potatoes and the savory flavor of the black beans with the added accent of the herbs used here is simply divine. Sweet potatoes are a wonderful source of Vitamins A and C and potassium, and they also help regulate our blood sugar and contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

This is one chocolate pudding recipe that will satisfy your sweet tooth and make you feel good! The avocado acts as the creamy base of the pudding, providing both thickness and nutrients, while the cocoa powder and coconut milk give it that signature pudding flavor. Subtle notes of cinnamon and vanilla combine with the sweetener to round out this unexpected dessert.  

Chocolate Avocado Pudding (Vegan)

*Serves 4

Supplies:

Blender

Ingredients:

2 large avocados

Sweet potatoes have gained a reputation of being healthier for you than white potatoes, and this is 100% true. Although both kinds of potatoes have similar profiles when it comes to carbohydrates and protein, their nutrient profile is very different.

As fall approaches, you may be experiencing a sigh of relief. Why? Because you’ll be putting your bikinis and swimming trunks aside, and digging out all of those heavy winter coats you forgot you even had. That’s why. However, I’d like to challenge you to embrace a new line of thinking.

Electrolytes are what keep us going. These ionized minerals send electrically charged signals throughout our body, allowing cells to function. Without them, our cells would not be able to communicate and our body would shut down. Rigorous exercise can cause electrolyte loss via sweating. If you are tempted to grab a sugary, neon-colored sports drink to rehydrate, stop! The best way to replenish electrolytes is through food. Look to one of these food sources if you are in need of an electrolyte boost of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

Calcium

Countless life-altering diagnoses root from the same underlying cause, that being inflammation. Causing problems from arthritis to cancer, inflammation wreaks havoc on the body and its organs. One way to explore cures for these issues can be by acknowledging the same source of most all modern health issues: your food.

Processed foods along with those containing high trans fats can cause a serious inflammatory type reaction in the body. Alcohol, caffeine, and sugars are huge culprits for the issue and their intake should be minimal or avoided entirely.

If you’re anything like me, you probably go through phases from time to time. When I say “phases,” I mean periods of time where you crave greasy and/or sugary junk food, and cringe at the thought of eating something even remotely healthy. It’s okay; it means we’re human.