Seize The Day Blog

Health-Related Articles & Recipes

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes

Well-balanced & Delicious…Exactly how Breakfast should be!

I’ve never been a huge fan of banana flavored foods, but these pancakes are drool worthy! I’m currently on a Paleo style of diet that is also Gluten-free, Dairy-free, and Sugar-free. So, when it comes to satisfying my sweet tooth the options are few and far between. 

That being said, these pancakes are the perfect solution AND they’re incredibly healthy for you! With only 6 ingredients total, they are quick, easy, and delicious! 

As far as toppings are concerned, I prefer to stick with the classic Maple Syrup, but Honey makes an excellent alternative, as well! 

Or, if you’d like to skip sugar alternatives completely, you can also enjoy these pancakes topped with strawberries and blueberries. 

I used Organic Ghee as my butter substitute and I have to say that the texture and flavor of the pancakes turned out even better! So, for those of you wanting to break away from the “norm” in your day-to-day routine, I highly recommend trying this recipe! 

These pancakes will not disappoint to satisfy both your need for spontaneity and your sweet tooth! And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like a good pancake???

I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you do decide to give it a try, please comment your feedback via Instagram & Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com.

Thank you!

Print
From My Recipe Box to Yours: Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 12 pancakes

Ingredients

  • 3 Bananas
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • Maple Syrup or Honey
  • Ghee

Instructions

  1. Place eggs, baking powder, sea salt, vanilla and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk until combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, place bananas and begin lightly mashing all three together. You don't want to over-mash because that will take away from the texture of your pancakes.
  3. Add bowl with bashed bananas to the first bowl and whisk again until both mixtures are combined.
  4. In a frying pan, add a small circle of ghee and top with pancake batter. Only a small amount of batter is necessary. Let sit for about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes before flipping.
  5. Top fully-cooked pancake with a small circle of ghee, add maple syrup, honey, or fruit and ENJOY!
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/01/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-gluten-free-banana-pancakes/

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sweet Potato Chips

This recipe is incredibly similar to my Sweet Potato Fries Recipe I posted last year, but the results are quite different! Although you can easily make Sweet Potato Chips by baking in the oven as well, I prefer the frying method. 

You will rarely find this preference amongst health bloggers because oils (such as vegetable oil) are SO bad for you. Can you blame the usual foodies for avoiding all oils in general? No! But you can use unflavored coconut oil instead and receive a product that is good for both your body and your taste buds!

The frying process…bubbling with potential!

In addition, the frying process takes about 5 minutes or less and the baking process is 2 hours. That being said, I easily chose the frying method as my preferred method and I’m glad I did! The sweet potato chips I created turned out delicious and they make a fantastic On-The-Go snack!

If you’ve been searching for any of the above lately, the search is over with this recipe! I hope you all enjoy my newest snack! Please be sure to comment via Instagram and Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or email (Katie@seizethedayblog.com) with any feedback you have for me! Thanks!

Finished Product: Sweet Potato Chips

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From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sweet Potato Chips

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 3 batches

Ingredients

  • 6 small sweet potatoes, cut into halves or quarters
  • 3 cups unflavored coconut oil
  • sea salt, to taste
  • Tools:
  • Food Processor for slicing sweet potatoes
  • 1 Large frying pan
  • 1 Glass Baking Dish (I prefer using a 10 x 16 dish)
  • 2 Paper Plates
  • 1 Large Spoon (for scooping chips out of pan)
  • 1 Large Spatula (for stirring chips while in frying pan)

Instructions

  1. Using a large knife, cut sweet potatoes into halves or quarters and begin feeding through your food processor. You are going to want to use the medium-sized attachment for the "standard" round chip shape. Set aside.
  2. Scoop the 3 cups of coconut oil into the frying pan. Turn your stove-top to Medium Heat. You're going to want to let this oil sit for about 10 minutes in order for it to become hot enough to actually fry the sweet potato slices and turn them into chips.
  3. While you wait for the oil to heat completely, set out 2 paper plates and one glass baking dish. Line each with a napkin and set aside for later.
  4. Once the oil has heated completely, use a large spoon to scoop raw sweet potato slices from the food processor and gently drop into oil. I prefer the spoon to scoop instead of using my hands to prevent being burned by the "popping" coconut oil.
  5. You will want to simultaneously spread chips evenly about the pan until it is completely covered by a single layer of slices. The amount to scoop will depend on the size of your chips.
  6. Let each batch cook for about 5 minutes and stir every 1-2 minutes.
  7. The longer the oil sits, the hotter the oil will become which means you may not have to cook the next batches for quite as long as the first batch. Be sure to watch each of your batches closely and decide what amount of time works for you. *Note: My 1st batch cooked for the full 5 minutes, but my 2nd batch only needed 4 minutes and my 3rd batch only needed 3 minutes.
  8. As each batch is removed, set on one paper plate so that you can add salt (to taste) on your chips. Cover (like a lid) with the 2nd plate and give them a good shake to evenly distribute the sea salt. This is a good way to soak up extra oil, as well.
  9. Transfer chips to a glass pan in order to let cool. They will also crisp up A LOT during this time.
  10. Once cool, serve immediately or transfer to a storable container with lid to maintain freshness. Chips remain fresh and crispy for up to 1 week if properly stored.
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/01/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-sweet-potato-chips/

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com]. 

The Key to Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

I meant to touch on this subject in my Favorite Product of 2018 article, but completely spaced so I figured “Why not just devote an entire article to the subject?!”…It has been a life changing revelation over the course of 2018 and into 2019. 

The true impact of blood sugar levels on the human brain is still yet to be determined. However, through a process of trial and error I have slowly been able to piece together what I consider to be a breakthrough observation and what I hope will also be a breakthrough for anyone reading this article. 

Low blood sugar levels can cause the brain to become vulnerable. In-between the standard meal time (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is actually the most dangerous time period for me, personally, because it seems to be the time when I am most prone to seizure activity. I have a mix of Grand Mal seizures and Partial seizures, but the partial seizures have increased to a level that surpasses my annual amount of Grand Mal seizures. 

While there are some positives to this development, such as my brain becoming stronger and, therefore, being prone to a less intense form of seizures. I take no pleasure in any seizure activity, big or small, because it means my body is still struggling internally. 

So how do we supplement this internal struggle???

The answer is simple…with food. But not just any food will do the trick, you need food that will be able to build your body back up when it begins doing a nose-dive at those in-between times of the day. 

For me, that food product is Late July’s Buttery Flaky Crackers. And this is yet another reason why these crackers are my favorite product of the year. So, for those of you without gluten sensitivities, I highly recommend snacking on 3-4 crackers in between meals. This gluten-rich snack is like no other when it comes to re-establishing my blood sugar levels. There have been many moments where I believe these crackers have actually prevented a Partial or Grand Mal seizure. Allowing one’s blood sugar levels to drop means allowing one’s brain to drop to a level of vulnerability. Keep your brain at a strong level by implementing a small snack to your daily diet or whenever you feel especially drained, which can easily happen throughout the entire day. You just might find a decrease in your overall seizure activity and an increase in your stamina and mood! 

I have found that when my energy becomes depleted, my mood shifts along with it…I become irritable, impatient, and just plain grumpy. So, for the sake of those around you I highly recommend giving these small snacks a try. 

For those of you with gluten sensitivities, a small snack to try instead of the crackers is guacamole and corn chips. Though this snack is a little more work than a simple box of crackers, it is a well-balanced and delicious mini-meal! Late July also makes a fabulous corn chip product available at a variety of grocery stores including Vons, Whole Foods, and Sprouts. The ingredient label consists of only three ingredients…Organic Whole Ground Corn, Organic Expeller Pressed Safflower Oil and/or Organic Expeller Pressed Sunflower Oil, Sea Salt.

Check out my super simple recipe for guacamole now! 

By implementing the avocados, you are providing a fantastic source of healthy fats for your body. Your body simply cannot have too many healthy fats and using the nutrient rich avocado as your snack will also work to supplement your total-body health. 

If you aren’t a fan of guacamole and chips, you can also try a more leafy-green oriented snack such as arugula salad with a drizzle of olive oil (sea salt and cracked pepper to taste). Arugula is filled with numerous nutrients, but is especially known for being particularly beneficial for the brain and promoting overall brain function. It is key that you include the olive oil drizzle in this snack because this is your source of healthy fats amongst a snack dominated by greens. For those of you who can tolerate dairy, parmesan cheese shavings are also a delicious addition to this mini-salad. 

If you still want something different to use as your snack, that’s okay too! Lucky for us, sweet potatoes make an excellent french-fry or potato chip type of snack. If you decide to go this route, I highly recommend making these in advance so that when you’re feeling fatigued you don’t have to go to a lot of work to make something that is meant to help build your body back up instead of further contributing to your exhaustion. As much as I enjoy baking, it is no secret in my house that this activity can be draining on my energy levels. You know your body best so I would just listen to what it tells you and make these French fries or potato chips when you know you can handle it. That way, when a moment of low blood sugar does strike, all you have to do is access your pantry. Another great characteristic of sweet potato fries or chips is that they mix very well with olive oil (healthy fats). Adding a drizzle of olive oil to your snack is delicious and it boosts your total-body health. 

Life does get busy, but you can always carry around a ziplock bag with the snack of your choice. I like to do this so that I can still maintain a healthy blood sugar level even when I’m On-The-Go. 

Check out Seize the Day Blog for my favorite recipes for Sweet Potato Fries & Sweet Potato Chips!

 

Sources:

  1. Late July Products: https://www.latejuly.com

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com]. 

My Favorite Product of 2018

When I first understood the connection between my seizures and food ingredients, it was a mind-blowing moment for me. It was a moment when I realized how little I actually knew about my own body. Even after 16 years I was just beginning to understand the sensitivities I did possess toward certain ingredients and the very serious consequences that followed these “sensitivities.” The truth is, our processed food products do contain dangerous ingredients. Ingredients that can and will harm the human body. 

So what are you going to do about it??? That right there is the million dollar question because it has the potential to influence the type of immune system your body develops.

The sad truth is that the majority of society chooses the path that could be labeled as “Easy Street.” It is the route where you choose to do nothing and continue on as if nothing is wrong with foods that are made from chemically-derived ingredients. 

It might work better if I point out the elephant in the room sooner rather than later…it is NOT okay to consume products that essentially aren’t real in any way, shape, or form. 

I had to learn this the hard way, but consuming processed ingredients is not a great way to lead your body down a healthy path. Do your body a huge favor and just say “NO” to everything processed.

There were quite a few significant products that I was forced to give up after discovering my own personal food sensitivities. Deciding to choose the route that completely detoxes everything synthetic from my diet may not have been my first choice at the time, but looking back over the past 10 years I only see positive changes. In many ways, this choice I was also forced to make actually saved my life. As a teenager, I didn’t realize the need for a change in my diet. Everything seemed just fine so I carried on like it was. It’s crazy how everything can seem peachy from an outside perspective, but on the inside a storm is actually brewing. 

My storm was Epilepsy. And once the storm broke loose with that very first seizure occurring in 2009, it seemed like my body’s level of sensitivity to everything food-related just sky-rocketed. I began realizing that certain foods I used to have no problem consuming could and would actually prompt a Grand Mal seizure. As you can imagine, this was a great motivating factor to drastically change my entire diet. 

I said goodbye to every processed food product I was so used to consuming and I began to do something incredibly foreign to my daily activities…I read ingredient labels. It was not an easy feat at first because some of those ingredient names are incredibly complicated! This activity has now become habit for me…I literally cannot purchase a product without first checking a label and sometimes it means double-checking (you never know when companies add new ingredients to their product). I continued this behavior because if it meant finding a product that had what I like to call a “Clean” ingredient label, it made sorting through the crazy ingredient names and individually researching the true composition of each ingredient totally worth it. 

At first, I had gotten very used to giving up practically every snack food because finding a “clean” ingredient label can sometimes feel impossible. It had reached a point where it was easier to bake something completely from-scratch than try and find a healthy, clean processed food product at the grocery store. It was definitely a challenge, but it wasn’t impossible. 

Late July Crackers started out as a miracle replacement for Ritz Crackers, but they have turned into a bit of a remedy for certain symptoms post-seizure. It is very strange and I have no explanation for my symptoms, but after a Grand Mal or Partial seizure I get what I would describe as “the Shivers.” It is actually very annoying because my whole body is shivering as if it is cold, even my teeth are chattering, but the temperature around me is normal. I don’t know if these same symptoms also occur for others who, like me, are coping with seizures, but if they do you’ll definitely want to keep reading!

Late July Crackers appealed to me because they taste exactly the same, maybe even a little better than Ritz Crackers. They have become a staple snack in my house because this product is clean, healthy, and a remedy of sorts for my post-seizure “shivers.” I usually eat about 3-4 crackers and without fail my shivers will stop and my brain seems to pull it together in a way that is both speedy and efficient. It is my go-to snack nowadays as well as my treatment option for post-seizure shivering. 

It is worth it to research every ingredient label because clean products, such as Late July’s Crackers, do exist and they do have the potential to go above and beyond their product description. 

Every person’s body is different and, therefore, reacts differently toward varying ingredient labels. So, even if this product doesn’t work the same for you at least you’ll still have a good quality, non-GMO, and Organic snack in your pantry! 

Below I have provided the Late July ingredient label and the Ritz Crackers ingredient label so that you can see the massive difference between the two products…

Late July Organic Classic Rich Flaky, Buttery Tasting Crackers Ingredient Label: 

Organic wheat flour, Organic evaporated cane sugar, Organic expeller pressed sunflower oil and/or Organic expeller safflower oil, Organic palm oil, Sea Salt, Leavening (baking soda, ammonium bicarbonate, cream of tartar).  

Ritz Crackers Ingredient Label:  

Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid), Canola Oil, Palm Oil, Sugar, Salt, Leavening (Calcium Phosphate and/or Baking Soda), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor.   

The Canola Oil, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy Lecithin, and Natural Flavor will each provoke a seizure in my brain all by themselves. To see these ingredients all mixed together in a single product is basically my biggest nightmare. Avoiding these types of ingredient labels is a must for anyone who wants to eat foods composed of REAL ingredients, not chemicals!  

 

Sources:

  1. Late July Organic Classic Rich Crackers Product Box: available at most health food stores
  2. Ritz Crackers (Original Flavor) Product Box: available at standard grocery stores

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com]. 

Keeping Up With Katie – Post #3

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

  • Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban

Trying to find the bright side in a challenging situation can feel like an impossible task for even the most cheerful of people. Charlotte’s Web Hemp Oil has been my light during the dark times that sometimes come with Catamenial Epilepsy. 

I have found that despite the challenges I face with my seizure disorder, I am still discovering so many new and positive effects from CW Hemp Oil. With anything new, there is always that period of trial and error. However, I have found lately that I am discovering helpful tips that I have been searching for, but due to circumstance, have been impossible to find. Best of luck to each and every one of my readers who may have needed a little extra help, but did not know where to find it. I hope this Keeping Up With Katie article gives you the boost you need!

Product details: 

Charlotte’s Web Hemp Oil, Olive Oil flavor

Keeping Up With Katie – Post #3


 

Sources:

Charlotte’s Web Hemp Oil, Olive Oil Flavor: https://www.cwhemp.com/cannabinoid-hemp-oil-cbd-supplement-everyday-advanced

Harry Potter Quote: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/harry_potter_and_the_prisoner_of_azkaban/quotes/

 

 

Keeping Up With Katie – Post #2

Seize the Day Blog Readers,

Well, an entire month has come and gone AGAIN! This can only mean one thing here on Seize the Day Blog…it’s time for a new post from my very special Keeping Up With Katie series!  

As you’ll see below, Post #2 explores more of my personal journey with Hemp Oil during the month of September 2018. 

I began using this Hemp product from the Charlotte’s Web by The Stanley Brothers corporation on July 20th 2018 and I promise to share ALL of my experiences with this product including the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. You never have to worry about biased evaluations because I am sharing firsthand exactly how this product affects both my total-body health and my current condition of Catamenial Epilepsy with the hope that it will help someone else dealing with similar health issues. 

In this case, September has been a month of positive activity and I am incredibly excited to share the wonderful improvements I have been experiencing over the past 4 weeks. I hope my feedback is both informative and helpful for those willing to take the time to read this very special article. 

As an epileptic, I understand the difficulties of living with a condition that can often put up roadblocks on the journey of Life. Therefore, I hope my own personal experience with this treatment method does help each and every reader requiring such a solution. In all honesty, Hemp oil was not my first choice, but as I’m coming to learn in just two short months of using this CW Hemp Oil…evaluating a product at face value and based upon here-say is never an appropriate way to determine its true worth. 

Month #2 with this product has been eye-opening, encouraging, and, most of all, beneficial.   

If you missed the first post from the series you can find it here or if you’d like more info on the series itself please check out the Introduction Article.

Please comment your feedback via Instagram & Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com! Thank you!

The Tried & True Formula For Healthy Hair

 

We blow dry, we straighten, some of us even use a curling iron, but whether you do one or all of these styling techniques you are seriously damaging your hair by using extreme heat to manipulate the style.

I have straight hair naturally so I, of course, want curly hair and often feel that using a curling iron will make the style so much cuter! My sister has naturally curly hair, but she frequently straightens her hair. 

Funny isn’t it? We always want what we can’t have. In this case, it comes at a high cost…

Dry, damaged hair that doesn’t grow as quickly as it should. 

So, what can you do to fix it? Or at least compensate for the damage being done by hair styling tools using extreme temperatures? Let me ask you one more question…When is the last time you brushed your hair?

Okay, duh, most men and women brush their hair in the morning when they get out of bed, after the shower, during the process of “getting ready” for the day, and multiple other times throughout the rest of the day. However, when is the last time you brushed your hair using 100 gentle and even strokes? 

The majority of people have most likely never extended the effort to actually count out the strokes in one sitting for a multitude of reasons. One very common reason being a lack of time to actually execute such a task. But, contrary to popular belief, brushing your hair 100 times only takes about 10 minutes, 15 at the very most.

This used to be a regular activity for women generations ago especially during the Old Hollywood age, but has been forgotten over the years. Women such as Lauren Bacall, Audrey Hepburn, and Judy Garland would set aside time in the evenings to brush their hair and then braid their long or short tresses before going to bed to prevent long-term damage. Preserving that natural sheen for the camera was like an asset for one’s career in those days!

I only recently began making this a regular evening activity because I have shoulder length hair that I would very much like to see A LOT longer in length very soon!

This is such a healthy habit to develop because it helps to distribute the oils that your hair produces naturally, as well. By brushing from root to tip, you are evenly spreading the natural oils your hair needs and you are giving them a chance to get soaked up into your tresses by braiding your hair or putting it up in a secure bun. 

“Scalp stimulation from both hair brushing and scalp massaging help distribute your natural sebum evenly through the hair. This helps your overall hair health and keeps those shiny locks resilient and strong. In addition, as your hair is coated with sebum you’ll find moisture is restored, and the hair is generally more sheen, smooth, and manageable” (Thank Your Body).

The truth is, our hair gets stripped of those natural vitamins and nutrients throughout the day by environmental factors, but mostly by those cosmetic products we douse our hair with to style and “perfect” the often unruly mane we each posses. We blindly trust so many cosmetic companies to hold the same goal for their products that we also hold for our bodies…to grow and improve the state of our long-term health. I mean, that seems like a pretty natural intention doesn’t it? 

Companies should want to create products that benefit our bodies, but somewhere along the way the concern for our health and the concern for their wallets became flip-flopped. It’s time to face the facts…we, the customer, are no longer the primary concern of any company these days. This is incredibly clear in the ingredient label of any processed product. If you are willing to face the harsh realities of today’s beauty industry you will find that the majority of products are hurting us in the long run. 

I get it, you need certain products, such as shampoo and conditioner, to maintain your hygiene. I’m not saying to give up these products completely, I’m simply saying to compensate these products’ effects by developing healthy habits that will benefit YOU in the long run.

Brushing your hair evenly and consistently has truly become a lost art. If you want healthy hair and you want to aid the spread of natural oils through your hair I highly recommend it! Or, if you just want Really soft hair, brush your tresses 100 times because I guarantee it will do the trick.

I’ve heard both good and bad things about 100 brush strokes, however, the fact of the matter is that brushing your hair stimulates blood flow to the capillaries. 

“The smallest of the body’s blood vessels. Oxygen and glucose pass through capillary walls and enter the cells. Waste Products such as carbon dioxide pass back from the cells into the blood through capillaries.” (PubMed Health)

“About Capillaries and Blood Circulation: The blood circulatory system (cardiovascular system) delivers nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body. It consists of the heart and the blood vessels running through the entire body. 

The arteries carry blood away from the heart; the veins carry it back to the heart. The system of blood vessels resembles a tree: The “trunk,” the main artery (aorta), branches into large arteries, which lead to smaller and smaller vessels. The smallest arteries end in a network of tiny vessels, the capillary network.

There is not only one blood circulatory system in the human body, but two, which are connected: The systemic circulation provides organs, tissues and cells with blood so that they get oxygen and other vital substances. The pulmonary circulation is where the fresh oxygen we breathe in enters the blood…” To read more about the capillary system and its important function in the human body, visit PubMed Health now! (Link provided below)

Hopefully this insight by PubMed Health is enough to capitalize for you just how important keeping the capillary system in good shape is for your total body health! Even though this medical source is incredibly informative, It’s not just the medical industry that tells us healthy blood flow equals a healthy body…common sense capitalizes on this very fact, as well, because it makes sense! It seems very logical to me that healthy blood flow would benefit every bodily function even the condition of your hair! When you say “Hello” to healthy habits like brushing your hair 100 strokes each night you are also saying “Hello” to longer and healthier tresses! 

“Brush bristles work to stimulate your capillaries, thereby increasing blood circulation to your scalp and bringing oxygen and nutrients to the hair stem. Plus, brushing your hair can give you a mini massage…” (All Things Hair)

I have read a multitude of sources on the subject of 100 strokes and I found a variety of opinions. Some people are in favor of this haircare technique while others are strongly opposed. To me, it just seems like common sense…you brush your hair gently on a daily basis, positive results are going to be inevitable. Increased blood circulation, oxygen flow, and nutrient-dispersion is a logical method for healthy hair.

“Brushes act like a second shampoo…It makes sense when you think about it—brushing your hair eliminates built-up product, dry skin, and impurities on your scalp by literally brushing them out” (All Things Hair). 

Before I sided with an opinion in favor or against this technique, I decided to first give it a try myself. Firsthand experience seemed like the best way to discover if this claim about brushing your hair is age-old wisdom lost to the tides of change that are an inevitable part of the passing of time or absolute poppy-cock that society has blown into an overrated myth. 

Wednesday, August 15th, 2018, I brushed my hair from root to tip, gently and smoothly, exactly 100 strokes. August 16th — August 29th (over 2 weeks) I did the same thing, brushing carefully and evenly from my scalp down to the very ends of my hair…And do you know what I discovered?

My hair was softer, it seemed to be more prone to growth and my hair was less oily in the morning (pre-shower).

***Side Note: My hair is usually very oily in the morning, to the point where it is literally too oily to leave unwashed. Therefore, I shampoo my hair everyday, but I am hoping to continue this technique and find that the oil production will become reduced to a more manageable amount.

I continued this nightly routine for two weeks straight before sharing it on the blog, but I knew after one day that it is a technique worth adding to my beauty regimen! Truthfully, my hair was so incredibly soft after that first time of 100 strokes that it was no inconvenience for me to take the time to carefully brush through my hair each night from root to tip. I think the notion of brushing your hair 100 times sounds like A LOT of work and it’s easy to think, “I’m too tired tonight, maybe tomorrow.” But there is nothing like Seizing the Day to make a difference in your long-term health!

To help combat the temptation of skipping those 100 strokes, I like to brush my hair while I’m doing something else, such as reading a book, watching a movie, or even while writing an article such as this one! I like that I can take some leisure activity and still be productive with my time. Not to mention, my hair is on its way to a healthier, softer, and shinier look because of my commitment! And who doesn’t like that??

There is a debate between synthetic hairbrushes and boar bristle brushes. Supposedly, boar bristle brushes are better at spreading the oils through-out your tresses. They are also supposed to be gentler on the individual strands of hair and are appropriate for all hair types, which I like because it takes the complications out of choosing a brush-type. I decided to try both types of brushes. I already owned a Wet Brush (a plastic-based hairbrush), which I happen to really like for my hair already so I purchased the DeVille Boar Bristle Brush from Amazon, as well, to compare. After two full weeks of confident brushing, I noticed that the Boar Bristle Brush dispersed the oils in my hair more thoroughly from root to tip, but the wet brush made my hair feel more soft. So, I think when you’re trying to decide between the two types of brushes it really comes down to personal preference and expectation.

What are you, personally, looking to get out of consistently brushing your hair each day? Soft hair, shiny hair, longer hair, healthier hair? I would establish your goal for your hair before deciding on the tool you use. 

I know this is a haircare technique that many are already very familiar with, but I hope an inside look with some personal experience from yours truly might reveal some helpful tidbits on an age-old beauty trick from a fresh perspective. It is commonly said that everything old becomes new again. Now, this is not always a good thing…no matter how many varieties of the multi-colored striped turtle-neck from the 70’s era of fashion are released, I just can’t get on board with that trend! Some things are much better when they stay in the past, but this hair brushing technique is definitely not one of them!

Audrey Hepburn once said that “To plant a garden is to believe in the future” (Goodreads). Even though we aren’t tending to any greenery when we commit to brushing our hair, I believe we are still tending to our own long-term health thereby having faith in a better, brighter future for our physical bodies. I like having faith in a future that is free of all ailments and I like knowing I can contribute to the possibility of this future becoming a reality.
It is now September 25th 2018 and I have been brushing my hair every evening for over 6 Weeks! I’m still impressed by the results and I still recommend this technique to anyone willing to try it! 

If you have tried this haircare method before or decide to try it soon please comment your experience via Twitter & Instagram (@seizethedayblog) or feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com! Thank you!

 

Article Sources:

All Things Hair: https://www.allthingshair.com/en-us/hair-products/hair-brush/the-benefits-of-brushing-your-hair/

Deville Boar Bristle Brush: https://www.amazon.com/Spornette-342-Straightening-Detangling-Maintenance/dp/B002RL8NGI?th=1

GoodReads (Audrey Hepburn Quote): https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/831377-to-plant-a-garden-is-to-believe-in-tomorrow

PubMed Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072434/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0022018/

Thank Your Body: https://www.thankyourbody.com/surprising-benefits-hair-brushing-kind-brush-matters/

Wet Brush: https://www.amazon.com/Wet-Brush-Rubberized-Detangle-Assorted/dp/B000L596FE?th=1

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

Keeping Up With Katie: Post #1

Seize the Day Blog Readers,

It’s finally here! The very first post for the brand new Keeping Up With Katie series on Seize the Day Blog! For more details on what exactly I’ll be discussing click the link above to read the Introduction Article or click here to check out a sneak peek of the template & all five questions I’ll be answering below!

I hope you all enjoy my feedback on my own personal journey with Hemp Oil (also known as CBD oil) since beginning this Hemp product from the Charlotte’s Web by The Stanley Brothers corporation on July 20th 2018. As you’ll read below, August 2018 has been filled with lots of encouraging improvements and I hope September will be exactly the same!

Please comment your feedback via Twitter & Instagram (@seizethedayblog) or feel free to email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com! Thank you!

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

Keeping Up With Katie: My Journey with CBD Oil Sneak Peek

Hello Seize the Day Blog readers!

I recently announced the start of a new series here on the blog titled Keeping Up With Katie. While I planned on posting the original article much sooner than September, I did not plan on some recent and incredibly inconvenient seizure activity. Do to these unexpected events, I have reluctantly postponed the introduction to September 1st. But, please be assured that I am still going to be kick-starting this series very soon and I hope you all enjoy the firsthand experience I have gained during my journey with Hemp Oil also known as CBD Oil.

To tide you over until Saturday, September 1st, I am sharing the official Keeping Up With Katie template to give you a sneak peak of what to expect from the brand new series! There are five questions included in the template and I will answer each question to the best of my ability during every Keeping Up With Katie post.

If you have any other questions you would like me to answer about my journey please comment via Twitter & Instagram (@seizethedayblog) or email me directly at Katie@seizethedayblog.com. Thanks!

Keeping Up With Katie logo, template, & related artwork were created by Lauren Dennis exclusively for Seize the Day Blog.

New Series Coming Soon: Keeping Up With Katie

Keeping Up With Katie: My Journey With CBD Oil

Short, sweet, and to the point, but still informative…isn’t that how most people prefer articles these days? Life is busy; therefore, we don’t always have the luxury of time to be able to sift through paragraphs of information. It is this same type of “lack of time” in my own life, which inspired my new weekly series, Keeping Up With Katie.

This series will be a blog post that follows along with my own week-to-week experience with using a hemp oil product. Each week I am going to discuss any increase or decrease in seizure activity, mental clarity, mood, anxiety, and any other changes that occur. This will be a very honest account of my exact experience with hemp oil. Please keep in mind that this is going to be a “trial and error” style of process, therefore, I am going to be learning as I go just the same as you.

Before I begin, let me first give you the backstory on how I reached my decision to start hemp oil. In addition, I will talk about the reasons behind why I chose to use this particular brand over all others and why it is set apart from every other hemp oil out there. Hopefully, if you are looking for a clean and reliable hemp product or have any questions regarding the impact of this product, Keeping Up With Katie will have the answer!

The truth is, I’m frequently making changes in my own daily routine, most that require a process of trial-and-error in order for me to truly determine whether a product or health tip is actually helpful from a long-term perspective. Personally, I have found another person’s experience to be the best source of knowledge on the unknown. Hopefully the knowledge I gain from experience will help each and every one of my readers, as well.

By sharing my experience with this product on a weekly basis, I hope to save someone else from the frustration of making the same mistakes I happen to make along the way. The good, the bad, and the ugly; it will all be included in order to help those of you who are hesitant to try such a product without first receiving some more background information.

The most recent addition to my daily routine and the product I will be exploring in this new series is a hemp extract oil produced by a company called Charlotte’s Web (CW) by the Stanley Brothers. The hemp oil I am currently using is called Hemp Extract Oil Advanced in the Olive Oil flavor.

So, what makes this CW Hemp Extract Oil so special? Well, that would require me to copy and paste their entire website into this post, which I’m sure infringes on some copyright guidelines. So instead, I’m simply going to share a short list of characteristics that initially caught my attention and set The Stanley Brothers’ product a part for me.

First of all, the utmost care is put into their production process. Their soils are tested for heavy metals before planting; they’re working on becoming certified Organic and still adhere to Organic methods in the meantime. No harmful pesticides or chemicals of any kind are sprayed on the crops, all products are gluten-free, vegan, Non-GMO, BPA-free, and are compliant with the American Herbal Products Association’s contaminant guidelines and specifications for Good Quality. To learn even more about the impressive standards embraced by the CW corporation, visit their website here.

I would also like to note that CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil is composed of only 0.3% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The rest is Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil and, because I have chosen the “Olive Oil” flavor, a little bit of olive oil. Basically, the CW hemp product is Low-THC (the strain in a hemp product that creates a “high” type of feeling) and High-CBD (the strain that helps the brain by treating problems such as pain, seizure activity, and many other health problems originating in the brain).

A main concern of mine when beginning a product containing an ingredient, such as THC, was the effect it would have on my ability to function. It has been a little over two weeks since beginning the CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil and, so far, I have experienced zero interruptions in my daily life. This is yet another positive facet of the Low-THC/High-CBD characteristic part of the CW product. You can manage your health concern without worrying about your capability to function at home or at work.

To simplify the Keeping Up With Katie series even further, I will be keeping to a blueprint/outline of my own creation. This way, consistency and a sense of regularity will be guaranteed in every post! The blueprint will contain the following five questions, which I will answer to the best of my ability each week:

  1. Seizure Activity – Have there been any improvements? What general changes can be reported?
  2. How has your mental clarity been lately? Any significant or consistent changes?
  3. How has your mood been lately? How has the CBD oil affected your mood?
  4. Have there been any changes or improvements in your anxiety?
  5. What side effects have you noticed since beginning the CBD oil? If any can be reported, how have those side effects been to deal with? Are they short-term or long-term?

As of August 6, 2018, I have been using this CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil for 18 days. Although it has barely been two weeks since beginning this product, I believe each question appropriately explores my personal journey (well, so far anyway!). I hope to reveal all of the new and enlightening information as I too am learning it. Beginning something new is never easy, but I’m hoping that this guided journey through my life with CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil will be enough of an inside look into the product itself to solve any questions you might have.

When I hit that metaphorical brick wall in my own life, I didn’t know where to turn next. I needed to choose the path that would make things go from bad to better. The only challenge I faced was…How on Earth does one determine the exact path that will guarantee this outcome? Well, this is where things can get a bit tricky when all is said and done because it is patience from you and I that will ultimately lead us toward the answer we seek.

If we have patience, we will accumulate the wisdom necessary to determine the quality of a product. Therefore, I figured I’d begin this series by providing a brief history of my recent seizure activity and the positive decrease that has taken place since beginning the CW Advanced Hemp Extract Oil on July 20, 2018:

7/6—7/19 : 11 Gran mal seizures

7/20—8/6 (since beginning Hemp Oil) : 5 Gran mal seizures

The improvement in my overall condition is obvious and my seizure activity has been cut in half! The best part about CW Hemp Oil is that it can be used in combination with a variety of medical conditions, not just epilepsy.

I am so excited about the improvements I have already been experiencing. If someone else can experience these same benefits by using this high quality product, I hope each and every reader is inspired to give it a try. After only 18 days, CW Hemp Extract Oil has already begun to resemble a life-changing product for me. I can’t say for sure if this product is going to be a path with an outcome guaranteeing a happy ending for me where my epilepsy is concerned, but I am remaining hopeful! If you follow my weekly journey through the Keeping Up With Katie series you and I both will soon discover whether or not this product is what it appears to be.

One thing is for sure with the start of this new series, there are lots of good tips and tricks to come on Seize the Day Blog!

My first “official” Keeping Up With Katie post will be on the blog soon!!!

 

Sources:

Charlotte’s Web by The Stanley Brothers: 

  1. https://www.cwhemp.com
  2. https://www.cwhemp.com/blog
  3. https://www.cwhemp.com/about-us
  4. https://www.cwhemp.com/all-charlottes-web-cannabinoid-hemp-cbd-supplements

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.