Name: From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sore Throat Remedy
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1 cup
Ingredients: 1 Thumb Ginger Root, sliced or grated; 1/2 Lemon; 1 T Raw Honey; 1/2 cup Warm Water

April 13, 2020

Epilepsy Insight #8: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) & Soy

April 13, 2020

Monosodium Glutamate, known better by its notorious acronym, “MSG,” and Soy are two of my primary seizure triggers. Each is found in a large variety of products including food, cosmetics, toiletries, etc. The list truly does goes on and on…each ingredient is cheap to use and companies love the fact that it increases their bottom line.

Recently, people have become more aware of exactly how bad MSG and Soy are for the human body so many companies have tried to side-step the issue of decreased sales due to their inclusion of poor quality ingredients by using code-names instead. So, these companies are still using the same poor quality ingredients, they’ve simply become adept at disguising “said” ingredients with hard to pronounce and unrecognizable ingredients names.

Entire lists of codenames exist for MSG and Soy. By using codenames, companies can continue to use these ingredients without the general public realizing it. Some codenames for MSG include Maltodextrin, Natural Flavor, Carrageenan, Dextrose, and Malted Barley.

To read the full list of codenames for MSG visit:

Over 34 Hidden Names for MSG

Codenames for Soy include Tocopherol or Vitamin E, Soy Lecithin, Soy Protein, Soybean Oil, and Mono or Diglycerides.

To read the full list of codenames for Soy visit:

It is actually quite sneaky because who would have guessed that Vitamin E can be sourced from soy? It’s crazy! In Epilepsy Insight #8, I go into greater detail about MSG and Soy as seizure triggers. I also share a few tips on how to avoid these ingredients in your everyday life.

***Side Note: It is also important to pay special attention to a brand’s wording in relation to whether or not they include either of these ingredients in their food. Take the very popular chain restaurant Panda Express, for example. On the glass display where you choose your dishes you will see a notice informing the customer that there is “No MSG Added.” At first glance, one might think Panda Express’ food does not contain any MSG. Reading the ingredient labels for each individual dish offered by Panda Express will quickly inform the consumer that MSG does indeed exist in their food, however, once it’s put behind the pretty glass case no more MSG is added. So, be careful to investigate every ingredient label whether it is involving something edible or not because you will uncover the true nature of the product regardless of what is advertised.

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.

September 14, 2019

Catamenial Epilepsy: Birth Control is NOT Your Only Solution

September 14, 2019

Alright ladies, I know we try very hard to deny it, but it’s time to embrace the ugly truth…we are hormonal, all the time.

So when your husband called your reaction to his words the other day “very emotional and irrational” he was probably more on point than you’d care to admit. The fact of the matter is, our hormone fluctuation has more highs and lows than your average roller coaster.

So what does this have to do with Catamenial Epilepsy?? Well, this particular condition is emphasized as a gender-specific type of epilepsy due to the seizure patterns that typically occur around a woman’s period, but there is never any elaboration on WHY these seizures are happening at this particular time. The majority of women aren’t having seizures during those 7 days that make up their periods so what makes those of us with Catamenial Epilepsy so different??

Hormones.

Whenever a woman notices a correlation between her menstrual cycle and her seizures my first piece of advice is to get lab work done to explore her hormone levels. Particularly her progesterone and estrogen levels because a hormone deficiency most likely exists. I prefer the OATS lab test because it gives an incredibly thorough examination of your hormones, vitamins, and minerals. You can order this lab work through Dr. Jocker’s by visiting the following link:

https://drjockers.com/lab-testing/

Progesterone is known to be the calming hormone while estrogen is known to be the excitable hormone. When balanced, the menstrual cycle works just fine. The two hormones keep each other in check when there are healthy levels of each present in the human body. Our main concern is with the outcome of imbalanced hormone levels. Particularly too much estrogen and not enough progesterone. When there is not enough progesterone present to keep the effects of the estrogen in check, a build up of excitable energy begins to collect inside the brain. The brain knows it needs to get rid of this stored energy, but the conventional methods aren’t an option due to the lack of progesterone. So, instead the energy is released in short, but hurried waves of activity or what is clinically known as a seizure.

If an EEG is administered on the average person with perfectly normal brain activity, you will receive a horizontal recording of a wave-like line across a piece of paper. The existence of activity, but at a calm and consistent pace. When an EEG is done on someone during a seizure, you will see a wave-like line, however, it will be interrupted by sharp and hurried lines. These lines look very similar to the lines you see on a heart monitor machine. Each time the heart beats it sends a pulse of energy through the body, a pulse that is recorded by the heart monitor. Once again, this is a jolt of energy just as seen on an EEG reading during a seizure. Those sharp lines marking the beat of the heart pumping blood throughout the body are a sign of necessary energy where as the readings on the EEG are evidence of built-up excited energy.

The energy is not being released in smooth, consistent patterns instead it is accompanied by unexpected bursts that occur depending on how quickly the excitable energy is being transferred to the brain. For some women, this may be only during those 7 days of bleeding. Or it may be more often. This is completely dependent on the individual. However, the four phases that make up this 28 day cycle mean that our hormones are constantly shifting before and after our period. This is also why it is not uncommon for some women with Catamenial Epilepsy to experience more seizures during the estrogen peak time, which is during those first fifteen days of the cycle. This is the phase of ovulation.

“Steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone circulate throughout the brain and have been shown to have effects of neuronal excitability. Estrogen has been shown to increase seizures, whereas progesterone has anti-seizure effects. Hence, imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels might lead to seizures.” (Epilepsy Foundation).

I am providing this brief history because it is important to understand and acknowledge this connection before you can truly begin to find a solution. Solutions for Catamenial Epileptics may be limited, but you still want to be aware of the entire situation at hand before making any drastic or life-changing choices.

Catamenial Epilepsy as defined by the Epilepsy Foundation is “a gender-specific type of epilepsy in which seizure frequency intensifies during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. An increase in seizures in parallel with the menstrual cycle in some women with epilepsy has been noticed since ancient times.”

It is also mentioned that “traditionally used anti-epileptic drugs typically do not have an effect on seizures in Catamenial epilepsy” (epilepsy foundation).

So basically, women suffering from Catamenial Epilepsy have quite the problematic condition, but they are left empty-handed where solutions are concerned. Too often, medical professionals fail to mention the underlying causes of seizure activity during a hormonal time of the month. The key word here is hormonal. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that, despite popular belief, those 7 days comprising a period are NOT the only peak in hormones we females experience each month. Those 7 days are simply a facet to a hormonal cycle that, if on track, lasts 28 days every single month.

There are four phases that comprise this 28 day cycle of menstruation and each can have quite the effect on the human body. Menstrual phase (bleeding), Follicular phase (ovary is getting ready to release an egg), Ovulatory phase (egg is released), Luteal phase (time between egg’s release and the start of menstruation).

These days, the majority of women do not have a completely normal 28 day cycle. This is because of our constant exposure to synthetic hormones in our daily lives. These can come from the foods we eat, the beauty products we use, and even the environment.

Processed foods are filled with synthetic hormones, dominantly estrogenic ingredients, that wreak havoc on our body’s natural ability to produce and process estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, serotonin, norepinephrine, and Vitamin D.

Fun Fact: Vitamin D is called a vitamin but it behaves more like a hormone because of the way it is received and processed by our bodies.

These synthetic hormones are often known as Phyto-Estrogens and Xeno-Estrogens. And they can dominate your body if you are exposed too many times. The thing about these synthetic hormones is that the human body does not know how to digest these ingredients because they are not real food ingredients. They are chemical compounds created in a lab, therefore your body places these into a sort of “Unable to Process” category. The problem with this category is that it is like the “in-between” inside the human body. Since the body cannot process them, they are also not being detoxified from the body. Instead, these ingredients just sit there inside your body until they are absorbed into your cells. Once absorbed into your cells, it can take years before the synthetic hormones are actually carried out of the human body. If you are consistently exposed, which the majority of us are, then that stash of built-up synthetic hormones becomes a collection and before you know it the rest of your body is slowly crumbling from the toxic exposure.

These synthetic hormones will actually interrupt your body’s natural ability to produce the proper amount of all of your key hormones. This is when the real problems begin. This is when we face the start of hormone imbalances and in extreme cases, hormone-related seizures.

For those of you battling Catamenial Epilepsy, I’m sure the majority of you have sought real solutions that will target a hormone balance.

Have you ever been recommended to try birth control as a means to balance your hormones???

In most cases, birth control does come up as an option. However, the tough question is should you try it? And, if you do try it, will it actually work? Will this successfully contain your seizures? Based upon my own personal experience with birth control, my answer to each of these questions is a resounding NO.

For starters, each birth control pill is like a tiny hormone grenade waiting to explode inside your system. And the shrapnel that is leftover from this explosion is an absolute mess to clean up! Realistically, it is the exact type of thing every Catamenial Epileptic should avoid! Synthetic hormones will not balance your hormones they will only further prevent your body from producing these hormones naturally.

Birth control comes in two forms…a progesterone base or an estrogen base. Both are completely synthetic and both are only more inflammatory. In my case, I suffer from a severe hormone imbalance where my body has too much estrogen and too little progesterone. The even scarier thing is that in addition to the imbalance, I’m deficient in both hormones, my levels in each are dangerously low. However, despite not having healthy levels of estrogen I still have more estrogen in my body than I do progesterone. And here we see the problem of too much excitable hormone and not enough calming hormone to keep my menstrual cycle balanced. Birth control cannot offer you a healthy balance of hormones, it can only fan the flames of an existing fire. It further deepens the extent of your hormone imbalance.

Unfortunately, I was completely unaware of this fact when I was sixteen. I was so young at this point in time, so I wasn’t aware of all of the available options for possible solutions. I sat in a hospital waiting room at the Mayo Clinic every day for seven days with complete faith in the doctors I had evaluating my case of Catamenial Epilepsy. A gynecologist was brought on to examine the undeniable hormonal connection with my seizure activity. It was my first time visiting a gynecologist so I had no idea what to expect, but what I didn’t see coming was a pregnancy accusation. She purposely met with me without my parents present because she was absolutely certain I was pregnant and that was the explanation for my hormone related seizures.

Despite my protests, she would not put any stock into my words until a quick examination was done along with a sonogram. The absence of a fetus and the evidence of my virginity shut her accusations down real quick. But I wish I would have realized at this point that my gynecologist wasn’t there to listen to my take on my current circumstances. She wasn’t there to help me. Frankly, I think she was just there for a paycheck and at the end of my visit to the Mayo Clinic she only worsened my circumstances.

Her medical advice was birth control. It wasn’t my first choice solution, but I was desperate and out of options. It was clear that my hormones were severely imbalanced and she seemed to think the birth control would “solve” this issue for me. It was only after I began the birth control that I realized she prescribed me an estrogen based pill.
After 7 days of constant hormone evaluation, evaluation that explored in great depth my Progesterone DEFICIENCY and Estrogen dominance, the gynecologist still prescribed me a birth control that would only increase my estrogen levels. I wouldn’t trust any birth control to solve a hormone imbalance, but the least she could have done was prescribe me a progesterone based birth control pill.

I had hoped to leave the Mayo Clinic with a newfound hope for the future, maybe even a real solution to my problem. Instead I left with an official diagnosis of “Catamenial Epilepsy” instead of simply “Epilepsy” and birth control. Something I already knew and didn’t need the Mayo Clinic to confirm and something I didn’t even want. When did life become so complicated? That plane ride home was only scratching the surface of complicated.

Upon my return, I began implementing the birth control into my daily regimen. Up until this point, I had previously had only 3 gran Mal seizures over the course of one year. Once I began the birth control, my seizure activity skyrocketed. I went from 3 seizures in 365 days to 14 seizures in 7 days.

I had only just finished my first year with epilepsy so to experience such a drastic increase was completely overwhelming for both my family and I. Eight of those 14 seizures happened in one night, an event that actually landed me in the back of an ambulance. Anyone with epilepsy knows that one gran Mal seizure is enough to steal all of your energy and turn you into a couch potato. So the eight consecutive seizures left me completely unconscious.

The worst part for my family was the realization that 9-1-1 was necessary to bring my body to a stable state. Hence, the need for the paramedics who could give me a quick shot of phenytoin to calm my brain down and then 1000 mg more when I got to the hospital. Over the next week, I continued to experience an increase in my activity and had 6 more gran mals before I finally decided to stop the birth control.

In total, I was on the birth control for two weeks. During those two weeks, I experienced an increase in my estrogen levels and saw zero improvement where my hormone imbalance was concerned. I actually needed immediate progesterone supplementation to try and heal the damage done by the birth control.

My warning against birth control is not done so randomly or with a biased outlook on the product. I made the mistake of giving birth control a chance…I took a leap of faith on the wrong product. Today, I constantly wonder about the true extent of the damage that was done, but I will never know just how much damage was done because I cannot undo my actions that day at the Mayo Clinic. I do not know exactly how different my life would be today if I chose a holistic solution from the very beginning, but my success with holistic medicine has taught me one thing…the damage from conventional medicine solutions like birth control is probably greater than I realize.

So, when I warn others about the risks of birth control I do not do it lightly. Someone considering birth control needs to realize one very important fact…there are other ways to alter hormone levels. One in particular is Wild Yam. This is my go-to method for healing hormone imbalances and supplementing progesterone. It comes in both a liquid form and a capsule, I prefer the liquid form because supplements are most easily absorbed under the tongue. The best part about this natural supplement is that it has the exact opposite long-term effect of birth control. Instead of hindering your body’s ability to produce hormones naturally, Wild Yam acts as a support for this production. Consuming this product will actually help your system to process the proper amounts of hormones so that balance can be maintained.

I like the Wild Yam by Herb Pharm, which you can find here. If you would like something else, Google has lots of options as well!

This is yet another reason why it is such an amazing option for progesterone supplementation. You aren’t actually pumping hormones into your body like you would with other hormone supplements such as Progesterone liquid drops. You are consuming a vegetable that simply promotes natural hormone production. No interruption, no synthetics.

At the end of the day, what you need most is proper production so that you can rest assured that your body is producing the correct amount of every hormone in your body. Only then will you be able to maintain balance.

What no doctor ever tells you at your diagnosis of Catamenial Epilepsy is just how challenging your hormones can be to change. If you’re estrogen dominant like me, the doctors will also fail to mention just how drastic a simple rise in the estrogen hormone can be. It must be done with great care and an abundance of patience. It is challenging, but it is not impossible if you choose a method that supports your body’s natural production of hormones.

Birth control has proven to be successful for some women so even though it did not work for me as a solution for Catamenial Epilepsy, maybe it might work for others. Just be sure to consult your doctor before making any changes to your daily regimen. Be sure to keep in mind that there are multiple methods for treating hormone imbalances.

If you would like to read more about some these other methods here on Seize the Day Blog you can do so by reading any of the following articles below:

Vitamin D: A Prime Cornerstone of Your Total Body Health

Hormone Overload: Phytoestrogens & Xenoestrogens

Raw Honey: The Sweet & Sticky Side of Natural Skincare

Calendars & Journals: The Key to Managing Your Catamenial Epilepsy

Quality of Foods: The Key to Healthy Living Begins With Your Diet:

Catamenial Epilepsy

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): The Ingredient That Should Come with a Warning Label

Sources:

Epilepsy Foundation: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2016/10/basics-about-catamenial-epilepsy

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.

September 25, 2018

The Tried & True Formula For Healthy Hair

September 25, 2018

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:

January 5, 2018

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sore Throat Remedy

January 5, 2018

It’s January again, a brand new year has arrived along with a brand new cold & flu season. Ordinarily, I would be quite annoyed with this arrival because getting sick is just plain inconvenient at a time when I’m trying to keep up with my resolutions (which is difficult enough during good health). However, I recently discovered a remedy that actually works at healing and/or preventing the development of a sore throat. It’s also super simple and consists of only four ingredients! Lemon, ginger root, honey, and hot water. As you probably already guessed, the taste is a little sour, but all you have to do is gargle with the mixture for 1-2 minutes. No drinking is required. Plus, the honey tones down the sour flavor.

If you have a sore throat already, I recommend gargling a mouthful of the liquid at least 5-6 times a day until the sore feeling subsides. If you are using the remedy for preventive measure, 1-2 times a day will be just fine. The recipe is below, I hope that those of you currently battling the cold/flu get well soon!

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sore Throat Remedy

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Category: Recipes

Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients

1 Thumb Ginger Root, sliced or grated
1/2 Lemon
1 T Raw Honey
1/2 cup Warm Water

Instructions

Begin by putting a 1/2 cup of water on the stove to boil. I prefer using my tea kettle. Once the water is heating up, begin preparing the rest of the ingredients.
Peel and slice ginger root into thin pieces, place in a mug. Using one 1/2 of the lemon, squeeze as much juice as possible into the mug. Add the tablespoon of honey. The water should be warm enough by now.
Measure out a 1/2 cup and pour water into the mug with the rest of the ingredients. Mix well and gargle the liquid for 1-2 minutes.
If the liquid is too hot to gargle, let sit to cool or add an ice cube for a quicker cool down. There is no limit to how much you can gargle at one time so if you would like, gargle the entire mug. This is what I usually do so that the remedy doesn't go to waste.

Notes

Cook Time applies to the water only

https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2018/01/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-sore-throat-remedy/

September 6, 2017

Sports Drinks vs. Green Juice: Go Green or Go Home

September 6, 2017

Often times, when a person thinks of activities such as going to the gym, playing sports, running, etc. he or she thinks about the energy required to accomplish said activity. This will typically bring a person’s train of thought to the source of this desired energy.

Society tells people that getting a good night’s sleep and drinking plenty of water throughout the entire day is a good starting point for a healthy amount of energy, but it’s not enough if you truly want to excel. You also need supplementary components, something that is readily available for the consumer and also requires his or her money. Does anyone else smell something fishy? Society has to benefit somehow for their efforts, don’t they? We’re not just talking about mere suggestions for the average Joe’s state of health anymore; frankly, I think that was thrown out the window quite some time ago. We’re talking about the #1 marketing platform (society) supporting ideas that not only benefit them, but they benefit groups of corporations and businesses, as well. When I see behavior like this taking place, it automatically sends up a red flag in my mind and it also makes me question the validity behind the statements they’re feeding us. More than anything, it makes me triple-check the true quality of whatever product they want us to buy. I’ve already been the consumer who wholeheartedly trusted everything the marketing teams pushed my way. I gave these teams the benefit of the doubt and accepted what they had to say as fact.

I figured there’s no way that a corporation like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would allow anything unhealthy or potentially harmful to be put into the food I eat. I’m going to let you in on a little secret I wished someone had told me years ago…question everything when it comes to the foods you purchase. Never expect food companies to choose healthy ingredients over unhealthy ingredients for the sake of the consumer. When it comes to the consumer, we’re only a concern of theirs until we purchase their product. The same is true for those companies selling energy-related products, most especially energy drinks. Here’s a little food for thought for all of my readers…how are supposed to expect these products to be healthy when the foundation of entire company is based on a lie? If honesty isn’t a key component in the heart of the manufacturer, it certainly isn’t going to be a key component in the products they so desperately want us to purchase. My advice? Ignore that mission statement provided by the company and focus on the ingredient labels. The ingredient label is your guide to understanding the true quality of any product.

First, you need to bypass all of the false advertising so that you can get a clear perspective on the real issues. Like anything in life this is easier said than done because we’re all fooled into believing the lie created by the food and beverage industry and promoted by society…we need a boost throughout the entire activity if we are to be successful in our endeavors. Their definition of a boost? Sports drinks, electrolyte infused water, and specialty powders to add to your water. The majority of companies producing these products go one step further in their efforts to convince each potential consumer of their need for these products…advertisements that include famous athletes. If you’re playing basketball, for example, and you have goals to become a serious athlete, why wouldn’t you use the same sports drink product endorsed by LeBron James? It might up your skills out there on the court if you do the same thing he’s doing! It doesn’t hurt to at least try his strategy, right? Plus they usually taste really good! This is where things get a bit confusing for the majority of consumers because the advertisements tell you these products are beneficial and healthy, but the entire makeup of the product disagrees! Reading the ingredient label of any product created for energy enhancement is key in discovering just how detrimental every product is for your overall health. For me, I always liked the bright colors these drinks were available in! Little did I know, I was being fooled by a preposterous social norm.

I’m here to tell you that society and their biased advertisements are wrong! Fueled by profits, the food industry hammers the idea into our heads that we can only get energy from these types of synthetic sources.

Oh, really? Well if that’s true than how is it possible that I have been able to get legitimate boosts of energy from natural sources that are also completely free of synthetic ingredients? I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade by saying this, I know so many people who use these synthetic sources for energy when they go to the gym. There was a time when I loved electrolyte infused water and wasn’t against a sports drink slushie. However, circumstances have drastically changed in my life over the past eights and, as a result, so have my eating habits. There was a time when reading the ingredient label on anything made me feel like I was trying to understand a language I couldn’t speak. As it turns out, the complicated names we see listed kind of are in a different language. They’re in the language of chemistry and science because the majority of these ingredients aren’t grown in the ground; scientists concoct them in a laboratory. Whenever I’m researching an ingredient name, there’s a part of me that is actually afraid of what this bazaar name actually contains. If ingredients like petroleum have snuck their way into our food, it could be anything! Discovering all of the dirty little secrets is part of taking charge of your health for the better.

Let’s examine the evidence, shall we?

Gatorade Original Thirst Quencher Ingredient Label (Strawberry Watermelon flavor):

Water, Sucrose, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Monopotassium Phosphate, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Red 40

Water—Ordinarily I would consider this ingredient to be the only healthy ingredient on the entire label; however, we do not know the source of the Gatorade Company’s water. It could be pond water for all we know! The worst part is that they are not required by the FDA to supply this information to the consumer.

Sucrose—although originally obtained from sugar cane or sugar beets, this form of sugar is most commonly known as table sugar. Therefore, it has been processed, refined, and bleached white to fit the stereotypical look, feel, and taste of generic table sugar. This form of sugar can be naturally derived from fruits and vegetables, but I highly doubt that is the case for the sucrose found in Gatorade or any other sports drink. The worst part about this ingredient is the way it is digested and dispersed by your body once consumed…“The body will use glucose as its main energy source and the excess energy from fructose, if not needed, will be poured into fat synthesis, which is stimulated by the insulin released in response to glucose” (healthyeating.sfgate.com). Basically, this form of sugar is making you fat. Interesting choice of ingredient for a product intended for athletes and other active people.

Dextrose—“the name of a simple sugar that is made from corn and is chemically identical to glucose, or blood sugar. Dextrose is often used in baking products as a sweetener, and can be commonly found in items such as processed foods and corn syrup” (healthline.com). We all know processed foods and corn syrup, are especially poor choices for any person’s diet…especially those actively fighting to get in shape! You’re already fighting your body fat to get in shape; you don’t need to fight your energy drink, as well.

Citric Acid—though this ingredient may sound natural because its name includes the word, “Citric,” I’m sorry to say that isn’t even close to being naturally derived from any type of citrus fruit. It happens to be a preservative, commonly found in a variety of processed foods, especially those of a canned and jarred nature. If you’re curious about the origins of citric acid, let me shed some light… “Industrial food ingenuity has made it so that citric acid can be created from Aspergillus niger, a common black mold. Although citric acid can be obtained from lemon or pineapple juice, producing citric acid from A. niger is a far less expensive process” (ethicalfoods.com).

Natural Flavors—the biggest problem with this ingredient is the fact that it really could mean anything. The FDA isn’t asking for an explanation and, chances are, food companies aren’t exactly handing this information out on a silver platter. Hence the use of a code name for whatever the ingredient truly may be. I actively avoid this ingredient not because it could be referring to some pretty gross stuff that I’d rather not consume, including Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) (Care2.com). The ingredients covered under the umbrella name of Natural or Artificial flavors offer no benefit to consumer because they are filler ingredients. These flavors are synthetic and meant to replace those of real foods. They’re cheaper and their expiration date is abnormally long.

Salt—finally an ingredient name the consumer will recognize! Despite the familiarity, it is important to consider the source of this ingredient. If it processed and refined table salt the Gatorade company is using (this is very likely, by the way) then you will be consuming a type of salt that will only strip your body of even more nutrients than it will restore them. “Common (refined) table salt (NaCl), which most people are accustomed to is comprised of about 97.5% Sodium Chloride and 2.5% toxic chemicals…this salt is easily recognized because of its white appearance and color. It’s highly processed—dried at over 1,200 degrees, bleached and chemically cleaned, resulting in the loss of trace minerals and essential macronutrients. It becomes something the body doesn’t recognize” (lifewithgreens.com). And how are we to know whether the salt in this product is the refined, chemically altered kind or the natural, unrefined kind? You would have to call the company directly and even then I don’t know if it is possible. Here’s one thing I know, there is a recurring pattern amongst processed food companies they always choose the cheapest method possible when it comes to making their product. Refined salt is cheaper than unrefined salt, you tell me which kind they most likely used in this sports drink…

Sodium Citrate—yet another salt-related ingredient. Sodium Citrate is synthetic, it was born in a lab, and it is most often used as a preservative or flavor enhancer to foods. This particular ingredient is what adds that sour and/or salty flavor to a product, in this case a sports drink. It is very similar to Citric Acid, so similar that the two names are actually interchangeable amongst scientists. This brings us back to the black mold issue I discussed under the Citric Acid ingredient name (if you didn’t read it, I highly recommend you do!). Not to mention, this is the third ingredient containing sodium. Not great for those of you with sodium-sensitivities or sodium-related health issues.

Monopotassium Phosphate—this particular ingredient was the only ingredient I actually had issues with finding a description of the role it plays in our food. I soon discovered the reason behind my struggle…it is more commonly found in fertilizers and intended for use on plants, not humans. Apparently, it is a great source of phosphorus and potassium for plants so how on earth did it end up in a sports drink? “Monopotassium phosphate is a soluble salt used as an additive in cigarettes, fertilizer and as a fungicide and buffering agent in vaccines. The synthesized, active, end-use product is a crystalline powder containing 100% active ingredient” (novaccine.com). Clearly this ingredient is being used as some sort of additive, a preservative is most likely. Whatever role it plays in the sports drink; based upon its synthetic and chemical structure you can guarantee that it in no way benefits your body or your energy levels.

Glycerol Ester of Rosin—this oddly named ingredient acts as an emulsifier, it prevents any separation between oil and a liquid when the two have been mixed together. Once again, this ingredient is synthetic. Derivatives of Glycerol Ester Rosin, such as Glycerol ester of gum, Glycerol ester of tall oil rosin, and Glycerol ester of wood rosin have all been labeled as “On Alert” ingredients by the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand.

Red 40—the last ingredient on the label, but certainly no less innocent than its predecessors. When thinking about food coloring, I’m automatically brought back to when I was a kid on Easter Sunday and we would dye eggs. Not once am I prompted to consider what these seemingly harmless food dyes were actually made of. “Red 40 is a certified color that comes from petroleum distillates or coal tars” (healthline.com). Not only can this ingredient be incredibly toxic to its consumer, “Red 40 contains p-Cresidine, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says is ‘reasonably anticipated’ to be a human carcinogen” (Healthline.com), but “research shows they can also cause hyperactivity in children” (healthline.com). As if the 21 grams of sugar in the sports drink wasn’t enough to cause this kind of behavior. My next concern is the effect energy-boosting drinks such as Gatorade are having on the brain activity of its consumer.

As you’ve probably already deduced from my descriptions of each ingredient, Gatorade isn’t exactly my go-to product when I’m looking for a healthy boost of energy. The worst part about sports drinks as a whole is that they are often marketed toward children. Those cute mini-bottles Gatorade now sells are the perfect size for kids of all ages involved in sports. Whether it’s game day or just another practice session, this beverage is often distributed as a “beneficial” option for the athletes. However, the ingredient label, the 34 grams of sugar per serving, and 270 milligrams of sodium on the nutrition label of a 20 ounce bottle tend to disagree. I may not have any children just yet, but if I saw this nutrition label, I would never think to give it to them as a “healthy” snack. Apparently, I’m not alone! My cousin, who has two children ages 6 and 4, recently informed me how she avoids sports drinks like the plague because of the sugar rush it gives the kids. According to her, the kids become hyper, out of control, and just plain crazy immediately after consuming any kind of sugary sports drink. She said the amount of hyperactivity created by these types of beverages is worse than soda. The worst part is that the effect of the poor quality ingredients in Gatorade continues long after the sugar rush is over. As physics dictates, what goes up must come down, and down they all go. Their energy, their patience, and their overall ability to be kind seem to crash right along with this so-called “energy boost.” Although at this point, I think psychotic episode might be a more accurate way to describe the behavior prompted by products such as Gatorade. So you get unmanageable behavior for who knows how long and then you have grumpy kids for the rest of the day…if you are a parent reading this right now, you’re probably wondering why you ever bought your child Gatorade. Your motivation was good; it’s not your fault that this happens to be a crappy product! The best thing you can do right now is to learn from it and move on. Bottled water or fruit-infused water is always the better choice!

Speaking of fruit-infused water, when you think about increasing your energy using food and drink products, do vegetables and fruits ever come to mind? Probably not. When I think about vegetables my mind is automatically redirected to dinner where I’m used to eating a type of green veggie, such as broccoli or green beans, as a side dish or I think of salad…once again a side dish to a meal. Green vegetables have been stifled into this category over the years and as a result we have been deprived of their energy-boosting abilities!

Fruits have been stifled into more of a snack category, meant to eat alone or, depending on the fruit, to complement a meal. Once again, they’re never considered as an energy boosting food. And why should they be when society and produce companies never market these products as such??

I have two words that will blow every other marketed energy-boosting drink, food, or powder out of the water…Green Smoothie. Not the processed kind that you can buy bottled at your local grocery store. No, I’m talking fresh, organic veggies and fruits that are washed, cut and thrown into the blender then liquefied into a very healthy and very potent energy-boosting juice. Notice I said Blender and not Juicer…I’m not trying to worm my way out of paying for an expensive juicing machine and therefore choosing the cheap or less effective route. For those of you that do not already have a juicer, but happen to own a blender this news I’m about to share is going to be a Win-Win for you! Juicing machines are one of the most overrated inventions ever created! I’m not saying this because I don’t have one, but secretly really, really want one and I’m redirecting my own personal envy into this article. Unfortunately, I do own a juicer and I still consider it to be one of the most ridiculous purchases I have ever made, not to mention a huge waste of money, as well!

Here’s the thing about juicers, they liquefy anything you put into them, but discard all of the pulp from the fruits and veggies. Sure, you get a fantastic texture in your homemade juice, but you also get a product that has been completely stripped of its nutritional value. You see, the pulp is where the majority of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables are found. The skin of fruits such as apples, are packed full of vitamins! The inside is just an added bonus to the fruit, if you’re looking for nutrients; you want the skin, the pulp, basically everything that is discarded by the juicing machine. It completely defeats the purpose of trying to be healthy and consume more vitamins and minerals. If this were discussed more often we would most likely see a significant decline in the sale of juicers.

So why is the blender so much better? It doesn’t discard anything! It blends the insides of your choice of produce and the pulp so that you get the best of both worlds. You get the flavor you’re looking for and the nutrients your body desperately needs. For those of you that are texture people, try finding a blender that offers a liquefy option in addition to the blend option. Personally, whenever I make green juice I always blend everything together for one minute and then I liquefy the contents for two minutes. It always produces a perfectly liquefied product, no existing pulp, foam, or chunkiness. If this texture still isn’t fluid enough for you, liquefy it again! It doesn’t matter how long you blend the ingredients for, you’re not draining any of the vitamins or minerals; you’re simply combining the ingredients even more! Just in case you’re looking for a new blender and need a recommendation, I am currently using a model created by Breville. I also own a toaster by this company and so far their products have proven to be great quality machines! The great thing about my Breville blender is that it has a variety of options including “Blend” and “Liquefy,” which come in handy for making juice!

Like many of the other topics I have written about here on Seize the Day Blog, my inspiration behind the idea of replacing commercial energy-boosting products with fruits and veggies is personal experience. I only recently began using this method for my own energy needs. It all started when I began going to the gym regularly again. My personal trainer created a personalized meal plan for me, which included two green juices a day. He recommended drinking the first juice one hour before my workout session at the gym and the second immediately after with a little added protein powder (you can find a super simple recipe for homemade protein powder here). I didn’t give these instructions much thought; I simply followed them and hoped for the best. What I got was a complete shock! I decided to take full advantage of this all-natural charge of beneficial vitamins and nutrients via green juice twice a day so I increased my intake to everyday. Even on days I didn’t workout, I still drank my green juice at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM. After about two weeks of consistently consuming this amount of green veggies and fruits, I noticed an interruption in my sleep pattern. Ordinarily, I sleep like a baby…just ask my sister, she’ll tell you how crazy it is that I literally fall asleep after only 10 minutes of going to bed (I like to tease her that she’s just jealous of my apparent superhuman ability, I don’t think I would be fulfilling my duties as a “big sister” if I didn’t). Once I’m asleep, I sleep all night and don’t wake up again until 7:30 AM, now that I think of it this doesn’t exactly sound like a realistic typical night sleep for a baby, but you get the picture. So it was completely out of the ordinary when I got into bed and struggled to fall asleep. In fact, I really didn’t even feel tired or ready for bed when 10:00 PM (my typical bed time) rolled around. One bad night sleep is random, two could be coincidence, but three nights of struggling to fall asleep and actually stay asleep began to concern me. Maintaining a consistent sleep pattern has always been key in preventing seizure activity for me, personally. So when this inability to fall asleep persisted I was concerned about more than the shadows beginning to form under my eyes, my overall brain health was being affected. Something had to be done before another seizure happened.

As I looked back over the past few weeks, the only two changes I had made to my daily routine were going to the gym three times a week and drinking green juice every day twice a day. Well, I figured an increase in physical activity certainly isn’t going to make it more difficult for me to sleep so it must be the green juice. I definitely wasn’t going to stop drinking it altogether! I love the way it makes me feel, not just in the gym but everywhere! You know when that feeling when your body just feels good in a way that tells you whatever you’re doing is making your entire body very happy? Well that’s how I felt! So I decided not to overreact and I began experimenting with the amount of green juice I drank on the days I didn’t workout. Instead of drinking it twice a day, I tried drinking it once a day. The first day I made this change, the effect was immediate…I had no issues going to sleep and I didn’t wake up once…Basically, my superhuman ability was back. It has been one month since I made this change and I am yet to have a bad night’s sleep. Long story short, my body loves the green juice!

As crazy as this may sound compared to society’s perspective, you really don’t need any synthetic energy-boosting products to give you an energy boost so powerful it will work all day and all night. What you seek does not lie in a chemically altered juice or powder; it lies in the produce section of your grocery store (preferably, the Organic section). We have severely underestimated the benefits of spinach, kale, chard, cucumber, green apples, kiwi, carrots, cantaloupe, honeydew, and a multitude of other fruits and veggies! Next time you’re looking for a boost of energy, I hope you choose a source that is naturally derived and doesn’t require any added ingredients to get the job done!

I’ve provided a few of my favorite personal creations I’ve made over the past two months since my return to the gym. Each is super easy and all it requires is a blender!

If you know of any yummy green juice recipes please comment via Twitter & Instagram (@seizethedayblog) or email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com, I’m always looking for new juices to try!

Thank you!

Refresher Smoothie Recipe:

Ingredients:

½ bunch spinach

½ bunch kale

½ cup cucumber, sliced

½ lime, peeled

1 green apple

2 kiwis

1 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp honey

1/8 cup greek yogurt

½ cup water

Handful ice cubes

Directions:

Put all ingredients into the blender and liquefy until it reaches your preferred consistency, I usually let it run for about 2-3 min. This may sound like a long time, but it is necessary if you want a thin, liquid texture more than you do a thick, smoothie-like texture. Drink immediately.

Honeydew Fusion Recipe:

Ingredients:

½ honeydew, peeled, cored, & chopped

1 bunch spinach or kale

½ lime, peeled

1 kiwi

1 green apple

1/8 cup greek yogurt, unflavored

1 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp honey

Handful ice cubes

Directions:

Put all ingredients into the blender and liquefy until it reaches your preferred consistency, 2-3 min seems the best amount of time for a thin, liquid texture without any pulp. Drink immediately.

Not-so-green Smoothie Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 bunch spinach

2 carrots, peeled & chopped

½ cup cucumber, sliced

½ cup cantaloupe, peeled, cored, & chopped

1/8 cup greek yogurt, unflavored

1 Tbsp coconut oil

1 Tbsp honey

¼ cup water

Handful ice cubes

Directions:

Place the spinach, carrots, and cucumber into the blender and blend for approximately 1 minute. Add the cantaloupe, yogurt, coconut oil, honey, water, and ice cubes. Liquefy for 2 minutes. If the texture is still too pulpy, blend for another minute or until it reaches your desired consistency. Drink immediately.