Essentials for a Healthy Lifestyle

Being healthy is much more than just exercising and eating right. There are many factors that come into play. And there always seems to be more and more to learn, understand and implement. The more your eyes are open to the "Health World", the more confusing it seems to get. Many of you may wonder, what are the absolute must-haves to having a healthy lifestyle? It may be different for everyone but I will share with you my list of absolute essentials for my lifestyle:

(1) Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap

Once I learned how toxic household products were, I immediately made the switch to better products. During that time, I came across this amazing soap. The bottle talks a big game, not only does it have magic in its title but it also claims to 18-in-1. I must admit, when I first started using it, I thought maybe they got a little carried away. No longer! I have used this soap for EVERYTHING!!!! It cleans anything! I have used it to clean the following: face, body, hair, teeth (I was out of toothpaste, it was gross but damn if it didn't work well!), dishes, toilet, tub, laundry, paint stained hands, and oil stains. It is truly the best thing to take out ANYTHING! I have yet to come across something that takes out oil stains and regular stains from clothes and easily and effectively than this product. And the lavender one smells divine!

 

 (2) Unrefined Coconut Oil

 Oh how I love coconut oil! It is composed of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) and is a saturated fat. Because of the structure, they go straight to your liver and don't affect you the same way other bad saturated fats would. The MCTs metabolize differently and can have lasting effects on many different brain disorders. It has also been shown to increase energy expenditure by as much as 5%. What does that mean exactly? It means it helps you burn calories. This powerful oil is also antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial so it can help kill harmful pathogens. It can also be used to cook with, to moisture skin, to protect against hair damage, as a sunscreen (SPF 4) and as a mouthwash (oil pulling).

 (3) A Go to Quick Meal

We all have days when we don't have food prepped or don't have the time to prep some. That's where having a "Go to Meal" (or two) comes in handy. My "Go to Meal" is a bag of peas and a pouch or can of wild planet tuna. I ALWAYS have them on hand so when I have no time, I also have no excuse. I can grab and go. I also can easily pick this meal up at any grocery store though I would switch out the frozen peas for a small container of mixed greens if the peas didn't have time to defrost. Is it the best meal I've ever eaten? No, of course not. But I can deal with having one or two mediocre yet healthy meals a week so that I don't have to deal with the consequences of eating an healthy meal or being hungry. So figure out your "Go to Meal" and leave your excuses behind!

 (4) A Water Bottle

So simple but still so important. I don't think I need to go through all the powerful benefits of drinking water but many of us still struggle with it. But your water bottle should be like your phone or wallet. It should go EVERYWHERE with you. And I don't mean grabbing a prefilled water bottle from the store. I mean go to the store and buy a water bottle that you can refill constantly. They are a much better reminder to drink water than an empty Osarka bottle, for example. My green glass water bottle literally always has water in it so that it consistently reminds me to drink water.

***If you ever see my water bottle without water in it, I will give you a free one-on-one session***

 (5) A Good Blender

I heart my Blendtec so much!! It is by far the best and most used kitchen appliance I own. I can make a perfect smoothie in under a minute and the clean up takes the same amount of time! I also use it to make soups, ice cream, sauces, nut butters, desserts, and even homemade mayo. It is so important to me that when Ray and I moved down to Texas, I moved first and we debated on who would get to keep the blender for the few weeks we would be apart. (I won!) Trust me, it's worth every single penny.  

 (6) A Healthy Treat

We are all striving to eat our best (right??). But that doesn't mean we can't have a treat once in a while. But what we don't want to do is eat something that causes us to regress because it feeds into the cravings we are trying so hard to kick. The solution? To find some middle ground. Find a treat that won't throw you off your game. I like, ok love, the spelt cookies at Whole Foods. I don't to eat wheat anymore but I also refuse to go without chocolate chip cookies for the rest of my life. I also love Whole Food's vegan chocolate pudding made with almond milk. Treats like this will keep you away from things like wheat and milk while letting you enjoy a treat once in a while. (If you need recommendations, email me at amy.c.cattaneo@gmail.com Tell me what you are trying to replace and I will give you options and ideas)

   (7) Non-toxic Cleaning Products

While you can use Dr. Bronners to clean everything, there are other products we can use that will replace all the toxic ones we may be using. While the side effects of some products are evident immediately, others have low acute toxicity that contributes to long term health effects, without you even realizing something is wrong. So start switching them out! Below is a pic of all the cleaning products I use. 

(For more info, check out: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_279.cfm)

 (8) A Healthy Go To Restaurant

It is always best to cook your own meals because you have complete control. But let's be realistic. We are going to eat out sometimes. Having a place(s) to grab a healthy meal is a must when living a healthy life. And Subway is not that place. I repeat...SUBWAY IS NOT THAT PLACE!! The restaurant should have the ingredients easily accessible and ideally use all natural ingredients without fillers, additives, etc. My Go to Places are:

Whole Foods (the food bar)

Chipotle

Seasons 52

Company Café  

(9) A Lunch Bag

Yes a lunch bag. How are you going to carry all that delicious food you are prepping?! And it can't be a tiny little thing. It needs to fit everything you are going to need for the day and should be able to fit ice packs just in case you are on the road or at kids games all day. Superhero theme is optional! =)  

 (10) Sea Salt

Sea salt is obtained from seawater and is usually minimally processed. It contains numerous essential nutrients and minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and iodine. Salt always raises the question about sodium intake. While you can go overboard on sea salt, eliminating it from your diet completely is actually unhealthy because the nutrients it contains are necessary for the proper functioning of nearly all biological processes. Not only that but adding a pinch to your water can help prevent dehydration and replenish electrolytes. Another use is to help alleviate constipation. Drinking a cup of warm really salty water will fix you right up!

   (11) Lemons

These tiny fruits can do so much for your health, I'm surprised it's not talked about more. Lemons are antibacterial, antiviral and have immune-boosting properties. They are also a huge weight loss ingredient due to their ability to cleanse the liver, help balance your pH and how they assist in digestion. You can even get relief from sore throats, fevers, colds, and canker sores with the help of lemons. The possible uses and benefits of lemons are endless! You should never be without lemons!

 (12) Apple Cider Vinegar

It tastes super sour, it looks weird (if you're getting the right one), and its smell can clear a room. But if you don't have a bottle in your fridge, you are missing out. This powerful liquid is full of potassium, phosphorous, silicon, pectin, and trace minerals just to name a few. ACV helps treat diarrhea, hiccups, sore throats, yeast infections, nausea, and indigestion. It also is a great hair rinse and a cure for dandruff. Sunburn, age spots, warts, and acne don't stand a chance against this vinegar. And you can use it as a dressing of course! So grab a bottle! Just be sure to NEVER spill it in your car on a hot day....trust me.  

This list is the base of my lifestyle. Many of these I even take with me on vacation. I also have a small vial of sea salt with me as well as a travel bottle of Dr. Bronners with me at all times. So take stock of what you have and what you need to get and start building your healthy lifestyle!!!