Self-Care is Never Selfish

Health & Lifestyle

“When you put your needs last, you’re like a plant without water that’s worried about providing enough shade for others.”

– Alexis Jones (activist and motivational speaker)

I’m sure we’ve all heard these words before: “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. In other words, if you aren’t taking good care of yourself, you can’t effectively take care of others. It’s so important that you find the time for self-care and attention.

Here are 7 ways you can practice self-care:

Stay Nourished 🥗

They say you are what you eat. Care for your body by fueling it with healthy and nourishing meals and snacks. Be mindful of certain foods that don’t make you feel good and consider eliminating them from your diet. Especially during warmer weather, remember to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day and everyday.

Learn more: Brain-Gut Connection / 7 Ways to Practice Mindful Eating

Sleep Well 💤

This is not only about how many hours of sleep you get, but also about the quality of your sleep. You work hard throughout the day, so take the time needed to restore. While it’s ideal to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep, make sure you feel comfortable while you are and that you’re waking up feeling well-rested.

Learn more: Sleep & Stress Management / How to Sleep for Peak Mental Performance

Get and Stay Active 💪

Physical activity is great for your body and mind. Your brain releases endorphins, a feel-good brain chemical that helps to reduce stress. You deserve to feel good! Plus, it boosts your energy, immune system and improves sleep. So, strap on your running shoes. A nice 30-minute walk is all it takes.

Connect with Others 📞

Whether it’s a family member, friend or colleague, connect and spend time with people you know and trust. Know when to ask for help when you need it. That is a form of self-care.

Take a Pause ⏸

Stop, slow down, and make time for pause. Listen to calming music, journal, pray, meditate, go for a walk in nature, take a few deep breaths or stretch. Taking a pause is a great way to pace yourself and reset.

Learn more: Meditation Tools & Tips

Be Kind to Yourself 🥰

Never be so hard on yourself! Embrace yourself fully – all your mistakes and accomplishments. We are human after all. Know that you are doing the best you can. Try this: Look in the mirror and say something kind to yourself each day.

Stay Committed 📆

Build a self-care routine and try your very best to stay committed to it. Without a doubt, the demands of life can be stressful. Now more than ever, remember to first fill up your own cup. Find what feels good to you, stick to it, and keep going!

Learn more: Your Mental Health Matters: Extra Brain-Love During Times of Stress

What are other ways you practice self-care? Share them in the comments section! 👇

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WEBSITE DISCLAIMER

This website is provided only for informational purposes and not intended to be used to replace professional advice, treatment or professional care. Always speak to your physician, healthcare provider or pediatrician if you have concerns about your own health or the health of a child.

How to Breathe! To Activate the Calm Response in Your Body

Self-Regulation

“No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how skinny or young or wise you are, none of it matters if you’re not breathing properly. There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences.”

– James Nestor, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

How to Breathe! To Activate the Calm Response in Your Body is a video presentation by Melissa Holland Mansika. Melissa is a stay-at-home mom, homeschool teacher and career and life transition specialist from Boulder, Colorado. She has a background in teaching graduate psychology students career counselling, life transitions and positive psychology. It is a pleasure to learn from and alongside her as one of my peers in the Self-Reg Facilitator’s Program course!

As a result of her curiosity on the breath and breathing, she created and shared this video presentation about a way of breathing that can activate the calm response in the body. Upon request, after watching her presentation, Melissa kindly gave me permission to share it. In this video, she shares traps and tips of breathing, the anatomy of the breath, and the difference between nasal and mouth breathing. Thank you, Melissa, for expanding my understanding on the breath and breathing, and for allowing your knowledge on this topic to be shared with others!

“Taking some time to learn about the complexity of the breath in the human body, can result in greatly reduced hidden stressors.”

– Melissa Holland Mansika

How to Breathe! To Activate the Calm Response in Your Body by Melissa Holland Mansika

Additional Resources on Breathing

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor

How to Maximize the Power of Your Breath (The Goop Podcast with James Nestor)

Conscious Breathing: Discover the Power of your Breath, by Anders Olsson

Calming Down a Stressed Brain Through Conscious Breathing with Anders Olsson

The Oxygen Advantage, by Patrick McKeown

Shut Your Mouth to Change Your Life with Patrick McKeown

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Let’s Talk Adaptogens!

Health & Lifestyle

“All plants contain adaptogenic/tonic compounds, because plants have to contend with a good deal of stress themselves.” – James Duke

What are Adaptogens?

food on white background — Photo by Pixabay

Adaptogens have been around for thousands of years and have traditionally been used in Indian and Chinese medicine. They are a type of herb (or mushroom) that helps the body adapt to stress. Hence their name, adaptogens! They adapt according to what the body needs; whether that be mental (e.g., increased memory and focus), physical (e.g., energy boost) or emotional (e.g., anxiety relief). Adaptogens won’t take away stress, but help to regulate the body’s stress response system (adrenal glands) and bring it back into balance (homeostasis). They can be found in various forms such as powders, capsules, tinctures (herbal extracts), or in drinks and teas. Adaptogens can be a healthy alternative to prescribed medication and stimulants such as caffeine and sugar. Although their benefits can vary, (as with any supplement), they are most effective when taken over a period of time. They work best not in isolation, but as part of a holistic lifestyle that should include a healthy diet, sleep, exercise and personalized wellness practices. While research has shown how adaptogens can be used to prevent and treat various ailments, I can only speak to my personal experience using them.

My Experience with Adaptogens

It wasn’t until I was introduced to adaptogens through Organika’s webinars (see: Your Hormones: Finding Balance for the Modern-Day Woman or Your Mental Health Matters: Extra Brain-Love During Times of Stress) that I gained a greater interest and understanding of them. These webinars almost always mentioned adaptogens, recipes that include the use of them, and their many benefits. After learning so much, I decided to try out one of their many adaptogen powders. The first one I decided to try was their Organic Chaga Mushroom Calm Powder. That, along with a few of my other favourite Organika products made it to My Wellness Kit! While I was only using this powder on and off shortly after I had purchased it, I started taking it more frequently over the past couple of months since being back to work. I would add roughly one teaspoon of it alongside SMOOV’s euphoric blend (which contains maca, an adaptogen that has hormone-balancing benefits; see below) when I made my oatmeal in the morning. Other times, I mixed it in with my tea or a smoothie. With consistent use, I have been experiencing its benefits. I have found that I’m able to remain quite relaxed throughout a very busy and stressful day, and that it has significantly helped to alleviate menstrual symptoms I have dealt with for many years. Since finishing the chaga mushroom powder, I decided to try Organika’s Organic Ashwagandha Mood Powder. The first two recipes I tried was Moon Milk and Chia & Ashwagandha Overnight Oats (see below). I highly recommend both powders and recipes!

Commonly Used Adaptogens & Their Benefits

Ashwagandha
- Regulates thyroid function which controls emotional hormones
- Balances and boosts mood and positive feelings
- Decreases the effects of stress by reducing cortisol levels
Chaga Mushroom
- High in antioxidant, vitamins and minerals
- Reduces the effects of stress, anxiety and regulates hormones
- Contains anti-inflammatory properties
Ginseng
- Helps to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system
- Reduces the effect of stressors
- Improves focus and memory
Holy Basil
- A source of antioxidant
- Boosts immune system and energy
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Supports healthy digestion
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
- Contains hericenones and erinacines which stimulate the growth of brain cells and protects brain tissue
- Improves memory and brain function
Moringa
- A multivitamin containing vitamin A, C, calcium, iron, protein, potassium
- A source of antioxidant
Maca Root
- A good source of vitamins and minerals (containing essential amino acids)
- Improves mood and energy
- Helps to balance hormones and supports the immune system
- Boosts libido in men and women
Reishi Mushroom
- Reduces stress by calming the mind (e.g., nerves) and body (e.g., muscle tension)
- Improves the quality of sleep through the regulation of stress hormones
- Boosts the functioning of the immune system in its defense against viruses and bacteria
Rhodiola rosea
- Helps to reduce stress
- Improve mental functioning by reducing fatigue
- Boosts physical energy

Things to Consider

As with any supplement, results can vary from person to person and over time. What may have worked a week ago may not be effective a year from now. It’s important to pay attention to your body and how you may be responding positively or negatively to certain supplements such as adaptogens. As previously mentioned, it may take some time before you notice the benefits of a supplement. Only after using adaptogens consistently for a few months was I able to experience its benefits. While they are generally safe, it’s important to note that adaptogens could interfere with certain medication. If you’re interested in trying them, it’s best to first talk with your physician and/or a naturopath, especially if you’re taking medication. As always, ensure you are following the recommended dosage identified on the packaging.

Where to Buy Adaptogens

Adaptogens can be found and purchased at health food stores. I have purchased mine at Healthy Planet, but they can also be found on websites such as well.ca.

Ready to get started?

See: Five Stress Healing Solutions for more ways to reduce stress!

Take care, and be well.

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Self-Care Begins With You

Self-Regulation

I’m grateful to share with you this inspiring “everything self-care” article, written by my best friend who I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for many years. If you haven’t begun your own self-care routine and are thinking about getting started, in this article, Kaitlin shares with you how she came to discover self-care, a complete insight into her own routine, along with suggestions and tips to get started. Thank you, Kaitlin, for taking the time to share with others your own experience on such an important topic!

Written by Kaitlin Findlay

“Honour yourself to love others.” – Paul Colaianni

Self-care is not selfish. It is a practice of self-love, respect, and appreciation for ourselves so that we can love, respect, and appreciate others. Before I began my self-love journey in March of this year, my typical morning during the week would look like this: wake up at the latest time possible, hop out of bed to get ready, pack my lunch, and off to work I went. My typical morning routine on the weekends would look like this: sleep in, grab my phone to scroll on social media for at least an hour, and then slowly get out of bed to get ready for the day. I realize now, looking back, that both routines were toxic to my mental health as I focused my attention and awareness on other people, and as a result, neglected myself.

I have found that creating and practicing self-care every morning to start my day has given me two things:

Motivation: My morning self-care routine has motivated me to be the best person I can be everyday. When I take the time in the morning to reflect on my feelings and thoughts and to praise myself for the beautiful human I am, it literally hypes up my soul to start my day off with positive energy. This allows me to regulate my emotions and thoughts for the remainder of the day so that I can have the best day possible.
Self-esteem and Self-confidence: The second thing my morning self-care routine has given me is self-esteem and self-confidence. Before this, I lacked these two things as I would self-sabotage myself throughout most of my day. Now, loving myself for the first few hours of my day has allowed me to accept that I am beautiful, worthy and therefore, I view myself differently now than before and it feels incredible.

So, what does my morning self-care routine look like?

I have tried many different things and have perfected what I do now to suit what lifts me up every morning. My routine takes me around three hours to do, but this is simply because I have the time to do it for that long.

My Morning Self-Care Routine

Drink a litre of water
Filling my body with water at the very beginning of the day helps me to rehydrate and refresh from my beauty sleep.

Listen to a podcast
I lie in bed while I listen to a podcast to help wake me up. I usually pick podcasts that will strengthen my self-love as this is something I am currently working on.

What I’m currently listening to:

Read a daily affirmation
Affirmations are powerful as they help bring truth to light. They allow us to appreciate ourselves for the beautiful humans we all are.

What I’m currently reading:

How to Love Yourself Cards – Louise Hay

Engage in a guided meditation
This is an art that I am still practicing. My end goal is to be able to meditate on my own, but for now, I do guided meditations to help clear my thoughts and emotions.

What I’m currently practicing:

Mindful in Minutes – Kelly Smith

Write in a journal
I have a love for journalism as I’ve been doing it since I was 12. I have kept all of my journals and when I look back, I used to write everyday and write every small detail! In university, it started to become less frequent and I tended to only write when I was at a low. Once I started working with my life coach (shoutout to Hillary Flinn!) she suggested I journal when I was happy too and told me to get a writing-prompt journal for the days I didn’t know what to write about. I have been journaling everyday since! The art of journalism helps me to organize and clear my thoughts and emotions. It’s one thing to always be reflecting in your brain, but another to write those reflections down.

What I’m currently journaling in:

Writing Prompts Journal

Kick my own butt with some exercise
I have recognized the benefits of working out at the start of my day rather than anytime afterwards because it gives me the energy to continue the rest of my day on a high. My current workouts entail cardio (running) and then weight training (a different muscle each day).

Here are some other suggestions of what you can add to your own morning self-care ritual:

Stretch
Make the bed
Clean room
Take an Epsom salt bath
Yoga
Morning devotion
Pray
Singing bowl
Skin care routine
Shower
Listen to music
Go outside
Read
Do a puzzle
Write down daily achievable goals
Talk to self in the mirror
Visualization of where you want to be

Tips to get you started:

Start off small
If you’re just beginning your morning self-care routine journey, it can feel intimidating and overwhelming. I suggest you start off small! Set aside five-to-ten minutes of your time for self-care and do something simple. Become comfortable with that small routine and then you will naturally want to add to it.
Be consistent
There were times in the beginning of my journey that I felt like giving up. I couldn’t stay mentally focused on the tasks and I felt like I wasn’t getting better. The famous saying, “practice makes perfect” stays true to a morning self-care routine (although perfect looks different for everyone). I’m only feeling good about it now, after six months of practicing, with way more room for growth. With time comes progress and I promise it gets easier.
Say no to your phone
Do you wake up and look at your phone right away? Scroll through social media and check who messaged you? I used to! It set me back not only time wise, but mentally too. Waking up and immediately looking at my phone affected my self-esteem and self-worth as I was comparing myself to others, right at the beginning of the day. I have made it a rule to not look at anything on my phone (other than my podcasts and meditation) until I have completed my self-care routine. It allows me to focus on myself so that I have enough energy to engage with others.

I can’t even begin to explain how rewarding waking up every morning to work on myself has felt. Although Covid-19 has brought us a lot of sorrow, I appreciate the time it has given me to work on myself, as I would not be where I am right now. It takes a lot of self-discipline, time, and effort, so I am thankful this pandemic has given me the opportunity to fully engage in this process. Now that I am more comfortable with my routine, I will be able to modify it for when I do have to return back to work as I will not have as much time. I now understand that if you put yourself first and if you make your happiness a priority, then you will naturally want to make the effort to practice self-care, no matter how much earlier you have to wake up. You will want to practice self-care because you love and care for yourself and your well-being. So, ask yourself, how much do you love yourself?

Additional Resources

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My Wellness Kit

Health & Lifestyle

Wellness and healthy well-being is so important to me and I hope it is for you too!

Here I share with you the brands, products and items that are apart of my wellness kit.

SMOOV Superfood Blends

SMOOV is a Canadian brand of all-natural superfood blends. I have been using these blends since last winter and let me tell you, they are amazing! These blends are organic, come in a wide variety and contains the cleanest ingredients such as alfalfa grass, goji berry, maca, spirulina and many others. If you’re looking to boost energy, mood or immunity, satisfy a sweet tooth craving (as I’m always doing), detox and get your intake of greens, manage stress… there’s a blend for you. Best of all, they’re a convenient way to get your vitamins and nutrients, are easy to use and most are great for kids too. I’ve made smoothie bowls, protein balls and added it to my oats. I honestly love them all (including the berry exotic blend captured in the photo), but I have to say, my top 2 favourite SMOOV Superfood Blends are: green blend and euphoric blend. I haven’t gone a week without using one or the other. See: Kid-friendly Superfoods for Health and Immunity to learn more about the green blend and Kid-friendly Superfoods for that Sweet Tooth to learn more about the euphoric blend.

Saje Natural Wellness

Saje Natural Wellness is a Canadian brand of essential oils, skin care and household products. I have been using this brand for a few years now. The first item I owned by them was their travel-size Pocket Farmacy Remedy Kit which includes a set of roll-on oils for stress, pain, indigestion, headaches and colds. This brand carries a variety of all-natural wellness products such as essential oils and diffusers, body and skin care products, household cleaning products and more. Essential oils are extracted from plants and go through an extensive process to become an oil. They have many healing benefits such as alleviating pain, relieving stress by aiding in calm and relaxation, soothing stomach and digestion issues, improving skin conditions and so much more. Some of my many favourite Saje products are: Echinacea Throat Spray, After the Rain Diffuser Blend, Fortify Cough & Cold Nasal Inhaler, Goddess Natural Deodorant Spray, and Muscle Melt.

DAVIDsTEA

DAVIDsTEA is one of the largest Canadian-based specialty tea and tea accessories brand. I still remember one of the first orders of loose-leaf teas I made from them. One of their travel mugs that was gifted to me a few years ago was one of the only mugs that kept my tea hot for many hours throughout the day. I brought it everywhere – to work, morning classes and on trips out of the city. My favourite DAVIDsTEA products are: Organic North African Mint tea, lock top travel mug, perfect infuser and tea filters. Unfortunately, they have recently announced that they will be closing a number of their stores across Canada as part of a reconstructuring plan. Thankfully, they are available online!

Mind Platter by Najwa Zebian

Mind Platter is a book written by a Lebanese-Canadian author by the name of Najwa Zebian. This book is food for the soul, containing a collection of single-page reflections on topics such as love, motivation, friendship, inspiration and more. What I love about these reflections is that they are entirely up to your interpretation. I came across this book randomly while browsing around at Eaton Centre’s Indigo. I instantly fell in love with the artistic book cover and the message on the back. It reads:

“At the end of the day, no one will walk your journey for you.

You have to do that.

At the end of the day, no one will dream from you.

You have to do that.”

After reading through a few of the reflections, I knew I had to own it.

Organika

Organika is a Canadian-based company of quality vitamins, supplements and functional food products. While I’ve known of this brand for some time, I’ve only started using their products this year. This is mainly due to the informative webinars they have hosted over the past few months. In these webinars they promote many of their products such as their line of collagen, adaptogens and various other supplements. My most recent and favourite Organika products are: Enhanced Collagen, Probiotic + Prebiotic Powder and Calm – Organic Chaga Mushroom Powder.

Below you will find a collection of notes I’ve taken on a number of Organika’s free webinars:

Gut Health 101

Strengthening Your Immune System

Sleep & Stress Management

Your Mental Health Matters: Extra Brain-Love During Times of Stress

Beyond Skin Deep: Holistic Health for Glowing Skin

What are your favourite wellness and health brands, products or items? Share in the comments below!

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What is Self-Regulation?

Self-Regulation

“Self- Regulation is how we manage stress.” – Dr. Stuart Shanker

Whether it’s been adjusting to life changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as lining up for 30 minutes to get into Costco, dealing with the illness of a loved one, or simply finding the motivation to get up in the morning, stress is something we all encounter on a daily basis, regardless of our age. Even babies experience all sorts of stress, beginning in their mother’s womb and even more so when they are born into the world.

Dr. Stuart Shanker, Founder and Visionary of The MEHRIT Centre defines stress as: anything that requires our internal system to burn energy in order to maintain some sort of internal balance. What he means by internal system is our autonomic nervous system (ANS). Stress has a physiological affect on our bodies, can be both positive and negative and vary from person to person (See: Stress & Stressors). When we talk about stress, we must also talk about how we manage it. This is called: self-regulation.

Self-Regulation

Dr. Stuart Shanker defines self-regulation simply as: how we manage stress. This is where our autonomic nervous system comes into play. Our autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating many of the functions, organs and muscles in our body. Some of the functions it is responsible for regulating include our:

Heart and breathing rate 💓
Blood flow 🩸
Body temperature 🌡
Digestion 🍴

The autonomic nervous system is is made up of two parts: the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) (i.e., accelerator) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) (i.e., brakes).

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

Is responsible for the energy used from stress
Is connected to our fight-or-flight stress response systems
- Helps to keep us safe from threat/danger
Is responsible for our quick action and is fueled by adrenaline
- Is what gets you up in the morning when your alarm goes off
Physiological responses (particularly when in danger) include:
- Pupils: dilates, to take in more light
- Heart rate: accelerates, pumping more blood throughout the body
- Digestive system: decreases activity
- Liver: stimulates glucose production + release (for immediate energy)
- Adrenal glands: stimulates adrenaline + cortisol production (the hormones that provide the muscles with oxygen and energy to react to danger)

Scenario #1

Imagine your smoke detector goes off while you’re sleeping. Your SNS activates, your heart rate increases and adrenaline fuels your body for action so quickly you don’t even realize it’s happening.

The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

Is responsible for rest, digest and recovery (from the energy used from stress)
Physiological responses (after experiencing danger/threat) include:
- Pupils: constricts
- Heart rate: slows down
- Digestive system: stimulates activity
- Liver: stimulates bile release (a fluid that helps with digestion)

Scenario #1 (con’t)

You realize your alarm detector malfunctioned. Your PNS activates, calming you down and restoring your body back in balance. When both of the SNS and PNS are in balance, you are in what’s called homeostasis. It’s important that the SNS doesn’t remain activated for prolonged periods (i.e., remaining in excessive states of stress). This can cause an over production of cortisol (a long-term stress response hormone) that can impact brain function and overall health. Alternatively, you don’t want to become and remain lethargic and withdrawn (i.e., remaining in a constant parasympathetic state, such as not wanting to get out of bed in the morning). Stress in healthy doses and degrees is a natural part of our healthy development, growth and resiliency, and as human beings, our ability to manage it effectively is what allows us to thrive.

See: Stress & Stressors to learn more about them.

More on Self-Regulation

See: Self-Regulation Resources

Got questions? Contact Me

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5 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Health & Lifestyle

Here are 5 simple things you can start today to boost your immune system!

Reduce Stress

Stress and our immune system do not get along. When we are under stress, our immune system is weakened, making us more vulnerable and likely of getting sick. For example, it is common to get sick around the time of travel. Whether it’s the stress of preparing or the climate change, our immune system might take a hit. Reduce stress by finding time to take care of yourself, such as any of the following ways below.

Socialize (while practicing social distancing)

Humans are social beings. Plus, strong emotions such as fear and loneliness are stressful, especially during these times. As mentioned above, stress weakens the immune system. So, find joy in talking and connecting with your loved ones – your family, friends and even pets! Check in on colleagues and see how they’re doing.

Sleep

Sleep is the time when our body repairs itself. We spend so many hours of the day awake and moving about that we need to give our brain and body the time it requires for rest. Not clocking in enough hours leaves us at a greater risk of getting sick because our vital organs are not recovering. According to the Chinese Body Clock, there are certain hours of the day that our vital organs are at peak functionality. For example, our liver cleanses and recovers between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. However, this can vary by person.

Exercise

When we exercise, we release a “feel good” chemical in the brain called endorphins. Endorphins boost our mood and in return reduces stress. In addition, it increases alertness, focus and concentration. Working out or going for a short walk is all it takes!

Eat Healthy

Our body responds to everything we eat. When we eat well, we feel good, and when we don’t, we tend to feel sluggish and tired. It’s important to ensure you’re getting the vitamins, nutrients and even antioxidants that help to build and sustain a well-functioning immune system. Consuming foods high in Vitamin A, Bs, C, E & Zinc such as fruits, vegetables, eggs and seeds contribute to strengthening the immune system.

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Kid-friendly Superfoods for that Sweet Tooth (SMOOV Superfood Blends)

Early Childhood, Health & Lifestyle

Contemplating SMOOV Superfood Blends Healthy Kids Bundle? Well look no further – here’s everything you need to know about why they’ve selected these blends for this bundle and the health benefits for kids behind their ingredients!

Let’s face it – just like us, kids have a sweet tooth, too! I’ll admit I have one.

Made with 6 powerful superfoods that are loaded with nutrients, the Euphoric Blend is a feel–good way to satisfy those cravings and boost your little one’s mood, the healthy way!

This blend contains the following Certified Organic ingredients:

Cacao – a natural mood elevator and a healthy way to satisfy sweet cravings. Loaded with antioxidants, calcium, iron and magnesium.
Carob – tastes similar to cacao, but much sweeter. Is rich in calcium, fiber and antioxidants that help protect your body from the toxic effects of free radicals (which can include smoke, pesticides and pollution that can damage parts of cells in the body).
Mesquite – a natural energizer and helps in the restoration of the intestinal flora. Is high in protein, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium and soluble fiber.
Maca – a powerful adaptogen (which helps the body adapt to stress) that can improve energy levels, stamina, emotional health and focus.
Lucuma – a natural, low–glycemic sweetener that also helps regulate blood sugar levels, containing vitamin B3, beta–carotene, calcium, iron and zinc.
Coconut – contains healthy saturated fats, lots of fiber, and promotes healthy blood sugar levels.

Did you know? Kids have stress too, and their little bodies are learning each day how to manage it, thanks to the love and support of the people in their life – like you!

Made with 8 powerful superfoods loaded with antioxidants, the Berry Exotic Blend helps to fight against stress to the body from free radicals, from the inside out.

This blend contains the following Certified Organic ingredients:

Acai Berry – loaded with antioxidants which help neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals throughout the body.
Maqui Berry – loaded with antioxidants that can help protect the body from the toxic effects of free radicals.
Camu Camu Berry – rich in vitamin C among other nutrients. Serves as a powerful antioxidant in your body and improves the health of your skin and immune system.
Goji Berry – helps to maintain good immune function, boost energy and improve mood. A great source of vitamins A, C, fiber, iron, zinc and contain all the essential amino acids.
Black Goji Berry – exceptionally high in antioxidants. Helps to boost the immune system and improve circulation.
Blackberry – beneficial for skin healing and improving brain function. Is high in fiber and packed with vitamins and minerals such as C, K and manganese.
Blueberry – a great source of fiber, vitamins C and K, manganese and antioxidants– known to boost heart health, repair and maintain skin, and improve brain function.
Lucuma– a natural, low–glycemic sweetener that also helps regulate blood sugar levels, containing vitamin B3, beta–carotene, calcium, iron and zinc.

What better way to healthily and heartily satisfy that little one’s sweet tooth than chocolate and berries!

This article was written for SMOOV Superfood Blends.

Are you looking for an easy way to get your greens in, boost your immunity, energy or mood? SMOOV Superfood Blends is a Canadian-based company that carries a variety of healthy, organic and all-natural superfood blends powder. Visit SMOOV today!

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Kid-friendly Superfoods for Health and Immunity (SMOOV Superfood Blends)

Early Childhood, Health & Lifestyle

Contemplating SMOOV Superfood Blends Immunity Bundle? Well look no further – here’s everything you need to know about why they’ve selected these blends for this bundle and the health benefits for kids behind their ingredients!

Have you already attempted the first 6 of the 7 Ways to try to Get Kids to Eat Veggies and you’re still having trouble getting your kids to eat them?

Then grab hold of the Green Blend in this bundle. Made with 9 powerful superfoods, this blend is packed with ALL your essential nutrients and is the easiest and most delicious way to get those greens in and help your kids stay clear of toxins building up in their body and slowing them down!

This blend contains the following certified organic ingredients:

Alfalfa Grass – supports blood, bone, eye and immune system health.
Barley Grass – helps to improve blood volume, prevents anemia and fatigue.
Oat Grass – known to help regulate blood sugar levels and protect against heart disease.
Wheat Grass – contains lots of vitamins, is rich in amino acids (which helps build protein) and aids the body in detoxification.
Spirulina – loaded with B vitamins, iron, copper and is a complete protein source. Possibly one of the most nutritious foods on the planet.
Chlorella – rich in protein, vitamins B & C, iron, and omega–3 which supports brain, eye and heart health.
Moringa – supports eye health, boosts energy, improves immunity, and aids with detoxification.
Kale – an absolute powerhouse of vitamin A which supports eye, skin health and fights infections, vitamin C which supports the immune system, gums and teeth, and vitamin K which supports blood and bones.
Lucuma – a natural, low–glycemic sweetener that also helps regulate blood sugar levels, containing vitamin B3, beta–carotene, calcium, iron and zinc.

The cold and flu season can be hard on us all, especially the little ones. Boost their immune system, beat those symptoms and add the Golden Blend to some water or juice.

Made with 5 powerful superfoods that are packed with nutrients, this blend is the best way to boost overall health and support the immune system.

This blend contains the following Certified Organic ingredients:

Camu Camu Berry – rich in vitamin C among other nutrients that benefits the immune system.
Goji Berry – helps to maintain good immune function, boost energy and improve mood.
Maca – a powerful adaptogen which helps the body adapt to stress.
Lucuma – see benefits listed above.
Carrot – a great source of vitamins A, B, K and potassium. Most commonly associated with improved vision, they also boost heart health, improve digestion.

This article was written for SMOOV Superfood Blends.

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