Inspired Blog
5 Delicious and Easy Alkaline Breakfast Ideas
Do you find it challenging to choose the best dish to have for breakfast before you head out? Most people tend to be in a rush while preparing to go to work. Remember to take time and prepare a healthy breakfast to give you that much-needed kick to start off your day.
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Staying Hydrated While On A Keto Diet
Currently, one of the most popular methods for losing weight is following the ketogenic diet. Many have sworn by this diet, but it comes with its own set of challenges. If you are following this diet, you should understand the value of staying hydrated.
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Exercises to Improve Your Mood and Energy Levels
To live happily, develop a routine, and ensure that you stick to the exercises that will improve your immunity, boost energy levels, lift your spirit, and make you live a fulfilling life.
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5 Alkaline Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System for 2021
An alkaline diet refers to a mindful eating behavior that consists of healthy food choices. It is aimed at eliminating acidic food and including alkaline food. The idea behind is to enhance your total well-being, improve your overall health and maintain the pH balance in your gut.
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The Best Defenses: An Herbal Guide to Boosting Immunity
Herbs are one of the best ways to increase immunity levels. They have antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that assist in fighting off diseases.
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How to Avoid Food Temptations Around the House
If you are spending the whole day inside, it can be hard to avoid food temptations. Food cravings are difficult to deal with when food is a few steps away from you. Even worse, you will experience them regularly. Learn how to overcome your cravings here.
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Bringing Yourself into Balance: How Acidity and Alkalinity Work
Header Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels In accordance with science, a pH scale is a quantifier having 14 levels on it and anything that falls below 7 is considered acidic while anything that goes upwards of 7 is considered to be alkaline. While if something shows up to be exactly 7 on the pH scale, then it is considered to be neutral i.e. neither acidic nor alkaline, the best example of which can be natural raw water. When it comes to the human body, overall it should be slightly alkaline with a pH of around 7.4 in the blood. However, acidity and alkalinity can vary in different parts of the body, mostly based on their function. The digestive system stands out when it comes to being highly different from the rest of the organs as it is extremely acidic. The reasoning behind the digestive system being highly acidic is because it has the gastric acid produced by the lining of the stomach. This gastric acid is crucial as it breaks food down easily, ensuring proper digestion and smooth passage through the digestive tract. It also helps the body to absorb more nutrients from the food we eat. This is why it's important for our body that the stomach is highly acidic. However, that being said, we need to maintain a balance between acidity and alkalinity. This is because it is usual for the body to get even more acidic than required, which can result in further problems or lead us towards chronic diseases. Before understanding how to maintain this balance, let us first understand how this balance gets disrupted, to begin with. Why and How Does pH Imbalance Happen in the Body? Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels Our body’s pH balance, also known as acid-base balance refers to the levels of acid in the blood at which the body can perform to the best of its ability. Although our bodies are built in a way that it naturally tries to maintain this balance, especially through our lungs and kidneys, poor dietary habits, lack of regular exercise, not drinking much water and living in a polluted atmosphere are some of the factors that make it tough for the body to maintain balance. When we talk about our gut, maintaining a good pH level in it is even more important since the gut is highly acidic in itself already, and any imbalance could lead to multiple gut-related issues such as heartburn, acidity, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and in extreme cases even GERD also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Additionally, the intestines can also get swollen as the body will struggle to eliminate waste, which might lead to even further health issues. Apart from this, improper pH balance or too much acid in the blood can also steal the electrolytes which are highly charged small particles needed by the body to function and contain key elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Losing these minerals causes all sorts of problems and subsequent diseases in the body. Some other problems that might result due to pH imbalance include unintentional weight changes, sleep disturbance, constant fatigue, low energy levels, skin problems like itching and irritation and food intolerances amongst others. Moreover, these problems if unattended could lead to chronic diseases over time, making it extremely important for us to understand and then try to maintain pH balance in the body. Is Too Much Alkalinity Also Bad? Photo by Mary Taylor from Pexels So far we have discussed how pH imbalance leads to more acidic concentration in the body that can cause various problems. But if the imbalance were to happen in the opposite way and instead of being more acidic, the body becomes more alkaline, then what will happen? Well, the answer to this is that when there is too much alkaline, known in science by the term alkalosis then also you could face various problems. Although it is rare that alkalosis occurs in a body, but, when it does happen, it could cause issues such as lightheadedness, vomiting, nausea, muscle spasms, difficulty in breathing, and in some extreme cases, it can lead to seizures. Alkalosis can happen when the body loses a lot of acid, which can generally be due to vomiting or diarrhea. The body also tends to lose a lot of fluid and electrolytes due to this, and it eventually affects the kidneys, reducing their ability to maintain a healthy pH balance. Just like too much acid in the body can be dangerous, similarly, if the body becomes too alkalinized then it too creates various issues. How Can You Know if the pH is Imbalanced in Your Body? Photo by Gabby K from Pexels If you are experiencing symptoms of a pH imbalance, then you can go for a pH test to be sure. To do a pH test, you will be required to share a sample of your urine or saliva. Usually, pH strips are used and the urine or saliva sample is put on these to check the pH level. If a urine sample is used, then you should ensure that the sample is from your first bladder movement after you wake up in the morning. Since pH balance can vary throughout the day and might change after you consume food or water, it is important to sample from an empty stomach to get the most accurate reading or indication. For your pH balance to be perfect, your pH level in the morning should be between 6-6.5. Similarly, a saliva sample for the pH test should be collected in the morning before brushing. A pH level between 7-7.4 is considered to be well balanced What Can You Do to Maintain a Healthy pH Balance in Your Body? We have now seen how to maintain a pH balance in the body is of paramount importance. Not only does it help in eliminating various problems, but it also protects you from various chronic diseases and helps you stay healthy. Many factors affect the pH balance in the human body, including the food you eat, the amount of water you drink, how much exercise and sleep you get and many more. Most of us struggle to maintain this balance and look for ways to help in having a healthy pH level. Well, you don’t have to look any further as we will be discussing some of the most effective ways through which you can maintain a healthy pH balance. Read along to find out. Try an Alkaline Diet Photo by Dose Juice on Unsplash An alkaline diet refers to a diet plan focused on eating healthy and natural food including fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and even seaweed. It also stresses cutting down on highly acidic food such as junk food, processed food, packaged food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco. The idea behind this diet plan is to encourage healthy eating habits that include natural food which promotes good health, keeps diseases away and maintains the pH balance in the body. The modern generation tends to eat a highly acidic diet consisting of processed, packaged and junk food that causes the pH balance in the body to go haywire and lead to various disorders and diseases. But an alkaline diet is aimed at changing these poor dietary habits. Switching to an alkaline diet plan can seem to be extremely challenging in the beginning. But you can use these 5 hacks to start an alkaline diet right away. Also, you can refer to this 7-day alkaline diet plan to have a complete guide on what and when to eat, that will make it easier for you to adapt and move towards living a healthy life in the future. Drink Alkaline Water Alkaline water is different from your regular water as it is slightly more alkaline, above 7 on the pH scale.However, this slightly extra alkalinity of water is extremely helpful in maintaining the pH balance in the body and removing gut issues like bloating, acidity, constipation, heartburn and others. On top of this, alkaline water is more easily absorbed by the cells in the body and it keeps them hydrated for longer, eventually making you feel more energetic throughout the day. DYLN Bottle comes with a VitaBead Diffuser installed at its bottom that converts regular water into alkaline water within minutes. It comes in various sizes and colors and you can carry it anywhere too. This ensures that you drink alkaline water throughout the day and achieve optimal pH balance in your body. Exercise and Rest If you want to maintain a perfect pH balance, then you need to avoid stress at all costs. Stress is known to have an acidic effect on the body that can further lead to heavy disruption in the pH balance. It releases inflammatory chemicals as well as hormones that are a part of a response from your immune system. This eventually leads to problems such as headaches, high blood pressure and increased heart rate. To control stress, you should exercise daily. Not only will it divert your mind, but it will also make you feel better and relaxed. You can also check out these breathing exercises to keep you calm and grounded. Also, you should take proper rest and sleep for at least 8 hours each day. If you are not getting enough sleep, then drinking water can help. Apart from these tips, you should try to indulge in activities that you love such as reading books, journaling, playing games, or spending time with your loved ones which should allow you to stay stress-free and hence maintain perfect pH balance for longer periods. Final Words Having a proper pH balance is crucial for our body to function normally, staying devoid of health issues, problems and chronic diseases. But our poor dietary habits and lifestyle choices make it tough to maintain this balance, and either we are too acidic or too alkaline, both of which are not good as they cause various problems and do not allow us to feel well and healthy. By adapting your lifestyle and making a few changes like the ones discussed above, you can easily maintain the balance of acidity and alkalinity in your body. A body with perfect pH balance will eventually mean that you live a healthy and happy life and keep the diseases and suffering at bay.
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5 Easy & Soothing Recipes for When You're Feeling Under the Weather
Header Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels Are you feeling under the weather? Do you have a runny nose, sore throat, upset stomach, bloating, or aches? When your body is not one hundred percent, you end up not being very productive. Even if it's not something critical, the situation is not fun. You end up feeling nauseous with no appetite at all. However, there are some family recipes that most people take when they are feeling sick. It could be a snack, soup or tea. They have a lot of health benefits, and some of them boost appetite. This article will focus on chicken soup, garlic, banana, honey, and popsicle recipes for when you are feeling under the weather. 1. Chicken Soup Recipes Photo by Andrew Wilus from Pexels Over the years, one of the main dishes for when you are feeling under the weather is chicken soup. It has become so popular for a reason. According to research, chicken soup can help relieve cough, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and it helps loosen nasal mucus. Most people like eating chicken soup, especially during the cold winter days because it soothes the throat and also has excellent taste. It is also packed with nutrientsTwo recipes of chicken soup include chicken noodle soup and grandma's homemade chicken soup. Grandma's Homemade Chicken Soup When you are feeling under the weather, grandma’s gluten-free chicken soup always comes to the rescue. Simmer a full chicken with herbs, celery, carrots, onion and garlic for two hours. You can serve it with rice or any preferred carbs if you don't mind gluten. Pho Ga Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup Some grandma's like to spice things up. The Pho Ga Vietnamese chicken noodle soup adds a lot of advantages to chicken broth. In this case we add Vietnamese toppings such as lime, bean sprouts, herbs and rice noodles. 2. Garlic Recipes Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash Did you know that garlic has a wide range of health benefits? It boosts immunity, improves cardiovascular health, works as an anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties. It also helps fight seasonal colds and the flu, especially when eaten raw. With all these benefits, it is used as a critical ingredient in many recipes when feeling sick. Flu Fighter Garlic Soup You will first need to sauté onions, red chilli flakes, turmeric powder and garlic to heated oil in a medium-sized pan. Then add salt to fasten the cooking process. After that, add chopped coriander, mushrooms and carrots and ensure they cook for a few minutes. Put the water/vegetable broth and quinoa into the pan while stirring. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then let them cook for 20 minutes. After you are done, add minced garlic and serve. Cote d’Azur Cure All Soup This is a recipe for hangovers and colds. First, add thinly sliced garlic in a large saucepan. After that use a butcher's twine to tie the thyme, bay leaves and sage together and place the bundle in the saucepan. You should then add vegetable broth or water and measured salt. Let the mixture boil on high heat then let it simmer for thirty minutes. Remove the herb bundle and let it continue to simmer. Whisk cheese and yolks in a bowl then add a small amount of soup and continue whisking until a smooth mixture is attained. Take this mixture and add it steadily into the saucepan which will make the soup to thicken somewhat. Switch off the stove and whisk the soup for one more minute. Add salt and pepper to taste then serve. 3. Banana Recipes Bananas have a lot of health benefits because they contain a lot of calories and nutrients. Additionally, they are a significant source of potassium which is especially important to people experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. In addition to the loss of fluids, you will also lose minerals such as sodium and potassium. They also contain soluble fibre which assists in relieving diarrhea that is why most hospitals recommend it when you have loose stool. Bananas contain antioxidants such as catechins and dopamine, vitamin C and folate. Some studies show that it can increase energy, fight cancer, reduce bloating and help with digestive issues. One of the ingredients in the BRAT diet recommended when you have diarrhoea is bananas. This diet helps with nausea, eases the stomach and it fights colds and the flu. It has a protein known as a lectin that can be used to generate new medicines for viruses such as Ebola, hepatitis C and Sars in the future. Easy Banana Smoothie An effortless recipe is the banana smoothie recipe. It is easy and quick to make and require little cleanup. If you want to increase the protein content, you can add one 5.3 ounce container of nonfat Greek yoghurt. You can also add a teaspoon of honey or flaxseeds to increase antioxidants and fibre. For this recipe, you will need three ripe bananas, one tablespoon of honey, 1 cup crushed ice and 1 ½ cups of unsweetened almond milk. Blend all ingredients in the blender for 1 to 2 minutes until a smooth mixture is attained. Serve the smoothies immediately. If you are going to work, you can carry the smoothie with a DYLN bottle to drink during the day. 4. Honey Recipes Photo by Charlotte May from Pexels Throughout history, honey has been used for a lot of health benefits and medical benefits. It is a good source of antioxidants which protect the body from cell damage. This means it can help prevent heart and cancer illnesses. Honey also has antibacterial and antifungal properties which means that they can destroy microorganisms and infections. Hospitals use honey to treat wounds because it can help in tissue regeneration. However, the honey used in hospitals is sterile, so do not buy honey in the store expecting miracles to happen. Honey recipes are mixed with ingredients such as lemon and ginger. The combination of honey and lemon can help with cold symptoms and relieve sore throats. Ginger and honey recipes can help with colds, the flu, respiratory problems, nausea and stomach problems. Honey and Lemon Tea A hot cup of honey and lemon tea can help you to stay hydrated and relieve nasal congestion. All you need is a cup of water, two teaspoons of honey, and a teaspoon of stevia for this recipe. Pour the water into a mug then add honey. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute and thirty seconds. After that, pour the lemon juice and stir until all honey is dissolved then add stevia. Ginger Tea A natural cold remedy is ginger tea. You can combine lemon, honey, turmeric and apple cider vinegar for the best results. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that help with fighting the flu and cold symptoms. Ginger tea is prepared the same way as honey and lemon tea. 5. Popsicle Recipes Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash Yes, you are not a kid anymore, but popsicles are also soothing when you are feeling unwell. The cold popsicles soothe a sore throat, and the water can help you stay hydrated. They can also help when you are feeling congested. You can use different fruits which will help build your immune system. Popsicles are best when you have a cough or are sneezing because they provide immediate relief to the symptoms. Luckily, you do not have to buy them because you can make them at the comfort of your own home. To make these delicacies you can use alkaline water instead of regular water. Alkaline water has many health benefits in your body especially for your gut. You can purchase a DYLN Bottle which alkalizes water in a matter of minutes. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes which you can choose from. Healthy Strawberry Popsicles Healthy strawberry popsicles are easy to make. They are delicious, healthy, aromatic and very refreshing. Strawberries give the popsicles a very bright color and also add nutritional value. They are also dairy and refined-sugar free hence so popular among many. You will require 350 grams of halved strawberries, ¼ cup Of maple syrup, 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of vanilla extract and 190ml of almond milk. Blend all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth or as preferred. Let the mixture freeze overnight in popsicle moulds. Enjoy your sweet popsicles the next day. Feel better Popsicles These are healthy popsicles that offer a combination of many ingredients which can help with a cold. You will need 2 tbsps of lemon juice, ¼ cup of orange juice, 3 cups of very ripe sliced mangos and chopped ginger. You will also need 2-inch chopped turmeric and 1/3 cup honey. Combine all the ingredients and blend them in a blender or food processor until smooth. Freeze the mixture overnight or for a few hours to set completely. When ready to eat, dip the popsicles in hot water to release the attached popsicle from the plastic freezer bag then enjoy. Conclusion When feeling ill, it is crucial to hydrate and consume nutritious soup or snacks that will help restore your health. You can use a DYLN Bottle to carry water and ensure you are always hydrated. It changes regular water to alkalized water that has numerous health benefits especially for your gut. Additionally, if you are suffering from mild symptoms, go to the kitchen and prepare simple recipes that will leave you feeling refreshed and better. These nutritious recipes will also boost your immunity because of the numerous nutrients they provide.
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Preventing vs. Repairing Burnout
Given the effects of burnout, it should, by all means, be prevented rather than repaired. The fact that it grows gradually is more reason to address the symptoms as early as they appear.
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