Saturday, April 24, 2021

SHINE Health Unstress® Supplement Review | Social Nature





I was invited by Social Nature to try out a supplement called "Unstress" by a Canadian brand called SHINE Health. With all the stress in my life right now, I jumped at the opportunity!

SHINE Health's Unstress supplement contains only 2 ingredients; ashwagandha and L-theanine,  both known stress busters. Retail is $21CAD.

Info From SHINE Health:

Helps with:
  • Reducing stress
  • Sleep
SHINE Unstress® is an all-natural premium blend of bioavailable Shagandha® Ashwagandha and AlphaWave® L-Theanine making the perfect pairing to quickly and naturally lower your daily stress levels. Our hand-selected ingredients are clinically proven to reduce perceived stress, lower food cravings, and significantly lower cortisol levels.

30 Vegan Non-GMO Capsules | 1/day | NPN 80103341

Packaged in our happy planet, plastic-free and compostable convenient packs.

Tip: Don't like to swallow pills? Break open the capsule and add to the drink or food of your choice.

They are Vegan, Non-GMO, diary-free, gluten-free, GMP Certified, high-potency, and plastic-free!

My Experince:

I have tried tons of stress busting supplements and a lot of them just don't work or I have an adverse reaction to them. I love that SHINE Health's Unstress only contain 2 ingredients, so there is less chance of having a negative reaction of some sort. 

I've been taking these every day for over 10 days now. It was on the 2nd day that I noticed that I was handling the stress in my life so much better! The effect is subtle as it's not like I take a capsule and suddenly feel relaxed. I am just handling all of life's stresses so much better, no longer feeling tied up in a knot like I'm going to combust! My mind in relaxed, and clearer. My sleep has also improved. I still wake up prematurely, but I'm usually able to fall back asleep now. As a result, I am much happier, as are the people around me, and I'm much more productive than I've been in a long time!

I feel that the more stress you are under, the more you may notice results. I've been dealing with a tremendous amount of stress due to serious family health issues and many other factors, it has been quite debilitating for me. But, as I mentioned, after taking the Unstress supplements, I am feeling  a lot less stressed and therefore I'm more productive.

Another thing that I've noticed is that the hot flashes that I had recently started getting have stopped! I'm not sure if it's related to this supplement or not, but I definitely need to look into it. 

I love that you only have to take one per day.  The eco-friendly, compostible packaging is the icing on the cake!




I am completely thrilled with this product and my results! I highly recommend giving them a try if you too need some stress relief. You can either make a one time purchase or you can subscribe to make sure that you don't run out. 

SHINE Health also has supplements for Focus, Energy, Mood, and Memory. Take their health quiz to find out which supplement is right for you.


So grateful that I got to try these products. The quality is top notch! #trynatural #gotitfree 

Get 20% off your first month with the subscription option right now with the code SHINE20 shinehealth.ca



Free Sample kindly gifted from Social Nature and SHINE Health

#prsample

Friday, April 23, 2021

Risk Factors and Common Symptoms of Colon Cancer



According to Cancer.net, the average age of colon cancer diagnosis in men is 68 years old, while 72 for women. While colon cancer is more common in older adults aged 50 and over, it can occur at any age.

Colon cancer is highly treatable if caught early enough. The symptoms of colon cancer don’t often appear until cancer has advanced. Therefore, it’s essential to regularly get screened for colon cancer to avoid reaching a stage when symptoms become evident and the cancer has progressed. Here are the risk factors to be aware of and the signs to look out for:

Risk Factors

While women and men are at equal risk for colon cancer, and it can happen at any age, there are personal, hereditary, and medical factors that may trigger the formation of cancerous cells or tumors.


Personal Risks

Age – The risk of colon cancer does increase with age. If you are 45 years or older, consider getting screened for colon cancer.

Weight – Obesity or being overweight increases your risk for colon cancer. Being an unhealthy weight means higher fat and insulin levels that may cause inflammation, contributing to cancer cell development.

Diet – High consumption of red meat, processed meat, and alcohol makes you at high-risk for colon cancer. The toxic preservatives in certain foods are controversial as contributors to cancer. To help prevent colon cancer, eat diets that are high in fresh fruits, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. 

Personal medical history – Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis affects your colon, increasing your colon cancer risk. People with IBD typically get screened for colon cancer 8-10 years after they are first diagnosed.


Family Medical History

First-degree and close relatives – First-degree relatives are family members who share about 50% of your genes. Your parents, siblings, and children are your first-degree relatives. Close relatives that would be listed in a complete medical record would include your grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and first cousins. About 20% of colon cancer patients have close relatives with colon cancer. Therefore, if any of your first-degree or close relatives have colon cancer, you have a higher risk for colon cancer.

Inherited conditions - The following are rare conditions that are inherited from family members that put you at a higher risk of colon cancer:


  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
    • Gardner syndrome
    • Attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP)
  • Lynch syndrome
    • Muir-Torre syndrome
    • Turcot syndrome
  • Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS)
  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)
  • MYH-associated polyposis (MAP

Symptoms

The following are general symptoms caused by many medical conditions, including colon cancer. If you are experiencing any of these, it does not automatically mean you have colon cancer. Any of these signs or a combination of symptoms are indicators that it’s time to see your doctor for screening:


  • Unexplained change in bowel habits, including persistent constipation or diarrhea
  • Constant fatigue
  • Iron-deficiency or anemia
  • Bloody stool. Unusually bright red or dark excrement may indicate blood
  • Unusually shaped stool. Stool that may be thinner than usual
  • Chronic abdomen discomfort, including cramps, bloating, and gas pains
  • Unexplained weight loss


To learn more about the different colon cancer screenings performed by gastroenterologists, contact Gastro-MD with two convenient locations, serving Orlando and Tampa. We strive to build a community of cutting-edge clinical gastroenterology practices and set the standards in digestive health care.






Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Celebrate Earth Day with Eco-Conscious Products for the Whole Family!


Celebrating Earth Day (April 22nd) by sharing some fabulous eco-friendly, sustainable products for the whole family! ๐ŸŒŽ 


You can't get much more eco-friendly than the Humble toothbrushes which are 100% biodegradable and made with sustainably grown bamboo!

Bamboo is naturally antibacterial, so there is no need to use pesticides during its cultivation. This product is 100% recyclable and the box is made from recycled materials. It's also vegan, cruelty-free, and BPA-free!

Every Humble purchase goes towards funding oral-care projects for children in need!

Available at ShopHali.com and London Drugs.

 

Foamie has done it again with some fabulous new plastic-reduced solutions with their Hibiscus Shampoo and Conditioner bars for damaged hair (other options are also available).

These are perfect for home and travel. Each bar its own cord for hanging which is labeled "shampoo" and "conditioner" so there is no mixing them up! Each bar will last for approximately 25 uses!

They are PH balanced for healthy hair and scalp. Plus, these contain hibiscus and nettle extract which invigorates and strengthens damaged hair.

With 0% Plastic, PEGs, Mineral Oil, Silicones, Lilial, and Soap.

They are vegan, cruelty-free, and #plasticfree

Available at ShopHali.com with 20% off for Earth Day with code EARTH20. More retailers coming soon.



Inecto Naturals Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner are another all-natural and eco-friendly option. Say goodbye to dry hair with the thirst-quenching organic coconut oil in these beauties, and let the scent transport you to a relaxing virtual vacation. ๐ŸŒด๐Ÿฅฅ

Inecto Naturals are a range of haircare and body care products that have been developed with organic oils and are up to 98% natural. From moisturizing coconut to nourishing avocado, each range within the Inecto portfolio uses the power of natural ingredients to provide a meaningful benefit to different needs.

These products are also vegan and cruelty-free.

Available at Rexall, London Drugs, Guardian IDA, and Pharmasave stores.



Hawkins and Brimble offer results-focused natural products that are formulated with simple, natural ingredients⁠.

Their Daily Energizing Moisturizer contains nourishing Avena Sativa Kernel Oil and oatmeal extract, this quick-absorbing hydrator feeds the skin with fortifying omegas 3 and 6 and Vitamin E to help boost your skin's defence against dullness and roughness and restore pH balance. Ginseng is renowned for its skin brightening properties while Caffeine powder helps to revive skin.

They are cruelty-free, paraben-free, and environmentally friendly.

Available at ShopHali.com, more retailers to come.



Splat Naturals is one of the first EXTREME SEMI-PERMANENT hair dyes to provide environmentally friendly packaging in a 95% Natural formula. 

These bold shades are conditioning, long-lasting (up to 30 washes), and provide a no-mess application. This one-step process provides the same bold vivid color Splat is known for but in a natural formula. Splat Naturals lets you express your individuality with a naturally formulated dye that does less damage to your hair and the environment.

This product is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and eco-friendly.

Other colours are available.

Available at ShopHali.com, Amazon.ca, more retailers to come.

 

7th Heaven, who has been walking this talk for 30+ years. That includes opening an ‘Eco Factory’ in 1994, and Implementation of a wind turbine in 2001 to help with its carbon footprint.

Their products are made with minimum processing, using pure and natural ingredients derived from plant and mineral sources. All the plant ingredients are grown using sustainable farming methods. They actively look for unusual ingredients that support ethical causes.

They are PETA-approved, cruelty-free, and vegetarian, many are vegan too!

7th Heaven is my go-to brand for eco-friendly, affordable face masks and has been for years! They have so many variations to choose from! ๐Ÿ˜

Available at Rexall, Pharmachoice, Guardian, London Drugs, Jean Coutu, Brunet, and Uniprix - new Superfood masks are currently available at www.shophali.com.


ShopHali.com is offering 20% off for Earth Day with code EARTH20.


By choosing natural, sustainable, and earth-friendly products, we can all make such a huge impact on our beloved planet over time.  I hope this post gave you some new ideas for earth-friendly products to try out ๐Ÿƒ

Happy Earth Day 2021, everyone! 
๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒŽ๐ŸŒ



Thank you to Farleyco Beauty for the fabulous all-natural and eco-friendly products!

#prsamples #pr


Monday, April 19, 2021

HACK YOUR WAY TO AT HOME FRUGAL FITNESS WITH THESE TIPS


Many of us are so used to being around the house for the past year, that some have become quite creative in terms of workout “equipment.” If you still prefer to keep your exercise routine at home, there really are effective things around the house to give you a solid fat burning and muscle building at home gym session. For those staying home due to budget concerns, just because you don’t have a fat wallet does not mean you can’t get buff. The following are budget-friendly at-home fitness tips from Jessica Mazzucco, NYC area certified fitness trainer and founder of www.thegluterecruit.com


HERE ARE THE HACKS:

Use soup cans for weights

Jessica Mazzucco says that “You can do any triceps or biceps exercise at home using cans of soup that you'd do at the gym with dumbbells. To properly gauge the weight, don't go by the ounces listed on the can -- that's liquid weight. Instead, weigh the cans on your scale to figure out the poundage that's best for you.”

Use jugs as weights

Fill a household bucket or jug with water (or sand, rock salt, or powdered detergent) and secure the top with duct tape. Lift it up and down in front of you as you do squats.

Substitute paper plates for body sculpting equipment

“The key here,” Jessica says, “is to use the plates to help your body slide on a carpet. This allows you to do body sculpting moves that would ordinarily require workout equipment. You can do the sliding lunge (put the paper plate under one foot and lunge forward). Try simulating skating to work your butt and thighs -- just attach the plates to your feet with rubber bands and slide away. Or, get down on all fours, put the plates under your hands, and use them to work your chest by sliding your arms back and forth.”

Substitute a countertop for a push-up bench

In most homes, at least one countertop, either in the kitchen or the bath, is the right height for a push-up. Put both hands on the countertop, extend your legs behind you at an angle, lean down into the counter, and then push back up.

Substitute pantyhose for resistance bands

“Almost any exercise you can do with a resistance band, you can do with old pantyhose or tights,” says Jessica. For example, sitting on the floor with your legs straight, loop a pair of pantyhose around the balls of your feet, and pull back with both hands as if you are using a rowing machine.

A fitness ball

Sometimes called a stability ball, looks like a large beach ball. You can do many core exercises, including abdominal crunches, with a fitness ball. You can also use a fitness ball to improve your flexibility and balance.

Kettlebell

A kettlebell is a round weight with the handle attached at the top. A kettlebell can be used to do strength-training exercises and to help improve grip strength. Kettlebells are available in many sizes.

Jump-ropes

Skipping rope can be a great cardiovascular workout.

Resistance tubing

These stretchy tubes offer weight-like resistance when you pull on them. Use the tubes to build strength in your arms and other muscles. Choose from varying degrees of resistance, depending on your fitness level.

Chair or step stool

Use a chair for support when doing exercises such as leg curls. A low, sturdy step stool can become exercise equipment if you use it for step training — an aerobic exercise resembling stair climbing.

Towels

Make your waist-whittling planks more effective with towels says, Jessica. Take two and place them under your hands or feet, then move forward, backward, and sideways.

Clean Sweep

This one’s easy: You can burn 80 calories every 20 minutes of sweeping. Pull out the broom and get to sweeping every corner of your house or apartment. How’s that for multitasking?

Laundry Twist

Jessica says, “Sit next to a full basket of laundry and twist to grab an item from the basket. Twist to the other side to lay it on a pile. Continue until your laundry is finished.”

Become a member of an online fitness platform such as www.thegluterecruit.com

Designed personally by Jessica, users receive 3 strength training workouts a week with access to bonus workouts in which can be done from the comfort of your home or in a gym setting. These workouts require a foam roller, a set of dumbbells, and a resistance band/hip loop.



About Jessica Mazzucco

Jessica Mazzucco is an NYC area certified fitness trainer and founder of The Glute Recruit® A native New Yorker, she graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. The latter enables her to use skills of therapeutic communication and client-centeredness to help her clients transition through change. Jessica has over 7 years of experience in the fitness industry and a multitude of diverse fitness certifications including :
  • World Instructor Training Schools (WITS) Personal Training Certification
  • National Posture Institute (NPI) Certified Posture Specialist + Certified Resistance Training Professional
  • ViPR - Vitality Performance Reconditioning - Level 1 Trainer
  • Kettlebell Athletics - Kettlebell Level 1 Trainer
  • Prenatal/Postnatal
  • SRT (Soft Release Technique) - Lower Body Fascial Stretch Therapist

Friday, April 9, 2021

5 Beauty Hacks Using Aloe Vera Gel




5 BEAUTY HACKS USING ALOE VERA


Hey, beauties out there! Learning some new beauty hacks are some of the best things to discover. Am I right!? So are you ready to learn some really interesting beauty hacks of the universal favorite ingredient ‘aloe vera gel’?

Let’s get started with the 5 super beauty hacks of Aloe Vera that I'm certain you will love;

Aloe cubes for skin tightening & even tone: You've probably heard that rubbing ice cubes on your face tighten pores & evenly tone skin. But when you use Aloe vera-infused ice cubes or aloe cubes on your face, you don't just get that youthful, even-toned skin but you also bid farewell to breakouts from dwelling on your face. Any sort of discoloration, sunburns, dark spots are all treated when you start using aloe cubes on your face regularly.

To make these, just take a fresh piece of aloe vera leaf. Separate its thorny ends. Cut it into small ice cube-sized pieces & freeze them on tin foil. The foil will prevent them from sticking on the plate inside the freezer. Let them freeze well. And, bingo, you’re done! These aloe cubes are now ready to use.

Battle heat with aloe vera as the natural heat protectant: We all love styling our hair. What comes along with styling is so much heat. No straighter, curler or crimper can work on your hair strands without penetrating heat into them. Therefore, it’s always suggested to use a heat protection spray before using such heating tools on your hair as they could seriously damage your hair. If you don’t have a heat protection spray or serum, you can rely on aloe vera gel for the purpose. It works great as a heat protectant and hydrates your hair making it look shinier & smoother.

Get a clean shave with pure aloe vera gel: Want smoothly shaved skin without spending on a shaving cream? Use Aloe vera! Apply pure aloe vera gel on the required area & shave to get smooth skin. This will avoid any chances of minor cuts & let your razor glide super smoothly.

Don’t have a makeup primer? Use aloe gel as a natural makeup base: The application of a primer is often the first step of a good makeup routine. It prepares a good base for long-lasting makeup & also makes the pores look minimized. However, if you don’t have primer, you can apply aloe vera gel to get a perfect makeup base. It gives nearly the same results a primer does!

Soothe cracked heels in a jiffy with this hydration booster: Cracked heels are not only annoying for their flaky skin & bad appearance, but they are also sorely painful as well. You need not spend a fortune on a special cream to cure your cracked heels, just take some aloe vera gel & apply it on your heels every night before tucking yourself in bed. The next morning when you wake up, you will be surprised to feel a great reduction in pain as Aloe vera is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Constant usage would treat them completely, giving you smooth & soft heels in just a week or two.

๐Ÿƒ

Aloe vera grows in tropical and subtropical zones. Its plant is easily available in every part of India due to its favorable weather conditions. But extracting its essence from Aloe vera leaves is a tad annoying task. It’s quite sticky in nature. Hence, there are various aloe vera products available in the market which make its usage easier and more pleasant. Deyga Organics brings you the goodness of Aloe vera in a gel that is natural, handcrafted, and cruelty-free. ๐Ÿฐ




*Guest post in collaboration with Deyga Organics
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