Healthy Habits to Feel Good
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It’s a time I can slow down and recharge from the busy summer being out and about non stop. I actually like that it’s getting colder, because it kind of forces me to stay home more. Who likes to be out on a gloomy chilly day?! Fall is when the cocooning season starts and my big chill mode gets on! This is the time I choose to hit the reset button, soothe my mind and strengthen my immune system.
My Healthy Habits Are Here!
Lemon water first thing in the morning. Drinking the juice of half a squeezed organic lemon in warm water on an empty stomach is the very first thing I do after I wake up. Lemons are not only high in vitamin C and antioxidants, but they also have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, keeping all sort of bacteria away. Lemon water is a great way to maintain the pH balance in the body and helps strengthen the immune system. Lemon is your best friend for good health! It’s a super fruit packed with great health benefits. I ALWAYS have plenty of lemons in my fridge.
Green Tea is my morning drink of choice. I drink plenty of loose leaf green tea. It not only tastes good, but it’s packed with antioxidant as well. Green tea is known to improve blood flow, brain function and fight inflammation in the body.
Oatmeal for breakfast. Yes you read it right, no bread for La French Girl! Don’t get me wrong I do like a good slice of bread. I used to spread butter and jam on bread for breakfast. But I cut this habit from my diet years ago. Here in the US it’s not easy to find good artisan bread like in France. You get highly processed industrial bread instead. So I switched to oatmeal. Oat is rich in fiber, which helps regulate bowels movement. It’s also a good source of plant-based protein, B vitamins, iron and biotin. All those nutrients help keep the gut healthy and boost brain function. I add a bit of almond or oat milk, some cinnamon for its anti-inflammatory property and blueberries for the antioxidants.
Probiotics for a healthy gut. I add them to my wellness regimen each fall and spring for a period of 3 months. A healthy gut is very important, because it contributes to a strong immune system, effective digestion, heart and brain health and it also improves mood and good sleep.
Low sodium and sugar intake. I always check the sodium and sugar percentage on the label of any food I buy. We know sugar and sodium are not good for you but it’s in every food in the US at a pretty high percentage! Do you know that too much sodium can cause a high blood pressure?! I tend to eat food high in potassium to balance the sodium intake. Bananas and potatoes are great for that.
An anti-inflammatory diet. I was born in the Mediterranean and grew up with the Mediterranean cuisine. This diet is grounded in plant-based foods, that include whole grains, plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants as well as healthy fats like olive oil, nuts and fatty fish. Inflammation is the source of disease and skin issues. It’s important to avoid it and an anti-inflammatory diet helps a lot. Remember that you are what you eat.
Bone Broth during cold months. I’m just starting drinking it and I can tell it does me good. I see a difference in my hair more thicker. It’s packed with vitamins and nutrients like calcium, magnesium and also contains collagen. It also helps heal the gut, reduce inflammation and protect the joints. I prepare myself a warm cup of chicken bone broth, when I start feeling tired during the day and when I have an upset stomach. It’s a good energy booster.
Tulsi Tea to reduce stress. Tulsi (Holy Basil in English) is an adaptogen, a plant substance that helps the body deals with stress. It balances stress hormones such as cortisol, has a calming effect and promotes heart health by lowering high blood pressure. It’s my afternoon drink.
Essential Oils to soothe the mind. I use the Vitruvi Stone Diffuser, I got for Christmas last year. Their essential oils are top quality. It’s fun to choose and blend the oils depending on their properties and how you feel; “Essential Well-Being” by Sara Panton, cofounder of Vitruvi, is the perfect guide to get introduced to essential oils. Lavender, Ylang ylang, Eucalyptus, Spruce and Frankincense are my favorites.
I don’t make a paragraph of it but drinking plenty of water, listening to music, moving my body, dancing, laughing and having a good night sleep are also part of my healthy habits to feel good.
Stay warm and healthy everyone! Say Hi and tell me your healthy habits in the comments section below!
