EcoHuman Health

These darker days are calling for my Mood Boosting Cacao Elixir. Keep your blood sugar stable and enjoy an uplift of your mood with this delicious drink. Raw cacao - a superfood that is packed with antioxidants, calcium, iron, magnesium and more.... Ceylon cinnamon - Cinnamon also mimics the effects of insulin, which increases insulin sensitivity, making insulin more efficient at shuttling glucose into cells. Coconut milk - contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which researchers have linked with weight loss. MCTs aid in burning fat for fuel. Collagen - filled with amino acids, collagen benefits the skin, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue of the digestive tract. The amino acid, glycine, has calming properties, found in bones and connective tissues. Mood Boosting Cacao Elixir 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk, cashew or macadamia nut milk 1 /2 cup boiling filtered water 2 teaspoons of Ceylon cinnamon 1-2 teaspoons monk fruit sweetener, stevia, raw honey or pure maple syrup 1-2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder 1 scoop of unflavoured collagen peptides or marine collagen powder Combine all the ingredients in a blender for 1 minute. Pour into a beautiful mug, sit down and enjoy! Please note: If you are sensitive to caffeine, start with 2 teaspoons of cacao powder and be mindful of the time you enjoy it. If you have difficulty sleeping or are not waking up rested, only enjoy before noon.

Supplementing Vitamin D is a must living in Canada . Vitamin D is a major player in both our short-term and long-term health. We need good levels for a healthy immune system, good cardiovascular function, strong bones and balanced mood. ... Even though my serum levels are within the optimal range of 50 and 80 ng/mL, I still supplement during the dark months. Low Vitamin D levels have been associated with: Autoimmune conditions Multiple sclerosis Osteoporosis Heart disease Type II diabetes Mood disorders such as depression, SAD, and PMS Deficiencies are not only linked to a lack of sunlight but also to the inefficiency of the liver to activate it due to wide-spread use of pesticides . The good news is you can easily find out your vitamin D levels by getting tested by your doctor. If you are deficient, you can bring your levels up by supplementing. Our favourite is Thorne Research’s Vitamin D/K2 Liquid. Vit D controls the absorption of calcium into the blood and vitamin K2 controls where the calcium ends up = in your bones. They work together to maintain calcium levels in the body . We have a few bottles left. DM if you’d like some. See more

One of my favourite products...The Cultured Coconut Probiotic. I love this stuff. The Cultured Coconut is a food-based probiotic that supports your good gut microbes which we know are directly linked to your immune system and mental health. ... It’s so easy to add to your day. You start with 1 teaspoon and gradually work up to 1 tablespoon. Add it to smoothies, water or enjoy it right off the spoon like I do! I’ve only heard good things about from the women I work with. As one woman said I can’t describe exactly what’s going on but there’s a good shift happening. It’s subtle, delicious and Canadian made . See more

Soup season is officially here! Can you believe the colour of this one? Made with local and in-season veggies = carrots, beets + purple cabbage. ... This is one of my fall favourites. No only for the colour, but also for the flavour and deep nourishment. Red Foods - anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cell protection, gastrointestinal health, heart healthy, hormone health, liver health Orange Foods - anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, immune health, cell protection, reproductive health, skin health, source of vitamin A Purple Foods - anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, cell protection, cognitive health, heart health, liver health * Adapted from the Institute of Functional Medicine Keep it vegan by adding water or vegetable stock or up the nutritional profile by adding a base of bone broth = gut health + immune support. Don’t forget that approximately 80% of your immune system is housed in your gut (aka intestinal lining). That’s why I love talking about the digestive system. Either way it’s delicious! You can find the recipe on our website - Hearty Carrot, Cabbage + Beet Soup. https://ecohumanhealth.com/carrot-cabbage-and-beet-the-flu/ What’s you favourite cold-weather soup?

Remember, All Those Times

Leftover Taco Night salad A simple lifestyle change to set you up for a successful lunch without much effort = put a portion of your dinner away BEFORE you serve it. Leftover Taco Night Salad... Base: Organic leaf lettuce Filling: Leftover roasted squash, tomatoes, cucumber, green onion Protein: Leftover taco meat (Grass-fed ground beef w/ homemade spice mix) Healthy Fat: 1/3 avocado + Spicy ACV vinaigrette Fiber: 1 tbsp ground flax (hidden in there somewhere) Dressing: Spicy ACV vinaigrette I’ll be putting away a portion of protein from dinner for the rest of the week for my lunches. Do you have any tips for quick, easy and healthy lunches? See more

Habit changes are tough so when you find something that works, stick with it. This is especially true for nutrition changes. Keep decision-making fatigue to a low, set yourself up for success by putting a new meal/snack into a cycle. On repeat right now is my Blood Sugar Balancing Blueberry Banana Bliss smoothie. ... Same recipe as yesterday with the addition of 2 handfuls of fresh spinach. When something works, I stick with it. Blood Sugar Balancing Blueberry Banana Bliss: 2-inch piece of ripe banana 1/4 cup frozen wild blueberries 1 cup full fat coconut milk 2 tablespoons hemp seeds 1 tablespoon The Cultured Coconut probiotic coconut milk 2 scoops marine collagen powder Toppings: unsweetened shredded coconut + raw cacao nibs. The spoon is there as a reminder to chew your food thoroughly in order to help your body absorb all the nutrients. You can be eating the best foods but if your digestion isn’t working properly, you won’t be absorbing all those amazing nutrients you’re consciously preparing. Take away: 1. Fuel your body in the morning with a mix of protein, fat and fiber to keep your energy stable and consistent. 2. Put crunchy toppings on your smoothies and eat them with a spoon. This will help you chew them and support your digestive system. What’s your favourite smoothie combination right now? See more