If you have followed me for very long, you'll know that I like to focus on nutrition. This is something I've had to do for 12+ years now due to some special dietary needs in my family (more on this later). Today I want to talk a little bit about the importance of aloe vera juice. I recently added it to my daily routine and I absolutely love it!
Just look at all the amazing benefits a good, quality aloe juice can have:
- Antioxidant rich
- Aid and support for digestion
- Helps with body alkalinity
- Hydration for skin
- Liver function
- and potentially so much more!
The particular one I use is formulated with a variety of antioxidant supporting phytonutrients and is made from pure organic Aloe Vera.* It's also made with natural ingredients that aid and support digestion and contains naturally-occuring electrolytes to support cellular function*. It has natural honey that aids to help soothe the stomach and also has natural pear juice to help support energy.* Now that's a great ounce of juice right there! Not to mention that it tastes amazing and is light & sweet. It seriously makes taking care of your gastrointestinal health something you want to do.
One thing I'm learning more and more on my path to natural healing is that if the digestive tract is messed up, the whole body will eventually follow suit. A heathy gut is sooooo important! It allows the body to absorb the nutrients it needs and expel those it doesn't. Aloe Vera is just one of the things I've added to my daily protocol. You can read about my full regimen in "my health journal" on my website.
As with any dietary product, please keep in mind: *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Collagen is all the rage these days. It's often found in powder form, but did you know it also comes in a liquid?? Why does that matter? Continue reading and find out!
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. Usually by the time we are in our mid-20's our body slows down the production of collagen. The effects of that show up in our skin, joints, muscles, hair, etc...
So, what's the difference between powder and liquid collagen?
With powdered collagen, your body utilizes and absorbs only about 30%, depending on the manufacturer and the fillers they use. Why only 30%? This is because the collagen molecule is so large that our bodies have a hard time breaking it down during the digestive process. BUT...
With 💧liquid collagen 💧, which includes the hyaluronic acid and chondroitin (same composition as human articular cartilage), you are utilizing and absorbing around 90% or more!
Once you factor in all of the benefits of this particular patented and award winning formula, you really can't beat it!
Here's some benefits of our liquid collagen:
- Reduces wrinkles
- Improves Skin’s Hydration
- Reduces the look of cellulite
- Boosts Hyaluronic Acid by 6000% (HA is what fills in wrinkles)
- Improves Joint Lubrication and discomfort
- Means Longer Lashes and Fuller Hair
- Increased energy, enhance mood, and overall sense of well-being
I don't know about you, but those are some pretty amazing stats about our liquid collagen!! I have been using it for almost 2 weeks now and my nails are already much stronger! I can't wait to see how great I'll be feeling after another 2 weeks! (most results are seen between 30-60 days)
Want to know more? Check out this link and be sure to contact me if you have any questions! I'm always happy to help in any way that I can.
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Originally today's post was going to be all about mindset and why it matters. But the truth is, things have been super crazy lately and that means things get a little off balance. That's all okay, because in all reality, the wheel is never fully balanced. It rotates and there will be times one area needs a bit more help than others. For me right now, that area is health.
A week or so ago I was told by a friend about a holistic practitioner in the area. I didn't really think I had anything major to go in for but wanted to get my foot in the door and knew it had been a while since I'd had a good checkup. So I scheduled an appointment. That appointment was today. The news wasn't quite as I expected. I fully thought she'd agree that I'm premenopausal (which she did) and that I have a few gut issues going on. My thought was that it was just "normal" things that a good cleanse could take care of. No biggie.
Though these are all areas that came up, it wasn't necessarily for the reasons I expected. So, what exactly is going on? Lyme Disease. The funny thing is that, though it hadn't really crossed my mind that I had it, I also wasn't super surprised. I live in central Oklahoma and the ticks can be thick at times. So, yes, I've had tick bites before. However, it's been a while so I was surprised that it's something that is just now coming up (which I also found out isn't so uncommon).
What now? Thankfully, since I'm already health-conscious and try to give my body what it needs, this process should go a little faster than the projected 11+ months that it can take.
Step #1 is to open up the drainage system.
Step #2 is to kill off all parasites. Thankfully she said I really don't have a lot to deal with here. That's a big plus!
Step #3 is a series of steps to actually kill off the Lyme Disease.
I'm feeling pretty confident about the action steps we are taking and I can't wait to heal my body from the inside out. It's so important to listen to you bodies and find ways to treat the core issues, not just the symptoms. Like I said above, I felt I needed to go in but not for anything major. But I was also relieved to have the appointment set just to know what all is going on. And you better believe I'm happy that I didn't put it off any longer. Now we can head things off quickly and get my body back to where it needs to be.
As for mindset, well, it plays a part here too...having a positive attitude when healing the body is a must! The results will be so much better when you face things with a positive outlook. Stay tuned for my original blog on why mindset matters...and having a healthy body is just one reason why!
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Oh man! Do I have a delicious recipe for you!! This black bean soup is a favorite in my house. It's soooo tasty, especially when you make your own black beans (recipe here).
We like to serve this over cooked rice. Try adding chopped cilantro to add that nice cool and refreshing taste. Though sour cream and cheese may make great additions, we prefer it just as it is!
Enjoy!!
Bacon & Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups black beans (I use this recipe to make them from dried beans)
- 6 slices of bacon or more (I usually use a whole package...cuz it's bacon!)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 TBS minced garlic
- 32 oz chicken broth (or 2 cans)
- 2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Served with:
Rice
Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Cook bacon in stockpot (I usually do some in the pot and some in the oven to speed up the process).
- When bacon is mostly done, add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add in beans and remaining ingredients (except rice and cilantro).
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 min to help blend the flavors.
- Serve over cooked rice. Add cilantro and desired toppings.
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These black beans so so delicious!! Once you make them, you'll never want canned black beans again! They are perfect for tacos or soup. Sooooo good!
You can find my bacon black bean soup recipe here. Yum!
Instant Pot Black Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry black beans (sorted and rinsed)
- 3 cups water
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp worcestershire sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in instant pot.
- Place lid on and turn steam release valve to sealing.
- Set pot to manual (high pressure) for 22 minutes. It may take about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- Allow steam to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, carefully open steam valve to release any remaining steam.
- Once steam is fully released, carefully open lead.
- Serve beans as desired.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
