Health Tips

Written by Julie Paiva, CHHC   As October comes to a close, we are once again faced with the sugar-laden holiday, Halloween. Children, of course, always enjoy finding the best costumes, getting their faces painted and consuming large amounts of candy. On the other hand, we, parents, may worry as they are learning unhealthy habits and overloading on high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes and preservatives. The truth is we don't have to just sit back and cringe as they stuff their mouths with undesirable sweets and all too often end up sick. Instead, we can do things differently and in turn...

Written By Julie Paiva, CHHC   As we start the approach towards the holiday season, some of you might fear backsliding with your current health goals.  It may be with food, fitness, daily habits, or all three.  Accountability partners can help you to stay on track and committed to your goals.  They can provide you with support, encouragement, inspiration and even some tough love when needed.  If you have ever struggled with completing your health goals, here are a few reasons why an accountability partner might be the key to help you accomplish your next wellness milestone.   An Accountability Partner Will ...   Encourage...

Written By Julie Paiva, CHHC   It is officially pumpkin season, and there is more to celebrate than changing your decor or drinking pumpkin lattes. When we think pumpkins, we might envision taking a hay ride through the pumpkin patch, picking the perfect pumpkin, and carving a jack-o-lantern.  Perhaps we even start craving indulgences like pumpkin pie and other treats.  However, pumpkins have a lot more to offer us than decorating our front porches or artificially flavoring some of our daily favorites.  They actually pack some healthy powerful perks!   Feel Fuller Fiber helps you feel fuller, digest your food effectively, and absorb nutrients.  Pumpkin...

Written By Julie Paiva, CHHC   Summer has come to an end and fall is officially here.   The beginning of fall always seems to signal a fresh start.  Even if you are not in school anymore, the arrival of fall seems to bring back memories of new beginnings.  Fall is a symbol of letting go and moving onto bigger and better things.  Start off this autumn season by decluttering your life and making changes to create a healthier and happier you.  Follow these simple steps to get started on your fall cleanse.   Your Home Get rid of unnecessary things.  Swap out those summer...

Written by Julie Paiva, CHHC We have all heard that eating organic is best for our bodies and our planet.  Most people would love to buy and consume all organic produce without hesitation.  However, it isn’t always possible for us to do this.  It might be finances or availability that keep us from eating a fully organic diet.  What do we do when something holds us back from picking organic produce?   Pesticides are Toxic! Are you concerned about pesticides in your food?  Eating fresh fruits and vegetables are the best way for us to obtain the nutrients that support our body, but...

Written by Julie Paiva, CHHC Each of the four seasons offer a new selection of beautiful produce for us to eat.  The theory behind seasonal eating is to eat foods that are grown or harvested at that particular time of year.  Eating foods when nature produces them is what our ancestors did naturally.  Before large super markets, the food processing industry, and various modes of transportation, eating seasonally was a way of life. It connects our body to nature and reminds us of simple joys like munching on a sweet red watermelon on a hot summer day or cooking a...

Last week when half my family battled a stomach bug, I quickly remembered the downside to having the kids back in school. Since I was one of the unlucky ones to catch it, I was not on my "A game." Much to my dismay, I couldn't recall a single remedy to alleviate the stomach pain the kids and I were experiencing. So for my own benefit as much as yours, here are seven of the major homeopathic remedies to help ease GI symptoms!   Homeopathic Medicine Homeopathic remedies are diluted natural substances that stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities. They are super safe and...

In these hot Texas summers, nothing is more refreshing than a delicious piece of fruit. When eating clean, often we turn to this natural dessert to satisfy our sweet tooth. And why not as it's full of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber! However, it's not completely without its drawbacks. When consumed in excess, fructose, the sugar found in fruit, can be damaging to the body and lead to a myriad of problems. So how much is too much? In this post, we look at Dr. Brown's rules to eating fruit, the fructose burden of specific fruits, and his suggested...

This summer is flying by. I can't believe August is just around the corner. If you are like me, you are probably starting to gear up for school purchasing back packs, clothes, supplies, and the like. While we have had an amazing summer, I'm sure I'm not the only one that is a little excited to send the kiddos back to school. That being said, I am NOT excited to get back to waking up early, worrying about homework, and last but not least making school lunches!! The hassle of getting them made is definitely complicated by my desire...

Animal protein is a foundational component of any paleo-inspired diet including the Dr. Brown Diet. With vegetarianism gaining popularity in some circles, you may be wondering why this is the case. Although a vegetarian diet may provide adequate nutrition and some health benefits when carefully planned, it definitely goes against Dr. Brown's philosophy of the ideal eating plan. Here are three reasons why we believe animal protein should be an integral part of your daily food intake. 1. Animal proteins are "complete" proteins. Protein is a complex substance made up of amino acids. The human body needs twenty specific amino acids in order...

A key aspect of the Dr. Brown Diet is the notion of "food pairing." While this idea might seem unimportant, the truth is quite the opposite. Eating certain foods together and in a certain order can improve your digestive system and overall health quite dramatically. Proper food sequencing can help alleviate everything from simple gas and bloating in the short term to full-blown IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and other chronic conditions in the long-term. Here are things you need to know in order to organize your meals optimally. Work Your Way Up The less dense and more liquid a food is...

Our annual family vacation is only four days away, and as you might imagine, packing for my party of six is definitely quite the endeavor. I have spent the last several days organizing clothes and shopping for any items missing from our wardrobes. And clothes are just the beginning. I still have to sort through toiletries, pool and beach gear, and last but not least, my medicine cabinet. Being a naturally-minded mom, my travel first-aid kit looks very different from those of my siblings. Apparently, my remedies have worked well over the years though because I am now the...